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nmck

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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  1. Like
    nmck got a reaction from Paul11011 in Why I Post aka That guy's an A Hole   
    I am definitely new here but am happy to read this post! I have not ventured out of the July 2013 posts too much, but was thinking about walking away from this forum altogether with some of the advice I had seen given in the chat room, including being told I was foolish for following my pre-op diet and the number of reasons it was supposedly pointless.
    I am pleased to know there are many vets willing to give advice and I look forward to your input when I need it. Thank you in advance!!
  2. Like
    nmck got a reaction from Chaych in Did you keep your surgery a secret?   
    I told my family and closest friends eventually during the pre-program or right after. I still have not told most of the people in my life and I prefer it that wway for now. Once you tell, you can't untell!
  3. Like
    nmck got a reaction from jensjoy28 in Don't lose too much - aaaargh!   
    I had a troublesomefirst pregnancy followed by a twin pregnancy and got TONS of unsolicited advice. Also, with all 3 of my kids being preemies, I got more of the same. I learned a phrase my OB taught me and have used it A LOT over the years. "I've discussed this with my doctor already. Thank you!" I've used many variations of this in the years since, and think it should fit nicely in this situation. "I'm following my doctor's orders and am being closely monitored."
  4. Like
    nmck got a reaction from jensjoy28 in Don't lose too much - aaaargh!   
    I had a troublesomefirst pregnancy followed by a twin pregnancy and got TONS of unsolicited advice. Also, with all 3 of my kids being preemies, I got more of the same. I learned a phrase my OB taught me and have used it A LOT over the years. "I've discussed this with my doctor already. Thank you!" I've used many variations of this in the years since, and think it should fit nicely in this situation. "I'm following my doctor's orders and am being closely monitored."
  5. Like
    nmck reacted to Glitterbug in July sleevers please check in..   
    I had my surgery July 2 down 58 Pounds
  6. Like
    nmck got a reaction from jensjoy28 in Don't lose too much - aaaargh!   
    I had a troublesomefirst pregnancy followed by a twin pregnancy and got TONS of unsolicited advice. Also, with all 3 of my kids being preemies, I got more of the same. I learned a phrase my OB taught me and have used it A LOT over the years. "I've discussed this with my doctor already. Thank you!" I've used many variations of this in the years since, and think it should fit nicely in this situation. "I'm following my doctor's orders and am being closely monitored."
  7. Like
    nmck got a reaction from Cindy Martin in Time to STOP!, or I will go right back to where I was in March.   
    You'll feel so much better after you kick the carb monster out again! I am a talker, and when stressed or anxious I really feel a lot better after voicing my frustrations to someone (my poor husband!) and getting some basic encouragement or reassurance.
  8. Like
    nmck reacted to Patti K in Calorie confusion   
    Well, yesterday I had carbs at 22% and Protein and 43% and no losses. Actually gained a pound. And I walked a mile! Oh well, gotta be calm and let it happen on it's own.
  9. Like
    nmck reacted to gamergirl in Calorie confusion   
  10. Like
    nmck got a reaction from HipsAndLipstick in NEW USER   
    My kids were my biggest factor in deciding to do this too! Best of luck on your stress test and surgery!
  11. Like
    nmck reacted to mikeyaintskerd in 5 Months out... My story   
    It has been awhile since I have posted here. So long, that I almost forgot that I was a member. September 15th will make 5 months since I had my surgery. A lot of things have changed for me. First off, the Protein shakes, had to stop. At first they were easy, and great. Except, I could only drink one kind and only one flavor of that kind. Everything else was making me sick. Of course, two of the same flavor, of the same kind, twice a day, every day, after a few months, also started to make me sick. It got to the point where I was getting sick, thinking about drinking the shakes. My meal also changed. After the healing seemed to complete, I noticed I started eating more often. At first this bothered me, because the idea of eating more often, seemed in my mind to defeat the purpose. Yet, I also noticed that I was eating a lot less.... just more frequently. I also noticed I was drinking a lot more fluids then I had ever done. I also, have not had a drink of soda, since my surgery, which I think probably also helped. I noticed that bread, will not be eaten again. That includes cake, Bagels, doughnuts, etc. I have tried almost all of these things, and while it does not make me sick, it hurts. I am not a fan of pain, so I do not try them again. I find that I do not miss any of them. I have noticed that I have a very huge craving for grapes. I now go through grapes, like I used to go through milk. I used to go through a lot of milk (something else I find, I do not miss.)
    Well, after almost 5 months, and fearing that my eating was going to become a problem, I have lost 92 pounds. I am very close to the goal that my doctor set for me, and I believe I will pass that goal. Some other things that have changed. I am off all of my medications, except for my thyroid. Since I eat more times a day then I used to, I find foods that are high in Protein for Snacks, such as tuna. For the first 3 months, I could not eat tuna, but my dietitian told me to keep trying. She said that if I am going to cut out the Protein Shakes, I needed to find other sources, and tuna is a great source. So far, now at 5 months, I find I can eat tuna again. In fact, other then the breads, I have found that I can eat just about anything. My sweet weakness is M&Ms. I usually eat a bag of them a week. Which compared to how I used to eat them.....much much different. I also have a weakness for chocolate chip frappachino from Mcdonalds. I had someone tell me, I should not drink those, but I compare it to what I used to get at Mcdonalds. One meal at Mcdonalds for me used to be, a double quarter pounder, large fries, two mcdoubles, and a milkshake. Now a meal for me at Mcdonalds is the frappachino, and thats it. So I felt guilty at first, but not so much in contrast. That and instead of going like 3 times a week, I go like once a month.
    I also found out, that I can run. I started running a mile every morning. It was only taking about 7 minutes once I got into it, that I thought that was not enough time. So now, I run for 30 minutes every morning. One day I will try to see how far I am going. I leave my house, and run for 15 minutes, and then turn around and run back. It is amazing, because I would not run before. I used to have a joke at work, that if someone made me chase them, they would get hurt if I caught them for making me run. Now, I have had to chase people, and smile the whole time I am doing it. In my local area, I am signed up for two 5ks.... coming up in October, and another run, called a Mud run in December. That one has an obstacle course, which I think I need some training for. Learned about something called a Zombie run, which I will be doing next year.
    As far as more personal things, there was a rumor that I was told about.... size. I am talking about the little guy size....downstairs. Anyway, I was told that for every 30 pounds lost, I would gain an inch. I thought that was complete BS, yet, it was extremely pleasing to one day wake up in the morning, and notice that I could see.... everything. In a way that I had never experienced. Then to top it off, my wife, told me some stuff about things that could not be done before, that was being done now. I do not want to go into detail, but that rumor, seems to have a bit of truth behind it. Something I used to be ashamed of, I am now very proud of.
    My kids have noticed a difference with me as well. I am doing all sorts of activities with them. Went to a Water park with them, and they where shocked that I went on the slides with them. Something I would not even think about doing before. I had an amazing time, and I am sure they will remember it for a long time. Something I do not think I would have been doing before I had the surgery.
    I also got very luck with loose skin. As, so far, I do not have any, and have been told by the doctor, that I might not have any. He said to make sure, once I lose to the point I feel comfortable, I should start weight training. That building up muscle, would help fill in the skin, that was full of fat. Sounds like a plan to me. Anyway, that is my story so far. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me.
  12. Like
    nmck reacted to BellaItaliana in cheatin   
    It looks like you had your surgery over a month ago. You need to be eating so you get your Protein in. It's super important for long term health and even short term energy. I wouldn't want someone watching my every eating move either, so I get that, but try to get your protein in, however you do it.
  13. Like
    nmck reacted to HatheryOnHerWay in cheatin   
    I'm sure she's trying to be supportive, but it's hard to feel like you have the food Police watching you! Hang in there
  14. Like
    nmck reacted to Tiny One in Not Recognized   
    Went to fund raiser yesterday. Saw a few friends that I hadn't seen in a while. As I walked down the steps, one of my friends, thats seen recent pictures of me, pointed me out to another friend. The other friend didn't recognize me initially because she hadn't seen me since I started this healthier journey. It was too funny when she did, then she went crazy with compliments. Felt so good.
  15. Like
    nmck reacted to Patti K in Calorie confusion   
    I just noticed my percentage goals for carbs and Protein are inverted from what we are finding works so I may jist work to invert those and see how that does!
  16. Like
    nmck reacted to HipsAndLipstick in NEW USER   
    Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself. I've been thinking about vsg since 2009. doubted getting it done after getting 90% of the process done then decided not to. Now I'm all in for it and almost ready to go. All I need is to get the stress test done so my doctor can clear me for surgery. She needs that because I've complained to her about chest pain when I'm rushing up the stairs (as I live in a 6th fl walk up bldg). I scheduled everything fast. I had everything scheduled for August. within 2 weeks all my appointments were done. I'm getting it done at St Lukes Hospital in Harlem, NY. I switched my insurance from Health First to Affinity because they don't require the 6mo weigh-in or supervised diet. I have an appointment to see Dr. Koshy on Oct 3rd to get my surgery date and submit paperwork to insurance. I am anxious and so ready to finally get this done. I want to be able to enjoy my kids and engage in the outdoors activities and not just sit down and watch. that's my main reason to do this. MY KIDS!
  17. Like
    nmck reacted to No game in NEW USER   
    Welcome,
    And good luck on your stress test!
    I wanted to be able to be here for my children too, it was one of the most important factors as to why I had this surgery
  18. Like
    nmck reacted to MommyofFive in I had NO IDEA!   
    I never realized how heavy I let myself get!! I got an app yesterday that does and side by side so I had to post this!! Almost 100 lbs down. At goal after only 8 months. SO BLESSED and NEVER looking back!!!!!!!!!!!

  19. Like
    nmck got a reaction from Indigo1991 in Diabetic no more!   
    That's amazing!!
  20. Like
    nmck reacted to Daydra in Calorie confusion   
    I'm really mad at your medical team on your behalf. You are 5'7" and weigh 391. Your resting metabolic rate is around 2475 cal/day (that's before added exercise). At your height and weight, even a brisk walk is probably burning you 12-15 cal/min. At 1000 cal/day, you should be losing about 1/2 pound a day if you are exercising. If you are getting enough Protein, you are not getting too much fat, and even so, at the level of calories we consume after surgery, we need to get fat in too. As far as carbs go, I'm in no way convinced that 75g/day is too much. Your medical team is effing with your head here. Based on where you are post surgery, I would expect that you are experiencing what many of us experience several weeks out... a period where your body is adjusting to what you are giving it. I don't believe there was any need whatsoever to reduce your calories.
    As far as starving... yes, we absolutely can. I hope no one tries to convince themselves that they can cut calories as low as they want and suffer no ill effect. We do have a bit more buffer time, but it's not infinite, and it doesn't even last as long as we might expect. If we don't get an adequate amount of nutrition, we will experience muscle wasting and we will experience extreme fatigue, fainting, all kinds of nastiness... and the gift that keeps on giving is the up to 40% reduction in our metabolism that will have to be rebuilt over time with a lot of effort and hard work.
    You are only getting maybe 20-25% of the nutrition your body is using daily. I dropped down to that level myself. (I'm only about a week further out than you and have a kink/torsion which is making it really hard to get a reasonable amount of food/fluid each day. I thought I had gotten really dehydrated due to lack of energy, dizziness, etc. but my bloodwork showed that I wasn't. When I discussed what I was able to eat with my surgeon, she said the problem was far more likely to be not getting enough food. I'm still struggling to get 600 cal/day and about 60g Protein. Carbs are around 50 right now and fat is around 20. I am still experiencing light-headedness and fatigue. In fact, I got up late today, so I didn't get to eating right away and I nearly passed out in the shower. That is no exaggeration. I seriously was trying to prop myself up on the walls until I could lower myself to the edge of the tub to sit down.
    Anyway, don't be hard on yourself if you feel like your body isn't getting with the program. For many, it takes awhile to see consistent loss, and it doesn't mean that you are eating too much of anything. Your body just needs time to adjust. If your medical team can't accept that, I am really sorry, but you will have to let their criticism go in one ear and out the other and examine their advice carefully before following it.
    Best of luck. Whatever you take from this post, know that you are not at fault here. I know that you will be successful! Good luck! (sorry... apparently I only know how to write War and Peace in these things...)
  21. Like
    nmck reacted to Justinh125 in Calorie confusion   
    Don't forget, your body can never violate the 1st law of thermodynamics. Ever, for any reason.
    Just think about it like this:
    The average adult body needs to burn between 1500-2500 calories/day just to keep you alive (that doesn't include exercise, and yes, you burn plenty of calories while you sleep, because you don't die when you go to bed.) If you consume less calories than that, then your body has to get the energy from somewhere else, or you would die. So the body either has to burn its own muscle or its own fat (or some combination thereof) to keep you alive.
    As long as you remain in a "negative energy balance" (meaning calories in < calories out,) you will lose weight, even if it's not as fast as you want.
    They have machines called indirect calorimeters which can actually measure (in real time) if you are building fat, burning fat or at equilibrium by measuring the amount of CO2 vs. O2 in your exhaled breath.
    http://www.pbrc.edu/research-and-faculty/core-services/?serviceid=82
    This is a link to a research center that studies such things.
  22. Like
    nmck got a reaction from joyscinderella in How bad was it? Would you do it again?   
    I am 7 weeks post-op and would definitely do it again. I have had previous abdominal surgeries for 2 c-sections, a fibroid surgery, and a hernia repair and the sleeve was by far the easiest recovery. There was some pain, and I took my meds for it. I didn't try to be tough and go without, and I only needed meds for a week. After that, it was the fatigue as I adjusted to my new intake that was tough, but even that was gone around a month out.
  23. Like
    nmck reacted to MommyofFive in Still Losing   
    Bought the CUTEST pair of size 8 jeans. Could have gone with the 6 but they were a bit tight. I'm so happy almost 100 lbs gone!! Surgery 12/12

  24. Like
    nmck reacted to Indigo1991 in Diabetic no more!   
    I had this surgery first and foremost to resolve my diabetes. I became diabetic after receiving huge doses of steroids closely followed by medication that had diabetes as a side effect. I had no pre diabetic period, I went from nothing to diabetic in the course of a few weeks after starting the new drug.
    The drug was to help with my arthritis. I was given the choice of stopping the drug and the diabetes would go. But I needed the drug to remain mobile so I didn't have a choice. But diabetes on top of my existing condition that needed additional management just pushed me towards depression.
    So I spent a year looking into the sleeve as a way of putting my diabetes into remission - that was my hope. But after my last tests, I have now been told that my doc wants to take me off the diabetic register completely (we have one in Scotland, where every health professional knows about your condition). My numbers have been consistently low and, as she told me, my random sugars are lower that most people's including hers!
    So apart from putting my arthritis into remission and losing weight since being sleeved, I have now achieved my health goal of no diabetes. Heard yesterday but been a bit dazed - can't quite believe it but am sooooo happy :-)))
  25. Like
    nmck reacted to Mrs.FullerRN in This is why im doing it   
    Walked into my best friends sons birthday party today..she says loudly "can you still eat food cuz there's tons of pizza!?" Then explains to everyone soon ill be going in a liquid diet for my bariatric surgery. Lots of awkward silence followed, with one particular cute but chunky girl looking extra horrified. I was pissed that my friend put me on the spot. But then..
    Aforementioned cute chunky girl stares at the cake. She wants some so badly. My friend tells her just eat a damn piece of cake. She declines. Stares at the cake for an hour. She can't have any cuz she's on a diet. Another hour passes. Shes shaking she wants it so bad.She eats a small piece of cake. And then a big one. And then 4 slices of pizza and bread and pop. My friend says "dont come crying to me when the scale pisses you off Monday." Cute chunky girl says "I know but I have to start all over Monday anyway cuz tomorrow is Joe's Crab Shack and I'm not dieting there."
    Ah. It hits me. This is why I'm doing it. I want to hug her and tell her I know. I've had so many start over Mondays, sister. I was once the cute chunky girl with 40 lbs to lose. I've dieted my way up to the morbidly obese girl with an extremely messed up relationship with food.< /p>

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