Teri Barowsky Hooper

I had a total hysterectomy in Aug 2012 and then the sleeve in Nov 2012. I should be losing hair from my first surgery but as of yet, there hasn't been any noticeable loss. I started taking my bariatric vitamins BEFORE my surgeries so I could get used to them. I also use Aveda's Invati serum daily on my scalp to help prevent hair loss. So far, so good.

Besides health reasons, my grandchildren are a major reason I had the sleeve done (back in November). I want to be able to do things WITH them not watching them. I am only down 35 pounds so far but I made it 6 hours at Disneyland with them last week. And I did it walking!!!! Grandbabies are motivation to get healthy regardless of how much skin is hanging around afterward.

I find that odd. I had 2 surgeries in the last 6 months and had to take my cpap to the hospital both times. I wore it practically nonstop for the first 16 hours post op at the hospital. Now I am 10 weeks post op and just saw my sleep doctor last week. He is having me continue using it for 6 more months and then we will do another sleep study and see where things stand then.

I had it real bad in the first 5-6 weeks too. I got better with time. I did take zegerid for a while but that didn't seem to make a difference. I wonder if the stomach over produces acid in the beginning to aid with healing. Anyway, I'm 10 weeks post op and only have it on occasion now.

Sleeved 11/05/12 HW: 278 CW: 245 Lost 33 lbs! GW: 150 Age: 55

Insomnia has been a horrific problem since my surgery. I searched high and low. I talked to my surgeon, my GP, my sleep doctor, and my GYN only to get only suggestions of drugs to take. When I googled insomnia I found one reference to low carb diets. So I googled insomnia/low carb diets and literally hundreds of references came up. After reading all the reputable sites, it appears the reason many sleevers have insomnia issues has to do with the lack of serotonin produced by low carb diets. That serotonin in return is needed for the body to produce melatonin. So I sat down and tried to come up with a schedule for meals and Snacks that takes into account the guidelines given by my NUT. The math does not add up. There is no way to get the required amount of Protein, Water, and calories in an average 16 hour waking day. I have to change something. Either I lower my protein intake so I can consume more carbs (i.e. veggies) and water. Or, I stick with what I have been doing which is to get my protein in but not enough water and continue suffering with Insomnia. I was given samples by my sleep doc of sleep aids to try but because I have a migraine disorder, I have not found any I can tolerate. If you have a thyroid problem, you should not take melatonin. The purpose of me doing this procedure was to alleviate medical problems and lesson the amount of medications I need. I feel however, I am just replacing one problem with a different one. . . one medication for another one.

I talked to the NUT today about this. She informed me that I needed to cut back on Protein a little at a time until I got the protein/carb balance that allowed me to get some sleep. Of course the focus needs to be on healthy fruits, veggies, and high Fiber carbs. I only need about 30 gms of protein a day tops. P. S. I am 10 weeks post op.

That's the group. They don't post anything except when they meet. There isn't any discussions that I have found.

I too live in Riverside. I had my surgery November 5th at UCI in Orange by Dr. Nyugen. There is a So Cal group on this site that meets once a month at Victoria Gardens. I had not met with them yet but plan to. I'm open for chat!

Thanks. I have done acupuncture weekly for years. It helps with my fibro but has done little for my migraines. I have allergic reactions to botox. One of the problems with fibro is that most patients are hypersensitive to medications and other things. I am a textbook case. LOL

I am weaning down my Lyrica dose to see how I do. I actually don't take Lyrica for fibro, I take it for chronic migraines. It is the only thing that works for those. I tried almost everything for them and nothing helped by Lyrica. You have to titrate down slowly for fear of seizures. I have since had a total hysterectomy because of uterine cancer so I'm hoping that has changed things in the migraine department. Until I get my Lyrica dose down I won't know.

I am losing a lot slower than most of you guys (which can be frustrating). I am following my doctor's orders thoroughly. It might be that I am older than some (I'm 55). I'm on several medications that cause weight gain and they may be causing me to lose slower. I did water aerobics before surgery and have continued with that so I know it's not from lack of exercise. I can't up my exercising much without causing a fibromyalgia flare up but I can try to increase it slowly over many months. I use myfitnesspal to record what I'm eating to make sure I'm on track. I'm down 31 pounds and I'm happy with that until I come to this site and read where everyone else is.

I think even if the majority is a re-hashing of what you already know there could be one tidbit that is new news to you. Try to understand that people are at different levels of knowledge. The nutritionist needs to shut this kind of redundant questioning down by offering individual sessions with people like that. Obviously, the NUT is not experienced in dealing with people who like to dominate the forum.

I'm 9 weeks out and down 31 pounds. It is slow but it is moving down so keep the focus.

I'll hang in there if you hang in there.

I know how you feel. I'm about 9 weeks out and it is moving very slow. I see the amount of weight others lost and I'd be lying if I said it doesn't bother me. I give myself pep talks but sometimes it's just frustrating. Eating about 800 calories a day and not losing much . . . doesn't seem right!

I take fiber gummies. They seem to help as long as I get lots of water in. When my water is not so good, I struggle with the same issue.

I am hoping to jettison my CPAP when I lose more weight.

You're welcome. Make sure you rinse them after you get out of the pool and avoid putting them in the dryer. They last a "tad" longer that way.

I've gone through several pair in the last 4 years walking laps in the pool. My favorite is this one: http://www.shop.swimandsweat.com/SPEEDO-SurfWalker-Slip-On-Water-Shoe-7493044.htm

What does everyone do when eating out? If I don't order something I feel like a cheapskate. I If I do order something I only eat about 1/4 or it. Then the waiter or friend or whomever I'm with usually asks, "Is there a problem with your dinner?" or "Didn't you like it?" I don't want to go into lengthy discussions about my surgery with people I don't know very well. I don't mind bringing the majority of my dinner home but just feel uncomfortable with the whole situation. How does everyone else handle it?