BetsyB

It's pretty par for the course---though difficult to deal with at times. I found that timing meals for when I was at home worked best for me---if I could stick around the house for a half hour or so after eating, I could usually avoid gross bathrooms.

What do you eat for your meal? Is it made up of just lean Protein and nonstarchy veggies? If not, I'd try going that route---so that you don't trigger cravings for starchy stuff like the rice that bit you last night. You HAVE to stick with it--it's really important. That means cleaning out your kitchen so that foods that are not appropriate aren't THERE. It means that, if nighttime is hard for you, pack it in early and go to bed. Seriously. It DOES get easier after a few days. Your liver will start to release its glycogen stores, and you will feel LOTS better, physically. The head hunger will persist, and is hard to fight. YOU HAVE TO DO IT. Each starchy thing you eat postpones your body's natural response--which is to rid your liver of glycogen so that it is smaller and easier to move around during surgery. You don't want this.

Unless it's been diagnosed as yeast/fungal, I wouldn't use an OTC antifungal--they can be VERY irritating to already-irritated skin. If it's not a yeast infection, it can make things much worse. Skinfolds are moist and warm and the prime site for what moms used to call prickly heat--and that's how these rashes usually start. They can become infected---or they can simply be a terrible, painful nuisance. For me, the one thing that has worked really well is Aveeno Active Naturals Anti-Itch concentrated lotion. I actually don't experience any itching from my rash, but this soothes the irritation and--more importantly--forms a nice skin barrier that protects against moisture. If you plan on having reconstructive surgery at goal, it's a good idea to photograph the rash and/or darkening left by the rash (can't believe your doctor didn't know what this was---might be time for a new doctor!) periodically. Also keep all receipts for any skin protective lotions, prescription creams/ointments, etc. When it gets bad, return to the doctor for documentation. Over and over....establishing a record of medical treatment for skin breakdown will help get at least partial coverage for plastics.

Denise, I'm sorry you're still feeling cruddy. But it makes me doubly impressed that you've lost another pound. We'll have to have a cyber-celebration 4 pounds from now! Give Butters a kiss--I love a faithful canine personal trainer, you know. :smile: You might wind up pleasantly surprised at your MIL's recovery once at home. Being in a hospital is tremendously stressful, and while window washing and throwing parties might be more than most of us think ...well, sane...it might be just what the proverbial doctor ordered for her. When independence is held so dear, its loss can actually cause health deterioration. Maintaining it may boost her quite a bit. Bob, I'm so glad you're recovering so well. Your attitude must have a ton to do with it. I thought mine was good, but you put me to shame! You spared me having to say something snarky about men and maturity :smile2: My son is seriously afflicted with Peanut Brain Syndrome. (When I used the acronym yesterday, my daughter asked if it meant Pain in the Butt Syndrome; that fits, too.) Everyone always says that girls are so much harder to raise, but I'm reserving judgment for several more years. So far, she's waaaay in the lead. Gloria--Happy belated anniversary. It's wonderful that your husband's adored you through thick and thin. I am intrigued with the changes that weight loss brings to relationships--very interested to see what it does with mine. Speaking of which, Mark is feeling "fine." Which means, actually, cruddy--but status quo cruddy. Huge improvement! He sees the transplant guys on Monday; I am very nervous about this. More that they will say, "Nope, sorry--it's not time yet" or "Nope, sorry--too late!" than that they will say, "Yes, it's time." Jen--your coworker story cracked me up. Because God really wants people to promise to stop eating for Lent, only to continue to do so, by stealing others' food! My big excitement is that at just about two months out, I can now add vegetables to my repertoire. Seriously, I haven't been as excited about anything else in a long, long time! Who would have thought that lettuce could cause my heart to flutter?! :smile2:

Leaks are a possibility, but I wonder whether something else is at work. When you say you have no resistance, does that mean you don't have restriction? And that's been for the last month only? Has the weight gain you've experienced as a result been in the last month? What else has changed during that time? Was the loss of restriction gradual or abrupt? Sorry to pepper you with so many questions! In all likelihood, it's probably something more easily remedied than a like. You may simply need another fill---that need can arise even after a long period of good restriction. In your shoes, I'd schedule an appointment with my surgeon.

I am the only person in WW history, I think, who GAINED weight on the program, following it to a T---you know, all the Healthy Guidelines, etc. It was only when they introduced the CORE plan---when I could eat well BELOW the point range they always insisted we must meet, lest we experience "starvation mode" that I was able to lose. I think that ultimately, that will be the way I eat, long-term: mostly Protein and nonstarchy veggies, with the addition of legumes and occasional WHOLE grains. But for now, when losing, it's protein, protein, protein!

The rationale is that, for tissue growth, maintenance, and healing, protein---from an external source---is required. Carbohydrate provides energy---but our bodies have ample, ample supplies of stored energy. Therefore, we don't really need it from an external source during the weight loss phase. (During maintenance, this changes.) It is tricky to find easy-to-grab foods. This is probably why my doctor--who does recommend a higher-protein, lower carb approach--is a 3-meals-a-day guy. Aside from discouraging grazing (the path to destruction for some of us), it's just easier to stick to this sort of plan if you don't have to do as much thinking! I do eat this way. I don't always adhere to the three-meals-a day thing; sometimes I really need a snack. For those, I do use Protein supplements sometimes--primarily because they are easy, low in calories, and a good protein source. But usually, I grab a string cheese or a Babybel. Nonstarchy veggies are another alternative, if you've added them back in to your repertoire. Really, it's just a matter of practice. I pared out most carbs pretty substantially a couple of years before banding, and keep my carbs around 25-35 most days (and never more than 50)---after a while, you find that you don't really miss them. It's just a matter of identifying the alternatives.

Denise, I'm here---late, but Truman had other plans for me. Plus, I got to sleep a bit late... I have to catch up on posts--but LOVE Greek yogurt. Unflavored, with a little really good-quality vanilla (Nielsen-Massey or Penzey's) and Splenda. YUM! (These days, I also stir in PURE unflavored protein so it sticks with me longer.) Okay, time for work...blah. I will read and respond later....you know, when I'm procrastinating (more).

I love the name Calvin--and you're right: by the time you get approval, he may be very mobile!

Yes. I have to eat very slowly, and really "listen" in between bites, or it's easy to overlook. But I tend to have the deep breath/sigh...followed by one, single hiccup. The hiccup often comes AFTER I've decided to stop eating. With time and more restriction, I think the hiccup will be a "too late" signal like it is for Hummingbird.

A hiccup is my warning, too. But it's pretty common for there to be a little bit of phrenic nerve irritation post laparoscopic surgery--and that can play in for some people, too.

I think it's pretty typical to get nervous. But you will come out with flying colors--and be SO glad you went through with it!

Au contraire :smile2: I don't know whether you will rely on them after surgery, so there may be no point in ordering. But Inspire Proteins from bariatriceating.com are awesome. I still use them to bump my protein up each day.

Since you've gone maverick, make sure that you're getting the right combo of nutrients (the same carb/fat/protein ratio as the recommended shakes) and that your new shakes don't contain sugar. And be aware that hemp Protein is not as bioavailable or complete as whey isolate. (That's why shakes with whey tend to be recommended by doctors.) A bit more about your diet changes: it's one thing to change Proteins to one that has the SAME composition as what was recommended. It's another to head off in your own direction, and rationalize that you need the protein from food, etc. Our bodies have more than enough energy stored to sustain us during a two-week low-carb diet. And those stores NEED to be depleted; stimulating the liver to give up its glycogen stores creates a smaller liver that is safer to maneuver around during surgery. Changing things up can interfere with this. It's time for a call to your doctor/dietitian. Tell him/her that you can't tolerate the recommended proteins. Ask for good alternatives. ASK whether you can substitute solid protein for the shakes. Don't make up your own rules---remember, doing things your way hasn't worked well for you; it's taken you to the point of requiring bariatric surgery. That means that listening to the doctor is probably a better approach for now. As for the weakness and diarrhea: they're pretty par for the course for a few days, until the liver does start kicking out its carbohydrate. People usually start feeling better on Day 3 or 4 (just like you did), whether they change proteins or not.

Guys, a five-month-old is different from a toddler. And heavier than a 2-month-old. I understand the desire to have it done right away--really, I do. But talk with your doctor. S/he will tell you whether there are lifting restrictions, for how long, and for how much weight. You don't want to learn that you have a restriction when the nurse is reading your discharge instructions and you have no backup at home.

I don't care what kind of way out it is. It's a way OUT. I was unable to find the way out--despite numerous tries over decades--anywhere else. Easy? I don't think so. But let's say it is...just for the sake of argument. I'm okay with that. It can be whatever kind of way out it wants to be-----as long as I get to keep that light at the end of the tunnel. It was never there before.

Nah. They may give a temporary fix, but what happens to your skin is going to happen to your skin---pretty much regardless of what you do. It's a function of genetics, age, how much you lose, how long you were overweight, whether you'd gained or lost other times, whether you've been pregnant, and so on. The wraps FEEL good, though!

It sounds to me like you made it work for you. Nothing wrong with that! You chose something out of your comfort zone---but it aligned with what you needed really well. To me, that says that you're internalizing your "rules" and applying them in a real-life way.

Vonhelzing, that is an issue that is between your mom and her insurer, really. It's not a reflection on the surgeons or the hospital--it's a reflection of the insurance contract. I have Empire BCBS--my insurance contract covers bariatric surgery at centers of excellence. I have traditional 80/20 insurance with an out-of-pocket cap. I read the contract VERY carefully before even going to the seminar. At the seminar, I provided info for pre-approval, and got a call within 24 hours verifying coverage. There were no surprises. My total outlay has been: 3 $35.00 copayments pre-op (office visits) $155.00 payment to surgeon for my part of his fee (after insurance) $300 program fee, not reimbursable by insurance (the services are WELL worth the cost; they include nutrition counseling, use of gym facilities--and trainer--and fills) $100-ish in copays for preop labwork and pulmonary function tests $35, each, for copays to pulmonologist, cardiologist, and psychologist Each and every one of these things was dictated, 100 percent, by my insurance contract. The doctor and hospital? No input whatsoever, except to inform me of my obligations. I'm glad you and your mom had good experiences elsewhere, though. We all deserve really good doctors, and it's great that there are a lot out there!

My doctor did monthly weight checks between my first consult and my surgery--even after I had met the requirements for insurance approval. If your doctor doesn't do this, I really wouldn't worry too much. Many doctors want their patients to demonstrate a commitment to change before surgery. But it seems that just as many recognize that many people have a sort of prolonged Last Supper syndrome. If you're worried, call the doctor's office and ask what the doctor's stance is. If it is a concern, ask to see the nutritionist/dietitian before your appointment.

You will have lifting limitations for about 4 weeks. With an infant, I imagine that would be difficult without full-time help.

Yep, my doctor's office is in the eat-your-protein camp, too. They do concede that supplements can be useful on days when eating is tough. And they're okay with substituting a shake for one meal a day. Or to reach Protein goals when they seem unattainable. The latter is how I rationalize my continued use of 1-2 per day. I really don't get enough protein, otherwise. I am sure they'd frown on this...but I don't really see how to stick with ALL their recommendations, otherwise. Something has to give--either I use them and get enough protein, or I don't, and don't.

Congratulations! You've done a wonderful job!

Ha! That sounds like something my son would do! My oldest nephew and his mom lived with my family of origin when I was a teenager. That poor guy had more moms, between my mother, my sisters, and I!

Awesome! What a great day!