Katcloudshepherd

If ignorance is truly bliss, shouldn't there be a lot more incredibly HAPPY people in the world?

Originally, I am from Twinning, Michigan. I now reside in LaVernia, Texas.

I don't look at a number on a scale or a size to determine what is "thin" or "normal". I had originally set a goal weight of 200 pounds but my body stopped at 220. That to me is fine. Thankfully, my surgeon's office never set a goal weight in stone for me. I don't look at models or actresses to set a standard for me. They make their living solely on the basis of their appearance. I make my living with my brain and my hands. EVERYONE will grow older. You cannot stop time. I think I'm of an age where I just don't care as much about what other people think. I don't walk around looking slovenly or badly, I just think my worth is more about what is on my inside than what is on my outside. Many people who knew me as a morbidly obese person now call me "skinny". I think it is just that I was SO LARGE before that the difference is so obvious. I'm not skinny by any means. However, I'm much healthier now than I was at 338 pounds. That is what matters. To use a phrase that is so overused: It is what it is. Blessings, Kathleen

proudgrammy, I am so very HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!! Your posts have been supportive and uplifting and for that I am truly grateful. I so look up to you and the other veterans who provide information and most importantly inspiration to those who follow y'all down the weight loss highway. I just past the one year mark. I sure do hope to emulate your success in years 2 and 3. It is such a relief to hear that continued success is possible . I wish you a very, very happy holiday season and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015. Blessings, Kathleen

I took it in 2009 as a last ditch effort to lose weight without the surgery. Yeah, I lost 60 pounds BUT my blood pressure got so high I had to start taking blood pressure medication! As soon as I stopped taking it---BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!! my appetite came back with an absolutely, wicked vengeance. I put back those 60 pounds AND they invited some "friends" along too! I sincerely hope I have not damaged my heart muscle taking that crap as I took it for almost a year. Frankly, I don't think the doctor's office I got it from gave a rat's patootie about me truly losing weight and keeping it off. It was about the money I spent on the office visits and other fees I paid them to obtain the prescription. They also sold all the bariatric foods and supplements I took as well. Gee, you think there was a profit motive there? Not that I'm against anyone making money but I think the motivation was profit NOT my health. Just my two cents worth. I regret spending the money I did on that BUT I think I got my approval for WLS quicker and easier because it was a documented attempt at doctor's supervised weight loss. Blessings, Kathleen

I've lost about 117 pounds. I've haven't lost in a little over a month. I'm happy where i'm at. Size 28 woman's to a size 16 woman's. I was able to get down to a size 16 regular when I was in the Army--but I was in my 20's then. Don't see myself getting there again. At the age of 49 and going through menopause--That's OK. I was also a smoker when I got down to a regular size 16. Thank you all for your compliments and your prayers. I GREATLY appreciate any prayers for my husband. Blessings, Kathleen

FAB---U------LUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for your very creative revision of the song! Kathleen

I was so very fortunate that I didn't experience nausea. My surgeon gave me several anti nausea meds before surgery and I've always tolerated anesthesia well. If you are five weeks out, that is something you should see your doctor about. Are you eating the recommended foods at five weeks out? After you have the surgery you have to view your sleeve as an infants tummy. You introduce one new food at at time and see if that food settles well on the tummy. If you eat something and don't have a reaction, you know it's safe to consume that type of food. I really think you need to talk to your doctor's office. You are too close to surgery for a lay person like myself to be able to give you good advice. I hope you communicate with your doctor's office quickly and get this resolved and it is nothing serious. Blessings, Kathleen

Thank you everyone, jenn1, I'm praying and hoping my husband can have the sleeve surgery. He had several surgeries on his abdomen and they kept cutting through the same area and he developed infections so the muscles and skin couldn't be sutured together. As a result, he has a layer of skin over his intestines instead of muscles. He is on oxygen and has a herniated disc in his low back and osteoarthritis in his knees. He has high blood pressure, type II diabetes and uses a power chair to get around because of all his joint problems. He actually has so many more co-morbidities than I did. He has a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist on Wednesday of next week. I pray and hope that he'll be cleared to have the surgery. It's the last thing he has to get cleared before they apply to insurance for approval. We've been married since September 5, 1992. We've gotten through military service together, my tour of Korea, when he mailed me an invitation to my own wedding . He said: "I wanted to make sure you would show up". I was stationed in Korea and he was at Fort Sam Houston, (San Antonio, TX). We had a "shotgun" wedding, not because I was pregnant but we wouldn't be stationed together if we weren't married. We survived his emergency surgery when his colon ruptured on September 11, 2001, my mother's death eleven days later when I brought him home from the hospital. So this is just another challenge we have to overcome. I hope and pray that in 2015, he'll have the surgery and the surgeon will be able to do it. The surgeon has said if he cuts him open and he thinks it will kill him, he won't do the surgery. So if he can have the surgery AND lose as much weight as I have and have as much an improvement in quality of life---THEN we can start living as a couple again. We can travel together again and enjoy it. We can dance. Oh how I want to be able to dance with my husband again. I'm sorry to go on and on and on but communicating to people who have not struggled with morbid obesity isn't the same as communicating with people who understand just what a daily struggle being morbidly obese is. Again, thank you all for your compliments. I wish all of you an easy journey if you are beginning this trip down the WLS highway. Blessings, Kathleen

One year ago today, I had my VSG. I am feeling better than I have in over a decade. There were challenges. It wasn't all fairy dust and unicorn farts Lord Almighty it was worth it. This photo was taken at work today. Blessings, Kathleen

I'm more "vain" if you consider being more concerned about my appearance than prior to surgery. People treated me differently before surgery and I think my attitude was a direct reflection of that. Yesterday, on the job, I had to interact with people I hadn't interacted with in several years. I found it amusing that they were ALMOST falling all over themselves to be of assistance to me . Not that they treated me badly several years ago but it struck me again how differently I am treated now. I do care more about my appearance and I DO FEEL much better with clothes on than naked. My husband said: "you're lookin' good babe", as I was off to work this morning. However, not liking how I look naked doesn't stop me from working out and walking around naked in the women's locker-room. If you don't like what I look like--don't look at me baby! When I was younger I was more concerned about other peoples opinions. I guess since I'm now 49--I just care less and less what other people think. They don't sign my pay check or my performance appraisal. Blessings, Kathleen

Bob, I work for he federal government in an agency that regulates food. cynthiarm2000, I admire you for eating the way you do. I would very much like to be eating organic...grass fed...ethically treated...minimally processed...uncured.. ...foods. I would like to have my own chickens, so I know they are humanely treated in the eggs I eat. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to purchase organic, grass-fed, ethically treated products. They do cost more than the factory farmed ones in the grocery store. Working full time, I don't have the time to raise my own chickens. How has my identity changed since surgery? I'm now called "skinny". I concentrate on getting my Water in, Protein in, taking supplements, getting regular exercise and doing things one day at a time. I try not to preach weight loss surgery to those I am so tempted to prosleytize to. I know that people have to come to their own decision about weight loss surgery, since it is highly personal and everyone is different. Before surgery, I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Now I have to do a considerable amount of planning regarding what I will eat, when I will eat it and how I will prepare it. Because I am not a cook, work full time and have a busy life, I live on GENEPRO Protein powder and Quest bars right now. I would like to do more cooking when I retire in 7 years. I hope to raise chickens in 7 years but I'm thinking that may change too. I would like to travel when I retire as well. Having chickens to take care of and traveling don't work well together. I think you'll find some adjustments to your occupation as a "food guy" but I wonder if it may give you an opportunity as well. You will be in a position to create new recipes that are high in protein and lower in carbs. IMHO there will be an opportunity in the near future for those businesses catering to people like me who are needing high protein, low carb meals. I notice advertisements are proclaiming how much protein their products have. I LOVE it when I can go to a restaurant and they have something tasty on a menu which fits into my food plan. Something that doesn't come in a HUGE portion that is high protein and low carb. ​I don't know if my rambling helps you or not. ​I wish you success with your surgery and hope you have an easy recovery. Blessings, Kathleen

I felt so weak before my first week follow-up appointment, I started drinking Isopure clear Protein drinks. The broth wasn't enough for me. Once I started drinking the Isopure clear Protein Drinks, I felt better, not completely but they still helped me to feel less weak. You do need to get plenty of rest right after surgery. It's major surgery even if it is done laproscopically. Blessings, Kathleen

I had tried everything and spent a whole lot of money to loose weight--BUT when I went for my insurance approval that money spent paid off because I had documentation that I had tried everything. You'll probably have to fill out extensive paperwork, (I did) on your attempts to loose weight. Your documentation of that fact will bolster your request to the insurance company. I have hypothyroidism and depression and take medication for both. I used food as a drug to numb myself from feeling emotions. After the surgery, I did go through a dark period because I had to find a substitute for the way I was using food as a drug. Since you are seeing a counselor already, that is the absolute best thing you can do before surgery and most importantly AFTER surgery. I saw a counselor after surgery and that is what got me through that dark period, along with exercise and spiritual help through my faith. I wish I could have had the surgery several years ago. I would have truly started LIVING several years ago. Best wishes and good luck to you, Kathleen

A fear years ago I switched to stevia from all the other artificial sweeteners. I'll use them if I have NO OTHER CHOICE. I use Stevia. Some people say it has an after taste. It comes from a plant from Asia--I believe. I've grown them in the summer. They love heat and hate cold. I've never processed the leaves into stevia but they have tiny white flowers when they bloom. I don't like artificial sweeteners because I don't know what the chemical combination will do to my body with heavy long term use of them. I've noticed some food companies are advertising their food is sweetened with stevia. I'll buy those products even if they cost more than the chemical sweeteners. I realize most people on a strict budget don't have that option. For my gut flora, I drink a 1/2 bottle of Kombucha every day. It's a fermented beverage that has to be refrigerated. It has a very slight alcohol content and has a vinegar taste. I'm used to the taste, some people can't get beyond it. It is chock full of pro-biotics. The brand I use costs $3.49 a bottle at Whole Foods. So it's not an inexpensive proposition. I also take a pro-biotic capsule twice a day. I find if I get my Water in every day and drink the 1/2 bottle it helps me to not get constipated. Maybe it's just the water consumption and exercise I do but that's my personal experience. Blessings, Kathleen

4LgrLife_53, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for the tip on how to do the injection! I had to give my husband Lovonox injections after he had been hospitalized for blood clots that went to his lungs. He's on Warfarin now. HOPEFULLY, he'll have VSG next year and we can begin living our lives again when he loses a significant amount of weight. Thank you again for the information. It will help me when I have to give him the shots. Blessings, Kathleen

Thank you for a VERY informative, excellent article. My brain is very difficult to "re-train" and so easily derailed Kathleen

Hang in there. I don't remember being terribly nervous but I place a lot of trust in the medical technology we have available today. I hope your surgery goes well and you have an easy recovery. Walk, walk, walk after surgery. When they allow you to sip, do so as much as you possibly can. After surgery, you can't drink very much Water at a time so it's difficult to get in the amount you need without CONSTANTLY sipping water or other non-sugar, non-caffeinated liquids. Blessings, Kathleen

I chose the sleeve because it was permanent and I would be forced to change my lifestyle. You still have to watch what and how you eat but for me it has been much easier with the tool of the sleeve. My appetite did come back at a certain point but I'm one of the lucky ones so far. It has not returned with the force it had pre-surgery. Before the sleeve, God help you if you got in my way when I was hungry. If I was tired AND hungry, I might HURT you I'm so glad I did have the surgery. I'm 49 and was looking at total knee replacement because of osteoarthritis. My back is as crooked as a politician. My ortho doc was VERY hesitant to replace my knees before the age of 55 at my pre-surgery weight. Knee replacements only last about fifteen years maximum. The unspoken words my ortho doctor wouldn't say was I was just too heavy to attempt knee replacement at 49. Now, I don't even take noninflammatory pills twice daily as I did before surgery. I can get by with Tylenol and a prescription strength pain killer at night--only when I absolutely need it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this surgery is well worth $20,000. When I was going through the process for insurance approval, my plan B was to self-pay if insurance wouldn't approve the surgery. I would have taken out a loan and made payments if I had to. I paid $600.00 for the 2 night hospital stay and close to $2,000.00 for surgeon's fees. I look at it now as the best investment in myself I have ever made. I wish you good luck. Blessings, Kathleen

Hope your surgery goes well and you recover quickly and easily. Blessings, Kathleen

Hello, I'm 49 and I've got lots of loose, saggy skin. I think I may be too old for it to have a chance to "bounce" back. Ironic using that word since, well, that's what my skin would do if I jumped up and down . I've had some Venus freeze done on my neck and THANK GOD it worked. It was worth the $1,000.00 I spent for the five treatments. I use moisturizer that is supposed to firm your skin. I use it religiously every day. Might work better on those that are younger ? I've used Jergen's and I'm using Nivea now. I can't afford plastic surgery to rid myself of my "bat wings". Sure wish I could. I won't feel comfortable wearing tank tops or short sleeve shirts once it gets hot again. . I've been told it costs about $12,000.00 for "bat wing" removal. Oh well. I'll just have to look good with clothes on and not so good naked . I'll take the better health and much less knee and back pain---ANY DAY. Blessings, Kathleen

par1959, I absolutely love your comment: "You will learn exactly what a 1/4 and 1/2 cup a tablespoon, a 4oz piece of meat is without measuring." Man have you got that right!! If you don't learn you'll face the consequences of eating more than your new sleeve can handle. That however is one of the things about my sleeve I like. I cannot eat more than I should without consequences which keeps me compliant and thus keeps the weight off. My appetite is no where near what it was pre-surgery. I crave savory foods now--not the sugar, carbs and fats that I used to. Good luck with your decision. My husband is 65 and is an extremely high risk patient and I pray to God he'll have the surgery in January so we can BOTH get our lives back. Blessings, Kathleen

I virtually live on GENEPRO and Quest bars. I find it best to add it to things that are not too hot. I know some Protein powders explicitly state on the label they can't be used at 140 degrees or higher. I don't believe Genepro has that warning but it works better if the liquid isn't too hot and you add it very slowly, stirring as you add and allowing it to disolve. I use Genepro and Quest bars because they are so darned convenient for me. Fast food for WLS I guess you could say. Congratulations on your surgery. Blessings, Kathleen

I get the ABSOLUTE fun of being freezing cold and then BOOM a hot flash and I am sweating. Being a woman going through "the change" after having WLS sure makes life interesting. I also get the joy of "menopause brain". Can't wait until this phase of my life is over. Freezing, then hot, then back to freezing. OY! Blessings, Kathleen

RJ, I hope you're feeling better and out of pain soon. Kathleen