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Cheri_j

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Everything posted by Cheri_j

  1. Cheri_j

    Well, here goes ...

    I have it too. I just assumed it was from all the gas that they pumped into you when the surgeon did the surgery and my internal organs absorbed it. I hope it goes away soon.
  2. Cheri_j

    Breakfast menu?!

    I didn't try scrambled eggs until week 4. I could barely eat half of it. I can't imagine eating sausage. tooooo greasy.
  3. Cheri_j

    Oh the "Advice"

    People are naturally curious. Parents want to brag about their children's accomplishments - even weight loss - because they are proud of you. They tell you that you shouldn't be eating that because they care and they don't want to see you fail. They probably have seen you fail at other diets and maybe they don't understand how the bypass works. It is your decision on who you tell. But your mom must be bursting at the seams with pride for how well you've done. Maybe if you sit them down and explain more in detail about your surgery and the do's and don'ts. There are those who try to sabotage us. My ex husband is a good example. He felt that if I lost weight, he would lose control over me. Others are jealous or uncomfortable with your weight loss and will try to undo what you've done by trying to feed you what you shouldn't have. Then there are the feeders. That's how they show love - by shoving food at you. Instead of getting angry and all stressed out (that makes me hungry), try to figure out the person's motivations and approach the situation by explaining how their actions make you feel.
  4. Cheri_j

    Type 2 diabetes

    I've had Type 2 Diabetes for over 20 years. I was taking Metformin and 120 units of Lantus daily. My A1C was over 12. My surgeon said because of the diabetes, he recommended the RNY, but needed to get my A1C under 9 before he would do the surgery. That was my motivator. I had the surgery and when leaving the hospital, told to stop taking all of my diabetes medicines. I still have to monitor my blood glucose closely because now I have a tendency to have low blood sugar, but it's been almost six weeks and I've been medication free!!!
  5. Cheri_j

    After surgery, time off

    I have an office job. I was working from home 1/2 days after 3 day and back full time in the office at 10 days.
  6. I was fine up until they gave me the surgery date. Then I was a little nervous and a lot scared. Then that long drive to the hospital, I had second thoughts. I had second thoughts until they wheeled me away. It is the unknown that is so scary. But five weeks later, any second thoughts I had were unwarranted. I am so thankful that I was given this opportunity. I have my life back again. I'm going to live and enjoy retirement in a few years.
  7. Cheri_j

    Drinking from a straw

    I've been drinking through a straw since day one. I've always used a straw and the thought of not using a straw is alien to me.
  8. Cheri_j

    Refusals

    Some insurance companies will not cover revision without medical necessity. The insurance companies believe if you've blown one surgery, you will not succeed with another. Some employers do not have weight loss surgery covered under their policies.
  9. This is a very personal decision. Before the surgery, I only told a few people at work, including my boss. My fears weren't that I was ashamed that I had to "resort" to weight loss surgery because I was too weak to do it on my own or that people would think bad of me, etc. (all of the usual things that people think), but I didn't want people to have unrealistic expectations. I didn't want people to think that I was going to end up a model or that I would lose 100 pounds in a month. Since I've returned back to work, anyone who asks will get the whole story. I love talking about it. But I don't want to make someone uncomfortable by talking about it if they don't want to hear it. Also, there are a number of obese co-workers and I don't want them to feel bad about themselves or jealous about my surgery. But I do want to be an advocate and a information resource for those who might be considering WLS. There is one guy coworker who will ask me almost every day if I'm feeling ok. I'm guessing he probably thinks I've got something really bad, like cancer. I will have to talk to him soon, so he will be not so worried about me. I'm five weeks post op and feeling wonderful. I'm down 50 pounds! My life has changed for the better and I'm too excited to keep this bottled up! And if I can help someone else feel the way I do, then that will be just frosting on the cake. Now.....I purposely didn't tell my husband's sisters and their families. We see them a few times a year. My husband is close to his sisters and they talk on the phone and text all the time. We will see them at Thanksgiving and I'm looking for that "shock" factor. By then I should be about 80 pounds down. They will be so surprised! And you better believe I will tell them all about my surgery then.
  10. I told my boss I was having weight loss surgery and an estimated time I would be away from the office. I used my PTO (paid time off) and he wanted me to go on short-term disability. He was certain that I would be out for six weeks or longer. I was working from home after three-days post op and back to work full time in 10 days. As people have mentioned, you do have several options regarding notifying your work. I would check with your human resources department and ask them. They should be able to keep the information confidential. For me, being up-front and honest is the best policy....that way I don't get tripped up in any falsehoods. Besides, as my husband would tell you, I am the worst liar ever. A poker face, I do not have.
  11. Cheri_j

    Compression garments

    No, this was just for the bypass. I must have missed something. I have to wait two years before I can have the tummy tuck.
  12. I too am a food addict. I do miss food and some of the foods that are my favorites are now on my "not ever" list. Since my surgery, I am working on breaking my link with food. Food cannot be my protector and comforter anymore. Every time I see something good to eat that isn't on my list, I have to remind myself about my new life and that only I am responsible for my actions. I have the power, my intelligence, and wit to protect me and I have a supportive network to comfort me. This surgery was a life-saving decision and I have to remember how miserable I felt with all of my obesity related health issues. You might want to see someone to discuss this hold that food has over you. Therapy can give you out-of-box suggestions that you probably never even thought of and together, figure out why food is your champion and you are placing yourself second. Set mini goals and non-food rewards to keep you motivated. When you hit milestones, like 25, 50, 75, 100 pounds - do something special for yourself. The last thing you want to do is undo all of the hard work that got you to where you are right this minute.
  13. Almost all doctors use your starting weight and BMI to submit to the Insurance companies.
  14. Cheri_j

    Best shakes?

    Premier shakes. They are premade and the lowest price I've seen for them is at Walmart at about 1.50 a shake. These are the best! They come in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry cream. 30 grams of Protein.
  15. Cheri_j

    Compression garments

    When I went in for my two-week checkup, I was told to give up the band. They said something about my muscles getting used to the compression. I had a by-pass. Is this different for a sleeve?
  16. Cheri_j

    FOOD !

    I'm four weeks post op and my sense of smell has gone into super mode. I am so sensitive to smells now. The other morning I got on the elevator at work and the person that got on with me said it smelled good (Breakfast smells). I could identify the hashbrowns, and the egg. I thought I smelt toast as well, but wasn't sure. I can't stand to walk down the candy isle or the Cereal isle of the grocery store. I don't like sweet/chocolate smells. Totally weird!
  17. Cheri_j

    Butter tarts!

    after my surgery for almost a week, I had food-binging dreams. In the back of my mind, I knew I was screwing up my surgery, but I couldn't stop eating. After about a week, the dreams ended.
  18. Cheri_j

    hiring a house cleaner

    Please! Can any of the women's husbands please email my husband about hiring a housekeeper? I have wanted a house keeper for years - my frugal husband says we can do it ourselves, but then because of our lifestyle, we are hardly ever home and when we are, we are trying to rest up for the next adventure. We can afford to have a housekeeper. We are DINKS. I told my husband that I would make additional sacrifices to have a housekeeper. But a housekeeper would dip into our golf budget. Sigh..... I need a good argument. Any suggestions???
  19. Cheri_j

    Nurse Health Coach?

    My insurance company requires Five phone calls from the nurse. You talk about eating habits, your pre-op weight loss plan, and address any questions you might have.
  20. Everyone's plan is different. I had to do the following: 3 months of consecutive weigh ins Lose 5 pounds A Psych Evaluation Three months seeing the dietician An EKG (at pre-op) 5 phone counseling sessions Get my A1C under 9.0 Stop snacking completely This was for a by-pass. It took me four months to complete everything before the surgeon would submit to insurance. Then I was denied. The surgeon submitted an appeal 30 days later and I was accepted.
  21. I came home with 14 extra pounds of Fluid.
  22. Cheri_j

    The bills are rolling in

    I didn't realize that I was bragging and how it would offend some people. I was more amazed at how much all of this costs. And I said I was fortunate, not that I had a fortune. if you will tell me how to delete this thread, I will.
  23. Cheri_j

    Calories post op!

    I will be four weeks out on Wednesday and the I get to move to soft foods. Right now, I average 500 calories a day. I am not allowed to snack whatsoever and limited to my three meals. When I do go on soft foods, I will be capped at 800 calories a day.
  24. My NUT suggested the baby spoons. I love them. All above are great suggestions. One thing I bought was one of those coffee mug warmers. Since I have to make my meal last 30 minutes, these are great for keeping my food warm. I dislike cold food.

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