IslandGrrl

I went into this process feeling ashamed of me. I fought for as long as I could to keep myself from facing the reality that WLS was my most viable obtion for having any hope of a longer healthier life. I still feel a bit of a sting of shame when I talk about how much I have lost, because the reality is that I would not have the opportunity to lose so much, had I not been so large.
The shame that I once held about my need to have WLS has now been replaced by the joy of having made a decision which has so positively affected my life. I tell everyone that inquires about my loss what I have done. Those that have known me are so excited for me and realize just how much better my life and prospect of health are.
There have been a select few that have not openly stated their displeasure, but I sensed from them a sense of it. I have handle those people in one of two ways. If their hesitancy comes from concern for me and ignorance about the process, then I willingly share with them how dire my health had been, the benefits I have seen from the procedure and engauge them in conversations to help them understand my decision. The other group and admittedly there has been just one lady thus far, I have fun with. (insert sinister, evil side here). She is the lady that upon hearing that i had WLS told me she was doing it "the hard way" by doing weight watchers. I asked her if she had done WW before and she told me she had, I asked her how it worked for her, (bet you'll guess) she said, "It worked great while I was on it, but then I gained all that weight back plus more" I said that I was sorry to hear that it did not work for her before and asked her what she planned to do differently this time so that it would stay off. Funny how uncomfortable she became when the table turned. After stammering for a bit, yeah I let her kinda just babble, I said I sure hope it works for you this time. Then I explained that I had came to a realization that my health was important enough that I needed a more effective solution than riding another yo-yo.

When my weight was increasing, one of the most depressing events was when I realized that I had to raise the tilt of the steering wheel because it was brushing against my ever expanding thighs.
When I lost some weight pre-op, I lowered the tilt some, but thought there was at least one more adjustment. Well, on my way home from work yesterday, I noticed there was quite a bit of space between my legs and the wheel. When I got home, I went to adjust the wheel and ...thunk...thunk...it couldn't get any lower! I was happy and in shock!
I know I have a long way to go still, but for me, this was one small reminder that things are getting better.

To tell or not to tell...really is a very personal decision. In my case, I was never in any doubt that I would tell anyone who asked or if it came up naturally in conversation.
I may be in a different position from many because while in my 20s I lost over 125 lbs, and kept them off for over a decade, until my thyroid retired (it decided to stop working) in my late 30s. So, I have lost weight the "right" way, and been successful over the long-term. When my weight started to increase, I returned to what had worked for me in my 20s, and IT DID NOT WORK. It was then that I began the very damaging cycle of trying every diet under the sun, losing about 20 lbs, then regaining that and more. I made a well considered decision to have VSG because despite my prior experience and success with significant weight loss, it became apparent that my body was very different now, and I needed to find an alternative that worked.
I listen to those who want to share are their WLS horror stories, and then simply state that everyone's experience is different, and then move on. In my experience most people have been either neutral or supportive, but then I don't give anyone much opportunity to "bring me down" with anecdotes or uninformed opinions. I've done my research, and I'm secure in the decision I've made for myself. I am not ashamed of my decision, and I refuse to accept any stigma that others may want to attach to WLS.
Everyone has different life experiences, and so they will come to different conclusions about what is best for them. My perspective is that each decision is valid, and no one should feel pressured, either to tell or to not tell others about their surgery. If you are at peace with your decision, it is the right one for you, and that should be all that matters.

I had two NSVs:
1) I was able to kneel all through the Catholic Mass without hurting or leaning against the seat. In fact there was 2 inches between my butt and the seat.
2) A legally blind lady at my church asked me if I had lost weight.
Yay sleeve!

Kendall, Lots of things aren't fair, but the pre-op diet is because your surgeon wants you to have the best outcome possible. You need to follow his instructions as closely as you can so that you have the best chance of doing well during and after surgery.
I don't think a 1 time small cheat is going to hurt you too badly, but it should NOT become a habit. The diet is to do a few things, IMO. It's there to help shrink your liver, which reduces the chance of the surgeon harming it during surgery. It's also to get you and your body used to the diet you will have to follow post-op. I think it's also a way for us to detox from all the crap we've put in our bodies over the year AND a way for us to prove to the doctor that we CAN follow instructions.
Most surgeons have limited availability for surgeries. Unless they are superman, they can only do 3-5 surgeries a day, and then, only a couple of days per week, so they have to limit themselves to doing surgery on people that they know will benefit from the surgery.
If we as patients can't manage to follow the diet pretty closely pre-op, how do the surgeons know that we will be compliant afterwards and manage to lose our weight?
Attitude is everything with this journey, IMO. It's not going to seem "fair" that your friends can eat and drink unlimited quantities of food while you have to do liquids, then mushies, then tiny amounts of food one you are healed. If you walk around thinking "It's not fair", then you will be doomed to being unhappy with your surgery. If, on the other hand, you keep thinking "I'm losing weight and becoming healthier. That's great!" you will be much happier with the results you're getting.
I wish you lots of luck with your journey! I know that you'll do great and rock your sleeve!

When my weight was increasing, one of the most depressing events was when I realized that I had to raise the tilt of the steering wheel because it was brushing against my ever expanding thighs.
When I lost some weight pre-op, I lowered the tilt some, but thought there was at least one more adjustment. Well, on my way home from work yesterday, I noticed there was quite a bit of space between my legs and the wheel. When I got home, I went to adjust the wheel and ...thunk...thunk...it couldn't get any lower! I was happy and in shock!
I know I have a long way to go still, but for me, this was one small reminder that things are getting better.

Hang in there. The scale will move again. Stalls do happen, but if you just stay on track, they will end. For me, the first one was the worst because everything was still new. Once I'd broken it, I found that when it happens again I can reassure myself that it will end. You might want to try taking measurements. I've found that sometimes when the scale isn't moving, I'm losing inches instead. For me, knowing that at least I'm getting smaller makes the stall a bit easier to endure.

I had the sleeve done on Aug 19 2011. Age 55. Start weight was 380 pre-op. At date of surgery I was 342. Today I'm 238! and still loosing for a total of 142 lbs. While at JH I was treated better than any hospital at home. My hat off to the team and Dr. Almanza for giving my life back. Long gone is the high blood pressure pills. I/2 of my diabetes pills gone with my doctor telling me that within 2 months I'll be off them totaly. Gave ALL my clothes away --went from size 52 jeans to 38. WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY!!!!! Follow the pre-op and post-op rules to the letter, trust the team (I'm sorry I forgot to mention Louise Johnson and thank her) and start living the life God meant us to have--as a SKINNY(er).person.
Thanks for reading this and if you decide to follow through then call Louise and mention my name Jim Allen from Manitoba Canada

When my weight was increasing, one of the most depressing events was when I realized that I had to raise the tilt of the steering wheel because it was brushing against my ever expanding thighs.
When I lost some weight pre-op, I lowered the tilt some, but thought there was at least one more adjustment. Well, on my way home from work yesterday, I noticed there was quite a bit of space between my legs and the wheel. When I got home, I went to adjust the wheel and ...thunk...thunk...it couldn't get any lower! I was happy and in shock!
I know I have a long way to go still, but for me, this was one small reminder that things are getting better.

Fantastic!

kathy again, dr's office just called with new updated WLS date
instead of 12/6/11 - it is now 12/15/11.
They really did it quickly, and were really great.
looking on the good side, there always has to be a good side, i have an extra week for liquid self-imposed diet, dr. didn't require,
bye for now
kathy
til later - kathy

As someone who lost and was able to keep off over 100 pounds during my 20s and most of my 30s, I can say that in my experience, it has been much harder as I have gotten older. It is my understanding that the metabolism generally slows down with age, so fewer calories are needed to maintain the same weight. That being said, I have been very happy with my progress thus far. It may not be as fast as in my younger days, but it is certainly better than what it was pre-sleeve. For me, it is all a matter of managing my expectations.

The biggest "con" I've found is having the new, smaller clothes I just ordered on-line be too big for me by the time the shipment arrives. It's costing me a fortune, but it's a "problem" I'm willing to endure! LOL

Thank you for the suggestion. It's been ages since I've been to Goodwill, but I will have to check them out! :smile1:

I thought this would be a good prayer to pray, for you to bring comfort and peace doing this time, God bless you!!!
Father in the mighty name of Jesus, I ask you Lord to touch the mind and hands of each surgeon, nurse, anesthesiologist and caretaker who will come in contact with me during my hospital stay. Lord, I pray that my liver is small enough so that the surgeon could work around it. Lord I pray that there would be no complication during or after surgery. Father, Allow no hurt, harm or danger to come to me. I pray for minimal pain, minimal gas and no mishaps. I pray that I will return home as scheduled, and that my recovery will be an easy one. Lord, I know that I am in your hand and it’s You whom I put ALL my trust in and that You O’ Lord have control over everything and I am glad that You are my keeper and my safety place is in You Lord where I hide myself and find rest.
Thank You, Father for being the Creator of all things and creating me, NO ONE knows this body better than You.
Lord, I also ask in the name of Jesus that you would watch over my children, while I am in the hospital, place Your Holy Angels around them, for You, O’ Lord am their safety nest too. Thank You Father.
Amen.

I see all the pics everyone posts and everytime I just smile. The sleeve has brought out the inner fashionista in all of us. I just love how much more confident and happy we all are when we pose for pictures. I am sure this translates over into everyone's daily life as well. Keep doing what you are doing. You are making yourself a healthiear person for yourself and your family. We here always saw you shine and now you are shining from the outside as well as the inside. Rock those fashion forward clothes, rock that smile and that new born confidence that has been hiding and most of all rock your sleeve! You all inspire me to keep fighting the good fight.

We're stationed at the Embassy in Bishkek and recently attended the Marine Corps Ball. Days later, people are still coming up to me and complimenting me on my dress and how nice I looked!
I know it might seem odd to consider this a success story but I've always avoided attending the military balls because I always feel like the fattest girl in the room or the unattractive wallflower. I never felt comfortable enough to dance and I always left as soon as we could possibly break away.
This year I danced all night with my husband. I talked to everyone and had a great time. It was just an all around wonderful experience. My only issue was eating! They served about ten courses and it was hard to even try a taste of everything.
So I consider this a success story. Not only did I lose enough weight to look and feel great in my gown, but I shed enough emotional baggage to feel confident and have fun.
I just wanted to share!
~Cheri

I would like to say this is very personal for me. Before I ever knew about any weight loss surgery, I would always pray and ask God to help me lose this weight and I didn’t try many diets, but what I did do is started to eat more healthier and excised five days a week and when I go to the gym I didn’t play I worked hard at first I started to see this weight drop off. I was excited then four months down the line the pounds just stop coming off and I started to change my routine up with the help of some the personal trainer in gym, I attend and I would see a few pounds leave but then I would just be working out to maintain the weight I was at, not gaining nor losing. So, I kept praying asking God and I started to seek things that help a little but the same results and I end up just losing money, then one morning after I was in prayer I got on the computer and I tell you WLS just kind of jump out at me. I then went back into prayer and I ask God if it be His will, could I have this surgery and if so make a way for me, and give me the strength to do what is needed to be successful with this tool.
So, I started the process and only my youngest two children knew what I was doing, because they live with me and I had already started making life changes in my household with food, they knew my journey and seen what I had been doing. I told them what I had been praying about and ask did they want to go with me to the seminar and they went ask lots of questions and they are my biggest fans/supporters now. I told my oldest son and he said no mama that’s dangerous even though we use to work out together when he lived closer to me, and I had to tell him any surgery is dangerous and if I had any other disease that was life threating and surgery would be a tool to help me be healthy I would have it, I had to explain that obesity is a disease and he seen what I had been doing to help myself and it didn’t work out for me, so now I am getting a tool that will help me be successful with this weight loss and he is content, I haven’t told my oldest daughter yet and don’t know when I would tell her only because she can’t hold Water when it comes to family. A few others people maybe four or five that are very close and they are supportive with my decision. Oh yeah my parents and siblings don’t know either.
I am saying all this to you because this is a personal decision you have to make and live with the rest of your life. I do not depend on people, not even the surgeon, I put all my trust in God and my faith lies in Him to see me through this process and anything else I may have to go through in life, because He created me and knows this body better than me.
For I am not ashamed about the work that will be done in me, I will wear this sleeve like I was born with it.
I pray that you will have peace with the decision that you will make, and not be ashamed of becoming healthy with or without a tool, based on your needs and wants out of this life, you only have one life and I hope that you live it to the fullest in Jesus Name. Amen!!!
God bless you,
Gina

I ended up telling my all my in-laws. They were EXTREMELY supportive and cried. Just goes to show you that the people who you are scared of telling the most might just surprise you!

Thanks, Island Girl, I will see if my insurance company has a form also. I don't want to lose time but it is probably inevitable.

Good luck! I think all surgeons encourage you to walk as much as possible, so I would strongly recommend a comfortable pair of slippers. The hospital I was in provided slipper socks, but I really think it would have helped my early mobility if I had been able to have proper slippers.

Hi Everyone!
I've been reading the forums since before my surgery 8/22/2011, but this is my first post.
As I approach the 3 month mark, I can say that I am completely happy with my results. Although I didn't have any medical complications associated with my weight, it was a significant hindrance to my quality of life. As I became heavier and heavier, I found myself becoming more and more withdrawn from the world. Didn't go out shopping anymore, didn't visit friends, and teleconferenced at work rather than go to meetings in person. I wasn't happy with how I looked, and I didn't want anyone to see me.
Recently, I went on vacation with my husband. I really enjoyed ordering off the starter section of the menu, and only eating a small portion of the serving. The only awkward moments were when I had to reassure the servers that I was not unhappy with the food. :biggrin5:
I want to thank everyone who has posted over the last several months. I have learned a lot about this journey, and hope that I can contribute to the discussions in the future.