shamrockjulie

I just tried a zinc capsule today and been in terrible pain since taking it. I know there is different kinds of zinc ( mine was zinc cholate). What are the safe tummy friendly kinds to take?

I wanted to write this for me but more for someone considering this surgery. Finally after being sleeved on 10/9 I hit the 100 lb loss goal. For me only 65 more to go. It's feels good to finally have success. For those of you who haven't read my backstory I've had the full buffet of gastric surgeries (gastric bypass and reversal, gastric band that i only lost 40 lbs and gained 70 even after revisions). I really hope I can push through and meet my goal weight. This by no means has been an easy free ride. I've lost 3/4 of my hair, my hands look like 90 yr old and don't get me started on bathroom functions. But I wouldn't change anything. I don't miss anything really and I indulge occasionally in wine or chocolate. Im just as flawed as I was before I know I need to work on getting more Protein in and still have trouble meeting those damn Water goals (as sooner as I drink after food I feel hungrier again sooner). In the beginning when I couldn't eat much I replaced my stress eating with shopping and maxed out a few paid off credit cards. It just goes to show you that this is more mind control and yes willpower than just portions. After a fab 40th bday party for myself last month and buying a dress from Saks regular store (14) I cried tears of joy. I was able to buy from normal store. It made up for all the other things that happen. I'm 5'10 and have always been a big girl. That nite if I couldn't look like a stick thin super model I would be the fiercest drag queen there ever was. I piled on the hair extensions and false eyelashes and 6 inch heels. I took a ton of pictures that nite ( something that I usually shy away from) and posted them freely with my family and friends online without scrutinizing them took much. I've laid off on the online shopping and am drinking my water a bit more, and I've started with the Protein shakes again . This battle will never end. If you made mistakes its important to fall back reassess and regroup. But in the end I am 1000 times happier with myself and am so proud of myself that I took the risk and did this. That went on longer than my original 100 lbs lost post :-)

They taste like pasta. I make a low fat phad Thai and a mock Alfredo with chicken & broccoli . They are mushier than I would've ever ate pasta and they require a few steps that you must do to get rid of the smell. You have to rinse in gold water for 5 min then dry with paper towel, then dry roast in non stick pan (some people use a microwave for this step) then add into what you are making. It's less time than waiting for water to boil but I won't lie the 1st time I smelled them out of the bag was nasty. Now I turn my head while I rinse.

I have been surviving on Shiratki tofu noodles since my surgery in Oct (down 80 lbs) They are filling and only have 3 carbs 20 calories per serving (which I can only eat 1/2 servings at most. It tames my pasta craving

My surgery date was 10-9 and like clockwork once I hit the 3 month mark I noticed my long strands everywhere. I've always had fine hair (thanks mom) but am worried that ill lose too much on top to recoup. I started low level laser treatments but don't know if that will help. I too have worn extensions before but am afraid that will do too much damage to my fragile hair.

I love Shiratki noodles! If you rinse them and dry roast in pan the smell goes away. I've made a Shirataki pad Thai, a lomein and a this week ill make something with my leftover turkey. They are extremely filling and in the Asian dishes folks can't tell the difference.

I was sleeved on Oct 9th. Yesterday was my 1st social eating and as I am from a big Italian family who's sole social settings revolve around food I am proud that I actually lost a 1 lb from yesterday. My family is big grazers but I took charge of myself & made breakfast and lunch. I did indulge with a glass of wine but for dinner I sampled only a few items (quarter size) and filled up on turkey and my Splenda cranberry sauce. I had a bite of my sisters cherry pie and considering that there was literally 1 pie / dessert per person am super proud of how I handled my eating. I am 2 lbs shy of 50 lost.

I was sleeved on 10/9 and during the 1st 2 weeks lost 18 lbs. When I went on puréed foods I stalled for 5 days and now I've gained 2 lbs. I started to add unflavored protein powder to my food and wonder if this is the cause. This is so frustrating to go thru all this to not only not lose but to gain so soon. And please don't bother with the "you lost 18 you should be so proud" remarks. Something is amiss with my surgery. I've never read about anyone gaining so soon. I follow the diet and portion and only drink water and 0 cal drinks.

Did you ever stall? I am at the 1 month mark and havent lost anything in 2 weeks. It is maddning. To go thru this for nothing. I had the band and once I stalled I never started to lose back. I walk and keep my cals around 500 a day plus I get my Water in and Vitamins. I have a long way to go and at this point I dont know how Im going to make it there.

I am still unable to lose anything more. I had sugery in Mexico so I do not have a Dr locally. I am wondering if I should see a NUT on my own. Its been close to 2 weeks since I hit the stall and I wlak at least 30 min a day and calories are under 500 total. To go thru all this for nothing is hard.

I guess I'm more OCD than most. I've had a gastric bypass and a reversal than a band and removal. I'm just nervous that this is another in my list of surgical failures.

I've had to take laxatives since the beginning of this week. I am drinking a mix of water an crystal light to hit the 64 oz required. Plain water tastes almost sour to me now, which is shame because I used to drink it with no problems.

I gave been tracking using Lose It. And yes I am at the 3 week mark. What happens then?

In 2001 I had gastric bypass and 9 months later they had to reverse it. In 2003 I got the band. He is worried about scar tissue. My dr here was going to do the same thing(just not on the same day) I've had upper gi's once a year and it looks normal from that. The last scope I had was in 2008 and all was good. Just trying to remain positive.

Day 2 of the clear liquid diet, I'm thankful I'm on the tail end of a cold so I have no appetite. I fly out tomorrow surprisingly not nervous. I just hope they actually do the surgery on Tuesday. Dr Lopez wants to do a scope on me 1st. I would hate for all this to have been for nothing.

I just spoke with Janese at A lighter me and it was very clear that with this group you get 2 cups of broth a day and 2 bottles of water. You can bill to the room if you would like at a slight fee (I prefer this since I have a Marriot membership) or go downstairs to pick up yourself for free. She also said the usually provide Gatorade for patients. The hotel has a concierge so you can have them arrange taxis for trips to picks up additional waters, juice etc. I am bringing with me bouillon granules that I can dissolve in hot water if I need to. Meds, dressing etc are also included. Another thing she told me that they are now working with Dr Ortiz as well.

This is why I hate forums. Not paranoid or scared just cautious. Why would you risk it? Leaving a bunch of cash, credit cards and passports lying around is NEVER A GOOD IDEA in any country including this one. Doing this alone I want to take in every precatuion and have my facts aligned and be prepared for any outcome. And FYI I've been to Tijaunna before seen it's good and bad. Like most people this is my only option because I cannot afford it in the US and insurance doesn't cover. I've had a bypass that had to be reversed in the US because of shoddy Dr's work so the surgery part is the least of my concerns.

Shanti, YAre you with Dr. Lopez next week too?

Why did you need so much cash? I have been to TJ before so I don't plan on doing anything but surgery. I know there are tips involved (to whom I am am still unclear) but $250 seems a lot in gratuities. My surgery price was with the hotel so I figured I'd have to tip the driver, coordinator and hotel staff. Am I missing anyone?

Thanks for the intel. The locks are a good idea. I travel a lot for my job and have to been to South Korea, Japan, Jordan and The Philippines. One thing they always hammer into us to not lose sight of your passport. It is such an odd thing going into this knowing I am going to be put under and my passport and credit card will be just lying around. I don't even leave my purse at a restaurant table unattended. This whole process is requiring a great deal in trust in total strangers. Maybe it's the nature of my job but it is hard for me to just trust anyone that much. I just want to get this over.

I have ave a ton of logistics questions about next week that I didn't think of before. I am having surgery Oct 9th in TJ with Dr Lopez. I know I check in to the hotel on the 1st nite but where is my belongings stored when I am in the hospital? I am assuming they check us out of the hotel while we are in the hospital and then recheck back in afterwards. What happens to my belongings when I am in the hospital? Is there a safe at the hotel I can use for my passport and cash? Also how much cash should I bring? Should it be in Mexican currency or American? I have 2 small roller bags that I was going to bring. Mainly because unfortunately for work I might have to bring my laptop (I am hoping I don't which would leave me only with 1 bag). If anyone can help soothe my mind that would be great. I am needless to say slightly anxious:)

I have a ton of logistics questions about next week that I didn't think of before. I am having surgery next week in TJ with Dr Lopez. I know I check in to the hotel on the 1st nite but where is my belongings stored when I am in the hospital? I am assuming they check us out of the hotel while we are in the hospital and then recheck back in afterwards. What happens to my belongings when I am in the hospital? Is there a safe at the hotel I can use for my passport and cash? Also how much cash should I bring? Should it be in Mexican currency or American? I have 2 small roller bags that I was going to bring. Mainly because unfortunately for work I might have to bring my laptop (I am hoping I don't which would leave me only with 1 bag). If anyone can help soothe my mind that would be great. I am needless to say slightly anxious:)

Day one and I am already gaging at the protein shakes. The have the consistency of the barrium I had to swallow for the Upper GI. I don't remmeber when I go t the bypass and band that I had 2 weeks of this. It must be someting new. The band was the most recent (2003) and then I only did 3 days full liquids 1 day before clear. Sigh... This is going to be a looooooong 2 weeks.

Hi Kiki74! I am flying in on the 8th and surgery on the 9th with Dr Lopez