amanda0930

I am meeting with Dr Graber 9/14 for my initial consultation. Did any of you go through him? If so, I would love to hear your feedback.
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Hi there! I had my first appointment with the surgeon today. I have a 3 month supervised diet to go through where I have to lose 17 pounds. I will also have to do labs, EKG, a meeting with a nutritionist, and the psych eval. Seems pretty standard. Looking forward to this new stage in my life.
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Thank you! We discussed bypass mostly. He said the sleeve was an option but from what I've read so far I prefer the bypass. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

Hi there! I had my first appointment with the surgeon today. I have a 3 month supervised diet to go through where I have to lose 17 pounds. I will also have to do labs, EKG, a meeting with a nutritionist, and the psych eval. Seems pretty standard. Looking forward to this new stage in my life.
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Hi there! I had my first appointment with the surgeon today. I have a 3 month supervised diet to go through where I have to lose 17 pounds. I will also have to do labs, EKG, a meeting with a nutritionist, and the psych eval. Seems pretty standard. Looking forward to this new stage in my life.
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Hey look...I found my chin!!!

Hi there! I had my first appointment with the surgeon today. I have a 3 month supervised diet to go through where I have to lose 17 pounds. I will also have to do labs, EKG, a meeting with a nutritionist, and the psych eval. Seems pretty standard. Looking forward to this new stage in my life.
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Hi there! I had my first appointment with the surgeon today. I have a 3 month supervised diet to go through where I have to lose 17 pounds. I will also have to do labs, EKG, a meeting with a nutritionist, and the psych eval. Seems pretty standard. Looking forward to this new stage in my life.
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Hi there! I had my first appointment with the surgeon today. I have a 3 month supervised diet to go through where I have to lose 17 pounds. I will also have to do labs, EKG, a meeting with a nutritionist, and the psych eval. Seems pretty standard. Looking forward to this new stage in my life.
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@@pdallariva how are you going to get better. Today I bought Isopure I drink it ice cold the red on, the blue one is gross. I'm getting more down than I ever have here's a picture.

Good luck and thanks!
267/243/224
Surgery date 08/15/16

So, I had a long hard conversation with myself over the concept of "wasting" foood one afternoon after fussing at my kid for not eating over half her lunnch.

If you eat it, it's gone.
If you toss it, it's gone.
Either way, it's gone.

If you don't NEED it, don't eat it. If you don't want it, don't eat it. I got FAT because I NEVER "wasted" food. I would shove in the last few bites no matter how stuffed I was. I would eat the leftovers even if I wasn't hungry before I'd throw them out. I'd finish the last chicken nugget from the kids' lunch even if I'd already eaten. A cold fry in the bottom of the bag? Not wasting that hard chewy morsel of fat.

Both my kids are slender and healthy. Why? If they don't want food, they simply don't eat it. Even if it means *gasp* wasting it. Hmmm... Interesting concept.

By not wasting food, I wasted 20 years of my life being 80-120 pounds overweight. I wasted a lot of knee cartilage. I wasted a lot of trips to the dunes and the amusement parks and the mountains because it was a tough walk. I wasted opportunities to ride horses and jump out of planes because I didn't want to tell people my weight.

Yeah. Waste the dang brownies. Your victory was SO much better.

Thank you all surgery in the Morning! Wish me luck

Think tasty bites, for example some of the first foods are ground turkey. So make sliders with sautéed onions and Italian cheese as a binding agent with egg and a little milk. It moistens and tenderizes it so it is soft. Season it with Italian seasoning makes it flavorful for you. He can put it onto a bun and you could eat one small slider size burger and I've put them into little muffins tins, pop them out stick into a zip lock and you've got quick warm ups for both of you when ever. By adding egg and cheese you got a Protein packed nugget. Make some oven fries with sweet potatoes and eat a couple if your not full. I can eat 1 slider without a roll. And I eat two slices of sweet potato and I'm done.
Keep it simple, Protein first always! You will be able to eat steak eventually. So don't fret!
I've puréed steak and potatoes.
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I can't live without cooking something, so today I made a Quiche, it will freeze well, so it can be divided up.
-16oz free cottage cheese
1/2 lb ground turkey breast or ground chicken breast- ask meat staff to ground the chicken breast for you
- 1/3 lb 97% fat free smoked ham (or deli, doesn't have to be smoked)
-1 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese
-7 eggs large
-2 cups baby spinach
-8oz portabella mushrooms, optional
- 1 cup green onions diced-optional
-2 tablespoons oil
pinch of nutmeg, 1 tbsp. black pepper, 1 tbsp dried parsley, 2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
there is no crust, but you won't miss it.
put oil in a skillet,(that can be put in oven, so you only need one dish to make this.)
brown turkey/chicken and crumbled up mushrooms, add julienned ham for 3 minutes and then drain out all liquid
remove from heat.
preheat oven to 350
pour cottage cheese on top of meat
-in empty cottage cheese container, beat eggs, then add 1 scoop of non flavored Protein powder, and mix
-add cheddar, spinach, green onions and spices to meat and mix
pure eggs over top, and lightly mix in.
bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes until top starts to brown.
that is it!
Wonderful hot or cold.

One nutritionist likens eating fruit to consuming Halloween candy. Bariatric Dietitian Elizabeth Anderson weighs in.


Is Eating Fruit Like Eating Candy?
In my opinion as a bariatric dietitian, no.
Is fruit nature’s candy?
Well, I don’t know about you, but I haven’t yet confused blueberries with blue jellybeans.
Many of my post-op WLS clients are nonetheless extremely nervous to incorporate fruit back into their diets.
Some have even been told ‘fruit is dirty’ by their providers.
Most feel they ought to avoid fruit-- like mosquitoes in Florida.
Now I think I know where this is coming from. Many folks with the best intentions believe the sweetness of fruit can prime the appetite-pump for MORE sweets—the high fructose kind.
If you feel fruit might lead you to return to sweets with wild abandon then you are better off skipping it.
But for those of you post op gastric sleeve and bypass clients, fully healed from surgery, and hankering for a small piece of watermelon to beat the heat or a tiny bowl of pineapple while vacationing in Hawaii, I say, enjoy.
When I became a dietitian I took a solemn vow that I would always encourage well-balanced nutrition. To me, that means recommending to my WLS clients: lean Proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
I understand and encourage my clients to limit carbohydrates. I follow the bariatric plate guidelines and suggest 2 tablespoons of starch at lunch and dinner or, about 10 % of these meals.
It’s late summer. This is your opportunity to enjoy the starchy vegetables of the season like sweet potato, fresh summer corn or green peas.
And the delicious fruits of summer like Maine blueberries, Georgia peaches and succulent summer melon—in WLS portions.
Fruits and vegetables, especially the deeply colored varieties like beets, raspberries, kiwi and tomatoes, are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants and nutrients that are so vital to good health.
Plus, the loads of Vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables are much better absorbed by our bodies than the version we get in supplements.< /p>
I know many pre-surgery eating habits need to change after surgery. I sincerely hope that doesn’t mean you have to avoid some of nature’s tastiest treats of the season.

Good evening this is my before and after, 6 months after my surgery, I lose 113 pounds so far, good luck to all, this was the best decision of my life.
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Hello
Hope everyone is doing fine! I had VSG on Monday 8/15 at around 9:3O am. When I woke up I felt fine similar to when I woke up from my appendectomy. I was in the recovery room for about 4 hours, during the first 2 hours I had the dire need to urinate so they wanted to put a bowl in my bed I was like hell no I need a toilet lol I honestly do not know how people pee laying down so they gave me a chair that had a toilet and I peed just fine. Then after that I was half asleep and they took me to my room. I was up and walking several times every hour and half I would do 5 laps and I even did 8 laps at around 4 am. Then at 6 am they took some blood and at 9:30 I was sent to get Xray and that liquid was disgusting!!!!! after the Xray was performed I was like I need to puke ASAP. So I did it hurt it sucked but that was that. My surgeon came in at 12 said everything was fine no leaks or anything. And he was like that I can finally drink clear liquids! Monday day of surgery I didn't have anything not even ice chips so I was super excited. He said that if the liquids go down easily then I could go into the next phase which is puréed foods I kept thinking damn that's fast but hey he must know so at 5 I ate like 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese and 2 of apple sauce and was so full lol. and then they were ok great no nausea then you could go home! I got home. Wednesday I drank half of my Premier Protein in an hour or so and my mom made me baby food that she does for my baby niece I ate like 1.5 onz. And yeah today is Friday I feel amazing no pain no gas no nausea and no chest pains! I feel very lucky and exicted! Hope everyone can have q smooth recovery like me! Positive vibes
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http://www.wickedstuffed.com/keto-dinner-ideas/low-carb-chicken-divan-casserole-recipe/
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Afternoon all!
I'm writing this on a super awesome day: my one-year post op date! This day last year, I weighed 387 pounds and was in recovery after my bypass. This day two years ago, I weighed 450 pounds and saw very little hope of making it past 30. Today I am 207 pounds and perfectly healthy. How times change.
I've learned so, so much in the last two years since I started down this road towards health and happiness. Some of the things I learned were tough lessons, some of them were illuminating and freeing, but all of them together have brought me here. "Here" is a place I never in a million years thought I could be. "Here" is an entirely different Abby, an Abby I thought was sort of a childish dream, or maybe a fairy-tale I told myself to comfort myself during the painful years I spent being obese and incredibly unhappy and uncomfortable.
I still struggle every day with the person I was, the person I am, and the person I am becoming. I struggle to regain my self-image, and to regain an understanding of who I am outside and inside. I struggle with the social and emotional changes that have happened since my surgery, namely the way that people suddenly treat me like a human being because I am no longer painfully obese. I struggle to forgive the cruelty that I experienced at the hands of so, so many people, including my own family and friends. Including myself. I struggle with food cravings occasionally, and with the gravity of the change my personality and habits have gone through. I struggle with that tiny voice of fear in the back of my mind that tells me I couldn't possibly keep this goodness up. I struggle not to compare myself to others and I struggle to keep clothes on my back as I continue to drop sizes. Every day is a struggle.
Every day is also a miracle. I would do this again, and again, and again... forever if I needed to, if it would bring me back here every time. This road has been a little bitter, a lot of sweet, and a wilder ride than I could have possibly imagined or prepared for.
And it ain't over yet!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you here who have been a part of this journey with me, whether you realized it or not. Thank you to all the vets who slapped some sense into me and the kind strangers who listened during times when my anxiety was out of control or when I was feeling so bad about myself that I felt hopeless. You all share a little piece of my victory with me. I wouldn't be here without you and the enormous host of other people outside of this site who have supported me and encouraged me and been proud of me the whole way. THANK YOU. I have a life now, and a future that simply did not exist for me two years ago.
I am ecstatic to be able to share these pictures and my progress with you all today. I love you all.
<3 Cervidae (Abby)
Stats!
Starting weight: 450 lbs
Surgery weight: 387 lbs
Current weight: 207 lbs
Weight lost since surgery: 180 lbs
Overall weight lost: 243 lbs
Jean sizes lost: 20 (size 34 to size 14)
Waist inches lost: 28 in
Hips inches lost: 35 in
Neck inches lost: 4 in
Shoe size lost: 1.5 sizes

*sigh* got the approval from my insurance today and I started crying had somebody asked me what was wrong and I replied with everything is right I need the surgery isn't just a chance for me to be thin and healthy it's a chance for me to be a mom someday this wasn't just an approval from insurance for weight loss surgery this was my future this is my life single most happiest day of my life. 62 more days that's it...
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There's a guy that did a You Tube video that to me gives a pretty clear picture of why not to drink and eat at the same time......My disclaimer is I haven't actually "listened" to what he said as I watched it with no sound turned on......I just like the demo he does at about 2 minutes into the video.

Haven't posted since last Wednesday night—my head was spinning post-Pacific Bariatric required seminar.
I attempted to throw out a bit of dark humor that night with the off-key T/F question on our written exam Scripps requires, and it was hugely concerning to a few people—but overall, I've been dreadfully uncomfortable since the seminar, and tonight in my class was totally validated.
Check it out—
I travel frequently, and had to attend this particular seminar, and not a future date "field trip" with my entire class. I'm in the Kaiser SoCal program...in addition to six months of classes we have to meet with Scripps/Pacific Bariatric as well, since they perform the surgery contractually--last week was my chance to attend the seminar, and no one knew me in the auditorium (most classes go together as support groups and knew each other), and there were about 300 people in attendance.
After the presentation, the floor was open to questions.
Something I've been very concerned about is having a baby post-surgery, because I want ALL of the babies (even if that realistically means adoption), so I thought this was an excellent time to inquire as 1) this was the point of the seminar, and 2) I couldn't be the only woman thinking about this in the world.
When I raised my hand, this was the exchange between the surgeon (male) doing the presentation and me:
"You, in the back."
"Hi. I have a question about pregnancy post-surg—"
"Well, I can't tell you. I've never been pregnant, next question." (Laughter)
"No, excuse me—you need to answer this question please; I am here for information. What is the impact of this surgery on becoming pregnant and nourishing a baby during the pregnan—"
"Look, just wait 1-2 years and then talk to your doctor after the surgery. What I can tell you is that when you lose weight you'll be able to play with your children and that will be rewarding."
"No, you're not listening—I don't HAVE childr—"
"Next question, you, over there."
There was a murmur in the audience, but I just ducked low, embarrassed, thinking it perhaps WAS a dumb question. Went home. Did the exam and physical. Mailed off the paperwork yesterday certified delivery; haven't felt good about the entire experience. Thought it was "just me" overreacting...
Well.
In class tonight? The physiologist asked how the seminar went; told her it felt a bit off, and didn't elaborate further. She said,
"Yeah, that's what all of the classes have been reporting and we are having a meeting about it internally—apparently the surgeon was difficult, which is a shame, because he's considered one of the very best in the field. Did you notice anything? Did you ask any questions?"
"Yeah, we didn't click. I asked about post-surgery pregnancy and he just—"
"OH MY G-D, YOU ARE THE ONE EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT—I don't believe it! We are meeting because of this issue——all the students are talking and all of the doctors and counselors know! First, know that this won't happen again, and secondly, we are going to work as a team to put together information on post-surgery pregnancy because there really isn't much out there, and we think it is an incredible area of opportunity to cover since more than half of the population receiving this surgery are women, and women of childbearing age are becoming a normalcy (...)."
a) I don't feel like so much of a dolt now,
wasn't overreacting, and
c) now the Bariatric department is working on gathering information about post-surgery family planning for future patients.
Super stoked that a lot of sweetness is coming out of a sour situation. It means so much that enough of our peers; peers that don't even KNOW me, came back to KP and spoke up that what happened at the seminar was a problem in a big way. It wasn't a question they had, they didn't know if I was in KP or self-funded, the question may have not even been applicable to them...but there were people in that room who stepped up to the plate to make sure this didn't happen again, and suggested that the information should be integrated into the program.
#yas.
Anyway, that's the follow-up.
Onward.
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Thanks everyone!
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As of yesterday, I have lost 134lbs and now weigh under 200lbs!!
I had my surgery January 11.
Start weight was 333.1
Yesterday's weight 199.1
As someone who has spent the majority of my adult life weighing well over 300lbs, this is a huge accomplishment for me. I never thought I would get to this weight. I cried when I saw the scale yesterday.
When I had wls, I never really picked a number I wanted to get to as a goal weight....all I wanted was that number to start with a 1!!! Now that I'm here, I feel there's nothing I can't accomplish. I'm still not sure where I want to be yet, but my next goal will be to get to 180lbs. 
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Great job! That's an amazing year ????
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