my disclaimer
So just in case anyone here didn't know this already - I am NOT a doctor. I did not attend medical school. I am not a registered dietician. I could call myself a nutritionist if I wanted to, if that makes anyone feel better, since you don't have to have any special education or be licensed or anything to use that title. But I am not a medical professional of any kind. I am college educated, took a college course in anatomy and physiology, know some medical terminology, and am able to read and understand articles about nutrition and other health-related topics.
My advice is not meant to be a substitute for medical care. Please discuss any issues with your health care professionals, since that is what you pay them for. Please do not take my word for something just because I say so. Please do you own research. I am always happy to tell you where I get my information and then you can read it for yourself. By the way, most of the time my "advice" is not really my own personal opinion, it's me telling you what the Americian Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the Linus Pauling Institute, the Vitamin D Council, the Mayo Clinic or some other reputable organization says about something. When it is just my own personal opinion, though, I am happy to explain why I believe that.
Then please make your own decisions. I don't want to make decisions for anyone else.
And no one needs to post in response to this telling me that you trust my advice. I know many people do and that's very nice, but it's also OK if some people don't. If you don't want my advice, then don't ask for it. That's just fine with me. Doesn't hurt my feelings a bit.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I will never apologize for caring about people's psychological health, and -- like you -- I always encouarge people to seek professional mental health care. Even though I am a mental health professional, I am not here in a professional capacity. If people don't like what I have to say based on my own education, training, and personal and professional experience, they are free to discard it and my feelings are not hurt a bit.
We try to do what we can...
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
on 1/13/12 12:26 am
I missed the offense and really won't bother to seek it out. Sigh.
May I add a thought? *IF* the entire planet had a medical team of consummate bariatric professionals who trained their staff members to teach, train and follow every patient in their UNIQUE journey of this maze of WLS, then support forums such as this one would be unnecessary and people sharing knowledge learned (sometimes the very hardest way of learning) would be redundant. We don't have that perfect world. So we exist on forums like this one. THANK GOODNESS!
I would be consider a post op success in anyone's book. But it isn't because my surgeon knew everything about my medical needs. He performed the surgery, gave me a few guidelines and off I went. He is still a brilliant surgeon. I am grateful for his role in my success. But if I had stopped there, I would be in serious trouble.
Some of the advice I read here is for me. Some of it is not for me. I am smart enough to make those choices. The next person is smart enough, too.
Thanks to everyone who shares their journey and answers questions. We all learn by those efforts. I beg all of you........don't hesitate to share. The life you save could be mine.
Vicky
Six years post-op
up three pounds from my bottom weight
GREAT labs and sound health
(And I didn't stay on Pepcid, Flinstones and Iron only)
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.