AliveAgain

Someone told me that the private pay portion of my surgery (the part insurance did not cover) is tax deductible, for calendar year 2012. Has anyone else heard this and do you know how it's done? My doctor also wrote me a prescription for a gym membership that he said should be deductible as well since it was prescribed. ???

And drink lots of fluids! Dehydration can mimic the feeling of being hungry as well.

Glad you have such a positive attitude and have the support of your family! That's great! I'm in the same place as you with the mushy foods, about 2-3oz and I'm "full" and not wanting to push it. With time, it will get easier and we'll be able to take on more. I really look forward to when I'm only doing 1-2 shakes a day and the rest comes from food sources. Sorry to hear about the crappy boss. There are a lot of them out there unfortunately. I've had plenty of them myself, I know what it's like. I lost a job about two years ago because I was constantly sick - sinus infections, colds, migraines. The stress and the weight were just too much for my system to take on. I was upset at the time, but also relieved because I got a lot better once I didn't have that horrible boss that called on me at all hours and had me working around the clock. She needed a healthy person who could dedicate 150% of themselves to the job and I just wasn't that person. If you can, try to look for another job. I know that is hard to say, believe me I would have slapped anyone who said that to me in the past. But it's not good to keep stressors like her in your life. It's a challenge to take on emotional eating, and you've taken a great step with the surgery. Mean, bossy people are not worth what they take out of you -- your energy, your soul. Something to consider...

I'm not "clinical" OCD but I do have some tendancies. I clean A LOT and get a little quirky sometimes with details most people don't notice. All things of which my psychologist is fully aware. But I do have Anxiety and Panic Disorder, which means I tend to freak out easily over small things and I don't do well in social situations or large crowded places with a lot of noise. I was honest, talked to my psych over many months about this surgery and she made sure I was fully prepared. Even with a history of depression, she never threw up any flags. She knew me well enough to know that my weight was a large part of my depression, and believed that this surgery would only help my situation. Be honest, don't overthink it, and keep a positive attitude! Good luck!

Thanks for checking in, Debi! I have been doing much better for the past 10-12 days now and am in a MUCH better place. The depression lifted going into week two, with some ups and downs around my TOM. The shakes are much easier to tolerate, and I have been introducing mushy foods for the last week. So far, that is going well - still no vomiting, pain, or nausea. I'm a little tired of the lack of variety - cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, tofu. But I know that will happen in due time. I've had a bite here and there of my husband's cooked broccoli, some extremely tender pieces of chicken I chewed thoroughly, and some vegetable Soups. I'm walking an hour most days, and my husband says my pace is much faster than even a week ago. Can't wait to test out a few gyms in my area this week to work on other parts of the body! The scale showed 234 this morning, so I've lost 15lbs in 21 days (plus the 8lbs in fluids I came home with from the hospital!) No complaints! Bought a bra one size down yesterday, and I'm already in my size 20 jeans, feeling like 18 could happen really soon. My husband said it was easier to wrap his arms around me, which I'd never even thought about before. I'm going to see a psychiatrist this week to see if he recommends anything. Not sure if I'll go down that road, but I'm curious if there is something to help me through. My hormones were completely out of whack last week and I had a very painful period. I'm sure it's PCOS related and my doctor is monitoring it. I find that's when the depression gets worse in the 10 days before. So while I'm feeling good now, I really don't want to go down that road again next month! Everyone's suggestions have been great, and I hope this sticks around long enough to help others out going through the same tough period that is the first week

My doc said 400-600 for the first 2-3 weeks, then 600-800 for the next 5 months. But I'm learning that compared to other doctors, he's really strict. I've heard to little can cause the weight loss to slow down, so I'm not sure. Just be sure the calories are coming from good healthy choices and shakes. Watch the carbs (no more than 40g) and fat (no more than 30g) with NO rice, potato, bread, flour, Pasta, etc. or "high carb" veggies. Get your Protein down first, then shoot for the good veggies like broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes, celery, spinach, cucumbers, green Beans (very cooked at first is important, no raw for a while!!) Watch your sodium intake as well, that can hide in lots of sources. The old max used to be 2500mg, they recently changed it to 1500mg. Most days, I'm hitting 1500 or just over it. Aim for 800 and see what works for you! There is a way to set your own caloric goal in MFP under settings.

Yep, Cirangle told his support group that the original stomach can hold up to 60oz -- that's HUGE! After VSG, they are around 2-3oz and eventually with time that will stretch x3. So in the end, having a 6-9oz stomach. Still much smaller than it was originally. All the more reasons to continue to watch what you eat down the line so it doesn't come back. I see the first 3-6 months as just training for the marathon of life to come!

So no one has had it explained WHY we're all so cold? I worry about thyroid problems because they run in my family, and I know being cold a lot can be a sign of developing hypothyroidism. My mom is ALWAYS COLD because of it. I don't mind when I know it's just a part of the process, but I worry about ignoring other possible health issues!

Day 18: "Pretty OK" This is my third week living with my sleeve. Seems so weird to call it that, like it's not a stomach anymore. But it is. I'm having a hard time thinking of it as anything but my stomach, just smaller. I think it's the part of me that struggled with the idea of the surgery in the first place. The concept of getting rid of something God gave me, my parent's DNA provided me. I look at pictures of myself from the past and I think, "I was whole then." Don't get me wrong. I'm not here regretting or venting. No buyer's remorse. I came to terms before my surgery, knowing it's better to "sacrifice the few, to save the many." I'm such a logical thinker, it gets me in trouble sometimes. I'm a somewhat religious person, it helped when a fellow sleever at a support group told me about Matthew 5:30, "And if your right hand leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it go into hell." THAT made sense to me. Go figure? I think what I'm struggling with right now is how I let it get this bad. I spent my childhood eating fairly well. Granted my parents served us Spam, sugary Kool-Aid, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut from time to time. It was the 80's and they worked hard. But I didn't gorge on them, and was never overweight. Then in my 20's I was so focused on being attractive to the opposite sex, looking for a mate, I policed myself and stayed in shape. Next thing you know, it's 2005 and I'm gaining and gaining and gaining. That was a tough year for me. I'd been hit by a car while doing my favorite sport, cycling. The injuries are still with me today and the psychological trauma still haunts me. My parents separated, my uncle passed away tragically sending my grandmother into early dementia. But great things happened as well. I graduted college a year earlier and had moved across the country to start my life with my (now) husband. Granted, we were in tons of debt and not the best of housing situations. It was just all too much change for a single year. I let my guard down and it just spiraled out of control. Then I fell into a series of dreadful jobs while pulling us out of debt. Then a few more accidents and -- BOOM. There I am with ailment after ailment, scrambling to doctors to fix it, while ignoring the fact that I weighed 265lbs. In less than two years I had DOUBLED in size. DOUBLED!! I'm shocked as hell that I didn't see it. It was like I had blinders on. When I looked in the mirror, I looked the same. It was me. When I got dressed, I looked down and my body seemed strangely unchanged. But then things happened. The first time I was out with a friend, window shopping and I realize none of the stores have my size. Sitting at a restaurant and having a little child ask me if I was pregnant because of my belly. Hearing a complete stranger call me a "fat a**" while walking down a sidewalk. Struggling to buckle my belt on a plane. Then the sickness. Always getting sick. Migraines. Horrible PMS. Emergency rooms. Being told I am most likely infertile... It was too much to bear. The guilt nearly killed me. Knowing my husband had vowed to love me forever, and I was ruining his chances to have children. Much less, having to live with a fat, depressed woman who's self-esteem was just non-existent. Disappointing my family, shortening my life... then losing two jobs due to my weight. One because I was so sick all the time, I became unreliable. They let me go out of pity, and in a way because they didn't want to see me get worse. The second because of this jerk who thought I was "bad for business." So yeah. I'm happy I did it. I know it's early, and I'm sure this roller coaster will take me many more dips that make me sick-to-my-sleeve. But I know there will also be lots of high moments when I can see the beautiful horizon and anticipate the excitement of the hurdling "drops" -- in weight! And in the end, I will most likely be a little wobbly-knee'd and woozy. But just like when I was a kid, I'll march off to my loved ones and tell them, "It was the best ride of my life! I want to do it again!"

Give yourself a big hug and pat on the back for recognizing it and stepping up to the forum for help! Don't be too hard on yourself and know that it happens to EVERYONE. Learn from it, correct it, and move on. Life is both long in how much opportunity we have to do so much, and also short enough we can't take it for granted by keeping ourselves unhealthy and at risk. This is rough time of year for everyone. I hate winter with a passion. The short days, cold weather, over the major holiday buzz. I'd say make sure you get out for a walk, feel the sun on your face, have some nice "talks" with yourself about how wonderful you are, and make a list of what's more important to you than comfort food... BEST OF LUCK! We're all here to listen

I'm reading "Life is Hard, Food is Easy" by Linda Spangle. It's pretty good, though she's not talking to WLS patients, mostly about proper food choices and dealing with head hunger in general. Lots of good examples of what happened to people and how they handled it. I'd love to pass it along, but I use the library. Can't stand the clutter of bookshelves!

I drink 24-48oz of water every day - cold, tepid - whatever. No problems at all. Maybe you read how you are not supposed to drink any fluids 30 minutes before/after eating anything? The chewable vitamins I take (Celebrate brand) are not hard at all, the break into powder form 2-3 seconds after it hits my mouth. I make sure I swish with water after and usually brush teeth about 20 minutes later. But that's just because my dentist tells me to never brush my teeth within 20 minutes of eating anything because the acid from your food is still on your teeth and makes them soft (...so when you brush too soon after, you can wear away at enamel). There are liquid and powder multi's you can mix with water if you don't like chewable :-)

Be sure to stay hydrated! Nearly 50% of WLS patients have NAFL (non-alcoholic fatty liver) -- which should resolve itself with weight loss. However, this usually results in a sluggish liver which is not comfortable. liquids and exercise help the liver through this process, make sure you are getting 64-80oz minimum of fluids/water intake every day. When you don't get enough, it can increase pain in other areas of your body. The liver is a giant filter for your blood and right now in breaking down fat your body is releasing more estrogen that it has to process. Plus, it's now trying to break down the fat stores in the liver itself. That's fun as it can spike at the worst times like in the middle of the night. Most likely your abdomen pain is a result of gas and/or incisional healing. Everyone here has great advice for that -- Fiber, GasX, etc. And as much as you may not like it, exercise does WONDERS!!! Sometimes when the diaphragm is in pain, it will reference in your shoulder. Remember, they had to retract/shift your liver around and fill you up with a lot of CO2. It can take a while for that to go away. And if you did have a fatty liver, they most likely took a sample with a needle to make sure you hadn't advanced to cirrhosis, etc. stages. I found my shoulders hurting a lot too because I was sleeping too much, and hunching over a lot to protect my belly. That plus the fact that all my bras don't fit leads to horrible posture. Trying some mild stretching and perhaps take some liquid children's tylenol for the pain. GOOD LUCK!

IowaAndy, it is the norm to take gallbladder meds starting three weeks after surgery and continue for six months. From what I was told by my doc, there is a 2-3% chance of getting gallstones and/or losing your gallbladder when losing weight rapidly on a high-protein, low carb/calorie diet plan. The risk is much, much higher if you do not take Actigall or a similar medication. I would talk to your WLS doc or your PCP as soon as possible.

I'm currently unemployed, so take my advice with a grain of salt. I've had a positive outcome with my surgery, so far no complications, recovery has been on target. I'm in the middle of week three, and if I had a job I "could" go back to work. Physically, I'm very normal with the exception of my pants tugging on my abdomen in odd positions. But that's nothing noticable or show stopping. I can shower, dress, drive, do errands, etc. However, I will say that my energy is only about 50% of normal and my brain is very foggy. They say that can be due to a number of things like ketosis (low carbs, breakdown of fat and estrogen) and dehydration, or low blood pressure. Just the body getting used to all the changes and adjusting...normal stuff to stay on top of though. That being said, while I "could" go back to work at this point, I'm thankful I'm not. I would say 2 weeks is the minimum, 4 weeks is probably ideal -- based on how improvement happens a little bit each day. Plus, it's work to get used to the Fluid stage, then managing the mushy stage (weeks 1/2 and 3/4) -- plus getting in plenty of fluids. Another reason to not be "distracted" at work. Take the optimal time to develop your new habits, practice them like crazy so they'll just be the norm when you go back to work. Everyone is different, though, so keep in mind there is no telling how your surgery will go vs. anyone else. You'll have to play it by ear and let nature take its course with you. Hope this helps!!

I'm cold and have lower blood pressure, too. I'm not sure what that is - my doctor didn't seem worried when I mentioned it to him.

pineapple has bromelain, a great enzyme commonly used to tenderize meat products. I used it in straight pill form after my knee surgery to help with recovery (helps rid the body of scar tissue and other by products). My sister is a naturopathic doctor and did a full research project on this enzyme. Definitely don't take it in pill form, but that could be why the pineapple and papaya juices have helped others!

Benefiber, unflavored in every protein shake - works for me!

Thanks! Ordered one of the EatSmart scales from Amazon today. My husband is even stoked to use it after he read the reviews. AWESOME!

I as sleeved on Jan 30, so I'm on day 17 now. And YES, it absolutely does get better. I was on here posting in my first week how I could not see the light at all. The first week does seem to be the toughest, and it gets better day by day. There are ups and downs in between, but they seems to be getting smaller each time. I absolutely hated the Protein drinks at first, but now I don't even notice them -- they're like sipping on a Water bottle now -- just THERE. And mexican food is my favorite, too. I can't tell you how many times we went past my favorite place and I wanted to cry. Now, I barely notice. I know I'll get to have it again, in smaller portions, when the time is right. And so will you! The aches and pains may be because you are lying around more than usual and tensing more when you are active. Try to do some mild stretching and use hot packs, liquid Tylenol, massages to help you through. My back was killing me from how much I was hunching over to protect my sensitive belly. And quite often there is reference pain from the abdomen/diaphragm. That whole area was stretched and some things shifted during surgery. Not to mention the internal stitches that are healing. Most of that has gone away for me with some mild "aches" when I stay on my side too long or reach for something too high. Try to be patient and think about the last time a week just flew by - like before Christmas. Things will get better and it will be worth it in the end. Hope you feel better!

I need to buy a new scale. I think... So according to my scale, I've only lost 7lbs since surgery. According to my doctor's scale, I've lost 11. WTH?! I weighed myself, right out of the shower at about 7am the morning of my surgery, 250 flat. I weighed myself same way, same time of day yesterday, 243. Yet the morning of surgery at the hospital (about 2 hours after I weighed myself), I was 251 with a big heavy hospital gown. then at my doc's office yesterday, 240. He says his scales are better, being $300+ dollars. But now I don't know if I'll be able to accurately guage my progress with mine. He wants me to lose 10+ more in 2 weeks, but I'm afriad if I go my scale I won't know if I did or did not accomplish it. Mine is about 15 years old. <b>Does anyone recommend any good brands that are easy to find in stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond?</b>

Thanks all! I had the screening interview over the phone with the recruiter last week. She was very nice and understanding. I had told her I had surgery, but did not tell her the specifics. I told her straight up that working more than 40 hours a week or more than 8 in a day would not be common practice for me. And that I'd have lots of follow up work to do in the next six months, where I'd need afternoons off, etc. It's the first time I've ever been that honest with a recruiter. Thankfully this is just a contract position, so they shouldn't worry about insurance. I'm on my husband's plan anyhow, better deal through his work. Well, the best news about this for me: I've tried on some of my work clothes and they're too lose! ACK! I plan on spending this weekend digging through my closet to see if I have anything from years ago when I was a size 20. NICE!!

I like to get the variety pack of nectar from my doc's office. Each has 23g of Protein and it's nice to be able to mix up the flavors from day to day. Then, on the side I have unflavored and vanilla unjury. I like to use the unflavored in Jell-O and it's a nice boost in the middle of the day - mixing instructions below. Usually for dinner I have a chicken, beef, or tomato protein mix (Healthwise?) that is smaller, only about 15g protein mixed with warmed broth or strained Soups. Use (1) small box of SF Jell-O, make as usual mixing powder with 1cup hot Water until dissolved. Then set aside and allow to cool to 90-100 degrees. Then mix one scoop of unflavored Unjury with the 1cup cold water shortly before combining the two. I like to break them out using some Pampered Chef prep bowls I have that show measurements on the side like a measuring cup. Makes 4 (1/2cup) servings with about 5+ grams of protein each.

Next week, I've been scheduled for a first round of interviews with a MAJOR "fruit-named" technology company here in Silicon Valley. This means going for a period of 4-5 hours straight (usually an afternoon) and interviewing in half-hour intervals with groups of 2-4 people (about 25 total). This is very normal for the type of work I do, I've done this in the past. It's grueling and exhausting! I'm nervous and worried for a number of reasons: 1. I'm still on liquids, introducing very soft mushies (eggs, cottage cheese, tofu) and will be next week. They are talking about making it a lunch thing, which could mean they want to cater or take me to lunch. I'm nervous that I will have to tell them what's going on because I'll be sipping on a Protein shake while they eat! 2. Energy levels suck!! I'm on day 17 now and will be on day 25/26 during the interview. Right now, I do OK to get up take care of some things, go for a walk, shower, etc. Then I'm absolutely exhausted! I'm also very spacey in my thinking, hard to capture words and recall details. Not good things to have for an important interview when I need to be sharp. 3. If I'm going to be with them for that long, I will need to be sipping on Water and protein at some point. Will they ask me about it? Will I have to tell them about the surgery? If they hire me, they will notice the weight loss so I might as well. But I'm worried they'll think something is wrong with me and that I'll be unreliable. I already got fired from one job when I was having to go to a lot of doctor's appointments and was sick a lot. 4. Sitting that much hurts. My belly hurts if I don't get up or lie down periodically. Plus, I'm slow walking and getting up from a chair. The incisions are still tendor inside. These are people that bound upstairs and walk with a brisk pace, because that's just the pace there. The tech industry out here is VERY DIFFERENT from most work environments. In my line of work, 10-14 hour days, working weekends, pulling all-nighters are the norm. If you aren't willing to do it -- likely there is some young college grad who's willing to steal it out from under you and get promoted. I know I need to change my habits with work, make time for exercise, planning meals, eating at the right time of day, not skipping meals, sleeping properly. But it is not working in my favor to find an "easier" job or line of work. I apply for them and I'm told I'm "overqualified and won't be happy" in such an entry-level type work. Believe me, this is an amazing opportunity that I've been wanting to happen for years now. It just seems to be happening at THE WORST TIME EVER. I'm not sure they want someone who has so many boundaries with how long and how hard I can go... Right now, I'm trying not to overthink it. Just need to make it through the interview... BUT HOW?! I want to be happy that this is happening for me, but I'm more scared about it than happy.

Yes, doctors generally do not have good bedside manners and are jerks (in my book). BUT, that being said I do understand why they do it. I don't agree with it, and I do feel like they tend to ignore other things going on when they see obese patients. Weight is a huge health issue, and yes so many ailments can be helped by losing it. And I know they see so many overweight patients, and the old saying says, "When you hear hoovesteps, think horses, not zebras!" Still, I lost count of how many times I cried myself all the way home from doctor's offices. How many times I went in for pain, and left untreated to resolve by myself. The worst of the bunch was my ortho surgeon. I feel down on concrete stairs and slammed my right knee in 2007. From day one, she was a total b***h to me about my weight. She barely believed me when I told her I weighed 135lbs at my college graduation in May 2004. I tense up and have anxiety every time I have to go back for a check up because she harps on it every time I go. But little do they understand my knee is a big reason I struggled the past 5 years -- the pain when I try to take up a new exercise regimine is horrific and dibilitating. So this time, I'm taking matters to the next level by getting my sleeve. I'm pushing through the pain now, icing my knee every night. My last MRI 3 weeks ago show a lot of inflammation in the cartiledge and a few arthritic cysts. I go in for my check up last week and she starts in on the weight thing and I said, "I had VSG two weeks ago." She blinked, not knowing what that was. She asked details, and when I told her the diet restrictions she then proceeded to barade me about, "Well that doesn't sound healthy at all! I don't think that's the right way to do it." There is no pleasing her -- AND I DON'T CARE!!