grannyk

Well, I used my new tagine for the first time. Cooked it all last night and reheated for dinner tonight. chicken breast, diced onion, baby carrots, canned mushrooms, one can cream of mushroom soup. Oh so good, and the chicken was practically melt-in-my-mouth. The chicken breasts were very thick. I usually pound them out a bit, but I left these plump to see what the tagine would do. It turned out so tender. I can't wait to figure out what to make next. It is so fun to have a new toy. Thanks, Chef Neil for the inspiration. YUM

Thanks, Chef Neil. I just entered my order and look forward to trying the recipes. Kathe

Holy Moley!!! I just googled "tagine" and these are expensive little boogers! All well over $100. Do you know where to buy them cheaper? I've never seen one of these at a garage sale...just sayin' This cooking method sounds wonderful. I have seen it on the food Channel and been intrigued. I would love to have one. I think I would have to make ahead, because the 2-hour cooking time would make dinner about 8:30pm. But that is not insurmountable. I do a lot of my cooking on the weekends anyway. I have put this thread in my favorites so I will have it whenever I can find a tagine. Thanks, Chef...Kathe

I had surgery with Dr. Aceves. They provide your hotel room the night before surgery and then your travel buddy sleeps on a couch in the hospital room. It is not the most comfortable arrangement, but he will be able to be with you. My daughter went with me and she slept the whole time, which was fine with me. Once, I laid down on the couch and let her have the bed for a nap. Everyone there is very accommodating. I think your experience will be overall an excellent one. I wouldn't change anything. Kathe

Wandering1, thank you for going with the right thing to do. I thought I was the only one with the idea of keeping everything on. Then the "problem" is no longer a problem. Blessings to you and your hubby...K

No matter what anyone tells you, we have decreased absorption of Vitamins, not as much as bypass patients, but 80-85% of our most important absorption organ has been removed. A great deal of absorption takes place in the stomach and some in the small intestine. The large intestine removes the Water from the waste so we don't have perpetual diarrhea. If you don't take supplements, you may not feel the effects for months, even a couple of years, but you will be at high risk for deficiency. I take a Multivitamin, B-complex, D3 sublingual, calcium + D twice a day, Biotin twice a day and fish oil daily. Yes, it is a lot of pills ( some of them are HUGE), but I just suck it up and do it. I take them with 16 oz of water while I get ready for work in the morning. It really is not that bad. I did this so I can see my great-grandson grow up, so I will give myself every opportunity to make it that long. I know sometimes I may sound mean, but it's only because I want us all to be the very best and healthiest we can be. We all deserve it and most of us have waited a long time. Love you all, Kathe

You definitely need some carbs, not less than 20-30 daily. That is the energy for our bodies. And anything less than 700-800 cals daily is starvation mode. Not good for your body. I know everyone wants fantastic results and early on we get really pumped losing all that weight. But this is a lifetime business now, so in addition to losing weight we must be vigilant about proper nutrition. And I can't emphasize enough to add Vitamins and supplements. Absolutely imperative. I know people say that vitamins make them sick and they just can't do it. But JUST DO IT!! Most of us say we did this dramatic surgery for our health...well then do what it takes to be healthy, not just skinny. Great Going Everyone!!! Kathe

Stuck, do be careful in the first few weeks. I was not supposed to lift over 10-15 lbs for 3 months, but I think that was ultra conservative. However, if your job involves lifting, your employer should be aware of this surgery and you should get a doctor's release to go back to your old activity level. Is that how they do things in England? In my job, if you are off work for more than 3 days for any reason, you have to have a doc's statement to go back to work. Best wishes on your journey...Kathe PS - You may need to change your name soon. You're definitely not stuck any more!!

I don't burp as much any more, but my stomach gurgles all the time and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. You know what...I DON'T CARE!!! Everyone I work with knows I have had this surgery; they are amazed at my progress and very supportive. There is no one in the world who doesn't make some kind of noise at some time...Donald Trump, Bill Gates, and, yes, even Barack Obama. That said, we just have to do the best we can. Last Friday, I had to have a new toilet installed. My 3 y/o great-grandson was at my house and he was so curious about the job. We were standing back watching the plumber do his thing, and my stomach audibly rumbled. Malachi looked up and said "GK, you farted." I explained that it was just my tummy growling and we all had a good laugh. Would I trade my sleeve for less ambient noise...not in a million years. I'm 100 pounds lighter than my top weight, and I would wear a gas bag if I had to. Don't worry, be happy...Kathe

CC, cut yourself some slack. Dec 27? That's just 4 days. It will happen. i weighed the same when I left the hospital after 3 days as when I checked in, but the weight started coming off. Don't worry...just keep your Protein intake up and your fluids going in. I really had no problems getting anything in post op. Hopefully you will have no problems either. I am a native Okie too...lived in OKC all my life (except for 11 months in Dallas when i was 7 y/o.) It was the hottest summer on record then and I still remember it and the huge jack rabbit in the back yard. It wasn't quite so urban then. I was self-pay in Mexicali and it was an exceptional experience. Would recommend it to anyone. Welcome to the forum. You will find all kinds of support and information here. Happy trails...Kathe PS: My ticker is way out of date, but I have been in a long stall and pretty much ate a taste of all the holiday stuff I wanted without any gain. Absolutely amazing to think that when I have reached my final goal weight I should have no problem maintaining and enjoying food without the pain of obesity. Yeah, VSG!!!

Your fluid balance also affects your eyesight. That's why I was never able to wear hard contact lens back in the day before the permeable ones even existed. Does anyone remember back that far?? Make sure you stay hydrated, especially in the early weeks post-op. Unfortunately there is only one way to stop the aging process, and I am not quite ready for that yet...Kathe

The not eating and drinking together for the rest of your life is partially a nutrient absorption issue. Drinking and eating together will cause your stomach to empty earlier and not absorb as many nutrients as possible. Also if you put Water in there with the food, you won't be able to eat as much Protein, etc. Also it helps to avoid dumping syndrome. (You can find other posts about that if you don't understand it.) Pre-sleeve I would drink 3-4 glasses of water with a meal, so I feel your pain. It has been very difficult. I don't know what it is I miss about it. But here is my solution, and it has done away with my longing. During a meal, I take the smallest of small sips...just enough to feel it in my mouth. Sometimes there isn't even enough to swallow. But that seems to take away my urge to drink with meals. After 3-4 months, give that a try. I am sure it is more psychological than physical. Good luck on your journey...Kathe

You definitely need to find a new PCP. Specialists are great, but they are specialists. I work for an oncology clinic and many patients want to use us as a PCP, but there are reasons why there are family medicine docs. They can take care of a broad range of care needs and then refer to a specialist when there is a necessity. I wouldn't want my gyn to try to take care of stomach issues, or my GI doc to make decisions about my female parts. Does that make sense? I was self-pay in Mexico because my insurance won't pay for any bariatric surgery and I didn't want the ins co making my decisions. Insurance is a necessary evil as far as I am concerned and I hate dealing with them in my personal and work life. Best wishes for a speedy and "painless" process. Kathe

AWESOME!!!!

Finally, Dr. Oz says something intelligent. I get so tired of hearing patients tell me they have changed their medications because "Dr. Oz said so" or asking off-the-wall questions because "Dr. Oz said so". Geeezzzzz, Louise!! Sorry for the outburst...I just get frustrated with media hype...Kathe

I don't understand why you are even hesitating. With the health problems you describe and your genetic tendencies, the sleeve sounds like just the tool you need to save yourself. Go for it, girl. I'm sure you won't be sorry...Kathe

I love to gulp water and the thought that I woulnd't be able to was sort of concerning. It was a while, but you will be able to after several months. I am 8 months out and have no problem with water. Hang in there. Some things will be "normal" again, but you are on the journey to a whole new you. Enjoy the ride...Kathe

My daughter and I both live in OKC. She was sleeved 7-1-10 and I was done 4-14-11. Best thing that ever happened to us. Have you already been sleeved or still anticipating? K

When I got divorced 27 years ago (wow, that's a long time), it was my ex's idea that we needed to "separate". But I filed because I wanted to be on the offensive side. And... I was afraid he might change his mind and not go through with it. YIKES!! I couldn't let that happen. I know it is tough for most people to go through divorce. Keep your chin up, take care of yourself and press on toward your goals. Come to the forum when you need a boost. God bless...Kathe

I do something similar with Hormel White Chicken Chili and the canned chicken. Easy, absolutely awesome tasting and very satisfying. Something about it being warm and spicy...just makes me feel good. Kathe

My favorite answer is "Is that something you need to know, or something you just want to know." K

I think it may be the time of the year too. Christmas is suppposed to be happy, but I always get very sad and stressed during this time of the year. I am allowing myself a bite here and there of the goodies at the office, not beating myself up about it right now. After all, if I ate all day I wouldn't be able to eat as much as I used to. I do agree that exercise would help. I need all the endorphins I can get right now. Let's keep our chins up and press on...Kathe

Maybe I'm just a ******, but any one who treats me differently just because I have lost weight can just leave me alone. How two-faced and judgmental. Basing how you treat someone on their "earth suit" which only deteriorates and then dies keeps you from knowing and loving some wonderful people. And as far as men treating me differently, well.........never mind.

Yes, but I have never heard anyone else on the forum mention this wonderful result. I have had terrible knees for years. The right one has been replaced, but is still uncomfortable at times. Prior to my sleeve, my left knee ached all the time and I took 1800 to 2400 mg of ibuprofen daily to barely make it through the day. My doc had also switched me to Mobic for about a year prior to surgery. The first time I walked in the hall at the hospital after my surgery, I could not believe it. I told my daughter who was with me that my left knee didn't hurt at all. Walking was absolutely painless in my knee joint. After I got home, I researched on the internet, and there was some discussion that the grehlin produced by the old stomach has been linked to arthritis in some research studies. I didn't talk about my pain relief very much because I didn't want to jinx it. But still to this day (almost 8 months out) my knee does not hurt. I have had no anti-inflammatory medication since April. I have lost a total of 105 lbs and my general overall discomfort is negligible. Life is much more enjoyable now and I owe most of it to my sleeve. Thank you, God and Dr. Aceves. Kahe

DebiC, I think you misunderstood. She keeps the coating mix in a container after it is mixed so none is wasted. From that container, she puts some on a plate to coat the chicken. Hope that explanation helps. Kathe