Creekimp13

"In the last year alone, 8 percent of patients admitted to the Johns Hopkins Eating Disorders Program had a history of bariatric surgery, says the program’s director, psychiatrist Angela Guarda. Some patients developed an eating disorder after surgery. Others had a pre-existing eating disorder that worsened after gastric bypass." To me, this is very interesting statistical data...from a reputable source. The entire article...linking certain behaviors experienced by bariatric patients to new and worsening eating disorders...was eye opening. For instance....the way clogging your stomach with hard to digest foods to induce vomiting resembles bulemia...and the phobias bariatric patients can have about eating... I thought it was a very interesting read.

I appreciate the link, but this an anecedote from the director of one eating disorder program. It's from Johns Hopkins....a world leader in metabolic and psychiatric research, and often ranked the number one research hospital in the United States.

The reason I, personally, get defensive when someone accuses another person of "head hunger" is that they can't possibly know what that other person is experiencing.....and they label it. Worse, the label means....you're over eating, and you're giving into temptation. Who are you to judge that? Maybe it's the same in reverse? I can't possibly know what you're experiencing when you're talking about "head hunger" that you legitimately feel you suffer....so you feel defensive, too, when I say....nope, you're not eating enough calories...and your body is telling you that need to eat. Who am I to judge that? Either way....people should avoid labeling each other's experiences and concentrate on their own. I don't know how your body works. I've never felt what you feel. But I do know that there are a lot of mind games at work in this whole messy business. And I know they can lead us in some very unhealthy directions if we're not vigilant.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/psychiatry_newsletter/hopkins_brainwise___winter_2015/bariatric_surgery_and_eating_disorders

When you're eating starvation level calories....and could satisfy your hunger by eating something healthy....that's REAL hunger in my opinion. Think of the calories your body needs to heal itself and maintain your basal processes.....and think of what you're consuming. That hunger is not "in your head"....it's your body trying to warn you that you will get ill or die of starvation if you don't pull up. This obsession with "head hunger" when we're eating starvation level calories concerns me a lot because it's a stone's throw from eating disorder speak....and eating disorder crossover (anorexia, bulimia) is a very real concern after bariatric surgery. Real Hunger = can be satisfied by a healthy snack that's on your plan. if you have real hunger...YOU SHOULD EAT. Head Hunger = you've just had a healthy dinner but think you want a Big Mac. You're not really physically hungry...your body has had it's nutritional needs met. But you *think* you're hungry for something you crave, or you have an emotion that would be soothed with food, or you're bored, stressed etc.

I dunno if anyone wants to see this...but this is how anal my group is. LOL! We had to document everything. And we were forbidden from drinking more than one ounce every 15 minutes. Have to say, though....I had an insanely easy recovery. Zero nausea. I have never vomited since surgery. All food advancements went smoothly. Could be luck, or maybe this protocol is a good thing? Hell if I know:) (The X's are clear liquids like jello, water, tea, decaf, powerade zero....and the P's are Premier Protein)

The advice we were given was based very much on tolerance Hydration was the first priority, of course, but as soon as we could tolerate protein shakes or protein water, we were encouraged to drink them alternating with our water. Starting on day two after surgery, I was told to alternate drinking 4 ounces of water or other clear fluids in one hour, and 4 ounces of protein drink the next hour. I was generally awake 18 hours per day. So starting on day two...I got 36 ounces of clear fluids each day AND 36 ounces of shake each day (3 whole premier protein shakes..,,,90g protein) 72 ounces of fluid each day for the first week. I have the charts they made me keep to prove it. And we were told not to drink more than one ounce every 15 minutes....which I carefully measured. That first week....was tedious. I had a timer set every 15 minutes to remind me to drink my next ounce. (in ten tiny sips) My entire JOB for the day consisted of drinking a million little timed cups of fluid, going for a little walk every hour and blowing into my spirometer. After following protocol for that first miserable week, though? WOW, did it get easier to drink! Week two was much easier, and it kept getting better from there. My program did a VERY regimented first week....but I think it provided excellent healing, hydration, and nutrition. I felt terrific. Got incredibly hungry, though....was definitely ready to start moving up the food chain:)

Woot!

Matt, I wonder if women don't have an easier time with ankle tattoos because our fat content in our skin is higher? Our skin is more supple, too, cause testosterone thickens and toughens skin. I have literally no redness today...it's looking awesome:) My tattoo guy wanted to see a pic this morning and was very pleased. Will keep your concerns in mind and keep careful track of it, however:) Thanks for the heads up!

So far, so good, Matt. If that happens I'll have a touch up:) So far it's looking pretty bold and stable. Much less red and swollen today than in the pic (taken a few hours after it was done). My tattooist has been in the business over 20 years and my bestie has a gorgeous ankle tattoo he did for her over a decade ago:)

Oh, it's good! Some tasty whip for sure:) Having a peach one as we type:)

I'll be 46 this week, and my bestie got me my first tattoo for my birthday. I couldn't begin to tell you the real meaning behind this tattoo...and it would rob some of the magic if I did, so I won't. BUT....symbolically, lily of the valley is associated with "a return to happiness, humility and luck".....which is pretty neato all by itself. PS...in case you can't figure out what body part that is...lol...it's my right ankle:)

At about three months out....I had a three week stall. I was pulling my hair out (and it was coming out, believe me...lol) trying everything to kick my weight loss into gear again. Barely eating 1000 calories (I typically eat 1200), exercising like a maniac, being stupid and listening to bad advice in desperation.... starvation, cutting my healthy carbs, all sorts of stupid...I did it...and got no where. STUCK. For three freaking weeks. Finally gave up, said, feck this...and went back to my regular healthy carb based 1200 calorie Mayo Clinic Diet. Figured I'd either eventually lose weight, or just maintain my loss, call it a day... and feel sane again. Started losing again slow and steady. Did I mention slow? LOL...but steady...and I felt terrific. I'm at the end of my weight loss phase these days...which is evidence that even the most flawed dieters can be successful if they don't give up! You can be an absolute screw up....and as long as you wake up each day and make an effort....and move your habits just an inch or two in the right direction every day...you'll get there. You really will. Be patient with yourself. Love yourself. Let little screw ups go and move on...they're not world ending. Focus on permanent habits. Try for good change EVERY day. Let the little **** go. It's not worth torturing yourself and throwing in the towel over. We don't have to be perfect. I have gotten extremely comfortable with my forever diet...no more crazed desperation, no more rushing shite, no more frantic yaya.... just lots of really good healthy food, lots of exercise I enjoy....and 75 or so naughty calories a day. A livable, healthy, balance. (for me) So...this week, I thought I really blew it... Cause I had a McD's ice cream cone after the fireworks with the fam, I ate half a veggie burger at Burger King on Tuesday with my bestie after my tattoo (with the bun and some of my bestie's fries!), ate a ton of awesome treats at our pool party...though it was all pretty dang healthy:) And....ok, I'll be honest...was kinda relaxed about my food journal. Hubby and kiddo were around and it was vacation...so I relaxed a little. So, I'm thinkin...well crap...it's not gonna be pretty this week. Stepped on the scale and lo and behold....I lost a little over two pounds...in one week...which this far out is freaking incredible!!! ( I started thinking about the walking I did at the air show and fireworks, and all the pool party prep and swimming, lawn mowing, gardening, pulling weeds for party...and yep...I worked that two pounds off my butt pretty easily given the extra hours of exercise) That said? Isn't it nuts how you can work so hard and get no where...and relax a little and make awesome progress sometime? Sometimes it feels like we're at the mercy of a sick joke. LOLOLOLOL! I will never understand how the weight loss Gods work. They are a cruel, twisted, unpredictable race of beings. Hoping everyone's having a terrific summer:)

Yoplait Greek 100 Whips. Vanilla Cupcake flavor. To...die...for:) Available at the evil empire of Walmart. 100 calories, 9g of Protein. Peach, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Coconut Macaroon flavors are pretty damned good, too:)

Hot Damn, oh Happy Day! It hasn't been discontinued! Found it at Wally World! They had peach and coconut macaroon in the Whips, too! Love all the flavors in this particular line...really delicious, love the fluffy texture. Good stuff! Yay! Ash, give them a try if you can find them....they're worth the trip to the evil empire. LOL Wonder why my other stores aren't carrying it as much? That's still a concern...but for now, am just really glad someone has it:) The peach is really good, too, but cupacake remains my fav:)

Something about getting really close to goal has me being way too honest. Obnoxiously honest. I'm openly talking about all my screw ups....which, lets face it...people just don't do. We're all perfect, right? And we should inspire others to achieve perfection and never color outside the lines and never backslide and never admit it. Admitting it is setting a bad example, right? Think of the Newbies! Cover their ears! SAVE them! (in truth, I wish someone HAD admitted that screw ups occur regularly when I was first staring this process..I quite enjoy ugly truths...but I'm weird that way) More and more, I think I'm getting close to the end of my time here at Bariatric Pal. Once upon a time, I recall telling someone...if I stick around at this site past when I reach goal and pretend I have some kind of answer.....please Shoot Me. I don't want to be that person. I'm not that person. By luck, trial and error, Herculean patience, Feck all who knows?...somehow, I'm a stone's throw from the holy grail: Goal. The only answer I've got...is that answers vary. No two people have done it exactly the same way. Try hard every day. Don't give up. Use all the help they give you. Weight has defined so much about my life for so long....i'm just burnt out on it. I want to start talking about other things. I'm giving myself another month for the last 4 pounds...but come August...I think i'm outta here:) I know for a few of you....this is welcome news! Bahahaha! It's been a hell of a ride, my bariatric friends. Legendary. I wish each and every one of you.....fulfillment of your expectations and a safe healthy ride getting there. Smooches!

Boogie, I'm so glad you're in the hospital. Your symptoms really concerned me. I'm sorry you have to go through this, but I know they'll take good care of you and get this figured out. Keep us posted, rest all you can, and feel better ASAP! I swear it gets better. Rotten card to draw and all....you'll be headed in the right direction soon.

PS...one thing I've learned through all this trial and error..that maybe you can benefit from... We really need to find better ways to "treat ourselves" than with food. Not saying I'm not guilty of the same arsebackward behavior....but the reward habits have to change. They really do.

I know

Congrats!

Almost forgot....an AWESOME Ice cream substitute that I love entirely too much: Yasso frozen greek yogurt bars. My favorite flavor is Chocolate fudge. 80 calories, 6 grams of protein. And yes....I have been incredibly bad a time or two when I was pre-menstrual.....and had three of these suckers for lunch. 240 calories, 18 grams of protein. Sue me. LOL

I did. I tried a lot of old favorites. Hell I had two cookies over Christmas and I was 20 days out. Was naughty as all bejeezus. I was the poster child of trial and error. And a lot of times...I just plain screwed up. Most people are not perfect. Most people experiment and it goes one of two ways.....either they lose control and go right back to their old habits..(a serious risk and a really bad outcome....so Byrne's concerns are heartfelt)....or they learn they really can't eat that way anymore and they figure out how to cope a different way. I think most folks do this second one. They revisit their old favorites and go....yep, that was good, but the scale didn't move for a week...Hmmmmm, I don't like that. They count the calories up and go...Oh Crap! They regain their sense of balance and shake their heads and try, try again. I have a secret. I sometimes eat junk. My plan allows 75 calories of junk per day. Sometimes I get an idea in my head of something I really want....and I bank those mad calories until I have enough...and I eat it (this often happens on Friday) After about four bites, I'm usually wondering what the hell I was thinking and why it sounded so good....but sometimes I still do this nonsense. It's part of changing decades of food abuse. It's part of testing where I am. It's part of trying to figure out my new eating identity on my forever diet. I've learned to forgive myself and be accountable. I write down every miserable calorie. I have one bad day and I work extra hard the other six days that week. I don't exceed my 75 junk calories per day even if I bank them. I don't judge myself for still having food baggage. But I don't ignore it, either. I work on it. I create reasonable, balanced, accountable habits I can live with. And I don't give up. You don't have to be perfect...to succeed.

It was really good. 9g of protein for 100 calories and tasted like yummy mousse. I'm going to check a few more stores, but I've got a bad feeling about its fate.

I would seek legal counsel if I were you about your work situation.

Bottom line: Very few (if any) insurance companies will cover you. The place to start is pretty simple....call your insurance company, give them your rider number and ask what they require to cover bariatric surgery. They'll send you a list in writing if you ask. You probably can access the specifics on their website if you look. I would start there. You might be able to get someone to do it if you self pay. Even then, few doctors will go below a bmi of 35 unless you're throwing at least pre-diabetic A1C numbers. PCOD with no other comorbidities won't cut it. Best wishes. PS, my gastric sleeve (with an unexpected haital hernia repair) cost over 60 thousand dollars in the US. PSS.... here's a chart of what lap band costs in different states: https://www.obesitycoverage.com/insurance-and-costs/how-much/average-lap-band-prices