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I had a great busy weekend. DS1’s Prom was on Saturday. It’s a mixed blessing to see your kids growing into adults…you’re so proud of them, and yet you’re sad that you’ve lost that small child that was so dependent on you. I missed not helping to pick out the outfit like the ‘great prom dress hunt’ DD and I enjoyed 4 years ago. It’s different with boys…he took his date to the tux shop and she helped him select something complimentary to her dress. For his first dance I’d gone with him to pick out the flowers, but this year he went with a group of his friends to the florist, and he did a great job (and he bought me a beautiful flower arrangement for Mother’s Day). It’s hard sometimes watching them become independent adults. We had fun watching him getting ready (I did get to help with a little hair gel-40-50 mph winds) and then meeting at a friend’s home with about a dozen couples going for pictures. We took pics for about an hour and then off they went to dinner and then the ‘Grand March’ (televised march of each couple being introduced under an arch, indoors because of the wind) before boarding the buses for prom. He had a blast! *Pic attached minus faces, since I don't have their permission. Mother’s Day was wonderful! We cleaned out our small pond/waterfall I built out back…my least favorite job of the year (involves netting the 2 dozen goldfish, emptying the pond and waterfall, cleaning all the muck, repotting all the stinky pond plants, and then putting it all back…a huge job), so it was great to have help. We actually started this Sat. and didn’t finish until Sunday. The kids pitched in Sunday on planting all the flats of annuals I’d bought too…another big job. It was the best Mother’s Day gift of all to have them all happily helping with something I usually have to do on my own. We finished early afternoon and then the kids took me to a movie matinee, Star Trek (BTW it was a great movie, we all loved it). I did splurge with some refried beans/salsa DD made me for dinner (mushies-a day ½ earlier than I should have). I can tell you that although my band is wide open I either ate them too fast or too much because I definitely got that ‘hurt’ feeling in my chest that I had right after surgery. It was a good reminder to take things slowly and measure everything. I go to the doc tomorrow morning for my post-op visit and to get cleared for mushies for the next 3 weeks. It was the perfect weekend!
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I've been so excited lately, that it seems like all I talk about to my hubby is weight loss, or weight loss related topics (exercise, new clothes, etc). A couple of days ago, I said something about "when I get to goal..." and he replied, "What are you going to obsess about when you reach your goal?" I told him I'd obsess with maintaining then. He was half joking, half serious, but upon thinking about it, I've realized he's right. For nearly 20 years, I obsessed over food, in one sense or another (whether it be the latest diet or what's for dinner). Now I seem to be obsessed with losing weight/getting to goal. Food has played such a huge role in my life. I've always lived to eat, rather than eaten to live. Has anyone out there struggled with this? Or has anyone reached goal (or close to) and not known what to concentrate on after that?
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I have only been banded since May, 2003. I can definitely tell you that if you do not maintain the required eating habits, you can definitely regain your weight. That being said, that is the beauty of the band. It doesn't just go away when you're done. You maintain your fills so that you can maintain your eating habits and your weight loss OR if you realize that your weight is beginning to creep back up, you can go in for a tweak of the fill. Yes. I have heard of some folks who have regained some weight. I have even heard of some who 'ate around' their bands to the point of not losing at all or regaining their initial loss. I do know that on Yahoo Groups Smartbandsters and www.spotlighthealth.com there are some of the initial bandsters who were in on the trials and who were banded in Mexico and France before the trials who have lost to their goals and who now, (some 6 yrs out) are still maintaining their losses. I hope that helps to answer your question.
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Anyone experience keytones in urine?
IcanMakeit replied to Shannon Piper's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
As long as you don't already have kidney disease and you are not over consuming protein, kidney stones should not be an issue. Enjoy your weight loss and your improved blood sugar levels! I was on the Atkins diet for over two years, keeping my carb count under 60 grams per day with no ill effects. -
When does regain or leveling off tend to happen?
Chelenka replied to vogue's topic in WLS Veteran's Forum
Perhaps thinking of the constant vigilance required to maintain one's weight loss as a chore that one must do daily isn't such a bad thing. If you never washed your dishes or scrubbed the toilet you would live in filth. Some people do but I couldn't live that way, not that I'm suzy super housekeeper, mind you. It does suck, like lots of not particularly enjoyable but necessary aspects of life. I've recently been testing my sleeve with lots of low-quality fat food=garbage. Essentially a reaction to stress. The result was a 3 lb gain, mostly Water retention caused by the excess sodium. My body stubbornly refused to let go of that excess Fluid for two days. "Take that!" It told me! "Eat crap and you won't be able to crap!" And it mocked me as I looked at my swollen ankles. So I'm back on the wagon after my little binge. Sugar is one enemy but salt can be just as bad for me. I love them both, God help me! Recently downloaded an app called "eat slower". It's free and simple and so far is helping me to stop inhaling my food, which has always been a problem for me. I've noticed when I use it that I pay more attention to my food and thus enjoy it more and that I feel the restriction better and thus stop eating before becoming overfull (another issue of mine). Good God, after reading this it's freaking miracle that I managed to lose any weight even with the sleeve! -
just frustrated... am sure you have heard it before
kirafiki replied to kirafiki's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks for the kind words... much appreciated. I am not comparing myself to anyone, I think I am being too impatient and hard on myself. Its a common theme in my life, impatience and being critical. The reason I ask about my fill is that it seems that each time I have had one, I feel really great restriction for about three days, and then its back to the larger portions, which, really, aren't all that large, maybe a cup and a half at a time. I think one of the problems is not having a good mental image of what a portion is supposed to look like. No one ever showed me that. Like, is it 8oz in weight or volume? Does it depend on the food item if its weight or volume? I am going to suggest our dietitian go over that in our next support meeting. I have never PB'd or thrown up. Which I think is odd, since everyone I have ever talked to has. That being said, you have done great too! I love my band, and am happy I did it, and you should be proud of the loss you have achieved, as I am sure you are. I started at what I think was a really high weight, which I think also contributed to the initial quick loss of a pretty big amount. Sometimes I need to remind myself just how much I have lost. I think there is a lot going on in my head regarding food, body image, and all that goes with them, and mostly I am trying to work through them... finally. Now I have clearly yammered on and will stop. Thanks again for responding. I am not living in the most supportive situation, and I only have this wonderful site, the once a month support groups and one band-friend I have made and I am so grateful for everyone on this site. -
Why can't we eat after fills?
SageTracey replied to txdiva's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
The fill can irritate your stomach so you need to let things heal and settle down again Mostly precautionary but a day or two of liquids and mushy foods can also stimulate weight loss so just enjoy the benefits. -
I remind myself constantly that I am not telling anyone at work. Not one. I know my co-workers well and NO ONE can keep a secret! Like you, I don't feel it necessary to divulge my personal medical decisions. It is not as if we ever discuss my fat, why discuss my future weight loss.
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There are no statistics on those who reach goal (which by I'm assuming you mean a normal BMI... so around 25 or less.) Success in weight loss surgery terms is losing at least 50% of Excess Weight and keeping it off 5 years. The weight loss surgery procedure with the highest percent excess weight loss maintained the longest is the Duodenal Switch. Then comes the Roux-en-Y. Followed by the Lap-Band and VSG. However, with the DS and RNY you have to be much more strict regarding Vitamins and regular blood work. The reasons people do not meet "goal" are wide and varied. Some people cannot tolerate significant fills in their Bands without experiencing a lot of reflux. Others find that their food choices are so limited with significant restriction that they cannot consume a healthful diet. Assuming that it's because "they don't want it enough" is a bit naive. As for long-term Lap-Band success, here's an eleven year study. No doubt some will say... but wait...they weren't doing this or that. I can tell you seven years ago the surgical technique was the same. The dietary advice was the same. Here's a 10 year study... And here's Favretti's 12 year results...
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I agree - the term "goal" is thrown around a lot and has different meanings for different people. My Drs goal for me was 187 pounds - going on the 50-60% weight loss averages, he put me at the higher end because he saw the determination in me and said from the beginning he though I'd be one of his sucess stories. The top of a "normal" BMI for my height is 145 pounds. My goal (readjusted down just this morning in fact) is 132. I may adjust it lower again when I get there, we'll see. People keep telling me I'll be too thin. I don't care. I'll be a normal BMI. As of today I'm around 150 pounds and have lost about 85% of my excess weight. As you can see, thats a range of numbers to choose from, satisfying different people along the way. My Mum also has a band and is 59 years old (30 years older than I). She has lost about 90% of her excess weight in a year and continues to lose steadily. She has had quicker sucess that I for a myriad of reasons. Age may in some cases means an easier/quicker journey, in others not. It just doens't make sense to compare to others, I know its SO hard not to because we want a guide or an indicator of how well we could/might do, but this journey is unique for each and every one of us. Each person should work as hard as they can with their band and not get caught up in other peoples numbers. This is your life you are saving/extending by losing this weight after all....why should other people's numbers matter?
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Results & Statistics there's one study with average results. So many factors, why were these patients and Dr's chosen for the study? Some studies are broken down by super obese starting weight and morbidly obese starting weight. All in all, it looks like the average weight loss is about 50 to 60% of excess weight.
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I am so ready for this. Then I went to a psychic yesterday and he said that I would hate it and want to have it removed. And, that I really didn't need it because if I could really see who I was and honor myself, I would eat healthier and the weight would fall off because I would eat food that honored me. I get what he was saying but... After little sleep and much soul searching, I am still going get the lapband. That's why my log in is "18 months to know." Someone gave me some really good advice: She said, you have about a year and a half to figure out why you eat the way you do, if not, you may very well put the weight back on. So, I figure that I can truly find out who I am AND lose the weight at the same time. Maybe I will hate it and maybe I will have it removed, but I need to take this journey this way right now. God promises us not to give us any more than we can handle. I believe lapband is God's way of saying, your weight loss IS more than you can handle, so here's some help. Pray for me, I will pray for all of you. I trust I am in God's hands and His will be done. Any thoughts?
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Household chores: can it get better with weight loss? I feel like my house has gone to the birds since I am so heavy. Picking up after my 4 year old, laundry, mopping, sweeping, cooking, scrubbing toilets, etc. It all seems to take so much out of me. Somebody tell me it gets better and easier and houses are a little bit cleaner post-op?!? My house might evict me if surgery doesn't come soon... LOL
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The sleeve saved my life in more ways than I would have imagined.
totaloser posted a topic in Weight Loss Surgery Success Stories
I was sleeved back in October. It wasn't the easiest recovery for me. I ended up with a bleed after surgery and was put back in the hospital for a couple nights but after that everything started to fall into place and the weight started falling off. I am now 78 pounds lighter and many of my comorbidities have been resolved. I feel great. I went from size 20 jeans to a size 6. My breasts shrunk and that was the biggest blessing. With the loss off of my breast fat I discovered a lump that I would not have felt 78 pounds heavier. This was 3 weeks ago. It has been a whirlwind of appointments and procedures since but long story short, I have breast cancer. I had surgery to remove it last Thursday. This has all been shocking and overwhelming but the bottom line is, the sleeve saved my life. I am beyond thrilled with my weight loss and now as I go through radiation and chemo I may have some new challenges ahead with getting proper nutrition but my whole team is on board to help me through this. I look forward to being on the other side of this battle, but I will take it one day at a time knowing for sure that my decision to be sleeved was the best decision ever. -
Anyone in MASS use Dr. Glasgow (Norwood)
Jaime_Boston posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Looking for post op patients that used the Surgical Weight Loss Center - dr. Glasgow. -
1 Week Post Op Down 22 Pounds!
googie replied to bjlritchie's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Congrats on your terrific weight loss How are you feeling? And what are you able to eat/drink? -
Just curious how the March 8th sleevers are doing? I'm down 18 pounds since surgery and things are flowing really well! How's everyone else? What are some challenges?
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Everyone may have different answers but im curious about what I should expect..
Bufflehead replied to KeeWee's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
My insurance required six months of pre-surgery weight loss efforts, and psychological screening (my surgeon requires the psych visit too). My surgeon also required: metabolic rate testing, H. Pylori, upper GI series, and EKG. I didn't have to do a sleep study because I have no symptoms of sleep apnea. I also had multiple blood draws to check things like pre-surgery vitamin and mineral levels and to see if I had any problem with blood sugar levels (I don't). I think that's it. Good luck! -
Getting light headed, is it normal?
FishingNurse replied to Ree's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
this is called orthostatic hypotension....google it! When you go from a lying or sitting position to standing quickly your blood pressure can drop dramatically, and usually your heart rate will go up. it is common after significant weight loss. I'm an RN in a inpatient eating disorders unit, (patients with anorexia and BN suffer from this frequently as well) I have picked up patients off of the shower floor more than you'd guess. Let your MD know this is happening, and take your time going from a lying postion to a standing position. that will help. -
Thinking about Gastric Sleeve Surgery
JamieLogical replied to Brenda L. Robertson's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Well, hopefully you can get a lot of your questions answered in detail at your appointment next week. I can't help you with the Medicare and surgery date questions. As for your medical conditions, most of those should definitely improve with the surgery and weight loss. Acid reflux may continue to be an issue, as it is one of the common side effects of VSG. Prior to surgery, I often had heartburn and acid reflux when I was at my heavier weights. Meaning it was definitely triggered by obesity, as is common. However, post-op, even though I'm at a lower weight now, my reflux hasn't resolved itself as it had in the past at lower weights, so I am now taking 20mg of Prilosec daily and that keeps it at bay the cvast majority of the time. I have not, however, had any issues with heart burn post-op. Your pre-op and post-op diets will be unique to your surgeon and nutritionist. Some surgeons don't require a pre-op diet at all! Some require very strict pre-op diets. That's definitely something only your specific surgeon and nutritionist will be able to help you with. As for throwing up and bowel problems post-op, again, it's entirely individual. I personally haven't thrown up once since my surgery 19 weeks ago, but some people throw up every single day. I also haven't had any problems with constipation, but for some people it is a MAJOR problem post-op. No matter what, you will definitely have a steep learning curve when it comes to getting used to how much to eat and how fast to eat. I'm 19 weeks post-op and I still sometimes overdo it to the point where I am in extreme discomfort (I feel like I'm going to burst!). With every single meal you will just have to be conscious of how much you are eating, take your time, and listen to your body. -
HHHHMMMMM - you could call it lightheadedness
Cherishthepast replied to hlangers's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I experienced the same 2 months post op and went to see the my dr and found that my pressure was 110 - 60. He decided to reduced it from 10 mg to 5 mg - which I did for a week then stopped - I continued to feel like I was going to pass out. It's been over 4 months now with NO meds and on average my BP is 123/60. As the previous posters mentioned, get your BP and blood sugar checked. It's amazing how quickly our bodies respond for the better with weight loss. -
Getting discouraged, losing focus
Miss Mac replied to KeeWee's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had to drop carbs and cheese to rev up my pre-op loss. Maybe just try not to eat anything that comes from a factory - you won't starve. -
Welcome welcome. We hope you'll hang around and get to know us better. There are people at all levels of the weight loss journey, newbies like yourself, pre surg like me who have or are in the process of finishing up requirements, ones whose surgery dates are shortly coming up, people who have just had their surgeries and are in the process of recovering and many seasoned veterans who are still active. We[emoji173] them especially as they mentor the rest of us. We treasure their advice for they have walked the walk ahead of us. Ask any questions you like,if I don't have an answer somebody else on Bariatric Pal will. We all may be having different approaches and viewpoints but we are unified in wishing you well and hope we can ease things for you. Welcome again, we think you'll find yourself at home here. [emoji14] Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app
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I see a lot of people mix their G2 with water. Is it because there are a lot carbs, and diluting it with water gives a smaller concentration? Is it because it goes down better? Makes it last longer? I'm just curious, because I asked my NUT about it, and she said G2 is low calorie, so there's no need to dilute it. I just want to make sure that I'm not hindering my weight loss by drinking the full concentration. Anyone?
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No Weight Loss....
Patriceaa replied to MostlysBird's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Are you sure you are getting enough calories? If not your body goes into starvation mode and stores fat, and the weight loss slows down. You need to make sure you are getting enough. Don't be discouraged though, once you start eating again it will come off. Good luck!
