carstanger

03/07/2013
Hi All,
I am fairly new to the site. My profile says I have been around for awhile but I hadn't used the site.
Unfortunately, It takes a long time to manuever around the site looking for answers even though this site is really appreciated.
The insurance question is a hard one for many people. Like myself I am trying to learn not only which ones cover WLS but about insurances in general.
When I started out I didn't realize such things like policies were differant state to state. The size of your group determined what was sold/given to you without your knowledge. There was all these games you had to play!
So if there is people on the site who are experianced and can help I know that would be deeply appreciated by people like me who have had a insurance nightmare.
Other questions are very much appreciated too as we are all in the same boat. We all have weight issues and have struggled with them.
Thinking about a serious life change like WLS is very scarey. It is so niced to be able to talk with others about life changing events.
I bet most of us "newbies",(people who are new to or have not gone through WLS), give those of you who help us a great big THANKYOU for your help!
Most of us do realize it takes up your time to help us and most of us really do appreciate it.
"A GREAT BIG THANKYOU TO THE HELPERS - YOU ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED"
Sincerily,
STILL Searching

If it helps you get through it here is my story. I started at 250 on May 6th (when I had surgery) as of my 60 days out I was at 200. Once I hit 199 I went on the front lawn and danced with my daughter to "Can't touch this" at my 90 days I hit a stall and am stuck at 187. That is ok because one it breaks the excitement will be like the first day again. My goal is 130 and I know I am going to make that by the end of the year. Stay positive and always be thankful for your loving husband.

Thank you for doing this! There are some that have to do with diet that I've come across...when people refer to eating a certain (acronym) way. Still haven't figured out what those mean.

I wish that this was available when i was a newbie.....maybe this can be pinned for easy access....

We did a second 5K this morning, a Color Run where they throw powdered paint on you at 4 stations during your walk, and then you can do it at the end. Anyway, I'm hurting now as I ran at the beginning and the end, but walked rest of it. Did it in a little more than an hour. Really pleased with the progress!! My surgery was in Nov. and I'm now 66. Yaa HOO!!!

We had to put names on our stuff and it all wouldn't fit in the freezer when I was teaching.

I think I'm just weird about my food. Things like potluck with food prepared in people's kitchens whom I don't know freak me out. LOL! I like having my own little lunchbox that keeps everything cool. It's so easy to throw it in the freezer too. I don't really even need the ice packs in the bottom. It's a Rachael Ray lunchbag and they make neutral patterns. My husband bought it for me for my bday a couple of years ago and it was one of those things that I didn't know I needed until I had it!

We are lucky at having a very clean facility. We moved into a new building back in Feb. And our custodial staff is very vigilant about keeping the fridge clean and cleaned out.

I agree with TES. I wouldn't keep my food in the fridge. It has nothing to do with cleanliness and everything to do with keeping healthy by eating the healthy foods brought from home. Pack your food to keep cold in your own space, not in the communal fridge.

That is so cool! LMFAO We've got too many health nuts here at work, so the broccoli thing wouldn't work for me.
I've added a new one to my food protection arsenal. I'm going to start telling people that I'm randomly poisoning my food 1 day a week - they get to guess which day. :-)

I have a lunchbag that I can freeze in the freezer and then I also put freezer packs in the bottom--keeps my food cold enough that I don't have to put it in the yucky communal fridges.

This is at home, but I tell my son it has broccoli in it, no matter what it is, and he doesn't touch it. It's nice to have this limited time in his life where I can trick him like that.

I'm at almost 8 months out, still get sick if I eat too fast because I waited to long. I don't eat things with lots of sugar or fat....no dumping....

Hope all went well. Looking forward to you telling us about your experience.

You won't have to miss any of those foods, at least not forever. The thing is, you won't be able to eat as much of them as before, but you can certainly have a couple of bites & feel fine with that. There may be certain foods that no longer agree with you, but that can happen to anybody. Some people develop allergies to things as they get older, or start getting heartburn from something they used to eat with no problem. Adjustments are a part of life, and this is certainly a big one. Seeing a counselor is a great idea, although I have to admit I am biased. I'm working on my masters degree in clinical mental health counseling, so that's definitely not an objective opinion. Do everything you can do to help ensure your own success.

Looking great!!! Keep up the great work!!!

Thanks for sharing the pictures! You have made lots of progress and should be proud!!!

Thanks for sharing the story! That had to be hard to do and I admire you! Are there women's shelters that you can go to to keep your son and yourself safe??? That is important. I'll also keep reading! Wish I knew how to help!!

My surgeon makes sure all patients receive an abdominal binder while in the hospital (and then you take it home with you). It helped me the most of everything as far as minimizing pain when making positional changes or when coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc. My first one was bloody from the discharge from the drain so the nurse gave me a new one before I was released. She offered to let me keep the old one and wash it, but I felt a little queasy at the time seeing the drainage and declined. Wish I would have kept it bc it would have been nice to have a back-up while I washed the other one. I also wore it under my clothes when I went out for the first few weeks bc it made me feel like my incisions were sort of protected if someone bumped into me, etc. The binder also supported my back when my abdominal muscles felt weak right after surgery. As you can tell, I really enjoyed my abdominal binder (I feel a little like I am writing out an infomercial pitch)--and would highly recommend using one!

66 and training for a 5k. If I can't run it, I'll walk it. Off all my anti-inflamatory meds, too and had knee replacement 2 years ago in April. 20 minute mile today and I had a hard time walking a mile before surgery!!! Yeah!!

You should do your own research of course but it will take a full day and a half or longer for food you consume to go from "in" to "out". In other words, the poop you poop today is food you ate possibly yesterday or even the day before. Everyone is different though. This is an average.

You were very elegant in explaining yourself!!! I get too emotional and have a hard time with that. Thanks for sharing and saying what many of us have felt.

Hang in there. I am sorry it is so hard right now but I am sure you will turn a corner soon!

Will have to copy this and try it. I like the fat free refried beans 1/4 cup spread on small plate, ground sirloin with seasonings, about an ounce, 2 T. non fat greek yogart, and a sprinkle of 2% Mexican cheese. Heat in micro. Adjust to your liking. I don't like greek yogart but can eat it this way to add protein.

so glad you are feeling better! I have been following your story, as my doctor thinks that I probably have kidney stones. Fortunately, mine seem to be breaking up themselves right now (my main symptom is urine that looks like it has black pepper in it, plus some pain). The PA said they don't think the surgery precipitated this, but I did read that dehydration can precipitate kidney stones. I have been drinking a ton but it never feels like enough (even at 100 oz or more). Did your surgeon say whether they thought your stones were related to your surgery? Still glad I got it, but just curious. The worst is that they think mine are oxalate material so I need to limit beans, greens, soy protein, and black tea, which are a huge part of my diet since I'm vegetarian. The RD said hydration is more important than that though.
Sending you continued healing thoughts! Thank you for sharing your story.