Miss Mac

Wow...how judgemental. You can tell that she is coming from a place of pain, but there is nothing in her rant about your own health and happiness. A true friend has your back and would not be so hateful. Weight loss surgery is saving so many lives. Once she gets up into her forties, fifties, sixties, all of her accepted fat will take a toll on her health, too. Then she will be asking you for advice. Good for you that you are being proactive about your health. Please do not let anybody minimize your decision to have a better more healthy life.

I just had a five month nutrition visit last week and was told to minimize carbs as much as possible.....maximum 50, 30 is better. She stressed that Protein is still extremely crucial and is keeping my goal at 80 grams....at least 20 per meal and two protein Snacks. That doesn't leave room for much else except a few low carb veggies. No more than one serving of non-starchy fruit per day. I found out that my idea of serving (like a whole apple) and her idea of serving (1/2 an apple) are very different. The protein is to come from real food not made in a factory, and no more than one shake per day. Read that to mean that one large banana has to last 3 days, but I can have berries nearly to my hearts content. Oh well, I am in this to change my life, so I will just keep plugging away. She also reminded me to do some kind of exercise every day, outdoors to get vitamn D sunshine if possible. Strength training 2X a week. So, I find myself eating meat, cheese, ricotta, yogurt, eggs, nuts, etc, I love tuna, but have trouble swallowing it post-op. It was suggested to try smoked salmon, or to put my tuna in the blender to break it down some more. Last night my boyfriend made baked chicken breast stuffed with ham, swiss, asiago, ricotta and spinach and hollandaise. It was unbelievably delicious and packed with protein. He is so creative and supportive. A couple of weeks ago, he made lasagna, but used roasted zuchinni slices layered in with the meat, cheese, and sauce instead of noodles. He has made pizza with long eggplant slices (roasted) covered with pizza topings and cheese, then baked til the cheese melts. He has shown me that there are many ways to take our old favorites and customize them to suit our new diets. Bread is off the menu. Actually it smells like a brewery to me now. I want to gag when I am around it. He is experimenting to create a recipe for a low carb sugar free ice cream that would be suitable for me. He also made me a dessert made with ricotta, cinnamon, sweetener, and dark chocolate chips. So, even the yummy stuff has protein in it. But even at five months, Miss Tummy reminds me daily that she is not nearly as big as I think she is. My eyes and tastes buds still want the old portions that were rediculous. If I go much past 1/2 cup of food at one sitting, she objects. At one cup, I have a belly ache for four hours. My instructions are to reign in my calories at 800 because my body still resists losing weight if I go much over that. So that comes out to 200 per meal, and two 100 calories snacks. Good luck with your kitchen adventures. Our new eating plans do not have to be boring. Just put your apron and your thinking cap on and get to cooking. Have you ever watched Rachel Ray's show where she cooks a weeks worth of meals in one day? Do that if you can, and make your adjustments during the week. My NUT also said the same thing that jaysleever just said: the more I lose, the slower the weight loss will be. It is normal and expected. I wish the best and suggest that if you come up with something delicious or some happy accident in the kitchen, please share it with us.

My oldest sister (who weighed nearly 400 pounds since she was a teenager) had a gastric bypass about ten years ago at the age of 52, with initial success then a couple of years ago started gaining it back. My next youngest sister (at age 54) had a lapband last year (over 300 pounds) and looks great - unrecognizable - now. My oldest brother died of a heart attack at age 47 and 420 pounds. My mother died at age 67 and weighed 320 pounds and was 5'2". She had an abdominal aortic anerysm. In 2013, my own weight was creeping up on me to the point that I had gone from 150 to 235 in ten years. I was quickly becoming my mother. My spine is collapsing from the weight, as I am short like my mother was. At the end of my rope and looking at spending my near future in a wheel chair, I asked my PCP if he thought I was a good candidate for a lap band. He recommended me to the Bariatric Program at Loyola University Medical Center. It was there that I learned about the gastric sleeve. I had never heard of it before, but believed that was the best option for me. I was sleeved 12/23/2013, and am right on schedule with the expected weight loss. Even my spine surgeon thinks that losing at least 100 pounds will make a significant difference in how my spine responds to current treatments without a full lumbar fusion.

The website for the PB2 manufacturing plant is: www.bellplantation.com. Apparently it is being distributed elsewhere now. Some people really, really like it, but I wasn't impressed. Maybe buy just one jar to start with until you see how it goes over in your house.

PB2 is a powdered Protein product that needs to be reconstiuted with Water. It does not have the fat that Peanut Butter has. You can find it online. They also make a powdered chocolate product. I will look up the web address. I think only the manufacturer sells it. On this other note about Premier Chocolate: My first job in 1969 was as a donut finisher at Dunkin Donuts. My favorite was the chocolate frosted banana cream filled. I guess it doesn't matter now since they haven't had them on the menu for years.

I ordered one from American Medical ID online just now . The fact that I could be unconscious and someone could puncture my sleeve with a NG tube scares the dickens out of me.

Never had a problem with scrambled eggs, but hard boiled is like trying to digest a microwaved golf ball. And Peanut Butter....even though I am 4 months out.....still gives me fits. Training your new tummy is a matter of trial and error. Don't be in a hurry to progress. There is a lot of healing going on.

I started out with a 53" waist. It wasn't until I lost 40 pounds that my waist started to respond. I am one of those people that loses fron the top down. At 57 pounds down, I am finally get a discernable waist. This morning it measured 41" So what a difference the next 27 pounds made. It just takes time and patience.

The reason that I posted myself as an example is because inappropriate contact with children is waaaaaay more common than we realize, even with the pillars of the church. I applaude you for being pro-active for your daughter. I agree with Butterflyhigh that another option would be to just pull her out of school. A lot of families home school. Because of my abuser's behavior, I had to withhold attending any family functions that he would attend. So, if your daughter tells you something, and the school authorities tell you something different, believe your daughter. Remember, it is OK to question authority.

Bananas are a killer slippery slope for me. Pre-op I could eat 5 or 6 a day. My post-op plan allows for one serving of fruit a day, but it is to my benefit to eat a few berries instead of my beloved banana. To compensate for savoring the flavor, I bought banana flavored Protein powder and add banana flavoring. If I want the strawberry banana kick, then I make my smoothie half strawberry protein and half banana protein. If I feel like it, I make it 1//3 banana, 1/3 strawberry, and 1/3 chocolate. I do not miss swallowing chewed up banana; I miss tasting the banana. I have gone so far as to put a sugar free banana popsicle in my smoothie. So, here's to being creative.

Sad to bring up that I was sexually abused from age 5 to age 14. My parents were pillars of the church and refused to deal with it. I was the problem for bringing it up. My abuser was relative, a Sunday School teacher, and a YMCA Indian Guide. Pedators go where the children are. My abuser also abused his own daughter and some of her little friends. He went to prison twice and died in jail awaiting his third trial for sexual abuse of a child. (And why did the state of Indiana let him out twice???) I found out at his funeral that he had also abused my three sisters as well. The reason I have exposed this is to help you become aware of how the mind of an abuser works That teacher does not see your daughter as a student. He sees her as an opportunity. A child psychologist and a lawyer would both be great allies in moving forward......then you can sue the school system for those costs and some pain and suffering. By placing her back in that classroom and allowing other students to torment your daughter, they are contributing to her abuse. I would go so far as to suggest a restraining order to force the school to keep her away from his influence. Shoot, maybe you can transfer her to a private school and sue your current school system for that expense, too. I am so glad that your daughter has you for an advocate and that you threw your ex-boyfriend to the curb so that he could be picked up the trash. She needs you so much right now. My parents have both passed away, but for a long time I harbored painful resentment because they did not believe me or help me. So, I am just saying...nip it in the bud now. You can be angry about this in a classy way. Document visits to a therapist. Document any contact with the Police Department. Document all of your contact with that teacher and the administration at the school. Document all contact with a lawyer. Force that school system to create a No Bullying policy and to require teachers, support staff, and the School Board to attend education sessions on the subjects of the Cycle of Abuse and the damage done by bullying. You may need to keep a journal to help you recall events exactly as they happen day to day. In the end, the one with the most documentation wins. Give your daughter a big hug and let her know that all of this mess is not her fault. Then when you feel that you have acceptable closure on this, find someone to give you a big hug. You need professional allies to bring this to light. I wish the best for you and your daughter.

During my second month ost-op, my fingernails started to break off in little pieces. Also, my skin got very dry and itchy. I started taking Biotin 10,000 mg and a hair, skin, and nails (with gelatin) supplement. With every other shower, I exfoliate every part of me that I can reach and then rub Sweet Almond Oil all over. My nails responded very well, and my skin has healed and feels as soft as a baby. Hair is a different story. During a mid-March visit with my bariatric physician, she told me that it is my turn to start watching the shower drain for falling hair. I have noticed more individual hairs on the furniture and about the house, but haven't seen a clump yet. My boyfriend is very supportive and aware that losing hair is given part of this process, although the volume is different for everybody. He told me that if falling hair reduces me to tears, he would just hold me tighter. For right now, my hair is softer than it has ever been.

On Thursday 5/22/2014, I have a nutrition appointment. I am coming into five months out and am having the same issue. I have already two long stalls. First one during my entire fourth month. That one finally broke and I went down a few more pounds. Now I am in another stall. One thing I am going to address with her is that I feel like I am back in my pre-bariatric life where I am constantly seeking a remedy that will help me lose weight. The nutritionist has me on 80 grams of Protein and 64 ounces of Water. On my own for the last week or so, I am trying to get in 100 grams of protein with 100 ounces of fluids to wash it down. Guess what? Nothing - I am still getting nothing! And it is hard to pull off because there are only so many hours a day, and my calorie limit is 800 per day. 800 calories is not enough to fuel my exercise program porperly. The devil himself must live inside fat cells and will not concede without a knock-down-drag-out brawl in the kitchen. If I come back from this appointment with new knowledge and encouragement, I will post an update to share the results with the forum. I wish you good luck and good health.

Here are some common co-morbidities that may help yu get over the documentation hurdle. Plus I should mention that in most cases in life, the one with the most documentation wins. When my bariatric team assembled my documentation, I included a heartfelt letter explaining how my weight and co-morbidities were affecting my health and quality of life. I have BCBS Federal Employee and was approved in two days. I hope you get the response that you want. To follow is a list of comorbidities (additional conditions or diseases) related to obesity which may help you in qualifying for weight loss surgery. • Family history of heart disease • Family history of stroke • Family history of diabetes • Family history of heart attacks • Hyperinsulinemia • Diabetes • High blood pressure • Coronary-artery disease • Hypertension • Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension • Congestive heart failure • Neoplasia • Dyslipidemia • Anemia • Gallbladder disease • Osteoarthritis • Degenerative arthritis • Degenerative disc • Degenerative joint disease • Recommended joint replacement from specialist • Accelerated degenerative joint disease • Asthma • Repeated pneumonia • Repeated pleurisy • Repeated bronchitis • Lung restriction • Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD) • Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism) • Rashes • Chronic skin infections • Excess sweating • Frequent yeast infections • Urinary stress incontinence • Menstrual irregularity • Hormonal abnormalities • Polycystic ovaries • Infertility • Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer) • sleep apnea • Pseudotumor cerebri • Depression • Psychological/sexual dysfunction • Social discrimination • Premature death in the immediate family

Seems like BMI guideslines are so unfair. I had to look in your info to see how tall you are. I am 5'4" and started 30 pounds less than you, and my BMI was 40.1 to start. And yet, at 5'8" your BMI is 33.6. One thing I can encourage you on is that for many of us, your beginning weight is the figure that is used for final approval and not the lower one after your mandatory program. Do you have co-morbities that will help sway things in your favor?

My sleeve 12/23/2013 was my 12th surgery under anesthetic. Never was I ever awake for tubes or catheters to be inserted.....never.

unjury Cocolate Splendor - I mix it with Almond Milk. Unjury strawberry Sorbet. - Mixes well with Crystal Lite Lemonade to make a high Protein strawberry lemonade flavor. I have re-purchased them twice since my surgery. Syntrax all flavors mix well into the liquid, better than Unjury (my favorite is Grapefruit because mixed with Crystal Lite Lemonade it tastes like Fresca.

It is so much easiier to roll over in bed.

Here is how I rate some of the Exercise DVDs that I have: Chair Boxing with David Stamps.....my favorite Chair Salsa with David Stamps Chair Tai Chi with David Stamps Exercises for the Bedridden with David Stamps... I have to say that all of David Stamps videos are worth the money. You do not need a Lunk Alarm. They are do-able and can be easily modified to your needs. Any of David's workouts can be done sitting in a chair or laying on your bed. Chair Aerobics Circuit Training Beach Party (1960's style surf music) with Ronit Amaya ....Fun enough and you can use light handweights. Fun Resistance Bands with Sunshine Good for balance strength and flexibility. Easy Sitting Pilates and Calesthenics with Sunshine Sunshine also has another one that uses handweights, and most of the time she is sitting down. Stonger Seniors Chair Exercise Program - Core Fitness with Anne Pringle Burnell Stronger Seniors Stretch and Strength - Anne Pringle Burnell Anne is easy to follow. I use her DVDs a lot and can follow along without messing up too much. Walk at Home / Walk Your Belly Flat with Leslie Sansone. This can be throught the house or standing in place in front of the TV. It uses every muscle in the body to help torch calories. She breaks up the walk into three mile increments. I use this one on any morning that I wake up with energy. Easy Yoga for Arthritis with Peggy Cappy A little hard for me to keep up because I am not very flexible. I have one other that may be of interest to you after you can enough strength to stand up some...although I have done this one sitting down if I fizzled out but wanted to keep going. It is Joel Harper's Firming After 50. I use this one frequently when I want to do body weight resistance. He has an intermediate level that a 30ish woman does, and a beginner's level done by his mother. So, I try to keep up with her. Mr. Gyms Couch Potato Workout....Boring Alert! I, too, have multilpe orthopedic issues, spine surgery, and post-stroke imbalance. I do these workouts in the privacy and safety of home where my boundaries are familiar. I hope this information helps anyone who is in a similar predicament of immobility and chronic pain. I wish you good luck and good health.

Throw out anything made in a factory and head for the perimeters of the grocery store, where you will find veggies, fruit, meat, fish, eggs, real butte,r and cheeses (not processed cheese foods). Your new tummy will appreciate actual nourishment from what you eat. Now, I must conceed that if you live in a food desert or must store stuff back for heavy winter weather, then frozen and canned is better than negelecting to eat. You just need to be creative and developed a routine that will work for you. For the first few days post-op I had baby food as an emergency standby. My boyfriend does all the cooking around here. He loves to cook Mediterranean style, since he is from Malta. so I stepped down from that responsibility and help with clean-up. Anyway on his days off, he batch cooks for me and puts portions in the freezer for me. So...fresh is better than frozen...frozen is better than canned goods, and canned goods are better than junk.

Omeprazole has been a big help for me. Also, that much antibiotics can throw off the balance of the friendly bacteria in your digestive system. There are remedies for that including yogurt and/or femented foods.

Don't beat yourself up. Just knock off the the nonsense and start again with your next meal. Bariatric Choice at www.bariatricchoice.com has a large variety of protein-rich chips,, Cookies, crackers, puddings, etc. I order a lot of things from there. You can check it out to see if any of their stuff might be just what you want, but less damaging. I wish you good luck and good health.

My five months is May 23rd. I had a seven week stall from mid-February to the end of April. I was advised to increase intake of fluids with a goal of 100 ounces per day, and up my Protein with a goal of 100 grams per day. I will see my nut this Friday and ask her if she can recommend a limit on carbs. It seems like if I go past 800 calories and 30 carbs, everything comes to screeching halt. My exercise regimen includes two days of hand weights and body resistance. I walk six days a week, in the house if the weather is bad. On top of that I try to include some fun aerobics using my exercise DVDs for dances like Hula, Salsa, Hip Hop Abs, Belly Dancing, and Bollywood, etc. I have over 35 of them to give me variety. They had been collecting during all of my other weight loss attempt. So...there is enough to keep me out of trouble. I have lost half of my extra weight, so now the loss has slowed down. I believe we were all told that was going to be work. You appear to be following your plan, so I would suggest that you shake things up a bit. Eat dinner for Breakfast, If you do not have exercise DVDs, then turn some music on and dance like nobody is watching. Get creative and keep up the good work.

Post-op, I weighed four pounds more than when I started. It took all of that first week to drop those 4, then during the second week my weight started to go down. Stalls happen, and they are as predictable as sunrise and sunset.

Nope. Had to Google it. Interesting concept. 5 years from now it may be a popular choice.