ybnormal

I'm in Mexicali with Sarsar. Her surgery is tomorrow so please send out lots of good thoughts and prayers! She had dinner tonight with Lynn and my son, I slept through it...dangit! She is an absolute sweetheart, she even brought me a gift bag that made me smile. I'm so glad I'm here with her and we can do laps around the nurses station together lol Renee`

omg I can't believe all the crap we're talking....what a sh!tty thread! :lol:

So weird, I was just thinking about this because I went today and it's a lot different than my pre-surgery "normal". My "normal" before surgery though was chronic diarrhea due to IBS so this is actually a nice change because it's what I would consider to be normal poo. Not to hard, not to soft (no I'm not talking about papa bears chair ) and just a little bit, not hours of cramping and sitting there until my legs go numb because I ate the wrong thing. This was definitely an unseen perk of the surgery for me. Renee`

Yes you're given anesthesia and some people also do have epidurals depending on any medical conditions that may make this a not-so-good idea (blood clot disorders, etc.) and I was given Supradol for pain relief. Most are fine with this regime so no worries Cathi. Renee`

She may say there is no scientific evidence (there is no scientific evidence / studies done on the sleeve either, keep in mind) about the body going into what's commonly known as starvation mode, but I've seen it time and time again when working with Don. The body stops losing, up your Protein and calories and the weight comes off again and quickly. I've seen the many small meals a day used to up the metabolism and again, it works. Building muscle to burn calories? That works because muscle burns fat, but in order to do that you're right, you have to feed your muscles and that takes protein. I've been an Atkins advocate for years and I know the low carb thing works, my only point is it's not the ONLY way and it's not for people with kidney problems because it can be dangerous. To tell people that it's the ONLY way the body can lose weight is a huge fallacy! There are many ways to lose weight and this journey is your own. You can listen to advice but at the end of the day it comes down to YOU and the choices you make for yourself. I know that low carb works for me and yes, I will use that later on but for now with the hard time I've had with this, I'm more concerned about feeding my body something / anything that agrees with me and getting some nutrition into my body. I have the ketostrips here at home and I've used them. I'm not in ketosis and yet I've now lost 31 pounds. My calories are extremely restricted (this was the reason for surgery after all!) which is why I am losing weight. After spending so much time with Don and learning how he did things and seeing the results that he got (in living color in movie theaters...he was diet / fitness guru to the Hollywood crowd) I know that he was right. Low Carb living is a choice. For some it's the right one, but not for everyone. I tend not to listen to dieticians because I was there too many times when he debunked them to their face and left them speechless. I disagree with what my own doctor gave me as my take home instructions because it left no wiggle room for someone like me that couldn't follow the things he said because I was literally living on Gatorade and that's not healthy. My instructions didn't cover dumbasses like me because my body was seriously pissed off and to a point, still is. I've had to fall back on what I learned from Don and pave a new way for myself because nothing else was working. I'm not stupid, I have a background in nutrition and a bit in biology and I know what to do to get past this hump. What concerns me is someone making a blanket statement "you have to get into ketosis to lose weight" to people that may not know that this isn't the truth and try to follow it and do damage to themselves. OR someone considering surgery that has kidney damage and just turning away because they believe this to be true. What works for one doesn't work for all. Like I said, I've always been a huge advocate of Atkins and while it works for the vast majority, some people are left floundering and searching for information or feeling like a failure because it's not working for them. Being obese, I have felt like a failure many times and it's not something I would wish on anyone. Hope this helps someone and that I haven't offended anyone Renee`

most go by weight. The more dense the food is, the less you'll be able to eat of it though.

how right you are. One of my sisters died a very young age due to type 1 diabetes and my other sister is very close to renal failure due to type 2. She also is not a candidate because as you said, her bmi is way to low. There has to be something that they're able to do for patients that diet alone doesn't fix the problem, insulin is having very different results in her body and the rest of the medications they have her on are causing her kidneys to stop functioning. It's very sad, but it doesn't work for everyone, I guess that's the point. Doctors want to call the RNY and DS cures, but in reality, who knows? It may cure some people but in the long run once you're diabetic you always will be and you will need to watch your sugars, that's the bottom line. I think it was Raine, but maybe someone else that told me even a few months out and being off meds she ate something that spiked her sugars up to 188. Not horrible, but she is not cured either. Renee`

Just for the record, I don't go more than 2 waking hours without putting something nutritious in my mouth. I can't drink the shakes so I'll have a thing slice of deli roast beef with cream cheese in it or a couple of bites of string cheese (handy when on the go!) or anything else that is Protein that I can get my hands on. Now, this isn't a full fledged meal but I don't eat full fledge meals normally. I wasn't taught that way. I was taught how to amp up my metabolism and that is what I'm sticking with. YES it's important to get all your protein in, but it isn't set in stone that you can only have 3 or 5 meals or whatever a day, just get it in when you can before you go to sleep. That's it. Keep it simple and listen to your body, that's something I learned when I got sick, listen to your body! I eat a couple of tablespoons at a time, sometimes 3 tablespoons, not enough to hurt myself but something to give my body nutrition and fuel to run on. Renee`

uhhhhh...most people move to mushies about 2 weeks out I think. I was a tad different in my approach *blush* pm me if you wanna know more LOL

Elle I'm so very sorry that a) it took me so long to see this and that you had a horrible experience. I'm recovering nicely and now that I'm well out of my fog I know that most of the things that happened in my case could have been prevented by my asking the right questions ahead of time. Hindsight is 20/20 you know LOL Miscommunication on my part was kind of my downfall I think and maybe the reason I fell through the cracks. They TOLD me to bring all my medications with me but me being totally out of it, didn't remember to take them and no one realized it until I was experiencing withdrawl symptoms. No ones fault, it just happened, ya know? To be honest, I remember VERY little about my time in the hospital and have had to rely on others to tell me most of what happened. Anesthesia is NOT my friend! I remember being very happy to be at the hospital and meet and hug Sarah, then they gave me 2 pills and that was it. Just little snipets of foggy memories. Sarah and Dr. Campos apparently spent over an hour with me trying to get through the fog that I was in and Dr. Campos finally managed it but it took getting literally eye to eye and speaking very slowly and calmly to me to get through. All he wanted me to do was drink some juice (a leak test) so that he could give me my medications to stop the withdrawl symptoms but I was way out of it. I remember thinking that the nurses there were so beautiful but I couldn't tell you what any of them looked like. In fact, spending an hour or two nose to nose with Dr. Campos and I still wouldn't be able to pick him out of a line up lol The only thing I remember about Dr. Aceves (this was after those two little pills!) was thinking "huh...he has 4 eyes, this must be why he is such a good surgeon, he must see everything..." I remember Nina coming to meet me and my being so happy to see her! Her mom, Yolanda was just like a mom to me, pinching my cheeks and saying "stay out of that sun! Look at your red cheeks!" but I remember this because she was nose to nose with me, the before and after that is foggy, she was just so sweet that it reminded me of my mom lol At any rate, my experience was unique and it was really no ones fault at the end of the day. Miscommunication on my part is mostly to blame and I own up to that. I wish I'd been coherent enough to remember to take my meds because the whole thing would have probably been avoided and I would have had a wonderful experience like everyone else! Just adding an update here to clear it up because I wasn't lied to, I misinterpreted some of what was told to me, that's on me and no one else. I didn't take my medications when I should have, that too is on me, not on them. I just don't want anyone to be afraid of going to a really great surgeon because of something that I posted here and possibly missing out because at the end of the day, he's an amazing surgeon and you owe it to yourself to have the best surgeon perform a life changing surgery. Dr. Campos is amazing too and he was kind and took time to get through to me when no one else could so don't be afraid to go to mexicali, just bring your medications with you and TAKE THEM! lol Renee`

I actually blogged about this after my surgery, it was like a weird WOW moment where I realized that I was no longer a slave to food and it was now all mine to do with what *I* wanted. I want every single morsel I put in my mouth to be amazing because I can only put a tiny bit in. It will happen to you too, it just takes a bit. But yes, I was about a week out, maybe a bit more and it was like SHAZAM! HA! take that evil food! LOL Renee`

No, you won't be able to do the BRAT diet after surgery, use the immodium The leak tests actually cause the loose stools (their fancy way of saying I was going to poop like a goose on a 6 hour road trip home..GAH! lol) Renee`

I'm the weird one (no surprise) as I've always gone out of my way to compliment women. When I was thin women HATED me until they found out I was married and had no interest in their man so I think for me, it became a way to put them at ease right off the bat. I've always noticed shoes or accessories that I liked and would ask about them, sincerely, not in a bs or snide way. I've just always noticed other women and their insecurities and I felt bad for them because I know how it feels. I always go out of my way to make people feel comfortable, I think because I know what it feels like to be ridiculed for no dang reason...it SUCKS. Taking my sons to sport events I would sit in my car and let them have fun because of the catty women there. I left in tears so many times I can't even tell you and it was hurtful. I would never intentionally do it to someone else and I think thats maybe why I over compensate on the compliments to others. Renee`

This is the same thing I get and it irritates the piss outta me.

Very true apple-saucy and I hope they do more on it. It's kinda ridiculous considering this surgery has been around longer than you or I have, just for different reasons; cancer, ulcers, etc. So I believe the information is there if they'd just release it. I mean, they've known that the rny and ds has cured diabetes but they don't release that information because lets be honest, it would put a lot of people out of business, like endocrinologists. To be fair, they'd just lose a lot of business, but not all. Just pisses me off. ok, /end rant LOL sorry! You're right A-S, the data isn't in yet! Renee`

When I got home from the hospital (a 6 hour road trip from hell) I had horrible diarrhea and called my doctor. He did NOT want it to happen because of the dehydration factor and told me to take a few sips of Immodium to stop it. I wouldn't recommend the clear kind, get the green kind, it's easier on the tummy...the clear tends to burn a bit and you don't want that. He also had me get some Gatorade G2 to stay hydrated and I can tell you (as tons of my posts say) I swear by this stuff as i'm pretty sure it's kept me from ending up in the hospital on fluids. Other than that, doctors have always recommended the B.R.A.T. diet = bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. All of those things are a bit more constipating but you can't have any of those things yet so for me, the answer was immodium. All it took was about 2 sips and I was fine. There is no reason to lose electrolytes and suffer with the cramps as you're healing, not to mention going to work with the poops wouldn't be fun. Hope this helps! Renee`

hang in there guys, it gets better I promise! It's been hard on me because of the acid issue but I'm taking 20mg of Nexium 3 times a day and Gaviscon (this stuff is mana from heaven for acid but DOES contain magnesium which makes ya poop!) for when it gets way bad. It seemed like just when I was giving up hope and living off of Gatorade G2 I discovered the secret of Gaviscon and then magically the heartburn subsided LOL It's very hard at first and yeah, there are a few tender spots on the belly but by week 2 the pain just seemed to vanish and I was ok again. I've heard other people say it happened just that fast, like a light switch and then "huh...I'm ok again!" but I didn't believe it until it happened to me. This isn't the easy way out, but we all knew that going in so it's no surprise. The most important thing is keep hydrated because that will make you sicker than a dog (where the hell did that expression come from anyway? It's rediculous! LOL) and then the Protein. I can't seem to tolerate any Protein shakes or drinks but one and I'm clinging to that like a lifeline right now. On the up side..I've lost 31 pounds since the day of surgery and my shorts are hanging off my butt and my rings are spinning on my fingers and I couldn't be happier Renee`

Raine there's no such thing as a perfectly functioning plane..hence my fear of flying! lmao Actually, I think just maybe there's a heart of a lion inside you N2! This isn't crazy, people do extreme sports all the time and yep, it's the adrenaline rush about it that is addictive. I think you should do what makes you happy and if jumping off a cliff makes you happy, GO FOR IT! Be smart about it and take precautions but hells yeah, if I had the guts to do it my dream is to jump out of a plane. Just that free falling feeling would be amazing! Renee`

You're exactly right...your body gets comfy and won't let any fat go so when you bump up your calories a bit it's tricking your body into saying "hey! I'm not starving I think I'll let this 'excess' go!". I worked for many years with a nutritionist to the stars in Hollywood and learned many of his tricks and tips a long the way. He is deceased due to a car accident but I have no problems helping anyone in their journey, just ask. In 23 or 24 days I've now lost a total of 31 pounds. Keep in mind I have A LOT to lose so it's coming off quickly right now but I know that when I "stall" I have the tools and the knowledge to get it moving very quickly again. Renee`

Well, you won't get stuck in a pose, but farting may be an issue....just saying... :embaressed_smile:

Actually my daughter just told me there was an interesting article on calories on yahoo. It's called "The Truth About Calories" http://health.yahoo.net/rodale/MH/the-truth-about-calories

Heya sweetie! I totally agree that Protein is the foundation to good weight loss, however, not everyone will get into ketosis and it's absolutely not needed for weight loss. Weight Watchers is a hugely successful program that cuts calories and increases exercise, or at least, they used to. At any rate, science is science and if you're burning more calories than you're putting into your body, you will lose weight. Science. Fact. Another fact is that just by being alive you burn calories. We have very very small tummies now and can't hold a lot of calories so yes, we will lose weight, especially at first because we're drastically reducing calorie intake. Does this make sense? Ketosis IS the way for some people but not everyone has to, needs to, or even should put their body into ketosis. Granted, Ketosis is not the same thing as ketoacidosis (a very dangerous condition that happens to diabetics) but ketosis can be dangerous for some people and I wouldn't want anyone to think that ketosis is the ONLY way because then maybe that would turn someone away from having the surgery when in reality, it may save their life. A proper diet for anyone would be protein first, then veggies / fruits and then empty carbs like Desserts. This is a good diet for anyone to follow in order to be healthy. I have to say though that this may or may not end up being low carb, depending on your choices. Hope this makes more sense Renee`

This problem was horribly embarrassing for me and I kept it hidden and didn't tell anyone about it. I was hoping that the surgery would help me and guess what? 1 week out of surgery and I could stop wearing "protection" because it was 99.9% GONE. This in itself would have been a reason for me to go through the surgery and the weightloss a side benefit! Renee`

Mkay, I just busted out laughing and sprayed my monitor with Gatorade. gah...kids say the damnedest things LOL dang, who knew laughing could be a workout? My tummy muscles are killing me lol Renee`

Paige, I LOVE number 12. I think so many of us have forgotten how to love ourselves or, like me, felt unworthy of love, especially my own. It's a wonderful reminder...thank you! Renee`