Sleeved&Hopeful

I confess that I am still not really seeing the new "thinner me" in the mirror. I know I've lost a lot of weight--but I still feel fat.
I confess that I worry that I won't get to my goal weight and I am done losing
I confess that I eat wheat thin crackers more than I should sometimes even though I consciously know I shouldn't
I confess I forget to take my Vitamins sometimes
I confess that I still worry that I'm too fat to be confident in social situations, so I avoid them still
I confess that I worry about my 17 year old daughter who is over 50 lbs overweight and headed to obesity. I secretly wish I could get her sleeved but she will ultimately have to make her own choices since she is almost grown. I have tried to help her but I don't want to force her into dieting because I know that leads to eating disorders. So I'm just going to love her and if she decides she wants help--I will help her in any way I can. And in the meantime--I will love her no matter what.
I confess that I worry about my boobs losing their bouncy fun for my husband :-)
And I confess that I do sometimes drink caffeinated coffee and love it.

Yup I bought the KFC mashed potatoes and they are soooo good. I also bought a small cup of Chili's baked potato Soup and mashed the potatoes in it and it was delicious.

Finding out I had type 2 diabetes at 35 years old ! Talk about scary!

Wish you a happy and safe surgery on monday!! Best wishes

Wish you a happy and safe surgery on monday!! Best wishes

Finding out I had type 2 diabetes at 35 years old ! Talk about scary!

Finding out I had type 2 diabetes at 35 years old ! Talk about scary!

I've just got to say to feedyoureye---very inspiring what you have done. Excellent job on finding a lifestyle change (5:2) that you can sustain and has resulted in you losing your regain plus some! There is a lot to be said for never giving up. Giving up is just not an option for us formerly obese folks. It's just NOT unless we are choosing to go back to our unhealthy lifestyles and health conditions. And also to oregondaisy who has also found success with losing that pesky 15 lbs that was driving her nuts. I am so happy for you guys. The sleeve is a tool but we have to do the work. Especially when it's been a couple of years! Bravo! And to all of you guys out there struggling with regain---there is always hope. Giving up on yourself means you're letting the obesity win. What would the pre-VSG YOU say about giving up after you'd gotten healthy? I am pretty sure pre-VSG YOU would be pissed if you gave up after regaining some small amount of weight and said screw it and let it keep piling on. Pre-VSG you would probably kick your azz and say let's get it together. Never forget where you came from and remember how crappy you felt before you got surgery. Whether it was just being uncomfortable in your own skin, whether it was diabetes (cough, me), high blood pressure, joint pain, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, (insert your poison here), whether you just wanted to avoid getting sick in the future DON'T forget that feeling. You never wanna go back there. Anyway, I'm just so passionate about all of us here. We deserve some health and happiness in our lives after morbid obesity and it just requires some effort and never giving up. The sleeve helps a lot too. I never want to squander the gift I was given with VSG. After all, some people can't afford to get surgery nor will their insurance cover weight loss surgery so how big of a douche would I be to squander this gift?. I would never squander this gift ever. So anyway I'm feeling passionate as hell today! Big hugs to you sleevers out there struggling! If you're lurking, don't forget we are behind you here and you can't ever let yourself go back to where you were. Never stop fighting for your health.

Finding out I had type 2 diabetes at 35 years old ! Talk about scary!

I've just got to say to feedyoureye---very inspiring what you have done. Excellent job on finding a lifestyle change (5:2) that you can sustain and has resulted in you losing your regain plus some! There is a lot to be said for never giving up. Giving up is just not an option for us formerly obese folks. It's just NOT unless we are choosing to go back to our unhealthy lifestyles and health conditions. And also to oregondaisy who has also found success with losing that pesky 15 lbs that was driving her nuts. I am so happy for you guys. The sleeve is a tool but we have to do the work. Especially when it's been a couple of years! Bravo! And to all of you guys out there struggling with regain---there is always hope. Giving up on yourself means you're letting the obesity win. What would the pre-VSG YOU say about giving up after you'd gotten healthy? I am pretty sure pre-VSG YOU would be pissed if you gave up after regaining some small amount of weight and said screw it and let it keep piling on. Pre-VSG you would probably kick your azz and say let's get it together. Never forget where you came from and remember how crappy you felt before you got surgery. Whether it was just being uncomfortable in your own skin, whether it was diabetes (cough, me), high blood pressure, joint pain, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, (insert your poison here), whether you just wanted to avoid getting sick in the future DON'T forget that feeling. You never wanna go back there. Anyway, I'm just so passionate about all of us here. We deserve some health and happiness in our lives after morbid obesity and it just requires some effort and never giving up. The sleeve helps a lot too. I never want to squander the gift I was given with VSG. After all, some people can't afford to get surgery nor will their insurance cover weight loss surgery so how big of a douche would I be to squander this gift?. I would never squander this gift ever. So anyway I'm feeling passionate as hell today! Big hugs to you sleevers out there struggling! If you're lurking, don't forget we are behind you here and you can't ever let yourself go back to where you were. Never stop fighting for your health.

I've just got to say to feedyoureye---very inspiring what you have done. Excellent job on finding a lifestyle change (5:2) that you can sustain and has resulted in you losing your regain plus some! There is a lot to be said for never giving up. Giving up is just not an option for us formerly obese folks. It's just NOT unless we are choosing to go back to our unhealthy lifestyles and health conditions. And also to oregondaisy who has also found success with losing that pesky 15 lbs that was driving her nuts. I am so happy for you guys. The sleeve is a tool but we have to do the work. Especially when it's been a couple of years! Bravo! And to all of you guys out there struggling with regain---there is always hope. Giving up on yourself means you're letting the obesity win. What would the pre-VSG YOU say about giving up after you'd gotten healthy? I am pretty sure pre-VSG YOU would be pissed if you gave up after regaining some small amount of weight and said screw it and let it keep piling on. Pre-VSG you would probably kick your azz and say let's get it together. Never forget where you came from and remember how crappy you felt before you got surgery. Whether it was just being uncomfortable in your own skin, whether it was diabetes (cough, me), high blood pressure, joint pain, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, (insert your poison here), whether you just wanted to avoid getting sick in the future DON'T forget that feeling. You never wanna go back there. Anyway, I'm just so passionate about all of us here. We deserve some health and happiness in our lives after morbid obesity and it just requires some effort and never giving up. The sleeve helps a lot too. I never want to squander the gift I was given with VSG. After all, some people can't afford to get surgery nor will their insurance cover weight loss surgery so how big of a douche would I be to squander this gift?. I would never squander this gift ever. So anyway I'm feeling passionate as hell today! Big hugs to you sleevers out there struggling! If you're lurking, don't forget we are behind you here and you can't ever let yourself go back to where you were. Never stop fighting for your health.

At this point I'm completely lost. I have compiled and documented everything I went through and what my mother, father, stepmother, and fiancé witnessed the first week or two when I was in and out of consciousness (thank you morphine!)
But I am CLUELESS as to finding an attorney. I've never had any issues with anything legal aside from jury duty. I'm well aware of the slim chance I have a case, and I know if I do it will be settled to avoid totally trashing his reputation. I hate that this is happening. My mother had a DS done by him one month after my complications and she has since lost around 120+lbs. I just say she's lost both Olsen twins. So far her surgery is going perfectly but she is developing a concern. She isn't watching her caloric intake, she gets her Protein, but she also consumes a lot of calories and is still rapidly losing weight. Whereas I have done everything by the book (diet and supplement wise) and in around 16 months have only lost around 50-60lbs. (I no longer look at the scale because it just depresses me.)
I'm STILL dealing with complications from the surgery. A VERY elevated SED rate, a higher tolerance to all medications (please save the narcotics speech, I cry almost every time I have to take a pill because I know the damage and the consequences.)
I strongly believe he didn't remove enough of the fundus. When I started puréed, 8 oz wasn't a problem. I have been sick once from drinking too much Water too fast, but never from overeating. I did my own cottage cheese pouch test...12 ounces before I even started feeling full! But I still always measure my meals 4-6oz as my "surgery bible" recommends for sleeve patients.
As much as I hate that I'm even thinking of this, maybe I need to get the lapband or look into a sleeve revision (different surgeon of course!)
I'm 5'4" and weigh 220ish give or take a few pounds. That's after a surgery that almost killed me. After a surgery I was promised by my surgeon that would get me to a healthy BMI as long as I complied. Well I've complied for over a year and nothing. I've tried boot camp, I've tried raising and lowering calories...anything an everything I've been advised to do by my nutritionist and the vets on this board and NADA. Something is not right.
I digress...how on earth do I go about finding good attorneys? Not the ones with PowerPoint commercials on local channels or faces on the sides of a bus. I need help finding a handful of lawyers to present my case to, to see if it's even worth pursuing. The statute of limitation in Indiana is 2 years. So time's a wastin'!
Any advice?

Hey there-
Just want you to know that I have definitely heard of 2 month stalls. Also you must have lost that 42 lbs REALLY FAST so maybe your body is just catching up from the rapid loss--which explains the stall.. Some people have a stall 3 weeks after surgery. Some people 3 months after surgery. Sounds to me like you hit the stall at 3 mos. If I were you I would make sure to get in some exercise at least 3 days a week for 45 min to an hour. DEFINITELY cut out the beer. Or try a lower calorie beer.
Check out:
http://getdrunknotfat.com It's a site that shows beer and the calorie content and even more. Be smart about it.
You can't let this stall control you. Just keep on eating right, exercise at least a few days a week, and either stop drinking or be smart about it. You will beat the stall.

Yes, there have been people who've had the switch after the sleeve. Either for weight loss for not reaching goal OR to help with diabetes (DS has a 92-97% cure rate for diabetes I believe) OR they have it to prevent regain. I know a sleever who had the DS at goal because she was afraid to regain her weight because she was freaked out about suddenly being able to eat more and she wanted to be able to eat more calories without gaining weight. So basically she had the switch added so she could ensure that she could keep her weight off. You can eat a LOT more food with a DS than with a sleeve. I would seriously consider adding the switch if I have to if my diabetes starts coming back (it's in remission) or if I start gaining weight at a later point. I would have gotten the DS to start with but to be honest I was scared of the complications that could happen physically and financially. I was afraid to physically have complications and I was afraid to financially have to pay for the complications being I had no insurance for weight loss surgery. I chose to go with the "safer" surgery and I've done very well so far but I'm only 2 years out but I would not be afraid to have the switch added if my diabetes began to come back. I've realized I'm more afraid of the diabetes coming back than I am getting the switch added.

Hang in there! I waited six years! I too live in Canada. And EVERYTIME I applied for the first 5 years I was told I didn't meet their program criteria because I was too fat...does that even make sense? So after five years of rejection and diets and fad diets and exercise regimes, I started the research on Medical Tourism. My family doctor was impressed with my research but she accepted my decision on going to tiajuana to get sleeved by dr. Ponce de leon. But she made me promise that we would try Canada one more time and I said sure whoever is first wins. So I contacted weight no more consulting out of Saskatoon sk, got accepted as a patient and got my surgery date of September 9, 2013...I called on June 18, 2013. And I could have gotten in sooner but the surgeons wanted to give me a couple months to shrink my liver as my starting weight was 384lbs. And low and behold not a week later I got my acceptance letter for to enter the bariatric clinic of Winnipeg. It would only be a 1.5-2 year wait for my surgeons consult. HAHAHA! I said forget it, flew to tiajuana and had my surgery on sept9 as planned. Now 4 months later I am down 134lbs and a million sizes and couldn't be happier! I had the fastest painless recovery ever. I am $12000 poorer mind you, but incredibly thankful. (Sorry for the long story) so be patient, explore all of your options and fight for what you want!

I have a dear friend who had the same experience with a lapband. She threw up every day even when she had the band completely unfilled. It was hell watching her become a bulimic against her will. I was shocked when she got the band unfilled and she was still throwing up. I was there when she got it unfilled and so I was beyond shocked when she was still throwing up her meals while we were out to eat and she had to find an empty cup to throw up into. I know not everyone has that experience and I am so sorry you have the same experience as my friend. She got the band out and revised to another surgery. She's doing very well now.
I know a few people the band has worked for so I mean no disrespect to anyone banded. We all want to lose weight and be healthy no matter what tool we choose. I always hope it works for everyone but unfortunately not everyone is blessed. I wish you the very best in your revision and peace from the throwing up. I just want to recommend staying on PPI's (Prilosec, Omeprazole) after you get sleeved for at least 6 months to ensure you keep the acid reflux at bay and then try to go off of it and see if you have acid reflux still or if it's gone. I have acid reflux since being sleeved and never had it before but luckily mine is pretty mild. 1 PPI (omeprazole) a day and I don't have to worry about acid at all and I have NO issues. I hope your GERD goes away forever. Best of luck!

I have to admit, I would have been very frustrated at this situation as well. She's only 2 years out and has already regained her weight back? That takes a MAJOR food addiction and perhaps a soda/milk shade addiction because of the massive restriction we as WLS patients have. At 2 years out in about 2 weeks, I would have had to work really hard at eating to gain back all my weight. I mean eating every 10-15 minutes of pure junk. Of course I bet it would have been pretty easy to gain back my weight if I were drinking milkshakes all day. I have to admit, I would have been pretty shocked like you. And I absolutely agree she should have seeked help sooner. But I think what I would have realized here is that her addiction is beyond anything I've ever encountered and her feelings of shame probably run very very deep. She very well could have been too ashamed to admit her issues in a way we could never understand. I hope she gets help and keeps coming back to group. I've heard of people regaining their weight back to starting at 5-10 years out but I've never heard of someone gaining their weight back by 2 years out.

This is exactly why I stay away from personal trainers. 2 years ago I lost about 30 pounds eating no sugar and exercising. I had this burst of confidence because I was feeling great and starting to exercise at a "real gym" so I took advantage of the "1st time free fitness trainer". Sweet, nice kid (prob 23) who did his best to make me feel comfortable in my 300 lb body at a nearly all male gym. I told him I had knee issues. I told him I was old (43) and that I was a nurse who spent 12-14 hours on my feet at a time and again, "bad knees". He had me doing box jumps even when I protested. Of course, I tore my MCL climbing up onto that box. Was on crutches for a week, escaped surgery but that was the end of aerobic exercise in 2011. Got depressed, fell off the wagon. No one listens to fat, middle aged women who are out of shape at a gym. I really think they feel like they are Jillian Michaels on The Biggest Loser and your capable of anything! I'd like to believe I could do anything but reality is, My obesity has damaged my joints. I pray, pray, pray I'll lose enough weight for the pain to go away and have some abilities to become "fit". But box jumping is out of the question. He really wasn't trying to get me hurt but he had no business "training" someone with severe Knee OA by box jumping. I took up swimming with the old ladies at the local rec and lost the majority of the 30 pounds later that year. I learned my lesson. I love the feeling of hard exercise. But I need to stay as injury free as possible. Injury = depression and frustration. Maybe ask for a PT consult to get a plan?

Diva it's wonderful to see you back! I do have you on my FB so I know a bit of what's been going on. You are an inspiration and whether you are a hardcore workout girl or not, you ARE inspirational. You are also human and these issues would make anyone upset and have issues. I am sorry you're having so many issues and I have to wonder how my labs are. I take my Vitamins daily and always have but I don't usually take "over" the recommended daily intake of anything. I just take the RDA per the ASMBS guidelines. I noticed the ASMBS guidelines were recently updated and they added 2 multis a day to VSG patients instead of just the 1 that was previously recommended. Ever since I saw that, I've started to take 2 multis a few times a week but not every day. I hate taking 2 multis because I get horribly constipated so I compromised and started taking 2 a few days a week. I'm starting to rethink that. I've always taken the RDA Calcium and B12. I got my labs done on my 1 year surgiversary last February and will probably get some done again soon since it's about to be my 2 year in just 2 weeks. The lack of instrinsic factor in our tummies really does have an affect, perhaps more than some surgeons thought in the past. This is probably why the ASMBS is adding 2 multis to the recommended Vitamin intake after VSG instead of just the 1 as in the past. I am sure they are seeing more deficiencies in VSG patients now than in the past because there is more time past since VSG was introduced. It's scary and I'm glad you and the other vets posted about that. We can't get complacent and forget to take our vites or forget to get our labs checked. Big hugs going out to you. I hope things get better for you quickly and I'm so happy to have you back! I always clicked on your threads and posts when I was a newb and will continue to.

Wow, I'm very late to this party, but it's amazing to see so many of the experienced vets back here - thank you! Whenever I need inspiration, or guidance, this veterans forum is my favorite place to be! Started off my morning on the wrong foot (in that OTHER forum - why why why do I go there?), and it's so much better here.
I just wanted to add another voice of support for supplements and regular labs. I'm about 2.5 years post-op, and still take bariatric-strength supplements religiously - a twice daily Multivitamin, 4x daily extra Calcium, and an Iron supplement (167% RDA), which I'll admit to occasionally taking twice (darn those yummy chewables!). I also eat read meat and spinach regularly. When I had labs done at a year, I was super low on thiamine, and d. I added a b complex, and high dose d to my regimen. Now, 18 months later I recently had labs done again. Thiamine and d (and b12) are great, but my ferritin levels are at 2. Last year they were on the low end of the normal range (12 or 15 - 150), I think I was at around 15. So, despite my regular supplementation, I've dropped to super-low levels.
I've been on a high dose timed release ferritin supplement, hoping to get my levels up without having to resort to infusions, I'll know in another 6 weeks if it's working. My symptoms were fortunately pretty mild, so don't count on that necessarily as a warning sign!
Lots of folks think sleeve patients don't need to worry about regular blood work because we're less prone to deficiencies than RNY patients, but "less prone" doesn't mean "not prone", right?

Only the formerly obese can be so hard on ourselves. In what universe should a woman who used to weigh 250ish feel shame for weighing in the 140s?
And like I said by sharing your on going success story, with all its ups and downs, is helpful to the rest of us so I hope you realize you haven't let anyone down.
I have been so guilty of all or nothing thinking,like that feeling that gaining 10 might as well be 100# I am really cognizant of that...feeling of shame and despair which of course helped pave the path to a big regain. Hasn't happened yet post sleeve.......but I am vigilant.
In early stages successful vets help so much with eating and exercise, but the long haul challenges....that's where the stories and lessons to be learned are really valuable!

So good to see you!
Diva I was obese most of my life, I am 49and like high intensity workout too. I know I have knee arthritis and likely more....do you think the high intensity contributed to the issues?
I am 2years out, 3 months out from plastics and maintaining below my goal...but definitely feel like it is a delicate hold. I learned something very important from my band failure which is to reach out when things go bad as opposed to hiding in shame like I did. I think it is modeling ideal behavior to say "I regained xx pounds and now I am going to get them off" that's what keeps us from regaining 100#.

I recently had Gastric Sleeve surgery. It was only a week ago, so I am not trying to raise flags here or anything, but I am curious about something. I read that Gastric Sleeve was developed out of Duodenal Switch, when the surgery was done in two stages and it was found that the first stage (the Sleeve portion) provided adequate weight loss for most people.
That makes me wonder if it is possible for Gastric Sleeve patients, who did not do this as part of a Duodenal Switch, to later decide to have the mal-absorption portion of the DS done, in cases where there was difficulty in losing weight. Has anyone had that done? Is it even possible?
It would be nice to know what my future options are after having gone this far already.

Yes, you are correct. The sleeve is now done as a stand-alone for people who don't want or need the malabsorption of the switch part. Regain is a problem with the sleeve, however. Dieting will be necessary once the sleeve stretches out, which is inevitable. Re-sleeving is dangerous, because after the stomach is stretched, the resulting wall is thinner. A rupture after re-sleeving can happen, or a leak. Some surgeons actually started doing the sleeve and getting it paid for by insurance by getting the DS approved and then only doing the sleeve.
And while the second half of the DS can follow later, the weight loss results are vastly different from a virgin DS done all at once. The metabolic advantage of the complete surgery is far superior to a two-stage DS. There are many people who revise from all other weight loss surgeries to the DS because their WLS has failed them. I have heard of only 2 DS people who have revised to another WLS, in contrast. The DS is certainly the platinum of the WLS world.

This post should probably be in the 'Rant' section.
So tonight I'm at my WLS support group. The subject was food Addiction. I like this subject a lot. I over came my sugar addiction BEFORE surgery. So I'm very sympathetic to this subject. Right up until this (large)woman started talking about her lack of will power. Then she starts crying, at this point I'm thinking this poor woman needs to get a handle on this before she has her surgery. Wow she's really in a lot of pain over this. Then she says "IM 2 YEARS OUT AND I CANT GET A GRIP ON THIS AND I'M NEARLY BACK TO MY STARTING WEIGHT"
My sympathy FLEW straight out the window, I think I gasped out loud. Here come the rant
and the High Horse again!!
Aarrrrrhhhh..ok, I'm not angry because she was back to her starting weight, it happens. I'm appalled because she DID NOT ask for help when she felt the situation was getting out of hand. What the hell!!! she shows up at a meeting when she is so beaten down and ashamed she doesn't know what to do. she says she never went for help before her surgery for her food addictions BECAUSE SHE WAS ASHAMED OF THAT!!!!..Now I thinking what Doctor/hospital allows a person to go ahead with this surgery before they are totally cleared. Then she says, she hid it from everyone. I almost exploded. Let me tell you why (riding my High Horse).
This is a body altering/life changing event. A life time commitment to that change. Why on this God given planet would one attempt such a thing without getting help first. I know its judgmental, and I am being harsh, but that's one of those "GET YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW" thing I'm always talking about. I had a horrible sugar addiction, I know it's a shameful secretive thing. But the opportunity to get help is encompassed and obtainable when applying for this surgery. I don't think better late, than never, applies here. Sorry Im really angry. I didn't approach her. I couldn't. Maybe at a later date if she keeps coming. Am I being to harsh & judgmental? Just need a sounding board here? maybe at a later date my compassion will return for her. To snarky on my part?