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Okay then. My apologies for my snarkiness. I should never comment on other's posts at the end of a long, tiring day!

The original article doesn't seem to be online anymore. I'll see if i still have a copy. It upset me so much I gave a copy to all my doctors at the time. This isn't the article I was looking for, but it is interesting: http://www.more.com/health/wellness/brittle-truth-about-osteoporosis-and-your-bones There is also this thread: http://www.inspire.com/groups/national-osteoporosis-foundation/discussion/horror-story-with-a-dexa-bone-density-test/

More Magazine (otherwise known as "the Menopause Rag"), published an article about the scandal of bone density tests. Evidently the machines aren't calibrated correctly and there are a whole bunch of people out there talking the osteo drugs that don't need them. I am 5'11", large-boned, I walk, lift weights and take 1,000 mg of Calcium and 5,000 of Vit D a day. This is addition to 2 servings of Greek yogurt, cottage and other cheese per day. Every year my doctor gives me an order for a bone density scan and every year I don't go. I think it's a racket by big Pharma.

Sorry, never. But I am caffeine sensitive and gave it up several years ago.

I've decided to test coming out of the closet and start telling people about my sleeve. My family and friends all know and have been very supportive ( at least to my face). Over the weekend, I was shopping and a sales person who has waited on me for several years, asked me if I had lost weight (yeah, 52 lbs, thanks for finally noticing!). So I responded, "why yes, thank you, I had weight loss surgery." Her response was so funny! It was like I told her I had a sex change operation! I'm still laughing about it.

Gall bladder? Doesn't that cause right side pain under the rib?

If you have an Intimacies or Nordstrom's in your area they have bra fitters there who are trained in proper fit. But most cities also have local bra shops that have been doing this for Years. You might try to locate one of those. I just bought a couple of new sports bras made by Le Mystere. Wow, what a bra! Supportive, but not tight. $68 each. I am built like a linebacker, so I wear a size 40, but a C cup. But I can imagine this bra would be really supportive for women with larger girls. If you are in an area with a Von Maur, they carry these bras too.

I'm not on a blood thinner either. But the hospital have me some shots of blood thinner after my surgery to prevent blood clots. I didn't bruise from that but it might be worth asking your doctor if they gave you a blood thinner and if that could be causing the problem.

You know the saying about a cold, right? Ignore it and it will go away in 7 days, or take a bunch of cold medicines and it will get better in a week, A cold is a virus. All you can do is treat the symptoms. If it is a headache, take Tylenol. If you are congested take a decongestant. I used to invest in tons of cold medicines and then had side effects from the medicines -- in addition to the misery of the cold. For me simpler is better. Finally, take TONS of Vitamins. I double my multi Vitamin, take Vit D and E, Biotin, Calcium, Magnesium and Fish Oil. I find I don't catch nearly the colds that I used to. And when I do get a cold, it's a 3-4 day problem. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon.

You know if you cheat, you are just cheating yourself, right? If you are not going to listen to your surgeon's advice, don't whine when your weight loss slows or stalls. Or when the food comes back up. I am always thirsty when I eat, especially when I finish. But when I was cheating with a few sips during meals, I found that I could eat more and was hungry quicker. Now I set my phone alarm for 30 min after eating and do something else. I find that the thirst passes, and by the time the alarm goes off I often forget to get something to drink. As long as you get your liquids at other times, you really can forgo the drinking 30 min before and after meals. Try it and see if you don't eat less and remain satisfied longer.

Perfect!

Wow! I really feel for you. I didn't have the breathing problem -- guess I did my breathing exercises. I did have a problem with diarrhea for a few days after surgery. Sounds like you had a dumping issue. Hope that doesn't continue. Although for me after the diarrhea ended, then the opposite problem set in. I am still trying to get regular. Any more problems like this and I would recommend calling your doctor.

Are you on a blood thinner, or did they give you one in the hospital? That can cause bruising. Suggest a call to your doctor. Like tomorrow.

Your body will die without salt. Society had made salt a bad thing, but you can't live without it. My doctor encouraged drinking broth with salt. The sweetness of the protein shakes can get to you after awhile. You can also get a high protein chicken soup mx from Unjury. You might want to order that . You're going to be on liquids for awhile.

So Bluto, I'm thinking the sleeve police are on vacation this week. No one chastised you at all! I don't actually like to cook, and travel a lot so I eat out all the time. Boston Market is my go to place. Their rotisserie chicken is moist and delicious. You can even ask for a child's portion. My favorite thing at Panera is a cup of Broccoli Cheddar Soup. I get the chicken that they put on their salads ($1.79), cut it up and drop in the soup. I get full at about 1/2 of the cup, but it is satisfying. Most restaurants have low cal options now, and will make whatever changes you need.

You are not drinking at the same time or within 30 minutes before after? If you are, that could be the reason you can eat 6.5 oz. You are washing the food right through. I'm 3 months out and 4 oz of solid food is about I can handle.

Yeah, you can do it! Drink broth with salt. It will help and give you some energy. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

You have a blender, right? If no, buy a Magic Bullet ($50). Grind up some ice, then add the Protein shake. Makes it taste like a milkshake! Also coconut and pineapple flavorings make a great piña colada. I even added Hershey's Cocoa to the chocolate flavored for a richer taste. unjury has a strawberry Sorbet flavor that can be added to sugar-free Jello if you want something with some substance. Good luck in your journey. It's going to be amazing!

Drink broth WITH SALT! Your body needs salt and it give you an energy lift. I used to go to a restaurant and order chicken, veggie or French onion Soup and ask for just the broth. I guess a lot of people do that because they were always very accommodating. Panera Bread was my go to place. Good luck on your journey. It's going to be amazing!

For Vitamins, I ordered Bariatric Advantage chewable multi vitamins, sublingual B12, Biotin capsules and Calcium chews (the caramel flavor-- yum!). They are all sugar-free. Vit D, E I get from Whole Foods. Fish Oil is Coromega gel packs (from GNC). Are you taking Iron? Ferosol is a plant-based iron that is non-constipating and easy to swallow. I take it every 3 days. As far as energy returning, it was in my 3rd week that I started to feel human. My first real exercise walk (not just the wandering around a mall walk), I thought might kill me. But I kept thinking to myself the Abraham Lincoln quote, "most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." I decided I was never going to feel better until I MADE MYSELF FEEL BETTER. That first walk led to another and another, and now I am 3 months out, down 52 lbs and walking 4.5 miles 3-4 times a week. I will confess to a nap or two here or there, mostly because I overdo it. But my energy level is fantastic! Also when you get back on solid foods I think you'll see a big improvement. At week 4 I was supposed to start purée, but I couldn't stand the texture. So I talked to my nutritionist and since I had never had any complications, nausea or vomiting, I was cleared to start on soft foods. Maybe that is a possibility for you too? By the way, I'm 59. Before my surgery I felt more like 79. Now I feel more like 29! Amazing! Feel better!