BlondePatriotInCDA

Lol sorry...I should have checked my text, stupid auto correct. It should be Tajin! No calories..carbs!

Its what I was going to suggest. There are some decent butter substitutes out there, or just perhaps some Taking (my latest passion)! Enjoy your crab!

Thank you for your explanation on the muscles/bones and weight! It was very helpful. Next time I see my GP (next month, I just saw her today) I'll ask about the DEXA scan. Follow up to suggestions of my aches and pains being nonpositive RA - blood tests were all normal. My doctor even checked my thyroid and cortisol - all within normal range. Lastly, my bilirubin was normal as well. I thank you for all the possible suggestions from everyone. Hopefully the pain will go away soon! Great bunch of ppl on here, you're much appreciated!

My face sometimes turns red when I feel a "flush" and other times I just feel it without the visual red it jus feels hot!. Niacin is in your bariatric vitamins, some ppl are just more sensitive to it. I don't think its one of the lab tests though they look for. Good luck!

Its good (and bad) that I'm not the only one experiencing the aches and pains! Thank you for sharing, it helps knowing this. I understand about the doing "A number" on myself with my goal and trying to over achieve. That being said, the goal I chose is in the middle of a healthy BMI, I still have quite a bit of fat on my frame and I'm still classified as "over weight." If not my weight goal, I'd like to at least get to a healthy BMI where I'm not overweight. Overweight IS unhealthy. I don't feel I'm being unreasonable to at least try for healthy, not just healthier than I was..that make sense? I wouldn't say I'm "hyper focused" on my weight goal, no more than anyone else is who's on this forum and gone through wls. Lastly, we've all set goals regarding our weight and health, its something to shoot for. I know I may not achieve it, but its a goal nonetheless. Just as walking 5 miles a day, or finally being able to do my yoga Vrischikasana, Astavakrasana and Eka Haste Vrksasanav poses again! Which, with all my new aches and pains who knows if I will ever be able to do them again, but I still want to strive to do them since I once enjoyed them - its a goal!

I have symptoms of dumping (nausea) after one bite of several things! Have you ever been diagnosed with rosacea? I face flush with rosacea, something I was only recently diagnosed with (I didn't have it until recently). I'd also check your niacin quantity..its known to cause face flushing...

Sugar doesn't cause any dumping symptoms for me, now carbs are a different thing all together for me - I'm extremely sensitive ..I'm almost so bad I shouldn't walk past them! ?

I've been researching (its part of what I do for a living anyway soo) this topic and have found several papers regarding pain after bariatric surgery: "Results: Nineteen of the respondents fulfilled the criteria for hypermobility. There were no significant differences between the groups with and without hypermobility regarding pain in weight-bearing joints before or after surgery. There was a significant difference between the groups with increased or novel pain in the ankles, shoulders, hands, and feet (P<.05) after the weight loss. Furthermore, the patients with hypermobility had increased or novel pain in a significantly higher number of weight-bearing joints, other joints, and joints in total (P< .05). Conclusion: Even with a small sample size, a tendency can be seen for people with hypermobility to experience increased joint pain after weight loss compared with those without hypermobility." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28274706/ I do have some hypermobility. Its a very small sampling for a research medical study, but its in line with what I'm experiencing. Also, I'm only experiencing pain in one hip (weight bearing) and my back, the rest; hands, shoulders and elbows aren't. It could just be wear and tear from 14 years of gymnastics and later on physical alterations with much larger combatants for 15 years.. So life stressing my body rearing its ugly head as I age. ? Either way, perhaps if someone else experiences this after surgery it will help knowing they're not the only one and give them a stepping stone to some answers.

I agree, seeing a dermatologist would at least help to ease your concerns. A small punch biopsy can eliminate alopecia at the very least and possibly help!

Nice! I'd like to see a study done with more than 30 people though. The sample size is really small for a definitive conclusion. It would help explain things since I've thought it had to be more than just appetite control.

? Definitely food for thought. You brought up some very good points. I just am leery of adding fruit and or veggies since I am extremely carb sensitive. Perhaps I'll slowly introduce a few more. Its just difficult to add something without removing protein since I'm restricted to 800 calories and fruit adds a lot more calories. Tbh, I don't know why I'm hung up on reaching my goal, perhaps its because I'm very goal-centric, if I don't reach my goal to me I'll feel as if I've failed, even when I haven't. I've always up until the last ten years weighed 105-108, so I felt 120 was reasonable for my small frame and height. Plus, I'm still classified as over weight! I am still heavy for my height. Lastly, I still have quite a bit of fat on my small frame (its not All just skin) so, if I'm being honest I do need to lose the rolls on my stomach and arms. I know the difference between skin excess and skin with fat. Perhaps 140 would be a better goal..I don't know. I do understand I'll never be what I was, but I feel perhaps it was the doctors and dietician's jobs to tell me 120 wouldn't work based on my starting BMI, my age etc, and explain reasonable surgical expectations - they didn't which is why I assumed it was obtainable. Thank you for giving me lots to think about, either way I still have 6 months before I am put on maintenance or my weight loss is set as I was told by the doctor. I appreciate your insights. Oh and no, I've never had a DEXA scan. I've never heard of it. Also, its about time that gymnast got off my back - no more freeloading!

? I don't think you'll be sorry you did! I hope you enjoy them.

Thank you! I have an appointment with my GP Monday Ill ask...I forgot about my hands being achy! What did they recommend to treat? Has it gotten better?

Try G. Huges...2 or none I can't remember carbs, no added sugars ..5 calories. I use it for marinating.. Or just to add flavor. I haven't had a sauce from this brand I don't like. My favorites are the teriyaki and the chili Thai dipping sauce! You can find them at Walmart...but you have to be quick they sell out fast! I add them to everything for flavor. They make: Teriyaki Bbq sauces Shrimp sauce Ketchup Thai Dipping sauce Yum yum sauce (chick filet sauce) and a lot more!

I really wish I had done this! Like most obese ppl I didn't like my picture taken (still don't cause now I look like a shar-pei and I now look my age) but I do have one picture from a few years back I got pushed into participating in...when I hit my goal I might share! You're looking great!

Isn't it amazing all the things we've all put off until after surgery! I wish you luck and hope you do these things on your "future" list!

It always amazes me how doctors will dismiss reported health concerns attributing it all to being obese! When it could be something else entirely! I'm glad you're finally getting the healthcare you need! If there is one thing I've learned over the years and having been in the hospital for weeks - the bitchy squeaky wheel gets the attention. I watched myself and others who were "easy going" patients get ignored and over looked all the while "complainers" get the medical attention they needed. Needless to say, I'm no longer quiet or complacent about my healthcare needs or others after having experienced and watched neglect.

Thank you for responding! I've never heard of Gilbert's before and I need to do some research. My labs all came back great (although 2pts high in ferrous iron and iron transport or something?) Doctor said a few points high or low he considers lab errors and nothing to be concerned about. Although, my bilirubin wasn't checked this time since it was nutrient nourishment based labs. In the past I don't recall ever having bilirubin issues, nor my family ...but as I've said I've never heard of Gilbert's before. I'm hoping the aches and pains are as you suggested and just my body readjusting, but I would have thought my doctor would have agreed when I suggested it. He said its usually the other way around; pain before surgery that goes away, who knows! Again, thank you for responding and giving me possible reasons! Its appreciated!

Thank you! Great suggestions.

I had my one year check up with my bariatric surgeon yesterday, labs were all perfect, I was told I'm 20 percentage points down in my BMI and the surgeon said I'm exactly what the program hopes for in outcomes...etc. Etc... My questions to the doctor were the following: 1. When do I quit aching / feeling pain in my hips, shoulders and elbows I've heard so much about after losing weight?! He asked if I had this pain beforehand, I told him no its all since surgery. 2. I also asked about occasional pain that feels like gallbladder pain now (its been removed) asking if it could be a stone in my biliary tract? He said not likely its probably just "phantom pain." All fine and good but there's nothing phantom about it - it hurts like my old gallbladder attacks! 3. Lastly, I wanted to know when I get the magical much talked about energy after losing weight? He said everyone is different, and "you do seem to have an odd bunch of symptoms that should go away after surgery - not start up"! He went on to say that I might not meet my goal, saying it might be "unrealistic" yet I asked at my first meeting with him when he asked about my goal if it was unreasonable to which he said no! If I'm doing "exceptionally well" on the program then why is it now possibly "unreasonable"? He said I've got maybe 6 months more in which the surgery will continue to help me lose weight, but since its slowing down...I probably won't hit the goal (40 lbs to go). He knew the average weight lost in the 18 months following surgery, why say my goal was reasonable then? Sorry, I'm finding myself annoyed and discouraged now. So, my questions are: anyone else around a year out that is or has experienced the above issues? If so, do you still deal with it? If not, when did it go away (any of the above)? Did you after being told your goal is unreasonable and probably won't hit it, continue to lose and hit your goal or did you adjust your goal?

Ask around at work. We have a cabinet where people put scrubs they no longer wear...it works out great..perhaps someone at work dropped to mediums or (grimace) gained!? Maybe post something on work email, discussion boards or lunch room cork board?

Its Pig Pen!

Agreed, but I'd act/take it as a compliment to annoy the person saying it either way. If its not a heart filled compliment, the dig is on them..not the person hearing it. People are mean and spiteful at times unfortunately. I find the best way to deflect "digs" is to ignore the dig and act as if its a compliment, it will annoy them and to others if they see it will see the person as petty and mean.

What you described; occasionally light headed when standing up...racing heart, all with different foods and quantities was what I was and still am going through - exactly as you described. As I posted before my cardiologist said its dumping, the Bariatric surgeon said dumping combined with low blood pressure and/or dehydrated for the dizzy aspect symptoms. I do notice and am more aware of the coalition of less water consumption = dizzy upon standing or just in general now. He did say to try to slow down eating as it might help. The issue I have is I don't have 30 mins to casually sit and eat my food all the time - to eat "aware" or "mind fully." Sometimes I'm lucky to just get my protein down! I will say that once I had both doctors associate it to dumping I paid more attention to it and when it is happening, after I eat I can associate it directly to eating now. So I'm going to say they were right - its dumping. Good luck with the cardiologist.

All amazing goals that I'm sure you'll accomplish. Congratulations on starting down this road, so many possibilities! Btw..in regards to your #1...you will never have enough energy, healthy weight or not ?