SoulGardener

Faint again. I am going to drag myself up to the store to get a blood glucose meter. That way I can make sure I am safe. My RN daughter said it must be 70 or above.

Yeah, this stuff sucks. But I WILL follow doctor’s orders no matter if I have to stay in bed. I am going to get this weight off. I’ve lost ten pounds in 5 days.

Yes, I am having the same problem. I passed out yesterday trying to stand up. Thankfully I landed on the couch. I checked with my daughter, an RN; she says it is hypoglycemia. She brought a glucose monitor for the next time it happens. Your blood glucose must stay above 70. What she did yesterday is cook me some yellow squash. That worked for around 20 minutes. After that, I just went to bed for the day. I have a call into the Bariatric Clinic; they told me to go to the ER. I didn't do that because it costs me $350 each time. I feel certain it is hypoglycemia since it goes away after I take in a few carbs.

I am a little better today but woke up starving in the middle of the night. However, I am HAPPY that i’ve lost ten pounds in 5 days!!!!

Okay thank you! Called the Bari Clinic; they’re going to call me back Monday. Meanwhile, I added one more cup of low-carb veggies. I also noticed that some of the protein shakes on their list have more carbs than Premier Protein. I am looking at good info now at Eatthis.com; it analyzes & compares various ready-to-go protein drinks.

Hi everyone. I am on day #4 of the pre-op diet. Today I started feeling terrible, nausea, sweating alternating with chills.... I got up too quickly and passed out. Thankfully my daughter came and checked my blood sugar. It was too low at 55. She got me some squash and I ate that but 30 min later felt bad again. I am on 4 protein shakes a day, 1.5 gm of sugar in each, plus 1 cup of low-carb veggies. One protein shake can be exchanged for 3 ounces of meat. I don’t know if I can do this diet with fewer than 15 carbs/day. It’s causing me some depression. I am 65 years old, CW269, surgery date 5/5. Anyone else have these issues?

Slimfast is probably not okay— very high in sugar.

I am on day 3 of the pre-op diet, eating fewer than 700 calories a day, fewer than 25 carbs. I have mainly used Premier Protein because I have been out of town. I have not cheated, and I have only lost 2 pounds. Yet I weigh 273 lbs. Shouls I be disappointed?

Be careful with Protonix; long-term use can cause bone marrow failure, leading to leukemia. We found that out the hard way with my mother.

Kevy, what type of surgery did you have? What protein shake are you using?

That is awesome! You ROCK !!!

some protein bars have a lot of sugar. peanut butter is high in fat & sugar -not good. maybe try eating a lot more vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, greens. Protein from chicken is better than from Premier Protein.

Can you try increasing green vegetables?

I am scheduled for VSG on 5/5. 270 5’5. I am pretty scared...

My surgery date is 5/5/21. Last week I was 267, down from my high of 283. I was doing pretty well until I got a thought... “this is my last chance to eat badly” .... so in 2 days I got a small Sonic blast, a Whatabirger Jr, a medium french fry, then got Thai food with rice and ate two portions, then a pint of Blue Bell and, of course! Today I got on the scale and have gained back seven pounds. Has anyone else done this? Why did I do this to myself?

*intolerance

I started the process for VSG last July and have lost only 13 pounds since. The problems I have are too little activity from age (65) age a lot of injuries, plus fibromyalgia and nerve damage. I am 270 right now at 5’4”. It is darn hard to walk very far or increase above 5,000 steps a day, which is around 30 minutes. My doc requires 60 minutes of exercise a day. Because of the exercise tolerance I have added in very slow yoga. First I just try to lie on the floor which was quite painful at first. But after s week I can do that now with less pain, so I am adding in additional easy poses which I hold longer each time. The yoga has somehow motivated me to eat more fruits and veggies. I have a lot of trouble sticking to diets. But with early heart failure now (diagnosed August) I feel I MUST have the VSG or I’m not going to live very long. Anyway, I guess I feel depressed and scared that obesity will kill me unless I take this path. I’ve backed out twice before. I must do this!!! I had a January surg date which was delayed until 3/17. Hoping St. Patrick’s luck will help me!!!!

My dr requires patients to work up to 60 min a day of exercise before surgery. At 270 lbs and with spondylosis, that is pretty much impossible. My back gets so painful the next day when I try to increase time ..... I can do 30-35 min but just cannot get beyond that. Anyone else have this requirement and did it cause you problems from not being able to do it?

yay!!

I am frightened because of my age - 65 - & dr wants me doing 60 minutes of cardio daily before surgery. I am 65 and have severe degeneration in spine, fibromyalgia, nerve damage. I can do 35 min so far but then I get injured — for days I cannot walk. I just hope I am making a good decision.

I’m set for 1/25. Scared to death I won’t follow the instructions post-op.

After Thanksgiving I made some super high protein turkey broth by cooking it over and over for three days and hammering the bones. Result was a super-thick gelatenous broth which I froze into quart-size freezer bags. I am planning to use those whenever doc says it’s safe after surgery.

I have a surgery date! January 25th. I will start pre-op diet 1/11/2021. I have been gone for awhile to care for my elderly mother. But I’m back. I switched surgeons back in September but they haven’t updated their records so I am waiting for them to straighten that out. I am very nervous because of the pain meds I take for injuries from a car wreck. Hopefully I will be able to crush them and still take until weight loss solves some of the chronic pain issue.

I am sorry you’re going through all that. I remember when I was working with just one child but her father had died. It is very challenging to hold down a stressful job, come home to even more responsibilities and then try to care for yourself. I understand how you feel. Sometimes-oftentimes-it’s just too much. Just remember this little phrase, “this too, shall pass.” I’ll be thinking of u!

Anna, what a wonderful accomplishment! Sorry you are having problems now. It is a lot of weight to lose in a single year. The brain fog— that could be from a lot of causes...I’m wondering, could you have a protein deficiency? Low Vitamin D levels can definitely affect your brain. They are finding it linked to mental depression as well as future Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. I’m wondering, did you take all of your supplements this past year. Could it be low potassium? I do hope you are able to solve this soon; I am sure it is a worry. The nutritionist sounds like a great place to start with. Keep us updated!