Amanda Dutton LPC

Oh, and I've always gotten my meds from my primary care doctor. So it wasn't because I saw a psychiatrist for a year either. [emoji4]

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Yes she does. She’s been seeing the same psychiatrist since she was 20 (she’s 42 now)
I agree with having the support behind you (it helps a lot) even without having bipolar.. I’m sure it’s a bigger struggle (she’s all over the place with her mood at times) for the most part she’s on the down side.


[emoji991] Instagram: milaalmodovar
[emoji317] SC: almodovarmila

Ok, this totally made me 🤣🤣🤣

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Speaking as a mental health counselor and a fellow sleever, you are all on the right track. Use distraction, get moving, music, journal, art...whatever helps your mood. The thing is we can't go to our comfort foods anymore. That's going to make this journey challenging as we figure out new (hopefully healthier) habits for when we are feeling emotionally challenged (depression, anxiety, stress, anger, etc.) Of course, I'm biased, but having someone to talk to like a therapist will be really helpful.

Duh....lol...just found out that different Protein dishes, ie salmon as opposed to chicken, has different grams of Protein. You CANNOT convert grams into protein as I was doing.

Should I be worried about this?

I think its odd they didn't let you use your current therapist for your eval. S/he knows you and your capabilities best. My therapist (who, granted, specializes in weight management/bariatric issues) was able to do my eval and write my letter. I saw three docs before I chose who I'd ultimately use and all 3 said my current therapist could write the letter.

Here we go! Net Protein Utilization is the percentage of the protein that your body actually absorbs.

So, if you are using whey protein isolate or concentrate (make sure it's not a blend, because it may be mixed with soy or something else that can lower the score), you are getting almost 100% of the protein.

Hope that helps!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Keep in mind that Protein Shakes don't have Proteins that can be 100% absorbed, so you are totally fine to go over 30g with them since not every gram will be processed.

Let me go check my Pinterest boards and see where I saved that graphic that shows percentages...

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

That’s a great idea to start to taper more! Diet Coke and not drinking while I’m eating are going to be two big ones for me! I’ll keep you posted, I hope you are doing well on your journey!

I’m super excited and still on my way towards a VSG! My sleep study is complete with no need for follow up. My psych eval has been completed and cleared. I have 4 more visits with my Dietician and I hope to have my surgery scheduled in May or early June. I don’t really know how long the approval process and scheduling usually extends beyond that last visit with my dietician which will be the last week of April but I’m thinking at least two weeks due to the liquid diet. Haven’t lost any but haven’t gained either while I wait. I haaaave tapered out most carbonated beverages and cut down on caffeine. How are you all? I’m nervous one week and excited the next... and then nervous all over again. Seems like 6 months is just enough time to go through the wringer emotionally!

Thank you SO much for responding to me. I feel much better. I found chewable Calcium that tastes fine so I’m good to take it for as long as I need to. Thanks again.

Hi there,

I’m new to this site and 4 weeks post-op. I came across an article that said bariatric surgery puts us at risk of bone loss/weakness and also makes us more susceptible to fractures. Is this true? Does the Calcium we take protect our bones?

Those of us who had RNY can be at higher risk for bone loss because we have had several feet of the top part of our digestive tract removed. That's the malabsorption thing people talk about.

VSG folks are still essentially intact but with just a smaller stomach (one of the highlights of VSG).

Of course, keep taking your Calcium unless instructed otherwise by your surgery center, but as long as there are not other non-WLS factors that could cause bone loss (ongoing untreated low Vitamin D, heavy smoking or alcohol use, etc), the chances are low.

This is based on findings from several studies by the ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) - the managing organization for everything WLS.

See screenshots. No more risk than with a lab band, and those have NO digestive tract change/removed.

Hope that helps! 

~SW: 278 CW: 165~

RNY 1/5/2005

"What got you here won't get you there."

So I had my first consultation today with the weight loss center I was planning on going through. My insurance has already approved getting surgery, for what its worth. During the meeting, the lady asked a ton of questions, and inquired about my relationship with food. She somehow got the impression that I stress eat, even after I tried to clarify that I do not. Things at home have been a bit rocky, and my stress level has been high, so you can see where this is going. After the hour long consultation, she told me that due to stress being high, financial issues being a factor, and the fact that we moved 2 years ago and have no family or friends here (No local support group), that I was not a good fit for surgery.
I was a little floored, but took it like a champ. I had an appointment already scheduled following that one, with a physician, and she encouraged me to see him regardless because ultimately he'd be working along with the surgeons and may have a different opinion. We met for a little over 40 minutes, and he questioned me about the traumas I'd experienced as a child, and followed up asking about how often I turn to food for comfort. I don't feel I do (And neither does my husband, nor my best friend of 20+ years), and told him rarely, if ever. He said, and I quote: "Mmm.. I disagree with you there!" Uh? Okay..? I figured I'd humor him and asked why he came to that conclusion. He went on to elaborate that because I was abused as a child that I surely turned to food as a form or comfort, or affection, even if I didn't realize I was doing so. Huh. Okay. I mean, I literally brought you my food log, and am telling you otherwise, but alright. The rest of the meeting he spent explaining that I was a better candidate for medical weight loss, but not so much surgical. I'm 32 years old, 397lbs. I have pcos, am pre-diabetic, and am pursuing WLS to not only better my health as conventional methods have failed, but also to start a family in a few years with my husband.
This whole experience has left me incredibly disheartened, and I genuinely feel like every step I've made on this journey has been an uphill battle. Do you guys think I should pursue another opinion with a different clinic? I'm not exactly thrilled at the thought of taking 'weight loss pills' so medical weight loss isn't very appealing to me. I'm super conflicted and confused as to what to do going forward. Any advice would be welcomed! Thank you!

Gosh I wish! [emoji6] My gut is so whacked. LOL. They just started Linzess on me yesterday. Gah!

Calcium blocks absorption of Heme Iron. From what I've researched, it doesn't block non-heme iron and can be taken together.

Thanks for this explanation! It makes so much sense. I hope to see my Iron saturation levels coming up by using it!
I'm so glad you've found the answer to your iron problems and anemia! I know infusions are tough on you!!! So glad your ferritin has been normal!
This is the one I take. It's the heme iron combined with the other plant one. Is this what you take?

I just reached out to Mylan to see if they'd sell to us directly or if it's available through a national distributor, thanks! Why do you like it?

If you have reflux before surgery, sleeve generally won't help. I know there are a few that have gotten relief from occasional heartburn, but since the sleeve leaves access to stomach acid in the sleeve (RNY separates it and it doesn't meet the food until after the pouch), it's not going to change the cause of reflux.

It's definitely something to consider.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

Oh my gosh, Thank you Amanda for this as I had no idea on how to find a Pysch that deals with bariatrics/ weight loss and now with this website https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists , I see I have numerous options. Google was doing nothing for me so Thank you!

So very normal!

If we think about it like an addict (which most of us are, whether we realize it or not), we are in "withdrawal" after surgery from the carbs, sugar and fat our bodies are used to. So our brains start saying "hold up - where did it all go? Did you forget we like this stuff? Let me remind you!"

Drug addicts call these "using dreams." They can be so real, they will wake up convinced they relapsed. It happens to us too.

So look at it as your brain realizing that it's not getting all the "bad stuff" - not the lettuce, but the fatty things that would go with it - and Celebrate. You may feel like you're going crazy, but you're really going through detox.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

There is a great website that we therapists use to list ourselves and makes it easier for people to find us. It's called Psychology Today.

You can filter the therapies by location, insurance, problem (there isn't one for bariatric surgery, but weight issues and maybe obesity are options) and even preferred gender of therapist.

Working with a psychologist or therapist is a huge help, and a letter from them should make your docs, surgeons and/or psychiatrist take you seriously.

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."

This is awesome information !

Hi there. I had my surgery at the end of 2017, and have lost a total of about 75 lbs. I feel like I did well until early October, and have been at a standstill, with lots of bad habits from my earlier life coming back in to play. I definitely am a stress eater, and have changed jobs, I am dealing with some difficult issues with my kids, and my parents are having lots of health issues, so the stress has piled up. A lot of this was out of my control, but making big changes as a new surgery patient was too much for me, but here I am, and I have to deal with it.
I started seeing a therapist, and have anti depression/anxiety meds which have finally seemed to level things out a bit. I think I am at the point where I am looking around and feeling like I have been through a big storm, but I want to get back on track.
I have about 65 lbs. to go to be at goal, and I know I can do it. I just need to forgive myself, and find some inspiration. Any advice or tips? Thanks in advance!

Check out Bariatric Fusion. I was just on their site yesterday and they had 2 of their Multivitamins on sale for under $20 for a 30 day supply (120 chewables, 4 a day). There was an orange flavor and a berry. Look under the sale section of their menu. Everything we need except the iron!

~SW: 278 CW: 165~
RNY 1/5/2005
"What got you here won't get you there."