learn2cook

I had/have that happen periodically. I fix it a couple of ways. One is to drink a cup of milk (your choice) and one or two prunes. It’s the electrolytes you are after. Another choice is a cup of V-8, or some Gatorade zero. They all work well in the middle of the cramp or to prevent them. I find the milk works fastest in the middle of cramping, like 15 minutes. You are almost to surgery, great, you’ve got this!

Welcome! I think you will find many helpful people on here. There are mens only threads and sleeve conversations et. Al. Just go to furum to find different topics and ideas. Congratulations on getting a surgery date!

That’s a good question. Did you find an answer? It took me a whole year to get a surgery date so I wouldn’t worry too much. Just keep taking care of yourself. I have found these things tend to work themselves out no matter the worry or no worries we put to them.

Yeah, my surgeon was mostly concerned that I could get my liquids in. I found low salt bone broth and 2 cups was 20g of protein. It was so comforting all warmed up. Just keep trying and drinking. Warm drinks like herbal tea felt good too.

I’m not going to lecture you. I can’t solve your problems. I got help for my family emotional problems by utilizing psychology today.com and found a therapist locally. Covid emphasized so many existing problems and like you, I reached out for help. It really worked and I can only encourage you to keep reaching out, be persistent because you are worth it! Even bringing these things up to your PCP will get the ball rolling. You can ask for a social worker to help you navigate the many specialists and paperwork you will need. You can ask for group therapy which is often cheaper and helps you make friends. Some people have tried OA to meet like minded people and support for weight loss. Meeting with real people locally is important for community. You are not alone, we all get in these ruts.

If you couldn’t cite Wikipedia or TikTok on a term paper why would you believe they are reliable sources now? I found I have more cavities, but there are reasonable explanations. One, menopausal hormone changes make women more susceptible to cavities due to dryness of the mouth. Two, weather/climate change is causing more allergies and mouth breathing. Three, cheap US dentists when on Medicaid use cheap filling products that don’t last more than two years, not many dentists take Medicaid anyway so you’re kind of stuck with who you find. Four, yeah the hernias and GERD caused lots of regurgitation. I never had a cavity until I was 44. Not everyone has the same experience. I can honestly say that the bypass and hernia repair have corrected the terrible GERD symptoms! Teeth I’m coming after you.

My non-scale goal was to be able to work with special needs students in public school. It requires lifting and chasing, so even with credentials earned during shut down, no one would hire me. I got the job. I’m loving every minute of it!

I love how you own it. You did it!

Congratulations on the weight loss! I have saggy boobs now that most of the weight is off, so I get the rashes too. Like above posters said, figure the root cause, get the particular thing that treats the cause. I have used Triple Cream, from the baby isle, for extreme situations. For basic prevention I have found anti perspirant deodorant (expensive) or cheap drug store/chemist petroleum scented with lavender works well in all the skin on skin situations that cause rash. Both my mother and grandmother were nurses and said during the 1960’s to “never use powders ‘down there’ if you’re female because it causes cancer in people with vaginas.” So use the cream of your choice. Anti fungals for feet are the same as for privates. The private version is 2x stronger and the men’s is the same as the woman’s but cheaper. Also Dollar Tree version works fine too. Sorry for the long message. Unless you have surgery or have great genes or youth, the saggy skin still makes rashes. Don’t use powder near your vajaja, Congratulations on your weight loss! I hope you find relief soon, and you are not alone.

I spent 11 years with a PCP who flat out refused me to have WLS. He actually was disqualified from practicing in MA. My first visit with the new doctor, she said “yes “ and was supportive the whole way. Switch doctors!

“I agree on the not worth the calories anymore statement.” I’m with ya sista! Happy birthday anyway!

I’ve always had a big butt, and it used to embarrass me. Dating changed things so by the time I was 20 I loved my big butt! I have used it for years to hold doors open. Last week doors literally slammed hard on my ankles and calves. BB is slipping :0

I used that wait time to loose weight and develop hobbies so that the actual surgery would “lock in” that pre-surgical weight loss. Maybe it’s just magical thinking, or not, but it worked so far. I ended up waiting 11 months to have surgery from meeting my surgeon. You’ve got this!

I got/get that too. I have one prune with 4oz of milk to keep it away. I take magnesium in the evening as well. Bananas would do, or 4 oz of V-8, just make sure it’s potassium with calcium and magnesium. The sport drinks like Gatorade help but I find them very salty, but you may need that salt if it’s been intensely hot (as many on here have been experiencing lately.)

Yes, I understand the relearning to name feelings. Therapy helped with that. You may need more mental health work if you have a history of trauma, or a difficult situation like raising a special needs child. I found new hobbies like others have said on here. In the winter I crochet. In spring pickle ball is a great game and social too. I’m looking at sit on type kayaks now, or a paddle board. Find hobbies that keep your hands busy and your mind engaged. Oh, I like goofing off on my guitar too! When I look at my older relatives that seem to be aging successfully, I see that they are always busy doing interesting things, AND some of those things are helping their local communities too. Nothing beats seeing a homeless guy wearing a scarf, hat, and mitten set you made! It’s nice to stop thinking of feeding myself inwardly and then help others outwardly instead. BUT, if you were never nurtured properly to begin with in life, you may need to do the therapy work to heal yourself first before knocking yourself out to help others around you. Only you can answer that for yourself.

I use Noom to help me get back on track. Your tool still works, you will have to do the work too. You CAN do it! It’s mostly being mindful and logging food.

OMG I just had a salad for lunch and now want this for dinner! Yes, veggies are your friend during the pre op diet. They will be your friends again after you are fully healed. Yumm.

When there are multiple doctors with specialists and you are not a medical expert yourself a hospital can appoint someone to oversee the different people and make sure they talk to each other. You have to request it or they often won’t offer. Sometimes it’s a social worker who helps coordinate things and breaks down the results and sometimes it’s a physician. Just ask for a coordinator and someone to help with all the jargon because it’s so emotional for you. Like said above, teaching hospitals are there to teach across specialties so are more used to communicating. I hope this helps!

I agree, the process of climbing sounds very interesting. Also, my big challenge was switching careers at 50. Like get masters and really go for it. I’m thinking some martial arts next, or a new love interest. Think about what scares you and do that?

By the way, your weight loss is phenomenal and I’m very impressed!

I had significant hair loss and planned on splurging on a wig made with real hair for the transition. ShoppGirl was right about no magic potion, just time. Anyway, I found I wanted a change and got a cute haircut that flatters me and is easy to style. The cut hid the hair loss and I don’t need a wig. One woman in my WLS group shaved it all off, she looks great! Open your mind to trying new things and save the wig idea for a backup. You might be surprised in a good way.

Loads of muscle definition WOW! Very inspiring:)

I agree with the above posters. I was curious about the same thing and measured out what feels comfortable when eating. I can eat 4oz of meat, tofu or whatever protein. Then I feel good with 1/2 cup of salad or berries or anything veg/fruit. If the meat is physically bigger, just 2 oz of veg/fruit fits in afterwards. I’m 11 months out. All mashed up, about 1 cup of food fits in, like the size of my fist closed up. I did overeat at family reunion this weekend for the first time, watermelon, I went for a walk to feel comfortable again. There was no throwing up. Again, everyone is different.

Was it good? I melted the butter and dipped my fork tines in the butter to get the taste, but not too many calories. I’ve made sauces with olive oil or grape seed oil, or cook with the oils in spray can form from Trader Joe’s to keep amounts low. Sometimes I heat up a low calorie salad dressing for a dip, it brings out delicious flavors warmed up. I went out last fall with friends and ate my lobster with just the lemon. It was still tasty!

I love everyone’s music and do a little of each too and podcasts for the bike. I have to add Lizzo, Gaelic Storm, and Ojos des Brujo to get my legs going.