Tauruslady5

Breathe and take one day at a time.

Pain when swallowing? Does it feel like glass? Does your tongue have a white tinge to it? If so, it is Thrush. I ended up with that. Hurt when I swallowed. Then I realized my tongue looked not normal. Two weeks of antibiotics and all better.

Get past the next few weeks, and you will be awesome.

Per my dietitian, I was to eat every 2 hours and only 2 teaspoons at a time. You now have a baby tummy, you have to kinda think that way.

Believe me, you will know. With me, I started to get a fullness pain (not bad pain), which meant ...Okay..you can stop now. LOL

Plus my surgeon showed me how big my stomach was now, and it is the size of a newborns tummy. Which means you eat like a new baby.

@@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.

Thank you very much for your support and those who agree with me. It is sad that one person can actually just make a simple topic bad.

My March goals are:

1. by the end of March I wish to be 225. Right now I am 233, so I believe this is reasonable.

2. Try more new foods, especially cauliflower

3. Eat more fish. I have tried cod, haddock and love both.

I make my goals reachable, it keeps me on track.

You will be great with your goals.............Just remember the outcome will be amazing.

So, how sad is it that no one in the FORUM can handle any kinds of truth or opinion. You all get so hostile. It is a group, it is YOUR opinion.

Not one person needs to take any advice. This group is ADVICE, OPINION. If you are all so worried and think you are SO MUCH BETTER than anyone else, then I assume you are all doctors.

If you had read anything I had written. I had explained that even my surgeon, who is licensed and trained, had performed and is still doing a research on this very subject, because IT IS PROVEN THAT ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS CAUSE CANCER.

Yes, so does the sun, cool whip (because it is plastic byproducts in this), so does Lucky Charms (because of a product). I understand all this.

It was a question, I gave my advice, and all you have done is attacked me for my OPINION>

I sometimes HATE this website, because it is like being in kindergarten where we attack each other for our opinion. If you do not like it, do not read it, DELETE it, who cares.

If you are so worried about artificial sweeteners, why your incisions hurt, should you be eating so much food, why you are gaining weight instead of loosing. Then ask a PROFESSIONAL not use who have had the surgery.

Because like @@Stevehud mentioned, "WE are the worst kind of irresponsible. If I had my way you would be up on charges for practicing medicine without a license". But then again, he is because he is a PARAMEDIC. Which, by the way, I deal with daily, and they are no smarter than an EMT, they just can give a medication to a patient in an ambulance.

BECAUSE you see, again this site if for opinions and helping WITHOUT A LICENSE...........

There is a Protein Drink with absolutely no artificial sweeteners and is good for you. My surgeon and I searched until we found one I could drink because I have an allergy to artificial sweeteners. It is called Spiri-tein. There are many different flavors and they are tasty.

There is artificial sweeteners in alot of products our there, even toothpaste and mouthwash. There are many different names for these sweeteners: Stevia, Truvia, Aspartame, etc.....just make sure you do your research before using a product. Especially if have allergies.

I had my surgery in November 2014, and I started eating pork and beef last month. I just started with very very tiny pieces to see if my stomach would handle it. What I cannot do is Turkey. I can do turkey burger, just not plain turkey. Makes me fall asleep for 2 hours with only eating 1 ounce.

Annamarie

Hi...

I started with the MyFitnessPal....then ended up just using a pad and writing down what I had for the day. If I had that product right in front of me with the list of calories/fats/protein/sugar, I would write down instantly. Otherwise, I would write it all down and at the end of the day use the internet to get my numbers I needed.

My dietician loves this because it lets her know the times and amounts I eat. Plus, it does help me make sure I am getting enough Protein in daily and drinking my fluids.

Have a sparkling day.

Hi.

Insurance will not pay for plastic surgery. Everyone I have spoken with who has had the plastic surgery stated they paid on thier own.

Unless they can prove it is MEDICALLY necessary, then maybe your insurance might pay.

I just talked with a friend who had a tummytuck, arms, and neck. She paid over $10,000 for the surgery and that was over 10 years ago. She went to Yale and had students do her surgery.

I had my surgery in November, and to date have lost over 63 pounds, I have no sagging skin (yet)....but I also keep doing small exercises and drinks lots of Water

AFternoon...

It took me a good 2-3 weeks to even feel normal. That weird feeling in your mouth could be Thrush. I had that and so hated it. I had to be put on two medications to clear this. The pain from the gas took, like it seemed forever, to get rid of.

When I had my surgery in November, I did not drink any Protein shakes, my stomach said NO ... I did drink every 10 mnutes a sip of Water which kept me hydrated. I cried alot because I lacked the energy, which no one let me know would happen. You will get over this hump, I promise.

I, do however, agree with one of the statements above. Please contact your surgeon's office.

Tauruslady5, are you a physician? researcher? Are you in the U.S.? I don't know why but your post sent up some red flags. Are you actually experimenting on people? This sounds irresponsible at the very least. I hope there is more to the story than your post reads to me.

I have done plenty of research on this since 2006. Even my surgeon is doing a research on this very topic. He and I agree 100% of the causes of artificial sweeteners. He was impressed of how much I had already known about the product.

As for those I did my research paper on, those people were willing to participate, but did also talk with their personal physician before they accepted. No, I am not a physician or researcher, but some think I should be

And yes, I am from the states. I had my surgery in Connecticut and listen and learn from my surgeon.

Annamarie

Great Goals !!....awesome you achieved them.

My ultimate goal is 150 pounds. I have lost over 60+ pounds to date. I stated in November 2014.

My first goal was, like yours, to go from a 4x to an XL shirt - Achieved.

2nd Goal - to find a women's jacket I could actually wear - Achieved.

3rd Goal - to get to 199 - not yet achieved, but working hard on it.

I will always have a goal even when I have reached all the goals....

Afternoon....

What a great topic. I have actually written up a report on Sugar versus Artificial Sugars. It is a proven fact that artificial sweetners cause Cancer.

I also performed a study where I had diabetic eat sugar-free products and then take their blood sugars two hours later and those results proved that their levels were "way too high". Then I would have them, on another day, eat regular sugar and take their levels. Those levels were within normal ranges.

You really have to watch what you eat, drink, use for bathroom products, because most items have artificial sweetners in them. Even the Stevia, unless you are eating the leaf directly, it is a process sugar.

I have had alot of my diabetic, surgery, and regular friends stop taking artificial sweetners and the feel so much better. Once I have also told them that it is a proven fact that it causes Cancer, they stop.

As long as you listen to your dietician and eat a product that has only 8 or less grams of sugar, you should be fine. I had my surgery in November and I continue to loose weight and I do not eat anything that states "Sugar-Free".

Annamarie

Since I had my surgery in November, I have always eaten every 2 hours. It works out great for me. I get only 2-3 oz of food in, but at least I am trying.

I have lost over 65+ pounds by eating like this. You will do fine.

Morning from the cold state of Connecticut.

Here is what I was told when I had my surgery on 11/21/14.

1. First two weeks - liquids only (absolutely no food because I was healing)

2. 3-6 weeks - I could have mushy foods (which was amazing. oatmeal, scrambled eggs, Cream of wheat, etc)

3. 7weeks - ?? - I could start eating foods, but one at a time.

Having the new tummy, you have to think like you are a baby. What would you feed a baby at 12 days old?

When I was told to eat 2 teaspoons every 2 hours. I actually did this and felt full all the time. I actually ate like this up to my 7 weeks. I now still eat every 2 hours, but I try to get in 3 oz of food. My calorie intake is suppose to be 1200 calories a day, I can only seem to get in 685 calories per day.

Breakfast, have anything you like it does not have to be a Breakfast food. My dietitian asked me to stop the normal routine of the way I was eating food and have a fun time. So if I wanted Soup for breakfast, then so be it.

Calorie intake: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner = 300 calories Snacks (3) = 100 calories

But again, this does not start until after the 7 weeks post-surgery.

As for exercise. I mostly walked and still do. I am not allowed to do stomach crunches yet, but can go to the gym and work on my arms and legs.

I hope this helps. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Annamarie

Good Morning.

You are still new. Give your body some time to adjust. The first two weeks after my surgery I was miserable. I had thrush that went from my mouth down to my new tummy. Every time I drank, felt like glass going down my throat. The gas from the surgery was in my shoulder and was the most horrible pain I could ever imagine, and I had two children.

I was so tired and had no energy. I cried alot because I am a person who loves to wake up and start my day. That was not happening and making me depressed.

The third week, I was getting my energy back by walking alot during those two weeks. The pain was disappearing and I was able to get at least 2 oz of food into my new tummy.

I had my surgery back on 11/21/14 and have lost over 60 pounds. I am in no rush, I have the rest of my life to get to the 150 pounds I want. Right now I loose anywhere from 2-4 pounds per week. I have not started exercising yet because I am not motivated yet. I will be there once we are above -12 degrees. Yes, I am from Connecticut.....

I am depressed a little now, but it is not because of my surgery. It is because of this horrible weather we have been having.

I promise you will feel better soon and will enjoy this new journey you are setting out on.

Centrum chewable is One in the Morning and One in the Afternoon/evening whichever is better for you. Only 2 per day.

The Calcium Chewable (GNC) is the same way.

My Vitamin B-12 I breakup because it is too bid and I take 1/2 hour apart till the one pill is swallowed.

If you are taking an Iron pill also, just make sure you won't be taking too much if you use the Centrum chewables.< /p>

chewable here.........from GNC

Morning from the snow covered state of Connecticut.

I love taking my Vitamins. I use Centrum chewable twice a day (one in the morning/one at night). I also take chewable Calcium twice a day (one in morning/one in evening). My Vitamin B-12 is not chewable, so I break it up in 1/2 and take one at 630 am and the other a 7 am just because I take with milk and fills me up quickly. My sister takes a B-12 that is disolvable under the tongue.

I do not do the Bariatric because of the fact that many were getting nauseous on them. Try the above. They are great tasting and easy on stomach.

Hopefully this helps.

Have a sparkling day.

Annamarie

Hi...

Most likely is scar tissue. I do not have any big incisions, mine are very small. I have always made sure it was clean and rinsed well.

If the pain was more on the right side, I would worry about Gallbladder. But left side, most likely just scar tissue and healing process.

Morning from the freezing part of Connecticut.

Please do not ever feel alone and scared. We have all had our ups and downs of the surgery. I just made sure I followed my surgeons instructions. I had my surgery in 11/2014 and feel great. Started out feeling depressed and anxious, but then within two weeks was feeling alot better. To date, I still can only eat about 2.5 oz of food per sitting. My sister can eat up to 4oz and she had her's in 8/2014.

I do hope you contacted your surgeon. He/She would know exactly what to do with your situations because most Emergency Rooms do not have the knowledge or understanding yet of this surgery. They can assist in making you comfortable, but your surgeon is your best asset.

Hopefully things are going better and you are sleeping and not feeling so anxious.

We are all here to help each other through this journey. Do not ever be afraid to ask any question.

Annamarie

Way to go.............I remember when I was able to eat solid food....I was soo excited.

As for your surgeon giving you a date to reach your goal. This is YOUR journey not His/Hers. You have a full year to reach the goal YOU want.

Todate I have lost over 63 pounds. I had my surgery on 11/21/14. I am loosing exatly how they want me to. They never have told me what I should weigh in how many months.

To me, that put alot of stress on you, which is not fair. You enjoy this ride, you do what you need to do to make it work. Just remember the surgery was just a tool, it is up to you to make it work.

Again, congrats..........Proud of you !!!

Morning...

You eat every 1/2 hour? wow, isn't that too much? When I had my surgery on 11/21/14, I was told to eat only 2 tsp every 2 hours and no Water 30 minutes before or after a meal. But I was to also drink Water every 10 minutes (taking 2 sips).

Maybe if try a different way of eatting it may make you less hungry.

Morning.......

I had my surgery back on 11/21/14. To date, I have lost very little hair. I am a blond, so I already have thin hair. I started taking Biotin 10,000mcg instantly because I was afraid I would loose my hair.

I am having no problem with the Hair loss, like I mentioned, maybe 1 hair a day if that. Most days I hve asolutely NO hair loss.

Don't worry, you should be fine