derbygirl

I picked up a Weight Watchers magazine a couple of weeks ago, and there was a small blurb about weight loss surgery. I felt it was a little slanted.

Then today, I was reading healthyweightforum.org. The headline reads: Weight Loss Surgery. Is it right for you?"

And, of course, the overall tone of the article is, "No, it's not for you."

They go on to say that weight loss surgery can increase other health issues and that it is "not effective long term and viewed as a ‘quick fix’."

As opposed to what? All of the "diets" I have tried were "not effective long term".

Anyway, I'm irritated. I know this procedure isn't without flaws, but it seems as though the weight-loss companies are starting to panic a little.

My little sister just told me that Weight Watchers increased their points allowed, even though they did not change how the points are calculated. Why is that?

The longer they keep people fat, the more $$$$ for them.

Hi...you're right...it's probably not cancer. I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It's harder for people with PCOS to lose weight. Google it. There's a lot of information out there. Just because you have one cyst doesn't mean you have the syndrome, but you might and going on metformin or glucophage could help you lose weight if you do have it.

There are a lot of foods where it seems unreasonable to measure with a cup. Is using a food scale the same? With meat, 4 Fluid ounces and 4 ounces on a scale comes out to the same amount but it seems like this wouldn't always hold true.

Any thoughts?

My doc says oatmeal can expand the pouch.

I drank these daily for a couple of months. I think they're much easier to get through than most Protein Drinks. Only takes a minute or so to get 25 g. They don't taste great, but not many Protein drinks do, in my opinion. The raspberry is better than the fruit punch, I think.

I looked for chili sauce....couldn't find it. Is that with the Condiments or with the green chilies and Tomato sauces?

Josy,

I understand. Go for it. It's not vanity in your situation. Vanity is having your eyes lifted 1/20th of a centimeter or something ridiculous like that.

Maybe your goals aren't realistic.

And have you visited a cosmetic surgeon who said you needed to lose more? Or is this just you saying you need to get to a certain weight?

Because I think if you pay them the money, they will probably give you whatever you want.

If you don't start eating more, there will be consequences.

This week I've been taking Tylenol Cold Multi-symptom...it's a liquid. But it makes me sick at my stomach. Any suggestions? I've tried on empty and non-empty stomach.

Pre-surgery I always took Nyquil, but I heard it no longer has a decongestant (and they removed the "stuffy-head" part out of their slogan so I guess it's true).

There's also the people who always comment and you're not sure if they're just being nice. I want one of those talking mirrors like the witch in Snow White.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall...do I look any skinnier today?"

Hi. I don't post much on this site, but have read alot of posts on my journey. I am here to say that I had my surgery in July and have been happy with my band. I have lost 53 lbs in 4.5 months. I have been so pumped up about this decision that I made until yesterday...My cousin went through with her surgery on November 21st and was so excited about it and told everyone that I was her role model and she wasn't afraid because I had done so well. Two days after her surgery, she started feeling real bad and was having severe pains and nausea. My mom took her back to the doctor that did her surgery and they determined that she was very dehydrated, had a touch of pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, a kidney stone, an infection in her port site and two blood clots around the band. Yesterday morning she had her band removed and yesterday afternoon, she died. I don't tell you this to keep you from getting the band, because mine is still a success...I only tell you this to make sure you take care of yourself and know the risks that are involved in this surgery. I will never be the same now, because I will always look at myself and know that I have a band in my body and always think that if I hadn't started this journey that my cousin would have never had hers done and would still be here with her two daughters today. Thank you for reading my post and I hope that if you decide to do this surgery that you will realize how serious the doctors are when they tell you to breathe, sip sip and walk walk....

Tricia Self

Tricia, I didn't see your post before when I was on this thread. I am so sorry about your cousin. This really hits home because a couple of my family members are thinking about having the surgery because of me. I know you feel somewhat responsible, but I'm sure your cousin knew the risks going into the surgery and overcame her fears as we all did. It's certainly normal to mourn, but don't beat yourself up over this. And, again, I'm really sorry for your loss.

Did you try drinking hot liquids beforehand? Try that...it clears the mucus out and opens the band up.

Well, I've lost 58 pounds in 2 months. I've never done that dieting before. I don't know anyone who has.

There are a lot of amazing transformations here. With the lapband, you get what you put into it. In my local support group, there are some folks who haven't done that well. But I listen to what they're doing...and they're not following the rules. Of course, it's hard to follow the rules all the time, but my point is...whatever you decide, you're going to have to make an effort.

Also...I have a friend who had gastric bypass. She hasn't lost very much. She's 2 years out and I've almost caught up with her in 2 months. But, once again, she doesn't follow the rules.

One more thing...lapband hasn't been around as long, and I think a lot of surgeons who have severely obese patients are pushing them into bypass rather than lapband. And the severly obese patients are the ones with amazing before and after pictures because they don't even resemble the same person they were.

I just had another NSV. Okay, actually it was a scale victory, but not average. I was too heavy to weigh on my old set of scales until...TODAY! Woohoo!

That's awesome! Keep up the great work!!!

This sounds intriguing. Thanks for the tip.

I always wish that I could bottle what I feel like before I lose weight and let myself get a taste it again when I lose my willpower. I tried to journal all of my negative thoughts before the surgery so I could read over them in the future if necessary. But I know it's hard. What do you tell yourself when you overindulge? Do you say, "I deserve it." ??

That's what I did....and that's how I gained 140 pounds that I lost on Jenny Craig.

Good luck to you. The holidays will be hard for all of us, likely. Maybe the new year will get you rejuvenated. Maybe you could find a friend to start a new exercise routine in January?

I can't believe you couldn't drink anything for two days!!!! Am I reading that right? You poor thing!! THAT'S probably why your throat hurts.

It finally happened today. A girl at work asked me if I was losing weight! :clap2:

One of the symptoms of PCOS is being overweight. Unless you've gained weight because of insulin-related issues, it's not going to help you.

Your friend will probably not lose much more. My doc said 10%-15% is average, if I remember right. But some people lose nothing, even with PCOS.

And after staying on glucophage for a while, the nasty side effects that others mention will go away. They did for me anyway. It took a few weeks though.

Katina, I am in my 6th week. I love Chinese, but I wouldn't have attempted that just yet. Of course, the Chinese foods I love are deep fried and smothered in sugary sauces.

I keep to fairly simple recipes most of the time, but I did have a slice of pizza Hut thin and crispy pizza this weekend and did fine.

I also made meat sauce this weekend which I would ordinarily pour over spaghetti, but I just ate the sauce and made it really meaty so I'd get lots of Protein.

There are a million ideas. You might try checking out some websites for low-carb diets. The recipes there will give you lots of Protein.< /p>

This IS a great thread...I wish I could load you guys up and take you to the grocery store with me!!!

Hey, I forgot something REALLY CRUCIAL...making it SIX things instead of FIVE...

Yoplait chocolate Mousse Whips

OMG, so good :faint:

I wonder if maybe I just need a new crockpot?

Do some of them get hotter than others?

After 8 hours on high, mine wasn't even CLOSE to falling off the bone.

Hey, I posted a Sausage-Mushroom Dressing over in the food/recipes section. It is GREAT...I am not kidding...and I am a picky eater. The recipe uses mushrooms instead of breading. Check it out! I'm making some to take with me on Thursday.