BZButterfly79

My labs were perfect too, I don't know yet where they are as I stated before but I'd like to hear an MD explain why the surgery is the root cause of Vitamin D deficiency, it's produced when the sun hits our skin, has to be absorbed in through skin and has to be activated by liver and kidneys, as far I can tell I still have my liver and kidneys so what is the rationale? Dietary deficiency does not seem to be a good cause because even a normal stomach cannot really get in all the requirements without the sunlight.

Here is how I feel about the depression, Vitamin, and minerals deal post-op. Due to the PCOS & weight gain my body felt like a living hell, I had no periods then all of a sudden 3 months later I would bleed to the point I felt anemic, I had to stay home several times not even medical pads could hold, then there was the SUPER elevated testosterone levels and you want to talk about anxiety...the sex drive of a horse...breakouts...unsatiable appetite-THAT was depressing. If you were to ask a general family practice physician what obese patients have in common i can assure you they will point to labs, one thing being low B12 and D, they don't know why but EVEN before any procedure there is already that issue lurking the waters. On to the subject of depression, if you have a history of depression I don't think the surgery will mask it or take it away, if you are new to depression post-op you have to look at the root cause, I think blaming the surgery is a cop-out, if I thought of all the negative things being overweight brought into my life that would be depression enough to make me want to go into a cave but it's a mind set that's how you see happy fat people and nobody can understand it. Sure my hormones are changing, I know that through many things on my day to day life and as I look back at life pre-op I cannot understand HOW I wasn't medicated because what I see through the rear view mirror was someone completely out of control. Most people in this country who are not obese have vitamim deficiencies mostly due to the crap that is being called "food" out there sponsored by all the hormones and chemicals they've managed to give lab rats and turned out to be a success and they decided to feed us the same way, the obese have more than one issue at hand, you don't see a lot of obese people going to tanning beds or even direct sunlight for too long that's my observation it could be a lot of reasons, but obviously the obese also don't get all the Vitamins and minerals they need because they don't spend all day eating the way they should, I know I wasn't is I had been I would not have needed the operation. If my stored estrogen is being released I am glad because I don't need all these fat cells hanging around, if you take a look at what the fat cells are actually doing then you will see they release a toxin which is why overweight people have an increased chance in developing cancer and other things. Though I never took meds for anxiety I know I had it and post-op I feel calmer, maybe too calm but I like it because when it's time to open the fridge and choose, I am clear headed. By no means am I saying here my life is perfect or that there is nothing that irritates me, what I am saying is that it's not due to the surgery. I'l' have my labs drawn in April and will let you guys know if anything is off meanwhile I am going to take a good book out to the backyard for a little sun time. Can't cry over spilled milk or cut out stomach gotta keep eye on what I can control and make the best of my new life everyday. The video below though about the MGB talks about the estrogen drop which applies to us too: 1 2

I have never met personally anyone who had the sleeve and gained it all back, I have heard of people who did and this goes for every procedure out there. I am excited for you, this is the greatest tool I have ever had in my life to help me control what goes into my mouth. People who gain or do not lose have probably not been addressing the psychological aspect between them and food, so why does this matter? Well, if you don't forgive yourself and except that you are a food addict, that food is or was your drug of choice and that you are vulnerable to it being used the wrong way any procedure that you do I don't care how "mal-absorbative" or "restrictive" will not help. The surgery does not erase your psychological cravings, your old habits can creep up even at only 3oz at a time. The important thing to do is to be aware of these so that post-op when they try creeping back you can say: "Stay back! You are no longer welcomed into my life". You have to develop a respect for food because that allows you to be conscious and knowing it has the power to nourish you or eventually kill you. Post-op a long way down the road you'll be able to eat the very same things that got you to the weight you are at now, people who gain back find ways to slide foods the example I see the most are with "milkshakes". Pre-op you have to begin changing your relationship with food, you have to become strong and develop healthier habits as soon as you can. For example if you hated exercising find something that you do love to do even if it's dusting your home, this surgery without a total lifestyle makeover can have a lesser affect. Some people have journals, blogs, videos, etc that allows them to find a therapeutic outlet that helps them and others as well, find what works for you. Once you have this surgery you will go out to a restaurant and look around you at how and how much people are eating and for the first time in your life you will have an epiphany as I did and realize that as a society something is very very wrong, people are literally stuffing their emotions with food. This will help make you stronger, and remember one thing, this is YOUR OWN personal project, post-op you might have help but you are the manager of this project and you alone determines your success. No matter how supportive other people are of your surgery they cannot fully understand unless they've been there so be ready to develop a thick skin, to make new choices, to take responsibility for what goes in. You will succeed and do great and achieve all of your goals-if you want it bad enough, if you need a visual of what's in my pantry I have pictures up and also some of the meals I eat now. Good luck to you and see you over the rainbow!

I had my first class on the 12th of Oct, am meeting with my nutritionist on the 19th of Oct, and then the nurse said I will be scheduling a visit with the doc...meanwhile I will have booked a Psych consult which is due after I see the Doc? Is this the usual course of events I am really praying to start my new life before the end of the year. If you are a military dependent and can share your experience, I am also having it done at a military base(per Tricare) I hope that goes well too. The surgeon seems to do these frequently but the military docs are so young that you get a little scared. And...can you share with me some of the important things your asked the Doc because I am making a list, they told us to write down all of the questions and concerns before the appointment. Thanks

kkkkkk you have a great point!

I take the Gummy Vites for adults, I recently heard Oprah saying she can't stop eating them, well they are good you don't get that medicine taste. I was tempted to buy the BA ones but I was waiting until mine ran out some people tell me I must take the bariatric specialized ones because they are better. My post-op diet was not nearly as strict as yours I mean I was on soft foods/mushy week 3. It's good that you are getting your cardio in I am a fan of Zumba if you have a Y near you check it out also I enjoy Dance Central on the Xbox. My kids have taken over the Wii not a chance I can get near it! The hardest thing for me to take is the calcium citrate wafers, those are going to require that I get botox soon due to the crazy facial expressions I make while attempting to get it down. But I wouldn't change a thing this has been the best thing I ever did for myself!

Hi I am wondering about all my Dec 2010 sleeve brothers/sisters if you are out there "please stand up"! I would love to share tips and learn some from you, how are you progressing on your journey?

I just looked up what you mentioned above, I don't know anyone who has had this, from the literature however I did not like it much, so they use a non-absorbable suture line and keep the stomach, what is that part of the stomach doing on the other side? It reminded me a bit of the lap band in a way. I am super happy with my sleeve.

Dillards has nice inserts so does VS, make sure you try it on before you leave and ask them to teach you how to place them in the bra(there is a technique to it). They are light brown and feel like implants, there are also bras that already have them inside the cup, you can get them a Kohls inexpensive and to be honest I like not having to fuss with inserts, another thing is inserts can be lost especially in the heat of the moment.

Mine are goiiiiiiing, I was a C cup before gaining then DD now I am in a D and regardless of whether there is a cup left I already don't like the fact they are not looking up at the sky so will have to do something about that cause deflated boobs tend to look wrinkled. Something has got to give I guess! My butt is still going strong it will take awhile I am sure lots of fat to burn off. You look very young so you might not have any issues at all.

If there is anything positive that I can contribute to you is that in the long run provided you don't slip back to your old ways and sabotage surgery and all your hard work so far, you skin is probably going to thank you, the slower you lose the more it gives it a chance to adjust just make sure that you are doing what's best for you, I eat in the same little bowl I ate and drank from since coming home, that way I can eye things and control my portions, regardless of the size you are controlling what goes in bottom line. Focus on the weight you've left behind, don't get down on yourself and begin that sickening cycle stay strong believe in the sleeve but most important believe in yourself, I am looking at the clothes I was wearing pre-op! WHAT was I thinking, we are beautiful there is no reason to destroy that beauty, you have support here, stick a pic of yourself at your heaviest on your fridge if you have to NEVER forget. Hugs!

Good morning, I had 2 boiled eggs, my vites, and just finished 20 oz of Crystal Light, I look at my fridge and nothing is appealing-not looking forward to lunch. I will probably have a shake or a sald with tuna, as far as dinner I get sick thinking about it, my tummy is not right today and my muscles are really sore from running yesterday

This was awesome and so what I like to read very funny and true-thanks!

The gallery ought to be more organized, like by amount of weight lost, age, etc that way people can relate more to it right now it feels like it's a gallery full of everything without an index or anything, I myself have looked for pics and feel disappointed, on the other hand there are other forum where the amount of pics are so overwhelming but yet the procedures are all different with a majority being lap band and RNY I don't like that either. Who knows many someone will listen. As organized as the front page is so should the photo gallery be. There are people who need visual motivation and also I tried uploading a video and it would not let me even though it says it's okay. No I did not want to go through youtube just here where I feel comfortable.