Rootman

Kewl, encourage is always welcome.

Yeah, surprising how bony your knees will get. Get a knee pillow, it works wonders.

Not WLS related but I would like to know that I will still have a job in 2013, things are pretty scary right now where I work.

Yep, same here, oozed blood and blood serum for a few days. The place I went to did nothing to close it up which I really thought was poor practice. I used some steri strips I had left over from a cancerous growth I had removed to close it up. Once removed keep it covered and change the dressing as directed.

Congrats! Wait till your wedding band falls off your finger. I literally stepped out of my shoe one day. So much better than trying to find a pair of pants that's big wnough isn't it?

I seem to remember being that way too, perhaps the reduced mass is changing our center of balance? Changed muscle mass confusing our nervous system? Just the massive change in diet? Maybe someone more in the know will chime in.

Hey, a true blue guy here, don't over analyze it. He meant it as a compliment, take it as such and let it go. The guy loves you, appreciates what you are doing and of course is pleased with the results. Tell the truth, YOU think you look better don't you? Well so does he. Keep up the good work and reward the guy for paying attention.

Yes, see if it helps.

2 years Dec 6th and holding my own. Best thing I have ever done for my health.

Kewl dude! Congrats! I'm only 4 days ahead of you.

Yep, all of them, except it's King Size Direct catalogs instead of Lane Bryant And also slipping into restaurant booths - in fact I sometimes CAN'T use them because they sit too far BACK and I can't reach the table comfortably. The floor also gets higher, at least that's what I feel like when I bend down to pick up something, used to have to kind of hold on to something and work my way down - now I just bend down and back up. i don't have to look like a slob and can tuck my shorts in - and they STAY in and don't pull out when I sit.

What Frank says is right, the GAS that is inserted into your abdomen is NOT affected by GASX strips, you simply have to give it time, in fact only a few hours after surgery ALL the gas that was used (CO2 BTW) is GONE and what you are left with is nerves running through the abdomen that have been stretched and irritated and causing "pain" sensations in various areas, neck, back, elbow, etc. And walking DOES help this as it just helps settle everything and gets it back to where it should be sooner. It also takes your mind off of the pain. Post surgery normal stomach gas caused by everything from reactions to drinks and food to swallowing air CAN be helped by GASX strips. Our poor little tummy is swollen nearly shut and ANY gas at all makes it ache. The strips dissolve on the tongue and really should not count as "anything to eat or drink". Again, GASX does NOT help alleviate surgical "gas pains" just plain old stomach gas aches.

Most guys see a pretty good rise in their desire as the hormones are diluted less by decreased body mass. Women seem to feel more desire but as we all know EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Wait a few weeks then ask the doc. There is a lot of stuff going on and your rapid decrease in calories is bound to screw up your chemical balance for a while.

Congrats! Ain't it great? Not having your shirt pull OUT when you sit down is next on the agenda.

I had 3 bouts of kidney stones and finally started something by doc told me about - drink LOTS of Water and then drink an EmergenC Vitamin C drink ( http://www.emergenc.com/ ) every other day. It supplies Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid which will help acidify your urine and help stop the formation of Calcium type kidney stones. I started it over a year ago and have not had an issue with stones again. You can get them EmergenC in the USA at nearly any pharmacy or most superstores. I add TWICE the amount of water to dilute it somewhat and add a packet of artificial sweetener, the strong acid MIGHT be a little too much on our wee little stomachs all at once.

We all feel for you and it is unfortunate that this did not work out for you, in a majority of cases it does. Be that as it may you are struggling in a seemingly uphill battle and we all wish the best for you as you continue to struggle with these issues. This can also serve as a reminder for others that this is generally a safe, easy procedure but like ANYTHING can have dire consequences on occasion. It is MAJOR surgery you know. Again, we want nothing but the best possible outcome for you, please let us know if there is anything we can do for you to support you in your hours of need.

OK, let's tone the poo flinging down a little on this thread, please. Melanie, as been pointed out it is YOUR decision. Unless your parent are paying for it, or providing the insurance then it again is up to YOU to heed their advice or not. We all wish the best for you no matter what decision you make.

Tiffykins was always one of my favorite posters and I don't see her any longer. I checked her profile ( http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/user/11-tiffykins/ ) and it said she hasn't posted since September. It's also completely blank, no pics or info at all, everything deleted. I know she got preggers and had a baby, her last post said as much ( http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/40359-my-absence-my-apologies-my-updates/#entry359274 ) . Is she gone for good?

Call if you want an answer, but be prepared to be confused again as many people on the same TEAM disagree as to how much, how long or even if it's necessary. I did mine for two weeks, was asked to do 4 days. I stretched it to 2 weeks to, as stated above, help shrink my liver and to also make sure my colon wasn't packed full when I went into surgery - it can be very unpleasant having to bear down and push if - like many - you get constipated post op. It also does absolutely NO HARM to do it, and most everyone can do it for 2 weeks with a surgical procedure scheduled at the end, it gives you real motivation to complete it. it will also help jump start your weight loss. And every pound counts!

I don't remember anything like that exactly, it's been 2 years after all. I do remember that after about a month or two I got a real sharp cut like pain and after consulting others we thought it was the cut nerve ends in the main incision healing or reconnecting and firing off in protest. It too went away after bout a week. Felt like a paper cut on my belly though.

Yeah, I agree, unless you are chugging water there is little risk, and believe me when I say you will NOT want to chug post-op, drinking and eating is generally very unpleasant for the first few weeks or months - as you have probably experienced too.

No. It may be something as simple as you sleeping wrong and pinching something. I would highly recommend that you monitor this situation very, very carefully as there is a very real chance you could have something like a blood clot that lodged in a major artery. Is there any coldness to the limbs? And obvious bruising? I would check with the doctor immediate if the symptoms persist mare than just a few hours.

Welcome! We all wish you the best in your new adventure. You certainly are fortunate to have your surgery paid for 100% should you choose it. I think you'll find that MOST people here on the forum are all FOR WLS but thee are a few that regret their decision, I'm sure some f them will chime in. Remember it is YOUR decision ALONE that counts.

Nope. it's great being "normal" again. This operation will pay for itself sooner than most investments in ANYTHING will, saved food costs and MUCH saved health care costs.

Yep, I'm 2 years out and I can eat anything I want - I just don't/ For the most part the hunger is gone, I am not feeling starved like I used to, when I get hungry now it's just a little bit and not the gnawing hunger I used to have. I do eat a lot less but it's still easy to eat too mcuh and it takes just a few extra calories to start packing on the pounds again.