Miss Mac

Way back in days of old, I was an anemic and anoexic teenager. I was given B-12 shots on a regular basis, and prescribed to eat food that are rich in Iron (specifically liver - blechhhhhh !) My mom sometimes would fry liver, but it tasted like dirty feet. We had an neighbor from Mexico who stepped in and offered to prepare liver for me in a tasty way. So, she minced the liver into itty bitty tiny pieces and fried it up and put it into tostados, tacos, enchiladas, etc. What a difference! I now love, love, love Mexican food, and could never tell that liver had been incorporated into her recipes. It did not take long to come out of the anemia, and I obviously got over the anorexia. In my post childbirth years is when the overweight issue arose. But I also learned that I need to eat foods that are strong in heme iron. This neighbor also loaned me her double satin, thoroughly beaded wedding dress made in Mexico City. You can see it in my gallery. You can also see how bony I was at the age of 19. Being anemic can be short-lived event if you follow your doctor's direction. I am thinking probably B-12 shots and dietary recommendations. Just remember, if the recommendations include organ meats that you don't like - mince the hell out f them, and put them in something spicy and flavorful. Wishing you good luck and good health.

I take two magnesium tablets every day, and two stool softeners. Works same as milk of magnesia. Helps prevent constipation.

OK Amber, I am sending a private message to that email.

Do you need just pants/shorts or other items as well that would be suitable for spring?

Amberbaz....little detail...you did not say how tall you are. I am 5'4", so if you are 5'10, my stuff will be "floods" on you. If you are 4'8", you will trip oer yourself. Please advise.

Amberbaz, I just sent you a private message. I may be able to help.

Straight through the middle from the sternum. i don't have a gall bladder since 1973. That pain was on the right of my back under my shoulder blade....felt like a butcher knife being twirled around. Some people have gall bladder issues after this surgery, so don't dismiss the pain just because you are not sure what it is. If you are suffering, call your doctor.

Try the Mark's Daily Apple website. Our post -op diets are very similar to primal/paleo and you may be interested in the information there about fitness and nutrition. He encourages Intermittant Fasting (such as the 5:2 plan) as a way to break a plateau. I had been hesitating on trying 5:2, but it has worked for many, many people in this forum. So, I am giving it a go now to see how I do with that. Onething that that he suggests, as a retired professional triathlete, is that people tend to engage in chronic cardio which causes injury, wears people out, and increases hunger. Mark's plan explains ways to do strength training at all levels of ability. It also includes reasons why we should do more walking and basic movements such as pushing, pulling, lifting, lunges, and playing to help burn fat. Hope this helps.

If I eat that one bite too much, Miss Tummy lets me know in a number of ways, and back distress is one of them.

Thanks! I needed a laugh today.

I've noticed it, too. What is that magic potion of life,diet and exercise that will break these infuriating plateaus? It is like the hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. I know I didn't sacrifice 85% of my stomach just to come to a screeching halt halfway there. Everyday, I just keep hacking away through this mysterious jungle of emotional and physical chaos, trying to find the new me on the other side. For people who call this the easy way out.........I want to smack you upside the head with a big dead fish!

RJ, real friends don't ignore you in your darkest hour. They hold you and cry with you. With your new life, you need supportive positive people surrounding you, and "them ain't it". I think with new life we should emerge with a new purpose. My thinking is with Teachamy. You should put your posts together as a collection, and see if a book grows out of that. We love you here on the forum, and appreciate your hard earned wisdom that you so selflessly share with us.

Hi...got my sleeve at Loyola in December 2013. Doing well.

I was allowed to pick up 5 pounds each arm at one month, but was able to do bodyweight exercises at two weeks. No pull ups from a bar, but things like walking lunges with no weights, push ups against the wall, modified boxing exercises, step up calf raises, up and down stairs, walking and speedwalking to my heart's content.......that kind of stuff. Obliques were out of the question until six weeks. The inner workings of your incisions will let you know pretty quickly if you are over-reaching your healing. I tried picking up my 30 pound kettle bell last week, but that clearly is not gonna happen for a while. I could not even get it off the floor. Just this week (nearing 3 months) I have increased my weights to 8 pounds each hand. I wanted to go to ten, but I could barely pick the weights up. I am learning about Paleo Eating and Paleo Fitness from MarksDailyApple.com, and even purchased some Vibram Five Finger Barefoot Shoes, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE for exercise. I am having my boyfriend help me build a fitness course around the perimeter of our back yard, which is about a 1/4 acre. A lot of what I need to do is post-stroke therapy at a modified level, but I am fighting this fat with every weapon I can come up with. Mark explains Paleo Fitness basics as several primal efforts: our ancient ancestors (mine are orkney Island Stone Masons) did not chase mastadons all day. Their day included activities like these: Move Frequently At A Slow Pace Lift Heavy Things Sprint Once In A While Get Adequate sleep Play (No chronic cardio and exercise bulemia) I really like his approach to fitness. Between surgery and the Paleo Lifestyle, I am becoming a fat-burning beast! Since you sound like a fellow beastie who was sidelined with weight gain like I was, you may already know about Paleo. I used to belong to the National and Campers and Hikers Association back in the day and was even a decent archer and pistol packin' mama. I miss it, but I've gotten cushy in my old age. Now that I am post-op and healing, I will be glad to get outside in those barefoot shoes as soon an this frikin' Chicago weather warms up. I wish you good luck and good health.

Copy this link for a funny reminder to be careful when you are at the gym. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KTQ4HnWP6B0#t=0

185......I hate plateaus. I think I have lost the same two pounds five times in the last month.

Thanks for the vote. A stroke in 2010 forced my retirement, but if I had my life to live over, I think I would have gone for Healthcare Administration instead of Hospitality/Business Management. Oh well. I am enjoying retirement because there is no boss, no alarm clock, and I have all day for therapy, my genealogy project, and puttering around the house.

So much pain is gone. My body was racked with pain and my spine was collapsing because my short shortie skeleton refused to carry the excess weight anymore. I had gained a whole person since I graduated from high school in 1970. It was like carrying a pony around my waist. IN 2010 my weight and blood pressure caused a stroke that affected my balance, vision and ability to leave my home independantly. Since the surgery, my range of motion has improved to the point that I do not have to "two-step" up and down the stairs anymore. I have to move slowly and hold the rails, but it is a victory for me to take the steps normally. I sleep way better and don't have to pee every 20 minutes. I still have to use my cane or an elbow for balance, but I can walk farther and longer and faster. I am 62 and walked like I was 110. Now, I walk like I am 62 with some arthritis. The high Protein low carb way of eating has increased my energy and libido.......soooooooo my gentleman's life has changed since my surgery. too. My grandchildrens' life has changed since my surgery because I have more lap and less belly, and can hold them better and have more energy to play on the floor with them. Hey! I can get up and down from the floor. Who'lda thunk it? A LOT of things have changed, and I am only halfway to my goal (1/2 empty theory of glass fillage). Half full, it's - I am already 1/2 way to my goal! Even though the sleeved life takes work and diligence, It's all good, and I don't regret the surgery at all.

Pizza

Being uncomfortable from coughing and sneezing and walking about is way different from being a bucket of tears from inconsolable pain. Don't minimize the pain to the extent that you neglect the resources of your bariatric team. I would suggest that putting emotions aside, carefully evaluate how bad the pain really is. Keep in mind that the incision is not just through your skin. The surgeon had to go through the skin and fat and muscle -past nerves and arteries and veins just to get to the stomach. He had to move your liver around and blow up your belly with CO2 and manipulate tools all about in there. So, yeah, there is a lot that could be sore. The skin incision is your outward indication that healing is going on. I always thought that the human abdomen should have come with a magnifying window so that doctors could see inside. Lacking that, we have to go by how we feel. Anxiety can make pain worse and rob you of your sleep. My primary physician reminded me to not get "Google-itis" when I do not understand symptoms. I learned that lesson when I thought I injured a muscle in my back by over-exercising. Ben-Gay only made it burn like hot peppers on my eyeballs. So, I called and he said he refuses to diagnose over the phone- I should come in. So, when he saw my back he was gobsmacked. he said "I know what it is just by looking. You have shingles!" Therefore, lesson learned about trying to guess what is going on. So, I said all of that to say this........I don't think your team will get upset if you call. Follow-up care should be part of your program.

RJ is an awesome inspiration to anyone having more than their share of aggravating complications. She was a complication magnet! Maybe you would like to send her a private message to absorb some additional strength from her abundance of courage. I wish you good luck and good health.

Would you qualify for anything else on this list? Also, I submitted with my packet, a personal heartfelt letter about how my weight and its complications negatively affected my quality of life and how the surgery would mitigate those issues. Here is the list of other conditions insurance companies consider in making their decision. I got it from dsfacts.com. DS stands for duodenal switch. Hope this helps. Maybe you will find some you see as familiar. In that letter, I explained when I started gaining weight and listed the diets and exercise programs that have failed me. I told them about family members who have died of conditions on the co-morbities list. I included a list of the medications I am taking for conditions related to my obesity. I shared info about surgeries and joint replacements and other treatments necessary because of my weight. I told them about inconveniences and the adjustments I have had to make to function throughout my day, and how how the weight itself prevents me from an effective and agressive exercise program. Then I closed the letter by explaining how the surgery would drastically improve my quality of life, and thanking them in advance for approving the surgery which would surely extend my life and reduce the need critical medical care in the future. When composing any good presentation, follow these 3 rules: 1. Tell them what you are going to tell them. 2. Tell them. 3. Tell them what you told them. Good luck. Obesity Comorbidities To follow is a list of comorbidities (additional conditions or diseases) related to obesity which may help you in qualifying for weight loss surgery. § Family history of heart disease § Family history of stroke § Family history of diabetes § Family history of heart attacks § Hyperinsulinemia § Diabetes § High blood pressure § Coronary-artery disease § Hypertension § Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension § Congestive heart failure § Neoplasia § Dyslipidemia § Anemia § Gallbladder disease § Osteoarthritis § Degenerative arthritis § Degenerative disc § Degenerative joint disease § Recommended joint replacement from specialist § Accelerated degenerative joint disease § Asthma § Repeated pneumonia § Repeated pleurisy § Repeated bronchitis § Lung restriction § Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD) § Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism) § Rashes § Chronic skin infections § Excess sweating § Frequent yeast infections § Urinary stress incontinence § Menstrual irregularity § Hormonal abnormalities § Polycystic ovaries § Infertility § Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer) § sleep apnea § Pseudotumor cerebri § Depression § Psychological/sexual dysfunction § Social discrimination § Premature death For more information on the NIH qualifications for weight loss surgery: Gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity. Proceedings of a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference, March 25-27, 1991.

Clear liquids you can see through (water, tea, broth, apple juice, etc). Full liquids you cannot see through (milk, cream soups, tomato soup, puddings, etc.). Regular foods cooked well and mashed or put through a blender are soft foods. Soft foods that are whizzed through a blender or thinned down to where they slide off a spoon are pureed foods.

I also started whole eggs in week three post-op. I have one every day. Ketchup on eggs is not my thing, but I do tolerate it on meat loaf at three months now.

At almost 3 months out, I still have at least one whey Protein shake a day usually during and after an exercise session). In my soft foods stage, I ate a lot of scrambled eggs mixed with eggbeaters. But some people can't handled eggs post-op. I also ate hearty homemade Soups and foods run through the blender to break them down some. My boyfriend had bought some baby Cream of Rice with my post-op groceries, but I couldn't bring myself to open the box. Mep-Mep Unacceptable! (from the Conehead movie).