ezimmer’s Posts
Topic: RE: Jealous friends?
Hey Rebecca,
I know exactly how you feel. I actually have been what I call "unfriended" by 2 people in my life since my surgery. I even find my sister has stopped talking to me because of it all. With one of my friends it was because we were both big - and we shared all of our experiences together...plus-size shopping, movie theatres, restaurants. But now whenever I call her to go out for a bite or to catch a movie, she's suddenly busy...when I approached her about it, she told me in a pretty scathing way that it must be nice to have money to fix all of my problems. She may not realize that I had to take a loan out to take this step - and how hard we all have to work post-surgery not just physically but mentally and emotionally adapting to all of these changes, but that was pretty hurtful. I stepped back to give her time to think about it and then approached her once more but she blew me off - so I've decided that I'm going to surround myself with positive, successful people who can accept who I am at face value. My other friend was a thin athlete, she hates her job, is single and angry at men and is kind of bitter but I loved her all the same - we went through some pretty tough things together and she always prided herself on the fact that she could give me encouragement and motivate me to take more classes or show me a new healthy recipie to add to my diet list. When I went ahead and took the plunge, I think she felt like I didn't need her anymore - and though I tried to tell her that we have so much more to share - she's basically tuned out.
You're doing the right thing in realizing that maybe you've grown past them. Sometimes misery loves company and sometimes people keep "friends" in their lives to make them feel better/compensate for one of their shortfalls. That may not be the case for your friends but...it may be. THey may feel threatened that you'll leave them behind and so they lash out in the only way they can. It's up to you to decide if you want to pursue them and try to dig deeper into WHY they're doing this or acting this way or if you think maybe they're not worth the trouble and start pouring your energy into finding new, more positive connections. Either way, I think you're a very self-aware individual and know exactly what you need.
Congratulations on your bravery and on taking these steps alone. Don't ever stop standing up for yourself and being proud of all of the hard work that has gotten you to where you are today...at the very least, you know that we understand - with WLS, there is NO easy way out!!
I know exactly how you feel. I actually have been what I call "unfriended" by 2 people in my life since my surgery. I even find my sister has stopped talking to me because of it all. With one of my friends it was because we were both big - and we shared all of our experiences together...plus-size shopping, movie theatres, restaurants. But now whenever I call her to go out for a bite or to catch a movie, she's suddenly busy...when I approached her about it, she told me in a pretty scathing way that it must be nice to have money to fix all of my problems. She may not realize that I had to take a loan out to take this step - and how hard we all have to work post-surgery not just physically but mentally and emotionally adapting to all of these changes, but that was pretty hurtful. I stepped back to give her time to think about it and then approached her once more but she blew me off - so I've decided that I'm going to surround myself with positive, successful people who can accept who I am at face value. My other friend was a thin athlete, she hates her job, is single and angry at men and is kind of bitter but I loved her all the same - we went through some pretty tough things together and she always prided herself on the fact that she could give me encouragement and motivate me to take more classes or show me a new healthy recipie to add to my diet list. When I went ahead and took the plunge, I think she felt like I didn't need her anymore - and though I tried to tell her that we have so much more to share - she's basically tuned out.
You're doing the right thing in realizing that maybe you've grown past them. Sometimes misery loves company and sometimes people keep "friends" in their lives to make them feel better/compensate for one of their shortfalls. That may not be the case for your friends but...it may be. THey may feel threatened that you'll leave them behind and so they lash out in the only way they can. It's up to you to decide if you want to pursue them and try to dig deeper into WHY they're doing this or acting this way or if you think maybe they're not worth the trouble and start pouring your energy into finding new, more positive connections. Either way, I think you're a very self-aware individual and know exactly what you need.
Congratulations on your bravery and on taking these steps alone. Don't ever stop standing up for yourself and being proud of all of the hard work that has gotten you to where you are today...at the very least, you know that we understand - with WLS, there is NO easy way out!!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: MAJOR COMPLICATIONS @ EMMANUEL MEDICAL CENTER DR ALMANZA
I've been lurking on some of these threads too and thought I had to add my voice to Mel's here. I also live in Saskatoon, in fact, I was one of the patients that Mel has mentioned who went for my surgery with Dr. Almanza (in November, not December but close enough) and had a leak. I personally know of one other person on these forums who has blogged about her experience with Dr. Almanza and about her leak in November as well, so I know I'm not the only one in that month alone.
I will say this - Dr. Almanza is a sweet man, he appeared very thorough to me. The clinic was clean to the best of my knowledge, but it certainly did get crowded. And I had to wait a day and a half before they fixed my leak - in fact, I wasn't even told that I had one and was going to be sent back into the OR, Mel had to call me from Canada to tell me. She had kept track of my progress and touched base with the staff there the entire time I was down. I'm glad they caught it before I left, but I was upset that nothing as communicated to me by the staff at the clinic. They sent me home the following day with nothing - no pain pills, no antibiotics. It was straight from the xray to the airport and though it was great to be out of the clinic and on my way home, I was a little put out that I hadn't even gotten to see Dr. Almanza or Mr. B before I left. I guess it happens when you're in such a busy clinic! I think it was the culmination of all of these experiences that she's seen first hand that has caused Mel to stop advocating for Dr. Almanza and the clinics that he works for but I do know that she is not out to bash them or ruin their business and is definitely not criticizing those who have chosen Dr. Almanza as their surgeon - because frankly he was hers, and mine but I can definitely see that, in light of all this new information she just wants to make sure that everyone is FULLY informed before they make their decision going forward. You can't fault her for that.
As for me, I also acquired a severe infection once I got home from the clinic, like I've heard many others talk about. Not just one or two of my incisions but ALL of them were oozing, 2 split back open and I could just touch the area around them and get gobs of puss from them. I am a meticulous person and I followed sanitary instructions to the letter, so I know that it had nothing to do with the products that I was using or the way I was doing it, infection happens to a lot of us and we just have to deal with it as it arises, lung infections were also not uncommon. Luckily enough, Mel was available to take me to a great walk-in clinic doctor here and he cleaned everything, put me on antibiotics and had me on my way. Things have healed up nicely now but I can definitely vouch for some of the things people have said on here with regards to the clinic.
I love my sleeve. I do not ever regret having it and my experience wasn't nightmarish or anything, but it wasn't ideal. If I had any inkling of the number of leaks and infections coming out of that clinic, I would have simply chosen another one. There are so many great surgeons to choose from and even though everyone is going to throw their two cents in on who's the best, I just have to say that the decision is ultimately yours and yours alone. Do as much research as you can, weigh the pros and cons, take everyone's advice and criticisms with a grain of salt and ultimately, go with your gut (or at least...20% of it *lol*).
I can only hope that everyone gives some of these people with complaints or concerns a bit of leeway because really what they're doing is challenging us and trying to understand what's best for them and looking for some sort of support...in an online support forum - how novel?!
I've been lurking on some of these threads too and thought I had to add my voice to Mel's here. I also live in Saskatoon, in fact, I was one of the patients that Mel has mentioned who went for my surgery with Dr. Almanza (in November, not December but close enough) and had a leak. I personally know of one other person on these forums who has blogged about her experience with Dr. Almanza and about her leak in November as well, so I know I'm not the only one in that month alone.
I will say this - Dr. Almanza is a sweet man, he appeared very thorough to me. The clinic was clean to the best of my knowledge, but it certainly did get crowded. And I had to wait a day and a half before they fixed my leak - in fact, I wasn't even told that I had one and was going to be sent back into the OR, Mel had to call me from Canada to tell me. She had kept track of my progress and touched base with the staff there the entire time I was down. I'm glad they caught it before I left, but I was upset that nothing as communicated to me by the staff at the clinic. They sent me home the following day with nothing - no pain pills, no antibiotics. It was straight from the xray to the airport and though it was great to be out of the clinic and on my way home, I was a little put out that I hadn't even gotten to see Dr. Almanza or Mr. B before I left. I guess it happens when you're in such a busy clinic! I think it was the culmination of all of these experiences that she's seen first hand that has caused Mel to stop advocating for Dr. Almanza and the clinics that he works for but I do know that she is not out to bash them or ruin their business and is definitely not criticizing those who have chosen Dr. Almanza as their surgeon - because frankly he was hers, and mine but I can definitely see that, in light of all this new information she just wants to make sure that everyone is FULLY informed before they make their decision going forward. You can't fault her for that.
As for me, I also acquired a severe infection once I got home from the clinic, like I've heard many others talk about. Not just one or two of my incisions but ALL of them were oozing, 2 split back open and I could just touch the area around them and get gobs of puss from them. I am a meticulous person and I followed sanitary instructions to the letter, so I know that it had nothing to do with the products that I was using or the way I was doing it, infection happens to a lot of us and we just have to deal with it as it arises, lung infections were also not uncommon. Luckily enough, Mel was available to take me to a great walk-in clinic doctor here and he cleaned everything, put me on antibiotics and had me on my way. Things have healed up nicely now but I can definitely vouch for some of the things people have said on here with regards to the clinic.
I love my sleeve. I do not ever regret having it and my experience wasn't nightmarish or anything, but it wasn't ideal. If I had any inkling of the number of leaks and infections coming out of that clinic, I would have simply chosen another one. There are so many great surgeons to choose from and even though everyone is going to throw their two cents in on who's the best, I just have to say that the decision is ultimately yours and yours alone. Do as much research as you can, weigh the pros and cons, take everyone's advice and criticisms with a grain of salt and ultimately, go with your gut (or at least...20% of it *lol*).
I can only hope that everyone gives some of these people with complaints or concerns a bit of leeway because really what they're doing is challenging us and trying to understand what's best for them and looking for some sort of support...in an online support forum - how novel?!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: WTF I gained 2lb
When I was first out of surgery, I couldn't even drink water - I found it felt like a rock in my stomach - what actually worked was Fiji bottled water. Apparently it's PH balanced to be gentler on your stomach and I could finish almost 2 litres of that a day without an issue - it was still a struggle to get all tha****er in but it was a lot easier than tapwater or any other bottled water that I tried.
Basically I'd just put my fiji water in my starbucks coffee mug (it's leak proof and has that flap opening that seals - so you're not gulping water but you're also not getting as much air).
Now I can drink any kind of water I want - but it wasn't until about 2.5 months out, and even still if I drink a ton, I feel sick. Take it easy, you'll get there :)
Best of luck!
When I was first out of surgery, I couldn't even drink water - I found it felt like a rock in my stomach - what actually worked was Fiji bottled water. Apparently it's PH balanced to be gentler on your stomach and I could finish almost 2 litres of that a day without an issue - it was still a struggle to get all tha****er in but it was a lot easier than tapwater or any other bottled water that I tried.
Basically I'd just put my fiji water in my starbucks coffee mug (it's leak proof and has that flap opening that seals - so you're not gulping water but you're also not getting as much air).
Now I can drink any kind of water I want - but it wasn't until about 2.5 months out, and even still if I drink a ton, I feel sick. Take it easy, you'll get there :)
Best of luck!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: WTF I gained 2lb
I know I go up anywhere from 2lb to 5lbs when I'm about to have my period - I retain water like there's no tomorrow and tend to go up, but no worries it goes away again in a few days.
So...the weight gain could be your menstrual cycle or you could just be dehydrating yourself just enough during your workout that your body is retaining water. You can find a lot of general rules about hydration during workouts - these are the ones I try to follow:
Hope that helps! Lighter dayz are just around the corner!!!
So...the weight gain could be your menstrual cycle or you could just be dehydrating yourself just enough during your workout that your body is retaining water. You can find a lot of general rules about hydration during workouts - these are the ones I try to follow:
- Two to three hours prior to a workout, drink two to three cups of water.
- During a workout, drink one-fourth to one-half of a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes throughout your training session. In warm weather you may need more because of increased water loss due to sweating. Your thirst mechanism is blunted during exercise, so don't rely on drinking only when you are feeling thirsty. Instead, set your watch to go off every 15-20 minutes to prompt you to take a sip.
- During your post-workout recovery, don't forget to recover with two to three cups of water. Replace each pound of body weight lost during your workout with at least two cups of water.
Hope that helps! Lighter dayz are just around the corner!!!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: Increased sexual appetite
I was wondering what was going on! I've noticed an increase in drive too and just thought it was because I was so...deprived?! *lol* I think you're right it's a combination of the hormones and your new mental state where you actually LIKE yourself...you FEEL good and your partner is showing their interest/attraction to you again. Even if you've tired them out completely - the knowledge that they want you...like you're a piece of meat...*lol* is sometimes refreshing from being the "funny girl" or the "girl with the pretty face".
I used to cringe at the thought of leaving the lights on...or stripping before bed...and lord forbid I ended up on top with all of my wobbly bits so....wobbly! But now - it's my husband that has 0 drive...and I honestly think it's because he's gained a lot of the weight I've lost (sympathy fat perhaps?) I sometimes wish I could give him some of my drive so we could meet in the middle - and keep the lights on! ;)
Glad to know I'm not alone here ladies - good luck gearing it down!
I was wondering what was going on! I've noticed an increase in drive too and just thought it was because I was so...deprived?! *lol* I think you're right it's a combination of the hormones and your new mental state where you actually LIKE yourself...you FEEL good and your partner is showing their interest/attraction to you again. Even if you've tired them out completely - the knowledge that they want you...like you're a piece of meat...*lol* is sometimes refreshing from being the "funny girl" or the "girl with the pretty face".
I used to cringe at the thought of leaving the lights on...or stripping before bed...and lord forbid I ended up on top with all of my wobbly bits so....wobbly! But now - it's my husband that has 0 drive...and I honestly think it's because he's gained a lot of the weight I've lost (sympathy fat perhaps?) I sometimes wish I could give him some of my drive so we could meet in the middle - and keep the lights on! ;)
Glad to know I'm not alone here ladies - good luck gearing it down!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: anyone had the laproscopic gastric sleeve?
I had the sleeve done laproscopically and it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Like many people on these boards, I tried every diet out there and was constantly changing up my eating habit. I dropped tons of cash on personal trainers and felt like there was somethign seriously wrong with me when I crashed and burned....and then gained more weight.
I chose the sleeve for my own reasons - bariatric surgery in general (all types) will help you save your life. You can make your own personal decisions on which one to pursue, each of them have their benefits and quirks. With regards to the sleeve though - I, personally, have had NO food intolerances. I can eat everythign I want, just in much smaller portions. That is sometimes a dangerous thing if you're a food addict (as a large portion of us are) but the bonus about it is...it's not stretching out or going anywhere - so unless you can find a way to jam 1800+ calories in your piehole every day (I typically end up eating around 700) then you're not going to be sent back to square one.
I was fortunate in that I had already made many changes to my diet just for lifestyle purposes for the 6 months before I'd even HEARD of this surgery - I only ate whole grains, brown pastas and rice and switched to soy milk and creamer because dairy made me break out and used only stevia or honey as sweetner. I didn't drink pop or juices and only let myself near a bag a chips once a month. It felt like torture.
Now, post-op, those eating tactics that I'd forced myself into are habits - so I don't have too many cravings for some of the junk that I had before my six month "clean" eating stint. I can still eat cookies, chocolate, cake, chips etc and not get sick but I find that so long as I drink a glass of water first, one or two bites is more than enough to satisfy the craving and I kind of use the reward as a way to make sure I'm hydrated enough.
You'll find post-op that using smaller plates and utensils sometimes helps you to visually stop before your body tells you to but no worries...your little jellybean will tell you when to stop. I was on a liquids-only diet for 2 weeks, then went to mushies for another week and straight into foods from there and I found that I could eat just about everything I wanted without problems but it was also because I didn't really WANT much of the bad stuff.
As far as mental preparations - I didn't do much before hand, though I did find it interesting afterward that I'd be watching tv with my husband and during EVERY commercial break, he'd either comment how hungry he was, what he was craving or get up and go to the kitchen to grab something. It was totally freeing to realize that I didn't feel that way at all...and kind of a neat experiment to watch *lol* I find now, when I get stressed out or bored, I get up and wander to the kitchen but then realize that I'm not hungry and get myself a glass of water or make myself a tea.
The first few weeks I felt relieved that I wasn't controlled by food and then sometimes I would miss being able to go to an all-you-can-eat and just...eat! But that feeling went away pretty quickly once the pounds started melting off. Yknow that weigh****chers quote that says "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" - I used to want to punch the people that said that quote because frankly...I was hungry and I couldn't EAT thin....but now...NOW I get it!
You have a great group of people to rely on for all the answers to any question you could think of - don't know how I could have gotten through it all without them!
Hope that started the ball rolling for you!
Lighter dayz are just ahead!
I had the sleeve done laproscopically and it has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Like many people on these boards, I tried every diet out there and was constantly changing up my eating habit. I dropped tons of cash on personal trainers and felt like there was somethign seriously wrong with me when I crashed and burned....and then gained more weight.
I chose the sleeve for my own reasons - bariatric surgery in general (all types) will help you save your life. You can make your own personal decisions on which one to pursue, each of them have their benefits and quirks. With regards to the sleeve though - I, personally, have had NO food intolerances. I can eat everythign I want, just in much smaller portions. That is sometimes a dangerous thing if you're a food addict (as a large portion of us are) but the bonus about it is...it's not stretching out or going anywhere - so unless you can find a way to jam 1800+ calories in your piehole every day (I typically end up eating around 700) then you're not going to be sent back to square one.
I was fortunate in that I had already made many changes to my diet just for lifestyle purposes for the 6 months before I'd even HEARD of this surgery - I only ate whole grains, brown pastas and rice and switched to soy milk and creamer because dairy made me break out and used only stevia or honey as sweetner. I didn't drink pop or juices and only let myself near a bag a chips once a month. It felt like torture.
Now, post-op, those eating tactics that I'd forced myself into are habits - so I don't have too many cravings for some of the junk that I had before my six month "clean" eating stint. I can still eat cookies, chocolate, cake, chips etc and not get sick but I find that so long as I drink a glass of water first, one or two bites is more than enough to satisfy the craving and I kind of use the reward as a way to make sure I'm hydrated enough.
You'll find post-op that using smaller plates and utensils sometimes helps you to visually stop before your body tells you to but no worries...your little jellybean will tell you when to stop. I was on a liquids-only diet for 2 weeks, then went to mushies for another week and straight into foods from there and I found that I could eat just about everything I wanted without problems but it was also because I didn't really WANT much of the bad stuff.
As far as mental preparations - I didn't do much before hand, though I did find it interesting afterward that I'd be watching tv with my husband and during EVERY commercial break, he'd either comment how hungry he was, what he was craving or get up and go to the kitchen to grab something. It was totally freeing to realize that I didn't feel that way at all...and kind of a neat experiment to watch *lol* I find now, when I get stressed out or bored, I get up and wander to the kitchen but then realize that I'm not hungry and get myself a glass of water or make myself a tea.
The first few weeks I felt relieved that I wasn't controlled by food and then sometimes I would miss being able to go to an all-you-can-eat and just...eat! But that feeling went away pretty quickly once the pounds started melting off. Yknow that weigh****chers quote that says "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" - I used to want to punch the people that said that quote because frankly...I was hungry and I couldn't EAT thin....but now...NOW I get it!
You have a great group of people to rely on for all the answers to any question you could think of - don't know how I could have gotten through it all without them!
Hope that started the ball rolling for you!
Lighter dayz are just ahead!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: Coloring Hair After WLS???
I permed my hair the week before my surgery so I wouldn't have to maintain it while I was down there and so it would look thicker and fuller when my hair started falling out in a few months (relaxed perm...think waves not tight curls *lol*) and to be honest with you, I've coloured my hair since my surgery to no effect. Mind you my hair isn't scheduled to fall out for another month or so so...I can tell you more about the effects then - but my hair looks as healthy as it always has. I just make sure to do a deep conditioning treatment every few weeks and avoid really tight ponytails/sleeping with elastics in to prevent breakage. Otherwise - no weird effects and the colour took just like it usually does - no effects from all my hormones being out of wack (just like if you're preggers!) at all!
I would suggest getting your hair dyed before you go but done professionally and if you have a lot of aggressive greys, my mom ended up streaking grey through her hair - so it didn't look so stark when it grew in a bit - gave her more time between colourings too.
Hope that helps?! Best of luck on your new journey - despite these little inconveniences...you're going to love it. I look back at pictures of me pre-op and I don't even recognize myself...I'm excited for the person I'm becoming...and I'm only 2.5 months out! *lol* This is an exciting time for you! Congratulations!!!
I would suggest getting your hair dyed before you go but done professionally and if you have a lot of aggressive greys, my mom ended up streaking grey through her hair - so it didn't look so stark when it grew in a bit - gave her more time between colourings too.
Hope that helps?! Best of luck on your new journey - despite these little inconveniences...you're going to love it. I look back at pictures of me pre-op and I don't even recognize myself...I'm excited for the person I'm becoming...and I'm only 2.5 months out! *lol* This is an exciting time for you! Congratulations!!!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: Is Biggest Loser's New Season Going Too Far? - You Weigh In
Found this article interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/business/media/25loser.htm l
It talks about "the dark side" of the biggest loser - kinda interesting....
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/business/media/25loser.htm l
It talks about "the dark side" of the biggest loser - kinda interesting....
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: Protein Samples - Syntrax Nectar
I loved the carribean cooler (good pina colada substitute if you want to have a party by the pool), the chocolate mousse and the strawberry mousse were like eating dessert, pretty awesome. Before surgery I loved the fruity ones (apple ecstacy, strawberry kiwi etc) but post-op, I just can't stomach them for some reason. The cappucino one is fantastic for having hot in the morning. I wasn't nuts over the lemonade one (everyone's favourite) or any other flavours but overall I enjoyed them.
One protein powder I DO love is by Allmax - called ISONatural. It's a white powder, no flavour and absolutely no aftertaste. I mix it into my Jello, puddings, soups, coffee, just about everything and you can't even tell it's there - it's fabulous. The store just sold out of it and I'm waiting for them to bring another shipment in - trying ISO Femme right now by the same company and to be honest...it's terrible...gag-worthy terrible. So I guess protein powders are pretty hit and miss no matter where you get them from!
Hope that helps!
One protein powder I DO love is by Allmax - called ISONatural. It's a white powder, no flavour and absolutely no aftertaste. I mix it into my Jello, puddings, soups, coffee, just about everything and you can't even tell it's there - it's fabulous. The store just sold out of it and I'm waiting for them to bring another shipment in - trying ISO Femme right now by the same company and to be honest...it's terrible...gag-worthy terrible. So I guess protein powders are pretty hit and miss no matter where you get them from!
Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: When does your energy come back?
Alright, I'm a youngin: 26 and I'm only 3 weeks out and still pooped. I dunno what crazy kids are out hopping around and exercising at this stage of the game but by 1 o'clock, I'm ready to punch out at work - almost considered putting a doggy bed under my desk a la Seinfeld! I head home around 5, get dinner together, do some tidying and tv and then I'm out like a light by 9 or 10 at the latest. I have zero energy to be joining classes or exercising hard and even if I did, I'd be a little worried since your abs are the things that hold you up and hold you together and upright, straining them so early in the game is a great way to ask for hernias - and believe me, I've had THAT surgery...it sucks WAY more than this one *lol*
I'm hoping that the energy levels will improve but am definitely pushing the water and protein in hopes of speeding up the process - 6 weeks - 2 months...I don't care, just as long as I get enough energy back to make it through the day! I don't think it has much to do with age, but everything to do with how much healing your body needs to get through this stage (at least...that's what I keep telling myself *lol*)
Alright, I'm a youngin: 26 and I'm only 3 weeks out and still pooped. I dunno what crazy kids are out hopping around and exercising at this stage of the game but by 1 o'clock, I'm ready to punch out at work - almost considered putting a doggy bed under my desk a la Seinfeld! I head home around 5, get dinner together, do some tidying and tv and then I'm out like a light by 9 or 10 at the latest. I have zero energy to be joining classes or exercising hard and even if I did, I'd be a little worried since your abs are the things that hold you up and hold you together and upright, straining them so early in the game is a great way to ask for hernias - and believe me, I've had THAT surgery...it sucks WAY more than this one *lol*
I'm hoping that the energy levels will improve but am definitely pushing the water and protein in hopes of speeding up the process - 6 weeks - 2 months...I don't care, just as long as I get enough energy back to make it through the day! I don't think it has much to do with age, but everything to do with how much healing your body needs to get through this stage (at least...that's what I keep telling myself *lol*)
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: 3 weeks post-op and still can't yawn!
Okay good - I thought I was crazy! It's not really bad, unless I'm trying to sneeze or yawn - otherwise I don't feel any pain at all but as soon as I take that deep deep breath - ZING! I think it may just be some internal bruising or a wayward stitch but I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one. It's gotten easier in the passing weeks but hasn't gone away 100% just yet...crossing my fingers!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: 3 weeks post-op and still can't yawn!
Alright here goes nothing guys,
I am just over 3 weeks post-op and have been having short, sharp pains whenever I breathe really deep (like when you take in a deep breath to sneeze or yawn or laugh). It used to be constant but now it's just on really deep breaths. Up until yesterday I couldn't even sneeze...i would do the wind up breaths and cause myself enough pain that I forgot I ever had to sneeze in the first place - but then yesterday I had my sneeze and it was still a touch painful but not that bad but I STILL CAN"T YAWN! Whenever I yawn, at the very end of hte yawn I get a short, sharp pain in my ribs, just under my breast. Has anyone had any similar pains or can think of any rational explanations as to what this might be?!
I am just over 3 weeks post-op and have been having short, sharp pains whenever I breathe really deep (like when you take in a deep breath to sneeze or yawn or laugh). It used to be constant but now it's just on really deep breaths. Up until yesterday I couldn't even sneeze...i would do the wind up breaths and cause myself enough pain that I forgot I ever had to sneeze in the first place - but then yesterday I had my sneeze and it was still a touch painful but not that bad but I STILL CAN"T YAWN! Whenever I yawn, at the very end of hte yawn I get a short, sharp pain in my ribs, just under my breast. Has anyone had any similar pains or can think of any rational explanations as to what this might be?!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: XMas & Ladies - What's up with that ?
I'm with the rest - you should withhold your list until she gives you at least something resembling a list of her own. However after that, i would strive to get her one thing that isn't on her list just to make it seem like you're really paying attention.
Keep in mind that a gift certificate should always be accompanied by a small gift, cheesy or not, so that at least it's not just a boring card to unwrap.
Ie) my husband wants to get his gun lisence so I'm getting him a gift cert to go to the training course, but I'm also buying him a toy gun and target.
Easy go-to gifts are things that she likes but probably doesn't always get for herself because it's hard to justify: jewelry, spa gift certificates (or spa appointments!), salon certificates or appointments, clothing (or a nice sweater and a gift certificate for lingerie or her favourite store), her favourite candies, fruit bouquets, personal electronics (camera, ereader, etc.). The best present my husband ever gave me was a Miche bag - it's a purse that allows you to change the handles or the shell so it looks like a different purse everytime - I love it! He definitely redeemed himself after buying me a box of smelly soaps for our anniversary...I don't even use soap!
Hope that helps a bit?! Best of luck!
Keep in mind that a gift certificate should always be accompanied by a small gift, cheesy or not, so that at least it's not just a boring card to unwrap.
Ie) my husband wants to get his gun lisence so I'm getting him a gift cert to go to the training course, but I'm also buying him a toy gun and target.
Easy go-to gifts are things that she likes but probably doesn't always get for herself because it's hard to justify: jewelry, spa gift certificates (or spa appointments!), salon certificates or appointments, clothing (or a nice sweater and a gift certificate for lingerie or her favourite store), her favourite candies, fruit bouquets, personal electronics (camera, ereader, etc.). The best present my husband ever gave me was a Miche bag - it's a purse that allows you to change the handles or the shell so it looks like a different purse everytime - I love it! He definitely redeemed himself after buying me a box of smelly soaps for our anniversary...I don't even use soap!
Hope that helps a bit?! Best of luck!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: Today is the day!
So I arrived in Tijuana yesterday and have been staying at the most beautiful house with a few post-op patients, being watied on hand and foot by the sweetest guy all day - I could get used to this! Anyway...I leave in a half hour to go to the clinic, have all of my tests and then in for surgery!
I just wanted to post a quick note to thank all of you for letting me lurk for so long before I finally made my decision to do this. I will be blogging on my journey - please feel free to check in there, I would love to hear all of your stories!
Lighter dayz start today...
I just wanted to post a quick note to thank all of you for letting me lurk for so long before I finally made my decision to do this. I will be blogging on my journey - please feel free to check in there, I would love to hear all of your stories!
Lighter dayz start today...
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: I read an interesting study.....
*lol* I love some of the responses here! I can completely relate! I used to be a gym bunny when I was itty bitty - I was perfectly okay working in front of the meatheads but now, you won't catch me anywhere near the weight room.
I used to go and hop on the treadmill and run until my joints cried for mercy when I was pursuing the "diet and exercise" route to weight loss, but I've given up on that too...what I have been doing (that I actually enjoy) is taking classes.
Not your normal classes with bouncy suzie Q up front touting how much fun she's having while you're sweating your face off....no...the ones where I can laugh at myself and with other people. I like to take laughing yoga, beginners salsa dancing (multiple times *lol*), bellydancing, spin/cycle class and kayaking lessons. I do the things that make me feel like I'm DOING something because lord knows - I need to see the end result and feel like I'm going somewhere :)
I know sometimes they seem daunting but if you can find another girlfriend to go with you, sometimes peeing yourself laughing at eachother being unable to remember where to push the ball of energy in tai chi or looking like a chicken instead of doing beyonce's booty shake is 10x more fun than walking.
That being said - I love walking. I take my dogs to the park every other day and we spend hours wandering through the paths, but it's so much more fun with friends!
Hope that sparks some other ideas for you ladies to get out and have fun - I think it's THAT aspect of fitness that has people living longer...not necessarily that they can run miles upon miles but that they're doing what they enjoy and releasing stress/tension as they do it. We'll see how I feel about alla this post-surgery in 12 days though *lol*
Lighter dayz :)
I used to go and hop on the treadmill and run until my joints cried for mercy when I was pursuing the "diet and exercise" route to weight loss, but I've given up on that too...what I have been doing (that I actually enjoy) is taking classes.
Not your normal classes with bouncy suzie Q up front touting how much fun she's having while you're sweating your face off....no...the ones where I can laugh at myself and with other people. I like to take laughing yoga, beginners salsa dancing (multiple times *lol*), bellydancing, spin/cycle class and kayaking lessons. I do the things that make me feel like I'm DOING something because lord knows - I need to see the end result and feel like I'm going somewhere :)
I know sometimes they seem daunting but if you can find another girlfriend to go with you, sometimes peeing yourself laughing at eachother being unable to remember where to push the ball of energy in tai chi or looking like a chicken instead of doing beyonce's booty shake is 10x more fun than walking.
That being said - I love walking. I take my dogs to the park every other day and we spend hours wandering through the paths, but it's so much more fun with friends!
Hope that sparks some other ideas for you ladies to get out and have fun - I think it's THAT aspect of fitness that has people living longer...not necessarily that they can run miles upon miles but that they're doing what they enjoy and releasing stress/tension as they do it. We'll see how I feel about alla this post-surgery in 12 days though *lol*
Lighter dayz :)
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: International Travel with Protein powders
I had the same worry Michelle - I'm going down for my surgery in 13 days and I had no clue of how I was going to get my protein powder down - I take it to work in little baggies but I knew that wouldn't fly well with customs. Instead, I opted to buy single serving packs of it and take those - then they're properly portioned out and clearly identifiable.
Nectar has grab n go packages of powder now that you can buy either online or at health food stores - that might be helpful for you?! I ordered a variety sample pack from them and am taking those down with me to sustain me on my flight back, because with all of the changes going on with airport security, I definitely do NOT want to mess around...*lol* god forbid that they unleash the dogs on us for trying to eat healthy. Good luck on your trip - glad that I'm not the only one who has nightmares of being tackled by customs for smuggling protein across the boarder :)
Lighter Dayz ahead!
Nectar has grab n go packages of powder now that you can buy either online or at health food stores - that might be helpful for you?! I ordered a variety sample pack from them and am taking those down with me to sustain me on my flight back, because with all of the changes going on with airport security, I definitely do NOT want to mess around...*lol* god forbid that they unleash the dogs on us for trying to eat healthy. Good luck on your trip - glad that I'm not the only one who has nightmares of being tackled by customs for smuggling protein across the boarder :)
Lighter Dayz ahead!
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: VSG Surgery in Mexico in T minus 13 days
I don't have to - I chose to. I went to an information seminar with someone who's had their surgery there and had no issues whatsoever - in fact the clinic was built specifically to service Americans, Canadians and Europeans and from the footage that peanutfree mom has showed me, it's beautiful! The reason why I chose to go to Mexico over staying in Canada is mainly cost but also time - in order to have VSG or any type of bariatric surgery here, you have to qualify for it...by having a BMI of over 40 and showing 2 or more signs of extreme obesity. After that the cost is a measley $30,000 and you could be on a waiting list for up to 2 years.
Don't get me wrong, I love our healthcare system for everything else and have no complaints at all otherwise, but I don't want to have to gain weight to get on the right track. I made the informed decision, after a lot of research to have my surgery done at Emmanuel Clinic in Mexico and I'm excited to get started. The facilities are top notch, I've checked into his experience (which is greater than even some of the surgeons performing in Canada or the US because he bariatric surgery is all he does...nothing else, he even did his residency in bariatric surgery unlike other bariatric surgeons) and I have every confidence that I'll be fine.
I've met at least 3 other people who have had their surgeries there and haven't had a whisper of an issue and the cost was 1/3 the price. As far as waiting time - I was approved for credit last week and have my surgery in 13 days. I honestly can't wait to get started! I'll let you know how it all works out! How did your surgery go Valarie? Where did you have yours done?! What type?
Don't get me wrong, I love our healthcare system for everything else and have no complaints at all otherwise, but I don't want to have to gain weight to get on the right track. I made the informed decision, after a lot of research to have my surgery done at Emmanuel Clinic in Mexico and I'm excited to get started. The facilities are top notch, I've checked into his experience (which is greater than even some of the surgeons performing in Canada or the US because he bariatric surgery is all he does...nothing else, he even did his residency in bariatric surgery unlike other bariatric surgeons) and I have every confidence that I'll be fine.
I've met at least 3 other people who have had their surgeries there and haven't had a whisper of an issue and the cost was 1/3 the price. As far as waiting time - I was approved for credit last week and have my surgery in 13 days. I honestly can't wait to get started! I'll let you know how it all works out! How did your surgery go Valarie? Where did you have yours done?! What type?
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: VSG Surgery in Mexico in T minus 13 days
Alright so I'm approved for surgery, got funding through Medicard, booked my flights and am now just counting down the days until my surgery in Mexico. I got in instructions for my liquid diet for 3 days before my surgery and although I'm a bit nervous about my ability to behave myself during all my layovers on my trip down (and back) I'm so excited to start my journey like the rest of you! I would like to hear about all of your Pre-op stories, post-op struggles and finally your successes - anything to keep me focused on the goal. I can't wait to hear it all!
As for me, I'm 25 years old and have run the gamut of diets but everytime I lose weight, it comes back with a vengence, I am now 5'3" and 206 lbs and I don't want to chance getting any bigger - my hopes are, with this surgery and a complete change in outlook on life and food, I can begin living my life. I will be getting my surgery on November 10th in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Almanza and I couldn't be more excited to get started. Is anyone else going to be at Emmanuel clinic around this time? Any stories or tips you can share with me if you've had your surgery here - maybe what you did when recouperating, shopping? salon? spa? I just don't know what I'll feel up to doing but I know that I'll want to keep busy...any tips?! I'm also looking into finding a good psychologist, just to really talk out my relationship with food - any tips or stories on what other people did to get into the right state of mind about food?
I'd love to hear your stories and can't wait to join the land of the lighter!
Lighter Dayz,
E
As for me, I'm 25 years old and have run the gamut of diets but everytime I lose weight, it comes back with a vengence, I am now 5'3" and 206 lbs and I don't want to chance getting any bigger - my hopes are, with this surgery and a complete change in outlook on life and food, I can begin living my life. I will be getting my surgery on November 10th in Tijuana, Mexico with Dr. Almanza and I couldn't be more excited to get started. Is anyone else going to be at Emmanuel clinic around this time? Any stories or tips you can share with me if you've had your surgery here - maybe what you did when recouperating, shopping? salon? spa? I just don't know what I'll feel up to doing but I know that I'll want to keep busy...any tips?! I'm also looking into finding a good psychologist, just to really talk out my relationship with food - any tips or stories on what other people did to get into the right state of mind about food?
I'd love to hear your stories and can't wait to join the land of the lighter!
Lighter Dayz,
E
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Topic: RE: surgery tomorrow
I know exactly how you feel Abby - my surgery is 13 days away and I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed at all of the change that I need to implement into my life. The surgery itself doesn't really scare me (for being so young, I've been for a lot of surgeries before in my life so it seems a bit old hat to me) but what DOES make me nervous is whether I can handle the 3 days of clear liquid diet before the surgery, make the travels from Canada to Tijuana without being tempted by airport food, being properly prepared to make it home navigating the same tempting waters and then just tackling my kitchen and everything that my husband and I used to stock it with. I have to change my attitudes toward food and find simple pleasure in OTHER things now.
I'm so excited to make this big change in my life and for you to make it in yours! I can't wait to give myself another weapon that forces me to make these big lifestyle changes and to finally be healthy - but I know that the journey is not easy and I can completely feel your nervous energy Abby - just know that it's all completely worth it. I've been reading about other people's success stories and seeing their smiling after-pictures and I can't wait to be able to LIVE my life - to join fitness classes and not feel like the fat chick in the back, to start running and not feel like I'm destroying my joints with every step, to walk the dogs and not have them walk me!
Aren't you so excited to be able to pull on a pair of jeans without breaking a sweat?! I think there are so many more beautiful things ahead for us Abby and none of it revolves around our relationship with food. I'm excited to leave one addiction behind and step into a new one...exercise! It's these thoughts that keep me steady in my preparation before the surgery and I hope they help keep you steady in your days afterward while you're making your huge strides toward success! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear all about your great results....I can't wait to be in your shoes soon enough!
Lighter Dayz,
E
I know exactly how you feel Abby - my surgery is 13 days away and I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed at all of the change that I need to implement into my life. The surgery itself doesn't really scare me (for being so young, I've been for a lot of surgeries before in my life so it seems a bit old hat to me) but what DOES make me nervous is whether I can handle the 3 days of clear liquid diet before the surgery, make the travels from Canada to Tijuana without being tempted by airport food, being properly prepared to make it home navigating the same tempting waters and then just tackling my kitchen and everything that my husband and I used to stock it with. I have to change my attitudes toward food and find simple pleasure in OTHER things now.
I'm so excited to make this big change in my life and for you to make it in yours! I can't wait to give myself another weapon that forces me to make these big lifestyle changes and to finally be healthy - but I know that the journey is not easy and I can completely feel your nervous energy Abby - just know that it's all completely worth it. I've been reading about other people's success stories and seeing their smiling after-pictures and I can't wait to be able to LIVE my life - to join fitness classes and not feel like the fat chick in the back, to start running and not feel like I'm destroying my joints with every step, to walk the dogs and not have them walk me!
Aren't you so excited to be able to pull on a pair of jeans without breaking a sweat?! I think there are so many more beautiful things ahead for us Abby and none of it revolves around our relationship with food. I'm excited to leave one addiction behind and step into a new one...exercise! It's these thoughts that keep me steady in my preparation before the surgery and I hope they help keep you steady in your days afterward while you're making your huge strides toward success! I'm so excited for you and can't wait to hear all about your great results....I can't wait to be in your shoes soon enough!
Lighter Dayz,
E
Cheers,
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
Ezimmer
Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
~ Ralph Marston ~
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
~Unknown~
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