MrsGloMartin

I underwent Bariatric Surgery 11 months ago. I lost 20 pounds pre-surgery and 80 pounds post-surgery for a total weight loss of 100 pounds. I wrote a short article (How I Survived Bariatric Surgery) about my experience thus far. The article is at http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Surgery.pdf I have also included a before and after picture at http://www.breadandbutterscience.com/Operation.jpg

Hi James, I took the time to read your article and I must say it was an excellent read. I love chili and I'm going to try your recipie when I go grocery shopping. It sounds yummy, thanks for sharing!!!

Congratulations Alex, thanks for making it possible for people to come together and share their experiences. I've received hope, support and encouragement to do something that I once felt was impossible; live a healthy lifestyle!!!

I know this is a thread for gastric bypass but it came up when I was searching for something about dumping so I hope no one minds as I have a sleeve.

It shouldn't matter what surgery you had, dumping is horrible and everyone needs to be prepared for it that they may know what it feels like. I don't mind you posting this here we are all learning as we go on our journeys to find ways of staying healthy and losing weight. Have a great day!!!

Congrats, God is truly amazing!!!

You look amazing!!! Congratulations!!!

Marvelous!!!!

Thanks Harley59, it's a good feeling to actually be losing weight and feeling good about myself. Thanks for your support and encouragement!!!

Looking fabulous!

Thanks Healthy Me1963, you always motivate and inspire me to stay focused on the reason I had WLS, to get healthy and stay healthy for the rest of my life. It's awesome how we cheer each other on and pick each other up when we are feeling down. Have a wonderful evening!!!

That's so awesome. It gives me hope! (I'm just a week post-op)

Thanks LadyKatie, you too will be celebrating on the losers bench real soon and I'll be on the sidelines cheering you on!!!

I am not ready to tell anyone except my husband & kids. My 3rd preop appt with my Doc nurse practioner said she wanted me to sit down with another coworker who had gastris bypass a year ago 1 month before surgery so she could tell me the good the bad and the ugly. I felt offended. I told her its not going to happen I am not ready to talk about it to other people. Am I wrong?

No you're not wrong!! This is your journey and if you don't feel comfortable sharing or hearing about someone else's ups and downs that's your decision and it should be respected!! That's what I love about this forum we share and support each other without judgment.

Marvelous!!!!

Thanks ????

I am with you! I am just starting to feel the wonderfulness of being thinner, being full and seeing reactions from friends and family. I went away to my nephew's graduation and many of the family members were shocked and complimented me on my weight loss, how I looked, etc., the new me. These are people that love me no matter my size but how nice for them to praise me! It was a big thrill and ego booster!

YesSparklingbeauty53, Isn't it the best feeling in the world to have the people who loved and supported you unconditionally through it all be happy and Celebrate the new you? It is amazing, the best feeling ever. We should be very proud of ourselves and celebrate every loss even if it is only a pound. I am so happy for you that you have this unconditional support it really does boost the ego and make it all worthwhile. Blessings to you and continued success as you continue on your journey!!!

You have such a wonderful outlook on this whole process. I congratulate you for all your effort to making a healthier you. You are such an upbeat person and I can wait to see pictures of your progress. Take care.

Thanks Chelly, congratulations to you too!! This journey is definitely not for the faint of heart. It demands faith in yourself, determination to change how we think about food, and the support we get from one another. I pray that you too will continue to make changes in your life that will make you look and feel good too. Have a blessed day, I really appreciate you!!!

I promised to post a new picture of me and here it is. One is of me and hubby in April one week before my surgery. The other one was taken today.

I'm so excited for you! Congratulations on doing so well! I'll be over on your side before the end of the summer hopefully! Keep up the good work!!

Hi Nancy E. I can't wait for you to join me. I promise you that all of the pain I went through my first two weeks post op, all of the broth, Jello, and Protein Shakes that nauseated me, and all of the bloating and fatigue that was par for the course was so worth it to arrive on the losing side and reap these benefits. You will do well just stay positive and focused on the big picture. I'm praying for you that y on your worse day that you will remember the benefits and grit your teeth while thinking to yourself this is just a stepping stone to the new me, I can do this!!! God bless!!!

It is a marvelous journey. So happy to be feeling the same way and that we made this decision to take back our lives. It does feel so powerful, to be satisfied after a few bites and not be fighting and saying " oh, I shouldn't, but I want it, but you can't have it, if you do you will undo all the work you did this week" and the self talk would go on and on. Instead, have a little something for food and move on and LIVE!!!

Harley59, yes, it is a marvelous journey!!! I'm so grateful to God for allowing me to live long enough to have the surgery and for guiding the surgeons hands that I may heal and recover. I'm amazed at what my life is like now compared to what is was a few months ago. I love being able to do all the things I've not been able to do for years like walking and just enjoying nature pain free. I pray that we all will continue to do well and enjoy our new lives forever, God bless.

I am so pleased and excited about this journey I am on. I get tickled every time I eat because for the first time I can remember I leave lots of food on my tiny little plate and after a few bites I am completely satisfied!!! I went to a cookout at my sisters home today and everyone who knows me was amazed. Normally I'd be sitting at the table without moving unless I needed to use the facilities. Today I had so much energy I danced, raced with the kids and won, and when I left I did not take a doggy bag for later. Is this really me? Yes, it is the new and improved me. The me that loves life and have taken control of the lifelong bad habits and turned them into healthier ones. My hubby looked at me with a big od smile on his face as everyone congratulated me on my weight loss. When I weighed myself this morning I have lost another 5.2 lbs. I wish I had this done as soon as my bmi got over 40, ten years ago, but now I am just glad to be feeling good and having so much energy. I Love My new Life!!! I'll post some pictures tomorrow so everyone can see my progress thus far.

I am so pleased and excited about this journey I am on. I get tickled every time I eat because for the first time I can remember I leave lots of food on my tiny little plate and after a few bites I am completely satisfied!!! I went to a cookout at my sisters home today and everyone who knows me was amazed. Normally I'd be sitting at the table without moving unless I needed to use the facilities. Today I had so much energy I danced, raced with the kids and won, and when I left I did not take a doggy bag for later. Is this really me? Yes, it is the new and improved me. The me that loves life and have taken control of the lifelong bad habits and turned them into healthier ones. My hubby looked at me with a big od smile on his face as everyone congratulated me on my weight loss. When I weighed myself this morning I have lost another 5.2 lbs. I wish I had this done as soon as my bmi got over 40, ten years ago, but now I am just glad to be feeling good and having so much energy. I Love My new Life!!! I'll post some pictures tomorrow so everyone can see my progress thus far.

I'm a revision from band to bypass, and I don't know what happened after surgery, (2 weeks ago today,) but I CANNOT stomach artificial sweeteners anymore. It hits my palate like poisonous metal. And what are all the Protein supplements made of? Artificial sweeteners... I am in this dangerous situation where I am seriously subsiding off Water and soy milk. I've been taking swallowed Vitamins instead of chewed, because I can't take the sweetners. Honestly, I can't. Would you continue to drink or chew something that tasted like bleach? I know taste buds change after surgery, but this is ridiculous. Argh!!! Sorry for my rant. Just one more week, then I can go to mushies... even then, how do I get the protein in before the solids aka meat stage? Sigh...

Minkypop I feel you!!! I can't stand anything made with artificial sweeteners. I only drink water that's ice cold and if I need to I'll squeeze some lemon or lime juice in it. As for my protein I buy Greek yogurt plain and puréed some fruit (bananas, strawberries, peaches, etc ) for natural sweetness. I can't tolerate whey or any other protein for that matter, so now that I'm five weeks post op I get added protein from Beans, poultry, salmon, and other foods that are high in protein. I also drink a glass of Lactaid far free milk every morning. I pray that things get easier for you too as you move from stage to stage in your eating plan.

Before and today. I may not look happy, but I certainly am...when I smile, I squint and look high. Today, I am high on being healthier and into a pair of jeans I haven't worn in 4 years!![/quote

You Go Girl!!! Looking Great, Congrats!!!

Thank you, MrsGloMartin! Every day does bring something to look forward to. Congratulations to you as well. I have followed and enjoyed many of your posts. Best of luck to you, sweet lady.

You're Welcome Kookichu!!! Reading your posts have inspired me as well have a great day!!! We are all in this together and when we share our experiences with others we all get stronger and come out as winners ; )

Congratulations!!! You have given me something to look forward to over the next three months. I only one month post op but each day gives me something new to look forward to. Good luck as you continue to lose weight and feel better and better about yourself!!!

Awesome!!!

You look marvelous!!! Congrats on the awesome weight loss, I Am Inspired!!!

Sounds to me like you are doing exactly right! These first few months you will get full very quickly and will not really feel hungry. It comes back over time and you will be able to eat more as time goes on. Keep up the great work!

Thanks Baconville, I appreciate the feedback. I'm glad it's all a part of the process. Have a great evening!!!

Hey -- I think I can work up to the 8k too -- at least it's a goal worth shooting for! If you'll let me know when you sign up, I will, too. Maybe we can get some matching t-shirts (in small / medium, of course!) Ginger

I sure will, how about representing Bariatricpal.com on our tshirts??