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GreenTealael

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Posts posted by GreenTealael


  1. 8 hours ago, NickelChip said:

    Fascinating article. Despite having taken several of them myself over the past few years, (including Saxenda and Wegovy), I'm very hesitant to embrace a world where weight loss drugs are the first line of defense against obesity. I say this knowing that at least some of my issue comes down to poor nutrition choices, made far too easy by an environment swimming in garbage foods and a culture that values quick convenience over everything else. When I commit to good nutrition, my weight decreases. I don't get skinny, or even "not obese" but I do lose weight. When the Snacks and junk food make their way back in the house and I have stressful weeks with work where I'm at my desk for 12 or more hours and fast food feels like my only option because I'm too tired to cook, I gain weight.

    In about the past 60 years, we've gone from 13% obesity to 40%, with a 10x rise in severe obesity. This isn't just a weird thing that happened in a vacuum. There are pretty obvious reasons for this, some that could possibly be solved with significant changes to our food policies and investment in real nutrition instead of lining the pockets of pharmaceutical companies and massive food corporations. Much of our so-called food today has been designed to be addictive, by the same folks who brought us cigarettes, no less. That should give people pause the next time they're in the grocery store looking at all those shiny boxes and bags.

    On the other hand, in the days when only 1% of the US population was morbidly obese...that was my family. And some of my family lived really long lives, into their 90s. Except the ones who didn't and died young. And you don't know which you'll be until it's too late. Up until my 40s, I was one of those people who had healthy bloodwork despite being 90+ lbs over my "ideal weight." I didn't worry about my weight because I was healthy. But that changed rapidly with middle age as my weight went even higher. Now I take blood pressure meds and am prediabetic. My feet and joints ache and I worry what that means as I age. I wish I had done more to keep my weight lower when I was younger and developed better habits early on. I can't believe how ignorant I was of nutrition facts when I was in my teens and 20s.

    One thing I know is I can't afford $12k or more a year for the rest of my life to take these "miracle drugs." I'm not sure who really can or should. I'm grateful for surgery being an option, but it's not for everyone, and neither are the drugs. As a society, I would like to see more acceptance of humans in all sizes, and more focus on real health and nutrition instead of fads and gimmicks that make a few people really rich.

    Interesting!


  2. 2 hours ago, NCL04321 said:

    A big no thanks for me!!! Not a fan of drugs that can cause many other issues including some serious ones. It is nice however to see that obesity is being taken seriously as a disease that needs to be treated. It is also nice to see trials being done for obesity. I'm not a fan of this drug nor Ozempic as they could have some serious side effects. I hope they come up with something else without all these potentially serious side effects.

    Absolutely! The point is now there are more choices for the wider population. Many of the patients that qualified for WLS will never pursue it. They are no longer left without an effective option.


  3. Original VSG WLS 11/7/2017 (revised to RNY 2019)

    Height 5’3”-5’4”

    starting BMI 43-44

    current BMI 25-26

    Measurements July 2017 (before WLS)

    Hips 51

    Thighs 31

    Lower abdomen 53

    Mid abdomen 49

    Under bust 43

    Full bust 50

    Over bust 46

    Arm 16

    Measurements Jan 2021 (before plastics)

    Hips 43

    Thighs 25

    Lower abdomen 38

    Mid abdomen 34

    Under bust 31

    Full bust 38

    Over bust 36

    Arm 11

    At this point I barely remember what life was like preop unless I look at photos.
    However, I vividly remember immediately post op. The constant monitoring of every aspect of life to make sure I got it all right. Not going to lie, I don’t miss that- it could be exhausting at times (but ultimately worth it!).

    I have relaxed into a routine that works really well for me and nothing feels restrictive. I’m very happy I chose this path.❤️

    039E8F98-1DE9-4FF3-A183-A36031BB8494.jpeg

    886AF4CD-DBC7-4301-B35B-884BA79189C2.jpeg


  4. 3 minutes ago, Alex Brecher said:

    Absolutely, the FDA's approval of Eli Lilly's Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) is a game-changer in weight management! It's the first medication that works on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, making it a novel addition to obesity treatments.

    Clinical trials have been impressive, with participants losing an average of 22.5% of their body weight. For many, this could be a transformative non-surgical alternative that might reduce or even eliminate the need for bariatric surgery.

    That said, it's important to consider the potential side effects, which can be quite serious, as well as its high cost—although Eli Lilly is working to increase accessibility.

    As this medication rolls out, it could redefine treatment plans, offering a new, potent tool for weight loss both before and after bariatric surgery. It's an exciting time for both patients and healthcare providers in the field of weight management!

    Additionally with the anticipated revenue in mind, this can catapult further research and innovation. Hopefully insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity and their related comorbidities can be cured in our lifetime.


  5. I would say it’s a combination of Fluid retention from the Ringer’s Lactate or Saline if you received an I.V, any meds you were given and the stress from illness itself.
    I know it’s easier said than done but try to hold off weighing yourself for a while.
    10 weeks post op is still fairly early on and you have many more months of progress to look forward to.
    Good luck ❤️


  6. On 10/30/2023 at 2:02 PM, RickM said:

    Here is another take on this that just came through my email, aimed more at MDs but still very much at our level

    https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/996189?ecd=mkm_ret_231030_mscpmrk_endo_top_content_etid5999473&uac=37787FY&impID=5999473#vp_1

    Thanks for this. Very helpful because It had a bariatric risk/benefit tool hyperlinked in the article that I use to create a new post.


  7. On 10/30/2023 at 2:02 PM, RickM said:

    Here is another take on this that just came through my email, aimed more at MDs but still very much at our level

    https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/996189?ecd=mkm_ret_231030_mscpmrk_endo_top_content_etid5999473&uac=37787FY&impID=5999473#vp_1

    Thanks for this. Very helpful because It had a bariatric risk/benefit tool hyperlinked in the article that I use to create a new post.


  8. On 10/5/2023 at 8:28 PM, Arabesque said:

    Do post some things @Spinoza. When I started I used to crop my head off because I wanted to be anonymous. If no one knew me I couldn’t be embarrassed. I look back & chuckle. Given all the information we share & all the things we talk about a pxt is nothing.

    We all used to post very regularly so it would be lovely to have more action on the thread again. it’s interesting to see how everyone embraces their new shape & new styles, & it’s great to see people become more confident. Plus all the different styles we’re drawn to.

    I wore this to do my grocery shopping today. I ordered the skirt from an Australian designer I used to often buy from until their clothing became too big for me 😩. It’s a form fitted stretch skirt so I could get away with their smallest size. I was praying they would do it in red again to wear with this rather avant-garde top & yay they did. They asked for a pxt of the complete outfit hence me putting it on this morning & then I couldn’t be bothered to change again before getting the groceries. Ha! A woman at the checkout told me how much she loved the outfit so worth nit changing.

    Your turn @Spinoza.

    IMG_0680.thumb.jpeg.1c5ca15a386e64f592a856372983bff1.jpeg

    This is a great color on you! And I love the structure of the top 😍


  9. On 10/16/2023 at 10:33 AM, ms.sss said:

    so ive been sick for almost a week now, and the fact that the sight of @Arabesque's flatbread actually stirred something (positive, lol) in my stomach makes me think im finally getting better and wont die after all!

    so i cut myself a slice of baguette for my first foray into solid food since last week tuesday. i've literally been living off tea, orange juice and cough Syrup for the past 6 days.

    good news: it was yummy. (kinda) bad news: this is as far as i got.

    p.s. and yeah, im looking a little death-ish again, like the good ol days. sigh.

    8D10F18E-D5DE-4B4C-A523-7032465240FC.thumb.jpeg.a213f66c0fe15641936f8784bcfccca5.jpeg

    Get well soon ❤️‍🩹


  10. On 10/15/2023 at 11:12 PM, Arabesque said:

    drinks with my cousin & friends again yesterday afternoon. (Sipped a small glass of wine for about 4 hours 😁.) Made a cherry Tomato, burrata, pesto & prosciutto tart with basil leaves. I love these simple tarts I’ve been making lately. Sheet of puff pastry & a few ingredients & voila … a savour tart for drinks. Get 16 pieces from it. Baked it in my non fully functioning oven but it worked. Yay! I ate two pieces.

    IMG_0691.thumb.jpeg.fd4a21ac9206bd79b1c289ae1a3c481b.jpeg

    Gorgeous!!!


  11. Welcome to the club! We really should have jackets made (and sweaters, mittens, scarfs etc)

    How being cold has affected my life:

    I’m still cold years later. I have to carry extra jackets during outings just in case. I’ve started looking at base layers in stores again. No insulated mug is hot enough for my needs. If I need something from the refrigerated section of the store it feels like a burden. I completely avoid open refrigerated and freezer areas. I will never travel to Svalbard with my partner, I want to sit exactly at the equator.

    But the bright side is I still have plenty of insulation so it’s not as bad as it could be.


  12. 20 hours ago, Arabesque said:

    Gracious knows how much the call out alone will cost. Service call-outs have got ridiculously expensive. Are they crazy in the US too?

    Yes but they are an absolute last resort for me because I’m an avid DIY-er. YouTube is amazing for obscure answers.

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