Miss Mac

I took on the name Miss Mac when I started a new job as a supervisor in 2008. All the supervisors carried radios and our names were called out frequently as our team members needed us. There was another supervisor with my first name, and a team member with a similar syllable in the last name, so I had to come up with something that would be clear on the radio. I got this job right after the great Bernie Mac died. Since the first part of my Scottish last name was Mac, that sounded OK enough. Hence, Miss Mac, with no further confusion. I am retired now, but I still like the name.

Has anyone else gotten ischemic colitis after starting whey protein? My three month program will be done in a few days. I just got out of the hospital yesterday after eight miserable days of pain, diarrhea, and IVs. I could not find much online. So, I am home now on a low residue diet. Has anyone else had any experience with this?

I escaped the sleep study, but did get my endo done yesterday at Loyola.

Congratulations on having a mind of your own. Do this for yourself. The other people in your life do not have your aches and pains or emotional baggage. Sounds like it is time to invest in your own health and well-being. I have been through two divorces and came through fine with my head held high. Walk away and don't look back. In the long run, you will be happier. You do you, and good luck with your surgery.

My date is close to yours, December 18. You are giving yourself the greatest gift of all, and that is a better quality of health. You will be so glad you did.

Tentatively December 18th with approval. I finish my program on November 18th.

Loyola does have support group sessions. The team consists of two surgeons, two bariatric physicians, two nutritionists, two psychologists and exercise physiologists....which about covers everything. The bariatric clinic is not on the main campus that is close to Brookfield Zoo, but that is where the surgery is performed . The Bariatric Clinic itself is on first street in Melrose Park, on their Gottlieb Hospital campus, which is where my liver ultrasound was done, and my endoscopy will be done on Thursday. It is clean - clean - clean, and everyone I have come in contact with has be gracious and kind. I have every confidence in this team so far. And as far as the protein drinks and supplies, it is multiple choice from a long list. Hope this helps.

What I know about Loyola is that they have a reputation for outstanding care, and are an excellent teaching facility for med students. I found out by scooting around on-line that Dr. Chand was head of the bariatric program at the Cleveland Clinic which is like the Mayo Clinic of the East. Loyola just recently snatched him up to head their bariatric program. I am totally comfortable with this team and am ready to get on the other side of my surgery date.

Hey MZ Naddie, I will send you a personal message to share info.

Where I come from it means Pre Admission TestS. My BCBS Federal Employee has covered it every time I needed it.

Be careful, have fun.....we'll keep the porch light on for you.

What made me happy today was that I went in for a nutrition appointment and came out with a tentative date for my surgery....December 18. So, there is light at the end of my tunnel. One endoscopy, two appts., two weeks of liver shrink and ta da...losers bench. I am so excited. I never thought about the towel thing. I have those big giant bath sheets, too, because regular towels don't get the job done. I will be looking for that as a NSV!

Whatever feels healthy. I am 5'4". When I was 18, I weighed 108, but I was anorexic and looked it. My healthiest happiest weight was 130-135. At 235 this past summer, it was time to take it back down. So, my ultimate goal is 145, now that I am over 60 years old, but I would not complain about 130 again.

I am still pre-op, but I had to stop putting mine in the blender, too. Major difference by shaking in a bottle.

I got same day approval for mine with 41.37 BMI and co-morbitities. BCBS Federal Employee has been the best insurance policy I ever had.

I am still pre-op, but closing in on a surgery date. I see Dr. Chand on the 24th for an endoscopy at Gottleib. I have a NUT appt. on Monday 14th, and again on November 11th, the last psych appt. with Dr. Wool on November 18th, then my surgery date can be scheduled. So far everyone has been easy to get along with and encouraging. Even the office staff has been accommodating about scheduling. So far...no complaints. Shirley in Alsip. I have BCBS Federal Employee. My primary physician recommended the Loyola/Gottleib program.

I am still in my 3 month program with 60 grams protein, 1100 calories. Yeah, so I have been taking stool softeners and drinking 4 ounces of prune juice 2 X a day. It helps.

I've had 12 different surgeries where I was put out for the process. Every time I faced that dread of "what if" and every time it went like this: You're going to feel real relaxed....now count back from 100.....100, 99, 98......Shirley...wake up Shirley...your surgery's over....you did fine. So I agree with the other folks in this forum that I face a greater risk of death by not having the surgery. I, too am 5'4" with a starting weight of 235. The pre-op diet has taken me down to 217, and my surgery will be sometime in November. My 53" belly touches my legs, and it is getting harder and harder to stand up straight. So, the greater risk for me is to not take this journey.

I've had 12 different surgeries where I was put out for the process. Every time I faced that dread of "what if" and every time it went like this: You're going to feel real relaxed....now count back from 100.....100, 99, 98......Shirley...wake up Shirley...your surgery's over....you did fine. So I agree with the other folks in this forum that I face a greater risk of death by not having the surgery. I, too am 5'4" with a starting weight of 235. The pre-op diet has taken me down to 217, and my surgery will be sometime in November. My 53" belly touches my legs, and it is getting harder and harder to stand up straight. So, the greater risk for me is to not take this journey.

If the concept with the dentist is just to not chew, would he allow you to take something else from the fridge and just zap it in the blender with something liquid?

I chose the sleeve and expect my date to be in mid-November after I complete a 12 week program required by my insurance. I chose the sleeve because I did not want my stomach pinched with a port left in my side (lap band) and I did not want my intestines re-routed (gastric bypass). In the process of fashioning the smaller sleeve out of the stomach you do have, the portion that generates the hunger hormone ghrelin is removed too. That's not to say you can't ever overeat and stretch your sleeve, but it makes the whole process of gastric surgery more user-friendly. I expect to have successful results from it. Good luck with whatever decision you make. You won't regret being healthier and having more energy to live a fuller life.

It wouldn't hurt to ask about alternative meds. I have been taking Zoloft for three years for post-stroke anxiety, and as soon as I had my first visit with the bariatric physician, she immediately changed my med to Buproprion, which is a Wellbutrin generic. Within two weeks my mood lifted so much, that I had not realized how underserved I had been with the Zoloft. There are several different meds out there to treat depression and/or anxiety, so it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Results are in on pudding and chicken soup. I used Jello brand sugar free vanilla instant pudding, 2% milk, and Unjury unflavored protein powder. I like strong flavors, so I added a little extra vanilla and a couple of sweetener packets. I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite tasty. I will make this again. As for the Unjury Chicken Soup packet, also quite a surprise. I thought maybe I would just have a taste, but I finished the whole cup. So five stars for both from here.

Congratulations on your 37 pound weight loss so far. Don't worry so much that it doesn't show yet. In yo-yo dieting I have found that for me, I need to lose 50 pounds for anyone to notice. And don't let your brother the fit nut beat you up emotionally. It was your decision to make, and if that is what it takes to get you healthy, you did no harm. Your health problems aren't the same as his. Just brush him off like a fly on your nose. I have lost 17 pounds so far on my pre-op diet. When I went in for my first surgeons visit, I had lost 1 1/2 inches around my neck, 2" around my ribs, and NOTHING around my 53" belly - still the freakin' same. My doctor explained that it is like the belly becomes its own living breathing organ that breeds inflammation and imbalance. The sleeve helps to correct that and in time the fat in the belly has to go along with the rest of it.......so just be patient...in a year you will be able to encourage other people to do what it takes to get their health and happiness back.

When I had my first surgeons visit on the 9/24, I asked him if there would be any external staples, and he said no. I guess they are all different. This surgeon, Dr. Bipan Chand was recruited to Loyola University Medical Center from the Cleveland Clinic last year, and teaches gastro-intestinal surgery and robotics. I know I will be in good hands. Don't know why they all don't follow the same procedures, but I guess we get similar outcomes. Good luck with your healing.