Miss Mac

Even though I have lost over sixty pounds, my belly still dominates the mirror image. I used to think that my full length mirror must be a circus mirror, so it got put behind the door where I never have to see my full reflection. But now that this old gal is shrinking, I have gotten bolder with looking behind that door. Today, I even put on a elt with my house dress just to see my waist. I do not hate my mirror anymore.

If you don't get any more clear instructions on the pre-op liquids, here is the break-down of what is required from Loyola University Medical Center: 1) 4 1/2 cans of "High Protein" Slim Fast daily OR 2) 5 1/2 packets of "No Sugar Added " Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink with fat free or 1% milk daily. OR 3) 5 individual cartons of Atkins Advantage daily OR 4) 4 1/2 bottles of "Glucose Controlled" Boost daily. Notes: a) Each selection is approximately 800 calories and 60 grams of Protein. These instructions also allow Crystal Light, Water, decaf tea, sugar free gelatin and sugar free popsicles. c) Paragraph about diabetes: **If you have diabetes and are taking oral medications and/or insulin, you will want to discuss this with the doctor who manages your diabetes. You may also choose to use products that are NOT "low carbohydrate" versions. Make sure to monitor your blood sugars more closely as this is a very drastic change in your diet. Call your doctor if you experiencing high or low blood sugars. Caveat: My bariatric team is not your bariatric team, but you asked, so I put this out there as an example. It worked well for me, but your mileage may vary. Good luck with your surgery.

I used to manage a hospital cafeteria and the gossip about patients as the staff passed through our lines was just horrible. It was an issue in elevators, locker rooms, hallways,and restrooms too. HIPPA laws were just taking ground, and I was so glad. Once HR put its foot down about consequences, the situation greatly improved.

Voltarin cream works for me too. I got it on prescription from my orthopedist. Since losing my first 60 pounds, I do not need it nearly as much.

I don't mind the camera so much now. There are so many pictures of me and my siblings growing up, but very few pictures of Mom because she was embarrassed to be the biggest one in pictures. My daughters and grandkids will now have some pictures of me to show to their grandkids. In have even volunteered for a few pics and can't wait to renew my driver's license in December with a new photo on it.

Ii have been having hot chocolate at bedtime and have been fine. Peanut Butter is another story. I waited until I was on regular foods, but I still can only have about a teaspoon at one time. That is because it gets hung up in my throat, and then I do not have the stomach capacity to wash it down.

Yep, the belly goes out kicking and screaming.

The hair loss thing is a real crap shoot. I am one of the lucky few that at 7 months I have not had any noticeable hair loss. It feels thinner, but I never had any strands in the shower or clumps fall off....just a few strays around the house. I I got a fresh haircut recently and my hairdresser said that my hair looked healthy to her (I am 62). The ironic thing is, I do not know what I did any differently than anyone else. Granted, my Protein was elevated from 60 (1st month) to 70 (second month) then 80 (third month and forever). I am taken the Biotin, too, but 20,000 milligrams a day. Some tablets only have 325, but I found a 10,000 milligram at Walgreens and take two every day. If that's the clencher or just expensive pee, I don't know. Also, I have never heard this mentioned, but I do admit to eating way more red meat than chicken. just guessing, folks, could it be the Iron in the red meat???? Who knows. I was prepared for the hair loss however, and had bought some bandannas, girly baseball caps, and even a sleep cap. For those of you who have not reached the hair loss stage yet, I wish you the best. All you can do is take your Vitamins and supplements, follow your teams plan, and get in all the sleep and protein you can. You need it anyway to keep up your strength and prevent muscle loss.

Mine sounded like a dinosaur fight for the first week, then it calmed down considerably.

I did the survey. It's painless and quick.

Nothing wrong with a second opinion. My insurance does not object to paying for it. I am diagnosed with anxiety and depression and medicated for three years. My Bariatric doctor and psych not only approved my surgery, they changed my med and increased the dose. If every one who had anxiety or depression could not have the surgery, there would be a lot of us doing without it.

I think the only thing I miss about soda pop is the sweet flavor. The bubble thing was explained to me as the same reason I should not use a straw or eat quickly. Miss Tummy should not be asked to process bubbles or gulps of air.

After my sleeve I could have 1/3 cup plus two tablespoons....and that was plenty. Even now at seven months, I am good with about a 1/2 cup of a casserole or 1 1/2 ounces of meat and 3 or 4 bites of veg.

As of yesterday, my wide shoes are big and sloppy. I was able to cross my legs at the doctor's office. I was trying to describe to the doctor how that I am shapeshifting. She asked me to explain what I meant. I said that all of my leftover belly weight that I have not lost yet, seems to be sinking below my waist and gathering around like a lifesaver on a pencil. Then I said, "Wait! I have a waist!!!!!!" I was so freakin' happy.

So, while you are busy not giving up, you can utilize the concepts you have already learned about nutrition. Your focus while you are muddling through processes and paperwork should be on getting healthier, whatever weight that may be. You have already learned to: eat more Protein and plenty of it eat non-starchy veggies and a little bit of fresh fruit Pretend that starchy sugary carbs cost you $10 cash apiece up front drink Water until your eyeballs float and get up and move around (and shake that thang) a few times a day I wish you good luck and good health.

Oh, I do sympathize. I had a temporary front crown pop off during dinner last night, and was just lucky that Thursday night was my dentist's late night to be open....so I got right in and had it put back on.....get the permanent crown installed on July 29th. For the one hour (I am such a wimp) that I was front toothless with a post exposed, I was so upset. Well, I am so sorry that you must endure until August 4th. Does your dentist have no compassion? How is this affecting your daily routine? You made a good point about hydrocodone. I take that occasionally as a back-up to Lyrica if neuropathies are ruining my sleep. But since I am down 62 pounds now, I should pay more attention to that "whooshy" felling I get when it kicks in. I would not want to take a tumble if I am up during the night (and I am already a post-stroke fall risk). So glad that you brought it up, with a practical example of a bad result. Please be careful. I hope you recover from your extractions soon.

To fccm04, my first mushie meal was homemade tender pot roast mashed really well and wet but not soupy, no big pieces, no corn or peas (because of the hulls).....just soft roast beef, carrots, potatoes. The Wendy's chili that I mentioned on regular foods was my first spicey food, too.

i have heard about apples at bedtime. As soon as I can tolerate raw apples I will try that to give myself a break from laxatives. Thanks for reminding me.

Yes...call call call. I was approved by BCBS Federal Employee in two days, but I would not have known that because the surgeon's insurance coordinator was on vacation for ten days. So while I was waiting for her to get back, I talked to a case manager and had BCBS mail a confirmation to me, which surprisingly approved for five days in the hospital instead of two. I faxed the confirmation to the surgeon myself, and they went head and set my date, even though the coordinator was not back yet. Find out specifically what they need and get it going. Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

My post-op plan was on the fast track. I could have full liquids as soon as I got home. At 1 1/2 weeks I was allowed pureed foods. At 2 1/2 weeks I went on to soft foods, and at 3 1/2 weeks I was allowed to dabble in whole cooked foods, but small bites chewed rediculously well. On the way home from that appointment I stopped at Wendy's and got some chili. I ate about four bites chewed well, and thought I was in grocery heaven. And my surgeon (Dr. Bipan Chand) is not a crazy man. He developed the bariatric program for the Cleveland Clinic and is now at Loyola University Medical Center where he teaches bariatric and robotic surgery. Miss Tummy gave me no grief with eating and my experience with his team and Loyola Hospital has been a.maz.ing.

Yes....bm1 40.1, multiple co-morbidities including stroke. When the 90 days was done and the insurance packet sent in, I was approved in two days. I wish you the best with your surgery.

My next nutrition appointment is Thursday morning, so I will ask. One other concern is that the seeds add calories, too.

I added flax seed, chia and wheat germ to nearly everything prior to my surgery. I was advised buy my NUT to avoid them post-op because they swell up in your stomach. So, I have not gone back to them yet.

My pre-op diet was actually a process of elimination for three months as I dropped starches, soda pop, caffein, salt, you know the drill. Then ten days out I started the liquid diet, I was scared to death to not follow it. I am six months out post op and still following the plan. Yeah, it is hard, but I volunteered for this and I am letting the process do its work. I lost 23 pounds pre-op and have lost 39 post op. I have 38 to goal.

I am spoken for, but what a great idea!