Dr-Patient

Steroids/prednisone can do great things, but they also cause weight gain and bulk. Stay on your program, and once the steroids are done, you'll likely lose weight and see less bulk.

Can you get down to less than 60 gms carbs a day? Even to ~40 would help. 100gms of carbs is a lot when trying to lose.

@@VSGAnn2014 Hi. Just checking: how is your hubby? Maybe send private msg.

I have had 1/4-bagel with cream cheese, and that was enough for me physically, and psychologically--especially when I consider the hi carbohydrate count in those things. Yikes. That's a day written off the plan, and two days trying to recover. Too many carbs and I start craving bad stuff, so... Can you? Maybe. But if you're worried that you're stretching stuff, don't even put that near your lips/hips. Step away, step away.

I've never watched the show; BUT when I read the title of this post, I figured it was about weight regain. Good timing for me because, alas, I eased up on my "protein-only/first" regimen and have [i admit it], bounced up to 195. My lowest was 184 (from a maximum weight of 271.2, pre-surgery; 252 surgery day). I still look good/great/sexy, but the thought of being soooo close to 200 pounds is frightful [and, admittedly, I got to 199.6!!], so I had a l-o-n-g "come to Jesus" meeting with myself and am committed to getting back to the basics. Starting TODAY. One, I do NOT want to see 200 again, nor get on that slippery [upward] slope of eating/regaining. And two, yes I saw my "'friend" [who'd contacted me after 23+ years] and we saw each other in February when I went north for a medical meeting; and I will see him again in May, plus we have a beach excursion planned for September, at the resort where we met. For that trip, it will be "on!" [We've held out on the 'ultimate', and plan to still hold out in May, but come September...!] For me, I want to be back to the 185, if possible, or at least back down to ~ 190...in four weeks. I CAN do this if I stay focused and exercise. I had thought I wanted to get to ~165-170, but my face will be too thin, I still feel. Oh well. Pray for me! Hang in there, everyone; and know that the surgery is only a tool; we still have to do the rest and use the tool properly to get and maintain the desired results.

excuse duplicate post; they weren't loading.

"Eat more chicken" [like the commercial says]. You don't eat steak, etc., so I think you should eat as much fish, chicken as possible for a bit. Protein only. You need to break your carbs completely. Cold turkey. No carbs. No sugars (not even in fruits, etc) I don't lose weight, and didn't do well, with the shakes or anything with Splenda/sucralose in them. Maybe cut those out and see how you do. But you've activated your carb-craving cycle and it can be a bear to break it. (I had a potato chip thing for a good bit; still fight with them when driving long distances). Fill up on Water, tea, etc., and protein flesh. A few days of steack and bacon sound good to me, but that's not your thing; so fish, crab meat, chicken, eggs. No CARBS. NO SUGAR. Water, tea.

"Eat more chicken" [like the commercial says]. You don't eat steak, etc., so I think you should eat as much fish, chicken as possible for a bit. Protein only. You need to break your carbs completely. Cold turkey. No carbs. No sugars (not even in fruits, etc) I don't lose weight, and didn't do well, with the shakes or anything with Splenda/sucralose in them. Maybe cut those out and see how you do. But you've activated your carb-craving cycle and it can be a bear to break it. (I had a potato chip thing for a good bit; still fight with them when driving long distances). Fill up on Water, tea, etc., and protein flesh. A few days of steack and bacon sound good to me, but that's not your thing; so fish, crab meat, chicken, eggs. No CARBS. NO SUGAR. Water, tea.

Call your doctor's office. Make sure you have a copy of your records. Go over EVERYTHING in the record. Was the info sent up via 'electronic medical records'[EMRs]? Did the doctor document everything, and correctly? EMRs are NOT always accurate; many times, they are not [the default is often "nl" and unless the doc is diligent about accurately documenting everything, your true story/Dx/and findings are lost. Appeal, appeal appeal. Your surgeon should be able to write a strong letter, with appropriate medical verbiage, on your behalf. And I mean a LETTER, not just some checked off boxes. We are in BAD times these days with health care delivery and insurance companies running every darn thing. Patients have to FIGHT. Don't give up. Good luck.

Glad your psych was receptive and supportive. I'd advise you to be very mindful of who else you tell; even "friends" can misunderstand, judge, criticize and not get it. Not everyone needs to know. Not that you're ashamed, but again, not all of your personal life choices is for public consumption. Enjoy your journey. The VSG is still the best thing I've done for myself...and only 3 of my closest friends know I did it.

Your doctor is ignorant and ill-informed. Ignore him. Tell him I said so.

@@Katrinakit Thanks. Yes; it was a most sad journey with dementia and ALS--Lou Gehrig's. Sad. Giving him space to grieve, etc. But... we'll see...down the road. Thanks again.

Just curious: how old are you, and how much interaction have you had with him?

I'm feeling "in love". It's with a man I met 24 years ago! He was married then, and we live in different cities. Nothing ever happened (or was even discussed!!! about any "chemistry" we felt at first meeting back then, though we now know that we each did feel something). Sadly, his wife recently died; he reached out to me; and we are now chatting, smiling, laughing, skyping; and will see each other very, very soon [in 2 weeks! O.M.G.]. Also, in a few months, he wants for us to go back to the place where we first met, to try to reenact those first moments. But I'm/we're starting slowly, as I know his widowed emotions are all over the place. I am not threatened about his feelings about her, and I know the "casserole ladies" will surface soon. But...that he reached out to me after all these years... feels to be a special gift. Those who will and can understand, pray for us. I will say that, since having the VSG, I now see the woman I am, and I am now mentally FREE to enjoy me, my personality; I now don't hide from men. I see them noticing me, etc. I engage with them, and I can just relax and just "be" open to receive love. I think I was ashamed and hiding before. All of this timing is a gift from above. And even though I have other wanna-be suitors, I'm focused on "him." We're going to give oxygen to the 'pilot light' that was burning quietly in each of our spirits over the years. I know the OP asked about their situation. Sorry. I just had to share [though I may not keep this post up long].

I've used straws from day one. Just make sure your mouth fully grasps the straw; don't suck with an open mouth. I love the straws.

Congratulations, handsome. You look great!

I know we live in. A"tell everything to everybody" time, but people, stop sharing all your personal info and life journey with folks. Not everyone understands or will be helpful. At this point, just say that you've nothing more to say about it. Period.

We are physicians, not cops. Just always be honest with your physicians. Period. To do otherwise would only hurt you and your life (and body). What you say you've experienced is not going to be new/alarming to anyone on your health care team. Just be honest. They can handle it and you will know you did the right thing for YOU by telling it. "There is nothing new under the sun."

Sorry. Can't help. Full carnivore here :-) Maybe check with your doc for suggestions re food selections.

I was done as an outpatient. I was scared at first (yes, me!). But I didn't have any major medical conditions, etc., so... Everything went fine. Arrived ~6:30 AM, left ~12:30. Still doing great. No complications.

Dec. 4th will mark two years since my VSG. It has been the BEST two years of my life!! I am soooo happy, so sociable, so [yes] sexy, and picking clothes to go here or there is a breeze!! No agonizing about what to wear, or 'will this fit', etc. The mental freedom, self confidence and self-esteem are all wonderful. I'm not hiding from folks--colleagues, friends, etc. I gladly take pictures, my eyes gleam and my smile is genuine. I have not reached my self-appointed goal of 165 (actually, I'm thinking my face will look too thin!!). But going from a size 22, to a size 10/12 is working for me. For fun, I took some 'modeling' photos recently, and (yes), somebody is truly looking great. I can say that now. Brief note for now from me, but if you were sleeved around the time I was--December 2013--do tell your status, update, your NSVs; and share pictures, if you choose. Congratulations, two years out. I know it's been a good thing.

Pre-VSG, 3-4 slices. Now, I really haven't had any, except I have pulled the toppings off, and just didn't eat any crust. But if I did, I'd only get thin crust anyway.

I've come to love being happy about the way I look, and how easy it is to wear styles I love! Also how sociable I am now. No longer embarrassed to be seen!

@ Just wanna say, I like your username. Cool.

Just more proof of big business, and insurance companies, taking over the practice of medicine and the physician's ability to provide care to patients as they need it...not as dictated to by insurance companies. Evn them calling all in health care "providers," not nurses, physicians, etc...is to minimize the true role clinicians play. Sad, annoying times.