Darkkyss

But I'm at a birthday party and I'm not the biggest woman here!!! :-)

My rant, my opinion, right? Before you get started on how unsupportive and not nice I am, and how I should just dodge the posts I don't want to read, I'll kindly tell you to educate yourself on how I typically post and on my contributions to VST. (That's my nice way of saying I don't care what you think and that you shouldn't waste my time or yours telling me how mean I am.)
Because I cannot possibly be the only person so incredibly sick of these posts! Anyone else tired of the whining? I don't mind an occasional vent, but the outright whiny, childish and incredibly annoying posts just make me thankful I'm on VST (and on the other side of the computer) and not in an in-person support group. Because, really, people, this is getting stupid. I am not talking about actual complications or asking a valid question, either. I'm talking about the same cycle of wah-wah-wah about simple things that should have come up with only a few attempts at research.
Let's address a few of these annoyances that keep cropping up:
1) Oh my gosh, it's a travesty but guess what? You are NOT going to lose the weight faster than you put it on. I know - it's heartbreaking. I mean, surgery is supposed to be magical, isn't it? I, for one, got a free unicorn AND a leprechaun with my surgery. I get that you don't want to work at this. Really, I mean, taking advantage of a fraction of the stomach capacity and learning how to eat wisely so you can develop a healthy relationship with food and gosh, to live the rest of your ENTIRE LIFE not obese, not overeating and to have a chance to ditch the bad habits and emotional baggage...that's just way too much to wait for. You should probably just be angry at the world and vent on a public forum about how the surgery has ruined your life because you've only lost 20 pounds in three weeks. I mean, really! Those are some completely shoddy results, if you ask me. Because really, who thinks that a one to two year period of focusing on weight loss to lose the weight for good (especially after fifteen years or more of trying to lose the weight on various failed diets) is worth the time or effort?
2) Surgery hurts. I know, I know. You probably didn't realize that having anesthesia and being flopped around, pumped full of gas, sliced open, having an organ removed, having staples and stitches put in and having drains in your body would actually hurt. But it does, imagine that! I know, in most cases it lasts five to ten days before you're feeling better, but surely your world is ending, your pain is the worst ever and you definitely need to post about it here so we can all give you pats on the head and you can scare the people researching the sleeve away. Be thankful you're not one of the people with a REAL complication causing ACTUAL serious pain. Or maybe you are. We can't tell or guide people to their doctors because there are just so many suffering people posting that it's a challenge to weed out the ones with real issues and the ones who forgot to take their pain pills. I know, we all handle pain differently. But really, a teeny bit of research would help with expectations, wouldn't it? And let's not forget how tired you are post op. Who knew that eating less than 300 calories a day after major surgery and having to really work at staying hydrated would wear you out and make you tired? Ugh, it's completely unreasonable!
3) It's hard to eat when you only have 15% of your stomach. Who knew? I mean, sure, that's why we had surgery, but I know you figured you'd just have a smaller stomach made of cast Iron that could easily tolerate at least half a bacon cheeseburger within a week of your operation. All that sipping (of warm or room temp liquids!), all of that discomfort when you try to shovel in a cup of oatmeal in week three, the challenge of finding Protein you can eat easily, the challenge of finding a shake you actually like - I mean, who knew that was going to be part of the game? Oh wait, what do you mean everyone that actually researched their surgery knew about this stuff? Well, never mind that. Post about it so we can all hear how different and more difficult it is for you, because I'm sure it was a walk in the park for everyone else.
4) I'm sure your heartburn and acid reflux are terribly uncomfortable. It is for all of us. I'm sure the gurgling and healing stomach sounds are annoying and hard to get used to. They were for the rest of us, too. Which is why you should be on a PPI. If you did even a cursory bit of research on the sleeve, I am certain the fact that acid is an issue post op for almost everyone came up. So if you aren't on a PPI (think Prilosec or Nexium - Tums and Pepcid aren't PPIs) you should probably be on one. Even if your surgeon didn't suggest one. And if he/she didn't prescribe one or suggest one, I'd question that surgeon, because this is a known issue post op for nearly every patient. But it's your body and your suffering, so hey, why not be a tiny bit proactive and ASK FOR ONE if one isn't offered? While we're here, you should have done enough research to realize you'd need sublingual B-12, an Iron supplement and Calcium citrate as well as a multi until your doctor does bloodwork and tells you your levels are fine without supplements. I know, it's HARD to take all those pills...it's so annoying, too. But if you don't take them you'll be tired and sluggish and forgetful and won't feel up to par. But you knew that from all your research, I'm sure.
5) I doubt you're starving. Very, very few people do not lose the hunger post op. I have seen a few that struggled with this but they are few and far between. I know, you probably didn't do enough research to realize that you still have ghrelin in your system for a few days post op, or to find that acid gurgling in your belly feels exactly the same way as a rumbling tummy. You probably thought you'd be immune to head hunger, because you thought obesity was only caused by eating too much, not by any type of emotional attachment to food. You probably didn't realize that two or three (or more) weeks on a liquid diet would be challenging, mentally, even if you don't really want food. I know, I know, we already covered that surgery is supposed to be magical and you wanted it to control your feelings about food and your desire to eat for the rest of your life.
6) Diets don't work. Isn't that why you finally opted for surgery? Then why do you insist on treating the way you eat post op like a diet? Why do you insist on carb counting yourself into misery and allowing yourself only enough calories to sustain a ten pound cat instead of an adult human? Why are you surprised, after years of failed dieting, that the desire to binge and graze and eat emotionally show up when you restrict yourself the way you've always done on past diets? Why do you insist on eliminating entire food groups for fear of gaining weight, only to post at one or two years post op that you can't understand why maintenance is so hard and you can't stop eating junk? Oh, that's right, you thought the sleeve was part B of your diet and treated it that way...and got the same success you got from all those diets you did prior to surgery as a result.
7) It's hard to break bad habits and be healthy. We've covered this! Surgery is supposed to be magical - and therefore any emotional eating problems, baggage from your childhood, poor eating habits you're reinforced for years, etc. should just be magically erased when the surgeon slices out 85% of your stomach. I know, you don't understand why this is so hard! I know, you're so frustrated and you regret your surgery because you want to eat and you can't. Why won't your sleeve stop you from eating those Cookies or that big bowl of ice cream? This is completely unfair. I suggest you post about how the surgery is a waste of time and/or money because it didn't do the head work for you, cause this isn't supposed to be hard. It's magic.
8) Some people lose hair and get loose skin? AH, say it isn't so! If losing the weight and being healthy isn't worth a temporary trade off, surgery isn't for you. I know you already have diabetes, high blood pressure and are slowly killing yourself with your obesity, but you have an irrational fear of loose skin and thinning hair and aren't sure if this surgery is for you. I get that. After all, I'd rather die slowly with beautiful hair than compromise my vanity for a few months and extend my life in the process. I mean, really, we have to have our priorities! So please, as soon as you notice some hair falling out, please panic and post about it and ask if anyone else has experienced it. I'm sure you're the very first person it's ever happened to before and you should frantically warn everyone and work yourself into a frenzy envisioning your bald dome if it continues.
9) If you post stupid, tiresome, uneducated or ridiculous things to strangers on the internet, sometimes you get snarky, short or even blunt and (borderline) rude answers. I know, I know. You live in a world where everyone sings kumbaya together with genuine feeling before they start their day on the communal farm. Well, lots of us don't live there or have an infinite amount of patience and tolerance for those that think we should all be the same. I might answer one way and many other someones will answer another way and between all of us, hopefully there will be enough of an answer that anyone with the same question (but who doesn't necessarily have the same expectation on how it will be answered) can put together a solution. And then, in a perfect world, they wouldn't post the same question two threads down less than 24 hours later.
I love VST. I love that I found this site and researched my surgery for ONE WHOLE YEAR before opting to slice out my stomach. I love that it is full of resources, full of true experiences, full of warnings, full of advice for those that bother to search it out. Even four year old threads can still be relevant today! I love being able to come back here and "give back" in a way, by helping people with genuine questions and genuine concerns. I want to cheer other people on their journey and I want to help people approach this surgery in a sane way that will help them not just lose the weight but keep it off forever.
But for goodness' sake I simply have to acknowledge that I am only human and only have a limited amount of GAF when it comes to some of these posts and lately, some of these members.
It shouldn't be exhausting and aggravating to be here! I've been around the military too long, I think - I'm about a step away from yelling at some of these jokers like they need, instead of being diplomatic and polite.
My vent, my opinion, remember? Remember: you can always just skip over my post and not respond if it really bothers you!
~Cheri

Look on Facebook or ask around, where I live we have sites for exchange clothes, household items, baby stuff........ LOVE the sites.. I belong to about 5 helps so much.

could be acid reflux, try prilosec or zantac. from other posts this usually works well.

So, my insurance just changed to Aetna. They require Drs notes from 2 annual weigh ins. My PCP does not weigh her patients, so she is no help. Thankfully my GYN does. But this is such an abnormal request for them. They are having a hard time doing it. I need to call them monday and be sweet as pie. My date is 1/31 so I have about 10 days to get them to do it right. If not, I am going to have to have my PCP write something. The last minutes stresses....
And I have not told my mom yet, and I am waiting for it to be submitted...she is going to be pissed. Which sucks, because we will needs help with the kids while I am in the hospital. The joys of the final countdown!

Check with your doctor hon, it is important to know where the fever is coming from.

I'm three days away from surgery (12/31).... is this normal to have anxiety/freaking out? Not like horrible just... enough to cause me to be irritable and stressed out. I'm mostly concerned with how I'm going to feel and life in the hospital over the three day stay. It's like I can't even wrap my head around how different everything's about to be. I had 6 months to prepare and its just now hitting me (the freaking out part)... Insurance didn't say ok and give the final approval until two days ago - maybe that's why. I'm already telling myself I'll need to ask anesthesia for a stout dose of versed before wheeling me back.... Also, I haven't stuck to the liquid diet as closely as I was supposed to - I'm human. I know many have cracked and I'm one of the many - not trying to justify it. Just scared too that I wont have lost enough weight out of my liver. I've lost about 7 pounds already over the last week or so..... hopefully some of it came from my liver.

Have any of you guys been approached for paid research studies after or before your surgery. I've already been contacted for two one which I did today that paid 80 dollars. The other is post op which will pay me 300. I guess it's because of the hospital I go to New York hospital @ Columbia it's also where they do a lot of research. What do you guys think of this?

I'll keep it short and sweet, I promise
Height: 5'1"
BEFORE:




(left is before, right is after losing the first 40lbs)
Weight: 241
Size: 18/20 pants, XXL tops, 40DD bra
AFTER:






Weight: 138 (up to about 145 in these pics since they're a little outdated)
Size: 6 pants, S/M tops, 34C bra
I wanted to set a reasonable goal for myself, so I basically just set the goal to lost 100lbs, from 241 to 140. Now that I've gotten past that in only 8 months, I think I'm going to go for 125-130.
As a frame of reference, here is a picture of me from about 8-9 years ago when I was in high school:


I'm so happy and loving life again. This was truly the best gift I ever could have given myself and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to do it. I hope my story inspires others.

I am in my late 40s, lost 130+ pounds over the last year and a really nice looking man hit on me yesterday. He was probably a couple of years younger then me, but in my age range for sure. I had to restrain myself from thanking him and giving him a kiss before sending him on his way... I did restrain myself but it made my day and then some! I was dressed conservatively, but smartly (nice black jeans, a calvin klein fitted jacket (thank you ross for less) and nice boots. It is not that I am dying to be hit on, it is more like I spent the rest of that day feeling really confident - like the way i looked, my demeanor attracted a person I considered desirable - like maybe for the first time in a very long time I am projecting the image of myself I want to project.

Ok so while I was being prepped for my operation I had two nurses prepping me. One was a tall brunet and the other was a blonde ( I say this as a reference point). So they were floating about doing their thing and a male employee popped into the room and said something to the brunet. It was clearly in a teasing manner and I heard him say something about "it being legal."
Cut to two minutes later and the brunet is back at my bed and she starts talking to me about what the guy said to her. She said " I probably shouldn't say this but... He teases me and tells me that I will never get a guy because I'm too picky, or to talkative or whatever. So early this week he suggested that I just dare women. Well I told him no that is so nasty!"
As if on cue my surgeon walks into the room and to my bed and says "Lydia will your partner be joining us today?"
That nurses face could have rivaled tomatoes. She was clearly flustered and didn't know what to do. Ten minutes later she composed herself and came over to apologize. She then continued to tell me about her gay friends and how she didn't mean it like that.
I finally stopped her and said "Of course it is nasty to you - you are straight. Just like I would imagine being with a man would probably be gross to me." It was the only humane thing to do.
I don't think she meant it with malice but I do think that she should have heeded her own advice and not said anything. I think it was a learning experience for her.
Would you have done anything differently? I mean had I not been preparing to go into surgery I think I would have been more assertive and had more to say. I co chair the GSDA with another teacher so I try allow for "teachable moments" and work toward tolerance. I just don't know if it taught her something or if I let her off the hook.
Sent from my iPad

If you feel fine then I say you're good to go. HOWEVER, get back to liquids allowing your stomach to fully heal

Do a search there is tons of people on here who have had surgery down there!! Think positive...

Need to know if Medicare covers the sleeve in the Cinti area for people over 61 years old. Please step up because my surgery is in 2 weeks. My BCBS will not give me a pre-cert because I have Medicare and it is primary. If Medicare does not pay , BCBS will not pay either. I can not afford to pay for this surgery. HELP

I woke up this morning feeling absolutely happy!!! Had a fantastic week( away from the scale lol). I went out with my sister on to a local sea food place. I had some fried fish and fried jumbo shrimps :ph34r: I have a strict rule against fried food, but I just felt it and it was so GOOD!!!
Almost at the six months mark and loving my sleeve so much more :wub:
Here are a few silly, goofy pics!

i made this post about a week ago.. i weighed myself today & i am now 147lbs! ive lost a total of 126lbs.
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i made this post yesterday & it was 123lbs gone but i weighed in today and im now 124lbs down!!
i am officially 149lbs.
no more 50s!
14lbs away from my long term goal.
4lbs away from my short term goal.

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just an update:
i was sleeved dec 20th, 2011.
im less than 11 months post op.
i started at 273lbs.
i am now 150lbs.
starting bmi was 51.6
my bmi now is 28.3
i am 15lbs away from my goal.

I just got the call! I'm so excited, it's been a looooong 6 months. I call tomorrow to set up my surgery date!!!! Yay me!!!

I just got approved today myself yeah for me an you.

I am having the same problem and talked to my doctor on Friday. He told me I need to get in more carbs. I am pretty active raising goats. He told me to increase my complex carbs and calories. That are bodies are machines and that we need these things for our "machines" to run. I am eating about 500 calories a day and this is not enough to sustain any energy. I also increased my Vitamin B. Vitamin B is Water soluble so you will pee out any excess. I need to get it up to where my urine gets real yello then back off a bit. To sleep, I take 1/2 a sleeping pill about once a week just so I can sleep. Part of it is now that I don't hurt as bad I want to do things...well into the night.. I just started all this on today so I don't know what will work but I do know that I have felt better today eating more complex carbs. I feel like I have a bit more energy...fluke?? Don't know, but I like it!

Virtually anything that goes into your stomach can cause a leak. My surgeon told us to not consume ANYTHING that could not pass through a fine strainer for 3 full weeks. That meant no pills, no fruits (like strawberries, bananas, etc.). The one leak that he did have was a patient that ate 2 tablespoons of yogurt during her first week.
That said, there are tons of posts on here about people that went to Mexico or whose surgeons gave more liberal advice and were eating applesauce and oatmeal the second day.
Personally being a nurse and having managed patients with gastric leaks, I considered it a small sacrifice to be on liquids for 3 weeks then to pureed for another 3. I also stopped all meds and only took liquid Tylenol after the second week. I am nearly 8 weeks now and still taking liquid Vitamins or chewable Biotin and still on softer foods. I want this to heal for real!

Talk to you your primary, I stopped by HBP medication when I started my 2 week pre op, and checked regularly it stayed down with the diet I was on and it helped my potassium levels.

Put a piece of tape on the container and write on the tape.

Don't be sorry! Heck if you just went off of one thread this would be a boring site LOL.........
I think one of the reason I have only told family and 1 best friend is because people judge!.... and do you really want to hear from others how you are taking the "easy way out" or how so and so has gained all there weight back.
Or hear people talk behind your back... It is already hard enough of people talking about how "heavy" you have become!
I also know I am more of a private person, I only have 1 best friend. The others are friends but I don't talk about my personal issues much with them, and I guess I feel this is personal.

Don't be sorry! Heck if you just went off of one thread this would be a boring site LOL.........
I think one of the reason I have only told family and 1 best friend is because people judge!.... and do you really want to hear from others how you are taking the "easy way out" or how so and so has gained all there weight back.
Or hear people talk behind your back... It is already hard enough of people talking about how "heavy" you have become!
I also know I am more of a private person, I only have 1 best friend. The others are friends but I don't talk about my personal issues much with them, and I guess I feel this is personal.

I would call the Dr. and let him know nothing as been submitted. He might not realize the coordinator has not submitted the information or there was a mistake DONT let this wait. I had to make phone calls for my surgery and stay on top of the coordinator.