Katcloudshepherd

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

tallysfunny WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look FAB---U-----LUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) Trying to convey the vocal inflection in text just does not work. I'm 6 feet tall too! I'm working to see 200 again. Kathleen

Hello everyone, I have two all-American mutts, however, I had their DNA analyzed to see what breeds they were. Shadow is a black 1/2 Pomerianin, 1/2 Chihuahua, (Pohuahua). Zsa-Zsa is a 1/2 Havanese, 1/2 Poodle, (Havanoodle). The cats were recently adopted. Sonnie is the yellow male kitten and Misty is the cream/tan/brown female kitten. They are the love of my life--besides my husband of course. Kathleen

Do I ever agree with you! My husband and I keep to ourselves. I love my critters and often times prefer their company to the human type. Fake people are abundant, true loyal friends are hard to find. Kathleen

beth_d, I can't answer the question regarding if you have no thyroid. I've been on a dosage of .088 mg of Synthroid for years because of Hypothyroidism. At my last support group meeting, one of the weight loss surgeons said: "This is a marathon, not a sprint." He said your body may lose slowly but that's OK because you're in it for the long haul. Welcome to bariatric pal, Kathleen

cutiecake, You can't have coffee for one--it is highly acidic. Your sleeve is healing for several weeks after surgery. The second reason is that the caffeine dehydrates you. It's hard enough to constantly be sipping to stay hydrated and you don't want anything undoing that. I started to wean myself off of the caffeine several weeks before surgery. I mixed de-caff with caffeinated coffee, (slowly adding a higher percentage of the decaff) to slowly bring my consumption to 100% de-caff. It was damn hard but I'm so glad I did it. I didn't want a headache from not having coffee along with any other pain or problems. My doctor allowed me to have decaff 1 week after surgery. I used Starbucks decaff coffee because it is supposedly lower in acidity. I was finally able to drink regular coffee after 3 months. Check with your doc--they're all different. Getting off the coffee was hard but carrying all that extra weight was worse. Good luck, Kathleen

sobrien89, When you are in the hospital----WALK, WALK, WALK, SIP, SIP, SIP. Getting the amount of Water in at first is difficult--it can be done if you're constantly sipping small amounts of water--or flavored water if your sleeve can't handle it. I know for me after surgery, warm liquids went down better than cold. Even now--if the liquid is too cold my sleeve doesn't like it. I don't know if there is a way to prepare yourself for the mental part of this. It was much more than I expected before surgery. It is such a drastic lifestyle change that happens overnight. I come to this site because the people here completely understand when it comes to that. Give yourself time to heal from the surgery. Do what your body will allow you to do with regards to physical activity. This is a major surgery and your body needs several weeks to heal. I hope your surgery goes well and you have an easy recovery. Welcome down the trip down the "loser's" highway. Kathleen

RJ'S/beginning, I'm so sorry that you are still going through so many complications! Things have GOT to start getting better for you. Bravo on your NSV! I'll be traveling to Nevada in June and am hoping my rear end will fit in the airline seat much better this time! Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way, Kathleen

Hello everyone, My hair has been falling out by the handful. I've been saving it to put on my outdoor plants. Hoping it can at least do THEM some good. I've cut back on the frequency of washing my hair and am trying to be as gentle as possible. I already use a leave in conditioner/de-tangler and only comb my hair with a de-tangling comb. I need to color it but I'm holding off as I think that the strong chemicals would only exacerbate the situation. I'll be so happy when I get through this hair loss phase. I used to have nice thick hair and now it's so thin . Still---would not trade hair loss for weight loss. Be Well, Kathleen

lark60, Yes it was an NSV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anytime you have to change a record showing you lost that much weight--you bet your biffy it's an NSV. My ta-tas are now a 42-Long, (42L) instead of a 42C. I think I"m actually smaller than that--got to get some new bras. Need a "Border Collie Bra" --one that can round them up and point them in the right direction . Kathleen

bflblog, I have suffered from depression for a long time. I was on Zoloft for years. I was very surprised that my surgeon had me take it while still in the hospital--after I had passed the leak test of course. For while after surgery, I felt so darn good. Then, I seem to have gone through a period of mourning for my old, constant companion--food. I'm finally getting out of the mourning--it took a while and I was deeply depressed during that time. It didn't help that I took myself off of anti-depressants--my doctors WERE NOT happy with me regarding that. Follow the doc's advice. Hopefully you can wean yourself back off of the ADs after surgery. Kathleen

The one sentence in your post that really caught my eye was "What's with all the rage all the time". Man, you really hit the nail on the head for me with that one. Sometimes my anger comes out of nowhere and it comes up so quickly. Don't know why. I agree many of us are our own harshest critic. I wonder where I picked up that particular talent from. Welcome to the trip down the "loser's" highway. I wish you well, Kathleen

sleeved215, At the support group meeting last night the doctor said make sure your hunger is not thirst. The body has a hard time discerning between thirst and hunger. If I'm not supposed to be eating and I feel a twinge, (nothing like before surgery), I drink something first to make sure I'm not confusing thirst with hunger. Congratulations on your surgery, Welcome to the trip down the loser's highway. Kathleen