Donna415

Life is too short for small sausages.

Remind me to never mention any of the words "variable speed", "drill" or "batteries" in a post again; or at least not without including the words "cold shower".

This thread is filled with awesome-ness.
And to think it all began by Miss Mergs feeling guilty as she ate smallish sausage.
Now....she's been coached by all to embrace the sausage and do so with vigor.

If WLS only "lasts" 9-12 months, surely it wouldn't be approved by ANY insurance company says logic...
It's a tool, if used correctly, that can serve you a lifetime. You gotta do your part.

I had it the week after surgery. I remember it being very chalky tasting, but not foul.....just chalky.
Didn't matter to me, though.....I was needing some serious relief from developing Constipation. The abdominal hernia repair was not liking any type of abdominal pressure

I have the mint flavor and it tastes like mint but then is exactly like I chewed on a stick of chalk. That's the norm that I know of unless you're talking about another "flavor".
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@Outsidemachine Thanks for the reminder about bananas and the list of other lesser carb foods to choose from. Theres no debate about whats a healthier choice I think the statement "They basically have the same macros as 3 oreo Cookies. Almost no Fiber, lots of sugar and just pure carbs." may have been read by some as THEY'RE NO BETTER THAN AN OREO and I don't think that was the point. It was an informative post for those who happen to be following a lower carb diet. I think we all have been down the banana ave. once or twice as I'm willing to bet 99% of us were chronic yo-yo dieters prior to WLS and the whole deal about bananas usually comes up at some point.
Many are on their journey and hit stalls. They may wonder how to break it as @innersurfergirl always reminds us that stalls are a normal part of the weight loss process. Banana's could very well be a culprit if you have them regularly. No one is saying never eat them. I have the equivalent of 1 banana per 7 days in various forms 1/4 banana cut up in a chia bowl, 1/4 tossed in a smoothie, or a portion of a banana as pre or post workout snack.< /p>
The moral of this story-- Bananas are good. They are a complex carb that can be a great source of Fiber and potassium and help sweeten our foods (oatmeal, Cereal, smoothies) naturally which may help curb a sweet tooth. Like anything else enjoy in moderation. Those of you knocking back bananas and still seeing weight loss-- HAVE at IT! Those of you hitting stalls-- fill in the blank.

I'm trying to understand why this is still so difficult for me, sharing my before/after pics. And I think, in part, it comes down to the fact that no matter how much weight I lose, or what number I am on the BMI chart, in my head, and through my eyes, I will always be obese.
But you know what? That's okay, because if that's the highest price I have to pay - just tell me who to make the check out to, because it pales in comparison to everything I gained in return. Plus I will never forget as a pre op how motivating seeing other before/after pics inspired me. It's really important to me to pay that debt back.
Brace yourself, because here comes the dreaded cliche: Weight loss surgery was the best decision I ever made! ????
The before pic was taken the night before surgery.
HW: 248 SW: 218 CW: 130
5'2" RNY surgery date: 07/29/2015

My NUT recommends Nature Valley Protein bars. If you look at the macros, the calories and carbs are much lower than most of the more commercial bars. . . . and they cost a lot less. Even less expensive, I buy the store brand that has the same nutrient stats. However, my NUT says only one a day. I always have one in my purse in case I'm out and about without a chance for real food.

My program requires 2 weeks. I'm kinda wishing I'd have taken 3, but maybe i just don't want to go to work...

SW: 359lbs
CW: 220lbs
GW: 130lbs

They basically have the same macros as 3 oreo Cookies. Almost no Fiber, lots of sugar and just pure carbs.
Fruits that are low carb
Less than 5 Net carbs (subtract the fiber) 1/2 cup of raw strawberries (3.3 net carbs) 1/2 cup of raw raspberries (4.2 net carbs) 1/2 of a medium peach (4.3 net carbs) 5 whole sweet cherries (5.1 net carbs) 1/2 of a kiwi fruit (4.3 net carbs) 1 medium apricot (3.2 net carbs) 1/2 medium Haas avocado (3.7 net carbs) Less than 10 net carbs 1 cup of raw strawberries (6.6 net carbs) 1 cup of raw raspberries (8.4 net carbs) 1/2 cup of raw blueberries (8.6 net carbs) 1/2 cup of raw boysenberries (8.0 net carbs) 1/2 cup of blackberries (5.9 net carbs) 1/2 cup raw grapes (7.1 net carbs) 1/2 cup raw pineapple (8.7 net carbs) 1 raw plum (8.6 net carbs) 1 medium tangerine (9.4 net carbs) 1 raw lime (7.1 net carbs) 1/2 medium apple (9.0 net carbs) 1/2 Valencia orange (5.2 net carbs) 1/2 cup raw honeydew melon (7.8 net carbs) 1/2 cup raw cantaloupe (5.7 net carbs) When it comes to low carb and healthy choices, berries are the most bang for your buck with fruit.

Thirteen years ago, bariatric angel Kristin S. waited with me in the hospital room the day of my bariatric surgery: August 27, 2003. Kristin stayed with me up until the last moment when the nurses brought the gurney to deliver me into my new life. Today I Celebrate 13-years of defeating obesity and it's related diseases of diabetes and hypertension and asthma and GERD.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. To all those who have helped me along the way, to those I help along their way, to my family and to G-d for always loving me, and to my self for doing this! I am grateful for my health and my life.
Full disclosure: I had plastic surgery after weight loss in 2013. The gastric bypass weight loss undoubtedly saved my life, but the aesthetic results you see in the "after" photos are not typical of bariatric surgery alone.

Well, I finally have everything scheduled. I have to be at the hospital at 11:20 on 8/29, surgery is at 1:20. I'm super excited and super nervous. I've done well on the preop diet so far but could anyone give me some suggestions about food for the liquid and puréed stage? I'm going to shop some tomorrow and just a need some ideas.
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Thank you much! I love her already since she loves cheese lol.
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This totally boggles my mind and I'm sorry you weren't told these very basic things, nor did you find them in your extensive research.

Isn't she lovely?!? Lol Drs told me I'm doing well so far. I'll be going home tomorrow. Got nauseous once, but no vomiting. Pain meds are great!!! I walked once already ???? I get the catheter out this morning. Then they start me walking again.
Please, excuse my post. I know it's all over the place. Blame it on Dilaudid lol
Dawnie_doo

I am so excited! I know I posted previously about a tentative date of 8/31 but my insurance called yesterday to let me know that they had an approved auth for 8/29 and then the surgeons PA called today to confirm that the 29th is a good date and to set up pre-op which is 8/11. In less than a month, I will finally be on the losers bench

Will do! Just got a call from the bariatric coordinator- I have to be there st 5:30 am Thursday!
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I am so excited! I know I posted previously about a tentative date of 8/31 but my insurance called yesterday to let me know that they had an approved auth for 8/29 and then the surgeons PA called today to confirm that the 29th is a good date and to set up pre-op which is 8/11. In less than a month, I will finally be on the losers bench

My date is 8/31!
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Me too! It's so exciting. Maybe we could keep in touch since our dates are so close?
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So the past 5 months have creeped by and flew by all at the same time. I've been poked and prodded due to my endo thinking I had Cushing's, then my first cardiologist appointment came back with an abnormal ekg only to find out it was the nurses error.
I just went today for an appointment with my surgeon and saw another cardiologist in Pittsburgh that did all my testing and said my only issue is my weight but everything came back perfect. The surgeon scheduled me for August 31st tentatively, pending the approval of my insurance after my 6th weight check on August 1st. I am beyond excited and can't wait to start this journey. I want to be on the losers bench with all of you winners .
Just a few things I'm looking forward to:
Riding on the back of my hubby's Harley. (I could now, but I just don't feel right)
Fitting on roller coasters.
Zip lining.
Tying my shoes straight.
Feeling comfortable in my own skin.
Walking for long distances. (When we go to Ohio state games, I can barely make it to the stadium without being in tears because of leg pain)
Eating to live instead of living to eat.
Sorry for such a long post, I'm just so excited to be so close.
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I have a tentative scheduled RNY for August 30! (Pending in approval!) Eeek! This is really possible and I am excited and a little nervous!