megancd

Tomorrow will be the second endoscopy and balloon dilation for a recurring hourglass stricture. Originally my new stomach twisted causing this hourglass stricture. Then a week ago it was dilated using the endoscope just to twist back again. I'm just sharing in case anyone else is going through this or has gone through this.

Hiii everyone, i just wanted to take the time to do an update i just realized that i am 6 months post op today i was sleeved on September 10th 2013 and what can i say other than i am so thankful at the opportunity life has given me its like being reborn again. Back in July 2013 my health took a toll for the worst, that is when my doctor recommended i get Bariatric Surgery because loosing weight would be the only way 2 control my PCOS symptoms i finally decided to do something about it and went ahead and started my WL journey i was then 250 lbs my highest weight ever being 5'1 it wasn't good at all for me along with my PCOS i started having back problems, knee problems, achillis tendons problems, ankles were always swollen, my BP had started to get out of control, along with a few other things. Today at 6 months i couldn't be happier with the way i feel, today i no longer use any medications, i am still in shock when i see myself in the mirror in my head i still think of myself sometimes as being heavy even though i know i am not and peoples reaction when they see me is priceless =) words will never describe how Amazing this journey has been and how i feel i thank God first and for most and my awesome doctor Scott Shikora and Team for giving me this second chance in life my highest weight was 250, today at 6 months post op i am 147 lbs and still counting even my doctor was amazed when i saw him last month he said and i quote (remember we spoke that people who are sleeved loose about 50-60% of their excess weight well you have lost already 75% of your excess weight) he was sooo happy my goal is 135 i am very close i went from size 22 or 2x 3x to my now size 6 and that size is now fitting loose so am i Happy? Heck yeaaah i am Extreeeeemely Happyyyyy! 88 lbs since September 10th (day of surgery i was 235lbs) total weight loss 103 lbs from when i was 250 lbs till now i'll take it! =)))

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10/11/2012 465
Today. 265

My dog Kaity is much cuter then I am, and she's only 3 (of course that's 21 in dog years), and no, she's not fat, just fluffy.

Um, all fat girls have pretty faces.

So I don't think there's anything wrong with this, but I can't help but notice that the profile pics for almost everyone (especially the ladies on here) make everyone look like they are about 21 years old and not a single pound overweight.
Even people that haven't had any surgery or lost any weight, the pic of their smiling face appears to be that of a 21 year old who is not overweight in the slightest. Do people just post pics that are from before they gained weight? Pics from when they were 21? Or are some people finding the "perfect angle" that makes you look really thin? How does one do this?
Maybe I want to make a "glamor shot" picture so I can also be a sexy 21 year old woman. How can I accomplish this?

beauty29-
This guy is a consummate jerk. I am so pleased that you found this out on date 1. Now you do not have to waste any more time with him. I firmly agree with the posters who think this guy is insecure. Clearly he was intimidated by you.
Look forward to the land of opportunity. Tons of great fish in the sea who are going to love you at any size. Never let anyone, male or female, make you feel like anything less than who you are.
tc

I'm so sorry...that is awful! Be glad you met him now and realized what an idiot he was, rather than later when you've lost and the weight and didn't see him for the person he is!

I did not post that looking for "permission" to eat junk. I was sharing my struggle and hoping for some encouragement to get back on track. And partly I was posting just to be accountable to myself by making it public. I was being honest.
I really find that there is a lot of negativity and judgement on this forum.
The best advice I've gotten so far was the suggestion about a therapist. The rest is just nasty and judgmental. And to the person who said "stop eating ****"... You are about 4 days out, right? I hope for your sake you don't struggle like I am at 4 months, but at 4 days food made me sick. That changes over time and it does get harder. I'm not making excuses for my choices. Just being real and looking for some help.

I echo all of the above, and would add:
* going to any doctor's office and the nurse takes one look and says, "hang on, I'll have to get the large cuff for you."

I'm so sorry to hear this.... I really hope that this second surgery will be the fix that you need..
I also feel that you shouldn't leave us afterwards you are still a sleever in my book.

I am 46 years old. I have been married to the same man for 24 years and we have a 24 year old son, who has blessed me with a beautiful granddaughter who is 3 years old. All my life I have been chubby. Same old story as every one else. Would loose weight and keep it off for awhile then life would happen and I would go off diet and regain it all back plus a few more. About a month and a half ago my husband had a long talk with me and asked if I would quit smoking. If I quit he would pay for me to have the surgery. I was thoroughly offended. I did not see myself as obese, yes I needed to loose a few pounds but I could always do it on my own. We had an argument about me being overweight. Maybe in the back of my mind I knew there was some truth about it but I did not want to quit smoking. I told him I would think about it. I really thought hard for about two weeks. I thought they would not give my the surgery because I was too small. 5'3 and 215 pounds. Talk about denial. But I decided to look into the sleeve and thought that I can do this. Then I really thought about my quality of life and decided that I definitely wanted this. The only problem was that I had to quit smoking FOREVER. I decided to give the not smoking a try. I was not going to make a promise to him that I could not keep, especially if he is spending that kind of money on me, it had to be long term. After a few weeks of not smoking and knowing that I could do it, I decided to call a specialist in a nearby town, they made an appointment for a seminar September 3, 2013 I had an appointment to meet with the center on September 5th. I met with the nurses, did my psychological testing and she said the doctor was available to see me. I talked with him and found I was a good candidate and I was sent to scheduling. The only time available for both of was September 18th. That was less than two weeks away. So we're off. The next morning I started my 2 week diet with no preparation, went off caffine, and still not smoking. Boy was I a basket case over the weekend. First thing Monday morning had to do gallbladder scan and upper GI. Thursday going for Pre-op class, run bloodwork at hospital, and pre-admit at hospital. Next Wednesday morning I will be in surgery. Within 6 weeks my whole way of life has changed. The only thing that helped me get through it was this website. When I was nervous, scared, unsure, or down right excited. This has been my calm in the middle of the storm. I am hoping to find other individuals to go through this process with me. I really need a friend right now. Husbands, family, and friends don't understand because they have not gone through it. They are very, very supportive but they do not understand.

This!

I agree with the others: you look awesome! Congratulations! And thank you for posting the before and after pics.

My absolute favorite is very simple....my very best friend and person I admire the most in the world said to me your doing really good.....simple but means a lot. Also, when I saw my surgeon last time, he is always very encouraging but he hugged me and said I'm proud of you. Nothing has really bothered me, I feel like anything said to me has been said with good intentions so I receive it that way.

I got called a skinny b***h last week. I took it as a compliment!

Im just gonna say....

10 months out & down 110lbs and at goal by month 8. My surgeon says my rate of loss is the same if not better than bypass patients. Advocate for the sleeve for sure! I wouldnt want the embarrassment of having to deal with dumping!
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Surgery date : 9/4/12
Weight day of: 240 lbs
Height: 5' 2.5"
Surgeon: Dr. Thomas Borland (self pay)
Current weight: 150 lbs
Total loss: 90 lbs
Just wanted to post a little update since my one year has passed... I wanted to hit 100 lbs by now, but I am totally okay with 90! My one year appt with my Dr isn't til October so I feel confident that I can get there by then! I've kindof fallen off the wagon lately, so as of Monday I'm back on Protein and veggies only! I am going to beat this 10 lbs FOR SURE :
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I was postponed a month as well due to insurance issues. I found out 4 days before and was pretty sad about it.

I had my sleeve on the 23rd of October 2012, weighing 249.7lbs Bmi 40
Today I weigh 148.9lbs and my Bmi is 25.5lb
Best decision I ever made!!!

I agree with the others: you look awesome! Congratulations! And thank you for posting the before and after pics.

I agree with the others: you look awesome! Congratulations! And thank you for posting the before and after pics.

Congrats and please post pics when you ROCK that mermaid wedding gown *snaps fingers*

Today is 14 days post op, and this is my first post since surgery.
8/20 I was the last patient of the day scheduled at 5:30, didn't go in until 7:30. When I woke up the only thing I could feel was fire. I was expecting pain, but it literally felt like my insides were on fire. Not pleasant. It was a VERY long night, but I managed. I was discharged the next day at noon.
The first 3 days were very rough, pain was bad, gas pains were brutal, my stomach was very inflated and I couldn't get comfortable to save my life. Forget laying down flat. The pain in my chest and stomach just trying to swallow Water was excruciating. I managed.
By day 4 the pain was minimal and I was up and about doing normal household things, but I tired easily.
By day 5 I could drink a little better without so much discomfort. But god forbid I take a sip and then laid down. In fact, sometimes the only way I could stand to drink was walking around. Being vertical felt much better than horizontal.
By day 7 the swelling in my stomach was greatly reduced and the pain was gone, except the occasional twinge. I started walking regularly a couple times a day just around the yard and neighborhood, and have tried to stay active, stretching and moving some small weights around with upper body, no problems there. Again, I just tire easily. I've followed the liquid diet to the letter, and week 2 I started full liquids. Soups hurt if I'm not careful. Water goes down easily now. I'm basically living off Protein Shakes and Isopure clear drinks, broth, and the occasional Soup with unflavored Protein added.
I'm never really hungry, but I do know when I need to feed my sleeve - I start to feel slightly nauseous in my tummy or an acid feeling. A little bit of protein, it goes away. Im managing 60-80oz liquids and most days I hit 70-80 grams protien. I am so glad I've done this, but the first week was hard! Harder than I expected and I thought I had a grip on the situation!! lol, the things we tell ourselves....
So I got on the scale today and I'm down 17 pounds. I almost freaked. I re-weighed myself a dozen times, and the number was the same! I also took full body pictures of myself, which I had not yet had the bravery to do.
So today is a great day! I feel really good physically and mentally, I know I'm doing what I'm suppose to, and the weight is coming off. Its a beautiful feeling!!