docbree

Lexie, All good points. And I'm not talking about shouting it off the rooftops or posting it on social network venues. It's more about the excuses and fibs told when directly asked about our obvious weight loss. I proudly stand up for my decision, but a lot of people don't and I believe there is an element of embarrassment and shame that people aren't admitting to and that isn't being talked about on these forums.

So this is going to piss off a lot of people. But I call BS on everyone that says they are a "private person" or "its nobody else's business" when trying to justify why they don't admit to having WLS. Saying you had your gall bladder removed or a hernia repaired or any other number of fake surgeries instead of WLS is "sharing" a personal health issue, just not the one you actually had. If you needed a knee or hip replacement, would you fib and say you sprained something to explain your brace and/or crutches? Do you hide your need for insulin if you have diabetes? Do you all wear contacts instead of glasses so people don't know you have bad vision? How about if you needed your appendix removed? A kidney transplant? Can you seriously say you would come up with a "story" to cover up the fact you needed these surgeries?
What are you all afraid of? Why are you ashamed? This was a huge commitment for all of us. Why aren't you willing to stand up and defend your convictions by being honest about your decision to have surgery? Some people claim they don't want to hear negative feedback. Well how is the social stigma of obesity and WLS ever going to be overcome unless those negative people hear and see all of our success stories for themselves. Every time I am asked about my weight loss I see it as an opportunity to educate. Maybe next time the subject is brought up, that person can say "I know someone that had VSG and she looks and feels great! Why don't you give her a call".
I don't mean to offend, I just don't think "privacy" is the whole reason why WLS isn't admitted to and talked about openly.

I am actually having my surgery at Presbyterian, Dallas (where the three most recent American Ebola cases have been). Not going to lose any sleep over it.

Don't let others run you off! I've found this to be a very good resource. I've noticed that it takes all kinds of people to make the world turn and it's the same with these forums. Find some people you like, friend them, follow their posts! I'm so excited you are losing weight and can't wait to read your FULL story one day.

I am actually having my surgery at Presbyterian, Dallas (where the three most recent American Ebola cases have been). Not going to lose any sleep over it.

I think it's time to go back to the doctor. Coughing and spitting up is not normal.

For the first time in probably about five years I am under 200 pounds! That is a good feeling for sure!
The strange thing is that I know my clothes don't fit anymore and everything is loose on me. I have to keep going down in sizes.
When I look at myself, I can see it a little, but looking at my stomach, it almost looks the same. I know it isn't...it can't be!
My face is back to looking thin, and that is nice for sure!!!

I am actually having my surgery at Presbyterian, Dallas (where the three most recent American Ebola cases have been). Not going to lose any sleep over it.

Thank you everyone! Tomorrow is another day! Hoping things will be better.

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles. you have been such a positive inspiration to me even though we have different surgeries. I am going through some troubles with my band. I am doing whatever I have to to hang onto my band. but when your surgeon starts talking about your insurance and what it covers you began to think oh oh. although after 2 mos. my slippage is fixed and my band is back in place the damage to my esophagus is big. I cried all the way home the other day and its a 2 hour trip. besides all my knee problems and surgeries and bulging discs in the neck and bursitis in my shoulder I often wonder what God has planned for me next. but the wt. loss keeps me going. it feels so good to be smaller and to wear clothes that don't make me look like a elephant. when depression hits this is what I concentrate on. I am not on insulin anymore. yea! I am not on heart medications anymore yea! my arms fit into a large tee shirt yea! so when feeling down try and concentrate on what is good in your new life. I pray that your bedsore heals. and your pain becomes less. we are here for you. hold on and give yourself a big big hug.

@RJ'S/beginning, i'm so sorry you've gone through everything you have had to deal with.
i've read your posts and have always been amazed at how positive you remain. you always have an uplifting word for others who are having post-surgery issues, and because they came from you, they were more meaningful than anyone who has had an easier road.
i hope your present state of mind is only temporary and you bounce back soon. attitude is everything, right? and yours has been an inspiration to many of us. you have every right to feel the way you feel right now. let it out and let it go.
hugs from Maryland!

I am actually having my surgery at Presbyterian, Dallas (where the three most recent American Ebola cases have been). Not going to lose any sleep over it.

I am actually having my surgery at Presbyterian, Dallas (where the three most recent American Ebola cases have been). Not going to lose any sleep over it.

I am actually having my surgery at Presbyterian, Dallas (where the three most recent American Ebola cases have been). Not going to lose any sleep over it.

I am actually having my surgery at Presbyterian, Dallas (where the three most recent American Ebola cases have been). Not going to lose any sleep over it.

For me, it's not my kids, it's the whole world! Everywhere I go people are eating things I can't have. It's hard to "choose not to have it" It's DAMN hard. When Cookies are being passed around, I want to take one too!
When I go to visit friends, and they put a bowl of chips and guacamole out, I want to eat it too! Life is very fattening and it's difficult every single day to have willpower.

Hello fellow sleevers
I was sleeved October 1st so today is postop day 6 for me. My surgery went really well and I was not required to have a drain. My biggest issue postop was nausea, that was the worst. I was discharged the next morning in the am. Since then I have been doing fairly good. I have been totally off all pain meds since Saturday. I've been feeling a lil bloated the last few days, which make it a lil more difficult to get my fluids in, but with the help of gasx I'm doing ok. I had my first postop appt. today and my surgeon said I look more like I'm 3weeks postop and he's very happy with my progress. I feel very blessed that thus far I've been managing well and I thank god and my friends and family for all the many prayers and support.
I'm posting my early progress because I found that it was hard to find many people posting early progress reports, and this was an area that I was very interested in.
Please post so pre op sleevers can see what to expect from all stages.
Lateese92

All of the physician's I have seen through my pre-approval process have been nothing but supportive. I'm sorry you had this experience, but I would not let it deter you. If you haven't already, maybe you should go to a WLS seminar and attend the corresponding support group meeting(s) and talking/listening to people who have already had the surgery will help you to make up your mind.

Thank you for sharing!!!

Bariatric Buddies, the support group for my Surgeons office, created this cookbook of recipies for each phase of eating post surgery. This has probably been posted before. I hear if you send it to FedEx Kinkos it costs about $3 to print and bind. It has all the permissions to print and use. Dr. Ludwig is a wonderful surgeon and has a comprehensive aftercare program including Bariatric Buddies. Cheers to the lovely ladies who put this together.
http://www.chicoweightloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BariatricCookbookJuly2014.pdf

Hey. I just posted a free cookbook created by Bariatric Buddies. The recipies are by puree stage. www.chicoweightloss.com/cookbook

Yes there is a really good one and it's on Android or iPhone. Search for "Hydro". The icon looks like a blue drop of Water. You can set it to remind you as often as you need and it keeps a running total of all the oz. you drink throughout the day.

I was looking at the label in my slacks today. Size 0x Petite. Only in America can a 202 pound person be a size zero. A PETITE size zero.
My chuckle of the day.

Thanks so much for your response. I finish up my appointments (psych,dietician, pulmonology and cardiology) the 30th. So glad to hear you didn't have to do the 6 month diet. I was getting worried after reading about other BCBS holders that got denied because of it... Im just so ready to get this done!

I wish that I didn't worry so much before. I read so much that I was convinced it was going to be a horrible and difficult process. I had a very smooth ride. I thought I was going to be in a lot of pain and that I wouldn't be able to do anything for several weeks after surgery. Nope...I felt great 4 days out. I spent 1 night in the hospital and didn't take any pain meds after I got home. I could have gone back to work within a week. I worried so much before hand that I wasn't doing something right or that something drastic and horrible would happen after! I read so many of these threads and was convinced I would have regrets and that I would never be the same again. So, my advice....keep in mind that a lot of people have questions and concerns so there are a lot of, kind of scary, posts if you take it all in. People who have it smooth sailing don't post as often...they have no concerns. I wish I would have thought about that or known that. I am exactly the same person emotionally and mentally that I was before surgery....I was convinced I would have a very difficult time dealing with the changes. Yes...I have had moments where I wanted a piece of cake or where I wanted to eat a huge plate of food....but, I whined a bit and then I sucked it up. I only have about 20% of the room I had before but you know what? I still eat well...I love the food I eat....I just eat less. Isn't that the whole point of this surgery? That's why I had it anyway. So...Overall I just wish I relaxed more.
Now for a more simple answer..... Don't over buy your Protein shakes. Buy as you need it because you will definitely hate some you loved before and love some you hated before Good news though....9 weeks out and I am eating the things that made my stomach roll when I first tried them. Nothing seems to be a problem for me.
Good Luck to you!!! Hope you are also one of the smooth sailors!!