Recycled

Both spicy and chocolate are my nemesis. I'm holding out little hope they will survive recommended things to eliminate.

I think the sleeve may make us somewhat over concerned when anything unusual occurs, which typically compounds the problem or symptoms. Then we jump on the internet and start clicking on symptoms and before you know it.... a dozen possible conditions. I know I have done this. I am over two years out and have had zero issues. Then outa the blue I get horrid Gerd. Coughing, everything causing heartburn and coughing, stomach hurts. (thats another point too. details to follow) food tastes blah, Water tastes blah, don't want to eat anything, low grade fever, chills, sweats, etc etc. I lose a quick 12 pounds over two weeks. (only good part) I guess maybe Gastritis, Gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, Gerd, H Plyori, Gallbladder, and a few more I already forgot. I get some antibiotics for any potential infections and it does help to control the fever. Now here almost three weeks later and I don't really know anything for sure. I have an appointment with GI doc to get endoscopy and had a Abdominal Ct scan to see if anything shows up. Oh, and throw in some canker ulcers in my mouth to complicate things even more. (I know, probably stress related) I feel like I'm going in circles. What's worse is I don't have much confidence in them finding anything. Probably gonna get a lot of tests with inconclusive as the answer. Talk about frustrating. Ok, enough of my issues. sorry, I didn't mean to hijack your thread. Cuchas, at least they gave you a diagnosis and a simple treatment. The point I was trying to make is........before the sleeve, I probably would have paid little attention to the symptoms and just let it work thru whatever it is.....(not saying that is good or bad) but I certainly wouldn't be obsessing over it.

Nothing beats the NSVs We have all gone way too long without them.

I'm kicking around a few different possible issues I might have right now, and one of them might be Gastritis. What were all of your symptoms? What was the test they did? Can you explain exactly what Gastritis is?

Hmmmm, I have been thru a few surgeries before and there is the "I'm a guy" thing. sooooooo I went in wearing shorts, a tee shirt and flip flops. They gave me a plastic bag in pre-op. I put my shorts and tee shirt and flip flops in the bag.....and away I went. In recovery I put back on the shorts, the tee shirt and when I walked the halls I wore the flip flops. Slept alot........went home in the shorts, tee shirt and flip flops. See, simple.....(it's a guy thing)

Coke machine ???.......cmon, it's 2016. ......computers, programs, apps, .......Photoshop. Of course......you could always just wait a few months and you'll be there.

It's not an "ideas" thing. Only one formula..........Eat less, exercise more. That will take the weight off. The surgery will help with the "eat less" part. The exercise part is on you.

I define WLS success as....." I made it through the surgery and a few weeks recovery after with no complications." I know, not what you meant.....! But think about it.... It is the surgery you're all worked up about. And that is the risky part. So once that is over with, you can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with the part that is up to you. That part will always depend on you. It will come in stages, with milestones that will seem like successes at first, but you will come to realize that they are merely thresholds that lead to yet another phase. Phases like breaking stalls, reaching goal weight, maintenance. Phases that don't have goals or successes, but are challenges to take on and deal with. And that is good because those challenges will stay with you always as you come to realize there is no end or "I made it" point. Dealing with challenges will make you stronger in your determination to create new habits and stick with them. It will make you aware that it can all go away if you are not forever vigilant to the process. But hey, everybody finds success in their own way. For me, my "WLS success" was the surgery. The fulfillment of my life's dream is ongoing.

Is there a way to break a stall......YES. Lower the nose and increase power. oh, you mean the stall when you're losing weight?? No. it will break on your own body's schedule. Just keep doing what you've been doing. However, should you ever find yourself in a plane with the pilot incapacitated and the aircraft slowing and shuddering.......then do what I said above.

Whew! I made it. I wanted to get in here before everyone left. Relax everyone I have the answer. The fact is....... "I am the EXPERT on weight loss surgery and recovery". And I have used a straw. Many times. Result - no ill effects. Case closed. Oh, I almost forgot, one little added disclaimer.....I'm only the expert on "Recycled's" weight loss surgery and recovery.

Be prepared though. People tend to align their lifestyle with their size. She may not fit in to your new healthier lifestyle and the two of you may not do that much together any longer. Just saying. Be ready for an adjustment. Maybe she will see your success and choose to emulate you. I just re-read your post and realized that I just assumed your best friend was obese as well. Hence, my reply. However, if she isn't and can't be supportive of your change, then she is way too insecure and threatened by the new attention you will garner. Whatever the situation......all you need to be concerned with is your outlook on your future. A healthier you awaits.

Seven months.....Super job. You look great. You definitely have the process down pat. Just keep looking in the mirror.......and that "smaller you issue" will vanish.......replaced with "damn, I look good"!! BTW......stop looking at the phone.....eyes up .....show us that smile, you earned it.

Everybody's gonna do what they're gonna do anyway.....but.....I bought an expensive Blend Tec blender and used it...maybe 3 times. Personally, any puree stage is over so quickly and I for one will not return to puree if I can help it.....soooooo, maybe try to get by with the ole clunker blender that's been in the cabinet for years. It'll get you thru. Of course if you like the idea of blended drinks and foods down the road...then by all means, go for it. Even when I used mine to make smoothies or the like......I got lazy the farther out I got and just preferred drinking a Protein drink or Water. KISS <------- keep it stupid simple.

Oh, grasshopper.........."the feelings to come are such that you cannot yet know". I tell you as your elder...(yeah, I know, only two years older)........"you will experience momentous joy in the coming of each day and the fullfillment of a lifetime dream" Blah blah blah.......what I mean is, "what a ride you got coming". Your jaw is gonna hurt from smiling Enjoy.

I actually found a new PCP just to do the 6 month pre-op period. On my initial visit, I confirmed with him why I was using him and would require his recommendation at the end of the 6 months or there was no need for me to continue. He had no problem with that, in fact he was very supportive and wrote a great recommendation. He also knew my Surgeon and cardiologist and even visited me in the hospital after the surgery. So, checking around might be a good idea to avoid any misunderstandings later on. After all, there was no PCP that was going to change my mind, so I didn't need one that figured they had a say in the matter.

You will probably develop some warning signals of eating too much along the way......but the best method will always be to measure whatever you are eating or drinking. I would get some tells like hiccups or drippy nose/sinus or sneezing etc etc. Others will surely add some more, and you'll learn to recognize the ones you develop. Still, I am over two years out and I still rely on measuring. Even when I try to guess the portion, I'm usually wrong. So better to measure.

Ha, Made ya look....... Well, I was gonna start a topic about this forum and all it's benefits to WLS patients and more specifically RAVE about that great guy ALEX who saw fit to create this Forum. Buuuuuuut.......it seems the rules say I can't rave about the members.....(Recycled <--------stirring the pot) http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/161618-please-read-do-not-create-topics-for-ranting-and-raving-about-other-members/ Just kidding......just me being me.......Happy Mothers day to all you mothers and Thanks again Alex for a great forum.

When I go to a restaurant now, I look at the menu meals from the aspect of being more than one meal and how well it will heat up at home. I never order any appetizers or salad and usually ask not to bring any bread. I don't bother with asking for any special considerations or adjustments to the meal size anymore......it's just too much trouble. Much easier to simply ask for take-home containers and bag it all up. I usually get about two to three meals out of a menu order. When you think about it.....not a bad deal.

When someone rudely comments about how little I am eating.......I usually throw them off with a response like..... "I'm a prepper and I am conserving and stockpiling the bulk of my food for later when Armageddon comes....." They're not sure whether to laugh or walk away.... but it usually shuts them up....

Probably gonna be the other way around. They are all going to be embarrassed by the crappy food they are eating in comparison to the healthy stuff on your plate. Hold your head high. You're the one they will look up to and envy.

Enough with the "what ifs". Follow the program and you'll do fine. Don't waste time worrying about what hasn't happened and concentrate on making things happen. Pretty soon you're gonna be the one passing the information on to someone else.

This is @@LipstickLady secret to maintaining..........

You're cured......get a different therapist and move on with your WLS. oops, almost forgot the disclaimer: I am not a doc, so ignore anything I say.

Keep the Protein up and drink alot of fluids. The walking is good for ya. You'll get thru it.