Miss Mac

I agree. Tell her ONE TIME that you are not interested in discussing personal and / or medical issues with her. I also like the idea of quizzing her about how she found out and why does she want to know so much about it. If she persists, then approach Human Resources about it. Hippa privacy rights apply to you, too.

It worked for me because it drastically limits the amount of food I can eat. Because I eat so little, it needs to be of highest quality nutrition. Eating Protein first fills up your sleeve "real estate' to where there is very little room for veggies, so your best option are the non-starchy ones because they are lower in calories and carbs. While you are waiting to decide, here are the basics of many of our plans that you can get familiar with: 1. Eat mostly protein, and plenty of it. (gravy does not count as protein) 2. Eat more non-starchy veggies than you used to - the greener, the better. 3. Eat less fruit than you are used to. (apples, not apple pie) 4. Try not to eat starchy and sugary foods. They make you hungry for more starchy & sugary foods. (bread, Pasta, rice, pastries, (usually white in color) 5. As much as possible, avoid foods made in a factory. 6. Drink Water until your eyeballs float. 7. Don't become part of the sofa. (You have no doubt heard of he saying "Dance like nobody's watching".......so at least do that. I crank up the music while I am doing housework - it helps) One thing I noticed on the pre-op diet was that the best way to reduce salt intake was to not eat the foods that I had a tendancy to put salt on (partucularly potatoes and noodles) I wish you the best. Delay is not denial.

Basically, at 17 months, it breaks down to three meals at 20 grams each, two Snacks at 10 grams each. By keeping meals to 30 minutes, and snacks to 15 minutes, there is plenty of time in the day to sip, sip, sip. Further out, you can drink more fluids at a time. Newly post-op, i was barely getting in an ounce every fifteen minutes (4 ounces an hour) Now it's easy to drink a cup of tea or Water in 1/2 hour (16 ounces an hour). I can easily get in 80-100 ounces of water daily now.

Ok, but just one slice of a little Caesar's pizza with sausage, mushroom, green pepper, onions, olives and extra cheese scraped off the crust, and 1/2 cup of Breyer's full fat butter pecan.......just this once, and after a light Breakfast and lunch, and then not again for another year and a half. Maybe make that on my birthday!

I agree about the salt. If I add salt to anything, it will be on my eggs at Breakfast. Later in the day, salt will tip the scale for me the next morning, too. To resist salt at lunch and dinner, I just add extra pepper or other herbs and spices.

Yep....I understand where you are coming from. I am going in to the pain clinic this afternoon for a spinal epidural or repeat nerve ablation to relieive otherwise relentless fierce sciatica and lumbar pain. Even though the ablation involves a more delicate laser procedure, I would rather have that than the steroid epidural for the very reason you mention.

I am one of those people who weighs every day. It helps keep me on the straight and narrow path, and keeps me out of trouble. For others, it would indeed be a crazy-maker. I am also one of those slow losers who, if I gain 2-3 pounds of weight overnight (Water or not) it takes me nearly a month of intense struggling to lose it. Ugh!

The endless waiting is the hardest part. It is urgent for us to accomplish each step, but it is not urgent for all of the recepionists, insurance coordinators and clinicians that the paperwork has to pass through. Here is the thing about co-morbidities: It does not necessarily have to be a condition that puts you speciifically at risk. If you have a family history of heart attack, strokes, or pre-mature death due to obesity related conditions, that could lean in your favor. Here is a list of common co-mobidities that the insurance companies consider. The information is from a U S Government website called the National Instititute of Health. I hope this helps. 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 in the immediate family

I agree. At 16 months, Miss Tummy has a comfortable capacity of about one cup. It is more like 3/4 for something dense like beef stew, one cup for regular foods like scrambled eggs or steamed veggies, and two cups for something that is mostly liquid like Soup or salad greens that break down into nothing. I can't really overfill without stacking the excess in my esopagus, but if I eat real slow or just nibble away at something, it would be easy to just eat all day. So, I have to discipline myself for 1/2 hour meals times and quick small Protein Snacks and then have Water available to sip all day. That helps me get 80-100 ounces of fluids by defining specific meals times. An ounce of peanuts has 168 calories and 8 grams of protein, but if I mindlessly graze on 1/2 cup, that is 32 grams of protein but 672 calories. Losing control is easy to do. Even at this far post-op, I still weigh and measure when I am at home. It keeps me out of touble.

I have been having frequent hot flashes since 2001 and even call myself "Hot Flash Woman", but or a few weeks after getting sleeved, I was actually cold and wearing extra layers. It finally went away. The good news for me is that I just read that the average post-menopausal woman has hot flashes for 14-15 years before they slack off. So....I should be about done.

beef stew smooshed in the blender with broth

The day I hit my goal weight I am scheduling professional family pictures. I have dodged the camera for the last forty years and it will be time to stand in front.

I stopped by Wendy's on the way home from the doctor's office and got some chili. It took me four days to eat it and was so yummy. I don't eat drive-thru stuff anymore unless I am traveling and have no full service restaurant nearby, but on that particular day, it really hit the spot and Miss Tummy did not give me any trouble.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Your daughters are gifts from God. I like AvaFern's idea of batch cooking. Since you seem to need some convenience to your meals, you could have one busy day a week batch cooking and chill out with no worries the rest of the week. I am glad you are realizing that it's not the fast food and convenient factory edibles (can't call a lot of that "food"), it's the salt, sugar, fat, and grease that we like. If you can, try not to eat anything made in a factory. Shop the perimeter of the store. You will soon find out what real and fresh food (meat, veggies, fruit) tastes like without all the added non-nutritive stuff we add to it. Real food taste all right. You can do it. You will be amazed at how much better you feel, too. You are a smart cookie......well how about about a smart eggplant? Just doesn't sound the same, does it? I love your daughters. Hugs from Miss Mac in Chicago.

For those who might know, could it be ketosis? My understanding is that in ketosis, the body releases toxins through the skin, the breath, the poo, urine, so......maybe the vajayjay, too? I am asking, too, on account of I don't know.

I have heard of a few people on here who intentionally gained another 10-15 pounds to qualify.

I went into soft foods at week three. So, if that is where you will be with your plan, it's do-able. Just don't expect to have a whole lot of energy or be able to do any carrying of equipment except maybe your favorite pillow. You won't be swimming yet, I don't think. Most of us don't get the ok for any vigorous exercise until about six weeks. If you go, just lay in the shade and take it easy......it's a vacation.

Wow! That's intense. Hopefully you'll get healthier every day, now. Hugs from Chicago.

I remember a scene in the movie "Troop Beverly Hills" in which Shelly Long is a Girl Scout Leader. She and another mom are taking several girls somewhere in a station wagon. The mom and Shelly's character are in the front seat and discussing the virtues of Valium. One of the girls overhears and asks "What is a Valium". Shelly Long's character responds, "Well, honey, it's kinda like a nap."

For a while, I could only have one serving per day, either applesauce or canned peaches. At three months I was more able to eat raw fruit. Now, I am 17 months out. When I make a smoothie I will be liberal with berries, but cautious with bananas. Most days, I will eat one piece of fresh fruit or the berries. Last week I read A Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner. He is a bariatric surgeon and recommends that once we are several months out and hit an arduosly long stall of several weeks, a person's diet could be adjusted by eliminating processed sugars (white sugar, corn syrup, powdered sugar, molasses, etc) and artificial sweeteners including Stevia (which I have mentiond many times is my one vice in this whole process). He also recommended eliminating wheat and grain products, but I am already there a long time ago. He implies that since sugar from fruit is natural, the body processes it differently than processed sugar and should be embraced months out from surgery. Based on his theories in the book, starting on Friday morning I eliminated Peanut Butter, milk, cheese and sweetener (I was up to 30 a day) from my diet. I added more greens and veggies, and made a huge bean salad with cuke, tomato, mushrooms, green pepper, celery and salsa added to mix in with spinach and greens cold salad. I have also had a pear and an apple each day and either apricots or cherries at bedtime. I am also drinking 80-100 ounces of Water in between all that. I was skeptical, since the scale has not moved for months in spite of my best efforts and an aggressive exercise program. I should not be surprised that my bowels are moving properly like crazy without laxatives, stool softeners and prune juice. But from Friday morning to Monday morning, I have lost three pounds. When I get to 135, I will be recommended for a panni. Although I was checking in ok on water, Protein, carbs, and calories, my Fiber was very low. These adjustments certainly add fiber and reduce fat (I lovvvvvvve cheese and could eat it all day). My one year labs were excellent except that my bad cholesterol was off the charts. I have a doctor visit and blood labs coming up on June 23rd I think.....well it's that week anyway. I am hoping that this added fiber add reduced fat will help. I am still not off of my blood pressure meds. Even though I have have good numbers at the doctors office, he will not take me off of my blood pressure med cocktail until I get my cholesterol down. I can see his point since I already had a stroke when I was heavier. If that visit goes well, I will keep eating fruit and Beans and greens.

At 8 weeks, I was just barely meeting the 60 gram requirement without Protein shakes. I was told to start weaning off of them at six weeks. But at the 8 week mark, my capacity was 1/3 cup and 2 tablespoons. Even at that, to get 60 grams in with that volume, I was eating about 15 grams with Breakfast ( one egg with 1/2 ounce of cheese and 1/2 ounce of meat). A midmorning snack could be 7 grams of protein (maybe an ounce of meat or a string cheese), then 15-20 grams at lunch with 1/2 hamburger - 2oz=14 grams protein with two tablespoons of refried Beans (another 7 grams). For a mid-afternoon snack a 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt is 10 grams, for dinner I could eat something like 2 ounces of baked chicken with 2 tablespoons of veggie for another 14 gram. Then a bedtime snack might be 1/2 slice of deli ham rolled up with 1/2 slice of cheese for another 7 grams. That example would be a total of 80 grams. When I was further along, I might roll that up with a leaf of lettuce outside, a thin slice of tomato inside and paint a little dab of mayo onto the ham. If I am having a stregth training day, I might substitute of of my Snacks with a protein shake that has yogurt or milk blended in for 23 grams plus 7 grams = 30 grams I, too, heard that 30 grams max for one meal is all that can be absorbed. The rest is just expensive pee. You might have to work your way up to your 60 grams of protein, but it can be done.

So.........you're flying to Siberia or Venezuela from Newfoundlad? My best suggestion would be sealed sample packs and a shaker cup. Ask the flight attendant for Water. I buy bariatric supplies from Bariatric Pantry and Bariatric Choice all the time. Bariatric Pantry has a sample pack of Syntrax Nectars here: http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/SYNTRAX_NECTAR_PROTEIN_POWDER_SAMPLES_p/nectar-sample.htm

Yep.......and so do a lot of folks. But be aware that stalls are like lovers. Your first will probably not be your last!

I started my journey at 235 pounds. When I got to Onederland, I made this list for myself. Weight Loss Rewards 185 - “Yes” trip to Trader Joe’s for specialty items 180 – Kitchen gadget, probably a reversible stovetop grill / griddle 175 – Garden gloves and hat (use gloves for work-out also?) 170 – More CD’s for outside exercise / or MP 3 player w/sleeve band 165 – Backyard fitness trail equipment 160 = Plants for the yard = lilacs or honeysuckle 155 – ½ hour massage at Massage Envy 150 – Genealogy trip somewhere 145 – Style consultation 140 – Another Professional bra fitting 135 – Family portraits Alternate suggestions: replace Claddaugh ring, nice jewelry item (maybe an ankle bracelet), go to arts and crafts fair (or Scottish festival), go to that local church flea market, office supplies or new deluxe office chair)

My Miss Tummy taught me a few lessons about that. If I eat something she disagrees with, she will punish me for hours and then all is right with my world again.