BitterSweet*

Fortify your water intake with electrolytes, and you're right on target with the potassium. Soak in a hot bath with Epsom salts, and that will also help pull some of the lactic acid from your muscles.

An endoscopy (EGD) is done under conscious sedation / moderate sedation / twilight sleep; all interchangeable terms. You are given Versed through an IV, which acts as a sedative and causes intentional memory loss. I've started noticing that many surgeons are omitting EGDs as a pre-op measure and I don't think that's a great idea. An EGD is really the only way they can get a good look at your anatomy and diagnose / treat problems. Many people do have "silent reflux" which can cause Barrett's Esophagus (precancerous lesions). They also take a biopsy to check for H.Pylori, which would require 2 weeks of treatment on 2 different antibiotics. Serious GERD issues makes you a poor candidate for a sleeve, so an EGD also helps determine the appropriate surgery for a patient. Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass. EGDs are also done to assess general stomach and esophageal anatomy; checks for hernias; checks for and can remove polyps; checks for ulcers; and checks the health of the gallbladder. If you have a hernia or gall disease, the surgeon will fix the hernia and remove the gallbladdder during sleeve surgery; they should at least. When you think about all that is accomplished by an EGD, it makes you kind of wonder why a surgeon would choose to omit it as a pre-op requirement. Makes you wonder.......

I love a nice wig. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. @@LindafromFlorida, have you ever tried clip in bangs? I've ordered hair from a particular website for years, and they have really cute clip in bangs. The bang is full and can be custom colored etc. Inbox me if you want the website.

@@livvsmum, I know exactly what you mean. When mine grew back, my friend said I looked like a Chia Pet!! And she was right, but I was so happy to see those babies sprouting up around my hairline!! It's still very thin along my hairline though, I doubt it will return. It's been 14 months and I've been using Rogaine for over a year. Planning to order some of that Toppix stuff, cause I absolutely hate seeing my scalp through my hair.

That sucks, and I am truly sorry she is going through so much. Gosh.... Sending prayers her way.

That tattoo though!!!

As common as MRSA is, a good majority of us carry it on our skin. It can be picked up from anywhere, including gyms. Environmental acquired MRSA is actually more prevalent than hospital acquired MRSA. It's there and just jumps at an opportunity to invade, and surgery definitely provides the opportunity. She should recover fine but tell her seek immediate help if she begins to have disproportionate pain. That can be a sign of something more serious. Sorry that happened to her. Prayers that she heals quickly.

If it's been falling out the entire 7 months that may be a problem. If it began around the 4th month and has continued for 3 months, that's normal. Sucks, but normal. Make sure your labs are normal, particularly checking for anemia and protein levels. Stay hydrated, meet your daily protein requirements, and take your vitamins. It should begin slowing down and stopping. In the meantime, find a cute wig to wear if the loss is that bad and noticeable. Good luck to you.

@@snowkitten, I agree with you. I should've completed my thought. I meant that this person is a really nice and considerate friend to even care, and cognizant enough to seek advice from this forum so as not to offend the friend. Kudos to the OP for trying to adapt, support, and maintain a good friend - instead of being bitter, non-supportive, or undermining her weight loss efforts.

Letting go of toxic friends is similar to eating chocolate, winning the MegaMillions lotto, and having an orgasm, all at the same time. Release her and let her spew that negativity elsewhere. Retain the good memories of her and let go of the other things. You have enough to focus on right now. And if you think she's negative now, wait until you're tiny. You haven't seen bitter yet. Once I lost the weight, I'd get all dolled up, put on some cute Victoria's Secret workout clothes and go take her Zumba class. If bishes want to talk about you, give them a reason to.

@@Kindle, very well said. To the OP, this issue is one of the reasons it was hard for me to make up my mind about surgery. I know I have an eating disorder 30 years in the making, and once I acknowledged that and took steps to get help, I began wavering & wondering if I could 'fix' my disorder, then I wouldn't need surgery. The mind is really what needs more fixing than the belly. So, I'm doing both. Getting help and having surgery. Good luck to you.

I agree with @KadijahRose, it wouldn't hurt to get your labs drawn. Anemia really can make you feel drained.

@ Miss Mac, clothing sizes have evolved with times. A 6 from today is not the same as a 6 from the 80s, which was accurate. People in general are just bigger and the industry knows it and accomodates for it. To the OP, maybe just get some cute stretchy dresses. Something that can be dressed up with jewely and accessories to make it look more professional for work. Stretchy stuff would work great, but you may need to wear a shaper like Spanx or something. I would avoid trousers. Hanging crotches are not cute!! Lol!! Btw, congratulations on having lost enough weight to have a hanging crotch in pants!! That is great!

Your son sounds like a cutie pie. All will be fine. Good luck to you. =)

I don't, but perhaps a trip to your doctor is warranted. Those kinds of drugs are metabolized by the liver, so maybe getting a liver panel drawn (LFTs) might provide some insight. Good luck to you.

No advice. You're a really nice and considerate friend though.

Lol at "sharing your knowledge with the public"!! Hilarious!!

@@Beni, I agree with finediva. Simply ask, and if he or she isn't willing to be upfront, run like you're on fire. No surgeon is perfect, and even when they do everything right, complications can still happen. It's important that the surgeon is upfront and honest when directly asked questions about leaks, infection rates etc.

Find a nice wig and take it to your stylist. Have the wig cut and styled on your head and have it on standby. No need to worry about it. You can do everything right and still experience hair loss. Prepare yourself ahead of time and if / when it happens you won't have to stress about it - because that added stress won't help matters.

No problem. Gather your little (or long! Lol!) list and post specific questions; the pros here will help guide you!

I think it's just an error. Without a cardiac history and a normal blood pressure, no sane doctor (especially a cardiologist) just puts someone on blood pressure medication. You'll be in the hospital the first two days anyway. If there is any issue with your BP, it'll be addressed immediately and meds would be given to you intravenously.

You shouldn't have to pay $250 for a consultation. People with insurance who have consultations don't pay that so your fee should've been equivalent to a routine office vist, which is around $85 out of pocket, or $30-50 copay. That alone is weird to me. The questions you have (at least what you mentioned like being cold) is something you can find out through forums like this. Doctors just don't have unlimited amounts of time to see each patient. Patients are scheduled 15-20 minutes apart from each other, so I am shocked that he dedicated 30 minutes to one appointment. In the future, ask the more pertinent questions like how many leaks, infections etc. he has had, and save the other stuff for the hundreds of us that will be glad to help answer for you; or give you a general idea of what to expect. My best advice is to keep searching. Find another bariatric group that holds free seminars. There you will have an opportunity to ask questions until you are blue in the face and the entire bariatric team will be there, surgeon included. Good luck and I'm sorry that things didn't go as you'd hoped today.

Dead @ "powdered sugar"!!!!! Dying!!!!!

Go to Target and get Smooth Moves Tea. Drink it as directed to help things along. Once per week sounds like the problem. Try to drink more water if you can manage it and Miralax is also helpful. Good luck.

Prayers coming your way, @snowkitten. No matter the outcome, things will be ok and I'm sure you'll feel better soon. Sending you warm fuzzies.