TwinsMama

Wow, I would love to lose some length but I think if I do it won't be too drastic because when I was a healthy weight I still had big feet. Goes with the territory when you're almost 6 ft. tall. At least they have cute shoes in larger sizes. I can't imagine what women did even 30 years ago.

I have narrow to med feet. Also in the double digits. I wonder if people are losing length or width? I've noticed that my friends have lost width but so far no one I know personally has lost any length.

I had sex at 3 weeks. I can say, being on my hands & knees hurt so maybe try missionary. I thought that would hurt more...nope.

I actually disagree with this. I had surgery not to change my body (or shape for that matter) but to ward-off any potential health problems that were bound to crop up once I got older if I stayed obese. Actually I'm tall (pushing 6 feet) and even with the weight, men (gorgeous ones at that) approach me almost daily. I'm super curvy with a thin waist for my overall size (same shape when I was half this size). Based on my experience, it is possible that he approached her because he was VERY attracted to her now. Some men like a woman with more weight. My first thought was the other way around...what if he does not like how thin she becomes. As she is losing weight and with WLS most lose a ton of weight. What if he prefers that she be bigger? That's my only reason for thinking that she (once more comfortable with him) tells him about her WLS.

TES thank you so much for your kind words. I have really been struggling with this because of the energy. Plus reading about others that feel great and lost so much so soon is a bummer. Wow, a twin. That is truly a remarkable blessing! I love to see twins of all ages interact with each other, it blows my mind how similiar and yet different they can be.

So sorry you're going through this. Hope it gets much better from here!

Perhaps but for me, I don't miss the food. I was never a big eater (part of the reason it was tough for me to lose - slow metabolism due to only eating 2 meals a day). I miss my energy and am disappointed in the fact that in 6 weeks I've only lost 11 lbs. Not to mention the pain, soreness, etc. To have the energy to play with my kids is worth the extra weight I have.

I was told post-op I could have regular Tylenol for pain (outside my prescriptions). I would check with your Dr. first. Feel better soon!

It is such a personal experience that there is no one right answer. I told everyone that needed to know (at work and in my personal life) and tell others if they ask. Turns out that was the right answer for me because I had complications and the support has been great. No one (even pre-op) had anything negative to say. I guess since I could care less what others think that comes across and no one protests. Sure I know where my family and friends stand on the issue but I told them matter-of-factly so that shut down and potential judgement. I feel really free having told people and through telling others I have helped many people I knew who were on the fence decide yea or nay. I appreciate a good friend trusting me with her decision years ago and now I hope that by me telling I'm helping others. I do have to say though that I know people who are on both sides of the tell/not tell decision and it has never seemed someone was necessarily ashamed that didn't tell. More like they were much more private a person than I am. I'm willing to share it all if a person asks (I'm also a big researcher so I always feel people ask due to being curious rather than judgemental).

My Dr. also told me not to worry about the Protein the first week. The concern was avoiding dehydration. Then I tried the shakes (every kind imaginable) and couldn't keep any down. So literally until I could do mushy foods I had no protein. I never did get dehydrated, but know I lost out when it came to protein. I'm still working my way up.

I had hunger pains too (never went away for me post-op). It feel the same as pre-op but the only difference is that my stomach doesn't churn (feel like a knot). At almost 6 weeks out I still get it so, yup, it was hunger all along. Some of us are not as lucky when it comes to getting hungry early on.

I'm also on ppi 2x a day. I have a 6 month script. It made me feel much better once I could take it. I worry about what happens when I come off it.

Please ask your Dr. for something stronger. It will make life a lot easier for you. I had to insist that they give me stronger meds (and I normally don't take anything stronger than Aleve). It made all the difference in the world.

Sounds like a pulled muscle. I had one after my surgery (insane vomiting) while in the hospital. I would say give it about a week and see if it gets better. Mine lasted for 4 weeks but then one day I realized the pain was gone. Hope you feel better.

Same problem and mine made me throw up. So I'd take and then throw them right back up. My surgeon finally cleared me to take them with a small sip of Water. Then at 5 weeks she approved me to take ones I can swallow (if I break them up). To be honest, I don't always break them up but that's because I found the smallest ones I could.

I had the same pain you describe. It was gas. I didn't think that was possible but I had it for a very long time. Now at almost 6 weeks out, I no longer have it. But it took a good 4 weeks before the back pain stopped.

No, I've had complications, have no energy, lost only 11 lbs in about 6weeks post-op, and can't eat even the "safe" foods (protein shakes, yogurt, etc.). So for right now...no way!

I guess I'm going to be Debbie Downer because I do regret having this surgery. I'm a month and 1 week out and I am miserable. My experience though is not ideal so that could be the problem too. First, I've never had self-esteem issues regarding my weight, had no comorbidities, etc. I did this because after having my twins years ago, no matter what I did to lose the weight it didn't work. This surgery was to be a tool to help me lose weight and prevent me from ending up with weight related issues down the line. My PCP didn't want me to have the surgery so it took 2 years to get her to even write the referral because she said there had to be *something* that would fix this issue with my weight. I mean when I say I tried everything I went low cal, low carb, glutten-free, vegetarian, you name it. Finally she wrote the referral and thus began my (supposed to be 6 months) year of getting qualified. It took a year because of paperwork nightmares with Kaiser and the surgeons in my area being months behind due to long waiting lists. During the pre-op year I stuck to everything and followed all the rules. Lost great weight during the pre-op year. When my date of surgery came I was excited, nervous, etc. Then I hit complications during and after surgery. As a result I was out of work for a month, could not keep anything (including water) down. Became lactose intolerant (normal for many with sleeve) and now cannot eat/drink most anything. Right now at over a month out all I can keep down is mashed potatoes (about 2 tbsp), grits, shrimp, and scallops. All other foods make me either throw up or cramp badly. I am finally able to drink Water and not throw up (only with MiO). I'm absolutely miserable and what's worse, I don't miss the food, I miss having any energy. I used to walk at least a mile (most days more) every single day. Plus, I experienced hunger starting at 1 week. Yes, those who say hunger is not real after the sleeve, well, maybe not for them but I'm constantly hungry. I am tired of the few foods I can eat, tired of water (and I used to love water), and to top it all off...I've lost only 11 lbs. post-op. I miss my engery (and yes even with all the Vitamins I'm taking) and more than anything I miss being able to play with my kids and puppy. Not to mention the amount of extra work it puts on my very patient, supportive, and loving hubby is horrible. I am one of the ones that would gladly accept back those 11 lbs. in a minute.

Congrats..toot your own horn. That is a real accomplishment and worthy of being proud of.

Best wishes with this. I hope you are able to change the date. Approval is a hard and lonnnng process for some of us. Keep going, you're almost there.

I mentioned in my last blog post that I was visiting my Nut earlier this week. I'm happy to report I'm down 5 lbs. I've officially met my required (6 month) weight loss goal. Now I have to stay under this weight for another month to be submitted for approval. After I'm submitted for approval, I can then start the long process of waiting for a date. My surgeon is wayyy backed up, so I am not expecting to have surgery until probably this summer. The good news with that is I will have worked up even more leave so I can stay out longer during recovery. I'm shooting for 3 weeks at least with 4 weeks being the most. That's how I'm managing to keep the frustration (of this long process) down. I'm just glad I have made this much progress. Now here's to a loss during December...holidays and all.

Today I have my 5th month apt (out of my 6 month pre-op process). I am more than nervous. I didn't over do it on Thanksgiving but still I worry I have not lost enough weight. I read a blog post that said people really only gain about 5 lbs. over the holidays but most of us tend to think we gained more. That's me. I am so worried that I gained and/or didn't lose enough to qualify. I mean I have 1 more month before I can be submitted for approval and well Christmas is in that month. I'm trying not to stress out (I'm known to do that around highly important events). I also have to submit my food diary, questionnaire (why I want surgery and what my lifestyle is like), 1 day of meals post-op, and 1 day worth of meals during the puree stage. Looking back, this has been a long frustrating journey. Every time I am ready to have a pitty party or get frustrated I think about the blog 300poundsdown.com. Holly is a true inspiration. She is someone who has a story to tell. While sure our stories and challenges are different, I can count on her posts to help me realize that no matter where you start, it is worth it to keep going to goal. One thing about me...I've never been a crier (at least not a sappy one - pain sure okay). I watch movies and when the person dies, falls in love, rides off into the sunset...yup I'm in the wow, s/he can act camp. But cry and feel a sudden sense of loss...nope, it is just not me. Same goes when reading high charged emotional books, stories, etc. That being said, I have to say, I've never met Holly but feel like I know her. Her posts can bring anyone (yes even me) to tears. Her determination and sheer positivity is amazing. Her blog is my go-to when I'm ready to get down on myself for not losing enough, making a bad choice, thinking of giving up, not having progressed in this process enough, etc. I realized a few minutes ago when reading her post over lunch that I have made her my unofficial WLS hero. She will never know this but I say this to encourage anyone else out there that feels frustrated during this pre-op process: Go on over to Holly's site and check out her story. You'll find she will really inspire you to just keep on going.

My comment got all loopy... I think I'll look online and see what tricks I can find for increasing the desire to work out. I did see a nice barre workout on YouTube. @Catherine, good job about the back door trick. I feel the same way about winter and YES it is tough to work out in the cold weather. I walk to work (also take public transit) but it is not enough to really get a good workout.

Good job..congrats on the weight loss!

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I can tell by the tone of your post that you really are frustrated and don't want to hear "there, there, it gets better". So, I won't say that. Instead I'll tell you why the stuff you don't put effort into comes easier than the stuff you try hard at...EVERYTHING worth having takes effort. You are persistent enough to even deal with this office and even before that, to make up your mind to even have surgery. Now realize, this process (while frustrating right now) will be so short in the grand scheme of things. Once you are post-op you will realize that the 3 months of pure frustration you went through, will yield you a lifetime of benefits in the way of health, energy, and success if you stick to the plan. See this as your WLS test and your continued diligence post-op as your lifetime reward. Sending good thoughts and energy to continue this fight...hopefully you won't have to but if you do, know that you aren't the first or last person to experience inept people and poor customer service. Also, remember this...the pen is mightier than the sword. Send the Dr and your insurance a letter...I have a feeling the ball will really get rolling if you do that.