LilMissDiva Irene

I am. You are. He is over there… and she is too. Everyone reading this article is a success. Being a success has nothing to do with how much weight you have lost. It isn’t determined by your tape measure. It’s not proclaimed by everyone on your buddy list. You are a success as long as you wake up trying and go to bed planning to fight tomorrow. Who is a “Success Story”? I’ll tell you… I am. You are. He is over there… and she is too. Everyone reading this article is a success. Being a success has nothing to do with how much weight you have lost. It isn’t determined by your tape measure. It’s not proclaimed by everyone on your buddy list. You are a success as long as you wake up trying and go to bed planning to fight tomorrow. I just realized it at this very moment. I mean, I’ve always known… but it never really hit me in my gut (no pun intended) until right now. What I have been searching for, for so long – ten years now to be exact. That is when I really started getting into the health and fitness community. It was when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and I was scared enough to change my life. I’d recently lost an Uncle when I was diagnosed, due to complications (many tormenting and painful years of it) of this horrible disease also known as “The Silent Killer”. And from there I was set to change my life, forever. Fast Forward many years to 2011. That was the height of my health and fitness and going into 2012 until I blew out my knees. I created a thread here called “Bariatric Surgery Do’s and Don’ts”. In case you have not seen this thread yet, here’s the link: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/194624-bariatric-surgery-dos-and-donts/ Well, little did I know at the time of creating that thread that today it would become the Top Most Liked Post here at BariatricPal.com – now you might be wondering what the heck that thread has to do with this magazine article? Well, here it is: what you do today will someday have a profound effect toward your distant future. Have you heard of the “Butterfly Effect”? Well it’s exactly the same idea. Tomorrow you may not even notice the results of yesterday’s decision make, but one of these days – maybe next week, maybe not until 5 years from now but you will realize the finality of your decision. That’s not all though, back in 2007 I finally realized that I needed help. I started to research Weight Loss Surgery on Google. Well those searches lead me here. I mean, back then it was called LapBandTalk. My, my… has it grown since then! Since that time I have had 2 revision surgeries due to complications but I know there is absolutely no way I wouldn’t have gotten through all of it without the support of this website. I am forever grateful to the Site Owner, he (Alex) has been a true blessing for me. In that time I have become somewhat of a Bariatric Community leader, both here and abroad. It’s special to me because making that tiny Google Search was the first flutter of my wings to now. Even being a Global Moderator here and writing my very own magazine articles. I am so thankful for the opportunity to express myself the way I believe I am meant to. Even though I am fluttering all over sharing my story, I always know where my home is. Life is not all wonderful however; you have to be just as prepared for the results of your bad decisions too. If you’re choosing to binge for several days your result will show up on your next weigh-in. Just like if you chose not to make your house payment for a few months, you can scar your credit report for maybe an entire decade of your life... it’s the same idea. So again, if you woke up this morning with the idea that you are going to at least try… then you are a success. Your results may take time to catch up to this truth (you just need to have faith and practice patience) but it will come about.

@@ktbbailey77 They will most likely give you a complete blood panel including fasting for your pre-operative testing. Also, most surgeons do a nicotine test as well because it is believed smoking can hinder healing and cause ulcers.

Right on Congrats!! @Lynzee43 I look forward to when I can get my skin removals too.

Well in the YouTube and Facebook world they do a video dancing celebration. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself. Congrats!!! That's a really great milestone.

The bad news is there really isn't much you can do about preventing hair loss. Majority will experience this. But the good news is you can take things such as Biotin to help it re-grow. I take 5,000iu almost every day. My hair grew back fast and very strong and healthy. Good luck!

@@Chale1990 Yes I had really extreme nausea post op VSG. Maybe there is something your surgeon can give you for that. You definitely don't want to vomit up all your fluids. You need to get down whatever you can. Call soon so they can help you. Good luck!

@@blashlee Hi there and welcome to the rest of your life! WLS has been both a blessing a somewhat of a curse for me at times. But the best thing I've learned in this is that I am much stronger than I ever imagined. If you need a friend, I'm here! Cute pup too. I have some Maltese that I just adore.

Yes I've been using My Fitness Pal for years. It's a great logging tool and it's free.

Okay, you mentioned the IV so I mistakenly thought you were still in the hospital. It wouldn't hurt to call in a question to your surgeons office. Take care!

Steroids could be the reason. I also get that when I take high doses of B-12. Just be sure it's not fever related, but since you're in the hospital I'm sure they are keeping tabs on your temperature around the clock. Good luck!

@@listic2001 I know you can do it, but will you do it? You have to believe in yourself and tell yourself that you are worth it. It's going to be really hard but think of the end prize whenever you are having a weak moment. Tell yourself that you absolutely cannot fail! It really doesn't get any easier either post op. You have to get your brain wrapped around the idea of changing a lot of old bad habits for the rest of your life. The surgery will help you for awhile but not forever. Take charge of your health today! The quickest way to lose weight is low carbing. Buy the Atkins diet book if you have to, but the menu is pretty simple. Eat just Protein and vegetables, and drink a lot of Water. Minimum 64 Oz a day. Good luck! Come back and let us know that you have been successful.

It was moved into your October 2014 Forums. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1043-october-2014/

Hi there! Follow this link and you will find other Sleevers having theirs around the same time as you. http://www.bariatricpal.com/forum/1133-february-2015-sleevers/

You absolute CAN take it back. Take it back by fighting back and getting back on track. Your story is not as uncommon as most might think. Turn it around now, and be grateful that you did face the facts and stepped on that scale. You are stronger than your demons, don't let them win this time. Hugs to you, you absolutely have it in you. You've already proven that.

@@CheleLynn45 Congrats!! Celebrate all of your victories without apology. Good job!

Woohoo!! Prayers going out to you and a speedy recovery

@@losing_the_band Hi there. I am a 3rd timer also. I had the Lapband in 2008, then revised to VSG in 2010 and revised again to the Bypass in July of last year. No regrets at all. You're making a good choice. I have not had any problems at all, which for the first time ever is a nice thing to say. Any idea on when you will be revised? Best to you.

@@Sexy Granni Wonderful Congrats!!!

Congrats on your surgery @@salsera305 Sounds like youre coming along normally. Take your time with moving through your food phases. It can be a bit unnerving sometimes. Sip, Sip, Sip!

@@bellabloom I am terribly sorry you are experiencing these complications. I had complications too post op with both my LapBand and then my Vertical Sleeve. I was revised to RnY GB in July of last year. Thus far I have not had any complications at all. *knock on wood*... there have been times when I too felt like I made a mistake having WLS. I feel your discouragement, trust me. I pray that you heal this time around. I also hope it's nothing too drastic. I mean yes an ulcer is not good news, but it can be fixed. Hang in there.

It does get better, not to worry. IV fluids and gas pain... not the best memories. But it will pass in a week or so. Good luck!

@@samcat681 Yay! Good for you! The Wedding Ring NSV is a good one.

I had my Lapband removed in 2010. Many of the same reasons mentioned above. I'm sorry to hear your boyfriend is experiencing these issues. It's very scary to deal with. Get started now and keep record of everything. Best to you both. @@j-rod

Haha much less trauma than the dream. I remember getting my fills. They weren't so bad at all.