Bob_350lbs

I agree with all of these, except the runner's knee. A family friend, 48 y/o, has been running 10 miles a day for years, she does marathons all the time. Her doctor told her that if she doesn't stop, she will destroy her knee and ankle joints, but she is so addicted, she doesn't care. I think moderation is the key. And I also believe anything God put on this earth is good for us, and it is all the food processing companies that spread evil about eggs, dairy, and meat. Potatoes, corn, oats, very good for us, but they take it and remove all the good stuff, fry it in cheap oils, add cheap syrup, and advertise the heck out of it until we are brainwashed to think potato chips, fries, cereal..are real foods...and pay a ton of money for the crap. They are evil, just like drug companies, cigarette companies, oil companies..they only care about their profits.

It was hilarious, especially the line dance they did coming down the aisle :-) Kevin's shoes & wig (toupee) Dwight the player..funny how men are more attractive at weddings, or are the women just drunk and stupid? Phyllis's ginormous hat...and the toast, geeze...it didn't let me down, true Office style. A classic.

When I started eating carbs, my bowel movements went back to normal. But, when I eat just protein, veggies..not much going on down there. Watch out for the Ducolax though. I took it Friday night and had OT Saturday, well it kicked in at work. I didn't make it to the bathroom on time and had to immediately go home to change. No chit..the first time in my life that has ever happened..horrible, nobody knew at work cause I just left..never doing that again. If you take that stuff, stay home the next day. It really works too well, if you know what I mean.

Yes, and you are doing incredible! You should be so proud of yourself! You can totally kick butt. Rock on Mac! I can related to the addiction of the rush of endorphins (can't remember how to spell right now) I am totally addicted to the feeling working out on the treadmill brings, but 30 min is all I can take... I have never have been much of an athlete..never been on a sports team, except bowling, and I sucked at that.. Dancing is fun, but when my ex and I took ballroom dance classes, I sweat like a pig and my face turns beet red, even when I am skinny..not pretty, but I LOVE those beautiful gowns. Remember disco dancing, now that was fun~ It does all sound like excuses, I have always hated the *gym*..went with my ex back in the day and did the aerobics thing, but those structured classes drive me crazy...like to exercise to my own varied schedule. yadda, yadda, I know. Swimming, I have really poor lung capacity..so it's not fun at all, unless I am just flopping around in the pool, pretending to be a mermaid..hehe.. Oh well.......just rambling right now. Oh, do you remember disco roller skating? That was sooo fun back in the day. But, that was 100 yrs ago..

I know what you mean Chancie, more than 30 min walking on the treadmill is boooooring...running has never been my style, my boobs were always so big, so bouncey..ick..and now I have arthritis in my knees. But, I really was interested in a swing dance group, but too far away. What about jazzercise? I have heard it is fun and it's dancing too. Any thoughts out there about fun exercise for the over 50 crowd, who cannot run anymore?

Chancie, give yourself a pat on the back, 146 lbs! Woohoo!! That is amazing, girl. That is so great! Just focus on all the times you have done it right, obviously, it shows too.

Certain things are sliders for me too Chancie..chocolate is one of them..along with ice cream, Peanut Butter etc...I really feel for you too, because I have food demons too. I can totally relate. My reason for wanting these things is that I still want to use food to soothe my anxiety. I am trying different things other than eating now..but like they said this thing is a tool. We still have to diet & exercise to be successful. Do you have a support group near you that you can join? I am afraid of my surgeon, and he is at every support group. I don't lose fast enough for him, and even when I was 100%, he didn't believe me. Whatca gonna do? I know you can avoid this chocolate thing. For some of us, we cannot even go there. I wish I had never started adding carbs like whole grain bread, low-carb tortillas, and corn tortillas, because I cannot or find it very hard to stop them. Umm...it is an addiction for me...I love Mexican food and I make my own low cal recipes and stay at around 900 calories..but it's not what my surgeon wanted. I just wanted to eat like a normal person, and not feel deprived. Chocolate is too hard for me, I do crave it, and try my best to avoid it completely.....but I have used it to reward myself after a tough day at work...and that is self-sabotage. Maybe that is what we are doing to ourselves. Self-sabotage..I have to think about that one..why am I doing this to myself?

I have always wanted a persian cat, but my remaining cat cannot get along with another cats, except his brother, who is gone. Thank you so much for your kind offer. God bless.

Find a therapist you can talk to, and one that has experience dealing with bariatric patients. Talk to several before you decide. Here are some additional resources that might help: The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life after Bariatric Surgery * RECOMMENDED by Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD Dr. Alexander discusses many of the difficulties a bariatric patient is likely to encounter and some realistic and practical strategies for dealing with them. Most people go into bariatric surgery full of motivation and hope, only to find day-to-day postoperative existence more stressful than they imagined. Here are the psychological tricks of the trade to help make your own journey a successful one. Exodus from Obesity: The Guide to Long-Term Success after Weight Loss Surgery * RECOMMENDED by Paula F. Peck, RN Paula Peck provides the information, encouragement and guidelines for maintaining long-term success after weight loss surgery. Ms. Peck has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years and personally has experienced a weight loss of more than 175 pounds twice in her life: Once unsuccessfully from "white-knuckle" dieting, and once successfully from weight loss surgery 5 years ago. Ms. Peck interweaves intelligent discussion with humorous stories about herself and individuals that have faced diet after diet and ultimately chose the gastric bypass procedure. The Success Habits of Weight-Loss Surgery Patients by Colleen M. Cook Colleen Cook, a weight-loss surgery patient since 1995, has taken the real-world experiences of thousands of weight- loss surgery patients and condensed them into the principles you'll find in this book. These time and people tested principles are the results of years of research of long-term weight loss surgery patients. They work regardless of the particular type of weight-loss surgery you may have had. Weight Loss Surgery For Dummies by Marina S. Kurian, Barbara Thompson, Brian K. Davidson A guide to weight loss surgery – before, during, and after. This compassionate guide helps you determine whether you qualify and gives you the scoop on selecting the best center and surgical team, understanding today's different procedures, and achieving the best results. You also get tips on eating properly post-op and preparing appetizing meals, as well as easing back into your day-to-day life. Before and After: Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery by Susan Maria Leach In addition to more than 100 recipes in this book, there are ideas to help a post-op cook stay on the path and adapt his/her own recipes. Includes tips for eating out and cooking during the holidays. There is an introduction to Protein, sugar, and carbohydrates for those who are post gastric bypass surgery, as well as a list of sources for special foods and ingredients. Eating Well After Weight Reduction Surgery by Patt Levine The author has created 125 recipes that contain no added sugar, are very low in fat, and get their carbohydrates almost exclusively from fruits and vegetables. Each recipe includes specific guidelines for preparation of the dish for every stage of the eating programs for Lap-Band, gastric bypass, and Duodenal Switch patients, as well as suggestions for sharing meals with those who have not gone through gastric surgery. Recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You by Margaret Furtado, MS, RD, LD/N, and Lynette Schultz, Chef, LCRP, RT Margaret Furtado and Lynette Schultz have a combination of almost 40 years experience in clinical nutrition and the culinary arts. Together, they will help you navigate your way through the sometimes turbulent waters after your weight loss surgery, and will provide you with general clinical guidelines after your procedure, as well as helpful hints for easing your transition from surgery to your new, healthy lifestyle. With sections on home entertaining and eating-on-the-run. Laparoscopic Associates of San Francisco (LapSF): WLS Lifestyles Magazine: http://www.wlslifestyles.com American Society of Bariatric Surgeons: www.asbs.org

Tried angel hair Pasta, about 1/4 cup w/marina meat sauce. Ugh, I just didn't like it at all, stomach didn't like it. Then I tried about 1/4 c mac & cheese, pureed it, went down great, even tasted ok... Bread is another issue. It lumps up and feels like a block in my esophagus. But, Wasa Crisp is wonderful, crispy and only 35 calories per slice, w/light mayo and sliced low fat cheese and red onion...heaven..

Well, depression after WLS looks like it might be a common, expected phase for us, during our weight journey. But clinical depression, I feel, needs treatment just like high blood pressure. For some, it's a chemical imbalance in the brain. There is still a stigma society has about depression, and treatment. But, no one should feel bad about having it and seeking help. We wouldn't hold it against someone if they took high blood pressure medication, we would think they were very, very smart. The other depression after WLS, may need treatment if it doesn't subside. I feel better now, accepting of how much (little) my tummy can hold. It's really hard to use food like I did before, which is a good thing..

Don't feel guilty, almost anybody can have WLS now, because it is so cheap in MX. WTG Dee Dee, CONGRATS!!!!

My only regret is that this wasn't avail when I was in my twenties. I hear great things about Dr. Aceves in MX, and very reasonable. Mine was w/Dr. Cirangle in SF. Oh, and Dr. C is an excellent surgeon. This I know first hand.

From the LapSF newsletter. ******** Many people can't imagine becoming depressed AFTER losing weight. However, depression can occur after weight loss surgery or when undergoing any time of major lifestyle change. Possible causes of depression after WLS may include: - Mourning the loss of food for comfort. If food has always been your "friend" or something you depended on when feeling sad, stressed or lonely, saying "goodbye" can be difficult. - Mourning the loss of pre-operative lifestyle. For example, feeling left out while socializing, participating in holiday rituals, or when dining in restaurants. - Reactions from others. Relationships with loved ones can change or become strained. Reactions to weight loss may be negative or jealous, or otherwise unsupportive friends/family may resort to "sabotage." Positive reactions or increased attention from others can lead to feelings of discomfort, vulnerability, or resentment. - Having unrealistic expectations. For example, thinking that everything will get better after surgery or that your emotional eating or other disordered eating habits will simply disappear. - Hormonal changes. For some women, estrogen is released while fat is burned to make energy. This release of estrogen may cause mood swings. - Body image discrepancies. After rapid weight loss, you do not recognize yourself or lose a sense of self. You may experience a loss of identity between the inner and outer you. The postoperative blues typically occur during the first few weeks or months after surgery and subside over time. However, if you find that your symptoms are worsening or are beginning to interfere with your relationships, work, or daily functioning, it is time to seek help from a medical professional.

Heartwarming, so happy for you all. Give you husband a big hug from us too, tell him thank you so much for serving our country and making all those sacrifices, we appreciate him and all the soldiers so much. God bless you.

Tiffy, you go girl!

Gibbs, I am so happy for you!! Start slow, a little at a time, and music/tv helps pass the time. Susan, that is my problem now, the treadmill is getting boring, even with my music..instead of 1 hr, it's 30 min now, and I missed yesterday. Dang, I should go right now!

Thank you for your support and kind words. I really appreciate it. I'm a fine, much better today. Thank you. Last night I dreamt about my ex, that he came over eating a donut in my face and had his new wife in the car and wanted her to come in my house! I got furious and kicked him out, told him to never come back. Funny, probably had a lot of meaning on a lot of different levels for me. Dreams, aren't they kooky?

One of my cats is gone, I adopted them both as kittens from the same litter. They were like my kids..and need help dealing with it.

Maybe I am wrong on this Mac, but doesn't Dr. Cirangle contract w/Kaiser? My mother has a friend of a friend w/Kaiser and she thought it was Dr. C. Anyway, they are great Lil' Miss. Dr. Cirangle is the only one that travels to Sacramento for pre & post-op visits and he is at the monthly support group too. They both assist each other during surgery and back each other up, so there is always a surgeon to talk to, if you need answers quickly. So, in a way, you get two for one. :-)

Great advice Tiff..make sure he uses a 32 french bougie, anything larger and the regain was sig after 2 yrs (Mac has the stats)..the 32 bougie has same long term success as the Rny, without bypassing a portion of the intestines. And you have a fully functioning mini-stomach. If something goes wrong, are there specialist who provide care? How many VGs has he done, % of complications, leaks, PE, etc. All very important. I chose a surgeon who has done over 2000 VGs and started doing them in '02, he can also do the DS, RnY, revisions, and the band, but mostly now, it's the VG. And, great aftercare too. I paid more to be in the states, and my surgeon met my criteria.

Dang, great price, just do your research. I had mine in the states, close to my home. So, I can't help regarding the Dominican Republic, and don't recall ever hearing about a surgery there. I wish I would have done this sooner. I started researching 2007, when I was 50. The money thing stopped me, ins wouldn't cover it, so I bit the bullet and had it done. The thing I love the most, now that I am 8 wks out is that I can only eat very little, which is great, I want to eat so much more (head hunger, not physiological hunger). My stats and hx is a lot like yours, and I believe that I could not have done this w/o the sleeve. I have always worked out with weights, but my arms are going to need some work. The stomach is fine, but my inner thighs bug me, but that can be hid easier. Regarding the face, eventually it will sag anway. So PS is a matter of personal taste and choice..oh and $$..

Tiff, ur funny...You'll probably lose another 10 lbs with all the *extra* activity when hubby gets home. You look like a new woman, at least 10 years younger too. Congrats on all your success!

My PCP didn't support me, neither did utilization review. My insurance did pay for my chest x-ray, labs, mammogram (yes, Dr. requires it) and pre-op physical. But that is because it was my yearly check-up. I purchased a pkg deal that included 2 weeks of supplements, the surgeon, psych & dietary consult, and a year of follow-up. And, there is monthly support group, not mandatory though. My BMI was 39. I had no co-morbidites. But, the surgeon did find moderate sliding hiatal hernia (repaired it) and a fatty liver. All those extra calories in stored as fat in the liver too. So, actually I did have a co-morbidity that the stupid crappy HMOs didn't find, because the doctor loses money to refer me out for anything. According to him, because I am not a whiner in his office monthly, that I must be healthy. Anyway, I know your dilema. It took me two years to finally do this. It was the money part that held me back.

Have you guys thought about high protein for 5 days, then high carbs for 2 days routine? You keep the calories the same. Apparently, some believe the body adapts to the high protein and you slow down the wt loss. I don't know, but yesterday I incorporated more carbs and finally lost a lb. Go figure..I don't know. Also, you know that vegetarians still get complete proteins by combining certain carbs, like rice/beans. Just a thought, I am thinking of trying this out this week.