Dondie Olivia

I was sleeved 3-25-14. At my last visit, I had lost 37 lbs. My scales at home lie to me and have told me I am the same weight I was 5 weeks ago. I have since tossed them to the side. LIES!! So I have no clue how much at this time. My wii states I am 3lbs less than what the doc told me. I might check my weight with the wii tonight, just to see. I am exercising more than I did before and even have a workout buddy. We take a rowing class together and are challenging the Manitou Springs Incline this weekend. I am far more active now than I was before. I am creating an active life and love it.

It appears as a scare tactic to me. I noticed they don't cite specific reports. If they are citing such reports, why not list them? How old are these reports? It also appears they take the worst case scenarios. As for the surgery comments, that would go for ALL surgeries, not just weight loss surgery. Fear mongering to make people follow their wishes. LMAO This sort of site makes me glad I am older and can see with both eyes and not believe tripe. Yes, all these things are possible and there is some truth in what is written, yet, recall the title of the page..................The council of size and weight discrimination. Here are two words to go with this site..........Spin Doctors. Please remember.......just because someone posts a web page, doesn't make it fact or absolutely true. Follow your own path, research, study and if it doesn't hold true, throw it away. As for me, I throw this away.

You are probably on antibiotics and pain meds. Surgery can really mess up your body. They also gave you 4 bags of solution. Your body is in shock after surgery. I would say, the surgery is the main reason for the weight gain. It will pass. Parts swell, the body is adjusting. I would also suggest you follow up with your primary doc. It's always best to have a second opinion.

Follow the plan after surgery. I tried lunchmeat at week 3. It was painful. I saw that to eat something I haven't had after surgery, try a little bit. Wait and see how the Goddess sleeve reacts. Favorable or painful. I've also found that I have restructured my thinking about food and shopping. Now when I grocery shop, I look at something and think.......1 package of meat 4-6 meals. Not 1 or two. LOL When I shop, I can shop for 2 weeks at a time and spend less than what I used to spend for 1 week. And that is with buying strictly organic.

Better out than in. LOL I'm 6 weeks out. The burping comes and goes. I care to think of it as a game. Will today be a burping day? Usually I burp in bed, laying on my side. LOL Go figure

I had 2 drinks over a weekend this month. To Celebrate 2 different birthdays. I didn't get a buzz from either. Both were mixed and I took a long time with each. I didn't drink much before, so going without hasn't been a problem. With the exception that it is STRONGLY discouraged and that makes me want a drink. LOL That teenage girl is still in there. I do see it for what it is and tell that teenager to grow up and have a flavored water instead.

Go to bed and get some sleep. You are recovering from surgery. You will heal faster. Walk when you are awake. Do not deny your body what it needs right now. You'll feel better faster.

I bought and have used a liquid Protein. 1 ounce has 15 grams. Protein 100 by Genesis Today. I bought a 32 ounce bottle. It has an orange flavor. They suggest putting it in Water or juice. I mix it with Vitamin water zero. I usually mix it with orange flavor. It works for me.

She smacks of being a sociopath. She is spouting such venom because you are not living your life to her standards. To that I say ppfffffffffffffffffft. You do not need such a negative nelly in your sphere. Let her keep that venom. It also appears she wants to hurt you and get a reaction out of you. I can pretty much guarantee that she is waiting for your reaction. Not responding to her will bother her more than any type of reaction. Never give such people what they expect. This reminds me of a special on PBS. A group of women with weight problems or not a problem, however you care to classify it, formed their friendships. Some decided to get bypass or wls. One got the lapband. Those that got the surgery were treated differently. Like outcasts. It tested and broke many of the friendships. Please remember, you did this for you. Who cares what this nasty piece of work posts? I would also care for you to see that she was probably this nasty before and you didn't see it. Now you do. She probably was your worst frienemy. She probably sabotaged things you attempted before. I say, document your own journey. We (all of us here) know this isn't easy. It's not simple. It takes hard work and effort. You have new friends here, taking a similar path to yours. Here is compassion and empathy. The surgery is but a first step of many steps on this path. You are not alone and not discouraged here. You have probably thought long and hard about this. You have worked hard to come this far. Now is the time to enjoy yourself and your new life path.

How are you doing now?

I didn't have those problems, however, I did feel like crap. I did have a few moments of regret. Then I thought, I chose this, I can handle this. I've thrown up twice. In recovery and earlier this month. Try to remember, it will get better. It's only day two and surgery is traumatic. It was major surgery and it takes time. The anaesthesia can affect you in many different ways. Give yourself time to adjust. Try to sleep and recover now. Also, call your doc. They should know you aren't keeping anything down.

When I think of fast food, I think fast fat. High fat, low quality. I'm not certain if they still put it in their burgers, but I always think of pink slime. That always turns my stomach. Then I think, if I want a burger, I could do far better. Not only with quality but taste.

How do you remain motivated to work out? I can't seem to stay motivated. I'll exercise a day or two and it seems life gets in the way. LOL I allow it to get in the way and use it as an excuse. I realize I would lose more, yet can't seem to keep my butt motivated. Any tricks out there? I admit, I am moving around far more than I did before surgery. I am not consistent. How you guys stay motivated?

I did the same thing. My brother has a doctorate and does mega research on the benefits of different types of foods and supplements. He is a major health nut. For Protein drinks........Whey factors. Uses stevia. I don't think this one is organic, however, brother insists it's the best out there. I've used it since day one. Shaklee for Vitamins. I use their Multivitamins. Other supplements I purchase from my primary doc. He has his own line, organic, non gmo products. As for Protein Bars, I stick with think thin. No splenda or aspartame. It was difficult to find one without the artificial sweeteners and no wheat. For sweeteners, I use stevia, munk fruit powder, erythritol (organic), and xylitol. None have calories. Like stevia, too much is bitter. So I add a little at a time until I get the taste I care for. There is a list out there of the dirty dozen and clean 15. Here is a link....... http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/the-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-of-produce/616/. I NEVER buy the dirty dozen and those are the items I insist on being organic. I also buy organic meats. Not only better for you, the taste is amazing. I also go none GMO. That can really mess up all the good work we have done for ourselves. Mostly, our bodies reject the stuff. Because of many of the gmo products out there, I've developed some major allergies. Like wheat, kiwi and nuts. Since I eat far less than I used to, I splurge on the best and spend far less than I did on groceries before the surgery. I read all labels before I purchase. You never know what they will sneak into the food. Hope this helps.

At my six week follow up, I was told I could have regular coffee. Just as a treat, once a week. As of today.2.5 months out, I haven't had regular coffee yet. Being doing a why bother. Decaf coffee, fat free half and half and stevia. definitely a why bother. I concur with others, if you crave it, have it. Life isn't about denial, it is about experience.

I have found other sweeteners besides stevia. There is xylitol, monk fruit powder aka purelo lo han, and erythritol. none of those I listed give me headaches. All can leave an after taste, however, it isn't that unpleasant. I found Vitamin Water zero uses stevia, as does skinny girl and some of the crystal light. Those are the only ones I use. Think thin doesn't use splenda or aspartame. For those who care, the FDA just approved a name change for aspartame. It is to be listed as Aminosweet. I read all ingredients very carefully, twice. I have put forth much effort to lose weight and be healthy. After so much effort, I don't see why I should pollute my body with stuff I consider doubtful.

I'm certain everybody is familiar with the oxygen we had to have after surgery. I was prescribed oxygen for night time only. At the one week check up, we (from my doctor's office) are supposed to have an evaluation. So for me, it would be a night time evaluation. Needless to say, eight weeks out, I am still waiting. I have called my doctor's office repeatedly. Every week I call them to let them know, it still hasn't been done. I have called the oxygen company repeatedly. They respond occasionally. Still no evaluation. I stopped using it a month ago. Why? I got a sinus infection and couldn't use it. I haven't used it since. Last week, when I again called my doctor's office to set up the evaluation, the person I spoke with got upset when I mentioned I wasn't even using it. This person told me that the oxygen is considered a drug and I should be using it. if I couldn't breath through my nose I should have put it in my mouth. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!! Even when I was in nursing school, I had never heard of that. If it is so important as she claimed, why are they the ones not keeping up with the fact I haven't had the night time evaluation at two months out? I am so frustrated with this whole scenario. I am the one calling about it. I am the one working hardest to get this resolved. I am fed up to my eyebrows in dealing with this whole mess. I want the equipment gone. I am paying monthly for something I really don't see I need nor am I using. Yet, the powers that be don't seem to see this. I am really tempted to contact my insurance company and have them get involved with this issue. Perhaps them threatening not to pay will light a fire under someone's butt. Am I the only one out there who has had this issue? If not, how did you resolve it?

They had everybody on oxygen after surgery. Not cpap. I have a huge oxygen machine in my place. It has the tube that one gets to stick in their nose and behind the ears. In my doctor's office, some are on oxygen 24/7 and they have to carry tanks around. That is for the week or two after surgery.

I've hit week 8 and have been in a stall for about 3 weeks. Truly annoying. I haven't gained, yet haven't lost. Now for the real reason for this post. Today, for the first time since I woke up from surgery, I had nausea. Completely out of the blue. Had a Protein bar for Breakfast with some Water and decaf coffee. I haven't felt this bad in what seems like forever. My empathy to those who go through this every day. I was hoping I would throw up just to feel better. Sheesh kabob. It's beginning to ease off, however I still feel somewhat icky. Any suggestions to ease this?

This explains a LOT!! Science is stating that the stomach is considered the second brain. It has the same neurotransmitters as the brain. That the stomach has brain cells. Science also suggests the stomach in fact contains the second largest accumulation of nerve cells in the human body after the brain. The stomach and the brain communicate.95% of all serotonin is in the gut. A new US study has added to existing knowledge that not only does our gut have brain cells but it can also grow new ones, a finding that can pave the way for developing new drugs for gastrointestinal disorders This explains why we alter so much after this type of surgery. Why our sense of smell can change, the foods we crave and our reactions to food. I wonder if they are going to research how the brain and stomach react after being sleeved. For me, this is fascinating stuff. Opinions?

Good for you!! I'm certain you put in a lot of hard work and you accomplished an amazing feat.

Yep, you have 3 to answer to, four if you are married. Dondie Olivia said: This explains a LOT!! Science is stating that the stomach is considered the second brain. Well that's just great. Bad enough we guys have been dealing with the little head all this time, now I find out there's yet another brain in the mix. No wonder we don't have a mind of our own and get into so much trouble.

It's interesting how people behave toward others. The fact that you are losing weight, forces others to look at you differently. Fat people are easy to ignore and dismiss. It is part of US society. Due to propaganda, one must look a certain way to be considered beautiful You lose the weight and people who dismissed you are forced to see you differently. You will find people will treat you far differently than what you have experienced before. Many hate that. Especially women. Not all women, however that reaction will usually come from women. Now ego girl is beginning to see you as competition. She will probably become really nasty to you. So, do not be surprised. It shakes her own sense of self worth as you lose weight and gain confidence. Just enjoy the show she is about to put on. As for your weight loss journey, we are all in this together. I am proud of the steps you have taken to get this far. It isn't easy and we are here to support you. Good job!!!

New things have popped up. Don't want this to be a TMI moment, however, when they said everything would change, they weren't just a whistlin' Dixie. I really didn't have liquid elimination after the surgery. I do now. It seems all that happens is my stomach and things lower churn and gurgle. Which I do admit, I find amusing. It churns especially when I drink Water. I have learned.........whatever you do, don't fart!!! The other new thing that just started is burping. I burped a lot before. Not so much now. I am 5 weeks out after surgery. The new thing is I am finding it difficult to burp sitting or stand. I'm burping only while laying down on my right side only. So, every night after I lay down on my right side, the burping starts. It makes me laugh because it's so odd and I didn't feel the need to burp before. So after eating lunch today, I had to lean over the right side of my chair at work to burp. It made me giggle. Now what new joys can I look forward to experiencing? LOL Anybody else developed some new odd quirks?

Hey, I'm in Aurora and could use a local buddy. Dr. Snyder was also my surgeon. Go figure. lol