slvrsax

I just paid my deposit and am completing paperwork for December surgery. I plan on using Premier Protein. I have to say - the pre-op gives me a bit of anxiety!

Hi, I cannot tell you how much I love what I have done.. in the beginning it is hard. total lifestyle change food wise... I was afraid at first .. I was like OMG what if it doesnt work? I came to this site and all those fears were normal.. Have I regretted anything? yes on thing.. that I didnt do it sooner. I am 7 mo post op.. and let me tell you.. Ive got 32lbs to go for my goal wt.. Im 5`8. I was 296lbs... ive lost 104lbs.. I now shop for reg clothes.. no longer plus sizes... I love shopping now. I love shoes.. I love purses.. my poor hubby LOL. He had the sureger too.. he has lost 112lbs and is at his goal wt in 7 mo.. we have done exceptionally well Im told my my doc.. I even bought a bathing suit.. I go to the gym 3 days a week for cardio and wt training.. .life is the best ever.. I eat normal foods... I watch what I eat tho. No fast food.. once in a great while I will.. but I dont eat much as it is.. I watch my potein and Fluid intake.. but other than that I eat like others.. I go out to eat.. I bring most of it home but thats ok.. I fit in booths.. I can go to the amusement parks and fit in all the rides.. no extra belt when I fly... I even got a smaller car.. a sporty 2013 Veloster. I get compliments left and right... about how great I look..and I even get called skinny I reply not yet but im almost there. Every one at both my jobs have been soo supportive.. but most of all.. my hubby has been the best.. so great things are in store for you.. and most of all . Im healthy.. I was before but overweight.. I had no health issues.. my hubby did.. high blood pressure and diabetic.. he came off both meds the day of surgery.. and does not need them anymore.. so you see.. this is helping us be healthy and we are doing the things we love the most.. traveling... best of luck to you.. you will be normal.. we are.. just like everyone else.. only skinny now

dont worry.. I was at a cookout yesterday... almost 3 months out.. I ate, I didnt eat as much as i used to.. but i ate.. Quality of life afterwards for me has been nothing but smooth... I dont have to worry about dropping dead everyday.. Im on ONE PILL... a high blood pressure med which i plan on being off real soon.. Down from 5 pills... No more diabetes, No more cholesterol meds... no more anxiety meds.. .. Your not weak,.. This process is not a "I give up". This process is a "I give in" I have actively chosen my life over what I used to live which was sad... What if, what if, what if, no.. So what, Now what? I made myself fat and I tried many things to help me not be fat and not be unhealthy, it didnt work.. SO WHAT, NOW WHAT? Now i had to decide if i was going to do what i needed to do to live.. I chose LIFE! and I want you to chose life also.. sorry if i come off passionate about it, but i am.. Life is amazing when you are taking life by the wheel and controlling it.. I wish you the best

Happened to me once with a sugar free red bull. I was pretty mortified, my fiance witnessed the whole thing. He still married me, must be true love!

Happened to me once with a sugar free red bull. I was pretty mortified, my fiance witnessed the whole thing. He still married me, must be true love!

Hi all! I'm scheduled for December 16 in Tijuana, MX. My insurance has a specific exclusion for WLS so I am self pay. I'm not scheduled to start pre-op until December 1 but am considering Atkins during the last week in November. I have to say I'm a little nervous about the pre-op. I know I can do it. Good luck to everyone!

Hello, I'm Angela 39 yrs old cw 524 I have my last appt for my 6 mth supervised diet on 9/23. Because I weigh 524, my doctor wants me to get under 500lbs. I have lost 42 lbs since June 18th

Happened to me once with a sugar free red bull. I was pretty mortified, my fiance witnessed the whole thing. He still married me, must be true love!

Hi all! I'm scheduled for December 16 in Tijuana, MX. My insurance has a specific exclusion for WLS so I am self pay. I'm not scheduled to start pre-op until December 1 but am considering Atkins during the last week in November. I have to say I'm a little nervous about the pre-op. I know I can do it. Good luck to everyone!

I've got hypothyroidism and surgery being scheduled this week. It will not prevent it from happening, most drs are not open to wls. None of my drs from the past would've been open to me doing this, I just happened to change pcp to so a dr that is totally open to it. Heck, he's the one that referred me. But I can say that no other dr would've given me the green light. They'd rather tell me I was a failure and have me pop pills.< /p>

December 9th!!!! I had the option to go in October but life and schedule didn't allow. But I'm just glad to have it scheduled and start the new year with a new me!!!! I'm 38 5'5 and currently 270. I start my two week liquid on Nov 25th, so no turkey and yams for this chick! I'm ok with it though...I decided to host an early Thanksgiving and have already told my family I will be a no show on turkey day. I comb through this web site every day and can't believe I'm finally starting this journey.
I have always had weight issues and have wanted wls forever but never had insurance that would cover it. Now I work for a local hospital and it's covered and I had a relatively painless process into all this. I got luck and was able to use most of my pre-testing from a recent gallbladder removal to satisfy my surgeon and ins. All I have left is the the labs the day before Thanksgiving and then the big day on Monday Dec 9th....oh yeah and I'm getting married October 26th!!!! New Year, new partner and new life! WATCH OUT 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center did mune last Monday. It was a wonderful experience with no pain and little discomfort. He has done 10,000 of these. It's all he does. he runs a Center of Excellence that is certified to US Standards.
I think it's a plus that he has a clinic not a hospital. that means that there are no sick patients. Less chance of infection.
There is a reason he is a rock star in bariactic medicine.

Hello everyone! I took my nexus 7 with me instead of my laptop. I don't have the password to this forum on the nexus so I couldn't post while I was there.
My experience was very similar to BacktoBarb's. she has described it very well. I did not feel sick after surgery. The most discomfort came from the area around the drain and that wasn't bad. I was able to drink without trouble. I was tired.
The other patients and their families made the waiting at the clinic enjoyable. Everyone was sweet and fun to be around.
BacktoBaeb's parents were wonderful! Everyone loved them.
The third day after surgery i wore my bra to the clinic. After waiting awhile for my appointment I went into the bathroom and took it off. I haven't worn it since, even on the flight home. It put too much pressure on the top incision.
I had jackets to hide in so it wasn't a problem.
I had several books on the Nexus so I read when I wasn't walking and drinking.
For all the hanging out with Dr Ortiz that Barb got to do i never saw him when I wasn't sedated. My consultation was with Dr Martinez who is very sweet. He has a great bedside manner. I liked him.
I walked to the plane in San Diego. It was great because it was the closest possible gate. When we got to Detroit my husband ordered a wheel chair for me. I was so grateful. We had to go through the tunnel to a different terminal and it was at the far end. The wheelchair made a big difference to me.
I'm really glad the surgery is over. I am delighted with my choice of doctors.

Everyone's answers to these questions will be a little different, we are individuals and our path after surgery is individual . . . but here are mine.
Was controlling my emotions and eating hard the first three weeks? No, for the most part I wasn't overly emotional. I had to work hard to get my Protein and liquids in (I was on full liquids for three weeks after surgery) but other than that it wasn't hard. I certainly wasn't interested in eating, craving food, etc.
An ounce of Fluid every fifteen minutes? My schedule wasn't that rigid. I had to get 64 ounces in every 24 hours, and it was a lot of sipping at first, but as long a I paced myself throughout the day, I didn't have to set a timer or anything.
Protein: while you are on liquids and purees, you'll be having Protein Shakes. I would suggest getting a boatload of samples of different kinds of protein and then start testing them AFTER surgery. What you liked before, you may well not like after. Don't buy big tubs until you know what you like. My favorite brands are Unjury and Syntrax Matrix.
Being "need ridden"? Not sure what you mean . . . I came home from the hospital and took care of myself, never felt particularly needy.
Vitamins: I take Trader Joe's High Potency chewable Multi-Vitamin (double dose), plus an Iron supplement, B-12, Vitamin D, and 1 calcium citrate petite. When I was on liquids, I took liquid vitamins from Wellesse.< /p>
How long should you wait to have sex? It upsets the nurses if you do it in the hospital. Other than that, have sex when you feel ready!
Constipation: I have had no Constipation, I poop every day, sometimes twice. (there's no such thing as TMI on this forum, right?).
Ibuprofen: I'm allowed Ibuprofen as long as it isn't a long term thing with high dosage, but I haven't taken any. I'm still working my way through the Tylenol I bought prior to surgery -- that is important, not to take Ibuprofen in the weeks leading up to surgery. I threw all the NSAIDS in my house out and replaced them with Tylenol because I was scared I would forget and mess up.
Good luck to you!

I'm scheduled for the 16th in Mexico. So exciting!! Can the time pass quick enough?

I work for a bank. Bankruptcy Specialist. Going to school to be a Clinical Social Worker, with a focus on Substance Abuse.

Oh, man...I agree with you completely. It's rampant among foods targeted towards kids (and lazy parents), but it's also a problem in foods targeted towards adults as healthy or diet-smart. So often, when fat is removed from a food, sugar is added. The original amount of fat would likely have been healthier for our bodies than the sugars that replaced it. We have so many processed, additive-laden, chemically altered, tweaked-based-on-market studies kinds of products in our grocery stores. The amount of real, unprocessed food available in our stores & included in our diets is declining rapidly. In my opinion, the rates of obesity in this country are directly connected to the amount of processed crap we consume.

Sometimes I gulp instead of sip fluids. I'm a bad, bad man

In my defence.. I ain't no brainiac. I put it down to it being 02:17 UK time, being on a diet of fresh air and liquid (supplemented with a big bite of velvet cup cake and frosting) and frankly, I am so pig sick of the 'regulations' associated with this surgery, I even friggin' DREAM of Protein these days. If it starts with a 'P', it is now known as 'protein'. I need to get the hell out more. Seriously.

8 days post op I licked the seasoning off some wheat thins...I think it was the sun dried Tomato basil flavor. f**k it was good. My sweet dog Wrigley ate the licked crackers afterward. She was all too happy to dispose of the evidence for me.
Also.....I parked in a handicapped space at the dollar store while on my 2 week pre-op diet. I was running in real quick to get a Kit Kat which I may or may not have eaten. Honestly it disappeared so fast I'm not sure where it went.

Every post-op diet is different. I was told by my Nutritionist 'clear fluids only for the first week-two weeks. I'll be sending you a post operative diet book shortly'. This never arrived and I received it the morning after my surgery. Which, when it did arrive, stated that in weeks 1-2, I could 'eat' (amongst the other usual suspects of fresh air and water): Creamed Soups, Yoghurt, Protein Shakes. As it stood and on morning one, the hospital delivered me natural yoghurt and Jello (or jelly as we like to call it in the UK) for Breakfast. So much for clear fluids for 1-2 weeks then?!
Anyway and that aside. Because I was legitimately provided these things on day one, I have continued along that path, whilst consuming bottles of clear Isopure Zero to get my Protein in. I find them rather boring to taste (we only get three flavours in the UK), but it's easy on the stomach and makes me feel like a good student for glugging my way through them.
Pain meds are hideous and always require something to line the stomach first before ingestion to prevent all the usual nasties which can happen. How in gods name you were supposed to manage that on clear fluids and without any form of PPI or stomach lining protection, I don't know?
As for eating the turkey? This is the way I see it.
You're on your own and you haven't been guided particularly well. Although with reference to the pain meds on an empty stomach - you probably new this would be an issue pre-op and maybe should have asked some more probing questions for a definitive position? After all, most healthcare systems, irrespective of which nation it occurs in, couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery, so it falls to the patient to be annoyingly 'on top of it'. Which, after paying exorbitant amounts of money no one feels they should have to do, but however, they invariably end up doing, because the administrative coordination systems in these institutions are, for want of a better word, so crap, you need to end up effectively taking charge of your own healthcare. <minor rant over>
So, you had a couple of slices of mashed up turkey in some broth and you chewed it like an obsessive?!?!??!! Did the world stop turning? No. Could you have hurt yourself? Yes. Will you do it again? Course not! (well, you might, if that's your food of choice in the mushie stage!). However, everyone can fully appreciate why you did it. Hell, if I'd had such a lack of medical clarity, cohesion and guidance in how I should approach things, I'd be making my own executive decisions, too!
The way I see it; you spun the barrel in a Russian Roulette game of 'oh my god, I need protein, oh my god how am I going to get it? Maybe I should just eat some meat directly?' kind of thing. After one week of nothing but Clear Liquids and a bucket load of pain meds - no person, however well 'schooled' would be making the most cogent of decisions.
That aside, you were lucky, you didn't sweat out and black out and vomit and are not (hopefully) experiencing abdominal pain, heart palpitations and all the other nasties that can happen. You spun the barrel and nothing was thankfully in the chamber. Consider one of your 9 bariatric lives lost and carry on with renewed vigor and determination! You can do it!
As for me and to illustrate we're all human; I strayed waaaaay off the path last night. I had four teaspoons of mashed potato drowned in baked bean juice so it was like, well, Soup. It tasted amazing and before I get a rollicking for the fact I'd eaten a carb in week one - I'd got permission from my bariatric nurse first - so there! <insert tongue poke out here>
I often find that a lot of things on this site, particularly nuances, when posted in text, are lost in translation. This leaves the doors WIDE open to misinterpretation and people taking conversations off into completely different realms and tangents; making reference to things which aren't immediately relevant, you feel are not immediately warranted, or even on topic. Although it is annoying and you're left thinking 'WTF?!' Most of the time, it is well intentioned. Sift through the 'blah' (which is the majority of my posts) and look for the 'ahh - eureka!'.
Either way and on this site, it's usually either the 'carrot' or the 'stick'. All valid, if you know how to detach your emotions and look at the information proffered critically and objectively.
You'll be great and you'll do great. Put this behind you, grasp your own medical coordination by the balls and go get 'em, tiger! x

I had a conversation yesterday with my OB about this same thing. I expressed to her that I had difficulty losing weight. She told me that 60-70% of her Mirena patients reported the same thing. Not so much of a problem with weight gain, but problems losing with a Mirena. I then told her that I was having WLS, without hesitation she said I should have my Mirena taken out and possibly consider tubal ligation or esure. She also suggested ablation to resolve my issue of heavy cycles. My nutritionist said the same thing - that my Mirena could possibly slow down my loss. I am having it removed. She also indicated that the Mirena was maybe only one factor of many (middle age, insulin resistance, etc.) that was causing me difficulty with losing weight. I'm sure this form of b/c effects everyone differently.
I am pre-op, planning a December surgery.

So, I have not been on here in awhile. Actually several of us broke off in a group on Facebook that had the surgery on the same month. I thought I would come back on here today to share my success story. It's only fitting since my journey really started here. I was in the exact same spot most of you over two years ago. First the lurker, just reading everything I could to figure out if this is what I wanted to do. I admit it, I was scared. I thought if I just keep trying harder, more time..I can lose on my own. This seemed so extreme!! However, the longer I waited, the more weight I gained, the harder it was to move, the more pain I was in. My blood pressure was OUT of control in a bad way. I was a stroke waiting to happen, and my blood sugars began to rise. So I finally "knew" it was this or I will be disabled, diabetic, worst dead before I reach 65. I have been watching my father slowly deteriorate from obesity and I decided I would not let this happen to me. I was spiraling, and spiraling fast! I received a lot of criticism, some even from people I really loved and needed, but it wouldn't change my mind. This is my life and my life to save, so you have to just let those entire punches role. If you let that get to you, it just feeds into that past behavior and insecurity that drives most of us to eat in the first place. Getting this surgery is NOT the "fix all" folks. If you are considering this surgery, or going through the first stages, you have understand the fundamentals to the success of this surgery is changing from the "inside" out. Or it's not going to work. Get your head straight first, because trust me, you are about to be tested psychologically and emotionally regardless. At least get a head start on yourself, and get some good solid coping skills together because I will be honest...it's hard. People will tell you hundred times over..."You took the easy way out" ha!!! That's a laugh! This whole process, our whole lives, our issues...all of it....this has never been easy...and either is this. That being said...let me now get to the good part!!!

I am now one year and four months post surgery May 2012. I have lost a total of 115 pounds and I have maintained my weight at 130-132 for the past 10 months. The farther I get from surgery the easier and easier it is to tolerate and eat different food, including bad foods...hence why its important to change eating habits first!!! If I were not careful, I could gain it all back, small bite, by small bite. What is nice is I DID do it the right way and worked on the inside first, I tackled the head first...and when i thought I did enough, realized i even had more work when challenged further post op. There is a mourning period....or at least for me, and from many others I confided in, for them as well. I actually felt sad and depressed...i went through the period of ...oh my god...what did I just do? Did I just make a mistake? Oh no!!.....(I now know I didn't) But I had to go through it. It was a roller coaster for awhile. So NOW I am at a place that food no longer holds the same meaning to me. I am no longer a slave to the food if that makes sense. Ironically, I like to cook more now because it's all about finding that healthy great flavor in the matter of a few ounces. So quality verses quantity. I admit, I even forget to eat sometimes. Losing the appetite was definitely one of the biggest advantages to this surgery. Not everyone is so lucky, and some days I actually do feel like I could eat a horse, even though I can only fit an ear inside my tiny tummy, haha!! The best part for me was getting my blood pressure under control. My blood sugars under control, and I no longer have pain. If anyone goes and reads my old blogs from before surgery, all I ever complained about was the pain...oh the pain...It's actually funny to read because only once in a long time do I get pain in my joints and back now. In fact I went Boogie Boarding in San Diego last weekend IN A BIKINI!!!! Sometimes it's like you are looking at a stranger in the mirror, it takes a little while to identify with the new you, and that actually causes mixed emotions, more "issues" to deal with. The attention you receive will change..it's not always comfortable. And yes, I continue to still get the negative nelly's that want to try and bring me down, or are insecure, or jealous, or whatever their reason for being down right inconsiderate and tactless about it...but like I said, let it roll. It's their issue, not yours. You are saving your life; you are extending your life. This is your journey, no one else’s, don't let anyone else ever dictate how you feel or what you choose to do for yourself. If you have to, some relationships may just fall apart, its unfortunate, but it's realistic, it does happen. I hope most of you have supportive people in their life that they can turn to no matter who else doesn't stand by your side. If you don't, really utilize this site and these people on here. There are so many great people here wanting and willing to talk with you and support you through all stages of this. Stay strong, even at your weakest moments, remember...it does...and will get easier and better. Good luck and peace you all!!! The before and after picture I attached was actually completed at 11 months post op, so the skinny pics were from 5 months ago, but I look the same, just a little tanner, haha!!!

The vets forum is JAM PACKED with ideas, tips and support!
What I want to say first isn't advice about losing weight, but it is more about the mental part of this. I think that surgical technique has helped some of us more then others. I discussed this with my surgeon at my 18 month. He was giving me all the credit BUT also mentioned that with band to sleeve revisions like me they sometimes cannot get a good tight pouch (that is still safe and not so small you have constant reflux) and he felt that in my case, we got a little lucky there.
I also want to say that losing and maintaining weight loss for women over 40, especially post menopause is a whole different ballgame then for some others.
Finally, there is this other... sort of wildcard... like that right combination of everything coming together. I was so determined to make goal, but, I also won the getting an amazing NUT to work with lottery, supportive friends, finding this bulletin board... really a bunch of things. I more or less turned a year of my life over to losing weight and now that I am maintaining, I am making my weight and health a very very high priority. I wasn't able to do that when I was banded. i can bash the lapband as being the medival torture device that it was, but, in truth, I also didn't do as well with "my part of the bargain".
So, don't kick yourself too hard, you can STILL do this. Realize that we all have our own journey and any one of us could have better or worse results. Even though I feel AMAZINGLY successful, I still sometimes wonder why i didn't get to a 23 BMI... you know what I mean? It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that someone else has it better, did it better or whatever... truth is ... this is our own journey and we all just do the best we can.
Having said all that, I did a bunch of different things over the course of the journey that got me to success beyond my widest dreams. I changed things up, tuned them, listened to myself and others to figure out what is needed at that particular time.
Should i find myself in your situation, I would basically start over. Eating just like a post op - high Protein, low carbs, small quantities (use small plates!) , get fluids in - all the tricks for newbies is also the best way to start over. Do NOT EAT SLIDERS. A donut is a classic example of a slider. I bet if I ate them i could eat a whole one and be hungry in an hour... I just.don't.do.it. It is like a physical addiction - I hate crappy food, don't even enjoy it, but once I start on it, the siren call is strong... very strong. i eat as clean of food as possible - Protein, veggies, some limited fruit and very low on healthy carb sources and the occasional "treat" like when I go out.
If I have the "munchies" like I just have to eat even when it isnt really time I have a piece of turkey, maybe with some cheese! If I am still hungry, maybe I have some salad greens or another piece of turkey meat.
As far as exercise, alot depends on your fitness level and your level of "wanting it". High intensity interval training is how I got from the 170s to the 150s - I don't think i could have done it without it. However, that is HARD and just getting out and moving more might be a better option until you are really fit enough to do it.

I've lost 104 pounds.