CBT

I think it depends on a few things 1) how much fat to skin you have 2) the plastic surgeon's preference 3) insurance requirements if not cash pay.

Also, the year thing is because your skin is an organ. It will retract...some. Probably not enough to make a difference post massive weight loss. KWIM?

Are you on a PPI?

Well perhaps I was eating nonstop because I was going to get a super bug. My entire family has this awful virus. My DH was 5 days in bed. I came home one day early from vacation because I knew I was getting sick and I'd seen what it looks like.

This is my nemesis. Illness and food. It's a strongly paired coping skill. I don't get challenged by it very often so I don't see it coming. When I was really sick as a child it was the only time we ate out. On the way back from the doctor: cheeseburgers, French fries and milkshakes. It was also the very few times my mom was very maternal. I come from a family of feed-a-cold.

What's weird is I really was hungry before I got sick. But now that I'm full spectrum sick, I can't tell how much is physical hunger and how much is self-soothing.

I'm not going to gain in this short amount of time. I'd just like to slay the dragon

I gained about 10 lbs, but it coming down now! My fault entirely, when they changed my port, I lost my restriction. My Dr said He wouldn't give me a fill for 6 weeks. So I binged on all the bad stuff that I haven't had in 2 years. I was a very bad girl!

I'm glad you're getting back in control. It's a journey, for sure.

CBT- I too am always hungry and have been over eating. My band helps to the amount but I seem to be eating constantly. My DR. said My body needs the extra calories to help with healing.

Skiddles are you maintaining your weight?

Abdominal defused edema? I'm guessing it's belly swelling of done sort... Can you tell me more about it?

You got it right. It's scattered belly swelling that isn't a seroma and only in the abdomen.

The surgeon says at 12 weeks the previously cut lymphatic drain channels will have established and that's the first significant decrease in swelling patients notice.

Some people's bodies are better at absorbing Fluid in other ways, too. Hence the "swelling for up to a year but mostly 3-6 months" chat we get.

Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughtful reply. It really does help to process with others.

I'm not craving per say. Just had 2 days of hunger. Today was less. I did a moderate 2 mile hike so I'm curious to see how hungry I am tomorrow.

I'm having abdominal defused edema in the afternoon and at night. Still wearing binder. The swelling and the binder impact how much I eat at any sitting, for sure.

I do supplement at home. Too much to fuss with on vacation, though. Lol.

Is it possible she isn't saying anything because she has known you for your life long struggles with weight, that she is worried that you will rebound again and then her comments will be remembered harshly? I know when I have attempted diets in the past, I didn't tell anyone so I wouldn't have to explain when I would inevitably start gaining again. I guess I am applying this in reverse to her, she thinks that by not making a big deal she is supporting you or protecting your feelings, in what she thinks is a short term success. Just thinking of a different angle. ..

One if my closest friends and I talked about this very thing. She and I actually train and dance together. She does not have a history of obesity or weight gain. She said, "I really didn't know what to say that was my business." Because I hadn't started the conversation. We all come from different places.

I would say "I too have been working on weight loss and I'm surprised you haven't said anything." Just the facts. Keep it simple.

Sweet pea did you get super hungry? I've had 2 days of insatiable hunger. I've also been quite active relative to earlier recovery. The surgeon told me this would happen. I just want to hear it from a WLS-LBL patient. KWIM?

I was Rx Dilaudid and quit that quick for Norco. Worked much better in conjunction with muscle relaxers.

I'm sorry you had a rough ride. I had a hernia repair in my lower abdomen a few months after VS. I think that mentally prepared me for LBL. My PS surgeon also has my number. She's been frank with me when I ask her to and she airs on the side of information.

I had much harder time recovering from the hernia. Hard to wait for help. Hard to ask for help. Hard to ask for help then tell them they aren't helping the way I need. Ahhhhh. This time I knew that would end in 14 days and I had some reference.

(((((Hug))))

I'm five weeks yesterday. Yesterday and today are swell hell with a side of muscle spams.

I'm also noticing that with all the numbness and nerve damage, I am back to being very cold. My nervous system can't regulate my body temp.

I'm eating nonstop because I'm hungry!!!

I'm on vacation.

I thought I was takin it pretty darn easy, for me. I am humbled in this recovery.

Drains are bothering me today. Not hurting, more like irritating and itchy kinda burning. Not sure if it's because nothing is coming out of them anymore or because feeling is coming back in those areas or something else or some combo of them all. What I do know is if they accidentally happened to get yanked out, I won't fret

I used a lot of ice for the burning. I think it's nerve irritation. Mine went instantly away as the drains were pulled. If you try ice let me know if it helps you. I'm curious.

Yay! Looks great. You're going to feel so much better

Have you looked into cool sculpting? Just another contouring option. Non surgical.

I'm in the process of figuring this out. I'm 4 weeks post plastics (yay!) so I am not "exercising" yet.

Prior to plastics consult I was eating 1800-2000 calories a day and still losing weight.

So once I'm back to life, I will be trying to find the sweet spot between exercise and calories to maintain my weight. I have a balanced and reasonable approach to "exercise". Approved by all my doctors. I just have to really work on eating a lot and I don't like to be food focused. I don't like ice cream much anymore. I do eat highly nutritious foods like previously mentioned.

For example I might eat half a banana smeared with Peanut Butter. Beans and cheese and avocado is a staple. Pre sleeve just thinking about that would've been a five pound gain penalty. I do work with an endocrinologist who specializes in bariatric patients but I'm over due for an appointment. I'll go see him once I'm back to "normal".

I hope you get answers quickly. I'm glad you're

seeing physicians.

I'm defiantly hitting that transition time where I feel fussy. I know that means a big change is coming. I just wish is hit that milestone already. Well it might have a little to do with vacation next week

So I had all my hair cut off. It was the middle of my back. Now it's at my jawline. I love it. I thought it's be a good, strong distraction for ppl who will notice that something is different and then think it's the hair. LOL

Really, the DHEA dried my hair out. Even though I was getting regular cuts, my hair really dried out on the ends and it kept getting worse. When the surgeon told me to stop losing weight, I was able to stop the DHEA. I think my hair and skin will be much improved.

I hope to get pictures on vacation next week.

Thinking about you. Hoping you're comfortable!

I think you really don't want to mess with your GI or the bacterial balance prior to surgery.

Who knew that grocery shopping could cause so much soreness. I overloaded the cart because I'm the only one who can REALLY grocery shop and it's been 3 weeks :

So turning the corners to go from isle to isle took a toll. I got stuck in the back of the store. Lol. I made a straight line to the check out. Had a carry out and family unloaded at home. I'm def sore. I'm surprised!

Would you qualify for anything else on this list? Also, I submitted with my packet, a personal heartfelt letter about how my weight and its complications negatively affected my quality of life and how the surgery would mitigate those issues. Here is the list of other conditions insurance companies consider in making their decision. I got it from dsfacts.com. DS stands for duodenal switch. Hope this helps. Maybe you will find some you see as familiar. In that letter, I explained when I started gaining weight and listed the diets and exercise programs that have failed me. I told them about family members who have died of conditions on the co-morbities list. I included a list of the medications I am taking for conditions related to my obesity. I shared info about surgeries and joint replacements and other treatments necessary because of my weight. I told them about inconveniences and the adjustments I have had to make to function throughout my day, and how how the weight itself prevents me from an effective and agressive exercise program. Then I closed the letter by explaining how the surgery would drastically improve my quality of life, and thanking them in advance for approving the surgery which would surely extend my life and reduce the need critical medical care in the future. When composing any good presentation, follow these 3 rules: 1. Tell them what you are going to tell them. 2. Tell them. 3. Tell them what you told them. Good luck. Obesity Comorbidities To follow is a list of comorbidities (additional conditions or diseases) related to obesity which may help you in qualifying for weight loss surgery. § Family history of heart disease § Family history of stroke § Family history of diabetes § Family history of heart attacks § Hyperinsulinemia § Diabetes § High blood pressure § Coronary-artery disease § Hypertension § Migraines or headaches directly related to obesity or cranial hypertension § Congestive heart failure § Neoplasia § Dyslipidemia § Anemia § Gallbladder disease § Osteoarthritis § Degenerative arthritis § Degenerative disc § Degenerative joint disease § Recommended joint replacement from specialist § Accelerated degenerative joint disease § Asthma § Repeated pneumonia § Repeated pleurisy § Repeated bronchitis § Lung restriction § Gastroesophageal reflex (GERD) § Excess facial & body hair (Hirsutism) § Rashes § Chronic skin infections § Excess sweating § Frequent yeast infections § Urinary stress incontinence § Menstrual irregularity § Hormonal abnormalities § Polycystic ovaries § Infertility § Carcinoma (breast, colon, uterine cancer) § sleep apnea § Pseudotumor cerebri § Depression § Psychological/sexual dysfunction § Social discrimination § Premature death For more information on the NIH qualifications for weight loss surgery: Gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity. Proceedings of a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference, March 25-27, 1991.

Wow! Seems to me you could get yourself a patient advocacy/appeals business!

Go you!!!

Smokin' sporty!!!

I take a ferrous sulfate called Slow Fe. It's formulated to prevent the GI problems many ppl have taking Iron. So if you can't find something else, you might give it a try.

The sad reality for me is that I need to end the friendship! Yesterday we had an early dinner together and it went sour fast! I actually left before eating! She told me that she has the right to feel the way she does and that as her friend I should take it! She actually said.... "Does the truth hurt?" Well the truth is ... She's a bully and I am a grown damn woman so I walked away!

Sorry to read about the end of a friendship. Regarding relationships, I tell my kids, "you can be right and be all alone OR you can find ways to be effective." Taking a break or ending the friendship seems like a healthy move for you.

I'm sorry you are sick and recovering. BYDT and it's the pits! You haven't damaged your surgery. You are defiantly going to be sore. This is also the time when dissolvable stitches start to dissolve and relax which can be uncomfortable on it's own.

You can try some ice to calm it down. If you have opiate pain medication, take it if your having cough spasm. It will also stop the cough reflex.

I hope you feel better soooooooooon.