ktucker1979

As a 20 year old trying to figure myself out, I have to say gastric bypass was the best decision I ever made for MYSELF. For the first time I decided to help me, & boy has this decision turned my life in a completely different direction. I am stronger as an individual because of the hardships I endured after this surgery. I have gotten to know myself in so many ways now that I cannot hide behind mountains of food. Doing this took such courage, & having no support was the hardest part. To this day I still get criticized but guess what? I DONT CARE! & I've never actually meant it when I say that, but this time I do. The confidence I have can't be shut down. I feel so happy, i feel so FREE!
DOS 1-14-2014 : 280lbs
6 months out - 110 lbs down
Currently 170 & feeling Good

Naturally skinny people have all sorts of advice for us. It's simple they say. Eat less and exercise. Well yes it is easy to say but not to do. When you are obese and have no energy to exercise and have a food addiction. It's like telling smokers to just stop smoking.

You've got to "Eat More" to "Loose More"
If that were true, none of us would be fat.....and we would be all as skinny as rails....
Sorry, it just never held true with me....I'm old school. I was fat because I ate too much, now I'm slim and fit because I do not eat nearly as much.....

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!"
Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

It's a great place to be...

You look fantastic! Good work!

@ktucker1979: It's the worst in the summer! I mean, of course, I'll throw up my hair if I'm working out or cleaning, etc. But sometimes I would just be sitting at a friend's house and sweating! But no more! I can't believe the difference 20 lbs. makes.

Funny how similar we are, I too live in AZ, have wore my hair in an "updo" for years and HATE being sweaty! I am only nearing a 20# loss and have been walking in the mall for the AC and have noticed that too I'm not nearly as nasty sweaty as I used to be! Love it!!

Funny how similar we are, I too live in AZ, have wore my hair in an "updo" for years and HATE being sweaty! I am only nearing a 20# loss and have been walking in the mall for the AC and have noticed that too I'm not nearly as nasty sweaty as I used to be! Love it!!

Hello all! I had roux en y gastric bypass with Dr. Dan on December 17th 2013. I am proud to say that as of today I am down 110 pounds

This story has a beginning, but the end is still nowhere in sight. I am the oldest of three kids. My mother is one of those breathtaking, exotic beauties that you just can't help but admire. My father was a handsome man—full of life. We were adorable children—happy and content. I looked like my Dad, but was starting to look like Mom every day. The happiness didn't last. When Dad left, depression took over and I had no one to talk to besides my siblings, who were too young to confide in. That's when my brother and sister and I discovered how comforting food was.
Through the years my body grew out as well as up, and I noticed something. My brother and sister where growing up to be beautiful, slender people, and I got fat. Really fat. To this day I still don't understand how genetics can bless two siblings and curse the other, but that is my lot in life. I hated my body and as the years extended into adolescence and adulthood, the hatred toward my excess fat turned into self-loathing, which led to more weight gain and more fat, more tears, and more heartbreak. I couldn't stand the person I had become, but through years of dieting and killing myself trying to do extreme workouts and diets, I decided to just accept the perceived fact that I would always be fat, sad, and alone.
It seemed the only person who truly understood my heartache was my cousin, sister, and EC (Eternal Companion,) MexicanGirl. She was going through the same thing. We loved each other, supported each other, confided in each other, and yes, ate together and got fatter together. Then it came. The worst day of my life.The day Dad died, my heart failed. The wind was taken out of my lungs and with it, my will to live. I sunk into the deepest, blackest despair. I cried every night and prayed to God that he would take me home to be with my Dad before I woke up in the morning. If it weren't for MexicanGirl, I don't think I would be alive right now writing this. When I woke up, I was bursting out of all of my clothes and I didn't recognize myself in pictures.
I thought back to when I lost Dad. More than anything, I want to be a wife and a mother. I didn't see myself getting there, and even if that miracle did happen, I couldn't bear the thought of my own daughter holding my hand as I die too young and not having the heart to let go until rigor mortis set in and she has to pry her hand out of mine like I did with Dad. I knew I needed to break the cycle. I knew that if I kept going down this path, I would become a diabetic like Dad and die too early. I had to stop it. I researched more diets and exercise programs. Nothing felt right. I knew I would fail them all. Then one day at church, I heard this new girl in the pew in front of me talking to my other cousin about her upcoming marriage. I didn't know here, but I felt very strongly that I needed to introduce myself and offer to design her wedding invitations. Her name is Katie, and we quickly became friends.
She told me that she was getting weight loss surgery in a few days. I was intrigued. I stewed over this new thought for a while—even did a little research and dreamed about someday being able to afford something like that. I was impressed with how quickly she was losing weight. One night, MexicanGirl and I were at Walmart and Katie called wanting to hang out. She came to Walmart. They where introduced and we stood right there in the plus-size clothing section talking about her experiences with the Gastric Sleeve. I felt something. I didn't know what, but now I know it was a glimmer of hope. I thought about it over and over. I was a woman obsesed.
Finally I turned to my EC about my feelings and to my pleasant surprise, she felt the same way. We decided we were going to take serious measures to research the sleeve to see if it was right for us. We spent hours reading and watching other people's stories on YouTube. We invited Katie out for Breakfast. She brought us her Kaiser Bariatric Surgery program binder and ansered all our questions. That day, we knew. We had to do this! MexicanGirl called her doctor that day and scheduled her intro class.
I was still waiting to get approved for medical insurance, but I went with her to her intro class. She was referred into the Kaiser South Sacramento Bariatric program and we went to her orientation together. We decided not to undergo the sleeve and opted for the RNY Gastric Bypass instead. Shortly after I was able to get into Kaiser and on March 26th, 2014, We met our Surgeons! MexicanGirl got Dr. Neuhouse and I got Dr. Grinberg.
At my orientation, I clocked in at my highest weight ever, 287! I lost 5 pounds right away which gave me a start weight of 283. Dr. Grinberg congratulated me on my loss and told me I needed to lose 15 more pounds and get down to 268 before I could schedule a surgery date. We were given a 1200 calorie diet to follow and that day we went to Ihop for a meal of pancakes and got started.
The first ten pounds came off pretty easily. We ate right, we walked, we did Turbo Jam, we attempted yoga (owie!) and tried Zumba. I moved in with MexicanGirl so we could support each other, as neither of our families understood our struggles. MexicanGirl's weight melted right off and before we knew it, she was below her pre-op goal weight. The last five pounds were murder for me. It was going so slow! One day, I gained .8 pounds on the doctor scale. I was so upset! I cried and felt like a failure, but MexicanGirl gave me the kick in the pants I needed. I called my nutritionist who told me that I was doing e everything right and to stop kicking myself over less than a pound. Two days later I was 267! As MexicanGirl was already below her goal weight, we were both able to get our surgery dates. One June 16th, 2014, we are BOTH getting the Gastric Bypass surgeries that we so desperately need!
For the first time in my life, my future looks bright. I am looking forward to getting healthy. I want to run, jump, and dance. I want to go on hikes without feeling like I'm going to drop dead. I am going to meet my future husband and my body won't make me feel unworthy of him. I will have children, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When i am old, and wise, I will greet death like and old friend, because it will be my time. My children will not bury me prematurely. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for making this available to us. I know my Daddy is looking down and me and is rooting me on! June 16th, here I come!

Here's a before . . .

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&NOWWWWW

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Never thought this would be me .. to all those girls out there going through this forum who don't believe just like I never did, this is PROOF .. you can do all the things you want .. just believe in yourself, & give yourself a chance .. I PROMISE you won't regret it, love YOURSELF !!
almost 5 months out &im feeeeeellliiinnn gooooooooooood !!!
-85 lbs

It has been three months today since my surgery....I have lost 57 lbs as of last Fridays weigh day and 34 inches. I couldn't be happier....

I went shopping this weekend with my family. While in banana Republic I tried on a sweater because I was cold. (not normal for this hot momma!) and it fit. I mean looked good in the front, back, it FIT! I told my family, "I am having a moment! " I bought it too. I have never in my life owned anything from Banana Republic! What a thrill!

I am scheduled for the 28th! My liquid diet consists of 3 Protein Shakes with Clear Liquids only for two weeks, headed into my second week and have to admit it's not the worst thing ever! Sure I get hungry and want to eat, but I think knowing I get the surgery in 1 week makes this doable! So excited! Think it's awesome to be able to meet up with others on here who are going through the exact stuff I am! Best of luck to all of you!

I am scheduled for the 28th! My liquid diet consists of 3 Protein Shakes with Clear Liquids only for two weeks, headed into my second week and have to admit it's not the worst thing ever! Sure I get hungry and want to eat, but I think knowing I get the surgery in 1 week makes this doable! So excited! Think it's awesome to be able to meet up with others on here who are going through the exact stuff I am! Best of luck to all of you!

Surgery was Wednesday.
Recovery (so far) has been up eventful. Very little pain.
It is a challenge to get 100 oz of fluids in, but you deal with it.
My only note is that the upper left part of my stomach has swollen with to the size of half a baseball. Doc wasn't concerned but I didn't ask how long before it subsides.
PS...remember Rule no. 3 for life after 50: Never, ever, trust a fart!

Look at it as a way of loosing a couple extra pounds which helps the liver shrink which helps during surgery, lessens complications and help with healing afterwards. Your husband will come around, just do what you need to do for yourself.

There could be several things bothering him that he's not coming clean on. My husband also was very non-committal about my having the procedure however I learned as things went on that it was because: a) he didn't understand the procedure, b.) he was fearful of my loosing weight and not being satisfied with him anymore and c.) he was afraid I couldn't do it because he did see me try so many times and each of those times I did good and then failed. Now that I'm 2+ months out he see's the results and my determination. He's seen me face my demons and win. He knows I'm determined this time and he's fully on board now. If your husband is open to talking, see what the real reason is. Many people have warned me that when they lost weight their spouses became very fearful of seeing them change because they then thought they also needed to change. Make sure he understands this is about your health, not your relationship with him. Best wishes for a successful surgery.

girl you are going to look so amazing in a few month that he will have no option but to be supportive of his beautiful wife. Dont keep nothing in your heart againt him.. is prob just the way his taking in that soon you will be a different you

Congratulations on your decision to take control of your health! So sorry you don't feel supported by the one person who should be your biggest support.
I have to agree with music and amy. Maybe he's just nervous and scared and is communicating that fear in all the wrong ways. Sit down and have a real heart to heart with him and ask him point blank what he is afraid of. Address those worries and fears together. Good luck!

Time to have a good long talk with hubby. Communication is key.
He maybe having fears that he is having trouble expressing. I found with my hubby that he was really scared about me having this surgery. He actually did not sleep the night before and threw up that morning due to nerves.
Please sit down with him and talk about your feelings and be ready to really talk about his feelings.

No offense to the guys on this board, but men can be very clueless. They can also be cowards. Change is not very easy for them and maybe your husband is afraid of what will happen when you become the fabulous new you.
We all look for approval from people we love. If he can't give it to you, so be it. Look for the approval from the other people in your life. We can't expect 100% approval and we don't need it. This decision is for you first and foremost. Your kids benefit greatly too. And whether he realizes it, your hubby will be better off in the too.

Shame on him for not being there for you......
Love is suppose to be unconditional no matter how you look or have blips in the battle in the past with weight losing.
You're not the disappointment he is by not supporting you.
You should be very proud of yourself for making this decision of having the surgery to help you.
It's a wonderful thing you are doing so you have brighter future without health issues.
I wish you all the best with your surgery.

My doctor never suggested a calorie limit either. 11g of Protein is great. I have an Excel spreadsheet that has almost 100 grocery store, frozen, and fast food items that are all high in protein (and I'm adding to it all the time). Forum rules don't allow me to post it but I'd be glad to email it to you if post your email address or PM it to me. I've sent it to dozens of folks here on the forum. One of the biggest (and best) surprises I've had following my RNY has been the number of delicious, high protein options there are out there!!