For The Vets: What's Your Thing? Tell What You Know.

At barely 6 months post op I don't claim to be expert at much -- but I did have both my weight loss surgeries using Tricare and I've been able to help a few folks with questions on that.  I didn't have anything like Kerry's years with the wrong WLS -- but I can surely share how to help yourself after you have a slipped Lap Band (piece of **** that it is).

Deb H.

Thank you so much for the compliment, Sia....you are my daily smile.   Your humor and use of the English language continually entertain me, and your daily pictures turn my DH on, LOL.
I'd say I'm pretty well-versed in Vitamin D, hyperoxaluria and hypocalciuria issues, and I'm happy to share my experience with anyone who asks.  

I'm the jeenyus of self-pay -- not that it takes a lot of brains to self-pay, you just write a bigass check.

But still, I'm a huge proponent of self-pay. I have so many friends who are chosing/chose a RNY because their ins covered it and I want to shake them and say NO NO NO NO! (Or really, I want to say, "I'll be here when you need a revision in a few years. Or 28 years like Kerry!"

My step-sister had a RNY. She is very thin now, but she dumps on sugar -- she ate a cupcake at our other sister's bridal shower and she broke out into a cold sweat and felt like she had the flu. Over one cupcake! That's insanity, imo. Me, I eat everything that's not nailed to the ground -- not a lot of it if it's super carb-y or sugar-y, but I eat til I'm satisfied. And I've never thrown up since I had this surgery, nor have I felt ill except when I actually was ill.

Oh, I just remembered: I'm also the external thrombosed hemorrhoid expert. Ugh, how I wish I could have avoided that title! If you can't pu**** back in, and if it hurts when you walk, go see a colo-rectal surgeon immediately! There's only a 72h window to have it taken care of; after that you have to let it heal on its own.

Aww shucks Sia --

Let's see what do I know?  I know enough to know that I don't know much!  But I do know a little about  J-tubes.  I had mine for six months and had to take enteral feedings.

red

I'm pretty terrific at sarcasm and outrage.  If anyone needs support in those areas, just lemme know.  d2k

 omg. I ******g love you. hahahahahaha.

Not sure I have a "thing"...maybe parenting and the DS. I have two young kids and I deal with the challenges of raising kids in a DS home. (Answer: it's as hard as you make it, moderation, education and honesty are key, in my opinion).

I also lost ALL of my extra weight pretty damn fast with no stalls--204 pounds (depending on the day I weigh, as I swing 5-10 pounds apparently) in 17 months. I can talk about that. (Answer, low-carb like the devil in the beginning--you'll eat carbs later, believe you me, but don't waste your early months on stupid stuff like carbs.)

I like to think of myself as a passionate middle-of-the-road DSer. I am not over-the-top on any aspect of the DS world (vitamins, exercise, low-carb, bathroom issues) , EXCEPT for its efficacy--THAT I am completely over-the-top on!

If anyone thinks I could help them with those topics, please contact me.

Nicolle

Though I wish I didn't, I know about leaks (or fistulas), abcesses, long-term drains, and stents. 

I don't have a thing but I vote that yours is sexy avatars that make everybody horny. 

I have an attitude of Grattitude

but my expertise is the Trilogy of WLS- the balance or nutrition, exercise and mental health.

My trainging is pediatric endocrinology so I am a Doctor w/ DS