Arts137

I believe that most programs Require you to be smoke free, and they do test. From what I read start to taper/quit as soon as you can. If you wait you will be dealing with withdrawal symptoms and you don't want that close to surgery And my research suggests that you'll test positive for the 'smoke test' if you have any smokes within 30 days.

learning be a good thing... whadya learn???

I am rarely on this planet, ... he is mad. Tis true... Tis pity tis true; tis true tis pity, And pity tis tis true... Hamlet

Why did you have surgery? I wanted to practice my Munchaunsens Syndrome... (look it up)

" I've had a few ppl ask y didn't I just diet." Caution, it's one of them days: 1) Because I have been diagnosed with Murchausen Syndrome. 2) I find diets to be terribly boring, don't you? 3) I chose this over my yearly trip to Paris. The scenery was better from the hospital window (what a parking lot!) 4) Why don't you kiss my butt. It's low calorie too!

hmmmmm... Consider adding a second PPI, but ONLY with the MDs approval. ???

There is gas and then there is gas. Burping and farting ARE your friends, because it shows that your GI tract is working. But the discomfort post surgery is not from GI gas. It's the residual from the gas used to "inflate" your abdominal cavity to make it easier for your surgeon to do his/her work laproscopically. It WILL be reabsorbed slowly -- the heating pad might help and so will walking. "This too shall pass".

Practice not eating. I know it sounds silly, but there will be hungry times where you don't eat...

great thread. My plan allows Protein supplemntation and I drink 2 unjury shakes a day. Also a big glass of H2o can help you (briefly) feel full. PS. The moon appears to be in the phase of Hungry.

Look, it's been a hard week. It's taking everything I have to keep in control. And I am 5 months out. Yes we all go through this, and usually once is enough. But I am worried that it was not enough for you. I am also worried about the 'just a bite of muffins, just a bit of cookies'... comments 1) at this point you are in earliest recovery from major surgery and you can DAMAGE the recovery. If a piece of 'gunk' get's lodged in the healing sleeve bad juju can result. Sweet Jesus cut it out. 2) "just a bit"... is the beginning of a VERY slippery slope to fatness Consider reading some of the "enabler" and "food addict" threads. Also consider some therapy to discover why you are on this road. But get your head in the game. Darlin' it does not get easier, and there are fat folks out there post-sleeve... please don't be one of them. And again sorry... I am all outa tea and sympathy.

I hope you know that we all want you to succeed no matter which path you take. And if you can lose the weight and keep it off without surgery, DON'T have surgery! And STILL stay on this forum, OK???

Just have faith, it'll work out. Keep records, and I'll bet it's Water weight fluctuations (could it be cycle-related?)

Laura... it's been a hard week. Dang, could your quote be part of it? "I'm not sure how everyone else has handled the week. But I must be honest and say the stress of losing contact with friends and groups here put a strain on my resolve..." I must need to Board formally known as VSG a lot. Glad it is re-establishing... slowly...

PDX, thanks. So I am in a (normal I know) stall and today after getting my coffee at Wawa at 4:00AM the Philly soft pretzels called to me. WTF? I do NOT indulge in simple carbs, but my evil brain ("Skippy") said that it's not a biggie, 'hell, you're in a stall, so why not?' Just like the Before Time. As Laura said, I have to wake up day and fight the battle. Every day. Every day. I am a food addict and life ain't fair.

I think I can only offer you a hug. I am only 5 months out, but the longer our the more I have to focus, and pay attention and fight to stay in control and on track. And Lowell George (another addict lost to us) might have said it best: It's so easy to slip It's so easy to fall And let your memory drift And do nothin' at all All the love that you missed All the people that you can't recall Do they really exist at all Well my whole world seems so cold today All the magics's gone away And our time together melts away Like the sad melody I play Well I don't want to drift forever In the shadow of your leaving me So I'll light another cigarette And try to remember to forget It's so easy to slip It's so easy to fall And let your memory drift And do nothin' at all All the love that you missed All the people that you can't recall Do they really exist at all

Oh you did WONDERFULLY WELL! Well done indeed!

Oh Laura, everybody knows that we ARE angels. And hungry? So what? Just fight on hungry or not (except for tacos... they seem to be on everyones pre-op plan?)

I am honestly afraid to go see what I am missing. Doesn't have the words "Hitler" or "Nazi" anywhere I hope???

You will ALWAYS get our support! Actually, since most are not known to you, that might make it easier... I can't imagine that strangers would ask intrusive questions and if they do you can also start with "I have some dietary restrictions, right now", and if they persist you can go one of two ways: (1) the every popular; "I can't imagine why you'd want to know" (2) or my favorite: Describe the surgery in gory detail.

Can't imagine you'd have much trouble with that solution!!! I just wear a lot of layers, and at 5 months out am always cold...

My friend, it ain't the food, it's the function! (sung to that wonderful Maria Muldaur song, "It Ain't the meat It's the Motion".) You don't need to say ANYthing to anybody. Nobody get's to decide when or what you eat. You know your plan, ask for warm Water or soup or nothing at all, and enjoy!

Just do your research. Make sure that the Vitamins meet 'bariatric surgery standards' and that the Protein suppliments are at least 20gm protein and have LOW sugars! I use unjury products and am pleased with both the vitamins and the Proteins.

No such thing as food porn. It's just practice. I mean if you watch TV or read magazines, or cook, you gotta deal with the food that is omniprecent in our world. We will always be surrounded by temptations. So keep it/thm porn coming. If I can't deal with pictures, how the heck will I deal with the real thing?

Please see your MD team. Migraines (as you know) have no simple answers, and you need to get your medical team in a full court press to balance your nutritional needs with the care of the migraines. With luck, it might be associated with (what I call) the 'detox' process in the preop diet, or might be brought on by something specific in the meal suppliment. BUT in any case, make then doctors work for the money! This should bring you some hope: http://www.webmd.com/diet/weight-loss-surgery/news/20110328/weight-loss-after-bariatric-surgery-may-ease-migraines

Sure you can bounce around. But you know it ain't fat. I'm in a pause/stall and as crazy as it can make us, you know it's just part of the way it goes, and 45 pounds in 4months Is super... I'm lucky if I average 8 pounds a month. Do you have a fireplace? Maybe put the scale on a roaring fire tonight.