Sosewsue61

@JohnnyCakes - you assume too effing much. Just because I didn't cite specifics from the article is no proof I did not read it. (Ironically your inaccurate assumptions parallel with the unscientific study.) The study relied on 'random multi-dietary recalls' during the 12 months, while true, this is not a questionnaire -just how accurate and scientific is that type of reporting? I can write anything down in a journal I please. Going to 22 sessions was probably the best indicator of successful compliance in the program itself, support always produces better results for me. After the first two months the participants average carb consumption was 115gr/day and I would hardly call that an Atkins low carb diet. And they did not say 'zero' benefit, I believe the study was to prove ' no significant weight loss difference between low fat and low carb across genotypes, etc. Also the participants had no major health issues, so perhaps.....the results could be different with subjects that were already insulin resistant. Like I said, the argument is not ending anytime soon. And I am for whatever works for each person.

The bickering and outright insults have no place here and are an epic fail for helping anyone. The arguments over various forms of keto, paleo, original Atkins, Atkins 40, Dukan, South Beach, Weight Watchers, etc are never going to end. Many studies trying to prove or disprove them are seriously flawed models with no controls or double blind studies and often with unmeasureable variables. Each person has to eat according to his/her health issues, and body's needs and find livable balance. The medical community can't even agree based on their own research. And weight loss aside there are benefits for lowering insulin levels that are achieved with avoiding simple carbs/limiting carbs. Keto is NOT the same as doing just carb restriction. Each of those 'diets' listed above have their own models they follow and some may be similar. Personally I don't lose if I consume above 80 carbs unless I am extremely active. In Weight Watchers iteration #5,436, I did not lose on the 'free fruit' version if I ate 3 fruits a day. I lost best if my one 'starchy/grain' carb was at the morning meal, one fruit a day, low starch vegetables and protein for all meals, and kept my hard cheese to one ounce a day. VSG is amazing. The physical restriction with the metabolism reset and careful nutrition is the trifecta for me. I am a slower loser at the moment but that does not matter. I am not at the mercy of food cravings.

I use sweet n low and prefer it, no issues here.

No specific help here, but does your state have Obamacare? You might need to go on the website and plug in your income to see your options. I am not even sure what your exact questions are. If you become ineligible for Medicaid, that option would be out the window entirely or is there a 'spend down' option where you get coverage but there is cost-sharing involved? Your employer plan sounds horrid, I have never heard of a company making someone wait an entire year to use insurance, if that is the case they must have a huge employee turnover - or do you mean paid medical 'leave' or use FMLA? - which companies do sometimes require one year for that option. GA is one of six states that requires group insurance to cover wls, BUT not all 'self funded companies' are required to and may have different requirements to get approval. Good luck.

What @BigViffer said, food doesn't have that 'pull' anymore, sure I indulge a bite or two but mainly realize that my body really needs fuel that makes me feel better. And a lot of nonnutritive foods no longer call me - I don't eat pasta or rice any more or sandwiches - bread doesn't feel good nor pizza crust. And if I don't get my protein and liquids in, I am lethargic. It is a learning experience and kinda cool if you use it right.

You got this chickadee!!! Go @FluffyChix!!! Hell yes! Damn Right! Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty Who the hell are we? Hey! Flim Flam, Bim Bam Fluffychix cheerleaders, By Damn!

Flu and surgery are not even relatable as far as recovery. One is a virus, the other major surgery. The flu can be horrid for me, but surgery recovery was not that difficult. Not a picnic but way less trauma than my imagination. I am 62 yrs old. We all have anxiety before surgery, that is normal. Ask for a scopolamine patch for nausea from the anesthesiologist - amazing, I had propofol for the surgery anesthetic, and for pain after I had 1000mg in an IV of parecetamol (acetaminophen) every few hours and it worked as well as stronger meds. I can and have lost lots of weight, but never could KEEP it off. I am not hungry, I have good restriction. It is surgery and permanent - but isn't that what you want ? A permanent solution to this battle. Good luck.

Oh sweetie, so sorry for all these issues. Whatever happens, stop doubting your pain is real. Maybe your stomach just needs medication and rest. Have they tested you for h pylori bacteria? Or tried different meds? I wish you the best and wosh you more patience and resolution soon. Counseling or meditation therapy wouldn't hurt at this point.

Get a fitbit that can monitor your sleep/wake cycles, it will show how many times you are wakeful, etc. The data can be downloaded into a report and shown to the sleep study doc I did not have to do a sleep study.

Hang in there. Most companies make new hires wait a year to do elective surgeries. You don't state the insurance issue, and you might have out of pocket expenses etc. Do your research carefully.

Be careful of 'all or nothing' thinking or 'magical' thinking. This is a tool, a tremendous one but it requires your whole being to work with it. The changes are huge. DO NOT go crazy with 2 shakes and a meal plan right now, please. Make some gradual permanent changes in regular food choices, you will be on a liquid diet for sure post-op and likely pre-op, and be so sick of protein shakes. Just wean from all soda - take a month to do it, then wean from sugar laden foods, fast foods, deep fried foods, etc. - a gradual permanent change. Then caffeine - go half and half, then decaf. Examine why you stress eat or emotional eat - you will need to find out how to cope with thst without food as comfort. Journal food intake, use a free app like myfitnesspal or baritastic, etc. As for upping the gym time, again no balls to the wall, make it fit your lifestyle or you will just abandon it as soon as the newness bores you, or it becomes a chore - it has to serve you well, forcing it will make you dread going. Slow permanent changes that fit your life. Exercise can be an activity and not just the gym, biking, dancing, hiking - social events bring more satisfaction. I gave up soda first, then caffeine, then fries, etc. I just joined the gym a month ago, but I have square danced for years and I love hiking. I started with walking with a fitbit during pre-op to see how much I was actually getting in daily. Good luck.

Not many cons, mainly just learning how to live with a sleeve - eat slowly, chew more, wait, etc. I have a couple food aversions, but not deal breakers by any means. One weird aspect is that food in general can be no big deal because a lot of the desire for food is not there. I have to eat on schedule or get busy and forget to eat. There are many pros - not a slave to food, more energy, and everything that improves with being lighter - moving easier and quicker, fitting in seats more comfortably, feeling normal, etc.

Go girl, looking good!

Take a few portable items like protein bars or soft jerky, but for when you are delayed in getting to restaurants or late traveling and you will find by the time of your trip you will be able to eat most protein rich foods on the menu - esp fish. I just came from a 10 day cruise (I am out 4 months now) and had no issues - did not take shakes/powder, even for shore excursions. Have fun!

@QueenTot thanks. 60 pounds is great. How many grams of protein and oz of liquids a day? Can you post a typical day or two of menus please?

@QueenTot you give very little info when asking for help - 3 posts, and no stats, no daily food intake info, etc. Do you journal your food/exercise/fluids? Please post more information

@Vsglife who said you needed cashews...lol...I was giving advice about what works for me.. 'is youse names (Mamie) @vsglife '@Lanli was the Op

6 months goes faster than you think, I would not self-pay if the reason is the 6 month wait. You still have all the pre-op testing, psych eval, EDG, NUT appts, learning about food stages after surgery, evaluating your relationship with food - there is NO magic here, major surgery with major life changes, it takes some strong thinking to be ready. Good luck.

Yep, hemorroids. Get some preparation H, use stool softeners or eat some cashews - they help me go.

@Talkdoc55 thank you for your success story and honesty. You don't mention whether you exercised during the weight loss phase or now, other than excursions with the wife.

Looks fabulous!

I would wait, youth is def on your side with skin elasticity anyway. I had a friend many years ago lose a lot of weight and her skin recovered quite well on its own and it took 3 years but you could barely tell. And def no boob job until you are done breastfeeding.

Fluff, aw shucks, foot shuffle thanks! I am rooting for you big time chickadee. I will keep close tabs on you. This humorous pic was taken on Curacuo JUST FOR YOU! The naked chicken restaurant.

Biotin helps with the hair regrowth phase. I also read a government study that peppermint oil stimulates the follicles as much as rogaine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/ I also take an extra folic acid.

Be kind to yourself, honey. These early weeks are all about fluids, rest, walking and not much else. We get sooo tired because we just had major surgery and are healing, learning our body's new normal, figuring it all out, and trying to meet other family needs and it gets overwhelming. Hormones can be whacked out too. Rest and sip all your liquids, strive to meet the protein goals and walk. At 5 weeks, I had lots of nausea and farting, belching, exhaustion, constipation, hiccups, slight dehydration, a little dizziness, intolerance of vitamins, intolerance of anything sweet like protein shakes, it was a process and at 4 months there are still a couple issues - but most are gone. The energy is grand, I can drink water with ease, etc. Take care of you.