Ginger Snaps

You go into the store wearing saggy size 14 jeans, you pull a 12 off the rack to try on and in the dressing room you realize you need a size 10! YES!!!! Last wore a size 10 in my early 20's.

@@SamanthaNoyes I'm not sure the scope of your paper... I've seen a lot of people on the boards who have depression or bipolar disorder and I'm one of them. But it didn't start after surgery, it's something I've lived with for a long time. If you're including stories like that, I'd be willing to share. Just PM me.

Bypass was a no-brainer for me. It's the most proven surgery with the best long-term outcomes. I also had reflux which can be exacerbated by the sleeve, so I went with the bypass. I researched all I could on the different surgeries and to be honest, I have a hard time understanding why the bypass is so scary. The sleeve removes a huge part of your stomach. As in, it's gone forever. The bypass reroutes your intestines but it's not like they are going to get routed the wrong way or something. I'm having great success with the bypass, never feel hunger, satisified with very small portions and able to tolerate almost anything I eat (however, I do stay on plan so I haven't tested the pouch with cupcakes or soda or high carb foods). I feel better than I have in over 20 years and I'm SO happy I made this decision. You have to research and figure out what's right for you, but try not to let fear be the only motivating factor. All the surgeries have risks and benefits and IMHO you should choose the surgery based on your medical conditions and what's going to give you the best chance of success, not what you're least afraid of. Best wishes!

Well, through a mess up at the hospital, I wasn't allowed to get out of bed or walk much and ended up being readmitted after 2 days with pneumonia. So, whether you feel like it or not, walk, walk, walk. Other than that, the recovery after the pneumonia was pretty slow... I felt like I lost a week in time there. But, that smoothed over and life has been on the upward trend (and weight on the downward trend) ever since. Stick to the plan, do what your doctor says and hope for the best! And take Fiber -- constipation is a killer!

@music1618 I think you have great advice. I have a difficult relationship with my 20 yo son. He never opens up and talks about anything unless we're driving in a car together. Then he talks non-stop and we can really communicate. I actually remember reading something about this technique in a parenting book. Something very non-confrontational about talking when you're not staring in each other's eyes and face to face. As a result, any time he actually wants to go anywhere with me, I go even if it's inconvenient. It's our best time sharing.

Just make the decision it will not discourage or derail you. Keep following the plan. Exercise that tush off (literally). This is not a race, it's a lifetime. If you don't give up, a stall won't last forever.

I have TOTALLY fallen in love with my new feelings... feeling my outside matches the fun, bright person I am on the inside. Feeling like my body can handle the athletic things I want to do. Feeling that I can do this and get to a healthy weight and maintain it. Every food habit I had before has changed (in part because it had to and in part because I am DETERMINED not to go back to old habits. The conditioning I had before (picking up bites of candy, grabbing bread for a snack...) has gone out the window and I refuse to let them back in. THIS gives me motivation to keep it up every day. I'm LOVING this!

I wasn't really allowed to walk after surgery in the hospital (screwup and misunderstanding from the nurses) but ended up back in the hospital 2 days after release with pneumonia (caused by not walking and moving around much go figure). But when I was in that weekend, I watched the clock and at least once every hour, I got up and walked 2-3 laps around the floor (2 nurses stations). And I sat up in a chair a lot instead of staying in bed. Once I was home at least 3 times a day I got up and walked about halfway down the street and back, adding a little more distance most days. I don't think you should try to set a distance goal but maybe a time goal and the number of times a day. Then just do what feels ok. I think your body will tell you to stop if you try to do too much. Best wishes on the surgery and GET UP AND WALK (from someone who had complications because I wasn't allowed to).

@sunnkistme That "walk by and grab a bite of sweet" or a piece of candy somebody's candy bowl at work, or just one funnel cake at the beach... those were a lot of my triggers too. I still look at them and think "just one..." but the idea of dumping stops me and the fact that I went through freakin' SURGERY to change my life and I'm NOT going to go back to that kind of crappy eating. If I had the sleeve and no fear of dumping, I think I would have "cheated" now and then and ended up back in the same place.

SugarFreeMe is right on target... you'll get tons of answers both ways. My doctor gave me the choice between sleeve and bypass. However, I also had bad reflux and the sleeve can make that worse, so it was a no-brainer for me. I also wanted the most proven, successful surgery. Unlike some people, I wasn't concerned with the rerouting of the intestines. To me, removing 3/4ths of your stomach is just as drastic. I also felt like I needed the extra negative reinforcement you get from the dumping syndrome. Believe me, after an episode of that, you're very careful to avoid that food again. I've only had it happen 2 times in 9 weeks -- once on Peanut Butter on a whole wheat tortilla and once on a tiny scoop of sugar free ice cream. Those miniature cupcakes with buttercream icing don't even look good anymore and I used to binge on those. It's really a decision between you and your doctor while considering your entire medical history. But, when it comes down to it, it seems a lot of doctors will let you choose unless there is a real compelling reason to chose one over the other. I have 2 friends who had surgeries the same month as me. One has irritable bowel syndrome and the doctor told her sleeve because they need to be able to scope her down through the stomach into intestines. Guess you can't do that with bypass. The other went in for bypass but they changed to sleeve after they opened her up. She had a lot of scar tissue in her stomach from a feeding tube when she had a stroke 20 years ago and wanted to cut off the scarred part of her stomach. Good luck on your decision!

I think you qualify as perfectly normal! lol Before my surgery it was all I could think about. Now, all I think about is how great I feel, when I'm going to exercise next and what clothes I'm going to need to buy when my office goes back to business casual after Labor Day (we're jeans in the summer). Anybody who understands the surgery will be nervous beforehand. It's a huge change, lots can happen (good and bad) and it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Just try to keep yourself busy. My surgery was early June. I went through my closet and put all my big winter clothes into bags. After surgery, I dumped them... won't be that size again. Best wishes for wild success!

I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe you're drinking more Water because you're working out. Maybe you need a good poo... or maybe you're body's retaining some water from lactic acid. No way 2-3 workouts built up so much muscle you weight 3 pounds more. It's ok... keep exercising!

If you've just recently started back lifting, you might need to increase your carbs some for energy. That's what my nutritionist recommended when I started back lifting and it's really helped me feel stronger. I do a lot of bodyweight stuff, not free weights so much, but I don't feel like I've lost any strength and definitely gained some.

@Bandista I think I love you! Go for the sleeveless dresses and tops... just get something low cut to distract from the arms! lol

It is scary to change meds especially if you're feeling stable on what you're on. But hey, if you're strong enough to make it through this surgery, you're strong enough to work with your doctors to adjust your meds.

I was saggy before -- especially in the belly after 3 c-sections. Arms were kinda flabby even with the weight. I'll take sag over flab any day. I'm wearing sleeveless dresses and waving those arms.

@jtickle I'm treated for bipolar and I think I understand some of where you're coming from. I grew up down south in a very racist environment. There are SO MANY times the first thought to pop in my head is very racist... not because it's what I really feel -- it's ingrained. As an intelligent, mature (sort of) woman now, I choose how I react or what I say out loud but I can't change the first thought that pops in my head. I choose my actions. I've caught myself saying the things in my head you describe -- just this morning in the grocery line, there was a very large woman and I thought to myself "why doesn't she do something about all that weight..." like it was any of my business or any of my concern. But, I also caught myself, tried to change what I was thinking and kept my mouth shut. Don't beat yourself up too much on what your first thoughts or reactions are... control your actions. And, like many of the other posters have suggested, try to find someone to talk things out with so maybe you can find out what the real source of the judgemental feelings is. Best wishes.

The scale this morning had a new middle number, but since this is the NSV thread... Was putting on jeans for a date Saturday night... The pair I pulled on looked saggy in the butt and they were the only pair I've been wearing lately that fit at all any more. I saw a pair laying folded on the closet floor (yeah, my closet is like that), grabbed them, pulled them on and they fit (without cutting me in half even). Two months ago I was in a 16. I looked at the pair I had tried on and they were a 14. Went in the bathroom (where there was light) and checked the tag and the pair I had on were a 12!!!! I'm in a FREAKIN' SIZE 12 JEAN!!! So, I promptly went to the mall, into Express and tried on this really cute lacy top that maxed out in a size large (no XL's in that store) and the size LARGE fit!!! Tell me I wasn't feeling like a rock star on that date (only the second with this guy).

I'm in central Jersey and had my surgery at RWJ Hamilton which is a center of excellence. I think the big RWJ hospital (in Rahway?) is also a COE. My surgeon, Dr. Prokurat and his partner, Dr. Nyoyen are both wonderful. They are both kind and patient, always willing to answer questions. One day I stopped in the office to drop off some paperwork and mentioned I had a question for the doctor and she sent me back to his office and he stopped in between appointments just to answer my question. If you can't get in to see the doctor in less than a month's time, that would be a concern for me. And, both of the surgeons in my office have very positive reviews -- especially about bedside manner. Dr. N came to see me in the hospital when I was readmitted and walked in on a particularly difficult IV stick. He came over and held my hand and comforted me. He and the other doctor are also very courteous and kind with their office staff. Those kinds of things make a big difference to how comfortable I feel. I also have BCBS and the surgery was covered at RWJ. Best wishes!

Oops -- forgot a big one -- Been having trouble with the CPAP machine keeping me awake at night (sleep apnea). I called the doctor and took the machine over to the clinic to have the pressure lowered from 11 to 8 (all attributed to weight loss). However, for the past 2 nights, it's still bugging me, so I have an appointment to see the doctor in about a month and I think I'll end up going off it for good. For now, I'm not using it because it interferes with more than helps me sleep. THAT's a big NSV.

Wearing a cute summer dress today from Old Navy... Size LARGE!!!!!

Yesterday I hit my halfway goal of 35 pounds with 35 to go. Today, one more pound down, I'm officially OVERWEIGHT and not obese! My BMI is 29.9 and in my house, we never round up! lol How exciting! I had been stalled on that 1 last pound for over a week and while I wasn't stressing over not dropping the pound, I was SO wrapped up in anticipating seeing those numbers on the scale! Two big milestones in 2 days -- I'm in heaven! This surgery has been the best thing for me ever. I have TONS of energy -- sometimes exercising twice a day because it just feels so damn good! And my self-confidence is through the roof because I'm finally doing something so good for myself and I feel like my outside is starting to match the outgoing, energetic person I am on the inside! Leaving tomorrow for a week long vacation in Belize with the kids -- have zip lining, cave tubing and snorkeling/fishing trips planned. For once, I feel like I will be able to keep up with my crew (23, 20 and 15). At least I know I want be the one dragging down the rest of the group! Life is Good!

I saw my surgeon, went through the three months of meeting with him and all the other docs and then he scheduled my surgery. Then they submitted to insurance for final approval (there had been a pre-approval right after I first met with the surgeon). My final approval didn't come in until Thursday before surgery on Monday. The entire process for me was 86 days.

@@Suddenly Siri I don't think it will cause any problems at all. It just means your thyroid is underactive -- your brain is pumping out thyroid stimulating hormones like crazy trying to get your thyroid to do it's job and the thyroid isn't cooperating. Hypothyroidism is very common -- like 1 in 8 people have it many without being diagnosed. They'll probably just do blood tests, maybe a sonogram of your thyroid to see if you have any lumps or anything (mine was just tiny and pathetic because it had been laying around doing nothing so long) and put you on thyroid meds. Unless they find something really concerning (like lumps or something) I don't think it will affect you being able to have surgery at all. Best wishes!

When I was pre-op I was completely obsessed, too. Couldn't come fast enough. Here are some things I did: Kicked up the exercise like crazy so I could get that habit going before surgery. I hired a personal trainer and in the 8 weeks leading up to surgery lost 4% body fat and gained 10 pounds of muscle (weight stayed the same because I was borderline and couldn't lose). Cleaned all the big off season clothes out of my closet. My surgery was June 9th, so I bagged up every big, oversized heavy sweater I owned. I kept the bags until after surgery just in case for some reason it got cancelled or something but donated them as soon as my surgery was over. I also made sure to keep myself busy with supportive friends. I reconnected with old friends I hadn't seen in a while and we started a walking group on Sunday afternoons. The time will pass and you'll be on the loser's bench before you know it.