MizzouGirl

Hmmmm, me thinks we need a little less judgement and a lot more compassion. Just sayin'

Hmmmm, me thinks we need a little less judgement and a lot more compassion. Just sayin'

The cutie pie doc better avoid prison. Those monster bubbas will give him a graduate course in what it feels like to be taken advantage of.

Hmmmm, me thinks we need a little less judgement and a lot more compassion. Just sayin'

These are my opinions mind you and my experiences so everyone is different remember that.
I studied all options and came to these brief conclusions.
lap band? No i did not want a foreign object inside my body. Also you have to go in every once in awhile to have it tightened. Just on that alone I was speaking with someone and he said "oh i love it cause I don't go in around the holidays so I can eat a lot" Really? His appearance was still quite large and gee after 3 years post op is when I saw him. This is a decision for life not convenience so I said no to this cause I can cheat on that diet. Why do it in first place knowing I can cheat.
Bypass? Hell no, to many horror stories. I was born with all these intestines for a reason..they serve a purpose and for all you out there say well I had my tonsils removed and it hasn't affected me. My answer to you is you HAD to have them removed due to medical reasons and in my opinion and only my opinion being obese is a medical position you put yourself into and only you. I've just heard to much negativity about this surgery so it wasn't for me.
That rouy en ex surgery Look it if i can't spell nor pronounce it I'm not doing it period.
Leads me to sleeve. Not because others weren't my choice its just what I was comfortable with.
1- when this is performed the remaining cut away portion of your huge belly is removed from your body not left inside to float around attached to nothing. Had ulcers? good luck in treating them since your stomach that floats has no way of accepting medicine ..enough said
2- The surgery that removes the stomach also removes that nasty little gurgling sound screaming feed me feed me. What I mean by that here I am 3 years later NEVER getting hungry but just knowing I have to eat to survive. I no longer live for food but need food to live so I'm careful on quality and health benefits of what I eat since its all Portion Control.< /p>
3- The surgery is permanent if not abused. You made the decision to do this why abuse it? Meaning lets say you have a 6 ounce pouch as a new stomach and everyday you eat that one bite too much. It has the possibility of stretching out slowly but surely over time. Once eating you feel full stop right there and don't ever have that same after thanks giving day meal feeling of holy ^&%$ I'm full and tired and think I only had 7 ounces this sucks . Bad attitude.
Also If you are worried about not being able to drink my 2 all time favorites soda and beer again then you may want to reconsider choice. Don't get me wrong live your life like you want to but keep in mind carbonation is something that bloats your stomach and after time who knows how much it gets bigger coupled with the eating one too many bites. Me every Friday and Saturday I sit and enjoy some wine which I hated preop and now get my weekly buzz from it and hell it tastes pretty good.
4 Less invasive,less side effects and bottom line is I lost 180 pounds so if anyone says I'm biased towards this well I am wouldn't you be? duh! lol
My story
I'm 46 now and had surgery almost 3 years ago. Prior to that most of my life I was the fat guy and twice in my younger years lost over 100 pounds thru dieting. If you are on this site my guess you have done the same, only to gain it all and then some back. Pre surgery I weighted 400 pounds with a 54 inch waist and a 5 xl shirt and was the fat and dorky also known as big and talls stores best customer. I used to have kids pointing and making fun of me. Damn those bastards haha. I couldn't fit in an airplane seat a dining booth and amongst all the other stories which you all have this is why I did the surgery
I did all the prep requirements needed starting in June and decided "am I serious about this" so I decided to give up my 12 can a day of soda to prove I can do this and be successful at post surgery. Well I haven't had a soda since July 22 2010. Hence why I have done so well 3 years later. Because I KNEW i could do it.
After the surgery I was sore, tired, cranky, thought why did I do this what an idiot. I felt miserable I mean after all, flavored shakes for 2 months, wonderful. Oh don't do what I did and buy one huge same flavored shake and go with it for 6 weeks. Hint..I can't stand the smell of a banana to this day. It gets better as the days pass you start getting strength and gaining confidence. My first meal other than milkshakes was a can of chicken broth and to this day that can has been my all time favorite meal and will never be topped because after 37367363 banana drinks dog crap sounded good.
I remember my blood work before surgery and when the doctor uses those numbers (need to be between these in order to be good) Lol I was so bad I was a diabetic, depressed,cholesterol filled how the hell am I still living. If those results were an actual test I had to do on paper then it may have well been printed in Chinese cause I failed miserably.
Bottom line do I still have some diarrhea to this day. Of course I'm drinking tons of Water and limiting food intake... go figure...does it bother me NO Ladies you sit to pee anyway so big deal. Guys the ladies want you to sit and pee and will be grateful. Yes of course I do not have it all the time it depends how many meals I had that day compared to liquid intake. etc. BTW my one side effect was dehydration and it was bad to the point of me passing out numerous times. Simple solution drink water every minute you can. I don't go anywhere without 2 bottles and Oh I love crystal light iced tea as well.
It honestly took me a good 4 months to feel I had made a good surgical decision after the pain and all the newness that I was experiencing. I will say when I had a weight tracker on my bathroom wall and was listing weekly weight and watching it drop so rapidly all the bad memories went out the window it was such a great feeling.
I liken this surgery to running a marathon. You stand at the starting line and say holy cow I'll never finish this thing I have started and suddenly your Bariatric doctor pulls up beeps horn and say get in. He drives you to the 23 mile post and lets you out and says now finish the last 3 miles with my help. He/she gave you the head start needed to lose all that damn weight you carried for so long.
I'm going to skip a bunch of months till now and tell you what I have done and have continued to do.
You saw my stats above and today as I am typing this I weigh 218 when my goal was 225. My original goal was 235 but nope this is too easy lets keep going. BTW some schmuck doctor will say (in my dumb ass cynical voice) " well you should weigh 189" my answer, kiss my %$# I wear a 36 waist and a Large shirt and I literally am a blood specimen and have none of the above mentioned issues I had earlier. Then i proceed to tell my 5'6 doctor and his string bean pole that I have a monstrous frame with huge shoulders and if I weighed 187 I'd look like gumby and peeps would throw food at me and they always see my side on my opinion of the perfect weight haha
When I was able to eat regular food again I ate 4 portions per day NONE after 5pm and when I got to desired weight I moved to 5 portions only to discover I was still losing. Now depending on what I eat I consume 6 or 7 meals to "maintain". If I start to gain weight I drop one meal.
I have posted a few threads on here and will and can answer questions if need be but I not online a ton. I wrote these because with all the peoples information I read on here pre op it helped me. What I tried to do with this post was to sum up all the information I learned from different sources into one long letter.
Now lose that weight and give that fat person in the mirror the finger and SAY NO MORE, BYE BYE SADNESS, HELLO NEW LIFE. Wont believe all the things I can do now and would never try then I hope you use my email as an inspiration and someday down the road do what I did and help the people make a decision that they are struggling thru as you are now or will be soon.

I just got a new swim suit (size 14). feeling happy enough to share. Give me some "likes" for my bravery
before pic


swimsuit pics:

YAY! I woke up today and jumped on the scale and I have FINALLY broke my stall!! Down 6 pounds, including the 3 I have been gaining and losing for the past 2 weeks!!! Feeling much better today! I guess stalls are going to happen no matter what we do - and obviously they will break when your body is ready no matter what you do! Doing the happy dance today!

Starting Weight: 295 (05/25/2013)
Date of Surgery: 286 (05/31/2013)
Today: 263 (06/27/2013)
Total Loss: 32 lbs (23 lbs since surgery)

The only person who can determine your success or failure is you. You have been given a great tool, something that is proven to work, you CAN and WILL do this. You did this for YOU not for the person or people who thing you will fail. Prove them wrong, SUCCEED. You know what to do and you can make the changes and do it. This is not easy, it is not a given but you wouldn't be here if you couldn't succeed. So relax and lean on those who are there to support you and you WILL succeed.

Today is four weeks since surgery...just went through the dreaded week 3 stall which lasted a full week. Got on the scale this morning and was down 1.5 lbs so I hope I am on the downward trail once again. I know they say the stalls are just part of the journey but it is worrisome when you are only eating 800 calories and nothing moves. Still very excited and looking forward to what comes next..little things are getting easier like getting the work shoes on and getting in and out of my Mini Cooper..Yippee

To a certain degree, I can relate. So much of my social life and what I did seemed to be centered around food (dinners, happy hours, movies, etc...) - it's tough in the early weeks as it's difficult to eat anything away from home. I'm in my 4th week post op and I can say it DOES get better. My husband took me out to dinner Friday and I was able to get a yummy red snapper filet --- I could only eat half of it and none of the sides but it was so good and it was nice to be out and eating healthy!!! I took the other half home and enjoyed it over the weekend. I think you will find it's much easier in a few weeks when your food choices aren't so limited. Hang in there --- it's not easy but the rewards are fantastic (I think!). Good luck!

I'm not single so I can't speak from personal experience but I have 2 single sisters in their 50's and a single father (my mom passed away some time ago) in his 80's and it's the same giddy feeling no matter what age based on my discussions and observations with them. My dad asked a gal out about a month ago and when she said yes, he was so happy, playful and excited the whole day. I think you have tons of fun to look forward to. :-)

To a certain degree, I can relate. So much of my social life and what I did seemed to be centered around food (dinners, happy hours, movies, etc...) - it's tough in the early weeks as it's difficult to eat anything away from home. I'm in my 4th week post op and I can say it DOES get better. My husband took me out to dinner Friday and I was able to get a yummy red snapper filet --- I could only eat half of it and none of the sides but it was so good and it was nice to be out and eating healthy!!! I took the other half home and enjoyed it over the weekend. I think you will find it's much easier in a few weeks when your food choices aren't so limited. Hang in there --- it's not easy but the rewards are fantastic (I think!). Good luck!

Week 1 Clear Liquids: Crystal Light, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jell-o, broth, Propel, de-caffeinated tea/coffee
Week 2 Full Liquids: Protein Drink, milk, Greek yogurt (no fruit), blended Soups, thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, vegetable juice, thin applesauce, grits, hot chocolate, fudgesicles, pudding (all sugar free)
Week 3 Soft Foods: eggs, natural nut butters, soft baked fish (cod, tilapia, whitefish), mashed potatoes, low-fat soft cheeses (cottage, string, sliced), canned vegetables or fresh cooked to mush, canned fruit in own juice, bananas
Week 4 Soft Solid Foods: Canned tuna blended with mayo, seafood, egg salad, low Fiber cold cereals (ie Cheerios), crackers (Ritz, graham or saltine)
Week 5 Solid Foods: Thin shaved deli meat (chicken or turkey), Tofu, soft Beans, Soup (no beef), avocado, melons
Week 6 Solid Foods: Protein Bars, spinach, romaine or iceberg lettuce, high fiber cereals, brown rice, quinoa, stir fry vegetables, steam cooked frozen vegetables, whole wheat tortilla
Week 7 Solid Foods: Soft fruits without skin, ground meats (turkey, chicken, lean beef)
Week 8 Solid Foods: Moist baked chicken or turkey, soft cooked wheat Pasta, raw crunchy fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, kale, Swiss chard, collards greens
Month 6: Steak and pork (ie: pork chop)

Week 1 Clear Liquids: Crystal Light, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jell-o, broth, Propel, de-caffeinated tea/coffee
Week 2 Full Liquids: Protein Drink, milk, Greek yogurt (no fruit), blended Soups, thin oatmeal, cream of wheat, vegetable juice, thin applesauce, grits, hot chocolate, fudgesicles, pudding (all sugar free)
Week 3 Soft Foods: eggs, natural nut butters, soft baked fish (cod, tilapia, whitefish), mashed potatoes, low-fat soft cheeses (cottage, string, sliced), canned vegetables or fresh cooked to mush, canned fruit in own juice, bananas
Week 4 Soft Solid Foods: Canned tuna blended with mayo, seafood, egg salad, low Fiber cold cereals (ie Cheerios), crackers (Ritz, graham or saltine)
Week 5 Solid Foods: Thin shaved deli meat (chicken or turkey), Tofu, soft Beans, Soup (no beef), avocado, melons
Week 6 Solid Foods: Protein Bars, spinach, romaine or iceberg lettuce, high fiber cereals, brown rice, quinoa, stir fry vegetables, steam cooked frozen vegetables, whole wheat tortilla
Week 7 Solid Foods: Soft fruits without skin, ground meats (turkey, chicken, lean beef)
Week 8 Solid Foods: Moist baked chicken or turkey, soft cooked wheat Pasta, raw crunchy fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, kale, Swiss chard, collards greens
Month 6: Steak and pork (ie: pork chop)

Week Two: Greek yogurt, pureed Soup, thin oatmeal, pudding, fudgesicles, applesauce, milk....
Week Three: Cottage cheese, mushy veggies, bananas, eggs, soft/moist baked fish, natural nut butters....

To a certain degree, I can relate. So much of my social life and what I did seemed to be centered around food (dinners, happy hours, movies, etc...) - it's tough in the early weeks as it's difficult to eat anything away from home. I'm in my 4th week post op and I can say it DOES get better. My husband took me out to dinner Friday and I was able to get a yummy red snapper filet --- I could only eat half of it and none of the sides but it was so good and it was nice to be out and eating healthy!!! I took the other half home and enjoyed it over the weekend. I think you will find it's much easier in a few weeks when your food choices aren't so limited. Hang in there --- it's not easy but the rewards are fantastic (I think!). Good luck!

To a certain degree, I can relate. So much of my social life and what I did seemed to be centered around food (dinners, happy hours, movies, etc...) - it's tough in the early weeks as it's difficult to eat anything away from home. I'm in my 4th week post op and I can say it DOES get better. My husband took me out to dinner Friday and I was able to get a yummy red snapper filet --- I could only eat half of it and none of the sides but it was so good and it was nice to be out and eating healthy!!! I took the other half home and enjoyed it over the weekend. I think you will find it's much easier in a few weeks when your food choices aren't so limited. Hang in there --- it's not easy but the rewards are fantastic (I think!). Good luck!

To a certain degree, I can relate. So much of my social life and what I did seemed to be centered around food (dinners, happy hours, movies, etc...) - it's tough in the early weeks as it's difficult to eat anything away from home. I'm in my 4th week post op and I can say it DOES get better. My husband took me out to dinner Friday and I was able to get a yummy red snapper filet --- I could only eat half of it and none of the sides but it was so good and it was nice to be out and eating healthy!!! I took the other half home and enjoyed it over the weekend. I think you will find it's much easier in a few weeks when your food choices aren't so limited. Hang in there --- it's not easy but the rewards are fantastic (I think!). Good luck!

It' totally normal to grieve your old stomach at this point. First of all, this soon after surgery, your hormones are going crazy, and most people go through some depression - I know I did. Second of all, you are super limited right now on your intake - in six months, it will be different. And third of all, it take a while to process this as your new reality. Give yourself time, and you will be much happier with the arrangement!

I have finally started losing weight. Have been losing a pound a day for the past couple of days. I did up my calories some.

That sounds yummy

I liked several of the Campbell's slow kettle cooked Soups. I pureed them -- they tasted great!

I could do fresh veggies provided they were cooked to a mushy consistency in week 3. I've been having oven roasted brussell sprouts cooked till they are really soft since week 3 and they have gone down easily.