01/27/2005 Update

Hello everyone, I just wanted to post an update on myself. I am now a little over 2weeks post op and down 30lbs. I had surgery on 01/27/2005. Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!! I am very excited about the weight loss, however I am still at the regret stage as far as the surgery goes. I am still having a really hard time getting all my water and 9 pills a day in. If anyone can help or offer advice please do. I know that in the long run, I am going to be so much better off for this, but the light at the end of the tunnel is really blurred right now. Thanks, Tamique 282/252/140

Hello there Tamique! Glad to hear that you are doing so well! The regret stage is a peculiar thing. For some folks it can last a month or two. Others, just a few days or weeks. Sorry to hear that you are experiencing it, but rest assured, it is temporary. What kind of pills are you taking? Perhaps you should talk to the doctor who prescribed them and find out if you can get them in another form such as a patch or liquids. If the pills are related to high blood pressure or for blood sugar problems, go to see your doctor and find out if you still need to take them. A lot of times, the surgery itself can improve or cure the need for specific meds. DO NOT stop taking them until you talk to your doctor. I saw my doctor a week before surgery and he changed a whole bunch of my meds. I now wear a patch and take a liquid medication. The only pill I take is my chewable multivitamin. As far as your water: are you drinking it plain? Propel and Crystal light is good. So is Snapple fruit flavored diet tea. Your milk also counts toward your fluid intake. Here are 2 recipes you can try: Cappucino-9 grams of Protein 1 c skim milk, 1 1/2 tsp of instant coffee powder, 2 pkts of Equal or Splenda, A dash of cinnamon and a few drops of Brandy extract. Heat the milk and add the rest. Drink it hot, or let it cool and serve over ice for a Starbuck's-type Frappacino drink. High Protein Hot Chocolate-20 grams of protein 1 c skim milk, 2 tbsp of sugar-free hot chocolate powder, 2 tbsp non-fat instant milk. Heat the milk and then stir in the other ingredients. If you want something special, add a few drops of orange extract, raspberry or mint extract. Or shake a little cinnamon into the drink. Great for sipping in cold weather, although you're probably not in much danger of freezing to death in Killeen, TX. LOL Oh, and Tamique? Stay away from that light at the end of the tunnel...it's really an oncoming freight train...just get out of the way! LOL Hope this helps kiddo! Talk to you later! Mary Cole

CONGRATZ on such a HUGE loss so early in the game! Don't worry hun it will get easier as time goes on. Like others have suggested try getting some of your meds switched to chewable, liquid, patch or spray form. Vitamist sells LOTS of supplements in a spray form that you spray under your tongue or inside your mouth. That is what I use for my multivitamin, my folic acid and my B-12. HTH! Jamie

Hi Tamique, I had my surgery on the 25th and take over thirty pills a day. You name it, I gotta take a pill for it plus I am diabetic and take insulin injections three times a day too! What worked for me with the pills, is I got a pill cutter, cut them in half or smaller then I separate all the morning pills into piles and take them in 3 or 4 pieces at a time...they are small and easier to swallow for me. Also, I take with them warm weak tea...then 15 or 20 minutes later, I do another pile. Same thing at night. As for the water, I have had a hard time with that too...but the way it was explained to me, every SF jello I eat, or SF popcycle is consider a liquid and to count them. The way I solved most of my water intake was I bought a bag of crushed ice and I suck on small ice cubes until I go to bed at night then start that routine again in the morning. I am 61 years of age so I know eventully, I will get rid of a lot of the pills after the majority of weight is lost so my doctor said I had to stay on them for now until I level out. Congrats on your weight loss! Good luck with your water intake and all, Marlo