World's Largest Gummy Bear.

Just because it's cute as hell, and I'd take a bite.  Just one.

12,600 calories.  

Ostrim Super Nuggets, Beef, Ostrich & Vegetable Protein Nuggets

 

"Super Ostrim Nuggets are made with the leanest cuts of premium beef and ostrich, SUPRO® brand soy protein isolates and hydrolyzed protein for sustained delivery for your protein needs."

I used to eat the Ostrim Beef & Ostrich Snack Sticks as a high protein snack, so when I found these Ostrim Nuggets in GNC, I was intrigued.  A fan of jerky, I assumed these nuggets were like it, chewy, highly flavored bits of meat.

The nutrition:

  

Ingredients: Beef, Water, Structured Vegetable Protein (Soy Protein Isolate, Wheat Gluten, Wheat Starch), Ostrich, Isolated Soy Protein, Soy Sauce (Wheat, Soy, Salt), Sorbitol, Apple Cider Vinegar, Spice, Lite Salt (Sodium Chlorie, Potassium Chloride), Natural Flavors, Caramel Color, Sucralose. 

230 calories for the entire three ounce packet of nuggets, which finishing is QUITE A FEAT.  

The Ostrim Nuggets are SUPER DENSE, chewy and require a serious amount of chewing.  This product will keep your mouth busy for a very long time.  

They smell like beef jerky, and have a sweet and spicy taste.  It was spicy enough that I took it slow and really did savor it.  Other online reviews are split - this is one of those LOVE or HATE products.  People seem to dislike either the texture or that it takes jaw-power, but that's why I liked it -- it's not something I can overeat.

But, for 40 grams of protein and 230 calories, it's perfect for a FILLING snack that will hold you for a long time.  There are 8 carbohydrates, five of which are from sugar alcohols, giving the pack a net carb amount of 3 grams.  I had no negative reaction to eating an entire packet in one evening, aka no gas.  

I wished I had purchased more than a single packet, because I really enjoyed this product.  I will buy a case next time.

• Product - Ostrim Super Nuggets, Beef, Ostrich & Vegetable Protein Nuggets, 3-Ounce Pouch
• Via - Grabbed at the register at GNC for about $3.95
• Price - 
• $36.62 (CASE) & ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping via Amazon.  
• $48.37 via the manufacturer, Protos, Inc.
• $44.97 at Bodybuilding.com
• Pros - Like jerky, tastes great, keeps your mouth busy forEVER, no SUGAR, no nitrites, wicked high protein, high potassium and some vites.
• Cons - Might be too dense for some WLS'ers, but you would know your limits.  CHEW WELL.
• Rating - Pouchworthy, ^MM.

McCain and The Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010, is it going to take our vitamins away?

This is a bit more than scary.

Naked Workout Video O-o

Oh dear.

Dairy-Free + Sugar-Free Organic Hot Chocolate

Dairy free and sugar free hot chocolate mix.  COME TO MAMA.  I haven't tried this yet, but, I'd like to.  It's simply cocoa, sweetened with erythritol, with maltodextrin.  Seeing as I've been downing the packets'o'diet cocoa, it's time I moved on.

Doping up.

 

How to REVERSE Severe Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia after Gastric Bypass?!

A tube.  

McLaughlin T, Peck M, Holst J, Deacon C.

Stanford University School of Medicine (T.M., M.P.), Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Stanford, California 94305-5103; and Department of Biomedical Sciences (J.H., C.D.), Panum Institute, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.

Context: Severe hypoglycemia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) is an increasingly recognized condition, characterized by neuroglycopenia and inappropriately elevated insulin concentrations that occur primarily in the postprandial state. Both pathophysiology and treatment of this disorder remain elusive, but it has been postulated that hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy of beta-cells due to morbid obesity and/or postsurgical nesidioblastosis may contribute. 

Objective: The objective of this study was to elucidate the pathophysiology of this condition; specifically, we hypothesized that metabolic abnormalities were a function of altered nutrient transit through the gastrointestinal tract rather than anatomical changes to pancreatic beta-cells that would lead to consistently high insulin secretion irrespective of nutrient transit route. 

Design/Setting/Subject/Outcome Measures: We describe a unique case wherein gastrostomy tube (GT) insertion into the remnant stomach reversed neuroglycopenic symptoms. This subject was admitted to a university hospital research center for standardized measurement of glucose, insulin, and incretin hormones including glucagon-like peptide-1, gastric-inhibitory peptide, and glucagon. 

Results: Standardized liquid meal administration via GT vs. oral route demonstrated complete reversal of severe metabolic abnormalities that included hypersecretion of insulin and GLP-1. 

Conclusion: Post-RYGB hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia result entirely from altered nutrient delivery rather than generalized hyperfunction of beta-cells due to presurgical hypertrophy/hyperfunction or postsurgical nesidioblastosis. These findings support the use of GT for treatment of severe cases and have implications for surgical manipulations that may reverse/prevent this condition.

PMID: 20133462 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Revisional Bariatric Surgery Appears Safe

Revisional Bariatric Surgery 13-Year Experience From a Tertiary Institution

Weight-Loss Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes Is bariatric surgery a shortcut to a "cure"? (Also, Beth's in a magazine!)

I've pasted just the snippet that I'm in - the entire article which is super-informative - is at the link!  Please check it out and subscribe.

Weight-Loss Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes Is bariatric surgery a shortcut to a "cure"? 

Diabetes Forecast Magazine March 2010 -

 

Kirstie Alley Launches Weight Loss Brand

 

Kirstie Alley recently launched her own weight loss company- "Organic Liasion," which sounds like sexual interludes with a sprout farmer.  

Fail.

  

You may regret teaching me how to do this.

I didn't know how to make Facebook groups. Uh-oh. However, I suggest joining the ones that interest you, and watch for Facebook only giveaways and contests! - MM

PS.  The first is only for the non-easily offended. "My surgeon is God, I poop rainbows and butterflies, and I PUFFY HEART MY SURGERY" need NOT join.  KTHANXBAI.

Name: Bariatric Bad Girls Club Type: Just for Fun Members: 50 members

Name: Hypoglycemia After Gastric Bypass Type: Common Interest Members: 17 members

Name: Seizures After Weight Loss Surgery Type: Common Interest Members: 3 members

Name: Regain After Weight Loss Surgery Type: Common Interest Members: 16 members

Name: Weight Loss Surgery Product Reviews, Rants And RAVES! Type: Common Interest Members: 153 members

Going back to the scene of the crime.

Mr was home yesterday, and I got some new sneakers.  That means I forced him to walk with me outside because walking through mud is exactly what you do to christen new sneakers. 

And it pained him.  We went up a hill.

 
 It sort of made me realize just how worn the hell out I feel.  I love walking outdoors, but I haven't been doing it doing it at all because I have excuses.  But, to be perfectly honest?  I am afraid.  Afraid of blanking out and walking into the street.  I want an escort.  ;)  Yes, I bring my phone, and I try to keep totally AWARE of what is going on with my head, and if I feel dizzy/strange I will stop and reboot, wait it out, but even STILL?  That doesn't feel safe to me.  I have the urge to carry a TASER.

(It's PINK!  HOW CUTE!)

And most of the time, if I want to walk, I have to go on my own with Tristan, and I don't feel comfortable. Sure, I can drag a kid four kids out in the spring, and all summer long, but RIGHT NOW, it's not working. Nobody WANTS to walk through the mud with me, except for the one who WOULD run into traffic.

I am sick of feeling like a drunk dizzy slug.  I want my HEAD FIXED, and in the process, I would fix my ass.  We know this.  

30 pounds of regain is entirely, DIRECTLY related to this.  Feeling sluggy = not burning calories.

With this in mind - I finally called the Bariatric Surgeon's Office.  And, while I wasn't able to get an appointment last time I called, this time, they said, "How about Wednesday?" and there's that!  (Perhaps there was a note on my file that said, "Please listen this time!")

I realize a simple visit isn't going to change anything immediately - I know I am going to be met with, "Well, let's take some bloodwork, and set you up for an endoscopy, and check back in blah blah blah."  BUT - hopefully it will be a step in the right direction this time.  

Last time I went there - we got bloodwork done and PFFFT, that's it, "Your blood is fine."  And, that doctor isn't even around anymore.  GAH.

What do I want?

• I want a full blood panel done, including those pesky trace minerals
• I want testing for ULCERS, because IT HURTS, and hasn't gone away.
• I want to discuss further treatment for my hypoglycemia, because IT'S RIDICULOUS.
• I want to discuss my neurological symptoms, because although I have been told they are not related to my RNY, I cannot imagine HOW.  
• I want to discuss revision/reversal possibilities.  Would it help ALL OF THE ABOVE?  And if so, I WANT IT DONE YESTERDAY, AND I WILL SELL THE HOUSE TO DO IT**.
• Are we clear?  Anything you'd add that I cannot remember because I can't remember anything?

 

Caroline

 
I had been corresponding here and there with a beautiful woman named Caroline, in fact she wrote one of my "recommendations" for this site.  She had gastric bypass surgery some time ago, and had been suffering with some outrageous complications.  She died yesterday.

She wrote a long time ago, in her blog:

NOTE:  Be your own patient advocate. Make sure you have researched everything and just because someone has a degree that makes them a doctor...it is your right to question what is going on. Ask questions, right them down on a piece of paper and ask him/her in a very scientific way without the emotion. Doctors are now being so overloaded as are the nurses that they can only help so much, because there are a line of people waiting for them. Know your stuff!

Laughter through the Storm: A new decade...

At least they're cuter than the Skechers.

 

And that's all I have to say about that, except, I'd wear 'em.

Because my T + A could use all the help they could get.

Can't help but love this.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Small bowel obstruction

While it's not super common after weight loss surgery, it can happen and I've seen many postings online from patients who HAVE had this problem.   

And, it CAN kill you.  So, pay attention to what feels DIFFERENT and PAINFUL and WRONG.  Call your doctor or go to the ER.

Small bowel obstruction -

Length: 8 mins     Filesize: 7Mb      (Download mp3) Several friends of mine have had this problem post gastric bypass surgery, small bowel obstruction.

  
Small bowel obstruction means the small intestine is partially or totally blocked. When this happens, the contents of the intestine cannot properly get out of the body. Stools, fluid, and gas build up inside the intestine. This is a potentially serious condition that requires urgent medical care.

Who Are You Calling A Cootie Queen - You LINT LICKER?!

I read somewhere that the only way a blog can be successful overall, is if it's positive and blowing sunshine and happiness all the time. ( Or maybe that was about Twitter?)  I don't know WHY I read the blogs about blogging.   I read blogs about blogging about blogging.  Many of those people, whom write blogs about blogging on blogs -- are proponents of the All Positive All The Time Approach.  

And, I stopped and thought about that for a moment.  What if?  What if I was a happy shiny unicorn of positivity ALL the time, at least while posting online?  

There is no way that would fly now, after blogging pretty honestly for years, but, I suppose had I STARTED that way it might have stuck?  

But, I would feel like a big fat LIAR. 

Then I realized, many of those bloggers are blogging about blogging for CASH.  Bingo.

I suppose if you START blogging simply to make money, you don't want to piss anybody off.  

I was coached to drop my use of profanity a while back, "to be more marketable."  

I was told that if I would simply not swear, I would garner a huge blog sponsorship and sunshine would fly out of my bank account.  My reaction was, "What?!  But that's part of who I am!"  I am blunt.  It just is.  The conversation turned to, "Yeah, but... if you clean it up, success will follow."  

I was asked to remove profanity and be a little softer, more ad-worthy, more... pleasing.  

I felt dirty.  Guilty.  Naughty.  Bad.  Slap my wrist.

What did I do?  I dug through the blog, and set up a word replacement.  All ass-es were changed to arses! All fuck-s were removed!  But, soon, I had a 'Life After Gastric BYPARSE'  blog and Google cried.  Let's just say I reversed it.  The asses, shits and fucks?  Stayed.

But you know what?  

And 'promises'  -- they are not worth giving that up.  

MM cannot simply STOP being MM, though she can Orbit her mouth if absolutely necessary**, but will NEVER be Endorsements Only, Happy All The Time, Life Coaching For Losers, Lose Weight Now With XXX, Let Jesus In Your Life Or Go To Hell or any form of Rainbow Pissing Unicorn.

If you see that happen, please to know I've sold out.

**Name your price.  ;)

Look Ma! I'm in a magazine!

   
   

I laughed out loud because it's wild seeing myself in a national publication -- and -- not at the size I would have liked to share with the world.  But, whatever.  I am a size 14.  DEAL WITH IT.  The article says 320 > 149.  But, yeah, I'm not 149.  That was my lowest-ever weight.  Once.  My GOAL.  LOL.

But, OMG I'm in a magazine!  This is the Diabetes Forecast for March 2010, for the article: 'Weight Loss Surgery Can it Cure Type "2"?  Is It Right For You?'   

I am the contrast to the Diabetic Success stories -- they noted my hypoglycemia after RNY without ever having diabetes!

But still, I AM IN A MAGAZINE!

I will scan the article - and link to it when it's online - http://forecast.diabetes.org/

(Okay, so, I was totally in the Obesity Help magazine, twice.  Too.  I just didn't post about the second time yet.)

Capella Flavor Drops - Zero Sugars - Pure Flavor.

^{Beth needs a lot of things, but what she would really like most?  Her memory back.  You do realize that if you put something away, in a normal place, she forgets it?}  

^{The products and samples I dig up usually end up in the cabinet before I give them a try, because, I don't like anything left on the counters.  That means, even if I get a wicked awesome pack-o-samples, I will look, touch, feel, put away, forget!}

^{With that in mind, today I share with you the wicked awesome products that were one of the last things put in my cabinet -- to share with you.  LOL.  They happened to be on top of the stash when I realized, "I FORGOT TO TELL YOU!"  ("You" being you -- the interwebs.)}

From Capella I received a selection of "Flavor Drops."  This is not an ad.  I loved me some drops.

  

I immediately snorted it.  I don't suggest this.

The flavor drops are a highly-concentrated flavor additive that you can drop by the SINGLE DROP into any food or liquid.  It immediately brought to mind TEA, COFFEE, WATER and PROTEIN SHAKES for me. Also, hot cereals, protein supplement foods, oatmeal, yogurt, etc.  

Many "diet foods" and bariatric foods are a bit.... lacking in taste, this kind of product has the potential to totally improve those "ehhhh," foods.  ;)

(Ah-ha!  Hence the "Medifast" reference, "diet foods.")

I tried several varieties of the Flavor Drops, starting with "Vanilla Custard," because it was suggested to me.  "You have to try this."  And, I loved it.  

 
 I added it to some HOT BLACK TEA, just a few drops, and my own sweetener, and NOMS.  It gave my tea a nice sweet aroma and taste, like a buttery vanilla.  I then used it in HOT COFFEE.  Again, yummy vanilla.  It's also super for ICED COFFEE - adding a little hint of flavor.  (For me, I would totally carry a bottle in my pocketbook to add to my drinks while out, especially those times that my iced coffee order is not pleasing from Unkin' Onuts.  It happens.  Blech.)

• NO Sugar
• NO Sweet-N-Low
• NO Splenda
• NO Saccharine
• NO Aspartame

We leave the sweetening up to you. Just simply prepare your beverage as you like, if you enjoy sugar or any sweetener, go ahead and add it. Then add your Flavor Drops.

What is the difference between Flavor Drops and a Flavored Syrup?
Well, for one, we are 450 times more concentrated, contain absolutely zero sweeteners, and no preservatives. Many syrups offer a "sugar free" line. These just contain no sugar, but are replaced with a sweetening substitute like aspartame and or nutrasweet, some even use splenda. With Flavor Drops, you now have the "option" to sweeten. If sweetening is what you want, add the one you want! We deliver the Flavor you provide the sweetener.

Capella Flavor Drops come in a bajillion flavors, like (And, I scrolled and re-typed most here):

• Chocolate Fudge Brownie
• Banana Split
• French Toast
• Hazelnut
• Vanilla Custard
• Cinnamon
• Cinnamon Danish Swirl
• Toasted Almond
• Caramel
• New York Cheesecake
• Orange Creamsicle
• Irish Cream
• Root Beer Float
• Pralines + Cream
• Spearmint
• Blueberry
• Buttered Popcorn O-o (Hey, I guess there's something for everyone!)
• Amaretto
• Cinnamon Crumb Cake
• K-lua
• Chocolate Raspberry
• Coconut 
• Coffee Bean
• Cappuccino
• Graham Cracker
• Gingerbread
• Apple Pie
• Egg Nog
• Double Chocolate
• HOT! Cinnamon Candy
• Etc, etc... so on, so forth...

The choices are like freaking jelly beans.  I want them all.   

I have been snorting the Cinnamon inappropriately, because, well... YUM.    

The flavor drops would have been perfect for my early post op eating after weight loss surgery.  I hated everything.  Everything tasted bad.  Had I a coconut flavored shake?  Or a mint pudding?  I might have tried a little bit harder.  The drops give the opportunity to make your own choices in flavoring -- not holding you to STANDARD Chocolate, Vanilla, and Unflavored.  (Because we all know about the Flavor Of Un.)

I would suggest?  Keep those big tubs of nasty protein in basic flavors -- and use DROPS to mix 'em up.  Have you ever had a PINA COLADA, PEANUT BUTTER, CINNAMON, or ROOT BEER protein shake?  ;)

I am totally eye-ing other flavors I want to get my hands on now.

• Product - Capella Flavor Drops
• Via - Capella
• Price - $5.95 Order Capella Flavor Drops and get 15% off all orders at $50.00 or more. Use code: SPEND50
• Pros - Zero calories, zero sugar, zero carbs, wicked good flavors, thinking about food porn while sniffing.
• Cons - Thinking about a buttered popcorn protein shake.  O-o
• Rating - Pouchworthy, ^MM