Jessica.O

Well, I did it! I hit 199 today. My surgery date was March 18, 2014, so it took me about 4.5 months to reach this point. I have about another 50ish pounds to get to my goal and now have the confidence to know that I can do it. I couldn't be happier with my progress. This surgery has been such a blessing for me. I am healthier, so much more active and feeling better than I have in years.
This forum has been a wonderful place for support. I have plenty of support from the few family members and friends that know I had the surgery, but having this site has been extremely helpful. Thank you everyone! I'll post pics eventually. . .

July 1 here and I'm down 23#! I think I'm on the cusp of feeling physically smaller...

Hello all,
I am 29 and had my RNY July 1 2014. My highest weight was 270# and I only lost about 6# before surgery. My current weight is 247.
I would love to find women my age to connect with on BP. Everyone here has been great but I'd love to find women who are my age to swap successes, stories, questions, advice, and fears with.
For example, I can't seem to find any threads regarding excess skin in women my age. How did your skin hold up after WLS? Another thing, many women on here seem to have kids and talk about running around with the kids. That's great and I welcome women with families but I also want to hear about single women and dating and going out dancing, going to bars and parties and experiencing some of the things you may have skipped out on before due to obesity!

I slept on my side from the first night after surgery. It was the only way I could get comfy, hugging a pillow on my side. No problems for me.

JessicaO-
Thanks for your insights! That's very helpful!
You all are right! I have to own the process and continue educating myself! I've done a ton of research and reading, and understand that the combination of knowledge & application of that knowledge is key!!!

Dannysgirl,
You WILL lose weight but after that initial period (typically 12-18 months) it is then up to you to maintain that loss. Educate yourself, read books, attend support group meetings, read online (just stick to credible sites), and work with a WLS nutritionist. You can do it just know what you're in for. It isn't a magic fix, it's a jump start and a tool that you will have to learn to utilize. My biggest fear going into this was that it wouldn't "click" for me, that I wouldn't understand how to use the new pouch. I'm only four weeks post op and it is coming to me so much more naturally than I thought it would!
You can do this!

Dannysgirl,
You WILL lose weight but after that initial period (typically 12-18 months) it is then up to you to maintain that loss. Educate yourself, read books, attend support group meetings, read online (just stick to credible sites), and work with a WLS nutritionist. You can do it just know what you're in for. It isn't a magic fix, it's a jump start and a tool that you will have to learn to utilize. My biggest fear going into this was that it wouldn't "click" for me, that I wouldn't understand how to use the new pouch. I'm only four weeks post op and it is coming to me so much more naturally than I thought it would!
You can do this!

It's natural to be nervous about a new journey.
From experience if you follow what your surgeon and nutritionist plan out for you you will succeed most definitely.
You'll do great I'm sure of it as long as you give it your all.
This is such a great start to a new wonderful healthy life so grab it and run with it.
Good luck on your surgery and new journey.

It will work, but you will need to put in the effort to make it truly successful. The WLS is just the tip of the iceberg. The rest is up to you. Good luck and best wishes!!!

Tell them you and your Dr. have decided on a healthy weight, and when you both feel its anybody else's business, you ' ll let them know. In other words , " mind your own beeswax !"

Time for update pics. First one is Aug 2013. Highest weight of 250lbs. Second one is today 165lbs. 85lbs gone. 25lbs to goal weight. Happy with my success so far.

Oh I could have written this post, same exact story, flying alone on one of the European budget flight with really small seats and the seatbelt didn't click coz I was so fat. I needed an extender, thank God the steward was very nice and discreet. Luckily I was already in the process of getting my bypass, but I was still horrified.
I am flying again in October and I am looking forward of clicking that sucker!!!!

I had my huge slap of reality in April. For the first time I had to ask for a seatbelt extender on a flight. I was traveling alone and was absolutely mortified. Luckily my WLS was already in the works and I had it done July 1. Next time to visit my husband on his deployment I want to use a regular seatbelt and make his jaw drop when he sees me!

I had my huge slap of reality in April. For the first time I had to ask for a seatbelt extender on a flight. I was traveling alone and was absolutely mortified. Luckily my WLS was already in the works and I had it done July 1. Next time to visit my husband on his deployment I want to use a regular seatbelt and make his jaw drop when he sees me!

I had my huge slap of reality in April. For the first time I had to ask for a seatbelt extender on a flight. I was traveling alone and was absolutely mortified. Luckily my WLS was already in the works and I had it done July 1. Next time to visit my husband on his deployment I want to use a regular seatbelt and make his jaw drop when he sees me!

Bran are you taking Tylenol? That's all I was instructed to take for pain after leaving the hospital and it helped considerably.

That's great Irene! Congrats

Pik- I had horrible chest pain, too. I could've sworn I was having a heart attack or an elephant was sitting on my sternum. Turns out it was all gas. It was so painful it elevated my BP from 120 to 180 systolic.
Have you been able to go for short frequent walks? That's what really helped mine dissipate. I hope you feel better soon!

I'm all gowned up and ready to go. See you on the other side!!

Sweet meat, I am one week ahead of you. My surgery was 7/1 and I know how you're feeling! I started my mushy foods one week ago (applesauce, cottage cheese, oatmeal, runny mashed potatoes). It was so nice to have some real foods and helped my energy increase. I found the cottage cheese to be most satisfying because it's a but salty and has some texture.
I still tire very easily but am much better than before. Today was my last day of those damn Protein Shakes and tomorrow I get to start introducing some new foods (toast, avocado, scrambled egg, crackers, salt and pepper, ketchup and mustard) and I'm so excited! I wonder when we will start to feel full? I'm not physically hungry, just head hunger, but I miss feeling full! All these years I've either felt hungry or full and now I feel neither. When will I feel full again?

I did it!!!
My surgery went well and I've been in the hospital for two nights. My surgery wasn't until 3:15pm so I was recovering well into the night. The abdominal pain was tolerable but I had such pressure on my back! It felt like someone was pushing my spine together from the top and the bottom, i just couldn't get comfortable and no one could tell me what the pain was from. Then my saint of a nurse gave me a Xanax and I was able to relax and snooze a bit. The rest of the night was snoozing off and on, very tolerable. My PA told me the next morning that can be a symptom of gas build up in the abd cavity. My anxiety about the lack of info on the cause had been making it worse.
The second day had its ups and downs. The pain at the surgical sites (I have six incisions) was what I had expected but the gas build up was quite painful. It sat right under my sternum and made it hard to get good deep breaths. It was like a constant pressure on my chest. This waxed and waned for 24 hours but once I got up and walking (and farting a bit) it improved a lot!
Drinking has not been painful for me, neither has taking pills. I will find out today if i get to go home, it will all depend on whether I'm in taking enough liquids orally to maintain hydration without the IV fluids.
Sorry for the long post, i just hadn't felt up to typing until this morning. Thanks again for all the prayers.
JO

I'm planning to go to that meeting on the 21st, too

I had my surgery on Monday, it is Wednesday, was just discharged today. Fair Oaks staff was fantastic. Dr. Fitzer's assistant is great, Jenny.
Glad to be home, bed was uncomfortable there, but that is really my only complaint. Room can be a bit cold, and may I recommend loose comfy clothes post-op the incisions rubbing against them is no fun. Also ask for a heating pad, it helps soreness.

Pik- how is your anxiety doing with your big day getting closer?

I dreamed I was eating a big fat juicy delicious hamburger last night. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Sigh. Oh well. Hey, at least it was calorie and fat free. lol