Everything posted by Jaelzion
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1 year after gastric sleeve problems...
I have this too (even before my bariatric surgery). All the same symptoms and triggered by the exactly same thing. In fact, I had a bout of it today, while waiting in line at the bank. Suddenly I became aware that I was feeling nauseated, weak, I broke into a sweat, my heart was racing, ears ringing, vision blurry and when I looked at myself in the mirror my complexion was gray. I was fortunate that the line moved quickly and I was able to complete my transaction and then sit down and elevate my legs. Within a few minutes up putting my feet up, I was feeling better. My doctors diagnosed me pretty easily because my presentation was so classic. Along with all the other symptoms my blood pressure usually drops suddenly, so I have orthostatic hypotension as well. My doctors recommended two things that have helped a lot: 1. I normally wear compression stockings when I go out. I didn't today because it was just "a quick trip to the bank" and that was my mistake. 2. Making sure I never get even slightly dehydrated. Dehydration exacerbates the symptoms considerably for me. When I do both these things, attacks are rare but as I saw today, they are inevitable if I fail to be consistent with both the compression hose and drinking frequently. Like you, I can't stand still at all. If I'm on my feet, I have to keep moving, even if it's just shifting my weight from side to side. It's a REALLY horrible feeling, it's honestly like you're dying. Fortunately a change of position usually sorts me out quickly but there are times when that's difficult or impossible.
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Feeling frustrated and sad
If I'm reading this right, you're just 5 days post-surgery? The number you see on the scale doesn't mean much right now. It's way too soon for you to be able to assess what kind of results you are getting. You're just starting to heal - you still have internal swelling (which means water retention). Stay with your eating plan, give your body time to recover and R.E.L.A.X. This is more like a marathon than a sprint. I lost my weight over 18 months (and I'm still slowly losing). It won't happen overnight, but if you're diligent about following your plan, it WILL happen. Feel better. ?
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Poll
15 in the first month. 10 the second month and many months after that. I didn't lose tons of weight in any one month, but it just kept going and going... Be patient, the pounds lost will add up quickly!
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Pain killers post op?
The guidance that I can find gives the following limits: 1. Take no more than 1000mg in one dose 2. Optimally, take no more than 3000mg in one day 3. With a doctor's permission and oversight, take no more than 4000mg in one day (this is a hard limit due to the risk of liver damage). https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/acetaminophen-safety-be-cautious-but-not-afraid#:~:text=However%2C in some people%2C taking,check with your doctor first. I hope that helps but you should definitely talk to a doctor.
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Feeling weak/rubber legs
Are you taking your vitamins/supplements? I let myself run out a few weeks ago and I felt exactly as you describe. Plus my heart was racing. Dehydration can also definitely make you feel that way. It's super easy to get dehydrated early on because you can't chug liquids, you have to sip slowly.
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6 weeks out - Expectations
Your BMI was barely in the obese category and people with lower BMI's often lose a bit slower. Even so, 20 pounds in 6 weeks isn't super slow. I lost 25 pounds in the first 8 weeks and I started with a BMI of 45. In my case the loss was slow but steady and just kept going month after month. Also, there's a common stall that people hit at about 3-4 weeks out from surgery. It can take 2-4 weeks to resume losing after that. Are you sticking closely to your eating plan, getting enough water, getting in your protein, etc.? Are you respecting your tummy restriction and stopping before you are overfull? If so, I'd say just be patient. If you keep losing 20 pounds every 6 weeks, in 3 months you'll be down another 40 pounds (so 60 overall). You're doing fine.
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Has this happened to anyone else?
That has happened to me. I have no science to back this up but I have a theory. I think the rare indulgence shakes up your metabolism and sometimes will get things moving again when your body has settled into a stall. Obviously it's not something you can do very often or you'll gain weight but it's happened to me to many times to believe it's just coincidence. But I could be totally wrong, LOL. ?
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Surgery tomorrow 11-10-20
Praying you have an easy, uncomplicated surgery and a quick recovery!
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Ugh.. Can't catch a break (just venting)
Awesome! Just under the wire...
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Ugh.. Can't catch a break (just venting)
So sorry to hear. Is there an extended family member or a close friend who could help out (either by letting your son stay with them or by staying over to help out your wife)? Would it be cheaper to pay someone to stay over the night and day your wife will be home with your son rather than starting over with a new deductible? Sorry things got so complicated, I hope it works out for you.
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Weight loss post op
I lost 15 pounds in the first month, so I'd say 9 pounds in under two weeks is good. You're off to a good start!
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Revision not enough weight loss.
Hi there, When you had your revision, did you go back through the post-op stages (liquids, purees, soft food, regular food, etc.) and did you go back to the basic diet you used for weight loss the first time?
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Consult Appointment and Risks
You posted twice ?. Here is my response from your other thread:
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Risks Concerns
Although it can be startling, what you're describing is actually a good thing. It means your surgeon was open and honest with you about the risks so that you can make a truly informed decision. Now you can balance those risks against the expected benefits and come to your own conclusion about whether or not surgery is worth it. For me, it was definitely worth moving forward with surgery since, as you said, the risk of serious complications is low overall (and the risks associated with remaining obese were very high). Only you can decide how the risk vs. benefits equation balances out for you. But having accurate information is a prerequisite to be able to do that. I wish you the best, whatever you decide. ?
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Insurance help!
I'd do what both AZhiker and catwoman7 said. I would ask customer service but if they tell you it's not covered, I'd do some more digging because I've gotten erroneous info from customer service many times. You should be able to find your specific benefit info on the BCBS website if you've created a personal account and you can read for yourself what it says about weight loss surgery. I might do that first, so that when you talk to customer service, you'll know what your written benefit info says. Good luck, hope it works out for you!
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Swollen glands below ear?
As others have said, I'd mention it to your doctor. I have rheumatoid arthritis and my parotid glands (which are pretty just below my ear) get inflamed pretty often. They'll be tender, warm to the touch, and a little swollen. It could be a perfectly normal reaction to the anesthesia/surgery but it would be good to let your doctor know.
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How do you Cope?
Exercise (walking and strength training) is a big help. Also music helps me a lot. I put music on, blast it loud if I want, sing and dance along, whatever I feel like. It helps. I know you said non-food related, but one thing that helps with cravings is this advice that I received: "Before you eat something bad, eat something good." What that meant was, before giving in to a craving to eat something totally off plan, have an on-plan snack and often the craving will lessen or go away. I've tried it and it's worked for me many times.
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Lovonox Reaction
Oh my. I have a clotting disorder as well and I'm on Lovenox for life since I've had clots while taking Coumadin and Xarelto. It sounds like you have developed an allergy to Lovenox itself or one of its components. Unless it could be something else, like the alcohol wipe you're using to clean the skin before you inject? In any case, not to scare you, but that's something you need to get checked out right away. An allergy can progress from giving you a rash to putting you into anaphylaxis. Not saying that's going to happen but it's a possibility. Hope you are able to get that figured out quickly! Lovenox bruises are bad enough, no one needs hives or welts on top of them!
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Fibromyalgia
Not Fibromyalgia, but I do have Rheumatoid Arthritis. While my weight loss didn't completely eliminate my flare -ups, I do notice less inflammation in my body generally. And to the extent that the weight loss has lessened the pressure on my joints, that's been helpful.
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Sleeved
Wow, congratulations! You look amazing. ☺️
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Super new to this group
I had the sleeve, not the bypass but I was discharged with a prescription for both a stool softener and a laxative. They told me that constipation is super common after weight loss surgery. I would check in with your surgeon's office. They can probably tell you what they recommend for you to take.
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I feel kind of disoriented in my new body...
Thanks, everyone. It's good to know I'm not the only one feeling this way. In any case, it's a good "problem" to have, LOL. ?
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I feel kind of disoriented in my new body...
You know how you incidentally touch yourself all the time without really thinking about it? As my body composition changes, I am feeling a bit disoriented because my body is so unfamiliar...for example: 1. When I lean my head on my hand (you know, elbow on the table, chin in hand), the shape of my face feels different - I can actually feel the point of my chin pressing into my hand. 2. I generally fall sleep lying on my left side with my right arm lying along the length of my right leg. Now, my leg feels different - the curve is more pronounced because my leg is smaller overall. Before the surface felt almost flat and now I can feel the curvature very definitely. 3. When I wash my face, my forehead feels very firm now that there is less fat under the skin. 4. As I continue to lose weight, my tummy, which used to be firm and packed with fat, is now soft and squishy as the fat dissolves. It's almost like a pillow that has had some of the stuffing taken out. 5. I have an over-the-shoulder-around-the-body style messenger bag and I can feel the bag pressing on my collar bone when it's heavy. That never happened before. 6. As my arms slim down, they hang closer to my sides. I find myself adopting an "elbows-in" posture more often, because my arms fit into the curve of my waist now. Then there's the visual disorientation...when I look in the mirror, I have a hard time internalizing that that is me. It's been decades since I was this thin...I don't know this body. Anyone else feel a little disoriented living in a new body?
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Surgery in my 20’s
I think it's a GREAT thing that you're having your surgery at a younger age than many of us. You'll be able to minimize the damage done to your body by being overweight and hopefully you'll have fewer issues with after-effects like loose skin than those of us who had surgery when we were older. You have your whole lifetime to enjoy the benefits of being healthier and slimmer. It may be more of a challenge to fit your new way of eating into your social life, etc. but I think the benefits will so far outweigh the challenges that you'll be super glad you did it. ?
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How many of you went from high blood sugar to low?
It's my understanding that hypoglycemia is pretty common in people with diabetes. Is it possible you are going too long between meals or snacks? Or overall not eating enough (especially since some of what you eat is lost to malabsorption)? Are you exercising a lot more? Were you taking meds for your diabetes and the dose needs to be reduced or eliminated? In any case, I'd report it to your doctors and have them help you sort it out. Severely low blood sugar is nothing to play with. Wishing you the best! ?