Valentina

How's it going, Ladies???? Yes, I'm nosey. I care!

Welcome to the Losers' Bench! Cozy, isn't it? Rest a wee bit, take a deep breath,---then get you arse up and get moving!!! You heard the starting pistol fire, you're out of the gate and coming up in the first corner, ol' gentle bear. So, now your best life begins. Post often so we can keep on eye on you.

It is what it is. No use fretting about tomorrow. I would say, just sit down with your Nut. and have a detailed discussion with her/him about everything you're doing and eating. If you are making any "miss-steps" she/he will be able to make corrections to your pre-op diet. Explain everything you went through with your GI testing. With everything out in the open, you two should and will be able to get you back on track. Nutritionists are there as another tool. Use them and let them help you.

This is a fascinating thread. It is thought provoking and interesting to read. For my input: I was an office administrator for a group of specialty surgeons. ------- and the profession that I truly loved--- I was (am) a canine behaviorist and professional Standard Poodle handler.

All you need is "A lover with a slow hand". Really, through life I have found that when the body falters, the mind has to take the lead. Imagine and plan ahead. Have "tools of endearment" close at hand. Talk it out beforehand and plan for success! ) Lighten up. Take the time to have fun!! Be thankful. Oh, yes, be thankful that you have all that you have in your life.

Please don't laugh and don't gag: I put chicken quarters into a crock pot with bottle of diet root beer, some ginger, salt and freshly chopped basil, rosemary and thyme twig. and a few pepper flakes. I let the crock do it's thing. I pull the chicken out, cool it and use it with whatever chicken salad recipe I can think of. I keep the recipe simple as the flavor of the chicken with the rootbeer/ginger is complex. I really do not like chicken , so this gives me a different flavor profile to work with. Worth a try. I promise!

We are ALL cheering you on! It's getting really noisy in here !! Get up!!! Move everything you got!!! shimmy, shimmy, shake it, shake it!!

I cut them in half---layer onto cookie sheet----sprinkle with freshly chopped garlic, tiny bits of real bacon, salt/pepper flakes. Then I placed 2Tblspns of Nutritional Yeast over the top and place into a 400 degree oven for 20-30 min. turning them over 1/2 way through. These are fabulous, Daaaling! Hot or cold. The Nutritional Yeast adds the cheesy flavor while only adding 35-40 cal.. It also adds 9g of protein.

You wrote that you have a month to go before your file is submitted. A month is a worthy amount of time to kick it up and prove that you are in it to win it!!! Get going! You can do this!

Wow. Very interesting. I have an appointment early next month. Really looking forward to it now. Feel better and keep us posted .

Have you considered the, "5 Day Pouch Test"? It might be just the thing to get you back on track. I left a doctor's office just once in tears. NEVER AGAIN! If your relationship with your doctor is at that low of a level, I believe it's time for a second opinion--at least. Get your records and get a second opinion. Can't hurt. It just might give you some new ideas, opinions, new horizons. If the second surgeon agrees with the first, then you can have the peace of mind that your following the right instructions. I can not, should not, nor will I give medical advice. That's not right (nor legal ). I'm just sharing with you what I think I would do. Feel better and please keep us posted. Prayers going up for

"We do not know how strong we are until we are given no other choice". A wee hospital "secret": "A patient can not and will not be discharged against their will without proper conference". If you are ever about to be discharged from a hospital but feel for whatever reason that you are not able to be, ask for the "hospital's patient advocate". Every hospital (at least in NY State) has to have one. That person will be your spokesperson in any conversation referring to your discharge. Hospitals want you in and out as quickly as possible. It's all dollars and cents, but if you truly are too weak, ill or just not ready to take care of yourself at home, they have to conference about you and allow you to stay day to day.

I'm from the Oneonta area. ​Yep. Yesterday 34 below with the wind and no power! Upstate NY--gotta love it!

You rocked it!! I'm at 201 and waiting, waiting, waiting... Take a deep breathe and just------------------------enjoy the moment--the feeling. Does it feel wonderful???

I know this is all new to you and is extremely upsetting, and I am sorry you are having to go through this right now. However, I bet this is not your bariatric surgeon's first denial for one of his patients. His office will have a "plan B" ready to go for you. --like the one they suggested and is working on--the sleep study. Talk to the office Medical Secretary/co-ordinator. She/he will be the person "in the know" about this. It probably won't, but if "plan B" should fail, then a "Doctor to Doctor" direct phone call will get the approval. You have had another hoop to jump through, and I'm sorry about that. Just remember that the people who approve or deny procedures sometimes are not doctors or sometimes they are not even medical people. Sometimes their expertise is in finance. Sad but true. Try (I know that's a huge task right now) not to worry. Let this play out. Prayers going up for you!

question: Is the increase in Protein worth the increase in calories? I've been tempted to try them , but am hesitant.

I'm so envious. Sriracha sauce is just not for me. Anything spicy--even ketchup gets "evicted" . It's been 4 years since my surgery, so I don't think hot/spicy will ever be part of my menu. Do I regret having my sleeve? Hell, no!!! I'll just have to get my "spiciness" from other sources.

I have always been a Chobani fan as it is made right here in rural NY state. --support the locals. However, the other day I bought a Yoplait Greek 100----Blackberry Pie and it is YUMMY!! It has 100cal,12g Protein.

You didn't get "catfished", Sweety. You "escaped the hook". Whew, that was a close one!! Good Girl!

I think if you can cut down the whole journey into days, it might make it easier for you. The ol', "Divide and Conquer" theory. How does one eat a whole steer? One bite at a time! Get through today successfully and tomorrow will be another day to start over with successful day behind you, then two, then three, etc... We are all here, rooting for you--starting to warm up your spot on, "The Losers' Bench". You'll join us in no time.

In the starting gate, pawing at the ground, waiting for the starting pistol to fire!!!!!

A woman I know had the waiting period waived because she had to have a hernia repair that could not wait. What does your surgeon say? Is she/he willing to waive the waiting period? Mine would not because HE wanted to see some commitment to the process. Good luck and keep us posted. Good information to be able to pass on.

How about the, "5 Day Pouch Test"? It might just jump start you back onto the right track. --and a visit with your nutritionist after a consult with your surgeon. You got this!! Please, keep us posted.

I thoroughly agree with Cold-Eeze. The zap of Zinc knocks my colds down to just a couple of days. Try it--there is even a no sugar Cold-Eeze. Whatcha go to lose, except your cold. Be healthy and keep us posted.

Lots of people have completely crap parents. His dad has him around because he is another source of income. Unless you have really experienced a crappy parent you can't understand how really terrible some people are at being parents and human beings in general. Owing,no explanations, let it suffice to say that being a child of rape, I am well experienced with having a parent that had zero parenting skills, not did she desire any. All that been said, I will repeat that I will ever be so grateful that God above gave me the opportunity to sit at her bedside as she was dying and thank her for having me, not aborting me as she was well within her rights to do so. Our parents are the only ones that any of us will ever have. Don't be in such a hurry to judge them. We don't know the history of this young man and his parents. We know nothing other than what the adult child has told us. I still think that there is concern, if not love in the home. If not, the father would have washed his hands of him long ago.