Berry78
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Everything posted by Berry78
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Hey y'all, long time no see! I'm 14 months postop, and have lost 111lbs. The losses pretty much stopped at 10 months postop. Nowadays I can eat any and everything. My taste changes weren't terribly long-lived. I can eat 2 cups of food at a time, so basically everything feels like I never even had surgery! I still don't drink with my meals, but I do drink right up until I start eating. About 11 months postop I started having problems from my vitamins. My toes swelled up and were painful. I don't know what I was getting too much of, so I just quit them. I still am taking b12 and A and D, but no more multis. Oops, got to go!
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HOLIDAY CHALLENGE TIME!! LET'S DO THIS!
Berry78 replied to The New Kel's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I know I've missed the last couple weigh ins. I've been holding steady at 196lbs. -
Woo hoo!!! Congrats! Fluff.. nah, the decapitation happened preop.. see the before pic.
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HOLIDAY CHALLENGE TIME!! LET'S DO THIS!
Berry78 replied to The New Kel's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
198lbs last Wed. -
Sleeved 12/14 - Scary Complications ?
Berry78 replied to Brandi.'s topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Glad you sound like you're doing better! Now you know you are extra sensitive to pain meds. {Hugs} -
Sleeved 12/14 - Scary Complications ?
Berry78 replied to Brandi.'s topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Ask if it was a reaction to anesthesia. If it was, then you can feel confident that it is now out of your system and you won't have more trouble. {Hugs} I know it's a scary time, but since you now KNOW what is going on, it shows how much better you are doing! Like you said yourself, when you were at your sickest, you didn't know what was happening. Once you can get some sleep, your mind will have a chance to process this whole thing, and it'll quickly become "old news". Having had a scary time after giving birth to my last child, I know what you are going through. What helped me the most was to find out exactly what was going on with me. Much of my fear was because I didn't really understand what was wrong, and without that understanding, there were all sorts of "boogeymen" in my thoughts. I created problems where there weren't any. The biggest thing I learned was to not rely on nurses to explain what is going on. Get a doctor to tell you, and make sure they don't use "doctor words". As for vomiting blood, it's probably from bleeding during the surgery, and once you "clean it out", the vomiting should stop. You can also tell them you are feeling anxious, and whether there is anything they could give your for anxiety. (They may say "no" if they're concerned about medication reactions, but it doesn't hurt to ask). -
Blood pressure meds can have side effects. Slightly elevated blood pressure (systolic up to about 140 or 150) isn't super dangerous.. so it's a judgement call as to the benefit of medicating these elevated pressures. I chose not to medicate mine once I was consistently under 150 systolic. If I was running 148-152, I'd probably take a half-dose, depending on the med. Of course, this is with the idea that I'm in a weight-reduction phase, and expect the pressures to continue improving. If I were in a weight- stable phase, then I'd want to stay on a blood pressure medication with pressures over 140.
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My blood pressure was very high the day of surgery (190/95). A few weeks after surgery it went down to 145/85, and stayed in that range until I hit 200lbs, when it became normal (120/80). For me, getting close to a normal weight was more important than the actual surgery. So.. keep taking your medication, keep an eye on your pressures, and as you lose more and get closer to goal, you may find you need fewer meds, and perhaps get off of them at goal. (Not everyone CAN get off their meds.. there are plenty of normal-weight people running around that still need blood pressure meds.. but a normal weight will give you your best shot at it).
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Nearly 2 Wks out...Going to Disney World??
Berry78 replied to Alicia Duncan's topic in Post-op Diets and Questions
At 2 weeks out, I was still on liquids.. forget chicken breast!! Protein shakes, water, milk, juice, decaf coffee, tea, and walking.. no rides that are rougher than a car ride. Remember, your stomach isn't completely scarred over for 6-9 weeks after surgery. It is possible to develop leaks during the first 2 months postop, so you have to adhere 100% to your doctor's orders. Good luck! -
Bands sometimes can develop problems after several years (like you are experiencing). They like to slip out of place and can even "dig" into the stomach and/or liver (called "eroding"). These problems can feel like heartburn and indigestion. Please do get checked out. If your surgeon finds a problem, your band will need to come out. This is also a good time to do some research into switching from band to sleeve or bypass. (Sometimes sleeve isn't an option because of scar tissue.. so check into both possibilities.) Depending on your situation, they sometimes will do a band to sleeve or bypass revision in one surgery.. sometimes they want you to heal for a while without the band before converting. Here's hoping for good news from your surgeon! (And if you don't have a surgeon right now, you need to find one to keep up with your care... you are a bariatric patient for life.)
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Yes, it is fluids from the hospital. You need to really push to be getting in your 64oz fluids each day. Congrats on your surgery, and welcome to the losers' bench!
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Wowsers.. that's almost a pound a day! Were you not getting your vitamins/protein requirements with the band in? Start working toward nutrition goals, without eating extras. 60-80g protein 35+g fat 75g -100g carbs Aim for about 1200 calories, which will stop the weight gain, and probably get the scale moving back down. If you DON'T lose weight on 1200 calories, then you need to get your thyroid checked. Here is a sample menu: Breakfast: 1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese and 1 whole piece of fruit (apple, orange, banana, etc.) Lunch: 1 egg and 1 cup pinto beans and 2 T. salsa Dinner: 4 oz protein and 1 cup veggies (green beans, spinach, etc), and 1 cup white or sweet potatoes with a pat of butter. optional: 1-2 cups lowfat milk If you are still hungry, concentrate on non-starchy veggies.
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Re: When Did Weighloss Being to Slow Down
Berry78 replied to PrettynSpirit's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I agree that it's all about how many calories you eat. Some people stop "naturally", because they are "naturally" eating enough calories to stop losing at that point. (Enough room, appetite, time, and desire to eat). If you are at goal and want to stop losing (I assume you haven't updated your profile.. it still says you are 237lbs) then you need to examine what you are eating, and find healthy ways to boost your calories. I love starchy veggies for this. Potatoes, beans, etc. Lots of nutrition in a calorically dense package. Add a pat of butter for an extra 50-100 calories. -
HOLIDAY CHALLENGE TIME!! LET'S DO THIS!
Berry78 replied to The New Kel's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
12/13 198lbs -
So, I remember looking up athlete body types a few years back. My focus was on comparing sprinters to long distance runners. I came across an interesting website that shows bodies from many different sports. http://physicalculturist.ca/the-body-shapes-of-the-worlds-best-athletes-compared-side-by-side/ Since we are all here to remake ourselves, I figured it is a good time to ask whether you would be influenced by the finished physique of those in a chosen sport. I know I would be. In college I had a dancer friend. Ballet, modern, etc. Her FEET! I never would want to do what she does (though I admire HER for it).
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HOLIDAY CHALLENGE TIME!! LET'S DO THIS!
Berry78 replied to The New Kel's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Technically, I was 200.00 on 12/06, but I want to count today's 199.8 instead. By next week, onederland will be old news! Lol! -
My long-awaited Onederland is here! I was 205lbs on Halloween, and it took until Dec. 7th to lose 6 lbs. Yup, weight loss has definitely slooowwweeeddd down
I had a checkup at the doctor's yesterday. I still have to go in for my bloodwork, but everything looked good on the outside. My blood pressure is the most amazing thing. Before surgery it had gone sky high (like 190/95 or some such thing). I was on blood pressure medicine from that reading until surgery. The day of surgery was the last time I took the meds, but the pressures were still technically high, just not high enough for medication (140/85). Yesterday it was 110/80... and that was after 2 cups of coffee. I haven't had normal blood pressure since my 20's. Doing the happy dance!
My doc asked what my goal weight was. I told her 170lbs, because I have at least 10lbs of fluid in one leg. She nodded and agreed that "170 or 175 is good". Of course, mentioning the fluid got me a referral to a varicose vein doctor. So I'll be starting the process to get those veins worked on. Last time I checked into it, the process was a year long through my insurance.
So, that's it! Nothing else until I get that blood work done. I'll aim for tomorrow, since my FIL is coming home from the nursing home today and I'll be busy getting the house ready for him. (He has raging, uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke). The example of his poor health is what got me to do the surgery in the first place. Yesterday his blood pressure was 255/115. A new high! He takes 8 pills a day to try and control it, but (obviously) it isn't working. He's being sent home from the nursing home because he's too sick to be there.
Wait, what? Yep, too sick to be at the nursing home. (He was there for rehab after his last stroke, but his blood pressure is keeping them from being able to DO rehab.. so he has to come home!).
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People tell me I should stop losing weight??
Berry78 replied to Neens's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
She's 5'5 (170cm) and currently 182lbs (82.7kg). Her goal is 149lbs (68kgs). -
Anyone ever had pain in left shoulder going down there arm
Berry78 replied to CrissCriss's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It's probably surgery-related, but it's always best to ask your doc about new pain (especially pain that mimics heart trouble). -
Embarrassed and struggling
Berry78 replied to emgem's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
A re-feeding syndrome is basically low electrolytes. Sodium, potassium, magnesium. Coconut water is fabulous for adding a bit of sodium and a lot of potassium. I drink some almost every day. When I miss a few days, I start getting "charlie horse" muscle cramps. Sodium, of course, comes from salt. The best sources of potassium are potatoes, coconut water, and low sodium v8. Electrolytes aren't found much in multivitamins (you can get a separate pill over the counter for magnesium and calcium, but not potassium). Coconut water can be consumed at any time during the postop diets (it's a clear liquid). V8 is tomato based, and can be irritating to a new tummy, and potatoes don't show up in most patients' plans for a long time. -
People tell me I should stop losing weight??
Berry78 replied to Neens's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
They just aren't used to you looking (relatively) slender. You should work with your doctor to determine a good goal weight, then tell your family and friends that your doctor is helping you decide when to stop losing weight. Congrats on getting so close to goal already! You should have no trouble getting there! -
Fell off the wagon - 7 mo. post op - 3.5 mo. stall - HELP
Berry78 replied to hawaiiskies's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
2 days later, and I've already forgotten about Saturday. Guess self-flagellation doesn't work for me! LOL! Can't bring myself to feel guilty or remember the misdeed. Ah well. Guess I'll go with plan B.. just forget it and move on, trying to do better in the future. (And I have been on-target yesterday and today.. no cravings at all). -
Brain hasn’t caught up with body
Berry78 replied to CocoNina's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
blondie, the OP is quite petite, so 130lbs for her is like 162lbs for me (I'm 5'7). Which is thin, but not TOO thin. I would look great at 150lbs.. though I doubt I'll ever get there. -
OK Ladies, kinda embarrasing question for you all
Berry78 replied to Adina's_Journey's topic in The Gals' Room
After losing 100lbs, good news! I have pubic hair! Lol! But, just because it's here now, doesn't mean it was there for the last 15 years, maybe that's where the hair off my head ended up... -
Surgery Scares...how many do YOU have and how much of them vanish
Berry78 replied to Tanyatata's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I have 4. One is teeny tiny, and the others are just tiny. I didn't have one that was larger than the rest. Very pleased with Dr. Illan's handiwork there. I'm 8 months postop, and other than putting body lotion on after showers, haven't done anything special. The scars are visible, but have faded to about 1/2 white, 1/2 light pink. (I have fair, caucasian skin). As well as they've healed, even if there were 3 more of them, I wouldn't be concerned. I have enough loose skin that I won't be sporting a bikini anytime soon ever.
