WLS Wagon April 2012

[Healthy and Happy]

Originally Posted by Maryposa

I love my surgeon, Dr. Agha! He fixed my loose neck muscles in his office in an hour under local anesthesia for no extra charge! Yayyyyyyy he's so awesome!!!

Wow, great deal! Do you notice a big difference?



Those poi toys look fun! My 2 little ones loved watching the videos.

[ANGELFIRE80]

Hey guys...I need some help/advice if you can

My mom had RNY back on 3/6/12. She has lost 53lbs..which is great...however, she is not eating! She is not drinking enough either. I am not even sure I reported it here, but last month-I had to take her to the ER twice after she got VERY sick after having some Chobani yogurt. I mean, she was to the point of not being able to hold anything down for dayyyys. She ended up getting admitted after the 2nd er trip and they had to get her hydrated and keep her on Zofran for the nausea/vomitting. I am concerned that she is not taking good care of herself. It is tough, because I do not live with her. Any ideas on how to get her to eat? I am going by there tonight to try to force some food. She is ok for solids at this point but says "nothing sounds good"...I feel like I am literally dealing with one of my kids

[Healthy and Happy]

I'm so sorry your mom is having a rough time of it Angel. What about peanut butter off a spoon? I found that was appealing in the weeks after surgery when I couldn't tolerate much else. Also, show her how to make a smoothie with frozen fruit, coconut milk, maybe some cream if she needs the calories?


Does she have some potassium pills to take? I still have to take those and I am not a fast loser. If I start feeling crappy it's usually my electrolytes out of balance and taking potassium as well as using sea salt to salt foods to taste works fast to feel better. Some frozen bananas in those smoothies would help with that as well!

[Melodye]

Hello everyone, just dropping in to say hi and mark my spot. I went and did my water aerobics class this morning.I enjoy it so much. I will miss it while I am recooperating from my gastric bypass. But, I will be walking then. Dr. wants me walking 60 minutes a day. He says I can break it down to 4- 15 minute sessions,just as long as I get 60 in. Well, I gotta run. Check back in later.

[Hot Tamale]

Hi Everyone! Angel - I'd say try a peanut butter banana smoothie. They are delicious and you can add extra protein powder, too. At first I timed my drinks - every 15 minutes I drank one ounce. Also, maybe she would eat popsicles? Bottom line is she has to be an adult about this. Two hospital visits should serve as an indicator that she has to get in her liquids and food. As fast as we can lose, you just can't lose too fast or it will mess things up chemically (can you tell I'm not a doctor?). This is a matter of her health. I hope you can convince her to do what she needs to do.

That said, I am in the midst of losing a few pounds I let creep on after a few days of indulgences. I was 197.7 this morning. I have been exercising about 45 minutes a day - walking fast. Today I only got in about 30 minutes, but I had to do some errands I had not anticipated, so it cut into my walking time. Still, I am doing better with my eating, and I am ABSOLUTELY going to get to 194 before 4/30. That is my revised goal for April.

So guys, any of you have a "Before April 30th" goal? Drop a line and let us know what it is. It can be anything - losing a few pounds, an exercise goal, trying something new, etc... You have almost a week. What say you all?

PS: I told you I would not buy/eat any fudgicles or carb smart bars in April and I have stuck by it... I did have a few bites of some even worse stuff, but at least I didn't bring the fudgicles and carb smart bars home, too!

More later - gotta run right now.

[Healthy and Happy]

My before April 30th goal is to have lost 50 lbs, which is 3 lbs away.

[Savannah]

I really wanted to lose 50 lbs before my 2 month surgiversary, but the scale won't budge so I'll keep that same goal since I'm increasing the walking too maybe that will help!!

I found the Quest bars at The Vitamin Shoppe near my house yesterday they were up on a high shelf & I missed them the last time I was there. Today I enjoyed the Brownie one!! OMG it ended up being a snack & lunch as I got really busy & then had no chance to eat anything else. It surprisingly held me 5 hours.

I also got new work shoes last Sunday so I'm almost runnung down the halls now well as much as i can !

Angel--Hope your Mom can find something she likes. I really liked Designer Whey Grape drink 30 Gms of protein (Vitamin Shoppe) & the flavored Isopure
clear liquids really tasted good to me right after surgery! 40 Gm protein & asmentioned the popsicles really hit the spot too!

Mary--let us see your new neck! Congrats that was nice of him !!

HT--good job on giving up those low carb treats. they are good aren't they!!

[Jesse]

Yikes, I've been reading about how loud post vsg stomachs can rumble. I teach HIGH SCHOOL can you imagine how students will react to this? Already they like to tell me my nails need a fill or it might be time for me to get my hair highlighted again How noisy is this going to be?!!!!!

[Healthy and Happy]

I burp a few times during/after I eat, no stomach noise though.

[myyellowstang]

Originally Posted by ANGELFIRE80

Hey guys...I need some help/advice if you can

My mom had RNY back on 3/6/12. She has lost 53lbs..which is great...however, she is not eating! She is not drinking enough either. I am not even sure I reported it here, but last month-I had to take her to the ER twice after she got VERY sick after having some Chobani yogurt. I mean, she was to the point of not being able to hold anything down for dayyyys. She ended up getting admitted after the 2nd er trip and they had to get her hydrated and keep her on Zofran for the nausea/vomitting. I am concerned that she is not taking good care of herself. It is tough, because I do not live with her. Any ideas on how to get her to eat? I am going by there tonight to try to force some food. She is ok for solids at this point but says "nothing sounds good"...I feel like I am literally dealing with one of my kids

After my RNY I didn't really eat either, you have no desire and no inclination to eat. Nothing really does sound good and eating is a CHORE. I had some softer food, and then protein shakes. She NEEDS to drink though. No ifs ands or buts. Has she had labs done, is it bad enough that the threat of a feeding tube is real?

Is the Chiobani flavored? She's probably a dumper and needs to avoid sugar like the plague. The flavored greeks are high in sugars. She can do plain and add fruit and sweetener.

Originally Posted by Healthy and Happy

I'm so sorry your mom is having a rough time of it Angel. What about peanut butter off a spoon? I found that was appealing in the weeks after surgery when I couldn't tolerate much else. Also, show her how to make a smoothie with frozen fruit, coconut milk, maybe some cream if she needs the calories?

Some frozen bananas in those smoothies would help with that as well!

The smoothies are not bad ideas, but I would refrain from adding any fat and fruits to it. I would stick to protein, yogurt (plain), perhaps a strawberr or two, milk, ice... Calories are neccessary, but most of the things you suggest would have made me seriously ill that early post op. Bananas were too high in sugar. PB and cream too high in fat. Especially to take them in "liquid" form. They hit faster. Instant nausea. Small amounts of fat made me seriously nauseous and I had to avoid it. If anything I would do double milk protein drinks - protein powder made with milk, mixed with powdered milk (or carnation sf instant breafast) - although in high quantities that might make her feel ill as well. Freezing them into "drops" might make it more easily managed. Like little protein popsicles.

Originally Posted by Hot Tamale

Hi Everyone! Angel - I'd say try a peanut butter banana smoothie. They are delicious and you can add extra protein powder, too. At first I timed my drinks - every 15 minutes I drank one ounce. Also, maybe she would eat popsicles? Bottom line is she has to be an adult about this. Two hospital visits should serve as an indicator that she has to get in her liquids and food. As fast as we can lose, you just can't lose too fast or it will mess things up chemically (can you tell I'm not a doctor?). This is a matter of her health. I hope you can convince her to do what she needs to do.

Peanut butter is iffy. Sugar and fat - like was saying above it's harder earlier out for a RNY to tolerate fats. I STILL can't eat anything with mayo - instant nausea. I can tolerate PB now, but only in small quantities.

By that far out I could drink regularly. Not QUICKLY, but regular sized swallows. Does she have a stricture? Is she afraid? Something is holding her back. 100 oz of water and 120g of protein was my average. I used two scoop of nectar in 4-6 oz of water and drank it poured over ice. It was a matter of need to, not want to. My protein was tanked by then.

Lentil soups, Wendy's chili, everything needs to be high protein. I would stay away from filler foods like fruit and stuff just to up calories. She doesn't have enough real estate to play with that and she just needs protein. You can't force feed her, but you can make things easier and more accessible.

It was hard early out for me too. I HAD to eat by the clock or I wouldn't eat. NO desire at all, she has to look past that. If she does NOTHING else, then she needs to increase fluids. A body can live without food, but it does nothing without fluids. Water and protein drinks. I never got seriously dehydrated, but I'm sure I was never well hydrated. Often when it came down to a choice between food and fluid I would choose fluid.

FYI for me, warm fluids went down better than cold.

Sorry, I know you know all this stuff, but just throwing in my RNY two cents and experiences.

[myyellowstang]

Originally Posted by Jesse

Yikes, I've been reading about how loud post vsg stomachs can rumble. I teach HIGH SCHOOL can you imagine how students will react to this? Already they like to tell me my nails need a fill or it might be time for me to get my hair highlighted again How noisy is this going to be?!!!!!

Don't know about VSG, but my RNY tummy talks all the time and it's LOUD! Usually with liquids or in the hour after eating.

[myyellowstang]

Originally Posted by Savannah

I found the Quest bars at The Vitamin Shoppe near my house yesterday they were up on a high shelf & I missed them the last time I was there. Today I enjoyed the Brownie one!! OMG it ended up being a snack & lunch as I got really busy & then had no chance to eat anything else. It surprisingly held me 5 hours.

At just over 2 years post op I can't finish a whole one and the STILL keep me full for hours. I can't eat them really, the last one I had was right before I got the flu and I have a bad associated memory around them.

[myyellowstang]

Originally Posted by Hot Tamale

So guys, any of you have a "Before April 30th" goal? Drop a line and let us know what it is. It can be anything - losing a few pounds, an exercise goal, trying something new, etc... You have almost a week. What say you all?

Before April 30th - that's less than a week, right. Let's see... I've slacked on the gym. I want to make two trips to the gym and run a total of 6 miles in the week. I can do it. I'll go tonight.

[Hot Tamale]

Hi Everyone!

Heather - Thanks for reminding me about things like peanut butter and fruit early on... Although I did have some fruits early on (as in baby food ones mixed with baby food oatmeal) I generally shied away from them for months. Same with peanut butter. Good luck on your 4/30 goal!!!

I decided to shake things up a bit and actually did an elliptical machine for ten minutes today. It was fun - but got a bit challenging towards the end. And when I got off I was absolutely woozy - like I had been on an amusement park ride! That said, I did do 1.65 miles in 10 minutes and I got my heart rate up and the sweat moving. I call that progress! Afterwards I had trouble with my left knee for a bit, but I started the treadmill part of my exercising slowly (3.0) then worked up to 3.6 as it started to feel better. I walked 2 miles on top of the elliptical 1.65, so I feel great about that.

Eating was okay...not super. I have been more careful tonight and I am drinking bunches of water today compared to most days. I am working for the 195th pound!

Jesse - I had gastric bypass and yes, at times my stomach can be loud. It makes funny almost slurpy noises sometimes depending on how I'm sitting and what I'm eating. It rarely makes noises when I am not eating.

Hope you're all having a relaxing end to a great day!

[gharkness]

Originally Posted by myyellowstang

Don't know about VSG, but my RNY tummy talks all the time and it's LOUD! Usually with liquids or in the hour after eating.

Five years out, and yes, it's still embarrassingly loud! I have gotten to where I mostly don't hear it, but sometimes I wonder about my co-workers

[Melodye]

Hiya all. Just dropping in to mark my spot for the day. My goal til April 30 is too drink lots of water and try to lose a little more weight before my bypass.April 30th is the day I go see my surgeon and get my preop orders and go to the hospital for any test needed to be run and see the anesthesiaologist. It's getting closer.

[ANGELFIRE80]

Thanks everyone for the advice/suggestion on my mom. She is at the surgeon's office now and I think she is going to have a scope done tomorrow. She says it feels like something is "sitting" on her stomach...I wonder if she has a stricture or something. Anyway, I hope they figure it out because she is not getting better. It's frustrating!

I will come back and report what they find! Happy Thursday everyone!

[Nana Lee/MA]

Originally Posted by ANGELFIRE80

Thanks everyone for the advice/suggestion on my mom. She is at the surgeon's office now and I think she is going to have a scope done tomorrow. She says it feels like something is "sitting" on her stomach...I wonder if she has a stricture or something. Anyway, I hope they figure it out because she is not getting better. It's frustrating!

I will come back and report what they find! Happy Thursday everyone!

Please let us know what is happening. I'll say a prayer or 2 for her fast and complete recovery.

[ANGELFIRE80]

Originally Posted by Nana Lee/MA

Please let us know what is happening. I'll say a prayer or 2 for her fast and complete recovery.

Thanks Nana! I really appreciate it.

[HereFishie]

Hi Everyone... wow I totally fell off the internet wagon the last couple of weeks! We're moving provinces next month, trying to sell/rent to own/rent 2 houses before we move, I'm taking a manager position in my new branch... so much stress I haven't been around at all!!


But I'm excited to say.....

Tomorrow is my sleeve-versary!
1 year and I feel incredible!

My highest weight ever 245, surgery day 223, today I'm a slim trim 132 lbs and rockin this new body!! I can't believe how great I feel, the last year has just screamed by!

Congratulations to everyone on their losses over the past weeks! I will try to do better and come on here a little bit more frequently

[HAB]

Hi all, just checking in.

Angel-sending out good thoughts for your mom. I hope her doc can find the problem and that she starts to improve soon.

Fishie-congrats on your anniversary. Looks like you've had some great success!

I finally had my psych eval (after more drama with the appointment that I won't bore you guys with) and she cleared me for surgery. I dropped that off at the hospital to add to my records and then yesterday had my labs done. Tomorrow morning I have the ultrasound of my upper right quadrant to check gall bladder, etc. Then on 5/14 I have an appointment with my PCP to go over results and clear me physically for surgery. At that point she puts in the referral to surgery and I will meet with the surgeon then schedule a date.

After going through such a long and frustrating process I am flipping out that surgery could be so close.

[LisaBisa]

Morning guys,

I have been ultra stressed this week, ugh. (my ex lost his job and I've been out of work since september)

But I realized that my water had slipped, so i decided this week to focus on getting my water in, get my protein in, 30 mins of exericise and sleep 8 hours a night.

I'm going to be out of town tomorrow, so I did my official weigh in today, 219. That's 4 down from last week, 21 down from surgery day, and 34 down from pre-op diet

My skin looks dimply though, blech. My pants are baggy and I have elbows. loving my sleeve. and, my son is excited, he wants me to have a tiny waist like wilma on the flintstones.

Speaking of, i need to go wake him up, but, i just wanted to check in. I'll try to be around more this coming week. Have a great weekend all, i'll be gone all weekend, but will be back monday.

[LisaBisa]

oh, and my before the 30th goal was to below 220...i made it. my birthday goal, may 16th is to be 215.

[Maryposa]

Originally Posted by LisaBisa

Morning guys,

I have been ultra stressed this week, ugh. (my ex lost his job and I've been out of work since september)

But I realized that my water had slipped, so i decided this week to focus on getting my water in, get my protein in, 30 mins of exericise and sleep 8 hours a night.

I'm going to be out of town tomorrow, so I did my official weigh in today, 219. That's 4 down from last week, 21 down from surgery day, and 34 down from pre-op diet

My skin looks dimply though, blech. My pants are baggy and I have elbows. loving my sleeve. and, my son is excited, he wants me to have a tiny waist like wilma on the flintstones.

Speaking of, i need to go wake him up, but, i just wanted to check in. I'll try to be around more this coming week. Have a great weekend all, i'll be gone all weekend, but will be back monday.

that just made my morning... adorable.

[Hot Tamale]

Hi Everyone! I've said it once, and I'll say it again, where IS everyone!!?!?!?!?

I am so excited for those of you getting closer to the big day. It seems like a huge deal because it IS a huge deal - but if you are willing to do the work I honestly think it will be the BEST thing you have ever done for yourself. You will get your life back. If you're sitting there thinking, "Who is SHE to tell me that, I have a great life, tyvm..." I will tell you it just gets so much better. You can do so much more - experience everything more, and you won't have to deal with concerns about how you look or how others may be judging you nearly as much (if you are anything like me and think the way I do, anyway...). I think I told the story of when I was visiting friends in another state a few weeks ago and I went to a party with them. I did not know a soul there, yet I felt more at ease than at any other party I can ever remember going to...IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I am almost 45 years old! That's a fair number of parties! My point is, this is a GREAT thing! You can do amazing things with this tool!

I know only a few of you wrote back with a "by 4/30 goal," but how are you doing if you did? I am 197.0 this morning. I got up and walked a little over an hour and I will be watching my foods carefully today and tomorrow. I am hoping to hit 194.9 by Monday morning or Tuesday for SURE, since that is the deadline! I'm about to drink my first of a million bottles of water today - hoping to fill up on water so I don't have room to eat that much!

LisaBisa - First, congrats on making your 4/30 goal! That saggy skin will most likely increase...but think of how much better you'll feel - especially with a Wilma Waistline! One of my coolest NSV's were my little kids being (finally) able to put their arms all the way around me. They couldn't ever do that before. I have LOTS of saggy skin after losing 194 pounds...but I wouldn't trade it for the weight! That's what medical credit cards are for - tummy tucks and such! lol

Okay Ladies, Here's my latest issue (which I've always had, but maybe someone here can help...). I seem to be very sensitive to anesthesia. I lose a lot of hair afterwards. As many of you know, I've had 3 pretty major surgeries since 11/10 (WLS, Hysterectomy, and my first round of plastics...). Between losing my weight and these surgeries my hair is ATROCIOUS! Initially I lost about half of it, so I don't have too much left. That hair has started to regrow, but its all at different lengths all over my head. It sticks out all over. Its now also curlier than ever before, but if I try to scruntch it and wear it curly it just ends up looking frizzy. I put it in hot rollers and that seems to smooth it out a little. I have switched from Nexxus shampoos and conditioners to the Wen haircare line, but I am not sure I've seen significant change. I am stumped - and my hair is awful. Do any of you have any tips/tricks to deal with this? I do take my vitamins faithfully and I also take Biotin... Help!

Can I get all of you to post your menu for today? I'd love to see what other people are eating. Maybe it will help me stay in line. I do know I can eat so much more than even a year ago. I am trying hard to pre-measure and just not take more because I will tend to eat it.

I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you! Have a great Saturday!

My Menu:
B: 1/2 pita with 1/2 roma tomato, 1T mayo, and 3 strips bacon
S: 1/4 of a fresh, cored pineapple
L: 1 slice cheese pizza (I wouldn't normally have this while trying to lose, but it is a family function thing I can't get out of. If there are other options, I will get something different, but I won't know until I get there...)
S: small sf frozen yogurt with fresh fruit
D: Some type of protein shake (but not my peanut butter-banana one...)
and WATERRRRRRRRR!!!

Please post! I need encouragement & I think we can all get lots out of it!!

[ANGELFIRE80]

Hi everyone...

Just checking in from the hospital... they did my moms EGD yesterday and found an ulcer, lots of esophageal irritation, and low blood flow to that area. I am waiting for the dr to come back in to see how we are going to proceed. The dr felt like an a$$ for not taking this more seriously the first few times. She mentioned having to go in and do another surgery if she can't fix this issue with meds. She admitted her for the weekend to get her hydrated. Her blood sugar was 517 yesterday but they have it down now to 204 (which isn't great, but it's better than it was). Her blood pressure is good.

I hope she figures this out because it is very stressful. I feel a little guilt bc my mom is regretful of the surgery (for obvious reasons) and she wanted the same results as I had, and all she has had is problems I just want her back to her usual fiesty self.

[ANGELFIRE80]

HT:

I am no help in the eating area...whatever I can find in the vending machine for now...luckily they actually do have some decent selections...protein bars (not ones I would normally opt for, but at least its an option), beef jerky and nuts. Not toooo awful bad.

But, tbh I would like a doughnut and coffee...

<-------------- stress eater.

As far as your hair...Do you have a good stylist you can go to? Maybe you just need a new sassy do? my best friend does hair and I know she often helps her clients come up with solutions for these issues.

I actually got the keratin treatment done on my hair back in December (it's time to redo) but oh wow! I it. Smoothes out that frizz for sure (I am biracial,so my hair is very curly) but I know everyone isn't interested in keratin. Coconut oil also helps with the frizzies

[Hot Tamale]

Wow Angel, thanks for taking the time to post with all that's going on with you and your mom. I will say some prayers for you both! I know she's going through a rough time, but hopefully this will be corrected soon and then she will be on her way. Stay positive! I hope they figure it out pronto & I hope surgery isn't necessary.

Thanks for the stylist advice. I like my stylist, but I don't love her. I think I may try to find someone else... I would try Keratin, but I have heard to not do it with hair like mine. Maybe I need to look into that, too. I know I need something - especially with yet another round of surgery just a few weeks away! Thanks again! Take care of yourself (and your mom!)!!!

[Savannah]

Good Morning everyone,


Lisa- So sorry your DH lost his job

HT- I don't have any help for hair advice, but will be on the lookout!!

Angel- I hope your Mom is doing all right

OK I surrender the bars (protein ) OMG the fiber did a job on binding up my insides terrible experience & different than before surgery!!
I'm craving omlets lately so I'm doing M & E
B-egg & egg white omlet
L-turkey & duke's mayo 1 Tbsp
D-turkey
S- egg scrambled

I didn't go back to coffee post-op because I felt good off the caffeine &
since my HR is always so high I decided to stay off. I still drink iced tea though
& I'm considering decaf coffee.

I didn't make my goal of 50 lost, but NSV from last few days people at work are raving about how much I'm losing & how good I look so I'll take that & run with it!!! So on to that 50 for the next loss & walking this weekend with some bike time as well !

Have a great day!

[jolenethequeen]

Hi everyone! I am a lurker and have read almost all the posts on here for the past year within a week or two! With all the posts and my research I am so ready to have the sleeve! Wish I could have it done tomorrow, but i guess its not that easy! Went to my PCP and he referred me to the nutitionist to start my 3 months of supervised diet, but when i called them, they said I had to go to a seminar first! I went to Dr. Atkinson's seminar today (only one covered by my insurance) and I have to call them Monday to see what I do next!

I am very excited and hoping that i can get sleeved early September! You ladies are all amazing and very inspirational! I hope I can have just as much success!

Jolene