Creekimp13

There are a lot of issues that can contribute....transfer additions are a huge one. Where people who used to use food to cope turn to alcohol or other substances and end up damaging their relationships/careers/etc.

http://www.obesityaction.org/transfer-addiction-following-bariatric-surgery

So, Raffi inspires a departure from common courtesy and treating each other with respect in spite of our different perspectives. So...a free for all...basically....where people feel free to insult each other. This is funny, eh? I don't particularly think it is. I think it will result in the following outcomes for bariatricpal. 1. Slowed traffic to this site. 2. Reduced sales of products. 3. Poor reputation.

Raffi wants "The Raffi Show"....which he thinks is funny, and fun, and relieves stress. Some people agree...and think he's hysterical. Other people think he's an offensive obnoxious ass. I'm not even going to say which camp I fit into....because it doesn't matter. (I'm kinda torn, actually) What matters is that Raffi has admitted he enjoys entertaining, "busting chops" and intends to use the board as his personal playground. Again, different people feel different ways about this. Some people love a jester and enjoy some comic relief. Some people find having their "chops busted"...really offputting and tedious. What I think we should be asking ourselves: Is the main forum primarily about entertainment or information? I think most of us would agree that most folks are interested in exchanging information....though, in fairness, it's not that cut and dried. A lot of interpersonal communications go on, and of course there's humor and camaraderie. But at the end of the day....what did the creator of the board envision as the primary focus? Where do one person's rights (to use some off color humor and relieve stress) end.....and another person's rights (to engage in conversations about content without harassment) begin? If we look at this forum....the creator of it left a pretty big clue. If you read the descriptions of each main forum....the intent is pretty clear that the primary intended function is information exchange about each topic. If you go over to the sub-section of the main forum called The Lounge....it says: "This forum is for general conversation, sharing interests, having a laugh or discussing anything not specifically related to Weight Loss Surgery surgery." So, there we go....our forum's creator even thought about entertainment and blowing steam and busting chops...and made a place for it! So there ya go Raffi....a place where you're welcome to hold court, rile people up, and do whatever you want:) https://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/444-the-lounge/ Having the Raffi show move to The Lounge also provides a way for people to avoid The Raffi Show if it's not their cup of tea. This solution seems to protect the rights of all parties involved. The Raffi Fans, the Raffi Detractors, and Raffi himself. Everyone gets consideration this way. All this said...I'm no authority....but this seems an equitable situation that respects everyone.

I would give your surgeon's office a call and ask their advice. Can't hurt?

I saw my bariatric surgeon first....he wrote the referral for the psych eval...cause it's a special kind of evaluation specific to bariatric surgery and he has a therapist he uses specifically for it who knows what to write that makes insurance companies happy. (added bonus, she also runs our support group) Really...my bariatric surgeon's office handled everything to do with my insurance. They contacted them about prereqs and designed a program for me from there...and they got all the little boxes ticked and all the I's dotted and T's crossed. I just went for all the tests and kept all the appointments they made for me. I never really even talked to my insurance company. My insurance company sent me an approval letter within a week of my surgeon's office submitting the request. They know the ins and outs of dealing with insurance companies....and they get chit done:) In my case, anywho...it was better to leave all that up to the professionals.

You can also cook the crap out of it and use half cauliflower, and half boiled potatoes...and add fat free buttermilk and salt...and have really amazing mashed potatoes,

https://woman.thenest.com/benefits-rye-bread-vs-wheat-bread-8649.html

Oatmeal...again...cause I can't get enough of it these days. Weird, weird, weird. Sugar free maple flavor packet with splenda, and a half a tablespoon of pecans. Couple hours later I had second breakfast like a hobbit...and had half a cup of chia pudding with blueberries.

If you pull down the forum menu and cut across from weight loss surgery forums...you'll find a board called "The Lounge"...which might be a good home for the Raffi Show. I think you could safely throw the kinda party you're thinking of over there without upsetting anyone. Carry on:)

This might come as a shock to a few people here, but there are quite a few of us in the bariatric patient community who are ALSO part of the medical community:) Doctors, nurses, surgeons, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, etc. etc......suffer from obesity, too:) Who knew? And yes, some of us are sympathetic and EXTREMELY GRATEFUL for the work bariatric surgeons do, and the sacrifices they make to help people with obesity.

Everyone deserves and has the right to have surgery IF they comply with their surgeon's rules. Sometimes it takes a few tries....but if you really want it...you'll get there:) Or maybe you'll find a different surgeon whose rules you prefer. But ultimately... The surgeon has the right to set his/her own criteria for doing the surgery. Stating that reality is only a slight if you choose to experience it that way.

LOL! Love it:) My kiddo's childhood inspiration movie was Jurassic Park. She recently sent me a recording of them playing the theme from the bell tower:)

Yes, I do love surgeons and doctors. There are several in my family and friend network. They are human beings, too. They have rights, just like you do:) Bariatric surgery is an elective procedure. If you screw up and hurt yourself, your doctor pays the price. The first thing doctors learn is to first do no harm. Doing surgery on someone who cannot control their eating habits doesn't do any good, and in fact can do a great deal of harm. Doctors have every right to expect patients to comply with treatment guidelines and to refuse those who don't.

Only way to know for sure is to call the office, but I would expect if you have a good history of compliance they'll be willing to work with you. Do you have any presurgical liquid diet? Liquid diets will reduce you in a hurry most of the time.

Oh man...rough shake! That stinks, cbf. Did they fix your hernia, at least?

"Why wear the willpower of the patient out before surgery?" Answer: To prevent death and injury. And to protect yourself against malpractice suits and insurance hikes. Bariatric surgeons don't owe anyone anything. It is entirely at their discretion who they choose to do surgery on and who they believe will be a safe risk for a procedure they perform. What happens to you...is their butt on the line as much as yours. They have a right to refuse services to people who are not yet able to follow instructions and keep themselves safe. And they are smart to do so. As a patient, if you can comply with the requirements of a program, you have a right to be treated. But you don't get to make the rules. The doctor doing the surgery does.

Did you guys take a peek in the law library? That whole section of campus feels like you're at Hogwarts in a Harry Potter movie. Very cool:) I would very happily retire near AA!

What were you doing in Ann Arbor, Miss Topaz? I love Ann Arbor. My kiddo is studying microbiology at UMich on a research track and has an apartment there. Such a fun city! So many cool things to do:) It's like a weird little international hub. So many cool people from everywhere. Enjoy your purees! Man, I remember being excited about that:)

Most people have a few food funerals. As long as you don't gain, and as long as you're all in and by the book when the liquid diet starts, I really think you'll be ok. Best wishes, and good luck!

I think you should get your surgery....get incredibly hot...dump that jerk, and find a guy who supports things that are important to you regardless of whether he fully understands them. That's what partners do for each other...or should do....they have each other's backs, even when they're uncertain...they trust and support. It's possible your hubby is a good enough guy...and he's just incredibly afraid and won't admit it. But man, his selfishness would not set well with me. You deserve better. Best wishes on doing something positive for yourself. You deserve a happy healthy life. I hope he comes around and has your back soon.

YAY! Glad you're feeling better and back in a good space:) Great work!

I like ginger herbal tea when my stomach is upset. Kinda like ginger ale without the forbidden carbonation:)

The average weight loss in the first month after sleeve is 18% of your excess body weight. If you had surgery at 255 and want to get to 145...you have 110 pounds of excess weight. 18% of 110 is about 20 pounds. Sometimes I wonder if some of these surgeons care more about their patient's health and longterm success....or care more about pushing people to reduce as fast as possible to be living advertisements for their clinics to generate business. I would be very uncomfortable with your surgeon's expectations.

It could be a sign of dehydration. While more concentrated urine isn't, in itself, a horrible thing...you should aim for less concentrated urine and better hydration. Try drinking more water in the evening. Keep a water bottle near you during your evening activities and sip, sip, sip:) Keep it next to your bed. Good hydration helps weight loss and keeps your kidneys healthy.