RoachBug

As for the PB2, it is actually decent. I do not use it too often but liked to mix it in with vanilla Protein Powder, when I was doing a lot of shakes. Gives the shake a good PB flavor.

Have Medical Mutual here. Their requirements were over 40bmi or 35 and at least two co-morbidities. As for the co-morbidities, if your doctor works with you on his referral to the insurance company, it will greatly improve your chances. Wouldn't think you will have much of a problem though, wish ya the best.

Good job, definitely can see a difference! Keep up the good work.

Catchy title btw, mandated that I take a peek. Now I will drag my mind back out of the gutter.

I am just about 5 1/2 months out. The weight loss has slowed down a tad but is still headed in the right direction. Had been stuck at 205 for the past week or so. Weighed myself today and was happy to see 203lbs. That bumped me from double to triple digits, 101lbs. to be exact. Definately made my day! 23 to go and I will be a happy camper!!

Iron Maiden in 84', Toledo Sports Arena.

@@James Marusek you got the definition right. When you have a Pacemaker/Defibulator, you get to experience even more fun feelings as it tries to adjust things. My doc knows what's causing it (being my heart meds), the trick is finding out which medication needs to be adjusted as I continue loosing the weight. I am sure we will eventually get it right.

Had to use the Lovenox a couple of times, your not supposed to rub, pat, our scratch, the area off injection or it will deff bruise. I found that out the hard way. First time I had a slight skin reaction (only lasted a short time), it itched quite a bit. My entire stomach, a good sized piece of real estate, looked like I had been beaten with baseball bat. I think Negan and Lucille would have approved. Didn't hurt at all but lasted quite a while and I got to see all the pretty change of colors.

Sent from my SM-G928V using the BariatricPal App

I have some serious heart related problems. One of the main reasons I decided to have the sleeve done was to loose weight (which I needed to do regardless), which in turn helps bump me up on the transplant list. Since I have started loosing the excess weight (almost at 100lbs.), my Heart Failure Specialist has been monkeying around with my meds. I knew this would need to be done and the dosages adjusted. Main problem is that I get light headed way to often when standing up, it's getting a bit better though.

My rant is in regards to my "check-up" yesterday at OSU. I had been on Amaridion (Pacerone) several years back for about 2 1/2 years. When I switched over to the docs at OSU, the first thing they did was take me off of it. I was informed that Pacerone was a late stage drug and it has too many side effects to be on for extended periods of time. Time jump up to the present, yep I am once again on Amaridion. Due to the billion and a half serious side affects related to the drug, I have to go in for testing every 6 months. I had been on it before and was familiar with the associated risk to the liver, lungs, eyes, kidneys, blood cells, light sensitivity, to name but a few. I know a lot of meds have lists of possible side affects (just listen to the auctioneer at the end of any drug commercial) but this one is a doozy.

The doc commented on my tattoos and said that at least she can assume that I use sunscreen when outdoors. I told her that I knew the drug makes it extremely easy to burn. She said that it definitely does but she had meant about my exposed skin turning blue. Turns out another possible side effect of Amaridion is turning the skin blue from exposure to sunlight. She said that is is rare, though she does have patients whom it has affected. I Googled it when I got home, I will be wearing a ski mask and full body suit for my daily walks from this point on. I DO NOT WANT TO BE PAPA SMURF!

Memories... This debate has been brought up many times. Seems for every doctor, there is a different rule or variation. There are a few pages of replies to your question at this link http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/369090-the-great-straw-debate/

I know my doc did not want me eating anything with seeds, while in the healing phase. Pretty sure that timeframe extended at least untill I was cleared for solids. The concern is small seeds can become stuck in the healing stapled area, which can in turn cause problems.

I would be the person that would be wearing shorts all winter long, do not think that will be the case this year. Ohio weather is great, has jumped between 74 and 38 degrees, just this past week. I actually had to break the "Heat does not come on till mid December rule". I have been frozen of late, I guess the 97lbs (so far) of insulation I have lost has made a difference.

Definately agree with Ginsin007, you looked great in all 3 pics. There is a huge transformation though and you look a lot younger! Congradulations on the journey. Now if I can only figure out the "look younger" part for myself..

Well happy almost B-Day Heather!

Clicked on my profile and got a laugh. I put up a few pics the other day (one my daughter picked out). Did not realize that the last loaded pic would show up as my Before/After pic. O' vell.

You are only a few days out of surgery. I was in the hospital myself for 3 days before coming home, to find out that I had gained a few pounds. From what I have read, a large majority of people were in the same boat. After surgery you were most likely being pumped full of fluids. You have just had a major surgery and your body is dealing with a lot at this point. The Fluid retention will go down soon.

I saw the first weight loss about 4 days after returning home (on top of the Water weight gained).

Went to the Bahamas a few months ago. I checked with Verizon prior to going, they had "special cheaper plans for international cruise ships", it was outrageous. You get billed boocoo for all incomming, outgoing, and voicemail. I left the phone on Airplane mode while out to sea and just kept in touch through Facebook, texting, via the free on-board wifi. Heck if you have free wifi and FB, I am pretty sure they even have calling/video calling through Messenger.

Not the best of pics but here we go...

July 2010 304lbs

May 26th, 2016 285lbs (night before surgery)

09/29/16 213lbs *28 more to go!* (my daughter said the last one is my best)

​Bah! I will figure how to post correctly if it kills me.

Got the Flu and Pnemonia shots last week. Came down with the flu the next day, I have awesome luck. I know that the shots are a non-active version of the latest predicted virus (didn't cause it). I was lucky enough to be incubating the rotten bastard of a bug at the time I got the shots.

Have chewed gum and used a straw since day 1. Well the straw at least, gum shortly after. My surgeon did not have a problem with either. He did warn against swallowing the gum though.

I am a shorts person (least I was) but it is getting chilly in the mornings if I have running to do. I went to the closet for the trusty Levis, found 2 pair of 44x30 (loose fit) and 1 42x20 (loose fit). Tried the 42's and they looked rediculous, so I threw on the stand by Nike sweats. The sweats are 2xl, which is way too big, but I will give sweats a little (or a lot) of leeway. Headed to the mall and picked up a pair of Levi 501's 33x30. Even though the 32's were too snug for comfort, I was more than happy to actually be in a pair of 33's. A normal pair of 501 button fly's, nice not to have to be stuck with the "loose or comfort fit".

Ran into the same problem on my final visit with the surgeon (was supposed to be scheduled for surgery). I was upset being that the test which they were going off of, had been taken over a month prior. My A1C was at 10.2, I was advised that it needed to be below 7 prior to surgery. I was started off on a low dose of insulin (1x day), in addition to the Glyburide and Metformin I had been taking. My blood sugar dropped from the mid to high 100's to around 120 almost immediately.

I was afraid that my surgery would be pushed back at least 3 months (A1C gives a measure of past 3 months), to give time for the count to come down to the needed level. The doctor advised me that there was a older test, which the A1C replaced, that would give a accurate current result after a month. When I returned for the follow up test 4 weeks latter, the level had dropped to 6. I was scheduled for surgery a week latter.

I continued on my meds and insulin untill the day prior to surgery, at which point my dosage of insulin was cut in half. Have not had to use the insulin since that time. When I was sent home after a 3 day stay in the hospital (have issues with my heart), I was told that I could continue the Metformin and Glyburide and insulin if my tests became to high. I lasted 2 days on the pills only, my blood sugar levels were dropping way too low. I have not taken any meds or insulin since that time. I still check my blood sugar levels on a regular basis. I average between 85 and 110, depending on the diet. It will be interesting to see what the A1C lat my 6 month follow up tests.

I LOVED the buffets in Vegas. There will be a plethora of things you could choose from. That being said, there is no way that I would ever pay Vegas prices for a buffet again, there is no way it would be worth the small amount I can eat. I would, however, take the money ($60) and treat yourself to some fine dining instead. Vegas has a great selection of fine quality dining available (steak, seafood...).

Had surgery on 5/27/16. I had given up my diet pop about a year prior, switched over to Powerade Zero or sugar free sweeteners. Still like my Powerade Zero and the Water sweeteners (lemonade is my go to) but the ole taste buds have changed a bit. For whatever reason since surgery, at times I will get a strange taste when drinking either (almost a egg like taste). When this happens I will take a break from drinking, it's always gone a short time latter. As for foods, I have always loved spicy/hot dishes and still do. My recent favorite is Crack Slaw, made with extra Siriachia, jalepenos, and Sweet-n-Low.

Only after first finishing your required liquids with a straw.