5kidzandmarried

I KNEW THAT THIS WAS A BIG POSSIBLILTY THAT MY hair MAY FALL OUT BUT NOW THAT IT IS DOING IT AT 5 MTHS OUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST!!! I AM GOIN NUTS I FEEL LIKE YOU CAN SEE MY BALD HEAD EVEN THOUGH IM NOT BALD ITS JUST IT HAS THINNED OUT SO BAD THAT I CAN SEE MY HEAD A BIT MORE I JUST HOPE IT STOPS SOON!!! BUT THE GOOD THING ID IM DOWN 70LBS!!! YAY ME!!!

I have been snooping the forums for what seems like forever now, and have now come to realize that it is time to tell my story. My name is Paige and I am 19 at 5'7". I started this journey in July at 262 lbs and am now at 219 lbs. 10 weeks post op.
Okay, here is a quick rundown of what has been going on. I'll try to keep it as short as possible (no promises). I was sleeved December 21, 2012. The surgery went smooth. I was in a bit of pain afterwards but that was to be expected. The first two weeks were a breeze for me. I was able to get all my Protein and fluids in while keeping my pain at bay. At two and a half weeks everything came to a screeching halt. I started having really bad pain in the upper left part of my abdomen and was vomiting up everything that I put in my mouth. I called my surgeon immediately and he ordered a CT scan with contrast (Jan 15). Everything came back normal. No leak and no infection. He gave me a prescription for more zofran and some reglan.
A week later I was still struggling to keep anything down. I went back to my surgeon and he ordered another barium swallow (Jan 28). This one was horrible. I was gagging the whole time and the consistency was just awful. It took a few days to get the results back, but once again everything came back normal. Then he referred me to a GI doctor.
I went and saw a GI doctor (Feb. 4) and he wanted to to a EGD ASAP to make sure that there wasn't a stricture. I had my EGD the following day (Feb 5). There was no stricture that he could see. He said that my esophagus and stomach were wide enough for a semi to go through. He also did a biopsy to check for H. Pylori. That came back negative.
After he talked with my mom he decided to order an ultrasound of my gallbladder and a HIDA scan. My mom had her gallbladder removed and when she was having attacks her pain was on her left side, so it was worth a shot. I had these test done (Feb. 13). But surprise, surprise, they were normal. At this point the doctors are at a loss, and I am beyond frustrated. They doctors are also worried about me becoming dehydrated. My GI doctor advised me that If I started to become lightheaded and that if I stopped peeing it was time to get to the hospital for fluids.
Sure enough the following Saturday (Feb. 16) I ended up in the hospital for 5 days. While I was in the hospital I had another barium swallow. This time we finally got answers! Turns out my stomach isn't emptying properly, gastroparesis. They explained it to me that since 80% of my stomach was removed the nerves have to re-grow to get the stomach muscle to work again. In some people it can take many months for the nerves to function properly. There is also a very small possibility that my stomach will never function the same again.
Also, the head of the bariatric department at the hospital looked over my surgery notes and all the tests I had done to make sure that the other doctors hadn't missed anything. He agreed with the diagnosis of gastroparesis and their treatment plan.
While I was in the hospital they started my on reglan, again, and dexilant. I started to see some results. I was actually able to keep down half a cup of yogurt. After I was released from the hospital I had a few good days. But on Tuesday the vomiting, pain, and constant nausea came back again.
I just got back home from seeing my GI doctor and surgeon. They both agreed that the next step in my treatment is to have a EGD done where they inject the valve where my stomach and small intestine meet with Botox. The Botox will help relax the valve so it isn't as tightly closed shut. This will hopefully help the flow of things. I'll have this done on Tuesday. I pray that this is the answer because my surgeon said that if this doesn't help then the next step is exploratory surgery to check for scar tissue or a twist in the stomach that the x-rays missed.
Now I'm Lortab to try and manage the pain. Dexilant to make sure that excess stomach acid isn't causing all the trouble. Phenergan for the nausea and vomiting. Reglan to try and jump start the motility of my stomach.
I'm just at a loss right now, and extremely discouraged. I know I should be thankful that it isn't a more serious complication, but I find it so hard to be positive. I have been in constant pain for the past 8 weeks. Not to mention the nausea and vomiting. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
Paige

19 pounds away from ONEderland! I feel like the little engine that could. I haven't been under 200 pounds in 7 years!

do not understimate what you can do with this 'tool'. I was simply amazed. I would have been happy as a clam if I never lost another lb when I hit 170 and slipped into a 14, but it happened so fast, I knew I could do much better. The doctor set a goal of 150, wow, was that possible? My NEW goal was to wear a size 8. How crazy is that????!!!! I kept going down, down, down. A size 12 and then I got into an 8, that is what my mom wore before we lost her. She was always so small, at least to ME she was! I set me newest and last goal at 5 lbs under Dr. Davidson's goal, 145. Seriously.....I weighed 160 and wore a size 9 when I was 19. My wedding dress is a 9. I'm 53 now!!! LoL In the end, I got UNDER my goal, but was looking gaunt and my size 4 jeans were getting lose. I upped my calories and stabled out at 146. I have been maintaining between 145 and 148 for about two years. I buy GAP jeans and the 4's and 6's are what most of them are, onc style is an 8. Life is good, I still will hold up a pair of these pants and say to myself, "NO WAY"
So....what I am telling you, I am certain you can get to your CURRENT goal, and then lose more. I'd bet money on it and I don't bet!!!

I'm 5'3 Surgery weight 290lb Wearing a size 26 and Not happy at all!!! I've lost about 40 something pounds and im happy I can wear my old size 22 and they are really lose my goal is 200 and I will be thrilled to eventually get into a size 18!! I'm excited to see how far my journey will take me!!

I like the Centrum Flavor Burst chewable multis, but they're expensive so I only get them if I have a good coupon.

Be positive Miss gigi2195 remember everyone loses weight differently and they say that the smaller you are the slower you lose!! Your doing GREAT!! Be positive you will make your goal!!!

TheGamer it's just a little unsettling to see all that hair in my hand and not on my head! I'm glad I'm losing weight and becoming healthier, but sheesh is it scary!

Okay - if you want to drink most surgeons recommend avoiding until you hit goal or minimum of 3 months.
Saying this - "Drinking alcohol after a bariatric procedure is not recommended because alcohol will take longer to metabolize in the patient's body; therefore serum levels of alcohol will rise more quickly and will be maintained longer in a bariatric patient. I still warn them that they stand the risk of getting drunk with small amounts of alcohol and may take longer to become sober".
Personally, I was a light weight before and am a super light weight now. One drink and I don't drive, at all. Not passing any judgement. As Erica said, be careful if you choose to drink.
PS - Erica you look amazing!

I started a thread about whether or not to tell people a while back. At first, I was not comfortable telling anyone at all and wanted advice on what to say when people asked.
After hearing what everyone had to say I totally changed me perspective on it. WHY LIE? Theres no reason to and I would have never known about this option or considered it if it werent for someone I knew having it done and talking about it, so if I can help someone else have this AMAZING life changing opportunity, then why not?
I might feel differently if I worked in a small office (like I did before) where gossip can just go wild but In my situation, I have no one I want to hide it from. Ive actually told all my closest friends and they have all been super supportive and actually excited for me! So no negativity like I was originally scared of.
The more open you are about things, the less people talk crap and gossip.... anyone can just ask you questions rather than assume and make up wild stories of how you got skinny. Thats been my experience anyway!

Your doing Awesome!! And I use all negative comments as fuel to motivate me!! Because I know some people cant stand seeing others succeed and be HAPPY!! So you go on Girl and do you and keep becoming more and more FABULOUS!!!

Thanks for the Water advice!!

Krissymbr, that is what you call being a "hater!" That person is jealous!!! Let's see her lose over sixty pounds in five months!!! Let them eat their hearts out!!! You go!!!!!

Show some LOVE while being healthy?
Here's how to make HEART EGGS:

Fold a thick cardstock or cardboard piece down the middle.

Place hardboiled egg on it's side, in the middle of the folded cardstock
...
Take a long wooden type piece that would extend most of the way along the carboard (a thin, clean, wooden paintbrush handle, a chopstick, thin dowel, etc) and place over the top of the egg so there is slight pressure.

Rubber band the ends of your stick to the top ends of the cardstock.

Place in fridge and after about 3 or 4 hours remove. Cut egg in half. Serve as a cute side to someone you ♥

Most people flirt. Sometimes it's with genuine intent. Often it's messing about. Take it as a compliment. You don't need to reciprocate.
As for husbands being more attentive or 'all over you' I wouldn't think that it is necessarily jealousy based.
I think it's perfectly normal that if your partner is all of a sudden in better shape, looking after themselves better, dressing better and with new found self confidence that it's going to push all the right buttons. I don't think it means they love you any more or less than before.

Yeah, I can see why he would be insecure. He probably just needs a little reassurance that he will still be enough or you!

With "LADIES ONLY" in the title, you are correct. This is the first thread we all looked at.

Ive just notice that my husband is all of a sudden jealous!! He wants me to be all over him or him all over me and to be honest its a little annoying!!! About the compliments I sometime dont know whether they are sincere or if they are just blowing smoke!! But I like the whole guys are checking me out and I love the little bit of confidence ive gotten in myself!! But I hope and pray that me n my hubby stay together forvever because he loved me at my worst he looked past the looks and loved me for me!!

Wow you made it cause 6week liquid diet your a trooper

I confess that I only told my husband & my parents I had surgery in Oct
I am 14 lbs away from being under 200 lbs
I have been eatting 4 mini reeses pb cups a day.
I never keep track of my Protein intake.
I constantly worry about stretching my stomach.
It bothers me that my husband can't keep his hands off of me...he has never been so affectionate.
I am worried my weight loss has unleashed the inner b***h that was hidden by fat and silenced by food.< /p>
Lastly I am so thankful that I took a chance even if I didn't loose another pound I would be satisfied with where I am today.

I had a shock tonight. I was measuring myself for sewing patterns. I have lost a total of 65 lbs. since I 1st saw the dietician and the surgeon in April 2012. I had my sleeve done on November 29, 2012. I feel good and look better. My current clothes are loose, but still wearable. Anyway, according to the size charts, I am still a size 26/28. I was almost ready to cry. I am very good about what I eat, exercise, and Water intake. I thought I was on target, but wearing the same large size, makes me doubt myself. Any ideas about why my measurements and size is so much the same as before the weight loss?

I confess *I get on the scale everyday once or twice!!
I confess *I fear the surgery wont work
I confess *I still eat chocolate here and there
I confess *I wish the weight would just fall off I mean if you just dont eat you should just lose weight but no you have the whole you have to meet your Protein and water!!Blah blah blah
I confess *I wish I would of never told a soul of my surgery to not have to deal with all the how much have you lost questions everday!!!!!
And I cant wait not to be the only fat girl in my crew!!! I hope and pray I get skinner then all my friends who have talked about big people in my face!!! I know its mean but I got a bit of mean in me!

I CONFESS THAT I:
* sometimes get irritated at the success stories here...I WANT TO POST THOSE PICS!
* am addicted to weighing myself ( after going YEARS not knowing my weight!)
* I can't wait to flaunt my new body
*

Yay! My stall finally broke after 4 looong weeks. I have lost 3 more lbs (and hope it continues). I am back on the road to success. I did make changes by upping my Water and Protein intake like others had suggested.

My doctor told me 60 grams and yep you just have to make sure everything you eat is Protein I love string cheese the mozzrella and I also do Peanut Butter on apples! I also eat almonds!! i sometimes do the eggs with mozzarella melted together!!! Omg you dont like greek yogurt it has so much protein and that's how i calm my sweet tooth!! try those special k Protein Bars they have like 10 grams and of course I eat meat meat!!!! My rule for right now is if it doesn't have protein!! I dont need it!! GOOD lUCK!!!!