Roo101769

I have actually made some of your recipes! I am just not much of a "cook"...Now baking is a whole other ballgame! ( which I no longer play...lol)

I have Anthem BC and I know for a fact mine won't. It is clearly stated in the policy that, even though they do pay for WLS, under no circumstances will they cover any type of cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. Even if your doctor finds it medically necessary they will not cover it. I absolutely do not have the funds to afford it myself, therefore I will be stuck with whatever I end up with. I decided in the beginning that losing the weight would be worth the hassle of the skin.

Unfortunately I am only 6 mos out and I have not had large periods of time not interested in food. Ok, to be fair to myself I was about 2+ months out before I really started caring about food. But once my tummy was pretty healed and the swelling went down all I thought about was food. Not eating junk, just thinking about what I could eat, how much, different variety etc. I think my biggest problem, and when I do find myself going through the "nothing sounds good" times, is the fact I get bored with my selections. I have read recipes, bought cook books etc. But the fact is I don't cook because it is just me and my 5 year old at home. ( and she does not eat what I do for the most part) So when I do fix a new recipe I end up with a lot of leftovers. I will eat that for days or end up throwing out food. ( and I am not well off enough to throw away money) Since I am not a kitchen wiz, I do not try to figure out how to make smaller portions.. ( I can follow directions, but don't ask me to figure out changing quantities) Anyway, sometimes it leads me to the "I am not interested" feeling. But the flip side is it has lead me to the " I will eat bad things" feeling. They are there. Quick, easy and wrong. It is no wonder that there is so much obesity in this country. We work and play hard and do not want to spend vast amounts of time tied to a kitchen. ( most of us anyway) We grab quick, ready to go foods and they are not healthy for us in large part. If I were to magically win a lottery some day my first "purchase" would be a private chef. I could totally eat a healthy diet if someone else dealt with making it for me all the time!!! LOL I hope your current phase does pass soon. While I do understand, it is not good for your health not to eat enough. ( Wow, crazy idea for someone who was once overweight- right?) Take care of yourself.

I want to start by saying I did skim through a lot of the responses posted. Obviously this is something that a lot of folks have an opinion about and want to express their views. I have a couple points on the topic to make. First I think that, even for obese folks, that there is a level of fat shaming we all do. It is a way of rationalizing our own weight failures. "Well I'm not as big as.." I also think some people feel as if making statements about how horrible their own weight is, it somehow minimizes their guilt. It is like "ok, there it is. I owned it and put it out in the world as shame so I can now feel better about it". I do remember how mortified I was when I first went over 200lbs. Then there was 250lbs. Each pound was more embarrassing to me in one way, and in another each pound higher was easier to accept. I guess I got complacent at some point and just figured I was destined to be fat. Even as I breached the 300lbs mark it didn't sink in as much. It wasn't until I was faced with serious vascular issues and the real threat of someday losing a leg did I finally stop and really see what I was doing. I never enjoyed being that big, no. But I had somehow learned to live and deal with it. I learned to not allow it to be the center of my thoughts or otherwise I would be totally unable to function with depression. ( conversely it WAS the center of my world and everything in my life did revolve around my weight in one way or another) I have seen posts where people start at weights I am currently at and they thought it was the end of the world . They would write about how fat they were, how unable to function their bodies had become. I do read these and shake my head because my current 230lbs is a blessing, not a curse. I guess it is because these folks never got to 316lbs they do not realize how bad it can get. Sort of a" there for the grace of GOD" type thing. They reached their personal limits at a weight I allowed myself to surpass. That all being said I have no guilt that I was 316lbs when I decided to change. The reason? I decided to change!! If I stayed at 316lbs, or went even higher then I should feel guilt. Not because I reached that weight per se, but because I was doing nothing about it. I don't think anyone is less of a success if they started higher than me, or if they started lower than me. I do, on the other hand, have issues when I read posts from people who are around 180lbs and are thinking about the surgery. ( That one did make me shake my head hard!) I suppose what I am trying to drive home is no one on this board should feel shame or judgment for where they started. Sh*t happens, we all got obese in our own way and own time. The main thing to focus of is the fact we have all progressed past our personal low point, ( or highest weight) and we are working on becoming the best person we can be. I love you RJ for all your insight, wisdom and answers. I hope you never change because inside, where it counts most, you are an awesome individual. Who the heck cares what size package all that awesomeness is wrapped in?

I called my GP and he is issuing an order for a liver and gallbladder ultrasound. He said I can then follow up with him or my surgeon, whoever I chose.

Well...my last trip to GNC they discontinued the buy 3 one free. Boo!!!!! But I bought 14 bars and paid $30. I know the going rate for a case of 12 is $25, plus if you buy online you pay shipping. So it is still basically the same price, plus I can mix and match flavors, which I prefer. Funny the muscle guy was pimping the shakes, they must be a new product or something. The cute (YOUNG) muscle guys at my GNC all love the Quest bars and stand behind them!!! LOL

Well I have to be honest, I have the sleeve of steel. The only one thing I have found that seems to bother it at all is plain H2O ..I can sip Water ok, but only small amounts. Add anything to it, like Crystal Lite, and no more problems- weird! lol But no, I had no problem at all eating them. They didn't bother me in the least.

Look up Miracle Noodles. They do have a bit of an odor out of the bag ( you have to rinse ) and they are a bit different consistency than regular Pasta. But they are basically a "free" food; no calories, fat, gluten; carbs etc. ( They are made from a plant starch. Come from Asia, been used there for years) They are a carrier for sauce. They have no real flavor, you get the flavor from whatever sauce you use. I made a batch of "spaghetti" with ground turkey and a low sugar tomato sauce. It was better after they set over night and absorbed some of the flavor. The texture is a little weird, but if you can get used to it then it is a great alternative.

I have been having a LOT of lower back pain lately too. Could this be related? ( didn't really think about it until mentioned above) I thought I just slept wrong or had done too much lately for the back pain.

I am the opposite. My numbers had been steadily dropping so they upped my dosage slightly. I may have had more Vitamin K in what I ate, but I stay really vigilant monitoring it. I can only use Caltrate calium chews as they are the only ones I have found that does not add vitamin K, and I also monitor the bariatric Vitamins I take. Not sure what my issue is, guess I am just weird...LOL

So lately I have been having some phantom pains in my right side. They fall about mid abdomen on me. ( or just below my rib cage) They are not life altering pains. In fact they are more of a mild discomfort to the occasional stab here and there. I have also felt a little bloated. I have read these could be symptoms of a gallbladder acting up, which has been something I have worried about since surgery. ( I REALLY DO NOT want to have another surgery due to a bad gallbladder, which can happen with WLS) But on the flip side I also know I have always had weird "female" issues. The pains could be from a cyst on an ovary ( I have PCOS) and the bloating just part of my cycle. I have also been sort of irregular lately, not taking my Probiotics every day as I should...bad Rhonda! I guess I am just being paranoid. I spent so much of last year dealing with medical stuff from a DVT and then the surgery, that I really just wanted a nice healthy year this year. The very LAST thing I need or want it to have another issue that could lead to me having to take off work, be in the hospital and possibly having surgery. That simply will NOT fit into my life right now!!! LOL But I am wondering if anyone that has had gallbladder issues could tell me how it progressed for them? I would appreciate a little info and insight on the matter....( and I will monitor my situation and seek medical help if it gets worse)

I am 6 mos. out and I have adjusted. Early on I was chilled all the time. I couldn't seem to stay warm. I would wear layers and turn up the heat. But slowly it regulated. For the most part I am ok. I don't think I get as warm as I used to, but I am no longer chilled all the time either. I think it is a natural and normal part of the process, lasting different lengths of time for different people.

RJ I was tickled pink when I ordered a pair of 18/20 capris from Walmart and they FIT! Seriously, it won't be too long until I am out of plus size which totally BLOWS MY MIND! Of course the down side is how fast I need new clothes and my budget isn't cooperating....LOL

I cannot agree any more with previous posts about not comparing. I fell into that trap and I became depressed for quite a while due to it. I have a friend who was sleeved almost two months after I was, yet this friend has lost a LOT more than I have!! But what I didn't take into account was 1) he is a tall male who weighed over 400lbs to start. 2) I lost 33 lbs prior to surgery on my own diet. My friend did nothing to curb his eating or try to lose weight before he started his 10 day pre op diet. 3) I am me and he is he, and you are you. We all have entirely different bodies and those bodies will all do entirely different things. Once I finally got my head screwed on right about this whole thing I started feeling much better. Sure, I have lost about 85lbs since I started my journey last August, while my friend has lost around 110lbs since he started in December. But the key fact is I HAVE LOST 85 POUNDS!!! This is my journey, my body, my life. I stopped being jealous and resentful of his success and realized I am happy with mine. I am also happy he is doing as well as he is, because it has improved his life. Just do your plan and be true to yourself, because in the end that is all that counts...And btw- CONGRATS on the great job you have already done!

I totally get the idea. I bought two pair of size 20 "skinny" jeans off of a friend. I thought " I will just put them back until they fit". No way those little things would fit me. Well one pair fits nicely and the other is slightly BIG! Ok, I realize a size 20 is not small...but when you come from a size 28 it is. ( esp. since I haven' t hit 18/20 in about 15+ years!) It is crazy. I still gravitate towards the larger sizes forgetting that I don't need them anymore. That is so awesome for you RJ, you are now his "little woman"!!! LOL

So good to see you again GG, and RJ chiming in makes it complete! You guys were my inspiration early out. I listened to your advice and I always was interested in your opinions on topics. GG, you look AWESOME! I know how hard it is to go back and look at where you were. Next month is the 1 year anniversary of my nephew and his wife. The picture we took together on that day is my "before" picture. I tried so hard to look pretty, and that day I thought I pulled it off. Then the photos came back and I saw the reality. I had been in the hospital for 6 days just 4 days prior to the wedding. I had a second DVT & PE and was feeling shakey that I had survived it yet again. I was lucky to be here and was happy to make it to the wedding. I weighed 310lbs that day, and got up to 316lbs before I said ENOUGH!!! I am no where near goal yet, but I am closer than I have been in years. Today I sit in the low 230s ( a couple lbs higher today than ticker thanks to "that time of month") and I feel really good. Is my body perfect? Heck no. I still have issues with low back pain. ( I REALLY need to work my core more) But my knees that used to keep me from doing everything no longer hurt. I still deal with vascular pain in my right leg from the DVTs, but that is going to be a part of life. Overall I feel much better. And I enjoy fitting into things. Size 18/20 clothes ( started in 28w) Fitting into lawn chairs, and not the plus sized ones. I sat in a kiddie chair at my daughter's school and didn't even think twice that it might break! I wish I were flying for vacation this year just to be able to fit in the sit more comfortably and NOT use a seatbelt extender!! ( but we are driving instead) And I am looking forward to a vacation full of adventure, actually DOING things and not just sitting on my duff. Sure, I still have a long way to go to be where I want to be. But do not short change how far we have all come...You may have started in a place that makes you feel bad, but honey look at you now!!!!!

I still use Caltrate chews. My issue is everything have looked at adds Vitamin K. As a life long warfarin user ( due to blood clots) I have to be very careful using too much of it. ( it interferes with the effectiveness of the warfarin) I have only found the Caltrate chews to not add vitamin K. I have also had the same issue when buying my bariatric Vitamins.

I did not fly for surgery but I am a high clot risk. ( I have had two DVTs and PEs.) I am on blood thinners for life because of this. For surgery I had to discontinue my oral warfarin 5 days prior as it stays in the blood system a while. I injected a generic of Lovenox (WAYYY cheaper!) for 5 days prior to and four days post op. I resumed my oral warfarin the day after surgery. I got up and walked as I could, and they kept the things on my legs in the hospital when in bed. ( Forget their actual name..They inflate / deflate to increase circulation) I wear a compression stocking on my right leg all the time due to vascular damage from the DVTs, but it is a high compression weight. ( I think 30) I can say I had not clotting issues whatsoever during my surgery and recovery. My biggest issue was one of my 5 incisions would not close. They stitched it in the OR, but the subcutaneous tissue was "mush" ( doctors words!) due to blood thinners so it didn't hold closed well. It drained heavily for a day or so until they finally used medical glue to close it. After that, no issues. Any flight, especially long ones, can create clots. As an earlier poster said be sure to walk or at least stand up when you can. If seated pump your feet up and down and move around to keep the circulation flowing. Good luck and wishing much success to you!!!

I'm with Buffle...No foods have made me physically ill, unless I have ate too much/too fast. But there is plenty I don't like! LOL

I am 6 mos out and I can tell you a few things concerning the fears of early post oppers...First, it is totally normal to feel major restriction at first. I was unable to take anything but a couple sips of water/ juice when I was released from the hospital 3 days post op. A friend of mine who had the same surgery at a different hospital was given pudding to eat the day after! ( I cannot fathom that myself) The first week post op I barely got my Protein shakes in and I noticed I could barely tolerate Water. ( oddly enough I still have issues with plain H2O) I felt discomfort and the odd internal "hanging" feeling for about a week. I went back to work 9 days post op out of necessity. I was completely drained by the end of the day, barely able to walk. BUT walk I did as it was Halloween and I had to take my 5 year old Trick or Treating. I made it, but barely. I did have to pass on a hayride she wanted to take, I didn't think my body could handle the jarring around. At about two 1/2 weeks I noticed I felt a lot better. It was a slow road to be sure. At about 3 weeks out I started having hunger. Yes, real hunger and not the head kind. But, a small amount could fill me up quickly. I went on doctor's plan until released to full foods. It did seem he moved me through the stages a little fast, but I did well and he is the doctor. At about two months out I tried my first slider food. I honestly don't remember what it was but I do remember being shocked how easily I could eat it. And it has been a huge regret that I opened that door back up because it has been pretty damn impossible to close again. I do eat plan about 80 % of the time. I try to lead with Proteins every meal. But...I am human and I am not perfect. Each day you live your life with the sleeve you have to still make the mental decision to eat right. You will have restriction, but it does ease with time. As you heal and your body adjusts it is less and less about restriction and more about choice. Don't panic when you can eat more, just be sure you have the right foods to eat. Another HUGE issue I have dealt with is trying to not compare myself to anyone. Each and every one of us is different and will go through this differently. As long as you do what you are supposed to ( as instructed by your surgeon and NUT) you will succeed. How much you lose is up to a higher power to decide. But you will do your best if you give it your best. There are times I actually forget I have the sleeve. I am still living my life. I still have a daughter to raise, a job to do, bills to pay etc. Early on the sleeve is what you revolve your life around, but eventually it just becomes another facet in your life. The key is to LIVE that life now. Weight loss and the associated health benefits enable us to live as we haven't been. We can be active. We can go places and do things that we once were hindered my our bodies from doing. Enjoy that. There will be things you won't like about the sleeve, but try to focus on the things you DO like. Overall I am so happy I decided to have the surgery. I am still taking one day at a time, but they are good days. For those of you early out, hang in there and know it does get better. And for those who may be dealing with stalls or something discouraging...Just remember how it was before you lost ANY weight. It ain't easy, but you are worth it!!!

I have been using lite or reduced fat or sugar free for so many years I have continued doing so. Now, for mayo ( and now Miracle Whip) they have a reduced fat version made with olive oil that I love. It is as good (to me) as it's full fat cousin and a MILLION times better than it's fat free cousin. I have drank skim milk for years and will continue to do so only because I don't like the other kinds. I do use "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray now in lieu of margarine or butter for the most part. ( what little I use) And I go for sugar free on other items only because they taste ok to me anyway. I have used sweeteners for years in my coffee and tea, so I see no reason to change that. I do a lot of the right things over all, but I also do sometimes pick choices I probably should not. It's the whole "everything in moderation" idea....

I lost 33lbs on my own before I began my pre op diet and had surgery. Not many people noticed. I think it was when I got around 50lbs down that folks really started to take notice and comment a lot. I am now down about 84lbs and it I the craziest thing, no one believes I still have as much to go as I do!!! I don't like to give numbers to them, not yet. ( On here is different, I feel less judgment.) But when I say I am not quite halfway to goal people are always shocked. I guess even they cannot imagine me at a truly healthy weight. I do know that I carry my weight in a way that is a bit deceiving, I have been told this a lot. ( I guess that is a good thing?) Right now I weigh 232lbs and my goal is 140lbs. If folks think I look good now, I can't imagine what they might think once I hit "onederland" and lower. I will probably be told I am TOO skinny!!! What a laugh!

I will be 100 % honest about this, I slip - a lot. I will say I eat per plan about 80 % of the time, but that really isn't very good. Yes, compared to the old me it is awesome. But for a person who had major surgery to finally get ahold of herself and put her weight into check, it is a personal disappointment. Each day I get up and say " today is a new day, I will do better". If I go to bed that night and feel good about what I have consumed then it is a victory. I have had zero issues with my sleeve. I tolerate everything. My only problems have come when I have consumed too much. ( I have a bad habit of eating too fast, therefore over eating) Besides that no food has actually bothered my new stomach. I was very good for the first few months avoiding things I shouldn't have. ( carbs, sugars etc) But then I tried one, and that was all it took. The battle has been back on since to stay away from these things. Some days I am winning the battle and some days I am beat up by it. I have managed to continue to lose weight ( although slowly) even with this behavior, which is probably bad because it sort of makes me feel what I am doing isn't that bad. To date I have lost 84lbs, 51lbs since surgery 10/21. Had I stuck to plan better I am sure I would be further down than that. But it is what it is. I am not giving up. I will continue to do what I can to battle my demons and win the war on fat. I refuse to be a failure in this. ( I have already won some freedom with my slowly shrinking body. I am in less pain and much more mobile than I was before the loss.) This is for life. I want to live that life. I will continue to try to do my best, but I also need to try not to beat myself up so much when I don't. Depression can be even more dangerous if you are any kind of food addict. So just know you aren't alone. We all struggle. But try to focus on the positive and do all you can for success.

I have posted this before, but it is always a topic I will respond to. I am about 75% bald at this point, and I wear a wig. I had my surgery on 10/21 and began wearing the wig over the Thanksgiving holiday. My situation is a bit complex, and I have no idea if it will ever reverse. I had a full head of hair as a child and teen. Then around my mid twenties it thinned considerably. I was eventually diagnosed with PCOS. ( I have lots of other issues from it too) At age 39 I had a baby and while pregnant with her my hair was as full as ever. But once my hormones adjusted after her birth, it was worse than it had been previously. I started using Toppik hair fibers at that time and was satisfied with the coverage for a few years. I suffered from not one but two DVTs(blood clots) and PEs.( pulmonary embolisms) While I am lucky to be alive, I was eventually put on blood thinners for the rest of my life. That continued to thin my hair more than it already was. When I decided to have WLS I knew the odds were great that I would lose enough hair that I would have to cover with a wig, so I started shopping around late last summer. My suspicions were correct and I did become a "hair hat" wearer. Since November my hair has thinned even more. I look like a very sick person without my wig on. I am not happy about it, but it is part of the deal for me. I accepted it was possible and I have made amends with it over the months. I may or may not regrow some of my hair once the post op "big fall" is over. I would love to have a head full of hair again, but that may never be. I am ok with it because I am thinner now than I have been in almost 20 years. My aches and pains that limited me are gone. I pray I have decreased my chances of having another blood clot. I have more energy for my daughter. And getting ready is so much faster when your hair is ready to go! I am not sure you will find the answers you need to help with your hair loss, but I do want you to know there are options. And you are certainly not alone.   [aredmedia=gallery:images:4091]haredmedia=gallery:images:4091 haredmedia=gallery:images:4091] 

The question is less "can I" and more "do I want to" I believe.. What are your motivations to getting the surgery? Will your life (health) be drastically impacted by the surgery? ( obvious answer- yes) Being a "foodie" or food lover or soon to be former fat chick I can say that it is a major decision to make. But....just because you have this surgery does not mean you stop living and does not have to mean you stop enjoying food. I think people who have the most success find ways to create dishes they can enjoy that also fits into your new lifestyle. I was never a big seafood lover before (ie: NEVER ate it if it wasn't a Filet O' Fish) but now I really enjoy blackened tilapia. You can create and enjoy with flavors as long as you are smart about the choices you make. The love of fried foods will have to go.. but you can learn to love the grill! Experiment with things you like. Take a dish that you absolutely enjoy and try to reimagine it as something you can have post surgery. sauces aren't no- nos, you just have to cut sugar and fat. So figure out ways to create the taste without adding things you know you shouldn't have. Go to a bookstore and look for cookbooks for after, I have two at home myself. Or go online. If you go into this process with a negative "I don't think I can" attitude you are setting yourself up for failure. But if you take this as a challenge, break out your creative side, then you can absolutely do it. Personally I believe what small sacrifices I have made are more than worth the results!