wantingabetterlife

Thanks... But the odd thing is, I never made it to 5k LOL. My best distance was 2.47 miles, 5k is 3 miles. Guess I'll work towards getting that last 1/2 mile in.

I really like strawberry-kiwi fruit infusion. I just cut up a strawberry, add a couple of slices of kiwi fruit, muddle them a little and add Water. Sometimes I put it in a small pitcher and strain it as it comes out but I love the way the slices of fruit look floating in my Water. If it looks good, I want it more

Walmart has nice single serve infused Water bottles for like 6 bucks. It's where I got mine. I might go get another one.
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Mmm watermelon kiwi.
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Thank you so much for sharing the information! You are so inspiring!

@@wantingabetterlife - I just put it all in a mesh bag (old, boiled t-shirt or cheesecloth) and pop into a pitcher of Water and let steep in the fridge as long as I want, but there are special bottles, doodads, etc you can buy. I also (depending on what I'm using) just pop water and flavorings into the pitcher and drink around (like with lemons).

Thank you so much for sharing the information! You are so inspiring!

I had VSG surgery on August 18, 2014 -- one year and two weeks ago. Today I met with my bariatric P.A. for my one-year post-op review. She's extremely sharp and keeps up to date on bariatric surgery post-treatments, nutrition, behavioral issues and emerging news. She attends bariatric conferences often and reads all the new studies.
She was the one who encouraged me at four months post-op to move from 800 calories/day to 1,000 calories by Month Six and to 1,200 calories by Month Eight. She said that would help me to prevent my metabolism from accustoming itself to the very low calorie post-op menus we are restricted to with tiny, swollen stomachs.
Apparently, it worked: I am maintaining a 143 pound weight and eating 1,700 calories a day.
I've had an exceptional Year One. I've reached my weight loss goal and am 7 pounds lower than that. I feel great. My blood panel test results are 100% great. No shortages at all. In my opinion I've done everything right. I eat 3 meals and 2 Snacks. I don't graze. I eat nutritious food. Most days my Protein grams hit or exceed 100. I typically eat 5 healthy vegetables and fruits each day and eat at least 21 grams of Fiber (the daily requirement for women). My muscle mass is exceptional for my age (I'm almost 70). I no longer need knee replacement surgery. I walk most days, do yoga and strength training.
So today what I really wanted to know and what I asked her were these questions, along with her answers:
1. What should I expect during Year Two?
You've done really well with weight loss surgery. You've already been maintaining your weight for the last 4 months. In Year Two you can expect more of the very same challenges you've already been dealing with since you reached goal -- planning and eating nutritious meals, focusing on regular exercise, not overeating, and staying focused and motivated. It's important to stay connected to us if you have any questions or changes in how you feel or your health. Staying connected to us is one of the best things you can do. All the research shows that you're much more likely to be successful long-term if you don't "fade" away and try to deal with all the challenges you're having by yourself.
(That made me feel pretty good. )
2. During Year Two, will my body start to produce and release more ghrelin and will my pre-op hunger levels return?
No, the ghrelin doesn't come back. Yes, I know that myth is out there and considered to be true. But it's not true. Yes, you may experience "head hunger" or boredom that could lead you to start eating food full of empty calories that don't help you achieve satiety. And eating those empty "slider" calories will make you want more of them. That's the same "head hunger" challenge you've always had to contend with. Again, no, the ghrelin doesn't "grow back."
(Needless to say, her predictions about ghrelin not coming back just thrilled the hell out of me!)
3. Will my metabolism lower for any reasons, requiring me to eat less?
Not unless you stop exercising or your muscle mass goes down significantly. Also, you're already eating "good" foods, not high-sugar, high-carb foods. The nutritious foods you're eating (protein, veggies, fibrous fruits, whole grain foods) require your body to work harder to digest them. A diet high in slider foods (chips, Cookies, candy, ice cream, sugary drinks) wouldn't make those digestive and metabolic demands of your body. Just keep doing what you're doing now, and your metabolism should remain the same.
(Whew!)
I know that only time will tell how I do. But I now feel like I have a very good chance of keeping my weight down and remaining slim and healthy going forward. BTW, she told me about patients of hers who are 5 and 6 years out who are as slim now as they were when they first reached their weight goals.
So take that, b*****s!
:)

Welcome!! You will find so much information and support on this site. I also had hypertension, high cholesterol, GERD, shortness of breath, and type II diabetes prior to surgery. I was immediately taken off Metformin after my surgery and my A1C has been perfect. After a few months, my blood pressure and cholesterol were in check too. The only medication (aside from my vitamins) I still take is Nexium, which I only take every couple of days. My health has improved so much and I feel better now than I ever have in my life. Please take the time and research, research, research. Learn about the pros and cons, benefits, complications, lifestyle changes, etc. that come with any WLS. Your husband can even join here as there is a forum for "family and friends". I wish you the best on your journey!

LOL! Yep, that about sums it up! When 10:00 rolls around, drink a bottle of Water and GO TO BED! The longer you stay up, the more temptation will sneak up on you.

@@wantingabetterlife
Thank you very much...
And you're welcome...
I'd hate to cause too much dimply smile induced angst...

You are still pre-op and trying to learn the right eating behaviors. You also know where you slipped up and how many calories it cost you. I'm sure before now, you would have eaten the same thing and not thought twice about it??!! I wouldn't say that is "blowing it". Don't let a slip up get you down! Instead, remember it and try not to give in again. You can do this, believe in yourself!

You are still pre-op and trying to learn the right eating behaviors. You also know where you slipped up and how many calories it cost you. I'm sure before now, you would have eaten the same thing and not thought twice about it??!! I wouldn't say that is "blowing it". Don't let a slip up get you down! Instead, remember it and try not to give in again. You can do this, believe in yourself!

I hate that you are feeling so down! Put away the scale and take time to Celebrate all of those NSVs you have achieved! Also, how many calories are you getting each day? You sound like you are exercising a lot, are you getting in enough calories to sustain the workouts? Best of luck to you!

I hate that you are feeling so down! Put away the scale and take time to Celebrate all of those NSVs you have achieved! Also, how many calories are you getting each day? You sound like you are exercising a lot, are you getting in enough calories to sustain the workouts? Best of luck to you!

You are still pre-op and trying to learn the right eating behaviors. You also know where you slipped up and how many calories it cost you. I'm sure before now, you would have eaten the same thing and not thought twice about it??!! I wouldn't say that is "blowing it". Don't let a slip up get you down! Instead, remember it and try not to give in again. You can do this, believe in yourself!

Mine are the same size but a whole lot narrower. I had to throw out most of my old shoes because they just slid off my feet.

Risk vs benefit, my dear. The benefits FAR outweigh the risk.

I was scared prior to surgery, really scared. BUT, my primary doctor had told me that I was a walking time bomb. I could have had a stroke or heart attack on any given day. Living with that feeling every day was scarier to me than the risks of surgery, At least I felt like I had some control of one of the situations! I finally realized that I could sit back and do nothing or take a risk and get healthy.

Yep, 38 days straight of the same weight! I was so down in the dumps and thought that was all I was going to lose. Keep up the good work and the scale will move!

What they said! And track everything you put in your mouth. Accountability is key to getting it under control and getting back on track. You can do it, just go back to the basics.

I had acute pancreatitis two weeks after my surgery. It was very painful and I was hospitalized for it. After it subsided, I have not had any other problems. My doctors said that sometimes surgery can aggravate your pancreas and it just reacts. Hopefully you will get through it and not have any more issues with it!

i'm so glad that they caught this and you can go into your surgery as healthy as possible! It may delay your WLS but it probably saved your life. He does work in quite mysterious ways!

i'm so glad that they caught this and you can go into your surgery as healthy as possible! It may delay your WLS but it probably saved your life. He does work in quite mysterious ways!

I would think the surgeon would trump what the endo has to say. He is the one performing the procedure and if he feels comfortable doing it, he would do it. The surgeon usually consults other specialists to make sure everything else is okay with you to protect himself. If he knew your A1C was an issue prior and was prepared to go ahead, then something sounds fishy! I would definitely ask for a second opinion. Hope it all works out and moves quickly. Best of luck to you!

I would think the surgeon would trump what the endo has to say. He is the one performing the procedure and if he feels comfortable doing it, he would do it. The surgeon usually consults other specialists to make sure everything else is okay with you to protect himself. If he knew your A1C was an issue prior and was prepared to go ahead, then something sounds fishy! I would definitely ask for a second opinion. Hope it all works out and moves quickly. Best of luck to you!