RellaBelle

See, now I'm on the other side of this. I've been natural for 6 years, hair is past my bra strap when flat ironed. My Hair loss started right at 3 months, I'm 5 months out now and still experiencing it. I'm talking literal handfuls of hair. That being said I wash my hair like every 3 weeks so it may not be as bad as it seems. My hair is still really thick and I've retained all my pre op length. I was curious about making the transition to locs but wasn't sure how they would hold up with all the shedding. I didn't know if the locs would make the shedding worse or if it would even make a difference at all.

This is obviously a TMI post so I apologize in advance. I have not experienced the first week diarrhea that many people say they get. All I'm doing is passing gas. I even took a stool softener and nothing happened. I just started full liquids today [suppose to start tomorrow but I was really low on energy so started a day early] and had a Protein shake... they sit well but I think they make me bloated so I may not be able to drink those. Anyway, yeah... 9 days post op and nothing in BM department. Only passing gas. How long was it for everyone before they had movement?

Not sure if anyone pays any attention to this forum but on the off chance someone does.. I was wondering if anyone has tried Phentermine as a weight loss tool and what their experiences with it were?
I have a friend that has said if she knew about Phentermine before she had her VSG should wouldn't have had the procedure and just took her time using that product to lsoe the weight. I've read of the possible side effects and they are pretty unnerving.. though no more unnerving than the unknown of having surgery.

@@kaciii - No pain meds. Didn't need any. And no Constipation related pain... it's just... nothing but gas. I don't know.
@@animallover1247 - I took stool softeners earlier this week and they did nothing. I guess I'll some magnesium citrate or something. I find it odd that I'm not even having the urge for a BM. That's why I asked. I didn't want to put myself in a miserable situation with being backed up.

The Multivitamin I take every day contains probiotics. I also eat yogurt with live cultures every day. I get 64-100oz of fluids in every day. I always take miralax after any surgery until I have my first BM. For a long time I took milk of magnesia every other day or so in order to poo because all the Metamucil and Benefiber and Gummy fiber supplements didn't help at all. Then I figured out they were all soluble fiber, which can actually make Constipation worse. Turns out insoluble fiber like apple pectin and ground flax seed was the key to normal, soft, daily BMs for me. I mix insoluble fiber in my Greek yogurt and Protein smoothies every day.

I work in an office with a ton of thin and fit 20 somethings. (I'm 29 but have been told that I come across "much older and wiser." Um, thanks?)
As frivolous as it might sound, one of my biggest fears is having to interact with them when it comes to things like clothes, exercise, and shopping.
Right now, I am the funny, loud, super confident fat girl who "doesn't care" about what I'm wearing and makes fun of her own weight. I'm scared that when I lose the weight, I'll be forced into this world for the first time and I won't know how to handle it. Even though I make good money, my husband and I have a ton of student debt, so my wardrobe budget is very limited as it is. The thought of having so many more options available to me is terrifying. Even though I would love to have nice clothes (and I think it would help me professionally to dress better) I've hidden behind this persona of someone who doesn't care for so long, I don't know how to make that transition without looking like a flake.
I also worry that my weight has been my shield for a long time, and I'm afraid of what will happen when it's gone. I'm afraid of the attention, which, as someone who can currently command a room, is crazy. I'm not afraid of people looking at me and listening to me, but I am afraid of people really seeing me, if that makes sense. I'm afraid of losing my bubble.

Thank you Andi. I don't know what it is. I've got it all set up. I've spoken with the patient coordinator done a health history. Talked about how to handle after care with my pcp and how long of a post op regiment I'll be on. All I have to do is say it's ago and set the date. But I feel irrationally scared to committing to it. But every time I try to give my mind a break and stop thinking about it for a couple hours I feel his sense of need. Like there's something inside me screaming you need this why are you so frightened.

Tonight is the epic POWERBALL jackpot of 1.5 BILLION dollars and chances are I'm going to win! You have to feel lucky to be lucky right? Anyway I feel like I've hit the jackpot because I've lost 97 pounds to date. I know I will hit my goal.
And if I don't win POWERBALL tonight, maybe this was the 4 MILLIONTH post on bariatric pal and I won all that cool stuff that Alex Brecher was talking about.

It may be that her view of "normal" has gotten so distorted over the years that she's having trouble adjusting to the "during" you. With so many people we interact with every day anywhere from obese to superobese, it can be hard to view someone differently.
It's hard enough for us to see ourselves accurately - imagine what it must be like for those around us!

So I work with my sister. She actually picks me up and I ride with her to work. Yesterday on the way to work she says that she needs to talk to me about something. She said in that concerned tone of speech, "I'm concerned about your weight loss. I think you are losing too much weight. You are basically a stick. You are nothing but bones at this point and I feel you need to get help." I about died laughing! You see, I'm still 52 lbs overweight! I did lose 148 lbs from the sleeve so far and I'm still losing. However, my BMI still puts me in the obese range. Shortly I will move down to just the overweight range of BMI. I can't believe my sister actually said this to me. On one hand it's a great compliment. However, I'm now concerned that she may be a tad bit jealous of my progress. I'm actually concerned for her because she definitely needs the surgery but I'm afraid she won't save up enough money to get it via self-pay as she doesn't currently have insurance.

Yes! A common mistake is to take your thyroid medication with food.
We must take our thyroid med one hour before eating or two hours after eating for it to be fully metabolized and "work" effectively.
Please google that and learn more.

My thyroid came out last year at this time. It took my PCP ten years of arguing with various ENTs and sending me for consults and tests--inconclusive. She could tell there was something wrong by looking at the way I swallowed. Guess what? She was right. My little butterfly had grown into a 9 1/2" Mothra! It's good your physician wants to keep an eye on this.
I am pre-op, but I have successfully lost weight while taking synthroid. You might say I'm the most "hypothyroid" you can get! As I understand it, medication will make your hormones act correctly so you may even see an improvement in ease of weight loss. I know I did.
One thing I did read (and which I have adhered to) is to not eat right after taking your thyroid medication. Have no idea if that's valid, but I have always waited at least an hour. I found that advice online, so definitely take it with a grain of salt!

I have Hypothyroid and take Levoxy. I was sleeved on 12/4 and am down 10 pounds as of this morning,don't worry, you got this!!!

They may be concerned about hyperthyroidism if your TSH levels are low. It is an inverse relationship- if TSH is low then hyperthyroidism, if TSH is high then hypothyroidism. There are also additional levels they can check such as your T3 and T4 levels.
I have hypothyroidism and the only thing that has changed for me post surgery was as I lost weight I have needed less medication. I went from 250 of synthyroid down to 88.

Have Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism is a side effect. Was sleeved 11/5 and down 37 lbs since starting pre-op diet (2 weeks prior to surgery) -- so far so good!

I have a less-than-normal functioning thyroid (hypothyroidism). Have taken levoxyl for nearly 35 years. I think a lot of WLS patients have thyroid issues.
There's no way to know how much (or even if) my hypothyroidism has affected my weight loss. Frankly, it doesn't matter whether or how much your thyroid affects your weight loss. It is what is is. And you just go ahead post-op with all the same behaviors you're supposed to use. And you will lose weight. And if you are consistent with your new behaviors / lifestyle you'll reach your weight loss goal and maintain your weight loss.
For the record, here's my pre- and post-WLS monthly weight losses. I'm 70 years old and 5'5" tall:
Highest weight - 235 pounds
Weight on surgery day - 216 pounds
(Weight lost pre-op) - 19 pounds

Post-op weight losses:
Month 1 - 10.4 lbs
Month 2 - 11.8 lbs
Month 3 - 9.2 lbs
Month 4 - 10.4 lbs
Month 5 - 6.8 lbs
Month 6 - 5.0 lbs
Month 7 - 6.2 lbs
Month 8 - 4.4 lbs
Month 9 - 3.8 lbs
Month 10 - 1.8 lbs
Month 11 - 2.6 lbs
Month 12 - 0.6 lbs
Month 13 - 1.2 lbs
Month 14 - 1.0 lbs
Month 15 - 1.6 lbs

Hi RellaBelle, I haven't been sleeved yet but was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 9months ago. Went in for routine bloodwork and discovered that my thyroid isn't functioning at all. I attended a VGS seminar on Monday 12/7. I asked the surgeon if Hypothyroidism slows the weight loss process- he said not at all. In fact, 85% of his patients are diagnosed with Hypothyroidism! I was relieved to hear this! I submitted my paperwork Monday night and hopefully will be approved by my insurance soon. Good luck

I am so very disappointed in Bariatric Pal Website. They continue to remove the post about Long Term VSG simply because they don't want to pay to advertise on the site. That is quite ridiculous considering it is a weight loss forum. So in other words, unless a company advertises on the site, we can't share our journey on the site. How sad is that?

Tomorrow is my surgery finally here I know this tool is going to work for me and I don't have to worry about it slipping on me. I know my weight loss will be slow im grateful for any weight loss. We are driving to San Diego this afternoon and staying over night I have to be at the clinic at 9am. Wish me luck guys!!!!

Anyone interested in having surgery, this is the best place, hands down.
Everything is NEW!
It is right next to the plastic surgeon, Dr. Victor Gutierrez, and I hear he is the best plastic surgeon in Tijuana.
Long Term VSG is the BEST! Dr. M talked to me and my wife and explained everything. They tested me thoroughly before this surgery. If there was something wrong with me, there is no way they would have done the surgery.
Don't let the price fool you.
I have already lost 8 pounds in 7 days since my surgery.
I am very happy!

Yes you will get your RX medications in Mexico. Be sure to have between
$100 - $150 dollars with you to purchase all the medications you will need. You can pick and choose what you need. Some, like the antibiotics are necessary and are not optional.

I'm scheduled to fly to Mexico next Wednesday and have the surgery on Thursday. I am worried about everything! My current worry is about the pre op testing. I'm worried that, since the testing has not been done in advance, I will get to Mexico, have the testing, and have them tell me there is some reason I cannot get the surgery done. I have no reason in particular to think this will happen, but I'm worried that I'm about to spend a bunch of money, fly to Mexico, get my hopes up and then it won't happen. Does anyone know people who have been turned down once they arrived? I did fill out my health questionnaire but have not had blood work, etc. done.
I am a worrier and I want this so much. Please advise!

Although I know you're hurting from your friends attitude towards you and your weight loss ( Congratulations by the way !) , from your story Im sensing this is not so much about what YOU'VE accomplished, but more of what she HASN'T !!!! Her statement about men not paying as much attention to her as they do you speaks volumes about her own insecurities. She wants what you have, and isn't getting it, so instead of having you around as that constant reminder she's pushing you away so that she can breathe and not have to deal with it. Sad but true. You both may be average sized , but she has no light shining from within, you however, do. Sorry for your lost friendship, but not sorry for the new person you've become . You worked hard to become her , you should be very proud of you !!!

I didn't lose my friend due to weight loss, I lost her because she doesn't want me to lose the weight. Her self-image and ego have always been fed by the fact that she has always been considered the "pretty one" and has even self-proclaimed this on one occasion where I now regret not ending the friendship and saving myself from her huge ego then. Recently, upon learning of my plans for surgery, she actually stated very clearly that she "doesn't think we can be friends if I am thinner and prettier than her." A 30 year friendship down the drain because I've just realized I've ignored for a very long time that she is extremely shallow. Not all women are this way. Only shallow, inconsiderate, narcissistic people (both men & women) are like this. This is occasionally the same reaction you would get from jealous, self-loathing, needy people. Both types are not good friends.
I have come to terms with the loss of the old me. The old me is not this brave and strong. I have just begun my journey but I am determined to lose the weight that has dragged me down for years and I intend to lose all of the bad friends who dragged me down too.
I keep reminding myself that "Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive and kind people is also a healthy habit." And this whole journey to finding the new me is all about creating and maintaining healthy habits for the rest of my life.
Oh...and one last thing...take her comment and cold shoulder as a compliment. You are now the "pretty one" and that's not such a bad thing either.

This is what I'm leaning toward- not confronting her or saying anything at all. I'm an emotional person who can cry at the drop of a hat and I kinda don't trust myself to keep my cool. I am *so* uncompetitive with other women that it's hard for me to believe that she possibly sees me as some kind of threat. When she asked "why aren't men talking to ME?" I was flabbergasted and immediately felt guilty for getting attention.
When I was big, we would go out and both be pretty much ignored by men TOGETHER. Maybe that helped endear me to her at the beginning? I think that since this isn't the case anymore she feels isolated or invisible. I feel tremendous compassion for her over that. But I haven't become any less of a good friend to her. And I can't go back to being 285lbs so she feels better about herself.