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Nerdgrl

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Posts posted by Nerdgrl

  1. Posted

    I'm 5 days post-op and definitely tolerate things like G2 and Vitamin Water zero and even plain unsweetened iced tea better than plain Water - even though the "sports" drinks are too sweet and gross. Just keep trying different things and you'll find something that works!! I know it's taboo but I even drank out of a straw and felt a little better. Good luck and hang in there!!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  2. Posted

    I was completely confident, gung-ho and excited about my decision to get the sleeve until about a week beforehand, when I started to panic. It's not uncommon to get cold feet when things start getting real. I viewed this surgery as a breakup from an unhealthy relationship - where you know your "partner" (food, in this case) isn't healthy or productive physically, mentally or emotionally - but it's comfortable and ending the relationship is scary, as is the thought of being solo without your crutch / companion. From what I've read, this is a very common feeling in the few weeks before surgery. A therapist is always a good idea to help work through any of these feelings / issues. I'm now only 5 days post-op and can't (yet) say that this is the best thing I've ever done, but I'm incredibly optimistic (and the 13 pounds I've lost since starting to pre-op diet is definitely helping to stay focused!). Hang in there and best of luck!!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  3. Posted

    I totally agree with @@Christinamo7 - there is no right answer to this one. For me personally, I have separated people into 3 categories: (1) those I told before surgery; (2) those I will likely tell after surgery and (3) those I will never tell. Group (1) included only my husband and my sister - people who I trusted would be unconditionally supportive as I didn't want to deal with any negative energy. Group (2) includes other family and close friends - people who are important to me, but who I suspected might not initially supportive. I am opting to tell them after surgery (I'm only 5 days post-op) when they would have no ability to impact my decision and would ultimately have to accept it. Group (3) includes people who just don't need to know - more distant friends, acquaintances, colleagues at work. If / when they notice my weight loss, I just intend to tell them that I've been working very hard at it and leave it at that. That's my strategy, but everyone's situation is unique. Hopefully your friends will be mature enough to be happy for you, but we all know that some people are too embedded in their own drama to see this as something you are doing for you and not something you are doing to them. Best of luck!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  8. Posted

    @@KatB5331 congratulations! My surgery was 9/29 and my big incision (in my case, it's in the center) is just starting to hurt - or the painkillers I got in the hospital are still wearing off. Hope you're healing well!

    @@cbradley my surgery was also in Mexico, and it's been an amazing experience! I'm honestly glad that I did it this way instead of the "traditional" route in the states. Best of luck to you!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  10. Posted

    I am having my surgery in Mexico next week with Dr. Illan through Bariatric Pal. The only person that I felt I needed to "win over" to this decision was my husband, so he joined me in a call with BP and was able to address all his concerns. Dr. Illan will also do Skype or FaceTime consultations. There is a Facebook group where you can hear everyone's stories and everyone raves about the care they received. I (and my husband) couldn't be more comfortable with this decision! As an adult, your family and friends should support your decision, but if there are any opinions that are particularly meaningful, it may help to expose them to the reality instead of the sensationalized horror stories. Good luck!!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  11. Posted

    After reading this thread, I got a little curious and started to do some research. For context, note that I have a PhD in Bioengineering (from a top 10, US institution - will become relevant) and have spent the 15 years of my career as either a drug discovery scientist in 2 large pharma companies or in contract labs that perform independent safety and efficacy testing for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. While I'm not an expert in Protein biochemistry, I do know a bit about bioavailability and biodistribution (and similar topics) - and, as a scientist, am skeptical by nature. So I started to dig and do some research on GENEPRO. Long story short, I found minimal to no scientific evidence of the claims they make - increase in bypass of the intestinal digestive system by 94%, increase in absorbency to 97.8%, etc. The graphs they included were found in the marketing literature from Deerland enzymes - the company that makes Prohydrolase. The clinical data in their "Clinical Studies" section was not related to their specific product (and was incomplete at that). The award for "2015 Life Science Impact Product of the Year" was awarded by the Triangle Business Journal - a local business publication in Research Triangle Park - not a scientific trade publication, society or association. The CEO, "Dr." Parks, received a PhD from Canterbury University (Auckland, NZ). I am not familiar with this degree program or its accreditations, but at best once could consider its scientific rigor suspect. If nothing else, one has to wonder why an entrepreneur in the RTP area of NC - in spitting distance of 3 world-class research universities - needs to go to NZ for education.

    All this being said, to be fair we need to recognize that nutritional supplements are not FDA regulated and that none of the companies that manufacture these products are required to substantiate their claims. The take home message is not that their product is junk (there is no data to conclude that it isn't effective) - it's that one needs to be cautious about accepting their assertions wholesale. At a minimum, it's fair to say that they are over-inflating their "data" and lack independent scientific verification.

    If you read the fine print on their website, I believe that they are stating that their 30g of Protein is an equivalent value - in simple terms, if their protein version is 3x more "bioavailable" than standard whey protein, ~10g of GENEPRO is equivalent to ~30g of standard whey protein - for whatever that's worth. Personally, I am still planning to use GenePro (my surgery is next week) as it does appear to be easy and tasteless, but to be safe will probably count this as 10-15g of protein and not 30g. Just wanted to share what I learned so everyone could make a slightly more educated decision for themselves!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

    STRAWBERRY972 reacted to this

  13. Posted

    First, @@gustavio, thanks for asking the question about drinking with meals - I was curious about this rule as well and the answers have been very educational. Second, in my humble, non-expert opinion, both sleeves and pouches absolutely do (and will) stretch. I honestly don't know (or care) if this is true medically / scientifically, but I CHOOSE to believe that my soon-to-be sleeve will stretch like a rubberband if I don't treat it will respect. If I allow myself to believe that my sleeve won't stretch, then I am allowing myself to think that the sleeve will drive weight loss and prevent regain without my participation - and we all know that this process takes hard work and dedication. It is therefore my philosophical, non-scientific, self-serving assertion that stretching a sleeve (or pouch) is absolutely possible and probable if the prescribed program isn't followed.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  14. Posted

    @@mollydeez what a terrible, frustrating and discouraging ordeal you've been going through. I'm so sorry that this has been so difficult for you. While I haven't been through this type of struggle (I opted to self pay for my surgery in Mexico, in part because of the possibility of facing what you've been dealing with), I completely agree with @@Lukeadelle - you need to get in their face. Did you see the Sex and the City episode where Samantha was diagnosed with breast cancer and camped out in the oncologist's office for days until they gave her an appointment? It may sound extreme, but you can't take no for an answer. Show up at her office in the morning (and the next, and the next if that's what it takes) and just politely inform them that you're not leaving without your paperwork. Your doctor is being passive aggressive, so make her deal with you in person. Transfer the pain and suffering that you're going through to your doctor - even if she only submits the paperwork to get rid of you, I would call that success! Talk about how your doctor is putting her personal opinion over your health with other patients in the waiting room. When this starts to impact her business, she'll do anything it takes to get you out of there. Who cares if the receptionist is nasty? It's not her health or her future that is at stake!! Once you make the consequences of not responding to you worse than the consequences of responding to you, she will do it. Hang in there - be strong and out-stubborn them! Do not take no for an answer and don't stop until you get what you need!!! Best of luck!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  17. Posted

    @@katie09/21/2016 - I would have done the EXACT same thing! You don't owe anyone details from your personal life, particularly not people whom you don't expect have your best interest at heart. Do what you need to do to protect yourself from negativity - if you're anything like me, I have enough negativity of my own to battle without absorbing any from others. More importantly, it looks like your surgery is coming up in a few days - best of luck for an easy surgery and a quick recovery!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  18. Posted

    I just used the exact same "excuse" this past week! I have only told my husband and my sister that I am having a VSG, but I have had to tell a few other people that I am having surgery (most to make arrangements at work - I am scheduled for business travel 2.5 weeks after surgery, so I had to tell my boss that I was having surgery vs taking vacation in case I have to cancel the trip). This week, a very well-meaning, concerned person asked if I was okay, and I simple told them that I'm having a hernia repaired. When people start to notice the weight loss and ask questions, my response will only be that I've been working very hard at losing weight (which will be true). In my opinion, using this type of "excuse" allows you to protect your privacy and avoid any drama.

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

  20. Posted

    My pre-op diet starts next week for my surgery on 9/29 (thankfully, I only need a one week diet) but I appreciate hearing everyone's perspective so I know what to expect. I will be traveling for business for the first two days of the diet - any suggestions on how to manage the diet AND not scratch anyone's eyes out? I'm seriously praying that there is no birthday cake floating around the office next week!

    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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