Kathy's New Life

Workingmotherofthree I had my surgery the same day as you and I gained a pound yesterday too. I found out that my NUT really is nuts because they had me eating carbs for soft foods like oatmeal, grits and potatoes. I spoke with some of my other support groupies and found out that most Dr.s cut out most carbs and want you to eat mostly Protein. I am carb sensitive anyway and eating those things made me have cravings again! AARRRGGHH! So, I am cutting down the carbs and eating my Proteins from now on. I will let you know how it goes. I am also upset because I went to the "support" group that they offer at the office and everyone there was 7 to 10 years out and had a lot of regain. I think my programs nutritionists are giving out bad info and causing regain. I am following what I know works for me. I am blessed not to have a lot of problems post op but because I am not dumping or having nausea the food control is a bit harder. For example, I had Breakfast at 7am, it is now 9am and my stomach is literally growling! I thought the whole point of the surgery is to prevent hunger for the first 6 mths to a year. I am getting frustrated at 2 weeks out.

Hi Everyone, I have been waiting to add on because I didnt have my date yet. Now I do. It is 1/23/13 in 4 days!!! woo Hoo! I am so excited. Congrats and good luck to all of my fellow January date WLS people. We will get thru this together!

Hi Everyone! My journey is similar in progress to lovealways'. I just finished my supervised diet and I am being submitted to insurance for approval. They have 30 bus days for an answer (Cigna) which puts me at Jan 24th for deadline for answer at latest. Drs office said surgery will be scheduled pretty quick after that so I may be end of January or early February. I am also getting excited and having those last minute jitters about the whole thing. Glad To see all of you here.

I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope it didn't affect your job.Sometimes people are subconscously jealous or mad and they do things that even THEY don't understand. My sister has tried to sabotage my diet and weight loss on several occasions because she feels guilty that she isn't working on her own issues. Maybe that is what your friend did.

I have 2 tatoos on my ankles. I got one with my daughter, a butterfly, to mark her transition into adulthood and my transition into empty nester. My hubby has 8 and he said that the ones where the skin is closest to bone hurt the worst...like around collar bone.

I LOVE the idea of the vines with flowers to cover the scars from reconstruction surgery. I have been wanting to do roses for my grandmother so a rose vine would be very pretty. I am still preop but I have a lot of stretch marks on my chest and tummy. I have read that if you have a lot of stretch marks and are older (Im 46) you will most likely have hanging skin. So, I am hoping my home biz takes off enough to afford the cosmetic surgery after.

To me I follow Dr. Seuss:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

I have been a people pleaser most of my life and it took me a long time to get to this place. I hope this helps you all.

I am also sorry for your loss. I wanted to congratulate you on making the best decision for YOU right now and waiting. That couldn't have been easy for you. I think you are smart to wait until you are in a better place to make all of the changes for your new lifestyle.

Thanks everyone, Update is that I went to PCP on friday. She does think there is something wrong. I am scheduled for an ultrasound tomorrow morning to check for stones. She gave me RXs for compasine for nausea and vicodin for pain if I need them. She also agreed that I should try to wait for surgery to get it out with RNY. I am going to give it my best shot. Trying to eat low fat to keep away the pains. I will let you all know how the ultrasound goes tomorrow.

Hi everyone, I have had several surgeries and major life changes. Depression is normal. Your system is going thru hoops inside and it messes up your hormones, brain chemistry and emotions. Just know that it is temporary. The best natural things you can do are walking, drinking your Water and keeping a journal to get out the emotions. If you feel you need more than that you could try the herbals like SAMe or St. Johns Wort. You can make the latter into a tea to drink. If you start having ANY suicidal thoughts go get help. I have been fighting Major Depressive Disorder for the last 18 years and that is how I cope with it all. It works. Remember, asking for help is not weakness.It takes courage to ask and then do what is needed to fix the problem. If you are sick you get antibiotics, If you have hormone issues you take hormones...this is the same. If you are too depressed, you take the meds to rebalance the emotions. Remember: Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

I didnd't think about that but I like the idea of getting one to mark the transition to a new life. My hubby wants me to get what I call a "bra topper" on my chest. I was thinking about a butterfly with flowers to show transformation and beauty.

Maybe you could do a wrap around vine of flowers with butterflies over the scars and stretch marks.< /p>

Hi, I am having some pain on lower right under ribcage. I think its my gallbladder. I am going to PCP tomorrow to have it checked. When I met with WLS Dr. He said he could take it out at same time as surgery. I don't know if I can make it that long (Im on a 3 mth diet for Insurance.) Any info or suggestions are appreciated.

I have gotten all of mine from Amazon too. Just do a search on there for Gastric Bypass and it will bring up a whole list. I am currently reading Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. I have the Weight Loss Surgery workbook on order. I have also looked at Skinny Jeans. All good. ONe I haven't started yet is Bypass Surgery: Keys for success. I got it in the mail but haven't read it yet. If you do get the Dummies book be sure to get the newest 2012 version. The older ones don't have as much info.

We are all courageous here Being courageous means being afraid and doing it anyway. Keep moving forward...one step at a time...and next thing you know you will be done and smiling in the mirror at the skinny you!

Hi Kelly, My daughter is a college track and field heptathlete (7 events) and she said that workout is tough for her so I personally wouldn't be able to do it. It will definately make you sore but if you are up to a challenge go for it. As for the skin issue, I do think it is unrelated. I have read that you can have 6 pack abs but if the elasticity in the skin is gone the only way to fix it is with plastic surgery. I have also read that if you are young, stay hydrated and use lotion that you might be able to keep the skin elastic enough not to cause a problem.

I am putting together a list for myself of things I can do to avoid/reduce having loose skin after weight loss. Please add to the list if you know of anything I missed...

- Use lotion at least once a day with Vitamin E, Keratin and Cocoa Butter in it

- Do toning exercises to build a tight foundation under skin

- take detox baths with sea salt to tighten skin and get out toxins

Anything else? Let me know

Kathy

Vicki you have me rolling...lol. I know...that Oxycise really works. I saw an infomercial for it years ago and bought the program. It works your abs better than crunches! Be sure to measure your waist. You will be shocked how many inches it will take off. I am doing it to get my lungs in shape too. I also have the asthma issues and sleep apnea. It should help us to get rid of those faster too.

Hi Photochic, How did your surgery go? I am excited and nervous about this at the same time. I had a hysterectomy so I figure this will be better than that was or at least about the same.

Thanks Vicki, Hang in there. We will get thru this together on here.

Thanks everyone! I have my journal ready to go for my 3 mth plan. I have been taking daily Vitamins for years so it won't be a big deal for me to do that. I will just need to switch to liquid ones. I am also on 9 different RX's that I am hoping to get off of. My biggest dream is to take an ax to my CPAP machine. I HATE that thing!..lol.

The first things I am going to work on are actually USING my recumbant bike Starting a daily walking plan. Eliminating Soda and Caffiene. Cutting down and eventually getting off of all NSAIDS. Not drinking at the same time as eating and doing breathing exercises with Oxycise.

I know this is a lot but I work at home so I can work it around my office work. I am very blessed in that area.

Hi, I am 46 and just had my first appt with surgeon today. How are the rest of you doing in your process? I agree, It is harder to loose weight after 40 because the hormones are wacky.

Hi, I went for my first appt today to meet with WLS surgeon. I was trying to go for the Vertical Sleeve but I have GERD that causes Vocal Chord Disorder. The Doctor said that I can't have the sleeve or band because of that. I am actually happy about it. I originally wanted to get the bypass anyway. My family was pushing for the other surgeries because they think they are safer. I have been doing the research and I see a lot of people who have had to get revisions to RNY anyway. I am excited to get started on the changes that I need to make. My insurance requires a 3 mth supervised diet so I am going to use that time to work on my lifestyle changes ahead of time. I look forward to getting to know all of you here and am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Hi everyone, I was hoping to have the vertical sleeve surgery but I met with the surgeon today and he said that because I have GERD that affects my vocal chords I will not be able to have that surgery. As a result, I am having the RNY bypass surgery in January or February. I will be going over to the bypass forums now so I won't be on here after today. I wanted to thank all of you for the great info and support. Good luck to all of you.

Thanks

Kathy

I finally got some info today from the Dr. Office. I have my 1st appt on 10/16 and I am very excited that I am finally moving forward in the process. I did find out that my insurance requires a 3 mth supervised diet so I will have to do that but I am figuring I will be able to have my surgery in January which will be the perfect time for a new start.

I have a milk allergy and can't use most of the Whey Protein Shakes. I love the Jay Robb Egg Protein shakes, all flavors. They are great with Water, soy milk or almond milk.

When all else fails, if your friend still disagrees just tell her... "This is my decision, between me and God. If you can't understand then we will just have to agree to disagree."