FLHappyGirl

It's a great start! Congratulations and good luck on your journey!

Just wanted to provide some information I only recently became aware of regarding TSH (thyrotropin stimulating hormone). Your TSH is a pituitary hormone that simulates the thyroid gland to produce T4 and T3 which in turn stimulates the metabolism of almost every tissue in our bodies. It’s important! Most of us who have regular bloodwork done have likely seen it on our lab reports. I’ve had a form of thyroid disease (Hasimoto’s) for years. The last year or two my TSH results have bounced around dramatically. I chalked it up to the rapid weight loss and needing to adjust my meds. Even with adjustments, I didn’t feel like it was accurate. My numbers were off but I felt good and didn’t have any symptoms. While checking my last results on the patient portal (I go to Mayo Clinic) I noticed a new note under the TSH result. It states “Patients consuming high dose biotin supplements can have analytical interference in this assay. If such interference is present it will yield falsely low results. If results are inconsistent with patient presentation please rule out biotin consumption by the patient.” My doctor explained that a) it can also result in false highs b) it is typically mega doses that affect the test, not the doses found in multivitamins and c) it interferes with the result on paper not necessarily the levels in your body. Therefore you could be within range but the test shows a different result. If you were to adjust your meds based on the number (which happens a lot) you may create a true imbalance by accident! After going off biotin I retested and viola! I’m back in range without any change to my medication dosage. My primary was unaware (my fault) I was taking mega doses of biotin. I realize now how important it is to tell my doctors EVERY med, even over the counter, to insure they have the entire picture. Since a lot of WLS patients take Biotin in the hopes of faster regrowth from our hair loss I thought the info may be useful! I am not saying Biotin is bad for you, it just may interfere with TSH results. P.S. I don't think the biotin ever did me any good but I figured it couldn't hurt.

I really wish I had taken more pictures. You'll be glad you did! Congratulations, you are looking fabulous!!

It was explained to me that biotin does not throw your actual levels off, rather mega doses can skew test results. In other words you don’t know if your test results are accurate or not so your doctor will have difficulty adjusting meds properly! Since thyroid meds are usually weight based adjustments will likely need to be made as you lose weight, having inaccurate test results will make the task difficult!

Woo hoot! Great job!

The first few months can be difficult as you cycle through the different phases while your body heals. Expect it. That way you won't be disappointed. I had the sleeve, no accidents. A few times early on dry meat (chicken) didn't agree with me but I can honestly eat anything now. I limit my carbs and sugar because they are a slippery slope for me. Surgery or not, I think everyone should limit carbs and sugar. I loved to cook for my family and friends before surgery and still do. I think the surgery has made me an even better cook, insisting on only the best ingredients! I'm not wasting my small capacity on something that tastes like crap, it is going to be spectacular. Last week my husband actually said, "You've become an even better cook the last couple years." I swear he said it, and he didn't even want anything

I think it is always nice to have in the event you get thirsty, however if you don't like carrying something when you walk you should be ok without for a short time. Just be sure you are properly hydrated before you leave and replenish when you get home.

I lost my appetite for quite a while after surgery. I ate to get my protein in, not because I was hungry. My restriction is still very noticeable especially when I eat dense protein but I am hungry a few hours later. The hunger is different though, I don't crave the crap I used to crave. I realize now I was a major sugar addict, not so much anymore. Now if I crave sweets I can have a sugar free or no sugar added popsicle (or two) and be good, even a flavored greek yogurt or some berries will usually satisfy the craving. I think this is partly because I refused to eat what was not on my plan (and still do for the most part). I avoid bread, pastas, rice, and sweets. I know in my head if I go back to eating these things it is a slippery slope and I'll be stuffing my face again! The tricky part is head hunger.....I've realized I have strong tendencies to eat when I am stressed, bored or experiencing a lot of emotion (pissed off, anxious, for example.) Looking back, this was always the case. Use your prep time to become aware of triggers and why you are eating and if you are truly hungry or just looking for food to soothe you. It will help after you go through the surgery. Best of luck!

Congratulations on making the decision to better your life! It's not easy but it is worth it! I was lucky, when I told my boss he was understanding and didn't press for details but I know he assumed it was for "female" stuff. If someone asked me, that's what I would have (actually probably did) said because I didn't (and still don't) want my co-workers to know my business. I suggest going through HR if your not comfortable talking to your supervisor. Depending on your job and your recovery you could need as little as a few days or as much as several weeks to recover. Just be prepared in the event you need extra time. Like Mike says above, know your rights and work within the proper channels. Good luck on your journey!

I was allowed PB2. I still use it in shakes, greek yogurt and ricotta cheese with a little stevia. Makes a great sweet treat for dessert.

Back from vacation! I'm super grateful for my job (same company for 20 years) but still feel like I should be out of the office! #22 - biggest victory was quitting smoking over 12 years ago.

Hello hello! I'm doing well, although my weight keeps bouncing back and forth and I'm up today! Oh well, tomorrow is another day. What am I grateful for today? I leave for a 5 day vacay starting tonight! So happy to be off work! Woo hoot!

I'm in Florida! I love every season BUT winter! I know, I know, it doesn't get that bad here but my blood is thin and anything below 50 kills me! #21 - One area in life that could use more balance.....letting others do for themselves. I have always been the "if you want it done right, do it yourself" type of girl. That's fine but then I get pissed off when I have too many things on my plate! I'm getting better at letting go but like everything it takes time!

#30 - Three things I value highly in life My marriage- celebrating 19 years in a couple weeks! My family - my son, my mom, my brother and nieces! I love them to pieces! My health - it took me a while to realize how important MY health is.....I try to put myself first when it comes to health (going to the gym, grocery shopping, preparing meals) because if I'm healthy, I'm happy. And if I'm not happy, nobody around me is going to be happy trust me on that one! Yoga - check! No junk - check!

Hi there! #10 One thing I am good at - Organizing things and multi-tasking! #19 Something I've made that I'm proud of- my son! He has been thrown some curve balls and just pushes forward; for 17 years old he is a pretty awesome kid! I continue to push myself in the gym....my legs are sore! How do you handle dissatisfaction / disappointment / discouragement in life? I try to find a way to learn from the situation. Always trying to take something away in a positive light!

Good Morning! Best childhood memories - wandering and playing on our family ranch. When we got hungry we had our choice of plums, peaches, nectarines, apples.....and the best ORANGES ever! I'm super thankful for having my BFF in town visiting (we live on opposite coasts)! @GreenTealael my favorite perfumes are Issa Miaki and Michael Kors. They both remind me of my sister who I lost to breast cancer in 2016. Included several yoga stretches in my workouts every day so far! Loving the extra time I'm spending stretching out!

I was type 2. The only med I was on was metformin but getting close to being on others. I can't even remember but at most I took my metformin for a day or two (seems like a life time ago) and my sugars have been normal ever since. Best of luck!

First let me say what a spectacular job you are doing! You are changing your life for the better and in doing so, probably doing the same for your children. Congratulations on your success! The divorce rate for bariatric patients is high. You are making changes that can affect your entire family's life style; your husband is fighting these changes. For your sake and the sake of your children you need to decide if you are going to allow him to sabotage these changes and potentially your continued success. His other choice is to hop on board and be a part of something wonderful. I don't know a lot about bipolar disorder but it sounds like a really convenient excuse to blame his sh***y behavior and allow a vicious circle of verbal abuse to continue. If it truly is his bipolar he needs to figure out a way to fix it, be it meds, counseling or both. Please don't allow yourself to get sucked in and try to deal with his insecurities. You will never be able to fix it, he has to want to do that! You can support him but you can't do it for him. Good luck!

I'm in! Normally I bounce around between 156 - 160 lbs. I've been stuck at the top of the range for a couple weeks so my goal is to break through the bottom! Three words to describe myself....strong, smart and fun!

There are lots of opinions on this subject, but I wouldn't feel one ounce of regret in not telling. In fact, I feel regret telling some of the people I did. Funny thing is, the people I regret telling aren't the ones I thought I would, some I thought would be supportive and keep their lame opinions to themselves. When you get to the point you think you may want to tell someone ask yourself if you would be ok with that person sharing YOUR surgery. Unless you trust someone 100% the chances are others will find out. You can always share your story later but once you do you can't take it back. I've had people say things out loud in group settings that made it very obvious I had surgery ("she can't eat that anymore, her stomach isn't big enough for that....blah blah blah) . They didn't do it on purpose but it doesn't matter.

I wish I had Taken more before pictures. Gotten off of caffeine earlier. I had a horrible headache for the first couple days. It might have been the anesthesia but I don't think I was completely off caffeine until after surgery. Been more proactive about heading off constipation. I knew from reading I would likely have it but never imagined being so uncomfortable from it.

I'm a rules girl too! I completely understand paralysis by analysis. In the end, the time doing all the classes, bloodwork and tests proved to be very useful. I really understood what to expect and not much surprised me. There was no way I was going to put myself through major surgery only to break the rules and sabotage my success. It isn't always easy but being a "rules girl" sets you up for doing the diet correctly because one of the rules is to forgive yourself for days when you may not be perfect. If you slip, ya gotta get right back in the game. Don't wait and make a bad day, two or three or ....... I wish you much success in your journey!

Are you pre-op? Liquid diet? Have you also recently given up caffeine?

Amen! I agree! It was just another horrible reality show that took advantage of people who were really looking (and really in need) of help! I've read a couple articles on past participants, many who have gained some or all of their weight back. While I realize it can happen to me if I am not diligent I don't know that the show gave these contestants long term support to maintain the losses. I mean, seriously, how many people can go back to their daily lives and work out the amount of hours they did? Also, did you notice how after a few seasons they added personal conflicts amongst the participants. Obviously the show was worried the weight loss component wouldn't hold people's attention so they made you root for some and hate others by creating drama between the contestants. Sure there were probably true conflicts but I bet a lot of it was done in the editing room.

I bet if you bring something health-ish your friends will thank you! What about doing fruit skewers with strawberries, watermelon and grapes. You could make a sugar free (sweeten with Stevia) yogurt dip and add a little food color to make it pink. There are tons of ideas on pinterest. A good old fashion veggie tray always seems to be a hit! Pink or not! If you don't want to drink alcohol but want to feel like you are celebrating, bring some pink crystal light! Stick to your plan and try to focus on the companionship versus the food! Good luck and have a great day!