JessLess

7 hours ago, CyclicalLoser said:

I've found that TENS units like Quell or much cheaper versions from Amazon (Or even icy hot OTC) work surprisingly well. Obviously I cannot comment on menstral cramps though. I hope you find something that works for you

I've found dry needling (I think that is with a TENS unit) and Salonpas Pain Relieving Patches to be very helpful w/ my back. Also, ice/heat and a standing desk.

I have chronic back pain and I take Tramadol with Tylenol. They both work better together.

4 minutes ago, ratboy3124 said:

Hello everyone! I had my sleeve performed on 10/23 and as of 12/3 I am down 44 lbs. Took me awhile to finally decide to do it. I had lost 60 lbs. 5 years ago on my own, but gained it all back plus some. I was not big growing up and I just didn't recognize myself anymore. So glad I did it. I feel so much better already. My wife had the gastric bypass 10 years ago and a really good friend of mine had the sleeve in June which is great because I ask a lot of "Is this normal?!" questions. LOL! Anyway, thought I would pop in and say hi. This is my 1st post here.

Welcome. Much like you, I lost 80 lbs (on Phentermine) six years ago and slowly gained it back. I decided to bring out the heavy artillery this time.

2 hours ago, Jean9 said:

The only bad part of a colonoscopy is the prep! I cant drink the stuff they give you to clean you out. My last one I had pills. It was alot...like 40 pills. 4 or 5 huge pills every 5 min! But it was better than drinking the stuff haha

Thanks, that was one of the things I was wondering about.

1 hour ago, Oct517 said:

No reason to dread a colonoscopy. If you can handle VSG surgery, you can definitely handle a colonoscopy. Its quick, simple, and painless.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Sorry to bump an ancient thread, but I have been dreading getting my first colonoscopy since long before I got my VGS surgery. I was wondering if anyone had experiences with any of the alternative, new colonoscopy methods that are sometimes recommended for bariatric patients?

I travelled on Thanksgiving, 6 weeks after surgery. I bought a big bottle of Protein Water in my checked luggage, but I didn't really need it. I ate yogurt, hummus, sliced turkey, vegetables, bananas, sashimi, etc. all of which I was allowed at that point.

I had to get out my workbook for this.

(3 support group meetings I attended before my first apt. to get them out of the way.)

8/22/18 - Met with surgeon, psychiatric nurse, and dietician

8/22/18 sleep study ordered, insurance denied it, we decided not to do it

8/28/18 - Harvard Pilgrim approved my VGS surgery!

9/19/19 Upper GI series

9/28 - Blended diet review

10/10/18 - Surgical Pre-testing/Pre op weight taken

1 week reduced calorie diet, 2 shakes and a Lean Cuisine, sorry everyone who had to starve!

10/15/18 Surgery

I think they did about the minimum so everyone understood what they were getting into and what they were supposed to do, and got me through it super fast! I could have called if I had more questions or needed more help. I could have gone a bit sooner but I had a work trip. So 7 1/2 weeks from start to finish!

28 minutes ago, JessaK said:

I had my 6 week checkup yesterday a few days ahead of my actual 6 week mark. Everything seemed good. 32 lbs lost at 17.8%. Doc did say that he wanted me to loose at least 30 more in the next 6 weeks when I see him again. 5 lbs a week seems so daunting right now because I keep stalling.

Just do your best. You're doing this for you, not your doctor.

13 hours ago, abefroman329 said:

We kinda had an uncomfortable moment recently when the woman who performs at the local music-for-kids performances, which Henry and I attended regularly while I was on leave, told my wife how cute she thought I was.

If the woman didn’t look like a gargoyle, it might have been really awkward for everyone involved.

One thing being fat taught me is not to to shame other people about how they look.

A large part of why I got sleeved was to lose weight to reduce my lower back pain. I work in an office 4 days a week and even with a stand/sit desk, my back pain is bad enough to make me dread going to work some days. I have been out of PT since my surgery and I think that has really made things worse. I'm going back next week.

I'm team PT, Salonpas patch, walking, massage, ice/heat and Tramadol.

For the record, sending unsolicited dick pics and the like is illegal.

1 hour ago, FluffyChix said:

I'd personally dump the chewable vitamins as soon as you can per your doc's instructs. I agree that the chewables feel like they are hard on my teeth health. The chewable Iron has stained my enamel at my gum line terribly! I'm trying to find carbonyl Iron pills now to replace my Celebrate Iron chewables.

What do you take for Calcium? That's my only chewable.

My doctor told me that you can only absorb a certain amount of Calcium at once so I take it 3x a day. You also have to take Iron 4 hours before or after the Calcium so I take Calcium with meals and Iron before bed. My doctor recommended Viactiv Calcium +Vitamin D3 Supplement Soft Chews, Caramel, 100 Chews - Calcium Dietary Supplement for Bone Health by Viactiv and I like it.

I also brush almost every time I eat with a Quip electric toothbrush, because it's very soft, and use a Philips Sonicare HX8211/02 Airfloss Rechargeable Electric Flosser.

29 minutes ago, Hrsnjs said:

Ok so o had my six week checkup today and saw the other surgeon in the practice (mine was out of the country for a family emergency). I was feeling good! He asked me a bunch of questions and then after all of the answers, he basically told me that I had to be lying because I should have lost 30 pounds by now and it's only been 16. I feel like a failure. I'm getting (shooting for) 600 calories a day... realistically I'm averaging around 700. This doctor told me that I had to be taking in 2000 calories a day to not be losing more than I am. I feel deflated and like I've failed. I tried to explain what I was doing and he said he wasn't there to negotiate my diet and that only I know the truth. I mean I lost 80+ pounds on my own before surgery using a low carb diet, I know HOW to do this. I did have a small sliver of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. But come on, that hasn't cut my weight loss in half. I will be glad to see my own surgeon again in six more weeks. I saw him last week and he was pretty happy with my loss up to then. Then I talk to this guy. Feeling very defeated.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using BariatricPal mobile app

He's a jerk. You know what they call the guy who graduates at the bottom of his class in med school? Doctor.

ALSO the same thing happened to me in Weight Watchers. I lost ONE lb. the first week because I had already lost about 70 lbs, and my weight loss had slowed. The leader said she was disappointed in me and I reported her to corporate.

I think doctors and nutritionists should be really clear what they mean because when you've just had surgery and are trying to read your handouts and figure out what to eat, it's not a good time to deal with a lot of ambiguity. I also think if their directives don't make sense for you you should feel free to challenge them on it, and ask fo a plan that works for YOU.

Remember you or your insurance company paid for this. It is VERY reasonable to expect a plan that makes sense and is reasonable for a bariatric patient.

28 minutes ago, Yvonne47 said:

Just an FYI you may want to ask your Dr what you should have because everybody's Drs instructions are different according to your body l. My Dr told me and my co sleevers no sugar at all no carbs at all as far as bread and Pasta and 48 to 64 ounces of liquid a day and 70 grams of Protein. You just may want to ask because you don't want to start on sugar and carbs too fast. I did cheat on thanksgiving had a little stuffing a few times but it took too long to digest so I know I'm not ready for that yet.

Eating a zero carb plan basically means you eat nothing but meat and fat and nothing else. No egg yolks, no dairy, no vegetables or fruit can be included as they contain carbohydrates.

25 minutes ago, Freiabr said:

Thanks, do you eat every 2-3 hours? I feel I do better if I have 5-6 small meals a day too.

Yup!

8 minutes ago, Freiabr said:

Good morning everyone,

I hope you all are feeling amazing 🙂

I am on the soft food stage and was wondering how much food you guys eat.

I have 1/4 to 1/2 cup and do feel hungry an hour or so later.

Also, do you feel hungry? My doctor said I’m not supposed do feel hungry but I do. I’m a little embarrassed to tell him though 🙈 just concerned that I picked the wrong surgery

I have the sleeve too. They have us eating 6 mini-meals a day (couple of ounces) so I'm rarely hungry. If I am, I just eat a couple bites of yogurt or drink a couple ounces of Protein Shake. It's totally normal to be hungry. Some people are, some people aren't with the sleeve.

44 minutes ago, JulieL123 said:

Here is the link to the video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aZrA4fgn_eg

Yeah, I have only watched that one so far but I thought he had a good perspective and I want his green smoothie recipe. Anyone have it?

11 hours ago, josh m said:

Why next week? Start tomorrow. I go to the gym everyday and walk on treadmill . Excuses are for fat pro

Well, bub, there are a lot of fat people on here and many reasons that make it harder for people to exercise ranging from not wanting to be fat shamed at the gym, family responsibilities, economics, or a disability like I have. DO NOT FAT SHAME PEOPLE HERE. It's very rude and I reported your post.

"Sorry I was just playing." Does not excuse unacceptable behavior.

Big milestone today. I ran out of excuses to not exercise since my 10/15 surgery and got back on the treadmill and made physical therapy appointments. (I have a bad back.)

I also started counting calories, Protein, carbs, and Water, which is not required by my Surgeon during this adjustment period.

17 hours ago, ummyasmin said:

Aussie in Ireland coz I married an Irishman twenty years ago. Have a 14yr old who is better than me in every way. I'm a 45 Yr old (zomg), academic researching/teaching abt Islam & Muslims (coz I am one). Have a geriatric cat too.

Your Avatar rules.

42 minutes ago, anaariesrod said:

Who has gotten pregnant shortly after gastric sleeve surgery...and did you have any complications

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using BariatricPal mobile app

I got a lot of warnings that I would be more fertile AND had to go off the pill for 2 months. I've read you aren't supposed to get pregnant for a year. I would call your doctor immediately.

https://www.babycenter.com/0_seven-facts-about-pregnancy-after-weight-loss-surgery_1504874.bc

Good luck, whatever you do.

48 year old married, Jewish woman who loves reading, writing, art, baths, and traveling. Dog mom to two rescue golden retrievers. I have a law degree and used to be a public defender in New Orleans. Currently, I'm a Director of Business Development for an Ed Tech company in Boston.