Tiffykins

I have never enjoyed breakfast foods. So, I would stick with greek yogurt, and/or leftovers from the night before. A staple in my diet early out was deli meat with flavored cream cheese, or a wedge of laughing cow cheese rolled up. They were easy, portable, and just enough Protein for me to count it as a meal.

I don't notice overweight people anymore or less than before. I still can't stand to see fat women squeeze themselves in clothes that are 3 times too small, but I felt the same way at 270lbs. I don't watch people eat, skinny or fat, it kind of makes me sick.

Talk to your surgeon about specifics. My surgeon wants everyone on a high quality, ADULT, Vitamin. I have been taking GNC Solotron with bioavailable Iron since before my band surgery. So, I've just stuck with them because my labs have been perfect. There are a lot of chewables out there for you. My program requires that the vitamin meet the 100% recommended daily value of all the main Vitamins. You can find Centrum chewables at Wal-Mart. Just make sure it has iron. You can check out vitacost.com bariatricadvantage.com (I've never used anything from them, and a lot of people love their chewables, others hate them because they get nauseated). I also take a sublingual b12 meltaway that I buy at Wal-Mart for $5 for a 60 day supply.

This is one of those topics that some docs say "yes" others say "no". My surgeon, and others say that because we have fully functioning stomach (not a pouch like with RNY and the Band), NSAIDS are perfectly fine to take. There are no medication restrictions. If you check out the information in the Dr. Jossart(he's one of the pioneers of the VSG) section here on the forum, it specifically states that NSAIDS are fine for us to take. I take Aleve on a regular basis, and have taken 800mg Motrin tablets without issue. I always take it with something in my stomach just like I did when I had my entire stomach. I prefer NSAIDS over any other pain reliever. I've known people to get denials for VSG overturned because they have to take NSAIDS of some sort because of all the documentation that supports there are no medication restrictions. So, I guess it boils down to what your specific surgeon allows.

This is for men and women. I would especially like to hear from our male members because well, I don't understand this conundrum at all ! ! ! Since losing weight, my husband thinks I'm helpless and a total wimp. It's sweet to an extent, but seriously, I'm not handicapped now because I'm skinny. When I was 270lbs, his ass wouldn't move if he saw me lugging a 50lb bag of dog food, but now at 125ish pounds, I can't dust the tv stand without him asking "do you need help?" SERIOUSLY, what is up with this change in behavior? Why is it that all of a sudden, I'm not capable of doing every day things without assistance? I understand I had a horrific recovery, was sick for several months (he was deployed during my entire recovery), and couldn't be here. But, he's been home since October of last year, and for the last 4 months, he's been smothering me. Yes, we've discussed it. Yes, I've told him how I feel. Communication is not the problem. But, what else can I say or do to make him realize that I'm not a fragile little girl? He's even tried to pull the " I don't want you to chip your nail polish" crap. We are trying to conceive, and I know that he's always been the protective type, but not to this extent? I'm not complaining about my husband, he isn't being an ass, he isn't being mean, he has just lost all confidence that I am capable of doing anything. I am by far more mechanically inclined than he is, I can and have changed the oil in our vehicles, changed car tires, I lug my 55lb basset hound in and out of the bathtub without issue. If there are things that need to be done around the house, I have to do them while he is gone or I'll never get anything done. I'm not sure what I'm asking for, or if this is more of a vent. I greatly appreciate having an amazing, and loving husband so please don't tell me that I should be grateful that he is this way. If this didn't absolutely irritate me to no end, or make me feel worthless, I would never have posted. If I do things while he is gone, he gets mad at me for not waiting on him to get home. We live on 1.5 acre, have a riding lawnmower, he doesn't even like it if I mow the yard. It's not like I'm out push mowing our entire lot. I think it's great that he wants to protect me, that he wants to do everything he can to make my life easier, but it's actually just making things more difficult. How can we compromise on this? I should add that since my revision I am a stay at home mom/wife for the first time in my life with a 12 yr old(from a previous), very independent, self-sufficient son. It's all new territory for all of us. My husband is very conservative, and a traditionalist. He is the provider, I'm the homemaker, and we're both trying to adjust to these new roles. I do work part-time as a Lia Sophia jewelry advisor/direct sales. For me, it's not working though because it's more fun than anything. I just started "working" within the last month, and it's given me an outlet that is just mine. I admit I've lost part of "Tiffany" since becoming a sahw/m, but we're trying to work on all of this at the same time. Any advice, wisdom, suggestions, anyone else experience this type of situation with your partner?

I never had reflux before surgery, and take Prilosec to prevent it. I know a lot of people that have had their reflux resolve with sleeve surgery.

I have a friend that has tried to convince me to use grapeseed oil. She swears by it, and prefers it over olive oil. She mixes it in her fruit crystal light. I haven't taken the plunge into downing oil, but I do take Omega 3 fish oil capsules which have other health benefits.

Woohoo I'm so excited for you chickee ! ! ! You're going to love, love, love the sleeve.

If you're staying within your dietary guidelines for calories, carbs and Protein then you aren't eating too much. It sounds like your surgeon progresses his patient's diets a little quicker, and many surgeons do the same thing. Other surgeons are way more conservative, but that doesn't make either "right or wrong". Measuring food, tracking calories, carbs, protein through a calorie count will help ensure you're not overeating, and that you are meeting your nutritional goals. I prefer myfitnesspal.com over any of the others out there. Even though I was cleared to eat anything I wanted at 6 weeks post op, my body wasn't ready for anything dense. I stuck to mushy/puree/soft solid foods for a good 3 months because that's what worked best for my body. It also helped me get my protein in without having to use pre-mixed drinks or powders.

Hip Hop Abs is my favorite and has been for years. I attribute my stomach tissues/skin/muscles recovering so well post-op sleeve and major weight loss to those DVDs. You can find them on ebay.com (I just got a new set a couple months back) for $20 and free shipping. The music is more like pop music and not hardcore hip hop. It's dancing with a lot of focus on core and ab work.

Google the "5 Day Pouch Test" and follow the instructions. It will rid you of the carb monster, and get you back on track. It was designed for RNY patients, but I know tons of sleeve patients that use it to get back track. You can do it ! ! !

Usually it causing mental anguish isn't enough to get coverage. Sometimes it can be, but for most insurance companies, especially gov't ran programs, we have to prove medical necessity. I had one friend get her TT done by over-exfoliating the skin flap, and causing irritation. She had to document it for 6 months, and her insurance company covered it 100%.

Thank you all for your insight and advice. MLK- I don't consider myself "worthless" maybe that was a bad choice of words. I've always valued myself for who I am, and the woman I live my life as. Maybe "helpless" or disabled would have been a more appropriate operative word. I do understand your points, and essentially we've been trying to "adjust" or transition into these 2 new roles that life has us in at this point in time for over the last 10 months. If I hadn't been dealing with this (the excessive smothering) for about 4 months, I probably wouldn't have even shared. I've told him how it makes me feel. I've asked him if he sees me differently, and to a degree he does. A lot has changed since we've been married, not just since my revision. Everything from roles in the family to our sex life changed drastically since we said "I do". I'll continue to communicate with him. I recognize he is a "fixer", and that he wants to provide all of my needs, but in my mind I have to be self-sufficient. If I don't do things by myself, what the heck is going to happen when he deploys next time. I refuse to become "that" military wife, and he's already planned out how he is going to make "it" easier for me when he leaves. For example, hiring a lawn service (I was/am absolutely against this idea), hiring a cleaning service to come in a do "my" deep cleaning regimen that I do every month (again I refused), wanted to set up allotments that come right out of his pay instead of me paying the bills like I do now. It's just getting a little much. I think a lot of has to do with me feeling like he doesn't think I can handle stuff. I broke down and told him last night "If I can survive almost dying, being house-ridden and completely alone like I did last summer, I think I can handle mowing the grass." There's gotta be some give, and I know we'll work through this, it's just taking a lot of time and patience. Thanks again everyone ! ! !

Makes perfect sense. I do love being home to an extent. I now have a very active social life, I'm able to volunteer more, I'm not tired, stressed from a daily grind job. And, honestly I love not having to punch a clock. Thank you for your kind words. I never thought that he could be feeling like he doesn't "fit" into my day anymore. I don't make him feel needed, and I do need to work on that, and I thank you very much for pointing that out. I never thought about his feelings of needing to be needed, or wanted. This helped tremendously.:cursing:

They might pay for panniculectomy. Tummy tucks are considered cosmetic, panniculectomy is considered medical. panniculectomy.panniculectomy - Google Search There's a bunch of articles on the different procedures. Most insurance companies require proving medical necessity. I'll have mine covered as a panniculectomy, and then I will pay for the "tummy tuck" portion privately to the surgeon. My insurance will pay all the hospital charges, anesthesia, and OR fees. The only cost I'll incur will be to the surgeon for his time on actually tightening up my muscles, and I plan on having a little lipo done as well along with breast augmentation. For my insurance, I have to document, skin irritation, pain, and/or rashes/boils etc etc. I've been having my PCM document things for me since getting to goal. So after I am done with baby making and delivery, and another c-section, our insurance will not be able to deny coverage. We have Tricare which everyone thinks is fabulous, but we have just as many if not more hoops and red-tape that we have to overcome before they'll cover stuff. It's a government ran insurance plan, and with anything that has the government's hand in, there are hurdles.

Miralax is really amazing stuff. I only dealt with constipation on a couple of occasions, but it was resolved quickly, painlessly, and efficiently with Miralax. I mixed it in gatorade or juice, let it sit for 10 minutes and then drank it. Within a few hours, I had relief. Once I started back with my morning coffee, I never had issues. Protein is notorious for causing constipation. If you're on protein supplements/drinks, you can add benefiber to them or add it to your Clear liquids to help keep things moving. When you can start adding in more Fiber filled foods, it will help as well.

You'll lose it plus some in no time. Was it a stressful trip? I always gain when on vacay and then drop the weight once I'm home. Plus, when I stress I gain regardless of my eating habits. It's kind of like that "fight or flight" thing. At least that is how it works for my body.

All is well here chickee ! ! ! We live up near Pensacola, in between Pensacola dn Panama City. I think about you a bunch too, not in the stalkerish kind of way, but when I'm scanning the boards, I always look for you.

WOoot Wooot ! ! !

A high quality multi-vitamin with iron(I take GNC Solotron with bioavailable Iron chewables and have for over 2 years) Sublingual B12 (I pick mine up at Wal-Mart a 60 day supply is $5) Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D (1200mg per day) I take Citracal with D petites also bought at Wal-Mart. That's all that my program recommends. Other programs/surgeons want their patients on iron supplement, and other Vitamins so check with your doctor before taking anything.

The only thing I used on a regular basis is that Folicure extra care shampoo. I only used it every other day because it strips your hair, and cleans out the hair follicles to let the new growth through. On the other days, I used Nexxua Dualiste Anti-breakage shampoo and conditioner which is super rich, and a very heavy moisturizing conditioner. That's the stuff my stylist told me to get, you can find the Dualiste shampoo conditioner at Wal-Mart. I had new growth coming in before my shedding even started. I also use this product. Yes, I know it is intended for horse, yes I realize that I am a human, but I swear by this stuff LOL. Product Review: Mane 'n Tail Conditioner - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com Aphogee - ApHogee Intensive Two Minute Keratin Reconstructor I used that during that "holy crap, my hair looks horrible stage".

You're simply proving my points. My comments weren't shallow. They were spot on as you continue to prove with each of your posts. As for your little jabs at my posts and my updates, jealousy is like a bad cold, and I hope you get well soon.

My program didn't allow any raw fruit or veggies for 3 months with the exception of watermelon. Most veggies and some fruit are very stringy(?) with high cellulose counts, apparently it's difficult for the tummy to move those type of foods early out. I steamed and boiled all my veggies and steered clear of most fruits because of the high sugar content. That is just my personal choice on the fruit. It's just because I was strict with my carb and sugar counts. Once I did start having fruits, I stuck to the mixed fruit snack packs. The ones sweetened with splenda in their own juice, not the yummy ones in heavy syrup.

LOL. . . It was only 7:30a.m. when I posted that ! ! !