Chelly

Today I am officially one year out and I have a normal BMI.
I just saw my nutritionist and she didn't recognize me at first. Which is funny and really nice. She also said she is very proud of me.
Even though I developed Reactive Hypoglycemia which only 2% of Gastric Bypass patients get I wouldn't change a thing about having this surgery.
The pluses out way the minus of getting this.
It's been an educational journey which I will continue to take from this day forward.
I wish all of you great success on your journeys too.
Thank you for reading this.

I should have stated this that in 2008 I weighed 350 lbs.
In May 21st 2013 when I started my journey with meeting the surgeon I weighed 282 lbs.
On the day of surgery which was September 25th 2013 I weighed 242 lbs.
As of yesterday I weighed 160 lbs and we agreed that I was close enough to a normal BMI and that I felt great at this weight that this is where I'm staying.
The bariatric hypoglycemia is different then regular hypoglycemia and is treated differently from what I was told yesterday.
I will meet with my nutritionist to figure out a game plan.
I have sagging skin but I don't care because I am so much healthier now then I've ever been after being overweight and obese most of my life.
This surgery saved me I truly believe that.

Hi Pik,
I'm a year out and I can eat ground beef and tenderized skirt steaks.
I use ground white meat turkey or ground white meat chicken a lot of times instead of ground beef.
Even though I'm a year out I still have problems time to time even with foods that I haven't had a problem with before.
I think that sometimes our bodies just want to be difficult.
I would try beef again if I were you in a couple of months and see what happens then or even just one month from now.
On to another subject and that is how you are feeling? Have things calmed down for you?
Take care.

I should have stated this that in 2008 I weighed 350 lbs.
In May 21st 2013 when I started my journey with meeting the surgeon I weighed 282 lbs.
On the day of surgery which was September 25th 2013 I weighed 242 lbs.
As of yesterday I weighed 160 lbs and we agreed that I was close enough to a normal BMI and that I felt great at this weight that this is where I'm staying.
The bariatric hypoglycemia is different then regular hypoglycemia and is treated differently from what I was told yesterday.
I will meet with my nutritionist to figure out a game plan.
I have sagging skin but I don't care because I am so much healthier now then I've ever been after being overweight and obese most of my life.
This surgery saved me I truly believe that.

I DID IT!!!
I went for my one year post op check up and the surgeon's office is pleased and so am I at the weight I am at and I will now start maintaining my current weight.
Yay for me!
I am so ready to continue this journey and plan on nothing or any one stopping me from doing it even my bariatric hypoglycemia.
Bariatric hypoglycemia only happens in 2% of the people that have surgery. I found that out yesterday from the surgeon's office.
Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL
Thank you all if you happened to have read this.

Follow what your surgeon says it's very important.
The reason you have to do this is to reduce your liver for surgery to make it easier for the surgeon to get to your stomach.
Remember that after surgery you will be on liquids for a few weeks to help your new sleeve to heal. Your sleeve is delicate and takes months for it to heal properly.
I know this even though I had gastric bypass I was first preparing for the sleeve and didn't change procedures until two weeks before surgery.
Please don't cut corners here you need to do this for everything to go right with surgery.
I wish you the best with your upcoming surgery.

Hi Pik,
I had to do another sleep study to make sure I didn't need the cpap even though I was positive that I didn't.
I was right and the cpap machine is history for a few months now.
It's a real positive aspect to having surgery.
I wish you felt better from surgery. So sorry you're still having troubles.
Feel good and I wish you an easier journey.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT!!!!
Have a wonderful time on your vacation.....

I told my real immediate family only at first and no problems there.
Then slowly I told other people and never had a negative response from anyone, I was lucky.
Unfortunately you don't know how people will react so be prepared if it doesn't go like you expected it to.
Keep your guard up just in case someone gives you negativity and don't let anyone deter you from doing what you want to do for yourself.
You go with it and best wishes for a successful surgery.

Having surgery was one of the best gifts I ever gave myself.
I have sagging skin and to tell the truth it really doesn't matter to me because I am so much healthier then I've every been and I look great in clothes.
Granted I don't wear short sleeves but I also have a very large scar from arm and shoulder surgery that I don't want to be seen so that's the reason I don't wear short sleeves.
I have found when I wear a more fitted dress for example I wear Spanx to help give me a smoother look.
Have the surgery you won't regret it and you can always fix the skin part at a later date if you want.
Being healthy is so much more important then the vanity aspect. Don't get me wrong looking good is important too but it's secondary to being healthy.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

First call your doctor immediately or go to the ER.
I have these symptoms and it was discovered that I have Hypoglycemia and must keep juice or hard candy to raise the levels back up if they drop. I do this because this is what I was instructed to do. I also have to check my blood 4x at least a day.
This is something you do not want to take a risk with.
Let us know what was said about this and what it is.

Pik,
May everything come out fine for you tomorrow.
I will think of you and will look for your update when you feel you can do it.
Best wishes.
Chelly

Congratulations on making this wonderful decision to get healthy and a better life for yourself.
I hope each day that passes for you gets easier and easier.
May you obtain what you are seeking.
Good luck and best wishes.

I after surgery would buy inexpensive clothes to accommodate my changing sizes.
I am more stable now and close to my personal goal that I now buy for myself and now I'll pretty much stay this size.
I did a lot of shopping on Old Navy because they always have great deals.
My shoes are one size smaller then they were.
Good luck and best wishes.

There is no way I would want to be big again.
I have sagging places all over yet I look good in clothes.
I'm happy that I'm here and able to do things that I was unable to do before.
My body is my body and I will exercise to help keep it fit but if I don't loose this sagging oh well.
I tell you a story I once died because of an error I made in quiting a medication cold turkey and I am lucky that I'm here to talk to you.
So be grateful for everyday and that you are loved no matter what.
The things you talk about can be fixed by changing some things in your eating and others don't add up to a hill of Beans if you are loved by family unconditionally.
Maybe you should talk to a therapist about your self image it might help.
May you find peace and happiness.
Good luck.

You are very strong to over come the stresses of your past.
I was always overweight my self from childhood on. I didn't have a hard time at home but outside the home by being teased horribly as I was growing up and took comfort in food.
Back in 2006 I quit a medication I was taking cold turkey and ended up in the hospital for three weeks and during that time I did die and was revived. I also weighed 350 lbs and you would think I would get the message to take care of myself but I didn't. That didn't happen until last year and I finally took the step to get healthy and I am now for the most part.
I am so glad you told your story of strength and how you forged ahead to take care of yourself and to live life to the fullest.
I am too enjoying my life much more these days.
Thank you for your words.

Hi and welcome.
I can't emphasize enough that your Protein is the number one priority for you to have.
Without Protein you will not heal correctly and your hair down the line with start to fall out more because of the lack of protein.
The second most important thing is drinking all the Water so you don't get dehydrated and have to go to the hospital for IV fluids or a hospital stay.
The third thing is getting in your Vitamins and supplements every day.
If you can't do this I suggest you talk to your surgeon and nutritionist because you'll have problems.
unjury makes a chicken Soup that has 20g of protein per serving or buy unflavored Protein powder and add it to drinks or sugar free pudding or make shakes with it using PB2 which is Peanut Butter powder or chocolate Peanut Butter powder. You could add sugar free Torani syrups to the shakes.< /strong>
Another thing stay off the scale it's very self defeating and bad for your mind. If you must go on it then do it once a week at the same time of day and wearing the same thing.
I personally don't own a scale and only get weighed when I have a doctors appointment.
So take this information and do what you want with it, it's all up to you.
I know that if you stick with it you will loose weight and feel healthier.
Good luck.

Hi and welcome.
I can't emphasize enough that your Protein is the number one priority for you to have.
Without Protein you will not heal correctly and your hair down the line with start to fall out more because of the lack of protein.
The second most important thing is drinking all the Water so you don't get dehydrated and have to go to the hospital for IV fluids or a hospital stay.
The third thing is getting in your Vitamins and supplements every day.
If you can't do this I suggest you talk to your surgeon and nutritionist because you'll have problems.
unjury makes a chicken Soup that has 20g of protein per serving or buy unflavored Protein powder and add it to drinks or sugar free pudding or make shakes with it using PB2 which is Peanut Butter powder or chocolate Peanut Butter powder. You could add sugar free Torani syrups to the shakes.< /strong>
Another thing stay off the scale it's very self defeating and bad for your mind. If you must go on it then do it once a week at the same time of day and wearing the same thing.
I personally don't own a scale and only get weighed when I have a doctors appointment.
So take this information and do what you want with it, it's all up to you.
I know that if you stick with it you will loose weight and feel healthier.
Good luck.

Hi Pik,
I had to do another sleep study to make sure I didn't need the cpap even though I was positive that I didn't.
I was right and the cpap machine is history for a few months now.
It's a real positive aspect to having surgery.
I wish you felt better from surgery. So sorry you're still having troubles.
Feel good and I wish you an easier journey.

I have problems with my esophagus that makes it hard for foods to go down easily at times.
If I'm not careful certain foods get stuck and it's very uncomfortable.
It passes the discomfort thank goodness.
My suggestion is have it checked out if it continues by a gastric doctor if it concerns you.
I use Gas X strips and they work faster then the pills to get rid of the burping and discomfort.
Feel better and you will learn by trial and error of what foods to avoid until a later time.

I was originally going to have the sleeve and a few weeks before my gastric doctor told me because of GERDS I shouldn't have the sleeve and should have the bypass because the risk is higher that the GERDS will get worse with the sleeve. I followed what he said and also my surgeon agreed that bypass was the best for me.
I have fibromylgia, stenosis of the spine, RSD, and osteo arthritis and I have dealt well with out NSAIDS or pain meds since loosing all this weight.
Talk to your surgeon and talk to a gastric doctor and see what they have to say about what you should do.
Good luck with your decision of what to do.

This put a smile on my face today and it's kinda rude on my part but I'm smaller then my one sister that was always smaller then me. This made me a kinda pleased today. LOL

Wine is full of sugar and carbs.
Most surgeons and nutritionist will tell you to stay away from wine or any alcohol.
I'm surprised you were told it's okay.
Alcohol enters sure system faster after WLS and you don't feel the effects for very long but it does stay in your system like normal and shows it blood tests or breathalizers.
So I would say use your better judgment if it's worth it and those empty calories.

I was originally going to have the sleeve and a few weeks before my gastric doctor told me because of GERDS I shouldn't have the sleeve and should have the bypass because the risk is higher that the GERDS will get worse with the sleeve. I followed what he said and also my surgeon agreed that bypass was the best for me.
I have fibromylgia, stenosis of the spine, RSD, and osteo arthritis and I have dealt well with out NSAIDS or pain meds since loosing all this weight.
Talk to your surgeon and talk to a gastric doctor and see what they have to say about what you should do.
Good luck with your decision of what to do.

I was originally going to have the sleeve and a few weeks before my gastric doctor told me because of GERDS I shouldn't have the sleeve and should have the bypass because the risk is higher that the GERDS will get worse with the sleeve. I followed what he said and also my surgeon agreed that bypass was the best for me.
I have fibromylgia, stenosis of the spine, RSD, and osteo arthritis and I have dealt well with out NSAIDS or pain meds since loosing all this weight.
Talk to your surgeon and talk to a gastric doctor and see what they have to say about what you should do.
Good luck with your decision of what to do.