Chancie

Hi- I'm Chancie and I AM NOT an Exercise-Aholic!!! I hate to exercise! But I am so proud of you all!! I wish I had something close to me, but everything is far away. My son bought me a home Gym for Mothers day, and I haven't even used it like I should. I do however, like to do my knee exercises, and stretching exercises, and I have been pretty good at doing them almost everyday. I like to work with weights, so thats what I've been doing lately along with stretching. I'm thinking about looking for some yoga tapes, anyone here do yoga?? Just curious....

After my surgery, My Doc didn't prescribe anything. But If I remember correctly, it was my second visit back to him that I complained of the heartburn, and he prescribed nexium for me. I don't take it all the time, you pretty much know when something is going to bother you, so I just take it "as needed". I also took reglan for a short time because I had so much trouble with vomiting. But I'm one of those that "treats myself" I don't wanna be taken a bunch of meds..... used it as needed. And was off it pretty quick.

Oh Social!! THANK you!! Great suggestions about the bullet... I have one but never thought about putting the spinach in it!! LOL The "Dip" I make with artichoke hearts( and I found them in brine not oil) 2 cans of Artichoke hearts ( cut up into smaller pieces ) 1 cup mayo 1 cup Parmesian cheese Mix it all together, and bake in the oven for about 30-45 minutes. I liked it with Triskets- Yummmmmmmy but not low cal!! LOL

I'm sorry to hear that your appeal got denied. I'm gonna say a few things that might not be so popular with everyone here. I am a self pay for the sleeve, because my insurance had no benifits for weight loss surgery of any kind. I chose the sleeve because, frankly, it was cheaper, but I did like everything about it. I was SEVERLY overweight. I actually thought I needed the DS. So the sleeve was my choice because it was the first part of the DS. But I can say this, IF my insurance would have paid for the RNY- I would have done it. Mainly because I KNEW I had to do something to improve the quality of my life. And if they would have paid......I would have let them! I hadn't even heard of the doctors in Mexico, and not sure if I would have done that because I would have to have done it alone, and wouldn't want to go there alone. I hope things work out for you, your in my thoughts.

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thinking of you!! Hope your day is WONDERFUL!!!

CONGRATS Jenn!! I don't think I'll ever get to a size 8... but the 10 sounds possible at times!! I'be been so big for so long... that the 14 I'm in is........ GREAT!!!

Ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaa........ sometimes I just don't know what I'm doing and ....... you can see the diff! will do better!! LOL

Hi Lauren and WELCOME!!! First off....... Congrats to you for doing your 'homework"!! Ask lots and lots of questions!! Do your research! This is major surgery, and knowledge is your best tool! Ok.. ansers to your questions, and I'm 9 months out... 1. Did you find it hard to eat slower and chew more when you go to solid foods? I worry I won't be able to slow myself down Yes.... I was a FAST eater, and didn't chew my food well. For someone who is overweight, i think this is a common thing with us. But, yes, you can slow down because if you eat too fast, you hurt, and some of us vomit ( me ) it's unpleasant, so you quickly learn how to eat right. 2. for people who have had their sleeve for over a year or so, is daily life harder? how is it to go out? Life is actually better than in the beginning. You know your body better and you know to listen to it. When I go to a restraunt I "behave" better, eat slower, chew my food better because I don't want to embarrase myself by running to the bathroom and getting sick. So actually eating out is better for me. At home I tend to forget, and then I have troubles. 3. has anyone stalled, and what have you done about it? I am 9 months out, was VERY obese, and the last 6 weeks has been my first Stall. I'm working on it by being more active, watching what I eat closer, and being that I'm 9 months out I can eat more. But I have gotten away from eating my Protein like I should so I'm working on that and lost 2 pounds this week!! ) 4. was recovery difficult, and how soon did you return to work? Recovery was difficult for me. I spent a FULL 5 days in the hospital because I was vomiting so badly. It subsided when I got home but the first three months I was sick with vomiting or slimes or dry heaves... was not pleasant!! I was on a LOA for Knee replacement surgery, so I had no time adjusting when I went back to work. Now for the other questions.... I had my surgery right after I turned 50. I have what my best friend calls "Good Skin"- Isn't that "thin" skin..... if ya know what I'm talking about... But..... I was so badly overweight, my Highest being 373 I think....... and when I went into surgery I was 354. I dropped most of my weight by 6 months. I lost a total of 148 pounds to date. I lost muscle because of the fast weight loss and I was bad about exercising ( because I was sooo big ) But I exercise almost daily now. And it has improved some. Your questions and concerns are legit- and you need to write down questions as you think of them and ask when your doctor/surgen or forums like this to help you. I did LOTS of research prior to my surgery. This is a TOOL....... you have to learn how to work it. It's not a miricle cure. good luck to you and your decision, feel free to ask anything thats on your mind! g'luck to you~~:thumbup:

Fingers AND Toes crossed!!!!:thumbup:

Gingin33 -That was when I started gaining my weight, going thru a divorce, he was my "first love" and it was a hard divorce, and yes, the weight was my shield too... I can understand it better now. I have become more healthy physically AND mentally...... You can gain the weight back with ANY of the surgeries, so I would want to tackle the issue as soon as possible so you don't sabotage yourself. you may want to be thin, but if you don't have all the emotional issues dealt with, you may just gain it back without even knowing how or why you are. I may not be putting it into words like I feel, but I HAVE been there and do understand what you're saying. Hoping the best for you!!

I'm really surprised all of you can eat lunch meat this early out for you... I had trouble with it, just didn't go down right for me. Daisy- If it's the same thing I'm thinking of, you can buy canned artichoke hearts at any grocery store, and I guess just chop them yourself. I make a wonderful dip with them, but not " low calorie" LOL but I sure do like them!!

Hi Judy, I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you. I know it's gotta be frustratin, and jumping thru all the hoops to get this far, and then cancelled. But, everything happens for a reason, and you need to get the blood Pressure under control, then the rest will fall into place. You've gotten thru the hard part getting the approval, now take care of yourself and get that BP down. Sending my prayers your way!!

Social- Thats a great story!! I love it!

I've been working Midnights, so my eating is OFFFFFFFFFFFF!! Plus they're working me to death! The up side to it.... I lost 2 more pounds!!! WOOO HOOO!! Social...... The rol ups sound yummy!! I wish I had read this sooner, I would have taken that to eat at lunch, but it has been hard trying to eat at 2 am. so I have some broth, it's soothing.

Some things I just stay away from, and cereal has alot of carbs and sugars, so I don't eat it. As Mac stated, alot of things will taste differently, and things you use to love- just not the same. I use to LOVE steak, now, not so much. I also don't drink milk anymore. Kinda curious as to how my labs will be this time, I'll find out in a few weeks when I go back to the doc.

:thumbup1::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::lol0::svengo: Toooooooooo Funnnnnnnnnnnnny!!!!

Forgot to mention that I also use liquid minoxidil for hair growth. After I was my hair in the morning I put it on the trouble spots then just dry my hair like normal. When I come home at night I use it again before going to bed, and i can see a difference.

I take Bariatric Advantage -chewable multivitamin and mineral formula I tried the lemon and DID NOT like it, so now I use the watermelon- I take 2 a day. Then i take Bariatric Advantage Dry Vitamin D 5000iu- 2 a day Once a week ( on Mondays ) I take Bariatric Advantage sublingual B12 And I take Hair,Skin, and Nails Biotin/Collagen/Gelatin Spring Valley Vitamins.-take 3 only once a day. I had added calcium early, but Labs were all so good I quit. I'll get the results back from my labs next week.... so will see what both my doctors say.

Hi Xbander!! Glad to hear things are going well for you! When you mentioned the pain when waking up in the recovery room........ I could relate- even tho it was almost 9 months ago- I DO remember waking to awful pain. It's all a blur now LOL And bathroom issues, boy- are they an issue at times!! I still have issues, and will take a stool softener when I notice I havn't gone in a few days....it's getting better tho. Glad things are going good for you!!

I was doing really good at journalling all of my eating, then tonight I decided to go to a new site I found: http://www.fitclick.com/ It's free- kinda like fitday- but when I added up everything I ate today............:sad0::sad0::thumbdown: So I was wondering if anyone else is going thru this?? Maybe thats why I'm at a stall?? I also checked when I last logged on and only lost 14 pounds in 60 days:confused: I wanna be at ONEderland by Susans Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WTG Judy!!! I can't wait to hear your success story!! Keep us posted and will be thinking of you!!! It just gets better!!

Wishing.... I was in no means trying to put you on the "spot"....just curious as to why you would .....as you said....chicken out. And "elective" means- you chose the operation. The doctors didn't..... not like a gall bladder removal, apendectemy, etc. Yes, you might need it, and think it's mandatory, but the way the health care system is today, it just doesn't happen like that. I was VERY scared, and went thru it by myself.... no one in the waiting room to hear how I did after surgery, no one to be there when I woke up... so yes, I do know what the fears are, but my fear was to die being morbidly obese. And that made up my mind for me. I hope you conquer your fears, because if you're contemplating this surgery, you know in the back of your mind you NEED this surgery. I wrestled with this for several years, and am so glad I finnaly took the step to change my life. Surgery might be uncomfortable fo you to face, but your health is worth it! I wish you the best......... please let us know how it goes. and I'm sorry if I offended you..... not my intentions.

Nope........ You're not alone there talking to the dogs Haley! My kids say I love them better then them.......hmmmmmmmmm is it cause my dogs show me "unconditional" love?? ALWAYS welcome me home??? Loveeeeeeeeeeeee me no matter what kinda mood I'm in?? Yep.... might be it!! LOL

Hi Wishing, and welcome! Why would you be thinking so negative? Don't you want this? Or is it just "surgery" that frightens you? Do you have a date set? Is there something you're not telling? I know I had some fears, but there was no way I would have canceled out on any of this! Have you cancelled on any elective surgeries before? Just curious....

Hi Haley and WELCOME!! Sighhhhhh..... I don't know pounds, stones, kilos etc........but I do know that you took the first step to a healthier YOU! Glad to have you here- and I'm an animal lover too, but it's dogs. I have two - a Pomeranian and a Yorkie who think they are human and think they are my children.......... they actually treat me better than my natural children!! LOL! G'luck to you and welcome again!