COsleeveDude

I just buy my stuff at GNC like I did before surgery. You can take whatever you can tolerate. Some people prefer the bariatric brands. I am starting with what I already know, and if my 3-month blood tests come back and look good I will continue. I always try and take my Vitamins with some food or a Protein drink to reduce the chance of stomach upset. I take: - Mega Men Multivitamin (contains no iron): http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4033435 - Gentlesorb Iron: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3719245 - B Complex: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3335767 - Calcimate Complete: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11123355 - Ultra NourishHair: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2133781 - Gold Standard Whey: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3267268

I don't do physical work anymore. My doc said no lifting over 20 lbs for six weeks. I've heard some other people say they were off lifting restrictions at four weeks. I worked in a warehouse and for FedEx when I was younger. Since you use your core for lifting everything if you lift properly, I would be concerned about going back any sooner than four weeks. It takes about that long for your stomach to be healed. I do, however, remember some other people with physical jobs talking about going back to work after as little as two weeks. My guess is that's not what their doctor recommended. Good luck.

The idea of smoking anywhere within a few months of surgery would freak me out. I don't smoke anymore, haven't for years, and blood clots were still the number one concern in my mind. That's one of the big reasons I tried to drop weight and work out before surgery. Smoking makes your platelets stickier. It also inhibits healing. Stop now. Good luck.

Are you taking extra Biotin to try and stave off hair loss? They could just be getting thicker and growing faster because of that. If you're getting your Protein, taking your Vitamins and they're not thin, brittle, yellow, curved inward or painful, you're probably fine saving the question for the next doc visit. I do remember reading something about Iron and nails once, but I can't Google it easily right now.

You need a "Dislike This" button so I can push it. I also don't think it's strange. I lost 40 lbs before surgery, so I had cravings all the time. Much easier to deal with the cravings after surgery.

At my one month post-op they told me my 20+ since surgery was above average, and 30+ since pre-surgery was way above average. Point is not to brag, but everyone is different. I think some people's expectations are way too high, and measuring the first month or two isn't as important as the whole first six months to one year. I tend to hear 10-20 lbs a month, 2-5 lbs / week for the first 6-12 months. Even if you only lost 2 pounds per week for a year, that would be 100+ pounds in a year. It adds up quick.

I craved spicy food for awhile, especially Thai green curry. Now that I've had some I don't crave it as much, but cravings come and go. At least I found out I can tolerate and still enjoy some spice. Sushi has been another craving, but I haven't had any yet because of the white rice. Also, steak or bison. Which are actually acceptable, and surgery makes for a good excuse to order a nice, expensive tender cut.

I get the impression that's not the only problem you have with your mom, or the only problem your mom has. That's why I haven't talked to my father for years: if I don't get any positive net gain out of the relationship, why bother? You don't choose your parents anyway, it's not like you're obligated to stay connected to people who suck just because they had sex and you happened to be a result.

Looking good, nice job.

Good job with your progress, everyone is different in how they show it. I lost 40 before surgery and no one said anything. Then I went back to work three weeks after having surgery. I had only lost another 20ish at the time, and suddenly everyone was commenting on it. I think you'll hit that point when the weight loss, for whatever reason, starts to show up much more visually. Plus, since women are shorter it can take a little longer to notice. Keep up the good work, it'll happen.

You should send letters to the Better Business Bureau, Food and Drug Administration, your state's Attorney General. Sounds like they need to be put out of business for misleading advertising.

That's amazing. May have actually convinced me to try yoga. Not that I'm a huge pro wrestling fan or anything, but the results are impressive.

That's a good point. Women generally won't get huge and ripped very easily. You all don't have enough testosterone, so lifting weights is a good idea for keeping muscle, toning and adding bone density, which is underrated and important. Hell, it's hard enough for guys to get huge and ripped.

I quit smoking years ago. I can't imagine what it would've been like to give up tobacco and eating at the same time. Especially since smoking blunts the appetite. I don't know if chew does or not, but I would guess I gained 30-40+ pounds just because I quit smoking.

Number one: if you can't help dipping at least don't swallow. It jacks up your gut and esophagus. I don't dip, I used to smoke. So I can't add any great advice, other than quitting tobacco can be accomplished. It's tough, but can be done.

You're probably losing muscle instead of fat on those weeks. I think there is something to be said for changing the diet up slightly when a real stall hits (2-3 weeks with no loss): more healthy carbs, more Protein, a little more fat, a couple/few hundred more calories per day. I don't think there's anything wrong with eating like crap occasionally, but you need to know yourself and your limits. If one hit will send you over the edge for a whole week, don't take it. I think the obsession with overall weight loss is somewhat unhealthy. Next week is my week six, and I will be off lifting restrictions. I already got a gym membership and am going to start lifting weights in addition to my walking. Point being, I don't think the scale is the only measure. We all know thin people who look like crap. Or what I call "fat thin people," the ones who lose a bunch of weight but are out of shape and have no muscle or tone. I would rather lose more slowly while getting in cardio shape and at the same time gaining some muscle to replace the fat and fill up the loose skin. Good luck.

You can try. Take it slow. I had half a beer and a gin and tonic on week 5. I'm more of a realist: I'm never not going to have a drink or two once or twice a month.

Check your insurance policy. It will say whether weight loss/bariatric surgery is covered or not, and if it is what it will cost you out of pocket. For example, in my policy is it listed under Surgical Procedures in Section 5b. You can also call customer service at the number on the back of your card and ask them what your policy says about weight loss surgery. Schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Physician (PCP). Ask them to please refer you to Nutrition Services to be considered for for weight loss surgery. They will probably mail you some forms to fill out and return. Then they will send you a letter. If you qualify you will be on the program waitlist. Unless they pick up the pace you will wait 6+ months to get into the pre-surgery program. You will have 8 weeks of classes plus blood work, program specialist and psych visits, etc. If you pass the classes you will be scheduled to meet for final checkoffs with psych, pre-op bloodwork/physical, and finally to meet with your surgeon of choice. You'll also have to do either a 3-day or 14-day pre-surgery diet. I'd recommend the 3-day, so lose some weight before and/or during the 8-week program, that way you're more likely, but not guaranteed, to get the 3-day diet vs. the 14-day diet. You will get to choose from one of two surgeons: Dr. Husain or Dr. Chae. I chose Dr. Chae, but I have heard good things about both surgeons. The differences: one is female, the other male. One is younger, the other a little older and probably has more bariatric surgeries under his belt. One doesn't use a post-surgery drain tube (from what I've heard), the other does (from what I experienced). Ask for details so you can make an informed decision that you are comfortable with. Maybe you feel comfortable with a surgeon of the same gender as you. The choice is yours. My surgery was at Saint Joseph Hosptial in Denver. Yours probably will be as well. NOTE: When they discharge you, make sure they send you home with prescriptions for pain (probably liquid Lortab), nausea, acid reduction (acid reducer/PPI), and blood thinners (if you need them after you are discharged, I didn't. This seems to vary based on your condition, medical history, etc.). Have your family or friend fill them before you are discharged so you don't have to stop on the way home. You might not need the pain meds to mask unbearable pain, but they are great for a couple/few days after discharge if for nothing else than to ween off the morphine drip and to help you get some sleep. If all goes well, you'll get your surgery. My plan covers sleeve. Apparently some don't, but most people I was in groups with had the option. Depends on what your policy covers, I guess. The bottom line is, the wait and process is long but well worth it. It took me almost a year to get through the entire waitlist and pre-surgery stuff. Be patient, but if four or five months passes on the waitlist and you don't get a call, be proactive and call Nutrition Services to ask where you are on the waitlist. If you need to contact Nutrition Services directly: Kaiser Permanente offers gastric bypass, vertical sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding (also know as the Lap Band) procedures. Not all benefit plans cover weight loss surgery. Please call 303-788-1154 for more information. http://www.kphealthy...for-adults.aspx

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I have nothing but good things to say about Kaiser Lakewood. They have always been responsive and fast with referrals to specialists for me.

My nutrition guidance through the *** nutritionist and weight loss surgery program was full liquids for week 2, and soft and moist weeks 3-6. I cheated some and moved into more "solid" foods around week 5, but still mostly Protein and just chewed everything very well.

Isn't science neat? If only more people did their research, including doctors. Good stuff.

Have you tried appealing? Kaiser in Colorado (and also in California, from what I've heard) only require 40 BMI.

I like sushi, but it's a lot of white rice and carbs. A couple of pieces once or twice a week probably won't kill a diet, but be careful. What about fish without the rice? I've started buying a couple of fish fillets when I grocery shop every week. Tilapia, salmon, cod. Tastes good broiled or baked. Not as good as sushi, but still good.

Sorry that you're having problems. Maybe this is a dumb question, but have you gotten a pneumonia vaccine? If not when you kick this bout you should ask about it.

He's probably worried you're going to flush everything through your system before it has a chance to be digested and absorbed. Seems logical. My program said at least 32 oz for staying out of the ER, and shoot for 64 oz optimally. Good luck.