120Cassy
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Everything posted by 120Cassy
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Ugh! Food at this stage is so difficult. I know I will be still losing but I'm a bit confused on how many calories I should be eating. So now I'm waiting for my nutrition appointment. I keep dumping intermittently and I think at this point I might as just well eat one food at a time instead of putting a variety on small plate. I never know what causes it. So yeah...
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So my PCP yesterday told me to not see the Bariatric nutritionist anymore because they tend to up-sell you stuff you don't need, and tell you to eat stuff that may cause you to regain the weight. He then proceeded to tell me to of course continue to see my surgeon, but he will also be monitoring my vitamin levels. He also prescribed me multivitamins that are covered by my insurance called Tab-A-Vite. Has anyone heard of this vitamin? Is anyone using this? I told him i'm taking the Bariatric Advantage multivitamin Ea and he said sometimes those over the counter vitamins add things unnecessarily for filler that will offer you no benefit, but that the vitamins he is prescribing is an actual pharmaceutical grade multiple vitamin with everything including iron in it. He told me to continue taking the calcium though. He didn't tell me to stop taking the Bariatric Advantage multivitamin. He just said that Bariatric patients have to take vitamins for the rest of their lives, but everyone should. He also hinted at the ridiculous price tag for filler vitamins that may or may not work. I don't think there is any harm in trying my PCP prescribed vitamin. I say this, because when I went to him yesterday; I came with information regarding a change of vitamins promotion by the nutritionist in my Bariatric program. She seemed hesitant on offering it to me (maybe a bit guilty?) She was talking about a B12 nasal spray that if approved also sends me calcium tablets and multivitamin tablets along with this plan, but I need prior authorization from my insurance company. When I told my doctor he outright said "No". I asked him why and he gave me the explanation I started this status with. Hmm...I don't know but I feel some kind of way.
My PCP doctor is a very personable person, and he actually cares about me. I know this because I've had several past doctors, who just treated me like a number, but he actually sits and has conversations with me about life and how I can get a handle on my health; especially before I had the bariatric surgery. I don't know what the nutritionist in my surgeons office is getting at, but I knew I wasn't going to return after she said "Come back in a month so we can do your blood work, and then after that you have to pay to see me and we can get a handle on things" and I said to her "um...pay? I thought my insurance covers these visits" to that, she then replies " only the first 2 visits after you had the bariatric surgery". So i'm basically like "oh", and thinking to myself, she must be crazy because I will not see a nutritionist outside of my coverage to tell me things that I already know. Yeah, I'll stick to my PCP and health insurance covered nutritionist... thanks but no thanks.
Anyhoo, sorry to be rambling. The question of the day: Is anyone else taking Tab-A-Vite prescribed by their PCP?
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So, today I changed my goal weight to 10 lbs higher than it was before. But ,I honestly don't know what my goal weight should be. If I base it off the BMI scale it should be between 125lbs and 140lbs based on my height and frame. The lowest recorded weight in my adult years after losing weight from being over 200lbs was 168lbs. I was still very overweight, people who weren't use to me being thin thought I was skinny- but I wasn't. I was just smaller than what they were use to seeing on me. I added the 10lbs because 125lbs I realize is my fantasy weight and I'm only thinking of it without the added weight of the muscle I want to eventually build. So maybe 135lbs is a good weight for me to look and feel how I want? Ok, so here is what I am going for: I don't want to be fat. I want to be light and unbothered by possibly being overweight if I gain 10lbs. I don't want to be on the high end of my weight scale. I prefer to be on the lower end. I'm not looking to be boobalicious, bootylicious, or anything. I will lift weights and stair master the hell out of my body to get the muscular fit look I want. I also do not want to be sickly looking. As of now I don't even know how to count my success at my surgery. I am 22 days post op and down almost 20lbs... almost. I was 219.8 on the day of surgery and as of today on a (hopefully accurate) Sunbeam analog home scale I weighed 201.5lbs. I don't know if I am properly doing my puree stage. I eat mozzarella string cheese rolled up with prosciutto because it makes me feel better. I wasn't feeling good at all with just broths and soups. So I think I might've advanced myself. My surgeon said it was okay and everyone is different so I don't know why I keep comparing myself to others. I think its because I feel I'm overeating. Although I'm counting my protein, calories, etc on Myfitnesspal; I barely reach 1000 calories in a day, but I'm so used to feeling stuffed by overeating and thats how it feels when I stuff my pouch with protein and or water. I haven't figured out my pouch ounce gauge and I tend to drink liquids to excess, as if I can. Ugh....I need work on this- I know. Portion size estimation is my weakness and I now know this. I have to now measure everything, but I keep forgetting when taking up my food. Thankfully I have a follow up NUT appointment soon to discuss these issues I'm having regarding portion size. I will also discuss goal weight with my surgeon or nurse practitioner so I can have a semi clearly defined goal for myself. This is more soul searching than I thought it would be. Thank goodness I have a bariatric therapist to discuss these things with too. So now I'm curious to know, what is your goal weight and how did you come by that number? How did you figure out your push gauge in the first month? Did it feel like you were overeating although you were barely eating anything? I really do hope someone reads this and chimes in, because this is something I'm curious about. Till then....
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I am 20 days post op. Yay! I notice I lost weight (expected) however because I can not lift weights, my arms are sort of hangy. I also haven't had the energy to actually work out, but I've been restless. I guess that's my body saying you should work out Cassy...right? I'm a bit nervous due to occasional lightheadedness which is due to dehydration. However, I feel I need to start working out now. I've never had any form of surgery until this Gastric Bypass, and honestly it threw me for a loop regarding my recovery. I've never felt so weak or helpless. Everyday I get better and feel better, but I have to do better with my water intake. My body is not use to not drinking water. I crave it, I just can't get it all in the way I want. I'm still on the pureed stage, but I don't think I'm doing this right. One day at a time right? :-\
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Oh ok. That is something that keeps me from wls. Im trying to look at the bigger picture and focus on the health benefits. But I gotta be honest and say the fear of the loose skin haunts me.
But I'm seeing that even if I somehow manage to lose weight without wls, I am still going to have a lot of loose skin. Thanks for sharing your progress
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I'm feeling much better. I'm 16 days post op and I feel a lot better. I'm trying to work out my gauge. I can't tell the difference between fullness and if a food is just disagreeing with me. It all just feels like a stomach ache. I haven't been eating regular-regular foods, but I have at the same time. Technically I'm on phase 2 also known as the pureed food diet. I haven't been pureeing food. I've just been trying to chew really well. I prefer them to be wet, because dryer foods don't go down well. I did have some complications about 6 days post op. It was a small bowel obstruction caused by swelling. It did not feel good. I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days. To be safe I decided to stay with my sister for 2 weeks due to my lack of energy and light headedness. Just an update on what was going on after my surgery. Laters.
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Rant: I'm currently 4 days post op. I am thankful that my surgery is successful, because the amount of pain I woke up in I can't imagine going through that **ish** again to get something fixed. Thank you Jehovah! I woke up nauseous and vomiting foam and thought I'd end up drowning in my vomit. terrible! Daily it gets better. But if anyone wants honesty on what the incision pain feels like, my honest description is: The stomach virus. It does not feel sore or like a burning sensation. It feels as if I had the stomach virus and all I wanted to do was hunch over, and vomit till it felt better. For almost a whole day I couldn't get why it felt that way, then I lifted up my hospital gown and low and behold...the incision scar. I was stabbed in the same spot where I feel stomach virus pain. Ugh. Miserable, just thinking of it. Although the pain diminished some from that first day waking up afterwards. It is still there and I can not wait till it stops aching. I'm on Percocet, so that helps. At first I was going to deal with it and not use my prescribed pain med, but I don't want to deal with this gnawing gut feeling. Its bothersome and uncomfortable. Ok...end of rant.
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The first 24 hours were hell - naucious and tons of pain. The first time I threw up I threw up blood (the doctor warned me that would happen). After that only tiny amounts of blood came up. Starting on day 2 I started feeling better and could walk around more. They forced me out of bed the first day, but I only walked a teeny bit to appease them. Day 3 was even better and that was the day I went home.
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Today is The first day of my all clear liquid diet. I have 2 more days till surgery. I'm not nervous...at least not right now. I am weak. I have low to no energy. I'm on only clear liquids, such as jello (not red), seltzer water, diet clear soda's, crystal light, broths without cloudiness. No protein shakes, or any protein that causes cloudiness in your beverage. So that means the only protein I have an abundance of is a no go. I refuse to go out and buy protein water for 1 more day. I can do this without. I'll just sleep a lot.
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It's 1am on Sunday September 3rd. Today will be my last day on the pre-op diet with a meal, and tomorrow I start my full liquid diet. I hope I lost a substantial amount of weight. Enough to have a safe surgery at least. I missed my pre-op class the day before I started my 12 day Pre-op diet, due to work. So when I went to my rescheduled pre-op class the next week, I already had "cheated" technically, although I wasn't fully aware. Here's hoping my 1 meal and 2 small snacks were within reason. I'm heavy handed but I measured everything. My home scale batteries need replacing so I can weigh myself to see about success. Oh boy, I'm having pre-surgery anxiety. I'm going to bed now so I can stop being this worry wart. Toodles!
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You will be ok, I can assure you! You can look at my profile and see when I had mine, and I had to start on my protein shakes only the day prior to surgery. I have to admit that there were a few days in the two weeks prior to surgery that I ended up cheating but it wasn't that bad. The day before I decided that I was going to have "The Last Supper" and went out with family to a local steakhouse and had a meal. It wasn't a meal as big as I would have had prior to the two weeks but it was still a meal! I only had a 6oz steak with sides which in itself is a miracle! I prior to the 14 days I could have absolutely killed a 16oz steak with sides, bread, appetizer, as well as dessert. Trust me you will be fine just work the plan and focus on changing your life for the better! I know you may be nervous about surgery but you will be fine! I was sweating it and now that its over I honestly can't believe that it was that easy! Yes there is pain, yes the two weeks of liquids and protein shakes will almost make you want to kill the poor fool that walks in front of you with some hot and tasty food but you will come out on the other side happier and glad that you made your decision! I am in pants that I have not been able to wear in YEARS and this is just the beginning! I can not wait to see what the future brings! Trust me you will be one happy woman when you get to the same point that I am right now!! (due to the weight loss as well as being less than 12 hours from being able to move onto pureed food! This fat boy is about to do cartwheels!!!)
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Why do I feel someone needs to moderate these forums. Most times I come across a question asked 5 years ago. Hello? Is there anyone new getting surgery? This sucks...and I'm probably just venting because no one is reading this anyway because everyone abandoned this sight and I'm Hangry! Yes...Hungry and Angry... I have 10 more days of this starvation...can I eat peanut butter?
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10 months out. I'm still here. Always willing to lend an ear.
Also willing to write accidental reply poetry.
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120Cassy and Strivingforbetter reacted to this
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Good one, MowryRocks! Ha, ha!!
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MowryRocks and 120Cassy reacted to this
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It is day two of my pre-op diet. I feel like crap, and I'm tired. Worse of all, I'm hungry! Although I'm sure I'm following the pre-op diet rules properly, I still feel like I'm doing something wrong. If I was doing something wrong, would I be this hungry? If I was doing it right, would I still be hungry? I was told 2 snacks a day (on the list), 2 protein shakes replacing meals (premier protein- check), and a sensible meal with up to 6oz of lean protein (meat like chicken or fish and NO carbs). I'm so friggin hungry!!! Maybe I'm not drinking enough water? I honestly didn't think this was going to be hard. I definitely overestimated myself. I think I've been humbled by this experience. ugh! soooo.....hungry.... :-(
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Revision Denial- HELP PLEASE
120Cassy replied to Heath55's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I thought that weight loss surgery revisions are given due to problems with the first surgery, such as severe gerd (which sleeve patients tend to get and that's why they get it revised), slippage (gastric band) and or throat stricture issues (or something like that)? A few insurance companies believe when a procedure doesn't take it's due to the patient and not the procedure itself. That's why when we choose the surgery the first time, your primary physician usually guides you on what they think may be best based on your weight issues (at least that's what my doctor is doing). I hope you get approved. Don't give up. I'm not sure how many times you can appeal...but I'd appeal this as much as I can. Possibly get your doctor to do tests for Gerd issues or issues with the sleeve itself and not the weight issues and health. Those reasons were the reason you got the first surgery. Maybe going about it a different way may help. I know this is coming months after you posted, but I thought I'd reply just in case. :-) -
Things I didn't know or realize pre-op...
120Cassy replied to Roux-en-McClanahan's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I read that the carbonation just pushes the food through the pouch quicker causing you to get hungry again sooner and people tend to overeat and can start gaining the weight back. It doesn't stretch out the pouch. However, everyone is different in regards to what works best for them. Interestingly, I didn't know soup had a similar effect to what I read about the carbonation in soda. Good to know. -
I have been thinking (more so daydreaming) about the after results of my upcoming weight loss surgery. I am currently in the paperwork process to be approved. It may be due to my over-planning, but I can't help but wonder if I'll have a lot or minimal extra skin? How much will I change when I no longer am burdened by my weight? Due to these constant questions repeating in my head, I decided to do some research on the subjects. I know that genetics and age play a part in skin elasticity, but I wanted to be sure. What is extra skin? What is the real cause of it? and How do I combat it? Skin in general is an organ. It has the ability to grow and to shrink. Although as you age you can lose elasticity; I found you can replenish your collagen with 1: diet and 2: good hygiene (such as moisturizing your skin with natural products). In my opinion this seems like a win. The cause of excess skin after extreme weight loss is due to the elasticity needing time to adjust. I found out that this can take up to or a little over two years. It seems like a long time, but I may be willing to bide my time to prevent going under the knife to have skin removal surgery; in the event that I may need it. However, what really was an interesting find was that the loose skin most people are concerned with is actually not just skin; It is in actuality skin with a lot of leftover fat underneath it also known as subcutaneous fat. In order to actually see what loose skin is, or how much you have, you would have to burn this fat off. Hmmm...interesting. So, apparently the loose skin would be a thin layer like grabbing the skin on the back of your hand versus grabbing the underarm flap which most people see as extra skin but is actually leftover fat. I get it now. So I guess my goal would be to get to extra skin by lifting weights and hope my skin bounces back. My plan is to get a personal trainer once I heal up after surgery. I want to make sure I maximize my potential. I have always wanted to be one of those fit people. I work out sporadically and oftentimes regularly (confusing I know). The best explanation is that at times I become defeated when the scale doesn't move enough with all the hard work I do. I know now that it's due to my eating habits and lack of sleep. I want to find joy in physical activity without feeling weighed down and tired due to my weight on my frame. I look forward to riding my bike regularly, rollerskating without fear of falling (due to locked knees holding up my frame), running, and yoga- definitely yoga. I've never been a thin adult, and I cannot even imagine what my life has in store for me post surgery. Honestly I cannot wait till after. I'm sure most of us can't either. Who will I be if I am no longer the fat girl? I've become so accustomed to what and who I am, if this is no longer in the way; what will I do with myself? Will I start doing solo activities again like I did at one time; after losing 51 pounds? I'm hoping I feel normal again. For the past few years I have had some deterioration of my health and have been feeling it. Will this change or will I forever feel this way? Being comfortable in my own skin is something I dare to dream. I am waiting on forever after. I get it now. :-)
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I'm so frustrated by my doctor's office. Faxing paperwork for insurance approval shouldn't be a complicated task, but apparently it is. I'm just so deflated and over this right now.
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Wanting to talk with someone that's had this done
120Cassy replied to KikiSue🙋🏼's topic in Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Forum
What procedure are you referring to? -
I'm getting mine done at Mount Sinai Hospital. What about you?
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YASSSSS! Finally! I went to see my bariatric Counselor and she told me she faxed my evaluation letter. Paperwork is almost done. I'm so close :-)
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Thank you @Sweet as peaches
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Ok... seriously?! My LCSW is taking forever to write and send my Psych evaluation. All my other paperwork is done, we're just waiting on her. I was told it takes one day, so why is it she's taking several sessions? UGH!
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Sooo, I've never been a thin adult. I've been a thin child. I've even lost weight as an adult from working out five days a week and barely eating; and was still considered 40 pounds overweight according to my doctor at the time. Such a let down, because I lost 51 lbs and instead of a congratulations based on my chart comparisons of weight change; I received a "Wow, you're very overweight. You need to lose 40 lbs". Suffice it to say I didn't lose much after that, and not on purpose. I just kept fluctuating up and down until I just started fluctuating steadily in the wrong direction. Although I haven't gotten the surgery yet, because i'm still finalizing the documents for insurance approval. God willing, I'm expecting a surgery date in July. I wrote this blog post to put a particular question out in the universe. People are known (such as bodybuilders) for shaping their bodies into whatever they choose. However, if you've never been a normal weight adult and are losing weight; how can you determine what your natural shape is? I want to help guide myself to have a fit life and a fit body, but am a little afraid that I'll be disappointed with my natural body shape. Suffice it to say my round shape is not any better. I always had an idea of what I thought I would look like if I never gained weight. For instance I would imagine my shape would be similar to Shinghai Shoniwa of the Noisettes: This all could be wishful thinking. It could be all part of my vision of an ideal. In truth I may not even have her frame. I have no idea....not a clue. I post these imaginings because I want to know if it's possible to shape your body into what you want truly want or think you should look like? Now to make a disclaimer: I know some people may question the motivations behind this question. I need you to know that I'm looking to be healthy definitely, but I also want to be fit. I'm not looking to be just a thin person. I'm using this surgery as a tool to start an actual fit life and to actually achieve that goal. So as a writer and an artist I use visual cues to help me see my ultimate goal. I've been struggling for some time to maintain a lower weight, and I never snub exercise. So, like a kid contemplating on an imagined trip to Disney World; I can't help but calculate how to achieve what I see as my true fit self. I've never been at my ideal weight based on my height and frame - ever. Not even as a teenager. So when I see an image of someone I think I may be similar to in height and frame, my artist brain can't help but dream. Do you have an image of what you think you should look like or think your shape is like?
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Full body and selfie photos I usually attempt to take of myself. :-) and Maybe a cat photo here and there....I have 3.
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Jan 2017 Main stage Dressing room
120Cassy posted a gallery image in Before and After Gastric Bypass Photos
From the album: Before shots
I quit smoking so I started munching which caused me to gain a few right when I was hitting the 6th month of my 6 month requirement for insurance. UGH....but I documented it with photos. I notice I wear a lot of green...it is one of my favorite colors. -
From the album: Before shots
I quit smoking so I started munching which caused me to gain a few right when I was hitting the 6th month of my 6 month requirement for insurance. UGH....but I documented it with photos. I notice I wear a lot of green...it is one of my favorite colors. -
Jan 2017 official 1st month in the process of getting the approval for WLS
120Cassy posted a gallery image in Before and After Gastric Bypass Photos
From the album: Before shots
I quit smoking so I started munching which caused me to gain a few right when I was hitting the 6th month of my 6 month requirement for insurance. UGH....but I documented it with photos. I notice I wear a lot of green...it is one of my favorite colors. -
In DR accompanying the Sister getting her tummy tuck! :-)
120Cassy posted a gallery image in Before and After Gastric Bypass Photos
From the album: Before shots
I quit smoking so I started munching which caused me to gain a few right when I was hitting the 6th month of my 6 month requirement for insurance. UGH....but I documented it with photos. I notice I wear a lot of green...it is one of my favorite colors. -
From the album: Before shots
I quit smoking so I started munching which caused me to gain a few right when I was hitting the 6th month of my 6 month requirement for insurance. UGH....but I documented it with photos. I notice I wear a lot of green...it is one of my favorite colors.
