Miss Mac

November in Chicago. Last Friday my Psych told me it would happen between November 14th and Thanksgiving.

Homemade.......my sweetie Tony loves to cook, so he makes soups and other delicious things for me. This soup has diced spiral ham, which he sautés with diced carrots, diced celery, diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers in red and green for color. Once he puts that in the pot he adds whatever beans are on hand. This week he took a large can of navy beans and a large can of kidney beans and rinsed them before adding them to the pot.(this reduces the total calorie count). He also added a large can of diced tomatoes. I suppose you could put it in a crock pot, but he put this in a large kettle and added enough water to make it soupy. Then he threw in a heap of black pepper because we like pepper here, and let all this yumminess simmer for a couple of hours. The nutritional values are in the database of myfitnesspal.com under the name of TONY'S HOMEMADE BEAN SOUP WITH GARDEN VEGETABLES. And it makes enough to last a few days.

Congratulations on making it through this part of your journey. Wishing you good luck for tomorrow, and good health for your new lease on life.

Hey, Ms. Indigo in Scotland. I am hanging in there. My surgeons visit is coming up fast on the 24th. As for County Antrim, my Scots-Irish McCulloughs were in the area around Randalstown, Barony of Toome. They hopped a boat to America in 1736.

Pre-op, last week my NUT told me to eat more beans....so today is bean soup with garden vegetables. 90 calories a cup.

That's what I am hoping for: that the weight loss itself will bring relief, not to mention getting rid of this inflammation machine (my big old belly) that feeds it.

Right knee replaced 2007, left knee replaced 2012 (different hospital - different doctor). Right knee was a total botch job with a lot of residual pain. Since I have several orthopedic issues and can no longer take Ibuprofen because it tore up my stomach big time and made it raw, my ortho specialist prescribed Voltaren Gel. Voltaren Gel is a topical crème that provides significant and noticeable relief for all the achy places. There is no OTC equivalent with the same active ingredient, but Aspercreme is a close second.. I hope you are able to find some relief. I am waiting to get rid of this extra person I am wearing for a belt. Bet my knees feel better then.

O.K. Knock it off!

Water blisters? I have been following this forum for six weeks, and this is the first I have heard of water blisters. Also, with 12 other surgeries in my 61 years, I have never gotten water blisters around an incision site. Is this because a glue is used instead of staples? How long do they last?

I have seen that Youtube video, too, but I can't locate it now. I was told 30/30 because just like the video shows, liquids will dilute whatever food you are able to eat and cause dumping syndrome.

Been hoping to find a site where we can find reviews of protein drinks and other bariatric products, kind of like Yelp. There are so many of us out there with different opinions, and so many products that we can't possibly try them all. A review resource would be nice.

Ketosis is what I was thinking, too. So I guess while I am stocking up on protein products pre-op, I had better get a bucket of mints while I am at it.

As Billy Crystal says, "Dahling....you look mahvahlous!!!!

In my fridge I keep a jar of equal parts flax seed, wheat germ, and whole chia seeds. The nutritional value is similar on all three. For example, I add it to oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, and my new protein drinks now, With four grams of fiber per serving it helps with elimination. It is high in anti-oxidants and Omega 3s. It taste nutty and the chia seeds swell up like tapioca to help you feel fuller longer. Chia is gluten free. The only thing is you gotta watch out for the calories which are 60 per tablespoon. For me, the calories are worth the benefit I get from it. I asked my NUT about it last Friday, and she said go for it, but when I talked to the surgeon on the 24th, to ask him how long to wait post-op before incorporating them back into my diet.

Here is the Hampster Dance to help you celebrate:

Why would your doctor wait nine months to tell you that you need a six month monitored program? Geeze Louize! Ok here is a back story to make a point: In 2005 I left an abuser, moved very far away, and thought maybe I should go to college so I could support myself better. But I was thinking...I am 54...that is too old to go to college. But someone asked me, "how old will you be in four years if you do not go to college?" Answer was - 58, same as if I DID. So, I went back to college and got my bachelor's degree at the age of 58. Now, here is my point....where will your health be in six months if you don't get involved in a monitored weight loss program? We are ALL here because of a struggle and we reached out for surgical help to lift us up out of the quicksand of dieting despair. Your weight loss brothers and sisters want you to succeed. My insurance requires a 3 month program of which I have 5 weeks to go. I have learned so much from the Nutritionist even though I have been on a diet since 1978 and thought I knew it all. Portion control, logging foods eaten, eating slower, balanced choices, eating more protein even though I have vegans in the family. (which by the way, they seem like ankle-nipping Pekinese dogs to me) The program will be so worth it even if you don't have the surgery afterward. You will learn life skills that will help you on your journey to a healthier you. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. But come back to visit us here. We want to encourage you.

Walk away and don't look back. But, having worked in several medical facilities around the country, I can tell you this; nearly every hospital or clinic is subjected to Press Gainey Reviews and is under the wing of a larger medical group. You could send a letter to the administrator of that group and let them know that you have transferred your medical care elsewhere because of the unprofessional treatment and will be contacting the Medical Records Dept. for copies of your records. Name names......It all comes down to $$$$$$$. The medical group needs to know that this bariatric clinic has lost $$$ from your case, and is probably losing other $$$$ from people who don't speak up. They won't know if you don't make some noise on your way out.

We are all so individual; it could be one of a hundred things. But if you are just curious about other peoples' experience, here is mine. Toe curling leg cramps became a big problem for me last year and robbed me of a good sleep every night. Blood work showed a D3 deficiency, and a neurological workup showed Babinski's Reflex, which was corrected by repairing four herniated discs. I am just saying that it could be something as simple as a vitamin issue or something that needs extra attention. Also, anytime I take OTC sleeping pills, I get restless leg syndrome - every time. So, don't get "Google-itis", just call your doctor and see how he wants to manage it for you. Good luck.

My gentleman and I are very disparate in size just like you, KB88. He is 6'2 - 180, and I am 5'4" and 235 a month ago. We look like a pencil and an apple walking together. Thank goodness we were that way when we met seven years ago. He has never asked me to change anything about myself. Before I called the bariatric clinic for the first time, I asked him if he felt like he would be missing anything if I lost this whole other person I am wearing for a belt. He said he just wants me to be healthy - whatever weight that turns out to be, and has been very supportive. So, yeah, I know that lopsided feeling.

Cambridge Dictionary's definition of the verb CREEP: to move slowly, quietly, and carefully, usually in order to avoid being noticed: That's how it is, right? It just sneaks up on you when you are not looking. Life is what happens when you've made other plans. The way to get control back is to just grab it. Grab: to take hold of something suddenly. So, same as you did before, wake up tomorrow morning and take charge of your health again. You are worth the effort. Good Luck.

So, does that mean that any of them are actually old enough to help you out around the house?

Does anybody know of a blog or website where people can do like Yelp! reviews on these protein drinks and other bariatric products??? There are so many to choose from. My NUT just put me on one meal replacement per day, so far I had an Unjury Banana Cream Shake - actually pretty darn good, and this morning I had a Chike Nutrition Orange Cream Shake. Also better than I expected. We can't try them all - so how can this be set up so that newbies can review before buying?????

If in other situations in your life Plan A does not work out, I am sure you make adjustments and go with Plan B. So you hang in there. It sounds like you want this like a kid wants Christmas. Keep racing for the prize. You got knocked off your horse, so get back on the horse or get another horse. You've got the right idea about looking for another surgeon. You may not have your sleeve date, but you still have your dignity.

Here is another one I though of this morning when I could hardly get my own self out of bed......and that is just barely being able to roll over in bed, get myself from prone to standing, and standing fully upright to walk. This belly has really pulled me over. I won't miss bad posture, for sure.

Welcome to the forum.....Miss Mac here from Alsip on the South Side of Chicago. I am on a similar timeline as you. Just had my psych eval this past Friday, and will see the surgeon on the 24th. My 12 week prep period will be over Nov. 14, and I was told Friday that my surgery will be between the 14th and Thanksgiving. My surgery will be at Loyola University's Gottlieb Hospital in Melrose Park. Where will your sleeve be done?