Moogle

In my time here, I have made all of one topic. And this was a topic about acceptance (I had a really hard time accepting that I was going to subsist on a cheese and liquid diet for 3 weeks but then I realized I just had to accept it.) Do you know what I did anytime I had a question? I typed key words into that handy dandy search box and blammo.. I got an answer! That is one of the things I love about this place. There is SO MUCH information here. Yeah, not all of it is good (I'm talking about newbie advice), but as someone who believes fact-checking is important I know what and when to trust.

I did not know binders existed until after my surgery. It was never discussed to me by any of my team. If I could, I would carry a pillow with me. If my husband had to drive me somewhere and I knew we were on a bumpy road (seriously the roads in the MD side of DC are AWFUL) I would hug the pillow against me. Same if I knew I had to cough. It was never too bad for me, though I had to remind him to take speed bumps the way normal people do and not fly over them at 30mph (lol). All of this lasted for maybe a week and I haven't had need for anything like this again.

Same thing with Kaiser on the East coast. My hospital just went from two surgeons to one. Mine left so now I don't get to see a surgeon anymore (I had RNY in June and haven't seen her since the day after the surgery). Whole process took 18 months for me, though 2 months were added because they wouldn't schedule me until my A1C was below 7 and some seriously med adjustment took place (where I gained back 80% of the weight I lost but they attributed it to the new meds and new birth control).

I was given seafood 4 weeks out. Any type of seafood or shellfish I wanted... with one exception: shrimp. My team told me it was going to be too hard on my body at that time. Well, about two weeks after that appointment I went on a roadtrip to Florida. I was stupid and ate a grilled shrimp off of my friend's plate at dinner one night. I got so sick that I very quickly learned my lesson to follow the guide my team gives me. I have a feeling it will be reintroduced to me soon (I am almost four months out).

My mom tried to talk me out of it from day one until the day of surgery. I had friends try to talk me out of it because they knew people who had complications. I appreciated that they were concerned, but this was my decision. I rather have a chance of complications from this over dying of a heart attack or losing my feet / eye due to not being able to control my diabetes.

It honestly took a while for my first set. I had to go to a big overview session before they let me call for an appointment. These were held twice a month. For the first appointment they didn't like to answer phones, so you have to leave a voicemail - took them over 2 weeks to call me back. The first appointment was a group meeting which was almost a month later. After that I was able to get my appointments monthly without a problem. It was just getting in that was a pain in the rear.

I am 4 months out and my team does not allow any of the things listed in this topic except for eggs (at 2.5 months out at least). Only carbs I should be getting are from my non-starchy veggies and sugar free popsicles.

I do a lot of sauteed peppers and onions. Season them up to match whatever the flavor profile of my protein is.

I have not tried pizza. Well, at least not a full traditional slice. I am 4 months out. I've been around family and friends when they had pizza. What I did was blot the grease off (the Jersey girl in me cries for this) and then just ate the cheese off a plain slice. That was once my team approved me for cheese. No pepperoni, sausage or anything like that. I will admit, I felt like a barbarian for throwing the crust away, because where I grew up, that is sacrilege. xD

I had one for mine. They put it in after I went under. Came out later that evening. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using the BariatricPal App

At the beginning of my pre-op diet I was 275. Day of surgery I was 260. This morning I was 210. I had my surgery June 9th.

I've taken this a few times in the past. I've found that I'm always strongly an I and a T but the S and P switch around on me. I want to say I was INTJ last time I took one about 2 years ago. ISTP (Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving) As an ISTP, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is external, where you take things in via your five senses. ISTPs have a compelling drive to understand the way things work. They're good at logical analysis, and like to use this on practical concerns. They typically have strong powers of reasoning, although they're not interested in theories or concepts unless they can see a practical application. They like to take things apart and see the way they work. ISTPs have an adventurous spirit. They are attracted to motorcycles, airplanes, sky diving, surfing, and other excitings sports. They thrive on action, and are usually fearless. ISTPs are fiercely independent, needing to have the space to make their own decisions about their next step. They do not believe in or follow rules and regulations, as this would prohibit their ability to "do their own thing". Their sense of adventure and desire for constant action makes ISTPs prone to becoming bored rather quickly. ISTPs are loyal to their causes and beliefs, and are firm believers that people should be treated with equity and fairness. Although they do not respect the rules of the "System," they follow their own rules and guidelines for behavior faithfully. They will not take part in something which violates their personal laws. ISTPs are extremely loyal and faithful. ISTP Strengths Optimistic and Energetic – ISTPs are usually up to their elbows in some kind of project. Cheerful and good-natured, people with the ISTP personality type (especially assertive ones) rarely get stressed out, preferring to go with the flow. Creative and Practical – ISTPs are very imaginative when it comes to practical things, mechanics, and crafts. Novel ideas come easily, and they love using their hands to put them into action. Spontaneous and Rational – Combining spontaneity with logic, ISTPs can switch mindsets to fit new situations with little effort, making them flexible and versatile individuals. Know How to Prioritize – This flexibility comes with some unpredictability, but ISTP personalities are able to store their spontaneity for a rainy day, releasing their energy just when it's needed most. Great in a Crisis – With all this hands-on creativity and spontaneity, it's no wonder that ISTPs are naturals in crisis situations. People with this personality type usually enjoy a little physical risk, and they aren't afraid to get their hands dirty when the situation calls for it. Relaxed – Through all this, ISTPs are able to stay quite relaxed. They live in the moment and go with the flow, refusing to worry too much about the future. ISTP Weaknesses Stubborn – As easily as ISTPs go with the flow, they can also ignore it entirely, and usually move in another direction with little apology or sensitivity. If someone tries to change the ISTP's habits, lifestyle or ideas through criticism, they can become quite blunt in their irritation. Insensitive – ISTPs use logic, and even when they try to meet others halfway with empathy and emotional sensitivity, it rarely seems to quite come out right (if anything is even said at all). Private and Reserved – ISTP personalities are notoriously difficult to get to know. They are true introverts, keeping their personal matters to themselves, and often just prefer silence to small talk. Easily Bored – ISTPs enjoy novelty, which makes them excellent tinkerers, but much less reliable when it comes to focusing on things long-term. Once something is understood, ISTPs tend to simply move on to something new and more interesting. Dislike Commitment – Long-term commitments are particularly onerous for ISTPs. They prefer to take things day-by-day, and the feeling of being locked into something for a long time is downright oppressive. This can be a particular challenge in ISTP's romantic relationships. Risky Behavior – The ISTP's stubbornness, insensitivty, live-in-the-moment philosophy, and easy boredom can lead to unnecessary and unhelpful boundary-pushing, just for fun. ISTPs have been known to escalate conflict and danger just to see where it goes, something that can have disastrous consequences for everyone around if they lose control of the situation. Famous ISTP's Steve Jobs Stanley Kubrick Tom Cruise Scarlett Johansson Ellen Page Christian Bale Woody Allen Career Choices Police Officer Detective Forensic Pathologist Computer Programmer Systems Analyst Engineer Construction Mechanic Farmer Pilot Athlete Entrepreneur ISTP In Summary ... Tolerant and flexible, quiet observers until a problem appears, then act quickly to find workable solutions. Analyze what makes things work and readily get through large amounts of data to isolate the core of practical problems. Interested in cause and effect, organize facts using logical principles, value efficiency. Risk takers. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using the BariatricPal App

I use these exclusively for my Protein shakes. It was the only one I really could stomach. I tried so many types too. You can buy them at Target (4 packs) Amazon (12 packs) or BJs (12 packs). I actually bought a membership for BJs because they were almost $10 cheaper than Amazon between listed price and tax (no food tax in MD but Amazon charges me for it). Right now I am three months post op and I have one of these for Breakfast every morning. I don't do eggs and my breakfast options are highly limited so this does the trick. Only small complaint about this one is that it needs to be shaken WELL. I've made the mistake of not shaking it enough to find clumps in it which isn't too pleasant.

Yes. My surgeon wanted me to pull my implant. I talked to my gyno who basically said absolutely not. She said there was a slightly elevated risk with the implant but not nearly as much as the pill. My gyno even had a hematologist call my surgeon to tell her the implant was okay. I was very happy with that because I wasn't convinced my insurance would cover two implants within 6 months.

I am 33 and have been diabetic (type 2) for about 6 years. My doctor wouldn't even schedule me until my A1C was below a 7.0 Getting it from a ~9ish to there was a real challenge. I was on a fairly large amount of two types of insulin plus 2 doses of 1000mg Metformin. Before the surgery, the Metformin and active insulin were pulled. Now, 3 months out, I've gone from 35 2x a day of my Humalog to 15 2x a day and wake up with sugars in the 80-90s. In another week or so I will have to get it adjusted again. Hoping it gets completely pulled soon. I will say, it is much nicer taking two shots per day over five.

I've been on Nexplanon (implant) since about February. Been happy with it. No periods anymore, just a day or so of spotting every two months. I had it for four months before my surgery and I did not have any issues with weight gain with it. The only thing that is weird is that I have to use blood pressure cuffs on my right arm and everyone seems like they like to do it on the left arm.

I had my bypass on June 9th in Silver Spring (Holy Cross). Just moved to St. Mary's County from PG County for school. Even though I'm a Kaiser patient, I was pretty impressed with what was offered at Holy Cross. My team always seems to be on top of things and they are a bit strict which is good.

chicken is like the only solid that I can really tolerate and enjoy. Unless it is deli meat chicken. That stuff makes me feel awful (guessing it is the extra salt/preservatives?) I'm about to hit 3 months post-op on the 9th. I just take it slow and chew very thoroughly. I have noticed a few "quirks" when it comes to chicken and me, though. One, I have to cook fresh breasts. If they were in the freezer they come out drier and my body doesn't like it. Exception is if I put them in the crock pot. Same with the microwave. I only cook what my husband and I need every night because reheating food makes me sick. I always butterfly the skinless breasts because they cook quicker and I don't end up drying it out. I tried doing stuffed breasts in the oven with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil but it got too dry and I got sick. I always have some sort of sauce with my chicken, too. I keep bottles of salsa, chimichurri (use it sparingly), tomato sauce.. things like that in the fridge. Helps it go down easier.

@@marchmellow Yes and no. While I haven't had any new abscesses in a while I have had complications with one that is leading to me having yet another surgery sometime in the next two months. I think it is a combo of the weight loss and not having a cycle due to my bc that is leading to it. The thing under my arm from before surgery still hasn't healed. It has been growing granulation tissue. The doctor uses silver nitrate but it keeps coming back. It's gone from the size of a pencil eraser to a good 3/4 inch wide. She wants to do surgery on there to "scoop" the whole area out. They won't prescribe me anything for it. I love KP but they can be so cheap with medications sometimes (seriously, I have a Platinum plan and they only cover one type of basal and fast-acting insulin pens).

The liquid omeprazole was rough. Only way I could get it down (it seriously made me gag) was to take half a dose and chase it with a sip of crystal light, wait a few minutes and then do the other half. Once I could handle a little more liquid at a time I would do the whole thing at once with the "chaser". The day I got moved to pills I switched from liquid and haven't looked back. Sorry I can't give you any advice on the other medicine.

For the first two weeks I got a package of small 1 ounce medicine cups (like $5 on Amazon). I set an alarm on my phone for every 15 minutes so it would remind me to drink my protein shake or water / Crystal Light. At this rate I had to drink constantly to get to the total of 64 ounces. (4 ounces per hour = 16 hours) The only time I wouldn't be doing this was when I was sleeping. I also had to be especially cognizant of not sleeping in too much. It was rough, but it kept me hydrated until I could handle my liquids a little better. The cups also helped me visualize what I was drinking, and made sure I got the right amount each time.

First week - liquids / Jello / popsicles / Protein shakes 1-4 - Above + Egg Drop Soup 4-8 - Above + Seafood (except shrimp) / cheese / Tofu 8-15 - Above + Poultry / Non-starchy vegetables 15+ - We'll see when I get there. I'm not allowed any carbs. No crackers, no toast. When I want something crunchy and salty I make my own cheese crisps in the oven (which were allowed in week 4). At first I got frustrated because I thought mine was restrictive, but my team knows what is best. I'm down 52lbs in 10 weeks between the pre-op diet and surgery. I can't complain. I am thankful that I didn't have to do a puree stage. The idea of that makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little. Well, except for ricotta bake. I did have that a few times in my third stage!

@@KristenLe It actually grew back on its own after a year or so. Well, enough of it, at least. I have huge patches on my arms and legs that never came back. My part is extra-wide and like I said earlier, a lot of the hair is thin on the top of my head. It never came back, which I am thankful for.

I've been through hair loss before, but for a different reason. When I was in high school I had alopecia. I lost about 50% of my hair, mostly on my crown. My hair used to be so thick, wavy and constantly frizzy. What grew back was so much thinner and manageable. I still have areas up there where the hair is crazy thin and if my hair gets greasy at all it looks like a comb-over. I am worried, though, about going through this again, but I don't think it will be as bad emotionally as when I was 16. I just hope it all grows back okay. The thing that makes me saddest is I have been growing my hair out for years now, but I think I'm going to cut it as soon as I see the loss happening again.

Take away the pumpkin spice and you might have me. Lol. I have never been a fan of it. I do miss coffee, though.