Artichokes

Thanks, everyone. I mentioned it. It didn't matter to him. Things are good!

What a nice guy, Beth! Thanks for the encouragement!

Thanks for the positive response, angelic. I am hopeful.

How awesome, Miss Mac. I appreciate it.

What a sweet response. Thanks so much. I hope he's a keeper, too. ☺️

So, I'm a couple of years into the journey, having lost 75 pounds. I am not slim, at size 16, but I am happy at this weight. I have just begun a promising relationship, with a guy that seems sweet, and attracted to me. I am very much looking forward to some physical intimacy...it's been a while...and it certainly is headed in that direction. So, my question.....that fold of skin left over from losing so much weight is very unattractive, as are my floppy breasts. It makes me very self conscious. Should I: 1). Find a way to bring up the weight loss/surgery, and the after effects (forewarned is forearmed)? 2). Don't say anything until after the big event, then say something like, 'Yeah, I know the belly roll is not traditionally accepted, but it's my evidence of a life lived with a love of food and hedonism.' (Ie it's a part of me, and, if you don't like it, I'm sorry that you feel that way) 3). Don't say anything at all, unless asked. I know my fellow bariatrix have encountered this awkward situation. Advice, please?? PS Should I post this in a general forum, so I can hear the masculine take on this? Help!!

I'm a little over 5 weeks out, and starting solid food. It's an adventure, for sure. My sister is a nurse at Children's Hospital (transplant floor) and a certified clinical aromatherapist practioner. She made anti-nausea inhalers for the kids on her floor and was so pleased that it helped them so much. They would just lie there, recuperating, sniffing their inhalers. She made one for me, and it was nothing short of amazing. It helped so much during those first few days when nausea was common. I am 43 pounds down now, and pretty happy with the new me.

HI all. I just had my sleeve done at Brigham & Women's in Boston on Friday. I came home yesterday. I have had very, very little discomfort. I actually had a blast at the hospital...a lovely roommate, funny & supportive staff, smiles and encouragement all the way through. I am constantly sipping either G2 or Protein Shakes and it seems like I will be able to get in all my fluid/protein requirements today. I have a couple of bits of advice for folks out there. Before surgery, I was trying to mentally prepare for everything. Then I started realizing I was borrowing trouble. Why obsess about what could go wrong, instead of what could go right? I finally realized all of these fears were control issues. I couldn't project myself into how it would feel after surgery, so I began to think about stuff that could go wrong...what if I vomited? What if I got dehydrated? What if I got a stricture? What exhausting and counterproductive thinking!! Here's what you do to insure all will be well. Do EVERYTHING your doctor tells you. This is not the time to cheat, negotiate, or do all those other mental gymnastics we used to do to rationalize going off the diet. This is NOT a diet. The preop diet is designed to shrink your liver, but also to get your body as strong as it can be for such a shock to its system. Do you want the surgery to work and your recovery to be easier? Follow the plan. After surgery, FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S ORDERS. Don't force yourself to another level before it's time. You have had 80% of your stomach removed. There is a significant amount of healing that needs to take place. Putting something in there that is not sanctioned by your doctor is just silly. You've gone through all this and you want to sabotage it. Time to get anew way of thinking, folks. I hope this doesn't come off as too preachy, but I have been astouded by someofthethings I've read on the boards. What a wonderful place they are....such great support and useful information but,in the end, it's up to you. You need to decide to do the right thing for your own well being! Sent from my iPad using VST

Had the surgery, and it was a piece of cake (ha! Can't have the food, but I can use it in a cliche!). Occassional snippets of pain from one entry point, but very manageable. My A Fib is present, though it hasn't effected anything yet,,,cross fingers & eyes. All in all, so far, so good! My mouth is dry and liquid allowed only after the upper G.I., which is tomorrow. That's the most uncomfortable thing of all.

Right back atcha!

Looks like I'm just 10 lbs more than you, too. It will be fun to compare notes!

I was scheduled for surgery June 25. I got all the way into the operating room, and went into atrial fibrillation. They cancelled my surgery. I was told I needed an echo cardiogram before I could get rescheduled. This, I did, then called to get rescheduled only to learn my surgeon had resigned. I'm telling you, it was really rough. Well, I am having surgery in 2 days by Dr Scott Shikora, the director of bariatric surgery at Brigham & Women's and the former president of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. I think I'll be in good hands. Down 25 pounds from 2 rounds of presurgery diet and raring to go! Do I have any sleeve siblings on July 27?

Hi MinaT, Thanks for your good wishes. I went home from the hospital the day of the surgery. The cadiologist said I am fine for surgery. The surgeon will not reschedule me. I don't know why, but it was firm. I'm thinking contractual issues. I'm also curious about whether my situation caused the resignation. The timing is so weird. I am discouraged and unsettled. It's a beautiful summer, yet I can't enjoy it because I don't know what's up or down.

So, I was put on a beta blocker to get the a fib under control, then my surgeon resigned and is not going to reschedule me. I am beyond astonished. They told his other patients the day I was running around, trying to get the echo cardiogram he said he needed to see before rescheduling, and I'm now afraid they will have taken all the available slots. I am so unsettled and unhappy.