Search the Community

I went to my OBGYN a couple weeks ago because I hadnt had a period in awhile. I told her I did not want Birth control because my husband and I have been "trying" for 2 years so she gave me provera. However, now that I am going to go through the lap band surgery I didn't want provera and would rather do birth control so that 1. I can finally have a period after 114 days and 2. not get pregnant before the surgery (which is weird to me since I've been peeing on a stick for so long). I called my surgeons office and they said I could be on BC but would have to stop it 4 weeks before surgery and not get back on 4-6 weeks after surgery. I then asked them about Provera but she wasnt familiar with it (its to make me have a period with still have the possibility of getting pregnant). Does anyone have advice or have any experience with this. I've always had irregular periods, however, 114 days is kinda pushing it to ridiculous. Thanks!

I have not been working out hardly at all in the "go to the gym" sense but I'm challenging myself to up my step count and have been logging both steps and food religiously for 17 days today My high was 11k but I was shocked and embarrassed to find that my "normal" routine only had me about 3500 steps per day! That's very couch potato! So I've been pushing myself to find new ways to step more (even doing 100 steps in the stall each time I go to the bathroom which, because of my Water intake, is a lot!) I have also tried to increase my workload around the house with things like laundry, dishes and vacuuming. Big problem is I still get lightheaded when I bend over and come back up from postural hypotension, so it can be challenging/annoying to lose my balance/focus. My dr said, keep it at light cardio type activities with no lifting over 20 lbs and no jiggling/pounding so even jogging is off limits till my next appointment in a few weeks. My favorite foods right now are chicken waldorf salad, greek yogurt (eat it everyday!), Peanut Butter and hummus. I read a great article yesterday on Bariatric Foodie for one ingredient add-ins to spice up Protein shakes and I am amazed that my love of Protein Shakes could be renewed but it is! I had one with unflavored protein, chocolate fudge sf pudding 1/2 a box, and 3 drops of coconut extract. It was seriously like drinking a mounds bar, so good. This morning I had vanilla protein with "TrueOrange" which is orange essence crystals, no sugar. CREAMSICLE oh man it was good. So SF pudding mixes, just a few drops of extract, or the "TrueOrange, TrueLemon, TrueLimes" make a world of difference and make me look forward to protein shakes again!! I take bariactiv Vitamins, 2 chewable Multivitamins, 2 chewable calcium+d, 1 Iron, and nasal b12 every monday. I also do the calcium chewables at night (when I remember) because the bariactiv calls for two doses per day but i just never get around to the second dose, but a caramel sweetie somehow gets me to take it Gents move on, but for ladies esp anyone pcos… I have really bad pcos, to the point the fertility dr said nothing i can do to help you just go lose weight and hope. Post op I was told that oral contraception wasn't reliable for bc and for regulating the hormones enough to maintain a regular cycle. So I'm also supplementing with 550 mg dong quai root, which is an herbal, but it has a blood thinner effect and also draws blood to the pelvic region which helps both with cycles and with constipation. It's also supposed to help calm tom and stop pain and cramps. I can feel a huge difference even though I haven't had tom since surgery I can feel it coming hopefully soon. I have also noticed that the pain in my ovaries has all but disappeared, no stabbing/pulling feelings. So I'm hoping its working some magic for me, because the pill itself tastes gross so it's a pain to have to take it everyday.

Ty! Yes we are! Some of that weight loss was pre-surgery, lost about 26# since surgery. I feel really good actually. a) I too need to stop eating before I’m too full like so many others here, I’m having a hard time with that. b) I was super nauseous for the first 3 weeks or so but was lucky in that my surgeon gave me Zofran for it. My Dr. cleared me to eat whatever (as long as it’s healthy) I want after my 1 month follow up and so far so good. My new favorite food is canned chicken crust pizza I make. It’s soooo yummy and gives me tons of protein intake with just one piece. c) I’m definitely feeling the stalls, I’ve had 2 (one currently) which is what makes me come see how y’all are doing and then I realize it’s not just me so that makes me feel better. It’s just so annoying bc I typically eat about 750-900 cal a day and my brain just doesn’t want to get why the weight doesn’t just drop off 🤣. I think it thinks I’m starving to death 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 d) I have on occasion gotten super hungry which I hate. I was so hoping that feeling was permanently gone but 🤷🏼‍♀️. It’s only happened to me 2 or 3 times so maybe I was dehydrated? That’s what I’m telling myself for now. I also have a hard time getting 64 ounces of fluid in but I try. And going back to the nausea thing….i just had a couple of suggestions that I’ve tried and have helped me, but of course ev1 is different. Even the thought of protein shakes now make me want to vomit, I do everything I can to avoid having to drink them. I try to hit 60-80 gm of protein a day. I eat a lot of tuna, chicken, Greek yogurt, the Only Bean roasted edamame beans and chicken pizza crust pizza. And use liquicel if I need a protein boost before breaking down and having a shake. I don’t ever take my vitamins on an empty stomach, I always eat light and fit Greek yogurt first. water makes me nauseated now. So I very rarely drink plain water. I usually drink decaf unsweetened iced tea and now add Mio to my water but I’m trying to integrate the plain water back in, I think it’s just some kind of weird mental block. And just keep in mind that dehydration itself can cause fatigue and nausea! Of course so can the vitamins were all taking 😂 Sorry for the vvvveeerrryyyyyy long post guys! And thanks again for all y’all’s unknown help. I wish ev1 the best on their weight loss journey!

For some reason (I've got to think on it), I've been "hungry" all day; in quotes bc it's not really hunger, but "wanting to eat". Being able to put a label on and identify each was a big, fat epiphany for me. Clearly I'm not in need of food bc I've eaten at the same times and in the same amounts that I have been for the past 2 months. I'm dancing with my demons today. But you know what? I'M LEADING! I haven't given in. And for that tiny miracle, I am grateful and proud.

Well Tuesday, after posting my garden pics blog after dinner, things got a little crazy around here. One of the couples going to the concert with us/old neighbors that moved close by was in the area (birthday dinner out for one of their teens). They called us and we invited them over. We invited another couple (going to the concert) over, had drinks on the patio (perfect weather) and discussed our plans while all the kids visited. The last couple (going to the concert) was returning from vacation that evening and we got a call that an Uncle in their family had died (expected, Hospice had been there). After about four more calls back and forth we found that the viewing would be during the concert, so they couldn't go. Then we got a call from DS1, that he'd been in an accident; no injuries. I always hesitate to share negative things about my kids here, but I will just incase it keeps someone else from having an accident (or your kids). He works with one of his good friends and after work his friend was performing in a band at a local bar (they have events scheduled on occasion just for underage teens, no alcohol). He was following his friend's car through the parking lot to park (probably too closely) and looked down 'for a second' to tune his iPod…friend stopped, DS1 didn't (even with hands-free phone calls there are too many distractions in cars these days with all the electronics...FYI we've always limited the number of kids he can drive and he's supposed to set the iPod to a playlist before he leaves and phone is supposed to be on speaker and only for important things). Bottom line is the friend's car had a higher bumper with a long/large trailer hitch and my minivan's front end (must be made of cellophane) was no match (minor damage to friend's car). He was going between 2-5 mph at the time (that was the prediction of the auto-shop manager the next day, as the airbags would have gone off if he was over that for the kind of accident he had, and they hadn't deployed). So that evening we spent some time sorting that out. Somehow (LOL) we also ended up with everyone's kids spending an overnight at our house, so there was popcorn to be made and sleeping bags and fresh pillowcases to be rounded up after the parent's left. We spent yesterday morning getting kids fed/home, then lunchtime calling; insurance, the friend's father (DS1 called to apologize, etc.), the rental car place, and we took my minivan to the car shop (5-6K or possibly totaled; and yes, DS1 was there at each step to hear it all); the hitch punched into my minivan killing the radiator and A/C fan (maybe more) and wrecking the hood, front end/bumper and front side panel…ouch! DS1 is going to be paying what the insurance wont (we made a deal with our kids that we'd pay for their first accident only). He had a similar wreck just about 8 months ago at the stop-light right in front of his workplace. DH's car that time…a bumper miss-match with a tall SUV in front as they were all stopping for the light "she made a hard stop sooner than he expect" and even though he was down to under 10mph DH car went under the other car's bumper (can you say TAILGATING!). Again, the SUV had hardly a scratch, but they almost totaled DH's car. Insurance yesterday said 'Didn't he just have this same kind of accident?' 'Ummm, yes, just a different car.' AHHHH! I know some of you'll think we're the strictest parents (we all do the best we can), but I'll tell you anyway (and no, he didn't get any consequences other than a long talk for the first accident, but the second time it becomes carelessness)…we'll only be letting him drive to/from work, but with us in the passenger seat for awhile to 'coach/tune up' his driving skills (punishments always seem to punish the parents too don't they...can't wait for the late night pick-up when the restaurant closes), and no, he won't have the iPod (or even the use of the radio or phone) in the car for awhile even when he returns to driving…we need this one to 'hurt' as he doesn't really have an appreciation for just some money coming out of his savings account. We'd also had already been talking to him about getting a second job as he wasn't getting enough hours at a restaurant, so we forced that issue yesterday and he called and got rehired at his old job (retail store). Of course it's not the hassle or insurance rate going up (it will) that we care about; he just needs to learn the lesson now before he or someone else gets HURT or worse…that's our real worry. Driving is a privilege and he's gotten over-confident in his abilities (we've seen that watching him drive recently…he started off as a careful driver, but now he's gotten complacent after driving for 3 years and needs an attitude adjustment). He needs to take it seriously and understand the responsibility of driving. We've had several sit-down discussions with him and I'm sure well be talking more about it on the way to PSU tomorrow (fun, fun, fun...NOT). In the afternoon we ran and got things for our tailgate and got ready. We thought we had someone set to take the now extra set of tickets, but that fell through less than an hour before departure. So more scrambling with others trying to find friends to go and finally the concert attendees suggested we take our daughter/BF (about 10 min. before departure). I grabbed DD some clothes in case they could come and off we went (the neighbors picked us up and had fully decorated the car and had bought us all kinds of whacky stuff to wear and display at the tailgate. We had a great time people watching (a major spectator sport at this concert) tailgating with the neighbors (I ate some sub (VERY carefully) and none of the sides we took, but I did have a two Corona's/Lime as it was all we had there (with some Gas X, and yes, my doc says carbonation is OK after a certain point post-op...and I nursed them forever...the tailgate is longer than the concert at JB). DD/BF got to the concert about ½ hour late (she had to work until 7pm), but they had a great time too (virgin Parrotheads). We danced, we sang, we had a blast…Buffett was awesome as always! What a way to celebrate our 50th birthdays! TERRIBLE phone-camera pic attached of us doing the Big 5-0. We picked up a rental car for me today and I'm off to pack for our orientation overnight at PSU tomorrow…it's been a busy, sometimes very stressful 48 hours. *Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Hi skinnydippn42! I just read your post and wanted to let you know that the time for the support group at River Oaks tomorrow night (Sept. 4th) is from 6:00-7:00 p.m.... I'm looking forward to being there! I wish I knew the answer to your question about Medicare, but I don't. I have BC/BS and they do not cover any of the costs. I was self-pay and that is tough! I hope you get it all cleared up and start on the road to a healthier you soon. I'm sure Dr. Cleveland is good if you go to CMMC, but I can tell you first hand that if River Oaks is a possibility, that you will be very pleased also. Dr. Carroll is great and his staff are all very nice and helpfull. River Oaks couldn't be better also! Much luck to you!

Yea, I think I am going to get back on my BC because since surgery I have had a period every month but it just comes whenever it's not on regular schedule. Sometimes its a week early or a week late. Right now I am another week late!

Hi, I'm still in the planning stage but am thinking about it night and day. I'm trying to get in to see my regular doc to help me with paperwork. I'm 5'4, 230 pounds, type II Diabetic, recent BC survivor and know I have to have this done. I'm covered under my hubby's 1st choice but have no idea what they pay. Can you reccomend a doc. in Seatle, Edmonds, Bellevue area? I'm looking at differnet sites but I don't want to just pick one that way. Kat

holy smokes if i had 6 kids fat!!! :huh2: what ever am i going to do skinny!!!! thanks froggi :cursing: as you can probably tell we dont use BC but we do use condoms occasionaly.

Wow...ladies, that is great....I am so happy for all of you....I have never heard of an insurance company doing this, but sounds like that is typical for BC/BS Federal....CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THAT ARE APPROVED....YOU ARE GETTING READY TO BE BANDED....

Cleo's Mom: You go girl. PG has too much time on her hands. I can't quite figure out if it is hypocricy or insecurity though. I left the Born-Agains forum -- I'd had one too many ladles of her BS. Now I discover she infects this forum, too, offering up the pre-chewed rather than the original; PG lets others do the heavy lifting and simply parrots. Is independent thinking so hard? (That is rhetorical question, PG. I can sense she is poised to extract that quote, ready to launch another sortie of FauxNews wit) Looking forward to other postings, some of which may actually offer up something new and different.:grouphug:

I had the same. I went back to work after 7 days, but could have waited about 2 more days. You will start to feel better day by day until one day you all of a sudden feel 100 % again. That happened for me at about week 3. Just take it easy, you just had surgery and try to walk and drink your fluids. My back was killing me bc I was sitting in the same position. when i reconfigured my setup, I was not in pain anymore. I used a couple pillows to help me out. I didn't sneeze or cough until 3 weeks po. I held it in bc it hurt sooo bad. This was especially hard for me since I have bad allergies and sneeze everyday! You will be fine, it takes time. Good luck!

Well I guess I could always try birth control, I mean I'll have to get put on it after surgery anyway because it's a must for my surgeons office. We have to promise to be on birth control prove it and not get preg within a year after surgery. I might have to ask next week to see if i can see someone about getting some BC. I so need something.

Well, after being cut on the 28th, I'm home now! I was discharged yesterday and I feel pretty good. Incisions still suck, but I'm able to get in all my liquids and I can do purees. I'm getting way sick of Protein drinks though; some other people mentioned being fed up with sweet stuff, and I hear that! All I want is something savory. My last day in the hospital they gave me mashed potatoes and it was truly awesome. Of course, that's not the sort of thing I'll be making for myself at home, but it was nice! And @@hrhlaurie, you're not the only one who didn't get a leak test. My surgeon said he does the one while before they stitch you up, but doesn't do a swallow test because of the two leaks he's ever seen, one happened too soon to be caught by the test and the other happened too late, so he just doesn't see the point. Fair enough I guess. I mean, I wouldn't have minded doing one, but I trust his judgement, and since I'm feeling so good (relatively speaking), I think I'll know if something is wrong. I also had my first BM today (yay for bathroom talk!). It was teeny tiny, which doesn't surprise me, since I've eaten probably less than 1/4 cup of actual food since Tuesday. But today all I want is something savory and not made from instant powders like at the hospital! So, I'm gonna make some black bean Soup and puree it, then mix in some pumpkin seed protein, and instead of sour cream I'll do a dollop of quark (something common here in Germany that is sort of like Greek Yogurt, and tend to be eaten on potatoes; also very high in protein and low in fat). My surgeon said for now I can eat about three tablespoons at once, so I'll just freeze the rest in ice cube trays, and I should be set for food for a while, even if I half the recipe. I'm gonna save a bundle on food!

Hi I have BCBS Fed Basic and I was approved on Wen after 5 days. I called everyday and stressed Until they finally called me back with the good news( which they normally won't do ,they said I would have to wait for the letter or my Dr to call but they Called me) . My surgery is scheduled for 11/3 a little over two weeks! I hope you Hear something soon!

Im also on wellbutrin and im not sure if that helps but my sex drive is out teh roof and i have noone as of yet to go with!! im finally losing weight and feeling better about myself and i just dont want the men who are giving me attention...my idea is if i wait a bit more and lose more weight i will find a guy i truly want bc right now im not interested in some...haha but i am excited to find out if sex when i dont have all this fat on me will be so much better...and more positions!!!

It's funny that you say that bc I look now how I always looked growing up until I got pregnant at 19, then again at 20, but still was only about 40 pounds overweight until I had my son and dilated cardiomyopathy in 2009 and the swelled up like a balloon. I am not pregnant in that first picture but everyone thinks I am. It's great to look like me again.

This news story ran in BC, Canada earlier this week. A lady came back to Canada after VGS surgery in Mexico, with a leak and a sliced spleen. The story does not specifically name the surgeon she had, but they show the receipt she got from the clinic she used, which was "Bariaticenter" in Tijuana. You can figure out who the surgeon was from there. http://globalnews.ca/video/1569692/mexico-surgery-warning The lady sounds a bit nutsy, but even so, she didn't pay for this. I am still going to Mexico next week for my VGS surgery, but not to this clinic. This video is a bit of fear mongering I think, but obviously, this lady had a very bad experience. Research, research, research!

Here is another story on Global News about another woman from BC complaining of a leak after gastric sleeve surgery with Dr. Almanza. http://globalnews.ca/news/1581936/north-van-woman-still-recovering-after-gastric-sleeve-surgery-in-mexico/ If there wasn't a 3.5 year wait list to get the surgery in BC on the public health care system, people wouldn't be paying to have it done elsewhere.

Can anyone help me with this pre op diet? I am exercising and drinking a protein shake once a day, however I am scared to eat or drink anything bc I have less than a month to lose 15-20 pounds. Can someone suggest things to eat that will help lose the 15-20? I would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks in advance!

Yeah thats how it is, or at least was before i started to lose weight. It got to the point where i never wanted to have sex, bc i didnt feel sexy. After I started losing and was able to dress nicer and cuter and gain more self confidence, up went my sex drive..this is of course not including the period of my life where I was constantly having sex to make myself feel wanted and pretty...anyways as the weight goes down, dont be surprised if the sex goes up

You're doing fine with weight loss. I wouldn't worry yet. I'm 3 mos post sleeve and only went down one pant size, but everyone comments on how much over lost. Sometimes it comes of differently. My face looks thinner and my bra size went down. As far a food, make sure you're eating slow, if I eat you fast its easy to eat more than you should and feel sick. Remember just because it's on your plate does not mean you have to eat it. My co worker laughed at me yesterday for leaving three bites of my chicken from lunch, she was like, "you seriously did not leave three bites of chicken. " I know from experience that those three more birds would make me feel like crap. I said it'll make a nice snack later before I go home. She said that is not enough for a snack, and I said wth it is if you've had a protein of your stomach removed. You'll have to learn to listen to your stomach and at the first feeling of yeah I may be full, stop and leave it bc one or two bites have made all the difference in walking away fine out walking away in stabbing pain. Pre op I was originally 256# right before surgery was 231# now I'm 3 mos out 189#. I notice a difference and feel good. Also avoiding carbs has left me feeling more flat in the stomach, when I would eat alot bread Pre op it would leave me feeling bloated.

The “no reds” liquid diet is for people about to have a colonoscopy. My mom had just had one when I was getting ready for my liquid diet. I had to ask bc my doc didn’t specify “no reds.”

Me too I ate 2.5 oz of pasta tonight (soft small shells) and about 3-4 oz of ground beef. I feel like a failure bc of it! I possibly ate 7-8 oz in my dinner meal.

YES!!! This is exactly how I’ve been doing it. My mom had the sleeve done and there have been times when I’m crying bc I want something off my diet and she keeps saying “be good to yourself.” So I bought an airfryer and made my favorite thing for dinner tonight: Chicken Parm. Homemade gravy, fat free cheese, air fried and breaded in branflakes!! Was a great variation of my favorite food. Buying an airfryer was a great idea bc I don’t miss out on my favorite foods!!