Need-a-Sleeve

The stall is broken! Down to 179, working on getting down to 170 by year-end and joining the gym 2 weeks ago really helped. Down almost 20" since being sleeved. Everyone have a great week and keep on sleevin'!!

Good morning everybody! Down 1 pound this week but even better--lost 2 inches on the back side. Joined a gym and hired a trainer this week. The couple of times in my life that I joined a gym (once was an all-women's facility) and the other during my 30's, it always felt awkward & made me self-conscious. I have to say that age makes it easier to tolerate--now I know what I need to do and am doing it for me. Have a great week!

And by members, I meant actively working out!

At the gym I am going to they showed me an article that people that joined a gym and hired a trainer were still members at 2 years out while those that did not left after 3-4 months. I believe it!

I just joined my first gym & hired my first trainer. Prices in the DFW area range from $25-70 an hour. Mine is $25 an hour since I bought a package of 8 sessions.

Since I am a gym 'virgin', I had no idea how to work the weigh resistance machines. Plus I wanted an older women as my trainer & Gail is 50. My first session was tonight & I am soooo glad I did it & got her!

I did not. It was weird but something just snapped for me. I did not want to weigh this much any more, eat that way any more, look that way-etc. I was done, done, so done. I went on the pre-op diet the day I saw the surgeon for the first time & have followed it to the letter since then with the exception of a glass of wine! That doesn't mean I may not stumble but I feel like I got this incredible chance to hit the 'reset button'!

There are several threads about this. I wrote one a few weeks ago comparing the difference between the Body Bugg, FitBit and Omron pedometer. (Yes, I have had all 3 over the years.) The FitBit is the least accurate for almost everything, the advantage is the price and the fact that it syncs with MyFitnessPal. The Omron is the most accurate pedometer and they have one that downloads to a free software program. I used that one for years and would print out reports to bring to my doctors. It cost less than $50.

The Body Bugg is the best for monitoring sleep and steps but I was one of the weird ones that used to blister on my arm from the slight electrical impedence that comes off the 4 metal plates to measure your calorie burn.

Of course, it is a matter of personal preference and what your budget will support.

I have had sleep problems for close to 8 years now. First PCP said it was related to hormone changes and prescribed Premarin, I declined and switched PCP's. Next one said it was probably hormone related and sent me for sleep studies, no surprise, diagnosed and have been on a CPaP--which helped somewhat.

Next PCP said to take Lunesta and prescribed 10 mg. at night. I broke it in half and took it for almost a year and did great. He retired. Current PCP does not believe in ANY sleep medications and I am back down to being in bed 9+ hours, awakening 7-11 times a night, averaging 6 hours (and monitoring it with a FitBit).

I have tried everything I know--no caffeine, no alcohol, Benadryl (100 mg. doesn't even faze me) and nothing works.

Right after my sleeve surgery, I slept like a log. Now I am back to 6 hours. My current PCP is retiring so I will be finding another one soon. In the meantime, I have heard exercise helps and have to admit mine has not kicked enough into high gear, but am working on it. Any other suggestions??

The weight didn't change this week, which is perfectly fine. I am staying the course and will "weight" till next week! Have a good one!

If you have the applications synced you can't fix it. If the are not linked, you can do it on your terms.

I am 9 weeks out & it is all filled in. I had a breast biopsy 16 years ago & it looked like a dog took a huge chunk out of my breast. I never thought it would look ok, but it filled in great too.

BOOTS! I haven't been able to wear boots in 25 years & I miss it!

There is also a quinoa Pasta that might be a good alternative:

http://www.quinoa.net/199.html

I haven't tried it but plan to this weekend.

Good heavens ..I think we all can relate to this. I certainly hope you feel better..You are gonna need therapy for PTTD ..post traumatic turd disorder

Once again, best thread on the internet & Pipula, you made my day! I am going to steal that one!

Sorry to hear you had to go through this! What you had is called an impaction & they can become life-threatening. One of my least liked duties as a nurse was to have to 'dig out' impacted patients (most common in terminal cancer patients).

That said, anything you can do to avoid it is preferable. I use probiotics but with all the low fiber, high Protein & Calcium rich diet, I still have to take Miralax & may have to go using it daily too!

More than likely it is the heat and / or acid of the Tomato Soup. Peristalsis (the grumbling and moving of your stomach and intestine) reacts to hot and cold temperatures, acidity and sugar. That is why you see a lot of people having the morning cup of coffee to get things moving in the bathroom. Gross, but true.

The reason most surgeons ask for an endoscopy prior to the sleeve is to rule out any potential contraindications to the surgery. For example, if you have reflux (and a lot of obese patients do), they look for active ulcers that would hinder healing in a newly sleeved patient.

The argument could be made that the surgeon would be doing a scope @ the beginning of the procedure but that would be a VERY expensive cancellation if they found something.

Last, it is considered a 'standard of acceptable practice' for bariatric surgeries. I would discuss it with my surgeon prior to any procedure.

Oh yes, Colace every day & Miralax every 3 days!

Would recommend you call your surgeon now. Leaks (or possible leaks) can't wait till Monday. Good luck, keep us posted!

Good morning sleevers! I am down 5 pounds this week which is a scale and NON-scale victory. My PCP was insistent I get back on my blood pressure meds. I was previously on 3 and agreed to get back on 1 since my pressure had consistently run less than 130/80. The one she picked has a diuretic in it and it accounts for probably 3 pounds of Fluid. Pressure is down to 98/68 and I also lost several inches in my waist and legs. Hopefully when I lose another 20 I can get off them totally! Have a great week all!

Trader Joe's is my favorite. Not quite as 'healthy' but lots of great food @ cheap prices that you can only find there. Have fun!

Hit enter too soon, but my out of pocket was $1,038!

Just did the math, which includes psych consult, EGD, nutritionist, surgery, anesthesia, assistants, STAPLES & all meds:

Billed: $129,320 Insurance paid: $19,899 (>16%)

After hearing for years that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas was nearly impossible to get approved through from various people, I got approved in 5 days. They were very helpful, to the point of a representive calling me back when she saw the approval had gone through, they also recently changed our plan where 6 months of supervised weight loss was no longer needed. I got approved with one NUT visit, and Psych eval. I was shocked by helpful, and painless this process was. I never in a million years thought it would be this simple to deal with them. My surgery is now scheduled for 12/17, and I am so ready to start my life as a much smaller and healthier person! The quick approval has taken so much stress off of me, and now I'm just ready to get this surgery done.

I am proud to say they are my employer & glad to hear you got such great service! I am prejudiced but I love this company. They approved mine in a day.

Down from size 22 pants to a 16. There is an angel at work that lost 60 pounds and is the same height as me, she has passed on all her 12-16 clothes! Lucky me!