lollyfidy1965

I sent you a request....lollyfidy1965

I've had challenges sleeping, and started taking melatonin every night. An hour after taking it, I'm more than ready for sleep, and sleep well all night long!

WOOHOO!!! I exceeded my goal this morning!! Final challenge weight....234!!

I have a pretty reliable cycle...10-12 days of fairly rapid weight loss, then 10-12 days of "adjustment period". I tend to lose between 6-8 pounds per cycle, and lose inches (or parts of inches) when I'm not losing weight.

I also take Flintstones Complete, twice a day.
From Celebrate (online) I take a sublingual B12 daily, and their Calcium Plus Vit D three times daily.
I take a chewable Iron from Vitamin Shoppe twice weekly.
That's all the vitamins/minerals I take. My 3-month labs were exceptional. I've not missed a single dose in 4 months....and don't plan to risk my health by skipping in the future.
Please....don't risk your health after working so hard to improve it!! Get back on track, and take those vitamins!!

If I'm going out for any length of time, I always pack a bottle of Muscle Milk Lite in a cooler bag...along with a couple 20oz bottles of Water. On days when I have class, I pack lunch with me, because my class ends right at noon, and its a long drive home...I eat before heading home, to make sure I don't "crash" on the way (literally and figuratively!). Eating out is no problem...I order lean Protein, and some non-starchy veggies, and take home lots of left-overs! Thanks for the list, Chad...it includes all the guidelines I received from my surgeon!

I order simple (uncrusted, unbattered, un-covered in cheese, etc) lean Protein of some sort (baked or broiled fish, a good steak, grilled chicken, etc), and some non-starchy veggies. If I take a taste of something and I can't stand it (my taste buds have changed significantly), I will ask the waiter to take it back....they will, and will remove it from the bill. Same goes if I try a bite and it causes my sleeve to turn somersaults. If you're just starting on "real" food (as I was at 5 weeks), think simple, relatively plain fare....not a lot of spices or seasonings. The last thing you want is to get sick in a restaurant setting!
All the best!
Laura

I order simple (uncrusted, unbattered, un-covered in cheese, etc) lean Protein of some sort (baked or broiled fish, a good steak, grilled chicken, etc), and some non-starchy veggies. If I take a taste of something and I can't stand it (my taste buds have changed significantly), I will ask the waiter to take it back....they will, and will remove it from the bill. Same goes if I try a bite and it causes my sleeve to turn somersaults. If you're just starting on "real" food (as I was at 5 weeks), think simple, relatively plain fare....not a lot of spices or seasonings. The last thing you want is to get sick in a restaurant setting!
All the best!
Laura

If I'm going out for any length of time, I always pack a bottle of Muscle Milk Lite in a cooler bag...along with a couple 20oz bottles of Water. On days when I have class, I pack lunch with me, because my class ends right at noon, and its a long drive home...I eat before heading home, to make sure I don't "crash" on the way (literally and figuratively!). Eating out is no problem...I order lean Protein, and some non-starchy veggies, and take home lots of left-overs! Thanks for the list, Chad...it includes all the guidelines I received from my surgeon!

I came across this article at our local support group this week.
Found it to me a good list for personal evaluation and focus when I am off track. Wanted to share...
http://www.nawls.com/
In a November 2005 poll conducted by NAWLS, the following were identified as the top 10 mistakes WLS patients make:
1st Mistake: Not Taking Vitamins, supplements, or Minerals
Every WLS patient has specific nutritional needs depending on the type of surgery you have had. Not only is it a good idea to ask your surgeon for guidelines, but also consult with an experienced WLS nutritionist. Understand there is not a standard practice that all surgeons and nutritionists follow in guiding WLS patients. So, it is important to do your own research, get your lab tests done regularly, and learn how to read the results.
Some conditions and symptoms that can occur when you are deficient in Vitamins, supplements, or minerals include:
Osteoporosis; pernicious anemia; muscle spasms; high blood pressure; burning tongue; fatigue; loss of appetite; weakness; Constipation and diarrhea; numbness and tingling in the hands and feet; being tired, lethargic, or dizzy; forgetfulness, and lowered immune functioning.
Keep in mind, too, that some conditions caused by not taking your vitamins, supplements, or minerals are irreversible.
2nd Mistake: Assuming You Have Been Cured of Your Obesity
A “pink cloud” or honeymoon experience is common following WLS. When you are feeling better than you have in years, and the weight is coming off easily, it’s hard to imagine you will ever struggle again. But unfortunately, it is very common for WLS patients to not lose to their goal weight or to regain some of their weight back.
A small weight regain may be normal, but huge gains usually can be avoided with support, education, effort, and careful attention to living a healthy WLS lifestyle. For most WLSers, if you don’t change what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve always gotten — even after weight loss surgery.
3rd Mistake: Drinking with Meals
Yes, it’s hard for some people to avoid drinking with meals, but the tool of not drinking with meals is a critical key to long-term success. If you drink while you eat, your food washes out of your stomach much more quickly, you can eat more, you get hungry sooner, and you are at more risk for snacking. Being too hungry is much more likely to lead to poor food choices and/or overeating.
4th Mistake: Not Eating Right
Of course everyone should eat right, but in this society eating right is a challenge. You have to make it as easy on yourself as possible. Eat all your meals–don’t skip. Don’t keep unhealthy food in sight where it will call to you all the time. Try to feed yourself at regular intervals so that you aren’t as tempted to make a poor choice.
And consider having a couple of absolutes: for example, avoid fried foods completely, avoid sugary foods, always use low-fat options, or only eat in a restaurant once a week. Choose your “absolutes” based on your trigger foods and your self knowledge about what foods and/or situations are problematic for you.
5th Mistake: Not Drinking Enough Water
Most WLS patients are at risk for dehydration. Drinking a minimum of 64 oz. of Water per day will help you avoid this risk. Adequate water intake will also help you flush out your system as you lose weight and avoid kidney stones. Drinking enough water helps with your weight loss, too.
6th Mistake: Grazing
Many people who have had WLS regret that they ever started grazing, which is nibbling small amounts here and there over the course of the day. It’s one thing to eat the three to five small meals you and your doctor agree you need. It’s something else altogether when you start to graze, eating any number of unplanned Snacks. Grazing can easily make your weight creep up. Eating enough at meal time, and eating planned Snacks when necessary, will help you resist grazing.
Make a plan for what you will do when you crave food, but are not truly hungry. For example, take up a hobby to keep your hands busy or call on someone in your support group for encouragement.
7th Mistake: Not Exercising Regularly
Exercise is one of the best weapons a WLS patient has to fight weight regain. Not only does exercise boost your spirits, it is a great way to keep your metabolism running strong. When you exercise, you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even at rest!
8th Mistake: Eating the Wrong Carbs (or Eating Too Much)
Let’s face it, refined carbohydrates are addictive. If you eat refined carbohydrates they will make you crave more refined carbohydrates. There are plenty of complex carbohydrates to choose from, which have beneficial vitamins. For example, if you can handle pastas, try whole grain Kamut pasta–in moderation, of course. (Kamut Pasta doesn’t have the flavor some people find unpleasant in the whole wheat pastas.) Try using your complex carbohydrates as “condiments,” rather than as the center point of your meal. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of brown rice on your stir-fried meat and veggies.
9th Mistake: Going Back to Drinking Soda
Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or pouch. What we know it does is keep you from getting the hydration your body requires after WLS–because when you’re drinking soda, you’re not drinking water! In addition, diet soda has been connected to weight gain in the general population. The best thing you can do is find other, healthier drinks to fall in love with. They are out there.
10th Mistake: Drinking Alcohol
If you drank alcohol before surgery, you are likely to want to resume drinking alcohol following surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting one year after surgery. And it is in your best interest to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol before you do it.
Alcohol is connected with weight regain, because alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while Protein and vegetables have 4 calories per gram. Also, some people develop an addiction to alcohol after WLS, so be very cautious. Depending on your type of WLS, you may get drunker, quicker after surgery, which can cause health problems and put you in dangerous situations.
If you think you have a drinking problem, get help right away. Putting off stopping drinking doesn’t make it any easier, and could make you a lot sicker.

I can't believe your surgeon gave you Celebrex after VSG surgery!! It's an NSAID, and brings a very high risk for marginal (bleeding) ulcers...particularly in gastric patients! My surgeon would have a stroke, and then beat me, if I told him I'd taken Celebrex after surgery! Please....be very careful of that drug, or any other NSAIDs (like Advil or Ibuprofen)....marginal ulcers are nasty, often require surgery to repair, and can be life-threatening.
You definitely need a second opinion.....IMHO.

I had so much inflammation (in my sleeve) after surgery that nothing could pass through. My surgeon left my NG tube in for 4 extra days, to give time for the inflammation to resolve some before I even attempted sucking on ice chips. I ended up being in the hospital for 6 days, and was incredibly grateful for my surgeons conservative approach. By the time I went home I was on full liquids, and had no problems with nausea or viomiting. It sounds like you're dealing with a similar issue....but not getting a similar response from your surgeon. Don't let him/her off the hook. If you need your surgeons help, make sure you get it. You've certainly paid for it!!
I wish you a speedy recovery!
Laura

If your current surgeon says nothing more can be done, go find another surgeon!! Obviously something isn't right....don't give in, and let that non-answer be the final answer!
I sincerely hope you find a REAL answer, and solutions, and that your recovery improves!
Laura

I do whatever my surgeon/nutritionist told me to do. Yes...I stop drinking 30 minutes before I eat, and I wait 30 minutes after I eat to drink again. My surgeon said no alcohol (of any kind), after surgery, so I don't drink anything alcoholic. I was told to significantly limit (or eliminate if possible) simple starches from my diet...so I don't eat pastas, breads, rice, or potatoes (and I don't plan to start eating them again...ever). I was told no carbonated beverages...of any kind..after surgery, and no drinking from a straw....so I don't drink anything carbonated (and won't ever again), and I'll never use a straw again. I was told to eliminate added sugars from my diet, as much as humanly possible....so I don't eat anything sweetened with sugars (including ice creams, syrups, puddings, Desserts, etc). Granted, my surgeon's approach is very conservative (compared to many on this site), but I figure...he has way more experience with this than me....and I'm paying him a LOT of money for his experience....he probably has reasons for all the behavior changes he recommends...right??
So....do whatever your program tells you do to. Take every suggestion seriously. Read as much as you can on the topic of food addiction (I highly recommend "The End of Overeating"), and learn as much as you can about the psychological implications associated with dramatically changing your relationship with food. You are wise to begin making those changes now....it will make your post-op process much easier, if you eliminate "bad" foods from your diet now. Also, get in the habit of using small utensils (bowls, plates, spoons, forks) when you eat, and to taking at least 30 minutes to eat a meal...taking very small bites, and chewing til the bite is liquid in your mouth before you swallow it. Another tip...start tracking everything you consume...now...so that tracking is second-nature to you, by the time you're ready to start tracking after your surgery. (And if you hadn't considered food tracking, it really is a critical tool for managing your weight loss process!)

Well...I don't know if you could be a "better" dad, friend, husband, etc...but you could certainly be a HEALTHIER one!! Good for you, for making the decision to live a healthier, LONGER life, for your baby!!! (And for all the other reasons, too!) Even though you currently don't have much in the way of co-morbidities, it really is just a matter of time. Getting your weight under control BEFORE things go in the toilet is a great plan! (I was "pre-diabetic" prior to my surgery, and had beautifully normal fasting glucose, and HgbA1c, at my 3 month post-op check!)
Regarding your fears....which are perfectly normal to have...look at the statistics. You are much less likely to have a serious complication from this surgery than you are to die from complications from diabetes, if you don't get the weight off. (Not to mention other potential health risks related to morbid obesity....heart disease, etc.) Even if you have a "complication" after surgery, it is much more likely to be something minor (example....I had excessive inflammation in my sleeve, immediately following surgery, and ended up with an NG tube in for an additional 4 days, and stayed in the hospital a total of 6 days. An inconvenience? Yes. Horrible?? Not so much.)
Odds are, you will be just fine....and then you'll be so much better, as you start dropping weight!!! You'll be able to play with your little girl, as she gets older. You'll be able to grow old with the woman you love. And you'll be able to cry, as you walk your lovely daughter down the isle, as she goes off to start her own life!
I wish you all the best, and great success!
Laura

Well...I don't know if you could be a "better" dad, friend, husband, etc...but you could certainly be a HEALTHIER one!! Good for you, for making the decision to live a healthier, LONGER life, for your baby!!! (And for all the other reasons, too!) Even though you currently don't have much in the way of co-morbidities, it really is just a matter of time. Getting your weight under control BEFORE things go in the toilet is a great plan! (I was "pre-diabetic" prior to my surgery, and had beautifully normal fasting glucose, and HgbA1c, at my 3 month post-op check!)
Regarding your fears....which are perfectly normal to have...look at the statistics. You are much less likely to have a serious complication from this surgery than you are to die from complications from diabetes, if you don't get the weight off. (Not to mention other potential health risks related to morbid obesity....heart disease, etc.) Even if you have a "complication" after surgery, it is much more likely to be something minor (example....I had excessive inflammation in my sleeve, immediately following surgery, and ended up with an NG tube in for an additional 4 days, and stayed in the hospital a total of 6 days. An inconvenience? Yes. Horrible?? Not so much.)
Odds are, you will be just fine....and then you'll be so much better, as you start dropping weight!!! You'll be able to play with your little girl, as she gets older. You'll be able to grow old with the woman you love. And you'll be able to cry, as you walk your lovely daughter down the isle, as she goes off to start her own life!
I wish you all the best, and great success!
Laura

I highly recommend reading the book "The End of Overeating". In it, the author details how the food manufacturing industry intentionally manipulates the content of sugar, fat, and salt, in order to make foods cause a chemical reaction in your brain that is identical to the reaction triggered by cocaine and heroine. If you're "craving" foods high in these, you are simply exhibiting the evidence of food having become (literally) your drug of choice. I became so furious, while reading this book, and that anger made it much easier to avoid those foods before and after my surgery. I'm 4 months post-op now, and have cleared all the junk from my system. It's very rare now that I give junky foods a second thought.
Be strong, and don't give in to the desire...it is simply your brain wanting that rush of chemicals. The longer you avoid it, the easier it will become!

I'm "from" Belleville, Illinois. I'm living in the Boston, MA area now.

I moved mine to the ring finger on my right hand after losing about 70 pounds. They're now very lose on that finger, so I may have to look into the inserts. I really don't want to get them cut and sized down...cuz you lose gold when you do that, and I paid for that gold!!!

I hate to resize as well, especially since this is just the start of my journey, but If I have to in order to wear them I will.. either that or talk my husband into getting a new ring.. with an even bigger diamond! Yes, that would be a great present once I reach goal!! I love my ring I have now.. its funny because as I lose the weight my diamond looks bigger on my finger... it's 3/4 diamond so decent size and love that its looking even bigger!!

I moved mine to the ring finger on my right hand after losing about 70 pounds. They're now very lose on that finger, so I may have to look into the inserts. I really don't want to get them cut and sized down...cuz you lose gold when you do that, and I paid for that gold!!!

A year ago I would consider how I'm eating now to be a very restrictive diet. But not anymore. The longer I stay away from unhealthy foods, and the more I learn about their awful effects on the body, the less I want them. Contrastly, I'm discovering more and more healthy foods that I enjoy all the time. I don't go without and I don't deprive myself. I eat when I'm hungry and I don't feel like I'm on a diet, but I do feel like I'm taking care of myself....for the first time in my life. It's working for me I think, but we each have to find our own approach.

I would suggest you might feel better if you ate more Protein (say 3-4 oz each meal), with non-starchy veggies, and remove any other starches/carbs. Protein is metabolized more slowly than carbs, so you will feel "full" longer. My nutritionist recommends not adding simple carbs/starches to my meals until I'm able to eat 4 oz of protein first. I'm still only able to eat about 2 oz of protein at a time, so I don't worry about the starches. I'm 4 months post-op and haven't experienced any hunger. I can't help but think its in part due to my focus on protein.
Best of luck!
Laura