Revision12714

Our minds play such dirty little tricks on us..... When I was 315 pounds, I knew I was fat but I still thought I looked good.... Until I would see myself in pictures and ask my partner, "Why didn't you tell me I was this fat?".
Conversely, now I have lost almost 80 pounds and think I still look the same as I did 80 pounds heavier. I know I don't fit into my old clothes, I know I have bought sizes way smaller than I thought I would, I know I am more physically active and comfortable.... But I can't wrap my head around the fact that I shrunk (shrank?)...
Aside from the head games, when I look at your profile, I wonder if you have excess skin that could account for the weight you want to lose? Maybe your body is where it is suppose to be?
Either way, I am in awe of your accomplishments and think you look amazingly beautiful.

I Know this is not supportive and will make a few people upset. But it's My Rant & Rave.

This is not aimed at those experiencing complications from surgery. It's about people that REGRET surgery after a few days or weeks of the going getting tough. Did they research WLS?! Or how how read the many stories on this site about others experiences after surgery? No one said it was going to be easy. Feeling nauseous, vomiting, no energy, not being able to get in all your liquids and Proteins is pretty common. That is no true reason to REGRET this life saving procedure!

Yes I do understand the emotional effects surgery can have on you with your hormones being out of whack. Still not a excuse. I was prepared for all these things. In the hospital I had a few issues with the nursing staff where my pain medication was withheld from me. I was in pain for hours crying, had to call my sister to come to the hospital in the middle of the night. Not ONCE did I wish I didn't have the surgery. I knew soon or later my pain would be managed! And that's the whole point. It will get better. You can't whine and regret things because your experiencing a rough time. Life is like that too.

So UNLESS your have a serious life altering complication SUCK IT UP!!! You knew the possible side effects...

Rant Over

Oh lordy. I would reply privately to her.
Something along the lines of....
'With regards to my surgery, and I am sure its me to which you were referring, I felt I didn't want to tell the world about it just yet. The limited few that do know, have by in large respected that privacy.
With all due respect, my surgery is a private matter, one of which I wanted to tell people in my own good time. I am disappointed that you feel because I've had surgery, that I am now no longer worthy of 'being looked up to'. In consideration of this point, I would like you to know that I had recently presented with a number of serious health problems of which long term and had I not taken action, would have developed into significantly debilitating issues. Subsequently and on the recommendation of my medical team, i took the very difficult decision to undergo a serious operation to increase my long term health prospects.
I don't expect you to understand this predicament, as its easy to make assumptions about weight loss surgery. However and as my friend, I had hoped you would have extended the courtesy to talk to me about it first, before posting something which has fundamentally hurt me.
Given the decision I had to make and the surgical procedure and diet I now have to endure, this has in no way been easy and your comment left me and my efforts, undermined. I am saddened by this.
I hope this clarifies my position for you and if there's anything you'd like to discuss further, please feel free to contact me directly.'
Or, if you don't really care, you could just reply with:
BITE ME!!!!

I just boxed up 2x/20 winter clothing in hopes of donating it to shelters next fall. One thing to keep in mind ladies if you have nice office or interview type clothing... Women's shelters that take clothing donations usually get a lot of small sizes, but are usually looking for nice clothing in larger sizes. This way someone else wins when we lose.

The hardest part is the first few days....my surgeon allowed chicken and beef broth, Popsicles, Jello, and Greek yogurt during my preop phase, as well as 2 Protein shakes a day. I dreaded it, but looked at it as a challenge, and as the beginning of my weight loss journey. I was proud of myself for getting through it, and I was happy to have lost several pounds during the process too!
You can do it! Just take it one day at a time, and follow the doctor's instructions.

Miralax is great stuff! It really has no taste, and it works.

My surgeon says no....too many carbs and not enough Protein. But every program is different....premier Protein Shakes are a good choice, and available at Walmart, SAMs and Costco...

My surgeon says no....too many carbs and not enough Protein. But every program is different....premier Protein Shakes are a good choice, and available at Walmart, SAMs and Costco...

I personally feel they shouldn't have to stop because you have a hard time with those items. That's not there fault I could understand if it was your husband who is always trying to bring crap around. But really other people at work have there own choices. I know it may be hard but you just have to stick your ground and not pick up that candy. The end picture is much better then that candy. Good luck.

My surgeon took the band out and did the sleeve all in one surgery.

I had my band removed and sleeve done on 1/27/14, put on liquids for two weeks and have been on mushies for the last week. I still dont get as much liquids or Protein as I should but keep trying. Hang in there, follow the doctors orders, your going to do great.

I don't care what I have to pay, I'll get hair extensions if I have to! Not sure skinny and bald is the look I am going for.

Nope don't talk about it then people get to place their judgement on it-especially when it comes to work/people can become real judgmental about you taking off work for an extended time to do something they see as optional especially if it increases their work load temporarily

Wow. If you had asked my advice, which you didn't, I'd tell you that it's going to be close to impossible to hide your change in eating and drinking habits from the people in your home. I'd also tell you that I imagine your husband would feel betrayed/angry/lied to when he finds out what you've done. I am not one that told the world - just my husband, kids and besties - but I can't imagine hiding something of this magnitude from my husband. I pray that you have no complications, but what if you do have a leak or a stricture? What if you develop a lactose intolerance or start dumping? How scary that would be for him if he had no idea what you did!
If you asked, which you didn't, I would advise you to trust your husband or ask yourself why you don't. This is a HUGE move towards your good health and one he should know about.
Yeah. That's what I'd say if you asked, but you didn't, so I won't.

This site has been a great inspiration and resource for me. Most members have been a fantastic inspiration to me.
I feel as a nurse I also have some useful information to share even though I am freshly post op. I like to post encouraging words and add to something if I feel it is useful.
What I don't find useful are comments that criticize a post or comment. If you do not like something a member posts... keep it moving. No one needs comments that are negative. I was told today that I 'need more coaching'.... and I am setting myself up for disaster, disappointment, self-sabotage whatever merely b/c I was inquiring members to post their progress (regarding lbs lost) in the first few months post op.

I completely understand everyone progresses differently. I was merely inquiring. I'm a little excited, pardon me.
So for those who feel compelled to leave a sermon on how this is a recipe for disaster please move on without imposing your two cents, it is not wanted or warranted.
Thanks.
P.S. That includes this post.

I put a teaspoon of powdered skim milk in my cup of chicken broth and pretended it was cream of chicken soup! lol

I decided not to tell anyone either, only my husband knows. Almost 3 weeks after surgery I was visiting family and my sister who is 23 years old acts childish sometimes and while I was visiting she proceeded to jump on me and I had to hurry and cover my stomach and told her not to do that. She looked at me weird and then said "what? are you pregnant or something"? Yeah ok, we'll go with that, I'm pregnant so don't jump on me. LOL!

Weight loss surgery being covered by your insurance is NOT the same as being "approved". Generally, you have to do all the tests and assessments before getting approved, and your surgeon has to submit a request for approval to your insurance, with documentation of everything you have done in order to meet the criteria to be approved for surgery. . With all of my pre-op stuff, insurance covered the tests and stuff, but I still had my copays, deductibles, etc to meet.

Weight loss surgery being covered by your insurance is NOT the same as being "approved". Generally, you have to do all the tests and assessments before getting approved, and your surgeon has to submit a request for approval to your insurance, with documentation of everything you have done in order to meet the criteria to be approved for surgery. . With all of my pre-op stuff, insurance covered the tests and stuff, but I still had my copays, deductibles, etc to meet.

OK, let's examine the question. "Did anyone else experience this?
Actually, chances are, the majority if not everybody did. Experience what, you ask? Well, pretty much every single question that ends with "did anyone else experience this. Most sleeve surgeries and recoveries are very similar and in so much that, we are all assumed to be of the human species, our experiences are typically similar as well. But what becomes apparent is what is being overlooked when these questions are repeatedly being asked.
Let me explain. Your desperate to get a quick answer to your question, so you rush to post it and wait for a response.......possibly not getting the answer or the information you actually wanted and possibly not getting such a quick response either. After all, there may only be a few online at that particular moment.
The point is, your overlooking what is right in front of you. The exact answer and information you need is located within the forum already. (numerous times) And is easily found by quickly searching thru the various categories and thread titles. And it's available instantly. And the real benefit is, while your browsing and reading, you're gonna find many other topics and posts on subjects you were thinking about questioning later.
All this surfing will provide you with readily available knowledge to easily deal with or remove any fears, concerns or unknowns that might have continued to bother you.
So if it can't wait, by all means ask away, but in the meantime, search the archives and ease your mind without the wait.
This tidbit was brought to you by 'Recycled' with nothing to do at one in the morning......... .

Sorry about feeding the trolls.. but..
Nancy, throw out the soda. Your drama over drinking soda is way overrated and if you can't handle giving up soda, you seriously need to seek out the help of a counselor before, during, and after VSG surgery.
I drank soda every day, and had a serious carb and sugar habit too. In order to use the tool of surgery correctly, I had to follow my surgeon's orders, and cut out all the crap. Almost every single one of us who has been through the surgery has had to go through some kind of withdrawal from a food or drink. We didn't end up here because of healthy habits.
We've all seen and heard of the person who messes up a bit during pre-op, and that's "normal" as they confess, learn, and move forward. You seem to be confessing, but then going right back to the bad habit. I hate even replying as it's giving your soda habit more attention than it deserves. Get help from a professional.

I knew my insurance wouldn't cover because I had looked into it a long time ago. I researched this surgery over the last couple of years before we decided to just do it. I have Humana.
I ended up taking out a personal loan to pay for surgery and to pay back will be about 230/mo. So it's basically like buying a small car, but instead I am buying a small body lol.
I haven't had any complications. I went into the surgery healthy and came out healthy. I was very lucky.
I wish you all the best on your journey. I just started mine but if you have any questions that I can answer for you I will be glad to do so!

I wont be telling anyone (other that my mom) about my surgery. I just feel that I dont want a ton of people knowing because I dont want to hear all of the comments.

I had a secret surgery - and I mean SECRET.....

Aside from my surgeon, only my husband knew/knows. I am 9 months out. I NEVER regretted keeping this a secret. I joined this forum and only those here know.

Last week I had a breast cancer scare and saw several doctors, of which different family members came to different apts. That was tough because I HATED that I had to reveal to each doctor, my surgical history. I did well though with keeping my family from hearing.

I was told I was INSANE for doing this without ANY help....
My husband was out of state for work and was scared for me and didn't approve because I went through it all alone. I had one friend drop me off (lied to her why I needed ride to hospital) and had a different friend pick me up (also lied to that friend why I was there). I then took care of myself alone for the entire time. 6 weeks later, my Doctor cleared me to travel and I drove 500 miles to where husband was working.

So here is an issue I am facing....
I am 9 months out, and down 100lbs. People have indeed noticed the loss. I was VERY careful to not plan dinners with friends or go to restaurants with family - and if I did, I would generally say I wasnt too hungry or I didnt feel so great. I used the excuse of menstrual cramps pretty regularly. NO ONE questions those.

Do I feel a bit like a fraud? eh well yeah a little bit. Do I give a flying f*ck - NOPE. I could care less if anyone THINKS I had bypass.
I did have a family member ask me - and I burst out laughing in her face saying "seriously, you think I could have hidden a major surgery like that????"

This show has become one of my favorites too but I was enraged after watching this episode. The woman is delusional and mentally ill and really should not have gotten the surgery. She has no desire to work at having a healthy life or at being at a healthy weight. She enjoys being a victim and having her husband wait on her hand and foot. She is a master manipulator and her husband is her patsy and her enabler. I don't mind my tax dollars going to help people who can't work due to legitimate reasons but this is ridiculous. The husband needs to walk away for 10 hours a day and get a job and if she wants something to eat then Ms. Penny can get her butt up and walk to the kitchen and fix it. I have no compassion for her or her husband but my heart breaks for that little boy and his questionable future.