LisaMergs

Steak. Ground beef. Pork loin roast. Sometimes hard cooked eggs. Soft boiled are fine though.
Miss steak. Sooooooook much. None work. Yet. 7 mos po RNY.
chicken definitely dark meat is fine. White is iffy.
Did I mention I miss steak????
Anything else, if I can't tolerate it, pretty much don't care. Just the steak. Did I mention that!!???? Lmao
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doc didn't give me an "expected". His Nurse Practitioner did, and her number had me at 180. I'm sitting here at 5 mos post op at 181.
What surprised me was when I saw my doc at the 3 mo post op visit he said to buckle up because I was entering the "sweet spot" after surgery, and that the greatest loss comes between months 3-9. Told me to make the most of it and keep up the good work. By those calculations, I have 4 more months in the sweet spot and think reaching my "perfect" weight of 140 is very do-able. If I don't make it that low? So what. I feel wonderful!!! And THAT is what counts.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My doc didn't give me an "expected". His Nurse Practitioner did, and her number had me at 180. I'm sitting here at 5 mos post op at 181.
What surprised me was when I saw my doc at the 3 mo post op visit he said to buckle up because I was entering the "sweet spot" after surgery, and that the greatest loss comes between months 3-9. Told me to make the most of it and keep up the good work. By those calculations, I have 4 more months in the sweet spot and think reaching my "perfect" weight of 140 is very do-able. If I don't make it that low? So what. I feel wonderful!!! And THAT is what counts.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

And I did forget to mention, the only medications I now take our drumroll please zero. Other than my Vitamins that's it. Let's all do a happy dance for that, at one point I was taking upwards of 20 pills a day giving myself daily shots weekly and monthly chemotherapy. Not a bad trade off A gastric bypass for my life
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I drink.
Vodka and soda, splash of diet cranberry
May have two or three tonight as my Cubs go to take the World Series.
Hell. I may have 3-4 if they win.
Alcohol causes a quick buzz, and it's gone within 20 min.
No other effects. I'm 7 mos post op.
Had my first drink around 5.5-6 mos. one a week maybe?
During this WS ru. Being out, have had several others a week lol
No beer, only vodka.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Well all, it's been fun. I'm sitting here realizing that my notifications keep going off on topics I personally have started, replied to, or have followed. And don't get me wrong- I've enjoyed "most" of them.
But, I'm finding that I personally am spending way too much time reading, posting, or replying to things, instead of getting things done here- in real life- which is kinda ridiculous.
I'll pop in from time to time to see "what's up", and there are several of you on the FB group I started and am still active in.
I wish you all the BEST success and a healthy journey! You've got this! Just follow your plan, make good choices, and enjoy your new life and lease on it.
Hugs to all,
Lisa
PS - @@LipstickLady can direct you to the FB group, if needed.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm autoimmune and not only did I NOT flare, I've been in complete remission since the RNY. It is one of the reasons I had the surgery.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

That's what I figured... My rheumatologist didn't know either. I think it is an endocrinologists secret lol. Seriously, it's what they do- and like all specialties, have their little "trade secrets", tips and tricks.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@jenjenp
Your last question- " why doesn't my rheumatologist know about this?"
Know about which? Lol. We covered a LOT of ground in this post!!!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I should add to the above post that the rest of my body was all aches and pains before my dx, as well, but since my life was literally my hands, I just chalked it up to turning 40....
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Living my life sister. I practiced dentistry for almost 20 years before I got diagnosed. Likely, the year or so prior to the RA hitting full force, I was brewing. My hands were constantly aching, not a true pain like I would come to know. Before procedures, I would have my assistant massage my hands. (She was also a nail tech and was really good at it and didn't mind!)
The last patient I saw, I was about to give him an anesthetic injection. As I was inserting the needle, my hand LITERALLY contorted, and I ended up sticking the needle into his lip. Ummmm. NOT a good thing to do. Being a good clinician, I reminded him to not move when I'm giving him a shot, said we needed to reschedule, and made an appointment with my hand surgeon for the next day. I'd had hand surgery about 10 years prior to remove a cyst.
He was the one who sent me to the rheumy, blood work, and had a dx within 2 weeks. RF, CRP, sed rate all through the roof.
Haven't been in the dental operatory as a practitioner since
I feel READY to go back to work, but fear keeps me from it. Even though I've been symptom free since surgery, I can't help but wonder how long it will last? Will I be with a patient when it decides to rear its ugly head again? Too many what ifs at this point for me.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Oh. Consider being on-even low dose- pred the reason you're not getting those last few off.
It's the best worst drug on the market. Period. If you were taking the methotrexate in pill form, I'd suggest going to the shots. They work much better. Another option would be Plaquenil.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I consider myself an expert when it comes to autoimmune rheumatic diseases. First- let's talk your prednisone:
See an endocrinologist. Pronto. I was taking 60 mg of pred a day for years. There was no weaning off, because any time I got down to 20-25mg, I literally could not function. In any capacity. Enter the endocrinologist. Because the prednisone does just as much (if not more!) damage than good, my adrenal function was gone, I had prednisone induced glaucoma as well as prednisone induced diabetes. I needed off the meds ASAP. She prescribed me ORAL hydrocortisone. It mimics- and tricks- your body into believing it is prednisone, and is MUCH easier to wean off of than the prednisone. It took a total of 2.5 months vs over a year or longer if it were the prednisone. Do this. Again, ASAP. Ask for it.
Second- methotrexate, either by pill or injection: pills made me sick, puking, typical chemo side effects. The shots did not, and they actually work much more effectively than the pills, so if given a choice, it is a once a week teeny tiny needle. Side effects- don't bother paying attention to them. The benefits far outweigh any possible adverse effects. You will need regular blood work to monitor your liver enzymes. Again, I have been on a very high dosage, so mine were often screwy.
Third: I can't imagine any surgeon doing WLS or ANY elective surgery while you are on either of these meds. I had to "wash out" before I could have my surgery, meaning get all traces of the meds out of my blood system and stored reserves. Both drugs make you more susceptible to infection and the prednisone especially makes healing hard. And keeps weight on. Again- seeing an endocrinologist will get you off the pred by using oral hydrocortisone pills.
Usually PMR goes away after a year or so. I wonder if you don't have true rheumatoid arthritis? The tests- a sed rate and C-reactive Protein screen are used for PMR as well as other autoimmune arthritis diagnosis. Just a thought.
So- don't worry about side effects of the methotrexate and get off the pred!!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am an autoimmune nightmare. Literally. Started with APA and then Rheumatoid, then Sjogrens. You name it. Though SLE was in the cards but got lucky there. There was some anecdotal findings about people with severe RA having had bypass who went into remission. That's all I needed to hear. Sign me up. In 9 years time, I didn't have a day without pain, fatigue, depression, you name it. Couldn't walk to the bathroom without pain let alone to the corner.
Well, I had the bypass in March. Six months ago. Guess what? I will not say I'm in "remission" ( the Rword!) BUT I also have literally been pain free/symptom free since that day. I have NO clue why, and frankly, I don't care. All I know is that these have been the best 6months in forever. I'll take it.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App
I am an autoimmune nightmare. Literally. Started with APA and then Rheumatoid, then Sjogrens. You name it. Thought SLE was in the cards but got lucky there. There were anecdotal findings about people with severe RA having had bypass who went into remission. That's all I needed to hear. Sign me up. In 9 years time, I didn't have a day without pain, fatigue, depression, you name it. Couldn't walk to the bathroom without pain let alone to the corner.
Well, I had the bypass in March. Six months ago. Guess what? I will not say I'm in "remission" ( the Rword!) BUT I also have literally been pain free/symptom free since that day. I have NO clue why, and frankly, I don't care. All I know is that these have been the best 6months in forever. I'll take it.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Omg. The three week stall is a myth. A true stall lasts three weeks or MORE.
All your body is doing at three weeks is regrouping to the new way of living and making needed adjustments.
There is nothing to worry about if you're following plan to the letter.
You could literally sit on your arse for 4 months and if you follow plan you will lose.
Not saying this is the thing you should do, but that your body has no CHOICE but to give up the excess in The beginning IF YOU FOLLOW YOUR EATING PLAN.
You eat tacos and huge hoagies? Well, yeah, you're going to stall. Or gain.
But at 3 weeks? Nope. NOT A STALL
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You walk into a room and all eyes turn to you .... no longer invisible, nor "Lisa has gained so much weight"
You feel comfortable in your own skin again and your self-confidence has come back full force and shows.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Lol. I'm an Italian Catholic girl raised in an Orthodox setting. My Mother has been the administrator of a synagogue since I was a little girl (I'm 50 now)-we've taken to celebrating Passover, Sukkot, Purim and Hannukah- now with my children as well. The High Holidays are a part of it[emoji4].

Sounds crazy, but it's just how we roll.


Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Just wanted to share this-
Pre surgery, I cooked up a STORM for my family of 5, which includes two teenaged boys who EAT. And eat. My kids will bypass fast food any day for a home cooked meal. They actually prefer it, along with fruits and veggies.
So, being a typical mom, I didn't want them eating garbage while I was recovering. My lovely mom even contributed to my stockpiled freezer. My family had meals for 4 entire weeks.
Last week I was moved to a general diet and finally blew through all the cooked frozen meals.
Here's the kicker- I have been cooking all of those meals once again, and I'm ok with it. I really didn't think I would be able to, knowing there were things I could not eat at this point. But I did. And have enjoyed it. So, a different kind of NSV, but exciting nonetheless. Even made Desserts. Didn't want a single bite of any of it either.

Surgery 3/23/16
SW- 272
Today 163
Total 109 since surgery
23 left to lose (and I know EXACTLY where those pesky last few are hiding...)
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I drink.
Vodka and soda, splash of diet cranberry
May have two or three tonight as my Cubs go to take the World Series.
Hell. I may have 3-4 if they win.
Alcohol causes a quick buzz, and it's gone within 20 min.
No other effects. I'm 7 mos post op.
Had my first drink around 5.5-6 mos. one a week maybe?
During this WS ru. Being out, have had several others a week lol
No beer, only vodka.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Goodness! Great job to both of you! I find myself, 3 months out almost, wanting to shout from the rooftops to those who suffer obesity "LOOK AT ME!!! You can do this too!!!!" But alas, it is not my place. I'm exactly 62 lbs down from my starting weight of 272 today. SIXTY TWO FRICKING POUNDS!!!! Still have another 60 to go, but what a hoot!!! I'm shopping for clothes in the "regular" section again!!!

Goodness! Great job to both of you! I find myself, 3 months out almost, wanting to shout from the rooftops to those who suffer obesity "LOOK AT ME!!! You can do this too!!!!" But alas, it is not my place. I'm exactly 62 lbs down from my starting weight of 272 today. SIXTY TWO FRICKING POUNDS!!!! Still have another 60 to go, but what a hoot!!! I'm shopping for clothes in the "regular" section again!!!

My surgery is Monday with Dr. Denham at Northshore. Dr. Linn did my EGD. They are a phenomenal group of physicians. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

Today-- trying on a pair of size 6 pants...down from 24's exactly 8 months post op today.  
Here is the funny thing... I knew I'd fit into a 6- and the only pair that they had was on a mannequin. Asked the sales clerk to take them off so I could try them on. She looked at me and tried to talk me out of it- saying they run very small. I repeated to her that I wanted to try them on and she obliged but kept repeating that they wouldn't fit, they run small.
Boom.
(I should add that I WAS wearing baggy clothes when I walked in...but STILL!!!)
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Today-- trying on a pair of size 6 pants...down from 24's exactly 8 months post op today.  
Here is the funny thing... I knew I'd fit into a 6- and the only pair that they had was on a mannequin. Asked the sales clerk to take them off so I could try them on. She looked at me and tried to talk me out of it- saying they run very small. I repeated to her that I wanted to try them on and she obliged but kept repeating that they wouldn't fit, they run small.
Boom.
(I should add that I WAS wearing baggy clothes when I walked in...but STILL!!!)
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App