Home again ... at last ... AND questions about seasonings

Hi to all, Been on a "roller-coaster ride" most of April. Dr. Daniel Fabito did my surgery, March 30th, in St. Alexius in St. Louis, had complications, discharged home after a week, back into another hospital the next day to deal with further complications, discharged after another week, home for 4 days, and then back into yet another hospital, Lourdes in Paducah, KY for another week where (FINALLY!!!) my problems seemed to have been solved. Have now switched my care from New Start in St. Louis to the New Life Surgical Weight Loss Center of W. KY in Paducah with Dr. Alex Argotte because 1) he finally helped me and 2) it's much closer to the Southeast Missouri town I live in, and 3) got a letter from Dr. Fabito's office that he was retiring and I'd have to find another doctor *on my own* (no referral made to another physician ... I knew Dr. Fabito was retiring, but was promised a doctor would be provided to assume my care.) So that's the bad news ... GOOD news is I'm feeling so much better it almost makes me feel giddy, and I'm actually down (at weigh in last week) 40 lbs (not counting the 12 extra lbs of fluids added to my body in St. Alexius that the 2nd hospital took off via meds)! This week I've begun moist/solid foods, and I'm really trying to figure things out. What about seasonings ... what are most of you allowed and can tolerate (salt, pepper, spices?), and I've read where some are eating tuna and chicken "salad" ... does that mean with sweet pickles or relish, boiled eggs, etc.? ... no dumping afterwards? I'd really like to know how you're making the "salads" cause that sounds so good! I'm really ready to move on from the cream soup rut I've been in and add new tastes, so I'd appreciate any advice about "spicing" up the foods I'm allowed. Anyone? thanks so much! Myra 3-30-05/ - 40 lbs

We had the same Dr..I was very upset that he didn't find us a new Dr..My friend goes to DR.A I been thinking about going to him also..I'm glad your doing better..and as far as the salads yes I put it all in there ... at first I took one bit to see how it would do in my pouch..My sister in law had Dr.Fabito also she is I would say about 9 mo. out and she has been in the hospital now for about 57 days I told my brother he needs to move her but you know how men are ...she sounds so bad she has a feeding tube and Fabito is saying she will be fine.. I feel so bad for her..hope you have a great weekend... Shelly

Shelly, I went to Dr. Argotte on my cousins' urgence ... they had surgery in May, 2004 (-187 and -169 lbs. respectively) and kept telling me I should go there. My experience in St. Alexius was so bad that I knew I wouldn't go back, and I kept feeling worse and worse, so finally I said "take me to your doctor, please!" ... it was the best decision I could have made. Dr. Argotte was great!! If you go I think you'll like him, too. Susan, the dietician seems to know her stuff too, so I'm going to be joining my cousins at that support group each month. We've decided to just try to coordinate our visits as much as possible and make it a girl's day out. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister, and understand completely the "you'll be fine" thing she's getting from Dr. Fabito. Your brother-in-law should really consider transferring her, especially if she's in St. Alexius! I wish her only the best and the same to you. If you do decide to switch to Dr. Argotte, maybe we'll meet each other one day! good thoughts and blessings to you and your sister, Myra -40 430/389.5/150

Wow. It sounds like it's a good thing that Dr. Fabito is retiring. You have a great attitude for someone who has been through what amounts to a nightmare situation. Kudos for your courage in moving to another doctor. I make tuna and chicken salad with fat free mayo and pickle relish and it's really good. No problems, but I seem to be able to eat anything. I take that back, for some reason I can't eat more than 2 bites of eggs and I feel full and have to stop eating. I experimented with a hard boiled egg and discovered it was the white (the protein of course) that was bothering me. Now, I realize that doesn't make any sense at all. Go figure. I also use seasonings very liberally. I had some chicken encrusted with rosemary yesterday that was awesome. I chew it to death, of course. I also use garlic, cinnamon, salt, pepper etc. in moderation. I take a little taste of anything new and wait awhile to see if anything happens (which so far it hasn't) and then I eat the rest over a 30 minute period. May your health be fantastic from this point on! Donna

I'm glad you are feeling better, and sorry you had such a bad dr. to begin with. As for the salads; I use dill relish. I'm afraid the sweet would cause dumping. Good luck, Billie 3-28-05/ 32lbs

Wow- I guess you have been on a pretty good roller coaster ride! I am happy to hear that you are doing better As far as spices go- I use them all the time and they have'nt affected me. Good luck to you and take care! Bonnie