lark60

I have been the same weight for over a year. The lowest I got post sleeve was 150 then the weight loss stopped and slowly worked back up to 160. The highest regain was 167 but I seem to stabilize at 160. When I go have the fat vs muscle weight check I have gained muscle mass and lost fat. They say I "only have about 15 lbs of fat to loose". So I decided it was time for the skin removal surgery.

Well I am taking the plunge!! I went to the plastic surgery consult since I have not lost any more weight for the past year. He says I am good to get reconstruction surgery. I set the date for the first of 2 surgeries for plastic reconstruction. I will have the arms, tattas and lipo on my thighs (staging for the second surgery, a belt abdomenoplasty in 2-3 months). The date....August 27th. I am told the surgery will take 7 hours and I will stay in the hospital over night. I am excited. Pictures to follow.

The pancakes are made with 1 egg, 1 scoop of Protein powder (I have used vanilla, Cookies and cream, unflavored and coconut) and 1/2 cup of milk (or use soy or almond milk). Mix the ingredients together. (can add 1/4 tsp of baking powder if you want fluffy pancakes) Cook on a greased skillet.

I use it in place of 1/2 the flour required for cooking recipes (breads and biscuits) so the carb count is lower and Protein count is up! I have made pancakes using eggs, the Protein powder and milk (so no flour at all) PS: Biscuits are Cookies (I'm from England so I forget the language differences sometimes)

I am 2 years out from my sleeve procedure and started having symptomatic bradicardia with PAC (pre atria contractions) My pulse has dropped to a resting of 48 and goes as low as 31 when sleeping. I only know this because I went to the ER when I was concerned about the irregular pulse that became constant for 2 days. I could feel my heart "thump" after the pause (the pac) and since it was becoming a daily problem (still is) I decided to go to the ER (as a doctor myself I was concerned that maybe my struggle with getting my serum Protein up could be affecting my heart). I was admitted overnight and ruled out a heart attack (I knew that was not the problem) and a stress test showed normal blood flow to the heart. My ECG showed sinus bradycardia with a rate of 45 most of the night. The "doctors" told my I had anxiety and recommended I increase my antidepressant, then sent me home. Now, I know anxiety will raise the pulse not slow it. Also the depression medications I am taking for PTSD (the reason the "assumed anxiety") also would raise the pulse. I have hypothyroid and they bounced around the possibility I was on TOO MUCH medication for my thyroid, again that would RAISE my pulse. The doctors wouldn't even listen to me about my concerns about an electrical conduction problem (they also ignored the fact that I AM a physician) I would not bother to follow up on this (since PAC's are not dangerous) but I am symptomatic to the point that standing up makes me lightheaded, I get nausea when I eat (more than usual being a sleeve patient), I will break into a sweat just sitting watching TV (thought it was hot flashes in the beginning) and am more fatigued than ever. Just going for a walk to the mailbox makes my heart pound and I get chest pressure. Just sitting here at the computer I can feel my heart pause and then thump as it "restarts". There is something not right (and it is not just anxiety) so I start the LONG process of seeing the PCP (I had a holter monitor last week which I had him order 2 months ago when I started feeling an irregular flutter 2-3 times a week) and then a cardiologist on the 14th (I made the apt after the hospitalization since the "team" didn't bother to consult a cardiologist) The way I was treated in the hospital was deplorable. I deserve to be heard and my concerns addressed. I recommend anyone having symptoms (cardiac or anything out of the normal) to be your own advocate and keep looking for someone who will listen to you till the problem is found and a solution implemented.

I am almost 2 years out and still have a Protein shake for Breakfast. I also use Protein powder as a flour replacement in several recipes so I can get enough protein daily and avoid carbs. When I have a gain of weight I will go back to the clear protein supplements and add them to a 32 oz Water bottle so I can sip this during the day (and skip lunch) so I can maintain my current weight. I am not to my goal yet but am still working on weight loss.

I was on Avandamet before the sleeve procedure and my diabetes was under control with my A1c at 6.4. Now almost 2 years out I just had my follow up labs and my A1c is 5.7, I stopped the avandamet before the surgery and started taking metformin daily after starting back on solid foods (at about 3 months post surgery). I hope to get off this when I get to my ideal weight. If I need the medication, I am happy to take it since the alternative is the complications of diabetes. I am off all blood pressure medication! Funny thing is that I take more pills now (all the blasted vitamins) than before the surgery.

Well since today is dedicated to Pi I decided to modify an old recipe so I could enjoy a new treat. I used to make the bisquick coconut custard pie for my kids and found the recipe today. I loved that I did not have to make a crust for this pie. Here is my new take on the old version: 1 c shredded coconut 1/2 c bisquick 4 eggs 2 c milk 2 tbs softened butter 2 tbs coconut oil 3 scoops whey vanilla Protein powder (mine is performance whey with 30 gm protein per scoop) 1 tsp coconut extract 1 tsp vanilla extract Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a pie pan. Mix all the ingredients and pour into the pan. Bake for 30-50 min until a knife comes out of the center clean. If you cut the pie into 16 servings the nutrition stats are: 127 cal, 7 gm fat, 6.5 gm carb, 1 gm fiber, 9 gm protein. The protein powder takes the place of the sugar, I added the coconut oil and extract to heighten the flavor. I just tasted the end product and this recipe is a KEEPER!

Hello; I live on the southwest side of Tucson.

Quest also has chips in several flavors that have 20 gm of Protein per bag. Other Snacks I use: the P3 portable protein pack from Oscar Mayer, hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt with cottage cheese to up the protein content and Jerky (pork, beef, turkey, buffalo). I also have cheese sticks of many different cheeses for a quick handy snack. As for Protein drinks I have found over the past 2 years several ways to "spice" up the bland vanilla flavored shake. I have added pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to a vanilla shake to make pumpkin pie shakes, I make chai tea and add the tea to a vanilla shake to make a chai latte (yummy). Of course you can make a fruit smoothie or veggie smoothie with what ever fruit/veggie combo you like with the vanilla shake (or unflavored protein)

I have been experimenting with chia seeds and have made a pudding that is yummy! The texture is similar to tapioca pudding. High Protein and loaded with Omega fats. 1/2 c chia seeds 1/4 c ground flax seed 3 c almond milk 1 packet coconut Water drink mix (the singles used to flavor water) Mix the ingredients and let sit in fridge over night. Enjoy

If HBP is high blood pressure the answer is yes, chia seeds are ok.

The coconut Water packet is a flavor like the crystal light packets to flavor water. I bought them at Walmart and found them too strong to drink (even diluted 2x) so I have been trying them in cooking to add the coconut flavor to puddings and baked goods.

I have been struggling with my weight "forever". As a child I was compared with my younger sister who had an overactive thyroid (thus underweight) and I felt "fat" (in reality my thyroid was hypoactive at the time and never investigated). Then after getting married (I weighed 125 and still thought I was fat), having 4 children (gaining about 5 lbs after each child) and chose to end my marriage of 15 years (he had an affair and wanted me to "accept her") I ended up gaining 100 lbs the year after the divorce. After 20 years living on my own I had the surgery to prevent (and reverse) the health issues of obesity and start to care for myself. I had been watching my mother waddle around the house as a "butterball" and knew if I didn't make changes I would be in the same boat but wouldn't have anyone to care for me since I am alone. I have been working with a therapist for PTSD and have realized that I have lived my life since childhood caring for everyone else and putting myself last. I have been in a spiral of self hatred for decades and used food to stuff my feelings, bury the pain, hurt and neglect that I experienced as a child and then as a wife in a unhealthy relationship. I started taking antidepressants in October 2013 because my world seemed to be crashing down around me. I ended up quitting my job in January 2014 because of panic attacks and paranoia from verbal threats from my patients (I can tell you that the rumors about the VA medical care are true and the doctors are not supported by the upper management) Around August 2014 my weight loss stopped (not just stalled) and I gained 10 lbs. For months I tried different tips with diet, exercise, Water intake and changing around my Protein intake but no luck getting to my weight goal. Today I realized that weight gain is typical with antidepressant use (duh, even doctors forget the basics) and I had titrated up to a high dose of medication in August. I am learning to "love" myself (this is very foreign to me) and know I am not ready to stop taking the medication. I am satisfied with my current weight and know when I work through several issues from the past I will be able to get to my goal weight. This is my "ah-ha" moment so I wanted to share.

I just found something that is helping get my total Protein up! Amaranth grain. This is an easily digested grain that is gluten free and high protein. I have been fighting to get my serum protein level up and have weekly checks (because my level hovers around 6) and with the addition of this grain my level went from 6.1 to 6.7 this week! That may not seem like a big change but for me it is. Just thought I would share.

I have been making porridge with quinoa and the amaranth grain (2 c Water, 1/2 c quinoa and 1/4 c grain). This is cooked like oatmeal (boiled for 20-30 min) and then stored in the fridge. I have added 2-3 tbs of the cooked mixture to several different dishes. Breakfast I have poured my Protein shake over a 1/3 cup of warmed up mixture (once I cooked 1/2 serving of oatmeal and added the porridge and mixed in my Protein powder without extra liquid.) For lunch I added 3 tbs cooked porridge to my serving of Soup. I also found an article about "popping" the grain and tried this. It does pop but burns very easily so I sprinkled this attempt to pop the grain over my supper and I liked the texture and nutty flavor. (I tried popping a teaspoon of grain in a hot pan as directed and about 1/3 of it popped into very tiny white puffs, the rest browned.)

When I had the surgery I lived alone and was going to mark that answer but currently I have my 95 year old great uncle living with me (he has alzheimers). He doesn't eat very much and most of his meals have to be pureed. Since I don't really eat a full serving, we share the meal. I have been cooking soft foods that are easily mashed for him and high protein/low carb for both of us.

I also liked banana foster over Swedish pancakes. I have modified my pancake recipe so it is high protein/low carb. 1 egg, 1 scoop vanilla Protein powder, 1/2 c skim milk, 1 tbs ground flax seed. mix. I use coconut oil instead of butter to coat the skillet and make my version of swedish pancakes about once a week. I have made the banana foster with splenda brown sugar to top my Breakfast (and get fruit in the day) and once I splurged and coated the pancake with nutella.

My kids always thought I had weird food choices as they grew up. Here are a few: grape jelly on macaroni and cheese (I was raised on this one) apple sauce on hotdogs (add baked Beans and you've got a meal!) fritos and pineapple cream cheese I haven't had any of these since the surgery, mainly because of portions I eat don't allow for any of the above foods (not enough protein) but they are yummy!

I do not cook the same way as I did before the surgery. Also, since I cook for one and even a small recipe for 2 servings becomes 4 meals for me, I tend to get bored with the left overs. I have found that I am eating more canned foods (taking a can of Soup and adding canned meat to up the protein) and fresh foods don't last since I can't eat a normal portion.

I wouldn't say I am offended when someone says I am skinny, I just don't believe it yet. I still have trouble seeing the "real me" even though I have lost over 100 lbs. When I weighed 265 I thought of myself as "mildly overweight". I still see that same person in the mirror. Recently I had a picture taken with my sister (she IS skinny and has been all her life) and my mom commented that we looked like twins in the picture. I asked my sister what size clothes she wears and she wears a 4-6. I am wearing 8-10. Maybe someday I will see the "skinny me".

I have added small amounts of fruit to shakes to get fruit into my diet. Bananas I add a 4 inch section of a banana to vanilla, chocolate or strawberry. I have added honey dew or cantaloupe to the vanilla, mango/peach or mellon shakes (my favorite is the mango/peach isopure). I have added blueberries, strawberries, mango, raspberries, peaches, pears, pineapple and apples to several different flavors of shake. When I want a "full" shake I mix up a scoop of vanilla Protein powder, scoop of milled flax seed, tbs of chia seeds, kale, spinach, 1/4 pear, couple chunks of pineapple, and 1/4 cup of some type of berry. I add a couple ice cubes and a dash of almond milk to thin the mixture. This way I get fruit, veggies, Fiber and protein for breakfast!

I weigh myself every day but have not changed the official weight on this site (which is my lowest but not current weight). I have been fluctuating between 150 and 162 for the past 4 months. Most days I am at 155 but I am trying to get back to loosing the weight. My challenge is getting the Protein in without gaining weight. When I get more than 55 gms with fruit(1 serving) and veggies(1 serving), I tend to gain weight and my labs show a low total serum protein level (5.4 on the last lab). If I only eat protein I can get about 70 gms of protein a day but know I need to be able to add fruit and veggies for a balanced diet. When I do loose some weight I never get lower than the 150 mark.

I was sitting in a clinic waiting room and was wearing my winter wrap. I had several people complement my wrap but the complement I was not expecting was when someone asked me if I was cold (I live in Tucson AZ so the weather is "always warm") and when I said yes she said it was because I "didn't have any body fat"!!! I almost corrected her but stopped and smiled at her comment.

I eat eggs several times a week to keep my total serum protein level up so I can continue to donate plasma.