TES

HIPAA does not apply to employers, unless you work at a hospital or other covered healthcare-related entity and are also a patient there. I completely understand your need for privacy. I'm sure your boss and coworkers needed to know something--eg, that you would be out on medical leave. I would leave it at that...they really don't need to know anything else. If someone pries more, either change the subject or use the old Dear Abbey retort of: "Why do you ask?" Most people don't have a good response.

My surgeon requires us to crush meds (or break apart capsules or take liquid) for 6 weeks post-op. Time released/extended release meds cannot be crushed.

Definitely needs to be monitored/addressed by your doctor--I think dehydration can contribute to this.

Amazing transformation, inside and out--heartfelt congratulations! thanks so much for sharing your inspiring story.

I didn't feel any restriction with liquids are purees either. Now that I am on soft transitional foods, I'm definitely feeling it. Especially when I have some protein and then a fibrous veggie (still cooked to death and mashed) like cauliflower. WHOA! Big difference. When I'm on full solids, I'm sure this will be even more pronounced.

Once you can eat yogurt, you can mix it with sugar-free syrups and maybe some PB2 (powdered peanut butter that you can find online). It tastes sort of like pudding but has lots of protein and is very filling and satisfying.

My feeling of fullness is sort of the same as it was pre-op--except it can happen a lot more quickly. One bite can make a big difference between being satisfied and feeling Thanksgiving-stuffed or actually uncomfortable. So I really try to follow my surgeon's recommendations on food volume, eat really slowly, and pay attention to my body. For example, I can eat 2.5 Morningstar meal starter vegetarian "meat"balls. If I eat 3, I am uncomfortable. (I give my dog half of one, and she is very happy!)

I can't see them either! I have a laptop that is less than a year old set on the normal color settings.

congratulations! I would check with your surgeon, dietitian, and/or ob/gyn.

Thanks for the great advice, Tamara! Have your losses continued at a good clip since you posted this? Also, do you drink plain water only--no flavorings such as Mio or Crystal Lite? Thanks again!

WOW! Sending you positive thoughts for good news at your follow-up.

it's way better than gallbladder surgery though, so I'm being careful about taking it since I'm pretty sure I had a gallstone that was stuck last week. Today I found a good way to take the Ursodiol--I sprinkled it on a two bites of lite applesauce--very small amount of carbs and calories helped the medicine go down, medicine go down....

You should definitely take it! It may inhibit your weight loss if you don't and get your whole system out of whack. Can you get a pill crusher at the pharmacy? They are really inexpensive and easy to use.

Thanks for checking on this, Maalleh! The 1 min 40 seconds for the hot cocoa in our high-power microwave seems to be perfect. Temp doesn't get above 140 degrees so the hot cocoa is nice and smooth. I don't think I would have survived full liquids so well without this one up my sleeve!

My surgeon had us strain cream of anything soup during the full liquid period to get out any chunks or solids--even pureed soups.

I think it's normal too. I'm 4 weeks out but my PA said I won't feel 100 percent normal until 6 weeks out. Things that used to be routine are very tiring even now (big shopping trip, entertaining, etc.). Just trying to pace myself, along with keeping very busy at work. Try to break things up as much as possible. I had a couple days last week, when I may have been having GB issues, where I would work 1 hour, sleep 1 hour--etc. Didn't expect that 3 weeks out, but wanted to listen to my body.

sending good thoughts!

Does your surgeon's office assign you a patient advocate who works with the insurance company to get your approval? I would ask him/her for suggestions, and/or you could call the insurance company yourself. Could your PCP write a letter stating that your current weight is consistent/close to your weight over the past two years (if it is?).

Fyre Storm, you have some magic power to get people to post what they consider to be their worst photos!! LOL! I have to say that I don't think that any of these photos are really that bad--some of them are actually kind of cute photos. But I can see in everyone's profile pics and after pics what a long way you have come. I'm sure it's a great feeling to have pics taken now and actually like them! So congratulations to all!!

I take a tiny pill--levothyroxine--and my surgeon is still making me crush it for the first 6 weeks. He is pretty conservative but I just can't bring myself to try to swallow it whole!

I've been a strict vegetarian for most of my adult life (more than 20 years). I am eating more dairy and eggs post-VSG than I did before, which I'm not exactly happy about, but it will do for now. As I get farther along in my journey, I may try to eliminate them or at least reduce my consumption. For me, vegetarianism is a lifestyle and deeply rooted in my belief system--akin to others' religious beliefs. It is founded on kindness for all living things and a respect for all life (not just human life). I do not eat cheeses that contain rennet. I do not wear or buy leather, wool, or silk. I do not eat things with meat stock, and I definitely don't eat Jello. I don't buy Protein drinks that contain Gelatin. So although I am "just" a vegetarian and not a vegan--I consider this belief to be a huge part of my way of life and deeply rooted in my belief system. It comes from a love for animals--all animals--that I have had since I was a small girl and met my mom's friends who became vegetarians after watching pigs they had raised get slaughtered. I don't think that vegetarianism has lost its meaning--to me it is more meaningful than ever.

http://www.vegsoc.org/page.aspx?pid=508# What is a vegetarian? Vegetarians today come from all walks of life, and all sections of society. They don't generally want to cause a nuisance when they eat out, they just want what most people want: good food and a choice. Sadly this isn't always available. Identifying a vegetarian This is our definition of a vegetarian: A vegetarian is someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with, or without, the use of dairy products and eggs. Or A vegetarian does not eat meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea, or by-products of slaughter. There are different degrees of vegetarianism which may be what causes confusion with caterers. The four most common forms of vegetarianism are: Lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Eats both dairy products and eggs. This is the most common type of vegetarian diet. Lacto-vegetarian. Eats dairy products but not eggs. Ovo-vegetarian. Eats eggs but not dairy products. Vegan. Does not eat dairy products, eggs, or any other animal product Eggs: Many lacto-ovo vegetarians will only eat free-range eggs. This is because of welfare objections to the intensive farming of hens. Through its Vegetarian Society Approved trade mark, the Vegetarian Society only endorses products containing free-range eggs.

OTR: "Duck" in this thread was referring to a tofu skin dish that does not contain any meat. So yeah, it's vegetarian in this context. I've seen you post before about vegetarian/vegan (when I first searched the board for posts about vegetarianism and VSG), but don't agree with your assessment of what constitutes a vegetarian. I think you are confusing vegan and vegetarian. A lacto ovo vegetarian is a type of vegetarian, and a vegan is a type of vegetarian who does not consume any animal products. A vegetarian does not equal a vegan--but you can be a vegetarian without being a vegan. All vegans are vegetarians but not all vegetarians are vegans. Obviously there are many types of vegetarians that fall under that broader term. So yeah, milk and eggs are vegetarian (lacto ovo vegetarian to be exact)--they aren't vegan....

Careful OTR...brains aren't vegetarian.

I think the glue is called dermabond.