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SleeveToBypass2023

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Everything posted by SleeveToBypass2023

  1. My weight seems to be holding steady at 180. I was hoping to get to 185 or even 190, but at this point I'm just glad I'm not 170 anymore. I'm a size 8/10 now (and I fluctuate between Medium and Large, depending on the brand). I noticed I don't have a lot of strength anymore, and I need to figure out how to build some muscle. But I have to not really work out, because as soon as I do, I drop weight like crazy. I wanted to try lifting weights again, but I don't have the strength and endurance anymore. And I'm ALWAYS tired these days. I'm on my feet all day at work, so I was told not to really work out if I don't want to lose more weight. So I'm kind of stuck. But anyway, I'm proud that I dropped so much weight, and I love my new numbers (blood sugar is 93 before eating and 122 after eating, A1c is 5.4, blood pressure alternates anywhere between 102/60 - 106/64, my total cholesterol is 143) but my iron is still too low and I have to have 3 iron infusions (blah). I've always had an issue with anemia, so this is no real surprise.
  2. SleeveToBypass2023

    Oh hey!!! Hi, how are ya?

    I think I am. )knock on wood). I seem to be doing very well, minus all the "need to gain weight" issues. Thanks!!
  3. So in the US, trade schools typically give a certificate or diploma. The words college and university are used interchangeably. Also in the US, employers just want to see some kind of post high school education. I have an Associate's degree (2 year degree) and a clinical medical assistant diploma as well as several licenses and certifications. And I can pretty much choose where I want to work. My medical assistant diploma took me a year to get and was taught by a lead medical assistant with 20 years experience. My Associate's degree came from Denver Community College. I'm working on my Bachelor's in Public Health (9 classes to go) and I'm doing that online through American Public University.
  4. This is interesting! Here in the US, therapists have to have specific college degrees and be licensed in order to do the talk therapy. Psychiatrists are pretty much the same except they have longer school and specialty training for the meds. Psychiatrists don't do talk therapy. The appointments are usually 15-20 minutes and it's really just checking in about the meds, side effects, make sure they're helping, and make any adjustments/changes as needed. Therapist appointments are usually an hour and they do talking, coping techniques, journaling, etc... And both are covered by the government insurance (Medicaid) here.
  5. SleeveToBypass2023

    Liver shrinking diet pre -op?

    If your BMI is only 36, then there are many different reasons your surgeon may not want you to do the LSD (Liver Shrinking Diet). I would listen to what your surgeon says. You'll have to not eat 24 hours before your surgery anyway, and nothing to drink after midnight before your surgery. My guess is they feel that's enough for you. I wouldn't push it, if I were you. Anytime I had to deviate from my main eating plan, I worked with my nutritionist and spoke with either my surgeon or the nurse practitioner about it and we came up with alternatives together. I'm 2 1/2 years out from my original surgery and 1 1/2 out from my revision (due to complications from the 1st surgery) and I've been extremely successful. I suggest not doing things behind your team's backs. Speak to them about your concerns and see what you can come up with together.
  6. SleeveToBypass2023

    can you live entirely off protein the shakes??

    Absolutely not. Not enough calories, carbs, nutrients. That's basically a starvation diet, and we don't support that here. You need food. For various reasons. The protein shakes are supplements, not complete meal replacements.
  7. SleeveToBypass2023

    Affordable plastics

    I'm so glad I ran across this thread. I'm hoping to start my surgeries within the next year, but I'm definitely not made of money, so this thread is a huge help.
  8. SleeveToBypass2023

    Mindful eating?

    I 100% agree with everything @NickelChip said. I know it seems crazy to do the things she talked about, but I promise you, when you have the surgery you will be absolutely miserable if you don't get in the habit of doing at least several of the things she mentioned. Trying to learn on the fly after the surgery will be problematic.
  9. SleeveToBypass2023

    A Milestone

    WooHoo!!! Welcome to ONEderland!!! Definitely celebrate it, girl!!!
  10. SleeveToBypass2023

    1 1/2 years out serious issues

    It's not that we're trying to pick on you or force you to justify yourself. But honestly, what you're saying doesn't make sense. How is it your insurance covered your surgery and a panni but won't cover you for organ failure? How are you not in the hospital now? If your organs are shutting down, no way would they have just sent you home. I work in healthcare, and we've sent people to the hospital for way less than that. I would suggest eating carb and calorie dense slider foods. Mashed potatoes are great for that. Add sour cream and butter. There's a lot of stuff you can have that will add weight. I've been struggling to get my weight up, but adding protein shakes, avocado on nearly everything I can, slider foods, etc... And eat every 2-3 hours during the day and the evening before you go to bed. You shouldn't have to get up through the night to eat.
  11. SleeveToBypass2023

    Moringa

    I have a greens drink every day. Moringa is one of the "super greens". Moringa, chlorella, spirulina, and matcha. I haven't had any issues with any of the greens at all.
  12. SleeveToBypass2023

    Oh hey!!! Hi, how are ya?

    Awww Thank you!!! It's been a long journey, but now I just have to build some muscle so I can stop sitting on bone when I sit down.
  13. SleeveToBypass2023

    Oh hey!!! Hi, how are ya?

    I'm really going to have to look into that, I think. I need to build muscle slowly without losing too much fat or burning too many calories.
  14. SleeveToBypass2023

    Oh hey!!! Hi, how are ya?

    Awww, thank you, dear. ❤️
  15. SleeveToBypass2023

    Oh hey!!! Hi, how are ya?

    My B-12 levels are right where they need to be. I have systemic lupus, which has always caused anemia. I actually have wrist and ankle weights, so I'll try wearing them and see how things go. I didn't even think about it, honestly. I'm just nervous about burning more fat and calories before I build any muscle. I haven't mentioned it yet, but besides my butt being flat and flabby now, I literally have almost no muscle there. When I sit on anything, I have to be careful because I'm literally sitting on bone. Actual bone, and it hurts. So I have to do this carefully.
  16. SleeveToBypass2023

    Oh hey!!! Hi, how are ya?

    That's weird!!! I guess maybe it's the way our bodies are built... I also wonder if my metabolism, which was slower than molasses in January, has revved back up...maybe a little too much lol
  17. SleeveToBypass2023

    Disagreement about surgery date

    I agree with @ShoppGirl. Either do it 2 weeks before Christmas or 2 weeks after, or beyond that. Not for your family, but for you so you have full access toy our surgeon and their team. The Christmas holiday is a tricky time because so many leave or are off and nobody wants to come in if there's an emergency. I know the feeling of wanting to hurry up and start your new life, but you have to make sure you're doing what's in your best interest.
  18. I had the sleeve and was doing well until I was hit with all kinds of complications. I had the revision to bypass and couldn't be happier. It's like night and day. I think you'll do just fine.
  19. SleeveToBypass2023

    Going back a step?

    I never did puree because the idea of eating blended food was just BLECH. I went from liquids to soft, mushed foods. So I did liquids for 2 weeks, then I did soft, mushy foods for 3 weeks. I ate things like creamy soup, refried beans, mashed potatoes, avocado spread, hummus, yogurt, mashed black beans, and then the 3rd week I ate tuna, cottage cheese, SUPER steamed veggies, etc... But I only ate about 2 to 2 1/2 oz each time because there was NO WAY I could eat more.
  20. SleeveToBypass2023

    Freaking out!!!!!

    How are things now? Did you get any answers?
  21. SleeveToBypass2023

    Plastic surgery😱👀

    I'm actually technically able to get plastics right now if I want them, and BELIEVE ME I do, but I only just got my weight stable and not going down down down, so I want to give it a few months and see how it goes through the winter months and then revisit around March or April. I'd love to at least have my boobs, neck, arms, and tummy done by my birthday next year. That's really what I'm the most self conscious about. I'll eventually get the rest done, but spanx pretty much takes care of any loose and wobbly skin on my butt and thighs. I don't do dresses or shorts, I wear capris or pants/jeans, so that's perfectly fine. But it's better to let your weight be stable for a while before you go have surgery. Too much fluctuation one way or the other could mess up what the surgery does and then you'll have wasted the money, time off work, and healing effort and time.
  22. SleeveToBypass2023

    Concerned

    I'm always hungry. Always have been. Never had any reduction in the hunger hormone. So for me, it's about sticking to the plan, eating appropriate things at the right times, and ignoring the rest. For snacks, I like things that are higher in protein and fat. I love protein rolled oats with blueberries, raspberries, and sugar free syrup on top. I like to have snacks like smokehouse almonds, cheese cubes, and pepperoni or salami. I like to have a sandwich with keto white bread (I tend to go for mayo, mustard, lettuce, a tomato, cheese, and either roast beef or pastrami). I take every chance I can get to add avocado onto whatever I'm eating. Salads are HUGE for me. I love them, they're healthy, and I can put whatever I'm in the mood for on them. But the key is to EAT. You can't skip meals. Set an alarm if you have to, but you absolutely cannot miss meals. Especially not in the beginning after surgery.
  23. I finally gained weight!!! I'm officially at 180, and I like that. I feel better, I have more energy, and I don't feel nearly so run down and out of it. Still look super thin, but it is what it is. Now I'm going to work on maintenance since this is where I want to stay. I'm ok with 2 pounds in either direction, but I definitely don't want to drop below 178 again lol I got all the way down to 170 and it was just really bad. I literally don't work out at all anymore because I'm on my feet all day working 5 days per week. I increased my calories to 1700 per day (up from 1500), my carbs to 55 net per day (up from 40 or so), my protein to 100g per day (up from 80), my healthy fats to 80g per day (up from 50), my fiber intake to 30g (10 from supplements and the rest from food - up from 20) and upped my fluids to 120 fl oz per day (up from 90 - 100). I'll add my weekend workouts back in now (nothing crazy, just core and strength but on the lighter side, not heavy) so I don't gain too much now that I've figured out how to finally gain weight lol
  24. SleeveToBypass2023

    It took literally forever, but I finally did it!!!

    I looked up a few recipes online because I don't normally like them. But I make a lentil soup that's yummy. And I make a chili and a 3 bean salad that really ups the fiber and protein. I also use the pasta for not only mac n cheese but also a type of goulash. I use the pasta and add spaghetti sauce, ground beef, and 3 different beans. I also add shredded cheese that I melt on top. OMG it's amazing. And the protein and fiber are really high. I make a spinach salad with chick peas, some kind of meat (steak or chicken), cheese, bacon bits, artichoke hearts (also high in fiber), avocado, black olives, and hardboiled eggs. I like to make fruit smoothies with almond milk or I'll do a fruit salad with banana, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, apple, and I mix it with greek yogurt. All of these recipes have high protein, fiber, and healthy fat content.
  25. SleeveToBypass2023

    Question for post op surgery and matcha

    I drink matcha every day and I also have mushroom coffee. It comes out to about 60mg of caffeine total per day. Less than a regular cup of coffee but juuuuust enough to give me a little bit of "get up and go". I stayed away from all caffeine for about 6 months, then had matcha twice per week for 2 months, then added the mushroom coffee twice per week 2 months after adding the matcha. Now I drink them daily and it's all good.

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