Teri Barowsky Hooper

That's the group. They don't post anything except when they meet. There isn't any discussions that I have found.

I too live in Riverside. I had my surgery November 5th at UCI in Orange by Dr. Nyugen. There is a So Cal group on this site that meets once a month at Victoria Gardens. I had not met with them yet but plan to. I'm open for chat!

Insomnia has been a horrific problem since my surgery. I searched high and low. I talked to my surgeon, my GP, my sleep doctor, and my GYN only to get only suggestions of drugs to take. When I googled insomnia I found one reference to low carb diets. So I googled insomnia/low carb diets and literally hundreds of references came up. After reading all the reputable sites, it appears the reason many sleevers have insomnia issues has to do with the lack of serotonin produced by low carb diets. That serotonin in return is needed for the body to produce melatonin. So I sat down and tried to come up with a schedule for meals and Snacks that takes into account the guidelines given by my NUT. The math does not add up. There is no way to get the required amount of Protein, Water, and calories in an average 16 hour waking day. I have to change something. Either I lower my protein intake so I can consume more carbs (i.e. veggies) and water. Or, I stick with what I have been doing which is to get my protein in but not enough water and continue suffering with Insomnia. I was given samples by my sleep doc of sleep aids to try but because I have a migraine disorder, I have not found any I can tolerate. If you have a thyroid problem, you should not take melatonin. The purpose of me doing this procedure was to alleviate medical problems and lesson the amount of medications I need. I feel however, I am just replacing one problem with a different one. . . one medication for another one.

Thanks. I have done acupuncture weekly for years. It helps with my fibro but has done little for my migraines. I have allergic reactions to botox. One of the problems with fibro is that most patients are hypersensitive to medications and other things. I am a textbook case. LOL

I am weaning down my Lyrica dose to see how I do. I actually don't take Lyrica for fibro, I take it for chronic migraines. It is the only thing that works for those. I tried almost everything for them and nothing helped by Lyrica. You have to titrate down slowly for fear of seizures. I have since had a total hysterectomy because of uterine cancer so I'm hoping that has changed things in the migraine department. Until I get my Lyrica dose down I won't know.

I am losing a lot slower than most of you guys (which can be frustrating). I am following my doctor's orders thoroughly. It might be that I am older than some (I'm 55). I'm on several medications that cause weight gain and they may be causing me to lose slower. I did water aerobics before surgery and have continued with that so I know it's not from lack of exercise. I can't up my exercising much without causing a fibromyalgia flare up but I can try to increase it slowly over many months. I use myfitnesspal to record what I'm eating to make sure I'm on track. I'm down 31 pounds and I'm happy with that until I come to this site and read where everyone else is.

I think even if the majority is a re-hashing of what you already know there could be one tidbit that is new news to you. Try to understand that people are at different levels of knowledge. The nutritionist needs to shut this kind of redundant questioning down by offering individual sessions with people like that. Obviously, the NUT is not experienced in dealing with people who like to dominate the forum.

I'm 9 weeks out and down 31 pounds. It is slow but it is moving down so keep the focus.

I'll hang in there if you hang in there.

I know how you feel. I'm about 9 weeks out and it is moving very slow. I see the amount of weight others lost and I'd be lying if I said it doesn't bother me. I give myself pep talks but sometimes it's just frustrating. Eating about 800 calories a day and not losing much . . . doesn't seem right!

I take fiber gummies. They seem to help as long as I get lots of water in. When my water is not so good, I struggle with the same issue.

I am hoping to jettison my CPAP when I lose more weight.

You're welcome. Make sure you rinse them after you get out of the pool and avoid putting them in the dryer. They last a "tad" longer that way.

I've gone through several pair in the last 4 years walking laps in the pool. My favorite is this one: http://www.shop.swimandsweat.com/SPEEDO-SurfWalker-Slip-On-Water-Shoe-7493044.htm

Thank you all. I didn't realize how much of your suggestions I already do. I will remember your ideas as I head off to LA for the New Year's celebrations!

What does everyone do when eating out? If I don't order something I feel like a cheapskate. I If I do order something I only eat about 1/4 or it. Then the waiter or friend or whomever I'm with usually asks, "Is there a problem with your dinner?" or "Didn't you like it?" I don't want to go into lengthy discussions about my surgery with people I don't know very well. I don't mind bringing the majority of my dinner home but just feel uncomfortable with the whole situation. How does everyone else handle it?

Sleeved November 5th. Down 29 pounds. !00 pounds to go (hopefully). Still in 3Xs but they are baggy and loose. Should be in 2Xs in 10 more pounds!

I understand what you mean. I am almost 2 months out and only have a BM every couple days. I have to take extra fiber to have one and I have to sit forever to get things going. I didn't have problems before but I struggle with this.

What about Soy protein isolate?

I was sleeved on 11/5 and I am only down 16 pounds post op. I don't think we should worry about it. It will come as long as we focus on healthy eating.

There was an episode on bariactrictv.com about this. They said it is common after WLS. The only solution they offered . . . never go anywhere without wearing layers!

I had sushi for the first time last week. I was able to eat 3 pieces of an avocado roll (they are very small). I then ate the remaining 3 pieces 4 hours later. I had no problems. It was heavenly!

I used Dr. Nyugen on November 5th. I had insurance restrictions on where I could go (had to be a center of excellence) and UCI was the closest to me. He is an outstanding surgeon. I have not been super impressed with his "bedside"manner but the PA and other physicians in his office more than make up for his business-like nature. I love Dr. Chamberlain and Washington. They are very patient. As far as the surgery, it went smoothly. I had 5 small incisions and a month later only 2 of them are even noticeable. The hospital is nice and I had my hysterectomy there as well. I would recommend Dr. Nyugen for his abilities.

If you are exercising regularly, you might be strengthening or building muscles. Muscle weighs more than fat so many people actually gain a few pounds when they become more active. Even though muscle weighs more, it is denser so you might be losing inches. Try measuring yourself to see if that could be the case.

Finally my stall broke and I was down a pound and a half more today. It only took 5 days! Geez!