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Everything posted by CrazyDog&CatLady
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Revision from sleeve to bypass due to GERD (Trigger Warning)
CrazyDog&CatLady posted a topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I was sleeved in March of 2015 (HW 405, SW 357, LW 238, sustained 260 for a few years), had some regain where I hit 315, so I went on a hybrid Optifast/Numetra diet through a program at Kaiser (my then insurance in California). It worked well, I dropped about 50 pounds and was happy with that, but then I had some mental health issues including some passive ideation, so I decided to move across country (technically back home) to Delaware and share a living space with my brother and his wife and pets. Since that move I've gained back the 50 pounds I lost, I have another hiatal hernia, and severe acid reflux/GERD so now I'm on the path to revision to bypass. Thing is, I never wanted bypass, that's why I had the sleeve in the first place, the reworking of my internal plumbing scares the heck out of me! I've known a ton of people who've had it with no issues, but I've also known a couple who passed away from complications (granted, that was 20 years ago, and I know things have improved medically since then). But the idea of having dumping syndrome, and malabsorption, and needing to take vitamins and supplements forever - UGH - I'm freaking out!! 😨😖 I have an anxiety disorder (SAD & GAD) and my anxiety has been through the ROOF the past few weeks! My surgery date is August 26 - 13 days from today! - and I started my pre-op diet the other day (Monday), but part of me wants to cancel everything! However, there is a part of me that can't wait for the relief from the GERD. I guess I'm not asking for anything here, mostly just venting my anxiety. 🤣 -
Weakness and physical symptoms during pre-op diet
CrazyDog&CatLady posted a topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ooof. I am exhausted. I'm one week into the pre-op diet and anything and everything that I do makes me super tired and weak. Walk tot he bathroom - exhausted. Walk from car to office - weak and exhausted and out of breath. I know it's the very low calorie diet (VLCD) that I'm on and my body getting used to the changes, but DANG this is crazy! Has anyone else experienced this on their pre-op diet or am I having extra issues because I'm a binge eater? -
Favorite and Least Favorite Vegan Brands
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to Amoebas's topic in Vegetarian or Vegan Eating
I like Evolve Protein shakes, they do have the slightest bit of grit to them if they aren't cold, but they are still really good. Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burger is the YUMMM, and I love their corn dogs. 🤣 Purple Carrot frozen meals are usually really good, my favorite from them is their Elote Bowl, O Organics Silken Tofu is great for making protein packed mousses and other yummy desserts as well as adding into sauces to make them creamy and protein filled. Braggs Nutritional Yeast is good, but I haven't tried too many different brands of nooch. Once I have my bypass and I start on the pureed foods I will probably start exploring more plant based options, ultimately I'd like to 100% whole food plant based (WFPB), but I'm realistic about that. -
Weakness and physical symptoms during pre-op diet
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to CrazyDog&CatLady's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hmmm... 'keto flu' (I mutter as I Google the term) yup, that definitely seems to be what I'm dealing with. Thanks for that! Sometimes it just helps to know what it is, y'know? 😊 -
Weakness and physical symptoms during pre-op diet
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to CrazyDog&CatLady's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Today is day 9 of my pre-op diet and while my hunger cravings have subsided (that happened on day 3-ish) the weakness seems to be getting worse somehow? I almost wonder if I should reach out to my bariatric team about it but I don't want it to cause any issues with the surgery date. 🤔 -
Weakness and physical symptoms during pre-op diet
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to CrazyDog&CatLady's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Oh! I hadn't considered that! Granted, my shakes are sweet (they leave that lingering sweet taste in my mouth that I hate), but yeah, maybe I'm in sugar and carb withdrawal. 😲 -
Seatbelt pillow.
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to ShoppGirl's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
That's similar to the one that I got for myself from Amazon. When I was sleeved I used a stuffed animal, he was a long, flat, squishy dog. Whatever works! 😁 -
August Surgery buddies
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to Averdra's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I'm getting revision surgery on August 26th. Next Monday. I'm nervous, excited, exhausted, SUPER anxious (anxiety disorders and major changes don't tend to work too well together 😂), and a little terrified. I was sleeved in March of 2015 but I literally blocked out everything that happened to me pre-and-post-op. Not kidding. I reached out to my ex last week, he was with me at that time, and I was like "was I this crazy-anxious before?" and is one word answer was "yup". 😂😂 Anyway - good luck to all of the August surgery-buddies - you got this!!! 💖 -
Compliments
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to Bypass2Freedom's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Next time someone compliments you like that say to them "I always have been!" in a really cheery voice and smile like there's no tomorrow! Because HAVE always been 'annoyingly beautiful'! I get the sadness part, the part of you that says, 'was I some hideous monster because I had a few extra pounds on my body?' The truth is - nope. You always were beautiful, inside and outside, it just took you feeling healthier for people to realize how closely your outside always matched your inside. ❤️ -
What would you do or have you done since surgery..
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to BlondePatriotInCDA's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was sleeve in 2015 and am having revision surgery next week (eek!!) but I never thought about the "what I want to do" type ideas before. Mostly I just wanted to lose weight - I've been heavy my entire life - but I think that maybe I'd like to... Be able to sit in one of those plastic/resin chairs that everyone seems to own for their patio without fearing that it might collapse under my weight, or sit at a sidewalk cafe/restaurant without my butt hanging over the edges of the chair. Have a mattress last longer than a few years before the "dent" I've put in it causes me even more body aches. Be able to go grocery or clothes shopping without feeling like I'm being stared at (that's my social anxiety, but it's made MUCH worse by my weight). Be able to fly economy class again (I've only been able to fly first class the last few years, because I just don't fit in economy anymore) WITHOUT the extender belt! Take my dog for walks and to the park and run around with him. Be able to sit in my desk chair for longer periods before my legs fall asleep because the chair isn't deep-seated enough for my butt! 🤣 I have boring "dreams" 😂 -
Delaware (revision surgery)
CrazyDog&CatLady posted a topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hi everyone...I was poking around but I couldn't find any recent discussions that were centered around my location in Delaware (I'm in Newark). I'm looking for forum support, in-person or online support groups, any kind of support TBH. 🤣 -
Help With Getting Back On Track
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to Hey Man's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I always thought of the pouch reset as a mental reset, not a physical one. You are getting back into the mindset of watching what you are eating, how you are eating it, how long it takes you to eat, etc. I think, in that way, that the reset can help. -
I am looking for information on the before and after getting the sleeve done
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to A brighten the day's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I can't speak to most of your questions, but I do know that the Premier Protein product is some of the better protein shakes out there, and you can get them anywhere (Walmart, Amazon, etc.). If you prefer a vegan choice (not whey protein) I like Evolve Protein (which I usually buy from Amazon). If you want to stick with the "medical" protein shakes, you can go to https://www.go4ithealth.com/ as they are the retail site that sells all of the Numetra weight loss products (most hospitals sell you the pre-op diet and a lot them use Numetra for that), you will need a blender bottle for them though whereas the Premier and Evolve and ready to drink (RTD). I can recommend a really good blender bottle called Helimix (I got it on Amazon - sensing a theme? LOL), it doesn't use a blender ball just physics. 😂 Either way, good luck with your journey! -
NEVER thought I would be asking this
CrazyDog&CatLady replied to ShoppGirl's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I had a sleeve done years ago and, for me, I would lose in spurts, so maybe this is just a spurt and you will level off for a week or so and *boom* spurt again. But I wouldn't worry until you've had the chance to talk to your bariatric doctors office. Odds are they will be like, "that's great! good job!" 😀