Archive for February, 2007

the ugly side-to Karen & Ida

Monday, February 26th, 2007

Thanks you two for the reality check. I had forgotten the projection of
the surgery enabling a loss of 65%-80%
of my EXCESS body weight. I am six months out and have lost 63 lbs….
thats 60% of my excess body weight
in six months. Considering Im told it takes everyone 12-18 months to lose
65%-80% of their excess weight, I
see the next 29 lbs are going to come off slow. I read how many lose 100
lbs and more in 3-6 months and get
discouraged. It helps to remember all the insulin and other drugs I am free
of now and not get frustrated.
Im new to this group. I hope to learn a lot from everyone, including the
occasional reality check.
~~Pat~~
Orlando, Fl
252/189/160
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NSAIDS (Spefically Asprin) Comment

Monday, February 26th, 2007

I would like to add my two cents to the discussion about Non Steroidal
Anti-Inflamatroy medications, (NSAIDS) specfically Motrin and Asprin. Please
note these are MY OPINONS, not medical advice. As with EVERY post here,
PLEASE check with your doctor. Thanks
From Dorlands Medical Dictionary for “enteric coating ” a special coating
on tablets or capsules that allow them delay absorbtion until it reaches
the intestines.”
This means they pass through a “normal” stomach undigested, and get absobed
in the intestines.
From what my surgeon has told me, with a RNY the intestines are NOT changed
in anyway that would affect the absorbtion of NSAIDS or put you at a higher
than normal risk for GI Bleed. This is the opinion of nearly every single
MD/Surgeon that I have spoken to, from GI Fellows to general practioners. Of
course, in high doses ANY medicaton can become problematic, even Tylenol.
My surgeon and primary both feel the benefits of low dose Enteric Coated
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the ugly side-to Karen

Monday, February 26th, 2007

Loved your post Karen. I especially like the quote:so one person’s “norm” is
not the same at all as what another person feels is “normal”.
How lucky we are to have had this surgery, to be able to lose and to do the
things we couldn’t before. Numbers aren’t who we are or what we’re about.
Thanks for pointing that out!
Jen

the ugly side

Monday, February 26th, 2007

I guess I have to put in my two cents worth- been reading all these posts—-I
am three years out and I guess for me “normal” is going to be 200 lbs. I
cannot get any lower—-have tried low carb- and WW and just cannot drop have
stayed right at 196 to 204 for the last 8 months or so——and I feel normal- I
wear a 16-18, and 40C bra and feel like I am human again—–that may sound like
it’s large to most people——-but I was 376 pounds to start and wore a 30 and
a 46DD bra– they told me if I had the skin removal I would lose probably 14-18
more pounds——but it can sag–my reg dr. doesn’t recommend it for me and I
have had enough surgeries——
What I am saying is, I am 50, alive, and much healthier than I was 4 years
ago———and it seems like I have just started to live for the first time in
probably 20 years, so one person’s “norm” is not the same at all as what another
person feels is “normal”.
I feel so bad because people are so much better off after losing— and just
losing anything makes a huge difference , yet they continue to beat themselves
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Digest Number 4741

Sunday, February 25th, 2007

Boy, you sound just like me. WE had our surgery around the same time, started
at the same weight and I also am stuck at 202. I haven’t had a tummy tuck yet.
I eat right (most of the time) and I can eat a hamburger without the bun at one
time. I exercise 5 times a week and still can’t seem to break the 200 lbs.
mark. I would love some suggestions on how to lose more weight.

Chef David Fouts website

Sunday, February 25th, 2007

Hi All!
I wondered if anyone knew the website for Chef David Fouts?
I heard he posts recipes monthly?
Thanks!
Kate O
LAP RNY @ Stanford 11-20-03
-80 LBS Pre-Op
-95 LBS (so far) Post-Op
GRAND TOTAL -175 LBS
WooHoo!

weight gain/linda

Sunday, February 25th, 2007

yes almost most of us gain some weight back. i’ve blamed my weight gain of 7 lbs
on the fact that i have been on hormones for a year since hysterectomy but maybe
not. maybe it is just the inevitable and i fight most days to try and not let it
get away from me. but even so , i like barbara am thrilled with the ease of my
new life and seven lbs is not 170 (my own personal number that i could have
regained). i will never forget how comfortable i am now and how miserable and
sick i was before. i have a few things that no longer fit well, so what.
my only concern for linda is that she says she is rural and sounds as if she has
not been to a surgeon in a while. has she had her check-ups? has there been
concern about a staple line disruption, a shifted or corroded ring? we have no
idea about any of this except that she has regained most of her weight?
linda please before you disparage the surgery and yourself go to a surgeon you
trust and get checked out. also someone to talk to about the issues that you
raise on a one to one basis would be helpful for you to help sort this all out.
see that doctor and keep us posted on your progress. people here do care a great
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Questions for an Article that I am working on:

Sunday, February 25th, 2007

I am working on an article that will target the wide range of advice
and opinions that we receive from our surgeons about our gastric
bypass surgery post-op care. It is my belief that we would ALL
benefit from a consistent standard from which we all begin our post-
surgery journey. I am specifically thinking about recommendations
for vitamins and minerals, lab work that is done, frequency of the
lab work, post-surgery food introduction stages, how to best get
protein, and who is really helping us take care of our bodies once
the technical part of our surgery is completed.
Below are some questions that will help me put together an informed
article about what is being experienced by gastric bypass patients
in the variety of programs available.
1) What supplements were recommended for you post-op? Were these
considered short-term or permanent supplements?
2) What types of post-op lab work does your surgeon have you do?
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The “Ugly Side”

Saturday, February 24th, 2007

August 15 I will be 2 years out. Some days I get so frustrated when
I see posts about ones wearing size 4, 6 etc. For me, I started
out at 365, and have been “maintaining” at 210-215 for the last 15
months. Yes, that’s right, maintaining. I still can’t shop
in “little shops”, I’m still stuck with womens sizes; except now it
is a 1X, then before it was a 4X.
I have never gotten do to 205, that was my low point, and just like
when I used to diet all the time, it lasted for about 5 minutes. :) But, it has alot to do with my body type that I keep saying to
myself as to why I will never get below 200. I’m 5′11, and look
damned good for my 46 years. I know that I could eat alot more than
I usually do; and sometimes I do catch myself at eating until I
could get sick. In front of the tv with a bag of chips; and I will
pay for that little accident for the next couple days to make sure
that I don’t gain any weight. I do eat “junk food”, like ONE little
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Re : The Ugly Side

Saturday, February 24th, 2007

Barbara Wrote :
“I am not the Ugly Side. I am the Success. I am the Human Picture
of WLS down the road. I am the Perfect Me for Me… always
evolving, but always Perfect.
And so are you, Linda. And so are you.”
Barbara ;
Thanks for you wonderful post. When I read your posts, I realize
more than ever that although my diabetes has stablized, my blood pressure
has normalized and I haven’t used my asthma pump in six months, I will
never be CURED. I realize each day how lucky I am to have gotten a second
chance.
When I was first thinking about surgery I thought it would
“fix” my weight problem. I never understood the people who said it was a
“tool” I understand now more than ever. Being a year out and tolerating
larger portions has made me afraid of going back to the “old me”. I go out
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