tedsmom

We’ve all had docs who were rude and WRONG. And I have failed to respond with a stop him in his tracks comment. So how do I cope? I remember Elinor Roosevelt comment “ No one can make you feel bad about yourself unless you give them permission”

Remembering this had seen me thru numerous encounters with complete idiots like your surgeon. Few doctors are current on benefits of exercise and its relation to diet.

There was an excellent series on PBS about exercise/diet/benefit the segment on exercise was particularly enlightening. The test subject ( a doctor) was a normal weight man with high cholesterol/triglycerides and his diet was having no effect on his lipid numbers. So he adddd cardio and again no effect.

He was not able to bring his lipids down until he started doing short, intense, bursts of exercises.

The message is diet/exercise is not a one size fits all plan but most doctors insist that it is. This is when you put on your imaginary earplugs and nod as if he is absolutely correct.

Somebody makes a lime that rings my bell. I don’t like yogurt so much but this lime is yummy. Also not a big lime lover either.
If you love yogurt why aren’t you making your own? If you have plain Greek make your own. Sweeten or not to your taste. You can also wrap yogurt in cheese cloth to strain out Water to make fresh cheese.

One more thing about my post op improvements. Down 100#. Considering I weighed 373 pre op. It’s a sizable ( pun intended) improvement but my insulin dose is THE BEST NEWS. I had surgery on Monday. On the previous Saturday I took 180 units of insulin. I have not had a single unit of insulin since. Oh happy day!!!

Brittmar1
I’m down 100# but not just from surgery. I dropped weight during prep time. I just don’t know when it started down. All I can say is that I hit -100 around December 1st (about 4 1/2 months) post op.
Note: to ALPACA I also retain water! Boy do I. I gained 5 pounds during surgery. Keep in mind how little we eat post op. It took me 2 full weeks to drop that 5 pounds of IV Fluid. Also anytime I drop big in one day I bounce up big then I struggle to get back down. It’s frustrating but now I know when I post big drop my body reacts quickly to jerk me up then down slowly and controlled.
TO ANYONE WHO HAS NAUSEA AT ANY STAGE TAKE Vitamin B1(thiamin). It is well documented to control/prevent nausea. As for Hair loss take Biotin. Both are Water soluble Vitamins which means they won’t buildup in you body and that means you need them daily.

I’m 69! I had sleeve after my 69 birthday. By the time I was 5 months post-op I was down 100 pounds and feeling like a kid again. You are only too old when you are on the wrong side of the grass( dead).
I was so sick, weak and just waiting to die. Figured I had nothing left to lose.
When I awoke from anesthesia I knew the surgery was successful because I felt FANTASTIC!!
I had no pain nor nausea at all post-op.

Carbonation will stretch your new smaller stomach so you will go back to your pre surgery size/habits. If you want a coke make it flat first.

Your surgeon does have more years in school (most likely) than you but do not assume that that means he knows more than you on every subject under the sun.
Any patient can learn more about their own condition than their doctor. I’m a celiac. I gave my doctor a book on recognizing celiac disease. I don’t care if he were offended. I’m offended that I lived with this disease for 60 years because not one doctor thought to test me for this disease. My life would have been infinitely better with s correct diagnosed.
I had an internist who snapped at me that all food sold in American stores is good food.
We never had another conversation about American food. I knew I was right and he was about as wrong as he could be about food.
Have confidence in yourself. He/she probably doesn’t realize that he/she is offending you. Let him know he’s offensive.

So I was sleeved on June 25th of this year. My starting weight was 410. Fast forward to present day and I am now weighing 325 (thank you thank you lol). The fact that I am 2 months and 2 weeks out and down 85lbs already is mind blowing to me. Another 15 and I'm at -100lbs (my math skills are superb today lol). My concern though is, is this normal? I see many post on here and of people who are just months out as well and they haven't lost as much weight as I have (I'm not trying to toot my own horn here). I checked with my surgeon and he said all is well, I checked with my nutritionist and she says my diet is fine, my intake is where it should be and all my lab work looks fine. My surgeon says it's most likely due to my activity levels. I am very honest with my team, I let them know on how often I slip up, have drinks and foods I shouldn't but at this point even they said they dont even know how I am where I am but to just keep doing what I'm doing. I'd love to here some input or if anyone else is experiencing the same. Hope you all are having a great day!
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Ok, BigLu. Is that a screen name you want to use when you are SlimJim?
The more baggage you carry around every where you go the more calories you burn. You are burning more calories than you consume everyday. When your body needs more fuel to get the day's work done it calls up the reserve forces to assist. Your body taps your fat reserves and burns that fat for energy.
Then there's that man factor. Men lose weight FASTER than women. Years ago I was a weight watcher. I lost 6 pounds one week. I thought that was a lot until I was told a man weighed in early and had lost 24 pounds that week!

(Lol)

Don't get me started on Protein water.....BLEH!!! I've wasted so much money trying different ones. I am loving Gatorade Zero and flavored Mio's even though there is no real nutritional value of much.

I agree about the clear protein choices are absolutely too sweet. I bought a couple of cases of Isopure RTD clear protein. They have a variety case. Every flavor is tasty! It offers a whopping 40 grams per 20 oz bottle. Don't ask me for other numbers, I can't remember stats. It's been 2 years since I had one.
Premier Protein Clear is disgusting with its excessive sweetness.
The tropical flavor sold at Sam's is just too sweet. While I was in hospital I had Premier's Clear orange flavor. It was much better than tropical flavor.
Sam's is now carrying Protein20. The case of 12 is a variety pack. It's 15 grams in 60 calories. 0 carbs. They taste like weak kool-ade to me.

X-man
I had the sleeve on July 16. I've had no pain, no nausea from the surgery.
I'm 69 and have diabetes. I was on insulin at 180units/day. I had 1 unit of insulin while I was in the hospital. I have not had ANY insulin since. I still take metformin same as before.
The day I came home I called my endocrinologist to update him. That was Tuesday 7/17. On Friday I saw my primary and again the next week.
My primary is keeping me under close supervision because they expect I will be needing meds reduced.
Getting the sleeve is the best thing I could possibly due to improve my health.
The worst thing about the process for me was having to grind up pills. Yuck! I bought a bottle of pill glide from pharmacy. It help a little. What really helped was taking the powdered pills in SF pudding.

I'm down 75 pounds from my highest weight. While in surgery I had so much IV Fluid that I gained 6# and kept that 6# for about 2 weeks. I was eating/drinking about 400 calories/day! That 6# was really getting under my skin! It finally left. Then I started dropping at least 1# a day.
My friends tell me that they never saw me smile so much. And they keep telling me that.
I have a new lease on life..

So I went to my consult today bc my primary said I was a candidate for the surgery but the doctor said my BMI is 38 and I need to be at 40 so my insurance covers me. At the end of the appointment very discouraged I asked him what's my height and he said 5'4 I said no my height is 5.3 but he just didnt want to deal with me at the end. Should I get another doctor? What can I do

First, are you diabetics? I think if your BMI is over 30 and you are diabetic you qualify for the surgery.
The American Diabetic Association's 1st recommendation is bariatric surgery in order to avoid all the disease and disability that diabetes and excess weight. Have you seen a surgeon yet? If not make an appointment now. He/she will be more inclined to help you
I changed PCP because he could not deal with my multiple problems. He wanted 1 diagnosis that was stable and only took 2minutes.. Where I had way to many problems to deal with in his 2minute schedule. I dumped him and found a doctor who saw me the person and not a 2minute office visit.

Sleeved on 7/16 and still feeling nauseous and unable to find anything that tastes good!
I know it took over 40 years to get into the unhealthy lifestyle but can’t find a way into my “new” one!
Very discouraged and depressed
Please tell me when this will get better!

About the nausea, be sure to get Vitamin B1 (thiamin). You need it everyday to prevent nausea. You have to get your Vitamins and fluids everyday. If you don't you will end up in an ER. There you will receive a banana bag IV. A banana bag is vitamins. Save yourself a lot of misery and take all your vitamins..
I'm 69. I ,too, had my sleeve on July 16. I have had no pain, no nausea other than when I forget my portion and overeat.. It happens when I have Water before or after a meal.. For me that's a difficult thing.
On a lighter note, I was talking to my daughter yesterday. I was talking about my trip to Sam's and then the grocery. I found a small package of lamb for stew, really small, for $3.00. I told her I needed carrots. She said does Publix sell carrots 1at a time. How many days can you go on 1carrot! I was laughing so hard. But she was partially right because I had leftover green Beans in the fridge from several days ago. It was a 1# package of GB's and I had had them for at LEAST 4 meals already and they were on my menu tonight.
Think of the money you will save on groceries. Then you will be saving on clothing because you won't have to pay extra for plus sizes. You'll save on prescriptions, gas to get to the doctor, doctor bills.
The very best thing you will save is your life. In October my granddaughter will wed.. I will be able to attend. I will be able to enjoy the event. I won't have to find a chair and stay put in order to tolerate being there.
Life is changing for you. Enjoy the ride!

WellsK1959. I have been s couch potato more than I care to admit but I have had some awesome exercise experiences too. I spent every summer in the swimming pool. Everyday from opening to closing I was there. Then I grew up and life interfered with swimming. Then in my 30’s I became an empty nester. One day I got up and got on my daughter’s bike. I rode 2 blocks and walked home. The next day I rode 3 blocks. That was March. In November I did a charity ride of 25 miles in a little over 2 hours. I finished with the guys who shave their legs. They shave to improve their time. It reduces drag. Champion swimmers do it too.

My point is until you try something you won’t know if you like it or will be good at it. Exercise is better with a buddy. When I was riding I was always alone. That made it easy for me to give it up when I started having muscle cramps. A buddy would have kicked by backside.

1 hour ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

Congrats on getting out of the 3s AND totally off insulin!!! You're doing great!

Your former PCP sounds like an @ss. Glad you dumped him!

Thank you very much. You know I was doing the Happy Dance!! First time in the 2’s since 2012.

Ted’s mom here. I’m 69 and post op I saw my primary at one week, and week 2 also saw surgeon. They are all watching my meds closely. I haven’t had any insulin since 2 days PRE op. I went from 180 units a day to ZERO units. I had the sleeve on July 16. I weighed at my highest weight 373. I my weight yesterday morning was 299.8. It was the same today. That’s ok. Tomorrow it will be down. Sometimes it goes up a pound or 2. Edema is always a problem.
If my primary said to me what yours said to you, I’d be getting a new primary.
I have multiple health issues ( the wt of 373 was s clue). My former primary said to me during my last visit with him for gout, that noticing my wt was down 5# was beyond the scope of this visit. He expected me to make an appt for each specific health problem. All I expected him to say abt weight loss was good. He couldn’t be bothered.
This is the same jackass that said to me at age 65 and 1week, you’re too old. Bad things happen after 65. I said I’m only a week past 65. I saw my endocrinologist after my primary and he absolutely I could have the surgery even up to 70. After that it gets a little tricky.
Dump the doctor who can’t support your efforts.

I don't see any problem with you eating any of those things post surgery. But the worst of them is probably the cereals. You'll eventually be allowed to eat everything/anything you want. It's just up to you to make the right decisions at that point. I don't think any of the other things you listed are that bad depending on how they are made.
I did drink my ass off 2 weeks before surgery and for some reason had a crazy craving for cheese cake about a month and a half pre surgery. After 3 cakes over 2 weeks that went away.

I guess 3 cheesecakes is the magic number! Lol!, For me the pre op diet was difficult only because Rainier cherries were in season and would be gone before I got to soft foods. I did get some Bing cherries last week. They were good and I did enjoy them but I sure did miss those rainier cherries.

Wow. U have gone through a lot... Sorry to hear that. But that past n your surgery was a success. Thank god. Congrats for your new life. This is the kind of encouragement i need. This is the good endings i like to hear at our age. My problem is that I think. That im reading too many posts in this forum and getting scared. Too many posts on hair baldness n loose skin. I feel ugly already imagine me with extra skin and not being able to remove it.

Let's not focus or the sorrows we read but on the much improved health and vitality we gain from a successful surgery and better eating habits. I was terrified that I would be hungry all the time just like before surgery. I am not hungry all the time. I do get hungry at times because it's been a while since I ate , more than 4 hours. That's when I am likely to push in more than my 5 ozs. Then my tummy hurts for about an hour. The days I watch my Protein intake and do not get hungry are much better days. I'm learning. It works. I dropped 4 pounds yesterday.
I'll take crape-y skin anytime over being diseased, deformed, disabled, and dying.
Heck I could put an eye out with my wing flaps now. When the fat is gone those flaps would just be a love tap. No eyes in danger.
Remember to take Vitamin B1. That's thiamin. It goes a long way in preventing nausea.
Following this kind of surgery, when patients get sick, vomiting and dehydration, ending up in ER. They are given a banana bag IV and all is well. A banana bag is an IV bag of Vitamins including B1.

My daughter is Celiac, she is 9 now but was diagnosed when she was 2. I've never had any doctors tell me that she needs to be taking vitamins! Can you educate me about this a bit so I can get her what she needs?

Hi KCgirl061.
Consider your daughter blessed to be diagnosed at such a tender age. I was 60 when I pushed a doctor to do his job and order the tests for me. I have many health issues which could have been avoided had I been diagnosed in childhood.
Because of the celiac, adsorption of nutrients in food is not utilized properly.. Vitamin supplements necessary. I hope your daughter is not eating oatmeal. It was added to the list of foods to be avoided a few years ago. That's all oats, in any form, even if they say GF.
Manufacturers have not caught up with this addition to the list to be avoided so watch out for this ingredient in foods/snacks labeled GF.
I recommend you register your daughter with the university of Chicago celiac disease center and the Columbia University celiac disease center. These 2 are the centers of excellence in celiac research. Europe is way ahead of US in celiac research. Dr Fasconi (not sure of spelling) is with Columbia and it is he who is responsible for the standard set for calling a food GF. That's 20 parts per million. That has been the standard in Europe for many years.
Your daughter is also lucky that there has been an explosion of new products on the market. It was not like this 9 years ago. Make friends with the manager of your favorite grocery store( and I hope it is not Walmart). Let the manager know the dietary needs of your daughter.
Ask to see more GF items. If you want something specific get the barcode for the manager.
I know this is a lot to get your head around but it does get easier and watching your daughter flourish will make it all worth the vigilance.
Any patient(parent) can know more about their disease than the physcian can..
When was diagnosed, the woman I had lunch with said her granddaughter had celiac but her grandson did not. My lunch buddy said her daughter's family made the decision early on that the whole family would eat the same things. The kitchen was a GF zone. That avoided the need for 2 toasters, 2 peanut butters, 2 mayo, 2 butters, etc.
now back to Vitamins. I think every child needs vitamins. They have , in general, atrocious eating habits. The vitamins fill in the gaps.
There are support groups for you and your daughter. Try the Celiac Foundation or gluten free for life. There are others. Some better than others.
The best referral I can give is the centers of excellence mentioned previously. They will give you facts like no oats, ever. Which you won't get in blogs because sad to say, there are celiacs who place blind trust in manufactures who tell them that an item is GF.
I'll be here if you need help or have another question. I promise my responses will not always be so long.
Just one more thing.
The support group I belonged to was started by a woman who was diagnosed in infancy. She was placed on a gluten free diet. When her symptoms subsided her doctor said she could go back to a regular diet. This happened many times throughout her life. She was a few years older than me at the time. Her health was in shambles. She died a short few years later the result of being celiac and bad medical advice. When she told her story to our small group, one woman new to the group said her gastroenterologist had just told her she could go back to a regular diet. To which everyone said " No you can't. Not ever".

My dr said I could start taking Centrum which ones do you take show me a pic. Also what other Vitamins do you take with them.
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I'm celiac in addition to 1month post sleeve. Taking Vitamins is a way of life for me. I take 2 centrums am/pm.. I also take the fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K. In forums pre surgery, I learned that taking a Vitamin B1 which is thiamin is what prevents nausea. Also B12 is best taken in liquid form under the tongue or by injection. I still need to add Iron to my routine. But you know the money only goes so far.
Checkout opurity or Celebrate Vitamins.< br>

Palomabella... Go for it! I'm 69 and 1 month post op. I have felt better ever since I awoke post op. For me it was lifesaving surgery. 50/50 odds. For me there was no choice. I tried to have the surgery in 2016, March 7 to be exact. I sought our the best surgery group in my state. I went into surgery at 7:00 am. I awoke in the OR suite at 7:45 am. I knew immediately something went wrong. I was very alert. I asked what went wrong? A few hours later my doctor came to recovery and told me my liver was too bad to proceed with the surgery. He did a biopsy and closed my 4 incisions. It was devastating. Turns out the cure for a bad liver is weight loss. That's a catch 22.
So 2years forward and my health has continued its downward spiral. I knew I would not be around for my 70th birthday.
I went for a consultation with a local surgeon new to our area. I took the photo of my liver and accompanying data. He said it could be done.
After many, many tests. My day finally arrived. July 16.
I felt so much better immediately. When I awoke I felt as if all the rotten and diseased stuff in my body left with my miserable stomach. I had NO Pain other than 3 gas pains and NO nausea. The only discomfort since is when I eat or drink more than 4-5 ozs. My highest weight was 373. That was some time before pre op. I lost about 10# off that quickly. At this time, 1 month and a day post op I am down 62# this morning I weighed 311#. I'm sleeping better, walking better, alert during the day. I put my own shoes on this morning.. Go for it! It's all good..
It only gets better from here.