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Tanita makes excellent scales--used for years in doctor's offices. They have a great one with a memory function for about $75. Some people are buying Fitbit's scale which links up with the FitBit activity monitors to track weight loss and activity--and using the myfitnesspal website to log it all. The Fitbit scales is about $129. You'll never find one that gets perfect ratings on places like Amazon, just look for the highest ratings and any patterns of recent sales with problems.

This is not like the diets you've done in the past--you won't be worrying about calories anytime soon. The focus is on your Protein intake to reach your goal of 60g per day (a part time job for the next few months), drinking 64 oz. of fluids per day, and keeping your carbs in check by not eating simple carbs. The primary kitchen tools you need are good sets of measuring cups and spoons. Your earliest portions will be about 1/4 cup, graduating to 1/2 c. servings and eventually 1 cup of food per meal. It's easier for me to check whether I'm sticking to plan by checking the volume with a measuring cup than to deal with 2 oz. of this or that. A simple kitchen scale with clearly marked ounces is sufficient. In addition to plastic measuring cups and spoons, I've found it helpful to have 1 and 2 cup Pyrex glass measuring cups. I use them to heat things in the microwave and often eat from them because I hate washing dishes for a few little plates. Good luck on your journey!

Her role as the boss certainly complicates matters. It must be grinding the staff right into the ground. Is she the owner or does she have a boss? Either her boss or her clients must be very unhappy. As an owner and a senior executive, I would have let go of such a disruptive person in fairly short order. In this case, you absolutely have to back off 100%. Just shut down the friendship and do your job, then go home. This is a very good example of why not to confuse family and friends with your work group in future employment situations. It almost always goes sideways at some point. Given what most likely lies ahead, I'd suggest you start job hunting ASAP. When everything hits the fan, anyone who had any role (even a supportive one) in her self-destruction and the downturn in the business may be let go in a clean sweep operation--or you may get her job. Decide whether a fresh start would be good for you as well. Wishing you all the best!

You've done all you can and now you just have to stand back and let her find her own way. At this point, anything you do will only aggravate her and increase her defensiveness. She's an adult and you have to respect her decisions, poor as they may be. The hot temper is most likely a result of her amphetamine addiction. It is most likely causing problems for her at work and with other friends as well. Again, her choice. You can tell her you will be there when she crashes, because she inevitably will hit some kind of brick wall. Or not. You have to decide whether to back away from the friendship now. It may give her the jolt she needs. Regardless, right now you need to pull back from this situation and get on with your own life. Take comfort in knowing you are a good friend and you've done all you can.

It's part of the old Phen-Fen diet program that permanently damaged my heart. Your friend has developed a drug habit and is addicted to the speed. She needs professional help. Of course she is defensive and pissy---drug addicts are like that when threatened with the loss of their drugs. She needs a 2 x 4 upside the head (metaphorically speaking) to get her to understand that she is causing permanent damage to her body and that it will make future weight loss efforts even harder.

You can usually get music channels on the hospital TV. Chances are you'll sleep through it anyway.

Respect is good, but you are an adult now. If you are paying the mortgage, trust me, it's your house. Your parents want the best for you, including good health and happiness. It is okay to politely ask them for their help. Explain to them that it is very hard for you to deal with the junk food in the house at this stage. Tell them it would help you a great deal if they would not bring any of that to your house. Ask them that if they do, would they please keep it and eat it in their room so you are not tempted. Since they are so supportive, my bet is that they will be very glad to help you. Keep your mother's eating habits out of the discussion so you don't muddy the Water. She is an adult too and you have to respect her choices even if you don't agree.

You will have a TV, but truly you will most likely be either sleeping or walking or having some blood drawn or having someone checking you for something. (They seem to do blood tests at 4-5 am so the results are up when the new shift comes on at 7. Vampires always do their work before sunrise!) Sipping your drinks and trying to eat a little will be far more time consuming than you can imagine. A book is always a good idea though. Just wouldn't want your computer to be stolen. Wishing you the best on your journey!

There is no reason for you to take your laptop to the hospital. You will not be in much of any condition to use it because you will either be in surgery, sleeping or walking the gas and Fluid off. My hospital required any laptops to be checked in with security upon arrival and to remain there until your checked out of the hospital. They do not want the liability if it is stolen. Just detach from the internet for a couple of days and focus on what you need to be doing---resting and recovering!

Did the surgeon clearly explain to you all the reasons why bypass would be better for you than the sleeve? Are your reasons for preferring the sleeve reasonable in light of the surgeon's concerns? Just wondering if you are being open minded about the medical advice you are receiving.There are so many considerations with WLS and it is hard for most of us to learn and understand them all, even after considerable research. I can appreciate your having a preference, but hope you are valuing his/her medical expertise and experience which is far greater than your own. Best wishes on your journey!

Some previous posts reported that the e-cigs cause enough nicotine to register on the pre-smoking test to perhaps disqualify you from surgery. I think one said he/she was tested the morning of surgery and failed the test, so surgery was cancelled. Might check into that. If you can find the Smokenders program, try it. I was a very heavy smoker for a long time and quit in 5 weeks with that program. Never, ever wanted another cigarette in all the years since. Smoking poses real and serious risks to you during surgery and after WLS. You really, really do need to QUIT, not just stop for a while. Have your doctor's staff explain the problems it can cause and you may find the incentive you need to quit--like staying alive.

Andrew, Porchue has a great point. When you live alone you don't have to make other's meals or watch them eating things that are tempting. Your dog won't be begging for some of your dinner if you're having Crystal Light or a Protein shake! Heck, even your dog will get healthier in this process. LOL You will have more personal time to take care of yourself when you don't have children or a spouse to care for as well. Best of all, no one else will look at you with crossed eyes or have hurt feelings when your hormones act up a few weeks after surgery and you get cranky--which you probably will. There's an emotional roller coaster phase ahead. But all this passes and you get on with your life and get happier. Just look at the smiles in the after photos of the 'before and after' sets.

Andrew, you can manage this on your own. I went to the hospital alone, got a ride home from a friend and have managed quite easily on my own throughout recovery. It's always nice to have the support of friends and family, but it is entirely doable on your own and the support and knowledge on websites like this is helpful. You obviously have project management and scheduling skills--transfer them from your work to your health and personal life.Think of this as a new part time job and plan accordingly. Clear your calendar of unnecessary activities. For the weeks immediately prior to and post-op, your activities and foods will be limited. Review your doctor's food program and stock up on the things you will need so you are not tempted to grab some thing inappropriate when stressed. Commit time for a daily walk or other exercise. Plan time for a mid-day nap and plan to go to bed an hour earlier for the first month. Allowing yourself more rest will help you heal and rebound faster. You will be fine! Good luck on your journey!

Sounds like dehyrdration. Never, ever let bowel problems continue for more than 4-5 5 days. Call your surgeon's office for instructions.

Thanks DL! My typing fingers outraced my brain!

nailsbyniki, you can still view all the forums, no matter what type of surgery you had. Just go to the top left of the page and use the drop down menu to choose sleeve plication (a stupid name that is not what everyone calls VSG. All your buds will still be accessible.

I second ARTS advice that the year after WLS is a very bad time to make any other major life changes. Hormones are rampaging and you are processing a lifetime of feelings about your self image. You are feeling a new sense of empowerment from taking control of your life. That confidence feels good and is attractive to others. In that context, is it any wonder that you would be flattered and tempted by the attentions of a new, interesting man? Another line of thought... Should you decide to pull up stakes and start a new life with this other man, how long do you think it would be before you began wondering if he was having an emotional fling with yet another woman? These things are very rarely isolated incidents. Would you be willing to risk a second divorce in your late 50s or 60s? Might be a good time to switch to another therapist and get a different perspective if you are not making progress after three months. If nothing else, it would be a reality check.

Gas X strips are not harmful---and are very helpful.

She used the F-word. If you take the time to read carefully, you will see that it has since been deleted by a moderator. That word is not considered acceptable to many people. My request was perfectly reasonable. It seems the same 4 or 5 members of that little high school clique that were following me around are at it again, wagging their finger at me. Get off my case. Take a hike and burn some calories, girls!

Sorry for your situation, but please clean up your language. We don't need that here.

This in not normal and certainly not OK. Go to the ER tonight or call your surgeon at the on call number! Be persistent. You need medical attention NOW!!!! Pain at 10 without any relief from hydrocodone is not to be ignored. Whatever is going on inside is not going to get better by itself. Do you have a fever or any drainage? 28 lbs down in a week and a half is way beyond normal loss for most of us. Most people come home from the hospital 3-15 lbs heavier than when they go in due to IV fluids, etc. and it takes a week or two to lose just that weight. You need to be getting in fluids because dehydration is making things worse--it can quickly become very serious. Good luck. Please let us know how you are doing.

A recent review of earlier studies on Biotin has largely debunked the idea that it is of any significant help in reducing hair loss. So the evidence for its use is largely anecdotal. Some people say they take it on the chance it would help, because it apparently does no harm. If the typical hair loss period is 3 months long, by the time a person notices it, starts taking Biotin, and then notices the loss is slowing, it is probably just the end of the normal 3 month shedding period---and not due to the biotin. Your best bet may just be to eat healthy meals, take the usual recommended Vitamins and supplements, and treat your hair gently (go easy on the hair dryer, curling irons and styling stuff). Stressing about it stresses your body and might make things worse. It is what it is. Just stay focused on getting healthy and get on with enjoying your life.

Call your doctor's after hours line or go to the ER if you are seriously ill, don't get on the stupid internet for pete's sake!

Lots of challenges, but hopefully also lots of happiness ahead for you. Good luck!

I assume your surgeon's office phoned Anthem to verify benefits. Have you called them to check for yourself?