Weight loss

Robin, We've been reading about your surgery for so long and now
there you are - ready to roll! G-d's speed for a successful and
easy experience. I am so excited about your surgery. I will be on
that same table in 49 days!
You GO GIRL!
Patrice
switching on 12/14/2004

I want to learn to quilt so badly...so...badly. However, working full time and going to school full time just leaves me with no time for quilting. I really hope to be able to pick it up someday.

~Ally~
Lap RNY 7/12/07
251/237/???/130 I am on a hiatus from my scale addiction for 1 month beginning 10/24/07
HW/SW/CW/GW

Hi Wendy and everyone else,
I am going in tomorrow at 9am for my 1:30 surgery. I have had such a
positive experience here learning lots of helpful information for my
recovery.
I am nervous and excited (I have said that now probably a million
times). I know you all know how I feel right now. I am on the brink
of a new life and I am also leaving my old familiar life behind. I
hate that old life, but it is also very familiar. I don't enjoy big
changes so this will be a big experience for me. I know my old life
habits will creep back on me at times, that is one reason I am
nervous. Like I have said many times and like alot of you have all
said "I am afraid I will be one of those rare unlucky people who fail
at this surgery" Logically I know that the odds are I will heal and
recover successfully and will also lose weight successfully. I am
just analyzing this way too much.
I had a bunch of tests today and everything went well. I don't
remember much of the endoscopy once they injected the medicine in my
vein. It is all fuzzy. DH said I sat on Dr M's Couch and snored! I
am so mortified! I did meet a guy sitting next to me (once the meds
started wearing off) and he is a local who had surgery one year ago.
He had nothing but wonderful things to say about dr M and the
hospital. I would never have known he had ever been obese. He
looked totally healthy and fit. He also had a huge smile and talked
about feeling so good. He said I was making the best decision ever.
I also met Michelle and her mother as I was walking out of Dr M's
office. They are both very sweet. I hope to see more of them this
week. Michelle will be switching wed at 1:30. She is very cute. I
was totally impressed that Dr M remembered her mom and he related
specific memories of her original surgery. He hugged her and treated
her like a queen. He has treated me just as well. Durval and DH and
I had lunch at the hospital and the food was really good. I saw the
botanical gardens today with DH, Teresa and Roxie (Teresa's friend).
DH and I enjoyed walking through the back part of the garden. It is
like a rain forest. Very dense and beautiful. We tried to eat at
the BBQ place tonight with Roxie, but it is closed on Monday. We had
pizza instead from the place just down the street. The pizza was
verey good. Since Teresa is newly postop she decided to stay in her
room and rest. I talked to Janice on the phone and she is doing
well. She is tired though.
Anyhow, I am starting to feel a bit sleepy, so I am going to try to
get a little rest now. I will update tomorrow if I am up to it. Or
my DH may post something for me.
Thanks to all,
Robin G
Stepping off the curb at the corner of excitement and insanity! I am
so happy to finally be getting of the curb.

I am almost 4 months out and still cannot tolerate straight meats. Soft meats like meatloaf and meatballs are ok but chicken, tuna, and red meats just do not sit well in my pouch so I drink lots of protein, Isopure and bullits, and eat anything that agrees with me which right now is baked potato and carbs. nuts and milk products.

Penny

I see there will be a Patrice there at the same time as me. So
where are you coming from partice??

Thanks Stella,
I appreciate the really kind words. I hope to be an excellent roll
model! LOL I just really want this to work and be successful. I
know everyone here knows how badly we just want to feel good and look
like we feel good. I am really excited and nervous about tomorrow,
but deep down inside I feel that this is the right thing for me and
that god (I am very religeous) will help me. I look forward to
hearing your journey also. I really enjoy reading everyones
experience here. It really is important to share our experience so
the new people will have hope and maybe even a smoother ride.
Thanks again
Cio
Robin G
Switching tomorrow at 1:30

Great Lizanne and they need to know the newsletter is free

Penny

I forgot to mention that this is a bariatric exercise newsletter

Penny

Lora,
Speaking of black cherry...that's the flavor of my sublingual vitamin
B12 dots. I tried the non flavored one, UGH!! Look for the black
cherry ones.
Lizanne

Lora & Lisa,
It's funny what a difference there is when talking about the after
surgery diet. As I said, I am 9 weeks out and from the time I came
home was allowed to eat everything except fiberous foods and dessert
items, and nuts, although I forgot and ate homey roasted peanuts,
YUM!! Soft foods were suggested by the assistant who said that as
long as I chew my food well, they are pureed. I have dumped twice
and I still don't know why, cream of crab (I ate it a week later with
no problems) and lobster bisque. Oh, and I gagged violently taking
vitamins in the beginning.
There are many theories, and they both seem valid, so I decided to
just follow my NUT's advice. But....I was aware that if that didn't
work for me, that I would do the soft/pureed diet. A lot of the
advice we are given has to be taken with a grain of salt. If what
you are doing isn't working for you, do something that does work.
The rules are generalities, I think, and as long as you act in a sane
manner, they can be modified. I am sure that I am in the minority in
my beliefs, and don't want others to take my advice over their
NUT's. I am just giving an alternative if NOTHING seems to work for
you. Keep in mind....I am the person who can't drink anything
because it's disgusting and lived on fruit popsicles for weeks. Oh,
but don't let that influence you. HAHAHAHAHA
Lizanne

I stopped by the quilting group and there is a message from Naomi.
She feels abandoned. She has joined this group, but wishes to stay
with the other group. I think she is confused by all this banning and
such. If anyone wants to, I did, send her a personal email trying to
support her. She may not answer for a while because she was thinking
about staying away from her computer for a while. UGH! I feel so
badly.
Lizanne

I had one of those Edy's juice bars (black cherry) just yesterday!
I'm sorry the food and liquid is SO hard for you. I struggle, but
nothing like that! I'm not as good about the extra B12 (tastes
nasty), and I do the iron every other day cuz my pouch hates it (RBC
was fine last week), but I take the other vitamins religiously.
I could NEVER do the Q-tip thing... I'm not usually a queasy person,
but when the surgeon did that I had to close my eyes and hold on to
the table for fear I was going to pass out! (I do use the hydrogen
peroxide to externally rinse it, though.)
The holes helped him get his plastics covered?!? How so? Do tell!
Lora

Penny,
I added a link to Monica's website for those of us who want to become
healthier and to get her newletter. Check to make sure it is correct,
please. She is so sweet to help us. Thanks.
Lizanne

Reposting this for those who missed it the first time around

Subject: Newsletter

Mom,

Can you post a notice to everyone in the group that the first newsletter is ready? They will need to go to my website to sign up for it. Some had sent me a direct e-mail message but I need them to sign up directly due to anti-spam laws.

Thanks,

Love,

Your Favorite

Monica Allison

www.BayouEnvironmentalResponse.com
www.AllisonPersonalTraining.com

The time to start achieving your goals is now!

Deb,
What a great weight loss!! I am so happy for you! ...And also so sorry it has
been such a trial. Everyone should learn from your experience and take heed to
be sure their binder is fitting them comfortably!! Glad you are finally past
that!
Please tell your mom hello from Loyd and I!!
Nina Wright
DS 5/5/2004
275/184/135
olsdeb <olsdeb@...
Tracy,
I have had a lot of experience packing my own wound. It finally
healed completely at about 5 1/2 months. My tummy is so happy not to
have tape on it.
You'll be able to pack it yourself. I didn't think I would be able
to, but it's not painful (unless I had someone else do it). It also
was a little tender towards the end when it was getting too small to
pack, but yet too deep to stop packing. It should heal ok, just keep
iodine away from it. My doctor here swears that weakens the new
growth. Just use saline solution.
Any questions, email me.
BTW, -102 lbs and it's been about 5 1/2 months!
Deb in WI

Tracy, that sounds really awful! 6" tunnel?? I hope you don't have to go back
into the hospital!
If I take my nose to museums and the opera, will it be cultured? (Sorry, I know
that wasn't really funny.) But did you have a germ going into surgery that
spread??
I'll be thinking of you!!
Nina Wright
Tracy Williams <casacraigtracy@...
I just got home from the wound care center. I will be having a cat
scan on the largest open area of my surgical site. I found out today
that the infected seroma has tunneled at least 6" straight down! this
is one case that I am sure glad I had plenty of stomach fat!! At
least I am hoping that it has not reached my abdominal wall.... that
means back into the hospital! I will find out Wednesday. The second
area is not a big deal. Both were packed with colagen dressings today
and my DH was shown how to pack them EVERY NIGHT! Poor guy.
Healthcare workers who work around infectious diseases... please have
your nose cultured BEFORE your surgery. I could have avoided all of
this.
Everything else is well. I have lost 34#!!
Tracy in TX

I am sorry. She said to increase you water intake - a bunch. If that does not help then try stool softeners. There are several liquid versions out on the market - they may help...LAST RESORT is the laxative....Now lemme tell you - I had to use the softener and it turned my pouch in 90 different directions. I got feverish and the pain was INTENSE...I can only associate it with dumping syndrome only it lasts the whole day - until you finally poop. I can not imagine what it would be like to take the laxative! You may want to ask about suppository laxatives to avoid the tummy all together!

Talk later - time to drive home with all the other nightmare highway drivers!

Lisa A
lizanneflowers <lizanneflowers@...

Lisa A,
You left out the answer to the problem. The reason I am so
interested is that I think I might be headed in that direction now
that my B12 deficiency has passed. I know what Ally would like it as
well, because she has a big problem in that area too. It doesn't
work so well for her. What did your NUT say to do?
Lizanne

Wow, Deb. 95 lbs gone forever is so wonderful. You go, Girl! Hugs, Sherry
Deborah Powell <Nightsewer@...
STATS)
95 pounds lighter
100000000000 pounds happier
Sherry Head
High 290 1/13/04 Pre-op 260.5 10/23/04 186.4 Total Loss 74.1 Weekly loss 2.4
Diabetes cured
I has met the enemy and he is us! - Pogo

Robin,
I have been reading your letters on this list and have been watching your
journey,,,,,,,I am so excited for you..........I can't even imagine......how
you are feeling............I have been thinking about you, even when I am at
work!!! and tomorrows the day..........Iwas driving in the car and started
talking to my husband about you....lol.... I feel like I know you and it will
be
really good research for me to see you go from pre-op and then
post-op....and learn from your experiences..............
you are in my prayers!!! can't wait to hear from you again in the next
couple of days....
stella
pre-op
300lbs...................hoping for feb with dr baltasar.

BMI Categories:
Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater
Link to a Chart to find your BMI
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/obesity/bmi_tbl.pdf
Also, there is a second part based on your waist measurement that is
related to health and longevity. I will look for something I can copy.
Lizanne

Jeannie,
Glad you joined. We are just getting started and already we talk too
much. We still aren't organized, so I would be happy if you have any
suggestions. You always seem so grounded in common sense.
Lizanne

I had the privilege to meet some wonderful women yesterday who live
in Texas and are patients of Dr. Marchesini. Nina Wright and Natalie
Koeler look fabulous and feel great after their surgeries earlier
this year. Janie Mott heads to Curitiba in two weeks,and I'm
scheduled for Dec. 14th. I hope we can keep our sisterhood bonds and
support each other as we walk this road side by side. It was great
to be together face to face with people who have had the same
experience. Thanks girls for a lovely evening.
Patrice Lieb

Sharon,
I was wondering....after your surgery you were having some trouble
dodging a new/old addiction. Did you go back to smoking? Just
curious. If so, go get that book from Tracy, who was going to try to
convince some family member to quit. I bet that didn't work.
Lizanne

Awwwww I'm sorry about your infection, Tracy! Makes my gas problems
seem kinda LITTLE! I hope it all gets better real soon! What did
that mean about having your nose cultured?? Sorry for the
ignorance!
Hugs...Lisa

Lisa A,
Everyone has their own yardstick to measure normal. What do you
think will be normal for you? Are you looking for guidance? I know
that life insurance companies have actuarial tables that show,
heights, weights and length of life based on those values. Maybe I
will see what I can find for you.
Lizanne

Thank you, Deborah! I feel better knowing that I'm not alone.
Yesterday my husband pulled me close kinda forcefully for a hug and I
let out a big OUCH and it scared him because he didn't think my belly
was that sore anymore from the incision. It's NOT....it IS actually
tender to the touch and SORE from the gas pains! It MAJORLY sucks!!
Congrats on your INCREDIBLE weight loss!!! I guess the pains don't
quite hurt as much when you've got that kind of loss behind you, huh!!
Way to go!
Hugs....Lisa
DS 10/01/04
-25

Lora,
I wrote my usual long reply to this message and when I went to post
it, it just couldn't find the site. Maybe it's trying to tell me
something.
What I said was that my brother had the same thing. His surgeon had
him soak a long Qtip in hydrogen peroxide and slide it in each hole
until he hit the adominal wall. That was to help it heal properly
and to keep infection away. He used those 2 holes to get his
plactics covered by insurance. Initially I was hoping I would have
the same problem so that I could get help with some plactic surgery.
I have since changed my mind. No "complications" please.
As far as the energy goes, are you taking your B12 and multi-
vitamins? They are really important. I ignored them for a while and
paid the price. Prior to the surgery I was always an advocate for
vitamins. Right after surgery I was an advocate for nothing but
laziness. Now I'm back to my old ways, and vitamins are important.
The water thing is a real battle. I still had brown urine because I
just can't stand the taste of anything fluid. I gag while taking my
vitamins due to the nasty water I take them with. I know this will
eventually get better, but after 2 months I was thinking it better
start soon.
Food nauseates me alot, but I don't eat much. Popsicles are my
lifesavers as far as both fluids and meals. I love the real juice
bars by Edy's (or some places Edy's is called Dreyers). They have no
sugar added, but they have about 20 carbs.
Lizanne

I just got home from the wound care center. I will be having a cat
scan on the largest open area of my surgical site. I found out today
that the infected seroma has tunneled at least 6" straight down! this
is one case that I am sure glad I had plenty of stomach fat!! At
least I am hoping that it has not reached my abdominal wall.... that
means back into the hospital! I will find out Wednesday. The second
area is not a big deal. Both were packed with colagen dressings today
and my DH was shown how to pack them EVERY NIGHT! Poor guy.
Healthcare workers who work around infectious diseases... please have
your nose cultured BEFORE your surgery. I could have avoided all of
this.
Everything else is well. I have lost 34#!!
Tracy in TX

Thank you Lizanne, yeah you know the whole body shots are few and far between, always looking for someone or something to stand behind. Soon that won't be necessary. I've lost 100 lbs twice in my lifetime, through weight watchers and then again with fen-phen, so I know how we tend to LOVEEE pictures at that time. of course the weight came back and brought some pals with it. I do have a couple though that I will treasure for my before pictures [INLINE] can't wait.
Judy R. in No. California
262/257/145
HW/CW/GW

Hang in there. EVERYBODY has gas pains. If they say that they don't
they are just lying. In the first 3 months, at times, I felt as if
there was an alien in me trying to get out. And to be truthful at
times I felt that having a baby was about the same soreness level. I
hope that came out right. pssttt LOLOL NO, No, NO, I mean after
the gas had pasted I was sore. ;P
About the only thing that you can do at this point is to keep a diary
of some kind that reminds you what you ate that is giving you the
gas. I have yet to find Beano or anything like that that helps. I
have pretty much tried them all. And it is the weird things that
make me crazy. I could never eat raw onions before surgery, but
loved the cooked ones. Now, I can eat raw ones and no gas, but
cooked ones, watch out. Milk doesn't bother me, but some cheeses
do. I could not tolerate Gatorade. It made me gassy.
My DH loves Pepsi-sugar free and I have started drinking small sips
of that with my supper and I IMMEDIATELY burp. I found that this has
helped with some of my late night gas. BUT, BUT, BUT, (read this
part carefully) if I drink an entire pepsi I get gassy and poopy. So
it is small little sips.
Your gas problem will get better as will the energy level. It just
takes time. And that is the hard part. Waiting.
Hang in there and know that this too will pass( eheheheh) with
time.
Deborah Powell TAAAA DDAAAA (NEW STATS)
95 pounds lighter
100000000000 pounds happier

Judy,
What a touching story. I had an old boyfriend I found online once
years ago. We still email each other. He is married and we are just
friends, but friends with a history. I haven't seen him for 26 years
but we had lived together for three years. The internet is a wonder
isn't it?
So you are just starting your journey. It can be very frustrating,
but one day the rewards will be great. We have to help you in your
journey so that the Paris trip will be one to remember.
Lizanne

Uh oh..ya'll are freaking me out!! NO ONE has had the gas pains???
IF this is not normal.....I'm going to start getting worried! My
husband TOLD me that this surgery could lead to one problem right
after another and I keep praying that everything goes along just
perfectly smooth. Please tell me this is normal and it's only gas
and you've all had some gas pains that went away and was nothing
serious! Have any of you tried Gas-X or another gas relief
medication on the market? Oh Lord!
Lisa
-25
DS 10/01/04

Judy,
You are a nice looking lady, and so is your friend Ivonne. And at
your daughter's wedding...great. It's good that your whole body is in
the picture because after you have the surgery, a full body shot sure
shows YOU the change. It's great knowing the appearance of the person
who sending the messages. I just posted a bust, shoulders and face,
at the last group. I will do better this time.
Lizanne

Wa Wa Wa!! I wanna be there too!!!! Robin, Kelly and Michelle (who
has my date)...my prayers and best wishes are with ya!!!! Tell Dr. M
I'll probably see him in late Jan or early Feb..whatever we can work
out....enjoy your time in Curitiba and soon....kick it up a
notch...BAM!!!!! SWITCHED!!!!!!!
love ya gals
Darlene in Tx

I'm feeling better (more energy, although I still tire easily
sometimes), but still have 2 spots on the incision where it
continues to ooze. Funny thing, though... it was an 8" incision 1
week after surgery (I measured!) and now it's only 7", so I guess
that means my tummy IS shrinking even though it doesn't look or feel
like it. (I think I've just lost the swelling from surgery!)
Still having trouble getting in all my protein and water, though. I
keep trying, though.
Lora

Keeping you in my heart, Kelly. I know you'll arrive just fine. Hugs, Sherry
Kelly Lautenbach- pwrshopmom <klautenbach1@...
something. I got to Chicago just fine and ran across the
airport to my flight to Sao Paulo. Boarded, settled in for a long flight and
on take off something happened. One of the engines caught fire. Scary to say
the least. I pray a lot but tonight I prayed like never before. We dumped a
ton of fuel and landed safely back in Chicago about an hour after we took
off. I am thankful to be at the Hilton O'Hare and we are supposed to fly out
at 9am in the morning. Talk about nervous. I had a hard time leaving the
love of my life and my kids this afternoon and was in tears when I boarded
the flight- needless to say I have shed a few more this evening. Part of me
wonders if I should still go or delay till later. I am terrified of it all
but I still feel compelled to get to Brazil and Dr. M and Durval. I'll email
you all when I finally get to Curitiba. If you're a praying person- pray
hard for me tomorrow. I am nervous but moving on... Thanks! : )
I'm off to email Dr. M and tell him of my delay. I hope they get it before
Durval heads for the airport. Ugh...
-Kelly (stranded in Chicago and headed for Curitiba!)
Sherry Head
High 290 1/13/04 Pre-op 260.5 10/23/04 186.4 Total Loss 74.1 Weekly loss 2.4
Diabetes cured
I has met the enemy and he is us! - Pogo

Sharon,
Thank you for being the ambassador.
Lizanne

Lora,
Here is my reply, but it won't be what your doctor will tell you. I
eat everything (except sweets...candy, cookies, donuts). My NUT says
that everything should be chewed well and then everything can be
eaten. In the beginning don't worry about fat, just don't overdo
carbs. They are the big dumpers. Bacon, steak, cheese can all be
eaten if chewed well and taken in small bites. You can also drink.
The reason that they don't want you to drink while eating is that they
want you to feel full. The fluids help wash the solids from your
pouch, and you won't feel that full feeling. They want you to know
the full felling so you don't overdo.
That's the info I have been following. I have only felt full twice.
There is another reason for that...my surgeon makes the stoma (the new
hole from your pouch to the small intestine) larger than the 1/4 inch
most surgeons use. That way you should never get a stricture, but the
food leaves my pouch quicker, so that full feeling happens only when I
have eaten 4-5 oz.
So, soup for me is just another meal, with nothing special I have to
consider. I have lost 49 lbs since 8/17, and that was with no pre-
surgery diet requirements.
Lizanne

Ahhh, I remember now. Thank you for your support. I thought I
presented the negative side well. I didn't want to discourage
anyone, I just wanted them to be prepared. So many things can happen
after surgery that if we have just heard about what was happening
before we go through it, we can feel better about those scary
things. No one had mentioned there about drain holes that flooded my
bed after surgery. Drains weren't really mentioned except for the
fear of removal, which is icky, but quick. I had a big mess and I
brought it up at the group so that others would know that if their
drains aren't draining anything in the hospital, speak up. I had no
idea that the nurses weren't doing their job. None of them.
About the scandal. After I posted the second message, I went to my
water aerobics class, and when I returned I was banned, so I never
read or heard what was said. Penny wrote a message which she
forwarded to me, and then she forwarded the reply from Robyn. That
is all I know. I know the people in this group are good people.
Whether they spoke up or not, is not important. (Well, maybe a
little) That they stuck by me, is VERY important and brings tears to
my eyes. That's why I can't thank you all enough.
You all could have just left me. You know, emailed me once in a
while to say hi, sent me a joke now and then, but you all turned out
to be such better friends than that. Thank you.
Lizanne

How could I posssible "leave" you...? I need SOMEONE else who is a
recent "open" in this sea off "lap" folks! LOL
Lora

Kelly..........
yes, i am definitely a praying person and will be praying for you.
i think when we are already nervous or stressed .........anything
additional added to our plate seems monumental...........and what
you went through today would put a bit of a scare in most of us.
God bless you kiddo.........will look forward to your "arrival in
Curitiba" message.
joanne

Hi Lisa,
I am NOT the person to be handing out advice to a post op, but I will
try since I do have some medical experience.
When we have mom's post op and they complain of feeling gassy, we
tell them to make sure they are getting in enough water and walking.
I am assuming that with kids you are walking, but maybe more will
help. Also try gatoraid to replenish the potassium etc.... since you
are not eating or drinking enough. Maybe you should not drink or eat
any milk products? I hear they can cause gas problems post op even
if you were not lactos intollerant before the surgery could make you
intollerant now,at least that is what I remember reading.
I am sure someone here will know more. I think there is a postop
problem list around also.
Post your discoveries when you are able. Also, maybe you are trying
to do to much! Try to rest more and ignore the house work for now.
Robin G
switching tuesday at 1:20

HI there, I posted my pics, they are all pre-op since I am just now starting my journey. I do want to share something with you. If you go see the pictures, you will see that a couple of them are with me and my friend Ivonne. There's a story behind it, and I want to share so you will always know never to give up on anything.

Ivonne and I were best friends back in Jr. High School '72-'75 and High School '75-'78. I graduated and Ivonne did not :( . We had a nasty counselor that told her she wouldn't graduate because she didn't deserve to, so Ivonne left school a few months before graduation. After graduation my gma took me and moved us to California. I lost touch with my friend. She didn't know where I went and I didn't have any contact info with me. Since that time up until 2006 I've been searching for her. When the www came into effect and google became the way to find people I started searching, it took me years but in August 2006 I entered her name in google and got a hit, well I got several but they weren't matching. I found her name in an email she wrote on a Legacy website, this email she wrote was a memorial to her bestfriend who died on 9/11. She wrote the note in 2003, she signed her name and state, and listed her email. I just saw that email and said that has to be her, it
sounded like a name she'd pick.

That same day in August I emailed her and say I was looking for a girl who went to my same schools, etc. A few days later she answered me!! and it was her!!! Next day she called me. That was on August 12, 2006 and we've been in touch ever since as if we never were apart.

In January 2007 I entered a Best Friend contact on NBC's Ivillage Live. I won! and we were treated to a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando and we were on TV with 10 other pairs of girlfriends. This was our Reunion after 28 years!!! it was a quick whirlwind trip, so we decided that we'd meet again in August the month of our "anniversary". So On 8/31/07 we met in Las Vegas for 5 days. We had a blast except of course, that I am not very mobile with all my aches and pains and stomach issues and she also got some leg cramps but we still had a great time.

We are planning to meet every August somewhere in the world! 2010 in Paris because we turn 50 that year and that is my dream trip. hopefully 2008 in Hawaii, I can't wait especially now because I am praying I will have had my surgery and be feeling great and will be able to run around crazy.

anyway sorry this was long but it's a story I tell to show people that miracles happen, that dreams come true, that perseverance pays off. I truly believe that Ivonne's friend that died on 9/11 brought us together so Ivonne would have me now since she was gone. I make sure to call her on 9/11 because I know that she's still hurting even though it's been 6 years since she lost her friend.

okay i'll stop now.

Blessings for your day :x

Lisa A,
You left out the answer to the problem. The reason I am so
interested is that I think I might be headed in that direction now
that my B12 deficiency has passed. I know what Ally would like it as
well, because she has a big problem in that area too. It doesn't
work so well for her. What did your NUT say to do?
Lizanne

and that's saying something. I got to Chicago just fine and ran across the
airport to my flight to Sao Paulo. Boarded, settled in for a long flight and
on take off something happened. One of the engines caught fire. Scary to say
the least. I pray a lot but tonight I prayed like never before. We dumped a
ton of fuel and landed safely back in Chicago about an hour after we took
off. I am thankful to be at the Hilton O'Hare and we are supposed to fly out
at 9am in the morning. Talk about nervous. I had a hard time leaving the
love of my life and my kids this afternoon and was in tears when I boarded
the flight- needless to say I have shed a few more this evening. Part of me
wonders if I should still go or delay till later. I am terrified of it all
but I still feel compelled to get to Brazil and Dr. M and Durval. I'll email
you all when I finally get to Curitiba. If you're a praying person- pray
hard for me tomorrow. I am nervous but moving on... Thanks! : )
I'm off to email Dr. M and tell him of my delay. I hope they get it before
Durval heads for the airport. Ugh...
-Kelly (stranded in Chicago and headed for Curitiba!)

My legs have started hurting at night about an hour before I go to
bed.....from my hips all the way to my feet. Is that lack of
potassium? Thank you everybody, for your help! I'm so glad I have
ya'll to come to when I get concerned about something!
I'm sorry I don't get to come online to be a good post op roll model,
yet. My Mom left a few days ago to go back to HER home with her
husband and I'm on my own again being so weak and tired and taking
care of my huge family once again by myself so I NEED my energy,
BAD!! My twin baby boys had their first Bday today! Yet ANOTHER
major feat of mine! Living through the first year of TWO babies
lives! Whew!!!! Gotta go to bed....Thanks again!
Lisa
DS 10/01
-25

Lisa A,
Here is where we disagree. I have had the other problem, and it was
always a surprise when things began to quickly get moving. But,
actually Cat helped me out. She is currently struggling with a huge
Vitamin B12 deficiency. The common side effects are...nausea,
diarrhea, lethargy. Cat is taking pills and getting shots and the
side effects are not very quick to subside for her. She also just
had her stoma stretched...AGAIN. I started to take my vitamin B12,
and I feel like a new person.
I knew we were supposed to take our vitamins, I just didn't realise
how important they are. So....after surgery, or even before so you
have some in reserve, TAKE YOUR VITAMINS!!
Speaking of that other person who was so upset by the teasing, I get
her point, kinda. Her question was answered....a few times, yet she
was upset by the teasing. I guess it probably took her a while to
get up the guts to ask and then everyone just acted like it was no
big deal. I can understand her frustration. I believe that in the
beginning, I asked a question. It never got answered. I waited for
two days and then I spoke up. I think maybe it's hard to feel
included in the beginning because we are all so gabby. The first
message was just posted last evening, and already there are 140
messages.
That's the best part, though.
Lizanne

Hey ya'll. I need some advice. I have had a stomach ache for 3
days! It is a constant pain....not PAIN, but uncomfortable all the
time! I'm guessing it's gas pains?? It's SO uncomfortable that I am
not being a very happy person to be around. Yesterday, the same
thing. Because of it, I'm not eating and drinking like I should and
that's making me so weak. I'm feeling like maybe here at the 3 week
mark....I'm supposed to start feeling really weak from the lack of
food kicking in, right??? Back to the uncomfort....is it gas?? I am
ALWAYS welcoming the opportunity to pass gas because I keep thinking
it's going to give me relief! The only thing I've tried is Beano and
it's doing absolutely nothing. What works for ya'll? And I'm still
kinda freaking out at the thought of always being gassy like this!
I'm still trying to learn what I can eat and what I can't. So far, I
know that sausage is NOT my friend! In fact, NOTHING is my friend
with this stomach ache I've got going on. It FEELS like gas that so
desperately needs to escape....and I AM passing gas....but seems like
never enough to make it better. I'm sorry to go on and on about
it...but I want you to know what I'm talking about so you can know
how to offer me some advice that I HOPE will work! Please tell me
the aches and pains and weakness will subside and I WILL feel normal
again!
Lisa
DS 10/01/04
262/237/140 -25
PS Should I be getting in much water, yet? I can't drink much more
than about one large glass a day! And I have a water cooler with
cold bottled water that I love....I just can't drink more than a
couple of good swallows at a time. I know I'm trying to get
dehydrated because I'm always thirsty and my lips are dry and I took
a couple of bites of cracker yesterday and I was so dry I couldn't
swallow it. I need more water! I'm trying!

Judy,
I will try to get a few databases set up for recipes and.....well
does anyone have some suggestions? I know the recipes were very
popular with those "others". I will be the fundamental person, as
long as Ally has no problems with that. You all need to be the
invitors. I will try, this weekend to set some things up, then show
what I have to you all, looking for additions, deletions and
approval. Then into our database they will go.
Don't worry about stepping on my toes, I need everyone's opinion.
Oh, and I love the idea of the lounge. I could use one.
Lizanne

Lisa A,
Not only is it okay, it's wonderful. Thanks for helping to get our
membership up. I feel like there isn't much I can do to increase
membership, but I can get some of the basics laid.
Lizanne

Hi,
Dh and I walked around today. We walked out the hotel and turned
left. We walked WAYYYYYYYY down the road and saw many many little
farmacia's and little cafe's. We found a large grocerie store and a
BIG mall with 2 Mcdonald's. Lots of stuff was closed today, probably
because it is Sunday. Some parts of the city are a little scarey
looking. Lots of bars on window and graffiti on buildings, but there
were lots of people out walking so I guess it was OK. Lots of people
walking dogs and kids in strollers. Lots of bicycles and motor bikes
also. We finally turned around and walked back to the hotel. Dh and
I decided to look for the BBQ place on the map we got, but never did
find it. My feet were killing me. We walked the other directions
looking for a pizza place near the hotel, but it was closed. we
walked a little further and saw McDonald's signs, so decided that was
out best bed since lots of stuff seemed to be closed. We finally
found the McDonald's and ate. Same taste as in the states! We than
returned to the hotel. MY FEET ARE SO SORE!!! I was so tired I took
a nap while Dh watched TV.
Tomorrow morning Durval is coming to get me at 8am to go see Dr M at
his office. I will be having those required tests tomorrow at some
point. I am not sure how those will work, If anyone knows the
proceedure for those tests I would appreciate knowing!
We are staying in 1003, we are not on the same floor as all the other
Americans here. My DH is watching the world series in portugese.
I will update again later.
Robin G

Hi Diane,
I think you may be running into people going home
for the Christmas holidays. I would check BROL (sp?)
as they helped me get two seats for less than $1500 but
this was last December. I think you might also call
United Airlines directly and see...they have a daily flight
from Chicago that leaves in the evening and gets to SP
in mid-morning and then you change planes for Curitiba.
Perhaps they will honor coupons for 1st leg of the flight
and give you a bargain rate?? Good Luck!
Good Luck with this passport snafu! I hope you are
keeping records and names/dates/ copies! I will bet
your Congressman/woman might be able to help --if
nothing else get this bucked UP to a real supervisor!!!
Hope some of this helps! Gloria in Chicago!!
Learning is a Life-Long process which keeps us young
in heart and mind!

Hi Kathy,
Thanks for the reminder.
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on October 6: 290lbs (BMI 46.8)
Total loss on October 6: -87lbs

Pay attention Lizanne .. LORA IS HERE!!!!

Sharon xoxo

I was editing my my monthly stats in the database. Looks like lots
of us need to 'update'. I know there are lots more losses that
aren't posted.
I love to see how everyone is doing.
Kathy B in KC

The last of my lessons for the day.....
Prevention's Anti-Aging Guide
1. Stay the weight you were at 18
"Next to not smoking, this is probably the most important thing we
can do to stay healthy and live longer," says Walter Willett, MD,
chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public
Health.
Leanness matters, because fat cells produce hormones that raise the
risk of type 2 diabetes. They also make sub-stances called cytokines
that cause inflammation--stiffening the arteries and the heart and
other organs. Carrying excess fat also raises the risk of some
cancers. Add it up, and studies show that lean people younger than
age 75 halve their chances of premature death, compared with people
who are obese.
The government deems a wide range of weights to be healthy (between
110 and 140 pounds for a 5-foot-4 woman), partly because body frames
vary tremendously. So to maintain the weight that's right for you,
Willett suggests you periodically try to slip into the dress you wore
to your high school prom--assuming, of course, that you were a
healthy weight at that age. If not, aim for a body mass index of
about 23.5.
Willett can't use the prom-dress test himself. Nevertheless, at 6-
foot-2 and a lean 184 pounds, he dutifully hews to the BMI of his
youth.
2. Take the dynamic duo of supplements
They're what Bruce N. Ames, PhD, a professor of biochemistry and
molecular biology at the University of California, Berkeley, swears
by: his daily 800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid and 2,000 mg of acetyl-L-
carnitine. In these amounts, he says, the chemicals boost the energy
output of mitochondria, which power our cells. "I think mitochondrial
decay is a major factor in aging," Ames says--it's been linked to
diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.
In his studies, elderly rats plied with the supplements had more
energy and ran mazes better. "If you're an old rat, you can be
enthusiastic," Ames says. "As people, we can't be sure until clinical
trials are done." (They're under way.) But the compounds look very
safe--the worst side effect documented in humans is a rash, Ames says-
-and "the data in animals looks really convincing," says S. Mitchell
Harman, MD, PhD, president of the Kronos Longevity Research Institute
in Phoenix.
3. Skip a meal
This one move could have truly dramatic results. Rats fed 30% less
than normal live 30% longer than usual--and in a recent study at the
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the hearts of
the leaner human calorie-cutters appeared 10 to 15 years younger than
those of regular eaters.
In other research, calorie restrictors improved their blood insulin
levels and had fewer signs of damage to their DNA. Eating less food,
scientists believe, may reduce tissue wear and tear from excess blood
sugar, inflammation, or rogue molecules known as free radicals.
Edward Calabrese, PhD, and Mark Mattson, PhD, have opted for "calorie
restriction lite." Calabrese, a professor of toxicology and
environmental health sciences at the University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, dumped the midday meal. Mattson, chief of the laboratory of
neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging, has done without
breakfast for 20 years.
Try it Skip a meal a day. You don't need to try to cut calories;
Mattson's research suggests you'll naturally consume less that day.
Or try fasting one day a week. Just drink plenty of water.
4. Get a pet
Open up your home and heart to Rover or Boots. Owning a pet reduces
the number of visits to the doctor, prolongs survival after a heart
attack, and wards off depression, says James Serpell, PhD, director
of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the
University of Pennsylvania. (His family has a cat, a dog, a large
green iguana, a bearded dragon, and a dozen fish.)
Pet ownership also protects against a major problem of aging: high
blood pressure. In one standout study at State University of New
York, Buffalo, stockbrokers with high blood pressure adopted a pet.
When they were faced with mental stress, their BP increased less than
half as much as in their counterparts without animal pals. But pick
your pet with care. There is nothing stress-reducing about a dog that
chews the baseboard to bits.
5. Get help for what hurts
Studies suggest that continuous pain may dampen the immune system--
and evidence is clear that it can cause deep depression and push
levels of the noxious stress hormone cortisol higher.
So enough with the stoicism: Take chronic pain to your doctor and
keep complaining until you have a treatment plan that works, says
Nathaniel Katz, MD, a neurologist and pain-management specialist at
Tufts University School of Medicine. Your mood will improve--and your
immune system may perk up, too.
6. Take a hike
To make the walls of your arteries twice as flexible as those of a
couch potato, just walk briskly for 30 minutes, 5 days a week. That's
what Hirofumi Tanaka, PhD, an associate professor of kinesiology and
health education at the University of Texas, advises after tracking
the elasticity of people's blood vessels using ultrasound.
With age, blood vessel walls tend to stiffen up like old tires--the
main reason two-thirds of people older than age 60 have high blood
pressure. Exercise keeps vessels pliable. Mild exercise also reduces
the risk of diabetes, certain cancers, depression, aging of the skin,
maybe even dementia. That excites exercise researcher Steven N.
Blair, past president of the nonprofit Cooper Institute in Dallas.
He's run nearly every day for almost 40 years. "Not bad for a 66-year-
old fat man."
7. Fight fair
Nasty arguments between couples increase the risk of clogged
arteries. In a recent University of Utah study, women's hearts
suffered when they made or heard hostile comments; men's hearts
reacted badly to domineering, controlling words.
"It's normal to have a fight with your spouse--it's a matter of how
you fight," says Ronald Glaser, PhD, an immunologist at Ohio State
University. What he and his wife, Ohio State clinical psychologist
Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD, put off-limits: "Getting nasty,
sarcastic, or personal, or using body language like rolling your
eyes. It's better to simply agree to disagree."
8. Stop and plant the roses
Gardening or being around plants bears fruit. In one study, blood
pressure jumped in workers given a stressful task--but rose only a
quarter as much if there were plants in the room. And patients who
had a view of trees as they recovered from surgery left the hospital
almost a day sooner than those with a view of a brick wall.
9. Hoist a few (weights, that is)
Everyone knows cardio exercise is key to slowing the advance of time.
More surprising: Strength-training is crucial, too. That's because
after their mid-40s, people lose ¼ pound of muscle mass a year,
gaining fat in its place.
But, says Miriam E. Nelson, PhD, an associate professor at the
Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University, "For a couple of
decades, you don't have to lose any muscle, if you do the appropriate
exercises." Even people well into their 90s can regain muscle, she's
found. Just lift weights 2 or 3 days a week, for a minimum of 30
minutes.
The payoff: more endurance, stronger bones, less risk of diabetes--
and better sleep and thinking. Nelson rock climbs and does plenty of
other weight-bearing exercise.
10. Do a good deed
Pick up trash in the park or shop for a neighbor who needs help, says
William Brown, PhD, a lecturer of psychology at Brunel University,
West London. He studied people in Brooklyn and found that those who
had a denser social network and gave more to their friends and family
than they received--whether the gift was in the form of money, food,
advice, or time--reported feeling healthier than others, even when he
factored in activity levels.
Another study, at the University of Michigan, looked at 423 elderly
married couples; after 5 years, the pairs who were more altruistic
were only half as likely to have died. "Many people grow up thinking
it's a dog-eat-dog world," Brown says. "But there's a lot of data
that suggests the best way to be healthy is to be kind to others."
11. Eat a rainbow...
...made of vegetables, says Peter Greenwald, MD, director of the
division of cancer prevention at the National Cancer Institute. Their
cancer-preventing abilities are unparalleled. Remember: Aim for nine
servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
12. Sup from the sea
Don't just slap anything with fins onto your plate: You want fatty
fish, such as salmon, sardines, and lake trout. They contain the
omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which many studies show help prevent
sudden death from heart attack. Omega-3s may also help ward off
depression, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related macular
degeneration, a leading cause of blindness--and maybe some cancers,
although evidence is mixed.
To get more of the benefits of good fats, snack on an ounce (a
handful) of walnuts a day. Use less corn oil, and more canola and
olive oils. Greg Cole, PhD, a professor of medicine and neurology at
UCLA, also avoids cookies, margarine, and snack foods such as chips,
which are loaded with unhealthy trans fats. On his menu: two tuna
sandwiches plus a couple of DHA-enriched eggs a week. He takes 2 g of
fish oil daily
.
13. Belt out a tune
Exposing yourself to music might help boost your immune system: In a
study done by Robert Beck, PhD, a professor emeritus at the
University of California, Irvine, levels of an infection-fighting
antibody called IgA increased 240% in the saliva of choral members
performing Beethoven's Missa Solemnis.
14. Drink a cuppa
Intrigued by studies (of mice, cells in lab dishes, and people) that
say tea may fight prostate and breast cancer and heart disease,
researcher Anna Wu, PhD, a professor of preventive medicine at the
University of Southern California, downs at least 3 cups daily. Green
is best, although black tea confers some benefits, too.
15. Whittle your waist
To determine if your body is staying young, the tape measure is
better than the bathroom scale: Your weight can remain the same while
you lose muscle and pack on fat, including visceral fat, the culprit
behind a thick waist. It's linked to a heightened risk of age-related
ills such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. If
your waist measures more than 35 inches (for a woman) or 40 inches
(for a man), you probably have too much belly fat.
The best way to shed that inner load: exercise, says Kerry Stewart,
EdD, director of clinical and research exercise physiology at the
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. In a 6-month study of 69
men and women, he found a 20% reduction in visceral fat, though
participants lost only 5 pounds. Stewart's program was brisk but not
too arduous: 45 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobics three times a
week and 20 minutes of moderate-intensity weight training, also three
times weekly.
16. Double up on D
If there's one vitamin supplement you should take, this is it,
experts say. Vitamin D is made in the skin when sun hits it--but as
people get older, the D factory doesn't work as well. About half of
Americans fall short. Research suggests that a lack of D raises the
risk of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, and various cancers.
"No other nutrient is so widely deficient in the United States," says
Meir Stampfer, MD, chair of the department of epidemiology at the
Harvard School of Public Health. "Unless you eat a lot of fish, you
have to supplement." Stampfer takes 1,800 IU daily in the winter and
800 to 1,200 IU a day the rest of the year. Make sure your supplement
contains vitamin D3, the form the skin makes.
17. Dine on curry
Turmeric, the spice that makes curry yellow, is loaded with curcumin,
a chemical with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
In India, it's smeared on bandages to help heal wounds.
East Asians also eat it, of course--which might explain why they have
lower rates than we do of various cancers and Parkinson's disease and
Alzheimer's disease. (Animal research is promising.) Cole, of UCLA,
makes sure he gets a good dose of Indian food with "lots of yellow
stuff" three times weekly. Don't like the taste? Try a daily curcumin
supplement of 500 to 1,000 mg.
18. Donate blood
The life you save may be your own. Many researchers think that we
take in too much iron, mostly from eating red meat. Excess iron is
thought to create free radicals in the body, speeding aging and
raising risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Until
menopause, women are naturally protected from iron overload, but
after that the danger of overdose climbs.
Preliminary studies suggest you can lower your risk of heart disease
by regularly giving blood. Thomas Perls, MD, an associate professor
of medicine at Boston University who leads the New England
Centenarian Study, donates a unit every 2 months. He has a rare blood
type, so he's helping others--and he may get something out of it,
too. If you're scared of needles, at least go easy on red meat: no
more than a daily serving the size of a pack of cards.
19. Look out for your eyes
Getting plenty of omega-3s in food or supplements may help ward off
age-related macular degeneration. Plant antioxidants such as lutein
and zeaxanthin (found in leafy green vegetables like kale and
collards) are helpful, too.
People who have drusen--tiny deposits within the retina that can be
early signs of macular degeneration--can reduce their risk of
blindness in both eyes by 25% if they take a supplement, says John
Paul SanGiovanni, ScD, a staff scientist at the National Eye
Institute. What to take, according to his study: 500 mg of vitamin C,
400 IU of vitamin E, 80 mg of zinc, 15 mg of beta-carotene, and 2 mg
of copper.
20. Take fern extract for your skin
Studies suggest that the antioxidant-rich extract of the South
American fern Polypodium leucotomos may help keep your skin youthful
by protecting against free radicals and reducing inflammation. Until
clinical trials find proof, "it's like chicken soup--it can't hurt
and it might help a bit," says dermatologist Mary Lupo, MD, a
Prevention advisor and a clinical professor of dermatology at the
Tulane University School of Medicine.
Lupo takes 240 mg every morning in a supplement called Heliocare,
made by Ivax Dermatologicals. She also slaps on broad-spectrum
sunscreen and Retin-A daily and eats a diet loaded with colorful
fruits and vegetables--blueberries, raspberries, grapefruit,
broccoli, spinach. It may also help to drink green tea and nibble
flavonoid-rich dark chocolate, she adds. What you must do: Avoid
excessive sun exposure and don't smoke.

Hi Sherry,
Durval says he is getting fat from all the Americans taking him out to
eat! Hahaha when I was in Brazil he told my Mom several times "eat
more, come back next year make surgery with Dr. Marchesini".
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio

Lora,

i have lentil soups, bean and bacon soups. . i have found that i can eat the itallian wedding soup w/o problems and a beef barley soup .. i havent had a cream soup at all yet. . and i treat the soups like they were a meal .. i dont drink for about 30-45 min afterwards . .just so my body can retain all the nutrients it can .. then i drink. . does that help?

sharon xoxo i gotta get a shower. . be back later guys. .

Hello From Curitiba!
We "flew" the friendly skies and finally made it - whew! What a
long flight!!! Dr. M called us on our way in from the airport and
said he would stop by the hotel tonight! You have absolutely got to
love that man, he is so sweet!
Well Konstantin, I do hate to say I am No 2 - but ... they lost
my luggage too! I am here without a toothbrush to my name, but
hopefully it will get here tomorrow.
Whoa! Durval IS getting a little chubby around the middle!
Maybe he will have to have Dr.M's services some day (LOL!) It was so
good seeing him again at the airport!
'Shell has heard so many stories of this place from her sister
and I that she feels like she is on familiar ground. Her surgery is
Wednesday at 1:30, please everyone say a prayer for her!
I am looking forward to meeting Robin and everyone soon (We are
in 1106). Please let us know when jet lag subsides, let's get
together!!! Wooo HOooooo! I'm so glad to be here in "C" town
again!!!!!
Sherry Rainey

With the restriction on drinking while eating, and with cream soups
usually being too high in fat, what do you all do with soups like
vegetable, vegetable beef, etc? It's solid and liquid. Same thing
with cold cereal... (I have only had cereal once or twice since
surgery and tried to have as little milk on it as possible.)
Has anyone gotten any guidance on this?
Lora

More info concerning speeding up your metabolism.....
Yes (we swear!), it is possible to burn more calories without
spending hours at the gym. Try these get-thin-quick tricks
Ever wonder why your best friend can go through a pint of Ben &
Jerry's without gaining a pound while just one spoonful goes straight
to your hips? The answer lies in your metabolism, that little engine
in your body that burns calories all day, every day. Because of
genetics, some women burn fat faster than others. But age, weight,
diet, and exercise habits also play a role. "As women age, their
metabolisms slow down, mainly because they are losing five or six
pounds of muscle each decade starting in the mid-20s," explains
fitness expert Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., fitness research director of
the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, Massachusetts. Translation: You may
be burning 100 fewer calories a day at 35 than at 25. But there are
easy things you can do to stoke your fat-burning potential. "There's
no reason you can't have the same metabolism in your 30s and 40s that
you had in your 20s," stresses Pamela Peeke, M.D., author of Fight
Fat After Forty. Redbook went to the experts for some simple tips on
how to crank up your internal flame.
Don't overdo calorie cutting.
Putting yourself on a very-low-calorie diet is a surefire way not to
lose. "Your body is programmed to defend your usual weight," says Liz
Applegate, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at the University of
California at Davis and author of Bounce Your Body Beautiful. "So if
you suddenly drop 1,000 calories from your diet, your resting
metabolic rate [the number of calories your body burns to maintain
basic bodily functions, such as breathing and heartbeat] will
automatically slow down, because your body now assumes that you're
starving."
So how many calories should you consume? Depending on your level of
activity, you can safely lose anywhere from half a pound to two
pounds a week if you multiply your current weight by 11, says
Applegate. (For example, if you're 120 pounds, aim for around 1,320
calories a day.) Unless you're less than five feet tall, don't let
your daily calories dip below 1,200. "Research shows that women who
consume less than this amount see their resting metabolic rate
plummet by as much as 45 percent," notes Dale Huff, R.D., a St. Louis
nutritionist.
Eat breakfast.
Believe it or not, it may be the most important meal of the day as
far as metabolism (and weight loss) is concerned. Breakfast eaters
lose more weight than breakfast skippers do, according to
studies. "Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn't rev
back up until you eat again," explains Barbara Rolls, Ph.D.,
professor of nutrition at Penn State University and an author of The
Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan. So if you bypass breakfast, your
body won't burn as many calories until lunchtime as it could. That's
why it's smart to start the day with a solid 300- to 400-calorie
meal; it jump-starts your metabolism.
Aim for a breakfast that has plenty of high-fiber carbs: When
researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia compared the
effects of high-fat and high-fiber-carbohydrate breakfasts, they
discovered that people who ate the fatty meal got hungry sooner
afterward. "High-fiber carbohydrates take longer for your body to
digest and absorb than fats; thus they don't cause rapid changes in
your blood sugar, so your hunger is kept at bay longer," says study
coauthor Susanna Holt, Ph.D. Some good choices: a bran-rich breakfast
cereal with low-fat milk; whole-grain toast topped with low-fat
ricotta and sliced banana or berries; an egg-white veggie omelette
with whole-grain toast.
Pile on the protein.
Research shows that getting plenty of protein can boost your
metabolism, causing you to burn an extra 150 to 200 calories a day,
says Jeff Hampl, Ph.D., R.D., a spokesman for the American Dietetic
Association. "Protein is made up mainly of amino acids, which are
harder for your body to break down [than fat and carbs], so you burn
more calories getting rid of them," he explains.
That doesn't mean you have to live on the high-protein Atkins diet.
But you should make sure that 10 to 35 percent of your total daily
calories comes from protein. So if you're on an 1,800-calorie diet,
360 to 630 of those calories should come from lean sources of
protein, such as fish, chicken, low-fat cheese, yogurt and
legumes. "Aim to have a serving of protein, such as nuts, a small can
of tuna, or a piece of low-fat string cheese, at every meal and
snack," says Hampl.
Nibble all day.
It sounds counterintuitive; why would you eat continually if you
wanted to lose weight? But eating five to six mini meals rather than
three larger meals every day keeps your metabolism humming 24/7. "It
will also prevent you from going without food so long that you become
so hungry you overeat," says Peeke. Try not to let more than four
hours elapse between meals and make sure each meal includes protein,
for an extra metabolic boost. If you eat a high-fiber breakfast of
cereal and fruit first thing, for example, have a midmorning snack,
such as yogurt and fruit; lunch (try four ounces of chicken or fish
on top of a leafy green salad); another snack, like a banana and a
piece of low-fat cheese, in the late afternoon; and a light dinner
(think four to six ounces of turkey, salmon, or another lean source
of protein with steamed veggies).
Go for "good" carbs.
Refined carbs, such as bagels, white bread, and potatoes, create a
surge in insulin that in turn promotes storage of fat and may drive
down your metabolic rate, says Louis Aronne, M.D., an obesity
specialist at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, who
recommends high-fiber carbs instead. "It's important to keep
carbohydrates in your overall diet, but focus on vegetables, fruits,
and whole grains, which have less of an impact on insulin levels," he
explains.
Skip alcohol.
Thinking about having a cocktail -- or two -- before dinner? Think
again. Having a drink before a meal causes people to eat around 200
calories more, several studies show. Drinking with dinner isn't such
a good idea either: Other research has found that the body burns off
alcohol first, meaning that the calories in the rest of the meal are
more likely to be stored as fat. If you do have a cocktail craving,
stick to wine, which packs only 80 calories a glass -- or minimize
the calories by drinking a white-wine spritzer (two ounces of wine
mixed with two ounces of seltzer).
Drink milk.
Load up on low-fat dairy: Women who consumed milk, yogurt, and cheese
three to four times a day lost 70 percent more body fat than women
who didn't eat dairy in a study published in the January 2003
American Society for Nutritional Sciences Journal of Nutrition. The
reason: Calcium, along with other substances in dairy, actually revs
up your metabolism, telling your body to burn excess fat faster,
according to study author Michael Zemel, Ph.D., director of the
Nutrition Institute at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. And
no, fortified o.j. won't do the trick. The best results come from
dairy products instead of from other calcium-rich foods (like
broccoli), calcium-fortified products (such as orange juice) or
supplements. Women reap the largest fat-burning benefit when they
consume three servings of dairy and 1,200 milligrams of calcium a
day, Zemel's research shows.
Spice up your soup.
Sprinkle a few hot peppers into your lunchtime soup or evening stir-
fry. They temporarily boost your resting metabolic rate, according to
research done at Laval University in Canada. Here's why: Capsaicin, a
compound found in jalapeño and cayenne peppers, temporarily
stimulates your body to release more stress hormones, such as
adrenaline, speeding up your metabolism and thus increasing your
ability to burn calories, says study coauthor Angelo Tremblay,
director of the Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods at
Laval. Bonus: The pepper-eaters had less of an appetite, Tremblay
found, probably because the spiciness of the food made them feel full.
Pump iron.
Experts say weight training is the best way to crank up your resting
metabolic rate. "As you get older, your resting metabolic rate drops,
but weight training can rev it right back up again: A pound of muscle
burns up to nine times the calories a pound of fat does," explains
fitness expert Westcott. In fact, a woman who weighs 130 pounds and
is muscular burns more calories than a sedentary 120-pound woman of
the same height. Regular strength training can increase your resting
metabolic rate anywhere from 6.8 to 7.8 percent. (That means that if
you weigh 120 pounds, you could burn around 100 more calories a day,
even when you're just watching TV.)
Don't think you have time to hit the gym circuit? You can get great
results with only two 15-minute lifting sessions a week. Westcott's
research, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports &
Exercise in January 1999, found that doing just one set of 10 reps
reaps about the same muscle-building benefits as three sets, as long
as they're performed to muscle fatigue. Bonus: Weight training also
gives your metabolism a short-term boost. When women lift weights,
their metabolisms remain in overdrive for up to two hours after the
last bench press, allowing them to burn as many as 100 extra
calories, according to a study published in June 2001 in Medicine &
Science in Sports & Exercise.
Rev up your workouts.
Adding interval training -- bursts of high-intensity moves -- to your
workout is a great metabolism booster. "Studies have shown that
people who do interval training twice a week [in addition to cardio]
lose twice as much weight as those who do just a regular cardio
workout," says obesity specialist Aronne. You can easily incorporate
interval training into your workout by inserting a 30-second sprint
into your jog every five minutes or by adding a one-minute incline
walk to your treadmill workout. "Since your body is working harder,
it's a more intense workout -- and you therefore burn more calories,"
says Westcott. On other days, shake up your routine with 40 minutes
of cross-training. Ideally, aim for two 20-to-40-minute interval-
training sessions and two 20-to-40-minute cross-training sessions a
week.
Break up your exercise routine.
Whenever possible, slice each of your workouts into two smaller
sessions. For example, do a 15-minute weight-lifting session in the
morning, then do your 30-minute walk on your lunch hour or at night.
You'll burn an extra 100 to 200 calories that day, explains Kelly
Tracy, M.A., fitness coordinator at Duke University Diet and Fitness
Center. Don't have time? Just add in some stair climbing or short
walks throughout the day. Even small bursts of activity are enough to
get your metabolism revved, according to a study in the scientific
journal Nature. "I call it the mini stoke: For five minutes out of
every hour, get up and do something, even if it's just walking around
your office," says professor of medicine Peeke. "You can end up
burning a couple of hundred extra calories."
Sweat out your PMS.
It's tempting to curl up on the couch the minute PMS mood swings and
bloat strike, but you'll lose more weight if you exercise during
those two weeks before your period, according to a recent study at
the University of Adelaide in Australia. "Women burned about 30
percent more fat for the two weeks following ovulation to about two
days before menstruating," says study coauthor Leanne Redman. Here's
why: The reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone are at their
peak then -- and because they promote the body's use of fat as
energy, more fat is burned off when you exercise during this time.
Get some shut-eye.
Skimping on sleep can derail your metabolism. In a study at the
University of Chicago, people who got four hours of sleep or less a
night had more difficulty processing carbohydrates. "When you're
exhausted, your body lacks the energy to do its normal day-to-day
functions, which include burning calories, so your metabolism is
automatically lowered," explains Peeke.
There are easy ways to get a good night's sleep, according to the
National Sleep Foundation. Schedule your workouts earlier in the day;
exercising within two to three hours of bedtime can keep sleep at
bay. And try soaking in a hot bath, since studies show that warm
water makes it easier to fall asleep.
Chill out.
Long-term stress can make you fat, studies have found. "When you're
chronically stressed, your body is flooded with stress hormones,
which stimulate fat cells deep in the abdomen to increase in size and
encourage fat storage," says Peeke. "I call this toxic weight,
because fat deep within your belly is more likely to increase your
risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer." And stress hormones
spark your appetite, making you likely to overeat.
So what's a frazzled woman to do? Make a list of all the things that
relax you: playing with the dog, writing in your journal, even
listening to classical music. Then allow yourself 10 to 15 minutes
every day to kick back and enjoy one of these activities.

How Funny! I struggled through the menu and didn't even think to ask
for am english version. UGH!
The people here probably think I am a nut, I called the dest to ask
for 2 extra pillows. I started out trying to stumble through the
portuegese words for 2 pillows. The guy on the other end says "you
mean 2 pillows?" I felt kind of stupid! But it is funny now (ya had
to be there!)
The girl who delivered the pillows said pillows also! I feel so out
of place here, but the people so far seem very nice and easy going.
Dr M is such a "regular Guy" I liked him right away.
Robin G

Lizanne. . just got an email back from Lora. . she is coming to our group also . .:)

sharon xoxo

Ladies,
I received an email today and this is the info they offered. I know
most of you do not yet have this problem, but it doesn't hurt to
refresh our memories now and then...
Easy Ways to Keep Your Portions Healthy
Practical tips to make portion control simple.
By Elaine Magee, RD, MPH
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic - Expert ColumnMany Americans need a portion-
size intervention. Somehow, over the past decade or so, we seem to
have lost our ability to judge what a reasonable serving size is.
It doesn't help that the servings at restaurants and fast-food chains
tend to be on steroids. Everywhere we go, it seems, we're being given
larger portions. And research suggests that the more food people have
in front of them, the more they will eat.
So how do we wean ourselves from supersized servings and train
ourselves to eat reasonable amounts? Sure, you could weigh and
measure everything. But a more convenient way is to use familiar
objects to help yourself gauge how much you're eating, and to buy
products that do the portion control for you.
Let's start with an object you always have with you -- your hand.
Lisa Young, PhD, RD, author of The Portion Teller, loves to use
the "handy" method. According to Young, 3 ounces of meat is about the
size of your open palm, and a cup of rice the size of your fist. A
shot glass is another convenient portioning tool. Since we often
overdo salad dressing, Young suggests thinking of a shot glass to
estimate what 2 tablespoons of dressing looks like.
Young has more practical portioning tips for eating in restaurants,
one of the most dangerous environments for portion control. In fact,
she says, it's as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Don't go to the restaurant starving.
2. Share your meal or entrée with a companion, and order extra salads
so both of you get something green.
3. Or, take home a doggie bag and enjoy the rest of the meal the next
day.
When you're cooking at home, there are several portioning tools you
can use, many of which you probably already have in your kitchen. And
there are certain food products and packages that lend themselves to
portion control.
Portion-Control Tools
These items will help you portion your food into 1/2-cup to 3/4-cup
servings:
Snack-size baggies hold about 1 cup fully packed, and about 3/4 cup
loosely packed. This is a good size for portioning crackers, nuts,
pretzels, baked chips, dried fruit, turkey jerky, and cereal.
Foil cupcake liners hold about 1/3 cup -- perfect for portioning
baked goods and snack items.
Mini foil pie pans are perfect for portioning side dishes and
entrees.
Large muffin cups (those that have about 6 cups per pan) will hold
about 3/4 cup. That's just the right size for baking individual
portions of entrees like quiche, shepherd's pie, chili cornbread
casserole, etc.
A ladle holds about 1/2 cup of liquid, great for portioning things
like stew, chili, pasta and pasta sauce, and steamed rice.
Small cereal boxes (they usually come in a variety pack) hold about
3/4 cup of cereal.
Snack or power bars are individually wrapped portions -- usually
about 2 1/2 ounces. Look for higher-fiber, lower-sugar varieties.
Pita bread (preferably the whole-grain variety) is a great way to
portion your sandwiches. If you fill half of each pocket with raw
vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers) you can't get into too much
trouble with the fillers, such as chicken salad, roasted turkey,
avocado and cheese, and lean ham.
A small can of water-packed tuna (6 ounces) will keep your fish
serving to about 3/4 cup (drained), totaling only 180 calories.
A 14.5-ounce can of ready-to-heat-and-serve soup makes 2 servings (1
cup each). If you choose a soup that is broth- or tomato-based and
has no more than 5 grams of fat per cup, you'll consume only about
250 calories -- even if you eat the entire can yourself.
Individually wrapped light ice-cream bars keep your dessert serving
to around 1/2 cup, depending on the brand.
Individual portions of light entrees can be found in the frozen food
section of your supermarket. You can even find higher-fiber
vegetarian options these days. At Whole Foods Markets, for example,
you'll find things like Bean & Cheese Taquitos (Whole Foods brand)
and Tofu Lasagna (Amy's brand).
Individual microwave popcorn bags (look for the "light" version) keep
your popcorn serving moderate.
100% juice in individual bottles, boxes or pouches will keep your
juice serving to 8 ounces.

Michele,
You will not regret your two years of researching and planning. The time will
fly by also.
It did for me. I started researching two years ago also. After one year I
decided on the DS procedure. During that year I found out that my insurance
would not cover and began immediately planning where and which surgeon to have
perform my surgery. After deciding on Dr. M that time really did fly by.
Now I am three months postop and it does not seem real.
Good Luck to you...you have made a wonderful decision for yourself!
Kathy B in KC
7-21-04
-55

Hi Robin,
If you ask at the desk they can give you a menu in English. When placing
your order with room service call the front desk and let them do it for you.
Tanya, Leondro, and Daniel all speak at least some English. If someone at
the desk answers the phone and doesn't speak enlgish they will find someone
who does. Just remember to speak slowly and clearly.
Isn't Doc M just the greatest person? He takes such good care of us all.
Tell him hello for me.
Clear Skies,
Dave in Ohio
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch by Dr. Marchesini in
Curitiba, Brazil
July 6, 2004
Highest Weight: 450lbs (BMI 72.6)
Surgery Weight: 377lbs (BMI 60.8)
Weight on October 6: 290lbs (BMI 46.8)
Total loss on October 6: -87lbs

That was a joke....poop is huge, except when it is constipation. Then it is just painful. I know we can laugh about it - and really with something like this you need to because it is a daily battle. But if you go back to the old posts, you will see that the question was being answered during all of the joking....

Geeze, it was one of my 1st questions post surgery. I was a mess and thought I could not take much of anything. I was taking doses of baby stool softeners (nope, does not work!) I finally got an answer almost 2 weeks later from my NUT - I got very little support from the groups I belong to because everyone is affraid of the question. Show me a person who does not physically need to go to the bathroom, and I will show you a person who doesn't have a question.

:)

Lisa A (The other Lisa)

lizanneflowers <lizanneflowers@...

How can you have WLS and not discuss poop? I bet each person who has
had the surgery has a story to tell. That's one of the many things
that new people should know, but we will wait for one to ask. Okay?
Lizanne

Hi again
After getting settled, My DH and I went and met Janice and Therese.
They are both very nice and both seem to be getting around very
well.
My Dh and I went for a short walk to to Hospital. I was raining, but
not too bad and we took an umbrella. By the time we got to the
hospital, it was really raining! We went in for a minute and than
left to go back to the hotel. Reminder: The ATM's (we tried one at
the hospital)are in Portuegese (imagine that!) It is very difficult
to read the messages it gives you. Anyhow, the ATM did not work, I
am not sure why.
By the time we got back to the hotel, I was drenched. I showered and
than DH and I started trying to figure out the roomservice menu
(again, written in portuegese). The phone rang and it was Dr M. He
came up to our room. He is such a very nice person! He translated
the menu for us and we talked for a while. He is arranging for my
husband to go to a private golf coarse after my surgery when I am
laying aroung. We found out there are no public coarses here. So DH
is happy to get to play. Dr M was very accomodating and helpful. I
am really impressed! I will be going to his office monday am at 8:30.
After Dr M left we ordered room service, We both got pasta, it was
pretty good. The DESERT was wonderful. It was a puff pastry with
vanilla ice cream and the BEST chocolate sauce on top with almonds.
YUMMMM!!! I am stuffed now. I am going to get some sleep now. I am
exhausted! I am like a cat! I get a full belly and than I want to
curl up and NAP!
The only thing that I am struggling with is the Language differance.
In america you just take for granted than everyone "MUST" speak
english. Now I know how it is for a foriegner coming to america.
I really am going to go to bed now. I will probably start dreaming
of people speaking jibberish in my dreams.
I hope everyone is having a very nice weekend. I AM!!!
Robin G

There is an ATM next door to the hotel. Turn left at the sidewalk and
walk into the first door you see on the left. You will be there.
Leaving the hotel, on your right, is a small store where you can buy
water and refreshments. If you keep going, you will see a couple of
larger convenience stores on your right. There is a pharmacy on the
corner that I visited several times.
I took a mouse with me, I can not use that mouse thingamajig on the laptop.
Enjoy your visit.
Becca

Robin,
I'm glad you and DH made it there! Durval is such a sweet guy, and
really seems to enjoy meeting Americans.
You are in such excellent hands, with Dr. M (and Durval), so enjoy
your few days off seeing the surrounding neighborhood, sites, etc and
on Tuesday we will be thinking about you, lifting you in prayer and
knwing you will be a "BIG LOSER" in no time at all!!
Hugs,
Bev ~
DS 9/9
40# gone!!

Hi George,
I do take Prilosec every morning.. I'm sure it would be so much worse
if I didn't (nausea)... mostly it's queasiness all day. I do keep
down most softer foods, such as yogurt, soup, cottage cheese, things
like that. It's stuff like eggs, meats, chicken that tend to want to
come right back up.. I hope this changes soon, but I am taking my
vitamins and supplements, protein.
Dr. M has been so wonderful and encouraging, to me and I KNOW I can
do this! I feel as if I am back to baby steps, but whatever it takes
I will do/try.
Thanks for the tips; I will try them all!
Bev~
9/9

i just sent invite to lora

sharon xoxo

thats true .. i havent posted over there since last night.

sharon xoxo

Lora, Tracy, Sue in Canada, Jeannie, Alex. It's been so long I can't
remember all those wonderful people.
Lizanne

Hi Everyone,
I am finally here! I can't believe it. Me and DH arrived about 2
hours ago and are now in the parthenon hotel. The room is very cute
and has a cute bathroom and cute little kitchen.
Durval picked us up and dropped us off. He is a very sweet man.
Just like the picture I saw here somewhere. He said Dr M will
probably stop by later.
Today and tomorrow will be just getting to know the place days!
Monday I have my preop tests and tuesday at 1:30 is my BIG DAY! I am
really excited and NERVOUS.
Curitiba is a lot like some big places in the US. Lots of tall
buildings, cars, etc.. Lots of grafitti and we drove by a walmart.
They have a huge gate around the whole thing for security I guess.
I am a bit overwhelmed being here. I don't understand anyone or any
of the billboards, signs etc... My DH is a lot better at
understanding and he can speak some basic portugese. I studied those
CD's he got alot more than I did. He has a translation book also. I
is still very intimidating to be in a place where you can't really
understand anyone. I don't know where anything is either.
We are going to go out and walk around for a while. We are going to
find a bank or ATM, we need to find a convenience store and look to
see what kind of places there are to eat around here.
Anyhow, we made it fine. I am just having a huge case of the YIPES.
I am sure everything will go fine and I will be singing Dr M's and
Curitiba's praises in a few days. Today though....I am feeling a bit
whiney!
I will update again later on.
Robin G
10/26/04 FINALLY IN CURITIBA!

Try very light proteins like vegetarian and seafood. I ate a lot of Morningstar
Farms chicken nuggets which you can get at the supermarket. It tasted like
chicken but it's texture was much softer. Boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce was
the first animal protein I could eat and keep down. In the beginning don't worry
about getting your 70 grams of protein per day. You'll work up to it. At first I
could eat one shrimp! So I'd eat it and an hour later I'd have another one. And
so on. When you start veggies, start with grape tomatoes and any pepper except
green raw. Or just go for well done veggies like creamed spinach, creamed corn
and canned asparagus. You will get to the point where you just know what you can
anc can't eat. I can eat almost everything. The only two things I haven't tried
are cooked tomatoes (sauce, soup) and grapefruit. I will try them next week as
the thought of them no longer nauseates me.
Good luck on your journey.
Carole
"Beverly F." <jestersmom2003@...
Hi Friends,
It's been a rough journey since my DS in Brazil, 9/9. My drainage was
more than usual, I thought, so it was a constant battle with that,
and not being hungry, being nauseous constantly, low energy, etc.. I
finally had to go to the Hospital and after tests revealed a seroma
had burst, and caused an infection, the Dr's began treating me with
the "big Gun" antibiotics, and all sorts of IV's for hydration and
depletion of vitamins, minerals, nutrients.. I was in for 9 days,
plus another week at my Sister's. It's been a disappointing time for
me, but in NO way is any of this the result of Dr. M! In fact, he
called me 3 times while I was in the hospital, to check on me and
follow my progress. He was right on with his diagnosis (it took my 2
Drs here 3 days to determine he was correct!!)
I am home now and altho no energy to speak of, I am feeling so much
better. I know I have to maintain my eating, which is the worst
problem (nauseous all the time) and supplent. I don't have any
problem drinking my liquids. Any ideas on getting the food to stay
down?
Bev ~
DS 9/9

Hi Friends,
It's been a rough journey since my DS in Brazil, 9/9. My drainage was
more than usual, I thought, so it was a constant battle with that,
and not being hungry, being nauseous constantly, low energy, etc.. I
finally had to go to the Hospital and after tests revealed a seroma
had burst, and caused an infection, the Dr's began treating me with
the "big Gun" antibiotics, and all sorts of IV's for hydration and
depletion of vitamins, minerals, nutrients.. I was in for 9 days,
plus another week at my Sister's. It's been a disappointing time for
me, but in NO way is any of this the result of Dr. M! In fact, he
called me 3 times while I was in the hospital, to check on me and
follow my progress. He was right on with his diagnosis (it took my 2
Drs here 3 days to determine he was correct!!)
I am home now and altho no energy to speak of, I am feeling so much
better. I know I have to maintain my eating, which is the worst
problem (nauseous all the time) and supplent. I don't have any
problem drinking my liquids. Any ideas on getting the food to stay
down?
Bev ~
DS 9/9

Sharon,
Your messages take longer to post. Someone has to release them for
the message to show to the group. If you post from the group website
it would be easy to tell. If you send a message and it takes longer
than a minute to post....you are being monitored. Now, Sharon, you
sometimes have a problem anyhow. You may not be able to know because
sometimes your messages take a day to post.
Lizanne

Hi there, since this is new I am volunteering to help if you need it. I am on pc allll day (at work, home, blackberry)