Everything posted by Thomas CPA
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Unreasonable fears/disaster about living with VSG surgery
Before getting the surgery you should see a therapist or psychologist and work these things out. As for loose skin - ask yourself now, do you cover up when going out? do you go to beach in small bathing suit? If no then why worry you will still cover up with the loose skin. As for to thin - you control that by maintaining calorie level.
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How long should I expect to be off work
I am a CPA so also mostly desk job. First week I worked 1/2 days and second week back to full schedule.
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question...
There is the "cottage cheese" test, you eat cottage cheese real fast until you are full you fill the container with Water and measure how much water is in the container. I think it is silly also. Typical response is a cup, 8 oz or as my doctor said you have a stomach the size of a medium banana - don't eat more than that. Easy on soft foods to overeat as they are easy to swallow. Good luck
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Liver issues after surgery anyone??
Had the opposite experience, a recent CT scan showed clear liver and gal bladder (used to have fatty liver and gal stones). Vicodin may be culprit as you think. Good luck on your labs and hope things turn around for your.
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Where does everyone purchase their vitamins?
Costco and they usually have at least one coupon a month for vitamins
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Vitamin D3 50,000 IU
50,000 IU is prescribed for those with Vitamin D deficiency, it is not a normal dosage to take. I have a Vitamin D deficiency and was on 50,000 IU for 4 months to get levels up and now on 2,000 per day to maintain.
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Weight Loss Stahl???
While you did lose muscle in rapid weight loss, you don't "lose" metabolism. There are certain Vitamins and minerals you take that convert food into energy which causes metabolism. Metabolism doesn't disappear you just need to get it out of hiding. Talk with the doctor or dietician, review your vitamins and minerals. When is last time you had labs to test for levels. Try going to liquid diet for a couple of days and shake things up. Metabolism will stabilize if you do the same thing and eat same calories constantly. You have to confuse the body to make it burn. Also remember the surgery is meant to help you lose 50% of excess weight over the course of 1 to 2 years. For instance I was 233 at operation and ideal is 150. Excess is 83 so I should lose 42 pounds in a year, I have lost 36 pounds after only 2 1/2 months. So I am now only losing about 1.0 to 1.5 pounds per week from diet and exercise. This will happen, the surgery will not make you lose weight at a constant rate, you will slow down.
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Really just be happy for me ??
Just green eyed jealousy that you are losing weight and she/they wish they were. They probably dislike success of others to begin with. Hate to say Be Happy from their comments but hey you are making an impression so Be Happy!
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Really Tired!
With rapid weight loss comes potential rapid problems. Are you walking for at least 30 minutes to get some exercise and energy in? Don't just drink protein shakes, you should only have one. Get in some broth, apple sauce whatever else doctor allows you to have. Start your vitamins, you may not be getting enough iron and minerals that are needed which may be partial cause of you being tired.
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Tidbits and information from Dietician
Kaiser does great follow up. Today I had a 2 1/2 month appointment with dietician and physician assistant - here is 1. Vitamins - take the 1,500 mg a day on top of amount you get in foods. 2. Carbs - said don't do just a low carb diet, they had a few that did low carb diets and while they lost weight they caused problems because they were not eating the right foods and their lab results for vitamins and minerals were way off and causing other problems so they got them to eat normal. 3. Eat 3 real food meals and use Protein shake or Protein Bars for the between meal Snacks. Keep to 1/4 cup protein, 1/4 cup vegetable, 1/4 cup fruit and 1/4 cup starch/carb. Eventually the between meals snacks go away. 4. Calories - get 1,200 calories per day, extra protein or carbs before working out. Trainer says carbs before and protein after. 5. Weighing - keep vigilant, weigh once every couple of days to monitor process just don't become obsessive with doing it 3 times a day. Keep from putting on weight by monitoring it. 6. Even for Men, use Women's One a Day as it has more Calcium and Iron, something Men's One a Day doesn't have. I was sleeved on August 4, 2011 at 233 pounds as of October 26, 2011 I am down to 196 pounds for a 54% excess body weight loss. The expected loss for 1 to 2 years is 50 to 55% so I have already met the full goal of the sleeve surgery and now on my back on my own to lose weight through diet and exercise. This was done by sticking to diet plan (at least 90% of the time) for post op. Had labs done today and so far results coming in good. Good luck everyone, we can do it.
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Fish
Don't know about salmon but lobster and shrimp go and stay down fine.
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Confession Time
Okay for some encouragement and fear of losing it - I went on vacation this last weekend to San Diego. Friday night - Benihana's - drank the Soup broth, then the salad, maybe a tablespoon of rice then the shrimp, vegetables and some main entree of steak. Those who know this restaurant it takes time between courses and with soup liquid first that just went through me to leave room for the good stuff. Saturday night - Ruth's Chris - half a salad, one small lobster tail and 2 jumbo shrimp, a couple of bites of chocolate cake. In between there was popcorn at the movies, ice cream cone (should have had it in a cup instead of cone). With walking around the sites - I gained zero pounds and enjoyed the weekend. There is life after the sleeve, don't fear slide foods - just don't make them a habit or overdo amount at any one time. By the way at this point of 11 weeks, I lost 54% of the excess weight (the amount I should have lost in a year) so I am now losing through proper eating and exercise not the sleeve.
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How do I tell people?
If using your vacation time there is no need to tell the boss. Depending on work you may go back sooner than later. I am a CPA and took one week of half days and back full time second week. I was fortunate being my own boss. I was driving the day after being released from the hospital. As for family and friends, unless they are uptight about surgeries then why keep it a secret. When you go out with them and always taking home leftovers they will wonder why anyway. My friends at the restaurants know and just bring me the doggie bag. My family knows so they won't overcook for me when visiting. Your family and friends can be a great support system with encouraging comments.
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weight loss
I was sleeved on August 3, different month roughly same date. Here is my progress which may or may not be a good guide for you but here it is 2 weeks post op - lost 18 pounds total 4 weeks post op - lost 28 pounds total 6 weeks post op - lost 32 pounds total 8 weeks post op - lost 36 pounds total 10 weeks post op - lost 39 pounds total
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Another common post-op phase or just me?
Had similar problems. Got better by working on lower back weight training at the gym. Part of problem in the quick weight loss is you loose both fat and Muscle
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Christmas Challenge!!!
I will be happy just to stay between 190 to 195 but I'll put my goal at losing 10 pounds from 197 to 187 if I get motivated then 180 but I'll be realistic
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Extremely slow weight loss
It's normal, your body metabolism is adjusting, you can't lose at same rate over long period of time. You need to shake up metabolism and get out of starvation mode. Add a few calories for a couple of days then reduce and increase exercise. Eat small meals and move around more during day.
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100lbs lost & now pregnant!
Congratulations! All that hard work paid off and now you get to enjoy all that energy with a newborn. Way to go! Have a healthy and happy pregnancy.
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My thanksgiving day rant
My brother used to eat like a horse in younger day and never put on an ounce. Now that he is older it now packs on to the belly.
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STOMACH NOISES
Yup it happens to me, can't tell if it is just hunger and stomach acid is telling me to fill it. I think the worse thing is the burping.
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How long do you wait between bites?
I have same problem and then get pain in sternum and espohogus from eating to much to fast. I try to watch tv, check emails on iphone, put fork and plate down, do a crossword puzzle. Good luck with the timing.
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Muscle and Nerve Damage!
For a few weeks I found when I lift my arms to run I would get a stabbing pain in the side, started on right eventually move to left and then it went away. It only occured when I was trying to run and moving the arms. Slight back pain but with losing weight fast and taking three weeks to get back to gym it was just normal.
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How many meals do you eat?
Three square meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner and three snacks - two between meals and one couple hours after dinner - mix snacks up with fruit, salads, protein bar, juice
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CPAP Too Strong?
Yes, get checked and possibly have a new sleep study. I did and the CPAP is getting returned, the sleep apnea is gone. Just because you snore doesn't mean you still have sleep apnea requiring the machine. Are you waking up with the tell tale soaked pillow? Right after the surgery I could not take the machine it was so high pressured it hurt so I quit using it and got a new study.
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Cant get motivated
I started back at gym at week 3. The longer you take the harder it will be. The first week back I could barely do 10 to 15 minutes on treadmill let alone weights. By second week back I was getting stronger. I had to increase calorie intake to have the energy and stamina. It may help to get a personal trainer for the first couple of sessions to help motivate you and help prevent injury. You will find you lost a bit of strength and it will take a couple of weeks to get back to par. Start now, don't delay. You can do it.