DLCoggin

Please send me your list I really appreciate all your post they have all been on point and calming ! Something that's not always noted on here ; ) dbsylvest@ yahoo.com. Thanks sooo much Just emailed! 4meonly - need your email address please. :-)

Just emailed!

Nettie, I just clicked on the email link that in is in the BP notification of your post. Didn't type anything in. Just did it again. Let me know if you don't get it (again) and I'll hand type it and we'll see if that works.

Just emailed!

KCA - just emailed!

Could you please email me the list as well. nettieemail@yahoo.ca. Thanks! Just emailed!

Please send me a copy. Thanks! shirlann46@gmail.com Just emailed!

Just emailed!

Would you mind emailing it to me too!! Lkm324@gmail.com I would appreciate it if you would forward that list to me as well. Baconville@q.com. By the way, I learn something new every time I read one of your posts. Thank you so much for being willing to share your knowledge and experiences with us newbies! Carol That's amazing I would love a copy of you don't mind my email is msky1981@msn.com Just emailed guys! Think I got everyone but if I missed anyone just let me know!

Could you email this to me as well? Kpatnode90@gmail.com Just emailed!

@@longroad34 - just emailed!

I lost 130 lbs walking at least three times a week. Very few of us on this forum have historically been big fans of exercise and understandably so. Take it nice and easy in the beginning. Make sure your exercise goals are realistic and sustainable. I started out walking 20 minutes each time. Today I walk a little over three miles, every other day, three times a week. And I recently started doing strength training (Total Gym) every other day, three days a week. Exercise does not have to be synonymous with working your body to total exhaustion to be effective. Keep it realistic, keep it sustainable and most importantly as Carol said - keep at it. If you haven't tried it this will be hard to believe but - exercise quickly becomes quite addictive. Commit to it for 90 days and your body and your mind will thank you!

The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) has been adopted by the U.S. food and Drug Administration, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences. PDCAAS is the internationally recognized standard for determining protein quality for human consumption. PDCAAS rates protein quality on a scale of 1.0 (best) to 0.0 (worst). Whey, milk, soy and egg Proteins all have a PDCAAS score of 1.0. Now look at the nutrition label for New Whey liquid Protein - http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/new-whey-nutrition-new-whey-liq-protein-42-fruit-12-shots/yq-1007#.Uz2z9SlOVMs . Notice that the first ingredient (the law requires the ingredients be listed in the order of most abundant first) is "...collagenic protein isolate". Collagen protein has a PDCAAS score of 0.08. For all intents and purposes, it is indigestible. All of the protein in the world is useless if your body cannot digest it. The only protein shot or bullet that I have seen that is not made with collagen protein is "Yes Whey". You can see the nutrition label for Yes Whey at - http://www.704nutrition.com/Cheap-Protica-Yes-Whey-Liquid-Protein-Shots-p/6080018.htm . Notice that the first ingredient after deionized water is "whey protein isolate (milk)" which has a PDCAAS score of 1.0. Yes Whey shots are made from very highly digestible, very high quality, whey protein isolate. Now before you run out and buy a case, it should be noted that whey isolate is made using a high-tech nano filtering process which removes virtually all fat and carbohydrates. The end result, although exceptionally rich in healthy protein, comes at what many consider a very high cost in terms of taste. I've never personally tried them but there are members on the forum that have and they have indicated that they leave a lot to be desired in terms of taste. Of course taste is very subjective. And protein shots are very attractive to bariatric surgery patients because you can get a LOT of protein in a very small volume. Best advice would be to buy one and try it. Yes Whey is a healthy option if you find the taste acceptable.

Follow your plan. No matter what your weight is doing, follow your plan. Sometimes you'll lose quickly. Sometimes more slowly. And sometimes not at all. Your response is a l w a y s the same. Follow your plan. Stay positive. Stay patient. Stay away from the scales for at least a week (two would be even better). Focus your energy on following your plan as close to the letter as you possibly can. Maintain a food log which, next to the surgery, I believe to be the most powerful tool you can have in your arsenal. And exercise at least three days a week. It is so easy to fall into the trap of measuring your success by the number on the scale. And so wrong. Every day that you follow your plan is a huge success. Every day you are practicing the all-important lifestyle changes. And that is what will get you to your goal. Focus on that. Embrace that. Commit to that. Trust that. And the weight will take care of itself. To say nothing of the fact that your journey will be so much less stressful. You're gonna love the new you!!

Well guys, our work here is done!! Ren0318 - congratulations on your decision!! You're gonna love the new you!!

The stoma can be stretched just like the pouch can. And I asked my surgeon specifically if the pouch can be stretched with liquids as well as solids. Her reply - "Absolutely". I have never seen any statistical information or clinical studies which offer any insight on how far out patients usually are when they are diagnosed with a stretched stoma. I suspect that the timeline could be quite varied on an individual basis. Orama1985 - there are options for repairing a stretched stoma with varying success rates. Did your surgeon offer any suggestions? And have you considered getting a second opinion? In your situation, I think I would seek a second opinion even if you ultimately decide to stick with the surgeon that did your bypass. Congratulations on your weight loss so far! We all wish you great success in finding a speedy solution to the current challenge!

Ms. ren0318, you asked a great question and you've had lots of input from folks who have "been there, done that". I'd truly love to know - did everyone's input help you make a decision? There really is no right or wrong answer. All three surgeries are safe and effective. And all three have their strengths and weaknesses relative to each other and to your individual circumstances.That's really what the forum is all about - helping folks, sharing ideas and supporting each other. You wished that you could make a decision. How did we do in making your wish come true?

Here's a link to the study that Bob mentions... http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/811284

I've been logging in My Fitness Pal for almost two and a half years and would be lost without it. Next to the surgery, food logs are the single most powerful tool that you can have in your arsenal. Study after study has shown that folks who log their food lose more weight, lose it faster and maintain their goal weight better than those who don't. Amazingly powerful tool!

I'm not sure what instrument(s) they use to remove the staples but I'm betting that you are going to notice two things on Thursday - you are so glad to have them out and you are pleasantly surprised at what a non-event removing them was! Piece of cake!!

As you can see from the varied responses, everyone is different. My wife went back to work after a week (desk job) but if your job requires lifting that's another story. My surgeon was quite adamant about lifting nothing over 10 lbs for three months. Some folks breeze through recovery. Others take a little longer. Both are perfectly "normal". Some folks are quite anxious to return to work, others are more comfortable taking a little more time off. Both are perfectly "normal". Still other folks simply do not have the option to take more than X amount of time off (which may well be the case with your new position). If you're feeling well and healing well, the majority of doctors understand the demands of your job and will not object to a return to work whenever circumstances dictate (within reason). But no lifting!

I think most doctors estimate in the six week range on average. In my case it got better every day and I don't recall it taking quite that long. Just keep in mind that there are so many variables that shorter or longer recovery times can be absolutely normal. My wife went back to work a week after surgery and I've read here on the forum of others doing the same. I've also read of folks taking six weeks or more off. Bottom line - trust the process and allow your body to find its own way in its own time. You're gonna love the new you!!

LOVE my Tivo!! Lol - never thought of it in the weight loss context but I can absolutely see the point!

There seems to be a fairly common misconception that surgery patients have a long list of foods that they will never be able to eat again. That is simply not true in the majority of cases. A more important question than what you will never be able to eat is what foods will you choose to eat. Or not eat. With a very short list of exceptions (white rice, eggnog, and only small amounts of bread), I can eat anything I choose to eat. By whatever means, surgery profoundly changes the choices you make. It's amazing. And as Baconville pointed out, a bite or two of favorites is more often than not, totally satisfying. I can't explain it but that's what happens and when you get right down to it - how cool is that?!!

Decaf coffee with Splenda - it's sweet, filling, increases my Fluid intake and numerous studies have shown that it's healthy and safe in reasonable quantities. Decaf tea would have all the same advantages and possibly even healthier. Crystal light and Nestle Pure Life Splash are also great options. I add Splenda to unsweetened almond milk and it is terrific and has 50% more Calcium than dairy milk. liquids make a terrific bridge between meals when you're "hungry" and it's not time for your next meal or snack. For chewy and if you're at the solid food stage, Protein bars are sweet and obviously give you the important added protein (I like Pure Protein Bars and shakes). And you don't have to eat the whole bar - I sometimes eat a quarter or half of a bar and save the rest for later. My wife makes Splenda coated walnuts that are baked in the oven (Splenda is oven safe) and they are delicious. Virtually all nuts are healthy but watch the portions carefully - they are high in calories. Again depending on what food stage you're at, fruits and melons are rich in natural sugars and healthy. Start with very small amounts until you know whether you are susceptible to dumping. I once dumped on a handful of red grapes. But I've never had a problem with cantaloupe, watermelon or honeydew melons. Quaker also makes mini rice cakes in a number of sweet flavors including chocolate. I prefer their savory flavors but all are relatively low in calories and quite filling. Surgery teaches you to get used to reading food labels (it's all about lifestyle changes) and when you do, there is a surprisingly wide variety of healthy alternatives to meet almost any taste preference!