dstollery

ok so i got into it with someone today and i must say that i have learned that people who are stuck on their own opinions drive me nuts. Here is the thing, they call it the practice of medicine right? that means that it is constantly evolving and changing and growing right? So basically the issue was the following. the first comment out of her mouth was I just dont understand why you dont just stop eatting? Its not that hard just stop. Why have your guts ripped out. I know 10 people that have had this surgery and 8 of the 10 gained all their weight back. I asked if they followed the diet and she said No but they all were just like you, they said they were going to follow it. I said well, i view it as risk vs reward and the reward outweighs the risk in this instance. She goes your being biased because this is what you want you can say you wont have a blood clot and die i just dont understand why you dont just exercise. I said, nothing says i wont drop of a massive MI tomarrow either and she goes right but the risk is higher with the surgery and i said no, actually. she goes well you just are in denial, you think because your in the medical field that you know more than the average person and really you dont. You just are being stupid. You should just exercise and stop eatting so much. Ok so on this note i am just gonna say i just gave up and say F it. this is comming from the same woman that thinks that if someone else has a disease she must have it too. I am just so tired of no support from family or anyone around me /sigh. Makes me want to move to arizona and start over. where no one knows that i had surgery and no one can judge me. have a great day all, better than me anyway.

I'm sorry, but i have no one else to vent to so i am venting here... /rant on Ok so my surgeon is great. His staff go over everything with a fine tooth comb and make sure that you will pretty much be approved before anything is sent to the insurance company. I meet all the criteria. I have done everyting asked. I went to my psyc consult almost 2 months ago. I was told they had sent the paperwork to my surgeon's office but i called today and they havnt recieved it. So i called my psych dr office and his secretary said, ohh i'm so sorry he hasnt finished it yet. I am hoping he will be done this week. This is beyond frustrating. I dont understand it. I am REQUIRED to chart my findings with my patient within 24 hours. WTF! why do they get 2 months to send stuff off?!! I am so flippin irritated!! All i can do is caution people as to what psych consult doc they use. I wanna scream. I have already taken vacation becasue at my job i cant just get time off. Now its looking like at the best maybe august perhaps september for a surgery day because likely he wont get it out today. I want to just scream. How is it that i can do everything when they say and how they say and some jackrabbit gets to lolligag. I could tollerate if it was the insurance company but its not! UGGGG. I'm sorry. I just joined and already i am being a whiney little .... Anyway sorry for the rant, sorry to dump. Just wanted a spot to dump this into and people wouldnt say "told ya so." See this is why we said not to do this etc etc. My family has a bad outlook because my mother had stomach staples a long time ago. They broke free and perfed her stomach. They had to do a non elective gastric bypass. Her stomach was removed and now sure she is thin, but she wasnt ready psychologically. She doesnt follow any of the diet, she rarely takes her Vitamins and she has NEVER drank the Protein shakes. She complains that her hair is falling out, she Dumps ALL THE TIME! but she eats crap and never eats protein. so everyone things that this is what the surgery means. They dont take the nutritional requirements etc into account. I look forward to showing all of them that if you take the protein, if you take the vitamins, if you do what your supposed to....You can feel great. /rant off Sorry again =/

I came up with this because i noticed allot of people have the same questions and why not put it in an easy to read place right? So here you are, The credit for a lot of this info goes to the users of this forum who every day help to make peoples lives better thru kind words and support. This forum has changed my life already and I hope that everyone realizes what a great resource this is. If you like it great, if you want something added post the add and i will edit it accordingly. I'm not a writer so i'm sorry if the grammer is off. =) What to expect when you’re expecting, weight loss surgery First welcome to the forums. Your taking a huge step in your health. Both mental and physical. We are a group of people that share your journey. We can help with questions about before and after as well as things that come up along the way. First my name is David. I am an avid board user and will say that this is the best decision that I made. I chose gastric bypass and was not thinking of group. I was going to just do this and everyone else be damned. I later realized that Joining a support group is not about being less of a man or women but more about realizing that this journey is best taken with friends. You will notice that we call this a journey. A journey is exactly what you will realize you are on. Not just any journey but THE JOURNEY to the new you. This road will be curvy, there will be hills, valleys and what will seem like impassable mountains. With perseverance, and the help of friends you can make it. WLS (weight loss surgery) is not the easy road. If you are a bible person you could compare it to the scripture that talks about narrow is the road leading to salvation. Wide is the road leading to destruction. I use this because it’s fitting for so many of life’s battles but especially here. The road that the journey to WLS is traveled on is narrow. Its hard and it will likely be the hardest thing you have ever done. DLCoggin would say it’s well worth the work and I can’t think of a better way to say it. First let’s talk about your decision. You have come a long way already if your just starting your WLS journey. Most hospitals require you to attend an informative WLS seminar. These vary in length and are designed to help you understand what you’re getting into and what your surgery is all about. It’s a great time to get to know your procedure, surgeon and staff as well as some of the people close to you who may be starting the same journey. These are usually free and are held fairly frequently. You can check with your local WLS center for dates and times. Once that is done usually you will speak with your “case worker” or manager. They help to get all your paperwork in line and can usually help you by telling you if you are likely going to be approved or not. For most basic insurance companies they require a BMI >40 or greater than 35 with other medical issues. Some of these include diabetes, sleep apnea, chronic leg/knee pain or even continued skin conditions related to overhanging skin. Remember that your healthcare team is there to help you. Communicate honestly with them and allow them to work for you. The biggest thing you’re going to learn right here is patience. This process is not going to happen overnight. So now you have all of that done. They tell you psych eval time. I would highly suggest you to do a review of your psych doc online. See what peeps are saying about them. Protein. Some surgeons (common) want you to be on a 2 week liquid diet. The big thing to remember is YOU. CAN. DO. IT. Period. You really can and the boards are filled with people telling you that you can and you will. Failure is not an option at this point people! 2 days prior to surgery you will be placed on a clear liquid diet. Remember that clear liquid includes Jell-O. Clear liquid diets include anything that you can see thru when held up to the light. NO YOU CANT PUT A 2000000 CANDLE POWER SPOTLIGHT TO A CHEESEBURGER AND MAKE IT SEE THRU! I tried. You can and should already have your protein that you can tolerate at this point so before we talk about surgery day and the day before lets go to protein shall we? PROTEIN – your new best friend (especially if you mix it with water). There are far too many protein mixes out there and the boards do not endorse any specific one. There are however, a few rules when looking at protein. whey protein ISOLATES should be your number 1 ingredient. Basically this is the easiest protein for your body to use and it’s the best for you post op as well as pre op. Go for one with lower calories, < 5 grams of carbs and little filler. Listen, if your reading this now you’re already determined to do this. You have to understand that you HAVE TO HAVE PROTEIN. you will see posts here of real people that aren’t getting protein or fluids and are winding up in the hospital. If you cannot do the protein then stop now. This is not the procedure for you. Yes it’s that important. So spend some money folks. Start buying different protein powders and trying them out. SAVE THE ONES YOU DONT LIKE! your taste buds change post op you may like them after. I found that lots of people like the unjury and I personally go for optimum’s gold standard whey. Taste wise I have not found a better one. They can be spendy but remember your food bill will drop expediential. So you can afford a good protein mix. YOU MUST INGEST protein every day pre and post op. There is a reason for this pre op. Pre-op high protein diets cause your liver to release glycogen stores (for those of us with fatty livers this is GOOD) and thus your liver shrinks. On top of this you are training yourself to drink these daily. You need 60-80 grams of carbs (depending on surgeon some say 100g) per day. Remember that Skim milk has 8.8 per 1 cup so with 2 cups skim milk and 24g of protein you wind up with 31 grams x 2 a day = 62 grams. Doing well especially if your eating the meats you’re supposed to you will easily fall in the 80’s. Are you overwhelmed yet? If so pause here, Take a deep breath and remember you have some time. Research what you’re doing, what you’re going to go thru. You must be informed to be successful. Check out the forums they have GREAT high protein recipes in there!!!! People have gone to crazy lengths to type them out for you! use the resources available to you!! DAY BEFORE SURGERY – OMG it’s here! ITS HERE!! your excited I bet and if you’re like the majority of the rest of the population your nervous and starving. =) You have your mag citrate? Ok, so if you’re doing your surgery in a hospital away from home get a hotel room and lay claim to the bathroom. You will be in here for 5 ish hours depending on the person. Drink the required amount and await the urination via anus. This is required because it’s safer to operate on a person that has empty bowels and intestines. Now, your done and its 1155. You remember no more liquids after midnight so you drink a little Water and settle in. Try to sleep, you won’t sleep much but try to reflect on how far you have come. It’s been a journey already hasn’t it? From the start of this whole thing you have hoped for this moment. It’s here and your scared. That’s natural. I have a post in these forums about what to do tomorrow if your still very nervous and anxious. Sleep time, tomorrow will be a very exciting day for you. Day of surgery. Every hospital is different but one thing remains, you’re about to start the next length of your journey. You will be given an IV or 2 depending on hospital policy. An IV provides vascular access that is access to your vein and thus access to your blood stream. It is a piece of plastic called the canula that is inserted into a vein after a slight poke and then left in. This will likely be attached to a Fluid called LR or Lactated Ringers. This is basically saline with a little sugar and other nutrients in it. This gives your body a little extra mmmmffff before surgery. When you meet with your anesthesiologist make sure you discuss with him if your anxious. This is not the time to be manly or womanly or whatever. They have medications to help you. you will placed in pre op holding. Here you will likely get a shot of Coumadin or another anti platelet aggregate. These are you “blood thinners” this is to prevent clots from forming. The main reason for this is that anesthesia causes a very brief period of stasis. This is a concern because some people can form a clot during this brief form of stasis and if that happens a PE can develop (pulmonary emboli) this would be a clot that travels to your lungs. When they wheel you into surgery here is what to expect. . . . The OR is allot like leaving earth and entering an alien room. Everything is shiny, clean, cold. You will get goose bumps as you feel the cold table and room. There will be allot of people but don’t stress! You have a surgeon sometimes in at this point, scrub nurse, rotating nurse, anesthesiologist and possibly a Physician assistant that assists with surgery. There may or may not be a student in the room. This is your team. They are not aliens wearing masks getting ready to anal probe you!!!!! I only stress that because the drugs are reeeaalllly goood. LOL. Ok so back to reality they are your healthcare team. They are prepared, motivated, trained and here just for you. You’re going to feel some warmth in your arm, this is goooood. this is medication to prep you for intubation. STOP HERE IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE START OF YOUR PROCEDURE. Ok so you get the warm fuzzy’s, perhaps you feel a little out there. This is likely some fentanyl and perhaps a little versed. If you see white stuff in your iv line this is milk of Michael, AKA propofol. Fuzzy now, things will go out of focus. You won’t remember anything past this point. Once you’re out you will be given succinocolyn. This is a neuromuscular paralytic. It will help to allow the anesthesiologist to intubate your without your gag reflex. A tube 7.5 or 8.0 for men and 7.0 (average) for women will be inserted to your windpipe (trachea) . DONT freak out about this. YOU WANT THIS! this is the most secure airway you can have. Now the procedure starts. You are catheterized, this means a tube is inserted thru your urethra (where you pee) and into your bladder. This will allow urine to drain. Once the procedure is done your wheeled to the PACU. This is the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. 1 to 2 hours here and your back to your room. You need to blow off the anesthesia, so they will ask you to breathe deeply etc. You likely won’t remember this because of the meds The first day after surgery is your sleepy day. You will have the affects of anesthesia, some gas pain and perhaps some incision pain. This is a laparoscopic procedure usually so the incision pain should be minimal. You will likely have a PCA pump. Patient Controlled Analgesia pump. This has a button that you press that delivers a small amount of pain medication. There are a few things worth mentioning at this point. First Pain should be well controlled as it can hinder the healing process. So use your PCA! Use your PCA before you shower or get your cath out. Pain is a symptom. Remember this because if after you go home you develop large amounts of pain it is a symptom of something. Back to the day after. . . So your laying in bed you have ted hose on and likely a foot pump. this keeps your legs and feet moving and blood flow from entering stasis. Remember you foot exercises. Pull your foot back towards your knee then press it like your pushing on a gas pedal. This moves your blood and helps prevent blood clots. The forums are riddled with people that will attest to the power of walking. YOU MUST WALK post operatively. This is not a maybe people you MUST. even if you’re getting up, moving to a window and back its important. It helps with so much stuff but more importantly it helps relieve the pain of gas. you will have an UPPER GI done, this is to check and make sure everything is going well, swallow study likely will be done. Remember to drink. Just because you have an IV doesn’t mean you get a no drink pass. Remember to ask for an anti-emetic if your nauseated and try to relax! Once your home you will be weak, remember you just had major surgery and right now you’re still hauling around all that weight and getting minimal nutrition so take it easy!! Do not over do it but you should be walking. Stay off the scale!!! You are going to want to see your results but try to focus less on that and more on getting enough fluids. YOU HAVE TO DRINK! you can’t not drink folks. YOU WILL wind up in the HOSPITAL if you don’t stay hydrated. Lots of things are common post op and we will discuss a few of them here below. POST OP WOES gas pain – this is the most common pain and most people say walking is the number one reliever of it. 1 member said that putting one are above his head made it go away, the point is whatever you have to do walking is the key. Hunger – This is not usually an issue if you have hunger remember to drink your fluids. Dehydration – this is your NUMBER 1 ENEMY! you have to stay hydrated people. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include dark colored urine, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness when you stand, difficulty concentrating. As the dehydration progresses guys you can develop SERIOUSE COMPLICATIONS! Your HEART is a sodium potassium pump. that means that as you dehydrate you become sodium and potassium deficient. this can cause dysrythmias (irregular heart rates and rhythms), muscle twitching, contractures of the fingers etc. it’s a big deal people so drink your fluids! Blood clot – Ok, so first let me say that as a paramedic this scares the @#$@ out of me. These are NOT to be played with. No reason for paranoia but, if you develop chest pain or shortness of breath then you should be in the ER. chest pain that is typical with PE (pulmonary Emboli) is pinpoint. That is you can point to where it hurts. THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Calling an ambulance in this scenario is NOT A BAD IDEA. The bottom line is, don’t mess around peeps . Don’t be ignorant and think this will go away. YOU NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION NOW not in 5 minutes not in a few days NOW. Liquid stools – to some extent this is expected however most people find that after a few weeks they are having normal stools. Vomiting – Ok I won’t go into dumping here because that is a paper in and of itself. Vomiting is a symptom. If your vomiting all the time even when drinking water you should be calling your surgeon. If you vomit blood you should call your surgeon. fatigue – this is very common post op and is actually expected. You were told to take 3 weeks off work likely and you should do it. Remember you weigh X still and your getting such a small amount of nutrition that you need to be careful when doing activities that demand allot of calories. Well, I hope this was informative. This is your journey and on behalf of everyone here I want to welcome you to the RNY talk forums. We get a little crazy sometimes, especially the women in the powder room but for EVERY question you could have there is someone that has asked or is wondering too. So post away, from sex to nutrition we are open to talk about it. Everyone that knows me will say this is almost my motto but remember to Advocate for yourself and be informed. This is the new you. It’s your time to shine and we are all here for you. Welcome.

Here are some pics from recent to pre-op.

GOOOD morning everyone! David here with an update i guess now over 2 years post op! ! Pretty exciting things have went on and continue to go on in my life and i really appologize for the delays in posting. Let me first start off by saying you are all too kind with you posts here. It's wonderfull to know that this post has at least helped a few people. Let me give a little update and brief recap for those of you wondering. I had RNY done in Bismarck ND with the only complication being some post op gas pain even after walking my legs off! 3 days after surgery i was home and realized a few things. 1. I am glad i know enough medically to realize that 5 weeks post op when i stood and felt like i was going to pass out it was likely my BP meds continuing to drop my BP when it was not needed anymore. Check my BP and sure enough i went from a 150's bp down to 90's without medication. A quick conversation with my PCP (primary care provider) and i dc'd my blood pressure meds. A word on reactive hypoglycemia now since I am one of the lucky individuals that has this wonderfull little side effect. My pancrease works really well, that being said when i eat high carb foods it releases plenty of insulin but the food moves thru so quickly that TADA my blood glucose drops. Lowest i have been so far is 38. I can tell you, not a fun experience. That being said go back to square one if you find yourself struggling with this. I re-evaluate my food choices and find EVERY TIME that i am eatting things i know better than to eat. Ok so here is the update.. Starting Weight : 330lbs Pre op weight : 299lbs RNY: 7/24/2012 10/13/12 : 233lbs 3/22/15 - 179 lbs I currently work as a Flight Paramedic (something that has always been a dream but always too large) I am almost done with my nursing progam and am pretty much just lovin life! I still love to cook and bake I just do so in moderation. I will post a few pictures in a few minutes so yall can see the changes. You can be successful. You can make positive changes and be the you that you need to be. Please know that this surgery is a tool that when used correctly can have life changing, mind blowing effects. I can run up and down stairs, i can get on the ground with my patients and get back up without hurting. If you have questions ask away i will be checking back for a few days to answer any questions you have. Nothings off limits ask away =-)

Well I hit my goal weight. I am 175lbs now. Which is actually 5 lbs under my goal. I am not even a year post op and thought I would share my updated pic. First one is pre op and the other is obviously post op. thanks to all of you for all your help along the way!!! Ohh and that's me standing outside the helicopter that I could never have been able to be a flight medic in was it not for surgery and y'all's support. Love u guys and gals! Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

Jen u look amazing!! Your face looks so different!! We totally should have teamed up!! You go girl!! I'm soo proud I you. You have always been so positive and had great advice, I can't think of a more deserving person to reach your goal so soon! Congrats! Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

Aye grats!! Won't be long and you won't even remember your hospital stay!! Stay strong and walk as much as you can! Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

Congrats that's awsome!!! Keep up the strong work!! Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

Cards are an option, if you are computer savvy try a computer game together. Take up an indoor hobby, wait, nm you said sex was out. . . . Jk!! We got the uncharted series for the play station and played that. Also u could always do relaxation stuff together. Put on some soft music, I live enya, and light some candles. Tell each other stories of what u imagine life being like ad you grow old. I know it sounds cheesy but start out like this: so we are in a house, it's a single story ranch with big bay windows, your driving that truck u want and I am playing in the yard with the kids. U come home with steaks from the store and Water balloons even though u know I hate balloon fights. Just a way to get closer without having to have sex. I know it's probably stupid, just something that would seem nice to me. Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

I must say its incredibly humbling that people still find this helpful. I'm still around, trolling the forums and checking up on peeps. Life has been nuts but I would love to do another one of these with an update on what to expect as you get 7-8 months out. I'm so proud of how so many here do. Weather your just starting your journey, or been doing this a while keep up your dreams and goals of weight loss and together we will get there! Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

I know weird subject title but I was 330 lb at start and now 7 months ish post op I need to stop losing weight. I am down to 170 and starting to get a gaunt appearance. I just need some help with ways to level off. I am eatting as regularly as I can. As a flight medic I can't always eat every few hours but it still seems to be melting away. If anyone else has had this problem please let me know what u did to level off. I know this is a difficult subject to post since most people here, me included wanted nothing more than to lose weight but my concern of losing too much is quickly being realized. I have tried I decrease my workouts focusing more on weights and less on cardio. I am getting 90g-100g Protein per day. Anyway thanks for any advice. Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

My nutritionist was as dr house would say "an idiot." I taught more about malabsorption surgery to the group than she knew. I am eatting fairly frequently and have increased my caloric intake. I even eat a few garbage items because I need the calories. /shrug little frustrating to swing the other way Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

gotta be really carefull with the sugar content of some of that stuff. I found that allot of yogurt isn't that great for you. Gotta be super picky =) If your like me though, just the fact that you ate 1 is a plus =)

been there done that =(. Its all good though. We all make the mistakes and some have made a mistake and after vomiting or dumping don't make the mistake again for a long time because of the risk but just get back on track. Remember that part of the reason to avoid excess or types in the beginning is so that you don't STRETCH your pouch as well as give your pouch time to heal and adjust =). Everyone makes mistakes or cheats, and eventually you will view cheating as something totally different than you used to. Like now, cheating for me is getting a grilled chicken sandwich with no bun and sneaking a couple French fries. A couple French fries...cheating...not 2 large order of fry's, like 6 or 7 fries....cheating....ROFLMAO. I laugh when I think about it but the mindset will change. You will see. Just get back on track and be carefull! =)

WOOOOT!!!! GRATS!!!! that my dear is AWSOME!!!! keep up the great work!

Wow it had been a long time!! I'm sorry for being away but hope to start posting again soon!! I see so many are doing great and it really is inspiring to see your posts. As for me life has been crazy. As many of you already know my goal was to become a critical care flight paramedic and after WLS I achieved that goal. To that end my life had been nuts since then but I am doing awsome!! I am down from 330lbs to 195. I get 80-100 grams of Protein a day and I am loving life in the new me! I still eat like I am supposed to And while there is always challenges I am living the lifestyle change. Here a few photos for y'all! I look forward to posting more soon! Love you all! The first pic is pre op and I am the guy in the yellow tie the rest.... Well as you can tell the old me threw up the guy that was inside! Surgiversary 07/24/12 Sent from my iPhone.

ohh my i remember what you are going thru =). So my advice is this, take a deep breath. This is going to be hard, this part sucks and at the same time, its the most amazing time. You are ALMOST there!! that being said your ability to stick to this will cement for you, the ability to stick to your WLS dieting goals. Dont go anywhere without water. You will need to use it to help with some of the hunger issues your going to experience. Allot of people swear they got thru this by drinking lots of water. Next, well dont plan on doing allot of physical activity. Remember that your reducing your caloric intake and that means reduced energy. Try to relax and enjoy the journey you have already started. I know, this is all great and fine except your nervous as all get out right? Well, you are about to be on the losing side (WINNING) of things. Just remember your goal, keep yourself busy so you dont think about it much and soon, you will be all done with this part and your biggest concern will be getting enough fluids =)

31 and a guy so yeah sex is always on the mind! as far as side effects, i would agree i can see it now which is good LOL. i can pound like crazy now because i dont feel like i'm going to go into cardiac arrest afterwords and size, well without all that padding in the way i would say i can definatly get a "deeper" appreciation for things.

what surprised me the most, how affraid i would be to take a swallow. How when they did my swallow study i was so affraid to take a swallow that the radiologist had to ask me 5 times to take a BIG swallow. I had it so engrained that i had to sip sip sip sip sip that i was really sipping tooo small. A small swallow is a good sip but i was sipping like a little kid on a cup of hot cocoa and that was not enough to stay hydrated.

I worry less about the rest and more about just getting enough protein and nutrients. I really like the nature valley protein bars and they do have 190 calories but 10g of protein and they taste great and are low carb/sugar. protein bars are a great portable way to stay on the eatting frequently track and if you put one in a plastic baggy you can just nibble on it off and on and it doesnt get all hard and gross.

ohh the coupon books are great!! The other thing to remember is that as you lose, your cost for clothing is going to plumet!!! You remember all that crud on sale that you couldnt buy before? guess what? you will start fitting into that stuff!!!!!!! WINNING!!

/blush thank you slowtogo =) Cog man keep up the great work!!! Trust me, anything is possible with the new you!! Just pursue the crud out of it! Make it yours. You didnt sit on the couch and whine about being overwheight right? Heck no man you did something about it and now its your turn. Take the rest of your life by the freaking horns and OWN THIS #$%^$ !!! If there is one thing i am passionate about (other than a romantic dinner with a smokin hot chic like many of you ladies i am seeing i am seeing on here! ) ok, got that out of my system ROFL. anyway one thing i am passionate about is pushing for what you want. The hardest part is over man, you owned this surgery already and now, now you can own whatever you want! Just push for it!

thanks allot worm, now i am gonna be itching all day!! SERIOUSLY!!! I actually never did the thrift store shopping thing. I found that walmart was actually my best option for clothes as i lost weight. though it should be remebered that i am a guy which means that 2 pairs of jeans and 3 shirts constitutes an entire wardrobe for me. (not true since losing weight =).) Usually the prices are so comprable that i would jsut rather not worry about it. here is a great article from lemon drop.com that keeps me shopping at discount stores rather than thrift =/ Moderate Risk: Clothing Bedbugs can find their way into the pockets, inseams, cuffs and more of clothing. They love settling into dark, humid places, like the hood of a fur jacket or the lining of a wool sweater. Before buying, give your thrift store find a 360-degree look to determine bedbug risk. Stretch knitting between your fingers to expose any resting critters, and look along the inner lining of a winter jacket. If it seems suspicious, pass it over. Lower Your Risk: Keep thrift store buys tied tight in a plastic bag until you can wash and dry all contents on high heat. The sooner you do this, the better; a high-heat wash and dry will kill all bugs and eggs from articles of clothing.

so i think its important for everyone (i was guilty of freaking out about my stall as well =(. ) to remember that stalls really are part of WLS and they are a required thing. I think its easy to think of it like this: Lets say your running a marathon, after running (or in my case crawling) for 10 miles or so your not doing nearly the speed you were when you started right? You maybe stop, take a breather and rest up a moment. Then your recharged and ready to take on another 10. Your body needs the same break as your metabolism catches up to the new weight and requirements your body has. Think about the changes that are going on inside your body. You are not just losing weight. Your losing body mass. This is great however it also means that everything is changing. your Fluid volume needs are less now, your preload and afterload (forces your heart pumps against) are different. Heck even the hormone levels in your body have to be adjusted. These stalls happen and are a GOOD thing. So lets look at what happens when you have stalled for 2 weeks and your ready to jump back on the losing bandwagon. Switch it up. Lets say you have been walking 1 mile 3 times a week or maybe you have gotten complacent and are not walking much at all. Guess what? nows the time to start. Pick up your shoes and start walking. Increase your caloric burn and while your add it adjust your diet. Are you eatting enough Protein? If not your not doing yourself any favors. Same with adjusting how often you eat. BOOST your metabolism!!! Grab a yogurt in the morning, walk in your favorite mall and grab a new pair of shoes because you deserve it. Holy crud you just did 10 laps in the mall and you found a TO DIE FOR shirt on sale at JCPenny's!! Now hit up the house and grab a high protein snack! mix up your routine to "trick" your body into getting back on the losing track. Remember that stepping on the scale every day is not a good thing for you! Stay off it for a few days (like 7) and then give it a shot. Also remember to weight yourself at the same time. I do it after my morning shower while i am /cough naked /cough and usually around the same time. This way i have a more accurate assessment of how i am doing. Last but not least, celebrate where you are. You have come so far, and you will continue to go farther. Love who you are and the friendships you have developed.