Katcloudshepherd

jannie1121, It is a total change. You have to work through the issues that cause you to need this surgical tool. The best thing you can do is have counseling before and AFTER surgery. Working on my "fat" brain has been much more arduous than any physical part of the surgery. Welcome to the forum and good luck, Kathleen

Wooo Hoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) So happy for you!!!! I've noticed I can now fit ONE gym towel around my body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I used to have to use my beach towel walking around the locker room and now can use the gym provided towels. Have a good one, Kathleen

skylarkx, Don't underestimate the impact the anesthesia, surgery and trauma from surgery has had on your body. Your body just went through he!! 6 days ago. Hope you feel better soon. Kathleen

Thank you! I love hearing from someone who is as far out from surgery as you are. Blessings, Kathleen

Hello everyone, Interesting topic. I was walking out of a grocery store yesterday headed to my vehicle. A man was walking into the store. He said: "You're the most beautiful woman in San Antonio." "If you weren't married, I'd marry you." I said "Thank You". I'm the same person as I was on my day of surgery, December 11, 2013 but my exterior has obviously changed. I told a friend about it and he said he knew I was always a strong, beautiful, intelligent and confident woman and some can see now the exterior beauty matches the inner beauty. He said many men want a strong, beautiful, intelligent and confident woman. I just thought well, maybe the man took his "happy" pills and he's really "happy, happy, happy" I have noticed total strangers treat me much better now and I've commented on it here on this site. Y'all have a good one. Blessings, Kathleen

Ash51, Good luck with your surgery. Like brendaliz_r said, follow the doctors instructions. For me, the mental part is harder than the physical part. My body healed with time but my decades of "fat" brain thinking took much more work. I hope you have a routine surgery and easy recovery. Blessings, Kathleen

healthygurl, Wishing you lots of luck for a speedy approval, routine surgery and easy recovery. Blessings, Kathleen

Lisa, So sorry for your loss. I can't even begin to imagine what you are going thourgh. Lord, take Lisa in your arms and comfort her. Be with her and help her to do what she needs to do to become healthy. May God keep you in his care, Kathleen

Perfect strangers treat me totally different now. They open doors, smile and treat me like a totally different person. Like you said--I'm still the same person but it is amazing how much more cordial strangers are to a person closer to a "normal" weight. Like you also said--I was somewhat invisible--How the heck a six foot tall woman over 300 pounds is invisible is beyond me! People who knew me at 300 + pounds do constantly say how wonderful I look and I can't help but think maybe my attitude is more positive now---possibly eliciting more positive responses from total strangers? Blessings, Kathleen

Thank you Alex! This site has been worth more than words can express to me in this journey down the "loser's" highway. Kathleen

I used to take prescription strength Naproxin morning and night. I had to switch to Voltarin-a cream that is applied and absorbed through the skin like an NSAID. I am fortunate that it worked for me until I could lose enough weight to not need it any longer. It is a tough road to travel while losing the weight. Good luck to y'all, Kathleen

CowgirlJane, I pray that you have the strength you need to get through this time. Wish I could hug you. May God bless you and keep you in his care. Kathleen

For me it's too hot in Texas to wear a full camisole. I buy those camisole type lace things you snap onto your bra straps that cover the cleavage but you don't have a layer of the camisole to make you too hot. I'm not as warm as I used to be since I've lost weight so I actually might be able to wear a camisole now without sweating! They look like they wouldn't be difficult to make if you were a person who could sew. It's just enough fabric to cover the front of the bra with snaps on each side attaching to the bra straps. Can't think of the name of them--I think Wal-Mart still sells them--They're the "Sold On TV" type of thing.

I agree. I'm six feet tall. To take a set of numbers and compare me to a women of average height does not work. I'm going to have a much different muscle/bone mass due to being taller. I've always carried my weight well thanks to my height. Everyone is different and you can't compare apples to oranges. I must admit however, I'm very happy to be a "loser" and a smaller person. Have a good one everybody, Kathleen

I have to say this is a bunch of predictions based on what? I had my surgery December 11, 2013. I don't take NSAIDS for my severe arthritis anymore. I can move with less pain than BEFORE surgery taking high dose NSAIDS. I like my chances at keeping the weight off. There hasn't been a magic pill in all the decades they've been trying to develop one. The simple fact is my stomach didn't work! It kept telling me to EAT, EAT, EAT. Now that the troublesome part of my stomach has been removed--the part that makes grehlin, (spelling?), I get a little nudge telling me--"Oh I need to eat something". NOTHING like it was before when I was an absolute beotch from Hades if you didn't get me food when I was hungry. Yes, I went through a dark period when I missed my old constant companion of food. I had some mental issues to work through. I've never thrown up. I can eat about 8 ounces of food--unless it's really dry. I eat fruits, vegetables and a variety of foods but it's ALWAYS Protein first. I don't have diarrhea but I do have to battle occasional constipation. If I drink the 64 ounces of Water a day, exercise and get my Fiber in---constipation is not a problem. I have not vomited ONCE since surgery. I'm so lucky to not have any reaction to anesthesia or narcotics like some people do. Yes the gas used in surgery was very painful BUT I'd go through it again in a heartbeat to feel the way I do today. I wouldn't trade my chances at a longer healthier life for any of the BS on that site. Good luck, Blessings, Kathleen

Hello everyone, I went to see my Primary Care Physician's, (PCP) office yesterday to ask for a permanent disabled placard. I have multiple orthopedic problems in my spine and my knees are so bad they need to be replaced but I am considered too young for the surgery. First the medical tech taking my vitals made a comment and it did not bode well with my visit with my PCP. I was so upset I mailed off a letter to them today. I've redacted, (in Italics) the personally identifiable information: Here's the letter: June 24, 2014 Kathleen XXXXX-XXXXX 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Drive Anywhere, Texas 7xxxx Ref: Visit to office to obtain disabled parking placard. Dear Managing Physician, This is to advise you of the completely unprofessional, rude, non-caring, inappropriate conduct, I experienced during my scheduled visit to your office on June 23, 2014. I was attended by a Xxxxx Xxxxx, PA-C. The purpose of the appointment was to obtain a permanent handicapped parking placard. I am a patient of the a local Orthopedic Group and I see two physicians, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, D.O., for my spinal problems and Dr. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, M.D. for my knee problems. In March of 2014 I saw Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, D.O., to authorize a permanent handicapped placard. His staff informed me that only a primary care physician could authorize a permanent handicapped placard. Although I thought this was odd, I did not question it at the time. I scheduled an appointment and came to your office on June 23, 2014 to obtain from my primary care physician the documentation needed to obtain the permanent handicapped placard. The staff member who took my vitals and prepared me to see the Physician’s Assistant said: “So who told you that you were disabled?” I found this question to be intrusive, personal, and condescending. It is my understanding that this type of question should only be asked by my primary care physician and falls under the patient confidentiality act. Not a staff member whose purpose is to take my vitals and prepare me to see the Physician’s Assistant. During my meeting with Ms. Xxxxxxx I was then told in a very insulting manner that: “We don’t give handicapped placards to anyone with a little bit of back pain.” I was also informed that: “If we give handicapped placards to everyone with a herniated disc, there would be lots of people with handicapped placards.” I was so taken aback by these statements and I couldn’t believe it. For my request to be taken so lightly and my pain so minimized by someone who has never examined me was very disheartening. I realize that the office did not have my X-rays, MRIs or records from the local Orthopedic Group to form an informed opinion. However, to completely doubt the veracity of my request and to make it sound as if it were frivolous made me very angry. Are all patients treated with this level of doubt? Apparently it is not necessary to make a medical judgment by taking a proper medical history. Per chance personal judgment and prejudice determines a person’s medical condition. I will see to it that your office will receive a copy of my records from the local Orthopedic Group so a more informed opinion can be formed. Also I am disabled vet with a 40% VA disability rating BECAUSE of my knees and back. Kathleen XXXXX-XXXXX

My insurance covered the surgery. I paid out of pocket for the 2 night hospital stay--$600.00. I guess I'm not as tough as I thought I was. No way in heck could I have gone home the same day. I was up and walking the floor within hours of the surgery. I don't think I would have liked having no constant medical monitoring of my condition. This was my first major surgery so I didn't know how my body was going to react to it. Best of luck to you. I hope you have a routine surgery. Kathleen

CowgirlJane, I have had Artifill injections in my cheeks and Juvaderm injections. I did get bruising but everyone is different. The Artifill I had in my cheeks was several years ago and it is still holding up. I think using your own fat would be much better. I'll eventually end up getting the injections again--AND have to deal with the sunken cheeks yet again. Good luck, Kathleen

Hello everyone, I'm traveling to Michigan next month and have a slight amount of dread. You see, I didn't tell my 2 brothers or other family members about the surgery. My 2 sisters know and have been very supportive. I haven't been to Michigan since 2009. I don't know what kind of reaction I'm going to get. It helps that I've lost 84 pounds and I've gone from a size 28 to an 18--which is very loose fitting on me. I'm almost into a size 16. I haven't been a size 16 since I was in the Army! Holy Cow, I just realized that while I'm typing this! I'm trying to brace myself for the reactions I'm going to receive. This is NOT an easy way out, lazy, or any of the other multiple negative ways that some people characterize it. This trip down the loser's highway has been much tougher for me than even Basic Training! Kathleen

ladykatie_ I think seeing a therapist is the BEST thing you can do. I went through a grieving process after my surgery. The mental part of this to me was FAR more difficult than the physical part. Sure the pain from the CO2 was a beotch! but the long, tough slog through the mental dark, cold woods was worse for me. I suffer from depression and issues related to childhood abuse. I have worked with many therapists over the yeas to attempt to overcome them. Oh how I wish my brain had a "reset" button or I could reboot the darn thing. For me, the real work started AFTER my sleeve had healed. I have come to terms with it now but it was tough when I was actually going through it. Having a therapist to talk to, especially one who specializes in issues related to WLS will help you to make the journey through the mental part a lot more tolerable. I wish you well, Kathleen

Avryv, I was SO VERY TIRED at about the 2 month mark. Immediately after the surgery I had more energy and then BOOM it hit me lick a Mack truck at full speed. I finally came out of it at about 4 months. I also didn't read my bariatric Vitamins closely and was only taking 2 pills a day instead of 6! Sometimes I think I'm a blond and Polish and sometimes I know! I started taking the 6 per day and I felt A LOT better. Hang in there! Like the other posters said your body needs time to heal and it's always wise to discuss it with your doc. Welcome to the trip down the "loser's" highway! Blessings, Katheen

Jenuine629, Good luck with your surgery. Be careful about buying too much of anything. You'd be surprised how much your tastes can change after surgery. Mine sure did. Your taste may not change but I've heard it expressed many times by different people that their tastes did change. I hope you have a routine surgery and an easy recovery. Kathleen

DeniseNCC1701, YOU ARE SO CORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!! For me, the mental part of this is so much more difficult than the physical part. I actually went through a mourning period because I couldn't deal with life the way I had for decades--by using food as my drug. I now have to FEEL my feelings. That can be an extremely difficult thing to do for someone like myself who DID NOT have to do that before. Now I have to live a life UN-numbed by food. I have to deal with unpleasant feelings, not stuff them down with food. For me, that is where the true work is at--in my still FAT brain. Be well everybody, Kathleen

Hey y'all, I've noticed men are giving me those lingering glances now. I had forgotten what that was like. Now that I'm tall and not as "fluffy" as before--men are looking at me more and more. I also now am more concerned about how I look when I got out in public. When I was my Former Fluffier Self, (FFS), I didn't pay as much attention to make up and clothes in public. Don't get me wrong, I didn't go out in public as a complete mess but I'd often go without make-up and less dressed up. Now that I'm considered more attractive, I've been more attentive to my make-up and attire. I haven't quite reached the stage of wearing an evening gown to the grocery store --don't think I'd go quite THAT far. Have a good one everybody, Kathleen

Richard Foor, You have done VERY well. Congratulations on your success, Kathleen