Dream4tc

Thanks for sharing your story! I initially was dead set for sleeve but after speaking to my surgeon, he said I would have worsened reflux due to the high pressure it causes. I never really considered bypass out of fear. However, I did plenty of research, and grilled my surgeon with tons of questions. I also had 4 years of horrible daily heartburn and reflux and wasn't looking forward to that again. I didn't want to have the sleeve and have that problem because then I would have to revise to bypass. So ultimately I am choosing bypass and happy with my decision. I have tons of support. Have you considered some dates of your surgery yet? Any specific month? Regarding sugar...what about trying light Agave nectar? It is really yummy and doesn't cause a jump or drop in blood sugars.

Even though honey is natural sugar it might be too sweet. Have you tried light Agave nectar? It is yummy and it's low on the glycemic index so it won't cause the blood sugar levels to fluctuate.

Walking is a great start. We have to do it anyways to get anywhere right? Try small 5 minute walks several times a day and then keep adding minutes for a goal of 30 mins a day. Once you reach that goal, you can add more minutes, incline if on treadmill or small hills if outside, small hand weights. Once you reach those, add in different exercises to keep things fun. I do Zumba and love it. I also do Kinect (similar to Wi), biking, dancing, hiking etc. My doc told me walking to start then once my incisions healed, I could start adding more. Listen to your body.

I am hoping for you!!! You already have alot of documentation to support your surgery I know I am making the thread a little early, but November will be here quick!

Biotin is helpful, usually you will need to start this before surgery because it takes a few months before it really gets into your system. I take a chewable version that I bought at Walgreens. 5000 mcg. http://healthydelights.com/hair-skin-nails/

Ooh yeah I forgot about the SF Torani syrups, they are yummy!!!

The high protein helps with satiety , but also prevents the loss of muscle and helps burn the fat instead of muscle when combined with exercise. More muscle= more fat loss. More protein= less muscle loss. There are alternative protein options. Unjury or Genepro can be added to food or soups. Please try and get your protein in, it will help your weight loss much faster, gives you energy, and helps with hunger.

I live in North Central Arkansas, not too far from Missouri border in the Ozark Mointains. I work in St Louis, MO which is where my surgeon is.

Check the forum on here. There are people looking for clothes and exchanging. That might tide you over without purchasing. Clearance racks also good idea for cheap clothing.

Those are symptoms of being too tight. I had that experience and had a stuck episode that landed me in the ER because I couldn't swallow my own saliva. I would not recommend staying at that fill level, you will cause yourself more problems and the risk of aspirating your reflux at night, especially while you sleep which is dangerous.

Check with Lindstrom patient advocacy. They help with WLS appeals http://wlsappeals.com/

Yes there are sugar free gummy bears made by Haribo. I agree with Chele H......hehe these bears can be a disaster if you eat too many. The reviews on Amazon made me laugh so hard, it was hysterical lol

Have you considered trying HMR chicken soup? It is very high protein, low fat and tastes really good! I used this HMR program many years ago and was very effective. They also have some of the best tasting high protein oatmeal I have ever tried. You can order the foods separately. As you advance in your diet, it can be modified. There are tons of yummy tasting recipes. http://hmrprogram.com/static-assets/html/HMRFoods/HMRChickenSoup.html

I understand what you are talking about. I have struggled with weight all my life. I have been told that I am beautiful, hot, gorgeous....but I don't see that. I have always avoided looking into others eyes because of my lack of confidence. Sometimes, I feel pretty when my hair is done, makeup on, and dressed up. Then I see other healthy thinner women and say to myself "what was I thinking, I don't have a chance" I have an extremely hard time with taking compliments. I have been married for the past 10 yrs and my husband loves me for me and is supportive with anything I do. I don't feel sexy or desirable at this weight and he knows that and he compliments me all the time, but I don't believe what he says. I am working on trying to love myself, but when I look in the mirror, I see so many flaws and wonder if others see those too. It would be nice for once to walk in a room and turn heads just to feel desirable. I have tried therapy, and don't feel like I get anywhere with that. Some men, love bigger women, or women with meat on their bones. My husband met me and I was more overweight then, than what I am now. He told me he didn't like anorexic women. Self confidence will improve once we see the physical changes. The part that is harder will be the psychological changes that will need to match.

I hear the Lindstrom patient advocacy group helps with appeals. http://wlsappeals.com/

I have a fan that I keep in my SUV (I take it to Zumba classes), however I found it very useful when I had recent surgery. It was very warm in my room and I was on the 6th floor. My hubby ran down and got my fan and I was very comfy the rest of the time I was there

I asked my surgeon that specific question yesterday haha! He said it just stays. There are really no empty spaces in there. It's crowded especially with the fat cushioning all organs

Here is another with more research statistics http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1356398/#!po=16.4474

I spoke with my surgeon yesterday and I had asked specifically about Ghrelin, PYY, GLP-1 and Leptin. I asked if the hormone levels return over time or stay reduced. He replied with a combination of a yes and no. The body is an amazing system. It will always try and compensate to homeostasis. Below is a great article with research regarding the hormones for sleeve and bypass. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/578906

@MissRobin- I use Voltaren for arthritis and per my surgeon it is OK to use because it is topical. When they say no NSAIDS, they usually mean oral. Voltaren is usually one of those medications that are typically not easily obtained without special documentation from prescriber because insurance doesn't want to cover it because of the expense. Oral NSAIDS should not be used. I am a nurse, but not a doctor and I can't provide any official advice, but I feel safe using topical only for pain control. I would recommend checking with your surgeon.

IV Toradol is non narcotic and can help with pain, but will be depending on your kidney function most specifically creatinine level. I would talk with your surgeon about some options. I would also ask for a Pain management consult so they can also help you with a plan as well.

Walk as much as you can. You will be able to expel it quicker and have more relief. You can also try the Gas-x strips ,but I have found walking is the best remedy. It will get better

I gave up soda back when I was banded. I have always gravitated toward sweet anything, but soda is empty calories and can stretch your pouch from the gas in the carbonation. I love the Snapple line, they really taste good and enough caffeine to avoid those dreaded caffeine withdrawal headaches. I found an alternative sweet drink, but I don't think the sugar free and calories free line have caffeine in them. They might have a caffeinated line, check link below. I love SOBE!!! Sobe Lifewater is awesome!!! They carry 7 different kinds of calorie and sugar free yummy tasting drinks!!! They also carry others that have calories so make sure you read the label. Here is the mobile website. I love the Fuji Apple Pear, it is soooooo good !!!!  http://www.sobe.com/...e/products.html

Oops, wrong forum.

I gave up soda back when I was banded. I have always gravitated toward sweet anything, but soda is empty calories and can stretch your pouch from the gas in the carbonation. I found an alternative sweet drink and love it!!! Sobe Lifewater is awesome!!! They carry 7 different kinds of calorie and sugar free yummy tasting drinks!!! They also carry others that have calories so make sure you read the label. Here is the mobile website. I love the Fuji Apple Pear, it is soooooo good !!!! http://www.sobe.com/mobile/products.html