ProjectMe

I've been put under a lot (14 times). So much so I kind of feel like an expert . They are going to give you a "cocktail" in your IV. It is to calm you and for some has a slight amnesia effect. I do remember this last time, asking every surgeon, nurse, and anesthesiologist what book they read last and I surprisingly remember some of the answers. The cocktail hit my system a bit more after that and my memory gets fuzzy. I do remember scooting over to the surgery table, probably because it is chilly in the surgery room. Then I was out like a light...not a gradual falling asleep. No counting backwards or anything like that. Just out. Then I woke up in the recovery room.

Just read this entire thread...and it reminded me of an activity I would have my Girl Scouts do to help them understand the power of words. They would crumple up a piece of paper, then I would challenge them to make that paper as it was before. Obviously no amount of smoothing would get that paper back the way that it was. The crumpled paper represents the hurtful words we might say to another. The smoothing over represents the apologies or actions we take to smooth those hurtful words away. The end result is...you simply can't. The paper remembers those wrinkles & creases. Just like someone on the receiving end of hurtful words still feels the pain...even if it becomes just an echo. Imagine that feeling multiplied by the number of times hurtful words are said to a person. What happens to paper as it's crumpled and uncrumpled repeatedly?

@@Stevehud I don't really know what to say. Your message, which I'm sure has possible valid points, gets lost in the translation. It's difficult to get past the "fat people" comment, the references to idiots and accusing a fellow poster of "lying". Your writing style & word choice subtracts greatly from your argument...Peace.

CW 196 ProjectMe

LOL, I think she meant 5 cups of tea

Snacking/grazing? Unsure of your daily calorie intake? Use an app like MyFitnessPal or LoseIt...without knowing, it's just speculation which will add to your anxiety level. Your male friend has lost more? You are comparing apples with oranges. Men typically lose at a faster rate than women. Also, why are you comparing your weight loss with anyone? Kind of setting yourself up for disappointment because there will always be someone who has lost more or less than you. As I tell my kids & students...worry about you and your own journey. It really is the only one that matters. Your comment about doing this to be thin...did you reallyjust get WLS to be thin? Or were there other reasons, such as, a better quality of life or because of comorbidities or other health reasons? Let's put this into perspective...although being thin is nice...it is just so much more than that isn't it. And if it is so much more than that doesn't that make what you see on the scale just a part of the journey...not the end all be all.

@@Inner Surfer Girl We perform research quite a bit on our Type 1 son...daily in fact...as managing diabetes is not an exact science. Over time based on what we've learned we are better able to adjust his care accordingly. If the OP had friends willing to test their blood prior to consuming a packet of Splenda, then test again after...I'm not seeing where this is dangerous based on how I understand diabetes and through my son's experiences. The blood sugar will rise...this is not an immediately dangerous situation for diabetics. Immediately dangerous situations for diabetics is when blood sugar goes low, whether that is through a sudden drop or through it just dropping to an unsafe level. Then we may be talking comas. That unsafe level depends on the diabetic as not everyone responds the same. Case in point, my son can function at a blood sugar of 35 enough to realize he's low and to drink juice or take a tablet to resolve. Someone else may just pass out at that same blood sugar level. Highs are manageable, and yes, over the long term, results in health problems for those who have trouble performing adequate self care. There have been some assumptions and fallacies regarding diabetes in this thread. The term dangerous is being thrown around as if the person conducting the research was a mad scientist performing lab experiments on unsuspecting people... The point is research on artificial sweeteners is ongoing...and it is unclear whether they have a causal relationship with cancer. Btw, the difference between a scientist and an "amateur" doing research is credentials...it does not mean that "amateur" research is invaluable. Which is why there are multiple/many research projects performed on the same subject. All are reviewed and underlying conclusions are made. The more research performed the more we understand about the issue.

I wish someone told me to take others experiences with this surgery with a grain of salt. Based on what I read on forums I thought I would experience all types of issues like pain, trouble swallowing, unable to get my fluids or protein in, etc. And I had none of those problems. The only one I can relate to is the constipation issue, which seems to have cleared itself up now that I am 3 months PostOp. So my advice is that this is your experience and it will be different from others.

@@mariatanner In my case, I had no trouble with swallowing the pill immediately after surgery. It's really tiny . And not everyone has trouble swallowing after surgery.

I used to start my day with at least 2 cups of coffee, until my nutritionist meeting and he explained what caffeine does to the body and how it could effect my sleeve. That explanation resulted in my going cold turkey since 6 months prior to surgery. Now I can't even stand the smell of it.

@@Tauruslady5 I applaud you and anyone else who wonders about an issue and takes it upon him or herself to go out and independently search for an answer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and many of the greatest inventions and findings in this world began because someone had a question & wanted an answer. This type of independent research is applauded in academic circles as long as it's done ethically. And as far as I read no humans or animals were hurt during your research, so it's all good. So again, bravo! Regarding the cancer and artificial sweetener link...initially researchers found saccharin caused bladder cancer in rats. Which is why there was & maybe still is a warning label on those pink packets...the brand name was SweetNLow. As it stands currently medical research has found no CLEAR link between artificial sweeteners and cancer. "No clear link"...that verbiage is concerning on a number of levels. The research is still ongoing. There is no definite answer to what artificial sweeteners will do to the human body 20-40 years down the road. While the FDA regulates the sweetener industry and deems them safe for human consumption, while initially sounding reassuring....questions remain. How much artificial sweetener is okay? How often can it be consumed? What about 20+ years of consumption! what then? Does the FDA make mistakes? There are still too many variables...hence the reason this subject is still being researched. Regarding artificial sweeteners and diabetes. My son is Type1 and was diagnosed at the age of 10. He is now 14, so we've had 4 years of diabetic education from the medical community including well known researchers as one of the major diabetic companies resides in our city. The human body does not distinguish between real sugar, honey, and artificial sweeteners, It all produces the same insulin/pancreatic reaction. Insulin rises. If a person chooses to have artifial sweeteners daily for 90 days..,that persons A1C will reflect that vs, an A1C of a person who didn't. This is common knowledge...not sure where the confusion was about this. Regarding the comments regarding irresponsibility, and the general outrage because someone took the time to express their own research, the research the medical community is still engaged in, and for expressing their own beliefs...I challenge each of you to conduct your own basic research on the topic. This librarian shakes at the idea of suggesting "Google" as the search engine...but in this case, I think it will do.

My surgeon said no to carbonation also.

I think one of the primary reasons WLS is seen as as the "wrong" or "easy" way is a perspective many have because unfortunately some WLS surgery patients believe it is the "easy" way out. You see posts on this and other WLS boards of patients saying they feel like they "cheated" or are afraid of judgement because they took the "easy way out". You also see a good number of posts about husbands/parents/significant others who are against WLS...mainly out of fear of long term consequences for the patient. IMO, it would help tremendously if patients took responsibility by educating themselves on the disease Obesity and how WLS is a tool like any other surgical intervention. Until we patients change our mindset, how can we expect anyone else will change theirs?

It's not a stall if you are losing inches. My suggestion is for you to take measurements today, then compare them to next week. You are probably going to find that you are getting smaller even though the scale isn't moving. I get a lot of comments at work that I'm shrinking even though the scale hasn't changed. My body is definitely changing.

I took pain pills on the 2nd day in the hospital and they were sent home, Drs didn't prescribe liquid. So if liquid is causing you discomfort, ask your surgeon for pills.

Im 3 months out and I can eat just 1/4 of a restaraunt entree. I always order a protein and the sides are just veggies. I don't eat bread or starches. Once I reach full I stop and ask for a Togo box even though my family is still eating. The leftovers are another three meals for me.

Seems like there's more to this. I just can't imagine that just a few scars & a drain caused him to do a complete 360 in regards to his love. My husband has been there through 14 surgeries & 3 births. I had the drain twice coming out of my neck, once when they removed 1/2 of my thyroid. And again, when they removed the other half due to cancer. I looked & felt like a Borg . My daughter who was 14 asked to remove it & clean it for me, then reattached it. Your husband needs to man up. And if he can't, he is simply unworthy of you.,,but something tells me you know this already.

I often receive comments at work like,"You are a completely different person!" and "I didn't know that was you!" And yes, it makes me feel good. But a part of me thinks that they shouldn't get it twisted, I'm still me & they'd better recognize

Way to go! Can't wait to be where you are Your story was truly inspiring, thank you for sharing!

Don't give up ladies. My husband and I met on a Christian dating site 16 years ago

@@MoosieGirl I love those Cookies too and like you only allow myself a portion. @@Debbieduck4 I either enjoy a decaf cinnamon tea for a sweet treat or a 1/4cup of trail mix.

Decaf tea only. I love cinnamon spice and chai. I pour a little chocolate Mootopia or the white Mootopia for extra protein, then a couple of Splendas. Absolutely love it! Btw, Mootoia is a type of protein infused lactose free milk they sell here in Texas. Not sure if it's sold elsewhere...but I use it to make my protein shakes too. It gives an extra 12g of protein per 8 ounces.

6 months before surgery, I just stopped drinking It cold turkey and took pain meds for the headache for a few days. Then I got over it. But I'm the type to just rip the bandaid off & get it over with...instead of the slow torture of peeling the bandaid away slowly.

I always took pride in looking professional at work. So I got really annoyed when my clothes were too baggy or didn't lay properly, I ended buying 3 pairs of pants and 1 pair of jeans from Old Navy. I got sale items but they fit me properly. I was able to wear those items for about 2 months, then I bought more items from old navy, again on sale. I make a large donation to the Salvation Army every year of old/outdated clothes, electronics, etc. so I'll just throw too big clothes into the donation pile. I write the donation off on my taxes every year.

I am 2 months PostOp and still take my daily Zyrtec and Flonase. They even gave it to me in the hospital. But, of course, check with your surgeon if you aren't sure.