LilMissDiva Irene

Next year my Husband and I will celebrate our 20th year together, and to celebrate with all of our family and friends we have decided to have a Recommitment Ceremony. Yes, we are going to get Re-Married... We are going to take our Vows again and freshen up on our agreement we took to one another two decades ago. Sometimes a “fresh start” rekindles those words spoken when they first occurred can remind us exactly what they meant to us. But what about the Vows we took when we first took the plunge to seriously consider Weight Loss Surgery? Do you remember what you told yourself you would do way back when? Be truthful with yourself, are you still bound to these vows? I remember mine, and the most distinct one for me was that I would NEVER go back to the old me. The obese me, the one who had no hope, who was miserable and feeling lost and scared of my own future. There were several others such as, I promise to work out and become fit for a stronger body. Even telling myself that no matter what, I would not let the scale dictate to me how amazing or awful a person I am. For the most part the scale often told me I was quite amazing (Ha!). I suppose maybe I did listen to the scale back then because it was fun to watch the weight melt away. During those times when the scale didn’t cooperate I used other means of measuring how well I was doing. I checked to see how my clothes were fitting; I kept a running measurement of every part of my body – even my neck and my wrist! Even a quarter inch loss in those areas made me feel better. Then there are the awesome side-by-side photos. Pictures don’t lie! They never did, and that’s probably why a lot of us hid from the cameras Pre-Op. As the years go by Post-Op it really does become easier and easier to forget how we got to our goals and how we have maintained. It becomes easier to tell ourselves that indulging more and more is acceptable and before you know it the pounds creep back up. You will blink your eye and all of a sudden your clothes become tight and you notice a little comfortableness about yourself. I personally have made a Re-commitment to myself not so long ago. I am 50 (and 1) Days into a No Sugar eating plan and I am back to regular routine workouts. Another agreement that I am re-committing to myself is that I will never again ignore the scale. Yes, it’s true I don’t allow the scale to make me feel bad about myself but it is a necessary tool to remind me that I need to make sure I don’t keep going up, or I will be like the mountain climber on The Price Is Right and yodel my way right off the chart cliff. Let’s just say my Re-commitment has done me well and I am more than on my way back to the champion I was a year or so ago. It feels good to take back the control and be reminded that my life depends on me keeping my promises. I needed this in order to take my future health serious. Every day is Day 1, until you successfully make it to Day 2. What were your most outstanding Vows that you recall? Are you still following them, or can you Re-commit to them? If you find yourself needing to Re-Commit, don’t wait! Take this moment to truly reflect on just how well you really are doing. Can you make some new commitments even? This time write them all out on a piece of paper and make a contract with yourself to uphold the Vows of health and fitness with yourself, and sign it and date it. Read it aloud and if necessary show someone that you trust. Read it out to them and be upfront to them about what you are doing. Of course only you can ensure that you are upholding your end of the bargain to the healthy person inside.

I know I do all the time. My family loves to eat. Every side of the family too - but I just tell them that I don't eat sugar or something like that. Mind you, I've been eating the same for a long time so no one mentions it anymore. They already know. Eventually they will get used to the new you and the comments should for the most part start to dwindle.

Post op Lap Band I lost hair. Post op Sleeve I lost hair. I imagine I will again Post op Bypass. I know for a fact that Biotin has helped my hair growth by a lot! My hair was taking a long time to grow back but several weeks after taking it I started getting baby growth all over my head, and my nails became stronger too. I take it several times per week, and my hair is back to full strength and I have a ton of it. Oh and it never made my hair grow anymore than normal in other areas of my body, but then again I'm Asian. Ha! I only have to shave once a week but that's only because I want to, not because I have to.

Biotin does not help with losing your hair, it only helps with hair and nail re-growth.

@@BellaHugz no worries I know you meant well I guess I worry too much about wanting everyone to feel good about who they are! I've been through it since a tiny child and today I love me... everyone deserves happiness in theirselves.

Stacy, yes my insurance approved my revision! I'm so thankful I did not want to have to fight it, I'm very sick and I just want to start feeling better again. It's on July 9th.

@@BellaHugz - then you must not follow me on Facebook or Instagram? Haha The general idea in this thread is just that and I totally agree with what @@B-52 said, as a very large woman I tried to pretend like it was okay and I felt fine being that large but the truth of it for me was that I really didn't deep down inside. It's okay to come out of our coccoons and enjoy the beautiful butterflies we have all or will become! @@thesuse2000 - Great post! There are so many reasons to do it, and yes one of them surely is to look better.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else hasn't lost their hair too! It's very common, and the reason behind it is that our bodies take the nutrients being fed to our hair and nails, even our skin and re-route them to more critical parts of our body. Such as our hearts, lungs and brains. Now, trust me I'd rather have what little I ate post op going to function my vitals. Hair and nails can grow back, right? The best thing you can do to help the situation is to take your supplements, take some Biotin, get all of your Protein in and drink plenty of Water. It's really hard living on only 300-400 calories for a few months, but the outcome is worth way more than a few lost strands of hair.

@@Bridgette Faiello wow I am truly so very sorry this happened to you! I mean, of course you have fat in your belly, you are having weight loss surgery for a reason. This makes no sense at all. Have you considered contacting your insurance and possibly filing malpractice or perhaps seeking legal assistance? ETA: Awesome you are going to see Dr. Now! This sounds like it all turned out for the best.

This might seem a bit weird but I will play Candy Crush on my phone sometimes. I take a bite of lunch then play a game. Take a bite, then another game... haha I know we aren't supposed to eat with distractions but who am I kidding. I've never eaten in total silence staring at the walls in my entire life. I come from a huge family and we like to chat while watching our DVR and eating dinner. Over the years I eat slow without even thinking about it. But while you're still learning try things like setting your utensil down between bites and just enjoying the company around you or your TV show.

Yes, so I hear it all the time, "I'm having this surgery because I want to lose weight and gain my health back"... but what I really want to know is, where is that person inside you that is doing it so you can be more attractive? I won't lie, I hated being fat. I did not feel pretty and I do feel a million times better being smaller. I even float across the floor better if that makes sense. I fit my clothes better, I can find a lot cuter clothes and I like shopping and doing make-up. They don't call me "diva" for nothing. I like taking pictures and I like having pretty hair and nails and lots of bright outfits. I love it when my husband tells me I'm beautiful. I personally don't think there's anything wrong with that, because on the inside I am kind, considerate and loving. I will never berate anyone and will always put my hand out to help anyone up, without question. When it comes down to it, it will always be how you treat yourself as well as others, and sometimes looking our best helps us feel better about treating others and ourselves better. As long as you have a good heart and always remain respectful then who cares if you like to look good. Anyone else out there willing to admit they have a bit of a narcissistic side?

@@thesupportedhalf yes sugar free jello is considered a clear and you can add the ounces in your daily fluid total too.

My husband is shadowing me with everything on this go round. He comes with me to some support group meetings, he came with me to the dietician class to learn what he could, he came with me to my last appointment with my Surgeon and will come again to the family support visit coming up in a few weeks. He also has taken an oath to go along with my "Sugar Free" diet which we are on Day 48 right now. Day 50 is on Sunday which is my Day 1 for my Pre-Op eating plans. I won't ask him to do those or my 2 Week Pre-Op liquid Diet, he works construction and he's probably pass out from malnutrition! Ha! He is also losing weight right now, he's lost about 10 Lbs and his clothes are looking a bit baggish on him. There are some great Hubby's out there! Let him do whatever he feels helps you, that's how men are they like to "fix" things. It's okay to tell him you need space sometimes too though

Hi there @@sharie24 I have Blue Shield and mine took about a weeks time from my last Dr.s appointment.

I started with the lap band in 2008 which is how the GERD started. I revised to the Sleeve in 2010 thinking it would help, not knowing back then it would get worse. It has progressively gotten so bad over the years my reflux is out of control. I take tons of medications and now including cough pills, syrups, drops, I regurgitate in my sleep... etc. My insurance has just recently approved me for another revision to the Rny Gastric Bypass (thank GOD). I do try to put the word out not to take that chance, who wants to be revised so many times? It's either revision for me or future Barrett's or esophageal cancer. Guess which one I chose?

@@Determintoloose welcome to the other side! One suggestion I can make is that you can use your protein shake oz. to add up into your daily 64. Keep up the good work! Get up your protein, your body needs it.

@@Bethzy143 you look beautiful! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story and pictures

Well you certainly don't want to appear like you are too desperate, looking to have surgery for the wrong reasons, that you are capable and ready, willing and able to follow all of the pre-operative diets and appointments that are sure to happen... I don't think you should avoid any questions it might come off as being evasive. Good luck today!

This is just my opinion but the anesthesiologist is the person who is going to keep you alive while you are under his care. If he doesn't think it's a good idea, I would hold off to find out why and if there is any way to correct it. Please don't feel so desperate that you are willing to risk your life for it. It's risky enough already. Best wishes,

Welcome Jim! Did your Nutritionist give you some kind of weight loss plan? As long as you take this seriously and stay on course, along with working out you will lose the weight. Don't forget plenty of Water, and get your sleep too.

@@Mrs King welcome to Bariatric Pal! The one thing I always tell pre-ops is to be patient with the process. Do your pre-op diet for many reasons, but number one do it for your life. Best wishes to you!

Great story Bob, thanks for joining! You are doing quite amazing, and that's with not losing every week, wow!!

@@Lyndy I thought the same thing about the sutures. This is all extremely new so there's not any long term study out right now. Having only 40 subjects is a very small pool. They didn't mention anything about complications.

Wow that is some fast home time! Good for you and well wishes on your new journey. Treat your new tool well and your tool will serve you well too.

@@tammie30 it's really easy to get into the idea of bingeing before we start our pre-op diet. Didn't we all have this mindset at one time or another? How about the thought "Oh I'm starting a diet on Monday so I'm going to enjoy this entire pizza tonight!" Yes, I would have a hard time believing anyone who has been obese that didn't find themselves saying this exact thing at one point in their life. That said, you really must take a moment and reflect on why you have gained the 10 pounds. You'd have to be eating quite a bit of food above what you are burning off for the day since there are 3,500 calories in one pound of fat. Some of that might be Water but I would really doubt the entire 10 Lbs is water. I encourage you to stop what you are doing ASAP and get right with your eating and get some workouts in. May I also remind you that you will be weighed in pre-operatively for accuracy records, and some surgeons will cancel your surgery for gaining too much weight. They have to see around the fat in your belly area to excise your stomach as well as suturing the area. Save yourself while you still have time!