Leaderboard

I’m just about 2 years post op VSG. I lost a fair amount of hair and definitely had to cover my head on sunny days the last couple years to avoid sun burning my scalp. I was just vacationing on Nantucket last week and had wonderful sunny weather. I forgot a hat! I got a little pink on my cheeks, arms and shoulders (despite using sunscreen) but had no burn on my scalp! My hair has finally filled back in :)

How's everyone doing? I'm scheduled for June 21st, so it's getting close now... Popping by the clinic tomorrow to meet the doctors, nutritionist etc. I guess the majority of the members on this forum is from the US, and I read somewhere that the average costs in the US is 23 k, is that true?? Do you always have to finance it yourself?

Have you tried a bariatric therapist? Getting to the root of my disordered eating habits was critical for me to reach goal and maintain. Are you tracking every crumb you eat? I know that sounds critical, but it isn't meant to be....I genuinely thought I was eating a LOT less than I was until I started measuring and tracking absolutely every calorie that went into my body. Yes, it's a hellish pain in the ass. And sadly, it's necessary. You have lost 215 pounds. That is a HUGE accomplishment! I'm crazy proud of you and you should be, too. Sometimes when your body loses a metric feck ton of weight in a short period of time....a starvation defense mechanism kicks in and it plateaus for a while. Be patient and stick to good lifelong habits, a good balanced diet. If you're tracking, measuring and mindfully watching what and why you eat....you'll get there. Hang in there!

I’m three weeks out, have tolerated every food I have eaten, have no trouble with liquids or pills, have never vomited or been nauseous. I think for most people that’s the norm. Good luck!

1 month update: I lost 34.5 total (since 5/1) and 23.5 since surgery (5/11). I feel great, try to walk about 2 miles a day and do a lot of work around the house, including gardening. I found I can eat almost anything, as long as at each meal I eat 2 oz or less (definitely have to scale everything). I end up eating about 5 meals a day, and I am able to get the 80 grams of protein as I focus a lot on fish. I've adventured to try (in small bite-sized quantities) other things: ground meat/burger (without bun, of course), 1 rib (that was not too great --it's a bit too fatty). Have not really tried raw foods yet, except tomatoes. Have definitely noticed that need to keep drinking to be hydrated. There are some days where I am not as careful and then I need to take 3-4 hours to rehydrate, including my body waking me up during the night to go get water. I am not hungry and it's great! (I used to be sooo hungry before, all the time!) I wonder whether people who never gained weight always have felt like I feel now (with no hunger..): It is very liberating, to be honest, to not have that thing in your stomach and head tell you that you're hungry. Thank you for listening! Hope everyone else is doing well!

No problem. I guess I'm referring to insulin resistance effect on different diets mentioned in the book. I certainly don't agree that the keto he pushes is sustainable or healthy.

Congratulations. Good Luck!

Oh hun, I'm so sorry that happened to you! I can't imagine how heartbreaking that must be! If you DO decide to eventually try for surgery again, try another doctor. The surgeon you had doesn't sound like someone with good bedside manner nor someone who tried at all to comfort you and seemed to come down on you instead. That's just unacceptable behavior! I know that it's going to be hard to get passed this so I'm going to suggest seeing a therapist. They really do work wonders and it really helps to talk about your worries and about the disappointment and fears. No matter what decision you make from here and out, I hope that things get better for you and I wish you the best.

There is no need to research anything. I simply wanted to provide a background for the advice and to make it clear that it is not something I am making up. Giving a loved one advice to seek a legal remedy when she is in a highly emotional state, is questionable. Well intended, I’m sure but likely not realistic unless there is factual information to support it. All I am suggesting is that she take the time to work through her emotions and then make the best decision.

I had originally gone to my surgeon to repair a symptomatic ventral hernia. I had not even considered surgery for weight loss before I spoke to him. I just did not realize it was an option for me. Over the last year I had a number of things go wrong, aside from losing my job due to covid, my husband died of alcoholism. He was a cruel drunk and I spent the last two years with him wearing a headset to block out his raging and hiding in video games from his cruelty. I gained a lot of weight quickly. My labs were growing increasingly bad, my liver enzymes elevated, and then I was diagnosed with parathyroid disorder and prediabetic. Finally it dawned on me after I was given the option for weight loss surgery, it was time to reclaim my life and move forward and find my happiness. I was told the surgery would likely correct the things that had been popping up as long as I follow the program and lose the weight. That is what I am doing and my life is slowly being reshaped as I take each step towards a healthier lifestyle.