barbannn

Hi, I had a sleeve 12/2009 and was the poster child for success. I lost all my weight, made it to goal, ran two 1/2 marathons...., life was good. Regrettably, much of the weight has crept back. I have gained 40ish lbs and am now at a BMI of 31.5. I am considering converting to bypass. I was wondering if any of you could share this experience? I will be private pay, my insurance does not cover bariatric procedures.... Regrets? How much did you lose with the revisional surgery? Basically I am healthy - no GERD...., having an endoscopy in a few weeks to monitor stretch.... I am thinking resleeving will put me back in the same position in a few years, but bypass has malabsorptive issues. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the scoop! I just ordered some from Amazon, but they still do have some calcium. I don't guess that is really bad, it is just not the recommended type we take, so I also take the correct type in a calcium supplement. I will check at Wallyworld the next time I am there. I usually go to Sams, so maybe they have it too!

I just had a tummy tuck and breast reduction. It was the right choice for me. I had already had one breast reduction prior to WLS, but I wore a 34GG prior to surgery. Ridonkulous. After I got within 10 lbs of my goal, I was still at a 34F, and I went in to consult for the tummy tuck with 3 surgeons. They ALL said, after the tummy tuck, my breasts would look EVEN bigger, and suggested that I do another breast reduction. I did both at the same time. I am only two weeks out, and my breasts still have so much swelling, you kind of have "armpit" boobs from the swelling, but my hubbie thinks they are FAB! I have not bought a bra yet, but my guess is I will be a 34 C or D, which is good for my frame.For me, it's the tummy tuck really made me feel the best. I actually have a waist for the first time in 25 years. I was used to big, saggy boobs. But, I do not miss that apron! I just might tuck in a shirt this fall? It is tough, but for me, it was the right decision. I never really thought about doing anything to my face, but it actually looks older since I have lost weight. Too bad, I couldn't have held onto just a pound or two above my shoulders! I am not saying I wouldn't do something for this, but not today. I kind of felt like maybe to do MORE surgery was not really appreciating the weight loss, but now that it is behind me, I am glad I went through it.

Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Way to go! Soooo happy for you. I believe I will make my goal by my one-year date. It is such a great feeling! YEAH! If I could figure out how to post pics, I would.....

I am so happy for you DeeDee! CONGRATULATIONS!

I am 8+ months out, and I too worry about stretching my pouch. I do not want to ever mess up my pouch-friend! I am now at goal, and seem to be able to balance my calories in and keep this weight stable. It is kinda scary - but so exciting- I just eat what I want to eat at this point. I track my protein on MyFitnessPal, and that is about it. I cannot binge on the things that used to get me into trouble, but I still have them from time to time. This week, I had chocolate muffins in the kitchen and one night I ate a muffin top, and that was plenty. Before the surgery I would have eaten 3 entire muffins - no joke - and probably thought about a fourth. One of the VERY best things for me about the sleeve, is that for the first time in about 20 years I DON'T feel like I am on a diet. What a blessing! I am just hoping that the sleeve stays just the way it is!

Stcyt - Hang in there - you will get there at just the right time for you. Hey I have lost 2 pounds of hair this month : ) - See what you have to look forward to? (Just a bad joke, but seriously my hair is just falling out like bananas.)

It is a tough one. I am having a tummytuck and breast reduction next month. Like Tiffykins said, it does not look aweful - unless I am naked - but it bothers me. One of the biggest things for ME is that it is a constant reminder of when I was overweight. I bought some skinny jeans - it rocked - for a trip, but it is sometimes hard to feel skinny when you have rolls of skin on the top of the jeans. I am gonna live around the thighs - I am just so thankful they can run! But the tummers apron will soon be a goner.

I am having a lot of hair loss too. But like Fabat50, I am not as diligent as I should be with regard to getting my protein in daily. It fills my brush, it's all over the floor when I sweep, it is gobs in the shower or bath drain. When I used to pull my hair back I would wrap a hair band twice and it would be tight - now it wraps 4 or even 5 times. I had really thick hair, so I am ok - for now - no scalp peeking through. I am about 5 months out, and I guess this is just part of it. I know it will come back, the chia pet head is kinda weird in places. With that said, I still would not trade it for the weight - NO WAY!

How was the Dallas meeting? Details...... I am so sorry I missed you guys!

I was a "light weight" and am sort of a slower loser, I suppose. I have lost 40 lbs. since 12/29. But to tell you the truth, I am ok with it. I am in this for the long haul and I feel SOOO much better even 40 lbs. down. I have about 20 more to go, but am super short, 5'2"..... Inch by inch.....

Tomorrow is jean day at my work and I needed to go buy some new britches. It was a very full circle day for me. One of the "ah-ha" moments for me was about a year ago at the Gap. I went in to buy some jeans and the 14's were way too tight, and they were out of 16's. So I left with no pants, and the realization that my weight had gotten to a point where I could not find a size in a "normal" store, only in plus size stores. Today, when I went into that same Gap, I started with the 12's - too big, the 10's - still a little too big. I left with a SIZE 8! (They are snug as a bug, but I am still about 20 pounds from my goal) A size 8 and a SMALL t-shirt. It was exhilarating. I am so thankful to my surgeon and the support from this listserv. It played a critical role in me making the decision to get sleeved 4 months ago. I feel like a new woman!

Rlocke, Hang in there. It is a long race and remember we are just at the beginning! I was sleeved at the end of Dec., so I am bit further out than you. I probably eat a bit more carbs that is ideal, but I make sure all of my food is as healthy as possible. Most days I have 1/2 yogurt & 1/2 cottage cheese, then for lunch usually tuna, but today I had 5 think ham slices with one wedge of laughing cow cheese, then I roll them up. They are yum. Tonight I plan to have swai (fish) and roasted veggies. I always save myself a late night treat of either a sf fudge pop or sf popsicle. I have lost about 30 so far, but only lose about 1-2 pounds a week at this point.

I have heard that when you are "losing" to not weigh more than once a week, but once you reach goal, weigh everyday. I cannot honestly say I can do that. I weigh way too often, but I will share the "wisdom." I kinda think stalls are just part of the journey - not that that is a great comfort, but I know it took me a long time to gain the weight and I need time to lose it also. It is all about the long-term results, right. Try and think of this as just a little road block.

Barbara, I take the Bariatric Advantage chewable. It comes in a Passion Fruit flavor. I don't think it is bad, but their calcium is THE WORST. I can't get it down. I have some samples - love samples - and I am just going to toss them, they are that bad.

Angel, My nutritionist says I am ok too, but I am with you, I want to be the healthiest. I also want to be sure and keep these in place to hopefully keep my hair from falling out. I think that is more of a protein issue. I also am going to get some of the shampoo Tiffykins recommended - can't remember the brand? You will probably know if you need iron. I got super tired and dizzy when I would stand up. Within one day of adding iron, I felt so much better. But, I find the iron to make me have to have a relationship with Milk of Magnesia. I was soooo excited when I found it in cherry flavor - made me feel about 100!

NtvTxn, You should give up the fish oil prior to surgery. I used to take it too, but I believe it causes bleeding. The only liquid I take is I will put 4 drops of Vitamin D on my cottage cheese about every other day. I have low Vit D levels - I did before surgery. All my others are chewable. I have to find some of those gummy multis...

Sleevers, I am two months post-op and feel I have the protein counting down, but am not certain I am on track with my supplements. Here are the vitamins I currently take, how does this compare to what you take? Daily A.M. 1 Prevacid (Why do we take acid-reducers? I do not have any reflux issues - do you still need to take these) With Breakfast which is usually cottage cheese & yogurt, 1 250 mg calcium citrate supplement (Can't wait to try the lemony Cal-cet when I run out of my current supply.) 10:00 ish 2 Viactive multivitamins - but I found in the small print this weekend that they have the "wrong" kind of calcuim, so I need a new chewy, chocolate multivitamin - Any suggestions? 4:00ish Every 3rd day, either a B12 or an Iron supplement. That's it. I just don't want to be missing something my body is needing. Thanks for sharing your regime.

Way to go! Keep up the great progress! Barb

I really have enjoyed taking the chewable multi-vitamins, Viactive, but now I cannot seem to find them without Calcium. Their calcium is not calcium citrate - which is what I was told to take. I was told NOT to take calcium carbonate. Do any of you have a source for a chewable like the Viactiv that does not have the calcium? I take the calcium citrate separately with a Bariatric Advantage supplement. Thanks so much for your help!

I had that pain too, and then it seemed to subside. I never really knew what caused it, I called it the "boob pain." I always have had more tenderness on my left side in general. I am so sorry for your pain, I hope it goes away. Never hurts to give the doc a buzz.......

Way to go Anna & MrNick. Those stalls are so discouraging! I am glad you busted through it! Way to go. Words of wisdom (from Anna) are true - trust the process. I am so happy for you both! Barb

DeeDee, So proud of you! What an accomplishment! You are such an inspiration. I love that you put in the pic of your scale! Way-to-go!

Anna, It was so good to see you too. Seems like it was soo long ago you were checking-in on me following surgery. I thought is was really weird too. It has not been bad yesterday or today, so maybe I just overdid it driving up and all. Friday, I was all set to call Brittany, now I feel fine, so maybe it was just a muscular thing because of sitting in the car so long. I was stiff as a tree because I am not comfortable driving in the snow. Ya'lls weather has just been crazy!

I have to say, I couldn't wouldn't have been up to Seaworld. I just wanted to be at my house. I was pooped, and felt enough out of sorts, that being in a busy public area just would not have been relaxing for me.