Jen35

I think you are great!!! Your posts, and several other vets, help me so much as I am only 12 weeks out. It's so helpful to hear your experiences and know what to expect going forward. I just want you to know that you are appreciated

I felt the same way initially, that I had failed because I had to turn to WLS and couldn't do it on my own. I have trouble asking for help with anything because I should be able to do it myself! I've always just relied on me. But I had to let go of that mentality. It's not healthy for me and it definitely wasn't making me happy. Now I embrace my sleeve and the new life that it has given me. To have a more normal view of food and the ability to control my portions. Before the surgery, I had decided not to tell many people. Then I changed my mind and decided who cares what others think. I really haven't had any negative comments after surgery. Before i had some tell me that I wasn't that big, etc. but now it's done and they can't change my mind I want people to know about WLS and the benefits. The more we talk about it, the less stigma it will have. However, it's up to each to decide who to tell and I respect anyone's decision to keep it private.

Actually I read that wrong, you had your first appointment on May 13th. I had surgery on May 22nd. You aren't a slow loser at all!!! 50 pounds in 9 weeks is very good. I'm at 53 in 12 weeks. I haven't hit any stalls until this last week or so. I really want to be at 180 for my Floriday vacation in 3 weeks. Not sure it that will happen though.

Hi - I started at 244 as well and had surgery the week after you. We are right about on the same track. How cool! Congrats on your success Doesn't if feel great to be in Onederland!!!

I understand what the OP is saying to a degree. I've seen some posts get out of hand and really hateful. Not toward me, but others. I try to stay out of the drama and just scroll on by . This is a public forum and there will be people you don't like, don't agree with, etc. But can't we, as adults, express our differeing opinions in a respectful way? I will say that the majority of those on this forum are very helpful and well meaning. I still come back here so I'm obviously getting something positive out of it! What the OP may be talking about is the judgemental attitude in the sense of "if you don't do things exactly the way I do then you're doing it wrong and you are going to ruin your sleeve and die" (I'm exaggerating a bit). I've seen this in some posts (again, not directed toward me) and it bugs me.

I have found that I lose less weight when my calories are too low. Anything under 600 isn't good for me. If the highest you are taking in is 1000 calories and you burning 500 of those calories on a workout day, you are only gettin 500 calories. I agree with checking with your NUT. In the meantime, try gettiing taking in more calories on your workout days at least.

it is the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 6 pm. They meet at the Collinsville Doubletree Hotel.

Did you go to a psychologist referred by your surgeon? I ask because I was able to go to any psychologist I wanted, but my surgeon's office worked with someone who knew the requirements, what was needed for clearance, etc. I chose to go with that doctor and I had no problems. He mainly focussed on making sure I understood the surgery risks and that I had realistic expectations. Sometimes these doctors don't really know what they are doing unless they have experience with WLS evaluations. If you decide to get a second opinion, check if your surgeon's office recommends someone. Otherwise, I would look online in your area and make some calls to ask specifically if they have experience with WLS evaluations. I don't think it is fair for her to not clear you for surgery, even if she recommends therapy/medication. I take anitdepressants and I go to therapy, but that doesn't mean that I didn't qualify for surgery.

I'm so sorry you have to go through all this! I was terrified to get the sleeve initially (back in May) because I have had horrible reflux for the last several years. I understand the feeling of waking up choking and gasping for breath. I was sure I would end up with serious lung problems from aspirating on acid! My surgeon warned me that reflux may get worse after the sleeve. But he also repaired my hiatial hernia (I didn't know I had one) with my sleeve and I've had zero reflux since. Recently I've noticed that I get a little heartburn when I eat spicy foods, but I either avoid them or take tums after.

I had bad reflux for years and was on protonix. I didn't realize it was due to hiatial hernia until they did an endoscopy before sleeve surgery. My reflux was immediately gone after surgery. I'm 3 months out and I occasionally get some heartburn if I eat something spicy. Recovery was hard but managable, mostly had issues eating. Couldn't eat much and the protein shakes made me gag. Then I had gallbladder issues and it removed 3 weeks out. So I then was recovering from 2 surgeries back to back. Doing great now! It will get better. I think the first 1 - 3 weeks just suck in general for many reasons.

I'm an instructor of human resource software for a large human capital management company. I do this from home (virtually) and I LOVE my job. I'm also a mom to 2 kids, 7 and 10. Prior to this, I was an HR professional.

I love this thread! I can completely relate to wanting to please everyone so they will like/love me. My weight is a big part of that but I think it goes deeper for me since I was like that even when I was a child and didn't have a weight problem. But the weight had made it much, much worse - I don't feel worthy of love so I feel like I have to earn it by making people happy. So sad when I think about it. I don't say no when I really should because what if that means that that I'm no longer of value to you. I put myself last on any list. I'm working on all these things with a therapist but WOW this is hard!!

I had gallbladder issues before VSG but my doctor couldn't verify any issues at that time. The insurance won't pay to remove it unless they find proof of a problem. So I had my VSG on 5/22 and 3 weeks later I had gallbladder surgery. That SUCKED! My main symptom was nausea. I couldn't eat or drink without getting sick. Which doesn't work very well right after surgery. So I was getting dehydrated, etc. So they did all the tests and, of course, I had sludge in my gallbladder. My bariatric surgeon did the gallbladder surgery, but didn't use the same holes so I have 9 scars

I don't know what is worse, getting these backward compliments or not hearing anything at all. I've been very open about my surgery and I've lost over 50 pounds. It's obvious. But most people (other than family) haven't said anything about it. Like at church. These people see me 2x per week but they say nothing. I know they would mention it if they didn't know about the surgery. I'd be getting "wow, you've lost so much weight" and then probably "how did you do it?". Well they know how and maybe that's why they don't mention it???

Wow - I'd be finding me another therapist! My therapist made me write a list of all the beautiful things about myself (and then added to it herself) prior to surgery. The point being that all those things will still be beautiful after surgery and no matter what I weigh.

I hear you:) I actually bought a tankini with a regular bottom (no skirt)! Actually showing some skin.

I go to the support group through St. Alexius New Start. I think it may only be for those who had their surgery through them. They meet in Collinsville twice per month.

Yay for you:) It feels good to hit those milestones!

I just read another post about hair loss and someone posted that they had lost a lot of hair "down south". I, of course, will not be that lucky! It would be nice though as I'm going to the beach in about 4 weeks. I'm not quite 3 months out and I've started noticing a lot more hair falling out. I have quite a bit of hair, but I'm still worried. Someone in the other thread mentioned they are using hair fibers. I've seen them at Sally's Beauty Supply - they are keratin fibers that elecrtostatically stick to your hair and make it look thicker. They aren't supposed to come off until you wash them out. I may have to get some.

Surgery 5/22 - down 52 lbs. including 1 week pre-op. Started at 244 and now I'm 192 (I haven't been under 200 in 10 years!). Down about 3 sizes now - love my sleeve

I agree with you! I think part of the problem is the psychiatrists don't realize that we are there for just for clearance for the surgery, not an evaluation of our whole mental histories. My surgeon's office has a psychiatrist that comes to their office for appointments and I chose to go to him because he knew what the insurance did and didn't need. And he didn't ask me some of the crazy questions that I hear about. He didn't delve into my past and my childhood - he asked questions to ensure I had a realistic view of the outcome of the surgery, that I was mentally capable to make this decision, etc. That is really all the insurance needs to know and that is the purpose for the visit. They usually do not include follow up sessions so it's not helpful to ask deeper questions. I also chose to see a therapist before/during/after surgery because it's worth it to me to explore why I got to that point so I don't end up back there. I know not everyone has these options, but if they can find a psychiatrist who is familiar with the WLS evaluation requirements, there is a better outcome.

I didn't do well on Protein for the first few weeks after. Protein drinks made me gag after surgery. Yes, it's kind of like you are starving yourself! I definitely felt like it. I wasn't always hungry (sometimes I was) but I could tell my body wasn't getting what it needed to be healthy. I started tracking my calories and on most days even 3 weeks out I was only getting 300 calories. That's not enough to function. BUT it gets so much better when you can eat more variety. pureed and soft foods make all the difference. Then you can move to regular foods. Just go slow - trial and error. There are still things that my tummy doesn't like, but most things I tolerate well. Hang in there, this part will be over soon.

Great attitude. I worry about everything even when I try not too! Just my personality, but I'm working on being more laid back about things I can't change. I am 2 1/2 months out or so and I have just started noticing more hair after each shower. So, I think I'm starting this process early. In case I need it, do the hair fibers work well? I'm assuming this is what I've seen at salon stores that cling to your real hair.

Everyone has to do what is best for them and in their situation. I haven't tried popcorn yet either - too afraid at this early out. I love that the sleeve has allowed me to have this mindset:) I couldn't do it before the sleeve - moderation was not a possibility for me.

Thanks:) It's taken me lots of therapy to come to this realization about myself!