BettyG

I was just researching high-Protein, gluten-free flours and found this great list: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/gluten-free-flours-that-are-high-in-protein/ Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App Ooo, and I've been using this high-protein, gluten-free baking mix for years and I LOVE it! I can have pancakes and still meet my protein goals -- who knew? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EKM3NEE/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_qqtrybASBKWG5

I would think that if you are approved for regular food, no reason to not cook with almond and coconut flour. They are just ground up nuts -- easier to digest that way and higher in Protein / lower in carbs. Win-win! I use both flours often. I also recommend tigernut flour -- it's made from a starchy root vegetable and is a great gluten-free option. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

This is a *brilliant* idea! My surgery will be in 2017 -- PLEASE keep posting this calendar each month to facilitate surgery buddies for future months too? (And congrats to all the December folks!) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I really wrestled with this too. I told my immediate family, but not my extended family or friends. It's a bit of a process to explain to people who don't get it. And I am well aware of the misperceptions about bariatric surgery as I used to hold some myself long ago (*blush*). My only experience for a long time was negative comments from people. For those around me who will discover that I had major abdominal surgery that I am recovering from...I might choose to just say "I had a hernia repaired" (which is true, my hiatal hernia will be fixed as part of my rny). I am not trying to hide my surgery, per se. Just be selective about who I tell and when. I need supportive people right now. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

You look amazing!! Congrats on your success. It makes me smile to see your transformation! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@Autumn. Glad that you are past your stall and losing again. Lack of sufficient Water does inhibit weight loss: "Your metabolism breaks down the food you eat into energy, and your kidneys use water to help process toxins from what you eat and drink for excretion. If you do not drink enough water, your liver is recruited to help process the toxins. Your liver normally converts stored fat into energy, but if it is needed to help process toxins from the dehydrated kidneys, your liver cannot break down fat in your body." When we get enough water, it frees up our body to break down the fat in our fat cells (which is a biological process that takes some effort). That's why water is part of our post-op "prescription" along with the Protein and Vitamin etc. requirements :-) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Congrats! Wishing you a speedy recovery! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Our bodies are smart: If our diet is low in certain nutrients, Vitamins, amino acids, Protein, etc. then our body prioritized vital systems such as internal organs to receive those nutrients. hair and nails are lowest on the totem pole, so they are the first to show the effects of malnutrition. It's ironic that we as a population are both obese and malnourished at the same time, but it's because so many carb-sugar-fatty-processed foods are empty calories and/or have chemicals that interfere with nutrient absorption. And partly because modern farming techniques have depleted the soil to the point where scientists record only a fraction of the nutrients in our fruits/vegetables today as there were 50-75 years ago). Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Ive burped up some pretty weird tastes and smells in my life, but nothing anywhere near chlorine. Sorry. :-/ Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Just placed my order -- yay! Can't wait till it gets here. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi CTGirl, I'm glad to hear that the 6-quart size can fit 2 dozen eggs! But I'm amazed that it only takes one cup of Water to hard-boil 2 dozen eggs. Does it steam them instead of boil them?? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Instant Pot owners: I have an important question. Which size should I buy to boil 2 dozen eggs? We are considering the IPDUO-60 (6-quart size) which is on sale for $89 currently on Amazon. But maybe we need the IPDUO-80 (8-quart size) instead? I downloaded the pdf manual for the IPDUO-60 but couldn't find any instructions for hard-boiled eggs. Help! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

That's odd. I was told I could not drive until cleared by my surgeon, I think it was about 5 weeks. Apparently it takes weeks for the general anesthesia to completely work it's way out of your body and until it does, you could still have random moments of dizziness or excessive sleepiness without warning. Fun fact: Any legal documents signed within a few weeks after general anesthesia are null and void for the same reason as the prohibition against driving/operating machinery. But if your surgeon said one week....maybe there is a new cutting-edge general anesthesia that has shorter half life? IDK Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

What wonderful feedback! You are getting me excited. I also look forward to fitting into chairs again. Not having chairs/couches cut off the circulation in the back of my thighs. I miss shopping at Eddie Bauer...can't wait to do that again! I look forward to finally taking that paragliding lesson that I've wanted to... And one word come summer: SHORTS! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Oh hey, I found a sticky topic in the general weight loss forum that links to a surgery checklist. You might find it helpful! The Official What You Will Need For Your Upcoming Weightloss Surgery Thread! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/181994-The-Official-What-You-Will-Need-For-Your-Upcoming-Weightloss-Surgery-Thread%21 Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Good luck to you! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

If your boyfriend can only be home with you for 2 days, it wouldn't be a bad idea to line up a friend or relative that you can call on if you need help during the day such as picking up prescription or taking you to follow-up appointment. You won't be able to drive for a few weeks (takes a while for general anesthesia to get out of your system) so expect to be housebound or get a ride with Uber or a friend. I also did a test run with ordering groceries delivered. I'm sure you'll do great and recover quickly -- best of luck to you! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Dear OP, I had guilt for a long time too. It took a while for me to accept that obesity is a disease. I was ashamed of my size. Embarrassed by my lack of self control. I saw myself eating larger portions than skinny people and hated myself for it. I didn't realize the biological factors, such as how the body defaults to maintaining weight so I had 300-lb hunger that my 150-lb friends had never experienced. I don't think that overeating or being slightly overweight is a disease, but obesity is. And to the people who just say "put down your fork and go to the gym" I reply with this: "That is like telling an anorexic who has been battling their disease for decades to the point of almost death that they should just 'eat more and exercise less' -- clearly there is more to the problem." (Otherwise... alert the media: I just cured anorexia! LOL) I think that the development of obesity is a complex combination of genetics, upbringing, environment, and triggers. I accept personal responsibility for poor choices at the outset that set me down this path. But I also know that I have done 100% best effort to fix this on my own and I need help (I counted calories and exercised and worked with a nutritionist and lost 91 lbs back in 2012-2013.... but since then I gained when I was put on a certain medicine, then when I underwent trauma, and then again during a period of horrific stress...but when I was losing I devoted my life to the endeavor and gave it my all...it was heartbreaking for me that despite losing 91 lbs I still was in the Obese 2 category....and now I gained 60 lbs of it back). Just like alcoholism or an eating disorder like anorexia, the causes are complex and the recovery takes dedicated effort. That is why insurance and the clinic requires us to meet with a psychologist and take classes and work with nutritionists and why we need to find a support group and a community such as here on BariatricPal -- we have the best chance of success which a support system to help us learn new skills, recover from obesity, and maintain our success. I think that I will always be an "obesiac" -- just like someone who is 20 years sober is still an "alcoholic" and still goes to meetings and doesn't take their sobriety for granted.... I need to learn to find comfort outside of food and develop and maintain healthy habits for a lifetime. That might be easy at times and challenging at times of stress or upheaval, but I have faith that after I have my bypass and with the support of my friends, I can succeed. And I feel very proud of that. :-) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Wow moving right after surgery -- I can't imagine! Sorry I don't have any brilliant ideas. I have sometimes been reduced to walking a path around my living/dining rooms 50-60 times, LOL. My cats like to follow me around when i do that so guess they got some exercise too, LOL Kudos on your view of the Olympic mountains! I'm a bit jealous although I love our great view of Tiger mountain. :-) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

That was great -- I read it and bookmarked for reference. Thank you for sharing! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi Vipervixen, I moved from Seattle to Issaquah a few months ago. I'm lucky that I'm in a big apartment building with long, carpeted hallways, so that's where I plan to start walking after my surgery. I haven't had my bypass yet but I've had 3 previous abdominal surgeries so I know how important it is to keep moving every day. After my last surgery I used my Jawbone UP to track my steps. It's nice to have a goal and see yourself working up to more and more steps each day. The first couple weeks are hard. Takes weeks for the general anesthesia to completely leave your system and your body wants to spend most of it's energy on healing. Walking is the best cure for cabin fever. I remember getting stir crazy too, LOL. My husband or mother-in-law would drive me to a park a few blocks away once a day so I could walk outside. Good luck and hope you heal quickly! :-) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@@jcee21 Hi! I live near Bellevue (Issaquah) and I'd be glad to be surgery buddies. Ive also just made up my mind to get surgery in 2017. Maybe I'll come to the seminar in Bellevue. . I'll send you a private message too. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Wow, for the first time I really understand now. I just showed this to my husband too. Thank you for posting this video!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Mystery solved...Thank You!!!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I'm so encouraged by your post -- thank you for sharing! I am same height and very similar stats and body shape as you. When I got down to 234 a few years ago, my body looked very similar to yours at 220. I w=couldn't get below 234 and couldn't keep the weight off..so now I plan to get a bypass. I would be thrilled to get to 220 and maintain it! Or even lower of course. Thanks for sharing your pics Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App