swimbikerun

I am more concerned about health. I have edema, so weighing me is not the greatest right now. They can't go 'oh your BMI is good and I'm showing the signs of malnutrition pretty well' and think that if your weight is ok, you're not ill. I was cachexic at normal weight and all bloodwork fine - except the prealbumin level. It was showing at 6 months 1 day I went thru 4 pounds in 5 days and that's not normal. That was the clue. Then my prealbumin was dropping down down to 15 ... they really need to consider that the definitions of things has changed. Had they been reading the medical research from several years ago to know, malnutrition is not just 'oh they're 16.5 BMI its a problem'. The same thing for low values or high values or learn how to interpret bloodwork in light of the patients symptoms and their history.

I have a massage lady who is fabulous! I'm glad you are having the same great time with your chiro. Yes, if the healthcare profession would be a little more honest about these things, I would be quite happy. I'm concerned because they blew off my comments about the gastroparesis and said it would be fine, and with still mildly delayed emptying, with other things, yes it is a problem. The lack of after care is horrendous, especially if you aren't just out of surgery. They dont' want anything to do with you.

Caffeine or dehydration. Depending on whether or not you get the sleeve or RNY, you may have an issue with calcium absorption because caffeine inhibits that. It can increase gastric acid with potential reflux & diarrhea.

No, you have a good point. We've got the issues of trying to be safe on the part of patients, compared to the $$$ interests of some. Its a very tough balancing act.

I've got a bunch more resources I'll put up soon. I did a lot of looking into it when I saw people, like my former surgeon, recommend Flintstones and then get Vitamin K so low it doesn't register on the blood work exam. Meaning you look at Flintstones and it doesn't have it ... so why is a bariatric surgeon recommending something like that?

Congratulations!

You know I'm wondering about the efficacy of biotin. I've heard so many that say it didn't help compared to who it did.

I had to relearn to swim all over again. I do mean ALL over again with a coach. Running was confusing too. I didn't know when to start or stop. I was ok walking because I was all over the place so much so that my knees hurt after surgery.

Hi, Do you have a surgeon to talk to? Do you have a gastroenterologist that can help? You need to make sure your food is soft. What do you have to get soft food? Don't eat a lot of vegetables right now unless they are soft.

You have mixed feelings at this point. I'm just happy that things are working out for you! At least this is better right? Even a small amount of regain is ok. Let us know if it grows to be worse. We will help and encourage you all we can.

Thank you Momof3! That's great to hear. I'm glad that works for you. I've found trigger foods that it happens with, and when I eat too much. I'm a salad freak and love to eat that and fruit/veggies. I do try to shove them in because I really need the Vitamins & minerals. I eat meat on them but also do sprinkle Protein powder on them. I find it gets rid of the pill issue I have with the gastroparesis.

Thanks. All that matters is that I want people to be aware of the pros and cons of different surgeries and to investigate. This is a lifetime commitment. Know what you are getting into. I didn't have reflux before the sleeve, boy do I now at times. You're right - it is all about tradeoffs. I think those who have it before may be well served to understand what happens if they want the sleeve, complications and may have to go to bypass after all. I could not imagine that ... kudos to you for getting thru it.

Wow. I'm sorry that all happened. Hope you keep watch on it and be careful. Best of luck.

Congratulations!!!!

Fiddleman that was very eloquent and every word I think is true. Excellent job.

The question that I have is why she is a year out and the surgeon didn't do something before now.

This is why you have to do your research and see what is best for you. I'm very glad that you are doing that. I really push people to look this over, as it is a lifetime commitment on their part.

Outstanding piece of work. Here's something you want to look out for: " "The limitation there is this was not a randomized, controlled study," Dr. Deas told Medscape Medical News. "It's hard, without randomizing patients, to differentiate what is truly a benefit from the intervention and what is perhaps a placebo effect. Study limitations included the lack of a control group and a study design that precludes direct comparisons with other therapies. The authors recommend follow-up prospective, randomized trials." The problem is that double blind type placebo like studies are the gold standard. If you look at the list of conflicts of interest, this study had it. I think the other problem we need to look at, is that there is a conflict of interest here for the surgeons. They're going to make more money and keep you longer if you go to bypass. This is more of a GI type of thing that goes to the surgeon. Most surgeons can be pretty conservative and they'd want to see more data before they'd risk it instead of a certain bypass. Does that make sense?

All our love to you guys.

It bothers me how little people check into this stuff. Its heart warming to see those who did. Yes, that is dead on - some of us need different types of supplementation. Having a dairy issue, and a few other things, I need something different than what some of the others I've seen get. The problem comes in the ability to get doctors to test per person and not just some standard lab panel, not just the regular stuff. I've had high copper levels before and borderline high. That would make 0 sense given my eating. Deficiencies are common but not high ones. That's why testing and supplementation should truly be unique and not blanket. As the above shows, I think people can get in their food but again, its WHAT they get in that makes a difference. I eat more fresh veggies, fruit, and lean Proteins than the vegetarians I know. However, the large combo of problems and the specific problems I have gives me a greater risk for some things. The other item that hasn't been thrown out here is our athletic endeavors. Now that I'm sidelined, I don't need to eat certain things, do certain things, because of that. Those who do, need extra help.

Hi, Hoping to connect with other Hampton Roads sleevers. Victoria

Only heard positives on Clark and Terracina ...

livvsmum, you go girlfriend!!!

What if people are getting what they need from Vitamins and supplements? I think it works two ways: what are people eating, how much of it are they eating, and do all of us need to supplement? Supplement with what? If I have someone 400 pounds who is now 200, maybe still obese, stretched the pouch some, but healthy and feeling good, do they need all the supplements or vitamins that someone 110 pounds who isn't healthy does? In the research above, calories were gotten in but not certain minerals/vitamins. If we supplemented with that, do you think that would suffice? Again, what I'm talking about is that the surgical community is doing a one size fits all with the vitamins, one size fits all with BMI, and there is nothing to suggest that that one size fits all answer works for everyone. What if people take Protein powders, things like Vega? Some people cant do the pills, some need more of it than others. That's where I think there needs to be better aftercare. Lets face it - if people gain back a fair amount of weight, they're getting in more calories and nutrients than they need. If not, they need to cut back on what they are getting too much of (calories) and concentrate on eating those nutrients they aren't. There are more people who gain back than struggle with malnutrition.

Yes it did. Explains me. LOL. There has been discussion of malnourishment being overweight. They've seen it with things like Vitamin D. I don't eat junk either, maybe now and then, but its salads (you can sprinkle Vega Protein berry or tropical, which is also good in applesauce) and chicken or turkey, eggs, etc. I have seen fellow WLS'ers eat donuts and/or Protein Bars and I grab a banana. Those protein bars are the ones that have sugar, etc. in them. Most but not all of my levels in terms of Vitamins and Minerals are in the normal range. That means only that it is in that range, not that it is the range I can be healthy in. They have never fleshed it out in the medical literature, there is question that because the stomach reservoir is not there, food does move differently down to the intestines and there are changes. I think that is an academic discussion at this point, not a proven or studied one.