juliarh

Thanks so much for sharing Bill -- I read it aloud to my husband because even at 4 months out, I share a lot of how you feel about eating, etc. I am continually amazed at the amount of weight I carried and how much I have yet to lose -- and knowing I will lose it -- it's something that I'm trying to fathom right now and thanks to your description, it is that much clearer! Congratulations!

I had the same thing happen to me shortly after I was sleeved -- I had a MAJOR acid attack in which I even aspirated the acid and I couldn't breathe and felt like I had a blood taste in my mouth. For a while afterwards I was taking a double dose of PPIs and then was able to go back to one. I fully sympathize -- very scary and I hope you're doing better!

Oh my goodness! You definitely can tell the difference! Wow! Keep up the GREAT work!

Wow!! a twofer! Congratulations!!

What wonderful news!!! What a Happy New Year

Pam, I'm so excited for you -- let us know IMMEDIATELY when you hit onderland, ok?

I would love to come too -- although coming from the southern part of South America means I definitely would be traveling a lot -- if it's done during the summer (preferably earlier rather than later) I could tie it in to our return trip to the States -- that would be awesome

I'm with Diva -- if I don't drink a minimum of 64 oz., then my body retains (very visible elephantitis in the ankles and feet) -- I understand that scientifically we're supposed to get enough water from our food, etc., but with my teeny stomach, I can get in about 3 - 4 oz. of protein and very little veggies (a floret or two of broccoli) -- and I know that I can't be getting that much water from my food with all the protein . . .. So I drink a lot -- it also helps with the plumbing too!

I agree -- I was coasting on not "refreshing" the forum so I could maintain the IP format, but a couple of days ago it automatically became the ad-ridden horrible colored format it is. I really wish they would consider a different way to put the ads in -- sigh.

That's awesome!! I'm so happy for you You've done such a remarkable job so far! Keep up the great work!

BBJ and others -- this topic is soo interesting to me because like many of you, I too would have qualified for the BED diagnosis (met ALL criteria) -- but like BBJ, I just don't show those symptoms anymore. It's fascinating to me that a surgery could eliminate what I thought was definitely a mental disorder -- I don't think about food anymore, I don't obsess with what is in my kitchen, in fact I forget to eat more often than not, making myself eat because it's healthy. Seriously. I NEVER thought I would ever think that way. And to credit that "thinking" with the bariatric surgery is wild in my opinion -- does the stomach affect our thinking that much?? Case in point -- I made 10 dozen Cookies for Xmas and 3 pies. I didn't touch any of them because I just wanted to be on my diet for Xmas. A week later -- we have at least 2 dozen cookies left and 3/4 of a pie in the fridge. I've given up trying to get my family to eat them because they're just sitting there -- I think I might have to throw them out. In years past, that food would have been gone within 3 days of making them. AND my mind would have been obsessed with the food -- unable to stop thinking about it until I ate it myself. Really, truly, this is a miracle. Or just great surgery. As to the topic on hand, I too think that the psych evals are meaningless -- seriously, how many morbidly obese people do not have an eating disorder??? and if they have this type of surgery, how many continue with their previous patterns of eating?? I bet not many. Well I could go on and on . . so I'll stop. Good luck with the insurance -- I would do the 6 months because it'll set good ground for you after the surgery.

What a nice, awesome compliment I bet you're on the moon! Besos!

Very weird coincidence! I have been battling this for a while now -- just talked about it on my vlog -- yes, I have no issues with embarrassing things But I took metamucil (yes, nasty) and then one of those "help you go" yogurts and put a bunch (2 Tbsp) of fiber in it (read flax seed, bran, etc.) and then drank some coffee (I am allowed now) -- and I was victorious! Because we are so focused on Protein, we forget that we need to still get some fiber in -- so whatever works for you -- just be REALLY careful of laxatives -- they can do real damage to your plumbing!

I lost 18 lbs. pre op and then came home post surgery and weighed the same as I did before I lost 18 lbs. I was sooo disappointed. But those 18 came off really really quickly -- it was the best and fastest weight loss week I've had yet (and I'm almost 4 months post op!) So, never fear, it will come off

Thanks so much Kim -- you really don't know how much that means to me -- so many people have been so helpful to me that I thought that I might be able to give back in a small way. Thanks and big hugs!

I'm a wait and see person too -- I've basically been obese for a good 20 years (granted I've had some slender moments, but they were moments). I do know that my pregnancies were killers on my stomach -- my son was a 10 1/2 pounder, so my stomach is not the most attractive. I have been talking to my husband about it and he's open to it, but asking him to think about it is like pulling teeth -- sigh. So, I'll wait and see -- I've got to lose all my weight first and then they recommend that you wait at least a year to see where the land lays so to speak . . .

Thanks Sleeve -- never considered Fredericks!! I guess the most surprising thing for me has been that even though I've lost a ton of inches in the boob area, mine are still relatively big, sigh. Granted, I have at least 60 more pounds to go, so maybe I'll be smaller yet! Thanks again!

I'm almost 4 months out and my periods are VERY different -- granted, I'm almost 47 BUT, my periods look different, are shorter, and come earlier. Pretty soon, I'll just have one period, and that will be it Seriously, mine are different too and I'm getting up there toward menopause . . .

Thanks guys -- there are a lot of VSGers out there on YouTube including me -- for me, it's another way to make myself accountable and to kinda capture how I'm doing *that* day . . . speaking of which, I gotta do one today, I'm a day late! yikes!

SN............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.........Lbs to Goal LilMissDiva.......235..................235.............220..............15 MRSKOUBIK....317..................283.............267..............16 Sleeve 4 me...166..................166.............154..............12 LeslieH...........212..................212.............199..............13 Cwalker..........250.................180..............170..............10 Moni luv..........190.................190..............178..............12 LET'S DO IT Yolanda240.....236.................203..............170..............33 Mommy2Girls....275.................240..............228..............12 Kgremmy.........225.................210..............199..............11 Sailorgirl...........240.................220..............200..............20 Ibejjo.............249..................249..............229..............20 Juliarh.............230..................230..............215..............15 Well, I'm being conservative this time -- if I go beyond my goal, then hurray! If not, then great too Let's kill it, guys!

SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Avilda .................270.............196..............184............12 (12-9-10 191 down 5) Back on track!!! BlackBerryJuice...........208...........155...........155..............0 (Dec. 19th goal - reached a week early!!!!) Brendasgonnalose 335......244.............235............4 ( 12-20-10 239 down 3) Chilo1.............216...................169..............154................15 (down to 160- so back to original goal of 154!!!)) Dansha...........220..................220...............195................25;) DJackson........246.................230...............220................10 Filosophia Scandinavia...205...205.............187...............17 (Will be sleeved on the 30th November) Fit ..................290.................250.8..............235.8............15 GayleSBennett ....232.................201................189...............11 Good Luck everyone! =) Juliarh............303.6.................230..............225................5 (not bad) Kgremmy........225..................221..............199................22 (being sleeved 12/14/10) Labrys............238..................208.................193...............15 Laylasmojo......242.................200.6.............185.............15.6 LilMissDiva........247...............236.............226.8..........9.2 Lisalu..............210..................137..............130.................7 livelovelaugh....236..................216................196...............20 Maddie............257.................167................147................20 merieri............240..................206...............190................16 Mini-Me...........203...................126.6..............125.............1.6 (Getting Better!) Mommy2Girls....275..................256.............240...............16 - GOAL REACHED! mp8btpc.........199...................160...............145...............15 pattimomof3NJ.....203.4..........168.1............170...............-1.9 BELOW GOAL!!! Pumpkin97....220...................150...............143...............7 (this is my goal for Jan 1 2011) Sleeve 4 me ...204...................166..............164..............2 Stacy160.........258..................174...............148...............16 StaySea........299...................299.................275.............24 twoboysandagirl..226..........212................199..............13( made goal 8 days post op) NEW GOAL 185 FlyGirl...........260.................227.................219...............8 LeslieH.......212.............212............ 200..........12 Ok, I'm calling my weight as of today -- I lost 17 pounds total since the beginning of the challenge (not bad) -- if I lose more I just start with the new Valentines day challenge. I think if it had not been the holidays I might have made my goal, but heck, I think I did pretty well Thanks everyone, this was fun!

Hi BonBon -- I still take an acid blocker (PPI) and I'm almost 4 months out -- my dr. said up to 6 months -- now, everyone's dr. is different, but it can't hurt to take a PPI and see what happens. That said, pain should not be there -- you do need to go to your dr. or your PCP -- they should have a operator service that will answer the phone and relay a message -- Let us know how you're doing, ok??

After almost 72 pounds this is what I like so far: with you on the wiping (sad fact) walking/running stairs is NOT an issue (just walking was before) running on the treadmill (just walking a mile was huge before) getting in and out of cramped parking -- my hubby used to have to pull the car out for me to get in, now he doesn't! not worrying whether a friend's car's seatbelt would fit me shopping with my daughter in "normal" stores figuring out what my taste in clothes is not feeling like I stick out tying my shoes without asking for help putting my foot on my leg to get my shoes on bending over without losing my breath that's a small fraction of the things I'm so happy about -- I bet I could go on and on . . .

Hi Brownbear -- I see no one has posted and I think it's because (or at least I) don't have any experience with this -- I would go to your PCP asap because elevated blood pressure is nothing to sneeze at -- but it could have something to do with the surgery, but it might not -- I guess I just wanted to say that we are here for you even if we don't know or have any experience with what's going on. Please take care and let us know what happens!

Wow!! I love seeing someone who's been out a year tell us what life is like on the other side Thank you so much for sharing! I love too that you have done much of what I want to do when I'm able -- run 5ks, zipline through the jungle, etc. Thank you, thank you for sharing!!