Miss Mac

Thanks! I needed a laugh today.

I've noticed it, too. What is that magic potion of life,diet and exercise that will break these infuriating plateaus? It is like the hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. I know I didn't sacrifice 85% of my stomach just to come to a screeching halt halfway there. Everyday, I just keep hacking away through this mysterious jungle of emotional and physical chaos, trying to find the new me on the other side. For people who call this the easy way out.........I want to smack you upside the head with a big dead fish!

RJ, real friends don't ignore you in your darkest hour. They hold you and cry with you. With your new life, you need supportive positive people surrounding you, and "them ain't it". I think with new life we should emerge with a new purpose. My thinking is with Teachamy. You should put your posts together as a collection, and see if a book grows out of that. We love you here on the forum, and appreciate your hard earned wisdom that you so selflessly share with us.

Hi...got my sleeve at Loyola in December 2013. Doing well.

I was allowed to pick up 5 pounds each arm at one month, but was able to do bodyweight exercises at two weeks. No pull ups from a bar, but things like walking lunges with no weights, push ups against the wall, modified boxing exercises, step up calf raises, up and down stairs, walking and speedwalking to my heart's content.......that kind of stuff. Obliques were out of the question until six weeks. The inner workings of your incisions will let you know pretty quickly if you are over-reaching your healing. I tried picking up my 30 pound kettle bell last week, but that clearly is not gonna happen for a while. I could not even get it off the floor. Just this week (nearing 3 months) I have increased my weights to 8 pounds each hand. I wanted to go to ten, but I could barely pick the weights up. I am learning about Paleo Eating and Paleo Fitness from MarksDailyApple.com, and even purchased some Vibram Five Finger Barefoot Shoes, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE for exercise. I am having my boyfriend help me build a fitness course around the perimeter of our back yard, which is about a 1/4 acre. A lot of what I need to do is post-stroke therapy at a modified level, but I am fighting this fat with every weapon I can come up with. Mark explains Paleo Fitness basics as several primal efforts: our ancient ancestors (mine are orkney Island Stone Masons) did not chase mastadons all day. Their day included activities like these: Move Frequently At A Slow Pace Lift Heavy Things Sprint Once In A While Get Adequate sleep Play (No chronic cardio and exercise bulemia) I really like his approach to fitness. Between surgery and the Paleo Lifestyle, I am becoming a fat-burning beast! Since you sound like a fellow beastie who was sidelined with weight gain like I was, you may already know about Paleo. I used to belong to the National and Campers and Hikers Association back in the day and was even a decent archer and pistol packin' mama. I miss it, but I've gotten cushy in my old age. Now that I am post-op and healing, I will be glad to get outside in those barefoot shoes as soon an this frikin' Chicago weather warms up. I wish you good luck and good health.

Copy this link for a funny reminder to be careful when you are at the gym. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KTQ4HnWP6B0#t=0

185......I hate plateaus. I think I have lost the same two pounds five times in the last month.

Thanks for the vote. A stroke in 2010 forced my retirement, but if I had my life to live over, I think I would have gone for Healthcare Administration instead of Hospitality/Business Management. Oh well. I am enjoying retirement because there is no boss, no alarm clock, and I have all day for therapy, my genealogy project, and puttering around the house.

So much pain is gone. My body was racked with pain and my spine was collapsing because my short shortie skeleton refused to carry the excess weight anymore. I had gained a whole person since I graduated from high school in 1970. It was like carrying a pony around my waist. IN 2010 my weight and blood pressure caused a stroke that affected my balance, vision and ability to leave my home independantly. Since the surgery, my range of motion has improved to the point that I do not have to "two-step" up and down the stairs anymore. I have to move slowly and hold the rails, but it is a victory for me to take the steps normally. I sleep way better and don't have to pee every 20 minutes. I still have to use my cane or an elbow for balance, but I can walk farther and longer and faster. I am 62 and walked like I was 110. Now, I walk like I am 62 with some arthritis. The high Protein low carb way of eating has increased my energy and libido.......soooooooo my gentleman's life has changed since my surgery. too. My grandchildrens' life has changed since my surgery because I have more lap and less belly, and can hold them better and have more energy to play on the floor with them. Hey! I can get up and down from the floor. Who'lda thunk it? A LOT of things have changed, and I am only halfway to my goal (1/2 empty theory of glass fillage). Half full, it's - I am already 1/2 way to my goal! Even though the sleeved life takes work and diligence, It's all good, and I don't regret the surgery at all.

Pizza

Being uncomfortable from coughing and sneezing and walking about is way different from being a bucket of tears from inconsolable pain. Don't minimize the pain to the extent that you neglect the resources of your bariatric team. I would suggest that putting emotions aside, carefully evaluate how bad the pain really is. Keep in mind that the incision is not just through your skin. The surgeon had to go through the skin and fat and muscle -past nerves and arteries and veins just to get to the stomach. He had to move your liver around and blow up your belly with CO2 and manipulate tools all about in there. So, yeah, there is a lot that could be sore. The skin incision is your outward indication that healing is going on. I always thought that the human abdomen should have come with a magnifying window so that doctors could see inside. Lacking that, we have to go by how we feel. Anxiety can make pain worse and rob you of your sleep. My primary physician reminded me to not get "Google-itis" when I do not understand symptoms. I learned that lesson when I thought I injured a muscle in my back by over-exercising. Ben-Gay only made it burn like hot peppers on my eyeballs. So, I called and he said he refuses to diagnose over the phone- I should come in. So, when he saw my back he was gobsmacked. he said "I know what it is just by looking. You have shingles!" Therefore, lesson learned about trying to guess what is going on. So, I said all of that to say this........I don't think your team will get upset if you call. Follow-up care should be part of your program.

RJ is an awesome inspiration to anyone having more than their share of aggravating complications. She was a complication magnet! Maybe you would like to send her a private message to absorb some additional strength from her abundance of courage. I wish you good luck and good health.

Would you qualify for anything else on this list? Also, I submitted with my packet, a personal heartfelt letter about how my weight and its complications negatively affected my quality of life and how the surgery would mitigate those issues. Here is the list of other conditions insurance companies consider in making their decision. I got it from dsfacts.com. DS stands for duodenal switch. Hope this helps. Maybe you will find some you see as familiar. In that letter, I explained when I started gaining weight and listed the diets and exercise programs that have failed me. I told them about family members who have died of conditions on the co-morbities list. I included a list of the medications I am taking for conditions related to my obesity. I shared info about surgeries and joint replacements and other treatments necessary because of my weight. I told them about inconveniences and the adjustments I have had to make to function throughout my day, and how how the weight itself prevents me from an effective and agressive exercise program. Then I closed the letter by explaining how the surgery would drastically improve my quality of life, and thanking them in advance for approving the surgery which would surely extend my life and reduce the need critical medical care in the future. When composing any good presentation, follow these 3 rules: 1. Tell them what you are going to tell them. 2. Tell them. 3. Tell them what you told them. Good luck. Obesity Comorbidities 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 For more information on the NIH qualifications for weight loss surgery: Gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity. Proceedings of a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference, March 25-27, 1991.

Clear liquids you can see through (water, tea, broth, apple juice, etc). Full liquids you cannot see through (milk, cream soups, tomato soup, puddings, etc.). Regular foods cooked well and mashed or put through a blender are soft foods. Soft foods that are whizzed through a blender or thinned down to where they slide off a spoon are pureed foods.

I also started whole eggs in week three post-op. I have one every day. Ketchup on eggs is not my thing, but I do tolerate it on meat loaf at three months now.

At almost 3 months out, I still have at least one whey Protein shake a day usually during and after an exercise session). In my soft foods stage, I ate a lot of scrambled eggs mixed with eggbeaters. But some people can't handled eggs post-op. I also ate hearty homemade Soups and foods run through the blender to break them down some. My boyfriend had bought some baby Cream of Rice with my post-op groceries, but I couldn't bring myself to open the box. Mep-Mep Unacceptable! (from the Conehead movie).

Take a look to see if you have any of these other co-morbities that can qualify you for weight loss surgery. I also sent a heartfelt personal letter with my packet explaining why I needed the surgery and how the excess pounds affected my quality of life. Even family medical history or social discrimination can be a factors. Good luck. Obesity Comorbidities 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

I agree with Blondiee, that carbs are not my friend right now. (I am approaching 3 months post op). With the pouch so small, it's challenging enough to get the Protein in, let alone anything else. Other veggies have carbs without doing the damage of starchy veggies like potatoes, corn, peas, and carrots. I have not had bread, cake, Cereal, Pasta, or crackers since my first pre-op visit in September 2013. I just have to think of staches, wheat products, and rice as the Devil for a long while yet to come. I simply do not have room for them since my nutrition is compromised and depends upon the utmost diligence to eat those things that have real food value.....that is meat, veggies, eggs (the whole egg), limited fruits, and foods containing monounsaturated fats, like avocados, nuts and nut butters, olive oil, and dark chocolate. I definitely won't starve to death while optimizing my nutrition. Since putting all of that behind me and passing over to the other side of the food funerals, I do not miss that stuff. I was in Pete's supermarket with my gentleman friend this morning and was not even phased by all of the attractive and colorful cakes, pies, and junk foods clammoring for my attention. To me they are just pretty poisons wrapped up in shiny colors with bows and bells. Similarly, that is why rat poison has corn meal in it, so the rat will be attracted to it and eat it anyway. To kill roaches and creepy crawlers in the house, you can mix borax and sugar and put it anywhere kids and pets don't crawI. Why add sugar? It attracts the roaches so that when they crawl through the powdered borax they drag it back to the nest where it burns all their little buggy feet off. I am so over sugar, wheat belly, starches, and junk now. No way can I eat the Food Pyramid recommend 6-11 servings of grains a day. I am not that girl anymore. Real food that you can chase and pick will have to do for me....(nothing made in a factory) and I am healthier for it. I have more energy than I have in decades and I am able to exercise and walk without so much pain. When I am with my nutritionist, I just nod my head in polite agreement and then go home and eat what is right for me. On a side note about borax and sugar. I needed something after a flood years ago carried some nasty neighbors roaches swimming all through the neighborhood. I found the remedy on-line from a hospital in New York City that was seeing an abundance of patients with insect allergies. Borax and sugar is what they recommended for insect control at home. I was able to find Borax very cheap at the dollar store in the cleaning supplies section. Wear gloves and a mask when working with the stuff so that you do not get itchy. Don't let it get on your dishes, pots, or silverware.

I do not get it why our surgeons vary so drastically with the pre and post op diets. I was allowed full liquids on day three. A week later to soft foods. By week 3, I was testing the waters on regular food. Even had some Wendy's chili on my way home from my appointment that day. It's crazy. I spent a lot of money ahead of time ordering whey Protein Soups and Snacks, and hardly used them. My Sweetie made sleeve friendly soups and meals and put them through the processor for me. I know that the clear phase is boring and unpalatable. Even if you don't get your protein in, get your fluids. You don't want to end up in the E.R with I.V s for dehydration.....Take care. I wish you good luck and good health.

As with everything, we have to find a balance, so I am flopping around trying to find mine!

Oh, what good news RJ! I am so happy for you. I was born with curly red hair, and I am hoping it will come back curly - although at 62, it will probably come in some shade of gray or white. That's Ok. I am coming up on three months post-op, so I am aware that it could start falling any time. Thanks for the encouragement. It is the feature I like most about this forum - that someone has already gone through some fearsome thing someone else has coming up, and can hold their hand through it. Happy Happy Joy Joy for you.

Have any of you heard of exercise bulimia?????? I had not until a few minutes ago when I ran across it on a fitness forum. Apparently, if you are so concerned about calories that you have to exercise yourself sick and sore until you burn up every calorie you just ate, that is exercise bulimia. When I read about it, my first thought was that I am going to have to watch out for that. I think horrible thoughts about my own weakenesses, especially if I am in a stall and the pounds are not coming off in spite of my best efforts. Then, I feel like I have to drop the housework or my genealogy project or disrupt my sleep or avoid the next meal so that I can go exercise some more. See how easy it would be for us to fall into this trap because we are so eager and hopeful to make tangible and visible progress with our weight loss? Well, it was a rude and blaring alarm for me, as I am up to three exercise sessions a day and feeling guilty that it is not enough, and that 800 calories (my minmum limit from my bariatric team) are too many. So, I am good with it now, and can chill out about it, but Geeze Louis, you learn something every day. I had no idea. Here is the webpage with the information: http://www.your-bulimia-recovery.com/exercise-bulimia.html

Dude, you progress is amazing, but your before picture cracked me up with that third hand looking like it's coming out of your neck! Great jo b and great photography, too.

St. Patrick's Challenge.........185 today, up a few ounces on a bouncy plateau.....arrrrrrrrgh! If you REALLY want to be depressed, weigh yourself in grams.

I noticed it physically before I noticed it visually and emotionally. My primary physician noticed it at 30 pounds, but I did not really see it until just a couple of weeks ago when I hit 50 pounds down. About three weeks ago, I had to see a specialist whom I had not seen for five months. I had been there for treatment every three months for the last three years but had to delay this visit because of my sleeve surgery so that I could lay on my belly for an injection in my back. No one in the office recognized me (including my doctor). They had to double check the paperwork and my I.D. to make sure they were treating the right patient.