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momof3_angels

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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  1. Like
    momof3_angels got a reaction from ms.sss in 100 pounds down!   
    Yeah... I figure that is the case... but it still hurts nonethless... even though I rationally know he doesnt mean to be hurtful.

    Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

  2. Hugs
    momof3_angels got a reaction from ms.sss in 100 pounds down!   
    I will have to take a "now" and dig up a "then". Will try to do that this weekend.

    Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

  3. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from JRT Mom in 100 pounds down!   
    Oh my, I never in my dreams would have thought I would say that I have officially lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! But today, that is exactly what I have done!
    Starting weight 226.8. Today's weight 126.8, and I feel great! Solidly in a size 4. Love wearing tight fitting clothes and DRESSES! I haven't loved wearing dresses since I was in HS (despite the fact that I weighed under 135 until I was 23). Still need to lose some "calf" and still need to flatten my belly and tone my upper arms. But I love this weight. Wondering if I will be able to stay here, or will I put on the infamous 10 pounds.
    Only negative is my husband actually told me I look "sickly" a couple weeks ago. I never thought I went through that phase. Then this week he commented I look "skeletal". And I KNOW I don't. I have even asked a friend to be honest and tell me if I do look sickly or skeletal at all (since I am obviously not impartial). She says I look great, which made me feel better. When I let my husband know that his comments upset me, he does backpedal... but I cannot unhear those words. I really think he doesn't mean to be hurtful, but he does say things like that without thinking and it does hurt.
    Anyway... I officially stopped trying to lose weight a couple months ago. I hit my goal back in April and was happy there. It surprises me when I do drop pounds again. I guess I need to up my calories some more. I don't totally follow my diet anymore. I do eat limited sweets to satisfy cravings. But outside of that, I am not eating "bad". I haven't had anything to drink since July other than Water, Vitamin water zero, and occasional gatorade zero or Decaf and unsweetened herbal teas. I don't count my calories (have always been bad at that), but I do eat small portions and not too frequently. Most of the time I avoid any carbs. I mix my Protein source with veggies. I do best with my eating if the two are actually mixed together (for example, I cook ground beef with cabbage, onions, peppers, and tomatoes - my stomach loves things like that). I guess I just have to figure out what to add in, without developing bad habits again! When I DO add carbs, it is most often a little potato in whatever I cooked, or Beans (which is also protein so that one is usually pretty good). I "LOVE" pizza... so I do sometimes eat that, although most of the time I get one with a cauliflower crust. If I eat a real pizza, it has a very thin crust.
  4. Like
    momof3_angels reacted to Lily66 in 100 pounds down!   
    What an Amazing Victory! 100 lbs in 10 months is incredible! 🎉

    Congratulations and Enjoy the New You! 💃
  5. Like
    momof3_angels reacted to ms.sss in 100 pounds down!   
    Yay!!! Feel like sharing some Before and Afters an show off the happy bod??? lol
    Congratulations, regardless, you must bee feeling aaaaawwweeeesome. ❤️
  6. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from JRT Mom in 100 pounds down!   
    Oh my, I never in my dreams would have thought I would say that I have officially lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! But today, that is exactly what I have done!
    Starting weight 226.8. Today's weight 126.8, and I feel great! Solidly in a size 4. Love wearing tight fitting clothes and DRESSES! I haven't loved wearing dresses since I was in HS (despite the fact that I weighed under 135 until I was 23). Still need to lose some "calf" and still need to flatten my belly and tone my upper arms. But I love this weight. Wondering if I will be able to stay here, or will I put on the infamous 10 pounds.
    Only negative is my husband actually told me I look "sickly" a couple weeks ago. I never thought I went through that phase. Then this week he commented I look "skeletal". And I KNOW I don't. I have even asked a friend to be honest and tell me if I do look sickly or skeletal at all (since I am obviously not impartial). She says I look great, which made me feel better. When I let my husband know that his comments upset me, he does backpedal... but I cannot unhear those words. I really think he doesn't mean to be hurtful, but he does say things like that without thinking and it does hurt.
    Anyway... I officially stopped trying to lose weight a couple months ago. I hit my goal back in April and was happy there. It surprises me when I do drop pounds again. I guess I need to up my calories some more. I don't totally follow my diet anymore. I do eat limited sweets to satisfy cravings. But outside of that, I am not eating "bad". I haven't had anything to drink since July other than Water, Vitamin water zero, and occasional gatorade zero or Decaf and unsweetened herbal teas. I don't count my calories (have always been bad at that), but I do eat small portions and not too frequently. Most of the time I avoid any carbs. I mix my Protein source with veggies. I do best with my eating if the two are actually mixed together (for example, I cook ground beef with cabbage, onions, peppers, and tomatoes - my stomach loves things like that). I guess I just have to figure out what to add in, without developing bad habits again! When I DO add carbs, it is most often a little potato in whatever I cooked, or Beans (which is also protein so that one is usually pretty good). I "LOVE" pizza... so I do sometimes eat that, although most of the time I get one with a cauliflower crust. If I eat a real pizza, it has a very thin crust.
  7. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from JRT Mom in 100 pounds down!   
    Oh my, I never in my dreams would have thought I would say that I have officially lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! But today, that is exactly what I have done!
    Starting weight 226.8. Today's weight 126.8, and I feel great! Solidly in a size 4. Love wearing tight fitting clothes and DRESSES! I haven't loved wearing dresses since I was in HS (despite the fact that I weighed under 135 until I was 23). Still need to lose some "calf" and still need to flatten my belly and tone my upper arms. But I love this weight. Wondering if I will be able to stay here, or will I put on the infamous 10 pounds.
    Only negative is my husband actually told me I look "sickly" a couple weeks ago. I never thought I went through that phase. Then this week he commented I look "skeletal". And I KNOW I don't. I have even asked a friend to be honest and tell me if I do look sickly or skeletal at all (since I am obviously not impartial). She says I look great, which made me feel better. When I let my husband know that his comments upset me, he does backpedal... but I cannot unhear those words. I really think he doesn't mean to be hurtful, but he does say things like that without thinking and it does hurt.
    Anyway... I officially stopped trying to lose weight a couple months ago. I hit my goal back in April and was happy there. It surprises me when I do drop pounds again. I guess I need to up my calories some more. I don't totally follow my diet anymore. I do eat limited sweets to satisfy cravings. But outside of that, I am not eating "bad". I haven't had anything to drink since July other than Water, Vitamin water zero, and occasional gatorade zero or Decaf and unsweetened herbal teas. I don't count my calories (have always been bad at that), but I do eat small portions and not too frequently. Most of the time I avoid any carbs. I mix my Protein source with veggies. I do best with my eating if the two are actually mixed together (for example, I cook ground beef with cabbage, onions, peppers, and tomatoes - my stomach loves things like that). I guess I just have to figure out what to add in, without developing bad habits again! When I DO add carbs, it is most often a little potato in whatever I cooked, or Beans (which is also protein so that one is usually pretty good). I "LOVE" pizza... so I do sometimes eat that, although most of the time I get one with a cauliflower crust. If I eat a real pizza, it has a very thin crust.
  8. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from JRT Mom in 100 pounds down!   
    Oh my, I never in my dreams would have thought I would say that I have officially lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! But today, that is exactly what I have done!
    Starting weight 226.8. Today's weight 126.8, and I feel great! Solidly in a size 4. Love wearing tight fitting clothes and DRESSES! I haven't loved wearing dresses since I was in HS (despite the fact that I weighed under 135 until I was 23). Still need to lose some "calf" and still need to flatten my belly and tone my upper arms. But I love this weight. Wondering if I will be able to stay here, or will I put on the infamous 10 pounds.
    Only negative is my husband actually told me I look "sickly" a couple weeks ago. I never thought I went through that phase. Then this week he commented I look "skeletal". And I KNOW I don't. I have even asked a friend to be honest and tell me if I do look sickly or skeletal at all (since I am obviously not impartial). She says I look great, which made me feel better. When I let my husband know that his comments upset me, he does backpedal... but I cannot unhear those words. I really think he doesn't mean to be hurtful, but he does say things like that without thinking and it does hurt.
    Anyway... I officially stopped trying to lose weight a couple months ago. I hit my goal back in April and was happy there. It surprises me when I do drop pounds again. I guess I need to up my calories some more. I don't totally follow my diet anymore. I do eat limited sweets to satisfy cravings. But outside of that, I am not eating "bad". I haven't had anything to drink since July other than Water, Vitamin water zero, and occasional gatorade zero or Decaf and unsweetened herbal teas. I don't count my calories (have always been bad at that), but I do eat small portions and not too frequently. Most of the time I avoid any carbs. I mix my Protein source with veggies. I do best with my eating if the two are actually mixed together (for example, I cook ground beef with cabbage, onions, peppers, and tomatoes - my stomach loves things like that). I guess I just have to figure out what to add in, without developing bad habits again! When I DO add carbs, it is most often a little potato in whatever I cooked, or Beans (which is also protein so that one is usually pretty good). I "LOVE" pizza... so I do sometimes eat that, although most of the time I get one with a cauliflower crust. If I eat a real pizza, it has a very thin crust.
  9. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from JRT Mom in 100 pounds down!   
    Oh my, I never in my dreams would have thought I would say that I have officially lost ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! But today, that is exactly what I have done!
    Starting weight 226.8. Today's weight 126.8, and I feel great! Solidly in a size 4. Love wearing tight fitting clothes and DRESSES! I haven't loved wearing dresses since I was in HS (despite the fact that I weighed under 135 until I was 23). Still need to lose some "calf" and still need to flatten my belly and tone my upper arms. But I love this weight. Wondering if I will be able to stay here, or will I put on the infamous 10 pounds.
    Only negative is my husband actually told me I look "sickly" a couple weeks ago. I never thought I went through that phase. Then this week he commented I look "skeletal". And I KNOW I don't. I have even asked a friend to be honest and tell me if I do look sickly or skeletal at all (since I am obviously not impartial). She says I look great, which made me feel better. When I let my husband know that his comments upset me, he does backpedal... but I cannot unhear those words. I really think he doesn't mean to be hurtful, but he does say things like that without thinking and it does hurt.
    Anyway... I officially stopped trying to lose weight a couple months ago. I hit my goal back in April and was happy there. It surprises me when I do drop pounds again. I guess I need to up my calories some more. I don't totally follow my diet anymore. I do eat limited sweets to satisfy cravings. But outside of that, I am not eating "bad". I haven't had anything to drink since July other than Water, Vitamin water zero, and occasional gatorade zero or Decaf and unsweetened herbal teas. I don't count my calories (have always been bad at that), but I do eat small portions and not too frequently. Most of the time I avoid any carbs. I mix my Protein source with veggies. I do best with my eating if the two are actually mixed together (for example, I cook ground beef with cabbage, onions, peppers, and tomatoes - my stomach loves things like that). I guess I just have to figure out what to add in, without developing bad habits again! When I DO add carbs, it is most often a little potato in whatever I cooked, or Beans (which is also protein so that one is usually pretty good). I "LOVE" pizza... so I do sometimes eat that, although most of the time I get one with a cauliflower crust. If I eat a real pizza, it has a very thin crust.
  10. Like
    momof3_angels reacted to AZhiker in Do you see yourself as thin yet?   
    That was me, too. I always saw myself as overweight, but not really obese. Now when I look at old photos I am mortified at how fat I really was. Now it is hard to envision myself as anything but large. I went from a 24 jeans to a 10, and am very comfortable with that. I did save some old jeans and it is really pretty horrifying to think that I could now fit TWO of me into that pair! What has helped reframe my new size is looking at other people at work who wear the same sized scrubs as I do. I used to wear 2XX and now wear small. It has helped to see other people who wear smalls, also, to realize that my size is the same as theirs. It still seems surreal at times, but the small scrubs don't lie. I really am that size. This daily reinforcement has been a positive reality check for me.
  11. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from ksgypsy in Went from greatest NSV to crushing blow in 1 hour   
    Last update: Urologist confirmed, it was nasty scarring! No need for follow up with Urology... however I do need to take steps to protect the remainder of my kidney. The scar/damage area is huge (golfball), the kidney has definitely atrophied... but otherwise the rest of the kidney is in good health. Need to keep it that way. My biggest challenge will be preventing UTI's. I need to stop doing some of the stuff I was originally taught my entire life to do to prevent them. No cranberry. Have a lit of foods to avoid. I instead will be adding D-Mannose supplements which I had never heard of before lol. It doesn't prevent or fight the bacteria... but instead makes the lining of the bladder "slippery" so the bacteria can't stick to it. Interesting. Learn something new every day. Once again, I had no symptoms, but my urinalysis showed an infection so I am on antibiotics again. Have to see my PCP to recheck my urine. I swear, I always have a UTI. And I rarely have symptoms. So, keeping UTI free will be challenging!
  12. Like
    momof3_angels got a reaction from ChubRub in Does Food Still Bring You Joy? a newbie wants to know.   
    It is definitely different. With surgery, we all learn to change our relatiinship with food, to varying degrees. My life definitely revolves around food VERY differently. Eating can be a bit more of a chore in many ways. And I dont mean that in a bad way. Just that it takes more thought and effort to stay on track. But I DO enjoy food. Not all the time. Not in the dame ways as before. But when I find that something special to eat, it is still wonderful. And food in social situations is still important, while a little more challenging, especially in the early months. In maintenance, I can eat and enjoy most Protein and veggie foods. Carbs can be tricky. I love salty Snacks. I can eat some sweets with no problem. I just moderate what I need to moderate. And in social situations I look for the best options. I would say the hardest part for me is work meals where the menu is set. I do have to plan ahead. I ask what will be served, and I plan what I can eat ahead of time. I did skip one work holiday dinner because nothing on the menu would work for me... but most of the time I can figure it out. For pot lucks I bring something I know I can eat, in case there isnt anything else I can eat. Usually I do find a few goodies to enjoy.

    Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app


  13. Like
    momof3_angels got a reaction from ChubRub in Does Food Still Bring You Joy? a newbie wants to know.   
    It is definitely different. With surgery, we all learn to change our relatiinship with food, to varying degrees. My life definitely revolves around food VERY differently. Eating can be a bit more of a chore in many ways. And I dont mean that in a bad way. Just that it takes more thought and effort to stay on track. But I DO enjoy food. Not all the time. Not in the dame ways as before. But when I find that something special to eat, it is still wonderful. And food in social situations is still important, while a little more challenging, especially in the early months. In maintenance, I can eat and enjoy most Protein and veggie foods. Carbs can be tricky. I love salty Snacks. I can eat some sweets with no problem. I just moderate what I need to moderate. And in social situations I look for the best options. I would say the hardest part for me is work meals where the menu is set. I do have to plan ahead. I ask what will be served, and I plan what I can eat ahead of time. I did skip one work holiday dinner because nothing on the menu would work for me... but most of the time I can figure it out. For pot lucks I bring something I know I can eat, in case there isnt anything else I can eat. Usually I do find a few goodies to enjoy.

    Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app


  14. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from Lily66 in My biggest struggle post op and now into maintenance   
    Is figuring out what I want to eat! And making the right amounts. When shopping at the grocery store, there is just so much that I see and shouldn't eat. Most of the time I am fine skipping things that I shouldn't have, but struggle to find things that inspire/excite me. Most of what I see in the grocery store is, EH! And I move on. Then there is the issue that I really don't like to cook, and I like cleaning up after I cook even less. So, I tend to want quick/easy and then when I DO cook, I try to make enough for multiple meals. And when I do that, I either end up making more than I can eat (or get sick of before it is gone) and waste... OR... it is something good enough that my husband or kids eat too much and leave me with not enough. The struggle is real!

    Oh... and lately I have had a bad sweet tooth! Now, most of the time, I could go weeks/months without sweets. That is NOT what made me gain weight. But recently I "NEED" sweets more than ever before! I am not too worried, these phases have happened in the past and they don't usually last very long... but this one seems to be lasting a little longer. I am allowing myself to eat limited sweets. What I really love is my grocery stores strawberry shortcake and ice cream sandwiches. I have to be careful though because I keep wanting more. Again, these phases usually don't last too long for me, but this one has been going on too long for my comfort already. A couple days ago I decided I am going to continue to allow myself something sweet, but I finally switched it to oatmeal cranberry and walnut Cookies. I only eat one at a time, and no more than 2 in a day. That seems to be helping meet the sweet need while having at least a LITTLE nutrition in it. And I am finding I am full (or should I say satisfied) faster with them and I think the sweet phase if finally passing with them. Keep your fingers crossed! And I will add... the days I have fought the need for sweets... I ended up eating way more than I should of other stuff. So this seems to be working better for me. My weight has been very stable for many weeks now despite it... my low weight is 131.8 and I fluctuate between that and 135.5. I am happy with that.
  15. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from Lily66 in My biggest struggle post op and now into maintenance   
    Haha... thanks! I don't know... I am finally back in what I consider my real body. When I was obese, that was the nightmare for me. Couldn't for the longest time figure out WHY I suddenly gained so much weight, or how to regain control of my weight and health. We now think sleep apnea was my trigger. Took care of that, and bariatric surgery to reset my weight... and the great health is following.
  16. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from Lily66 in My biggest struggle post op and now into maintenance   
    Is figuring out what I want to eat! And making the right amounts. When shopping at the grocery store, there is just so much that I see and shouldn't eat. Most of the time I am fine skipping things that I shouldn't have, but struggle to find things that inspire/excite me. Most of what I see in the grocery store is, EH! And I move on. Then there is the issue that I really don't like to cook, and I like cleaning up after I cook even less. So, I tend to want quick/easy and then when I DO cook, I try to make enough for multiple meals. And when I do that, I either end up making more than I can eat (or get sick of before it is gone) and waste... OR... it is something good enough that my husband or kids eat too much and leave me with not enough. The struggle is real!

    Oh... and lately I have had a bad sweet tooth! Now, most of the time, I could go weeks/months without sweets. That is NOT what made me gain weight. But recently I "NEED" sweets more than ever before! I am not too worried, these phases have happened in the past and they don't usually last very long... but this one seems to be lasting a little longer. I am allowing myself to eat limited sweets. What I really love is my grocery stores strawberry shortcake and ice cream sandwiches. I have to be careful though because I keep wanting more. Again, these phases usually don't last too long for me, but this one has been going on too long for my comfort already. A couple days ago I decided I am going to continue to allow myself something sweet, but I finally switched it to oatmeal cranberry and walnut Cookies. I only eat one at a time, and no more than 2 in a day. That seems to be helping meet the sweet need while having at least a LITTLE nutrition in it. And I am finding I am full (or should I say satisfied) faster with them and I think the sweet phase if finally passing with them. Keep your fingers crossed! And I will add... the days I have fought the need for sweets... I ended up eating way more than I should of other stuff. So this seems to be working better for me. My weight has been very stable for many weeks now despite it... my low weight is 131.8 and I fluctuate between that and 135.5. I am happy with that.
  17. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from Lily66 in My biggest struggle post op and now into maintenance   
    Is figuring out what I want to eat! And making the right amounts. When shopping at the grocery store, there is just so much that I see and shouldn't eat. Most of the time I am fine skipping things that I shouldn't have, but struggle to find things that inspire/excite me. Most of what I see in the grocery store is, EH! And I move on. Then there is the issue that I really don't like to cook, and I like cleaning up after I cook even less. So, I tend to want quick/easy and then when I DO cook, I try to make enough for multiple meals. And when I do that, I either end up making more than I can eat (or get sick of before it is gone) and waste... OR... it is something good enough that my husband or kids eat too much and leave me with not enough. The struggle is real!

    Oh... and lately I have had a bad sweet tooth! Now, most of the time, I could go weeks/months without sweets. That is NOT what made me gain weight. But recently I "NEED" sweets more than ever before! I am not too worried, these phases have happened in the past and they don't usually last very long... but this one seems to be lasting a little longer. I am allowing myself to eat limited sweets. What I really love is my grocery stores strawberry shortcake and ice cream sandwiches. I have to be careful though because I keep wanting more. Again, these phases usually don't last too long for me, but this one has been going on too long for my comfort already. A couple days ago I decided I am going to continue to allow myself something sweet, but I finally switched it to oatmeal cranberry and walnut Cookies. I only eat one at a time, and no more than 2 in a day. That seems to be helping meet the sweet need while having at least a LITTLE nutrition in it. And I am finding I am full (or should I say satisfied) faster with them and I think the sweet phase if finally passing with them. Keep your fingers crossed! And I will add... the days I have fought the need for sweets... I ended up eating way more than I should of other stuff. So this seems to be working better for me. My weight has been very stable for many weeks now despite it... my low weight is 131.8 and I fluctuate between that and 135.5. I am happy with that.
  18. Like
    momof3_angels reacted to JRT Mom in Today's major NSV   
    Hey, if you make it to the AT let me know--I can be a Trail Angel for you while you are in Virginia!
  19. Congrats!
    momof3_angels reacted to Riva_G. in Obese? Not me!!!!!   
    I’m no longer obese!!!! I have been obese since I’m 5 years old. This is an amazing accomplishment for me. I never thought I’d get to this point. I can go shopping in whichever store I fancy. My last shopping trip EVERY item I took into the dressing room FIT! I had to get out of there fast. I came home and balled my eyes out... it’s crazy!!!! I am so thankful for this... I can’t explain the emotion going on inside me so I won’t try, all I’m going to say is, if anyone out there is considering surgery but is scared, PLEASE do this for yourself! I promise it will be the best decision you’ll ever make!
  20. Like
    momof3_angels got a reaction from ajb1029 in Mild sleep apnea [emoji19]   
    If you have sleep apnea, it could contribute to your non-successful weight loss attempts. If you use a CPAP as prescribed, you will likely be more likely to reach your goals. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea just over a year ago, although mine is more towards the severe end. The new machines are more compact and much quieter. There are many different style's of masks. I though I would never adjust to a CPAP, but it really didn't take very long. I did force myself to be compliant in the first couple months. Now, just over a year later, I have had my surgery, I have lost ALL my excess weight. And I sleep MUCH better. And more than that? My health problems have almost completely resolved. Including my heart that had been enlarging. If the doc wants you to use a CPAP, do yourself a favor and give it an honest try. Your body will thank you.
  21. Like
    momof3_angels got a reaction from ajb1029 in Mild sleep apnea [emoji19]   
    By the way, the way insurance works usually for CPAP... you initially "rent" it and then after so much time (6 months or a year) you own it. Insurance paid for most of mine, I did have an $11/month co-pay. So if your sleep apnea DOES go away quickly after surgery, you may not have "bought" the machine yet.

  22. Hugs
    momof3_angels got a reaction from RainbowBrite57 in Went from greatest NSV to crushing blow in 1 hour   
    I swear... my saga never ends. Got the good news about my kidney. Then I got the latest blood results back. My labs were WONDERFUL. Except for my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level. It was high enough to order more tests to see what was going on, and to see if I had Hashimoto Disease (and another autoimmune but can't remember what). Seriously? My TSH has NEVER been high before. And the rest of my labs were so perfect I would have thought that they ran someone else's blood instead of mine... except that bilirubin level was still high (but not quite as high). So... back to the lab again. More calls with my nurse practitioner. Turns out my newer thyroid related tests were all fine. WHEW! Another close call. So... bilirubin still high (may never know why), but my liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, stomach, intestines (the parts they could see), Right kidney, and my thyroid are all in good shape. Nasty scarring on my left kidney, but otherwise fine. My EKG is back to normal. No UTI after my last round of antibiotics. Oh... skin checks are usually normal too (had 2 cancerous lesions removed but not the bad kind). Knee seems to be doing better after an injury. I do have some mild osteopenia. I guess that just leaves my lungs that haven't been checked out recently? Hmmm... wonder when I will have a bad asthma flareup... seems like that will be next LMAO. Oh.... and my brain hasn't been checked, but I did pass my psych eval well enough to qualify for surgery, so I guess that is good. But really... what is next? LMAO Grateful everything is good news, but boy am I sick of doctors visits! I need to reschedule my dermatologist 6 month check, and my eye exam, then I have my nutritionist and surgeon nurse practitioner visit in the next 2 months back to my FNP and cardiologist in the fall... but after that I would really love to have yearly visits only! And to fire a couple docs!
  23. Like
    momof3_angels got a reaction from Miss215 in PLEASE HELP educate the skeptic in me. Doesn't starving equal eventual weight gain?   
    You really should have a long talk with a bariatric surgeon and nutritionist. But let me see if I can help. I will use gastric sleeve for explanations, since that is the surgery I have. This can also be applied to gastric bypass, but please know there is a lot more involved with a bypass than sleeve. I personally don't recommend lap band.
    Before you get weight loss surgery, you need to consult a physician and a nutritionist. You usually have a requirement of 6 months of nutrition counseling. During this time, the nutritionist prepares you for your post op diet. They start off giving you education on what you need to eat NOW. What you need to eat in your pre-surgery phase. And what to eat post op. A good program will have you continue nutrition counseling for AT LEAST a year post op, in which they will coach you through the stages of your post-op diet through until you reach maintenance stage where you are just maintaining your weight.
    During the pre-op period, you are also seeing specialists and getting testing for any problems that they may need to know about before your surgery. This includes a psych evaluation usually. And if you do have psych related issues driving you to eat too much, you should take this opportunity to deal with them. Many bariatric patients need counseling. Some need medications like anti-depressants or other psych medications. And some like me gained weight for other reasons (physical barriers). You will likely at least get an EKG if not a complete cardiac workup. You may need a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea like so many obese people do. If so, you will get treated for it. They will look for how you swallow, do you have a hernia in the stomach, and other issues affecting your surgery. Once you have jumped through the hoops and are treated for anything you need to be treated for... then you will be cleared for surgery (and no... ongoing counseling does not mean surgery will be delayed).
    With gastric sleeve, they remove 80% of your stomach, therefore for it immediately restricts how much food you eat. It also resets your metabolism and your hunger/full hormones. In the short term, yes your calories will be VERY restricted. But because you are seeing a nutritionist, they will help you know what to eat during each stage for optimal health. Water and Protein first. Then healthy veggies. And you will learn to either not eat unhealthy carbs or eat very limited unhealthy carbs. It will be up to you to follow the recommended diet and stick with it. If you do follow directions, you will learn to eat frequent small but healthy meals every day. And over time, once you are closer to maintenance, you will start to eat larger portions, but sticking to healthy meals. Your nutritionist will guide you to ensure you do not go into starvation mode and that you eat a healthy amount of calories to maintain your weight. Most people do lose a little more than they need to early on... but then gain 20 pounds back and then maintain your weight there. The key is to stick to the recommended diet so that you don't KEEP gaining.
    You will also get blood work done every 3 months or so and have follow up appointments with your surgeon's office for at least a year. So, with the surgeon and nutritionist, you will be closely monitored. They will make sure you don't end up with Vitamin deficiencies or other problems related to rapid weight loss. You will take daily Vitamins and Calcium as recommended. Your diet will be high in protein and low in carbs and fats. (So not really Keto... but many do Keto post op). The carbs and fats you eat will be healthy carbs and fats if you stick to your diet. But this isn't a "diet" per-say... it is a lifestyle change. You are re-learning how to eat healthy. You are re-learning how to eat small to normal portions. And if you stick with it under nutritionist supervision, you will NOT go into starvation mode and you will not gain the weight back.
    Problem with all the fad diets is that there is no long term (psych) counseling, nutritional counseling, medical follow up. Most people eventually go back to their old ways. And gain everything back. If you are following the program with the bariatric team, they will help you prevent going back to your old ways. But seriously... only you can decide how successful you will be, based on your willingness to follow through. Again... if you need to, get counseling. See your surgeon and nutritionist regularly and follow their guidance. If you need CPAP for sleep apnea, wear it. If you need other medications, take them. Etc.
    I am 2 days shy of 6 months. I am at a NORMAL body weight. I am 6 pounds from my personal ideal body weight. I am following the recommendations of my team. And I can now eat double what I could 3 months post op and still maintain my weight and I am still losing a pound here and there.
    Again...talk to your bariatric team for better information, but bariatric surgery is a TOOL for weight loss. It is only successful if you follow your program. But it is also the best tool out there to reach your goals if you have dieted and failed in the past. But if you follow your program, they will give you additional tools to make you successful (nutrition and psych counseling are two of your best weapons... use them!)
  24. Haha
    momof3_angels got a reaction from Arabesque in Today's major NSV   
    Oh... and I thought I was down to my "normal" skinny clothing size, so I had bought a bunch of clothes mostly 8's and some 6's. Mostly medium tops but some smalls. This is what I wore before kids, and after kids when I lost all my baby weight and was comfortably skinny. This month I have come to realize that most of my clothing is too big! I just bought new workout clothing. All size smalls. I bought some new pants, skirts, skorts, and shorts... all smalls or SIZE FOUR! I bought new scrubs... X-SMALL! This was shocking! I really hope I am done shrinking now... I like size 4 well enough, but I can NOT go below that! I will continue wearing my tops for now, but I had to replace my bottoms because they were starting to fall off lol.
  25. Congrats!
    momof3_angels got a reaction from Arabesque in Today's major NSV   
    I climbed a mountain. No seriously, I CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN! I stopped doing uphill hikes MANY years ago because my tachycardia was so bad it made me short of breath to the point I had to rest every 20 feet. Today? I hiked for 14.2 miles. I took the shorter but steeper path up, and the longer but less steep way down. I climbed 3989 ft. I reached the summit of our local mountain. It was amazing. And for most of the uphill, I was able to stop at normal people intervals. And only 4 people passed me (one at the beginning, one in the middle, and a couple at the end. I did stop more frequently when was getting closer to the summit, but I really don't think it was moreso than the average exhausted hiker. My HR WAS quite high during all the incline, but my breathing was still controlled. And this is WITHOUT my tachycardia medication which I had to stop several months ago because my BP was getting too low. Needless to say, this is a major victory.

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