Berry78

"The A1C test measures the glucose (blood sugar) in your blood by assessing the amount of what's called glycated hemoglobin. ... An A1C level below 5.7 percent is considered normal. An A1C between 5.7 and 6.4 percent signals pre-diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when the A1C is over 6.5 percent.Sep 16, 2014"

I did need extra pillows for the first couple weeks, but I would lay on my side with my belly supported by a pillow, and it worked well.

Sometimes protein shakes don't agree with us (and early on, things can change from agreeing to disagreeing and vice versa). So it could be the shake causing it. Try having something else in the morning to see if it improves. If I drink unsweetened tea on an empty stomach (even preop), I get nauseous. Just try different things, and if it continues, regardless of what you do, contact your doc. Good luck!

If bariatrics is specifically excluded, then they won't pay for a first procedure , regardless. Your best bet will be switching insurance or paying out of pocket. I paid out of pocket.. went to Mexico and had it done for under $5000... had a good experience. @shan0520 might be of assistance... Oh, and welcome to the board!

Do you have glue on them? If so, you may be able to remove it. If not, then I'm not sure what would help...

I guess I don't understand your timing. You wake up and drink a protein shake? Or don't have anything at all for an hour...

Wow, surgi-bud! You are doing so great!! Congrats! You are only 3 pounds ahead of me, so I'm catching up! Lol! Race you to the finish line! (Ok, ok.. you have me beat.. I won't be seeing onederland for a couple more months, at least.. and by then you'll be oh so close to goal..).

My condolences. Glad you could enjoy the beach, especially at such a difficult time. Excellent topic about triggers/emotional eating.

Ok, so you know chocolate milk is a no go for you, but since it wasn't just plain white.. you still don't know if it was the milk or the added sugar with the chocolate. (It won't surprise me if it's dairy.. lots of people have issues.) But just pointing out that the way to test for tolerance is to break everything down into its individual parts to know which part is the problem. Bone broth is good too.

Even though we frequently hear people say that the weight will come off regardless of what you do, it's not really true. If you are consuming 2000+ calories, you won't experience much, if any loss. Most of us just can't consume that many. We don't need to do MUCH, but we do need to eat fewer calories. @Goggyween was essentially force-fed calories. Hopefully Goggy can weigh in here..

I also felt weak and short of breath for several weeks. Gosh, I was winded for.. 4, 6 weeks? Try milk and broth. They may go easier than protein shakes.

I know it must be scary to be looking at another surgery, but I expect it will go great and you'll be much more comfortable. Good luck!

Pixie, thanks for sharing. You are AHmazing!

You are doing super fabulous! See, all that working out DOES do something! Lol! Love it!

Ok, so I got curious about the relative speed of excess fat loss. This is what I've found out about my situation. I have a sleeve which can usually be expected to shave off 65% of my excess weight. Since I'm already at 54% excess weight lost, (or so I thought).. I was like.. that doesn't sound right. So I dug deeper. There is a neat calculator: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/information/post+op+planner.php According to the calculator, my "ideal" body weight is 147lbs. (I thought it was supposed to be 159lbs.) So I actually have lost exactly 50% of my excess body weight as of now. I toyed with the percentages and I match up with 85% loss at goal (compared to 65% average). Which puts my final weight at 171lbs. My assumed goal has been 180lbs, so I'm thrilled! It'll be interesting to see how working out changes things.

When I got to Mexico I was super dehydrated. They tried twice to give me the IV. When it didn't happen, they did it while I was under anesthesia.

54% excess weight here..

Oh, and you are 2 inches shorter than me, and I started out about 50lbs heavier.. so even though the actual pounds lost are the same, your percentage excess loss is much greater.

Yes, absolutely! no one should take this comparison to mean never to work out. I honestly believe it shows that AT FIRST the surgery is doing most of the work. But I strongly suspect that if I were to remain a couch potato for the next 7 months, our end points would look VERY different. I have a gym membership, and at this point I'm only waiting for the kids to go back to school (1.5 weeks) and then I'll start using it. I want to be as strong and fit as anyone, but waiting to shed 80lbs hopefully will have helped me to be less injury-prone. So, sorry to anyone out there that is wishing to see how a couch potato ends up, you'll have to look elsewhere

You are 55% of the way to goal in 5 months. If you keep to the program (keep up your protein and limit calories), and exercise regularly, you should have no trouble making goal. I am also 5 months out and 54% of the way to a healthy bmi. I think we are both doing well!

Hey surgery buddy! Oh how fun! We get to compare our journeys! I am also 5 months out on Sunday. I am a couch potato, probably average 1000-2000 steps a day. I don't lift weights, except taking out the garbage twice a week. I also have had steady weight loss (have lost every week except for 2.. so mine has stalled a little more than yours). I have now lost 79lbs.. so 1.5 pounds less than you . My calories have been higher than yours since mine are consistently at or a smidge above the top of your range for about 3 months now. (1200-1300). Oh, and of course, you have a bypass and I have a sleeve. I also don't do shakes, 70g of protein from food a day and I eat carbs.. about 60g. I'm tickled by how eerily similar our stats are! I like what you are saying about fat not supporting things anymore... I can definitely see that... I have a history of luxating patellas, and a week ago it happened for the first time in years.

Revisions are notorious for not giving the same "bang" as the original surgery. It sounds like you are doing everything right, so use the tape measure every couple weeks and don't weigh as often, and just stay the course. As you get more energy, the gym will be your friend.

The chocolate before bed.. if it's one small piece, no biggie. But if it's a pound, then the bypass could help with that by making you feel sick (dumping). Still, not everyone dumps with the bypass, and food addiction is best dealt with in a counselor's office anyway.. So I vote sleeve.

Thanks bschmidt.. that's what I was getting at, possible sensitivity, but not sure I worded it well.

Sorry Goggy, I was asking the other poster. I actually remember your story. Still amazes me how you're being a real trooper through it all. And the TPN not letting you lose weight has got to be the icing on the cake!