TwinsMama

My Dr told me we do need some fat. Small amounts but yes, some fat is needed.

Exactly what I was going to type. Yes that is one nifty book!

Funniest comment ever...

Great job!

Another option which may help is if you get your own personal plan for a year and pick one that offers this surgery. I looked into that when I was worried our work plan would not offer it. Just as an FYI, many indiv plans in my area (depending on the company and your health status) costs between $350 - $400 a month which would be about $4.5K - $4.8K for a year. That's about half of the cheapest (self-pay) surgery I've seen.

I second what everyone said. I took copies to my Coord. it was much easier on my mind to know that she had everything she needed. And yes, there were times she had multiple copies, but I was much more at ease knowing she had my complete file.

Congrats!

I feel you! I was almost 6 feet tall and 160 lbs and was called overweight. Now that is close to my goal. Funny how the very discipline that tells us to be healthy, is the same one that sets crazy standards for what healthy means.

Hang in there and if you need the meds, don't think twice about taking them. Sending hugs your way!

I am 7 weeks out and had hunger the entire time. I of course don't get hungry as often or with the same intensity...but yes, hunger is there. I had people telling me I was only "head hungry" then when I got light headed (more than once) my Dr and Nut both said...um, yes some people still get hungry. I even tried drinking Water only to be upset I have to wait 30 min to eat because yes, it was hunger all along.

Congrats to both of you!

My Dr wanted us to have no caffeine after the sleeve. I was always a decafe girl though. However, now that I'm sleeved I don't desire coffee at all. I go with the ask your Dr response.

Of course you know you're still healing. Each day can feel vastly different. Don't force yourself to do too much. Take naps as needed, drink your Water, and try and get Protein if you can. Go slowly and you'll be okay.

This so much! My parents were both small (my Mom under weight for most of her life). So they never thought about putting restrictions on food other than no sugar cerals, chewing fully, eating slowly, and overall not being an embarassment at the table. We had balanced meals every night but could eat as many servings as we "needed". They could eat whatever they wanted and my sister and I on the other hand, could not. They had to eventually (after they saw me take an interest in getting in shape) stop buying the junk because they knew it would not help me in the long run.

While I value what you're saying there is a bit I don't agree with at all. My sleeve doesn't help me make better decisions. My mental work before and during this process helps me make better decisions. Check some of the Vet boards, you'll see that many people regain because the sleeve doesn't help them make better decisions.

From what I've noticed I think everyone is saying monitor what she eats, more protein, less carbs, being active each day. I may have missed someone saying eat like a post-op...I agree won't work. I do however feel, by changing her diet (or even WW like someone suggested), she would benefit. The thing is, even with the sleeve a person can cheat. I see a coworker do it daily. If she cannot do simple (gradual) diet changes, the sleeve will fail her too. Or, rather, she will fail her sleeve.

I love this post because it so sums up myself in so many ways! I'm tall too and back when I was young people used the big to mean "tall". So even when I wasn't (looking back) that big, I heard how big I was my whole life. Like you, I didn't stop growing either until I was 18. I grew 2 inches the summer between HS and freshman year in college. So doing this at 14 would have messed me up. I guess I'm just really passionate about this topic because one I had complications and two because I believe every girl/woman should be taught to love themself regardless of weight/size/etc. I've never had problems making friends because I was taught to be content by myself so anyone extra was a bonus. I have never had low self-esteem and my reasons to sleeve were purely health related (terrified of getting co-morbs down the line and loss of energy). I opt for the OP to work on her daughters mental before the physical!

Here's the thing...I have never cared if my kids were mad because I told them no to something that I know is not in their best interest. Maybe that makes me a tough Mom, but that's how I was raised and I could not be more proud/honored/thankful to have a Mom who was Mom first and not trying to be a friend. Not saying the OP is trying to be a friend, but I believe as parents it is our job to have the boundaries our children seem to think are unnecessary. I totally agree with you that this seems rushed. This could have been avoided with a bit more talk first and then action. I feel for the OP because she is really worried about her child.

One thing I hear a lot of pre-ops say is that someone had surgery and had great results. I get this thinking and I thought this way too. But what I noticed (as someone who had complications) is that Drs and other WLS advocates don't promote/post/share those stories of those of us who had complications. They'll post the pictures (years out) of people who lost huge amounts of weight. While failing to mention but Jane also had a leak, stricture, and was on bedrest for 10 months. Why? Because none of us would get the surgery. Be careful with the thought process that because so and so was successful/had it easy, your daughter will too. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse (and haven't read all the comments) but just know, none of us thought we'd be the 1% complication. However, it does happen and can happen to any of us.

As someone who was an active teen and still always considered overweight, I would think of course she want surgery to be thin. But is she looking at her health? I ask that because when I was a young teenager and knew I'd be going to HS (different state than where I grew up), I didn't want to be teased for my weight so I woke up early every AM and worked out. No one had to tell me too. I also decided to research (before PCs) and changed my eating habits. I did this on my own with no help from my parents (both naturally thin and fit people). I had to take all the initiative and go the course alone, although they did encourage my changes. It was rough! To not eat bad things when my friends did, to not sleep in when my friends got to, etc. Still I did this and wound up needing surgery over 20 years later. Surgery won't fix what emotionally, mentally, etc. makes your daughter overeat. I so (esp as a Mom) get what you are trying to do for your daughter. However, I think an option would be to have your surgery, see how it goes, and let your daughter see first hand what life is like post-op. Then if she still wants it and has proven she can handle all the changes (by working out daily, changing her eating habit, etc.), for at least a year then she can have it. As Moms, our jobs are not to always fix our kids but help them with the tools to do the hard work themselves. Let her start changing her lifestyle and then if she still needs the extra tool of surgery, she can have it in a few years. My fear for her is that she is not finished developing and that she has not gotten to see day in and day out what this decision really means. My fear for you is that you will regret buying her this surgery if she ends up not keeping up with the very real health maintenance requirements needed. Also, and this is just a thought, are you wanting this for her so you have a sleeve buddy? I'm not judging but it is something to think about and consider. Either way, I think you're an awesome Mom for wanting to help your daughter in such an extreme and loving way!

I was told it was at least a half hour before/after for life. I was also told to try and stick to solids once you enter that phase due to the Soups not holding you as long as solids. I don't miss drinking with my eating unless something is prepared with flour (or some other startch) and I didn't know. Then it feels like a ball of food stuck in my chest. That has happened with broths (yes sometimes they put starches in them). I didn't realize some contained startch and they caused me much pain.

Some people (for whatever reason), feel it is their place to tell you when you've lost enough weight. If you feel fine with the way your face looks, smile and say "wow, that's rude". Sounds a bit like the person is just rude/insecure/mean. I personally wouldn't let it bother me. People can be so rude sometimes. Has s/he ever said anything else rude or unkind about your weightloss process/progress? Do they have a weight problem?

Good questions, I hope one of the Vets answers. I can't imagine drinking with food though because I'm full so fast, Water would make me vomit. Granted I'm only 7 weeks out. But my friend who has the sleeve (about 5 months out) said she still can't drink with her food. There is simply no room.

One woman I know that got the band, stopped going to get her fills after about 5 months because she couldn't take the vomiting. They could never get her fill right. She managed to keep some of the weight off, but she is still over 300 lbs and regrets the decision.

My Dr. says they specifically talk people OUT of the band. They also mention they get more people coming in for band issues/complications in the ER than any other surgery...which is why they won't do them. I do find it funny though that so many "random" Drs are touting how great the band is all of a sudden. For a while I didn't see any commercials for the band. I wondered why it went from many to practically zero.