BariatricBarb

My nutritionist and the Bariatric psych do not agree with the use of artificial sweeteners because it triggers the same area and chemicals in the brain that regular sugar triggers. For those of us that have a sugar "addiction" it is counter-productive. It might be a little blue packet today, but tomorrow you may have cravings for that theater sized box of junior mints.

I also had a hard time drinking water. Now, 6 weeks in, it is getting better. Even drinking milk or protein shakes went down smoother than water.I can hardly drink water. My nut said to try cold tea, and I've gotten more than 50 oz the past two days.

@@jenn1 if you are still losing hair after a year, have your thyroid checked. I'm hypothyroid, and the change in vitamins and diet put my thyroid into a tailspin. Worth having a simple blood test.

I'm having a problem with sweets as well. But I'll dilute it and give it a try

@@Bndtoslv, My problem is pain a nausea. I've always been a water drinker. Have never gone for soda or flavored drinks. It doesn't matter if the water is tepid or cold. I've tried flavor enhancers and don't like the taste. This has been the biggest and hardest change for me. I was final able to get all of my fluid yesterday by drinking the tea. I just hope this isn't a forever thing

I got my sleeve June 10. I have been having a horrible time with water. I've been really thirsty but am lucky to get down 25 oz in an entire day. My NUT suggested iced herbal tea and today I've been able to drink just over 50 oz! Don't know why I can handle tea, but water makes me sick. But hey, just happy that it works.

Congratulations! Today I am 6 weeks out and am at a 36 pound loss. You are on your way!

@@The Candidate - I really hope you get your date soon. Perhaps mine went a little faster because my Kaiser has a designated Bariatric surgery department where everything is done on one place. Whatever the case, best of luck, and very soon you will know for sure that it's the best decision you ever made.

I feel fortunate. I have Kaiser ins. In California and the entire length from my docs referral to my surgery was about 3 1/2 months. No co-pay, all meds covered. And since they already had my medical records from within kaiser, I didn't have to jump through hoops. I only needed to attend the pre-op classes, stay on the pre-op diet, and be cleared by psych. , I'm now a little over a month post op and feel great.

I did it for the exact same reason! After a serious neck injury and surgery, I was forced to rethink my life. I'm in my late 40s. I decided to turn my love of photography into something I could really use. I went back to college to earn a degree in Professional Photography. Just earning a degree at my age is pretty cool. But I want to take my photography further. I had my first gallery opening as was horrified about meeting new people and having photos done of me! I really like nature photography and couldn't see myself on long hikes to desolate places at 254 pounds. I'm 22 days out from surgery and total loss since the beginning of this journey in April is 45.8 pounds. I can't wait to see what the next few months hold...Good luck with your journey, and your photography!

I feel the exact same way! I'm terrified to eat. I've lost 24 lbs since my June 10 surgery, but nothing yesterday and was paranoid all day. I haven't been able to exercise due to severe back spasms so that's adding anxiety to this. I think we just have to try to be patient and look at the big picture.

Dr. Im was my surgeon. Very personable and a really goo doctor. I had told him during my first appointment that my son was getting married and I wanted to wait until after the wedding. First thing he asked me the day of my surgery was how the wedding went. Not a big deal, but it made me relaxed and I felt like he was there for, and concerned about me as a person. I've heard good things about Dr. Baggs too.

@ready2droppounds My orientation weight was 254 on April 23. I started the diet plan the next day. My surgery was June 10 and my weight was 236. Today I man 210.2. Take advantage of their classes, support groups, and your meetings with Dr. Z. He really got me over a couple of hurdles. I started Stage 3 diet on Thursday and am having some problems with nausea, but this is the most uncomfortable I have been. Surgery and time in the hospital were good experiences. Dr. Im did my surgery. He's great. Keep in touch! Good luck with your surgery!

I have Kaiser in Northern CA too. The program is really good and they make sure that you are educated and informed. I had surgery June 10 in Richmond and I was completely impressed with the care I received from the moment I walked in the door. I've lost 44.2 pounds since my orientation in late April, with 24 of that being since surgery. Take advantage of the services you are offered and best of luck to you.

I'm on the other side of the sweet taste. I had serious sugar cravings before. Now I'm craving spicy. Never liked spicy before, and have craved no sugar at all.

Now that the weight is starting to come off there is a noticeable difference. I found that saying " I've been exercising regularly and working on learning to eat better with the help of my doctor and a nutritionist". No lies, no rebuttals, and it usually shuts people up. So, so far, so good,

Gas x strips are my best friend! And like everyone says, walk, walk ,walk! I'm six days out and sleeping with a bean bag pillow on my tummy and I'm a little more comfortable. Hang on, it starts getting better every day.

Thanks @@cmhueto, I emailed my doc yesterday and he gave me the go-ahead to resume taking an anti-inflammatory Rx that I normally take for neck pain. The headache went away after 3 days. So I'm thinking it was probably neck strain from being in the hospital. I'm feeling well today and I've lost a few pounds so thats a bonus! Can't wait to see what the next few weeks have in store.

Walk walk walk! I completely agree! I was up and walking in about 3 hours in the hospital. And at least every 3 hours after that. I was surprised that I actually felt better after that. Today is day 5, and I'm walking for about 15 minutes every few hours. I feel pretty good today. Had a few bites of yogurt for breakfast and herbal tea. I am restless at night too. I hadn't thought about it from being from the anesthetic. Thanks for sharing that. Good luck greenbaymichk! You won't regret it

I had my surgery on the 10th also everything is fine except I cant seem to get 64oz of fluids down for the life of me Its too much then I feel bloated and my belly aches...and forget about food not happening just yet! I hope this part of the transition and that it will pass. In any case best of luck to all Hi LynRey, I'm having problems getting enough liquid as well. My program does not do protein shakes or powder or anything like that either. It's clear liquids right after surgery and then modified liquids for two weeks. So, day 2 of modified and unable to get down more than a couple of licks off the spoon. They say only three "meals" a day with liquids in between. So now I'm thinking this is where my headache is coming from. My body is in starvation mode. I get light-headed, dizzy, and just feel like crud. They have been very clear that protein shakes are a no-no so I'm unsure how to proceed at this point. I'm going to call the NUT tomorrow and hope for a remedy.

I've never been a caffeine drinker so that's not the problem. And Tylenol doesn't give any relief. I guess I'll just chalk this up to the transition that my body is going through and hope this doesn't last too much longer.

I had my surgery on June 10. I'm 3 days post-op and my biggest problem is a horrible headache that will not go away. Anyone else experience this?

My surgery is In less than two days, and the only people to know are my husband and adult children. They are all extremely supportive and I feel I don't need anything from anywhere else. I've been yoyo dieting for years so it doesn't matter to me what others observe. This is something I'm doing for me, and for my future. My son was recently married and there was a table set up at the wedding in memory of people that were loved and lost. I swear I will do everything in my power to dance with my grand babies when they grow up and get married. I will not be a photo on a table. So I don't need two cents from anyone unless they plan to be right there beside me.

Less than two days! I'm excited.... but a little bit of nerves are starting to kick in as well. I stood and looked in the mirror for a long time this morning... No fat covered body, I will not miss you because I can see the person who is just itching to get out.... Here I come!

same date as me ! My family keeps asking me if I'm getting nervous and the answer is No! I'm excited! I just watched a video of my sons wedding from 3 weeks ago and I think I would have been in tears after watching myself if I didn't know my date was so close. Are you getting nervous yet?