Miz B

It's still very early for you, but I think you might consider getting a second opinion at this point. Your doctor should be more concerned about dehydration, potassium level, and everything affected by your vomiting so regularly, even this early in the game. Has your doc suggested any diagnostics to rule out problems? No need to panic, but I think you might feel better if you had another surgeon, bariatric of course, give his opinion.

Yes indeed! Your primary care doc should have been watching trends in your labs and asking you about your sleep and other things as your weight increased. Most obese people do have sleep apnea, especially if they are older. The sad fact is that most docs don't have the time to be as proactive as they should be. When you have ten minutes to see a patient, it's hard to help prevent problems because you have to treat the current ones. Most people don't realize they have sleep apnea. They just go around wondering why they don't have energy while their bodies are starved for oxygen, kidney health is affected, and blood pressure goes up. Then they are told that ALL their problems are related to weight, which is indirectly true, but most of us end up morbidly obese without having had any medical professional do anything but shame us. Ideally, primary care docs should have nurses who follow trends in their patient populations and intervene with education and help. It is truly sad when you hear someone say, "My doctor never told me that my high blood pressure would cause congestive heart failure.", or "I wish I had been referred to a nutritionist who could have helped me avoid this. I didn't know what I was doing would result in this." A nurse who can have short informal education sessions with patients as a part of their regular visit is enormously helpful. Physicians don't have the time to discuss everything, so if triglycerides, fasting glucose, and weight are all trending upward, then the nurse can talk to the patient about how very soon they might get a diagnosis of diabetes, as well as using some motivational interviewing techniques to nudge them toward losing weight. I wish I could say that I didn't know all these things as my weight steadily increased, but I did. However, if I had been referred to a nutritionist by my doc, I probably would have gone to the appointment and maybe I might have taken action earlier. When patients have medical professionals who are familiar with health behavioral psychology, or even have one on staff, outcomes are really amazing.

Yes indeed! Your primary care doc should have been watching trends in your labs and asking you about your sleep and other things as your weight increased. Most obese people do have sleep apnea, especially if they are older. The sad fact is that most docs don't have the time to be as proactive as they should be. When you have ten minutes to see a patient, it's hard to help prevent problems because you have to treat the current ones. Most people don't realize they have sleep apnea. They just go around wondering why they don't have energy while their bodies are starved for oxygen, kidney health is affected, and blood pressure goes up. Then they are told that ALL their problems are related to weight, which is indirectly true, but most of us end up morbidly obese without having had any medical professional do anything but shame us. Ideally, primary care docs should have nurses who follow trends in their patient populations and intervene with education and help. It is truly sad when you hear someone say, "My doctor never told me that my high blood pressure would cause congestive heart failure.", or "I wish I had been referred to a nutritionist who could have helped me avoid this. I didn't know what I was doing would result in this." A nurse who can have short informal education sessions with patients as a part of their regular visit is enormously helpful. Physicians don't have the time to discuss everything, so if triglycerides, fasting glucose, and weight are all trending upward, then the nurse can talk to the patient about how very soon they might get a diagnosis of diabetes, as well as using some motivational interviewing techniques to nudge them toward losing weight. I wish I could say that I didn't know all these things as my weight steadily increased, but I did. However, if I had been referred to a nutritionist by my doc, I probably would have gone to the appointment and maybe I might have taken action earlier. When patients have medical professionals who are familiar with health behavioral psychology, or even have one on staff, outcomes are really amazing.

I am eight months out and have hit a plateau, but i had to increase my caloric count because i was losing hair like crazy. Visited my nutritionist and she said that the hair loss at 4-6 months was a result of the anesthesia and the surgery, as well as the very low caloric intake the first few weeks after surgery. She recommended increasing my calories to at least 1200 daily in order to keep from continuing to lose hair. I did that and sure enough, my hair started growing and staying in my head! BUT, I am having to make up for the extra calories by burning more off. She said that was okay, but my loss might slow down. And yes it did, but I have to follow a healthy diet the rest of my life and I cannot risk the harm to my overall health by continuing to take in 1000 calories or less a day for months on end, even if I do take in the correct amount of protein. Some days, I find it hard to get to 1200, but most days I do and I just try and be more active. Moreover, I was getting low blood glucose levels from not taking in enough carbohydrates. I've just accepted that my loss is not going to occur as fast as I had hoped.

I am eight months out and have hit a plateau, but i had to increase my caloric count because i was losing hair like crazy. Visited my nutritionist and she said that the hair loss at 4-6 months was a result of the anesthesia and the surgery, as well as the very low caloric intake the first few weeks after surgery. She recommended increasing my calories to at least 1200 daily in order to keep from continuing to lose hair. I did that and sure enough, my hair started growing and staying in my head! BUT, I am having to make up for the extra calories by burning more off. She said that was okay, but my loss might slow down. And yes it did, but I have to follow a healthy diet the rest of my life and I cannot risk the harm to my overall health by continuing to take in 1000 calories or less a day for months on end, even if I do take in the correct amount of protein. Some days, I find it hard to get to 1200, but most days I do and I just try and be more active. Moreover, I was getting low blood glucose levels from not taking in enough carbohydrates. I've just accepted that my loss is not going to occur as fast as I had hoped.

I am absolutely stuck at 181 and I am so tired of planning what to eat. I really need to push to get down to 150 by Feb 2014, but I've been so tired lately that I have no energy after work. I guess I'll just have to carry on and wait this out.

I am absolutely stuck at 181 and I am so tired of planning what to eat. I really need to push to get down to 150 by Feb 2014, but I've been so tired lately that I have no energy after work. I guess I'll just have to carry on and wait this out.

This was my date also. I've hit a plateau and I've lost some motivation to exercise. I have to be at work so early that exercising in the morning is impossible unless I want to get up at 3:30 AM. When I get home in the evening I only have about four hours before I need to go to bed or I am tired the next day. I haven't solved this problem yet. Mmmmmm.......

My, my apple pie! Me too! My pants are soooooo baggy, but my tops are down just one size. I asked a friend who is in great shape what I could do and she said that if you only do exercises like walking, riding a bike, treadmill, etc. along with your dietary changes, you will only get a much smaller version of your original shape. She said that the ONLY way to really change your proportions is to work out with weights, adding that the safest way is to begin at the gym with machines targeting your core. She thinks that free weights are only for those who have been working out a long time. I have to say that I agree with her, although going to the gym is abhorrent to me. I have lost weight, but i do just have a smaller version of my original shape. Guess I will just have to suck it up and go to the gym, especially since I am no longer 30 years old.

Low K+ (potassium) can cause many symptoms and can affect the skin. Usually makes skin dry and lesions can appear. Cardiac symptoms are far more common. I would suggest having a complete blood panel, along with labs for checking your kidney function. Low potassium does not cause bruising, but thin blood can. All over-the-counter pain relievers thin blood, except for acetaminophen (Tylenol). Other meds that will thin your blood are steroids, some antidepressants, and many others. Low vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin K will also make you more prone to bruising, as well as the fact that you are a woman. If these bruises are associated with any severe pain or swelling, seek medical attention immediately.

I forgot to add that I split my protein up over the day because I was told by my nutritionist that it was difficult for my body post sleeve to metabolize so much protein at once. I was getting in at least 44 grams in one shake in the morning because I wanted to get it over and done. Apparently, there were many days I thought I did well with my protein intake, but my body did not absorb it all and my protein was borderline low when I had blood work done. After spreading the protein out over the day, I do feel more energetic. Since I'm in clinc by 7am and sometimes don't see my last patient until after 4pm, energy and the time to eat during the day has been a real issue. It's a bit hard to examine patients while munching on something......LOL

Breakfast: 1 1/2 cup low fat milk with one half scoop syntha 6 Protein powder vanilla with 1/2 sugar free carnation instant breakfast and some almond flavoring mixed in Mid morning snack: hot ginger peach tea with 1 tsp honey (So good!) and truvia sweetner also; Metamucil cinnamon spice Fiber wafers (these are good too and effective!) Lunch: 1/2 ham sandwich with slice low fat cheese, 2 tomato slices, mustard and lettuce; 1/2 cup grapes about an hour later Mid afternoon: more hot tea with truvia only Dinner: 2 oz grilled roast beef; 1/4 cup cornbread dressing, 1/8 cup green Beans, 1/4 cup carrots, Water, some A1 sauce also (about a tablespoon) Evening snack: 1 1/2 cups milk with 1/2 scoop syntha 6 protein mixed in for extra protein boost since the grilled roast beef was a little heavy; also more hot tea and two more Metamucil fiber wafers to keep things regular Water: about 9 cups counting the hot tea P.S. - Could have eaten more for lunch, but ran out of time. Today's total calories: about 1,314 with 81 grams protein ( a very high day for me). Could have done a little better on total calories if I had not added the honey to my tea. But, I did fairly brisk exercise for 30 min.

Sitting in water that you can splash over yourself is one thing, but soaking with incisions fully submerged is quite another. Be very careful with this. Your skin is your number one defense against bacteria entering your body. Call your doc's office to make sure you have healed enough to soak in a tub. Once an incision starts oozing green, it's not a fun ride, and can be especially dangerous for an abdominal surgery.

I am having your same experience as I write this. I have done the two step in a two-pound range for about two weeks now. I was told that I would have to increase my activity and increase my Protein. I'm amazed at those who get in 80 and 90 grams of protein daily. i don't know how they do it. Of course, it is more difficult for me since I don't care for meat that much. I think these stalls are a good time to take out pictures of ourselves and see the progress we have made. If you are like I am, I still feel like a fatty because I'm only halfway to my goal. Doing more of what we know we are supposed to do is really our only option. I'm hanging in there too. Frustrating!

Woo hoo!!! That's wonderful! Just don't immediately assume that you don't need all your medications, as I did. Stopped taking my cholesterol medication and my LDL (the bad kind) doubled very quickly. So had to add that one back. I have to say I wasn't quite prepared for the sheer number of supplement pills I would need to take, but I have become accustomed to taking them. Using a pill box does make me feel old, though. :wub:

Click on the purple bar on the arrow right beside your picture. In that menu you will see "My Tickers". There's where you set up your BMI and weight loss tickers.

Yes ma'am. Mid fifties and I was diabetic before the surgery. My last A1c was 5.6 and will improve as I lose more belly fat. Visceral fat in that area increases insulin resistance. When you begin to lose more of your belly fat, you will notice even more blood sugar control. Be careful about watching for low blood sugar. I carry a roll of glucose tablets or glucagon with me at all times, just in case. Hope this helps.

I've been reclusive since I started this process, so I'm already about six months out from my surgery. I've had some setbacks due to a second surgery, but i'm going to hang in there. I'm in the medical profession, but I've found out how little I know about nutrition for my situation. One would think I would have done all kinds of research before surgery, which I did, but it was mostly about the surgery itself. Now I see that one of the biggest challenges is getting that protein in and staying organized so you provide yourself with that daily nutritional support, as well as activity (more difficult for me since I enjoy sedentary activities and my job is very sedentary). The support on this site is wonderful. Just a few days ago, I was in a panic about my hair loss, and I came to this site and found great support and suggestions. I am going to consult a colleague also about the problem, but there's nothing like someone who's actually been there.

These stories are encouraging because I am 56 and I had my surgery in early Feb of this year. Unfortunately, about three months later I had to have my shoulder repaired and recovery was almost 8 wks at home in a sling without much energy to do anything. I feel these two surgeries being so close together really stole my enthusiasm and energy. Right now I've hit a plateau (been there for about 2 weeks) and my hair loss is really depressing. I know that will probably improve, but I get down from time to time wondering if the loss I have achieved so far is as good as it's going to get. Oh, I forgot this was a forum for success stories. Sorry :wub: