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Everything posted by Losebig
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Great progress, you must feel great with such a difference.
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I’ve been feeling the same way for the last few days. I had blood work Friday, not sure on the results yet. They thought maybe low B12, but we’ll see. I am fighting off a cold, so that might be it too. Let us know what the blood work shows.
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Two Difficult Days of Head Hunger
Losebig replied to Redo2017's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Doesn’t sound like fun. I’d suggest keeping busy and active so you’re not thinking about it. My nutritionit also suggested brushing your teeth if there’s something you really want, which is surpriingly effective. -
4 months in my program, but also not sure what I’d drink. I didn’t really drink before, so I’m not missing it too much.
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Depending on your program a lot of them have pretty good leak protocols. My program, which does the bypass and sleeve said they hadn't had a leak in over 2 years (close to 1,000 surgeries). They do some tests during the surgery using air (other programs use dye). Post surgery they stopped doing the barium swallow because it wasn't effective. If you have symptoms of a leak they use a CT scan with oral contrast as the first test and then can follow up with others. They give you a list of symptoms to monitor for closely. With a bypass the risk of a leak is very small nationally and your center probably keeps their own statistics. For a sleeve it's higher, but not by a ton. Your surgeon may be able to talk about specific risk in their program and your situation, so definitely have a conversation about it.
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Family member not being supportive...
Losebig replied to Fluffie2006's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My mother wasn't super supportive, but it was because she was scared. We had a family member who had some bad experiences and didn't keep the weight off (she didn't stick to her plan at all and ended up having all kids of issues as a result). In the end she became much more supportive post surgery because the biggest risk had passed and she was able to accept it. Hopefully your mom is in this category.... The other category is harder and its tough to understand motivations (jealousy, fear?). -
6 month weight loss program?
Losebig replied to Samwheater's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
It varies based on insurance company. You can call them and they should be able to give you examples of what is acceptable. Typically they want something with proof of the timing, progress etc. Physician supervised means medical records and possibly a letter from your physician. Where they accept non supervised WW might be ok if you can show proof of enrollment over a continuous 6 month period. -
Hopefully you chewed it really well. You’ll probably be fine, but be careful and if its too tempted as mentioned toss it. I’ve tossed a few things out because its just too hard (hummus and nuts went in the trash at my house yesterday actually). I ate a couple cheese it crackers too early and also removed them. The purée and liquid stages are harder than soft foods IMHO.
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ITCH LIKE CRAZY & RASH! OMG
Losebig replied to Seahawks Fan's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
What’s the rash look like? It could be a rash due to the adhesives on the steri strips or the glue they use to close the skin wounds. Unfortunately the only real thing for that is benedryl. Your an take it orally and/or use a benedryl cream. Anti histamine creates may help too. They also put some disinfectant stuff on (you probably noticed your stomach was weirdly colored), that can cause some dryness and irritation, so some moisturizer might be a good idea. -
I think i’m down a cup size, but i’m a guy.... will be happy when the moobs go!
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Get some electrolyte beverages in there like g2 or Powerade, otherwise you’ll end up back in the ER.
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For all of us with white tongues...
Losebig replied to sleevedin2018's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Just check with your surgeon on pineaple. It has an enzyme that breaks down some of your tongue/ mouth. It may not be ok on a healing stomach. -
First day of pre-op liquid diet and everything tastes bad...what is going on?
Losebig replied to ~Primrose~'s topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Sometimes in the first few days weird things happen. A bad headache, off tastes etc. push through if you can and in a couple days it gets much better. -
No regrets. The first 2 weeks can be tough for some folks, but short of unlikely issues you should be good to do work after 2-3 weeks, just no heavy lifting. It’s normal at this stage to be nervous. If you follow the diet and food progression plan you shouldn’t feel sick beyond the first couple of weeks as you heal.
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I can't get used to being thinner!
Losebig replied to DianeJarrett's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
On the flip side last time I lost 100 lbs I noticed people no longer got out of my way in a crowd or were more likely to push into me. I’ll take just being another regular person though! -
Disappointed In Myself
Losebig replied to Kimba Maria Wiggins's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
In weight loss if we stumble we tend to then throw ourselves down the stairs. Don’t. Resist the urge to focus on the weight gain, instead focus on the loss and know you can again. Go back to basics, maybe revisit your nutritionist or get one if you don’t have one. Take it slow and don’t be discouraged. You can do this. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, instead start slowly and move to where you want to be. -
I’ve been walking a lot since surgery. Now that my lifting restriction is done I will start to do weights. I’m also planning on ramping up cardio, but hoping for slightly better weather...
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Not sure a letter would constitute a guarantee of payment, but it would make for one heck of a lawsuit! My guess is it would go a long way towards either them paying or an amicable settlement of some kind. Always best to get a letter directly from the insurance company. Mine even offered a full break down of the charges and what I'd owe.
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Non-artificial sweetener options?!
Losebig replied to sara_bear's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Unfortunately it's very tough to find ones that don't have artificial sweetener. I personally hate it and try to avoid it at all costs. I used Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder, 100% Whey Protein Isolate, Unflavored. Not the best tasting stuff, but with almond milk it works ok.... I wasn't getting sick so I sucked it up and used regular shakes because they were just easier and then got off them as soon as possible. Some of them use Stivia, which might be better. -
Graphic Pic-- 6 days post op- images of incisions
Losebig replied to 2feelinggreatagain's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Looks good. The bandages aren't holding them together (they're glued and there are sutures underneath). So no issue with them pealing off. The timing is about right, so nothing to worry about. if your shirt rubs them and hurts you can put a regular bandaid on, though i would take it off at night so that you don't create a moist environment on the wound. Looks good to me! -
I had it too and it's very common. It's a side effect of Ketosis. It improved a once I started having more carbs, but is still there a little (on a very low carb plan). You might also get a Ketosis rash too, which isn't fun, but isn't serious either. Nothing to worry about. Have your DR take a look at your post op follow up, thrush can happen, but has other symptoms besides just the color.
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Definitely nothing like that. Often blood from the upper GI area would be black (it gets digested) VS red. Lower down it might be redish to bright red. Are you eating anything at all with dyes or that coloration? Are your vitamins colored? The fact that its consistent would seem to make it more likely that it's dietary (as presumably with that much blood you'd have other symptoms now). You could take a cell phone pic and show him.
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Sounds like you're off to a great start and doing all the right things. For food scales they actually make pretty slim ones that you can bring into the office, car or wherever you might want to weigh something. I think I've got about 4 of them in various places so I can always measure things! Even though they don't recommend it, I find myself often doing other things while I'm eating. It takes so long to eat that it's easy to get bored and if I get bored I will eat too fast. I end up taking a bite, putting down my baby fork and then chewing 25 times while I read the news on my phone, answer an email or whatever. Then I take another bite and repeat. it's not mindless eating (while I'm taking that bite I'm focused), but it is slow and methodical!
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The Fat Prom...ok, they don't really call it that
Losebig replied to Creekimp13's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
What part of MA is your group in? My program just West of Boston has a group, but its fairly infrequent and sparsely attended. -
Hang in there! The first few weeks are a roller coaster. The hormones get all messed up from the surgery and weight loss, so expect to feel unsettled for a while, but know that it gets better and that you're doing something great for yourself.