StayingStrong

Poor girl. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. I really hope her surgeon will be able to quickly figure out why she is having such a rough time and how to fix it.
My experiences with nausea and vomiting are they create a vicious cycle. I had problems with both of my pregnancies and ended up on a Zofran pump for about 4 months with my second pregnancy. I know can empathize with how she must be feeling. Once you start with the nausea ad vomiting it keeps getting worse unless you can get ahead of the cycle and stop it. She may want to ask the surgeon if she can be admitted to the hospital for fluids and IV medications to break the nausea and vomiting cycle. If the cycle can be broken in the hospital and she can catch up on fluids and nutrients through an IV, she may feel so much better in a short amount of time. Unfortunately, being severely dehydrated or malnourished can cause nausea and vomiting in some people. It may continue indefinitely until she is able to catch up on her fluids and nutrients. If her surgeon's office won't admit her for IV fluids, I suggest contacting her primary care. She has been sick for too long.
Is she able to sip pedialyte? I suggest trying it whatever temperature you can until she finds the temperature that is the least offensive. The smallest of sips at a time may be the only way to get it in and keep it in even if it makes the nausea flare. I mix it half & half with apple juice and taking a sip only enough to barely wet her mouth at a time (about 1/4 tsp) and do it every 3-5 minutes. It will help her to get some of the electrolytes she is losing and the amount is small enough there won't be any measurable liquid in her stomach to vomit.
Please keep us updated as to what her doctor says and I sincerely hope she feels better soon. She is a strong woman with a strong mom to support her. Be her advocate and push her medical team for treatment if they need prodding.

I also had to face a stall before the doors to Onederland would open for me. Now I'm stalled at 0.7 pounds above my double-milestone of 185, which will be 80 pounds down and finally achieving "overweight" status on the BMI. So yep, I agree that the emotion of a big milestone can slow us down. Don't know that any scientific folk would confirm that, but it sure feels like it. Good luck to everyone who's hanging on the brink of a goal! If we keep making the right choices, we will eventually "break on through to the other side".

Hi Everyone!! Haven't logged on for awhile. Just popped in to see how my April 2014 buddies are and WOW!! Even those of you who are posting how slow your loss is are showing incredible numbers!! BRAVO!!. Lets keep it up. I feel like the the long term is going to be my biggest challenge. I am down 97 pounds. Size 22 to a 14. Still got a ways to go but I am looking and feeling great. Have started some pretty intense work out sessions with a trainer and am getting so strong. Weight loss is SOOOO SLOW for me right now. I have to fight for every pound, but we are fighters right?!! Wishing you all the best, healthiest happiest continuation of your journey!!

Hi Everyone!! Haven't logged on for awhile. Just popped in to see how my April 2014 buddies are and WOW!! Even those of you who are posting how slow your loss is are showing incredible numbers!! BRAVO!!. Lets keep it up. I feel like the the long term is going to be my biggest challenge. I am down 97 pounds. Size 22 to a 14. Still got a ways to go but I am looking and feeling great. Have started some pretty intense work out sessions with a trainer and am getting so strong. Weight loss is SOOOO SLOW for me right now. I have to fight for every pound, but we are fighters right?!! Wishing you all the best, healthiest happiest continuation of your journey!!

Hello all,
I was sleeved 4/23
SW 259
CW 157
I have not posted in this group for a while but I wanted to take the time and say GREAT JOB EVERYONE! This has been a hard but very rewarding journey! I am happy with my results. I am a much happier person and most importantly a more active mom of 3 beautiful little girls. I cant believe how much my life has changed since I made the decision to take this step. I am now training for a half marathon race in March. 13.1 Miles to be exact!! Wowers! I cant believe I am going for it but I have confidence that I can accomplish this big goal!! :-) I am so close to my goal but this last few pounds seem impossible to loose. Does anyone have any suggestions that can help? I look forward to hearing from ya'll soon! Good luck to everyone!

I have been on a month stall! Getting very frustrated!

Well for starters, Dont judge by my short little post. I have other circumstances that prevent me from stuff. I had the band in 2010, it kept prolapse ing, had it removed in 2012, sleeve done in 2012. i do not over eat. When im full im full. I am following what they said, Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 1or 2 Snacks. I did better when i skipped meals and ate when i was hungry. I dont drive, so going away from my hood is impossible. I only posted for a little support not judgement.

Sounds like a bunch of excuses to me. You don't need good weather, a treadmill or a bike to exercise. You can do squats, sit ups, push ups, jump rope, jog in place, walk the stairs, do yoga, pilates, or just walk the halls for free and with no equipment.
Your husband's lay-off (sorry about that -- I know it's stressful) and excessive eating has no bearing on you either. Unless he is holding you down and force feeding you, what he puts in his mouth is not adding to your caloric intake.
I know I sound harsh but facts are facts. If you are serious about losing weight and utilizing your WLS, you have to take accountability for your actions. You can exercise, you can eat right, you can track. If you choose not to, that's OK, that's your right, but if you are serious about getting to a healthy weight, the excuses stop now and you do what you know you need to do to get where you want to be.
Best of luck to you!

The neighborhood isn't safe drive to one that is!!
My mother In law doesn't walk around her house. She drives 3 towns away to a very well lit football /track field and she does 3 miles.
She's 67. You can do it too. Find a place to go. Meditate as you drive. Get your walk on.

Well, you stated you don't know why you are gaining and you also stated you are trying yo get back on track. So, you probably do know why you are gaining. Now just work on the getting back on track part. Get a nutritionist maybe, and get some help with an eating plan. Or go back to the basics and treat your sleeve like you just got it. Don't let depression set in while you do nothing. You will most likely eat the weight back online and that would be tragic after all the hard work you have done. Get motivated and get some help.....fast. Best.

Hi ladies! Quick check in. I have been so busy with work/life and haven't been on BP much. I participate in the BP challenges which I find really helpful to stay on track. Otherwise, I'm beginning to see why a lot of veterans don't stick around long on these boards. It's gets kind of boring fishing through the same posts about stalls, Hair loss, best Protein Shakes, etc. It's the case of the "been-there-done-that." This process has been amazing. I have had ZERO complications and once I accepted that the weight would come off at its own slow rate, I was okay with the process. I am 169 today. Down 70 pounds since the beginning. I have 9 pounds until I reach my surgeon's goal of 160 and 19 pounds until I reach my goal of 150. Funny thing is the closer I get to goal, the FASTER I'm losing! I spent most of my life as an active, fit person. It was only the last 10 years I packed on 80 pounds when I let my work/life balance get out of whack. It's almost as if my body remembers where it's meant to be and wants me to be there! Don't hate me when I say this journey has been one of the easiest things I've ever done. I already ate a pretty clean diet. I don't really like junk food, so the restriction helps me with Portion Control. I don't consider myself an emotional eater, so I haven't had to struggle with a lot of the emotional issues that often come up post wls. I cut 6" off of my hair into a chic bob which helps disguise how much it has thinned. Although the hair loss seems to have slowed down a bit. I am really pleased how little saggy skin I have. I was really worried about this. My arms are really tiny! I have a small amount of saggy skin on my inner thighs and on my stomach in the area below my belly button. This area was stretched out from 2 pregnancies and only a Tummy Tuck would repair that. Otherwise everything else is snapping back into place. I'm not really doing anything special. It's likely genetics and very. Slow. Weight. Loss. How is everyone else doing? I saw mention of a check in but nobody followed up!

I need some support!!

Your old boss walks right past you not realizing who you are. Happened to me last week.

Since the topic was so eloquently brought up, I thought I would share MY reason for not telling the public at large about my decision to have WLS. No, I am not ashamed, embarrassed nor am I being dishonest with myself. I am not protecting myself from ridicule or dissension and I do not care if my decision is a popular one or unpopular. I know I've shared this before, so pardon me if I bore you with a repeat.

I am a mom, a wife and a successful business owner. I am the VP of my HOA, I have held dozens of positions on the PTA both locally and nationally. I work with my sorority undergrad group, I volunteer at a women's shelter, I work with special needs children. I do mud runs, zumba and am a training instructor at my martial arts school. I organize charity 5ks, lock ins and I used to be a girl scout leader. I was a theater major before I wizened up about my talents and now I am a theater mom. I can't sing, but I can dance when I've had a few cocktails. I can cross one eye while leaving the other one straight. I've been skiing double black diamonds all my life and I am a diamond certified gemologist. I am currently writing a book on my field of business. I have broken my nose 4 times doing stupid things and still don't have a bump. I had a brain tumor. Both of my kids attend special high schools for extremely gifted children and they obviously get it from me, not my husband whom I've been married to for 20 years. I drive a minivan but I prefer to go offroading in a jeep. I am white Water certified in a kayak and a canoe. I have a wicked sense of humor and I hug strangers randomly. I am pro-choice, a libertarian, and a gay right's advocate. I could bore you with more, but I am sure that is more than enough to digest for ow.

I am *so much more* than someone who has had WLS. I would much prefer to learn about the person I am with than explain what a sleeve is. I don't care for my weight loss to be the center of conversation every time I see someone nor do I feel the need to be the advocate for such a personal decision.
When people ask, I tell them the truth. I sought the advice of a doctor and nutritionist. I follow a low carb, high Protein diet. I shake my ass a *lot*. I am eating healthier and have made the right choices for *me* to be successful at weight loss. I owe no one any more than that.

It is up to me to choose how I want to be defined. My choice is NOT as a WLS patient. If you choose differently, so be it. I will not judge you or shame you nor will I try to decide for you. Your body, your choice. Run with it.

Thanks for sharing your photos. My belly looks very similar to yours. I already consulted with a plastic surgeon a couple of weeks ago. She told me to come back when I stop losing weight. I didn't want to wait! I hate my wobbly bits. But seeing your photos makes me realize that loose skin isn't really that big a deal. You look great.
Since I'm 60 and I was obese for a long time, it isn't likely that my skin will tighten up much on its own. But look how great you look in your clothes. Instead of obsessing about loose skin, I should learn how to dress better.

You're gorgeous!!!!! Look at you! I am so inspired. I have the baggy saggy skin too but it's under clothes so for now I'm ok. Eventually I may try to have insurance pay for a panniculectomy. I'm documenting skin issues with my general practitioner right now. I started a prescription powder about two months ago. A plastic surgeon I went to listen to recommended that people who were planning future plastic surgery take these steps way ahead of time. A paper trail with your general practitioner is critical to lay out the argument that the excess skin should be removed for medical reasons. Anyway, I haven't decided of course if I'm doing it or not. However, I'd like to keep my options open. Congratulations on your wonderful success!

Karla I'm sorry to hear that sweety. The dating world sucks for sure but there are good guys out there still. Hugs. Our hair is only temp but our health is lasting.
I just hot 1derland this morning! I can't even remember a time I weighed under 200 lbs. off to a good start this weekend.

Lets see some UPDATES!



April 17, 2014 - Weight 298 lbs. (45.6 BMI) Surgery Day

August 26, 2014 - Weight 194 (28.6 BMI)

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS- 104 lbs



Waist Size Pre-Surgery- 46 in.

Waist Size Aug 26, 2014- 34 in



Shirt Size Pre-Surgery- XXL

Shirt Size Aug 26, 2014- L (Maybe a Med. if i stretch it out.)



Share your success!

GERD is one of the most common side effects of VSG. My surgeon required daily Omeprazole 40mg for two months, then weaned down to 20mg before stopping. Fortunately I have not had reflux, but I do get a burning sensation periodically. Usually a couple days of Rolaids will knock it out, but if not I do a week of Prilosec and then I'm good for several weeks.

Has anyone gotten acid indigestion/gas from the surgery? I never had the acid indigestion before and now I do. I'm 6 mo's out of surgery and have to take Prilosec due to the acid indigestion. Dr wants to do an Endoscopy to be sure all is ok.
All my blood tests and Vitamins tests are normal.
If you have an issue w/acid indigestion how bad is it and what do you do for it?
Appreciate any info you guys can give.
Sherry

mine got steadily worse with the lapband and the sleeve is even worse. I am kinda hoping it will subside some when I get closer to goal. what makes it worse: eating fast, eating carbs, spicey foods are dreadful. what makes it better, prilosec or equivalents, gaviscon/over the counter, slowing down, chewing more, staying upright for a while after eating. when I was vomiting last week they said they may have to check me for a stricture but I am somewhat better. eating too much, that 6th bite, makes me pay for it. my weight loss is slower than many, but steady. I am happily discarding stuff that is way too big and trying out old favorites and new fun stuff.I have lost a lot of muscle tone in abdominals last few years, I am hoping being fitter will help also. it is a pain.... "rehab is a bitch, aint it? " my motto. we have a heavy price to pay for our eating sins, but we can and will heal up. love sara

Oy Vey wow…can't help u there good luck!!!!

It will be something all the time. Body image is what we will fight our entire lives. I know that when they do plastics on me there will be quite the decision making on the part of the surgeon. Since everything that has happened to me in life and through this surgery. I am covered in scars. I don't care. All I am asking is for the lose skin to be gone. So I won't look so distorted.
Anything else for me will be gravy. Through all this journey your health is the number one goal. Looks well they are in there somewhere. There are people who have big scars on their arms. The woman chef on 'Top Chef' has not slowed her down....
Look hard with yourself and say who cares I know where I've been and I know where I'm going and do it anyway.......I admire your strength to get plastics. I too will do it...
Can we see some photos of the new you!

I applaud your bravery in getting your plastics done. Please keep us informed of how the healing is going. There are so many of us on the fence about this, especially if insurance won't cover the surgery. I had to look up what a fleur de lis incision looked like. Oh wow, that's a lot of staples. Look ahead to a year from now when the pain is gone and the scars are no longer red and angry. I wish you good luck and good health.

Hello.
I had my scheduled panniculectomy revised to an abdominoplasty with fleur de lis incision. I was back and forth regarding the risks involved with an old, large gall bladder scar. I sought multipe consults and even discussed with my bariatric surgeon. I finally decided to take the leap with the fleur de lis. My tummy was a disaster with skin. I felt eventough I had reached a normal BMI, I was still wearing the "fat suit" I have heard other people talk about. I am completely okay now with the larger tummy scars as I did not plan on wearing a bikini. I am just so beyond grateful having the skin removed.
So here is my issue: I also had a brachioplasty completed. I had the arm skin of a 100 year old. Totally scarred from old stretch marks, causing skin to be incredibly loose, wrinkled. They were just awful. I would always wear longer sleeves. I work out so hard and have nice muscles. Just could never see them thru the excess skin! Because of the excessive skin issue, there was a possibility going in that I would have to have a posterior brachioplasty. The incision goes closer to the back of my arms, rather than the common pics seen of it medial (and hid very well with arms at side). Now, my arms look beautiful from the front and the sides. You can see my muscles/definition now. The skin is that tight. However, looking at me from from the back the scar is very visible and extends about an inch below my elbow.
I am not even sure what I am getting at here...I am rambling...I guess I just wanted the scar totally hidden and am struggling because it isn't. I had hopes it would not be as bad as it appears to me now. I am trying to remind myself of how far I have come. Maybe trying to feel proud even though I am still scarred. I just so wanted to be able to wear short sleeves or tanks and feel good about myself. I don't think I have ever in my adult life felt good about myself. I just wanted to feel like a normal woman.
Is this the end of the world...no. Am I still blessed...yes. Just struggling right now. Thanks for listening.