mambomama

Hello,
I'm sorry you have to be on the receiving end of this type of sentiment. Whenever I get responses from people about having enough faith to trust in God or self-control etc., I remind them of the many medical procedures that we do even though we have faith or self-control. We have our gall bladder or parts of our intestines removed when in fact, good preventive care might have prevented these problems in the first place. How many of our health problems like gallstones could have been prevented or delayed if we had taken exquisite care of ourselves? In some cases, you get to a place of no return. If our obesity gets to a place where metabolically our body is fighting against us and our health problems worsen despite trying to lose weight, then it is time to do the surgery. Research shows that the best results even for VSG are on the younger and lower BMI patients. It seems that waiting too long can make it harder to lost weight as fast or as much, in part, because our body has metabolically made it more difficult to lose the weight. My nutritionist and surgeon remind me every visit that if I go over 1300 calories a day, I will start gaining weight. This is not normal! For the rest of my life, I have to maintain a lower than normal calorie intake and it would have been impossible for me to maintain under 1300 calories without the sleeve. Your friend can't generalize her lived experience with yours, or her metabolic issues and weight loss success with you either. This is life or death for some of us, and research supports this!

Since this thread is still active, I'd just like to point out a simple observation.
Both of these surgeries are directly related to and are a result of sins (deadly sins).
The major difference I see is that one is done to help us flee fom the sin of gluttony, the other is performed to embrace the sin of vanity.
So what have here is someone who is embracing their sin chastising someone for turning away from theirs.

Hello,
I have PCOS, and I had surgery March 1st, 2012. So far, I have lost 69.2 pounds. My three month Hemoglobin A1c increased slightly (5.9 to 6.1) and that was frustrating! I have not tested my pos-op androgen levels yet, but did find that my testosterone came down significantly before the surgery after a 30 pound weightloss over 2 years. I think my HbA1c was elevated primarily because I lowered my metformin dose post-op from 2 grams daily to 1 gram daily. Now I have increased the dose up to 1.5 grams. My blood pressure also went up post-op which may be in part to the medication reduction, as BP and blood sugar stability go hand in hand.
Ultimately, I think that my PCOS will improve as I lose more weight. Now that I am getting closer to the 100's, there will be a tipping point where the PCOS will improve. Hang in there for the long haul!!!
Nancy

Hello Mrs, Reine and every other March Sleever!
While I do not experience "feeling cold" it is probably because my previous anemia is no longer a problem since my recent menopause . My 3 month blood work show a slightly elevated hemoglobin for the first time in forever! I also increased my thyroid dose a few months ago, so I am feeling warm and cozy at the moment! But, I do know the feeling of "cold" in the past due to hypothyroidism and anemia!
My surgery was March 1 and to date I have lost 27 pounds since surgery(225 now down from surgery weightof 252) and 57 pounds total (from max of 282). I am thrilled and trying not to compare my rather slow and steady loss with the rest of you fast losers! I am trying to see the big picture and the long journey! I am so happy I did this though and feel for me it is easier than dieting without surgery by far. I suffered a lot while dieting, both from wanting to eat more than I was supposed to eat, craving carbs, overeating and feeling tired, and feelings of guilt and condemnation etc etc. I was never a big loser or fast loser, so I am trying to "be content in whatever state I am in". I wish I had practiced that more while I was struggling with dieting. It seemed no matter where I was on the weight scale from 4th grade on, I was never happy with my size. Now looking back, I was pretty cute at 160 pounds!
One downside is that my bloodpressure is up since surgery so my BP med was doubled. My HA1c (diabetes sugar test) is also up to 6.0 from ptr-op of 5.7 before surgery and we are not sure why, but most likely a fluke from menopause happening at the same time. I would likely be worse if it had not been for the surgery. I am not discouraged but more determined than ever to keep up my exercise regime and make healthy choices.
I struggle now most when I eat out or am at special meals. I tend to overeat and it takes only a teaspoon or two extra and I feel nauseated and it comes back up. Fortunately this happens infrequently. My brain is getting closer to my stomach.
Here are a few things I have done since surgery that I have not done for a long time:
1) Playing tennis with son and daughter
2) Riding a rollercoaster
3) Kayaking
4) Bogie boarding in the ocean
There is still much I am not doing, but I have the taste for living life to the fullest! Thanks for your support everyone!!!
Love
Nancy

I try not to think about calories b/c I don't think I am getting more than about 800 in a day myself. I figure when we advance to the next stage, soft foods, it will go up some. I don't seem to have a lot of problems keeping stuff down but I have no desire to eat more than I am doing right now, if that makes sense.
I don't like the Protein Shakes either. I am thinking I will be doing a lot of that unflavored protein in stuff. (like oatmeal).
I am sorry your in-laws were naysayers. I didn't have too many of those, fortunately, and you know what .... I am SO GLAD I did this, it's not even something that would bother me anymore. I would pretty much laugh.

Hello all you March Sleevers,
My surgery date will be March 1st and I am just getting acquainted with this forum. I am excited and nervous and a bit afraid of failure all in one. I have both positive support from friends as well as the naysayers. It seems so many people want to tell me the "Horror" stories of their "friends". Don't they realize what that negativity can do to someone with a date set and their mind made up? It is not like we decided this overnight! I am keeping this s secret from some (family and friends far away) and others on an as needed basis. I would like to keep it a secret to everyone, but that is not fair to those who are struggling with their weight. I can't with integrity look someone in the eye who is struggling and make them think I did this without surgery. So, I must swallow my pride and share my story as needed.
Hope you all are well and enjoying the journey. I am busy organizing me house...how silly is that?

Hope all is well mambomama!!! I can't wait to get my sleeve sometime soon as well!!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

My surgery was March 1st in Philadelphia and I am now home recovering well. I have been able to take walks outside and manage without much pain medication. It takes most of my time trying to manage my Fluid and Protein intake, but the food is staying down without nausea or too much discomfort. I am very thankful and when I woke up I had the most glorious feeling of being alive and having survived! Soon I will get my before pics and start working on the after pics. Can't wait!

My surgery was March 1st in Philadelphia and I am now home recovering well. I have been able to take walks outside and manage without much pain medication. It takes most of my time trying to manage my Fluid and Protein intake, but the food is staying down without nausea or too much discomfort. I am very thankful and when I woke up I had the most glorious feeling of being alive and having survived! Soon I will get my before pics and start working on the after pics. Can't wait!

So good to see another person having surgery tomorrow. I too am having surgery and my arrival time at the hospital is 9:30am. I will post more when I return, but I wanted to mention that some of the very same thoughts are going through my head. I will be praying for you too as I head into this new venture with peace, hope, a sense of adventure and yes some fears. Will I survive? Will I have a leak? Will I be able to go back to teach in 2 weeks? Will I fail after all this is done? My friend yesterday said to me that this is like the birth of my first child. One moment I am changed completely and I will need to re-learn a lot of things about life--in this case eating and living. So I will take it one step at a time--baby steps with the hope of a healthier future! I wish the same for you!

Mambomama ...
What an interesting life you've had ... and an interesting life to come!!
Congratulations to you for taking charge of your life and weight. I'm so looking forward to hearing how things go for you. This community of "losers" is wonderful and I hope you take full advantage of them as a resource.
I've traveled around about every continent except South America and Australia, so I'm aware of many different cultures. I'm fascinated with your's. My husband works in West Africa, so I spent a lot of time going back and forth and we're still using that as a jumping off place for exploration.
Please come visit and post often. There are many international members here and I think you'll be a great asset to the community.
CC

I really enjoyed reading your post. Hope to read more of your journey.