kmoore

Lol...ever since going on Metformin for my diabetes, I've been very musical I have always been a "regular" person, and sometimes can be soft or liquidy anyways...this sharting thing is definitely something to look forward too **NOT**! LOL

Robbino, My date has not been set yet, but should be around the beginning of September. I have been doing a Protein shake for lunch now for 7 months...and have been doing one for dinner as well on most days for about 3 months. I take the weekends off from both I had lost 33 lbs, but gained 2 back last week on vacation...which I didn't think was too bad. Did lots of outdoor activities at the beach for exercise is probably the reason I have also been taking Phentermine (weight loss aid), which I was told yesterday at my final insurance required appt (6 month monitored diet and weigh-ins), that you have to be off any and all appetite surpressants 1 month prior to surgery. So don't consider that an option for that 2 week liquid diet pre-op. I didn't think I was going to have to do 2 weeks of it since I have lost so much already, but I do (bummer). Just my opinion, but splurging here and there on the "bad foods" is ok, within reason, but getting your head prepared for the 1st few weeks post-op is a really good idea. Doing that should be a great help in dealing with any "head hunger" you have post-op I am also of the belief that you should continue to eat as healthy foods as you can forever post-op, no matter if you can tolerate the junk again. Smaller portions or not, your body won't be healthy even at a smaller size if you feed it high fat/calorie foods. Though I am sure I will splurge from time to time, I refuse to go through a major surgery and not make every healthy change that I can to ensure complete success

I do not plan on telling a whole lot of people about this surgery, as I have read from some of you and I also have a friend that has received negative feedback from friends and family. That being said, I see my step-mom every week...for choir practice and at church. But she worries about so much, I am afraid to tell her. However, I know that she will end up knowing afterwards and then be mad I didn't tell her to begin with. How would some of you approach this? Also, my mother lives in Tennessee, I am in South Carolina. I would hate to give her something to worry over unnecessarily, but already feel guilty for not telling...lol. What do you think?

Glad you have bounced back and I do hope your ex will follow suit soon. Sounds like he was very insecure, probably sensing your feelings. Do be careful though. My ex husband acted very possessive of me and when I finally did stand up for myself and told him to either leave or I would leave, he did leave but then stalked me and threatened my life for almost 1 year before moving back home to mommie. He never acted on his threats, thankfully, but it was a stressful time and I was terrified to allow anyone close to me in case his threats became active. I was 21 at the time and he was 22...VERY young! A couple of years ago, he contacted me through Myspace....when I used to use that...REALLY freaked me out, but I did talk to him and was glad I did. He contacted me to apologize for the way he acted so many years ago. Told me he was married and had beautiful twin girls...and the best part...still lives in his hometown (which is about 1000 miles from me) And that was the last I heard from him. It was good to know that he did finally move on. I never wished him ill...just out of my life. Just be careful who you involve in your life so soon, in case your ex snaps. Not saying to walk on eggshells or to not live your life...just don't flaunt things until you know that he is moving passed this breakup. Possessive people can be scary. All this being said, I never knew just how strong a person I was until I stood up to my exhusband...and I have been strong and happy ever since. Now...if I can just get this surgery done and get rid of the 70 more lbs I have to lose to continue a healthy life...

OUCH! Feel better soon.

The white spots in the back of your throat look just like strep. Go get checked. I cannot tell you how many positive strep cases we see daily in our office right now. Hope u feel better soon

Actually, it all depends on what kind of smoker you are. If you are the 1 pack a day kind, 7 days a week, even urine can take close to a month to produce a clean nicotine drug screen. Blood just slightly longer than that, and hair follicle up to a year A good surgeon will insist on you quitting before agreeing to performing surgery on you...I mean, why would a good surgeon cut you open KNOWING that you are still smoking and could have slower healing time, prone to more infections, and so on? Most surgeons require you to have quit for at least one month and I would imagine, if a drug screen is done, it would be urine. The other 2 are just too costly and most insurances are not going to cover those. (Found the following doing Google search) Urinal Drug Test Inorder to find out the traces of nicotine in your body as well as to know how long does nicotine stay in urine, one needs to undergo a urinal drug test or urinalysis which is based on the immunoassay technology which detects the samples of such addictive products in urine. For those who smoke occasionally, nicotine persists in the body for only 3-4 days only. But for those who are passive smokers the traces of nicotine can be found for as long as 15-20 days. In this test the urine of the person is collected in a specially designed sealed cup, which is tamper proof and sent to a drug testing laboratory. Then the urine is is splitted into aliquots and then screened under the immunoassay and the GC-MS process. Then the result is relayed to a Medical Review Office where it is carefully scrutinised by a medical expert. However, now there are several mechanisms to test the presence of drugs instantly with the help of urine drug testing kits. Blood Test for Nicotine The answer to the question as to how long does nicotine stay in your blood rests on the fact that it gets transformed into a metabolite called cotinine which mixes in the blood and affects the body. The liver slowly detoxifies the body by removing the toxins from the blood whereas the kidney flushes out the waste products out of the body in the form of urine and stool which takes place at a much faster pace. The blood tests can detect even the slightest traces of nicotine in the bloodstream. Nicotine Hair Test Although this test is expensive and not often recommended for employees, yet it is used for accurate analysis of the traces of nicotine in the body due to its ability to trace the presence of potentially toxic elements. The hair follicle test can be conducted even after 30-90 days of smoking or may even last a year. In this kind of test normally the hair on the head is taken for analysis but in cases of baldness, the hair belonging to the face, arms, armpits, legs or any other body parts can act as a substitute. This is a specialized test usually used when all other forms of tests are unsatisfactory. Picture 3 – Cigarette Source - abc.net.au How to Effectively clear the Nicotine from the Body There are several suggestions as to how to get rid of such addictives of the body. The best way to clean the body of the nicotine is to drink atleast 8-10 glasses of Water per day as it facilitates the process of detoxification including the flushing out of the nicotine substances by the pacing up of the metabolic activities in the body. Secondly, fruits containing Vitamin C act as an efficient antioxidant which helps the body to get rid of toxins by metabolizing the drugs and flushing them out of the body. Thirdly, regular physical activities and rigorous exercise also helps the body to get rid of harmful products and helps to keep the body fit and healthy.

I quit 2 1/2 years ago after 20 years of smoking. Basically cold turkey. I did use a zero nicotine electronic cig for about 1 month. The 1st 2-3 days were a little rough, but manageable. Just a tip...caffeine and alcohol will trigger cig cravings, so avoid both for a couple of months if possible.

LOL...mine would be Bubbles Forshey! Bubbles is pretty good for a stripper, but Forshey?

To be off of blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetic, and reflux meds...number ONE! Being able to have comfortable sex with my husband (no breathing difficulties because my fat breasts are shoved up under my chin)...I know, too much info, right? The obnoxious teenage clothing...would LOVE to go try those on, but probably would not be really my style...just fun to try on...lol I would love to wear a dress that doesn't have to go to my feet to hide my cankles.

I started my 6 months with the intention of doing this myself, no surgery. And I lost 27 lbs in 3 months, became STUCK for 3 months, then gained 5 lbs, now am down a total of 33 lbs and am stuck again. I still have 70 lbs to lose. I have yo-yo'd my whole life too, and have decided I need the sleeve as a tool for permanent weight loss. I am on several meds for 3 co-morbidities and I need to get my life together before I no longer have one! Good luck to you whatever your choice

Don't crush...most antidepressants will tell you not to crush or chew. I would call your bariatric MD and ask him/her. They would know what meds are ok and which one's are not.

LOL! Yup, I have had my hubby ask if the sleeve came off too

I'm really beginning to think the same, DesertRat. I am not going to tell my mom and my step-mom though until the insurance approval comes through and the date is set...but I am going to tell them both before I have it done. How would they feel if the worst happened during surgery and I died...God forbid? They would always struggle with why I didn't feel I could trust them to tell them and I just could not do that to them. It's hard enough losing someone unexpectedly anyway...but if you were to find out that they kept something like this from you...devastating! At least this way, they are informed and can form their own opinions and either support me or not. Of course, I will not say a WORD about death as a possibility

Don't be discouraged. You can fluctuate 2-3lbs each day normally. This is why weighing every day can be depressing...though when that close to onederland, I would be compelled to do the daily weigh-in too.

Yup, lost 31 lbs....for the last 2 months I have already been doing 2 protein shake smoothies for 2 of my meals daily. So the fast shouldn't be that big of a deal to me. Just have to eliminate the skim milk for water in the shake and not add the Chobani yogart and frozen fruit I am the type that researches everything completely, and yes, follows 100% of what I should to accomplish what I am trying to accomplish. I see no point in going through surgery if you are not committed to a before and after life change.

Too cute! I like my husband's name with initial and last name...smoore (Scott). Makes me want a campfire, marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers though...lol

I actually saw what you are talking about 1st hand, watching someone who was supposed to be on a liquid diet 5 days prior to surgery consume many things she shouldn't have. Using the excuse that at some point in the body it will turn to liquid. Needless to say, she did spend a bit of time in the bathroom purging after lunch for about the 1st 4-6 weeks post-op (due to the same things).

Mine is quite boring...1st initial (Kim) and last name (Moore). After reading some of y'all's...I'm thinking I need to engage my more creative side...lol I used to have ferrets as pets, before they all got old and passed away that is. And my name on my ferret forums was slinkybink, after my 1st ferret. Maybe I need to just use that...at least it's more fun than kmoore

Got ya Thanks for explaining that. I was a bit worried.

At 600 and 400 calories a day, how is your body functioning? The brain, by itself utilizes 20% of every calorie taken in just to merely survive at rest. And what about the organs in your body? The heart burns many calories a day to pump blood...and so on. Is the extreme lack of caloric intake being supplemented somehow as to not damage your body? Not judging or anything...makes me a little leary of having the surgery if we have to harm our bodies in this way beforehand. With me already having high blood pressure issues and heart disease in my family, it kind of scares me to think of having a heart attack because I didn't give my body it's daily requirements to survive. I hope you feel better and sleep well

Refried Beans with cheddar and salsa! OMG that sounds good and I'm not even sleeved yet! LOL I bought "Weight Loss Surgery Cookbook for Dummies". It has quite a few yummy ideas for all stages of post-op. I'm sure I'll use it alot after surgery

It is "smart-ICE". I have the paid version...there is a "lite" version also. I think I paid $4.99 for the app a couple of years ago.

Definitely good points there, Calikat. I do plan to tell those that would need to know for emergencies for me. Plus, I have an app on my phone that EMS can access that will give all info for me, surgury, meds, insurance info, ER contacts, etc. These I.C.E. apps are great, and most EMS services are well aware to check phones for these now days

Most surgeons and anesthetists require their fees be paid up front. After they figure out what your insurance will pay, they will figure what you owe above that and charge before doing the surgery (co-insurance and any deductible not already met). If there happens to be any overpayment...lol...you are refunded that later. Not sure about the hospital stay charges. I also work in the medical field and have seen it over and over, plus having gone through this for cardiac catheterization too.