Macy6

A few years (and forty pounds ago) we went to an amusement park in Texas. My friend convinced me to go on a ride that I would never normally go on (I love roller coasters and didn't walk in expecting to have any issues but this particular ride was not my cup of tea) It was two long rows, maybe 15 people a row and they came up and made me move all the way to the other end of the row (because the seats were a little bit bigger) I was mortified but sucked it up because I was more mortified to get off the ride. I refused to go on any other rides, until later in the day my friend made me try the seats they have outside the ride. I found that I did fit in the extended sized seats and did go on more during the day. It has stuck with me and I have not tried to get on a ride since. I graduate from college in December and walk in my commencement next May. My graduation is 4 hours away and I want to take my family and friends who come up to an amusement park while we are there. With an anticipated surgery date being mid summer, I will have a good 9-10 months of loss before graduation! I am thrilled to see the changes!

Bless you! Beautiful and Comical!!! Congrats on all your hard work!

A couple things from my Nutritionist.... Add 2 TBSP of Non Fat DRY Milk to any soup and it adds 6g of Protein right off the bat. It won't effect the taste that much, it will just make it appear creamier. Here are a couple recipes she gives us.... Serving Size is 1/2C: Everything strained the first two weeks I Can of low fat or fat free cream of chicken soup 1 C skim-1% Milk A dash of Chipotle sauce from a can of chipotle peppers 1 TBSP Protein powder Makes 4 servings that have 9g/Fat, 8g/Protein, 19g/ Carbs, 140/Calories Cream of Chicken Soup: Same as above minus the Chipotle and she makes note that with the protein powder it will increase the protein content Italian broth 4ounces chicken broth (or veggie or beef) 1/2 tsp grated Romano cheese Dash of Black pepper 1 TBSP protein Powder 1g/fat, 9g/protein, 1g/Carb, 25/Cal High Protein Soup 1/3 C non fat dry milk powder 1 tsp Chicken or beef bouillon 2 TBSP protein powder 1 C hot Water Just some ideas....

Part of this journey was me having a sleep study. I was quite surprised to find out that not only did I have sleep apnea, but I have moderate sleep apnea. It was scary to me that this was going on and I really had no clue. Last night I had my titration for a CPAP machine, when I found out about the sleep apnea there was a part of me that thought maybe I should just wait it out because, I am hopefully getting the surgery and then I will loose the weight anyway. Over the past few weeks, since my initial sleep study, I have really realized how exhausted I am all the time and decided I should go for it. So last night I had my titration, I was not at home, in an unfamiliar bed, without my pillows, forced to sleep on my back, and forced to go to bed hours before I usually do. Let me tell you, I have felt amazing today, I can not believe how great I feel. This gives me a glimpse of what it will be like to be healthier, and have more energy, this is just the start and I am looking forward to all the little things along the way.

Ahhhh you are doing awesome! Don't be discouraged! Maybe he read something wrong, maybe he was having a bad day, or maybe he is a turd! Keep your chin up!!!

Just heard from my patient navigator and she said the same that it counted towards my 6 months. She did say to continue with them until we had approval in case insurance took a bit and wanted more information. She also said my second appt was lacking good documentation, which surprised me because I saw my dr write everything down, she said my third appointment was done really well and I shouldn't be concerned, but to be diligent in their documenting from here on out.

I was reading on one of the FB groups where the 6 month PCP supervised weight loss program was counted from their first visit. So if the first appointment was January 15th then the 6th one was In June instead of counting to the end of the 6 months and it ending in July. They (as I) always thought it started technically on the second visit after one month. So now I'm curious what others have dealt with when working with the supervised diet. I'm going to send a note to my patient coordinator and ask what my surgeon does.

I can relate. I have slowed down on here, because I started reading the same things over and over. I really have enjoyed "searching" for topics of interest through the forums, and I still get on here one time per day and sometimes I skip a day but I have found it to be a great source of information. I think as things move closer to potential surgery date I will probably be on here more, and once I have more tests etc... done I would guess I will probably come on more frequently. In the beginning I think I was on here like 5-6 times a day lol

I am 32 and I have never been in a mutually loving relationship. I have dreamed of my wedding day, but never been close. I have never been on a surf board, and too scared to even try. I currently live in CO and live within miles of ski slopes, that people from all over the world travel too, and the thought of a snowboard or skiing terrifies me. I have never ran a mile.

I have seen others post similar problems. First thing you will want to call your surgeon, or their nurse first thing in the am. Second, from what others have posted this is not unusual. At this point you want to make sure that the area stays clean, that there isn't pus, drainage, or an odor coming from the area. You could lightly cover it if it is making you nervous, but more than likely if you aren't showing signs of infection your Surgeon will probably not be too concerned. I have seen others say their surgeons say they can just leave it, they can apply butterfly bandages, or cover it. The thing is, your surgeon closed up the most internal part of that spot, you don't have an open wound to the world, and it isn't open to your abdominal cavity. So no worries (unless you are showing signs of infection) and call your surgeon in the am.

I too have to wait the 6 months. When I jumped in, I dived in full force and about ran myself ragged the first month getting almost every test under the sun done. There was no reason to move as fast as I did, I was just so excited. I have slowed down a bit. I still have a follow up sleep study, EKG, blood draw, and upper GI to get done but I haven't set any of the appointments, but the sleep study. I will be getting them done in the next month, in case there is something I need to follow up with, but I have really taken this time to obsessively read this forum, I search for topics of interest and go back a couple years to get other perspectives. I have read my surgeon required book "The Expert's guide to weight loss surgery" By: Garth Davis I have also researched and read: "Successful Weight Loss with the Gastric Sleeve" By: Guillermo Alvarez and "Stranger Here, How weight loss surgery transformed my body and messed with my head" By: Jen Larsen I also have watched three of the four parts of the documentary "The weight of the nation" by HBO http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/ I also keep myself busy with FB groups dealing with weight loss surgery It is important to me that the day I step into surgery that I have lost at least 30 to 40 lbs. My surgeon is requiring 5lbs, but the more you loose, the lower your BMI the safer the surgery is. I want to make sure that the day I walk into surgery that I have left no stone unturned, that I have researched it all, I have read it all and that I am ready for what is to come. The wait is hard, but I am in shock that I am already 1/3 of the way into the wait. It is flying.

It seems to be a common occurrence. I agree with laura-ven, maybe a change up in your foods would help. I have not gone through surgery but about 4 years ago I went vegetarian cold-turkey. It was rough, I literally went from having a normal breakfast and lunch with meat to BAM! dinner, no meat. I went nearly 9 months before I cheated and had a meat product. Let me tell you though, that first 30-60 days was the worst. It seemed like my neighbor decided to BBQ everyday, every time I went to a friends house they were cooking my favorite meat dish, and fast food smelled so amazing every time I drove by. I promise you, it gets easier, the food loss gets easier, the smells quit bothering you, and when you do end up cheating the taste and texture is completely different. The first thing I had non vegetarian was a fast food cheeseburger, my first thought was.... gross soggy cardboard. It will give you a new appreciation for the foods as you bring them back in to your diet, in a newer, healthier way in smaller portions. Hang in there.

That is so good to hear. I had the worst experience with a tooth pull and after pain this past fall. I thought for sure I was just going to die.

I haven't had surgery.... YET!!! BUT I will tell you that they won't put the catheter in until you are under, once it is in you shouldn't have any discomfort from it, if you do that is the time you are going to talk to your nurse and let them know and they will be able to help you from there. When they remove it, it "should" be painless.

Someone mentioned making faux rice out of cauliflower.... I am not sure if I read it on here or another FB page or what. It may be something to look into. http://video.about.com/lowcarbdiets/Low-Carb-Cauliflower-Rice.htm

You are doing great! Hang in there, and definitely take your measurements! Make sure you do it in multiple places, if you only focus on one or two areas a loss of half an inch might be discouraging, but if you are measuring your neck, chest, waist, hips, thighs, calf and ankle a half inch loss in all those areas will be so much more encouraging.

I have this problem due to my gall bladder, there are certain foods that get me, and other times it is a fluke. Because of how quickly it is leaving your system there is probably going to be a lack of calories/nutrients that are absorbed, but if it is happening infrequently it shouldn't pose a problem. You may want to keep track in a journal of the item you ate, and the components. So if you had shrimp ceviche, write down everything you put it in and then if it 2 weeks it happens again and there was one common ingredient you may want to try to avoid it.

Hello, I went in to my first appointment with the surgeon requesting bypass. My surgeon recommended the sleeve for me too. I walked out a little frustrated, VERY confused, and unsure of what to do. I did some online required education, found this forum, and it would take a lot of convincing to get me to go any other route! Good Luck on your journey!

I went back and read some of your past posts. It seems like you are probably a little overwhelmed, being a mom, a wife and taking care of yourself after having surgery. You aren't feeling well, because you just had surgery, you are tired, you are healing and the thing you used to turn to has been ripped away, even if you wanted to cheat you can't right now. A few days ago you posted you were struggling getting in your fluids, are you also struggling with protein? You need to give yourself some time, you need to make your husband realize that you need more help right now, do you have family or friends close who could help out with the kids over the weekend? just to give you a few days off? Don't regret, you can't change it now. You have to look forward and take everything step by step. As of yesterday you were down 23lbs, and 35 in total since pre op diet? You are doing amazing, your healing is a little compromised because of life, it is to be expected. You have to get yourself healthy in order to keep the rest of your family healthy. If it means leaving the dishes for a few days, the laundry for a week, or sending your husband and kids out for dinner every night then do it. You got this! You are a mom!!! You are strong, you will get through this! Your priority right now is you, get your water in and your protein and take care of yourself.

I have not but there is a forum for surgery in Mexico http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/forum/114-self-pay-mexico-vertical-sleeve-surgery-new-forum/ and pretty popular post about him http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/57453-dr-fernando-garcia/

---I lied--- I'd still ask you PCP. Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the medication in the body. Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc (if taken at the same time) Dandelion* Fennel Yogurt

From what I just read its the calcium that needs to be avoided. I would check with your PCP but it seems like the Iron would be OK, but anything with calcium needs to be taken, like you said, 6 hours before of 2 hours after. The calcium can prevent the Cipro from being absorbed. So 6am-Cipro and any non calcium minerals, 10- calcium minerals, 1pm- calcium minerals, 7-8pm- Cipro and non calcium minerals. You may take in less calcium than preferred for the 6 weeks, but the Cipro would more than likely take preference for this time.

I have had it happen in the past when I lost a significant amount of weight. I think the important thing is to not be afraid to ask for help, seek the help of a counselor and your PCP if necessary. It took a long time for me to come around and in the process I ended up gaining back all of the weight plus more. In the end it was with the help of a counselor that really helped. I think it is difficult to process all of the emotions related to weight loss, the excess hormones and the physical changes you are going through.

How many calories do you think you are taking in? I have seen on other posts where people have suggested upping your calories, slightly, to accommodate for the exercise. If you are taking in 600-800 and burning 400 or more working out your body may be freaking out. Maybe try bumping your calories slightly, make sure you are getting in a post exercise shake? Keep up on your water and don't give up.

I was wondering about gallbladder too. I hope they get it figured out soon and you have a speedy recovery!