@contentandwell I think I'm going to try the myfitnesspal.com. I have been using my plate and although I'm eating less than it calls for and exercising I'm not losing weight. Very frustrating! I don't know if my metabolism is slowing down due to the change of life or I'm adding so much muscle that the scale is not changing. My husband and I both think my shape is changing but I really want the numbers on the scale to go down too. You would think after eating the right amount of calories and biking four days in a row including 15 miles on Saturday and 5 miles on Sunday you would lose weight, not gain a pound!!! The only thing I'm holding on to is that I know my cardiovascular health has improved and that is important when preparing for surgery too.

I wonder if your pre-transplant med, lactulose, had a lot of lactose in it (just sounds like it from the name but I have no idea) and that is what upset your stomach. I have learned to ask the pharmacist about the hidden milk and lactose that is in many medications. At least you don't need to take it now.

@hopeful33250 the link in the daily digest just brought me to the top of the message string. The link within the individual responses brought me right to the specific message.

Hmm, Medigap? Is that the same as commercial supplementary Medicare coverages? I have plan F I think it is but I believe it only covers things that Medicare covers. They pay the remainder of what Medicare does not pay. I don't think Medicare covers things like health clubs but I should check into that. We did have coverage at one point that did but that was prior to being on Medicare.

@contentandwell - The thing I have heard from physical therapists is that the elliptical can bother some people's hips because you are forced in a set stance and can't adjust how close our feet are. Just something to keep in mind if you discover other aches and pains after trying it.

The rowing machine does look like a standard rowing machine. I don't have a picture because I've not been to the YMCA since I've been biking. If you google "rowing machine workout" lots of pictures will pop up of different machines that all look relatively similar. They can get lost in a gym because they are so close to the floor that you might not notice them. I recommend asking an employee of the gym because they will definitely know and be able to show you the proper posture and how to set your feet and resistance. That is what I did and I found it very helpful.

@lcamino, good luck with myfitnesspal. It seems rather cumbersome initially but once used to it, it's a piece of cake (hmm, a piece of cake - sounds yummy). If you are eating commercial foods you can even somehow scan the UPC code to get it into the system but that is not something I use. My hepatologist was also using myfitnesspal and she went from slightly round to svelte. My husband didn't even recognize her initially.
I am sure between that and your exercise you will see some pounds drop off. I lost a lot but now it yo-yos a bit. I don't have as strong an incentive anymore. I need to be good now though, between a long weekend away on Memorial Day weekend and going to a baby shower yesterday I have eaten way too much and the scale shows it. Since I can no longer drink wine I do allow for my dark chocolate in the morning -- good for your heart and cognitive abilities you know, so I consider it to be medicinal. 😉 Now my incentive is not get too fat to fit into the new clothes I bought after losing weight, plus my health of course. The clothes are a more tangible incentive though.

You question about lactulose was intriguing so I googled lactulose ingredients and here they are:
Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide in solution form for oral or rectal administration. Each 15 mL of Lactulose Solution USP contains 10 g lactulose (and less than 1.6 g galactose, less than 1.2 g lactose, and 0.1 g or less of fructose). It also contains D&C Yellow No. 10, FD & C Yellow No. 6 and Purified Water.Jan 18, 2017

As you can see it has a tiny amount of lactose but I have never exhibited lactose intolerance so I doubt that caused it. Lactulose is just one of those awful meds that is so disgusting tasting it's hard to stomach and of course it is working on your digestive system so I guess it's probably not uncommon to get an upset stomach. As one person commented (elsewhere), when you get off lactulose you want to do "the happy dance". Too true.
JK

@contentandwell - interesting reading those ingredients. All those ingredients are high in FODMAPS (acronym for Fermentable Oligo-saccharides, Di-saccharides and Mono-saccharides and Polyols) which will send someone with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to the bathroom in an instant. I'm not saying that is your issue but just my thoughts when I read the ingredients.

I am enjoying this conversation because it seems that we are all dealing with many similar issues! Healthy diets, exercise, weight concerns....I am thankful that we can support each other by sharing.
I, too, was nauseas most of the time prior to transplant. In addition to that, my sense of taste had disappeared, so that if I felt like I could eat, it was an effort. After transplant my sense of taste returned. And with no more nausea my eating is something that I need to monitor closely everyday.
And blood pressure is a concern, too. Our medications do have a tendency to elevate our BPs so we really do struggle together!
Hugs to all of you.
Rosemary

To All,
I want to jump in here and add that I, have recently joined a new local 24/7 gym. For anyone not in need of any specialized physical therapy guided exercise this might be an option to look at. In my situation, an on site trainer was able to help me come up with an exercise plan to help meet my current fitness goals.
Also for anyone reading this, who is frightened by private gym membership fees, look into programs like the Silver Sneakers program for seniors.
Life is good!
Rosemary

@lcamino Lynn, thankfully I am not taking it anymore, but going to the bathroom is actually the point of lactulose! You are supposed to titrate it to have three loose movements a day, pushing out the ammonia that has not been filtered by your sick liver so it will not go to your brain and cause Hepatic encephalopathy. That (HE) causes confusion and when really bad can cause a coma or even death.
You have no idea how happy it makes transplant recipients when they no longer have to take this. There were times when I was afraid to make plans or to leave the house when taking it.
Jane

@rosemarya, I never lost my appetite before transplant, losing weight was a real struggle.
I didn't realize that medications after transplant raised blood pressure, I only knew that cirrhosis tends to lower it.
JK

@contentandwell, I was constantly monitored for ammonia level, and we were instructed to be aware of the symptoms to look for. But I never needed any treatment. It sounds like I was really fortunate.
Rosemary