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November 2023 surgery buddies
ChunkCat replied to Italiano26's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Not strange at all! Anesthesia can affect our mood and takes a while to get out of the system. Then the weight loss itself releases hormones that can trigger PMS on steroids 24/7 in some people. Plus, you just had a major surgery, depression is not unusual after major surgery. And on top of it all, bariatric surgery is stressful! The water and protein requirements are a full time job that first month at least! I'm 3 weeks out. It gets better once you can add food. Just focus on that water! If you get all your water in you'll feel a little better. Food will make you feel better still and will help you feel a little more normal. Hang in there! And if by change you are on psych meds you may need to talk to your psych if you continue to have mood issues, you may need a change in dosage. It's less common in the sleeve but it does happen for some people... -
If you haven't already watched this, I highly recommend this video from Dr. John Pilcher, (and pretty much all his other informative videos). He's a bariatric surgeon in San Antonio and does an amazing job of explaining medical information in a really understandable way:
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new member New Member - same old story :-)
Koshk posted a topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
Hi All, First Post I'm female in the UK and nearly 59 years old. I have been a fat toddler, a fat child, a fat teen and a fat adult. I have yo-yo dieted all my life, with each yo-yo lasting for a shorter period and resulting in a new high-point when I would inevitably bounce back. In July '23 I reached a new all time high 24st 9lb (345lb) I was about to start the diet again, about to go through the same loop but just couldn't face it. I made an appointment with a bariatric surgeon, discussed my history and options and agreed that a gastric sleeve was a good fit for me. I was told I was too heavy for their practice and I needed to lose 56lb before I could have the surgery. The surgery was booked for Jan 2nd '24 and I started dieting. As is the practice here I had an assessment with a psychologist who confirmed I was a suitable candidate and a dietician who again confirmed I was a suitable candidate but in the process managed to make me feel like I had already failed, in her words I was "Much heavier than most people who come to us" As she was a gate keeper and I needed her approval to progress I did not complain. That time will come. Following my initial consultation on the 8th Aug I started dieting to get down to the target weight. I have never had difficulty in losing weight I simply cannot maintain any losses. My normal pattern is if it takes me 6 months to lose the weight I will regain it and 10lb in the following 12-18 months. By the day of surgery I had lost 75lb and was already feeling so much better. I considered carrying on with just dieting and not having the surgery but I was already beginning to see my discipline weaken and I knew it would be the same old story. Surgery went well, I had very little pain or discomfort and by and large I cannot complain. I'm currently on the pureed stage of the diet and doing OK managing to keep protein and fluid levels up though I struggle with the fluids some day. I have lost 13lb in the last 21 days but have hit the dreaded 3 week plateau. Early days but I have no regrets - to be without hunger for the first time in my life is such a relief, I feel good and am doing more and more each day. I am already starting to live the life I want and i can see so many more benefits ahead and believe they are attainable and retainable. I wish I knew why I have struggled so much with my weight - there is no one trauma or set of childhood issues I can point at. It is not that I have a compulsion to eat everything in sight there are so many foods I can just ignore, I have no interest in sweet foods of any kind or greasy deep fried foods. But I cannot resist bread, pasta , rice etc and my down fall has always been the second or even third portion of these carbs. For this reason if no other I hope the VSG will not only prevent that behaviour but I also hope it will give me enough time to re gain control before considering a second helping. My parting thought for this post is that as I have gone through my journey thus far the one thing I have found is that my story is not that unusual, my problems are not unique and most importantly that they are not the result of some moral failing or fundamental weakness. There is more to life long obesity than can simply be solved with "diet and exercise" and having finally found medical professionals who believe that is the case I see this year and this journey as a new lease on life that I am going to grab with both hands. Koshk - newbie -
A bunch of Problems and a little rant.
catwoman7 replied to Stormwood's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
by "second surgery", do you mean you have a second stricture that needs to be stretched? That's not unusual. I had to go in twice to get mine stretched - after that, I was fine - never had problems with them again. About 5% of bypass patients get strictures. The PA at my bariatric clinic said it's the most common complication - and it's an easy fix. They almost never happen once you reach the 3-month-post-op mark, so it's doubtful you'll have one again after you get this one stretched. you'll be able to eat more the further out you get from surgery. It's really just the first few months that you have certain food restrictions and can only eat a tiny amount of food. you should feel a lot better once they stretch out the stricture - and it's unlikely you'll have another one after this. -
They cancelled my 8/15 surgery, after I expressed my concerns!
MLC3409 replied to SnowyWinter's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You need to be an advocate for yourself. If something felt off then your gut (pun totally intended) is telling you it’s not right. I would definitely work on getting any test test results that you have had done and find someone else. I am not sure what stat you’re in but I am sure there must be someone else to go to. Heck I live in Atlanta area and we have a bariatric surgeon every three blocks. You did the right thing and if they get defensive about it then that tells me they are the problem. I understand things happen sometimes but you need to be able to follow up. My Dr had a pre op appointment with me but he was called into surgery (he does other surgery too not just WLS) and instead of cancelling our appointment he called me and we talked on the phone while he was on the way to the hospital (It wasn’t an issue because it was mostly to go over test results and the next steps) it showed me that he was there for me if I need him. Just make sure you document everything you have done so far so you don’t have to start from square one. -
bariatric vitamins and calcium chews: where to purchase?
NickelChip replied to Longview Lady's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was given samples of the Celebrate tropical chewables (the Celebrate One 45, which has 45mg iron) and one of the fruit calcium chew (cherry, maybe?). They were better than anything else I tried by far. I set up an account with Celebrate directly and have them ordered on a 3-month cycle. You can get 90-day bundles and save a little that way, and the calcium you can get with one bag in each flavor for variety, either fruit or the sweet treats (chocolate, coffee, and caramel). I don't have surgery for another month, but I started them early so I can get in the habit, and I actually look forward to taking them. The fruit calcium reminds me of Starburst, and the caramel is the best of the sweet treats, in my opinion. I also tried Bariatric Fusion and I found the texture and aftertaste unpleasant by comparison. -
Best Simple Engagement Rings for 2024
Reasons for the popularity of simple engagement rings in 2024
Even though one of the main trends of 2024 is called chic and expensive engagement rings, simple engagement rings are still popular. Primarily because of the dire economic situation. Many people have lost a stable income and confidence in the future. However, you can not postpone a romantic relationship for later, as well as the desire to be together and get married. In difficult times, family traditions and the support of loved ones help to find a firm footing and look to the future without fear.
How much can I spend on an engagement ring?
This topic is explored every year and 2024 is no exception. Once upon a time, in the 1930s, De Beers offered an advertising formula according to which the groom should spend a month's wages on the ring (at that time the De Beers jewelers had to get hold of a huge number of small diamonds (up to one carat), of which there are more in nature than any other stones. This was the reason for which the whole story was invented. In 1980, it was already two months; in the last decade, it came to the equivalent of three months' salary. However, the most recent National Wedding Survey showed that, for example, in the UK in 2021, grooms are willing to lay out about 2,419 pounds. And a survey conducted by an insurance company showed that the average spending on an engagement ring is about 1,483 pounds. Incidentally, back in 2016, the average ring cost £573. In the U.S., the average cost of an engagement ring is higher at $5,000.
However, of course, not everything always comes down to money. When choosing such an important piece of jewelry, it is important to know and understand your partner. In many cases, young girls are not ready to wear heavy and expensive rings, which will be put on only on family occasions, the rest of the time the jewelry will spend time in a safe. Besides the fashion for minimalism among modern brides does not give up yet. Among the simple wedding rings, it is easier to choose a model that will fit into the everyday fashion closet and will not look pretentious.
Another common sense thought to help you determine your engagement ring value is this. It should be worth as much as you would feel good about losing. Will you have a heart attack or get a little frustrated with the romantic component of the jewelry, will you be able to make up for the loss as soon as next month? Consider what amount won't make you worry too much.
Not all couples start their romantic history together with bulky and expensive rings. By choosing a modest engagement ring, you get to renew your vows and the main ring in your life in a few years. It's also a good idea if you consider yourself a minimalist. The simple design and affordable price are just what the modern minimalist bride needs. Minimalist engagement rings also have a sophisticated design and sophisticated beauty.
Today, jewelry brands create a variety of engagement rings to suit all tastes and wallets - traditional style, heart engagement, simple solitaire, or minimalist eternity rings. Even diamond rings may not be as expensive as they seem. If you prefer responsible consumption, you can always choose a model with a moissanite or lab diamond. The cost of such pieces will be pleasantly less than you would pay for a large diamond ring.
What is a simple engagement ring?
The main thing that distinguishes such jewelry is simplicity and minimalism in design. Wedding jewelry can have one or more stones, and they don't have to be diamonds at all. Now there is a huge choice of gemstones based on your taste or social status. In this case, lab diamonds or moissanite come to the rescue. The design of the minimalist ring is laconic and devoid of pretentious decorations. With clean lines and simplicity, these minimalist engagement rings are an absolute dream for a modern minimalist engagement.
Simple engagement rings with natural gemstone
If you are not too impressed by diamonds, here are a few models of rings with colored natural gemstones. For example, if you look at the history of engagement rings of European aristocrats, most of their rings contained rubies and sapphires. Elizabeth II's sister Margaret received a large ruby for her engagement ring. When paired with diamonds it resembled a rosebud and looked very symbolic given the bride's full name, Margaret Rose.
Elizabeth's grandmother Princess Victoria Mary of Teck also received a ring with rubies - large, oval-shaped ones. Kate Middleton also passed on a family piece of jewelry - Princess Diana's sapphire ring. The model, which has survived so many copies that it has earned a ban on its reproduction, was presented to the princess in a way not quite traditional for an engagement. The princess-to-be chose her ring herself from a catalog. The legendary Wallis Simpson received an emerald framed by small diamonds. The engagement ring of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, mother of Elizabeth II, was traditionally made of yellow Welsh gold and decorated with a large blue sapphire framed with diamonds. Given the tradition of handing down jewelry from generation to generation, it is not surprising that brides from old aristocratic families received colored stones.
In the past few years, the fashion for colored stones in engagement rings has been making a comeback. If you choose a really good stone, you will only benefit. Quality rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and spinels are much rarer and more valuable than diamonds. And every year the price of such jewelry will only grow.
Simple engagement rings with moissanite
Moissanite is a wonderful substitute for a diamond. Without a loupe and a tester, a common person would hardly be able to tell the difference between a diamond and moissanite jewelry, because diamond "doubles" shines so beautifully. For quite a long time, the stone was exotic and was known only to a narrow circle of gemologists. Now moissanite is the full-fledged economical version of diamond for Simple engagement rings.
How to choose a Simple engagement ring?
If you can't decide on a style of engagement ring, make some notes for yourself in a notebook. This will help you make up your mind:
- What is the color of the shackle metal (white, yellow, or rose gold)?
- Will the ring be embellished with a pavé?
- Will it be a single-center stone or multiple stones in a cluster style?
- What kind of stones will they be - diamonds, colored or moissanite?
- What kind of engagement ring will you pair the Simple engagement ring with?
We know that brides' tastes are different and can't be the same, so we've tried to collect 50 of the best simple engagement rings in different styles.
Solitaire has just one stone in the design. It is the most traditional and simple style of engagement ring. If you like an elegant look and timeless style, the Solitaire is your choice.
A small natural diamond as a solo is the perfect piece of jewelry for an important romantic proposal. The sleek design will be the starting point of a journey through simple engagement ring styles.
Cluster diamond setting engagement ring consists of nine stones of different sizes but creates the same alluring sparkle effect as a larger single diamond. Its laconic style suits young and gentle brides.
Three-stone diamond rings have a modest but very graceful look. In addition, these rings open up the possibility of assembling a set of several engagement rings. The stacked ring trend is also great for engagement rings.
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Custom Orders
Custom Simple Engagement Rings not always as expensive as you might think. We are willing to help you make changes to designs to give you the perfect result. You will be able to choose the band's width, size, and shape of the precious stones and make a personal engraving. Besides, creating a personal style does not take much time, especially if you know what result you want to get in the final.
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I’m feeling so unprepared!!
ChunkCat replied to MLC3409's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
That's the exact pre-op diet I had! Are you required to use a particular shake or can you use any type? I had to use either Premier Protein or Bariatric Advantage for my pre-op, but I could use anything post op. I agree with the others, samples are your friend. BariatricPal has a fair number of brands you can get samples of. You can get the samples of protein broths from Unjury. Make sure you get some clear drink samples like the Syntrax Nectar line, as I found those MUCH easier to get down post surgery. The milk based ones felt too heavy for a while. My favorite of those are the Fuzzy Navel and the tropical one I can never recall the name of. You can pick up the ready made Premier Protein drinks at places like Walmart and Target in 4 packs so it isn't a huge commitment to flavors. I like the Cafe Latte ones (if you are allowed caffeine), Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Roll, and Vanilla the best. They are all good mixed with coffee (or in my case, decaf because I can't have caffeine for 6 months). -
What was your “Moment” ?
diadori replied to GrannyMaggie's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
My moment just happened. I have a recurrent abdominal hernia. The general surgeon I met with initially really pounded it in my head that my weight was causing this problem. He ended up referring me to a bariatric specialist surgeon who I see on the 16th after a CT scan of my hernia tonight. That visit will determine how they are going to treat me - surgery to repair the hernia and mesh first or push for WLS. I've been researching like crazy and I'm starting to dream of a life where I'm not diabetic, I don't have sleep apnea and I can go to the thrift store and buy clothes again. -
I had my surgery when the internet was young. There were perhaps 2 or 3 main WLS message boards not unlike bariatric-pal, along with several 'blogging' sites where a few folks detailed their experiences, generally in text. I kept a journal form history from the moment I decided to have surgery until about 2 years post-op, which included appointments, milestones, and stuff I found interesting, then the next year was my running journal in much the same form. Though I wrote my entries in a form that was to be read, I never really intended to share them publicly, though eventually I did just that anonymously out there on the internet somewhere. My only caution is to remind you the internet is forever. There may come a day when you'd like to allow your WLS and weight issues to fade into the past. Be sure you don't reveal too much. Good luck, Tek
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So Confused and Upset Right Now
NickelChip replied to NickelChip's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
The hospital administration continues to prove they have handled this in the worst possible way. I went to see my endocrinologist at the weight management center on Monday. She was fighting back tears as she explained the way news of the closure was handed down, along with a timeline to wrap up the practice by early February that frankly puts profits before patient well-being at every turn. I have left 2 messages and filled out a contact form with the new center but have yet to hear back from anyone. There has been no official letter from the hospital to explain their decision to disrupt my treatment only 3 weeks before surgery, no apology for having to learn of this through an automated cancelation notice, no indication they care at all about what this is doing to any of us who have been caught in this mess. Still not sleeping well, experiencing high anxiety, and very worried about how I will have to rearrange my work schedule to accommodate a new surgery date, but of course having no clue when that will happen makes planning impossible. On the bright side, I have confirmed my new insurance coverage that starts Jan 2, 2024 does cover bariatric surgery and the out of pocket for me will be comparable to my current plan, so I'm no longer worrying about that, at least. For now, all I can do is focus on healthy eating and exercise. My doctor offered to restart me on weight loss medication in the meantime, but I just think it's one more thing to have to juggle and I'd rather not complicate my life more than needed. -
bariatric vitamins and calcium chews: where to purchase?
New To This23 replied to Longview Lady's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I bought mine from this site the Bariatric Pal version. My program requires I take a multi with 45 grams of iron and this site had exactly what I needed, I did not know before I bought them how long I was required to crush my pills or use a chewable, so I bought the 3 months supply. After surgery, I found out I only needed to crush or use chewable for one month. That is okay though because I do not mind the chewable. Now to save a few dollars I bought the pill form of calcium citrate from Walmart and honestly I was so sick of crushing that horse pill and having it ruin my food over the course of 2 weeks AND after my first post-op appointment, I was told when I am done with the month of crushing, I would need to cut the horse pill, of calcium citrate in half to take it. This prompted me to just spend the money and buy the chewable from this site as well, and I am so glad I did. Both the multi and the calcium citrate are the bariatric pal brand. On my first day of taking the chewable multi, I did think it was gross, but on the second day, it tasted good. (this was right after surgery of course). I will be buying the year's supply of multi pills for $99 when I finish the ones I already bought, because that is the best deal since I did buy 3 months worth, and that will get me through to my first blood test and I will know if I should keep the same iron level or change it before I buy a years worth. As for the calcium citrate, I can't promise I will be the model patient, regarding taking it (and no, for anyone wanting to course correct me, I do not want a list of reasons why I should thank you ). But will likely keep with the chewable because I do not want to put the effort in of having to keep a pill cutter on me and make a production of cutting my pills around people. I can just throw some chewables in a bag and call it a day. -
I'M TERRIFIED AND NEED GUIDANCE
summerseeker replied to Vanessa Correal's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
You sound as if you have a great deal going on in your life. You need to take a moment out of your busy life to just breathe. Three months is still a long time to decide which way you want to go, either with surgery or not. You can cancel right up to the minute you walk into the hospital. A few have. This may not be your time. So lets take the things that you are most worried about, Your hair. You will not go bald. You probably will loose some of your thickness. You are young, you have masses of hair. When you are as old as I am you would have already have lost lots of hair due to menopause, so I started off with a deficit. It did get a little scary and I needed to get my hair cut really short but I do love the freedom that it gives me. I felt it was worth it. This surgery was my last chance at a normal life. You will not loose too much weight, you will stop a right place for you. You need to up your calories until you get to a balance. I am ok on 1500 calories a day. I have a slow life, I dont work anymore. I go out with friends, I eat and drink as before. The only thing I do not do is overeat. I don't miss doing that, my friends might do. Especially if they liked to overeat with me. How do you see yourself ? Not how others see you. They may want a fat friend to bolster their own negative ego's. Do you put weight on every year and keep it on ? We all did. We did diets after diets and put it all back on again with added weight. Lots of us ended up with weight related illnesses like diabetes and blood pressure. If you think you can loose weight yourself and keep it off then you need to try. Give yourself 6 to 12 months to do it. Bariatric surgery is not an easy option but if you stick with it, it is a solution. If you do not follow the guide lines then like a diet, it will fail. You should go back and chat with your surgeon. You need to be totally happy with your decision. Give yourself the time you need. -
This past week I have seen the effects of Ozempic on 2 different people. One a celebrity recently in the news about it. Sharon Osbourne, 70, reveals 30 pound Ozempic-aided weight loss | Metro News The other my own GP. When the reaction is... holy shi* upon seeing them, you know it's gone too far. I hadn't seen my family doctor for months but last week when she walked into the room I was taken aback. I wanted to ask but didn't. Pretty sure she's using it unless she's got some major health issues going on. She runs another clinic as well for botox injections etc. I can't help but think body dysmorphia. Skeletal facial features is not a good look. JS I'm going back in to see her next week for some preventative tests I was putting off until after I recovered from surgery. Maybe it's none of my business but if it's what I think it is, I'm seriously thinking about switching doctors. I'm also going to talk to my bariatric team when I see them in Oct. to discuss my meds. I was told by them that after WLS I should be able to get off most of them. My GP told me I'll probably be on all of them for the rest of my life???? I always wondered if she gets some kind of kickback from prescribing them because in the past she always seemed to want to add more every year. But now that all my tests are coming back normal, what's a doc to do??? It will be interesting what the bariatric team tells me compared to her. That may be the determining factor in whether I switch doctors or not. Am I wrong to think that if my doctor isn't taking proper care of herself, how can she take care of me? But then I think...well there are a lot of overweight doctors and nurses too. It's a conundrum... but atm wanting to keep me on all my meds is a bigger concern.
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Hey there! I have a WLS Instagram account, but I set it on Private (so I have to approve any follows and only followers can see what I post), set my profile pic as something random (not my face), and I've clearly stated on my profile that I only accept other WLS accounts as followers, just to keep it all semi-private. I still get a bunch of weird bots (and fake Keanu Reeves?? 😂) requesting to follow me, so I just run through and delete their requests every few days. There are a LOT of different hashtags you can use to find other WLS accounts to follow - just use words like "bariatric", "sleeve", "rny", "bypass", etc. and they should all show up. There's a pretty decent community over there, so even if you choose to never post anything, it's nice to see all the support and read others' stories! I don't post much either (I always figure I don't have much interesting to say).
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yep - agree with the others. We don't absorb vitamins as well as "normies" do, and we need more of certain vitamins than what typically comes in a multivitamin. In addition, I don't think I've ever seen a multi that has calcium citrate in it. They usually have calcium carbonate, which we don't absorb very well. We're supposed to take calcium citrate. you can ask your surgeon about their requirements, or check this list from the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (I'm guessing a lot of surgeons use this list). You have to scroll down a bit to get to the requirements. They have them for each type of surgery: ASMBS-Nutritional-Guidelines-2016-Update.pdf
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Bariatric surgery is not all butterflies and rainbows
NickelChip replied to Courtnay's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I don't think there's anything wrong with writing letters to your loved ones for your own peace of mind. If the prospect of sudden, unexpected death frightens you (and I don't blame you because it's terrifying!) having letters for your family that you put aside in case that happens is probably a good idea. If your surgery is the thing that makes you realize you want to do that, you should definitely do that and no one should tell you not to because that's very rude and insensitive of them. If you are significantly more terrified of having your surgery than you are of getting into a car to drive yourself to the hospital for it, I also think it's important to recognize that the odds of dying as a result of bariatric surgery are slightly higher than the odds of dying if you fall down the stairs, about 2-3x more common as dying in childbirth (in the US), and about 10x less likely than dying in a car accident. If you are about 2-3x as nervous about dying as you were when you went into labor, and just a bit more nervous than the last time you started to slip on a staircase, that's probably about the right level of mortal fear, statistically speaking. It's probably safe to say none of us are as respectful of how dangerous driving is as we should be. I would put your letters somewhere safe and plan to revisit them every so often and keep them up to date over the years because tomorrow is never a given. It would probably be a healthy thing if we all realized that every day. But try not to let that fear with regard to your surgery become overwhelming. -
HELP with Vitamins!
SarahByNumbers replied to AmberFL's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hi Amber! My program requires similar vitamins (the only difference is, instead of B-1, they have us do a B-Complex). The explanation they gave me was that we'll need even more of quite a few vitamins after surgery, as we may not absorb certain ones (especially B-12) as well anymore. Vitamin D helps with healing, so it's good to have some extra (and deficiency is really common, especially in bariatric patients). The other reason for seemingly "doubling up" on some is that we're not getting any vitamins from "real food" immediately post-op, so they want to account for missing out on those when we're in the liquid & puree stages. Hope that helps! -
New month, new surgery...
SleeveToBypass2023 posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
So I had a CT with contrast on Wed the 29th and it confirmed that I have a ventral hernia. I'm scheduled for surgery On Wednesday Dec 6th. It's a same day surgery, so at least I won't have to stay overnight. By this past Wednesday morning I was beginning to have pain in that area (where the hernia is), and by Thursday, I was in agony. After work, I called the on-call doctor with my bariatric surgeon's office and they said to go to the ER. I couldn't drive myself, so I called an ambulance. They did a repeat CT and confirmed what was seen in the last one. They said it was stable (not strangulated) but it was very close to my extremely large uterine fibroid (I have 3, but it's close to the biggest one) and that was causing a lot of the pain and inflammation. They put me on dilaudid and zofran while I was in the ER and sent me home with Hydrocodone-acetaminophen (Norco) and promethazine (phenergan). They also did an ultrasound on my fibroids (they now measure 13cm. 9cm, and 7.5cm) and ovaries (which are very cystic, thanks to my PCOS) and they confirmed there is no torsion and there's good blood flow. I'm off work today, have my pre-op appt on Monday and then go to work the rest of Mon and all of Tuesday. Then I have my surgery on Wed and I'm off work until Mon the 11th, which is when I go back. Just thought I would update you guys. My hysterectomy is still scheduled for March 6th. I'm in a lot of pain, so I can't wait to get this surgery over with.- 7 replies
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December Surgery Buddies!
NickelChip replied to AshleeHarvey's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Welcome! You're the same day as me! One of the things I have done that I think has really helped me feel more prepared is watching YouTube videos. I started with every video available from both Dr. Matthew Weiner and Dr. John Pilcher, and I also watched all of the ones from Dr. Vuong, although I know he's a more controversial figure these days. But I did get a lot out of some of them when he was talking about your mindset and that type of thing. I also watched a ton of videos made by regular people talking about their experiences. I've done book research and such too, but I feel like the videos are just a way I can get a little bit of something to think about every day. With 4 weeks to go, my plan is to try out a few recipes from the bariatric cookbooks I've bought and see if I can get some menu ideas for some of the earlier stages, figure out the groceries I will need, etc. Oh, and freezing some meals for my kids so I can avoid cooking the first few weeks. Other than that, I think we just have to take it one day at a time. -
November 2023 buddies
BoilerBob replied to brandycsiz's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My Costco keeps running out of Fairlife. I’ve been ordering from them online but it is a little bit more to have it shipped. I’ll have to try the cafe latte. I’ve been off Ozempic for a few weeks. Good news is that I haven’t thrown up for over a week a the bad news is that some of my hunger is coming back here at the end. I’m trying to drink water and remind myself I’m already down 30 pounds from this month of preop (my wife and others have made comments about looking skinnier). I’m still trying to mentally prepare for Monday. I actually read a few of the papers my surgeon wrote about bariatric surgeries and his view on the process. It was interesting. Tomorrow is my last day of work and I just want to get to it. -
So been trying to find a Vitamin that does not cause me nausea or make me throw up. Sure enough it was the amount of Iron in them. I switched from the 45mg of iron one to the 18mg of iron and no nausea, no vomiting. It's great that you've found a solution to your vitamin-related issues. Iron intake can sometimes be a tricky aspect of post-bariatric surgery nutrition. It's good to see that adjusting the iron dosage has made a positive difference for you. Managing your vitamin and mineral levels is crucial for your overall health after weight loss surgery.
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Here’s my story. On 4/25/22 I weighed 281.8. A few months later at a Dr appointment for reflux the topic of having endoscopic gastroplasty was mentioned and eventually the surgery was scheduled for September 2022. I reported for the surgery and was going thru the pre-op process when our son called to let us know that he tested positive for COVID. The doctor advised us to reschedule. The next opening was a couple of months off, so it was rescheduled. I reported for the rescheduled surgery but after at check-in we were greeted with the news that the ventilation system for the operating room was down and we would have to reschedule again. This pushed us into 2023 and required navigating a new health insurance provider. Finally On 1/24/2023 I had my surgery and by 5/1/2023 my weight had dropped to 224 then “stabilizing” at around 235. 2023 had lots of ups and downs: - 4/25/2022 – weight 281.8 – bmi 38.2 - 1/23/2023 my last coke have gone over 1 year without a coke. Was typically drinking 1 – 2 20 oz bottles per day of regular coke. - 1/24/2023 - surgery. - 3/31/23 got laid off from work. - 4/6/2023 – robotic hernia surgery - 4/26/2023 – kidney stones - 5/1/2023 – weight 224 – bmi 30.3 - 7/11/2023 – procedure to evaluate hiatal herniaI - 1/18/2024 - COVID. - 1/25/2024 - big disagreement with boss and resigned. - 1/29/2024 - received ontingent job offer but significant pay cut. Job won't start for a month so I have time to think abiut job or seek other opportunities. - 1/30/2024 - weight 234.4 – bmi 31.7 Things to work on: - Eat better and exercise long term. I’ll do ok eating and exercising for a week or two and then I start stress eating, not feeling like walking. - Eating – there are times when I don’t feel hungry but want something to eat. - Regularity – I’ve always been irregular and at times have IBS with uncontrollable BM and then other times go days ( 3 – 4 days) between BM. - I have a goal of going on a couple of long bike rides 10 -15 miles but need to start getting in shape for them. - Decide to retire or find new job. - I rarely feel full. I think that I’m eating less but feel hungry or feel like eating even if I’m not hungry. Looking for advice on healthy things to eat between meals and limiting appetite here is a list of things that I like to eat . - - I like Kind Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew bars (170 cal, 22 g carbs and 6 g protein) - addicting - Inspire Square Protein Wafers by Bariatric Eating (200 cal, 13 g Carbs 15 g protein) - addicting - BariatricPal Protein Shake or Pudding – Chocolate (6 gm carbs 15 gm protein) - Lunches - Dole Sunflower Salad Kit - 350 calaries (40 gm carbs and 9 gm protein)
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So Confused and Upset Right Now
NickelChip replied to NickelChip's topic in General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions
I wish I knew what they have planned. They are supposed to call me to explain, but so far the only person I've spoken with is the guy who answers the phone, and he probably wasn't supposed to tell me anything. He just said, "unfortunately, the center is closing, so..." The worst part is, I've been a patient there for almost 7 years, doing nutritional and medical weight loss. I love my endocrinologist there, and the nutritionists, the staff. If they are losing their jobs, I will cry. And they are always so busy I don't see how they can afford to close. I am so mad because I had a chance to move my surgery to right before Thanksgiving, but I had to pass because it was too last minute for figuring out the childcare. Now I'm kicking myself. Literally, my insurance approval is in and everything. I have a pantry of protein powders and a bookcase of bariatric cookbooks. I have watched every video on the planet. I just needed my final pre-test, which was supposed to be next week. My mom had booked a hotel in Harvard Square to be close by the night of the surgery and take me home the next day. The kids would be off school for winter break. Now I have no idea where anything stands. I will still have my insurance for January because my husband's job doesn't start until a few days into the month so we'll have paid the premium for January, but as of February it'll have to be the new insurance, and I don't yet know what they cover, or even which insurance company it is. Plus, my deductible starts over on Jan 1, naturally. -
Wegovy vs bariatric surgery
Adipocyte Apoptosis replied to Adipocyte Apoptosis's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Thanks for the recommendation! I will look into that YouTube channel. Honestly, I feel like I took Wegovy before I had admitted to myself that I was ready to undergo surgery. It had always been in the back of my mind, but I never thought that it would be something I would do. It's hard to give up the lifelong hope of being able to lose weight on your own. I took a class on weight loss where we discussed energy homeostasis and the different survival mechanisms our bodies have to prevent us from starving, i.e., stop us from losing fat storage so we don't die. It was very eye-opening to the types of changes that must take place for sustainable, long-term weight loss. Bariatric surgery has a ~75% success rate compared to the ~10% success rate seen in conventional weight loss attempts, and it's BECAUSE of the physiological changes made in your body due to the anatomical change made to it during surgery. That, paired with practicing healthy behaviors for both physical and mental health, leads to more permanent weight loss. I've been able to maintain my post-Wegovy weight loss for months now, but achieving additional weight loss has just been impossible.
