Yay, life!!!--and, how the lap-band is like shoes...

I'm still riding high in my happy balloon, y'all!

Had the appointment with the nutritionist on Monday--I am so jealous because she is petite and cute but one of those people you just can't hate her because she's so nice loved her!  She totally "got" it.  Of course, she started with the standard "tell me what you eat in a typical day."  I got a little flustered until she said "but, I guess you don't really have typical days with all of the problems you've been having.  That is why you're here, after all."  

So, we talked about what "normal" should be (I don't even know anymore) and about how eating after the sleeve will be different from eating after the band.  AND--I actually learned a few things:

You lose weight in THREE ways with the sleeve:

1. Smaller portions--because your entire stomach is the size of a banana
2. Less (fewer?) cravings--one of the enzymes that stimulates cravings is located in the part of the stomach that is removed
3. Malabsorption--this one was a surprise to me!  But, it makes sense after she explained that some digestive stuff is going away with the big bit of the stomach which means that you don't get quite all of the nutrients from the food.  She did stress, though, that it's not nearly as extreme as with bypass.

No more pills...ever!!!--liquids & chewables only

This also was a surprise.  One of the major problems I've had with the band (and one of the main reasons that I go in for un-fills) is not being able to take some of my daily meds that only come in pill form.

Upon further discussion, I learned that there is a difference of opinion among bariatric professionals on this issue.  The theory is that with the stomach being so small, pills do not spend an adequate amount of time dissolving to give a person the intended benefit.  Therefore, liquid/chewable vitamins & medicines are recommended since they absorb more quickly.  Some of my pills are really small, though--she suggested that I show them to Dr. S and get his take on it.

Also, since I'm seeing my PCP tomorrow for surgical clearance, I'm gonna ask her about my options for liquid meds.

Stricter vitamin/supplement requirements

This is related to the malabsorption.  Basically, I am required to take 200% of the recommended dosage.  In addition to the multivitamin and calcium that I'm already taking, I have to add iron, b-50 complex, and monthly b-12 shots.

I'm also going to have to make a radical change to the way I eat.  With the band, our goal is to only be hungry every 4-6 hours.  With the sleeve, I'll have to eat every 2 hours!--for the rest of my life!

I wasn't expecting most of these "complications" so I have some thinking to do.  I'll still probably go ahead with it, but I just need some time to absorb this new information.

And, now, as promised...

How the Lap-Band is like shoes (condensed version): 

My sister and I wear the same size shoe.  But, we have never shared shoes.  Why?  Because most of my favorite shoes--the ones I wear almost every day because they fit me so well and are so comfortable--give her blisters.  

The Lap-Band gave me blisters.

Cheers!