WL WARRIOR

I've always had problems with middle of the night eating. It actually runs in my family and extended family. It got to the point a few years ago, when I would wake up in the morning and not recall getting up at night. Yet, there would be evidence that I did eat something at night on the table or counter. So, I started locking the cabinets and only keeping really healthy food in the fridge. Since weight loss surgery, I only keep vlasic dill pickles out (0 cal, 0 carbs, 0 fat, 0 sugar). Yes, they have no Protein, but I only eat them at the end of the day after already intaking 80-100 protein grams. So, this has been my way to still have late night and middle of the night Snacks with no guilt and still lose weight. This may not be a solution for some, since not everyone likes pickles. If I'm craving something sweet, I just shake splenda on the pickles. I'm really not crazy. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so they say.

No, the ones that taste like sour cream.

I had a slow beginning, but eventually picked up the pace after the first month. I was only down 18 pounds from pre-surgery weight at my one month follow up visit. The bariatric nurse said that I must have been taking in too many carbs (I wasn't, daily total was under 20 grams) and that I should pay more attention to the group meetings with the nutritionist. I was so upset even though I knew she was wrong. I have hypothyroidism which probably had something to do with it. Who knows? It was so hard not to say something sarcastic to the nurse because she was quite overweight herself. I decided the next day that I wouldn't let her comments bring me down and to just put my very best effort into being successful. And things have gotten better because I've lost 100 pounds in 5 months. Even if you lose slower than that, who cares? It's not a race and you will get there at your own individual pace. Plus, there are many positives to losing more slowly. I have found it mentally exhausting to lose weight too fast and look forward to "loosening up" a little.

It used to be yogurt (0% Total Fage). However, my nutritionist recommended everyone give it up. It is a slider food that doesn't fill you up very well. Giving it up was hard seeing as how I haven't had sugar in 4 months and yogurt was the only thing to help curb sweet tooth cravings. I gave in last week and bought some. However, I only allow myself some when my calorie intake is below 500 for the day. I measure out only 1/2 cup and eat it terribly slow. I still feel incredibly guilty for caving in and buying some. Almost makes me feel like I'm cheating. Incredibly, I have not cheated yet and have lost 100 pounds in 5 months. I just want to keep progressing and don't want something like yogurt to be my downfall. Maybe I will throw it out. Go all the way or go home.

The only way that I could get funding to pay for surgery involved drastic changes to my income. I had to get it low enough to qualify for Medicaid. This was a rediculously low amount and it bewilders me how some families can live on so little. I took a medical leave from my job and applied for Medicaid. In the beginning, I thought that I could do all of it in less than 6 months. That was a joke. It took forever to qualify. After 9 months, I got cleared for surgery. After surgery, I went back to teaching and switched to the school's insurance program. I'm finally getting back in the groove and relieved that we can finally pay all the bills and afford going to the movies, getting cable, shopping, a new phone, etc. Living on so little was hell, but my surgery ending up costing $10. I'm glad that it all worked out for me and I wish you luck!

I didn't have to do 6 months of supervised weight loss or any for that matter. My bariatrician said that I didn't have to lose weight before surgery. Although I wish he did because it would have gotten me closer to goal. I had a list of surgery prequesits that took 9 months to complete. Those 9 months seem to take forever.

I didn't get my surgery date until 10 days before the actual surgery, so I never was able to do the full two week liquid diet. It didn't seem to matter much. I just made sure I stuck strictly to what was required during those 10 days so that I could have a successful surgery. And I did. I wish you luck!

I haven't had any hair loss yet. I was wondering when most people start experiencing hair loss. If the cause is from the stress of surgery, then it should have happened by now. I've reduced shampooing my hair to once a week. It may sound gross to some, but its not too bad if you use dry shampoo in between washings. Also, I've stopped pulling it back as often. My hair has stayed long the past three years as a way of hiding myself because I was ashamed of my obesity. It would be quite freeing to cut it into a different style.

My doctor said Sudafed stays in your system for three weeks. Just something to keep in mind if this happens again down the road.

Did you take pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) recently? You mentioned cold medicine, but not that particular drug. Anyhow, Sudafed can show up as Adderall or meth during a urine analysis. You are lucky they didn't call authorities because I've heard of that happening. I would insist on doing a blood test if you don't pass the second UA. They can also do a more reliable drug screening using your teeth, but I'm not sure how that works. Try to relax, I've heard that this happens to a lot of people. I take an antidepressant that shows up as a benzomyapine (so?) on almost every UA. It is has been frustrating to explain or prove over the years. So, I understand where you are coming from.

Mine are more like beaver tails. I hate it. I'm afraid to ask if they ever regain better shape because I think I know the answer. I hate to think what they will look like when I hit goal. The rest of my body isn't too bad after a 97 pound loss in 4 1/2 months. It's just my droopy boobs. No wonder others get augmentation after WLS. This isn't an option for me since I am a single mother on a teacher's salary.

I thought about going to weight watchers or OA. I've never attended either before and they are the only weight loss support groups offered in my area. Like mentioned previously, I was interested in getting support for weight loss, not particularly following their diet. This is a little off the subject, but how long do we have to follow the high Protein diet? I just read "The Zone" and was thinking about following that type of eating plan once I hit maintenance. The Zone diet is still high protein, but consists of a MUCH higher carb content than I am eating now. I tend to stall when my carbs go over 15 grams daily.

AMAZING JOB! I'm almost down 100 (3 more pounds), but seem to be in a stall. Before surgery, the thought that I would have to lose over 100 pounds overwhelmed me. It just seemed impossible. Now that I'm almost there, it feels like anything is possible. I just never could have predicted it, how about you?

I am having similar problems as well. It's such an odd thing because I'm use to having high blood pressure problems. As of today, I am completely off my blood pressure med (Atenolol) because my blood pressure is consistently low. The doctor was concerned today because my heart rate was 43 and has been low the past two months. My EKG was otherwise normal. I don't know why my heart rate is so low, maybe it has to do with the surgery and weight loss. I've lost 90 pounds since my surgery 4 1/2 months ago. I do feel light headed when I stand up quickly sometimes. I'm curious if that is related to heart rate, blood pressure, or blood sugar. Otherwise, I've been feeling fine.

My hormones went crazy after surgery and I started breaking out. The dermatologist put me on Spironolactone four months ago and I haven't had any blemishes since. It's a miracle! I wish I knew about this stuff years ago. I don't even have to wear makeup anymore. This medicine also is suppose to decrease facial hair.

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My clinic requires that you attend a 6 hour training two weeks before surgery. The nutritionist, surgeon, and head nurse go over the post op eating plan in detail along with what to expect during the hospital stay and after. They also give patients a 100+ page guide to take home. You have to pass a 50 question test after the training is over to show that you fully comprehend the guidelines and expectations of the surgery and eating plan. As long as you listened during the presentations at the training, the test was quite easy.

I used apple cider vinegar to suppress my appetite many years ago. I would consume 1/4 cup before meals and it worked wonders. However, I would not drink it (even diluted with water) post op because it is so highly acidic. It would definitely be something you might want to discuss with your bariatrician so that you don't harm your sleeve.

It is normal for your period to be a little "off" right after surgery. I had my period six days after surgery even though it was three weeks earlier than my regular monthly period. I am four months post op and didn't have a period for seven weeks straight. I actually don't miss it much, especially the cramps and bloating.

I think my protein shake would be easier to drink through a straw. I'm too scared to try it, however. I'm only four months out. I was told to at least wait a year.

Sounds like a gallbladder problem to me. Does it hurt mostly after you eat (especially spicy)? Is the pain enhanced when you poke your finger up and under your bottom ribs?

Yes, ask your bariatrician or surgeon. A cavity is an infection that can easily travel to your newly operated sleeve. I'm surprised you weren't required to fix the cavity before surgery. I had to get $2000 of dental work done before surgery, which prolonged my waiting period to 10 months.

Not everyone restricts their carb intake, but I do if I want to lose weight. I have hypothyroidism and sometimes have to restrict more than others to lose weight. I try to get below 15 carbs a day. If I go higher than that, then my weight loss will slow way down or come to a halt. I'm hoping that I can raise my carb limit once I hit maintenance. It's impossible to get in many fruits and vegetables when restricting carbs to such a low number. I've seen many others lose lots of weight without restricting carbs, so you have to do what works for you.

I've been doing a quick 20 minute Pilate's routine 3-5 timesa week. It really helps the loose skin around the belly. I'll probably incorporate more resistance training this summer. I also walk/hike 2-3 miles a day.

Who knows? Could be parasites or some bacteria....go to the doctor and submit a sample to be on the safe side. Sometimes these things clear up on their own, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I developed similar symptoms while working as a PreK director. It ended up being some weird bacteria. It got worse over time as the incidents occurred more often. I was on the playground and had to go so bad, but couldn't leave the kids alone. An incident like that can happen to you when you are responsible for so many small children. My problem cleared up with antibiotics. Good luck!