AmiLou
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Everything posted by AmiLou
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5 Year Bariatric Failure - Please educate me on the basics
AmiLou posted a topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
So, I have gained 40 lbs back since my surgery five years ago. I find myself eating for comfort again and have basically forgotten (and broken) ALL the rules of the bariatric diet! I welcome any encouragement, tips, and advice. I remember the keys to early success were: protein shakes, water, extremely small portions, balanced healthy diet, walking, and taking supplements. I quit taking the bariatric supplements after a couple years and uh... well the small portions have gotten bigger (I no longer vomit). I crave sweets and I allow myself to eat them! Ugh... I still take regular multiple vitamin but nothing else other than prescriptions for depression, thyroid and a blood thinner for clots. My legs absolutely hurt ALL the stinking time so there is that. I am seeing doctors to try and figure that out. I've seen my primary doctor, a hematologist, and a cardiologist. It does interfere with my desire to walk or exercise. It is just too painful. I think I am at the point I am ready to start again though to work through that pain. -
5 Year Bariatric Failure - Please educate me on the basics
AmiLou replied to AmiLou's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
GeTNbackup, I wish I knew what was going on with my legs. It existed prior to the surgery so I was treated for restless legs with increasing doses of medication that never helped. Pain was primary at night. My thoughts were that perhaps it was the excess weight so the doctor approved the weight loss surgery which I paid for out of pocket. The surgery didn't help the pain either. I quit taking the restless medications. Later they did ultrasounds and found an old blood clot in my leg and some plaque. I am on Xalrelto and they have seem some improvement in the size of the clot. However, there is NO improvement in the pain and I now suffer during the day. I don't think the clot is the source of the pain. I am seeing a cardiologist and next step is a vascular doctor. I really don't trust doctors. They sent me to that hematologist and I noticed that he billed an enormous amount of money and also had indicated "COVID" related on the bill. I had COVID in December and this was July!!! I retired in June so most of this is out of pocket now. Without sounding too political, I call BS! My husband thinks I complain too much and I probably do. I am in pain in more ways than one. -
I would think that you are probably consuming less calories than you should? Did your doctor or dietician recommend less than 800 calories? I would literally be a grizzly bear! Hangry! Especially if I am exercising as well! That just isn't enough fuel for the body. 1200 seems much more doable.
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Hi there, Mommy! I know I'm only a year late to this. I hope you succeeded in losing that additional weight. Having two little ones to chase after "may" have just done the trick. I'm long past that stage of life but remember how busy I was with my two boys back in the day. Just wanted to offer a word of encouragement to you. I am five years post gastric sleeve surgery and really disgusted with myself right now. I'm looking to this website for some support too! I have gained back 40 lbs and really only lost 80 when I should have knocked off 100! I guess I just became content with "better" than I was... If you found something or someone to help you in your journey?
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Thank you for the encouragement. I need it!!!
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Just curious if there is anyone out there who is two years or more post surgery. I'm gaining and quite sure that I have stretched my tiny stomach. I need strategies to turn this around and refocus on my original goals! If you're out there...What is working for you???
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Funky_Monkey 800, Thanks for the encouragement. You did great reaching your goal! In 2 1/2 years, I still have not met my goal. I came close and got discouraged when nothing happened! I had a plateau that lasted for months with lots of back and forth gains and losses. Complacency is the easy route...and it happened. Like you said...old habits crept in. Man, did I enjoy the holidays! I'm going to try to reduce the carbs again, make sure my protein portions are reasonable, green stuff should take up the largest portion of my "small" plate, walk more, and go to the gym! I can do this. As you age, it really is a "do it or die" situation.
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May you continue to experience those changing clothes sizes! I have started to enjoy shopping again. I'm thankful to have moved on from the plus size racks. You're getting there. It's so much fun! I even wear makeup and accessorize.
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Hello everyone. I haven't been here in a while. It's been eight months since my surgery. I am down 70 lbs and went from an 18/20 to a size 10. I am going to the gym three times a week and trying to walk everyday with weather permitting. I feel good! I am no longer obese... just overweight. If I could get rid of the arm, leg, and belly flab I would feel like a sexy senior citizen! lol
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Wow - you've made some incredible changes! 70 lbs. is a lot! I'm 55 and seeing a surgeon this week and nervous! The whole prospect of this surgery has me freaked out. I guess because it means an enormous change to my lifestyle and at 55 I'm pretty used to who I am and how I live, etc. Not that change isn't a good thing - I'm open to that - but surgery! That's a BIG step for me. I struggle with having elective surgery when I have no pre-existing conditions due to weight. But I know that it's only a matter of time, and likely not much more time, before those conditions will be present. I need to abort that! I have a young daughter to raise still - I need to be healthy for her, and me. The stretched out skin is making me worried too! But weighing less is so much healthier. Congrats on your achievement :-)
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@TracyBar You sound just like me! I have not had surgeries to speak of but was pre-diabetic and a genetically inclined to have heart problems. My cholesterol was through the roof. Aging is difficult on it's own! I have been going to the gym regularly, however, there is a good possibility that your skin will get a little saggy. I had a pretty good double chin so the excess skin on my neck is not especially pretty but not all that bad. I love the loose skin in comparison to the fat! Good luck with your surgery. You won't regret it!
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Thanks AmiLou - the appt with the surgeon went fine. Long wait until surgery - 8-12 months from now. I did find out that I can get plastics on my belly at no cost to me which is great. I'd have to lose 80-100 lbs. to qualify for that free surgery. I'm in Canada, so neither surgery costs me anything at all. There are far, far more people wanting this surgery than there are surgeons or operating room availability, so thus the long wait. Most of the surgeons have other specialities. The surgeon I saw specializes in upper GI surgeries but he's done many VSG surgeries as well; his cancer surgeries trump any elective surgeries and this is completely understandable to me. He wants me to have an endoscopy as I have had some episodes of acid reflux (very minor). That procedure has to be done in a hospital south of the city as they tend to have lower wait times. Still, it'll be 3-4 months before that happens. No rush! I'll be quite sedated and will be there about 3 hours so husband will need to take me - always fun trying to figure out these things with a child in elementary school :-)
All in all, I feel more positive now I've seen the surgeon and actually signed the papers! That was weird... :-O Looking forward to being on the losers bench!
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From the album: AmiLou
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From the album: AmiLou
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I haven't been on Bariatric Pal in a long while. I need to refocus! Weight loss has been at a stall and I have been a bad girl...
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I went to see Elton John in concert last night. I know that has nothing to do with weight loss... lol... However, I did log some extra steps walking from the casino parking lot to the River Center!!! I've been loving his music since I was a little girl. It was awesome. Life is good!
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I had a job interview today. Same ol, same ol behavioral interview crap. This will be the first interview I've had since beginning to lose weight. I've been wondering if perhaps I was being discriminated against because of being overweight and well.. because I'm OLD and overweight. lol
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Things I should get before surgery?
AmiLou replied to ecoreen94's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Definitely buy gas medication!!! I did chewable and mylicon drops. TMI -
I am at 3 months as well. I have lost 45 lbs BUT, but... that is two clothing sizes for me! I don't care what the scale says as much as what my clothing says. I have been pulling clothes out of the closet everyday. Love, love, love it! I am wearing a size 14 for the first time in decade. I can't wait to see size 10.
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Gas pains are normal is what they told me. I found that walking helped me a lot,,,that and medication of course. It was actually a problem for a month and I just took medication faithfully. Wishing you a speedy recovery! Take care.
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Esophageal dialation
AmiLou replied to Armygalbonnie's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
@@Armygalbonnie Good luck with the procedure and surgery. I saw that you were from Lawton, OK and it brought some really good memories for me. Lawton was our first residence as a married couple some 37 years ago! I lived in an old house on Ferris Ave. right across from the museum. I loved watching the prairie dogs! Great year of my life... AND my husband wasn't in the army like most folks there but worked at the Goodyear plant. -
Hang in there! I couldn't go through insurance myself BUT if I could have, I would have been very persistent with my doctor and insurance. I like cbonet's advice. Where is the like button on this?
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I was just noticing my BMI and according to the charts, I am only 8 lbs away from going from obese to overweight! Now isn't that a motivator! I hate these "O" words!
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I was in Sam's Club and decided to try the NEXT size in jeans. I bought a 14 - Bandolino "Amy" stretch jeans and they fit perfect. I know mst of you don't get excited about a 14 but I AM! It's the first time I've seen that size in a decade! Yay me!
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I love that you are adventurous...trying a new vegetable without knowing how to cook it! I love zucchini, summer, and spaghetti squash. I'm sure it will be delicious. My George Foreman grill is my favorite method. I spray it with a little butter favor Pam and season with Tony Chacherie seasoning (a Cajun spice). It's an fast and easy fix.
