MichiganChic

It was worth it for me. I lost around 95% of my excess weight, but even 60% would have been a huge improvement. However, those are statistics they give you. Some people lose 100%, and some lose almost none, or lose it and gain it all back. It does help you lose and maintain, but in the end, it's up to you. I have to work hard to lose and maintain, and I do have to track every bite I eat. I know that I'm one of those people who could gain it all back. We each are unique, and have to find our own way to success. This is only worth it if you are willing to do the work.

Yep, but for me, it's not my tailbone, it's my hip bones. Must be the say I sit. Anyway, I can actually feel my bones easily through my skin, and when I sit on a hard surface, (bleachers, church pews, wooden chairs) I have to shift to the side to prevent pain. I need to build some muscle there, which I think would help immensely. My mom lost a lot of weight and kept it off for nearly 30 years, without WLS, just through very low calorie dieting. She actually developed a decubitus ulcer (pressure sore) on her tailbone, even though she was not bed bound. She had it for about 10 years. Her diet really wasn't very good. In the last 6 months she got cancer and I worked with her to change her diet for healing, having her eat much like a WLS patient (high protien, but with a slightly increased calorie intake), and it healed! She's 74 and active, so that just goes to show what a poor nutritional status with weight loss can do, and also how important good nutrition really is!

I don't know how I missed this thread, but that was a question I NEVER would have contemplated. I would never ever in a million years choose to be fat again. It's my biggest nightmare. The symptoms the OP stated later in the thread have nothing to do with going back to being fat, and being fat wouldn't fix them. Even though weight loss had induced them, they are temporary, unlike the physical health problems associated with being fat, which are progressive. I started this for health, but once I achieved that, it quickly became about looks for me. I'll admit it. I never dreamed I could look so good, lol! I agree with the others, skin does take a while to firm back up. I'm 52, and mine was never going to firm up all the way. I've had some plastics, and will likely have more, but even without it, I looked way better than I did at 300+ pounds. I looked at it like this - at my highest weight, I could never expose my arms or legs anyway, so I didn't feel bad that I couldn't expose the loose skin I was left with after losing the weight. I was already an expert at dressing to hide that, and there are a lot more options to do that in regular size clothing. I hated everyday of being fat, and all the miserable things associated with it. I didn't realize that until I became thin. A resounding no from me - I never want to be fat again.

At first, I picked a goal of normal BMI, which is 145. I didn't really expect to get anywhere near it, so I guess it wasn't much of a goal, lol. I'd been overweight most of my life, and really couldn't imagine actually being thin. I was afraid to hope. So, after I started losing, I started to think about what was reasonable for me, given my history. (I was 140 pounds in the 80s for about 5 minutes). I figured if I hit 180, I'd be OK with it. That would be about 70% of my excess weight. If I hit 160, I'd be happy, and if I hit 140 I'd be thrilled. So, now my wight has stabilized, and it's looking like 165 is where I can comfortably maintain. However, I still might want to get to 155, just to give a little wiggle room. That's a long winded response, but the short answer is that it's a work in progress, and I don't have to pick a number and stick to it regardless of reality. Part of it's where I want to be, (what I can do) and part of is what is possible (what my body dictates), and those two things will determine where I land. Even at this weight, I think I look good,and I consider myself a success.

I struggled with this, too. I decided on the sleeve because I wanted to be able to take NSAIDS and steriods if I ever needed them. I also didn't really want to deal with the malabsorption. I've lost about 90-95% pf my excess weight, which is better than any of the averages. However, I really want to lose 100%. Sometimes I wonder if I'd had the RNY if I would have lost it all. I guess I'll never know. Obviously, some people with RNY never reach 100% excess weight loss, either. A few pounds isn't really worth worrying about though, at least to me. I'm happy with my decision. You just need to decide what's most important to you.

@@CowgirlJane Great update! Love these stories

Yay for you! You are on your way, and before you know it, you'll have a lot more to add to the lost column! Keep up the good work!

This is so normal, but I felt like I was the only one who felt so bad. Even the nurse at my doc's office said people go back to work with no problem after a week or two. I was out of work 4 weeks, and could have been out longer. I was very weak and tired, and just felt pretty bad in general for the first couple of weeks. It did start to improve slowly after that, and I never did just wake up one day and think - wow- I'm better now! It was gradual over months, but every day was a little better than the day before. In fact, I can remember posting early on that I wasn't sure I would do it again if I knew what I was in for. However, at almost 2 years out, I'm so happy I did! I am thrilled every day that I've been given this gift. Hang in there, drink your fluids and eat as you are supposed to, and it will get better!

I was low, too. My Vitamin D level was 3 - literally. It didn't delay my surgery. I took 50,000 iu for a week or two before and after surgery, and now I'm taking 20,000 iu a week. I take 2 5000 iu tabs twice a week, and it's been working for me. Most obese people seem to have low vitamin d levels. My Iron levels were OK, but now I supplement to keep them normal.

You should weigh and measure your food. Not sure why, but some people don't feel the restriction at first - maybe numbness? Then they report later that they do. Either way, I wouldn't push it. You are less than 2 weeks out, and have a long way to go before you are healed.

I think it probably is a combination of diet, hormones, and maybe a little bit of taking ourselves back because we now feel enabled! Before surgery, I used to feel super hungry and irritable if I needed to eat, especially if I was on a calorie restricted diet. Those hunger hormones are what drove me to eat, eat, eat, and if I tried to ignore them, they screamed at me. Not only did I want to eat, I also was wildly irritable, which is not my normal. Now that those hunger hormones are gone, I think the physical hunger feelings are diminished, but that feeling of irritability is still there, also greatly diminished, but present none the less. I'm sure there other hormones at work, too. But I also wonder about feeling more entitled to be on equal footing with others as we gain confidence in ourselves. It's not only about the way we look, but the fact that we are feeling capable and accomplished as we succeed in weight loss. Also, there's not such a need to "blend in". When I was heavy, I was careful to never give anyone a reason to insult me, and though I've always been pretty direct with people, I would choose my words very carefully. At about 2 years out, things have leveled off (not actually sure when they did), or maybe I'm just used to the new me. Once in a while I do surprise myself with my ability to say what needs to be said without fear of the backlash. Not to say that I'm unkind or unreasonable, just making my opinion known appropriately when the situation calls for it. Really, being of a normal weight really takes a lot of crap off the table - it's baggage and a barrier that, once gone, is freeing!

You've gotten great advice here, so I'm not going add any - just know that we are rooting for you. We all know it's hard to keep your head in the game after a bit. For many of us, it takes a LOT of effort to lose weight and maintain it, even after WLS. It takes focus, drive and energy, but we are worth it. When you've come so far and done so well, going the other direction is extra hard. So, pick yourself up and do what you know you need to do. Take a one week, day, or minute at a time and focus on your goal. You've done it before, and you can do it again. Recognizing it is half the battle, so good on you!

First, let me say I totally get that you love having your grown sons around. I also love having my three grown daughters in my house, too! One got married, procreated, and moved back while they are building a house, and I love that even more! But I had to just laugh at your rant. Actually, not AT it, but with you, because if I think about it like that, I'm pissed, too. So, I just stuff down that feeling because I sure the heck love being thin way more than I love food, and I go shopping instead Seriously, though, it is a struggle. For me, being alone is worse than being with lots of people around. They distract me from thinking about food. If I'm home alone, food always makes it's way to to the top of my thought processes. That REALLY pisses me off even more!

@@CowgirlJane that's an interesting topic, regarding the way you dress. You could have taken the words out of my mouth. When I was obese, I was always well groomed. I love makeup and clothes anyway, but I always felt that I had to go the extra mile when I was fat because I wanted to make sure I looked as good as I could, and I had a strike against me with my weight. I didn't want to give anyone an opportunity to say I was slovenly, lazy, or any other untrue stereotypical sentiment. I had to wear business professional at work, and even at my kids games, I still made the effort. Now that I'm thin, I LOVE clothes even more. I crack myself up, primping like my 18 year old daughter! I figure if I have to wear clothes, they are going to be super cute - always. That usually is fitted, more polished, etc. I never forget the details like belts, bags, and jewelry, either. I don't buy anything that I don't love. I think years of habit has carried over, and I also might be projecting an image like you suggest. I just never considered how others might perceive it - I just figure if I think it looks good they would, too, lol. My 23 year old daughter always tells me (lovingly) I'm a "basic B----", even though she never says the second word. I always tell her thanks, that's all I ever wanted to be, lol. She just shakes her head and it's our joke, because the rest of the world thinks its an insult, but I think it's a compliment. However, after reading your post, it got me to thinking, maybe that's what she's talking about? Great, thought provoking thread.

You go Girl! Love that story, and that self-realization!

Transfer addiction is "a thing". It's real and it can happen. Statistics show that alcoholism rates are higher among WLS patients than in the general population, as is divorce and other things. It's an accepted truth. I'm not sure what the statistics are, but it's a risk, not a certainty. They tell us this so we can be knowledgeable about it, and act accordingly to mitigate the risk for ourselves. I'm almost 2 years post op, and I don't drink any more than I did preop. I do shop more though - and while I'm not addicted, it is a fun pass time, and I do use it to avoid food. When I'm home all day with nothing to do, I want to eat, so I shop instead. Some people exercise, some people clean, and probably some don't do anything to distract themselves. So, your boss is probably right about her sister in law, but that doesn't mean it will happen to you. What happens to you is up to YOU.

My insurance didn't require that, and my dr didn't either. People who go to him whose insurance does require a 6 month diet program are not required to lose weight, just show up and give a good faith effort. Either way - you are required (unless you can go to another dr), so one foot in front of the other, lose the 12 pounds (you already said you have done it before) and just jump through this one last hoop. My guess is that the physician wants proof of the good faith effort, to show that yo have the dedication it's going to take to succeed. Maybe change the way you are thinking about it - rather it's the means to the end instead of one more diet that won't work. Sounds like carbs are an issue for you, so get rid of them. I call bread, sweets, and other simple carbs gateway food. They lead to craving more and bingeing. You are an expert dieter - we all are/were. You know what to do - and you can do it!!

I had that for about 5-6 weeks, and now it's totally the opposite.

That's normal. It takes a good six weeks to heal. Stop pressing on it

I'd say take a look first at your calories for weight gain. I have to count everything I put in my mouth, and I have to eat pretty low calories not to gain weight. I doubt if the addition of a shake has caused the weight gain, it's more likely due to an increase in calories. If you add the shake to get the Protein, you have to leave something else off. I use myfitnesspal and am brutally honest with myself about what goes in my mouth. Also, 70 gm of protein isn't low by most standards. What's your objective for trying to increase it?

Two years out, and I'm still freezing. Kept the air set at a much higher temp than ever during the summer. I have had the heat on for a while. I am always wearing a robe over my clothes in the house to stay warmer. I keep the heated car seat on. I'm dreading winter again, but it's about a billion times better than being fat and/or hot!

Oh, yes, I get that! I love their yoga pants! Bought the XLs, then the Large, and now I think I could use a medium. It's so liberating! Keep on doing that happy dance - being thin never gets old!

I had plastics in Michigan recently. Didn't need the vertical incision at all, and I'd say the pricing is in line with what others are posting. I had abdominoplasty, butt lift, and arms in one surgery, and I still need another surgery for legs/breasts. My insurance did cover a portion of it.

I believe that if you can, someone should stay with you. When I had my sleeve 2 years ago, I had my young adult daughter stay with me, and i'm so glad she did. She helped me get up and walk in the middle of the night, put the SCD sleeves on and off, and just was generally my advocate. More recently, I had plastics, and another daughter stayed the night for similar reasons. I'm a registered nurse, and so I know what needs to be done, but I wanted someone else there to help watch out. When my mother had surgery recently, we stayed with her (different surgery). She's also a nurse and capable, but she also said she was glad we were there. You'll get a variety of opinions, so it's a personal decision. It's not a requirement, and most people probably don't. I just know that mistakes are possible even in the best of hospitals and with the best staff, and we all can use an advocate when compromised. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

I don't think the question is "should I", but rather "when or how". He's going to know. So you have to decide how you want this to go. Either be up front, or worry about it and decide how to answer the obvious question when it occurs. I'd think up front is easier and better for you both.