lollyfidy1965

So...I sent an email to "Alex" (the founder of VST), and suggested it would be great if they added a link, in our VST profiles, that enabled us to directly friend people on MFP...since so many of us use both sites. In response, Alex shared that, while there is a possibility of that sort of thing happening in the future, the VST site (and it's sister WLS sites) were going to be redesigned, coming in January, and would be nearly identical to MFP, with the addition of tracking capabilities, but with a focus on WLS patient needs. Because I had made the suggestion, he asked if I would reach out to my WLS friends, to see if they had any suggestions for WLS-related features that would be beneficial, so that thy can make the new site fit our special needs as much as possible. So...here's the question: what features would you like to see added or changed to MFP, in order to make your user experience more positive? Your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Laura

If you're getting "hunger" relief by taking a PPI, I'd bet your "hunger" is really acid reflux.
I'm taking liquid Zantac (twice daily), and a Prevacid solutab (once daily). Prevacid is a PPI, as is Prilosec, I believe. Both Zantac and Pepcid are H2 blockers...a completely different class of drug, with a different set of possible side effects.
Here's a little blurb about Prevacid:
Prevacid 30 mg daily dosing can suppress 99% of the gastric acid production. Due to the decreased level of gastric acid while on Prevacid, the absorption of some of the essential nutrients may be interfered. For example, Iron absorption is reduced because its absorption is facilitated by gastric acid. Whether you have Iron deficiency or not can be tested easily by measuring of the blood iron and its storage levels Currently there is no evidence for adverse effects with long term use of Prevacid, although atrophic gastritis (thinning of the stomach lining) may occur in some cases
Personally, I'm happy to take my "cocktail" for as long as I need it. I was miserable, following my surgery, because of the acid reflux (which I'd never had before). Taking my meds, religiously, keeps me, and my sleeve, a very happy camper!

I have completely adjusted the daily goals, and use what was given to me by my surgeon/nutritionist. I do enter in all my exercise, but use my daily calorie goal (800 calories) as my food limiter. The exercise is all deficit that way, and goes towards my weight loss.
Laura

Just remember...for a lifetime we've been at least partially without control, where food was concerned. Taking, and maintaining, control is a new skill...and something that needs to be practiced, in order for it to become second nature. From my perspective, I'm thrilled to be able to exert control over what I eat, when I eat, and how much I eat (or even if I eat at all)! I plan to continue practicing that control for the rest of my days....because it will keep me on the path to a healthier me!!

I highly recommend reading "The End of Overeating.". It will make everything clear to you regarding your obsessive thoughts of food!!

Its an "adjustment period"!!! (I hate the word "stall"!) Your body is resting, getting ready for another loss phase....so just hang in there!!! Before you know it, you'll be kissing 200 GOODBYE!!!

Yep...I went through a LOT of the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken broth powder when I was on liquids. I mixed it in plain Water, as well as in canned chicken consommé (broth). The only thing I would change about it would be the temperature at which you can mix it...I'd prefer it to be a little warmer than 130 degrees, if possible.
As for Thanksgiving....focus on how thankful you are for the gift of your sleeve, given by a fantastic (and sensible!!) surgeon!! Enjoy the company, and the broth, and keep your eye on the prize!

I agree. It seems the more conservative docs tend to have fewer complications. I was sleeved on Halloween and am super sad there will be turkey broth only and Protein Shakes this turkey day but next week I start puréed foods. My doc never goes to full liquids but clears and Protein shakes for 4 weeks. I saw him last week and asked about even adding full liquids for the holiday. His response was that I had come so far why take a chance now at messing it up and having to go back into surgery and coming out with a feeding tube. So, it just another week (it's already been 5 since was on liquids 2 weeks pre-op)

Personally, I think you should respect your surgeon's approach. I suspect he uses it because he knows it works, allowing your body to sufficiently heal, while reducing the risk of possible complications. My surgeon is more conservative than yours, but I'm grateful for having had no issues, and great success, as a result.

Is it possible what your experiencing is actually acid reflux? That sensation feels very like hunger, after this surgery.

I wouldn't say you're doing anything "wrong"....I'd say your sleeve isn't quite ready for pureed food yet. Try going another week on full liquids, and then try a little something thicker again. My first "thick" food was whipped cottage cheese (which was actually on my "full liquid" stage diet), and when I first tried it I had to thin it with a little skim milk. Don't push your sleeve....take things very slowly, and listen carefully to how your body reacts. If something makes you sick, don't eat it again for a while. If a certain consistency makes you sick, don't eat it again for a while. Eat what works for you, and don't worry about what "stage" you're in, or not in. As long as you're getting enough fluids, and Protein (even liquid protein), you'll be fine. Eventually, your sleeve will heal enough to be able to tolerate thicker foods...I promise. And, just as an FYI...I was on "full liquids" for a total of 7 weeks, because my sleeve didn't tolerate pureed foods when I was advanced. After a couple relatively miserable days trying to eat thicker foods, my surgeon pushed me back to full liquids for an additional 3 weeks. When I advanced the second time, everything went perfectly, and I've had no issues since. Oh...and I can't eat eggs anymore, either. I love the taste of them, but they make my stomach very upset. This is a relatively common issue, after VSG...along with people developing lactose intolerance.
I wish you all the best!
Laura

It is what it is. Everybody is different, and many people are surrounded by negativity and backstabbers, not to mention there is a big stigma about "taking the easy way out." I feel fortunate that I have lived my life in such a way that I am surrounded by people who would not dare say a negative thing to me about this. What they say behind my back....I don't care. My friends have the right to believe however they choose. I haven't heard a single negative thing.
I encourage people to share their WLS experience with others who are struggling with weight loss. A friend shared his experience with me, and that is what prompted me to take this path. Without his openness, I would still be 400 pounds. Now, whenever anyone asks me about my weightloss (and they WILL ask) I tell them about the surgery. It's liberating.
But not everyone is in the position to be this open, and that's understandable. Each of us should be as open as we are comfortable being.

I wouldn't say you're doing anything "wrong"....I'd say your sleeve isn't quite ready for pureed food yet. Try going another week on full liquids, and then try a little something thicker again. My first "thick" food was whipped cottage cheese (which was actually on my "full liquid" stage diet), and when I first tried it I had to thin it with a little skim milk. Don't push your sleeve....take things very slowly, and listen carefully to how your body reacts. If something makes you sick, don't eat it again for a while. If a certain consistency makes you sick, don't eat it again for a while. Eat what works for you, and don't worry about what "stage" you're in, or not in. As long as you're getting enough fluids, and Protein (even liquid protein), you'll be fine. Eventually, your sleeve will heal enough to be able to tolerate thicker foods...I promise. And, just as an FYI...I was on "full liquids" for a total of 7 weeks, because my sleeve didn't tolerate pureed foods when I was advanced. After a couple relatively miserable days trying to eat thicker foods, my surgeon pushed me back to full liquids for an additional 3 weeks. When I advanced the second time, everything went perfectly, and I've had no issues since. Oh...and I can't eat eggs anymore, either. I love the taste of them, but they make my stomach very upset. This is a relatively common issue, after VSG...along with people developing lactose intolerance.
I wish you all the best!
Laura

Well, yes we DO have privacy but if a coworker (who is probably fat too I would guess) asks then I would TELL them the many benefits of WLS. It's your choice but informing other people who may need it is one thing that I look forward to doing. I tell ANYONE who asks and have had at least 2 people pursue WLS because of my openness.
I didn't tell anyone before hand besides my wife and openly tell anyone who asks about it now. And your question is the reason: Why Lie? We openly boast about so many things in our life, kids, work, homes etc, why not boast about the single most beneficial health decision that I have EVER made for myself?

Try the parmesan crusted tilapia, without the Pasta (get a side of broccoli instead). Its high Protein, low carb, and decent calories

I'm 5 months out and take liquid Zantac twice daily, and a Prevacid Solutab once daily. Don't suffer with it. Call your surgeon and get some meds...and take them religiously. You'll be happy you did!!

There's a difference between "shouldn't" eat something and "can't" eat something. And just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. You're paying your surgeon/nutritionist a lot of money just to start out the journey ignoring their directions. (I'm just sayin'.)

I hit my Thanksgiving Day Goal this morning...6 days early!!
Moving on to New Years Day!!

There's a difference between "shouldn't" eat something and "can't" eat something. And just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD. You're paying your surgeon/nutritionist a lot of money just to start out the journey ignoring their directions. (I'm just sayin'.)

I'm 5 months out and take liquid Zantac twice daily, and a Prevacid Solutab once daily. Don't suffer with it. Call your surgeon and get some meds...and take them religiously. You'll be happy you did!!

I've lost 70 pounds in the 4.5 months since my surgery, so I thought I'd share a few things about my approach. I typically eat between 550 and 650 calories/day, getting between 80-90 grams of protein/day, and limiting carbs (of any kind) to less than 30 grams/day. I'm able to eat about 1/2 cup of "solid" food at a meal, but no more (and sometimes not that much). I have 8 oz of Muscle Milk Light around 7am, before I go to the gym, then another 8 oz after I get done at the gym (between 9:30 and 10am). I have lunch around 12:30...usually 1/4 cup tuna salad (with fat-free miracle whip and sugar-free pickle relish), and 1/4 cup fat-free cottage cheese (or a low-fat string cheese). I have a "snack" around 3pm...usually a low-fat string cheese. For dinner I typically have 1-2 oz of lean Protein, and a couple bites of non-starchy vegetable, or 1/4 cup fat-free cottage cheese, depending on my mood. In the evening I usually have a Quest "chocolate brownie" Protein Bar, to ensure I get enough Protein for the day. I average 80-100 oz of liquid (water, coffee, tea, Muscle Milk, etc) every day. As for they gym, I typically go 6 days a week, for 2 hours...I walk in the pool (think "power walk") for 90 minutes, then do 30 minutes of abdominal Water aerobics, in the deep end. This equates to roughly 1300 calories burned.
Granted, I probably don't "need" to do as much as I do at the gym, and I "could" eat more calories, if I wanted....but....I want to get rid of the weight I have to lose, and I want to do it as quickly as possible. As it stands, I have about 58 pounds left to lose to reach my goal....with my current loss at 122 pounds, total. Its working for me....that's all I know.
I wish you continued success!!
Laura

I hit my Thanksgiving Day Goal this morning...6 days early!!
Moving on to New Years Day!!

Another challenge...a little longer term than the new Thanksgiving Challenge....I like that!!
Hmmm....I think I'll shoot for 215 for my New Years goal.
My stats...
Heaviest weight (March 2012): 354
Weight at 1st surgeon visit: 330
Weight on day of surgery: 302.4
Current weight: 237.4
Halloween goal: 235
Thanksgiving goal: 225
New Years goal: 215 (with a stretch goal of 205!)
Best of luck to everyone!!
Laura

In what other human endeavor is taking "the hard way out" better just because it is harder? Do you program your Garmin to take the hardest route, the one more likely to result in you not getting to your destination, because it is "more noble"?
Thinking is hard for those that hate to do it. Even if the sleeve was the easy way out, which it is not, calling it the easy way out without any logic, argument, or justification and out of pure prejudice is the easy way out!

The reality is....this is NOT an "easy way out"!! You will need to be so diligent regarding your diet, and work so hard, physically (exercising)....the only difference is that you will be limited in terms of how much you can eat, and whether or not you feel "hunger". If you have it in your head that this is a cop out, you need to get that thought right out of there!! You are taking advantage of an amazing gift...the "sleeve"...and getting your health, and your life, back under control. GOOD FOR YOU!!! Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. You know why you've come to this decision, and you know its the right decision for you....that's all that matters!
The only time I feel even remotely uncomfortable talking about my choice, and my progress, is when I'm talking with a loved one who is also in desperate need to lose weight, but hasn't been able to lose through dieting (and refuses to even consider the possibility of surgery as a solution). Its difficult to scream from the mountaintop, in celebration of my own success, when I know they're struggling, and failing, in their own journey. Unfortunately, I can't do much to help them...all I can do is help myself. And so....I keep on celebrating my little successes, and hope that maybe those successes will motivate others, in some small way.
I wish you great success in your own journeys!
Laura