Debbiebydesign

Thank you! I have had mostly supportive reactions. I just thought this was an interesting reaction, especially coming from a psychiatrist.

So, I started telling people at work about my surgery. I tell a doctor\work friend, who also struggles with weight, and this is his reply: (Starts out awkward, ends with a bang.) "So you are literally going to be a fraction of yourself? Good for you! I had to lose weight, but I DID IT THE HARD WAY--diet and exercise." Seriously?! RNY is EASY?!?!?

When I first got them, I was down for 4 days, and one got me into to the ER. I had them for a year or so, right before my menses, then they stopped. Six years went by, and I had one and thought, "Oh, no, not again." Turned out I was pregnant. I was put on insulin about 3 years ago, and since then I get them at least once a week, though not as severe.

A week might seem like a long time, but I bet it is only temporary. In the meantime, congrats at what you lost already...am I reading right? 39 lbs in a month? That sounds great to me! Good Luck!

Think an elevated WBC means there is an infection somewhere. I heard it is very common for Vitamin D to be deficient in the obese. I was also low, and have been taking supplements since September.

It really hit home when they said that they were not sure anyone in the class survived and that they were kindergarten kids. I just spent yesterday afternoon with my girl's kindergarten class as a room mom...I can't imagine the level of depravity you would have to develop to look at those babies and do that...I am angry and heart sick.

Nutrasweet has never been an issue with my migraines. Wasn't really big on sodas and the like. I had hormonal issues, causing classic migraines with aura. I went 6 years with out a migraine, then I got pregnant. After that, they started more frequently as I became insulin dependent.

It was good. 200 little rappers screaming and chattering. Was still a little achy, but ok...thank you!

I have seen people here, who we know have a bypass history, who eat tons of food and are gaining weight back. Its interesting the untreated mental illnesses that flare up post WLS. Its so life altering and resistance to change is an issue.

I work in a psychiatric facility. We see a lot of post op WLS patients in crisis on our unit. Stress eating, emotional eating are coping mechanisms that people have a difficult time giving up because they helped them get through tough times. Plus, people think, "I can stop this," when they feel better because they don't connect the actions with the improvement. We continue behaviors because we get/got a benefit from them. Plus, we see post surgical people with cross addictions, and studies are showing now that alcohol use is a big risk for addiction for RNY patients because of the way it is absorbed. If you take away something that you relied on to alleviate stress, there can be emotional fall out. Honestly, this is a HUGE fear of mine. I have been some shade of chubby not only my entire adult life, and for most of the time of my childhood I can remember! I am worried, but hopefully self aware to seek help if needed. I am lucky, given what I do, I have a lot of friends who are mental health experts to keep an eye on me. I can't imagine how hard it would be with out that kind of support.

Doubts? I am terrified, but not sure of what...the surgery? Not being what I have always thought of myself to be? It's uncharted territory for me, anyway.

I work in a hospital. Word of warning... Some hospital's toothpaste and toothbrushes are awful. The paste tastes like chalk, and the brush's bristles fall off in your mouth. On my unit, we only provide generic deodorant and mouth wash, cherry chap stick, baby lotion, dial soap and baby shampoo- no conditioner. Hair brushes are basic, if they have them at all. Check if you have showers in the room, if not have a pair of plastic flip flops handy. Use the non slip socks in the hospital, and for god sakes throw them away when you are discharged. I work in a psych ward and the people who wear their own slippers and who probably don't wash them when they get home are asking for trouble. Hospital floors, even in non medical areas are SUPER nasty. There is no five second rule for anything there! Workers, visitors, staff, track things all over. Don't bring more than two outfits of clothes, Leave jewelry at home. Forget your makeup, bring hair ties if you need them. Bring stuff to read, write, or things to occupy your time. Glasses are better than contacts. Check to see if you should bring your medications with you or just a list. Some hospitals will not let you bring in your own pillows or blankets so check if you can (because of bed bugs.)

I got my date just a few weeks ago. Been crying at the drop of a hat lately. I'm like a raw nerve. I am even having trouble focusing right now. Fortunately, my closest friend is a therapist. She keeps a good eye on me.

At 36, I was diagnosed with PCOS and treated with Metformin. At 37, I got pregnant, surprisingly easily . I was 293 lbs. I was treated as a ID diabetic while I was pregnant, not gestational. I was high risk, even tested positive for that AFP (?) test. My pregnancy went well, considering, I even LOST weight pregnant. While my baby was " a large fetus", requiring a c-section, she was perfect. She is now a beautiful and smart kindergartner. My friend was pregnant at the same time. 11 years younger, healthy weight, no chronic illness. She was high risk because her first child succumbed to SIDS at 5 months. She did everything she was supposed to with both pregnancies. My point is, pregnancy is full of risk and uncertainty-nothing is absolute. Just do your best to minimize your own risk factors and don't listen to horror stories. Best of luck to you all...

Yep, basically a lot of info on how we are vitamin deficient going into surgery and the dire consequences if we don't supplement or if we supplement using "cheaper" vitamins. I get it, supplement! I got samples at least!

So, I'm required by my doctor to attend a support group once a month until surgery. Being a group leader where I work, I was dreading this, but I came to enjoy it, The people were really helpful, and I looked forward to announcing that I had a date at this meeting. It ended up being a "speaker" who was basically giving us a sales pitch for vitamins. Such a let down. Since there is no meeting in January, and my surgery is right before the February meeting, I won't be back until March. A SALES PITCH? Really?

I wonder if your superior friend there has ever read anything about why there are so many banded people getting revisions to RNY. I have gotten mostly supportive comments about the decision to have an RYN, with the exception of one "what the hell are you doing that for?" and yesterday's "You'll lose so fast you'll get hanging skin." People are both stupid and opinionated when it comes to the issue of obesity and its treatment, even the obese can be that way!

A few years ago, I was draining the tub after my kid's bath. I knocked a bottle into the tub and the splash landed right in my ear. I danced around for hours trying to get the Water out. I freaked out. I think about that when I think about my surgery. What if I freak like that? That was just a little water. I try to remind myself though that I made it through a rough C section...and I feel normal now. I barely remember the pain and the fear or that first post surgical walk. Trying to keep it in perspective...

I'm a little worried about where my mind is going to go after surgery myself!

Anyone have some inspiring diabetes remission stories? Hoping to be one of those lucky ones.

I have PCOs. I will be having my RNY on February 7th.

I've read that many migraine sufferers who have had RNY see some improvement in their headaches. As sit here, regretting signing up to be room mother at my daughter's dance recital today, and waiting for my meds to kick in, I'm hoping this is true for me. (I'm about to spend 3 hours in a dressing room with nearly 100 screaming little girls in tap shoes!) Has anyone post op noticed less headaches?

I have been working with and keeping my boss up to date. Just got the "packet" of dates and times from the surgeon, and can now get the FMLA stuff together. My boss has been supportive. She has a son with juvenile diabetes and knows that I have been struggling to work, be a mom and wife, and diabetic.