sunnkistme

@@lisacaron, I love it. "Screening out the tacos." A new euphemism I can appreciate!

I think you just saved yourself some time on the other side. So be thankful. I have had run in's with people who I had met online before surgery, and they can eat their hearts out, they let me know who they really were on the other side.

After reading the articles in the link, I am confused. It seems everyone is blaming the weight loss agents & very little on the surgeon. The surgeon did the actual operations. Should it not also be up to him to say STOP? The almighty dollar is what's at stake here & nothing else. I blame the surgeon more than the agents, although there is a nice hot place waiting for them when they leave this earth. I think the surgeon, who is doing the actual cutting, should be the one to stand up & say slow down....but he keeps on accepting the patients so the agents just send more.
Look at it this way, you work & are doing a great job. Your supervisor sees you are doing great so she keeps loading you up to the point where you start cutting corners. This way the number of jobs you do increases...would she be responsible in saying hey, you are overloaded & can't do a good job OR shouldn't you speak up & say that you can't handle all the extra work? It's been my experience that it would be up to me to speak up. If it didn't let up, I would go somewhere else or in this case either practice somewhere else or get myself different agents. In the end it would be me getting fired because it was me making the mistakes & me not speaking up.. Make sense? So, I don't know why so much onus is being put on the agents, although I do blame them also, but it's Almanza who should shoulder the blame for the mistakes & deaths.

I went and did a thrift store haul in the san francisco area after losing two sizes I was so unsure about what would be happening that I bypassed everything that was not a perfect fit. Major mistake. Now I start shopping for the next size about a month into a new size. I am well into 14's right now. I am picking up 12's in brands that I really like. I realized that I had ordered bras on clearance and thought when I got them that they would never fit - I am now on the last hooks for the bras. Still DDD in most brands, how odd!

I wish you had a similar trick for the belly.

Congratulations! If you are thinking about telling someone, keep in mind that Ben Franklin said, "Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.'"

The most successful "bariatric warriors" have learned to manage their weight loss using the same management tools they need to complete a project at work.


In other words, they’ve re-organized their lives in order to make nutrition, exercise and other healthy lifestyle endeavors gain equal ground with the other aspects of daily life.
It’s extraordinarily difficult to prep healthy food, squeeze in a trip to the gym (between work, home and kids) and get to bed by 11 every night if you don’t have an organized schedule to fit it all in. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged before you even begin trying to get your life more organized.
If this subject is resonating with you, here are five small steps you can take to better organize your day while regaining control of your health.
5 Steps to Organize and Manage Your Weight Loss
With these five steps, essentially, you’ll be organizing and managing your weight loss in the same way you might manage a project at work or school.
1. Sit down and think hard about what’s not working.
It’s hard to concentrate on cultivating healthy habits when your brain is constantly on overload. Successful weight loss requires time, planning and focus. If you’re also listening to a harsh inner voice filled with criticism, pessimism and negative messages, your chances of success will be diminished.
As much as you need to organize your time and environment, you will also need to organize your mindset.
2. Organize your surroundings.
Without a doubt, living or working in a chaotic environment is stressful.
When you can’t find the keys, you’ll be late for appointments. Likewise, if the kitchen is a mess, there is no food in the house and you can never find your favorite sneakers, you’re putting yourself at an unnecessary disadvantage.
Start with the most disorganized space and tame it. (This can usually be accomplished in less time than you think and the results will make you feel five pounds lighter).
3. Schedule your workouts the same way you schedule a meeting.
Pick a specific time each week to review your calendar for the days ahead and schedule your workouts accordingly. Treat them as you would an important meeting or appointment. And then get there — no matter what.
4. Plan meals, grocery shopping and cooking once a week.
Reviewing your schedule for the week will help figure out where and when you’ll be eating meals, what foods you’ll need, and how much time you’ll need to cook. Look at the weekly grocery store circular and buy the healthy items which are on sale and stock up for the future. Planning ahead saves money.
5. Go to bed (no excuses).
sleep deprivation interferes with weight loss by confusing hormones that signal hunger and fullness levels.
Research shows that people who stay up late consume more calories than those who go to sleep at about the same time each night. When you’re tired, your willpower wanes. Even as an adult, you still need to aim for eight hours of quality sleep per night.
Where do I start?
Which areas of your life could see the biggest improvement if they were just a little more organized? Start there.
In just a few short weeks, you’re going to see the positive impact that “project managing” your weight loss has on your life — and your waistline.
Need more help? Give us a call or shoot us an email and we'll be happy to offer advise or direction.
We ARE in this TOGETHER!
Photo Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

You're okay. Lots of us go thru this. I've read that it's because the fat we are losing has estrogen (especially the stomach fat from what I've read) so we tend to be more hormonal. That coupled with the fact that this is a major surgery and your nervous about the future it's no wonder your emotional. Sip some herbal tea. Relax

One of the things I read before surgery that I thought might be a bunch of hooey was that as we start to lose fat fast, like right after surgery, it causes a hormone surge. Apparently this is because the hormones are stored in fat and as we burn the fat, the hormones sort of flood the body. I thought it was BS, but less than a week after surgery, I started breaking out in HORRIBLE acne like I hadn't seen since my teens. I imagine that's part of what is happening with you. It doesn't make it any easier, but just try to hold on knowing that it will get better. You will do wonderful. Hugs.

I stayed the same through my 6 month pre-op. My surgeon and I met monthly. He would read my diet and make suggestions. At the end he blasted the six month pre-op and congratulated me for sticking it out. His opinion is that the insurance just wants people to back out.

My surgeon requires a colonoscopy prior to gastric surgery if you're over age 50. I had mine in January. While I was under, they also did an endoscopy and took a biopsy of my stomach.
The colonoscopy is covered at zero copay to me, as it is one of the special screening procedures. I expected a small bill for the additional work for the endoscopy.
The hospital bill came in the mail. My insurance paid around $1500, and they said my part was around $1600, which was a combination of deductible and copay.
I called my insurance company and asked if the colonoscopy was indeed covered at 100%, and they said yes. So I said if I had only had the colonoscopy, my portion would be zero. How is it then, that adding a minor procedure that was performed while I was already in the operating room, already under anesthesia, caused my portion to go from zero to $1600??
The rep said he would attach the surgeon's bill to the hospital bill to show it was mostly a screening procedure, and send it back for review.
I got the result today in the mail. My insurance company paid the $1600 they originally said was my portion, bringing my portion to... ZERO!

(sorry about the atrocious typo in the title >.<. "SURGIVERSARY"!)
I'm sitting her reminiscing about my surgery day. I remember so clearly the emotions that I was feeling. I was not scared in the least. I was so READY. I did have a bit of anxiety, as anyone who is about to go under the knife would have, but was never scared. Waking up from the surgery was one of the biggest sighs of relief that I have ever taken. It's over with! I'm alive! Yeah I feel like crap, but I "feel" AMAZING! I only had to stay one night in the hospital.
Recovery after surgery was typical. I took 3 weeks off of work which I felt every day was needed. Pain was manageable and I didn't take any pain meds at home. I also never threw up, and still have not thrown up once since surgery.
I followed all of the stages to a 'T'. It took six months to lose 100 lbs.
I've had the best, most ideal experience with the sleeve and I am so thankful for that. As of today, one year out, I am down 135 lbs. I am smaller then I was in high school by about 40-50 lbs. I think I was this weight in elementary school, no joke.
I have been at this weight since November, though. I've been maintaining around 3 months, which is fine.
I do want to mention that I lost a lot of hair. At least half of what I had is gone. Seems like more but probably not. So now I have very thin, fine hair. I'm ok with it though, as it is already growing back. I feel like I look like Elvira at the moment because all the new stuff sticks straight up. I have to hairspray it back down lol. I still lose a little in the shower, but as far as losing hair by the handfulls, that part is over.
I do have lose skin. It isn't terrible, but very noticeable. I look good with clothes on and that's it. My next goal is to start working on toning, to see if it makes any difference.
I'm happy to answer any questions anyone may have.
Stats:
Height: 5'9"
HW: 320
CW: 185
GW: 170
Pics:
Before:


Day of surgery:

Today, one year out:
I will update this evening with more pics as I am at work right now.
Edit:
Here's a pic I took this evening. I have always dreamed of taking picture like this! This is me in my size 22's that I used to wear all the time pre-op. In fact, I think I'm wearing them in the picture above (the one in the pink shirt.) I wear a size 8 now.

I don't know how he found out, I really hadn't told many people at work, but I guess people talk. Anyway, it came up in conversation, and he started questioning my motivation, saying that didn't I worry that I was taking that easy way out. That if I just worked hard and stayed disciplined, I could do it all on my own. He made it sound so simple. I could tell he thought he was being positive, but he was being condescending, something he has a reputation for doing.
First of all, it's not so simple. I am well over 200+ lbs over. I have gone past the point of no return. And while I make no excuses for how I got this way, I know it's all on me, and I haven't made the best choices in my past. But I'm at the point where medical intervention is required, and my doctor wholeheartedly agrees (I love her by the way!). And I'm going to do this like I do everything in my life. To the best of my abilities. Despite his opinion, I know this will most certainly not be easy. In fact, I want to it to be hard. It will make it that much more worth it once I reach my goal.
And second. This is life and death, I'm in my mid 30s now, and the clock is ticking. If I keep going on this path, I will not have much time left on this planet. I am not concerned with preserving my honor in his eyes. I have family and friends who are all united in their support of me on this. And he's just some guy we hired last year to do . . .I really don't know what he does.
So for those that say, we're cheating, or taking the easy way out. Kindly direct them to engage in intercourse with themselves. Rant over.

Actually, businesses with under 50 employees are not required to comply with FMLA. Most companies have a policy they will ask you to adhere to. Talk with your supervisors.

Actually, businesses with under 50 employees are not required to comply with FMLA. Most companies have a policy they will ask you to adhere to. Talk with your supervisors.

Actually, businesses with under 50 employees are not required to comply with FMLA. Most companies have a policy they will ask you to adhere to. Talk with your supervisors.

My family members to not get to vote on my healthcare decisions. My healthcare is not a democracy. It is a dictatorship, and I am the dictator. Do what you want, dear.

I live in the Northern Cali foothills an hour out of Sacramento.

When I came home from the hospital I was so worried about going poop my family said I was rather obsessed. Well I went 5 days after surgery and thought all was well.
Well about a month and half out, even though I was getting in all my Protein and Water things stopped. Oh man was I in so much pain. When I called my docs office they said to get Miralax and put some in my drink. So that is what I did and low and behold.......It worked!! Thank God!! I never ever want to go thru that again.
I now drink 24oz Decaf tea every night with my scoop of Miralax in it and things have smooth going since. My NP told me to go to only using a half serving of Miralax now, but I do one full serving one day and then 1/2 a serving the next day. I am just so afraid of that happening again.
Well anyway the reason I am sharing this lovely story is my husband and daughter almost bought me this tshirt for Christmas. I will post a pic down below. I laughed so hard when I saw it. I told the they should have, but I think my daughter was afraid I would wear it outside the house.
Thought it might bring a smile to someone's face who is struggling.

I live in the Northern Cali foothills an hour out of Sacramento.

Thank you!! I will get 2 gowns and bring cozy clothes for way home. I will skip the hospital shower and enjoy one when I get home.

I am so sorry your are struggling with this infection. I am not medical but support people with disabilities to get medical care that they might need. I have been through staph infections with a few people. They do take forever to heal. Again, I am not medical but I have seen the best results when people have finally been referred to a wound care specialist. A good wound care specialist can be life changing.

I am so sorry your are struggling with this infection. I am not medical but support people with disabilities to get medical care that they might need. I have been through staph infections with a few people. They do take forever to heal. Again, I am not medical but I have seen the best results when people have finally been referred to a wound care specialist. A good wound care specialist can be life changing.

Yes, there is a very good website (blog) dedicated to bariatric / high Protein cooking:
The World According to Eggface

Somebody once told me you only need to be able to walk good enough to get from the car to the bedroom in those wicked heels.