BLERDgirl

I'm a weirdo. I have this thing where I have to research things before hand. I did a lot of investigating beforehand. I looked at 2 different hospitals/programs before I decided on one. I talked to friends who had WLS. The surgeon I ended up choosing had done a friend of mine the year before. I then did everything I could to ensure a positive outcome even down to making sure I had a living will updated and on file with the hospital. By the time my surgery came around I said a prayer and was ready to go. No nerves or jitters. I had done all I could do to be safe. I was ready. I think it helped that I previously worked as a Child Life Specialist and for many years it was my job to explain medical procedures to children and families. When they couldn't get a vein for the IV I knew it was because I was slightly dehydrated from being NPO the day before surgery. I knew what a PICC line was. I knew and practiced deep breathing and relaxation techniques any time I had to undergo challenging medical procedures. I think these things all kicked in kind of automatically for me.

In my handbook they had calories suggestions at 400-600 at 4 - 6 weeks and 600-800 for 6 - 8 weeks. After that it's 800 -1000 depending on the person. As I mentioned, at my 6 week appointment it was recommended I stay no higher than 800 calories. Honestly 3 12 ounce shakes and 2 soups does seem like a lot. However 3 4 ounces shakes sounds like too little. My program has a team approach so I see the nutritionist at my follow ups as well. She goes over my food dairy and makes specific suggestions on how to adjust my diet. For example some foods provide good Protein but also are high in carbs which may slow down the weight loss. She reviewed with me alternative ways to get in protein and keep the carbs low.

That's crazy! A stall is not losing any weight at all. You're losing just not super fast. Some people are fast losers, some are slow but steady. If your doctor has concerns about the rate at which you are losing, they should have the nutritionist review your diet. I am still required to keep a food diary. At my 2 week I had lost 26lbs, but at my 6 week I had only lost another 6. They were fine with this. The only caution they gave me was to keep my calories under 800. I've been mindful of this and made adjustments on how to do that and still get in my Protein. Don't be discouraged. Keep doing what you are doing and get in that exercise! It really helps move things along.

I love Bob's Red Mill's products.

Bob's Red Mill sells it online or if you live near a Whole Foods, they usually have it in the loose bins.

I had $400 deductable, $200 for the nutrition class, plus the various copays at $45 a pop. I bought my own Vitamins and supplements but I don't think they were over $100. I have Keystone 65 BCBS

Congrats on the weight loss. I have my next follow up on the 19th. Hopefully good news.

@@Kindle - When I wasn't having any problems I would take it with my evening meds before bed. The bottle said take with food, but I'm gonna try taking it before. It isn't painful just uncomfortable. At first I thought I was full and ended up skipping dinner. Then I realized it was the acid. Thanks for the tip.

That's funny. I've been buying Protein shakes and Fage 0% in bulk for years. Long before I even considered WLS. I buy protein shakes to have something to eat before the gym. Anything heavier and I get sick. I buy the Fage in bulk because it's cheaper that way.

I realized today I am so left of center that I stopped paying any attention to other people's food a long time ago. I've always marched to the beat of my own drum. For example, I got into making bento boxes a few years back. I don't do it regulatory anymore but anytime I got some where I need to make a boxed lunch, I grab one of my cute bento boxes. My travel utensils are also really good for taking small bites. I thought about this thread today when someone asked me where my cute little lunch box was.

1 20mg capsule a day taken with meals. I usually take mine with lunch because I tend to get heartburn in the afternoons/evenings. My surgeon want me on it for 3 months

Just googling for recipes. Apparently 1 cup of cooked amaranth has approx 9 gms of Protein and 5 gms of fibre. So it's not a huge protein punch, but could add some variety. It can also be used both savory and sweet. For example, used with greek yogurt in this recipe you can get a pretty decent protein bunch.

I forgot I have some in the kitchen. Do you have any good recipes for it? I'd love to use this.

That sounds like a decent day of eating, but the fact that you recognize this concern is a good thing. I'm not qualified to say yes or no to a diagnosis of and ED, but definitely bring this up with your doc.

Not really. I just don't care. Maybe it's from years of being the lone vegetarian in the crowd so often, I simply don't care.

When they discharge you as them to arrange a visiting nurse. Most insurances cover it. When the hospital found out I lived alone that's what they did for me. I reopened my drain incision doing too much and the nurse made sure to check it. Thankfully it didn't get infected, but it was a comfort knowing I had someone checking in.

I'll say this. I am a believer in fat acceptance. I'm not advocating anybody just be fat an unhealthy, but I do believe everyone has a right to be treated with respect regardless of their size. I don't think the "tough love" some of the posters are trying to share is going to be all that helpful. What I will say is this. On a forum like this you get personal experience and opinions. You need to talk to professionals. I also think that if you are this unsure perhaps you need to step back and regroup. Talk to professionals locate an in person support group, preferably one facilitated by bariatric professionals. Give yourself 6 mths. If you can't lose weight and maintain it then reconsider the surgery. I can't afford a trainer either. I have a gym membership and I use that. I have found however that the trainer at my gym are very nice and helpful. If you ask them what machine works for legs, and how to use it they will show me, so I've been doing that. I don't think WLS is a miracle. I think the folks that had low self esteem before the surgery will still have it afterwards.

Well that wasn't very helpful. I had one drain. They pulled it before discharging me. It didn't hurt. Just felt odd because you feel the tube coming out.

To be honest, if I had come across these boards before I committed to surgery I would have been terrified. I did my research by calling a few few programs in the area and attending local support groups. Hopefully I haven't contributed to those negative feelings. If I have I apologize. It's normal to have doubts. This is major surgery. I can honestly say my life wasn't miserable presurgery. Yes I have chronic health conditions, but I wasn't lonely. I didn't feel ugly or embarrassed. I think I've mentioned this before, but for me it really was quality of life. This surgery in addition to helping me lose weight has helped manage my other conditions. Personally I think it was worth it. I will say I think you are incorrect about your #1 concern. It's not restricting and if you manage it properly it's not a life of low calorie foods. As for your #2 concern, I think you are under estimating your partner. If there are any support groups in your area seek one out and attend in person. I wish you well.

The hospital I went to has a team. So the nutritionist was part of that team. I did some of my testing like xrays and such at the hospital my plan is capitated to and I used a private center for my sleep study, but those were insurance related. If I had use the facilities at the hospital I would have had to pay out of pocket for the difference between what my insurance pays and whatever remaining balance was on the bill. I had 3 baraitric appointments (once a month). At each one I meet with the team: the nurse practitioner, the surgeon, and the nutritionist. They checked my weight and followed up on how I was coming along with the testing needed. The nutritionist review my eating habits and gave suggestion. They also required you keep a food diary and review that with the nutritionist. This one was easy for me since I already kept a food diary. At my second appointment I met with the psychologist. I suspect it was after this appointment they submitted my request to the insurance company. At the last appointment I also had to attend a 2 hour nutrition class.

Worse how? If you're not ready, you're not ready. But if you wanted people to give you reasons to have the surgery I think there have been several. Ultimately it's up to you.

I don't think I would have had a problem with straws. I was using the one on one of my Water bottles after my 6 week f/u. It was my doctor who said do not use it. I guess chalk it up to different doctors, different protocols thing.

@@Pr33ty Heard - watch the dressings you put on your salad. They can be high in sugars. I'm an olive oil and basalmic vinegar gal, but I know not everyone is. Otherwise it sounds like you are doing fine. Are you walking or getting in any type of exercise?

The loss of appetite thing is actually nice. You now eat because you have to, not out of boredom. There are those who push it and stretch their pouches but most people simply can't. I get full off a scrambled egg.

I have no idea whether or not I had a catheter, but I know I woke up having to pee. In fact I peed so much that first day in the hospital, the nurse brought one of those portable toilets bedside. She said I was getting up too much!