MGM

Hello Sleevers and soon to be Sleevers! This feels so funny to talk about myself but, I am so Happy...I wanted to share with you all. Especially, anyone thinking they are not sure they can take a chance. You need to believe in your surgeon and yourself. Best thing for me was my support, primarily my husband who has been to ever y appointment and both surgeries (yes I had a complication requiring a second surgery and setting me back...just a bit).
Friday I went to see my surgeon and wonderful supportive staff, including Nurse and Marketing Manager...yup, Marketing Manager who was walking by and the nurse called her in...she saw my success and asked if I wanted to apply to Model in the organization's upcoming "Fashion Show", can you imagine? OH MY??
I then stood up from the table to prepare to leave and she said "oh wow look at you, you are model material". I just about fell over. Annually the Western Bariatric Institute in Reno, NV hosts a fashion show using local vendors and featuring their success stories. Apparently they have so many, you must apply to participate. But, what the heck...I will apply and see what happens.
So, we walked outside and took a photo for the application and I thought, well I would post it next to a pic taken about 5 months before my surgery on November 1, 2011 and share with you all. I am looking for full body pics and will try to post those as well.
One thing that came from the check up, was that I told my nurse, I was a little concerned because I definitely can eat more and I get hungry more often. She wants me to stick with 1100 to 1200 cals daily and add a probiotic and keep up my exercise. So, the only change was to add a probiotic. All other levels were great and my potassium is coming up, slowly but surely.
Daily:
Bariatric Advantage (BA) multi, Orange flav
BA - calcium citrate, Cherry
BA - Vitamin B-50 Complex
BA - Vitamin D
Biotin - 2 daily, 5,000mcg
Omeprosol - 1 in am (PPI)
Potassium - 4 daily (40mg)
Probiotic - kerogen 2.4 billion CFU (all I know is it puts good stuff back in your gut)
One more thing.. I bought a pair of Tommy Hilfigger Capri Pants this weekend, and I asked the young lady if the outfit was to young for my age and she said "wow, your legs look awesome", "no way, your outfit is age appropriate". It was strange because the last time I really shopped jeans and such, we all wore high wasted pants. NOT THE CASE TODAY.
So, thanks for letting me share and hopefully, if you are someone researching your options, this may help even if in some small way. I just know, I never thought I would be this size, and feel this way again in my life. I am thankful to all the folks here on Vertical Sleeve Talk who are supportive and who share real stories so that we could make informed decisions to make changes to our lives.
Take care

Go to "the world according to eggface" she's giving away a Protein shaker and some individual protein packets.

Go to "the world according to eggface" she's giving away a Protein shaker and some individual protein packets.

Someone asked me for these pic it is 2 years and 2 months apart I hope I can inspire any of ya'll 238 is where I started and now 118 and yes I am 51 years. Old. And feel great and would do it all again

bfastaaa.tiff

There are healthy ways of makin most any dressing. I love ranch. There is a recipe in the foods section on how to make it with Greek yogurt that taste like hidden valley.

My husband is discouraging too. I will have mine in August. He won't come with me. He says it's not gonna work...and I'm gonna mess up my body and be in pain the rest of my life...but he refuses to educate himself. If anyone needs to not have complications, it's me...cause I'm married to Debbie downer!!

I just want to chime in here. Whoa. 22 years is a LONG time for his family not to accept you. Where are YOU going to be with this guy in another TWO years? By then you will have your own body, and he will have to respect that you have not only a new body, but a new life. How much he wants to join in that new life will be a negotiated reality between the two of you.
Whether you let him back into your heart is up to you. You may have him in your life, but in your heart? That is a whole different thing. Whatever you decide, remember there is a BIG difference between love and trust. You may love him and go on with your life with him with forgiveness, but he will have to EARN your trust.
For what it's worth, I don't believe that he FORGOT. That sounds like the very FIRST topic I'd bring up with the marriage counselor.
As far as the mess with his family goes, remember that old adage: living well is the best revenge. Use them for motivation to rock that sleeve!!! Pulling for you.....

I haven't had surgery yet. It's scheduled for August 23rd. So no pounds coming off yet. But yes, while I'm changing, either his attitude can or his address can!

Yes, I am happy I have my VST family! Thought maybe I overreacted but that's just the side of me that is used to succumbing to his opinions of me! Love you guys!

Thank you for a positive spin on this.

So I haven't bought any "goal outfit" or anything...but recently I got a $40 check from Lane Bryant. I didnt want to buy anything for now, so decided to get something in the smallest size they sell. Man, did I do good! There was a cute dress, size 14 on the sale rack for $44.99. I get to the register and was told the sale rack is 50% off right now, so I go get another dress. My grand total including tax? $42.48. I only had to pay $2.48 for 2 cute dresses! Hoping to be able to wear them by 2013 spring. That's not my final goal though! I want to not be able to shop in ANY woman's stores!

I know I'm a newbie here, but this woman's story is a catalog of everything my surgeon told me not to do. An object lesson for us all, I suppose.

So I haven't bought any "goal outfit" or anything...but recently I got a $40 check from Lane Bryant. I didnt want to buy anything for now, so decided to get something in the smallest size they sell. Man, did I do good! There was a cute dress, size 14 on the sale rack for $44.99. I get to the register and was told the sale rack is 50% off right now, so I go get another dress. My grand total including tax? $42.48. I only had to pay $2.48 for 2 cute dresses! Hoping to be able to wear them by 2013 spring. That's not my final goal though! I want to not be able to shop in ANY woman's stores!

I almost feel like she's being sarcastic? lol but I could be wrong, either way that's awesome girl! I hate getting on an airplane and tugging that seatbelt as tight as it'll go! haha

Never do or say anything you would not do or say in the presence of your wife and you will be just fine!!

Too funny I had to laugh out loud...I think you are fine as long as the conversation is innocent. You know when things are getting out of line and if the line of innocence is being crossed. So, ultimately it is up to you to keep the conversation clean and the other party on the straight and narrow if needed. I am far from an expert but I am married and this is something I would tell my own husband...

There is nothing wrong with lurking in the powder room and as long as you are not having any discussions that are inappropriate it is fine.

Im worried about Migraines post op as well as the only OTC that helps is excedrin Migraine (generic of course since you can't get the real thing anymore). You can get someone to rub very hard right at the bottom of your head. It will hurt kind of, but then it's a good pain, and helps the coming migraine.

In all honesty, I don't think the surgery itself does anything to relationships. If a relationship ends in light of surgery, there were problems long before that. I think a couple of things happen. I think a lot of people are already in unhealthy relationships, but they stay because they have such low self worth that they think it is the best they can do. After surgery, we start to gain more confidence and feel better about ourselves. In turn, people end of leaving their significant other because they realize they are worth so much more.
In your case, I think your husband is just using it as an excuse. If he truly loved and respected you, he would have been there for you instead of fooling around on you. I agree that counseling is a good route, but staying together just for your daughter's sake is never a good way to go. How often do we hear people saying they stayed together for the children, when, in reality, it was the worst thing for them.
My husband has been nothing but supportive and my biggest cheerleader. He loved me at my heaviest and he loves me now. Best of luck with everything and do some deep soul searching to figure out what is best for everyone, including yourself!

So sorry this has happened to you! Be strong and do what is right for you and your baby. It sounds like you are a great mom. Best wishes with the therapy also.
I do agree, this surgery is so life altering that it can shake things up for sure. My 23 yo marriage is fine, but I do find I now have more confidence than before and tend to stick up for myself more! If that becomes a problem, oh well....I have been there for hubby and kids and now is my time to take care of me!

Tmi, but my top 3 things are:
1) wiping my butt without trying to be a contortionist.
2) shopping in any store I want and wearing pretty clothes, and heels that don't hurt
3) just FEEL BETTER!!! Inside, out, and mentally!!

When I first told my husband about the surgery, he said" We don't have to tell ANYONE , only the 4 of us need to know (my 2 daughters). We'll do this together". HAHAAHAAAA! He tried to keep it shut, but men are such gossips! I think every one of his customers and family know EVERYTHING!
( I feel you on the in-law thing...)

I have observed that weight loss by one person makes others insecure - it is the courage to change. It occurs with spouses, life partners, friends, co-workers, etc. Individuals who are not self-empowered can get discouraged by others who are self-empowered.

I had a long talk with my wife & kids about my decision to have this surgery and my wish that noone else, family or friends be told about it. My kids are 28 & 26 and our 30th anniversary is coming up this month.
Let me say first that MGM, I so sympathize with your situation and it seems that you have every right to feel the way you do. OK so, I had the surgery on 6/25 but prior to that, I had a go-around not with my wife, but one of my children who thought it best to tell my family just in case, God forbid something went wrong in surgery. I said that if something went wrong, then fine....let mom tell 'em that I went for this to try to get healthier and something went terribly wrong, etc. and I didn't want anyone to know before so noone would have to worry. Long story short, it came down to me laying down the law and saying this is my business and don't you dare open your mouth! Luckily so far as I know, it's been obeyed. As for my wife, I can't say enough about her, she has been more than supportive, she's been truly my better half for 30 years, Bless her heart! She even took off the week I had the procedure to stay home and help take care of me if I needed it. I thank God every day for her and as we come upon our 30th anniversary I can say proudly that I would marry her all over again!