mrsto

I have pretty bad LPR (Laryngopharyngeal reflux). It's acid reflux, but it backs up into my throat. My throat swells & it feels like a lump or glob of something that you can't swallow down. My voice also gets very hoarse. No heartburn.....just the throat issue. However, like GERD, it's dangerous because all of the acid and swelling can lead to cancer. I had a hernia repair during surgery, which I had hoped would resolve a lot of this issue. But I haven't noticed much of a difference. As a matter of fact, I went back on Prilosec/ 40mg a day. I do much better when I don't eat anything within two hours of bedtime. food in the stomach will cause the reflux no matter what.

Speaking of post-op diets, one of the counselors at my doctor's office called me today. She calls every time I go into the next post-op diet phase. TODAY'S call was to tell me that I'm at my three month mark, and now I can have everything, except steak and pork roast. So, I'm in the clear for anything I can tolerate, but slab meat is one year out. However, I've already had lamb kebob, so I guess I've broken the last leg of my post-op tour. It was lamb filet, and I had zero issues. Chewed it up fine, went down easy.......I'm good

Yeah.....I'm with elcee on this one. My weight didn't come on from the drive thru. For the most part, I ate healthy. But the snacking in between meals; especially after dinner, coupled with the lack of exercise = weight gain. I love fries, but only ate them on occasion. When restaurants starting putting the calorie content on the menu, it was a VERY rude awakening! That salad I love is 800 calories. Add the bread & butter, and a few cookies after dinner, I'm already calorically into the next hemisphere! That doesn't take into account the other two meals of the day. Yep, not everyone eats fast food and bags of chips. But Bayougirl, I totally agree that SO many people who post, are in complete and utter denial!!

My surgeon is always running late. My surgery was scheduled for 11am, and they didn't take me in until 3pm. He runs late with regular appointments too, but when it's your turn, he spends a lot of time; doesn't rush you out. SO - I suck it up. He's an excellent surgeon, and in demand

I don't know that anyone who had them done at the same time, can really comment on whether recovery would be different without the hernia repair; no reference point. I did have a hernia repair, in additional to having my gallbladder removed. Recovery hit me harder than I expected, but I still can't say if any one particular thing made it that way. That being said, everyone has a different experience with recovery. Some are up & back to work within 3 days. Some.....it takes a good 10-14 days; possibly a little more. As GuyMontag said above, the hernia repair is very common, and done in a high percentage of patients.

Hmmm.......that's not what I was told. But I'm going to check again with my doctor, because I miss my ibuprofen more than just about anything else. Sad, but true.

Can he recommend someone for you? He's got to know that it's way too far to drive now.

Oh....he'll know! Like, when he's rubbing your back, and all of a sudden feels his hands on hot clammy skin

Actual "menopause" is when your period stops completely. After going one year without, you're considered "post menopausal". Peri-menopause is all the (what can be several years) of changes leading up to actual menopause; hot flashes, irregular periods, mood changes, sleep issues, libido changes, etc. There is other fun stuff, but I'll reserve that in an open forum (the older women know what I'm talking about) - LOL! So - CG, you've entered the world of "peri". All women experience this to different degrees, but this life change typically doesn't happen un-noticed

Yeah, I don't know why they do it the way they do, either. I stuck with my doctor's advise, because that is who I paid for his expertise. It was more rigid that some, but a LOT less rigid than others. My pre-op diet was two weeks at 1200 calories/day....low fat, low carb. The two days prior to surgery, I was on full liquids, only. Post-op was Clear Liquids for two days, and full liquids for another 12 days. Then mushies for 10 days. Other things were added back slowly in 10 day increments. The worst one I've seen on here was post op - 30 days clear liquids. Really?! As much as I wanted this, I don't honestly believe that I would have made it on that. Talk about overkill?!

When I was in the beginnings of peri-menopause, my blood work also came back perfectly normal. Many times some of the symptoms start, before it shows up in black & white.

Never mind.....I see your doctor posted on your profile. Duh!

Who was your doctor when you were in Santa Barbara? My doctor is Helmuth Billy in Ventura. Love him!

I used to like protein shakes too. But that ALL changed after living on them for 14 days

Are you on full liquids, or Clear Liquids? Makes a big difference!

I'm with ya sister!!

CG - come to think of it, you can buy progesterone cream at the health food store. It's usually the wild yam type. If you're having a lot of flashing, you can try that first; it might help, without having to go to the prescription forms.

It's an estrogen patch, prescription only. The one I use is Vivelle Dot, but there are others. If you still have a uterus, your doctor will also prescribe progesterone to go with it. There are all different forms of this stuff; pills, gels, Patches, creams.... It's a matter of finding what works best for you.

I'm no longer on a liquid phase, but even still, BOTH hands are raised!! No doubt, the worst part of the journey. But there is a reason for it, and you WILL get through it My best suggestion is....be as creative as you possibly can. Switch it up so you don't get completely nauseous from the thought of another Protein shake. It's still pretty bad, but switching gears between sweet and pungent, is what helped me through. How much longer do you have to go? Are you on clear liquid only, or on full liquids?

Yeah, the hormones can play havoc with weight. I go on and off the estrogen patch (had a hysterectomy...don't need the progesterone), and notice that when I go off, three pounds drop off within two days. I only go back to the patch when the symptoms become un-manageable, and completely disruptive. Once I slap on the patch, everything calms down within three days. And I know from the start that I'm going to feel a bit of bloat. As much as I hate it, sometimes the other issues outweigh (no pun intended) the bloat discomfort.

Absolutely FABulous! Good job! The picture of you stooping down over the plants; that one really struck me. That's a horribly uncomfortable position for me, and I know how unbelievably better you feel when stooping down for anything, now. Well done!

I was told to give it up entirely. Fortunately, I stopped drinking any type of soda over a year ago, so it hasn't been an issue. There have been some serious complications reported from carbonation, and given that, I wouldn't chance it. That being said, my doctor also said, NO MORE coffee. Okay, a girl can only do so much I drink my coffee, but limit it to one cup a day.

Boy - I wish that was the case on Memorial Day! NO issues whatsoever. Drank like I did pre-band, and didn't have any problems.....until I woke up the next morning LOL!

But dear God I love wine. Me too! And the reality is, when I have it I don't want one glass; I want two......at least

At the end of the day, no matter WHAT is posted on this site, it's best to follow your doctor's instructions. Between all the doctors, there are so many varying protocols. Your doctor is who you paid and put your trust in. He/she is the one to guide you. If you want to drink on a regular basis, do it. If you find that you're not losing weight the way you'd like, stop drinking regularly & see what happens. My doctor doesn't have an issue with a little bit of wine....or scotch...or, or, or.... As long as it's counted, and doesn't lead to loose eating. In my own experience, drinking while dieting slows the process. And I've had many a doctor resonate that same thing. Though Dr. Simpson may be a pioneer, SO much of what he promotes goes against what many bariatric doctors tell their patients. I've seen all of his videos, and at one point thought "oh, well then my doctor is just being too cautious, and I can do this, that or the other thing". Then I came to my senses and decided to stick with the man I paid thousands of dollars to, for HIS expertise. Some of this stuff can be very confusing, especially for people who want to hear what they want to hear. IMHO - of course