Tiffykins

I've got the chat window open again tonight ! ! !

All women need calcium supplement. But, because most of us on a PPI (prilosec, nexium, etc) they inhibit calcium absorption. The calcium citrate is the best option and is most viable option for calcium supplementation. I just ordered the Lemon Calcet bites. I know they are expensive, but I'm not a fan of the liquids. They do offer calcium citrate liquids at very reasonable prices at www.vitacost.com I tried the strawberry liquid. It was tolerable, but I didn't like it. It was a small amount once daily, 1 ounce dosing was great.

I've used several over my WLS attempts. My favorite by far is www.myfitnesspal.com I've used sparklepeople.com, dailyplate.com fitday.com and all of them were lacking something.

Laura, You can definitely make it, just stay focused, and positive. If you need anything, I'm just a call or text away ! ! !

I'm sorry to hear about the bad news DeeDee, I hope your heart heals soon. Good job on not turning to food. This week has been really rough for me mentally. If you need to talk, you know where to find me.

I asked for valium. Seriously, do not hesitate to tell the surgeon, OR nurse or anesthesiologist, that you are anxious going into surgery. I hate that they put a mask on your face, so I ask to have valium and that the mask be held close to my face, but do not put that thing around my mouth and nose until I am out. I remember being wheeled in, I saw the anesthesiologist, my OR nurse (who I love, love, love), smile at me, and tell me they'd see me in a little bit. My OR nurse held my hand while the anesthesiologist gave me the valium cocktail, and I vaguely recall seeing the mask near my face. I drifted off, and then I woke up in the recovery room. I had the band placed Oct 2008, my revision to VSG on June 3, 2009, leak repair on June 5, 2009, and most recently my gallbladder removed on February 4, 2010. So, I've had 4 surgeries in 16 months. Each time, I've asked for either valium or Versed (midazolam) because I refuse to go into surgery anxious or upset. I honestly believe you have to go in calm, and the recovery is much easier. I've had 2 knee surgeries in the past, and didn't take this extra step, and my recovery was horrendous. I cry every time when I kiss my husband as they wheel me back, but it's because I'm an emotional wreck when it comes to my husband and son.

I suffered the liquids in liquids out until I got to mushies. Greek yogurt helped, and I know a few other members bought some Probiotics to mix in their water/crystal light to help with the gi tract. My surgeon didn't prescribe a PPI until I talked to him about it. I had this kind of weird twinge in my stomach after I would eat something, and then I felt like I could eat again. I can't say it was hunger, but it was weird. I went on Prilosec 20mg once daily, and haven't had any issues since. I didn't go on the Prilosec until about 6 weeks post-op. I take it first thing in the morning, and I wait 1 solid hour before eating anything. I would definitely talk to your surgeon about getting on a PPI. If your surgeon can't prescribe one for you, Prevacid and Prilosec are both available over the counter. I have one more 90 day refill on my Prilosec, and keep saying I'm going to wean myself off, but I'm doing so great, I don't want to throw my body out of whack.

It took about 3 weeks for the little air bubble to quit flipping in my tummy when I drank fluids. I had gas trapped in shoulders, and had to do these funky stretches to get it to move around and release. It took a couple of weeks for the bloat and gas to wear off.

I'm a super cheap date these days ! ! ! Congrats on a wonderful dining out experience with the sleeve ! ! !

Excellent news Anna, I told it that stupid stall was gonna break ! ! !

I had the band, and will bash it with my last dying breath. For the RNY, it wasn't the choice for me, but I understand why a lot of people choose it. For me the regain stats are just way too high, and nutritional/vitamin deficiencies with bypass just are not something I was willing to deal with. My honest opinion is appeal the decision. Get your surgeon to help you. I've posted several links on sample appeal letters. If you need me to, I can send them to you, just shoot me a message, and I'll get you as much information as possible. There are several finance companies, and even credit unions that can finance your surgery if you choose to self pay. There are a few members here that got great interest rates and had their surgeries here in the states. Mexico is an option, and if my insurance would of denied my revision, my happy hiney would go with Dr. Aceves, no questions asked. I honestly would not get a surgery you will not be happy with mentally. You can't go into a surgery feeling defeated.

Woot Woot Congrats to you ! ! !

I think I've hit that wall in my journey where a patient just kind of starts living, and forgets about surgery all together. It's been 8 days since I had my gallbladder removed and finally today I weighed in at 141. They pumped me full of fluids for the surgery because eating and drinking was still painful immediately post-op. I gained 7lbs with the surgery. I hadn't been eating all that great since surgery until the last couple of days, and I'm fairly sure that's why my body was holding onto the water weight. John caught a chest cold, and then passed it onto me. I've been sick all week, and downright miserable. Coughing is a chore, and definitely causes the incisions from GB surgery to hurt. I am still bloated, but finally feeling somewhat normal. I started taking a prescription cough syrup with codeine that I had leftover from last summer just to get relief, and luckily it's helping. I've been cooped up in the house all week with the exception of lunch out of Tuesday. Once I got home, I felt horrible, spiked a fever and was hacking up a lung. I plan on starting the Wellbutrin again next week in hopes to be smoke free by March 1st. We are no longer preventing pregnancy. We decided if it happens it happens. I'm still charting, and watching my cycle, but we're not trying to prevent pregnancy. The main reason for this change in our April plan is that I'm comfortable with trying, and John maybe making a change in career paths with the Air Force that will have him gone for 6+months for training. I'm ready to have a baby now. I really want to have a baby before I'm 34. My December birthday is creeping up on me, and I'm definitely feeling the crunch time. Other than that, there really isn't a lot going on. I think I'm recovered from GB surgery, and have a f/u on February 22nd. I am pissed that my surgeon has restricted the majority of my working out, and weight training for an entire 6 weeks. I'll just have to wait it out, and try to deal with it. Mentally, I feel defeated, but I know it's only temporary. I really want to lose this stomach fat roll. It's keeping me out of smaller sizes. I am happy in a junior 9, and some 10's. But, when I hear about others being the same weight or even weighing a few pounds more than me being in a size 6, it just frustrates the snot out of me. I want to be in a smaller size, but my tummy fat won't allow it. No matter how "small" I get, I feel I'll always have this pouch/flap on my lower abdomen. I know that I can shrink it, and there is no sense in getting upset since I'm going to be pregnant. One day, I'll get it removed, or I'll work hard enough for it to not bother me. Sorry for the rant. It's just one of those days.

You're still very early out, and all of this stuff right now is just temporary. Please do take it easy, I realize it's difficult when we have children, but unless you want to pop an internal suture, or get a hernia at a lap site and be back in the hospital away from your babies, then take it easy, and take care of yourself. Follow your surgeon's post-op program, if crackers are approved then it isn't horrible. Get your fluids in, hang up your Supermom cape for a couple of weeks, and let your body heal so you can wear that cape again without complications in a few weeks. I honestly love my sleeve, and the life I'm living today because of the 129 pounds I've dropped. My child is happy because his mom is happier, healthier and more active. My husband is happier for all the same reasons, and well because my libido is off the charts. Relax, breathe, and recover. This is only temporary, all those homemade goodies you'll get to have in the near future. Lean on us when you need support. We're here for you ! ! !

Agreed 100%, I think what pisses me off the most is the 12 pap smears I had to endure to make sure I didn't contract her herpes funk. I've never had a yeast infection much less an STD/STI or virus. Talk about unnerving when I spent 3 years getting swabbed and poked to make sure I didn't contract anything. I honestly thank the good Lord above that I escaped that relationship.

Have you been tested for insulin resistance? I did low carb, with heavy working out several times over the last few years. I'd losee 30-40 pounds then stall. My body needed more restriction. I lost initially with the band, but once I lost restriction, I gained. The sleeve gives instant restriction, and if you follow the rules during the honeymoon phase, I truly believe the sleeve can get most patients to goal. Usually there is a metabolic issue that would cause a patient to be "weight loss resistant" it's more than just stalling out while dieting.

Thought I'd hop into chat tonight if anyone is interested.

I used the kid's OTC medicine 1 ounce measuring cups to measure my food during the full liquids, and mushy stage. I also ate with a baby spoon, sat at the kitchen table, and set the spoon down in between bites. I chewed mushies as well because really digestion starts with chewing. I made sure to take at least 20 minutes to eat my 2 ounces. It's very trying on your patience, but for me it's what worked.

I eat tortilla and potato chips with zero issue. Salt and Vinegar Pringles are my favorite. It's pretty nice because 5 Pringles satisfy my want instead of eating the entire canister in one sitting. I eat chips with guacamole, queso dip, and salsa when we have mexican food. I eat nuts of all sorts without any issue including *GASP* honey roasted peanuts and crunchy Peanut Butter. Macadamian nuts are a guilty pleasure. I like almonds, but cashews and mac nuts are definitely my favorites. I did wait until after 3 months to attempt salad, but I have had zero issue. I have read on here about a bezoar forming in one patient's stomach, and I can't recall if it was celery or coconut, but it is a rare occurence. I have eaten raw and cooked celery, and had coconut without any problems. I do chew the celery because it is pretty stringy. The coconut was in German chocolate cake icing that I made for my son and husband. I licked the knife with some icing on it after I was done icing the cake. Yes, I'm human, and I don't believe that the measley calories from that icing sabotaged anything. That cake sat in my house for almost 10 days, and all I had was 1 sliver that was as thick as my pinky finger. I do avoid whole kernel corn, but eat the heck out of white cheddar popcorn occasionally. I don't swallow the kernels, but I didn't do that before surgery so it was something I did before anyways. I can eat 1/2 of a beef taco with sour cream from Taco Bell. The couple of times I've eaten corn (between my 3th-5th month out), I have later burped up the outside shell. It was kind of gross. The same goes for pickle skin. I love pickles so I buy the Kosher dill spears and slice off that thick skin. I typically put 2 entire spears in my tuna salad. I don't like carrots, and corn is high on the glycemic index so I typically avoid them. Some guidelines and surgeon's programs are much more stringent. I can't eat a lot of stuff that I see others enjoying. Then, again I eat a lot of stuff others would swear off their lists of food for life because they need that to be successful. DISCLAIMER: This is just my experience. I am not a medical professional, and you should follow your surgeon's plan. This one article has a lot of great information, but it's just a guideline, it isn't the VSG bible.

I got a hankering for looking up my ex on Facebook tonight. It's been 7.5 years since we split, and tonight seeing his picture, I realized, I'm beyond elated that I did not reconcile with him. Living well really is the best revenge. He apparently married the herpe-infested whore that he was slumming around with, and I knew they had a kiddo together. She didn't bother telling him she had genital herpes until after they had been together for months, I had to tell him. Then, she neglected to tell him she was pregnant, and I found out before he did. She's a real gem. Sad thing is we were really close friends for about 2 years, and this totally blind-sided me. I know I should not vindictive, or upset. But, that man destroyed my very soul and I was in a very dark place for many years because of the heartache he inflicted on me. Seeing his picture, and knowing that I am in a better place mentally, physically and emotionally made my day. My confession to go along with this story is that I grinned from ear to ear seeing that he hasn't aged well, and has gained a bunch of weight, and she is still just as fat and trashy looking as she was when I broke off our relationship so they could live their little life openly instead of behind my back. I know that makes me sound like a horrible person, but it's the truth.

YAY YAY Pennie, glad to hear you are home and recovering ! ! ! Keep on sipping. . .

Stay toasty warm, and I hope that CD gets to you quickly. I'm not a fan of the web phone version of VST even on my IPhone it sucks so I know how frustrating it is. Hang in there, we're all thinking of you.

Your going to feel hunger because liquids run right through your stomach, and all the nerve endings of the stomach have been severed so you aren't going to get a full signal just yet. Ghrelin is still in our bodies for a couple of weeks so it doesn't magically go away for some people immediately post-op. It's a hormone that has to run it's course through our bodies. If your hungry, how many carbs are in those Soups? For some people, too many carbs causes hunger. Are you on an acid reducer? If not, over-production of acid can cause hunger sensations. Once you get to mushies, you'll see a complete difference in fullness and satiety. How much Water are you getting in? If you're falling short on water/fluids, drink something calorie free when you think you're hungry. I rarely get in 1000 calories even today. I definitely never got in 1000 calories early on post-op. I was lucky to hit 600 in a given day until I got to mushies and then I was able to have more soft solids that gave me denser calories. You're doing great on Protein.