Miss Mac

I have tried the chocolate cupcake before, but today I thought I would try the pumpkin and Spice Protein powder that I bought last Thanksgiving. I put a scoop in my mug and mixed in an egg, a 1/4 tsp of baking soda, and tablespoon of almond milk. I left it in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes and ate it warm in the cup with some light whip cream. I will be doing that for my afternoon snack again. MMMMMMMM 220 calories, but no carbs, and 30 grams of protein.

Ask her to tell you everything she knows about bariatric surgery. Guaranteed it won't be much. Give her your surgeon's phone number and tell her to call him and tell him that she disagrees with his diagnosis. Tell her that some people do look like basset hounds when they reach goal....but that is what skin removal surgery is for. Then go buy a pair of skinny jeans in your goal size, to give yourself some incentive. Geeze Louiz. Why can't people just be happy for us? Bariatric surgery has a way of exposing the raw dynamics of our relationships. Through this process you will have to seriously re-evaluate who is in your corner and who needs to keep their distance. Don't give away your power. This is your journey.

I was exhausted after surgery and soooooo glad I am retired. My praise goes out to my bariatric siblings who have to go back to work or care for children. I could not have done it. Really, I did not get any energy back until I got on soft foods.

I don't have Carefirst, but I do have BCBS (Federal Employee). My info was submitted on a Thursday afternoon and approved the next Monday.

Some of us just lose slower than others. It took me two years to lose my extra weight, which I have been maintaining for six months. I want to lose another 20 before having skin removal, but my doctor is willing to do it now. I think if I had been one of those people who loses 100 pounds in six months, my emotional adjustment would have been difficult. If you lose a pound a day, you would be invisible at the end of the year. Hang in there, kiddo. Follow your plan. Think long term.

Which only goes to prove that WLS is not an easy way out. I also think that a lot of us were already well schooled in nutrition long before we had to meet with a professional nutritionist. We know this stuff, but our screwed up metabolisms fight us every inch of the way. I have been on a diet since gaining 70 pounds with my pregnancy with my second child in 1978. Since 2006, I have been on a Mediterranean diet with a Mediterranean chef in the house (my gentleman friend is from Malta). He cooks - I clean - it works out better that way. And I gained another 50 pounds while maintaining an aggressive exercise program. My kitchen skill is baking all of those tasty things that I really have to be cautious about eating, only now I have to incorporate bariatric-friendly ingredients. Can you believe that with all of the issues that flourish with obesity, the 2015 USDA food Pyramid still says that we need 6-11 servings of grain such as bread, Cereal, rice, Pasta, per day????? I am so thankful for my sleeve because I could not maintain a weight loss any other way. My bariatric program follows patients up to five years, so I plan to keep all of my appointments. My third year follow-up will be in December.

Count your Protein shakes as part of your daily fluids. Dilute them if you have to. Shakes made with Water or almond milk will be easier to swallow than shakes made with dairy milk. Water was easier for me to drink if I cut it with some flavor like Crystal Light or a melted sugar free popsicle.

I like the Syntrax powders because they mix easier. Also, I think the flavors are true to the natural flavor. If I feel like I am missing Peppermint Patties, I will have a chocolate mint shake. Today I had peach, made with almond milk. In my pantry right now, I also have Vanilla, strawberry, pumpkin Pie Spice, and Grapefruit. Oddly enough, the grapefruit mix in sugar free lemonade tastes like Fresca.

I agree with AvaFern, too and a combination of the other comments. The rule in any HR conflict is "The one with the most documentation wins." So, here's what you do.......Give her the "heads up" warning. My health and my lifestyle are none of your business, and if you continue to make any further snarky comments, I will take this issue to HR for their consideration. Then, with a little notebook that you are going to keep with you now, start writing down her comments - in front of her - as soon as she says them. Of course she is going to ask what about what you are writing down, and you should tell her the truth. I am writing down exactly what you say about my weight and my diet. Once she knows that she is accountable for what she says to you, I guarantee she will stop.

Post-op, I was told to take Bariatric Advantage AE, which are horrid horse pills that I had trouble swallowing. I cut them in half. I cut them in fourths. I mashed them in applesauce. I got sick every time. Finally, I just switched myself to a generic Walgreen brand for senior citizens. They work fine, and my numbers are always fine on my blood tests every three months. (2 1/2 years out).

Your apprehension is perfectly normal. I traded ten meds for three supplements after I got my sleeve. Here are 3,112 reasons why the rest of us went through with bariatric surgery: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/219831-what-was-your-final-straw-that-broke-the-camels-back/page-132?hl=%2Bfinal+%2Bstraw#entry4142155

The turning point for me was when I was able to eat regular cooked foods at one month. Even though the menu was very different than in my previous life, I started getting some strength and energy from eating real food that was not made in a factory. That, and visible weight loss started to cheer me up.

There are all kinds of You Tube videos for people who are bedridden, disabled, physically challenged, senior citizens, etc. David Stamps has several in a series on chair exercises, but my favorite one that I actually bought was Exercises for the Bedridden and Physically Challenged. There are also others like this: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=david+stamps+exercise+videos&&view=detail&mid=DF26E68E16BEB4823E0CDF26E68E16BEB4823E0C&FORM=VRDGAR

I am a pretty regular customer with check-ups every three months, and I think we discussed my weight and possible corrections to make, every time I went in. Finally, I just got to the point where I just asked him if he thought I would be a good candidate for a lap-band. I had never heard of a sleeve. He gave me the number of the bariatric clinic at a nearby university hospital, and they taught me about my surgical options. I chose the sleeve. I had mentioned the lap-band in August, and was sleeved in December that same year.

Sometimes difficulties with people solve more problems than they cause.

OK....so I watched it. She sure had a lot to say for someone who did not quote any researchers, resources, or statistics. I totally disagree with her caveat to avoid bariatric communities. I think this forum is awesome. My bariatric brothers and sister have helped me beyond measure, and I intend to hang around forever. She reminds me of my nutritionist who maybe weighed 98 pounds soaking wet.

OK, I will go back and watch it, but if this person believes that you should not reach out to the internet and community support, why is she posting on the internet??????

Mine went from 44D to 38B. The doctors on BOTCHED said that on the average well-placed breast, the nipple should be 21" from the sternum.

Here is a helpful list of comorbidities that insurance companies consider: https://www.nationalbariatriclink.org/comorbidities-insurancequalification.html

You have keys and are not divorced yet, so it's still your legal home unless there is a restraining order out against you. I like the idea of taking someone with you who can video what happens while you are there. Take someone who would not be intimidated by him in case he suddenly shows up or is actually there. If he denies you entrance to your own home, go get a sheriff's deputy. Good for you for getting out. No shame in your game - just do what you have to do. And yeah, it's just stuff if you have to walk away with nothing. I have started over twice. Both times (after 23 years and after 10 years) I walked away with my life, dignity, and peace of mind. You would be surprised at how little you need to get by.....kinda like camping with a roof and walls.

Once you lose that first thirty pounds, it becomes easier to believe that maybe just maybe this surgery thing is going to work. Most human beings are no damn good, and you will find this out post-op by the stupid things they say about your weight loss and the fact that you are achieving it with surgical intervention. But you won't really care, because you are starting to physically feel better, too. So, what the mean people are saying doesn't jive with what you are knowing and feeling. It becomes easier to speak up for yourself. You begin to realize what intense control people had over you because of your weight and shyness, and you don't like it. Kinda like, "I am mad as hell and I am not going to take this anymore!" It's ok to get mad, because once you get mad, you start to realize that there are other things you would rather think, do, say, eat, wear and watch on TV besides what others have had control over. You realize that since you now have control over your weight, you should have control over all of these other aspects of your life, too. Getting healthy not only re-sets your body systems, it re-sets your mind. Others around you may not like it that they are losing a chump that they could run over, but oh well. Happy, healthy, and "in charge" will be your new normal.

What he doesn't get is that your stomach is not a perfectly healthy organ, and your liver, gallbladder and heart aren't either. The greater risk is having a stroke or heart attack.

Personally, I would not want to shove my guts out of place to impress anybody. It's not worth the risk. See attached photo. http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=waist+trainers+danger&view=detailv2&&id=1D0EE2463D5C5603143B89AA3E2F944BA7507F37&selectedIndex=0&ccid=I09uOef4&simid=60802159

It's not who you love, but how you love that matters.

Wait a minute.......you are a grandma and you dad's comments are still throwing you for a loop? Yeah, you gotta let it roll off and let him know that you are not going to discuss your weight or health - period. Now what else do you want to talk about, Dad.