Suzannesh

Hi Everyone, I am always trying to find some kind of bread that is healthy and that I can eat. I have found some and look it has Protein in it--amazing. Check out the Web Site. I found it in a local store and it was in a cold case with the Health Foods. It really is good and to find a bread that has protein in it was amazing. http://julianbakery.com/ Hugs, Suzanne Nutrition Facts Serving Size 1 slice Servings Per Loaf Approx. 14 Amount Per Serving Calories 119 Calories from Fat 9 % Daily Value Total Fat1g 2% Saturated Fat 0g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 140mg 2% Total Carbohydrate 13g 7% Dietary Fiber 12g 14% Net Carbs 1g 0% Sugars 0g Protein 12g Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Iron 7% Calcium 4% Thiamin 8% **Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie a day diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Hi, Thanks for taking the time to read them. Suzanne

Hi Everyone, Things aren't always as they appear. Sometimes what seems to be the end is really just a new beginning. Like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. I remember a time when it felt like nothing could go right. The whole world appeared to be teamed up against me. But I kept on moving forward, even when I couldn't tell exactly where I was going. I found in life it's not about attaining a goal. What's most important is who we become during our pursuit. If every day is starting to feel like a struggle and your desires appear to be getting further and further away- Stop. Take a minute to breath and read through these Encouragement Quotes and These of some things I have put together to encourage you when you are having a hard time, or your weight loss has slowed down or it has stalled, or someone is “bullying” you, or they are giving you a hard time about having weight loss surgery. Or you are just having a BAD DAY. We all have had some of these things happens to us during the process of weight loss or the planning of having WLS. I hope they are a little helpful. 1. Learn from others who have been down that road and popped out on the other side- successful, empowered, and matured as human beings.—Unknown Author 2. When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hand on—Franklin D. Roosevelt. 3. When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile—Author Unknown 4. The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning—Ivy Baker Priest. 5. It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves—Edmund Hillary. This happens to be one of my favorite quotes and it has gotten me through a lot of tough times in my life. 6. If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick up one of those pieces up and begin again.—Flavia Weedn 7. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. –M. Kathleen Casey 8. It is not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line.—Ashleigh Brilliant 9. Rock bottom is good solid ground, and a dead end street is just a place to turn around—J.R. Cobb Some things I want you to consider—just some thoughts of my own. Success is not a race, be patient. Success leads to success. Success is always a work in progress. Success doesn't come to you--you go to it. Success is a journey, not a destination. Focus on the process. Some people dream about success... while others wake up and work hard at it. Success is achieved and maintained by those who try-and keep trying. When you get to a plateau, think of it as a landing on the stairway to your goal. Hugs, Suzanne

This is really great news. Things are just going to keep getting better each day. Remember that there is a lot of support here on the board if you have any questions or fears. We are always here for you. Remember that the 1st month after WLS is the hardest month you will do, but it is only 30 days, not the rest of your life. You can do it. Hugs, Suzanne

You are both in excellent hands. This is going to be a life changing event. You will love Dr. Aceves. His staff are all caring and kind. Pack light, don't take any jewelery. Maybe just your watch. If you have any questions or need something just let me know. I am always happy to help. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi you never think twice about making a car payment. Consider this a "body Payment". It will last you a lifetime. Car's don't. I sat down and figured out how much I paid for my sleeve surgery, and how much I saved each month, eating less food, going out to eat less, not taking some medications, seeing my doctor less. And it took me 18 months to pay myself back because what I saved. You are worth this cost of this surgery. Go for it. Look at your credit cards, they usually have lower interest rates. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I went to Dr. Aceves in 2008--did not have to get any financial aid. But you will need to get your loan approved before they will set a date to do your surgery. I am sorry your Mom is acting like this. It just shows that she isn't really as educated about universal medical care. Dr. Aceves is on of the top bariatric doctors in the world. He is highly thought of by so many of his peers. You have made the right choice without a doubt. You will never have a regret that you had WLS with Dr. Aceves. Nina will always be there to answer all your questions. So just write the down as you think about them. I am always out here too to answer your questions. I was 63 when I had WLS and I had the VGS. I have NO scars at all. I have to look real had to see if I can see them anymore. I am now 66. So I have had my sleeve for 3 years. I have a lot of experience when it comes to this. You will see that I post a lot. You should be able to return to work in 7 to 10 days. They will tell you to not lift anything over 50 pounds for the 1st 6 weeks. You are are doing all the right things. You have done your research, not hurried into making your choice, It took me 6 months to make up my mind about having WLS and having it be Dr. Aceves to do the surgery. If you have more questios please feel free to ask me. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Jay9mal, I kept losing after 1 year. That is why it took me 14 months. But the last 10 pounds were the hardest to get off. I had to bump up my exercise more and that seemed to help me. I also made sure I got at least 70 grams of Protein in each day and STAYED AWAY from WHITE carbs. They are my downfall. So when I got to my goal, I exercise less and eat about 900 calories a day. I just feel full and satisfied. I would never make it on 1,000 calories a day. I know me and I would have to exercise more if I ate 1,000 calories a day. I am happy with the way I eat now, I get everything I want and it works for me. I know that some same they eat more calories to burn off the fat. Here is how I look at it calories in calories out. I found my magic spot and so I can maintain it. You will become more confident the longer you do this and you will know what feels right and good for you. I am always here if you have questions you want to ask. For me what works is lower carbs and some "good" fat in my body and that is how I stay at my goal weight. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, Didn't anyone tell any of you about using GAS-X. You can get the thin strips that just melt on your tounge and it REALLY helps get rid of the gas pain? Suzanne

Hi, Your welcome, sometime we lose site of the fact that this has NOTHING to do with others. Just ourselves. Hugs, Suzanne

Hey, Congratulation and welcome to our world :D . You are going to be just fine. You have a GREAT attitude. Just remember the 1st 10 days of the Clear liquids if that is what you are doing is the hardest. Actually the 1st 30 days was my hardest. It just keeps getting better each day. I am always out here if you have questions or need something. I had a sleeve 3 years ago, and like you have NO regrets at ALL. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, To be on the safe side with for 30 days after your surgery and then take it. You do know that taking it does not guarantee that you will not lose your hair? It just helps with the regrowth. There really is nothing that will stop the loss of your hair. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I think you need to do what is BEST for you. For me I knew I got into trouble eating carbs, so a low carb diet made a WHOLE lot of sense to me. When I was losing weight I ate 800 calories per day and no more than 20 carbs per day. Now if you exercise during the day that burns up some calories so yes you can eat a little more calories--no matter what it was always at 800 calories for me. But if you do NO exercising then I always kept it at 800 calories. I walk about 6 days a week still 3 years later and keep my calories about about 1000. I am 66 years old and know for a fact that I would really have a problem with 1200 calories UNLESS I was burning some of them up with exercise. What do you want to do and what feels right for you? I know that most people after surgery at least with Dr. Aceves do 800 calories and no more than 20 carbs a day. It took me 14 months to lose 105 pounds. I never felt bad, I alway felt good. It is pretty normal at 8 weeks to be able to eat almost anything. Not everyone has the problems that you talked about. The one thing I notices was if something was really sweet. You just might be one of the lucky one. Take care, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I CAN NOT take credit for what this says, but it sure pertains to weight loss too. "Don't waste your time in the race looking back to see what the other guy is doing. It's not about the other guy. It's about what can you do. You just need to run that race as hard as you can. You need to give it everything you've got, all the time, for yourself." — Oprah This is what I have always said. This is ALL about you and NO one else. Never allow anyone to discourage you or bully you. We are hard enough on ourselves, so do this for YOU and NO one else. Hugs to you,

Hi Everyone, Today is a very special day for me. It is my birthday and I am 66 today. What makes it so special is that I am able to do things I never dreamed I would do. I am healthy, happy and have added so many years to my life because I had WLS and have maintained my weight loss of 105 for almost 3 years. I did this for ME and NO one else. I feel so very blessed that I had WLS. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Everyone, I hope that your weight loss is going well. I know that summer time can be an easier time for weight loss. It is a lot easier to get outside and exercise more. I know that it is hard to do, but if each day you will try to do something it makes it a lot easier. If you have a exercise buddy to work out with you that is really helpful too. When I get up and start walking on the treadmill each morning, I sometimes think oh my gosh I don't want to do this again today. About 1/2 way through my 3 mile walk, I am loving it, I feel my energy level coming around, and I feel a whole lot better. I am the person who never liked to exercise, but as I started to lose weight it got a lot easier and I knew this was so helpful for my health and weight loss. Now I know that this is very helpful to my success at maintaining my weight loss. Also during the summer it is fun having fresh veggies and great salad are nice too. Be a lot more creative with what you cook and how use use these fresh fruits and veggies. Think about making some yummy salads and adding things you normally wouldn't add. Add some nice fresh strawberries to a tossed green salad. You might find out you love all these veggies and fresh fruit. You are on the road to a successful weight loss. NEVER give up on what you are doing or thinking about doing. WLS was something that changed my entire life. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi I tried all those things--NONE of them worked for me. PLEASE Use Miralax. It was the ONLY thing that worked for me. At first you might try using 1 cap full 2 or 3 times a day. It has NO taste so you can mix it in anything. 3 years later I still use one cap full in my Protein drink each morning. It is NON habit forming and it is just going to be a way of life since we eat a lot of protein. Hugs, Suzannne

Hi, I will save you the time. Here is the information. You will love it. I also got banana Cream and it is really Yummy too. I hope you like it. Hugs, The next Protein Drink that I have tried is called: Matrix 2.0 Mint Cookies made by Syntrax. You can check this out on this Web Site. http://www26.netrition.com/syntrax_matrix_page.html The cost for 2.16 lbs. is $22.99 plus postage. Item # 39-0963 Suzanne

Hi, You may find some answers after they check your blood levels too. I also had to have my meds adjusted like you. And after awhile they took me off most of them. Do you like your Protein Drink that you are drinking? I have a few that I really like, and I just had to sip them instead of trying to drink them all at one time. I found out my potassium was really low and that was part of my problem too. It does get better in time. Have you tried to have part of a soft boiled egg in the morning--that used to help me. Sometimes a spoon of Peanut Butter also helped. And always a sugar free all natural Popsicles worked magic for me. Keep me posted. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, This is called phlegming or sliming --it is caused because you do NOT chew your foods enough and then the the food gets stuck and it comes back up. It is NOT a vomit but as you said it is a saliva. Take smaller bites and chew and chew, and chew. I know it is a pain in the neck, but at first it is a fact of life after having WLS. You will NEVER be able to shovel food in like you used too. You will always have to take smaller bites and chew more than you ever did before but not as much as you need to chew at first. This is part of that relearning and breaking some life long habits of how we ate and how little we chewed our food. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, The reason you chew so much is to turn the food into a liquid so when you swallow it, it goes down a lot easier and is a lot easier to digest. It has NOTHING to do with gas. No it doesn't get gross in your mouth. Your new stomach needs the best possible chance to heal and this helps when you are started to eat regular food. It is to your benefit to slow down and eat and chew a lot. Taking small bites also helps a lot. As far as what you are eating, different doctors have different views. This is just what my doctor had me do. I wish you great success in your weight loss journey. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, Oh I so agree with you--this is a crime and they are allowed to do it. Maybe just maybe this is why people can NOT afford Health Insurance. Who gives them the right to be able to charge this amount of $$$$$$$$$$? It is time that someone (and I wish I knew who) puts some guide lines on what hospitals can charge. I also feel the same about the price they charge for medications. And what is a person to do? Thanks for taking the time to post this. It is skin off your nose because eventually you have to pay or your employer pays the insurance premium. And if your employer is paying it and it keeps going up--they have less money to give your a raise or you will have to start paying more for you part of the insurance. NOTHING is free in this world. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi, I have another suggestion. Have you had a blood panel done lately. I went through something like this and for my my potassium was low. It was a simple fix and I now take potassium medications. You might want to go to your PCP and have them run a blood panel to just make sure. Hugs, Suzanne

Hi Tracy, Well, I am glad that it was helpful to you. As time goes on the swallowing does get a lot better. I think it took me about 6 months before the pills went down easy. I do the chew-able Calcium. I also did a liquid Vitamin for awhile and I got those at costco. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask me. I asked a lot of questions myself and that is how I learned a lot of things. Hugs, Suzanne