SqueakyWheel&Ethyl

Immediately after my GS surgery (April 17, 2013), I read a post here about having a drippy nose when they know they've eaten too much. When I read that, I thought, "Ew! I'm not gonna!" The idea of my nose just dripping - without warning - was disgusting and I was arrogant enough to think it was something that we could control. Later, when I *DID* eat too much, I leaned over the table and *DRIP*... there went my nose! ACK!!! Did I just DO that?!? My nose had not dripped uncontrollably since I was 4 years old! WASSUP WIT DAT?!? Since then, I have experienced the nose drip, the "slime" feeling in my mouth and sneezing after eating a meal - all things I've seen mentioned in others' posts. What I don't understand is this... WHAT does eating food have to do with our respiratory system going slimey, causing our noses to drip and sneeze? Where is the corrolation? What anatomically is happening to connect the gastric system to the respiratory system?

While I don't have Lupus, I do have a host of other auto-immune diseases, including PBC, which is just like Lupus, only it is targeting my liver. My Liver Transplant team (on standby when I eventually go into Stage 4 and on 'the list') encouraged me to do this! My endocrinologist and infectious disease specialist both supported this decision. Getting my body as physically fit as possible will slow down the progression of deterioration. A gut leak is a minimal risk, but staying 100+ lbs overweight was much riskier. I agree. That surgeon you saw is too hung up on liability and his own insecurities about leaks. I would go to an accredited hospital and ask for a referral to a Dr or group specializing in weight-loss surgery and see what THEY think. There are a lot of "boutique" store-front practices. My Liver Team told me to stay away from them and do it through a real hospital. I'm so glad I did!

This is one of my favorite threads ever!

I clicked on the drop down screen arrow by my name (top right in window), selected My Settings. I see no selection called "Member Title." Is there another missed step?

EAS makes a Rich Dark Chocolate in 11 oz. servings with 17 gms of protein that are my favorite. Very tasty. I'm not fond of the vanilla ones, tho. I buy them in 4-packs at Kroger's for around $11.50. They make me feel like I've had a full meal and for less than $3.00 each. I'm lucky if I can drink 2 a day with lite snack-meals in between. I also like Atkins Advantage - 11 oz w/15 gms protein each. Also sold in 4-packs.

You are 5' 3" and 136 lbs and you think you look too skinny? That sounds like a healthy proportion to me. I wouldn't recommend gaining weight with higher fat intake. I would recommend getting a personal trainer to help you tone what you have. You are a diamond in the rough, Darlin'! Maybe you spent most of your life heavier and this just looks foreign and unfamiliar to you. I bet you look beautiful, and you just can't see it yourself. What does your closest friends say? Have you asked for their opinions? Have you bought any new outfits lately? Tried a new look? I know I haven't seen any photos, but I envision a woman who looks great! Go to www.mybodygallery.com. You can enter height and weight and see what REAL people look like. Maybe that will help your self image. Frankly, I think you are being too hard on yourself. You deserve a celebration.

Congratulations on making this choice and props to you on taking action now! Here's some unasked-for advice. Not knowing how BCBS responds typically, but knowing how my insurance resisted, I strongly recommend keeping a journal of each interaction pertaining to this surgery, with insurance, with Drs, nutritionists, etc. if you use a computer a lot, use it. I kept an electronic journal in Microsoft Word. I logged the date, and just wrote brief broken sentences that cut to the chase, like, "09/12/12. Phone call w/insurance rep, Bianca L. (936-999-9999). Requested list of criteria required to get insurance approval. She will email it to me by 2 pm." "10/04/12. Met surgeon, Dr B, on 1st appt. Was set up with monthly appts with Nut Counselor for 6 months." "03/17/13. Pre-op appt with Dr B. Scheduled surgery 4/17." Keep track of what BCBS requires yourself. Don't rely on them or the surgeon's staff. Do they require months of nutritional counseling? If so, how many? Do they require a psychological evaluation? Do they require a 6-month log of what you ate every day? Will they want to see your Dr's records showing what your weight has been over the past 3 years? And, don't take for granted that your PCP (primary care physician) and surgeon are shaking hands smoothly on everything. If you call and verify the PCP provided the necessary records, and confirm the surgeon's staff received it, things will go easier and quicker. And, if your insurance requires several months of counseling, don't despair. I learned a lot in those appts and the time allowed me to really make peace with this permanent lifestyle change. By the time they wheeled me into the OR, I was so happy, as soon as my gurney crossed the OR threshold, I raised my fist in the air and pulled it down fast yelling out, "YES!" I worked hard to arrive at THAT moment and I marked the success with a mini-celebration. I was soooo ready! We are all here on this site to exchange ideas, questions, and reassurances. If you haven't yet, fill out your profile. Post a before picture. Take your measurements the night before surgery. There will be times your weight loss will stall, but the inches will continue to melt away. Good luck on your journey!

Go gluten-free. Gluten may be irritating it... Or even causing it.

You have a new friend in Texas. . Good luck!

I agree that hydration is priority one over Protein. In the first 2 weeks post-op I was told to set my protein goal to 30 gms... To strive for it, but don't beat myself up if I can't. After 30 became easy, I was to set my goal to 60 and know it will take time to be able to consistently do it. I'm 6 weeks out and still struggle to get in 60. I'm averaging about 40. So, don't focus on just protein right now. Like the earlier post said, sip, sip, sip. The gurgling is just recovery noises that will dissipate with time. Take one bite. Put down the fork. Wait 3 minutes, take another bite.... Repeat. And LISTEN to what your body says in between bites. I find its a delayed reaction. I still have a bad habit of wanting to chow down three bites quickly. My body (I call her "Ethyl") will tell me, SLOW DOWN. Just listen carefully. Old habits die hard. When you are more healed, you will be happy you did this. Just give yourself time.

At my 1 month post op, I had lost 15 lbs (according to his records... He had my pre-op weight lighter than my scales.... 24 according to mine). He said he wants to see me at 25-30 lbs TOTAL LOST by my 3 month check up. Seriously? I hope I hit that goal by Month 2! You are doing GREAT!

I'm not touting Hashimoto's = Cancer. My original point is that it is not wise to leave an abnormal thyroid ignored or unchecked. And, the article shared was to support the fact that this disease is linked to cancer. The article happened to be about liver cancer. Long-term untreated Hypothyroidism is linked to other cancers, too. My message was - and still is - don't run in the wrong direction from this diagnosis. As for ME, Hashimoto's, combined with PBC and NASH (both auto-immune diseases attacking the liver) (aggravated by pre-Diabetes) puts me at a much higher risk than most people for liver failure and (not "or") cancer.... Many forms of cancer. I'd hate to see someone ignore their condition and get sicker.