swimbikerun

That's great! I am delighted to hear when people have a relationship with doctors that is positive. Best of luck!

By all means. I found that there are some doctors who are open to looking over medical research and resources. If they just blow it off, I want to know why. Maybe these docs know something else in the literature I haven't found and can weigh in on that. That is why it always pays to ask if you have the resources or they'll let you ask questions.

Definitely I understand that. My response would be to question things and research yourself. This is teaching we never got: Iron is absorbed better with Vit. C, no Vitamin K in Flintstones. Its things you have to look up yourself. I always will go back to the doctor and ask them about stuff. Show them here are my resources, how does this figure in. Get a science answer, not "I dont have a problem with that". Make sure they tell you why. If they dont then its more than likely they don't know and are just giving you an answer. You want to know the rationale for that answer. That's where I found a disconnect, at least in what I had.

I have heard of at least 2 and possibly 3 that were told you could lose weight or stay the same but if you gained weight, then it was off. These are people on the 3-12 months diet for the insurance. I think they'd let slide a couple of pounds because any one can have that and differences of clothes and shoes and water would make that but a 10 pound or so difference, nope.

The option is liquid or if you have swallowing issues, powders. I have problems with pills at times so it is better to use powders and somewhat track what you are doing.

When you get wanged by stuff like this you end up digging. I'm at the bottom level of normal for Biotin. I also take antibiotics so that is an issue. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-h-biotin Antibiotics and anti seizure meds can interact ... and not so nicely. Most of these things, with all due respect, I don't find doctors knowing. This is why I find it a concern when I see blanket descriptions of just take a Vitamin. It really needs to be looked at in terms of what problems a person has, drug interactions. I get the oddest feeling that RD's don't know, nor does the support staff.

I've got some links on how Flintstones' aren't as complete. I do not believe the ASMBS recommands them. Here it is, had to look this up: If you look at Flintstones Vitamins, you’ll see that getting 2 of them a day is not going to give you 200% of the RDA for most vitamins and minerals. Some but not all. You’ll only get 120% of Vitamin A, 25% of Biotin, 150% of niacin and nothing for Vitamin K. If you have to take more than one in a day, you’ll end up getting a lot more of some vitamins and minerals than others. Vitamin toxicity can be an issue – as can too much Iron (http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=167&ContentID=total_copper_blood”>copper). Just an FYI: the type of Vitamin A is beta carotene. This is not Vitamin A but turns into it in the body. There is a lot of beta carotene you need to turn it in to Vitamin A (also known as retinol). Children can convert this into Vitamin A easier than adults. So its more suited for kids than adults. So if you take 4 Flintstones and get 240% of beta carotene, which may not be enough to turn into retinol.

How did it go? I hope you had your best showing out there. I know I loved my first tri.

I am so very sorry for your complications. I remember TPN. It is not fun at all.

I find that doctors that have ego or entitlement issues are like that. Basically its I can do anything and get away with it.

Agreed. Tell them you are under a doctors' care who is a specialist in this. 5'7" and 150 is fine.

Hear hear!! What is 150 in terms of BMI for you? If its in normal range, forget them. I would also tell them hey you're hurting me saying that. Why do you not want to support me?

The answer really to all this is that it depends on the person. Some people can take a small amount some can't. The bigger issue comes in with weight regain. Can you get back on track? I think that is what people need to think about. Look at the lessons learned from those who gain back the weight: what gets them to do that? What are the contributing factors? Each of us has different levels of tolerance.

Yummy, First did your surgeon give you any post op diet recommendations? I don't think they would include ice cream do they? What "kids' meals" are you eating? If they are eating hamburgers and fries, that is not going to help you lose weight. What exercise are you doing? The studies I've seen, you have to exercise. You may not feel that it is doing good but the fact remains without exercise, its just going to be worse. Does the tea have calories? Are you getting in the right amount of lean Protein and veggies. Those are my recommendations.

How can we best help you? We're not from Ireland but we'll do our best.

In terms of losing the most amount of weight and keeping it off, the bypass is going to be your best bet. In addition, 8-11% of sleevers get reflux that is a problem. Weight is one issue of that, along with the size of the sleeve. Smaller sleeve to lose more weight, greater chances of reflux. This is all from studies. My experience will be very, very different from others because of the complications, new problems that developed, and delayed/missed diagnoses, lack of care in terms of bariatrics, etc. I encourage all to read studies. They're not geared at graduate medical knowledge level, much of it is you can read. UpToDate, ClinicalKey, and the Journals (Obesity/Obesity Surgery/stuff from ASMBS,endocrinology, GI and Nutrition) are all worth a look. Why can't you share what you have learned? If you pick things up from others, that's always useful in targeting where you got the info. I categorize mine from medical information, tips from others. While I have issues I don't think I've ever told people to not get the surgery. I just ask that they investigate the surgeon, the group they deal with, complications and after care. Don't just take the docs word for it. Ask deep probing questions.

Congratulations!

Bypass.

Agreed. Quite an eye opener. Here is the problem: any doctor can be nasty or whatever. Unless the care is less, the hospitals let it go. Rating sites are the best bet but be very specific. Add your feelings. People identify with that. The other is is he in a group? See who else has a better attitude. I do know that the doctors' attitude to you makes a huge difference in care. That's one of the reasons I had so many problems.

Drink something. Water, Powerade Zero.

If you have an 8-9 hour drive home, I would sincerely suggest you stay over a few days. The only person I know who had a 2 hour drive in my area here, got told spend a week here. Stay over but don't go home until a week later. In case anything happens the surgeon is there. I was sore on the incision, you have nausea and all, just try to drink what you can get down and don't push anything. Take it easy and sleep a lot. Enjoy the start of the new life.

I am a little confused. When you say you want the good bad and ugly but no negative stuff, can you be a little more specific of what you are looking for and what you don't want to know or hear about? That way maybe we can help or not help as you are looking for.

After over 2.5 years, turkey, chicken, eggs, salads and veggie type of stuff. At least 1000 calories a day. Its hard to say as I have edema, but I've lost some recently.

CGJ please know you have people online who care and will listen. We can't give you physical hugs but we could pray for you or let you know that we care and want to see things work out for you.

Yes I've had complications. I would rather have chosen a different surgeon. The attitude on his part and what appears to be missed diagnoses, getting abandoned without care, yes. I did ask for a different surgeon as my original info session was with another one but the nurse I contacted said I had to go with the one I got.