Matt Z

Shield your eyes.. Un-Requested d**k Pic!

Went to a local Gay bar with my wife and friends... got my ass grabbed a few times. That was an interesting thing. I don't mind... I'm totally comfortable with myself and my sexuality. Made me feel kinda good actually. At least someone thinks I'm grab-able LOL. I get a ton more attention all around too. It's quite fun.

And here I thought that DP's were like... Major NO NO's and girls didn't want to see that stuff. Or is it more a "didn't ask, didn't want" over just a "don't want"?

LOL Thanks... And that last part... LOL pretty proud of what I've got, now that it's not all hidden by the worlds worst turtleneck LOL!

So, I feel comfortable enough to post this here. I know it's really not all that impressive... But from what I've come from... The mass gains I'm seeing are freaking cool. It looks Photoshop, it's not. Yay saggy titties and wrinkle skin!

Totally normal. The surgery alone is enough to cause your hormones to go haywire. Then add the meds, weight loss. Fat stores estrogen, so all this fat loss is dumping more estrogen into your system. Make sure you are getting PLENTY of water (like upwards of 128 oz a day to help flush out your system and to help with more fat loss, it sounds like a lot, but it's really not that bad once you get yourself up to that amount).

My mom has Fibro, it's anything but imaginary.

I've heard (and experience) issues with pressure drops upon standing after resting recumbent for a while. But overall pressure hasn't ventured too far from perfect since surgery otherwise (for me anyway).

Firstly, totally normal. Second, TALK ABOUT IT! The worst thing you can do with your significant other is not tell him how you are afraid of what the changes will do to your relationship. Communication is super important, being 100% open and honest makes things easier, because you know exactly what each other is dealing with. Good luck!

It's just there. I notice the rippling across the skin, but that's really it. Propulsion is easier since we are moving less mass through the water, but you will need to tread more to keep afloat. I used to be able to float with ease, on my back my toes would exit the water without any effort, now, my feet drop.

Some thoughts. The sleeve is 100% not reversible. Full stop. 80% of your stomach will end up in the trash. The bypass *IS* reversible, contrary to popular belief. Since nothing is removed, only rearranged, it's all still in there in the off chance you have a major issue and need to put back. The sleeve will almost always exacerbate GERD and Reflux issues. The bypass will almost always cure GERD and Reflux issues. Not everyone with the Bypass gets dumping. The sleeve can still experience dumping. The malnutrition and "side effects" are minimal and controlled with ease. There are a number of Bypass Patients that are getting 100% of their required nutrition from food alone, no supplementation needed. But even still, a few supplements a day aren't really a major issue and it works into a daily routine with ease. Between the 2, The bypass beats out the sleeve on all metrics of weight loss, rate of loss, % kept off, etc. It might only be a few % points, but the Bypass wins out each time. For me, I was banded in 2011. The sleeve wasn't approved at that time and I was scare of the Bypass because I didn't want anything "permanent" (I wasn't aware of the reversal potential at the time) I wanted something that could be removed... well, I got exactly what I asked for, non-permanence. I was originally looking at revising from band to sleeve. But my surgeon would not do band to sleeve revisions due to increased failure rate due to scar tissue from the band intersecting where the staple line for the sleeve would go. I mulled over the options, which were do nothing, remove the band and that's it, or remove the band and revise to bypass. I opted for the Band to Bypass and I could not be happier with that choice. Wish I didn't let fear control my choice in 2011.

Post-Op taste changes do suck... but they do go away. I'd say suffer through it to get what you need to for nutrition... as long as those items aren't causing any gastric issues, just taste issues, you should be fine. Lots and lots and lots of water helps.

It certainly is reversible. The Sleeve is not. However Bypass reversals do not happen often due to how complicated they are. They are typically only done if there are major issues with a patient. Sleeve folks can get dumping as well... and Bypass folks don't all get dumping. You are still healing. You need to focus on that right now. For the "weakness" are you following your post-op diet? What does your daily water intake look like? Whats your daily protein intake look like? Have you discussed your issues with your PCP / Surgical Team / Nutritionist? If not... Why not? I'm coming up on 9 months post-op Band to Bypass revision. The first 2 months were tough. I had lots of times when I could have given into the emotions that were running rampant. But, it gets better. You just need to really focus on doing what you are supposed to be doing, consuming what you are supposed to be consuming and working with your doctors. I couldn't be happier with my Bypass now.

Congrats on the surgery. Between the 2, diet is pretty much the same after the initial post-op diet. Typically Bypass patients are on puree's before they leave the hospital while sleeve patients are on liquids only for a month. Between the 2, the Bypass has a higher rate of loss, higher success rate, higher rate of lbs kept off, etc. Only a few percentage points between the 2, but the Bypass wins out each time. *Insert "winning is winning" meme* I have not seen any Bypass patients that wished they had the sleeve. I do know many that had the Sleeve that wished they had the Bypass or end up getting revised from the Sleeve to the Bypass. As a Band to Bypass revision myself. I am beyond happy with the Bypass and truly do wish I had gotten the Bypass back in 2011 when I had the Band installed.

External "rub on" medications work. Also, watch that water intake... headaches are a warning sign of dehydration.

Find something that you can stand. There are so many different brands of protein these days it's crazy. Experiment and find what you like. I find it hard to believe that you dislike **ALL** proteins and **ALL** sugar free stuff.

Major changes in buoyancy! But otherwise, no real changes needed. I notice some extra movement on the loose skin but it's nothing crazy.

Men and Women can have the same hair issues, just guys don't notice it as often since we typically have shorter hair. I personally didn't notice any losses or thinning. Not sure why exactly, but, not going to complain about not having an issue LOL. Thanks!

I've still got 2 of them in my notifications list, but if it's dealt with on your end, I'm ok with them still being there. Thanks Ken!

@Ken S. Getting the same thing myself now... just noticed it a few moments ago. The e-mail address you provided is invalid. You will not be able to receive notifications and valuable rewards for your participation in our community. Just now

What's your water intake look like? Are you getting more than 64 oz a day, upwards of 128 oz? If not... you need to be. The human body needs 90-110 oz of water a day. This helps with many many things, including preventing constipation.

Congrats and good luck!

SWIM used dry herb and vape as soon as 1 week post op. They reported no issues with hunger control, increased pain reduction w/o meds, increased healing times, reductions in swelling, and improved sleep quality and overall they report it made post-op more tolerable. Only downside is controlling the cough, it was reported that pressing into the main incision point with the palm made coughing less problematic. It was reported that use also seemed to assist in gas pain reduction as well. Congrats on your surgery! Good luck and here's to a smooth and speedy recovery!

Understood, there is SO much scare tactic information flying around though. But, I agree, best to be safe. Post op however... all those anti-inflammatory and expedited healing properties are very VERY beneficial.

Agreed. I started the biotin like 2-3 months before surgery, haven't noticed any losses or issues. And agreed... ?