RoachBug

Clicked on my profile and got a laugh. I put up a few pics the other day (one my daughter picked out). Did not realize that the last loaded pic would show up as my Before/After pic. O' vell.

Well happy almost B-Day Heather!

You are only a few days out of surgery. I was in the hospital myself for 3 days before coming home, to find out that I had gained a few pounds. From what I have read, a large majority of people were in the same boat. After surgery you were most likely being pumped full of fluids. You have just had a major surgery and your body is dealing with a lot at this point. The Fluid retention will go down soon. I saw the first weight loss about 4 days after returning home (on top of the Water weight gained).

Went to the Bahamas a few months ago. I checked with Verizon prior to going, they had "special cheaper plans for international cruise ships", it was outrageous. You get billed boocoo for all incomming, outgoing, and voicemail. I left the phone on Airplane mode while out to sea and just kept in touch through Facebook, texting, via the free on-board wifi. Heck if you have free wifi and FB, I am pretty sure they even have calling/video calling through Messenger.

Not the best of pics but here we go... July 2010 304lbs May 26th, 2016 285lbs (night before surgery) 09/29/16 213lbs *28 more to go!* (my daughter said the last one is my best)

​Bah! I will figure how to post correctly if it kills me.

Got the Flu and Pnemonia shots last week. Came down with the flu the next day, I have awesome luck. I know that the shots are a non-active version of the latest predicted virus (didn't cause it). I was lucky enough to be incubating the rotten bastard of a bug at the time I got the shots.

Have chewed gum and used a straw since day 1. Well the straw at least, gum shortly after. My surgeon did not have a problem with either. He did warn against swallowing the gum though.

I am a shorts person (least I was) but it is getting chilly in the mornings if I have running to do. I went to the closet for the trusty Levis, found 2 pair of 44x30 (loose fit) and 1 42x20 (loose fit). Tried the 42's and they looked rediculous, so I threw on the stand by Nike sweats. The sweats are 2xl, which is way too big, but I will give sweats a little (or a lot) of leeway. Headed to the mall and picked up a pair of Levi 501's 33x30. Even though the 32's were too snug for comfort, I was more than happy to actually be in a pair of 33's. A normal pair of 501 button fly's, nice not to have to be stuck with the "loose or comfort fit".

Ran into the same problem on my final visit with the surgeon (was supposed to be scheduled for surgery). I was upset being that the test which they were going off of, had been taken over a month prior. My A1C was at 10.2, I was advised that it needed to be below 7 prior to surgery. I was started off on a low dose of insulin (1x day), in addition to the Glyburide and Metformin I had been taking. My blood sugar dropped from the mid to high 100's to around 120 almost immediately. I was afraid that my surgery would be pushed back at least 3 months (A1C gives a measure of past 3 months), to give time for the count to come down to the needed level. The doctor advised me that there was a older test, which the A1C replaced, that would give a accurate current result after a month. When I returned for the follow up test 4 weeks latter, the level had dropped to 6. I was scheduled for surgery a week latter. I continued on my meds and insulin untill the day prior to surgery, at which point my dosage of insulin was cut in half. Have not had to use the insulin since that time. When I was sent home after a 3 day stay in the hospital (have issues with my heart), I was told that I could continue the Metformin and Glyburide and insulin if my tests became to high. I lasted 2 days on the pills only, my blood sugar levels were dropping way too low. I have not taken any meds or insulin since that time. I still check my blood sugar levels on a regular basis. I average between 85 and 110, depending on the diet. It will be interesting to see what the A1C lat my 6 month follow up tests.

I LOVED the buffets in Vegas. There will be a plethora of things you could choose from. That being said, there is no way that I would ever pay Vegas prices for a buffet again, there is no way it would be worth the small amount I can eat. I would, however, take the money ($60) and treat yourself to some fine dining instead. Vegas has a great selection of fine quality dining available (steak, seafood...).

Had surgery on 5/27/16. I had given up my diet pop about a year prior, switched over to Powerade Zero or sugar free sweeteners. Still like my PowerAde Zero and the Water sweeteners (lemonade is my go to) but the ole taste buds have changed a bit. For whatever reason since surgery, at times I will get a strange taste when drinking either (almost a egg like taste). When this happens I will take a break from drinking, it's always gone a short time latter. As for foods, I have always loved spicy/hot dishes and still do. My recent favorite is Crack Slaw, made with extra Siriachia, jalepenos, and Sweet-n-Low.

Only after first finishing your required liquids with a straw.

Did a ton of Egg Drop Soup during that phase. Felt I owed it to the local chinese restaurant, being that I had been a frequent flier (hehe!)>

Meal wise, have a couple that I have made of late. Favorite by far is Crack Slaw, threw in a couple japelenos, extra siriachi, and sweetened with 3 packetts of Sweet and Low (otherwise followed directions). I love it by itself or wrapped lettuce. My daughter actually likes it as main ingrediant for either tacos or burritos. Definately low carb/high protien. The other one I like is lasagna, made with sliced eggplant. The trickis to bake the eggplant slices first, before using for layering. Tried the zuchini lasagna recipe first but didn'tt care for it, switched out with eggplant and love it.

One of the other requirements I know I had from UHC was the psychiatric appt./approval

Nice, glad it was knocked down from 6 to 3. One less hoop for you to jump through. Now it will just be a matter of your programs requirements.

Went thru OSU just down the road. I also have Med Mutual Supermed Plus thru OPERS. I contacted them prior to contacting the doc, to see what exactly I needed to do. I was given a checklist. I met the BMI and co-morbities, to proceed. I was told that I would have to have 6 consecutive month visits with a physcian, whom would supervise a weight loss diet. The rest will depend on the program you are going thru. OSU required numerous tests, blood work, visits to a nutritionist, 4 weekly pre-op group meetings (you will actually learn a lot at these), sleep study, ect. On the plus side, I actually was approved prior to my last scheduled visit with the surgeon.

Prior to surgery I was taking Metformin, Glyburide, and a low dose of insulin. I had only been on the insulin for about a month and a half, in order to help bring down the A1C. Prior to the insulin, test were norm in the high 100's, after starting they averaged between 110-125. Took a half dose of insulin the day before surgery, have not had any since. I was cleared to take the Glyburide and Metformin when I was sent home, however, blood sugar was dropping too low. I did tests frequently and after the first few days, stopped the Metformin and Glyburide altogether. I still check my blood sugar daily, range between 85 and 100 with no diabetes meds.

As for a lil' background info, my heart suckeths. Had first heart attack at 37 (stents), artery RCA collapsed 2 of the stents (more stents), Internal Cardiac Device implanted (ICD pacemaker/defibulator), forced to retire (was a Deputy Sheriff), second heart attack at 39 (more stents), umpteen caths (and a few more stents). Been on the list for a transplant for some time. Decided on the Gastric Sleeve after my Heart Failure Specialist said that loosing weight would help me move up on the list, in addition to numerous other benefits. Had the procedure on 05/26/16, in total down 82lbs. so far. Have been using my nitro quite a bit more the past few months, seems to go in cycles. My doc advised that I had not had a cath since 2014, and felt it best that they go in a check. All my previous stent placements had been in the RCA (which is pretty much a solid line of stents by this time). They found 2 additional blockages in different areas this time (2 more stents). Now for the NSV part... I have several tats. Two different nurses commented on the tats and said that they thought they recognized them (the John Lennon one in particular). When I told them that I was a frequent flier at OSU, both asked if I had lost quite a bit of weight. Same thing happened in the Cath Lab prior to surgery with two different surgeons. This in addition to the fact that the nurse whom gave me the obligatory belly button to knee shave being cute, definitely brightened my stay. Back home today and watching OSU and BG.