mrsto

PS: She said that selenium is a key mineral in thyroid function. There is plenty in the liquid supplement, but she said that one brazil nut per day gives all a body needs. Interesting.... But she also said that I could very well be lacking in many other things as well. Time will tell

Tara - the doctor put me on a low dose of Cytomel (T3) to bring up the number. The concern is more about why it dropped from 2.8 (last read) to 2.0; why I'm not effectively converting T4 to T3. She said that it could be from the weight loss, but given some other issues I'm having (headaches, fatigue & easy bruising), she thinks possibly I'm not getting in enough nutrients from what I'm eating. She said that 1,000 calories a day isn't a lot, and because I'm not eating adequate amounts of fruit & veggies, I could be deficient in various things. She wanted to do some specialized blood work, which would cost a lot of money out of pocket. I told her that I would start on the Cytomel, and pick up a good liquid vitamin AND mineral supplement. I've been taking the gummies, but I think (I've always thought) they greatly lack in so many important nutrients. SO - yesterday I picked up a very good liquid supplement, and interestingly, today I haven't felt any fatigue (so far). I'll see how it goes as the days & weeks pass. She wants to see me for a follow up in two months. She wanted me to see the nutritionist in her office, but given that I'm a bariatric patient, I'd rather meet with the one in my surgeon's office. With all the Protein we're supposed to get in daily, I don't know where there is space for enough veggies and fruit. It's going to take a little time to figure all of this out.

That is GREAT! 71 pounds is a lot of weight!! You must feel so much better. Were your vitamin levels good? When I go to my doctor today, I'm going to ask her to do blood work on vitamin levels. I want to make sure that my B12 is good, and that the 5,000 of D3 I've been taking is adequate. Thanks Tara

Amazing!! 13 months to a whole new life. You look GREAT! Congratulations - well done

Okay - does weight CAN affect it. I see my doctor tomorrow to go over my results. I'm curious to know how they adjust the meds, when only the T3 is low. Tara - do you know what your numbers are? Just curious.

Kime - being able to maintain the same weight for a period of time, is success as well! Seems with this affliction, we're either going up or down. Staying the same for more than a week, hasn't really been in our repertoire. Finding comfort while coasting on calm waters, is (what I believe) the long term key to success. You are doing GREAT!!

I do the same thing......eat the crunch around the roll, and dig out the doughy/bready part.

I use straws on a daily basis; without issue. If that is going to help, do it! When I'm prepping for that procedure, I make sure and have a glass of apple juice (or whatever you like) to take a few sips immediately after I drink the prep; have it in my other hand to quickly wash down the taste and sensation of the prep. For me, that really helps to avoid the gag reflex, because the apple juice tastes great. It's a treat, because I never drink juice Good luck.

I'm 100% with Hazel on this. She covered it all..... Now that I'm 4 months out, there isn't any eating situation that concerns me. If we go out to a restaurant, I order a meal, eat what I can, and either leave the rest or take it home. The ONLY reason you would have a stuck episode, is if you take too big a bite, and don't chew thoroughly. Taking small bites & chewing well isn't obvious to anyone you eat with. You are eating.....that's all they see. As Hazel said, if your social life involves drinking on a regular basis, you will have problems losing weight. There is not a lot of room for regular alcohol intake on any weight loss plan, because there aren't any nutrients and your body can only store it as fat. That, and drinking brings on loose eating for many; it does for me! If you DO drink, count the calories, and make sure you don't consistently blow your daily allowance. Maintenance is another story, but it doesn't mean that you can throw caution to the wind. Relax, and take the time necessary to "reset" as Hazel mentions, and get re-aquainted with food, and what will ultimately be your new "normal". Good luck!

I am familiar with PCOS. It is true that there are more challenges with weight loss, but not for all women. It's also true that women, band or no band, are able to lose weight with diet and lifestyle change, WITH PCOS. I'm not trying to minimize how difficult it is for YOU. But it can be very easy to fall into old behaviors, while totally blaming it on a health issue. Your original post said that you were hungry all the time, and finding food on every corner. I believe that some of the posters were responding to that. PCOS doesn't force anyone to make poor food choices. Even pregnant women choose yogurt over a Big Mac & fries. Again, I'm not saying that's what YOU were eating at every food venue on every corner. But you were eating enough to gain a substantial amount of weight, which typically equates to too much food, and poor choices. If a good portion of your issues are in fact PCOS, then maybe posting in an online PCOS forum is a better option.

My left shoulder & painful breathing gas issue lasted about two and a half weeks. Then, gone.

My T3 level came back low. My internist wants me to come in to discuss lowering my dose. I have a copy of the results, and both TSH and T4 are in the normal range. I don't understand this enough to interpret the results, but I just hope that my weight loss doesn't slow down if she lowers the dose. I really don't want to rock the boat, because I'm VERY happy with my progress so far.

I ask because many times I have a sore throat after eating. But this was also pre-band. For me, it's reflux; acid shooting up into my throat. Just keep an eye on it, and call your doctor if it becomes an ongoing issue. Stuck doesn't happen in your throat, although you can have other sensations at the bottom of your throat when swallowing.

I'll be interested to know the outcome. My cardiologist told me a long time ago, that if I lost weight; not even ALL my weight, it would make a dramatic difference.....could possibly stop taking the meds. I only took one blood pressure med, and it was the lowest dose. Now....no more! In my classes before my WLS, they cautioned us of changes that could come quickly, in relationship to blood pressure meds. If we started feeling tired, dizzy, etc., that could be it. It's not only the weight loss, it's cutting out all the crap along with it.

East - though my insurance company approved the RNY for me, I chickened out about 10 days prior to my surgery date. It's so drastic, and I was afraid of messing around with a digestive system that God intended. I'm not religious; just afraid of malabsorption, and making changes that aren't reversible. That being said, I settled on the lap band plus plication, and so far I'm THRILLED. I sleep much better every night, knowing that I haven't made permanent changes to a perfectly working system. Good for you and your wife! I look forward the posts on your progress

I was told that once the bandage fell off, to leave it open. But you should check with your doctor on this. He/she is the best to advise.

Though there are more women on here, there are plenty of men. Hopefully some of them will chime in soon Welcome - you came to the right place!

Is the scratchy feeling only from chicken and turkey? Or, do you have a sore throat after eating other foods as well?

How did you get OVER 14ccs in a 14cc band?

Call you doctor and let him/her know what's going on. It does sound like heartburn, but I'd rather not diagnose.....everyone is SO different. I've had reflux since before surgery, and still have it. I had hoped with the hernia repair it would stop. I go on and off Prilosec, because long term use can cause other types of problems; a deficiency in one of the B Vitamins (don't remember which), and an issue with bones. Talk to your doctor. Prilosec works great for reflux, but if anyone is going to take it daily for years, they need to be aware of the issues it causes. By completing blocking acid in the stomach, certain nutrients aren't absorbed. That's where the issues come in. Feel better!

Are you on blood pressure meds? I had problem with lethargy about two months after surgery. The nurse told me that it could be my blood pressure meds; possibly needed a lower dose, or didn't need them at all. I was surprised that I was able to stop them so quickly, but that's what it was. I stopped the blood pressure meds, and was fine. My numbers have been totally normal since. Just a thought..... The other thing......if you live where it's really hot right now, that can do a number on you, too. When it gets very hot and humid, I find it almost impossible to giddy up for anything. And lastly (the obvious), call you doctor and let him/her know how you are feeling. There is an assortment of things that can cause what you're feeling, including Vitamin deficiency. Your doc would be the best to advise

Congrats! You are doing great!! I looked at your before & after pictures, and you look amazing How wonderful! And as far as your 2 miles being "laughable", just remember..... Everyone who started out, didn't start out doing 5Ks! Back in the day when aerobics classes were "the thing" (in the 80s), when I first started going, I felt completely uncoordinated & couldn't get the moves. After a month, I kept up just like everyone else. Baby steps.....

You look GREAT! Congrats on your success. I know you feel fabulous!!!!!

Did you meet with a nutritionist at your doctor's office? If they have one there, that would be the best person to help outline your eating plan. 1500 calories of fried foods and sweets isn't going to give your body the nutritional support it needs. And eating bad foods isn't preparing you for what's ahead. My pre-op diet was 1200 calories; lower fat, lower carb. Basically, it was Protein, veggies and fruit, with a little bit of good carbs mixed in.

I would suggest making an appointment to see the nutritionist. That would be a positive step toward getting back on track, and might help you get back in the "nutritional saddle".