TakingABreak

While I’m glad you have an outlet on this forum, I’m going to tell you something you don’t want to hear. This surgery is as much mental as it is physical. You need to get help with your anxiety before you proceed. The mental game of loosing weight is strong enough, coupled with the surge of hormones released from fat cells lost. There is a reason that most programs require a psych evaluation... it’s nothing to take lightly. Please consider counseling before you make any final moves.

My bill was $89,000. I had a 5 day stay and an extra CT scan. But I only paid $450 for the hospital copay. I don’t know how people self pay, and how some people only self pay $10k-$12k.

Anytime! Your strength is shining very bright

I think it’s pretty reasonably priced too. It’s $50 for a 90 day supply. My other chewable Bariatric Vitamins were $27 per month. And it’s only 1 pill a day vs trying to remember 4.

Thanks Matty! You are right, the benefits out weight the drawbacks 1000%.

I will order one of a couple different things: chicken or salmon piccata, stuffed chicken marsala, herb grilled salmon, or one of the soups. I personally like the Zupa. Most of the entrees come with a side that I cannot eat, such as mashed potatoes or a side of pasta, you should ask if you can substitute a salad or steamed veggies. It always works for me.

I just read this on a google search. A few quick serving ideas: Sprinkle ground flax seeds on hot or cold cereal, or natural yogurt. Add them to breakfast shakes or smoothies. Sprinkle them onto cooked vegetables, or add them to a salad. Use ground flax seeds as a substitute for eggs in baked recipes. (Note: 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds, plus 3 tablespoons water, is equal to 1 egg. 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds can be substituted for 1 tablespoon butter, shortening, or vegetable oil.) Flax seed oil can be used as the base of homemade salad dressings. The article also gives some insight into grinding your own, if your interested: https://www.healthcentral.com/article/how-flax-seed-can-improve-your-cholesterol-levels

How do you take ground flax? What do you mix it with, ect? I see you can take tablets, like fish oil... are those not as affective?

Very interesting. I've been meaning to read about the flax. I figure, I'll take it until my next blood draw, 3 months out. If there isn't any improvement... then I'll kick the fish oil to the curb. Those tablets are scary to swallow anyway!

You will be so thankful that your pre op diet was this strict. This is the hardest part (in my opinion) of the whole process. I think that the pre op diet you have, and I had...really prepares you for the first few weeks after surgery. It prepares you mentally. I have a friend who got this surgery, 2.5 years before I did. She didn't have a pre op diet. She said the night before her surgery she took the bowel prep, and went to a local steak house. She literally ran back and forth from the table (stuffing her face) to the bathroom (sh**ing her brains out). She struggled immensely with the food stages after surgery. She had head hunger like you wouldn't believe. She cried and slipped into a depressive state. She said, no one ever prepares you for the mental part of this surgery. Sure we take psych evaluations, but I've yet to see required therapy as a part of a program. I'll tell you, what prepared me... was the damn pre op diet. It prepared me for how long and hard this journey was going to be. You will come out stronger than those who didn't have to do this. Keep your chin up! You are almost done!

@Creekimp13 & @FluffyChix I wanted to give you guys an update, since you both offered so much insight into my high cholesterol. I talked to the doctor, and low & behold... She agreed with Fluffy's theory about rapid weight loss causing temporary increase in cholesterol. She said she is comfortable retesting in 3 months and that if everything is staying the same, or improving (ideally) then I can avoid medications. She said that while, 343 is high, damage isn't done until the number gets into the 7-800 range. I've done a lot of things recently to naturally help. I've added fish oil tablets w/Omega 3's, I've added wild salmon 2x per week, 1 serving of Almonds per day, and lastly working on increasing my soy protein. Thanks ladies for all the info!

I crushed my pills for the first 6 weeks, then I was cleared to swallow pills. I even found a bariatric vitamin that I can swallow instead of chew.

Good find!

I think while 7.2 does put you into the diabetic range, VS. pre diabetic... it is worth it to really evaluate your diet and see if you can naturally lower your numbers.

I think that @FluffyChix makes a good point, and you should really evaluate your diet. I'd imagine that at 18 months post op... you can probably eat almost anything. Are you monitoring your carb intake, are you avoiding all added sugars, are you keeping track of your blood sugar to see what spikes it? On another note, I hate that doctors immediately result to pills. I think trying to control diabetes through diet, is a much better option. How high was your A1C?

Woot Woot!

@Mattymatt Its not about how fast we run the race, its about crossing the finish line! We will all hit a stall once, twice, or even more throughout our journey. Its about staying positive and not letting it send you into a downward spiral.

I personally avoid anything with added sugar, if it says "made with cane sugar" I avoid it. But that's just my personal opinion. I don't want to train my brain to be "attracted" (for a lack of better words) to sweet things. The only thing I eat that is remotely sweet, is the occasional fruit.

You could always meal prep for the crock pot. Prepare it all, put it in a gallon size freezer baggies and then label it with instructions. You can do all kinds of things: pulled pork, pot roast w/ veggies, chicken and noodles, soup, different chicken... the list is endless.

1. I can't speak for seniors and recovery time. My experience wasn't without complications. I was in the hospital 5 days post op RNY. My bowels did not wake up right away and I developed Shingles for the first time. 2. I was a full on diabetic. I was on 2 different types of insulin and oral medications. I took 2 different statins for my cholesterol, a medication for neuropathy, tramadol for lower back pain, and a muscle relaxer. All of these medications stopped after surgery. My blood sugar completely resolved. My cholesterol is coming down, not completely resolved, but no need for medication at this time. My BP was never high, so I can't speak to that. But if you talk to most people they were able to get off 90% of daily medication. 3. I found that my energy levels came back at about 6 weeks. By 4 weeks, I was exercising lightly. But it wasn't until my diet wasn't restricted and my calories were able to increase that I felt myself. 4. I found that things were different....When I would go out to a restaurant with friends or family, at first, I would get inpatient waiting for everyone to finish their meals. I would feel awkward and uncomfortable with people watching me eat. This changed quickly. It became second nature to me. Friends and family still struggle with understanding my restrictions. My girlfriend asks me if I want a glass of wine, every time I come over! Even my husband still offers me bites of his dessert. My taste buds have changed a lot. I don't crave things like I did before, and when I am hungry (I do get hungry) I am satisfied very easily. I still enjoy food, but not like before. 5. I haven't tried alcohol yet.

I'm all about experimenting, but I need something easy that I can commit to eating a couple times a week. I want something I can buy local, and not have to hassle with ordering online, which you have to mostly do in bulk. I just can't see myself dong that with fungus protein, same with pea or brown rice protein ... unless I can find this Quorn brand. I figured, I like tofu... logical choice. I also eat edamame as well. Thank you for the suggestions though! its good to know all the options!

Thank you both ladies for the facts of both sides. I don't plan on going crazy with the tofu, but I think there is a lot more research that indicates soy protein can lead to better heart health and lower cholesterol. So, again...if anyone has any recipes for tofu... I'm open ears!

Sounds yummy! Thanks for the recipe. I've been reading that you need to dry the tofu and flatten it out for so long... ect. Do you do use any special technique?

I wonder if there is any coloration with women who are also vegan and it is their only protein source. I'm talking about eating tofu, once a week.