Leaderboard

My hubby keeps ice cream, soda, candy, chips and fast food....at work now. My kiddo sends healthy recipes and we have cook offs and exchange pix of the new dishes we're trying. My bestie takes me walking.

Haven't posted in a long while. I am approaching 6 years post op. I have had lots of ups and downs. Generally I am pleased and I have not put weight back on. I was about 350 prior to surgery and I float in between 160 and 170 pounds. Eating is still a struggle but its something you learn to deal with. I hope everyone is doing well and receiving the support that is needed. If I can help anyone the way that I was helped and supported by this forum, I would gladly help.

I suffer from psoriatic arthritis. My tipping point for WLS was due to having a degenerative disc as well. Did four rounds of cortisone shots into my lower back and didn’t get any relief. My sciatica was crippling me and my life. Since the shots did no good the doc said the only other option was back surgery, but they wouldn’t do surgery unless I dropped weight. If I tried to exercise, like doing 10 minutes on an elliptical machine, my body would be wrecked for a week because my sciatica would flare up so bad. So it was a total catch 22. Talked with my family doc and he thought the route of WLS was the best way to go. Being a year out I feel so much better. I probably went through 2000mg of ibuprofen a day on top of my arthritis meds and never got much relief. I am still taking arthritis meds but things are much more manageable now. I think a big part of the improvement to my overall well being is due to diet changes as well and getting rid of things like diet pop and other high sodium foods. My sciatica is 90-95% better. If it weren’t for having a damned desk job I’d feel even better. Sitting all day takes its toll on me and I have a long drive to/from work. Looking a job change soon and hoping that further improves things. Getting the weight off will make a big improvement to your joint health. You’re gonna love it.

Yay! Congrats!!!

I already checked in for my bypass surgery I feel so nervous plz pray for me

It is common for your taste buds to change after surgery. Be willing to experiment. After surgery, my taste buds changed dramatically. Even water changed. In the hospital it tasted excessively chlorinated and I could not drink it. So I experimented. Sugar free popsicles became my best friend. Some individuals find hot or cold can help with fluids. For me, I found that I could tolerate flavored water. So I began using Crystal Light. I also found a new drink Bai which I liked cold. In the winter, I found that I tolerate hot drinks such as piping hot cocoa. But you have to use the "No Sugar Added" variety. Also fine English teas were very good. The fluid requirement is met by a combination. It is not only the water that you drink each day. But also the water you drink when you take your vitamins and medicine. It is the milk you drink. It is the fluids content of the protein shakes. It is the water component of the soups you take. It is met by flavored water such as Crystal Light. It is met by sugar free popsicles. It is met by tea and decaf coffee. It is a combination of all the fluids that you consume during the day. That is the long answer, the short one is Yes I believe you can use Powerade Zero. And No do not drink Gatorade G2 because it is not sugar free because it uses high fructose corn syrup. The two primary requirements are "no sugar" and "not carbonated". (I think gatorade use to make a true sugar free drink but discontinued it a few years ago).

You mean like spanking and stuff? Oh yeah. Leather masks, ball gags, the works. My safe word is "Muscle Milk"

Sounds like a plan! Congrats to you too! How have those 3 people’s recovery been?

I had surgery back in September... day after I got back, I had excruciating pain radiating up my left shoulder and I could barely breathe. Messaged my surgeon and asked if I should be feeling like this (duh!) and he said no. Ended up in the ER having my stomach looked at, washed out, drain put in and then a stent. I was in hospital for 2 months and had several operations for stent placements, that ultimately didn't work. Had to go and have one put in that required being stitched in to place. That one ended up coming loose and I still had the leak. Had it stitched again and that did the trick. Stent is out now, leak has healed (I hope it stays that way!). Anyway - I'm out of hospital now. Trying to get my life back in order. Still dealing with some pain, and some mental trauma. My mother had to fly out from England to take care of me whilst in hospital and to take care of my child who has autism. Nightmare. We have massive bills... airline, hospital, etc. My surgeon was amazing though and I love him. He stood by me the whole way. Anyway, I just wanted to put myself on this board so that I can help other people if they go through the same thing, or if any of you have questions. One of the scariest things about the leak is the unknown.

Good luck you two! As I read the OP's post, I kept hearing this song: "My traveling companion is 9 years old, he is the child of my first marriage..."