AshleyMidwife

Thanks everyone!
sharonlaff, I am losing about 2 to 3 pounds a week.

My name is Melinda and I'm currently 282, I'm 37. About 17 years ago, i stopped having periods. I had terrible acne, and facial hair IN MY 20'S! As time went on I gained over 100 pounds and was diagnosed with pcos. I feel sad because I allowed my health to go from bad to worst. I currently take 3 pills for bp, cholesterol medicine, nexium, and anxiety medication. In 2009, I went through the entire gastric bypass workup, then got scared. I adopted a baby a year ago, and I can't even play with him or walk. People always say I don't look 282, BUT I FEEL IT. I CARRY MY WEIGHT IN MY MIDSECTION. 2 WEEKS AGO I DECIDED I WANT TO LIVE! I WANT TO WALK UP STEPS WITHOUT WHEEZING, I WANT TO PUT ON JEANS WITHOUT SWEATING, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I WANT TOO SEE MY BABY GROW UP. IM CURRENTLY IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF GETTING SLEEVED AND IM SCARED, BUT IM PRAYING AND SOLICITING SUPPORT. DR LEON KATZ IS MY DR, AND MY SURGERY WILL BE DONE AT CROZER CHESTER MEDICAL CENTER, HE'S A GREAT DR. SO PLEASE PRAY FOR ME, AND PLEASE SHARE! SHARE! SHARE! ESPECIALLY MY PCOS CYSTERS!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

So, I have not been on here in awhile. Actually several of us broke off in a group on Facebook that had the surgery on the same month. I thought I would come back on here today to share my success story. It's only fitting since my journey really started here. I was in the exact same spot most of you over two years ago. First the lurker, just reading everything I could to figure out if this is what I wanted to do. I admit it, I was scared. I thought if I just keep trying harder, more time..I can lose on my own. This seemed so extreme!! However, the longer I waited, the more weight I gained, the harder it was to move, the more pain I was in. My blood pressure was OUT of control in a bad way. I was a stroke waiting to happen, and my blood sugars began to rise. So I finally "knew" it was this or I will be disabled, diabetic, worst dead before I reach 65. I have been watching my father slowly deteriorate from obesity and I decided I would not let this happen to me. I was spiraling, and spiraling fast! I received a lot of criticism, some even from people I really loved and needed, but it wouldn't change my mind. This is my life and my life to save, so you have to just let those entire punches role. If you let that get to you, it just feeds into that past behavior and insecurity that drives most of us to eat in the first place. Getting this surgery is NOT the "fix all" folks. If you are considering this surgery, or going through the first stages, you have understand the fundamentals to the success of this surgery is changing from the "inside" out. Or it's not going to work. Get your head straight first, because trust me, you are about to be tested psychologically and emotionally regardless. At least get a head start on yourself, and get some good solid coping skills together because I will be honest...it's hard. People will tell you hundred times over..."You took the easy way out" ha!!! That's a laugh! This whole process, our whole lives, our issues...all of it....this has never been easy...and either is this. That being said...let me now get to the good part!!!

I am now one year and four months post surgery May 2012. I have lost a total of 115 pounds and I have maintained my weight at 130-132 for the past 10 months. The farther I get from surgery the easier and easier it is to tolerate and eat different food, including bad foods...hence why its important to change eating habits first!!! If I were not careful, I could gain it all back, small bite, by small bite. What is nice is I DID do it the right way and worked on the inside first, I tackled the head first...and when i thought I did enough, realized i even had more work when challenged further post op. There is a mourning period....or at least for me, and from many others I confided in, for them as well. I actually felt sad and depressed...i went through the period of ...oh my god...what did I just do? Did I just make a mistake? Oh no!!.....(I now know I didn't) But I had to go through it. It was a roller coaster for awhile. So NOW I am at a place that food no longer holds the same meaning to me. I am no longer a slave to the food if that makes sense. Ironically, I like to cook more now because it's all about finding that healthy great flavor in the matter of a few ounces. So quality verses quantity. I admit, I even forget to eat sometimes. Losing the appetite was definitely one of the biggest advantages to this surgery. Not everyone is so lucky, and some days I actually do feel like I could eat a horse, even though I can only fit an ear inside my tiny tummy, haha!! The best part for me was getting my blood pressure under control. My blood sugars under control, and I no longer have pain. If anyone goes and reads my old blogs from before surgery, all I ever complained about was the pain...oh the pain...It's actually funny to read because only once in a long time do I get pain in my joints and back now. In fact I went Boogie Boarding in San Diego last weekend IN A BIKINI!!!! Sometimes it's like you are looking at a stranger in the mirror, it takes a little while to identify with the new you, and that actually causes mixed emotions, more "issues" to deal with. The attention you receive will change..it's not always comfortable. And yes, I continue to still get the negative nelly's that want to try and bring me down, or are insecure, or jealous, or whatever their reason for being down right inconsiderate and tactless about it...but like I said, let it roll. It's their issue, not yours. You are saving your life; you are extending your life. This is your journey, no one else’s, don't let anyone else ever dictate how you feel or what you choose to do for yourself. If you have to, some relationships may just fall apart, its unfortunate, but it's realistic, it does happen. I hope most of you have supportive people in their life that they can turn to no matter who else doesn't stand by your side. If you don't, really utilize this site and these people on here. There are so many great people here wanting and willing to talk with you and support you through all stages of this. Stay strong, even at your weakest moments, remember...it does...and will get easier and better. Good luck and peace you all!!! The before and after picture I attached was actually completed at 11 months post op, so the skinny pics were from 5 months ago, but I look the same, just a little tanner, haha!!!

Hi all. I was 21 months out on Sept. 14th and went to my doctor for follow-up. I go see him every 3 months. I am still doing great. I have lost 75 lbs. (I really only had 60 to lose all mainly in my abdomen). Those of you who know my story know that most of my stomach had protruded through my diaphragm. I had a Nissen Fundiplication surgery for my reflux in 1999, and this was a result of that. Anyway, my stomach was lodged between my lungs headed for my heart so with my sleeve surgery at the same time he had to repair that which took and additional 2 1/2 hours. My doctor told me that your restrictions change at 18 months post-op so it is important to stay on track. This time when I went, he said I have lost too much muscle mass in the last three months, which will affect my metabolism, so he said I need to start working out with weights on my upper body and get that up before December hen I see him again. I was doing endurance training on the treadmill but I had to have unexpected arthroscopic surgery on my knee to remove a meniscus tear in July, so that slowed down my walking and treadmill, so that contributed to my muscle mass loss since I was not exercising everyday for awhile. So today I will see a personal trainer and start on a weight program for my upper body only (I lost so much I need to tone my biceps so they don't look like crepe paper!). Also I need to increase my RTD Protein Drinks to two per day. He also said that the powdered Protein drinks were not as good as everyone thinks, because people add so much to them, ie, bananas, sugary fruits, yogurt, etc. that they end up having too much sugar and calories in them. I have always used the RTD anyway, because I couldn't stand the aftertaste or consistency of the ones made from powder. So at this point, the surgery is still the best thing I have ever done for myself, went from an 18 jeans to a 2 jeans, and couldn't be happier. Not on any meds anymore whatsoever and healthier than I have ever been my entire adult life. Don't give up or get discouraged. It does not happen over night, but you be stay on track and stay committed. The weight is bound to come off if you are only eating about 8 oz. at a time. I still have a hard time getting in 1,000 calories a day! Good luck to all of you. Also, you will love this forum. You can learn so much from others who have done it before you. Don't be afraid to ask anything on here! I learned so much from this forum.

Are you getting enough Protein? And push those fluids girl!

So, five month anniversary and I sometimes can't quite take in all the changes in life over that time. Short period, monumental change.
Am I the same person? Yes, I am. But I feel as if someone has polished me. I feel shiny and full of energy, like I did many years ago. I am calm, confident and happy, emotions that have been buried beneath misery, uncertainty, frustration and anger. Not all weight related but summed up by my failure to deal with my health and weight.
Life is now full of endless possibilities. I see no barriers. I am even considering taking up running. Me, the girl who was told from a child that I was built for comfort, not speed.
I mentioned this in another post but I am beginning to like how I look, all of me. Yes there are some lumps and bumps but so what? I have restarted a social life and hosted a dinner for business colleagues last night with 4 courses. Didn't even panic - chopped up the starter and hid it round the plate: ate most of the piece of fish; had some sorbet from the pudding; and ate some oatcake and a bit of cheese. Sounds a lot but wasn't really - but no one noticed other than the man next to me who said he liked a woman who didn't fuss about her food, lol. If only he'd known :-))))) Now to get on with the next challenge, dating - eek!!!
When I had the surgery, I did so with great hope of change but not sure what it would look like. Now that I am here, I am not sure I can actually explain what this all means to me. It's pretty overwhelming to be down six sizes, there are times I barely recognise myself, lol.
I can tell you all the things I can now do that I couldn't before. But I wish you could see inside my head and see the new me or feel the pleasure I take in life now. This surgery has given me a second chance ... and I will not waste it.
Thanks for listening :-)))))

Hey Rick, I'm on day 15 now. You're not alone here... we've all been through it or will go through it soon enough. Get ready, once you're off morphine your largest incision site will start to hurt underneath in the muscle wall. For me that lasted about 6-8 days after surgery but for some it lasts longer. You're going to start shrinking soon but it's a struggle at first. Be prepared to hate and then love your decision and then hate it again only to come around and hopefully love it.

I just wanted to give a very short report on my surgery experience. I'm in St. Louis and used Dr. Morales at De Paul Hospital. Check-in and pre-op was great, and entertaining as the nurses were really great and fun. The anesthesiologist came in, asked a bunch of questions and went over what he was going to do. Another great guy. Stated I'm going to be out before I leave the little pre-surgery room and I was.
Dr. Morales came in and described the surgery again and answered any questions I had. I woke up in recovery in no pain, feeling only bad heart burn. They said that was normal and that it would go away with walking but they were going to give me Pepsid which they did and helped much but didn't take it entirely away. After they got me to the room and took an order for me for "my lunch" and hooked me up to everything, I tried sleeping but they come in so much to take vitals that was kind of a waste. I got up and took a walk and couldn't believe how much nothing hurt, how much energy I had walking and how easy it was to walk normal speed. Walked quite a distance too.
Back in the room again I tried sleeping again and did get a little in. Went walking again and walked pretty far this time and didn't even feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary (walking is out of the ordinary for me).
Just a quick note on the diet too. I started a week ago today on my clear liquid diet and honestly never felt hungry. To anyone looking for a good Protein drink I got the Premier Protein chocolate and it, to me and another guy at work who I gave one too, is fabulous. Taste exactly like chocolate milk in the dairy section. I get mine at Sams but he got some at costco and said they were about 20 cents each cheaper at costco. The vanilla tasted exactly like the Chocolate with a little taste of powder inside so I won't be choosing that one. They have 30 grams of Protein and 160 calories, 1 gram of fat in each carton.
So, I hope this continues but thought this might ease some folks fears so wanted to get it on here.

I spoke with my surgeons head nurse. She emailed me a new nutrition plan with altered Vitamins and Protein guidelines. She is not super concerned. I mean they surely arent excited but she said "it happens and it just part of Gods plan"
Not freaking out so much anymore. I will keep yall updated but so far it seems like everything will be alright.

My man and I are madly in love and he loves my body, no matter what, but feeling him grab my fat rolls is humiliating. I can't wait to have skinny sex! All you success stories out there....how's the skinny sex?

Sex is freaking amazing now!!! My boyfriend and I have always had a very healthy sex life but since the surgery I have been out of control with my libido.
Not to mention oh my god the positions, the multiple orgasms and the hours..yes I said hours of sex. And the lingerie!!!

Ashley, I can't attest to this yet, but reading in the Ladies Gone Wild forum has been SO encouraging! The ladies describe these monumentally better sex lives and I can't wait. I'd recommend checking it out if you haven't already!

I will not miss having fat sex. My man and I are madly in love and he loves my body, no matter what, but feeling him grab my fat rolls is humiliating. I can't wait to have skinny sex! All you success stories out there....how's the skinny sex?

Pretty good list, i would also add:
Not fitting comfortably on Airline seats.

Todays the day 14 days...i got this!

Well you mention Wellbutrin.. But do you see a therapist? A good counselor that deals in disordered eating would be best.
It's really goes hand in hand, I am a food addict a binger and surgery alone does not cure this..

Hey ya'll! I'm two months away from my surgery date! I've been jumping through the insurance hoops for 4 months and now I'm two months away! I just have my preop nutrition classes to complete and I'm all ready! Sleeve Date is tentatively dec 9th. This will be the best gift I have ever given myself. I've really enjoyed reading all of your journeys...the good, bad and ugly. I am excited to start my own and to use this amazing tool to its full potential! Thanks for the inspiration all of you

Hey ya'll! I'm two months away from my surgery date! I've been jumping through the insurance hoops for 4 months and now I'm two months away! I just have my preop nutrition classes to complete and I'm all ready! Sleeve Date is tentatively dec 9th. This will be the best gift I have ever given myself. I've really enjoyed reading all of your journeys...the good, bad and ugly. I am excited to start my own and to use this amazing tool to its full potential! Thanks for the inspiration all of you

Hey ya'll! I'm two months away from my surgery date! I've been jumping through the insurance hoops for 4 months and now I'm two months away! I just have my preop nutrition classes to complete and I'm all ready! Sleeve Date is tentatively dec 9th. This will be the best gift I have ever given myself. I've really enjoyed reading all of your journeys...the good, bad and ugly. I am excited to start my own and to use this amazing tool to its full potential! Thanks for the inspiration all of you

Remember also that there is fat stored around your organs and that fat is going away as well. You won't see any drastic change is waist size if you're losing from around your organs, but believe me, your body is thanking you. Keep up the good work!

I have been interested in wls for awhile, but I just didn't like the idea of gastric bypass (messing up my insides permanently) or the lapband (having a foreign body inside me that stays). The sleeve intrigued me, but it was still a relatively "new" surgery. I've always been overweight to various degrees. I don't have medical insurance, so wls was always in the back of my mind as "I'll do it someday when I have the money". Well, finally, I've gotten to the point where I have just now been diagnosis with type 2 diabetes, I'm the biggest I've ever been (300lbs), and I no longer care what I look like. All my clothing is huge and I feel so big and awkward when I go out. My mom said she'd pay for my surgery, so here I am. I am excited about the journey. I guess it wasn't just one specific thing that did it for me. I also want to be healthy for my husband and kids of course, and my teen wants me to go running with her. I'm looking forward to being able to run, among other things!

I have been dieting since I was in high school -- which means I have been dieting for more than 40 years. I have been in every program, bought HUNDREDS of diet books, taken every dangerous diet drug. And after all that time, programs, drugs, books, and therapy, I weighed 80 lbs more than when I started.
I calculated recently that conservatively I've lost and regained about 50 lbs per year. That means in 40 years I lost and regained 2,000 lbs! Oh yeah, and gave myself a nasty case of out of control diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. I was facing the very real probability of diabetic neuropathy, and a future of amputations and misery.
That's all changed now. I have my life back! Down 52 lbs so far, co morbidities resolved, and I feel fabulous! Best thing I ever did for myself!

7 years ago I had lost 150 pounds with diet and exercise. It was not the first time I had lost and regained 100 pounds. This time, over the course of 7 years, and for many reasons I gained back 75 pounds. When I saw the scale quickly approaching the 200 pound mark, I knew it was time to do something drastic. That's when I decided to have the surgery. When I scheduled my surgery, I was 198 pounds. I then binged my way up to 204.8. I started the pre-op liquid diet a week early, just to stop the bingeing. The day of surgery I weighed 195. I was able to lose weight.... I'd done it all my life, only to regain some or all. I didn't want to do it again. I needed a new tool In my toolbox to lose the weight for the LAST time.

Wanted to update the folks planning to go to Tijuana for VSG surgery. If you are lurking, considering, researching - get serious, make a decision and give yourself this gift. Wish everyone could feel as good as I do. Wish everyone was off all their weight related medications. Wish everyone could be rid of back pain...knee pain...foot pain. I want everyone to be able to buy regular sized underpants for crying out loud!
It's been 7 months since my surgery...has it been easy? Not every day. But I don't feel hungry all the time like I did before surgery. Even when I have a "bad" eating day now, it's nothing compared to what I was eating on a "good" day before surgery. Yes, I have 21 pounds to goal and will lose it before the end of the year. But I wanted to tell anyone who is scared of the cost...travel...safety...results...failure...it is possible to succeed beyond your wildest dreams. I wish everyone the success I continue to experience. Hugs!