vickyd

Just be careful who you tell if you want to keep it a secret with a few exceptions...I had not originally planned to tell my MIL but she planned a trip to visit us over Thanksgiving which was right after I started my liquid diet. Since there was absolutely no way to hide the fact that I wasn't going to be eating while she was here, I ended up telling her about the surgery. She was extremely supportive (and continues to be) but even though I asked her not to tell anyone because I wanted to keep it private, I have since found out that she told her brother and my sister-in-law...and they told people... so now there are quite a few people out there who know about my surgery even though I wanted to keep it private. When I asked her about it she just said, "Oops! I guess I have a big mouth, don't I?" I also had an issue with my husband telling some of his co-workers...he said he was just so proud of how well I was doing that it slipped out. Needless to say, I was furious with both of them for many reasons...the biggest reason being that they didn't respect my wishes not to tell people.

I'm suprised your insurance company wouldn't tell you their requirements to get approved, but I can tell you that my surgeon's office has an Insurance Coordinator who met with me and went over all of the requirements to get approved by both my insurance and my surgeon. Every insurance is different but I had to have a psych evaluation, weight history for 5 years, referral from my PCP and then had to have an upper GI (barium swallow), EKG and Endoscopy (because they found some reflux doing the upper GI) and meet with their Nutritionist several times. The hardest part of it all was finding the 5 year weight history...I found that since I had moved to a new state (and changed doctors a couple of times) that my old doctors had purged my records. Luckily, I remembered that I had to have a breast biopsy 5 years ago and was able to contact the hospital and get my records from that in order to meet the requirements.

I have always had this problem. Before surgery, I knew I was morbidly obese but whenever I saw a picture of myself I couldn't believe it because I didn't look like that when I saw myself in the mirror. Even now, 82 lbs later, I still don't trust what I see in the mirror. I know I am much smaller than I was when I started...I can tell that by my clothes...but, today, when I looked at some pictures of me that my husband took yesterday I realized that I am starting to look much closer to what I see in the mirror. I think I am still adjusting to the shrinking me...

Some days I still do a protein shake because it's quick (my nutritionist is ok with it as long as it is occaisional). My other favs are egg beaters with lauging cow cheese and turkey sausage, chobani yogurt and oatmeal (I try to keep my carbs below 40g per day so oatmeal and yogurt are not something I do often).

I only had steri strips...all but the ones on my largest incision came off on their own. That one was taken off by my surgeon at my 2 week post op appointment.

You're welcome. I also mixed my protein shakes using soy milk to further reduce the lactose. Also, you may find that your lactose intolerance gets worse after surgery...it happens for some people.

Definitely start the process of getting your rash documented. I don't know what your insurance will cover down the road toward a tummy tuck but the more documentation you have about the rash can only help. There is a powder called Zeazorb that you can get from behind the counter at your pharmacy (but doesn't require a prescription)...it works well for skin irritation.

I concentrated on high protein snacks...my favs were low fat string cheese, babybel light cheese, turkey deli meat spread with laughing cow cheese, cucumber slices with hummus. The protein will helP you feel full longer.

I agree that you're not eating enough calories. Too few calories can be almost as bad as too many as far as weight loss goes. A lot of people are tighter in the morning. Try drinking something warm to help loosen the band so you can get something down...Greek yogurt has a decent amount of protein (more if you add some unflavored protein powder) but may go down for you. If that doesn't hep you to be able ti eat some breakfast and lunch then you probably need a small unfill.

Can you give us an example if what you are eating? All of your meals should be protein-based and you should always eat your protein first so that you get as much as possible in before you get full. My surgeon told me that while he prefers me to get my protein from food, if it comes down to a choice of whether or not to get your protein in then he is ok with shakes.

It sounds to me like the "lump" you are talking about is your port, but the type of pain you described isn't normal and you need to see your doctor. After surgery, I was released to start working out but told no ab exercises for 6 weeks.

Checking it at 243.8 (down 2.6 lbs) and I exceeded my May goal by 1.2 lbs!!! Joan - yes, I will continue to keep the tracking spreadsheet fir the June challenge.

You need to try some different brands of protein shakes to find some that you like...everyone has different tastes so you need to find something that works for you. In addition to the ones reverie mentioned, I have heard really good things about Syntax Nector (I haven't tried it yet but know several people who like this). Also, if you try Muscle Milk Light (which I like), don't get the chocolate...it tastes horrible and I dont know anyone who likes it

Like Shrinky said...you'll be amazed how little people pay attention to how much you eat at family functions. I normally put a spoonful of whatever I want on my plate and then take small bites and move the food around on my plate...it makes it look like you ate more than you actually did.

A lot of people have foods that their band won't tolerate. Others (like me) can tolerate any foods. You will just have to see what yours can tolerate. The advice to chew well is good...almost every one of my stuck/PB episodes resulted from eating too fast, taking bites that are too big, andnot chewing properly. Also, you should know that sometimes sliming can also come in the form of foam. On my worst stuck episode, what came up was white and foamy...a but freaky but no big deal.

That is wonderful news!!!

It is very common for weight loss to stall when you start adding food (even mushies) back into your diet. Don't let it get you down...just keep following your surgeon's instructions and you will start losing again (my stall lasted about 2 weeks).

May Challenge

My husband and son like to have pizza quite frequently too and although I choose not to eat pizza (I'm fairly certain my band could tolerate it), I have figured out a way to work around it. We have switched from ordering pizza from one of the pizza delivery places to ordering from a local Italian restaurant that also delivers. According to my husband, the pizza is very good and then I can choose to have either a salad with grilled chicken or a side order of meatballs in marinara sauce (my normal order). This works for us because they get what they want and I can have the food that is good for me...just an idea...

Not everyone gets the same full feeling you are looking for. For me, if I stop eating when I feel full then I have eaten way too much and will really regret it later because I start feeling nauseous. Instead, I weigh and measure out my food (and estimate it when I eat out) and then stop eating when the food is gone. I don't feel "full" but I am no longer hungry. It takes some getting used to but I'm happy with this new feeling.

Glad you are home and doing well. Welcome to the club!!!

My surgeon wouldn't consider giving a fill until 6 weeks after surgery because you need this time to heal. Right now, try to focus on protein-it will keep you full longer. Also, if you feel like you need a snack, keep it protein centered. You may eat more than you will once you have a fill but this time is really about healing not weight loss.

Congratulations Larry!!! :success1: :party:

I think it sounds good. When you eat, concentrate on the protein first. Also, if you want a dressing other than oil and vinegar then get the dressing on the side and dip the tines if your fork in it before picking up the salad to eat. You will still get the taste of the dressing but will only end up using less than a tablespoon.

I might be wrong, but it seems to me that there should be someone at your medical school (an instructor perhaps) who could give you an unfill if you ran into an emergency situation. It might be worth checking in to...