jensmallwood

May I suggest that you write this doctor a letter and let him know how he made you feel? He truly may not know that he's an ass.... and he deserves to. I don't mean in a mean way- just a factual, straightforward way. I think it's good practice that if someone loses your business (or is about to) that you let them know *why.* Otherwise, we don't give them the chance to change or improve. If I made someone feel like crap, I'd want to know about it. Who knows-- some people are just asses their whole lives... but maybe-- he'll be more thoughtful with the next person with a little bit of feedback.

I don't really know (so I guess I shouldn't post), but my suspicion is that the effect would be minimal. What (I think) plastic surgery does is *mostly* related to loose skin (I know some plastic surgery deals with muscle, though, too). Exercise preserves and builds the muscles underneath the skin (along with burning the fat). If you lose a lot of muscle, you'll be unhealthy and make the loose skin problem worse (since there will be less to support it), but it won't help with the loose skin problem directly. Skin's resiliency is likely to be mostly a factor of age, amount of stretching and genetics.

You will, you will run and play and swing with them!!!! You're right-- it's not about being thin (that's just a bonus, if it happens), it's about being healthy!!

I'd just give a call to your doctor and ask! That way, no worrying about it. And it *is* possible to have the procedure done as an open procedure if your liver is too big to work around. It's not optimal, but it can be done!

Thinking of you today! When you're back up and at 'em, let us know how you're doing!!

I appreciate all of what has been posted above. Another thing to remember is that the recommendation of .8 or 1/1.5 g of Protein per kilo of body weight is based on what you would weigh if you were at your *appropriate body weight*. Excess body fat does not require protein. My doctor's office recommends 50 g of protein per day... which for me is exactly 0.8 g of protein for 140 pounds (63 kg)-- which is what I *should* weigh. When I get back to real food (still on blended diet), I am planning to forego protein shakes in favor of increased fruits and particularly veggies mostly because of the Fiber reason. I am blessed with no problems in the, uh, elimination area, but high protein causes a huge problem (HATE that!) Ohm-- with all that running, you needs plenty of good carbs, BUT, as endurance running can be catabolic, if you don't get *enough* protein or calories in general, you can be wasting your muscles. Hopefully that soy based protein will be helpful! I'm gonna save the protein shakes (if at all) for after my heavy weight lifting sessions.

Are you thinking about getting your surgery on one day and hopping on a cruise the next? I'd suggest waiting at least 4 days after your surgery to hop on a cruise. I bet others would suggest waiting longer. The problem is, you don't know how you'll feel until after the surgery. I needed to talk to my doctor on day 4 after for a nausea problem (and a ship doctor is NOT a bariatric surgeon and may not know specifically how to help if there is a problem.) It would also suck to pay all that money for a cruise and then have SEASICKNESS on top of your potentially-already-queasy-stomach. Maybe you've never had seasickness before, but I bet that this surgery could increase the chances of it significantly. So, I guess my recommendation is that if you *do* purchase a cruise, that you also buy insurance so that if you don't feel well enough to go you don't lose your money. Maybe tell them you're going to visit relatives instead? :cursing:

I was cleared to exercise as long as it didn't hurt at my 2 week appointment. **But you should call your doctor's office and ask what their recommendations are for exercise in general and abdominal exercise specifically.** I teach pilates- and that's a great ab/core/back specific workout. BUT-- do know that ab workouts (including pilates) don't burn a lot of calories-- so if you are looking to up your weightloss, I'd choose an aerobic activity- like walking or bicycling, group exercise classes (step, aerobics, etc)- that sort of thing. Ab workouts also do *not* specifically get rid of fat on the belly. I have a lot of people come into my pilates classes and tell me they want to have this great midsection- and I tell them that pilates will tighten/strengthen up those muscles, but as for the layer of fat on top of them... they'll have to go to a different class for that! :cursing: The same is true for other abdominal exercises.

Congratulations!! What an amazing feat! :cursing:

My dear, I beg to differ.... anyone who can run 7 miles a day -- and at THAT pace-- IS, IS, IS an athlete! :cursing:

Congratulations!!! It'll be great!

I had no pre-op diet, and mine was also laparoscopic... I read in one of the many WLS books I bought as I researched this (and I don't remember which one specifically) that some surgeons swear by the liver-shrinking diet, but that there is (according to the author) very little data to back up the practice. Of course the author stated that you should do whatever YOUR surgeon tells you to do. :thumbup:

I'd say it just depends on how soon they can set up the appointment. Welcome to the journey! :thumbup:

That's just crazy! I can't comprehend why anyone would want to do that... her poor child! She won't even be able to care for her (much less herself) at that size. :thumbup:

How many calories (approximately) are you eating every day? Make sure you are getting enough (I know it can be difficult). I am also on the mushie/blended stage, but my doctor has me eating 5-6 meals a day (2 of mine are Protein shakes, and rest are about 1/4 c protein and 1/4 c fruit or veggie each). Maybe post a typical daily menu and we can offer some tips? As far as Vitamins... I just ordered some chewables from bariatriceating.com-- I haven't gotten them yet, so we'll see how they are! (Right now I'm taking a liquid that I got from some bariatric website, but I can't remember which one! It's pretty gross.)

My doctor said to call right away if I couldn't even keep fluids down. That happened to me on the afternoon of day 3 after surgery, too. But I had no fill put in my band. They gave me some meds for nausea, and I was fine by the next day.

Congratulations!! That's awesome-- I also can't wait for that "2" to go away.

Thanks, Todd! I'm gonna share this with my husband who is considering the surgery (and is a big football fan). The comments are horrid-- I can't believe people think that way. And it's not just about WLS, it's about obesity in general.

Linda- How frustrating! I'll get my first fill the day after you do (4/8). I have a couple of recommendations that *might* help: - try to stick to foods that give you more volume for the calories- which will fill you up more. - don't leave fat out altogether-- if you are avoiding fat completely, you won't feel satiated. Fat slows emptying from the stomach and may help you feel full longer. - ditto for Fiber. Make sure you're getting fiber in each meal (this just means choosing whole grain bread over white- that kind of thing.) -maybe try a big glass of Water about 15 minutes before a meal In the meantime while you are waiting to get restriction, focus on other related goals... get a pedometer and see how many steps you are taking per day. Then see if you can add to it each day or each week. Getting that exercising habit under your belt while you are waiting for restriction will help to kick the weightloss into gear when you do get that restriction. Good luck!

What's up with the burps? Anyone know? I've been soooo burpy... and never was before. But I don't understand WHY... I guess I swallow air when I eat, but it can't be any more than I USED to swallow. What do you think? How does the pouch make us more burpy?

I didn't intend to imply that it was ok either way-- it's just HER problem to get the money back if she paid herself, whereas the insurance company and its lawyers, etc will have to deal with it if they paid.

I felt great about 5 days post-op, with the exception of a bit of tightness at my port incision. I'm 15 days out today and eating mushies-- feel BETTER than before my surgery (15 pounds down). Took a long walk with my dog today, lifted (light) weights. Happy and energetic.:wink2: Were you just banded?

It seems a little scary to me that the other doctor told you something that wasn't true... :wink2: I hope you weren't paying him out of pocket!

My doctor *said* he was going to put it right beneath my xiphoid process-- but then he actually put it more to my right side and down some. Weird.