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hubbywife

Pre Op
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Posts posted by hubbywife

  10. Posted

    I have such complicated feelings about all carbs--bad and good. I get really confused by the advice out there to the point where I get scared to even eat any. I talked to the nutrionist (I am not a big fan of her personality but she seems to know what she's talking about) the last visit and told her I was scared of adding any in. She said I should aim for around 75 grams a day and that I needed them for energy.

    And I get that. I really do understand the concept of carbs. But my personal experience hasn't been great. I would say I've been pre-diabetic most of my life even at a healthy weight. I always had bad reactions to sugary foods, especially if eaten in the morning. As a teen I would weigh 150, eat a poptart (didn't know better back then), and have a hypoglycemic episode.

    That turned into diabetes after carrying so much extra weight for so long and while I learned to eat better, ANY carbs could have the potential to spike my blood sugar. I started avoiding carbs in the mornings altogether.

    Now that I'm 2.5 months out from surgery, my diet plan includes all kinds of things including oatmeal. I have read many opinions on carbs over the years. Low-carb--only eat a few to stay in ketosis. South Beach--avoid high-glycemic foods. Then it was ok, you can have carbs but make sure they aren't refined sugars/processed. Whole grain works best, etc.

    So here I am trying to decide what my body can handle carb-wise. And I just don't know what to do. Oatmeal is on my plan. I can't stand the Quaker low sugar version (blech). But I saw that Think Thin had a coupon out for a higher Protein oatmeal. So I gave it a try and I really liked it. But is that okay overall? Or too many carbs? Or are the carbs ok, since it's whole grain and going to be digested/released more slowly?

    I just want to know how to go about handling carbs with my new body. I've been off insulin and all diabetic medication since the surgery and I would really REALLY like to stay that way. It runs in my family and I did the surgery specifically to get this all under control.

    Here is the info on the oatmeal (I don't eat the whole container. Maybe 3/4?)

    Ingredients: Whole grain blend (rolled oats, steel cut oats, red quinoa), isolated soy Protein, dried cane sugar, peanut drops (sugar, palm kernel oil, peanut flour, nonfat dry milk powder, salt, soy lecithin), peanuts, chicory root fiber, honey powder (malformation,honey), peanut flour, sea salt.

    Nutrition: Calories 200 Sodium 220 mg Total Fat 5 g Potassium 0 mg Saturated 2 g Total Carbs 31 g Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 5 g Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 9 g Trans 0 g Protein 10 g Cholesterol 0 mg

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

  17. Posted

    So I met with my surgeon today and asked if it is possible to stretch the sleeve. Her response was "absolutely, you can stretch your sleeve." She went on to say that is how patients gain weight back along with outeating the sleeve. She stated that is why it is important to eat only specified amounts and that some doesn't think 3oz of food will fill you up when in reality it will.

    But that people are so use to eating more and have a hard time believing that they will be full with such a minimum amount. However, I didn't ask how much it can stretch. It appears that doctors/people take on this topic varies. So since I trust my surgeon, I will take heed to what she says and try to follow the guidelines as closely as possible to insure that I am able to get to my goal weight and successfully maintain. Last thing I want to hear a few years down the line is "I told you so!"

  18. Posted

    Hello, my name is Valentina. I had my gastric sleeve surgery June 6, 2011. I was so excited to finally have it done and to begin my weight loss journey. June 7, 2011 my world collapsed , leaving me in a dark abyss.

    I guess I need to back up a wee bit. My life's partner and the love of my life was unfortunately diagnosed as clinically depressed. He had attempted suicide in 2008. I found him and called 911. He spent many days in the hospital, but came home much improved. Our life together was one of fairy tales for the next two and a half years. Just after I started my four month pre-surgery weight loss regime, John's depression worsened. He was not supportive of my surgery plans. I tried to explain to him how I had to get weight off of my joints as I have severe DJD, RA, and OA. In March of 2011 I had my left knee replaced. I thought then he would have seen the importance of my needing to have bariatric surgery. He did not. He refused to support me, accompany me to any of my testing appointment or even speak with me about my upcoming surgery. His psych physicians, PCP, and three therapists all advised me to go ahead with my surgery. They assured me that John would eventually see how much better our life together would be.

    I made arrangements with each of John's doctors to call John throughout the day of my surgery to make sure he was holding his own and not panicking. I made arrangements with my surgeon to allow me to come home the very next morning after my surgery so as not to leave John alone any longer than needed. So, the morning of June 6th, I drove myself to the hospital.

    The next morning after my surgery, I called John. There was no answer. I called and called and called. Finally, I got my surgeon to do my post-op testing early and went home. I found John dead in our bed. He had taken all of his vicodins that I had left in the care of his 22yr old daughter. (later she told me that she wanted to go out and her father assured her that he wasn't a child and could manage his own medication).

    From the moment I walked into the bedroom, my gastric sleeve was forgotten. I didn't acknowledge it, nor speak of it. To me, I never had the surgery. John was so opposed to it, that I blamed myself for his death. Maybe if I hadn't left him and had the surgery he would still be alive.

    I've spent the last almost 5 years hating food, sick when eating it, eating everything wrong, and in intensive therapy.

    Last December I had to have spinal fusion of L2,L3.L4,&L5. That's when I began to remember why I needed/wanted the weight loss surgery to begin with. I need to get weight off of my joints/bones.

    Finally, I am beginning to not blame myself. I am beginning to see a wee bit of sunshine in my daily life. I want--no, I need to pick up where I left off and restart my gastric sleeve journey. I spoke with the surgeon who took over after my bariatric surgeon left the practice. The replacement surgeon knew nothing of my history . All he could say was that I was "noncompliant" with my aftercare. I left his office in tears. He did order blood work (which he assured me would be WAY off. He said that I had to prove my commitment to "him" and he would see me in 6 months. After I regained my anger and composure I did make an appointment to see a nutritionist. I also asked my orthopedist (who is in the same building) for a RX for Aquatherapy. That is about the only way I can exercise since my spinal surgery. I am still unsteady to walk on the icey back roads of rural NY state.

    My questions are: Is there any hope for me? Can I restart and get back on track? Does ANYONE have any words of wisdom/advise for me?? HELP!, please

    Valentina

    Hi, everyone! I guess it is my turn to report on my sleeve surgery. I was sleeved in Middletown, NY on June 6th. I woke up with a excuriating back ache, but absolute NO surgical pain. Can you believe it? I still can't get over it. I don't know whether it's because I just had my knee replaced in March and the pain of that is 1,000 times that of getting sleeved. It was for me anyway.

    I woke up the next morning to a phone call from my SO telling me to have my daughter pick me up from the hospital because after 6 years I was no longer welcome in "his" house. He said that I was selfish having elective surgery while he is soooooo clinically depressed. He just couldn't handle me being that selfish and didn't want to see me again.

    Try breathing after getting a phone call like that.

    I am upstate NY living with my best friend for the last 27 years. She had a bypass last Feb and is taking good care of me. I have WAY too much emotional pain. That is probably why I don't have any surgical pain.

    My mother always used to tell me, "Valentina, you come from stern stock. Don't ever forget that. It will get you through the tough times in your life". Well, Mom I'm trying REAL hard to remember...

    Thank you ALL for the support and caring that I have gotten from this site. You are truly my support family now.

    Valentina

    I'm seriously confused.

    Yea me too...

  19. Posted

    My thoughts on June:

    She was obviously not psychological ready for surgery although I see Dr. Now's concern about her not living another month and wanting to treat her physical symptoms right away.

    I am glad he made the point of how it is possible for obese people to be malnourished.

    I just don't see how they couldn't have her seeing a therapist that first month she was in the hospital. I just can't imagine how she would have ever passed a psych clearance without at least starting some therapy pre-op.

    I also think this is a great example of how both partners need extensive nutrition counseling and training.

    I am coming to the conclusion that spouses, partners, children, and other live-in "helpers" need a formal program to prep for surgery, including their own psych clearance. There seem to be so many codependent, and abusive relationships (from both directions) on this show. As well as just a lot of ignorance.

    Did anybody else think that June's girlfriend was a teenage boy in the shower scene?

    If June had been in the hospital 20 times, why has they not even brought up surgery? It seems that Dr. Now could have been brought in to consult. If her health concerns were anything other than obesity I am sure they would have considered all options.

    June's legs reminded me a lot of mine in the shape, fat distribution, and lymphedema. I saw a lot of myself in her mobility challenges. It was very sobering and made me very grateful for all the progress I have had so far.

    If my son was killed in the way her son was, therapy should have been one of the first tools I reached for. It breaks my heart how culturally and socially there are so many barriers to people seeking and accepting help. At the very least she could have benefitted from some serious pastoral counseling. Our mental health system is so broken in this country.

    I don't watch Skin Tight.

    They may have suggested therapy to her in the hospital and she may not have been receptive to it at that time. With so much editing it is hard to tell the true story of what is really happening. But I agree, definitely in the Black culture, seeing a therapist means that you are "crazy" therefore we are a bit hesitant to the idea. Luckily, that taboo has changed some. I think Dr. Now is just no-nonsense. I am sure he has heard every excuse and now he has a low tolerance for it. I dont get offended when they make the losing weight naturally comment. It takes a lot of dedication and determination to lose weight and keep it off both "naturally and surgically." As far as "Skin Tight" I am very disappointed in their results. I expect Dr. NOW results to be sub par because he isn't a plastic surgeon and it shows. The nipple placement last night were hideous. And the plastic surgeon's results aren't any better. They must not be allowed to do liposuction on the show because they all can benefit from it. They need to be more aggressive and learn how to contour the body. So disappointing for them I'm sure, especially for the females.

  21. Posted

    Wow these threads crack me up. I feel like I am back in high school reading stuff that people post. I havent even had surgery yet but joined this site to see how others adapt and succeed. Instead I see so much negativity and bullying. These are the same people I tell my 21 yr old daughter to avoid. But I think I am going to take a break and find a more positive site as well. I understand that these are people opinions and every one has one but we are also adults and should treat one another as such. I'm really hoping that these are trolls that I am referring to because if they aren't, then there are a lot of unhappy people on this site!

    dp47 reacted to this

  24. Posted

    Celebrities are just like you and me except they have money. It still does not take away their thoughts, feelings and struggles.

    I often read on this site how people have had surgery and still struggle with head hunger. Yea weight may be reduced but for many the urge is still there. I can't fault anyone for their struggle. Hell how many personal trainers have I paid and lbs have I lost. If I want to hire a personal chef I can but that will not reduce my urge to have unhealthy foods. Many celebrities struggle with their weight. Like someone mentioned Kirstie Alley. It just shows you that they are real and have the same struggles that we do. Weight watchers is in it to make a profit and hey if Oprah is who bring in the big bucks then why not. Even if Oprah isnt successful, look how many people will join because of her. If people lose weight, become healthier, live longer because of Oprah's promotion then everyone wins.

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