Scorpion11

We need a spoonies group. I found out a couple of weeks ago that what we thought was rheumatoid arthritis is psoriatic arthritis. I asked my rheumy what she thought about bariatric surgery and the timing, since the change in diagnosis means moving to biologics (methotrexate failed, and sulfasalazine is helping some but not a lot). She was very enthusiastic about it. She says that leptin affects PsA inflammation factors directly, so losing all that stomach tissue that secretes it is a help all on its own. Fat cells also secrete factors that contribute to inflammation. So I'm going to have the surgery before we start Stelara. That way I can keep taking the sulfasalazine until 3 weeks before surgery, and then start the Stelara as soon as I'm healed enough from the surgery (she said about 3 months, maybe as long as 6).
While I don't expect the surgery to cure my PsA, I know that losing 100 lbs or so will be very helpful to my joints, and with the hormone changes, it might help the biologic work better. I am looking forward to being able to be active again. My PsA caused me to have to abandon bedside nursing and my plans to become a nurse practitioner. While I am glad I had the option to go back into healthcare IT (I was an IT analyst for years, nursing was a mid-life career change), and at this point won't try to go back to direct patient care (biologics will make it too easy for me to pick up infections), I still want to get active again. I've been a couch potato for the last couple of years with the fatigue and pain, and it's not as fun as it sounds.

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@@theantichick
I think a spoonies group is an excellent idea. I had VSG to help with my AS symptoms. Like you, I know it won't cure me. But the surgery is already helping tremendously.
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I think a spoonies group is a good idea too! @@theantichick, I'm also on sulfasalazine in addition to my Remicade. I found the facts you shared very interesting!!
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http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1258-sleeved-spoonies/
It's down in the support groups under social groups. I made it open, so pass it along.
We will probably need a better logo and banner, I just threw up what I found easily on Google Images.
Spoonies Unite!!

i was sleeved 11.12.13 as well. starting weight was 257, was 242 on date of surgery. i hit my goal of 150 in jan 2015, two weeks later i found out i was pregnant. put on 42lbs with the pregnancy, i had my baby 7weeks ago and am struggling to get my restriction back. im down to 177 but worried i won't be able to lose the rest. ive tried the poucb test and lost nothing and i put myself on just Protein Shakes last week to try to jumpstart this

I was sleeved 11.12.13 (easy to remember at least hehe) and I'm coming up on my two year sleeviversary.
Height: 5'6-5'7
Highest weight: 260lbs
Surgery weight: 245lbs
Goal weight: 160lbs
Lowest weight: 151lbs
Current weight: 158lbs
Weight fluctuates, I need to eat less slider foods and work out more, but I cook at home way more and make wiser choices. I never focused on the number or panic, I knew stalls happen so I just stayed the course. Took about a year to hit goal, and another few months to get to 151lbs. I've been maintaining (with mixed results hehe) the last six months.
I love this surgery, I was fairly lucky though and didn't have much trouble losing or after surgery. I send good thoughts out to those who have struggled, we're in this together. This was the best thing I ever did for myself, and I look at my before photos and I'm shocked at the transformation (most of them I took in the nude so I won't post those ones). It's hard to see the little changes in skin and tone and shape day by day, but those pictures don't lie. I finally look on the outside how I always felt on the inside, and I'd do it all over again in an instant!

New spot on BP for the Spoonies to gather!
Mingle, exchange information, vent...
The only rule I employ is Wheaton's Law... http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wheatons-law.
If anyone wants to co-moderate, let me know and I'll add you.

I've gotten a lot of advice to go gluten free, omit nightshades, go paleo, or any number of dietary changes to "fix" my auto-immune. Have any of you had this advice, and if you followed it, did it actually change anything with your condition?
I have generally thought there would likely be some improvement, but that it's not likely that diet alone could fix an auto-immune condition. But we're struggling to get to where we're actually cooking most of our meals instead of fast food or eating out, so I think we have to be realistic on the changes we can make until we get back to "real" food.< /p>

Auto immune runs in my family too. I have an aunt with MS, a grandfather with psoriasis, a cousin with internal scleroderma, a grandmother with rheumatoid arthritis, a sister worth lupus, and a daughter with both alopecia and non- radiologic SPA. I just shut my computer down for the night due to a storm coming in, but tomorrow I'll set up a spoonies group.
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I was diagnosed with both PsA and RA. While the RA is considered mild, the PsA is severe. My sister has Lupus, so they're monitoring me closely to see if Lupus comes up in bloodwork.
My joint pain is horrible. I had my biologic on 4/11/16 and it's starting to wear off already. Having osteoarthritis on my left knee doesn't help either. My insurance won't approve a new injectable for my knee so I have to try my last med that failed and hope it works now that I'm down 27lbs.
Next week I call the rheumatologist to let him know that the biologic wore off too soon. He said if that happened he was going to readjust all of my meds. I'm on methotrexate, folic acid, dyclofenac twice a day, and 10mg of prednisone twice a day.
My rheumatologist was behind this surgery 100% as well. He said less weight on my joints will definitely help with the meds working better.
- Anne

Mdlange, it will eventually slow down and stop. It's very scary to go through this phase, be assured it will stop.
Everyone's time frame is different. For me it started about 6 months after surgery and slowed down about 5 months later.
Talk to your hair stylist and ask for suggestions on what sort of style/cut will help you and your areas.
Tips:
For bald spots their is a powder you can use to help color in scalp so it's not so viable. Joan Collin's sold one too on QVC. Search Amazon too
You can get creative with dark eye shadows to your hair color. I use mascara for my gray hairs when I can't get to my stylist soon enough
I had long straight hair it was a very scary sight and feeling to go through, so I decided to layer it and it helped with the balding spots. Washed at night with Shampoo by nioxon for dandruff (lil expensive, but worth it) as I read it had extra zinc and when i start to see my hair start to shed again I go right back to using and it helps. Wash at night, I put a bit if mouse on, roll up in a bun, still semi-wet in the morning, I damp a bit more, blow dry hair head upside down (give it more volume) and scrunch up towards scalps, if you have it layered to style use round brush and blow dry to curl/style, flip head back upside down, lightly spray hair, scrunch again and flip hair over slight spray and your hair will feel and look fuller.
***You must get in all your required daily Protein, Water and oil.
I take/drink lots of Water, Biotin, zinc, Iron ( Vitron-c ) recommend by my doc they're great and help especially
during menses, fish oil or take your preference of oil your Nutrionist recommended.
I like to add extra butter to my scrambled eggs, or coconut oil to my drinks. Find foods like salmon, tuna in oil, sardines if you can tolerate taste are great fish on and healthy for us, avocados too
Put mayo on sandwiches, just try to get your oils in, any of your choice, as much as we are still counting and watching our calories, we still need oil to help with our Hair loss. This is my personal opinion, I think they need to emphasize this more during consultation before wls and tell everyone it's a must to help shed so much hair.
Even my face was super dry, so to this day I go to Walgreens or your preferred store, I buy the Nature Bounty brand Vitamins as many times they have buy one get one free
But I stock up on their Vitamin E-oil 30.000mg bottle, cost around $7 -$10 worth the cost and rub all over my face at night time to rehydrate my skin and also good for scars, so you can rub some on your wls scars too.
Hoe this helps a bit!! It will eventually stop as you will see the new lil ones growing out too.
Your hair stylist will probably see your new Hair growth before you do as it tends to grow toward bottom back of head which we can see and then you will see the lil ones on top yourself.
Push you hair back like a tight ponytail and you will see the new ones.
Be assure it will stop and regrow!!
Take good care and stay hydrated!

YW!! That's what we're here for!! ????
These are the Vitamins I'm currently taking, however please note I'm 2 yrs out.
****Please make sure you check with your doctor and have them check your lab work and results as to what bit and you're low on.
Always request a copy of your lab results and Doctor reports when you visit them. Keep in file and let your family know where to find. Place note date you fasted, lab visit date/time, Doctor follow-up visit date, so your family had available in case of emergency.
I forgot to mention this Omega fish oil in liquid form with d3 Vitamin.
Highly recommend. It first taste like fish at all, it's like drinking a huge lemon peel drop. Well worth it, I drink when I just don't get my oils or fish intake in for the week.
I'm also enjoying the new gummy vitamins, not recommend but now that 2 yrs out, my stomach digest them well and I still make sure to chew thoroughly. I'm not pregnant (I'm 49 yrs old ????) LOL!, but find that the pre-natals make me feel better.
Let me know if you have any questions. Im not on here all the time so if you'd like, inbox me a private email and I send you mine and I will reply sooner
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!!
Stay hydrated! ????

Sadly I'm going to need to remove myself from this challenge, due an illness.
Good luck to everyone!!!
Thank you for all your time and dedication in creating this Easter Challenge!!!

2/29/16
222
On new meds, I believe causing weight gain! Grrrrr!!
Good luck everyone!!

Unfortunately, the sale ended on around the 25th of January. Costco limited you to a discount on two boxes.
I have been drinking them for a while. I like the chocolate ones the best. Couldn't stomach the strawberry after surgery.

I stepped on the scale this morning after over 3 weeks at a stall and....I made it!!!! ONEDERLAND!!!! I CAN'T begin to explain how good it feels (well, I'm sure a lot of you reading can understand). For those of you still pre-op and wondering "am I making the right decision?", I can only say this is one of the best things I've EVER done. Not only am I more confident with the way I look, my health is better than it has been since I was a teenager. Every story/person is different but so far, mine is a success!
December 2015

February 2016

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I was a low BMI patient. BEFORE- 5'1" 195 lbs. (Aug 2015) AFTER- 123 lbs. This is the best decision I've ever made!

I am confused and hope the veterans can explain things better than the Dr did. However before I ask my questions I think you need some history. I weighed 352 pounds when I had my first consultation and we agreed on an ideal weight of 155. I was put on a 6 month pre-op diet which consisted of 3 meals a day and trying to get in 60 to 100 grams of Protein. I lost 37 pounds. I had my surgery Jan 26th and was told that starting at 3 weeks post-op I should be getting in a total of 60 to 80 grams of protein in 1 to 3 meals. I mainly had 2 meals where I could eat maybe 1 1/2 oz of protein food before I got a terrible pain. I was told by the surgeon the pain was my tummy telling me it was full. Therefore I was still drinking at least 2 to 3 Protein shakes and Soups. So most days I got 60 to 80 grams of protein.
So that takes us to today's 1 month post op visit with the surgeon. I do not have a NUT.He has been telling me everything I should and shouldn't be eating since the consultation. I lost another 23 pounds. For a total of 60 pounds since the first consultation. The surgeon claims since the first consultation I have lost 30% of my Excess Body Weight. He says now that I am that much thinner I only need 41 grams of protein a day and need to eat 3 meals only and stop drinking so many shakes and soups. However I can have 1 shake as one of my meals.
This is where I am confused as everything I have read over the last 7 months says 60 to 100 grams of protein.
Questions:
1. Was your protein reduced once you started to lose weight? If not, what grams were you eating at 1 month post-op?
2. I thought eating less than 60 grams would cause problems with my muscles and hair etc?
3. How can I get the 41 grams of protein down when I physically can't eat but 1 1/2 oz of protein food at a meal?
Even if I have 1 Protein Shake as a Meal Replacement that still leaves 11 grams of protein food in 2 meals. A half a cup of yogurt which is about all I can eat would only give me maybe 6 grams of protein.
4. What would you do, eat only the 41 grams of protein the Dr says to eat or would you continue to eat 60 or more?
5. Would you continue to drink more than 1 protein shake or Soup a day?
I don't want to mess up and gain weight but I don't want to become sick either because I am not taking in what seems to be the higher amount of protein that others are eating. Please help me figure out what to do.
Thanks everyone!

Hi SassyNanny. They were packs of 12 at SAMs club. I just got them yesterday. The pictures I posted were all the choices SAMs had. They're so good. The Protein Bars are really good too! Worth the purchase!

Where did you get your great price on Premier Protein? Was it a case of 18?
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Thanks!
@@claddagh66
I really love the Choc and vanilla premier Protein. I get it at costco for 24.99 for 18. That is only a few cents a piece cheaper than Sam's.
I'll look at the Protein Bars. I'm a little afraid since they are cookie/candy like. I don't want to go down that slippery slope again.
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I pour the vanilla Premier Protein over ice every morning, add cold (decaf) coffee plus some SF Vanilla (I alternate other flavors on occassion) coffee Syrup by Torani and top it all off with light/fat free whip cream. Oh. My. Stars. Now I will have to try the chocolate idea you mentioned with the freezer! Do you leave it in the container or pour it in a glass before putting it in the freezer?
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I love PB2 but I'm unable to use it yet. I'm looking into other Proteins as well I just hadn't seen anyone use those. Let us know how it is!

I bought Garden Of Life Raw Fit. It has 26 grams of Protein.< /p>