CaliforniaCandy

Hey all, what cool gifts did you get for Christmas to help with your post-surgery life?
I got a 30 oz Yeti, blue tooth ear buds, and a blue tooth scale. I also got some cashola -- I think I'll buy Tespo with it.

Good luck!

I respect your opinion and I wish you would respect mine.

And the lounge is where anybody can talk about anything, whether wls related or not.

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Candy

I hope everyone has a great day. Remember, it's not about the food. It's about Christ's birth.
Merry Christmas to all!
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candy

I hope everyone has a great day. Remember, it's not about the food. It's about Christ's birth.
Merry Christmas to all!
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candy

happy Hanukkah!

Merry Christmas candy [emoji4]

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An hour?! Wow, my rules stated 30 minutes. I still follow that rule at almost 3 years post op.

The reason for the post meal delay is to allow the food to be broken down as much as possible and feel satiated longer. Drinking too soon can flush the partially digested food into the intestines prematurely.

The wonderful side effect of that can be flatulence that is especially potent as well as malabsorption since the food wasn't completely digested. And of course feeling hungry sooner than necessary.

Sent from my phone. Please forgive brevity and spelling.

Here's mine. Sorry I didn't crop in enough...you can see all the way to France in mine!

I think anyone can lose weight.
I have lost hundreds (yes, hundreds) of pounds over my lifetime. I have been fat my entire life. I was also an athlete, so, when I was younger, I was able to manage being a bigger girl because even though I was 180lbs at 5'5" in high school - I was strong. I am going to be 50 this year, and even though I am active, I am definitely limited with what activities I can do at my current weight (300lbs).
I have been in and out of weight watchers since I was 12. Have done every diet that has EVER existed (seriously, can anyone say/smell cabbage soup). I have yo-yo'ed my entire life. Some diets more successful than others. When I was in my twenties, I had my most success with a nutritionist. I lost about 80lbs with her and when I couldn't get the remaining 25lb's to go - I made a desperate move and saw a total quack of a Dr. that gave me black beauties (it was the late 80's) and I lost the rest of the weight. It was an unhealthy end to what had been such a successful weight loss but once I stopped with the pills, I slowly started eating poorly and over the following 3-4 years, gained all the weight back and then some.
I understand your question. I deeply understand it. I can only speak for myself, and the short answer is "YES" I can lose weight without surgery. The longer answer is that after struggling for 50 years, I am tired and need something that will not only help me lose the weight but more importantly help with maintaining this for the rest of my life because unlike the "YES" answer to losing the weight it has proven to be a hard "NO" about being able to maintain for any length of time.
I refuse to beat myself up any longer by asking myself if I could have done this on my own. I have a proven track record of NOT being able to sustain a weight loss. I have made a mental shift to not focus on that type of thinking but rather look forward and embrace where I am now - 2 weeks out from surgery and 25lbs lighter.

I've tried since I was 9. My longest lasting attempt has been low carb (since 2000). I too have PCOS. I'm also pre-diabetic, have had a pretty severe hormone positive (obesity related) breast cancer, asthma, arthritis, left arm lymphedema (from the cancer treatment), high blood pressure, and other stuff. The likelihood of losing the weight and maintaining the loss with my health situation is about the same as me winning a multi-million dollar lottery. It's not impossible that I could do this on my own, it's just highly unlikely and improbable.
But in saying this, I do not excuse my personal responsibility in contributing to my obesity. It's another chicken/egg thing. Did I eat myself into obesity? Or did my constant yo-yo dieting get me to the point that I was unable to resist the hormonal drive to eat--and to eat crap food, rather than lean, clean food? Dunno. Doesn't matter. I'm here and that's enough. Research is showing that the reason so few are successful long term in losing and maintaining weight loss is because the body will sabotage us. Once we get fat, it seems--the body wants to keep us fat and will dump a whole host of hormones on us to make sure we eat and re-feed to beyond our previous weight. It sounds like we're victims of our fat body. Right? Except I don't want to be a victim--it robs us of power and action.
So where I am right now is at the point where I have to accept that I need an additional boost (through a metabolic reset and surgery) in order to succeed at this whole weight loss thing. Will it change my head? Nope. I still have to work on changing that. But it will change a whole host of things they "think" contributes to long term obesity. It will immediately within about 3 weeks drop my chance of cancer recurrence about another 30-45% (I'm presently now at a 25% recurrence rate--so it will split it in half).
Do I need this surgery? Absolutely.
Do I deserve this surgery? Well, that's putting a value statement on it. Maybe. Maybe not. It's almost a Schroedinger's Cat question. Philosophically, do you believe the cat in the box is dead? Does anyone deserve a better metabolic chance at changing their life long term, but for at least a minimum of 12 years? Are any of us worthy--or more worthy than another? I don't fool myself that I will suddenly be healthy enough to go out there and cure cancer, or solve the meaning of life and existence. But, chances are (and my insurance company is betting on this), that I will be healthier after surgery to more than pay for the $50000 or so they will spend on me having the surgery. So I'ma say I deserve the surgery. Cuz I can.

I personally use Tespo. It's easy and convenient. It sits right next to my coffee maker and I remember to use it every morning.
I've found that most people that undergo WLS start off with chewable vitamins. Most end up taking pills for the long term. I'm all for using whatever works best for you! People aren't compliant with vitamins if they don't enjoy or tolerate them.
The most common long-term issues for WLS patients are caused mostly by Vitamin deficiencies. Many deficiencies won't show up initially on bloodwork. They can take a few years to show up.
Taking an off the shelf vitamin is definitely better than taking no vitamins at all. The bariatric vitamin companies would shoot me if they heard me saying that I highly suggest going with vitamins that are designed for Bariatric patients if you can afford it and you care about your long-term health. I don't get how people will undergo a life-changing surgery but be too cheap to invest a few well-spent dollars in their health.

I just read the thread by Alex Brecher about New Year's resolutions and he mentioned the Tespo dispenser. I'm really going to think about getting it since maintaining Vitamins is something I'll have to do the rest of my life and I like the idea of drinking my vitamins.

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Candy

You look stunning, like a different person. Congratulations.

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Candy

If I could see down there well enough to shave I wouldn't be needing the surgery!

Welcome, TessieLoo!

Yes, it's fun here in the 60+ thread, especially with FluffyChix around. She keeps us rolling in the aisles.

I'm sorry you had such a difficult childhood. I can't imagine not buying food for your children. What's your relationship like with your mom now? I'm betting you have some real deep feelings (mostly negative) about your mom.

We'll try to take care of you when you need it. Just tell us to back off if we get too close to a sensitive area. I just want to wrap my arms around you, hold you tight and rock you back and forth.

You've done well seeing where your problems are and what you need to do to get past it/them.

We're here to help whenever you need it. Just ask and we'll do our best to do whatever it is you need.

Again, welcome to the club! Someone's here all the time so give a holler.

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Candy

Welcome, TessieLoo!

Yes, it's fun here in the 60+ thread, especially with FluffyChix around. She keeps us rolling in the aisles.

I'm sorry you had such a difficult childhood. I can't imagine not buying food for your children. What's your relationship like with your mom now? I'm betting you have some real deep feelings (mostly negative) about your mom.

We'll try to take care of you when you need it. Just tell us to back off if we get too close to a sensitive area. I just want to wrap my arms around you, hold you tight and rock you back and forth.

You've done well seeing where your problems are and what you need to do to get past it/them.

We're here to help whenever you need it. Just ask and we'll do our best to do whatever it is you need.

Again, welcome to the club! Someone's here all the time so give a holler.

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Candy

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Welcome, TessieLoo!

Yes, it's fun here in the 60+ thread, especially with FluffyChix around. She keeps us rolling in the aisles.

I'm sorry you had such a difficult childhood. I can't imagine not buying food for your children. What's your relationship like with your mom now? I'm betting you have some real deep feelings (mostly negative) about your mom.

We'll try to take care of you when you need it. Just tell us to back off if we get too close to a sensitive area. I just want to wrap my arms around you, hold you tight and rock you back and forth.

You've done well seeing where your problems are and what you need to do to get past it/them.

We're here to help whenever you need it. Just ask and we'll do our best to do whatever it is you need.

Again, welcome to the club! Someone's here all the time so give a holler.

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Candy

Joyce,

How was the preop appointment? Did you get a surgery date? Let us know what's going on.

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Candy

I LOVE THIS IDEA! Here are my top 10 things!
10. Be able to sit in a booth at a restaurant without needing to push the table out or have my stomach be pressed tightly against it. My best friend always opts for booths and I loathe them due to my weight.
9. ROLLER COASTER! I love them and I hate that I haven't been able to go on one in so long.
8. Going to my 10 year High school reunion holding my head high and have everyone go... woah who is that woman?
7. Do a Marathon.
6. Skydiving. (I'm a thrill Junkie)
5. Get into some abandoned buildings for photography purposes. (Did I mention I'm a thrill junkie?)
4. Being picked up by a handsome buff man lol
3. I want to do those adult go kart things with my friends. I always have to sit out because of the current shape of my body.
2. Doing an escape room. Those look like so much fun but some of them are tight spaces.
1. This is my number one thing that I have to do no matter WHAT! Swim with great white sharks!!!!!!!

I found out that I am now hypoglycemic--a bit of juice really helps diluted 50/50.

@FluffyChix

You have been through so much. Why were you denied RNY before? It seems to me you have enough comorbidities to warrant insurance coverage.

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Candy

Kathy,

You are amazing! I'm hoping to join you in your success. I've got the orientation and phone appointment in the second and third weeks of January so I'll know more then. Can't wait.