ShapeShifter

Relieved for this good news. Wishing you well upon your journey.

I am pre-op, dear, so I'm not sure I can offer comfort. I still have another month of weigh-in before submitting to insurance, but I relate to the need for encouragement. Some days I feel this is absolutely what I want and other days I wonder how I came to this decision. Change is frightening... but my experience has been that once I get to the other side of fear... change is also rewarding.

Everything will be okay... beautiful transformation awaits!

I am pre-op, but I wonder if the upset caused by the multi may not require a couple of days back on liquids to heal the discomfort it caused... then return to mushies, and try a different multi.

So sorry you are going through a difficult phase.

I did work with my therapist a few years back. It is well worth the time. I realized that I had an internal dialog of self-loathing. I decided that I was no longer willing to say to myself things that I would never say to another. Some of the conversations were started by my mother, who never intended to harm me by worrying about my weight... but things like... no man wants to marry a fat woman... were my daily bread. I no longer had room for rotten words, when I chose to sustain myself with love... with words that I WOULD say to others. We should all treat ourselves with as much kindness as we offer those we love.

I'm so glad you are doing this for yourself. You are worth every ounce of hard work. No one deserves your love more than you!

Heartbroken for your struggle. Grateful for your recovery. Wishing you WELL!

Carrying you close and knowing that all shall be well.

holyclothing.com has beautiful plus size dresses, if you are not seeking something traditional. Congratulations on your pending nuptials.

I remember having dry mouth after my nasal surgery, just as you describe. I can't recall how long it lasted, but anesthesia can really have some long-lasting effects. I had violent nightmares, as well.

More water is always a good thing. Sounds like your weight loss is reducing some obstructive tissue. Congratulations! I would suffocate without my cpap machine. Getting rid of sleep apnea is one of my greatest hopes after surgery.

So excited for you!! Have a safe and wonderful 'journey'.

Could it be your gall bladder? I've heard the pain radiates through your back. Wishing you WELL, dear.

You can add magnesium to your daily vitamins, too.

Remember that your body also needs rest, so if you are tired... consider if you are getting enough sleep, which is required for cell rejuvenation. Also, are you keeping up with your water? Dehydration can cause fatigue. All the best...

PdxMan is right... also, take your measurements. Sometimes you may be losing inches even when the scale doesn't move. Stop watching the scale!

I've chosen to tell people... for a few reasons. 1) One of my core values is honesty. When someone I care about asks me what I've been up to, it would be difficult not to mention the research that has consumed me, while considering a life altering procedure. (this does not mean I feel the need to announce it on facebook or to people who are more like acquantances.) 2) I *want* to hear the horror stories. I want to make an informed decision... if anyone I know has a friend that had this procedure who regretted it... I want to know! 3) I have been at this weight for 20 years, and everyone in my work and personal circles know that even on a diet of 1600 calories a day, I do not lose weight... when I am suddenly losing multiple pounds a week... I would rather not have to make up stories that are unbelievable. 4) If I should have any complications in the future, I want the people who surround me to understand how they can help me.

I've shared my concerns, my research, my possible future with more than 20 people... and have recieved overwhelming support, which has only affirmed the path I am on. This includes three of my doctors, and a friend I worried about telling the most, who cried with me, and offered to help me pay for the procedure. The people who love me want me to be healthy and pain-free (I'm already happy), and to avoid suffocating in my sleep (I have severe sleep apnea). I do know how very blessed I am, with a loving and supportive community. I wish the same for everyone!

Wow! Congratulations on your great success...

I find it helps to average the loss. 24 lbs in 4 weeks is 6 lbs a week. When was the last time you were able to do that? Your body is adjusting to tremendous change. Send it love! Magnesium is good for 'movement'... perhaps your surgeon would approve adding that to your daily supplements.

I would love to hear that you are learning to love yourself exactly as you are. Try not to say things to yourself that you would never say to another. You are going through metamorphosis... the catterpillar doesn't become a butterfly overnight, but the courage to change is worthy of praise and celebration - even before the big reveal and unfurling of wings. You are a warrior woman, taking control of your life. Celebrate that... and then look upon your new body with new eyes!

Happy New Beginning!!!!!

All I have to say is... WOOHOO!!!!!! So happy for you.

I can relate to shame in a really big way. There have been times when every step I've taken has been in pain or shame. Your resolution to yourself as you move into your 30s reminded me of my facebook post today:

“Marry yourself first -- promise never to leave you!”~SARK~ This reminds me of how we sometimes compromise ourselves for the (imagined) happiness of others. Imagine making vows to yourself... a promise to always love and cherish yourself, to be gentle and honest with yourself, to care for your body in sickness and in health, and to always be loyal, supportive, and forgiving of yourself. Consider buying yourself a ring and in a small, private ceremony... declare to the world that for the rest of your days... you shall be committed to loving the most important person in your life... YOU. HAPPY MONDAY! ♥

If you have 6 children to look after, I am certain you get more exercise than you imagine.

I am pre-surgery and tracking my calories and movement with a fitbit (pedometer that downloads to the computer). I consume 1100-1600 calories and get 1-3 miles per day of movement in normal activity. I gain and lose the same two pounds week after week, even though 'myfitnesspal' tells me I should lose several pounds over the next month.

Don't beat yourself up, your body is recovering from trauma, and our bodies don't all work the same. You are going to be amazing at this!

Can you acquire magnesium citrate? It helps with absorption of calcium, metabolism of carbs, and also eases the bowels. Can you do mail order in Dubai? There are american dot.coms like netrition.com and supplementwarehouse.com where one might order supplements and protein powders. I'm just not familiar with overseas shipping.

I'm going to keep sweet potato in mind, for sure.

Is it wrong to keep people in the dark? Of course not! What you share with others is your own choice.

I have chosen to tell my people, because I want to have their support and understanding when my whole world begins to change. I live alone, and want to know that I can call any of my friends and family after surgery and know that they will understand where I am and come running if I need them. They have seen my weight struggle these past decades, and I cannot fathom that they would begrudge me a long-term solution. So far, the only response that was less than enthusiastic was from a friend who has her own fear of surgery.

If you know you won't find that support in your family, there is nothing wrong with keeping it to yourself and allowing them to witness your transformation with awe. Enjoy the journey!

I developed PCOS when I was in my early 20s, which brought on rapid weight gain and an inability to lose (this was the diagnosis after a few years of doctor visits to determine the weight gain). I'm 43 now, and though I never wanted to have children, I do wish the sleeve surgery had been discovered sooner. Because 20 years later, I can assure you that weight loss remains impossible with PCOS. You have the opportunity to change your life before you miss any of the living you have to do.

Excited for you and the way you'll be able to change your life. A woman in my WLS support group lost 200 lbs with the sleeve, had a baby, and then took off the weight immediately. She and baby are healthy and happy!

Cheers to your choice and future success!

Yay YOU!