LisaMergs

I'm easy ( yeah yeah that's what he said) Give me big ole dip cone and I'm happy. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Like this.......???? Bamsucka !!!!!! Bamsucka back at ya!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ugh. How do we share vids??

I should add to the above post that the rest of my body was all aches and pains before my dx, as well, but since my life was literally my hands, I just chalked it up to turning 40.... Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Living my life sister. I practiced dentistry for almost 20 years before I got diagnosed. Likely, the year or so prior to the RA hitting full force, I was brewing. My hands were constantly aching, not a true pain like I would come to know. Before procedures, I would have my assistant massage my hands. (She was also a nail tech and was really good at it and didn't mind!) The last patient I saw, I was about to give him an anesthetic injection. As I was inserting the needle, my hand LITERALLY contorted, and I ended up sticking the needle into his lip. Ummmm. NOT a good thing to do. Being a good clinician, I reminded him to not move when I'm giving him a shot, said we needed to reschedule, and made an appointment with my hand surgeon for the next day. I'd had hand surgery about 10 years prior to remove a cyst. He was the one who sent me to the rheumy, blood work, and had a dx within 2 weeks. RF, CRP, sed rate all through the roof. Haven't been in the dental operatory as a practitioner since I feel READY to go back to work, but fear keeps me from it. Even though I've been symptom free since surgery, I can't help but wonder how long it will last? Will I be with a patient when it decides to rear its ugly head again? Too many what ifs at this point for me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

When your surgeon moved you to real foods, he/she absolutely meant all the gooey, cheesy, fatty, greasy, creamy, rich, carb laden crap you could handle. Have at it! Absolutely! I eat those things every single day but listen could you tell me why Im stalling? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

^^^. That. Totally on point. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's it!!! I'm headed to Taco Bell!!!! Of course, KNOWING BETTER, I'm only getting ONE Taco Bell grande. And maybe a mexi-melt. Ooh!!! How about those nachos??? Those look yummy!!! Not. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh. Consider being on-even low dose- pred the reason you're not getting those last few off. It's the best worst drug on the market. Period. If you were taking the methotrexate in pill form, I'd suggest going to the shots. They work much better. Another option would be Plaquenil. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Heck. Being called a loser in this forum is almost like being knelt before!!!! Congrats! Well done! Looking fine!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Gorgeous!!! YOU and the pics. Congrats! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ok. I'm in the boys room- sorry- but perhaps at your final meeting, you could mention to the session leader that you're going to be doing this alone? Then they could sort of announce to the entire group of anyone is going through the process without help, a buddy system may be available. Without pointing out who is doing this by themselves, maybe he could hook you and a buddy up- and you can help each other. Did I make sense here trying to explain what I mean? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I like you. You're chipper. Lol. Welcome!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well, today I have a thousand and one errands to run, and I've been out for 4 hours already. Huge mistake? Didn't pack anything for breakfast! Seriously, what was I thinking? I'm sitting in my car, in a McDonalds parking lot as I type this. My stomach was literally in pain (that is what hunger feels like to me now) and that is ALWAYS a bad sign, because once that happens, it seems to stay painful all day, even after I feed it. And feeding it when it feels this way hurts, too. That's my reality. There is NOTHING around for me to get a healthy option- and my tummy is very Picky... Soooo. Drive through it was. Ordered the single, small sausage Breakfast burrito. Then proceeded to unwrap it, and eat the insides - mostly, happily!, scrambled eggs, some cooked bell peppers, and oh yeah, may have found a tiny chunk of sausage in a couple places. I was beating myself up for this the entire time I'm eating. So, did a Google search- and while the fat content isn't LOW, I think for the circumstances, and the fact that it's a one time thing, I didn't do too badly. What do you guys "beat" yourselves up for, nutritionally speaking? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I take 2 chewable flintstone Vitamins every day, 3 calcium daily ( one each meal) Vit D, C and B's hair is half as thick as it was- but fortunately I had twice as much as most. I'm the only one who notices- so far. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I consider myself an expert when it comes to autoimmune rheumatic diseases. First- let's talk your prednisone: See an endocrinologist. Pronto. I was taking 60 mg of pred a day for years. There was no weaning off, because any time I got down to 20-25mg, I literally could not function. In any capacity. Enter the endocrinologist. Because the prednisone does just as much (if not more!) damage than good, my adrenal function was gone, I had prednisone induced glaucoma as well as prednisone induced diabetes. I needed off the meds ASAP. She prescribed me ORAL hydrocortisone. It mimics- and tricks- your body into believing it is prednisone, and is MUCH easier to wean off of than the prednisone. It took a total of 2.5 months vs over a year or longer if it were the prednisone. Do this. Again, ASAP. Ask for it. Second- methotrexate, either by pill or injection: pills made me sick, puking, typical chemo side effects. The shots did not, and they actually work much more effectively than the pills, so if given a choice, it is a once a week teeny tiny needle. Side effects- don't bother paying attention to them. The benefits far outweigh any possible adverse effects. You will need regular blood work to monitor your liver enzymes. Again, I have been on a very high dosage, so mine were often screwy. Third: I can't imagine any surgeon doing WLS or ANY elective surgery while you are on either of these meds. I had to "wash out" before I could have my surgery, meaning get all traces of the meds out of my blood system and stored reserves. Both drugs make you more susceptible to infection and the prednisone especially makes healing hard. And keeps weight on. Again- seeing an endocrinologist will get you off the pred by using oral hydrocortisone pills. Usually PMR goes away after a year or so. I wonder if you don't have true rheumatoid arthritis? The tests- a sed rate and C-reactive Protein screen are used for PMR as well as other autoimmune arthritis diagnosis. Just a thought. So- don't worry about side effects of the methotrexate and get off the pred!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Other meds you take can screw with your liver enzymes. Hell- chemo for the RA gave me the liver of an alcoholic without even drinking. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's just the thing- it was anecdotal findings. A bunch of surgeons and rheumatologists noticed that individuals with autoimmune diseases were showing fewer and fewer signs and symptoms of their diseases. Believe me, there will be more research into this. As I stated- I don't care what the modality of change was/is- I'll take it!!! I haven't had but a handful of pretzels over the last couple of months. So really, no gluten here either. As for Cymbalta- I was given that for an off-label symptom of the RA- peripheral neuropathy. I'm weaning off now. No need!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Tanette- The best thing you can do is call BCBS and speak to someone there. The company you work for determines how much of what they will pay for when they negotiate a contract with an insurance company. What one person with BCBS receives for benefits may not be the same for another who works for a different company. It's comparing apples to oranges. Asking everyone here the specifics of their experience means nothing to your situation. Only what coverage YOU have matters- and that can be found by contacting your provider and insurance company. If I recall, you have not seen the surgeon yet? ( forgive me if I'm mistaken). You need to call BCBS of they are your insurance carrier and then you will have the answers you are looking for today. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I will tell you- all I had to do was tell my doc which diets, etc I'd done in the past. Never once was I asked for proof from WW or JC etc. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Welcome! Your provider will know. All ANY insurance company will tell you is they follow the BCBSIL guidelines. The provider has dealt with them in the past- the company- and can tell you at your first appt what to expect / need for approval. Are you IN Illinois? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

They're not going to reschedule you. Anyone who says differently is wrong. Period. When the pre-op diet starts, follow it. If you don't have one, even better for you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oooh, this just made me think of American Girl by Tom Petty! That was almost my choice! But I love Natalie Merchant, and that song "These Are Days" when she was still with 10,000 Maniacs is perfect for me now- These are days you'll remember. Never before and never since, I promise, will the whole world be warm as this. And as you feel it, you'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky. It's true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just sip tiny bits at a time- like a medicine cup worth. That's about 2 tbs. total. May take you a few sips with breaks in between to get it. You're still recovering, and little by little you will be able to drink more at once. These first 4-5 days are the hardest. Just be careful not to dehydrate. Also, try some chicken broth. Warm stuff felt really good in my pouch immediately post op. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App