Sumaire

Looking for local folks who'd like to get together to discuss their own bariatric journey. Whatever kind of surgery you are planning to get or already have gotten is cool for get-togethers. I'm in the downtown Los Angeles area most days of the work week, and usually hang out at a local Starbucks, where I drink plenty of coffee (with a protein shake added as "legal" creamer), working on any of a number of new stories, and/or playing computer games (World of Warcraft and Diablo 3, generally). I'd love the chance to meet up with others who are on this particular journey. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sounds like a plan. :-)

I had a smooth RnY surgery that included the repair of a “substantial” hernia. Took a total of two hours. No complications to speak of, and in 18 months I’ve gone from a high weight of 300 pounds to 160 pounds. Emotionally I’m wonderful. I can walk around much better now without aching all over, and I can actually walk the floor at ComicCon without needing a scooter to do it. It’s like night and day for me.

I had my surgery at Glendale Adventist in October 2016. Where will yours be?

Congratulations on your “second” birthday!

We'll have to make plans to meet face to face when you're up to it. What hospital will you be having your surgery at?

I am. I live in Pomona, but am in the downtown Los Angeles area during the week.

Don't know them, but Dr George Mutafyan in Glendale did a wonderful job on me, with no complications. He has privileges at Glendale Adventist, and takes Anthem Blue Cross - AltaMed, amongst other insurance plans.

I'm in my mid-50s, so I suppose I should comment here. <grin> I had RnY on October 27, 2016, and in that time have gone from 283 pounds to my current 158 pounds. My highest weight was 300 pounds. My goal is 125, and I'm continuing to work hard at getting there, even though at 18 months out, the honeymoon period is over. My most recent blood tests came back showing that I am no longer pre-diabetic, which has me elated and completely over the moon. The entire battery of tests were pretty much the polar opposite of my pre-surgery tests, and that is so completely heartening, it's amazing. My migraines and fibromyalgia are still here, but not having to haul around more than another person's "healthy" weight in addition to all that has done wonders for my back, hips, knees and feet. This last year, I was able to actually walk the San Diego ComicCon floor over the course of four long days without having to stop to rest all the time. Keep in mind that the previous two years, I'd had to use a scooter, as the walk was debilitating as hell. Anyhow, I currently live in Pomona, CA, but I'd like to find other bariatric patients to chat with in the real world during the week in the downtown Los Angeles area. Probably a longer post than anyone expected, but I'm a writer, and the Muse must have awakened while I was responding to this post.

Well, since regular milk and sugar are a no no, it definitely makes my mornings tastier.

I got caramel at Walmart yesterday, where it was under $7 for a 4-pack. Discovered that it makes for a great creamer.

As someone pointed out today on Facebook, imagine that full amount as how many average annual salaries that amount would be, and the fact that they weren't waiting on you hand and foot during your time there.

Anthem Blue Cross of CA.

What part of the LA County area are you in now, almost 5 years later? I'm at just about the northernmost part of Pomona.

I weigh myself every day, sometimes twice a day. ​I know that weight loss can be a weird thing, so I don't sweat the odd fluctuation, here and there. I will admit to having called my scale a bad name or three, every so often.

I had initially considered the sleeve, but after discussing things with my surgeon, because of my bad acid reflux, it was decided that I would have RnY. I can say that since my surgery almost two months ago, I have had NO incidences of GERD, and I am so happy about that. I used to wake up in the night with acid that had traveled up my esophagus and into the back of my throat, and I'd have a horrible, painful coughing attack. No longer. I like that I got an RnY, because of the extra restriction. I know what my limits are, and I've labeled simple refined carbs as The Enemy, so I do what I'm supposed to do, and eat my Protein first, and if I had room for carbs thereafter, THEN (and only then) do I eat them.

Seven weeks out and 35 pounds down from surgery weight, 51 pounds down from my highest weight. I am absolutely giddy and gobsmacked over how this is going so far. When I started, I was wearing size 44 men's cargo pants, and I'm currently in size 42 cargo pants. That said, I can pull those pants off and on without undoing the button or zipper. I'm focusing on Protein, and I know how expensive that can be when you're having to do something like that. Last night, I hit my favorite local Korean market, Super H Market, and bought a couple salmon heads for a whopping $.99 a pound. I like to steam them, so the meat is nice and soft. You just have to be careful taking them out of the pot, because at that point, the head is going to try and fall apart on you. LOL I added salt, and some sliced fresh ginger, and steamed one of the heads for 20 minutes. It was absolutely yummy. I had somewhere between two and 3 ounces and then let my daughter have the rest. She annihilated what was left. I'm going to have head number 2 tonight. I will probably add some Chinese chili oil to give it a little bit of a kick.

I buy mine at Costco. It runs about $25 for a case of 18.

It took two for mine, and that included the repair of a "substantial" hernia.

I'm only two months out from surgery, but I have said it in my mind that carbs are the enemy, and I work very hard to avoid them. I am hoping that two years out I will still feel the same way. Maybe it's a kind of brainwashing to sit there and tell yourself that carbs are evil, but that's what I have to do. I focus on my Protein intake. Last night, I hit my local Korean market and bought a salmon head. Don't gag, they are actually loaded with meat. I steamed it with pink salt and some sliced fresh ginger, for about 20 minutes, and then had about 2 to 3 ounces of it, and let my daughter have the rest. It is a cheap, easy, way to get lots of soft and easy protein.

I had uni the other day, and thought I had died and gone to heaven. It was perfect. I just ordered a plate of sashimi.

I can't handle white meat chicken, but dark meat works out just fine. It doesn't lose all that lovely moisture when you chew it into a paste before you swallow it.

I have not had acid reflux in the almost 4 weeks since my RNY surgery. I so do not miss it. This is such a blessing for me.

My three weeks will be Thursday. It sure sneaks up on you fast, doesn't it? My email is sumaireweb@outlook.com, if you care to chat.

Nice to see some active locals. :-)