Moogle
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Everything posted by Moogle
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Any Newbies in Maryland ?
Moogle replied to BeautifulSharifah's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had my bypass on June 9th in Silver Spring (Holy Cross). Just moved to St. Mary's County from PG County for school. Even though I'm a Kaiser patient, I was pretty impressed with what was offered at Holy Cross. My team always seems to be on top of things and they are a bit strict which is good. -
Finally completely moved into my new apartment. Still have to unpack but that is a completely different beast. Classes have already started. On the plus side, I didn't weigh myself for nearly a week because my scale was at the old place (intentional) and I ended up dropping 10lbs this week. Guessing all these stairs up and down from the 3rd floor had a bit to do with that.
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chicken is like the only solid that I can really tolerate and enjoy. Unless it is deli meat chicken. That stuff makes me feel awful (guessing it is the extra salt/preservatives?) I'm about to hit 3 months post-op on the 9th. I just take it slow and chew very thoroughly. I have noticed a few "quirks" when it comes to chicken and me, though. One, I have to cook fresh breasts. If they were in the freezer they come out drier and my body doesn't like it. Exception is if I put them in the crock pot. Same with the microwave. I only cook what my husband and I need every night because reheating food makes me sick. I always butterfly the skinless breasts because they cook quicker and I don't end up drying it out. I tried doing stuffed breasts in the oven with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil but it got too dry and I got sick. I always have some sort of sauce with my chicken, too. I keep bottles of salsa, chimichurri (use it sparingly), tomato sauce.. things like that in the fridge. Helps it go down easier.
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@@marchmellow Yes and no. While I haven't had any new abscesses in a while I have had complications with one that is leading to me having yet another surgery sometime in the next two months. I think it is a combo of the weight loss and not having a cycle due to my bc that is leading to it. The thing under my arm from before surgery still hasn't healed. It has been growing granulation tissue. The doctor uses silver nitrate but it keeps coming back. It's gone from the size of a pencil eraser to a good 3/4 inch wide. She wants to do surgery on there to "scoop" the whole area out. They won't prescribe me anything for it. I love KP but they can be so cheap with medications sometimes (seriously, I have a Platinum plan and they only cover one type of basal and fast-acting insulin pens).
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How can i take omeprazole?
Moogle replied to JosieR's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The liquid omeprazole was rough. Only way I could get it down (it seriously made me gag) was to take half a dose and chase it with a sip of crystal light, wait a few minutes and then do the other half. Once I could handle a little more liquid at a time I would do the whole thing at once with the "chaser". The day I got moved to pills I switched from liquid and haven't looked back. Sorry I can't give you any advice on the other medicine. -
For the first two weeks I got a package of small 1 ounce medicine cups (like $5 on Amazon). I set an alarm on my phone for every 15 minutes so it would remind me to drink my protein shake or water / Crystal Light. At this rate I had to drink constantly to get to the total of 64 ounces. (4 ounces per hour = 16 hours) The only time I wouldn't be doing this was when I was sleeping. I also had to be especially cognizant of not sleeping in too much. It was rough, but it kept me hydrated until I could handle my liquids a little better. The cups also helped me visualize what I was drinking, and made sure I got the right amount each time.
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Why are so many stages different?
Moogle replied to ChunkyMonkeyGoneSlim's topic in Food and Nutrition
First week - liquids / Jello / popsicles / Protein shakes 1-4 - Above + Egg Drop Soup 4-8 - Above + Seafood (except shrimp) / cheese / Tofu 8-15 - Above + Poultry / Non-starchy vegetables 15+ - We'll see when I get there. I'm not allowed any carbs. No crackers, no toast. When I want something crunchy and salty I make my own cheese crisps in the oven (which were allowed in week 4). At first I got frustrated because I thought mine was restrictive, but my team knows what is best. I'm down 52lbs in 10 weeks between the pre-op diet and surgery. I can't complain. I am thankful that I didn't have to do a puree stage. The idea of that makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little. Well, except for ricotta bake. I did have that a few times in my third stage! -
@@KristenLe It actually grew back on its own after a year or so. Well, enough of it, at least. I have huge patches on my arms and legs that never came back. My part is extra-wide and like I said earlier, a lot of the hair is thin on the top of my head. It never came back, which I am thankful for.
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I've been through hair loss before, but for a different reason. When I was in high school I had alopecia. I lost about 50% of my hair, mostly on my crown. My hair used to be so thick, wavy and constantly frizzy. What grew back was so much thinner and manageable. I still have areas up there where the hair is crazy thin and if my hair gets greasy at all it looks like a comb-over. I am worried, though, about going through this again, but I don't think it will be as bad emotionally as when I was 16. I just hope it all grows back okay. The thing that makes me saddest is I have been growing my hair out for years now, but I think I'm going to cut it as soon as I see the loss happening again.
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Had a bit of a scare this morning. Woke up and immediately could tell my sugars were low. Checked it - 41. I have never seen it do that before. 3 glucose tablets later and I was back up to 80. I was completely freaked out over it. My doctor is out of town for at least another week so hopefully I can find someone in the office tomorrow.
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My carbs have been staying steady. I stick at around 15-20 carbs a day. I think my insulin is just way too high for those numbers (50 units of Humalin) still and my doctor has been lowering it way too slowly. I didn't get much sleep last night so took a bit of a nap. Woke up in a dripping sweat. Came out and it was back down to 39. With all the tablets I had to consume today I am well over my target so now I'm worried about setting off a chain reaction. Either way, my doctor's office is getting a phone call first thing tomorrow morning.
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I am also insulin dependent. Was taking Levemir 80 units morning & evening, 20 units Novolog with each meal and 1000mg metformin twice daily. I found that once I got down to 15-20g carbs per day that any insulin is too much for me. My diabetes specialist and I agreed beforehand that as long as my glucose is less than 180, no insulin.
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Take away the pumpkin spice and you might have me. Lol. I have never been a fan of it. I do miss coffee, though.
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Oranges 1 month pre-op
Moogle replied to Elizabethb36's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My doctor won't let me have any fruit, not even applesauce, at 8 weeks post-op. Hoping something gets introduced at my next appointment (15 weeks). I could kill someone for a bite of cantaloupe right now, but I can wait. -
Oh man this move is killing me. Carrying boxes in 90+ degree heat up to a third floor apartment may not be fun, but I think it is going to have some positive effects on me in the long run. Trying to increase my fluid intake because of this, as well.
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Did anyone NOT have a miserable recovery?
Moogle replied to ella37's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had zero complications. I only needed my pain meds for a few days before I felt great. Not being able to sleep on my side for a week due to the drain was irritating, but not the end of the world. I have not thrown up once since my surgery June 9th. The most miserable thing for me was being limited to liquids for 3 weeks, with the addition of cheese for an additional 4 weeks. But then I remembered that this was my choice, and if I don't follow the guidelines given to me by my team I am not going to be successful and that is more important than making a potentially bad choice. -
Kaiser - Approval - Required Courses
Moogle replied to MissKate's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I took them all. I have no regrets. There was a LOT of good information in the classes for me. In fact, because I was honest with them (which was the right thing to do) and admitted to still drinking Diet Pepsi occasionally they made me wait another month before they sent me in for approval. I was angry, but it was my own fault for not getting that crap out of my system. I honestly would take them again. I researched the surgery for years before finally getting an insurance company that would pay for it. -
I wonder how much longer will I be DIABETIC.
Moogle replied to Mudgy6's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Before my surgery, I was taking 1000mg of Metformin 2x a day, 35 units of Humalin 2x a day and 25 units of Humalog 3x a day. Immediately after my surgery, my doctor pulled the Metformin and Humalog. I've had to lower my Humalin to 30 a few weeks ago after getting too many lows. The numbers are starting to dip again so I think it will need to be adjusted soon. Most mornings I wake up with numbers from 70-90. The highest number I've seen has been post-meal at 110. I am very happy with these developments. -
This may sound petty, but I am a little annoyed that I haven't seen my surgeon since my June 9th surgical date. It is always her assistant. Now I find out she is leaving and will be long gone by my next appointment.
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Maryland, a 10 minute walk from DC, but moving to Lexington Park, MD this month.
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7 week follow-up went great! I can have chicken and veggies again. Real food!
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I have Kaiser. It took me about 16 months from the date I asked my doctor for a referral to my surgical date. I had to do two seminars where people asked the same questions over and over and over. I did one small group meeting before starting my work with the nutritionist. My nutritionist told me I would not be approved after 6 months because I was still drinking Diet Pepsi. Eliminated that and got approved the following month. It seemed to take forever to get the surgical consult (a few months). I had to have a sleep study, mental health evaluation, endoscopy and an H. Pylori test. Everything got delayed another several because my A1C was too high. Once I got that reigned in I waited another two months to get scheduled (which was 2 months from that point). I was worried that they would kick me out because I gained some weight back with new birth control and an insulin switch. All in all, the whole process took from Feb 2015 to June 2016. I could have probably shaved a few months off, but the timing worked out great for me because it was right after the spring semester ended.
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I don't have the Mirena, but I've experienced similar things with my Nexplanon (arm implant). I had it put in early February and have not had a period (or spotting) from insertion date to surgery date. The night after my surgery I started this weird half-period thing. I spotted, but not enough to wear anything, it was just there when I peed or wiped. That lasted about 4-5 days and hasn't come back since.
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My 7 week post-op follow-up is Monday. Hoping for good news. While the number on the scale is creeping down slowly now, inches are just falling off of me.
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How Did You Choose Your Surgeon?
Moogle replied to Alex Brecher's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
My story is not exciting at all. I was given two options for surgeons at the same hospital by my insurance. Both of them seemed friendly and incredibly reputable. I ended up picking one over the other because one had a very long waiting list compared to the other because he did surgeries at other hospitals. I know that was not the best way to choose, but I really thought both of the surgeons were good options. -
Miralax and me did not mix too well. I had difficulty getting it down. At my four week follow-up I brought the issue back up and they switched me to Colace - I take 400mg daily now. Going every other day, which is so much better than the once a week before. I buy it generic at Costco in a large container.
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Tried on some new clothes for the first time since my surgery - 6 weeks out today and have gone from 22/24 (sometimes 26/28) to a very comfortable 18/20. Woohoo! And yes, I did buy a few cute things on clearance. :3
