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It can be repaired at the time of surgery. Hiatal hernias are very common--my surgeon repairs them in 90 percent of patients who get VSG.

Media organizations aren't subject to HIPAA...only medical entities such as doctors, hospitals, managed care organizations, etc. Would be interesting to know if there was a leak at the hospital (which would be a violation of HIPAA), or if he just decided himself to go public with the information.

I wonder if the mug warmers would actually work to keep food warm, too? I eat my food out of a shallow coffee mug usually. However, now that I am 3 months post-up, I really don't need to keep my food warm. My surgeon has us quit eating after 20 to 25 minutes once a few weeks post-op bc if it goes longer, he feels you are going above the portion you should be eating.

so sorry you are going thru this--I would definitely seek out a 2nd opinion.

Wishing you all the best!

Here's a new tool to prevent health risk that is getting some attention. Essentially your waist measurement should be no more than half your height. http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/04/beyond-bmi-a-better-tool-to-measure-your-health/?utm_campaign=bewell+enews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=bewell1305&utm_content=beyond+bmi

Thinned out Greek yogurt or thinned out cream of wheat with some protein powder; pureed soup; pureed, thinned out chili....

I was surprised--even the NYT article said that there are "two types" of bariatric surgery--gastric bypass or the lapband. Wonder if he would have considered VSG if he had known about it. Usually NYT does a good job with their health reporting, so I think it was a huge gap that they didn't mention VSG. It's not like gastric plication, which is still undergoing clinical trials. It's an accepted, approved, insurance-covered surgical option.

Who is that?

Do you mean leggings like tights? I think of those as more something for fall/winter, but honestly, I think anything goes--I would go with whatever makes you feel comfortable. Or you could get some opaque type hose.

I wonder if a notification is sent when someone casts a vote, even if he/she doesn't make a comment?

The 2nd and 3rd weeks were the hardest for me. This too shall pass. Walking really helps, especially if you can get outside--fresh air and endorphins make a world of difference.

<< Our relationship is changing, and while I'll still partake of you, I need the best you, you have to give.... things that will make me strong and healthy instead of weak and lazy. Wonderful post--love what you said above. You can do this!! You are clearly mentally prepared, you already love exercise and being active, and I have no doubt that you will succeed. You will be amazed at how the whole dynamic between you and food will change. You will be on the offensive and not the defensive. You may even become friends again--a healthy friendship though.

My PA said that I probably wouldn't start feeling normal until about 6 to 8 weeks, and that's exactly how long it took. I still find that I'm more tired in the evening than I used to be. I'm exercising more so thought I would have more energy, but I think my body just needs more rest following surgery (3 months out) and adjusting to a whole new lifestyle. Plus when you are losing weight, I think it makes your body tired. It truly does get better every day. The first 2 weeks were definitely the hardest. I felt pretty good and had resumed normal activity by 4 weeks.

You look terrific! Wow, that is a really fast weight loss. Any advice to share? Also, are you pretty tall? You look good even in your before pics but amazing now! You're going to rock it when you are at goal.

Yes, I posted a while back to ask where you had been! Missed the LauraVen/Dean/Fyre banter! Glad you are doing well.

I got that right after surgery when I was losing fluid quickly. I would say the biggest thing is to drink your water and you can also try something like G2 or Propel Zero. I would ask your doctor about taking electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and/or magnesium. Be careful given that you are pre-op. Good luck--I know how awful those muscle aches can be.

Are you doing strength training? congrats on 98 pounds down--that is amazing!

for the thick protein shakes, I find them more palatable (thinner and less sweet) if I think them out with almond milk--I shake them in a shaker. I tried the Unjury cheese sauce and it was IMO inedible. Soooo salty and just gross and processed. I love their traditional protein powders though! The Syntrax are really good too--totally agree with you about the chocolate truffle.

Yes, I gained about 14 pounds, which from what I understand isn't uncommon. It came off within about a week, and then the "real" weight loss started. Sorry to hear about your readmission but it's great that they caught the blood clot and treated it. Wishing you well--hopefully the rest of your recovery will be smooth sailing.

While I think it's possible for some people with a good metabolism to lose and keep weight off with little exercise, I always wonder why they would want to do that. Cardiovascular fitness is so important, at any weight. The heart is a muscle and needs to be exercised. Thin does not equal healthy. To me, exercise is essential on this journey to optimal health.

They really might not notice 15 lbs. If you want to keep it private, I would say something like thank you for asking, you were on medical leave, but feeling much better now--then change the subject. Completely true. I think it's a personal choice how much info you want to share, but once you share even a little detail (like getting surgery to help you lose weight to help with PCOS--which is true too), be prepared for followup questions, because you will sort of be inviting them. If you just say medical leave and send signals that you want to keep it private, someone would have to be pretty rude to ask more about it. And you could avoid answering. Once you tell people you had WLS, they will start asking how much you have lost so far constantly--and if you hit a stall it will make it even more depressing. Again, it's a personal decision, but for me, I didn't want to be under a microscope by people I don't even know that well. Others would rather be very open, and I support that decision too, but it sounds like you are leaning in the other direction.

Yes, to clarify, it's that--satiated but not just-pushed-back-from-the-Thanksgiving-table kind of full. It's pretty difficult to describe until you feel it, and I think it's different for everyone--but for me it is the same "satisfied" feeling I had when eating a meal pre-op. I think the major difference is that one bite too many can make you feel "full" (which always means uncomfortable), where pre-op, that wasn't always the case. It only takes once or twice of one bite too many for you not to do it again, because it's not a good feeling. I still measure my food and almost always eat out of the same dishes--but some days that satisfied/full feeling comes sooner than others, so I'll stop eating before I've finished my small portion.

For me, once I was on solids, it was pretty much the same full feeling I got post op--it just happens a lot more quickly. There's definitely no mistaking it....

I would say 1.5 to 2 TBSP.