cathycnyrs

I don't think it would hurt if it is sugar free gum, but I would probably give the NUT a call to ask... just to make sure. My NUT told me no gum after the surgery when I was thinking of the RNY because it can get stuck - but I guess that applies to the sleeve also. She said that most people don't swallow it, but if swallowed after surgery it can become a problem.

I am also October 16th and close to the same weight. I started at 285 and lost some, down to 272 - but the doctors scales today said 275. I'm in Atlanta, GA and started the process at the end of May, I'm with Kaiser... so I had some hoops to jump through.

This topic has made me feel that I cannot post here if I am struggling. I am also seeing other people post topics and beg for no negative feedback... really? I also feel like I've been belittled for stating what most of the posters have said here... be respectful, be nice and be supportive. In my opinion there are a lot of insensitive people here. If anyone on here could "stop eating" then there would not be a sleeve forum.

Poolguard, I wasn't even talking about your post. Six pages of posts have been in response to some really rude replies. I am only stating what 90% of the posters have stated since the original poster was pretty much attacked when asking for support. This forum has rules: 1. Everyone has a right to speak regardless of their perspective. 2. We take the "Be Polite" rule very seriously. We do not tolerate any rudeness. Any member who is intentionally unpleasant or disruptive may be banned without warning. 3. While we believe in free speech, keep in mind that this right is not absolute. Dissent is an essential part of any discussion where people are encouraged to express varying opinions; however, it is equally important to maintain both decorum and topicality as related to VerticalSleeveTalk.com’s mission. 5. Members will treat each other with courtesy and respect, especially when they disagree. We understand that bright, intelligent and educated people may not always agree, but personal attacks in the form of insults, abusive language or other means of obvious harassment will not be tolerated. Do not attack, mock, or otherwise insult others. You can respectfully disagree with the message or topic, but you cannot attack the messenger. This includes attacks against the user’s spelling or command of written English, or belittling a user for posting a duplicate topic. If you are attacked by another user, and you reciprocate, you will also be subject to the same consequences. Defending yourself or a friend is not an excuse! Do not take matters into your own hands – instead, use the Report Post link to report an attack and we will be happy to handle the situation for you. So, now I am a hypocrite... now I do have a problem with you. Why can't people just be nice. Why can't the original people that posted hateful things come back and say... you know what, maybe that was out of line. I want to support others, not make them feel bad. The administrators need to handle whatever... before all the people really reaching out and needing support - not TOUGH LOVE... leave. So, you are saying you will say whatever you want whenever you want, and you will be hateful, and threatening and rude. I WANT A SUPPORT GROUP!!!!! Are there any administrators out there that will monitor this post and forum?????

Tough love should come from family, maybe the doctor, or the NUT, or maybe the personal trainer. Tough love shouldn't come from a complete stranger on a message board in a "support forum". Everyone on here has had a weight "problem", and everyone on here did something that caused that problem. This surgery may have 100% fixed it for some of you, but for others, they are still struggling like before the surgery... just maybe not as much. How would you have felt eating a hamburger and onion rings in a restaurant if a complete stranger came up and took your food and threw it in the floor and stomped on it and said, "You are fat because you eat XXXX"... STOP! The same points can be made in a NICE way. I personally will never listen and/or absorb comments from someone who is rude. Even if you have lost 100% of your excess fat and doing great right now, who's to say you won't become weak at some point and lose that control and gain every single pound back???? My doctor said that all the surgeries can fail, and if someone wants to bad enough they can eat around them. I also think that some people come on these boards, not just here but other sites causing discord for attention. Maybe they lack it in real life.... or maybe they keep everything stirred up there also. DRAMA. I don't need it. I want this to be a positive life changing event in my life, and when I keep seeing this kick butt attitude, I think well.... I didn't sign up for that. I want to make some friends and get positive support. Some of my husbands family have really been ugly to me in the past few years. I told my husband DO NOT tell anyone in your family about my surgery. (Just like a lot of people don't want friends or co-workers knowing). He said he told his mother, Cathy is on a diet... and I'm like stop! She is not, they are not my support team. I want the people in my life that LOVE and support me behind me, the rest of them can kiss my tail. I don't need "nasty nice", I don't need "tough love"... I need support. What goes around comes around is about the just of it. I'm personally rethinking this forum. There are a handful of people that are all bad and tough that think they can "whip" people in shape. This has a name. Another board I belong to has said it will stop, and every person doing it will be removed... it is called "trolling"! This behavior runs off the good people, and attracts more trolls. Trolling is an Internet slang term used to describe any Internet user behavior that is meant to intentionally anger or frustrate someone else. It is often associated with online discussions where users are subjected to offensive or superfluous posts and messages in order to provoke a response.

If I get really sick and have dumping syndrome it would probably keep me straight. I got sick when I was pregnant on pizza and didn't eat it for years! I work with a guy that got the RNY, and he keeps getting dumping syndrome - even though he knows it is going to happen he keeps pushing it, one time was kool-aid! How much different is kool-aid with sugar and crystal light? To me, I have a similar item... I'm good. If I were going to push it knowing I was going to get sick, it would have to be something worth it... cheesecake? maybe! maybe not...

My surgeon said some people get it. I told him the only reason I was hesitant to choose sleeve over RNY, was I might would benefit long term having dumping syndrome... keep me away from sugar. He said, you may end up being one of the lucky ones to get it with the sleeve.

Incredible! Congrats!

I don't think it was meant for her either....

I'm with you VST, I should be having surgery in October. I quit caffiene about 6 weeks ago and quit carbonated beverages a week ago today, and I think quitting "crack" (or one of those horrible illegal drugs) would have been easier... I was an addict. I can already tell my appetite is more in control. I have been trying to work out with every obstacle you can imagine coming my way. I put a treadmill and a bike in the livingroom and the first day I came home and got on the treadmill here comes my 17 year old daughter needing to be taken somewhere! So, I joined the gym... and still struggling to get there. I told my husband the other night that he is the only one to know when I'm off work because I am swinging by the gym on the way home, period (I never know what time I get off, it is when I get done - between 4pm and 7pm) - I don't care what anyone else needs! I have to do this. My daughter should have her license before I get the surgery (if she will follow directions and quit arguing with everything I tell her), and I plan on going to the gym before work daily. I have to take her to school now. I'm also an artist/photographer on the side and working on setting up a room (stepson moved out) to follow my passions... I hope the 5 weeks I'm out of work I can go to the gym and work in my room painting and stay busy. Friday night I was going to the gym on my way home from work and my daughter wanted to go with me, but my feet have been killing me (heel spurs, planters fascitis) so I swung by Sports Authority and got new shoes - when my husband called to say my daughter wanted to go to Hobby Lobby. I called her and said I would pick her up, drop her there and go to the gym and pick her back up - then she notified me her ride to babysit cancelled... I ended up picking her up and driving her in heavy traffic to the babysitting job and didn't get home til after 8pm... no gym! Last night I ended up working til after 7pm, 30 min drive to gym and the gym closes at 8pm.... It amazes me that if I come home from work and plop in front of the tv or computer - nothing stops me, but trying to go to the gym has been impossible! I realize that I'm going to struggle afterwards also, that is why I am trying to get some changes started before. I started out walking on the treadmill for 5 minutes at a time in July and now I'm up to 36 minutes. That is a victory for me, and I hope to get up to an hour before the surgery and hopefully within a few weeks after the surgery it won't be so hard to get back to an hour. I hope!

Thanks for that. I was responding more to the other poster. Cardio is about oxygen and heartrate. Weight training can be done at an aerobic pace. I just feel someone being told that they NEED to hire a personal trainer is not right. I did respond to that saying in my opinion - and the next poster that quoted me said I am wrong and my advise is bad. The original poster stated she is working out.... and was told to hire a trainer. MY response was to reinforce that she's working out.... great! Cardio is good. I have two cousins that are professional bodybuilders, one a male and one a female. The male has had several surgeries this year and is using a cane to walk... he is in bad shape. Like I said he was at a professional level. I think they both trained for hours daily, many many hours. Personally if I really wanted to get back to the bench press and shoulder press and dead lift, I can't do it. I am one step away from having shoulder surgery. I might could do bicep curls, maybe. Yes, people should find what works for them - but I still stand on my position that you shouldn't have to pay another individual so you can excercise, and you do not have to do weight training to lose weight. My NUT advises getting my heartrate to a training level 30 minutes 5 days a week, her description is I should be able to talk but not be able to sing (I call that cardio). The more I'm reading about this surgery and excercise in general, the more recommendations I'm seeing pushing towards 60 - 90 minutes a day of aerobic activity (I also see that as cardio). I met with the surgeon just the other day, and he is saying to expect 60% excess weight loss - if I want more than that it is going to take work and yes he did say cardio, cardio and more cardio. I loved weight training, I am very goal oriented and loved increasing the weights and I did see definition (I was MUCH smaller) and I may have returned to it if I didn't have the problems I have. I have to dead lift 70 lbs at work and that is where my shoulder problems come in, the lifting. In my OPINION, it is a good addition to cardio. Throughout life the people "I" have seen be the most successful are the walkers and runners. I used to work with a guy that was 400+ lbs and decided to start walking, then he ran - and a year later he's 170 lbs at 6'5" and everyone in town knew him as the guy that ran... he ran to work, home from work and around town. I have a lady in my neighborhood that was heavy and started walking, and now she's thin and speed walks every night... every single night. Met a girl online that got a bodybugg when I did and she now runs Marathons all over the US. I met another girl online through bodybugg that was 400 and something lbs and now is 130 and just did a bodybuilding show and placed 2nd, no skin hanging at all, (wore a bikini on stage) she did have a trainer and she did cardio and weights. I think the skin not hanging has to be the weights, and probably a very good personal trainer, she says she has not had surgery. I believe in weight training. I just don't think people should be told they have to hire a trainer. Weight training is excercising the muscles and Cardio is excercising the heart. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of aerobic excercise per week There website states: Aerobic exercises benefit your heart, such as walking, jogging, swimming or biking. Strength and stretching exercises are best for overall stamina and flexibility.

I have a bodymedia fit and they claim they are 90% accurate. I find the machines are lower than the bodymedia fit says, but that is for me at a really high weight right now. If I was at a goal weight it might be the other way around.

I was responding to 3 posts, after the initial posters post. Go to a therapist, quit eating ...., and get a personal trainer. I said on my opinion a personal trainer isn't the answer. I have had personal trainers, I taught aerobics for 3 years in the 80's and I have had a gym membership most of my adult life. Personal trainers are working clients at the gym I go do daily. The first thing a trainer will is put you on a treadmill, bike, whatever to warm you up. Some people on this site are struggling to except use at all. My NUT and Dr both say walk! They know anyone can get off the couch and walk, and get your heartrate up. Making something hard, and time consuming can make it to where folks give up. Several of my friends hired a trainer recently, they were sore, it interfered with there family and now they are doing nothing. I returned to weight through the years because I had gotten definition. But you really can't see that if there is significant fat on top if the muscle. I have had a visible six pack. Cardio burns calories. Anyone watched biggest loser? See the bodybugg, body media fit??? Well go but one! That changed my opinion about weights. On a treadmill or elliptical - I can burn over 10 calories a minutes if I push it. Lifting weights, I can be pouring sweat and burn 2 calories a minute. Of course you can do low weight and move at a cardio level... It is complicated. I lift daily at my job, I must avoid working my shoulders or I out of work.... Every minute I have is precious and I personally still believe cardio burns the most calories. Some people have no desire to do weights. I personally get sick of the trainers at the gym trying to get me as a client. I feel harassed. Some people have never worked out ever..., I still believe in cardio. I also feel like I was attacked for my statement when I was trying to make someone feel better after several rude comments....

She was looking at the person and personality and not the outside. I know a lot of beautiful people that get ugly real fast when you get to know them. I've also met people that were first not very attractive that become beautiful because of who they are! She saw the diamond! Lucky lady!

I'm also Oct 16 - you are the first person I've seen on here that shares my date! Congrats!

I'm pre-op, but I am sure I will end up at some point in the same position. I haven't been able to get control up to this point, I know it isn't going to 100% change my life and I'm never going to be drawn to my past addictions. Too many years of bad behaviors. I have dieted and done well for long periods of time... once I went over 1 1/2 years with NO sugar... none, and one day I had sugar and the game was back on. I also know that when I work out consistently the diet stays more in control. I also know now I am in pain trying to work out, can't wait to lose enough to where my feet aren't killing me and I can get more consistent. I hope the hunger hormones are minimized in this process and my cravings get better. I am a stress eater. Hang in there! I'm sure everyone fights some of these demons along the way.

If you are working out heavily, you may need to increase your calories. Call your NUT, or make an appt... mine told me at our last visit to call her if I ever need her and don't have time for an appt. I don't really agree with the personal trainer idea. I have went that route in the past and did a lot of weight training, and now I don't even want to go there because my shoulders hurt constantly from my job, and if I injure myself I am out of work... maybe legs later after I've lost a bunch, maybe. Even a personal trainer will say to lose weight, cardio, cardio and more cardio. The sculpting can come after the weight loss if ever. The weights don't burn near the calories as cardio, and if time is an issue do what works. I think you are probably more hungry from working out. See if the NUT has suggestions, like adding a snack or more protein.... admitting you have a problem is the first step to solving it! You've identified it, thats step one!

I started dating my husband 3 years ago after loosing a good bit of weight... I was around 200 at the time. We went to Highshool together so he remembers me 120 or so. He knew I had just lost weight and even said he'd love me if I gained it all back and more. He blames himself that I did though, cause he loves to cook and loves to eat out. He is thin as a rail. In highschool he was the boy that was a friend... I wouldn't have thought of dating him - but marrying him at 45 was the best decision of my life. My ex-husband (divorced 11 years) sabotaged every diet I ever did, he was also heavy... he would start a diet with me and then throw it in my face later... you don't care about your family - you go to the gym too much. You are obsessive about your diet, on and on. The last time I saw 160 lbs, this jerk had an affair with a 400+ lb woman (nothing wrong with 400+ lb women, unless they are screwing your husband). I stayed two more years (STUPID decision on my part), but he kept cheating. I think he had a fat fetish, although he got really mad when I said that... the one he left me for was also large, and the other two wives after that - oh, and he has probably gained 100+ lbs since the split. I was probably 160 when I married him, but every time I lost he nutted up... brought bad food in, insisted we go out to eat, on and on. My husband now loves me. I think we connect on a deep level because we were kids together, hung around the same group of people and like the same things. I think he sees me as he saw me 30 years ago. We crossed paths 3 1/2 years ago... and I sold him a used car that he came over weekly to make payments, started going to dinner, watching movies... etc. For months I knew this was a fantastic guy and went back through my dating history asking myself why I kept dating Mr. Wrong over and over. I didn't really "see it" at first and thought "friends". Til one night he was here watching a movie and some woman kept texting him, and I was jealous. The next night he called and said that girl was bugging the hell out of him, and he did not want to date her he wanted to date me. I knew then I'd marry him... and I did a year later. If the marriage is good, both people are truly committed and the love is there the marriage will work out. If the marriage is shaky, one or both people are not totally committed to it and there wasn't really love there - who knows. I know a lot of people that stay in marriages that make them miserable, and I've known people to leave marriages that could have worked when the going gets tough.

Excited!

October 16th, Dr. Lytle, Atlanta, GA

Congratulations! Glad to see such a positive post!

Welcome neighbor!

My NUT recommends using Flintstones Complete - and I've read the same recommendations in some of the books I bought, even for gastric bypass. They actually need to take 2 a day.

I quit caffeine about a month back and I had awful headaches. I probably drank 6 diet cokes a day, at that point I swapped to caffeine free diet coke. I kept regular around until I was past it. If I got one of the horrible headaches I would take excedrin migraine and a couple of sips of the caffeine and that usually did it. It took me about 5 days to get all the way off. Today will be day 3 without the carbonated drinks. I have been working on quitting since I quit caffeine. I started diet sprite and diet orange, which I don't like to get me away from the diet coke. I went down to 2 a day pretty easily and have had 1 a day some days... but that addiction was/is a strong one. It ranks right up there with quitting smoking which I did 5 1/2 years ago. I even told the surgeon that I was a diet cokaholic. I'm hopefully having surgery in October and didn't want to deal with any major withdrawals when the time comes.

I lost a lot of hair with a diet 3 years ago... Three years later still really thin on top. I was worried about bald spots, it was getting that thin. Knowing that this surgery is coming up I bought biotin and have been taking 5000mcg daily and my hair is getting thick! Very thick... I keep reading that it doesn't work, but I disagree I have the proof.