Rox

Fiddleman, mostly the pub, dining out and parties. It involves bottles of good wine and thick heads the next day. It's not sustainable on a long term basis when one is in ones mid 50s

I would have it again. Here's the deal - I went into surgery with a 35 BMI. I have absolutely NO comorbities. None whatsoever. I did it because I'm tired of the weight loss battle. Plain and simple. I knew the risks of surgery up front. I will admit to not fully understanding the emotional changes that would take place but I am a reasonably intelligent adult and have since developed an understanding and am dealing with it accordingly.
I'll admit to doing this for predominately vanity reasons. Big deal. I knew my risks, made my decision, and went to Mexico to appease my own vanity. Big deal. It was my time, my money, and my choice. And I'd choose the same thing again. I don't wish complications on anybody. That is a truly tragic thing and my heart goes out to those with regrets or who have experienced a loss. The bottom line? Know your risks, make an informed decision, and hope for the best. That's all anyone can do. Don't judge anyone else for the decisions they make. If they ask for your experience then tell them and let it be.

Hmmm ... sounds like it is about time for a MEN ARE SUCH ASSES!! thread. I think it has been about 8 hours since the last one was posted. After all, it IS all about US, right?
Laura, will you do the honors?

Don't you know everything is better if you just keep it in the closet. God forbid if we should ever ACTUALLY have to confront any weakness we have in our lives. Let's bring back Don't Ask Don't Tell. That was a great policy. It doesn't exist if we don't know about it. Right?
Ignorance is bliss. Damn, I miss the Easter Bunny.

Is it wrong to still want to wear a bikini when you're over 50??
Believe me, if this surgery and I do what we're supposed to do - next year i'll post a pic

When I first started thinking about WLS, I was only considering the band. I felt that it was the least invasive surgery in itself and I was very scared of the non-reversability of the sleeve and bypass. The only surgeon at my hospital where I would have the surgery left, and the sleeve and bypass were the only things that were offered. After 1 year I felt the urgency to undergo a WLS because I want to start a family soon and want to be as healthy as possible for my first pregnancy. My weight management doctor told me from the beginning she thought the sleeve was the best choice for me given my BMI at that time (41) because of the amount I had to lose as well as the least amount of complications. I also realized that no matter what WLS I had, I needed to make a committment to a lifestyle change FOREVER and the band would not provide that for me. The "not going back" aspect of the sleeve sort of makes me feel more accountable for this decision. I also have a very busy work schedule that is only going to worsen starting this summer and I did not think it would be feasible for me to do all the post-op fills / appointments required of the band anyhow. My weight management doctor also said that the sleeve and bypass have shown to be better tolerated in patients who go on to get pregnant. Also again with grehlin - a hormone that promotes hunger is likely to be markedly reduced in sleeve patients, and many report not having the same cravings / hunger urges prior to surgery.
Good luck with your choice!

I would just like to congratulate everyone who has made the attempt or has completed this surgery !
However I would just like for people to keep in mind one thing ! This is a social website for us to gain and understand information on the VST ! However . No one has the right to sit and Bully anyone based on his or her experiences ! No matter race , gender , or ethnicity! It's very weird how people just come and disrespect one another on here !
I have came across several individuals and one in specific since the day I came on this site to gain knowledge . And lord knows I have not sent that B**#% to hell cause I have a little but more respect for my self and others ! But all on all my time bomb is ticking !
I think we should all be here to support one another and act like grown individuals and allow others to gain valuable information !
BOTTOM LINE IF U DoNT HAVE NOTHING NICE OR EDUCATIONAL DON'T SAY IT AT ALL

If people do have regrets it may be because they were not well informed of this surgery, they experienced a complication that they didn't expect, or they are not following their DR & NUT's orders and are not loosing a lot of weight.
Some other things to think of is the mental aspect of the surgery. You will see others eating all sorts of things..... and you will most likely want to join them but you can't because of the phase you are in or you are too full from your Protein. Head hunger will mess with you. Use it to your advantage though, when others are eating and it is time to eat, eat with them. Bring your own Protein friendly snack box. Remember you are no longer the person you used to be- you are in control.
{{{hugs}}} & <3

I regret that I didn't fully appreciate my slim body that I had in my 20's. Now that I have it back I'm making up for it. Yeehaw!!!

BuffBride regrets - are you kidding me!!!!
i'm 17 months PO - Goal past 5 months
i am enjoying, living my healthier happier life
no complications PO!!!!
its good to receive personal responses from others - i/we don't mind
but - agreed check out various regret boards
OP did have physical problems PO - and i get their feelings - some others wished they hadn't had the WLS cuz they miss food in general!!!
that i don't get!!!
MOST people love, love, love their sleeve - only regret they didn't do it earlier
nothing is usally eating - you have to work with your sleeve so it can work with you - for the rest of your life
good for you on doing your "homework" !!!!
be prepared in all aspects of the different ways you will be eating and drinking - this is for the rest of your longer, healthier, happier life
ie the Water "rules" very important
that you will eat in small quantities
but---- you will eventually be able to eat any type of food - in a teeny amount
the sleeve is the best thing since white bread!!! (but now bread will not be one of the best foods to eat)
take care
good luck
kathy

First bikini season in many years! I've bought several. Can't help it.

Here's my bikini!!!

Hey fellow sleevers, down 93lbs with 15 more lbs to go. Am 6 months out - no complications except a dodgey gallbladder that I refuse to get taken out! No hair loss, no stalls, and minimal lose skin so far.
Attached is a cheesy bikini pic that I was going to save to compare to my one year when I have abs of steel and a killer tan to match - but what the hell. I was really curious to see others post weight loss to see scaring and lose skin etc but they are really hard to find! So heres mine! Please note that this is post c-section of a 9lb baby 11 months ago!
If any are brave enough to share theirs please do - I need inspiration!
[ATTACH]12849[/ATTACH]

I feel ya! My problem was feeling hunger pains even when I was full. That, along with the ability to eat even more, made me a very fat girl.

G2 Gatorade or the calorie free Powerade. Sugar
Free Popsicles, any meds they may give you (pain, nausea) that you need afterwards, broth, gas x tabs (if your doctor says they are okay) although I just walk when I feel gas pain. sugar free Jello.
I am on Clear liquids the first 3 days post - was sleeved on 5/22/13. Then on to full liquids so I have some of this but will plan on shopping for more once I know what I tolerate.
I have lived off of the Gatorade and Popsicles and get pretty close to my fluids in each day.

Worry about being to skinny??
Ummmm....... Let me think..... Umm yeah...
NO!!

Every year our choir takes a retreat to a quaint nearby town with boutiques. Boutiques don't carry large sizes so I just look at the clothes and sigh. I want to be able to go in and try on EVERYTHING that catches my eye. I've already bought a size 6 dress for my 40th High School Reunion next year. This old lady is gonna be CUTE!
G.

There are a lot of mental health issues that go along with this, and I think size 6 can address a lot of that. You guys have already touched on it, though just losing weight isn't going to address a lot of mental health issues, it can go a long way with self confidence and esteem. I have to add as well, that I'm pretty sure my weight has contributed to job discrimination and prevented me from moving into positions that I have applied for.

Hey there:
I was digging around the research and I found this interesting article regarding a 2 year study on the efficacy of VSG on people with BMIs 30-35. I had a BMI of 37 before I got "sleeved" but I had two co morbid conditions that were caused by my obesity. I have UnitedHealth Care and my insurance paid 100%.
Here's the article with the study.....
http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/11709/sleeve-gastrectomy-low-bmis-“easy-safe-and-benefic”
Sent from my iPad using VST

I wish I'd known that even though Water is 'the best' liquid, I can drink iced tea, hot tea and coffee and live, thrive and survive!!! For the first three months I was constantly watching the color of the toilet water and was scared I'd end up in the ER needing an IV. I survived but when I went for my 3 month checkup, I was telling the nurse it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to drink that much water.....she said 'Just drink liquids, but make sure they are not sugary and not carbonated' My life changed at that point and I've been fine! I also wish I'd know FOUR OR FIVE years ago what I learned three years ago. What a wild ride, I've loved every single minute from the time I woke up in recovery. I've had an easy time, and I have fun. Just wait, one year after surgery, you will NOT believe how different your life is!! My advice as a 'veteran' sleever - I weigh every morning first thing....I have done this for over three years now. I started two months prior to surgery - log your food starting as soon as you get home and feel up to it. Better yet, get on myfitnesspal NOW and get in the habit. See how different your calories and Protein are now compared to post op!!! Use a salad plate, to this day I use one 90% of the time. Tonight, I pulled out the 'good china' - AKA paper plates. We had a left over Mexican casserole and refried beans....and I make HOMEMADE chips in the oven with corn tortillas. I put 1/3 cup of casserole and 1/8 cup of fat free refried Beans on this big ol' plate.....I said something to my husband about how empty my plate is, the amount looks like soooo little, on a salad plate, some nights it looks 'full'. LOL It's all a head game, psychological!!!! I added my four chips and it didn't look quite so empty. BTW, it was the perfect amount, I felt just right. I don't like to feel "FULL". Last but very important, weigh and/or measure your food from day one!!! I was measuring my broth when I got home from the hospital, all 1/8 cup of it!!! LOL All these things keep me very aware of where I am, this is my new life, it is habit. I have been maintaining for 2.5 years. Surgery isn't a magic bullet, but this has been easy to me. No hunger makes it much easier to resist if I need to or want to. Forced Portion Control was just what I needed. Good luck!!! I think this is longer than I intended, I'm sorry!!!

Agreed! No such thing as too much knowledge! I've been researching gastric bypass and it's different procedures for over 11 years now. I'm finally financially and psychologically (age-wise) in the right place to be able to have the procedure! It's taken 11 years of hoping and thinking, chronically, day in - day out to finally make this decision for myself and my sons! They are the main reason I'm doing this, my boys are my life! And they deserve all of me, not just the parts I can give without getting physically overwhelmed. I don't so much care about what I will physically look like, if at all. However I do desperately need to be the best mother I can be for my boys! They deserve that and so much more. This is why I have over-come all of my fears over the surgery I had for the past 11 years contemplating it. They are my light in the tunnel! I just can't wait to be healthy and pain free enough to run around like a mad women having fun with my kids, running errands, doing chores for once so they can learn to act responsibly like their mother....and not be further impacted by my actions, or lack thereof (which they are too young to understand, that mommy just can't physically do some things). I need to be the best example possible for my boys (3yrs, and 8 months). I won't ever get this time back. So I make this decision, for the loves of my life! They deserve it!