Valentina

Hardest day=====DONE Stand strong, Friend. The best is yet to come!

Welcome back! We've missed you.

Up to 17% of sleevers experience dumping. Until you have experienced it you have NO idea what it's all about. No, it's not the slimes. No it's not reflux. I asked my surgeon before my sleeve surgery 5yrs ago, "How will I know if I have dumping syndrome"? He just shook his head and replied, "You will know. You will just know". He was correct. I knew it immediately. I still know it because I still experience it. Does it happen frequently to sleevers? No. But it DOES happen. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Just pray that you are not one of the 17%. I've come to use it as an additional tool. Just the fear of dumping helps keep my on program.

Starting a thread was indeed a good idea, aye? What wonderful support you have gotten! Sometimes I know it seems like we are the only person in the world to feel some particular way or to hit some private wall. Just knowing that others have hit the same bumps in the road that you have sometimes helps. I hope you are feeling the caring and support that other members (myself included) are sending your way. My situation is a wee bit different-----I am 5yrs out and still have no appetite at all. I know some would think of not having an appetite would be wonderful. I guess really deep down, I do too. However, I find that I receive very little joy from food anymore. I do not enjoy going out to eat---I'd much rather be doing anything else than sitting at table---not wanting to eat and watching others really enjoying their food. I know our situations are a bit different. I just wanted to share with you that a loss of appetite is something that you are not alone in experiencing. I hope knowing that helps you a wee bit. You will work out of this. With all of BP behind you how can you do otherwise?? Stand strong, friend.

Welcome to the "old hens' " club. There are many "mature" folks on this site. I am 63yrs myself. I had my WLS five years ago. The "ol' chicken coop" is being invaded by those "young'ns", so get ready to absorb all of their energy and enthusiasm. I like to think we "mature" members counter balance them with our "wisdom", "life experiences", and "sage advice". That's my story and I'm stick'n to it. Again, Welcome!

I thank you for trusting me enough to try it. Yummy. Guess what I'm making tomorrow for lunch?? Enjoy, Friend!

If you're developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis----blood clots) in your legs, MRSA will be the least of your problems. Grab your inhalers and your Protein powder and GO TO THE CLOSEST ER. That is the only advise I have for you. Anything else would be medical advice and that I can not give.

My opinion, Friend, Get yourself seen! Do not drive yourself. If you do not have anyone to drive you, call 911. You should not be having circulatory problems. That is a very dangerous symptom of possible a DVT----blood clots. On top of all of your other concerns, PLEASE get yourself some help. NOW. When you can, PLEASE come back and tell us how you're doing. We care about YOU. You are one of us. You are in my thoughts tonight. Feel better, my friend.

Great question. I get migraines: If I ingest anything with Soy in it If I am deprived of caffeine --my coffee If I am overly stressed I take Replax for my migraines which seems to help. I used to take Fioricet, but Replax has replaced it. I'm thinking that you should probably ask your bariatric team now, before surgery. They will be able to make some recommendations for you. Maybe something as simple as changing your Protein shake will take care of your migraines. Feel better, Friend. Migraines are nasty. Please, come back and let me know what you find out. New information is always appreciated. I truly believe that there is an answer for you.

Just be yourself. Relax Take a deep breath Answer the questions All will be as it is meant to be. You can do this.

Therapy for the both of you----alone and then together. Keep talking and then talk some more and then when all of the talking is done---talk some more. My opinion? --and this IS only MY opinion: Do NOT have WLS until you and your husband are on the same page OR You are strong enough and are fully prepared to have WLS completely on your own. Tonight, you and your husband are in my thoughts. Please take the time to seriously think about your next step. SINCERELY, Valentina

I hear you. I get it.

Welcome. You've made the most difficult decision. You've decided to take responsibility for yourself and do something about it. WLS is not for the weak of body or mind. The journey is not without bumps in the road and dark days. BUT, with the proper mind set and a great deal of dedication and determination, you will be successful. Keep posting. I look forward to following your joyful journey. Again----WELCOME!

support I will give you every day--all day, but advice on what your tummy can handle?---not so much. I can tell you that I am EXTREMELY allergic to SOY, so I had to be very careful when shopping for a soy-free Protein shake. That damned stuff is in EVERYTHING. I know that you have to find a way to get protein in------#1 priority. Important enough that if you are having trouble digesting ingredients, please call your Nut. and get their advice on what to try. You really, in my opinion, can NOT take the time to try this one and then that one. You need to get your protein in--NOW. I know there's a product out there for you. You are NOT alone in you sensibilities. Others with similar digestion peculiarities have gone before you. Your bariatric team will know what you should be using. Good luck and please come back and post---telling what product you can tolerate and like. You are cared about here and supported. I wish I could help more.

Great smile and---welcome! Whether you have to jump the hoops for six months or not, you've already made the hardest decision----to have WLS. It takes strength to come to terms with being obese, and then taking charge of "not" being obese. Such a journey is not for the weak or mind or body. If you do have to wait six month, you will be surprised how quickly those months will fly by. You will be soo busy consulting with this one and then that one, losing a % of weight, going to seminars, and support groups---whew, I'm tired just remembering it. Please, try to get a solid support team behind you. That is MY primary suggestion to everyone heading for WLS. Support is SO vital to success. Keep posting. Keep asking. Keep letting us know how you are doing every step of the way. Yes, we are nosy, but we also care----a great deal. Again----I welcome you!

How post op diets have changed over the years! Agreed, I had my sleeve surgery over five years ago, but Lordy! WWWAAAAYYYY back then, I was told to treat crackers like the plague! --forever and ever. I use other bases for my "spreadables" like cuke slices, tomato wedges, lettuce, peeled apple slices---all depending on how far post op I was. I will be following your thread, because I find it fascinating to see the differences between the "allowed" foods "back in my day" and what is "allowed" in these new and wonderful modern times. Good luck in your search. I wish I could have been of some more help to you.

five years out and I still get hiccoughs. Over the years, I have come to recognize them as my "signal" to stop eating--now! When the first "hic" comes, my fork goes down. Sometimes they come less frequently. If you experience them very often and they are concerning to you, then by all means give your team a call. Let them put you mind to ease. Then you'll know--for sure. We can give you "our" advice, but not being MDs , that all it is----our own experiences. Let us know what your team tells you. It's always good to learn something new every day.

You are very welcome, Friend. We are here to help one another, are we not?? I think we are.

Yess! What a wonderful alternative! Where can I find banana extract? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using the BariatricPal App Just about any grocery store----in with the spices. The same place where you would buy vanilla. There are dozens of flavors. Root beer is one of my favorites. Added to a vanilla protein shake and I have a root beer float. Think outside the box. Go a wee bit "extract/flavor" crazy.. Make it fun!

I've been vaccinated against lyme disease. Boosters included--not pleasant. Sorry to hear that you actually got Lyme. My bariatric team took note of it when I had my WLS --2011. I never heard of anything more about it--effecting anything concerning WLS. Please post if you hear anything pro or con.

I love Banana Protein shakes! I simply add a few drops of banana flavored extract to my vanilla Protein shake. I get all of the yummy banana taste with none of the sugar/calories. I think I'll go have one now. Thank you for suggesting it.

I've raised, trained and evaluated Therapy Dogs for decades. I know first hand their value within our lives. Clients would ask me how will they know when it is time to finally say good bye and let their beloved dog cross over The Rainbow Bridge. My answer today is the same that it was many years ago: "You will know, my friend. When the time is right--you will just know". If you don't cry when they leave you, then you didn't deserve to have them while they were with you. Remember my tell you that my S.O. committed suicide the morning of my WLS? Well my beloved standard poodle, Leilani died the very next morning. She just didn't wake up. Through 4 years of therapy, it wasn't until Gucci --my Chinese crested came into my life did I actually start believing in living again. I'm telling you this so you can realize that yes, I KNOW how important your dog is to you. No words will be able to ease the pain. You have to go through it to grow out of it. Be kind to yourself and to your dear dog. "You'll know. You will just know". I understand.

I found that I can freeze strawberries on a cookie sheet--separated so they don't touch. Once frozen, put them into zip lock snack bags. They are wonderfully yummy and way better for you than those sugary processed ones. Just a suggestion.

My guilty pleasure is surf fishing---no surprise there, right? In my opinion surf fishing is better than sex: I can do it alone and does not require batteries I can do it in public and not get arrested After I'm through I do not crave a PB&J It doesn't leave me with pregnancy worries I don't have to rely on some one else to "find the right spot" I can do it all day and all night without hearing anyone whine AND the end result tastes great on the Bar-B-Q!! Yep, my guilty pleasure-----surf fishing...

I never make my grandsons "finish their plates". I never give them the "starving children around the world" stories. We have "baked" chips in the house. We keep "lite" ice cream in freezer along side of the S.F. pops. There's always fresh fruit available. We make S.F Jello and pudding. They get their mac N cheese and I get my Miracle Noodles. I forbid myself my "demon's food"--AKA chips, Cheetos (the worst), crackers, nuts. It's all about negotiation around here. If we are successful with planning ahead then no one feels deprived. --just wish those damned crispy Cheetos were never invented!!!! (food of irresistible Sirens---that's what they are!) Be strong, Valentina. Be strong!!!!