Dr-Patient

I love summer fruits, but my doctor told me mostly apples, pears, berries. Peaches, watermelon, etc are very high in sugar, so I'll try to limit intake during my first summer, s/p VSG...as I hover at 200.4. Aaaaaagh! Onederland where are you?

I could be each of your mothers--I'm 58.5 years old! So with slower metabolism, I guess all is well. :-)

Congratulations, ualaw. You're ahead of me and I am so ready for Onederland. Surgery, Dec. 4th at 257.2 pounds. This morning I was 201.2. I was going to be happy in Onederland by June 4 (my 6 month mark), so I'm ahead of that. Any day now! Enjoy your new weight category!! "Swag on, even when casual" [from 'Blurred Lines']

Here's a link to my' first restaurant experience', post-VSG: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/295128-1st-restaurant-experience/ Since then (and as recently as last night), I have no problem with dining out. Two events this week. On Tuesday, I was AMAZED at the volume of food on the plate [that I normally would have eaten]; and I will say it was the very first time ever that I left steak/filet mignon on the plate!!!!!!!! Damn. I hated to do that, but I couldn't take it with me. I've never done that before. I was the only one who didn't clean their plate. Now, I mostly just order an appetizer. I do find it hard to not order an entree; but if I do, I know most if is coming home with me for Breakfast the next day. [Alex B...I'm still having issues with my iPad and BP. I don't even see the Full View thing. That's why I haven't been onsite much. Weird. Totally different layout, minus the usual access to pages, views, links, etc.]

I agree that we do. In fact, when I give my "informative hoot!!!" lecture to women about sex, I tell them that very thing. Things we women worry about, most men don't even care. Funny story I tell them: When I dated this nice guy (GREAT lover!!!!! Boy, did we have fun/great sex), sometimes I'd lie on my right side, my head on his left thigh. He loved to rub his left hand fingers under my muffin top (fold) from the left side. When doing that, I'm thinking, Oh God. Why is he doing that!? The fat! Eeew. Yuck, etc. Saying nothing, I'd s-l-o-w-l-y move his hand away, rest it on my left hip. A mintue/two later, his hand is back in that spot, under my roll of fat! I'd slowly move it again. Then, one time he said, "Will you leave my hand alone; I like rubbing right there!" I was the one tripping about the fat, not him. Even though I think he thought if he rubbed there enough, he'd find another va-jay-jay to enter. LOL.

Thanks to all so far; I hope more respond. PDx--I appreciate your honesty re: you just want to get us naked. Yep! :-). Pierced...with less weight, the post-WLS would be more flexible, etc., so there are other benefits (plus they can get to good spots better!) Good. I think, too, we may be self-conscious about this or that, when the guy really isn't thinking about it/whatever.Also, for the fellas who've lost weight, you gain an inch or two, so that's good. I hope I don't have too much extra skin, but we'll see. So far, it's not bad at all. [Computer glitches tonight; excuse any typos or duplicate stuff. Computer not responsive to key strokes.]

I agree, as others, re: watching your intake of the protein bars. For me, I don't lose weight with Splenda/sucralose, and those things all have it, so when I stopped all those things, I broke through my early stalls.

After I'd lost ~45 pounds, folks--my hairdresser, the post office workers, a neighbor, a friend I hadn't seen in a while--noticed. I saw my hairdresser when I'd lost 30 pounds, but, nothing. Also, it's been winter, so I've been mostly covered up, or not in the yard much, or walking the subdivision, etc. They don't know of the WLS, either; I'm "eating a lot of Protein." I've decided that if someone asks the specific question, "Did you have WLS?" I'll tell them. But if it's "what are you doing?" Right now, I'm "doing" lots of protein, so that'll be my answer, unless I feel I want them to know. (If it's someone fat, I might tell them of the WLS 'cuz they might be thinking about it.) Congratulations on your 70 pounds!! Wow.

I need to do better with exercise, too. If I'd been working out, I could've been in Onederland by now. Alas, four pounds away. I play "Blurred Lines" repeatedly and dance my now sexy butt around the house. That song and some others in a playlist, and it helps. Try some music that makes you feel 'hot.' :-)

Hi. Should bariatric surgery be covered by all insurance carriers nationally? If interested, here is a blurb in The Obesity Society's (TOS) newsletter (emailed yesterday to medical professional attendees of the Obesity Week conference last November). In short, the medical community is working to have WLS considered a standard part of medical care in the fight against the disease of obesity, and to get it covered by all insurers. Just an FYI re: the ongoing, internal discussion: Capitol Update: Campaigns for Consistent Medical Coverage of Bariatric Surgery (TOS) In late March, leaders of the Obesity Care Continuum (OCC) participated in a meeting with key staff from the HHS Office of Health Reform and CMS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) to discuss inconsistent coverage of bariatric surgery in a number of states across the country. Find out more about TOS's efforts in Washington last month...in the April Capitol Update here. (Direct link: http://www.obesity.org/images/pdf/Publications/Advocacy/0414_TOS_Capitol_Update__.pdf) Excerpt [bold/italics, mine]: "...public and private health plans need to follow suit and embrace coverage of evidence-based obesity treatment avenues such as intensive behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery so that those affected may have access to the full continuum of care for this complex and chronic disease."

Cute way to get us to click the link. BIking is fun...but 'better than sex'? Nah!! You must not be doing it right, sugah.

Claim it, own it, Celebrate it--that 2_ _ !! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! (I'm almost about to feel the same thing, because I'm at 203 this morning and am sooo looking forward to the 1_ _'s. It's been over 20 years. But I'm not there yet. YOU have arrived!!!!!!!!!!!) GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENJOY the feeling!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope to get some info and links to you soon; they can be an adjunct to your processing all the procedures.

This 'pancake' post is good to see. I love pancakes and think about them sometimes. But instead of making 3 or 4 big ones for me, now with the VSG, I will probably just have one (or a half of one like RJ). Cool! Bit if I have it, it will be with butter and real syrup or 1-2 Tbsl. of honey. Just a rare time; not a habit. I'm stalled right now at 205 pounds (still paying for that Charleston trip!) and want to be in Onederland by Apr. 23, so I might not do pancakes this week. (But even this is still good, because I didn't think I'd reach Onederland until June [6 months; I'm at 4.5 months].)

Hi, Alex and BP family. Was there a major change to how this site is displayed on tablets? If so, I personally liked it as it was before when it looked like the site. I can't see/access the usual format. Anyone else...? Maybe I missed a notice of how to find what. [?] Thank you.

You already look so different. Congrats. You should update your profile info-- surgery date and current weight. It says you've lost '0' pounds.

A quick PS: Another motivator for me is that, on my own for years, I'd get soooooo close to 199 pounds, but never made it. I'd get to '200.5' pounds, then back up to 205. So this time, I must keep moving forward and overcome my nemesis! Help me, Lord...and the BP family here.

BabySheldon, you are not alone! I went to a conference in Charleston, SC this week and had food I shouldn't have even looked at! I had carbs, too, plus/mainly, some food was saltier than I've been eating. I didn't have much of whatever, but that I had it at all...dang. (Granted, if you've ever been to Charleston, you know it was easy to go off program.) I left home last Sunday weighing 205.8, but returned on Wednesday weighing 208. Crap. But, as you said...this won't be an extended mess up. I'm back to Protein, etc. today. Let's forgive ourselves and try not to 'sin' for anytime soon. I want to make Onederland before month's end. We can do it! :-)

This is a 'good' problem :-), and yes, anything you buy now...you won't be able to wear in a couple of months. I'm on a tablet and don't know how to get links, etc. but see my previous post about "happy tears in dressing room..." for a laugh. Fortunately I still have my clothes from skinnier days, so I've begun pulling out stuff. Do you have anything? Granted, some are dated, but most things are ok. I bought some new jeans last week from Walmart ($16), cuz I don't want to spend money on temporary sizes. I'm hoping to not need to buy more things. As another said, check the clothing forum here at BP; some offer clothes for shipping only. Congratulations!

Do post again and let us know how this went. In April I plan to do a good clothing sorting thing to prepare for a plus-size garage sale, but I can't do the $5 or less thing for many of my items...hmm. But I know I can't get what I'd like to get. Pricing wil be the hard part, plus just organizing the whole thing. Have fun clearing out the old clothes!

Hi, friends. Just sharing, as I'm so excited. Wednesday made 16 calendar weeks post-op VSG, and as of today, I've lost 50 pounds! Holy cow. I am halfway to goal in just four months!! SW =257.2 Dec. 4th--->Today = 206.0 ---> 170 (or 150--ultimate goal). I was hoping to enter Onederland by June 1st, but I think I'll get there before that, do you think...? I need to do monthly weight-loss tallies, but oddly, I lost 13 pounds this month! (I don't know why, but I'll take it!) OMG. And the NSVs are occurring every week. I really need to take pictures; I think I'll regret not having done so along this journey. Just sharing. This feels good...and I really needed that to happen. For any still wondering whether to have WLS, VSG or any type, I can already attest that it does change your life, energy, attitude, appearance, style, confidence, socialization, sexiness, etc. It all gets better, with more to come, it seems. Have a great day.

I haven't been here long, but WELCOME!! I find this site very helpful to me as a VSG patient. I am not one to check sites frequently (not on FB; I am on twitter, but rarely). But I check this site a few times a day. Good wishes to you and it's likely that whatever your fear, question, anxiety, someone here can/will lend support/advice from their/our experience...to go with what your doc and team advise. Again, welcome!

Dreams...you have done a GREAT job, look fantastic. There is no way she hasn't noticed your physical change. You said you aren't trying on dresses...? If you did, and put on a size (8, 10, whatever), when you exited for her/them to see, maybe say, "can you believe I'm now in a size ___?!? What do you think?" If she doesn't say something then, and doesn't acknowledge and applaud you for your success, then I'd tell her, "you know ... You've known me for years and you know how I've struggled with my weight. I find it odd that not one time have you said anything. I've lost 60 pounds, etc... and then go into the positive reinforcement thing. She should be happy for you. (Does she maybe fear that you aren't doing this for you, but trying to look better than she on her wedding day? Some folks are funny/petty/catty that way.) You look wonderful; be glad and own it.

If I may...she's 16 and had surgery on her 'girlie parts.' The pain will go away. Barring any complications (unlikely), she'll be and feel better in a few more days. Assure good hygiene and other than that, don't pick at/excessively touch the area beyond what the doctor advised to avoid infection/complications. I've seen many of these over many years. They usually heal very well. Be encouraged and try to be patient...with the patient. The discomfort will end soon. Healing takes time and that area is 'special.' Oh! PS: I'm almost down 50 pounds; halfway to goal in 15.5 weeks! (SW = 257.2; goal 150, but I'll be happy at 170). Bought some jeans (from Wal-Mart) yesterday; do I see a thigh gap...? Oh my. Holy cow. For an AARP-card carrying woman woman, I am happy.

You can begin the letter with something like "I chose you as my surgeon because (his reputation, etc)." State what you've been pleased with and you want to keep being his patient. But you feel he needs to know... And as a patient, it is very frustrating, disappointing and concerning that... Maybe even make bullet lists of what you feel is wrong or deficient. Not all doctors are bad guys/gals, though I will say the current lot of physicians (and many of their) approach to delivering care, is pathetic. The system now, however, has caused some docs to feel they don't have time, they don't know what's happening with the front office folks,etc. it's horrible. And sometimes the patients simply need to say this is not appropriate patient care, etc. I'm sure you'll do a great job. Oh, and do ask for the courtesy of a reply. He'd likely reply anyway, but by specifically asking him, he should feel more pressure because if he is a good doctor, he should want his patients to be satisfied with his care, and that of his practice. Good luck.