Re: For Donna - more about plastics

[Guest guest]

Kay Thank you so much for all the answers and the link for plastic surgery. I am below my goal weight that Dr. Baggs set. He said 150, I am 139-141 I've been here for a few weeks none, I was trying to get to 135 so we'll see. I don't have much body fat, not sure of the percentage, but I am very lean, I exercise every day or at least no less than 5 days a week. I run a in home daycare, very business with 6 children ages 1--4 years, I have 2 college boys of my own still at home and their 2 college girlfriends that are here a lot, and a husband. I take care of the house, I do yard work, and so much more on top of all who I take care off. I also help my parents out who live on their own still at the ages of 83 my mom and 94 my dad. I have done very well with the WLS all except having some problems with absorption of vitamins, so my labs where off. Dr. Baggs has been working really close with me and also the nutritionist, I was

increased a lot on all my vitamins and now I feel so much better. I will have another lab in the beginning of Jan., I have been doing monthly labs and they adjust my vitamins to what the labs show. My protein on my labs are fine, but I only eat protein, protein, protein and they are fine. I have been keeping track of the grams, and I get 59-62 grams a day and since my protein labs are fine, Dr Baggs and the nutritionist said the real protein is better, but do you think I should add a shake just to boost the protein up a little? I've never done any protein shakes. If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of calories, I don't want to put weight back on, but I do want to keep my protein up, and get my vitamins where they need to be for my body, so my labs will be good. Then once this is all good, when I have some finances I would like to have some plastic surgery. What is the best protein shake for a good amount of protein and one that taste

good? I will order it from Vita Lady, if you think it's not a bad ideal to add one in. Thank you for all your help. DonnaKay wrote: Hi Donaa,All of my plastic surgeries have been completely out-of-pocket - which is why we are broke at the moment.The lower body lift with the extended incision up the front to tight my midriff was around $14,000 (if memory serves me right). The brachioplasty and breast lift were about $11,000 combined. I did not have implants (and I am very happy with the results without them). I believe that using silicon gel implants would have added about $2,000 to the price . . . saline-filled implants are somewhat less. I did not forego implants as a cost-saving decision - I just lucked out that I am reasonably

well-proportioned without them.I consulted with 4 plastic surgeons before deciding to use Dr. Bermudez. I am completely convinced that I made the right decsion for me. His prices were in the mid-range of the doctors I consulted. The Kaiser plastic surgeons were definitely the cheapest - but after the seeing results of a brachioplasty done by the Kaiser surgeon I almost chose, I am incredibly glad that I didn't try to save the $4,000 that using him would have afforded me.I had lost about 233 lb. at the time of my first reconstruction - which was 7 lb. below the goal that Dr. Baggs had set for me. At that weight, I was still heavy for my height - but my body fat % was extremely low. In fact, at 12% body fat, I had gotten a bit too lean. With the inactivity during the recoveries and just some plain old bad choices, I have put on some weight and my body fat has increased. These days my

weight varies between 145 and 150 - which is just about dead on where Dr. Baggs wanted me to be. My body fat is about 20 to 22% which is quite good - but I'd like to get it back down to about 18% which would put me solidly into the athletic range.None of the reconstructive surgeries has been as bad as I had feared. The worst for me was probably the brachioplasty. I had an infection in my left arm - it wasn't a major infection, but it was the first complication of any sort that I'd had to deal with. Both of my arms and both hands were really swollen and I couldn't use them for much of anything for a few days. That was very frustrating and, because of my problems with my knees, lead to my having a further complication. I could not shift my weight sufficiently to relieve the pressure on my tailbone and ended up with a bed sore. Ouch!!! The bed sore was scarier and more painful

than the incisions.The lower body lift wasn't that bad, even with the muscle tightening. It just takes quite a while before one can stand upright again. And, the breast lift was the easiest of all. The only place I really noticed any discomfort related to that at all was right about where the incisions down from the brachioplasty nearly connected with those up from the breast lift - which is to say in my armpits and down a bit along the sides of my breats. It wasn't real painful, just a bit of an ache.I don't currently have a job, so I can't really answer the question about returning to work. Dr. Bermudez was my surgeon. I already sent you a linkto his web page. He is not a Kaiser surgeon.I don't mind the questions at all. Choosing a plastic surgeon and deciding on which procedures to have done and so on are not the sorts of things that most of us have ever

had experience with. And they are big decisions . . . finances are certainly an issue and so is your confidence in the surgeon you choose. Feel free to ask anything that comes to mind. I can't guarantee I'll have an answer, but I will do my best.Take care,Kay (in San Leandro)Open RNY 12/1/03Donna Jordon wrote:> Kay> Was any of your surgeries covered or where they all out of pocket? > Can I ask how much each surgery was? How much weight had you lost > before you started plastic surgery? Where you at your goal weight? > Which of these surgeries was the hardest, then next down to the > easiest? How much time did you take off work from the hardest to the > easiest? Who was your surgeon? Was your surgeon through Kaiser? > Sorry for all the question, but I am at goal and my arms are bad, my > breast also need only a

left and if I can the others would be great > also. Of course finances is what will decide when and which would be > possible to be first. Thank you for this help. LOL Donna Donna JordonDSJordon@...

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[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I hope that vitamin deficiency has been corrected and that your Jan.

labs show everything to be right where it should be. I just had my labs

done and will also have to mine done again in Jan. Seems that my iron

level has dropped seriously since my last labs even though I am already

on iron supplements. Dr. Baggs had me increase the dosage and that may

correct the problem. I'm hoping.

Dr. Baggs and everyone in the Richmond program heartily disapprove of

protein supplements, as I'm sure you know. They are convinced that

using them will prevent you from losing and increase your chance of

regaining. I don't really agree with them - but I would never advise

anyone to go against their doctor's instructions. That being said . . .

I think that we each need to make informed decisions for ourselves.

I tend to look at the " calorie cost " of each protein gram when I am

deciding what to eat. I try to average no more than 10 calories per

gram of protein in my overall diet. This generally allows me to get in

well over the recommended 60 grams of protein while also being able to

eat fruits and vegetables to round out my nutritional needs. You asked,

" If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of calories? " - the Richmond

Bariatrics folks say that adding a protein shake will add a lot of

calories and sugars. Well . . . if you stay away from things like

Slimfast, you can get a lot of protein at a low " calorie cost. " For

instance, Whey Gourmet Cappucino flavored protein is only 120 calories

and 1 gram of sugar for 21 grams of protein. If you do decide to try a

protein supplement - just be sure to check out the nutritional data and

be aware that Dr. Baggs will not approve of you using them. Oh . . . I

almost forgot . . . I should mention that protein shakes don't

particularly pack an overall vitamin punch. That is one of the reasons

that I like being able to eat fruits and vegetables - so many of the

micronutrients, etc. that we need seem to be better provided by actual

food than by pills. I am not a nutritionist and would never presume to

provide any medical advise. Forgive me if I sound like I am being

cautious here - but that is exactly what I am doing. LOL

Let me know how things go.

Take care,

Kay (in San Leandro)

Open RNY 12/1/03

Donna Jordon wrote:

> Kay

> Thank you so much for all the answers and the link for plastic

> surgery. I am below my goal weight that Dr. Baggs set. He said 150,

> I am 139-141 I've been here for a few weeks none, I was trying to get

> to 135 so we'll see. I don't have much body fat, not sure of the

> percentage, but I am very lean, I exercise every day or at least no

> less than 5 days a week. I run a in home daycare, very business with

> 6 children ages 1--4 years, I have 2 college boys of my own still at

> home and their 2 college girlfriends that are here a lot, and a

> husband. I take care of the house, I do yard work, and so much more

> on top of all who I take care off. I also help my parents out who live

> on their own still at the ages of 83 my mom and 94 my dad. I have

> done very well with the WLS all except having some problems with

> absorption of vitamins, so my labs where off. Dr. Baggs has been

> working really close with me and also the nutritionist, I was

> increased a lot on all my vitamins and now I feel so much better. I

> will have another lab in the beginning of Jan., I have been doing

> monthly labs and they adjust my vitamins to what the labs show. My

> protein on my labs are fine, but I only eat protein, protein, protein

> and they are fine. I have been keeping track of the grams, and I get

> 59-62 grams a day and since my protein labs are fine, Dr Baggs and the

> nutritionist said the real protein is better, but do you think I

> should add a shake just to boost the protein up a little? I've never

> done any protein shakes. If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of

> calories, I don't want to put weight back on, but I do want to keep my

> protein up, and get my vitamins where they need to be for my body, so

> my labs will be good. Then once this is all good, when I have some

> finances I would like to have some plastic surgery. What is the best

> protein shake for a good amount of protein and one that taste good? I

> will order it from Vita Lady, if you think it's not a bad ideal to add

> one in. Thank you for all your help. Donna

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I hope that vitamin deficiency has been corrected and that your Jan.

labs show everything to be right where it should be. I just had my labs

done and will also have to mine done again in Jan. Seems that my iron

level has dropped seriously since my last labs even though I am already

on iron supplements. Dr. Baggs had me increase the dosage and that may

correct the problem. I'm hoping.

Dr. Baggs and everyone in the Richmond program heartily disapprove of

protein supplements, as I'm sure you know. They are convinced that

using them will prevent you from losing and increase your chance of

regaining. I don't really agree with them - but I would never advise

anyone to go against their doctor's instructions. That being said . . .

I think that we each need to make informed decisions for ourselves.

I tend to look at the " calorie cost " of each protein gram when I am

deciding what to eat. I try to average no more than 10 calories per

gram of protein in my overall diet. This generally allows me to get in

well over the recommended 60 grams of protein while also being able to

eat fruits and vegetables to round out my nutritional needs. You asked,

" If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of calories? " - the Richmond

Bariatrics folks say that adding a protein shake will add a lot of

calories and sugars. Well . . . if you stay away from things like

Slimfast, you can get a lot of protein at a low " calorie cost. " For

instance, Whey Gourmet Cappucino flavored protein is only 120 calories

and 1 gram of sugar for 21 grams of protein. If you do decide to try a

protein supplement - just be sure to check out the nutritional data and

be aware that Dr. Baggs will not approve of you using them. Oh . . . I

almost forgot . . . I should mention that protein shakes don't

particularly pack an overall vitamin punch. That is one of the reasons

that I like being able to eat fruits and vegetables - so many of the

micronutrients, etc. that we need seem to be better provided by actual

food than by pills. I am not a nutritionist and would never presume to

provide any medical advise. Forgive me if I sound like I am being

cautious here - but that is exactly what I am doing. LOL

Let me know how things go.

Take care,

Kay (in San Leandro)

Open RNY 12/1/03

Donna Jordon wrote:

> Kay

> Thank you so much for all the answers and the link for plastic

> surgery. I am below my goal weight that Dr. Baggs set. He said 150,

> I am 139-141 I've been here for a few weeks none, I was trying to get

> to 135 so we'll see. I don't have much body fat, not sure of the

> percentage, but I am very lean, I exercise every day or at least no

> less than 5 days a week. I run a in home daycare, very business with

> 6 children ages 1--4 years, I have 2 college boys of my own still at

> home and their 2 college girlfriends that are here a lot, and a

> husband. I take care of the house, I do yard work, and so much more

> on top of all who I take care off. I also help my parents out who live

> on their own still at the ages of 83 my mom and 94 my dad. I have

> done very well with the WLS all except having some problems with

> absorption of vitamins, so my labs where off. Dr. Baggs has been

> working really close with me and also the nutritionist, I was

> increased a lot on all my vitamins and now I feel so much better. I

> will have another lab in the beginning of Jan., I have been doing

> monthly labs and they adjust my vitamins to what the labs show. My

> protein on my labs are fine, but I only eat protein, protein, protein

> and they are fine. I have been keeping track of the grams, and I get

> 59-62 grams a day and since my protein labs are fine, Dr Baggs and the

> nutritionist said the real protein is better, but do you think I

> should add a shake just to boost the protein up a little? I've never

> done any protein shakes. If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of

> calories, I don't want to put weight back on, but I do want to keep my

> protein up, and get my vitamins where they need to be for my body, so

> my labs will be good. Then once this is all good, when I have some

> finances I would like to have some plastic surgery. What is the best

> protein shake for a good amount of protein and one that taste good? I

> will order it from Vita Lady, if you think it's not a bad ideal to add

> one in. Thank you for all your help. Donna

[Guest guest]

Kay You're great, fruits and vegetables are hard for me, I just started handling some vegetables but not fruits, I get really really bad diarrhea. So that's one reason it's protein, protein and more protein. Then the vitamin absorption, and I have been increased on all vitamins. I take 3 multivitamins a day, 3 iron a day, 4 calcium a day, and 2000mg B-12 sublingual daily, after Jan. labs this may get adjusted again. So I am going to stay eating regular protein and I know it doesn't add taking a shake to my vitamins, just thought it would up my protein some, there good on the labs, just hearing everyone say 60mg or more is better and like I said I'm right close to 60, just wasn't sure if it should be more and I can't eat more. My 4 0ozs of protein for my 3 meals feel me up and I'm not a snacker, that's why I was wondering about the shake. Thank you again for all this information, I'll keep reading and figure what's best. LOL

DonnaKay wrote: Hi Donna,I hope that vitamin deficiency has been corrected and that your Jan. labs show everything to be right where it should be. I just had my labs done and will also have to mine done again in Jan. Seems that my iron level has dropped seriously since my last labs even though I am already on iron supplements. Dr. Baggs had me increase the dosage and that may correct the problem. I'm hoping.Dr. Baggs and everyone in the Richmond program heartily disapprove of protein supplements, as I'm sure you know. They are convinced that using them will prevent you from losing and increase your chance of regaining. I don't really agree with them - but I would never advise anyone to go against their doctor's instructions. That being said .

.. . I think that we each need to make informed decisions for ourselves. I tend to look at the "calorie cost" of each protein gram when I am deciding what to eat. I try to average no more than 10 calories per gram of protein in my overall diet. This generally allows me to get in well over the recommended 60 grams of protein while also being able to eat fruits and vegetables to round out my nutritional needs. You asked, "If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of calories?" - the Richmond Bariatrics folks say that adding a protein shake will add a lot of calories and sugars. Well . . . if you stay away from things like Slimfast, you can get a lot of protein at a low "calorie cost." For instance, Whey Gourmet Cappucino flavored protein is only 120 calories and 1 gram of sugar for 21 grams of protein. If you do decide to try a protein supplement - just be sure to check out the nutritional

data and be aware that Dr. Baggs will not approve of you using them. Oh . . . I almost forgot . . . I should mention that protein shakes don't particularly pack an overall vitamin punch. That is one of the reasons that I like being able to eat fruits and vegetables - so many of the micronutrients, etc. that we need seem to be better provided by actual food than by pills. I am not a nutritionist and would never presume to provide any medical advise. Forgive me if I sound like I am being cautious here - but that is exactly what I am doing. LOLLet me know how things go.Take care,Kay (in San Leandro)Open RNY 12/1/03Donna Jordon wrote:> Kay> Thank you so much for all the answers and the link for plastic > surgery. I am below my goal weight that Dr. Baggs set. He said 150, > I am 139-141 I've been here for a few weeks none, I was trying to

get > to 135 so we'll see. I don't have much body fat, not sure of the > percentage, but I am very lean, I exercise every day or at least no > less than 5 days a week. I run a in home daycare, very business with > 6 children ages 1--4 years, I have 2 college boys of my own still at > home and their 2 college girlfriends that are here a lot, and a > husband. I take care of the house, I do yard work, and so much more > on top of all who I take care off. I also help my parents out who live > on their own still at the ages of 83 my mom and 94 my dad. I have > done very well with the WLS all except having some problems with > absorption of vitamins, so my labs where off. Dr. Baggs has been > working really close with me and also the nutritionist, I was > increased a lot on all my vitamins and now I feel so much better. I > will have another lab in the beginning of

Jan., I have been doing > monthly labs and they adjust my vitamins to what the labs show. My > protein on my labs are fine, but I only eat protein, protein, protein > and they are fine. I have been keeping track of the grams, and I get > 59-62 grams a day and since my protein labs are fine, Dr Baggs and the > nutritionist said the real protein is better, but do you think I > should add a shake just to boost the protein up a little? I've never > done any protein shakes. If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of > calories, I don't want to put weight back on, but I do want to keep my > protein up, and get my vitamins where they need to be for my body, so > my labs will be good. Then once this is all good, when I have some > finances I would like to have some plastic surgery. What is the best > protein shake for a good amount of protein and one that taste

good? I > will order it from Vita Lady, if you think it's not a bad ideal to add > one in. Thank you for all your help. Donna Donna JordonDSJordon@...

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[Guest guest]

Kay You're great, fruits and vegetables are hard for me, I just started handling some vegetables but not fruits, I get really really bad diarrhea. So that's one reason it's protein, protein and more protein. Then the vitamin absorption, and I have been increased on all vitamins. I take 3 multivitamins a day, 3 iron a day, 4 calcium a day, and 2000mg B-12 sublingual daily, after Jan. labs this may get adjusted again. So I am going to stay eating regular protein and I know it doesn't add taking a shake to my vitamins, just thought it would up my protein some, there good on the labs, just hearing everyone say 60mg or more is better and like I said I'm right close to 60, just wasn't sure if it should be more and I can't eat more. My 4 0ozs of protein for my 3 meals feel me up and I'm not a snacker, that's why I was wondering about the shake. Thank you again for all this information, I'll keep reading and figure what's best. LOL

DonnaKay wrote: Hi Donna,I hope that vitamin deficiency has been corrected and that your Jan. labs show everything to be right where it should be. I just had my labs done and will also have to mine done again in Jan. Seems that my iron level has dropped seriously since my last labs even though I am already on iron supplements. Dr. Baggs had me increase the dosage and that may correct the problem. I'm hoping.Dr. Baggs and everyone in the Richmond program heartily disapprove of protein supplements, as I'm sure you know. They are convinced that using them will prevent you from losing and increase your chance of regaining. I don't really agree with them - but I would never advise anyone to go against their doctor's instructions. That being said .

.. . I think that we each need to make informed decisions for ourselves. I tend to look at the "calorie cost" of each protein gram when I am deciding what to eat. I try to average no more than 10 calories per gram of protein in my overall diet. This generally allows me to get in well over the recommended 60 grams of protein while also being able to eat fruits and vegetables to round out my nutritional needs. You asked, "If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of calories?" - the Richmond Bariatrics folks say that adding a protein shake will add a lot of calories and sugars. Well . . . if you stay away from things like Slimfast, you can get a lot of protein at a low "calorie cost." For instance, Whey Gourmet Cappucino flavored protein is only 120 calories and 1 gram of sugar for 21 grams of protein. If you do decide to try a protein supplement - just be sure to check out the nutritional

data and be aware that Dr. Baggs will not approve of you using them. Oh . . . I almost forgot . . . I should mention that protein shakes don't particularly pack an overall vitamin punch. That is one of the reasons that I like being able to eat fruits and vegetables - so many of the micronutrients, etc. that we need seem to be better provided by actual food than by pills. I am not a nutritionist and would never presume to provide any medical advise. Forgive me if I sound like I am being cautious here - but that is exactly what I am doing. LOLLet me know how things go.Take care,Kay (in San Leandro)Open RNY 12/1/03Donna Jordon wrote:> Kay> Thank you so much for all the answers and the link for plastic > surgery. I am below my goal weight that Dr. Baggs set. He said 150, > I am 139-141 I've been here for a few weeks none, I was trying to

get > to 135 so we'll see. I don't have much body fat, not sure of the > percentage, but I am very lean, I exercise every day or at least no > less than 5 days a week. I run a in home daycare, very business with > 6 children ages 1--4 years, I have 2 college boys of my own still at > home and their 2 college girlfriends that are here a lot, and a > husband. I take care of the house, I do yard work, and so much more > on top of all who I take care off. I also help my parents out who live > on their own still at the ages of 83 my mom and 94 my dad. I have > done very well with the WLS all except having some problems with > absorption of vitamins, so my labs where off. Dr. Baggs has been > working really close with me and also the nutritionist, I was > increased a lot on all my vitamins and now I feel so much better. I > will have another lab in the beginning of

Jan., I have been doing > monthly labs and they adjust my vitamins to what the labs show. My > protein on my labs are fine, but I only eat protein, protein, protein > and they are fine. I have been keeping track of the grams, and I get > 59-62 grams a day and since my protein labs are fine, Dr Baggs and the > nutritionist said the real protein is better, but do you think I > should add a shake just to boost the protein up a little? I've never > done any protein shakes. If I add in a shake will it give me a lot of > calories, I don't want to put weight back on, but I do want to keep my > protein up, and get my vitamins where they need to be for my body, so > my labs will be good. Then once this is all good, when I have some > finances I would like to have some plastic surgery. What is the best > protein shake for a good amount of protein and one that taste

good? I > will order it from Vita Lady, if you think it's not a bad ideal to add > one in. Thank you for all your help. Donna Donna JordonDSJordon@...

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