swimbikerun

With everyone being different, some more or less, and how far out they are, etc. all makes a difference.

I agree with the above. Start writing what you eat down into some tracker of some sort. That would help. Here is a big question: what size bougie did your surgeon use? I have never heard of any one being able to eat 3 slices of pizza at one time.

Ok do you need medical research you can point her to that says the surgery beats diet and exercise hands down? Um yes and no, but it is easier when your body isn't working against you. As for dangerous, the level now is down to hip replacement in terms of risk. Gaining back is one of the issues, but I believe it is in the range of 20-30% who gain back, even still what is wrong with a 70-80% chance of getting and keeping it off? You hit the nail on the head! I mean the leptin produced by the stomach is less, and once you are smaller you can start to exercise more, helping you to keep weight lower.

Why isnt' your daughter that is the NP fine with it? I mean, medically speaking, what is her professional problem? I could help with research if you need it.

Thanks so much. What matters to me now is getting the word out about how doctors do, what their priorities are. That way patients can choose the best for them. It is important that after care is emphasized. Not just for the stats for the doctors or to turn in as lab rats to the ASMBS stats or for their own research. I saw a paper written by my former doc and his partner and wonder if they got specific, not general consent to that from their bariatric patients. "Paired biopsies of sc and om fat were obtained during bariatric surgeries from 24 morbidly obese patients." If a doctor doesn't follow up and know complications, what happens to the patient? I had my doctor say the following on published "interviews" "long term follow up" "we do get to know our patients personally" "our relationship is long term" "and then we follow them closely for the rest of their life" which is not true in my case. Contrary to medical opinion from ASMBS & others, they said 16 months after surgery, knowing there was no care in the area, I didn't need any further care from them. On top of that, after the first year they see you at 18 months and then yearly from your surgery date. So how do you get to know people in a 15-20 min. for once a year? How is once a year blood work that any NP/PA can run and read being followed closely? Considering all that, and how ill I am now, is why I talk about these things. Especially when the doctor and the group do all they can to try and make it so other patients don't hear about it. So any way ... at least I'm glad that you are getting the care you need pre op. I can't say much about the nicotine thing, as my loved stepgrandmother and stepmother died of lung cancer. So I have a personal take on that, much as I do with bariatric surgery aftercare and surgeons. You can do this. I can say that I went thru a 1 week diet before the surgery. I made it, others before me have and you will also. What can do to make this time better? I can tell you to drink Water until you sit on a toilet all day and play games to amuse yourself. I worked. Yes - I did, the day before the surgery a full day. Kept my mind off stuff. My last meal was a filet mignon, and then a Krispy Kreme donut and a diet Dr. Pepper. My perfect meal. LOL.

Hi, If you are referring to Mark Fontana in Norfolk, Va. check out my blog and email me. The pre op diet, are you referring the week before surgery? It depends. If you eat a meal 12 hours before hand and its still being digested, then expect there will be a problem. I can tell you many have gone thru that week long diet that is not all liquid and still made it. Seriously for your own health, I would not do it. If you have food in your intestine and you get opened up, if the intestine is nicked, you can easily spill those contents in the abdomen and get life threatening complications.

I think you are doing an excellent job on your own. Congratulations!!! Do not go overboard. In other words, don't try for 7 days at a week at 5 miles and go from there. This is about the slow route right now. Cheat at least 1 or 2x a week. Get rid of McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's. Go to Subway, get salads. Go to other restaurants like Jason's Deli and get the all you can buffet salad. Watch the dressing choices. Start on getting rid of sodas, whether diet or not. Drink more Water. Drink more zero calorie beverages that have Vitamins or minerals in them. Do you have access to a gym? What about bike riding? Do you have things that you can change once at a time? As in you paid the kid down the street to cut your grass, now you do it? What did the wellness class give you in terms of a support system for after care? That's the biggest issue is your support system. Very few people are like me. I had my sister drop me off for surgery, all alone. I didn't tell any one anything outside of the one sister, neither at work or family or whatever, until more than 24 hours later. So how are your nerves in holding up? What have you planned in terms of after surgery for exercise?

Ask them how you could have improved over any of your other attempts to lose weight without surgery, how many people they know personally who have taken it off and kept it off and how they can refute medical studies showing that bariatric surgery is superior to other forms of weight loss in terms of the amount lost and keeping it off, especially over the years? Ask them where their medical expertise is in that they can say, over your doctors' recommendations, that doing it without surgery is in your best interests. Ask them what their medical expertise is in that they know that this form of treatment is better than any other. Ask them flat out why they are against someone taking the best chance to succeed to get healthier. Once you start challenging people on a logic situation, they'll get huffy. Trust me, been there, done that. Putting it in people's faces that biases have no basis in logic hurts.

Hi, The basic question most of us have is what kind of support or help do you need? Most of us don't know where people are at in terms of diet, exercise, support, if they've asked questions of their surgeon, investigated them, or anything else. If you can give that, it helps us tailor and target our help to people. Vic

I've had complications but my issue is to educate patients and doctors (if they're willing, mine wasn't). What to look for, what to look out for. I go on days and times where I'm not hungry and do the best I can, just like you. I have no care or support in the area, due to my surgeon. I actually have done better without the judgement, nagging, and negativity from the surgeon. Do I need some care, yes, but I don't want the environment he gave. He made a situation like what you're talking about worse. I think that the emotionalism of eating is overrated. Our bodies go through changes and just because you don't feel like eating doesn't mean everything is totally emotional. It doesn't mean everyone is going to permanently go back to eating 12-18 months like they did before. Keep monitoring, keep talking to people. We'll be supportive here in the best way we can. Keep trying your best and don't resort to everything being all in your head. You sound like you have a good mind on your shoulders and looking out for yourself. The enteric nervous system can be a funny thing. Maybe it is the problem?

The more fatty meats would be an idea. What about fatty/oilier fish? Butters and cheeses? Those are protein sources that give healthy fats. Peanuts and other nuts too, but you need to look at the nut itself.

The problem is, my docs talk about 2 way contraception. Can you imagine how small the possibility of pregnancy is because of either barrier contraception, abstinence, and/or a shot, in 2 ways? That is why there is suspicion that people just aren't following the directions and are ignoring them, for whatever reason.

YAY! Excellent! I did my first tri in November 2013. Great feeling when I finished so I know what you're talking about.

I'm wishing you the best of success.

YOU GO GIRLFRIEND!!! You can do this! The fact you are determined means you WILL succeed.

You guys doing better?

Wow! That was better than my 9 months appointment. LOL. That is really great you have a supportive system. Congratulations on what you're doing and hope all goes well.

Hi Pam, What can we help you with in terms of exercise and/or diet? Do you have a gym membership? Good pair of shoes, what is available to you in terms of a bike or walking/running, etc.?

We all lived thru it. You will find a way. Its the light at the end of the tunnel, the future staring right at you. Each moment brings you to the time when you have a new chance, a new day, a new birth of you. Say goodbye to your old self. Think of what you wanted to do right - and be prepared to do it.

Don't forget chicken, turkey, eggs, soy beans, beans of any kind, chick peas, spinach, broccoli, etc.

Whooo hooo!!! Congratulations! Take it easy and just work on getting better.

PrincessM you can do it!! Here's something - what about just making one change? Take something you do and change it. My sister, she has made several changes but has kept off over 30-35 pounds by making simple changes. She drinks diet soda instead of regular soda most all the time (maybe one day I'll get her cold turkey), she usually doesn't eat fries, eats more veggies and fruit, and more fish. She's walking a little bit now. Again, all things made over a year time frame. The other is that she works with a coach once a month. She gets $$ from her workplace for that. Is that something you have at your work?

You will be praising and jumping for joy very soon!

Just ask anything, we are here for you.

Excellent!! You can do this. Take a break, it is all good. Bless you also!! Get your rest and welcome to the losers' bench.