Arabesque
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Everything posted by Arabesque
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work after surgery
Arabesque replied to AnnaBanana333's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
A friend went back after a week without issues but I went back after 3 weeks & I struggled at a desk job. My blood pressure was ridiculously low & besides all the dizziness I was exhausted. I agree with reducing your hours &/or the number of days to start & see how you go. If you have the leave available to you make use of it especially if you’re on your feet all day. Remember everyone heals differently. All the best for your surgery. -
It’s seeing my small portion on a large (normal sized) dinner plate that gets to me. When at my home I eat from side plates & tapas dishes but when I visit friends or family my small serve looks ridiculous on a dinner plate. It’s like a plate at the end of a meal not the start. The reverse happens too. Last night I ordered a small piece of fish & a half serve of vegetables at a local pub. OMG the size of the meal was horrifying. The food was almost falling off the plate. I felt sick just looking at it. Could have easily shared it with 10 WLS buddies & we all would have been full.
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So sad I can’t gulp anymore. It’s why I have trouble getting my fluids in. I was always a gulper & a glogger, downing big glasses of water in one go. Now If I take a single mouthful or anymore than two sips at once I feel the tightness. Waaah
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Today I said I’m an XS or size 8 (Aust) at a clothing store. I never thought I’d say those words and say them with confidence. And when I commented a dress was too big on me I was told it was the smallest size. As was the belt I wanted.
I tried on a slim fitting singlet dress yesterday & was shocked to realise the lumpy bits on the dress were my hip bones. I have an hour glass shape so I always had hips but never ones that stuck out on the front of my body!
I’ve been a size 10 before - for about 5 minutes. While I am now confident about saying I’m an 8, clothes shopping is all still a bit freaky for me. It’s not that I’m focussed on the size on the label. I’m well aware the cut/line of the clothes and the designer’s style will dictate what size I need or if it will suit my body shape. The size is the starting point & it’s starting at an 8/XS/38 which is a big mind set change. It’s thinking a pair of pants will be too small & discovering they are almost too big.
While I’m still coming to terms with my actual new body shape and size, I’m very happy to be in this new reality.
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This morning I had an abdominal ultra sound because apparently my cholesterol keeps rising.
I don’t get it. My cholesterol was always fine & now when I eat less of everything & have lost weight it starts to go up.
My intake of fats & oils has decreased (not that I was a big fried food person before anyway) & not just because I eat way less. Always cut the fat of meats, still don’t eat bacon, use spray olive oil instead of regular oil. Even the tub of butter in my fridge has been there since before May. Lol.I just don’t get it? Is it because I don’t eat anywhere near the amount of vegetables I ate before? It surely can’t be because I eat a piece of cheese every day which I didn’t before? Are all my hormones screwed up?
Sigh!-
Cholesterol seems to be odd that way. I've got a suuuuper skinny brother-in-law who has sky high cholesterol. So don't let the whole "overweight" thing fool you. They seem to find it in people who have the genetic predispositions for it nowadays it seems. Our bodies are really still a mystery of how they react to certain changes. Just keep at it and keep talking to your doctor. Who knows, you could be a medical mystery?!? Embrace the challenge.
Think of it this way, you now have an excuse to try ostrich meat! http://safariostrich.co.za/2016/06/ostrich-meat-benefits/
PS. Gah hormones!
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My dietician thinks it may be the regulatory hormones too & that my liver & gall could be having a freak out from the weight loss. It may be causing my low BP too. Hopefully the abdominal ultra sound will show something when I get the results.
My maternal grandmother had issues which developed in her 70s but she’s the only one. No heart probs, no cholesterol worries in any one else (incl 13 aunts & uncles & my parents) - cancer seems to be our worry - sad face. And they still live into the 80s & 90s.
Just strange that for 53 yrs my levels have been normal & 6months of weight loss & it’s now high.
Don’t know about eating ostrich though that could just be burying my head in the sand - tee hee hee. -
PS - My menopausal symptoms are still MRI. Even with a 42.5 degree day (108F) last Friday not a twinge of a hot flush. Best non scale victory ever. Guess you win some hormonal battles but lose others.
PPS - Wrapping Christmas presents with air con cranked up today even though it’s only 33C. Ho ho ho
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I was surprised originally by the oatmeal when it was on my Dr’s post surgical meal plan but it said to make it on milk (if tolerated) which adds extra protein. I guess because you can only eat a couple of teaspoonfuls at a time and the fibre helps with the bms it was allowed on my plan. It still takes me four days to eat a a bowl using a sachet lol.
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Foods you can no longer tolerate
Arabesque replied to MrsRobinson4411's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Stay away from the pasta, bread, rice & other carbohydrate heavy foods. They fill up your tiny tummy, often swell more and you won’t get in any of your necessary nutrient rich food. It’s possibly why you’re vomiting. The number one rule is get your protein in first. Six months out and at goal, I struggle to eat half to 3/4 cup of food at a time on a good day and that’s my required protein & a small amount of vegetables. Developing a lactose intolerance is common for many post surgery. I’ve been the reverse & my insensitivity has reduced. -
Think of it as what soft foods you’d feed a baby. Mince, eggs, oatmeal, mushed tinned fish, stewed meats. Thin out with small amounts of salt reduced stocks, watered down gravies, ... Take it easy. What works for some may not work for you. You’ll be on solid foods before you know it.
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I bought one ($10 from Kmart) which is rope like with handles and a door attachment thingy. (I like it better than the flat strip ones you wrap around your hands which I used to use at Yoga.) I don’t like the whole gym thing so I thought I’d try the bands instead. They’re great for toning but i think if you want to build muscle weights are the way to go. I’ve noticed some toning in my biceps after a couple of weeks which is what I wanted. I just put together my own routine after watching a few you tube videos. Good luck.
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Clogged/Plugged ears?
Arabesque replied to Samteer's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I’ve always related my blocked ears to when my blood pressure would drop. I’ve had instances over years before my surgery but since my surgery in May my BP is low all the time & I have had blocked ears many, many times. I can’t pop them (yawning, drinking, chewing,...don't work). I just have to wait for it to pass. Interested to hear how common this is. My GP got me to have a brain scan to make sure there was nothing sinister this week but all good. Thank gracious. Hair loss is very common. Mine’s been falling out for 4 months now & I’ve lost almost 50%. Very sad. There are lots of posts about this with suggestions on how to lessen the impact but nothing’s slowed mine yet. My surgeon warned me it would happen. In his words: ‘You’re body has better things to do with the reduced nutrients you take in on your new diet than grow hair.’ He wasn’t wrong. My surgeon & dietician told me I’d have to take multi vitamins for the rest of my life. I have blood tests every 3 months for my Bariatric team & my GP has had me get one in between. They’re tracking & monitoring even slight changes. I’m sorry your GP is not being supportive of your journey. They are your primary care giver & someone who you should be able to trust & depend upon for your health & well being. -
Even during transition, get a supportive, well fitting bra. Sports bras will work but get fitted. You don’t want to add to the saggy baggy boobs by wearing loose bras too. Only buy a couple (one you’re wearing & one in the wash) and look out for sales & special deals. After suffering back pain from my too large & non supportive bras, I splurged on some new (though pricey) much prettier underwear. Made me feel & look better & no more back pain. Just had to buy another lot of new underwear in a smaller size. I’ve gone from 18F to 14F to 10 FF/G. Hopefully that should be it now. Donated my too big bras to St Vinnies.
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So glad I’m not the only one hearing these types of comments. Today she told me I walk differently. What the ... I’ve always walked with purpose - I’ve never been a stroller. But then soles of my feet don’t ache as much either when I wear heels now. I’m just about passed the haggard face look. Six weeks ago my chicky babe girlfriends asked if I was really ok & if I was getting in all my nutrients because I looked so drawn but they think I’m looking much better now. Plus I think all the collagen, silica & RF treatments are starting to show results. Whoo hoo. I too was always told I look years younger than my 54 yrs & while I think I look more my age I still look like the youngest in my family & not the eldest. Recently a 20yr old asked how was I going through menopause. I said well because I’m in my fifties. She gasped & said she thought I was in my early 40s. Yay! Still winning! Yeah saggy, deflated boobies are not attractive but good supportive underwear get them back up to where theY should be.
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Light headedness, vision going black, blocked ears (like going up a mountain range), dull headedness... all day every day. Always had a tendency towards low blood pressure & even at my highest weight my blood pressure never went above 120 over 80. Now it’s never above 85 over 65. GP put me on a low pressure medication which seemed to take the edge of the events but after a couple of weeks it was as bad as ever. So off the meds, more blood tests & head scan. All good thank goodness but still no answers. GP & bari Dr want me to have abdomen scan now. Low BP is just as dangerous as high - strokes, organ damage - so keep following up with your Drs. I just want an answer & a solution but am very glad I’m not the only one suffering from this.
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Well yesterday I went bra shopping. Again. I could put pleats in the cups of the new ones I’d bought just three months ago so it was back to the department store. Foolishly I wore a dress so spent an hour in the fitting room wearing only my knickers as two fitters (yes it took two of them) ran back & forth with different bras to try. Those full length mirrors & fluorescent lights are super unflattering on the loose skin. Yikes!
Of course I’m between cup sizes & deflated at the top so only two of the most expensive brands around would fit me. At least a couple I bought were on sale. Sigh.
So I’ve gone from a 18F to a 14F to now a 10FF/G. At least I’m in two hook bras again and not the clumsy three & four hook ones. They are soooo much prettier (all lacy & fine mesh - ooh la la).
I really need to buy new knickers too - those old size 16 boy legs are like loose legged shorts now - but I’m just not sure what size. Plus after buying the new bras I can’t afford to buy knickers yet lol!
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Going out to eat...
Arabesque replied to karlee0206's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Don’t worry the salad was just for show. I already had them remove the chips and fish would have looked ridiculous on their huge plates. 😜 Plus I was with people who don’t know I had the surgery & I didn’t want to deal with the strange looks. I’m at 6.5mths & the only salad I have is the odd slice of cucumber. -
Going out to eat...
Arabesque replied to karlee0206's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
First time was at four weeks - marked my first solid ‘real’ food & my cousin’s 40th. Had a small white fish croquette - about two bites. I also choose seafood options like fish, prawns, scallops & calamari & only entrees (American appetisers). I find I struggle when I go out - I subconsciously tense up - and never finish the meal. Had grilled fish & salad the other day but they over cooked the snapper making it dry with sharp, scratchy edges. Had trouble eating it & gave up after a couple of bites. Very sad... & it cost me $30. -
Avoid the coconut milk. High fat, high calories & lower protein & more carbs than cow’s milk. Not worth it during your weight loss stage. My niece started drinking and cooking with coconut milk because of it’s heavily promoted ‘healthy’ benefits. She put on weight and her skin broke out in terrible acne. Stopped using it & her skin cleared up & she lost weight. Personally I hate the taste of it. I had it once & found it way too rich & caused me many issues with my sensitive digestion. Lot’s of other milk alternatives if you don’t want to use cow’s milk.
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Best Non-invasive TX for Wrinkles/Lines on Face & Neck
Arabesque replied to simplyamyj's topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
I’m doing RF therapy as well. I don’t want to go down the route of face lifts, Botox or fillers - I don’t like that strained look people get but that’s my personal opinion no offence to those who go down that path. I can see some improvement with the RF but it’s a long process with follow-up maintenance after the intensive weekly program. It’s supposed to stimulate collagen but takes a couple of months for that to kick in. A friend tried skin needling which is supposed to stimulate collagen as well. She says she can’t see any difference though I think her fine lines have reduced. -
I feel like I have mono- 3 weeks PO
Arabesque replied to Unclechaz's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Congrats on your surgery. Hydralyte is very helpful. Had to dilute it as I found it too sweet but I carried a bottle everywhere I went. Also found it easier to drink than water. This to will pass. Every week that passes you’ll feel stronger and your energy levels will increase. -
Not that I’m complaining, but I haven’t had a hot flush since I had my surgery back in May. I may have had a slight twinge a couple of weeks ago but this is Queensland and the heat is on (sorry to all you freezing in the northern hemisphere) so it could just have been the 37degrees C temp. Have any of my menopausal sisters experienced this? I know I’ve lost all the eostrogen that was stored in my fat but could it also be that I’ve passed that stage of life? Or is my HRT just working extremely well now? Told my girlfriends of this change last weekend. Got called a few names as they were fanning themselves & turning the air conditioning to arctic temps. 😆
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I’m now thinking this loss of menopausal symptoms may be a NSV. 😜 I experienced a couple of random hot flashes (felt like my face was burning but the rest of me was fine) while still having my periods in my late 40s too ms.sss. So yes I think you may be perimenopausal. Then I suddenly stopped having periods when I hit 50 - well one after 4 months then another break, then nothing since. Was a bit annoying not knowing when or if they would start again. I found I also started to get ‘feisty’. Then one day I told my boss off and not over anything major. I made an appointment with my GP that afternoon & she put me on HRT. (Thank goodness my boss was pretty easy going & this was such an anomaly in my behaviour he let it pass. Though it was funny the next day when I apologised and he very nervously asked if I was ok & if there was anything he could do.) Oh and feeling the cold now. Hell yeah! I can’t stand walking down the frozen & refrigerated aisles at the supermarket anymore. It’s like a physical pain. I need thermals just to buy some milk. PS - Don’t want to scare anyone but my mum is almost 80 & if she goes off her HRT, her hot flashes return & her emotions are all over the place. I hope you don’t continue like this JRT mom.
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Back Spasms Post Op Sleeve Surgery 10 months
Arabesque replied to DJTonyG's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I’m presuming you recently had your surgery. My back went into spasm on day two post surgery. The doctor said I was holding a lot of tension in my body because of the pain I was experiencing when swallowing especially my medication. Even after the swelling which caused the pain reduced, I was still expecting to have pain when swallowing tablets and this stress caused my back to ache again though not as severely. I had to consciously relax when taking tablets and the back pain disappeared. You may be holding stress in your body too. If it continues, speak to your medical team to be sure all is ok. Don’t forget you are drinking more now and likely more than you did before hence the more frequent bathroom visits. I always go more often at night because I get very busy at work and don’t go as often as I should so I make up for it at night lol. -
Summer was always worse because my general body temp was higher. Fingers crossed I’ve seen the end too. Also the dry skin on my arms, legs & feet is almost gone as are the little pimples on my arms. I used to exfoliate and slather on the moisturiser but still scratched my legs til I had bruises. Yippee!
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Batch cooking has been my saviour for work lunches. Sunday is cooking day. I make savoury mince, meat balls, bolognese, marinated chicken strips, diced pork loin, chicken legs, sausages, etc. Once cooked I put single serves in zip lock bags or mini containers & freeze. Easy peasy to microwave at work. Add a small salad or some vegetables as you want and you’re set. Cook a couple of dishes at a time & you have instant meals for a couple of weeks. Good for when you have those long work days too when the last thing you want to do when you get home is cook. Plus because you’re cooking you’re controlling the ingredients, the fats/oils, salt, sugar, spices, etc. being added & portion sizes.
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I had put off buying new bras & then started suffering upper back pain. Went to my acupuncturist & jokingly said the pain was from my badly fitting bras which were way too big (I could pleat the cups). Ding ding ding ding yes it was my bras. So off I went to get properly fitted. Dropped from 18E to 14F (think I might be almost a 14E though now). And miracle of miracles no more back pain. I went to a large upmarket department store to get fitted where they knew what they were talking about & put me in numerous brands & styles till they found one that worked best for me. Nothing worse than badly fitting uncomfortable bras. Of course it ended up being an expensive brand sigh but I bought a nude one and then a couple of weeks later they had a special deal & I got 2 more at 50% off. Woo hoo.
