Sansa

What in the world were they thinking....approving someone for such a drastic surgery to only lose 50 pounds!!!

I dont know....

apparently, Jr was 100 pounds overweight before the surgery. I was given the option of what kind of surgery that I wanted. Do you have a duodenal switch?

I also found this article that suggests that weight loss surgery increases the level of suicides and heart disease. I wonder if they are nutrition related:

http://archsurg.jama...rticleid=400707

This is a q & a regarding depression following weight loss surgery:

http://bariatrictime...and-prevention/

Having spent almost my entire life dieting, I learned that dairy products are not really good for losing weight. I noticed that a lot of people on this forum who have stalls or trouble losing weight seem to eat a lot of yogurt, pudding, cheese, and cottage cheese. Also, bread, crackers, rice and oatmeal keep me from losing weight although my system seems to be more sensitive than others. It seems to be ok to eat dairy but if you find that you aren't losing weight like you want to then you may want to consider cutting out the dairy altogether. You can buy high Protein powders that can be turned into puddings with Water though, for example WonderSlim puddings are pretty good.

I came across this article that suggests that Jesse Jackson Jr's gastrointestinal and depression problems may have been caused by a duodenal switch. The description of a duodenal switch makes it seems as though it is the same thing as a sleeve that also bypasses a lot of the intestines which results in malabsorption. The articles go on to say that Jr may have developed bipolar disorder as a result of malnutrition.

http://chicagotonigh...witch-explained

http://illinoisrevie...r-disorder.html

If true then this is yet another reason why getting just a sleeve is better than getting the duodenal switch or bypass. The idea of bypassing the intestines is a scary thought to me. It just seems too drastic to not only remove 90% of the stomach but then to also bypass a lot of the intestines. I wonder if cases like this will eventually result in people with depression, etc. being disqualified from any kind of bypass operation.

I have found myself wondering whether models have been sleeved. I imagine that it must be difficult to be skin and bones without some kind of intervention whether it be surgery and/or drugs. I also wonder if Victoria Beckham is sleeved. She is always pictured looking miserable but maybe that's because she doesn't consume enough calories since she is sleeved?

The liquid diets work but they are, of course, difficult to maintain for extended amounts of time. I managed to lose 20+ lbs a month on liquid diets in the past. One time, I only drank WonderSlim shakes and another time, I lived on juiced fruits and vegetables. The Atkins and Scarsdale diets are also effective.

_{Thanks all! I went to the ER because this has been going on for a month now, and I work for my bariatric surgeon, so this is what I do all day, everyday. I was not deficient in any areas...}

My magnesium deficiency never showed up in any tests and doctors never told me about it. I discovered it on my own after several years.

I experienced heart palpitations and fatigue when I was younger. I discovered that my heart palpitations occured as a result of a magnesium deficiency. I no longer experience the palpitations as long as I take an extra magnesium supplement with my Multivitamin. My doctor also told me that chocolate and caffeine can cause palpitations. Your shortness of breath could be caused by the anxiety that results from the palpitations, however, it would be a good idea to get it checked out by a doctor. I have also been diagnosed with insulin resistance and cyclical hypothyroidism which causes my fatigue. However, other people on this board are healed of their insulin resistance after the operation in which case I wonder if your fatigue could be caused by the low calorie diet. Have you tried increasing your calories?

I believe that the dry mouth may be caused by ketosis which occurs when the body is burning a lot of fat. Biotene Dry Mouth Mouthwash has helped me in the past with ketosis. Act also offers a dry mouth mouthwash but it doesn't seem to work as well as the Biotene in my opinion, although the Biotene is more expensive.

The depression is the hardest for me. I can for go the food aspect but can't get past the crying for no reason and being angry all the time...

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a rough time. I am hoping that my estrogen levels will go down by losing weight but it seems as though the process of ridding our bodies of estrogen is difficult. Have you had a chance to talk to your GYN about it yet? Do you mind sharing with us what your doctor said about it?

I went out to dinner this week for the first time with 9 other people. It was hibachi. I ate my lobster and shrimp become full and excused my self walked outside and took a walk around the shopping center. It was my immediate family so they all understood. I know I'm not ready to eat out with people that don't know I been sleeved.

Its interesting how this surgery changes our relationships with our families. What other things have you found to do instead of eating or to deal with not eating?

I am a recoverying alcoholic. I go to AA. I thought I would NEVER be able to stop drinking and druging until I finally made it to AA. It really saved my life. I am almost 6yrs clean and sober! I am using my AA program and our 12 steps to help me with this process as well. If I don't do the things I need to do, talk to other alcoholics, pray, follow the 12 steps (the program), I will get drunk again! Same for this If I don't stay in touch with my fellow sleevers (to help me be accountable) pray, and follow the program, I WILL gain weight again. OA Overeaters Annonymous has a great program! Even if you don't think you over eat nessisarily... they deal with all of the phychological issues that we face, I think I am going to start going to a few myself! They have meetings all over the country, I'm sure there's one near you. Just a suggestion. It really does help people!!! I have several friends who go!

I'll keep OA in mind in case I have mental and emotional hunger to deal with after the operation. I imagine that OA must attract a lot of bariatric patients these days. What ways does OA suggest for dealing with mental and emotional hunger?

I actually tried to use the Wonderslim shakes on a liquid diet. I lost 20 lbs but the liquid diet was difficult to maintain because I was starving most of the time. However, I'm hoping that the liquid diet will be easier to live with after my surgery.

I tried them for awhile specifically because they are offered in low calorie, asparatame-free, soy-free, and dairy-free versions. My favorites were mocha and cheesecake but all of the flavors that I tried tasted pretty good. I believe that the Wonderslim shakes are supposed to provide adequate nutrition for people on liquid diets. I'm planning on getting some to use after my surgery. I'm thinking about also getting some unflavored powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury to add to the Wonderslim in order to increase the Protein and calories a little bit. The Wonderslim shakes run around 100 calories each packet which means that I will try to drink at least 6 a day after my surgery.

I'm constantly surprised and admit to feeling pleased, as well. But then, I say "so what?" And move away from the thought. I still have the task of filling the emptiness . Being ok to look at isn't a great big deal in the scheme of things.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6

I am hoping that this operation helps me to learn how to nourish my soul more than my body. Always trying to satisfy my body with material things like food just isn't working for me. The food and the clothes and the house and the car just don't fill the emptiness. Reading the Bible does fill the emptiness for me though. If I am feeling emotional about something but then read the Bible, the words in the Bible really do soothe me. It's amazing to me how reading uplifting and encouraging words satisfies my soul in a way that food and other things just can't. I have also found that giving stuff away makes my soul feel good. Sometimes when I am feeling particularly bad then I seek out something to give away and then all of my bad feelings will just go away. I don't know why that works for me but it does. Giving stuff away makes my soul feel better than having or attaining stuff does. Violin music also soothes me in a way that food never has. I guess that this operation is about finding new ways of filling our emptiness for a lot of us. What ways have everyone else found to fill the void since your operation? Seems as though a lot of people have turned to exercise and marathons.

I am still waiting to be approved for surgery but in case I'm not approved, do you happen to have a website for Dr. Aceves? He seems to receive a lot of recommendations from people on this site.

Infections seem to be a leading cause of problems with the surgery which led me to start looking at what kind of foods that I can eat that can help prevent infection. I have used raw garlic and echinacea tea for years to fight off sinus infections. I also like to eat raw ginger when my stomach is nauseous. However, a lot of people can't seem to eat spicy food following the surgery so I'm wondering if those spicy foods include garlic and ginger?

I have also found out that drinking chamomile and goldenseal teas help fight infections. Honey is also supposed to be antiseptic, however, I imagine that it must be too sweet after the surgery? Has anyone else used natural foods and herbs following the surgery?

I craved vinegar when I was pregnant but the doctor told me it was because I was anemic. I wonder if it is the vinegar in the Pickle Juice that you crave. Vinegar is a sugar that has the reputation of balancing body ph by reducing acid levels in the blood. I'm wondering if the surgery increases acidity in some way...perhaps the anesthesia or the healing process causes ph imbalances?

I have or should I said had Type 2 Diabetes, my sugar was really high while in the hospital receiver shots but was told it was normal because I was in pain. I will be two weeks tomorrow, completely off my medicine and normal sugar levels! I mean ridiculously normal levels...this works!

how is your energy level since the surgery? weak, tired?

Sigh ...its a passive/aggressive thing with me: a need to be hidden and a desire to be recognized.

I think that a lot of us here can relate to that. Thank you for sharing with us. I tend to think that our society doesn’t appreciate character as much as it does appearances. Women, in particular, are judged almost solely on their appearances. Just to prove my point, next time that you are sitting around talking about another female, take notice of how the conversation almost always includes how the woman looks. People can be talking about a genius but if she is unattractrive or overweight then her value is often diminished in the conversation. Likewise, we can all sit around and talk about all of the celebrities that receive massive amounts of respect and money/value simply because they look attractive. People almost always judge a woman on her appearance regardless of her abilities. For example, Angelina Jolie is worshipped because of her appearance and is a standard of beauty that many aspire to meanwhile she is/was a heroin addict. Her lack of character and ability is almost completely disregarded in the light of her beauty. On the other hand, men are judged more on their abilities. Conversations about men rarely include their attractiveness or lack thereof but more about their strength, or sense of humor, or intelligence.

It's really kind of hard to explain the frustration and depressed feeling you get when you are around other people eating.

Society tends to bond over food. We Celebrate most everything using food: birthday cake, Halloween candy, Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas Cookies, Memorial Day and Fourth of July bbq, etc. I can see how not being able to share and partake of food together on those occasions may cause us not to feel as close to others as we used to. We share food in order to, subconsciously, nourish each other so then I suppose that we have to figure out how to nourish and care for each other without food...

I haven't had a chip, cookie, piece of bread, Cereal or any simple carb in 6 months and cannot imagine having one. I have had blueberries and blackberries and consider that cheating. I can't eat more than 1/4 cup of them. I further have a very difficult time thinking that I ever will eat those simple carbs again and worry that I will miss the nutrients from fruits which have huge health benefits.

When I eat out, I can eat a lot. I do find myself not feeling "gotta go back for a refil" or like I have to compete with other diners. I don't find it frustrating but I do find myself twisting straws and paper napkins and having a cup of coffee v e r y s l o w l y while the others are still on a main dish. I think we need to come up with something clever to keep us amused and unobtrussive while others dine. Kind of like an etch a sketch but something socially acceptable and not objectionable like a cell phone game. Knitting????

I’m looking forward to the day when a 1/4 cup of blueberries will satisfy me. Now that you mention it, I guess that sitting around watching others eat probably makes them feel uncomfortable too. We then have to figure out ways to make others feel comfortable about eating in front of us. That’s interesting because here I was thinking about my psychological issues but meanwhile the surgery causes us to also have to deal with other people’s eating issues too.

In all honesty, the way you worded your questions Cleo, I'm wondering if you're researching a paper or an article....but good questions nonetheless.

no, I'm not. I'm just the kind of person that likes to be as prepared as possible. I'm not concerned about he physical aspect of the surgery as much as I am the mental and emotional aspects. I hadn't thought about the estrogen factor though. Losing so much weight so quickly must leave a lot of excess estrogen in the system.

I had a problem with a gym publishing an article @ me when I lost 128# several years ago (waaaay before being sleeved). I thought id be ok with it but the attention brought out the worst in me. I didn't gain it all back, but enuf to bring me to the point of being sleeved 6 mos ago.

What was it about the attention that influenced you to gain your weight back? Was it the pressure from the men or the jealousy of the women? Is it different now since you were sleeved?

I received attention when I was younger. I think the difficult part about it for me was that people expected more of me or overestimated me and my abilities simply because of my appearance. However, now that I am overweight, people tend to underestimate me and my abilities. Life for me is definitely less complicated now that I am overweight simply because people don't expect anything from me.

I thought that the doctors might be concerned that some people may just flip out or experience major anxiety after the surgery. However, dorrie's post seems to indicate that doctors are just trying to make sure that we are making educated decisions about having the surgery.

It seems as though some people on this forum get really depressed and/or have a difficult time emotionally right after the surgery and I was wondering why. Do you feel weak or vulnerable right after the surgery? what other kind of thoughts cause post surgery depression? or are those emotions due solely to hormonal fluctuations?

It just makes it so that we have to deal with those issues without the crutch of food to self-medicate.

Self-medicating is an interesting term to use for describing our relationship with food. If you don't mind sharing with us, what new ways other than food have you found to soothe your feelings since the surgery?

You learn real fast after surgery what your triggers were/are. I have had to learn how to deal with this differently and also how I process things. I have found myself not caring as mush anymore about other people drama and things like that.

I wouldn't have thought that caring less about other people's drama would be a consequence of the surgery...that's interesting. Is that because you feel more self confident now? how liberating that must be...

What is it about head hunger that bothers so many people? Is it the fact that it just can't be satisfied or is it something else? How have some of you learned to deal with mental and emotional hunger?

I haven't had my surgery yet but am wondering what psychological issues those of you who have had the surgery experience? I understand that a lot of people struggle with learning how to tell the difference between real, mental, and emotional hunger. What other issues does the surgery force you to deal with? What is it about the surgery that causes some insurance companies to require psych tests?

I'm insulin resistant but take shots daily. I was told to cut down on my insulin prior to surgery and since I'll be cutting carbs to really check my BGs closely and monitor them.

I noticed that most people seem to live on Water and Protein with very few if any carbs following the surgery. I don't understand how anyone has any energy to function and heal without any carbs. I generally struggle with lack of energy anyways but I'm concerned about how I will feel after the surgery when I'm not able to eat carbs for energy. From what I have read on this forum, the surgery ends up healing most cases of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. I'm just concerned about how the surgery is going to affect my energy levels up until my insulin resistance is healed. The diet seems so carb restrictive that I just don't understand how anyone has enough energy to even function after the surgery.

The anesthesiologist told me to start counting down from 100. I can remember counting down to maybe 97 and then I was out. The worst part was waking up groggy and cranky which lasted a couple of days for me but the pain medication in the iv was pretty wonderful! I got some of the best sleep that I have probably ever had. The anticipation of giving up control can be nerve-racking but the experience itself isn't so bad.

He said that almost all of his bariatric patients are deficient in certain vitamins/minerals that are essential to healing, and most docs don't think to check for this. I had never heard of the things people were deficient in, so I don't think you'd find them in normal Vitamins. He puts them on a product called Pro Care prior to the surgery to boost their nutritional readiness.

I have never heard of Pro Care before but would like to check it out, do you mind sharing a link with me? I searched but didn't see anything.