CloserToFine

You are awesome!! Congrats!!!

I've been diagnosed with a pretty bad sinus infection and have to travel tomorrow on business . I warned my PCP about my sleeve and said that, no, I absolutely did not want to take Augmentin 875 twice a day for 10 days. (I could barely tolerate it when I had an intact stomach. ) She prescribed levofloxacin 500 mg/10 days. I've never taken that before and am somewhat nervous about the side effects, especially when flying . Does anyone have experience with this drug, and/or which antibiotics have worked well for you post-sleeve?

So sorry to hear this, VanessaVSGforme! Can you lay down in a quiet, dark room?

@@MzB, you look fabulous!! At 49 years old, I already had genetic thinning before WLS, so was pretty worried when shedding started at Week 5. Fairly soon after, I started Rogaine 5% for Women. I knew that the Rogaine wouldn't work on my weight loss-related hair loss, but might work on the genetic hair loss. I've been using it for not quite 2 months, and I'm definitely seeing little hairs sprout at the hairline. I also take Biotin 5000 each day, and always try to meet or exceed my Protein requirements (70mg). Apart from being vigilant, I keep telling myself "this is going to be fine." I might see scalp in places through my thinning hair, but it's not the worst problem anyone's ever had. It will get better!

I'm 8 weeks out and I think I may have had gastric dumping syndrome on Sunday night. I'd just returned from one hot, humid vacation week of walking several miles a day. I hydrated a lot on that trip, but probably not enough. Because I was constipated when I got home, I searched online for "natural" remedies and kept reading that a glass of hot Water with 1tbsp raw honey would do the trick. Oh. My. God. 15 minutes after drinking the water/honey, I did move my bowels, but afterward I was in such excruciating abdominal and back pain that I could barely breathe. I was at home alone, at night. I was shaking. I couldn't get comfortable: walking felt impossible; laying down almost felt worse. I kept thinking "I'll bet this is dumping syndrome" but I decided to call my surgeon. Thankfully he called right back, but he said that because I had the sleeve rather than the RNY it "couldn't be dumping." He told me to drink water, and also to take ibuprofen. (I didn't take the ibuprofen because it's so hard on the stomach!) He said that if things didn't improve, I should go to the ER and/or could see him the next day. My dear friend came over to support me Sunday night and said: "I'll bet this is just really bad constipation and gas. Drink water and try to walk around." After 20 minutes of doing that, I started to feel better. Things felt like they were moving around in the bowel area, and though I didn't have another BM that night, I did the next morning. It was so scary. I really thought I was having a problem and would have to call an ambulance. And I think my surgeon was wrong after all -- I believe it was dumping. I believe that the tablespoon of raw honey was a huge jolt of sugar to my system, and that plus the constipation got the best of me. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dumping-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20028034 Has anyone had anything similar -- and was it dumping? I'd love to get some advice from sleevers. It's still very hot here and I'm struggling to stay on top of the hydration -- drinking a ton of low-cal Gatorade because plain water is making me a bit nauseous. Thanks in advance.

I'm almost 9 weeks out, and have used straws to drink iced coffee for the past few weeks. No problem for me!

How about turkey chili with Beans? http://www.cookinglight.com/food/top-rated-recipes/best-chili-recipes/turkey-bean-chili-recipes Curry chicken salad? http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/curried-chicken-salad-with-nectarines

Hello ! Yes, I've taken fish oil ... and the Glucosamine/Chondroitin ... and the Osteo Bi-Flex .... and then Move Free ... you name it ... I've wasted so much money on those things ... I've had shots in my knees ... I've gone 'round and 'round ... They are just too far gone for a simple quick fix ... I guess I was just spoiled before surgery with my NSAID medication ... that now .. I've been without it for 8 weeks ... and with many storms in the area and colder weather coming ... I know I'm in for a lot of really stiff and sore days ... I thank you so much for your time and the information ! I wish I had better suggestions, but I'm sooooo glad you have a pain doctor. We have specialists for everything else; why not pain management?? Sending good wishes your way

@@MrsKarenC2008 I'm sorry for your pain. I have arthritis/MCL pain in the left knee that is usually helped by taking a high-quality Omega-3 fish oil supplement. When take it consistently, the pain goes away. Have you ever tried them?

@@CowgirlJane, I agree with the posters above that the guy in question wants sex and soon. Pulling your hair is an intimate act, regardless of which men's magazine he learned the technique from. Practically the first thing you said is that you "reluctantly" agreed to meet the guy. Feeling embarrassed and appalled by his actions is a very clear sign that something's amiss. If I were you, I'd back away. Remember Maya Angelou's quote: “When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.”

I'm so sorry to hear about your misery! It's no fun to suffer and I'm glad that you know what works best for your body. Hang in there!

Thanks, @sweettea. What do you do to relieve the pain and constipation?

@@kathy2208 -- it seems like every patient is different. During my pre-op diet, which was for a period of 3 months, I was told to stick to 1500 calories a day and to chart everything I ate. The nutritionist would check my food logs at every visit. Some people on this forum are told to use a specific diet plan (Atkins seems to be fairly common) or buy specific products, but I wasn't. The differences show up even in the pre-op liquid diet phase, a week or so before surgery. I had a 10-day liquid diet where I had to meet certain Protein goals. I couldn't eat anything solid at all -- not even lettuce! But many other people on this forum were allowed to eat lean solid Proteins and others had a specific brand of shake they were supposed to use. It really all depends on what your surgeon wants. Good luck to you!

Now that's a win-win! My primary motivation was also my health. Given the culture we live in, though, it would be miraculous if the thought of "looking better" (i.e. conforming to the norm of what supposedly "looks good") wasn't somewhere, even unconsciously, tied up in the decision to get WLS. I do believe, by the way, that fat people can be healthy. A number of my girlfriends happen to be fat but also exercise and eat healthily. They're inspirational to me! Excess fat just didn't work for my particular body, and dieting alone didn't work, so I made the decision to get surgery.

At almost 6 weeks out, I've been given the go-ahead to take all my necessary supplements. I tried several different multis, but finally settled on: Bariatric Advantage Ultra Multi Formula with Iron Bariatric Advantage Calcium Citrate Chewy Bite (500 mg) I'll need to take 3 capsules of the multi per day, along with 2 of the calcium bites. I realize I'm not supposed to take them together. How do you, or would you, space these Vitamins out? It seems a little tricky because I still eat multiple tiny meals per day. Your advice is appreciated!

There are several reasons why surgeons ask patients to lose weight before WLS. First -- and let's be honest about this -- it's usually to comply with insurer's requirements. Per insurance requirements, somewhere between three and six months is frequently the amount of time that patients are required to be on a monitored weight loss program. Second, losing weight beforehand shrinks the liver and makes surgery safer. Third, losing weight beforehand shows your willingness to comply with the WLS program and "prepares" you (to a certain extent) for your life post-surgery. I can't imagine why your doctor hasn't said anything about a pre-op weight loss program. Are you self-pay or insurance pay? Are you a low BMI patient? By all means, contact the doctor's office and get the scoop. Good luck!

As a lower BMI patient, I got a few sidelong looks myself at the support group meetings, but everyone was very nice. No one is walking your journey or knows your truth but you. We all have reasons for getting the surgery, and most of us have struggled a long time to admit we needed/wanted it. But we've done the research and worked the plan and now we're here. None of us needs to justify our choices to anyone else. This forum welcomes people warmly, gives great advice and never hesitates to lend a helping hand. My fellow posters are the best, and I'm glad you're here to share their wise support!!

Welcome back!! I always love reading your posts.

After researching these online for a few weeks, I just received these in the mail! A 6-compartment Yumbox: http://www.amazon.com/Yumbox-Zucca-Orange-Leakproof-Container/dp/B00WX9PPJM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1438189092&sr=8-5&keywords=6+compartment+yumbox And also a set of Happy Lunchboxes: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O7RVZE2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00 The Yumbox is seriously adorable, leakproof, and well-made. I love the little compartments. The Happy Lunchboxes have 4 compartments (3 small, 1 large), are also leakproof, and seem to be well-made. I can't wait to start packing lunches!

Awesome!!

Condolences on the loss of your mother, and congratulations on your college degree!! I agree with everyone else that you've made tremendous progress amidst the turmoil in your life. I see it this way: one year ago, you wrote a "script" for your progress one year out. That script didn't include the death of a parent or your daughter's move, let alone the day to day difficulties in finishing a degree or raising a family. Perhaps instead of focusing on where you wanted to be today, think about where you actually were one year ago. You are an absolute success, a strong woman, and I wish you every happiness!!

I was sleeved on 6/18/15 -- 5 weeks ago today! Aside from the headache I have today :-( things are going well. Averaging 60-70g/protein per day Down just over 22 pounds (it's going really slowly!) I drink at least one Protein shake per day, but have also eaten: Greek yogurt, tuna salad, eggs (scrambled, hardboiled, and also in a mini quiche), refried Beans, turkey chili, hummus, etc. I could be exercising more ... but it's been so damn hot/humid! :-)

Oh my gosh, this is sooooo common. Annoying and kinda scary, but common. I had it too and couldn't focus on anything for well over a week. My job relies on my ability to read and think, and it felt like I was never going to be "normal" again. Sure enough, adding Protein back into the diet helps a ton, as does getting enough sleep/rest. A few weeks from now, you'll barely remember this phase! :-) Hang in there. (PS - I'm 49)

@@cuchas, what are you eating? Just so we don't recommend the same things you're sick of...