Kindle

Hey, Kim Basinger's got nothin on me!

Well I'm happy to report I NEVER abused food or alcohol. I nurtured and loved and coddled every single bite and swallow!

@@BLERDgirl thanks for the suggestions. Since I'm not using it for an actual workout, I probably don't need something with a display. I see me just checking numbers and trends on my phone at the end of the day. But I'll definitely check those out. @@stephh thanks for the insight. That's exactly the kind of real life comparison I'm looking for.

I told everyone from the beginning. I felt too guilty about fibbing not to. But I was on the other side for two people that had kept their WLS a secret. The first was a longtime college buddy that had Lapband 6 years ago. We live in different states so I didn't actually see her losing weight. But we talk a lot and She didn't tell me about her Surgery for a year. I was kind of hurt that she didn't feel like she could confide in me. I told her that and we talked about it. She was just too ashamed to tell anyone and I understood. Of course she was one of the first people I talked to when I started looking into surgery for myself because I knew she'd understand. The second one is more of an acquaintance who came to me with a confession several months ago. She had lost a lot of weight like 10 years ago. I didn't even know her when she was fat, but people would talk about how great she looks and how much weight she lost. She was working out a lot and had really gotten into kick boxing. Even entered a few amateur competitions. Then she got out of the kick boxing thing but has remained thin. After she found out I had surgery (I tell everyone that asks), she was acting kind of funny. She finally pulled me aside and confessed that she had bypass all those years ago and only her husband knows. After seeing everyone's supportive response to my news she said she just had to get it off her chest. She's felt guilty all these years for lying to her friends but now doesn't know how to make it right. I told her no one would even care about the surgery, but it's hard to know how they might react to the fibbing part. A true friend will understand and get over it, but you never know who your "fake friends" may turn out to be. She's still struggling with what to do, but has told a few of her closest friends in confidence and they have been OK with it. To tell or not is a hot debate on here, but in the end you have to do what you feel is best for you. Knowing I couldn't live with the guilt of deceiving everyone, I was totally open about it and willing to take on and deal with any negative responses. Turns out I have incredibly loving, supporting, non-judgmental people in my live, so it worked out great. Good luck with what you decide.

Swansons Chinese hot and sour and tortilla soup base starter, strained wonton soup, strained French onion, egg drop soup before adding the egg, and I got the low sodium chicken and beef broths. Once you switch from clear to full liquids you can add in lobster bisque, potato leek, butternut squash, blended split pea, tomato and cream Soups (chicken, mushroom, asparagus, spinach, celery, etc). I always added unflavored Protein powder to kill two birds with one stone.

I couldn't tolerate plain water or artificial sweeteners for the first 4 months...they hurt my sleeve. I drank pedialyte, diluted sports drinks, diluted 100% fruit juice, milk and decaf herbal teas. Real sugar in everything (except the tea). Just find something you can tolerate and sip ALL DAY LONG.

My belly was very swollen...looked like I was pregnant. I couldn't fit in my jeans and had to wear elastic-waist pants for two weeks. It was probably a month before the swelling was totally gone.

I'm only getting 20mg calcium and 8mg Iron in my multi, so by eliminating the 1000mg of calcium and 28mg of iron that were in my extra supplements, I'm guessing my levels will have normalized. Guess I'll know in a couple weeks. As for copper, that's a tough one since it is in so many multi's. Any idea why it's high? I'm assuming you've had everything else checked. Possibly increasing your levels of zinc (which is one of the top 5 deficiencies of gastrectomy patients), Vitamin C, B complex, iron, selenium, chromium, manganese and/or molybdenum can lower your copper levels since they all kind of interact and balance each other.

There is no one size fits all for postop Vitamin supplementation. We all eat differently, metabolize differently and have different physiological needs. The best thing you can do is get regular bloodwork including full vitamin and mineral screens and adjust from there. For example, I was taking a multi, vitamin D, B12 sublingual, Iron and calcium postop. My 3 month bloodwork was all perfect. However, my 6 month labs showed my calcium and iron were high, so I stopped those supplements. My B12 and D were on the high end of normal so I dropped them to just 3 days/week. Everything else was spot on. I am getting 12 month bloodwork done in 2 weeks, and will change whatever I need, if anything, at that point. I plan to do annual bloodwork as long as nothing gets too out of wack to warrant more frequent monitoring.

I never even thought about considering WLS when I was "only" 50 pounds overweight. It took 100 pounds to get me to a place that surgery sounded like a reasonable option. Looking back, I could have saved a lot of heartache and aches and pains (and $$$ buying all those "fat" clothes) had I done it 10 years ago. Oh well. And then what about all the other "unnessesary" surgical procedures that people utilize to help them feel better about themselves and their appearance....nose jobs, boob jobs, liposuction, face lifts, butt implants, even hair implants. Are these all cases of abusing surgery since they aren't being done for health reasons? Personally, I think you need to work on liking yourself from the inside, but hey, if it works for them, and they are willing to take the risk and spend the $$$ then I guess good for them.

So sorry about your house....I went through that many years ago, and even though insurance took care of everything, it was nearly a year to get everything back to normal. Fortunately I was able to rent an apartment in the interim (I had no family nearby at that point). As for living with inlaws, I did that straight out of college. We made it two months before we both got second jobs so we could move out! Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate, but it is so important for you to take an active role in your own health right now. Take control of the things you can take control of and own this journey.

Even though my surgiversary is December 20, I consider today my 1 year mark since it was December 4 that I started my preop diet. Hey, 16 days of liquids and leafy greens and 22 pounds lost deserve to be counted! I really don't know where to begin to describe how wonderful this past year has been, but here are some highlights... My surgical experience at Obesity Control Center in TJ was better than I could have hoped for. It was more of a fun mini-vacation with my sister than anything. Recovery was nearly painless and I have had no reflux, food intolerances or hair loss. My sincere thanks goes out to everyone there who took such good care of me. I discovered what a wonderful, supportive community I live and work in. I was very ashamed and angry about letting myself get so fat. But despite the initial embarrassment, I chose to be honest about my surgery and talk about it openly. Turns out that was great therapy. I am now proud of my decision rather than feel it's something I need to hide. Literally hundreds of people know I had WLS....friends, family, clients, fellow beauty shop patrons.... and no one has made me feel bad about it. Nobody treats me any differently and turns out people like and respect me whether I'm fat or thin. Everyone is just happy for me that I feel better, both physically and mentally. I see from a lot of posts that not everyone has such accepting, non-judgemental people in their lives so I am incredibly grateful that I do. The first first 3-4 months postop were certainly not without struggles.... Feeling bloated and full all the time that first month, Trying to get in all my Protein and Water despite having no appetite, learning how to chew and eat slow, almost 2 months of diarrhea from a C. diff infection from antibiotics for a tooth infection 6 weeks after VSG, being on medications that made me nauseous, getting IV fluids 3 times for dehydration because I couldn't drink enough water with my tiny sleeve, and needing a fecal transplant to finally cure the C. diff. It was at least 4 months before I felt normal, but I never once regretted surgery and would do it all again. Although I wouldn't particularly care to relive the two excruciatingly painful gall bladder attacks I've had....by far the WORST part of this journey. First NSV....my rings fit! (they have since become too big and I've had to resize them down...even my high school ring) I learned from these forums that stalls are normal, so I never worried about them. In fact, I never even bothered to buy a scale. NSV's are much more satisfying and mean more than numbers on a scale. Went from size 22 relaxed/curvy fit jeans to 6 or 7 slims. XXL tops to mediums. Size 44DD to a very saggy 36B (but I still consider this a good thing). I can shop in regular stores and even online because I know the clothes will fit and look good! I can wear tall boots because they fit over my calves. I can swing up into my saddle without having to find a log or rock to climb on. Even had to buy a new saddle to fit my new skinny butt. And I have no doubt that my horse is at least as thrilled with my weight loss as I am. I am saving hundreds of dollars every month on groceries....good thing since I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe. I can easily cross my legs, kneel, squat and sit "Indian style". I can bound (yes, bound!) up several flights of steps without even breathing hard. My blood pressure is normal and my PCP is thrilled with my bloodwork. I had my first normal PAP and negative HPV test in 7 years....eating healthy has allowed my immune system to finally clear the virus and abnormal cells from my system. My feet and ankles and knees haven't hurt in at least 10 months. I'm on my feet all day and went from daily NSAIDS and occasional tramadol to zero of both. Blew past my surgeon's goal weight at 6 months, passed my personal goal around 7 months and have settled in the middle of a normal BMI range....100 pounds lost forever! More than I ever dreamed possible. I have maintained within a 5 pound bounce range over the last 3 months with very little effort. Getting enough protein and water, taking my Vitamins, eating a well balanced diet of protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains and limiting white carbs seems to work for me. No counting calories, tracking or measuring. The sleeve does its job of portion control and I do my job of making good choices. I live and eat like a normal person and enjoy everything in moderation. And somewhere along the way I've learned how to deal with life's stresses without turning to food and alcohol. I never thought I could feel this good about myself. I am truly blessed and I sincerely wish everyone as much success, confidence and happiness as I have found. (Sorry this was so long, but I just have so much to be grateful for) Before/after pictures taken Dec 4, 2013 and 2014. Competitive Trail Ride Event pictures taken September 2013 and 2014.

Ditto! if you haven't already, you need to sit down with your surgeon and go over all of the postop nutritional requirements. It's really not about the weight loss, it's about being healthy. It's about proper healing and avoiding complications and it's about preventing malnutrition in the long term. Up to 90% of gastrectomy patients develop deficiencies within 10 years. It is important to know what supplements to take and to do regular followup bloodwork. If your surgeon did not cover these things with you, he is negligent and certainly guilty of malpractice. If he did provide you with this info then again, it's all on you at this point. You could also Google Bariatric surgery after care, etc and there are several well renown facilities that have their postop documentation posted online. Or I or many others could send you a copy of our requirements. What about local support groups....OA, etc.? The support and info is available, you can choose to follow it or not. And don't let the insurance thing be your excuse, either. My insurance doesn't cover WLS, so this has all been OOP costs for me, including surgery, bloodwork and followup stuff. As for the people in your house...are these kids and a husband or parents/siblings or roommates? The 1st group needs a serious sit down and talking to. If it's one of the other two groups, you need to move! Not because it's their fault that you are choosing to sabotage yourself, but because they obviously don't give a shit about you or your feelings so why would you want to have them in your life at all?

I had occasional pita bites starting around 3 months, but didn't add in any other kind of bread until I was at goal. Now I eat bread, cereal and/or baked goods a few times/month.

@@VSGAnn2014 Mmmm...lard. ????. Heehee. LOL.

So I was traveling yesterday and airports have always been huge eating venues for me. There's often these great restaurants and you've got hours of nothing to do...might as well eat (not to mention drink!) So I was doing laps in the SLC airport yesterday, drinking my bottled water, trying not to think about food. I had only eaten 1/2 banana on my way to the airport 4 hours earlier and I really was hungry! I walked by the Cinnabon stand...oooo it smelled so good. Then here comes a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory booth....mmmmm all those truffles! Next there was the Krispy Kreme display. I went over....pressed my nose longingly against the glass, staring at the donuts, trying to keep the drool in my mouth. And low and behold, on top of the counter, next to the cash register, was a display of Quest Bars! I picked out a chocolate brownie flavored one, paid the jacked up $3.50 and continued on my airport walkabout. What a good little bariatric patient I am!

Were you self pay? If not, how the hell to you get past the psych eval? Didn't you have ANY preop counseling? Does your bariatric team offer any postop therapy or group support? It kind of seems that you have no intentions of committing to the changes it takes to be successful. And trying to blame it on the other people in your house is very lame. I'm sure I'll get slammed for this "tough love" response, but seriously, you have obviously wasted your surgeon's time and either yours or the insurance company's money.

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I did the same thing. Had my last two days before preop all planned out with my favorite meals. But I got too busy with work and ended up with subway both days. ????. But don't worry about it....You will be eating your favorite foods again someday. Besides beer, there's nothing I can't eat. (Especially the last two days!)

I had massive headaches for the 1st 3 days of my preop. Everyone said it would get better, and although the headaches stopped, I just got hungrier and grumpier. Day 14 (of 16) was the worst. But I still never cheated and it was worth every cranky minute. Hang in there....this will all end up being just a distant memory.

I added more fat and carbs when I got close to goal....full fat dairy, fattier cuts of meat, fruits, starchy veggies, and whole grains. I still ended up dropping another 12 pounds, and I kind of think I'm too thin, but am finally where my body seems to wants to be. I don't track my food but a couple spot calorie checks showed I'm getting 1400-1600 calories/day. I still shoot for protein first and meet or exceed both protein and fluid requirements. Just keep adding a little extra each week until you find your balance.

. INR! Well I only used my restraint until I got home. My diet over the last 24 hours has consisted of sugar, carbs and alcohol! And my reward is now cramping and nausea. Oh well....totally worth it! But now back to protein...

You do, that's who! Thanks ???? It was my sister that made me keep the photo journal so she could see my progress from 1000+ miles away. She's been thin her whole live, but has been my biggest supporter and fan through this whole WLS adventure.

I had no intention of following a proper food plan while I was visiting family this week. Gave myself an extra 4 pounds below my bounce range to I could indulge guilt-free. The majority of my diet over the last 24 hours has been sugar, carbs, fat and alcohol. ???????????????????? Seriously, we were dipping chocolate mocha Cookies in Disarono last night. And just washed down some Danish Kringler with homemade hot chocolate made with Frangelica and 1/2 and 1/2. Oh so yummy, but now I don't feel so good. ????Pretty sure I'm experiencing my first dumping episode...cramps, sweats, nausea. So I'm gonna lay low for a bit, drink some Water and watch John Wayne westerns. My brother has been smoking a brisket since yesterday, so dinner will be all about Protein (ok, and maybe some mashed potatoes and green beans). Gonna give the cookies and bars a break, at least until tomorrow ????. So much for passing up those Krispy Kremes at the airport. Merry Christmas everyone!

No, they are not OK in ANY food stage. 2 weeks is a little early to start up bad habits. You've got the rest of your life for that. But at the very least, give yourself a chance to succeed and wait until you are at goal before adding in food with no nutritional value.