Teachamy

I never had a drain. Hope you get some relief soon!

I love the Viactive caramel chews.

Many wonderful things have happened to my blood glucose and insulin levels since VSG surgery. My sleeve has made my blood glucose levels near perfect, and has dropped my insulin levels to a third of what I once took. I am feeling deeply frustrated today, however, because with every pound I lose, my insulin need drops dramatically. Before this realization occurs, I experience horrible low blood sugar reactions, sometimes several a day. Last night I awoke to a 39 blood sugar, and couldn't believe I didn't go unconscious in my sleep. I am on an insulin pump and I lower my basals everyday. I don't need reminders of how much this is improving my health. I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks, Amy

Cutie Pie! Good for you! Enjoy your success!

Last night I had a very low blood sugar (insulin reaction--I am diabetic) I didn't have any glucose on hand, so I drank 8 oz. of apple juice. WHOA! I barely made it to the bathroom. It zoomed through the sleeve and came out without hesitation. Won't do that again!

Wowza! What a difference! Rock on with your bad self!

At my pre-op meetings I was literally shocked that everyone in the room was a diet soda addict. All of us. Most of us, myself included were Diet Pepsi addicts. There is something sinister in that beverage. I stopped drinking it about a year before surgery, except for an occasional restaurant outing and switched to plain seltzer. I loved the fizz. It's been hard for me to go without, but the one sip of seltzer I had since surgery did not feel good going down, so I moved on.

I just looked. You are considered normal weight according to BMI charts...

What is your BMI? Does it say you are underweight? How do you feel? Sometimes drastic weight loss can change the way our facial features appear to others. If your BMI is not underweight, maybe a new haircut/makeup could show off your weight loss in a positive light. I should add that people have yet to tell me I look "too thin" until I tell them I'd like to lose 5-10 more pounds. Then they say, "Oh! You don't need to lose any more! You'll be too thin!" I am still 5 pounds over a "normal weight" BMI. Pretty comfortable here, but if I continue to lose, I'm fine with it. Sometimes I think people's comments are more about their own insecurities than my appearance.

Hi Jessiquol, Yes, I have a CBG sensor, and I HATE IT! (Medtronic minimed.) The alarm doesn't wake me up, but does drive DH nuts. When it alarms, my interstitial bg is at least 100 points different than what my bg is. The only time I ever found it helpful was when I looked at the flow chart and could see if it was climbing or dropping drastically. My CDE wants me to use it more, but she knows I hate it. I miss my lab. He would always wake me up when it was low. (And was never trained as a Diabetic Alert dog, isn't that amazing?) Dear, boy. Such a good dog. Anyway, weight loss is slowing, so the lows are slowing as well.

Jessiquol, In terms of healing, I imagine it depends a great deal on you blood sugar range. You will need to see your endo./CDE, whoever helps you with your control. Healing was perfectly normal for me, no issues.

I agree with all above. As far as raw fruits and veggies go, I was not allowed them until 12 weeks post-op, as they can be difficult to digest. (AKA dumping syndrome.) Protein is vitally important, at least 60 grams a day. Starches/carbs. are the least important part of this diet, as they slow weight loss. At first, it may be difficult to get in anything other than protein, but as your sleeve stretches, you'll be able to eat more. 600-800 calories a day, 60+g. protein, under 80 g. carbs.

Don't be nervous. You won't be able to eat much, and if you stick to the usual suggestions, cottage cheese, yogurt, cream soups, you'll be fine. You won't have a tummy explosion. Don't worry.

I was told low fat everything. I tend to look more at calories, but whatever works for you. RD's are in dispute over this one. And I am a sleever--could be a difference based on WLS? As far as lactose intolerance, it could be the culprit. Some people develop it post-op. Lactaid should help, if that is the case. As a lactose sensitive person, I get a lot of cramping with loose stools if I have too much dairy. I also have Celiac, which has the same symptoms. If this doesn't clear up with dairy changes, you can get a pretty simple blood test to check for Celiac, and an upper-endoscopy if the bloodwork shows an issue. Good luck. Hope this resolves soon!

You should expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, so you're losing very quickly right now. Don't get discouraged when this slows down. Also, don't set yourself up for disappointment by setting arbitrary weight goals (10 pounds by Sept.10) You may well achieve this goal, but if not, you will lose 10 more pounds as your body dictates. My concern for you is you are being far too hard on yourself. Your weight loss is excellent right now. Eventually, it will slow down, but you are doing NOTHING WRONG!

Me too. May try a day of liquids too.

I find I don't really know what I am doing if I don't log. It's good for me, but I know there are others who don't seem to rely on it like I do. I do think it helps you recognize patterns as you go through different stages of weight loss, so don't rule it out completely.

Yahoo! Happy dance for you!

Are you eating maintenance calories now? I think I am more or less maintaining right now, eating between 900-1000 calories a day. But I haven't weighed in about a month at my bariatric center. I've weighed in at other doctor appts. and seem to be maintaining based on their scales. But looking back at my log, i've noticed my carbs creeping up a bit lately, so I am heading back to basics and eating about 800-900 a day. I know plateaus happen when one is as close to goal as we are--but I would say keep plugging away at it. Log everything, get your protein and water, and if you are exercising like crazy, make sure you are eating enough calories.

My kids love my string cheese, quest bars, popsicles, yogurt--basically anything that I set aside for me. I have had to buy them their own protein bars, yogurt, fruit juice popsicles, etc. One plus is they are eating healthier because they always want what they see mom eat. (and they often get my leftovers!) But I feel I am justified to go to great lengths to keep my food for me. (Including hiding it!)

I hurt myself trying to hoist those girls up everyday! I have thought about a breast lift, but after a recent mammogram (my first) I decided there was no way I would ever consider implants. The technician explained the difficulties associated with cancer detection and augmented breasts. She was supportive of lifts and reductions, however. My breasts look exactly how you described, but for now I have decided to deal with them. Underwire bras and bathing suits are fine for me. And DH likes them no matter what. Good luck with your decision!

Yes, you should be able to eat more when you exercise. It's important to remember your body will hold onto all the calories it can if it's not getting enough nourishment. Can make ramping up exercise feel counterproductive. So go slow and see if you need more calories as you go.

I agree with Miss Mac. Early on, you won't be able to do anything but "keep a strict diet". Initially, If you attempt to do something reckless, like eat a cheeseburger for example, you threaten not only the sleeve, but your life. Later, once the sleeve has healed, the choices you make are completely up to you. You can eat that cheeseburger, those fries, that soft drink. If you see yourself doing this, WLS is not for you. It is by no means an easy way out.

The rate at which you lose is largely dependent on where you started. A higher BMI tends to mean a higher rate of loss. That being said, you must make sure you are getting in enough calories for your body to function. Are you getting at least 600 calories a day? Protein is vital for your body right now. Try anything you can think of that might be appealing, even if it is adding extra protein powder to yogurt or unflavored protein powder to other foods. If you can not get in enough calories, you can't lose. Your body needs fuel or it will hold on to every pound you are trying to get rid of. Good luck--you are so early out, it is easy to be nervous. But you can do this!

Welcome! I am a type I diabetic (autoimmune, can't be cured), but I can tell you that my diabetes is much easier to control, hypertension is gone, as is high cholesterol and sleep apnea. Life is good with the sleeve!