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dmtjet, if you're only eating 3 meals, how far apart are your meals each day???? No wonder you're hungry. I have not been hungry until about 10 minutes before I get to eat again, so that's nothing to deal with. I'm having hunger pains as I'm making my meal/snack, and I know it's only a short time until I get the meal fixed and can eat. Can I tell you all how much I love my DR!!!!!!!!!!!!(sorry BobbetsMom, I'm not trying to rub anything in after your posts today) No really, he is the only Board Certified Surgeon in my Tri-State area that has had a 1 year fellowship in Boston in which he did nothing but studied Bariatric Surgeries and I truly believe I have the best. This experience has been over all better than I could of ever expected. It's amazing how the Dr. do things diferently, but this is definitely workin for me.

I am mainly following Weston A. Price/Primitive diet, which has similarities to Paleo. I knew in my heart that artificial sweeteners as dictated by my bariatric practice are poisons, as are some of the other things they advocated, as are almost everything I see on TV, so I had to find my own way. I also knew that low/artificial/processed fat was not good and healthy fats are really important. I did some reading, consulted with an amazing naturopath who I have known and trusted for years, and it has really helped. I have tolerated it really well and feel fine. I ate homemade chopped liver, scrambled eggs (I have chickens), homemade applesauce, banana, sweet potato, kale pesto, and I made fish balls. I am 5 weeks out from surgery and can eat sushi, seaweed salad, smoked salmon, ground meat-based things, cucumber, steamed string Beans, grapefruit, for example. I don't think you will have any problem at all. Same principals: don't eat too fast, stop when your body says, get your fluids in, etc. Glad I am not the only one!

A meet and greet would be great. Another idea is a retreat type get together. Like where Vitalady is, or isn't there a yearly bariatric meeting?

Here is a link to an article on reactive hypoglycemia post–gastric bypass. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass The three most important things after surgery are fluids, Vitamins and Protein. Since you said that "when I drink Protein I throw instantly", have you tried MILK. 32 ounces of 1% milk fortified with 1 cup of powdered milk will give you 56 grams of protein. You cannot drink this all at once but spreading this out throughout the day will help you meet your daily protein requirement.

Michkey thank you for your point of view; it is so nice to hear from someone who understands where I am coming from. As you already know this is hard enough without co-workers, friends and family always asking questions. We just need to be left alone and be around folks who are very supportive, that is way I love this website. I am happy to hear you are doing so well. Your friend is not going to be successful unless she gets the support that she needs. I have been told that people who have this surgery and join a support group on line or a local support group in your area will lose the weight and keep it off. Support is very important in recover and becoming the new person we want to be. I hope your friend gets a hold of herself and really deals with her eating issues. Maybe she should contact her local hospital to see if there is a local bariatric support group. Like someone somewhere said to me this surgery can fix your stomach but it does not fix your head and what caused our overeating problems. I am like you, I am waiting another 8 weeks so I get more weight off of me and then I am going to look for a job where no one knows about my surgery and make a fresh start. I want co workers to see the new me not the old me. I am just a little discouraged right now since I am at my 1st stall but not enough to go out and eat a donut/donuts. I have come too far and I think you feel the same way. Keep in touch, Cheryl

Wow, it's been three whole months, since January 7th, since I checked in with any update! So, the thyroid issue I wrote about in post #8 - during the biopsy appointment I learned that it was a growth covering the entire right nodule of my thyroid. Very scary. The lab work came back okay, non-cancerous. Doctors want me to just let it be and they'll check it for any changes down the road. I'm now 3+ months into my Paleo way of eating and still going STRONG! One of the brightest moments these past few months is that my most recent bloodwork showed that I have REVERSED my borderline diabetes! Thrilled beyond words. My chronic head-to-toe pain is greatly diminished. My gastric issues are at least 75% improved. I don't have a scale and only weigh at the doctor, but I've lost probably about 20 lbs now. I've dropped about 2 sizes and I'm getting back into some of my old smaller clothes. It hasn't been rapid weight loss, just steady. I'm very happy. I keep checking in at my monthly required NUT visits, and they are very happy with what I'm doing. I was anxious at first and deliberately tried to lose weight a bit slowly because I was afraid that I might disqualify myself for surgery. They keep reassuring me that the weight and BMI that I started with is what they will submit to insurance. I still have co-morbidities that I'm taking meds for, and apparently that will get me in, for sure. Tomorrow morning is my #6 of 6 nutritional visit, the LAST requirement to get approved for insurance. After 7 months of working this bariatric pre-op process, I'm super excited at the prospect that I might soon have a surgery date and soon be getting ready to change my life!

Hi all. I am trying to share this as much as possible because I've had so much success with it. Moringa is a tree that grows so many miles from the equator and is used in countries where they are fighting malnutrition epidemics with phenomenal success. It also regulates blood sugar, cholesterol blood pressure, is an anti-inflammatory, and much more. In addition it is the most nutrient rich product available. There is a YouTube video that is a documentary from the Discovery Channel which is very interesting. It has like 92 nutrients and 2 times (gram for gram) the amount of Protein in milk, I believe it's like 4 times the Calcium in milk, 7 times the Vitamin C in an orange, and 4 times the Vitamin A in carrots, plus much more. Anyway, the reason I'm sharing it is because I was sleeved in October. I've done great, however, started losing my hair in copious amounts about 4 months post op. It was not possible for me to add another medication to my already 15 I was taking daily as I was having a hard enough time swallowing what I had plus getting in my protein. So I researched alternative medicine and found Moringa. I've been taking it for two weeks now. Not only am I not losing anymore hair, but I'm completely off all my medications except one. That's 14 to be exact. I have been on asthma medication daily since I was a little girl and no longer need it nor have I had to use my rescue inhaler. I have osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, planar fasiitis, and herniated discs in my neck and no longer take any of those meds nor have I felt better since I was a teenager. I can't say enough good things about it. I took a leap of faith because I was spending $300 plus on pharmaceutical medications, Vitamins, ect. and I knew I couldn't afford those and Moringa, (It's approx $50-100 a month) but now I will be saving lots of money by not having to fill the other meds or buy all the vitamins and supplements. I even called my bariatric surgeon and told him that I thought he should look into it and consider recommending it for his patients because we lose so much (no pun intended:) I have done lots of research on this and can try to answer any questions, but here are the websites that I use the most and found the best info and best bang for the buck. Most of the perteniant information about Moringa is on both of these websites and there are video's including the documentary on both too. (I just checked to make sure:) www.facebook.com/ninetynutrients ninetynutrients.myzija.com I hope I can help and hope this can help many others as it's helped me.

I've seen a lot of your posts and I have to agree with a few others. Maybe having another session with the therapist will help to calm the anxiety you feel. It doesn't mean your not ready by taking that step, it just means...hey, I need to talk with a professional that deals with bariatric patients all the time. No harm in that. I've been in therapy for 8 years, and I count on it now as my outlet to get out whatever is worrying me. That said, I've got a 4 & 6 year old at home. I'm not scared to die in the or from this..I'm scared to continue living the way I've been for 6 years and fearing the outcome for THEM instead. See, for me, I'm doing this for me yes...but I'm also doing this for them. I'm at peace with it. I hope you can get to that point also. Good luck.

I ordered the cookbook from the Bariatric foodie that has tons of recipes for different shakes. She uses sugar free coffee syrups,PB2, and sugar free pudding mixes to "spice up" the powders. I have a bunch of stuff on order and can't wait for something different other than premier shakes. http://www.amazon.com/Bariatric-Foodie-Perfect-Protein-Shakes/dp/1480101095/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y/189-0106789-6371661

Bariatric advantage has a new chewable for both. It looks and tastes like a starburst. The hard chalk like chewables didn't sit well.

OMW - I posted yesterday morning - But I don't see it... Went to the outlets didn't get home till 8 - then today was out of the house by 9 didn't get on the computer cuz when I do I don't get anything done - and OMW - Stuff is hitting the fan !!! Karla - Below you posted about the business - well you might not be able to buy this one but doens't mean that there won't be another opporturnity - put $25 a week in a savings account for your start up $$$ ... Kari - I have been using AOL Desktop and I can't find my smiles - If I go to the aol mail one - I can - but I like the desktop better - but I will insert some for Phyl - but since I quoted these big post I won't on this one.. Limited down loads WFT = what's that about - what are you down loading I would call and get that straighted out.. Ya out trip doesnt have to be july - we will figure something out... Karri - I saw on FB where you had the nets and not tent... Yep no longer a pansy !!! Did you know it was going to be that cold - how cold was it = Ya I forget that other places aren't 78 at night in May... Steph - Glad your speech went well.. See what did I tell you - Things have a way of working themselves out for the best - I am happy that they did so fast - and yes - I will come and beat them all up for you :0) Steph - I can't beat what Karri has said - it's so true and it's the I'm still at a better place than I was 2 yrs ago mentallity - the combination of the 2 - You aren't the lone ranger here - Karri - Ruby - Kari - Karla -Denise- Candice You and yes me - I think we are totally out of the honeymoon stage - and feel good about where we are at - and are allowing more treat - and then once that happens it a down wards sprial.. Then you pull yourself up but then you fall right back down.. There is no recovery without a relapse - so I love your renewed committment with starting the 5 day pouch test as you are back on the road to recovery.. 1 day at at time - but I still want you to get the junk out of the house - No one needs it and you don't need the temptations - Food is ours drug of choice remember we are food addicts - Would your family leave a bottle of booze on the table if you were an alchie - nope - so get your triggers out of the house.... Karri - you are so elequonte (sp) I know those words are from your heart - I am going to go look for that song.. As to the punishment thing - I know that's why I stayed in abustive relationships with my Son's dad - Meaness = love - That's what I got from my mom - that's all I deserved - that was my life - I totally get it.. Kari - I thought it was diet soda - but you are drinking regular soda :w00t: 200 empty calories per soda.. Read Karri's post again - throw the crap away - and quit punishing yourself.. [/url] Karla it's cuz chicken doesn't have any sugar or carbs that's why that's why we don't crave celery - we crave starches - sugar 99% of the time - Ok gang - it's 8:36 and I need to eat - I have jury duty tomorrow - so I may not be on til evening... Oh ya at the outlet yesterday I got a Coach purse for $119 - originally priced $328... Also, I have a little blip - that I gotta figure out how to handle - Andrew is moving - found out that he really loves me cuz he was crying about it - he knows he should leave so that he can get his crap together without distractions - but I'm home for him- (steph our kid's really do love us even though they don't show it) well he's moving 7/25 - I'm suppose to be in Canada then - and was leaving him to babysit the dogs (he's taking bear leaving angel & sheba (kaitlin is allergic) But it will all work out - his Dad is very happy - Me - mixed - I think it's the best thing for him as there isn't much here and I wish I had left yrs ago.. but omw - my baby is going... Ok I gotta get off the computer Also gang we need a big group hug - we aren't alone in this battle - I was lurking on the April 07 thread the other day and there are tons of pple there struggling too... But with the love and support of each of us - we will win this battle... Group hug :cool::grouphug::mad2::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::eek::grouphug::mad::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Happy day after Christmas !!!! 6 days left til the New Year and our 6 month anniversaries... Had a good day yesterday - ate some ham and now my eyes are super puffy - gotta get that water in today... Cookies all gone - had 10 limit.. New Year New Us... Well, gotta make sure all my 1/1 renewals get bound before Friday So back to work I go... Will ck in later

Marcy, I know my insurance wouldn't pay for the consultation, but they did pick up the tab for the upper GI since they put "Gerd" on the file instead of pre op for bariatric surgery. I was suprised to know they won't pay for any of the hospital either. I can understand the surgeon fees, but the hospital bill is something I think they should pay part of because if it was any other circumstance, it would be a covered visit. Cherybomb, I don't have a pre op diet:clap2:, but I don't feel like I'm over doing it, except the last few days since I've quit smoking. I've been sucking on way too much hard candy. At least it's Fat Free. I've also bought a lot off my shopping list, and I've planned my last dinner out for a while on the Saturday before surgery. As far as excercise, I've taking a few walks here and there with my DH and son, but that's it. Felicia, I hear your on the slim fast shakes, but I actually freeze mine and eat them like slush. They are very good this way, plus it takes you much longer to eat it, rather than dring it so you actually get full from it. Try it some time. It tastes great in the summer especially when it's hot out. I love the Cappuccino delight Optima shake. YUMMY:hungry:. Dini, Welcome. I was a June Bandster also, but my date got pushed back to July 2. I still stop in there to see how everyone is doing since they've started the banding. My original date was the day after yours, but the surgeon was going to be out of town, so I had to reschedule. I wish I could of moved it up , but I couldn't because my store has inventory on the 24 and 25 of June and I can't miss it. They wanted me to come in on June 18, and I so wanted to because my birthday is the 17. But no, I couldn't. So welcome. You will now be our fist bander, so you'll have to let us all know what it is like. Lynette

Hello everyone, I am new here and I was reading about the left shoulder problems. I am a nurse and will soon be a patient. I work for a bariatric surgeon also. When you have abdominal surgery where they have to inflate your belly with gas, that will irritate your diphragm and cause right shoulder pain. Left shoulder pain can be the stomach filling with gas and irritating the diaphragm. It can also be serious if it is a leak or a breakage of the tubing rubbing against the diaphragm. This happens because the diaphragm and shoulders share the same nerve supply in the womb and are seperated by the development of the lungs and heart. So if something irritates our diaphragm, it is perceived as shoulder pain. We had a patient with this complaint recently and our Doc took her very seriuosly and ordered a CT right away to make sure that all was well. I was and she ended up taking gas-x to get rid of the gas. I hope this helps you. I am so excited to be here and looking forward to my surgery. Your photos and testimonials are an inspiration. Wendi

I've been told by my GP's PA and by my surgeon's nutritionist that calcium citrate is better than calcium carbonate. Apparently, calcium citrate is better absorbed and you have to take much more calcium carbonate to get the same amount of calcium in your system. Also, you're not supposed to take a calcium supplement within two hours of taking iron or a multivitamin that contains iron because the iron interferes with calcium absorption. Unfortunately, Viactiv contains calcium carbonate. I love those chews! I got some chewable supplements from a site that specializes in bariatric vitamins but when my supply is gone, I'm switching to supplements I can find at my grocery store!

I am so excited 7/17 is my tenantive date - Dr's office called right now - said all they needed was my shrink evaluation - which is tomorrow and she will submit. My insurance should be no problem BC CA covers as long as medically necessary and is preformed at a Bariatric Center of Excellance - Which Desert Hospital is - she should have approval in a week. Date could have been 7/10 but my mamo appt isn't until the 12th... I was figuring August is when i would get a date... I am so happy... I guess as long as my shrink - colon - mamo - stress test come out ok - I am a go for the 7/17 !!!!! I go for my pre-op dr visit 7/6 - my doctor said 2 week pre op diet - but this is only a week out so i guess that's all i will have to do which is just fine with me.... Just wanted to share my GREAT NEWS..... Janet

Pam, thanx for the renewed hope. I havent had my first fill yet and I'm nervous about it. Banded 7/26/07 and finding that some days are easier than others. Also finding that I dont feel full until it's too late and I have a stabbing pain under my left breast. Then I assume I have eaten too much. I'm on my way to spark people after I type this. what can I expect after my first fill?

I agree with my Fitness Pal also Bariatric Pal and my, WeGo,which is like a Fitbit,but cheaper.

Okay.... dr. visit... first radiology.. esophogram, I think they call it. Barium swallow, basically. Swallowing was okay except for slight "sliding" hiatal hernia. Then they gave me that pill to swallow... took two glasses of Water before it went down. They said my esophagus looked better but still somewhat dilated. So, she didn't want to put any Fluid back in until she consulted with the doctor... they work as a pair..she's a physicians' assistant, and she's the one I usually see. So... she has me get dressed and go back to the clinic. I go through the intake... weigh, etc. I gained 4.5 lb according to their scale... in 2 weeks. BUT... that was after a glass of barium and 2 full glasses of water and I finished my whole 16 oz jug of Crystal lite just before all of that! AND.... I didn't dress to weigh, I dressed for the stinkin' weather... cords and a long sleeve turtle neck! So... I'm stickin' to my story... 2 lb. gain. So.. after all that... long, repetitious interview that we just did 2 weeks ago... how much are you eating, how long are you taking to eat, what meds, etc., etc., etc., intake girl says... okay, you can go back to radiology. So I said... "OH... we're going to put fluid back in!" PA wanted to wait 2 more weeks, but Dr. said it was okay to put back half of what i had. So... back to radiology where everything went fine. We did have a discussion as to what I could do to get my weight loss going again. She said my one glass of wine a day and my SF, FF latte was fine. She gave her blessing on that. She wants me to do a food journal! UGH! And cut down my carbs. And then we talked about how to increase my exercise. That's when I told her I was thinking about getting a dog. She got so excited when I said that! Said very first bariatric conference she went to one of the experts was lecturing and said that if you have a patient who is having trouble getting in enough exercise, tell them to GET A DOG!! HAHAHA! And if that doesn't work, tell them to get ANOTHER DOG!! I should've taken that opportunity to ask her to put it on an Rx!!! So I could give it to Earl. Can't work because his wrist is broken??? HUH???? And underwater welding!?? That IS an interesting occupation for Montana! IF I get a dog, Earl will warm up to it. BUT, he will continue to harp on the expense of having a dog, we can't travel anymore, etc., etc., etc.! Yeah.... hope everything goes well, Candice. Thought about doing that years ago... Chris and I joked about doing it together, but that was before his eye cancer. He is flying his plane back down to CA today, BTW, and we're concerned because he's going to have low clouds well into OR! He is going to follow I-5 south, but he'll have to stay below the clouds and that will be bumpy! Earl is very concerned! We'll breathe easier when we know he's safely home. His plan was to stop in Medford tonight and meet up with Kellie and the girls... they're driving home in their van. Just talked to my Mom a little while ago.... her 88th birthday today. I slept hard last night, too... but only because I took 3 Ibuprofen again because my shoulder was hurting again! Put in a call to the dog lady to see if she still has the Shih Tzu. Waiting for her to call me back. Want to go look today. Was wondering what I could give her for "collateral" so I could bring the dog home for a few hours and see how Candy reacts! I "talked" to her about it last night! (LOL) So this morning when I went to pet her head as I walked by she swatted me!!! What's that about!! HAHA! So... Earl knows I want to go see the dog today, so now he wants to go to a movie! UH... I don't think we've gone to a movie since the last windy day in the desert!! I was thinking of going to the gym!

I am so jealous of you vegas people. J sorry about the job sucking. I feel your pain. I work with a bunch of lazy bitchy 50 somethings who feel entitlement because they have worked longer than me. Too bad I can run circles around them and have learned more in a year and a half than they have in 20. The only saving grace is the work i get to do in the bariatric center. I heart my nurse coordinator.

I just called Steph - She's back at Jeff's cousin's house - I think I may have woke her up - she sounded weak - said was in pain - but to be expected - had a lady doc who was just written up in Newsweek or something like that - leader in bariatric surgery - said that Steph most likely had been slipped for a couple of yrs.. She may ck into Mexico & sleeve once she healed.

I really hate having to dig for recent topics in our little corner of the bariatric world.

according to the American Bariatric Association, the mortality rate is 0.13% I have done lots of research along with information from my own hospital, that puts the mortality rate at 1/4 to 1/2 %. Apparently gal bladder surgery is higher. Like what some of you have written above, it depends on where you go, and the skill of your surgeon . There are organizations that accredit hospitals. you want to go to a hospital that is recognized as a "center of excellence " and also any other certifications. My general opinion is that there is more risk if you don't have the surgery.

One of the side effects of sleeve surgery is that many people become lactose intolerant. My Bariatric Coordinator suggested Mootopia or other lactose free milk from here on out after my surgery (once I'm on full liquids).

Phyl, And I'm betting that pound you gained is water weight! Really good job!! Beth: YOU'VE LOST 95 POUNDS! A break once in a while is a GOOD thing. You've taken the first step and are back with renewed committment. You're doing great! Just try not gaining anything until Friday, and hopefully once you're filled, the hunger will go away and you'll be able to stick to the plan like you did before. You should lose quite a bit the frist week after you're refilled b/c your body has become accoustomed to a few more calories and will give up the fat more readily once you start restricting them again--at least that's what happened to me when I was unfilled and refilled a couple months ago.