kyllfalcon

Someone is a brainiac....

We haven't defined what low BMI is/was. I was at 39.something, almost 40, and lost weight quite rapidly, about 85 pounds in 9 months. I was not muscular, and still am not. I did not exercise before or after surgery. I did eat a diet high in sugar and carbs pre-surgery. My base metabolic rate was measured before surgery and once I reached goal. In both cases, it was pretty high. Which was great for speedy weight loss, but it's shameful on the other hand because it means I had to work pretty hard to get that big in the first place. I don't know why I lost so rapidly and without a real stall. But I am grateful! I just don't think we'll find a good pattern in the circumstances and results. It just seems that everyone's body will do what it wants to do. The key is to just keep following the program.

Ditto. And if it goes up, it's mine. It is what it is when it is.

Hilarious!!! As a formerly very-regular poo-er, I have to join in the commiseration regarding the Poo Monster. At one year out, I am regular again, I go every day, sometimes several times each day, but usually it's the jagged little marble things. But, like you, every now and then some smelly serpentine thing comes along. WTH??

Same here. I peed myself sneezing, coughing, even laughing hard. Not any more! Got a boat load of Poise in every size. Had to keep a wide range on hand, depending on how bad the cold/cough was. And speaking of cold/cough, I have had only one instead of the usual three in a year's time, and it was far milder than usual! Yay!

pdxman, you are my hero. Really. You've overcome so much. And while you enlisted the help of AA and a sleeve, and only you know what all else, YOU are the common denominator in all those positive changes and successes.

Since I have cottage cheese for lunch on work days, I pack sliced cheese for my afternoon snack. I usually have two slices. It's more than 100 calories. But I need about 2100 - 2200 to maintain, believe it or else. I also eat unsalted roasted nuts, both peanuts and almonds. I eat whatever the serving suggestion is, in the case of my brands, 28 grams of almonds and 30 grams of peanuts. Yummy, and they have some Fiber.

I have found that if I wear a shoe with a different height heel, even just a little different, than what I typically wear, it will force my body into a different posture and strain my knees. I have also found that my body is constantly realigning stuff from the drastic weight loss.

Did you have sutures? That clear glue stuff? Sounds like you may be allergic to something. I've had an allergic reaction to sutures several times, always to tape, and sometimes to other adhesives. Maybe just a wee bit of Benedryl cream on them?

I'm 60, was 59 when I had my surgery. Listen, you don't have to be young to be scared! I was bawling my eyes out on the way into the operating room!! And before the surgery, when I was considering it all, I was scared to death of the lifestyle change I knew must happen. It all turned out to be so easy... so hang in there, this will be the best thing you could do for yourself!

Me, too. And they have some great firming potions too. None are cheap. All are worth it.

Can't speak to the menstrual issue, too old! But the pooping... oy. That crap went on until the end of the third week. It stopped just in time for going back to work. It was nasty, frequent, almost uncontrollable. Passed, just like everything else. Then the constipation ensued...

I started taking Biotin, the higher dose, before surgery. Post-surgery I quickly got my Protein intake up to the required 60 grams and exceeded it, often getting well over 100 grams by a few months out. My dang hair still fell out. Not by handfuls, but one hair at a time. It didn't start until later than most people's loss, maybe at 8 or 9 months. I don't have any bald spots, but I do have thinning in the typical top of the head male pattern baldness spot. It stopped falling out at about 11 months, and has not yet started regrowth at 12 months. Fortunately, I started with a surplus of very thick hair. And my hair is very dry, where it never was before. And my skin is dry and my nails are thin and brittle and fragile. But this shall pass. I'm slathering it all with the best products I can find. It will be ok. It's not forever. And it is worth it. Fat with lots of thick beautiful hair? Or thin with not quite so much hair? Easy call.

And if you are not absolutely tracking every morsel that goes into your mouth, start now. It is so easy to let intake get out of control, totally unnoticed, if you don't track. And measure your portions. You know how to do this. Just start over with the basics.

Be aware that different group plans, even if covered by the same carrier, may and do have different schedules of benefits. Just because two groups are covered under, say Blue Cross, does not mean that the two groups will have the same coverage. Each carrier, Blue Cross, Aetna, Humana, etc,. will have numerous plans, each of which will cover different things and/or will pay more/less on different procedures/treatments. It does very little good to ask someone else who has the same carrier if and how it paid for this or that. Best thing to do is to call the number on your card and ask them.

Oh My. You look absolutely fantastic!!! So trim!!! Congratulations, gmanbat. And your clothing choices are just PERFECT. Thanks for sharing with us!!

Dang. I've endured both electrolysis and VSG!! And in both cases totally worth the pain and expense. Yep, full beard... but no more.

Lots of questions!! That's good, a wise person will ask a lot of questions before making such a major and irreversible decision. I can't answer them all, but I'll give some of them a go. Being active before surgery can only help, can't hurt. Lots of folks who were never active become active after surgery, so you'll have no trouble returning to activity, it'll just put you on the sidelines for a very short while. Don't worry about the size of your stomach. Every surgeon has his or her preferences, but in the end we're talking about millimeters of difference. The standard is to remove about 85%. That sounds awful, but it really isn't. Some folks have longer stomachs than others, so those folks can eat more than those with shorter stomachs, because the surgery only affects the circumference, not the length. You'll be able to eat enough to sustain yourself. Lots of folks experience regain, so that proves that the stomach won't be TOO small. It's fairly unpredictable what you will/will not like/tolerate post-surgery. I loved Water before, drank it constantly, can't stand it now. But I compensate with Crystal Lite and tea. I do drink coffee every day, but it was a few months out before I could resume. I am able to eat all the sugar I want, unfortunately. But I've read it makes some folks sick. Same with Protein drinks. Some couldn't stand them before or after. I loved them before and after. I had to MAKE myself stop drinking them at about 10 months out because I was then able to eat all the protein I need, and was taking in too much, believe it or else. I eat two servings of nuts every day. Post surgery, they are a healthy source of protein and Fiber. Fiber becomes hard to get in, so don't discount nuts. Fruits, well, you will not eat much of that for a while. Too high in sugar and carbs when you need to focus on protein. I personally haven't had wine or any other alcohol in my year post-surgery, but lots of folks do have it and fare well. They just drink much less and nurse it over a longer period of time. I have not experienced any reflux before or after surgery. Maybe someone else can chime in on the points I've missed, or share their experiences. Good luck with your decision!!

You've done marvelously well! Congratulations!! You'll be there soon!! My most effective tool is just being mindful. When I want something to eat, I stop to determine where is that "want" coming from? Where is that physical sensation of "hunger" located? My tummy? Good, I'll eat!! My mouth? Nope, not yet.

This reminds me of something I just became aware of yesterday, pertaining to how we can be treated so differently when large. I am in physical therapy for two herniated cervical discs. I am going to the same therapy facility as when I had a total knee replacement back in 2010. (Yep, falling apart here...) The physician who owns and operates the facility treats me no differently now than in 2010; he seems to be a genuinely kind and caring person, and I feel that he addresses ME, not my body. But his assistants and employees treat me much differently now. They look at me, they speak with me (not just to me), and they seem to care more. In 2010 I was heavy, not at my peak, but still quite heavy. And in 2010, no eye contact, no chit chat, no interaction, just directions. I have given this quite a bit of thought and I don't think it's because I am behaving differently. I have always thought that I'm the funniest person I know and that I can get a fence post to laugh at and talk with me!! I never met a stranger. I truly believe THEY are behaving differently because I am a normal size now. I hate this kind of thing. I am sorry we have to endure such treatment. I am sorry that your friend anticipates rejection. There is a reason she feels that way.

Gee Whiz, hurry up, will ya?? Wanna see!!

Thanks!! It's a wonderful experience and feeling!

Can't wait to see!!!! Post several shots, please! It is just so much fun to buy nice normal clothes off the rack like nice normal people! It still freaks me out to pick up a regular size off the rack - AND IT FITS!!

Different surgeons have different views and rules on this, as you will find if you search for this topic on this forum. My surgeon allows NSAIDS. I am on the highest strength of prescription NSAIDS and have been since three weeks post-op, taking two doses daily with no ill effect whatsoever. I am one year out.

What?? Susan ran you out of the Powder Room?? She hasn't run me out of whatever y'all call The Man Cave thing!!