SkinnyDown

Thank you! I will get on the drinking more Water and exercising!

Here is one tip for the ladies...work out those pecks!! The muscles that we have under those lady lumps helps to keep them in place. It's just like every other area...build muscle lose fat.
So not being one to work out those muscles, let me tell ya...the soreness...ugh but in the end it's worth it to keep them from hitting the floor

@@KateP
Mine too! Might need to try working those pec's as lisacaron mentioned above.

I want to clarify the reason I am not telling a lot of people. The few people I have already told have for the most part, been completely understanding of the use of bariatric surgery as a tool. They are totally onboard. There have been a few people though who have told me horror stories of people dying, things going wrong, people regaining etc. And those who have come out and said, "You will not be the same person, and I don't want you to change." That is what I want to avoid. There is something very unfortunate in humans that makes people not want to see others do well. Not everyone is like that, but there are some. This is why an addict can't hang out with their addict friends once they get clean. They will start hearing, "Come on, one time isn't going to hurt." or "Just one more time, for old times sake." People tend to want to keep you at their level. Psych 101 stuff. I'm not ashamed of having this surgery. This has been a long time coming. This has been a lifetime of losing 100 lbs and gaining it back ...over and over. This has been a lifetime of struggle against Hashimoto's and PCOD. It's my time, is how I think of it. It's my time to do something for myself that will be a long lasting permanent change. I am so excited for this. I don't want anyone to try to bring me down and burst my bubble of positivity. Because THAT is what is going to get me through this. There will be in my world, a proper time to tell people, after the surgery.

I have only told a few people closest to me, and my family. I always add that I am not telling many people, so please keep it private. The problem I just realized is my family telling others I do not want to know. One of my sister's said she may have told a neighbor of mine, and I am so upset about that. I don't need anyone's input or discouragement or opinions, that is why I chose to only tell a few people. Anyone else is getting told I am having "abdominal surgery" since I had a previous colon resection, I think most people just think it has to do with that. That is all they need to know. Now, if I can just keep my family quiet about it. Just because everyone else announces every bowel movement they make on FB, doesn't mean I'm interested in sharing this private information with the world. Not even everyone in my family is happy about what I am doing. Makes things much more difficult.

Weigh to go!!! Congrat's on taking the initiative to do that.

Thanks guys! Will let you know how it turns out. Just finished HIIT so I think we're almost ready! Looking forward to it.

Finishing is finishing. A nice power walk will still make great memories for both of you! Congratulations, let us know how it goes!

Nice job man. Good luck and your right it will be a great memory for her.

No it's just a PTA sponsored event at her school. She graduates 5th grade next week..so thought it would a nice Father-Daughter memory for her. I think it will be no running for me. A nice brisk power walk will do me just fine! Lol!!!

Is she in Girls On The Run? I have my first 5K with my daughter on May 28th. Been training with C25K, did Week 6 Day 3 today, ran 2.2 miles... thought I was gonna die, but felt so good when I was done!!!

This is the point in the journey when you realize how much life has changed for you. I am about to a 5K walk/run with my daughter on Saturday at her school. I thought it was insane that I wouldn't even have considered taking part in this last fall at 395 lbs.
Wish me good luck! Trying to prep for it nightly so I don't collapse!!! Lol!!!

Only my husband and kids know and will keep it that way as long as I can. One friend keeps asking to go out to lunch or dinner at their place and I am making excuses left and right. I don't know how i will deal with intimate dinners where u can't really hide in comparison to larger group events where no one is really paying attention to what you eat. Any tips?

I only told a few people, husband, best friend, sister, mother, and a co-worker/ good friend. The only one who doesn't support me is my mother, so I stopped talking about it to her, as a result she believes I am not having it done. In regards to work, I told them I was having a small bowl resection. I know it is not the whole truth, BUT it is not a total lie either as my small intestines will be cut and rearranged. I work in a small school and just do not want to have to deal with 40 other opinions on whether I should or shouldn't have this done. It's really none of their business, but the minute I told work I Would need the last week of school off, and a request for sub was made, everyone seemed to want to know why I had to have surgery. The nice thing is with a small bowl resection, loss of weight happens, so I will just be the lucky person who loses more. Lol

@@TLW Genius! I like it, I might have to steal that one too except I already told my supervisor so she will know im full of bs my brother is a tri-athlete so I'm most nervous to tell him. I am only telling probably 3 of my friends, the rest live across the country and wont notice anyways haha

Just let your boss know what you are doing, and why!

I have no intentions of telling anyone but my family. I don't want to tell anyone at work or any friends at all. I don't want to be looked down on.
Once you tell someone about it, you can't go back.

I had a drain for a previous surgery for about a week, and it didn't hurt coming out. I hate catheters, always happy when they are removed. I'm not sure if I'll have either a drain or catheter for my bypass, but I guess I'll find out when I wake up.

I changed a few things. On my own, I quit smoking after 30 years. I've been smoke free for over a year now, in anticipation for this surgery and future knee surgeries. I knew they wouldn't do either if I kept smoking.
I have recorded everything I have eaten for the past 8 months. (people who do are more successful with wls, so I am told)
I have given up all caffeine.
I have given up soda.
I stopped drinking before during and after meals (as instructed).
I take in 64+ oz Water daily, (not sure how I am going to do that with a tiny stomach! lol)
I stopped buying junk, and started opting for quality over quantity.
I have seen a therapist twice monthly, (my idea) to work on issues I have with food.
I started eating Breakfast. I do the same Protein shake daily, that I will have to do 5 times a day for my liquid diet. I love it. (hope I still love it after 10 days of it)
None of it was easy. I still have an occasional diet coke, but I do know after surgery it's off limits for good.
Most of the foods that I have said..."oh, I need to do this one last time" have been huge disappointments. I thought they would be so great, but I'm really at this point so tired of food. I think that means I'm in a good place in my head to have this surgery.
Great question, thanks for asking it, NDAO.

OMG! I just discovered these! I hate regular broth and was dreading having to eat broth for weeks. However, now I'm happy. I tried the Mexican tortilla variety and to me it tastes just like Spanish rice. However, there is a downsize. You will definitely need to freshen your breath after eating it! I love it. Can't wait to try out the other varieties. I could totally be fine with this.
Oh, and just so you know, all the spices actually gives you the illusion that you have actually eaten a meal and not just broth. It's great.
http://swanson.campbellskitchen.com/SBOurProducts/Products

@@Proud2BMe
So I started to answer, then got called out! Sorry! Are you using canned broth, or making your own? Have you had your surgery yet, or is this for your pre-op diet? Or both? To "beef" up the flavor, you can use meat, cooked or raw, just simmer it in a sauce pan, or in a crock pot (for longer periods), if using raw meat, make sure the meat is fully cooked before removing it from the broth. While you're doing this, add seasonings/spices that you prefer. It sounds like maybe you did not add enough of the spices you did use, or maybe didn't cook it long enough, or both. Be careful of pepper, it can get out of hand in a hurry!
For beef broth, I like to add black pepper, garlic, and onion. For chicken, I like thyme, rosemary, sage, and marjoram (if you use a good poultry seasoning blend like McCormicks, it has a great blend of these spices), onion and black pepper.
If you are just wanting broth without bits in it, strain it before using it. You could use whole peppercorns instead of ground pepper, and fresh herbs instead of dried, then tie them up in some cheesecloth, and throw it in the broth to steep for awhile. The longer it sits in there, the stronger the flavor. Then remove the bag before using the broth. Same thing with veggies and meat, strain them out of the broth.
Hopefully this will help. Spices are like gold to me. They add so much interest to what you are cooking. You can change one recipe so many ways just by changing the spices. If you are interested in different spice blends, Penzey's Spices has a catalog (and website), and they make their own blends. Seriously awesome spices! Good luck to you on you endeavors!

I am Peggie. I am almost 1 year post-op ROUX-N-Y surgery done by the amazing Dr.Donn Spight at OHSU..Portland, Oregon. It's such a complete,comprehensive program there....I was so impressed and continue to be....you see...I am an R.N. and was 100 pounds overweight. There are unfortunately many people in health care who ignore their own issues while caring for others. I have had weight issues for as long as I can remember...
I began hearing about weight loss surgery many decades ago...but it was "crazy" to do we all thought..why cut your guts?? but.. over the years..things evolved to be much safer and people were having great results!
I had been successful dieting in the past ..my issue was keeping it off....like so many of us.
Fast forward... January 2014....my husband who is a Vietnam veteran disabled from PTSD was finally granted his 100% disability status...it was hard fought for...literally. Unknown to me...this qualified me for CHAMPVA insurance. I was so blessed..it allowed me to pursue this idea once again. CHAMPVA would pay for LAPBAND OR ROUX-N-Y.. but the facility I was guided to no longer would do a LAP BAND as they were seeing so many displaced bands and problems associated and had fixed so many...I was so surprised and disappointed since that was going to be my choice!! I gradually learned more and more about the ROUX-N-Y procedure...went to a seminar, met the program Nurse Practitioner ,Dietician and a Psychologist....all before meeting my Surgeon..I was going to go for it!! I didn't know if I was accepted or not yet.
I was instructed (again) how to eat...the limitations for fat and sugar....and off I went to lose my 25 lbs before surgery. I have a history of ulcerative colitis and GERD..so I also had to have a colonoscopy and EGD before I was approved....
The day came fast...May 8,2014. The day my life really changed. I forgot to mention I am 63 years old. My focus was getting healthy...I was diabetic, had hypertension as well as other weight related issues....I couldn't reach areas!! I was incontinent..I had areas of skin that were getting excoriated...I was out of breath and miserable. not to mention my self esteem...that sucked!
for the surgery..I wasn't afraid at all. I worked in the surgical pre and post op areas and was familiar with the whole big thing...I just wanted to be worthy...be a good patient...
I did well in surgery although my Surgeon was called to the task when the auto stapling system miss fired and he then had to sew my small intestine up to my new little stomach all by hand...thru the scope!! I was so grateful he didn't have to open me up!!!! I was kept NPO for more days than the usual...due to the little issue...yikes! That was tough...I was super thirsty!! I had a special procedure 2 days postop to determine there was no leakage....thankfully...he did so good!!! IMPRESSIVE!!
My first meal...a med cup with a spoonful of popsicle!!! HEAVEN!! I began negotiations for more popsicle!! also got to have cream of wheat....so lux! and after 5 days....discharged! I tell this tale to share that not everything goes perfectly...but trust your Surgeon...even if you're a Nurse...
I then began a new journey...with myself. I had to learn how to slow down...eat small bites and chew chew chew...I fell deeply in love with Soup and to this day..I love how it fills me up with warmth.
I took a several weeks of gradually increasing my activity..my husband was a great help and support. He was so happy I was on this road to health.
Well.....to keep it short...it's now almost a year...I've surpassed my Surgeon's calculations and have successfully lost 100 lbs....and everyday I am so grateful. To my husband and to my Surgeon... couldn't have this good healthy life without you....
Each day,I exercise...elliptical or walking....I have my go to's for food...the incredible edible egg!!! I try to comply with the Fluid and Protein requirements...however hard it is to take in so much!! My little stomach tells me clearly when I've filled it up...LOVE that tool....
I can say...without hesitation...my life is 100% improved...I have a bit of redundant skin which can be removed in 18 months post-op if I have any skin issues. I do have irritation and my PCP assures me she will "make it happen"...to get insurance on my side for it. I'm not really looking forward to another surgery...but wish this skin to be gone....
I now fit into much smaller sizes...and love buying clothes....guess that's a new problem!!!
Trying to work on that!!!
I hope my story inspires you if you are hesitating...it's truly worth it...but I'm not saying I didn't feel differently about it those first days.... just gotta power thru the rough spots..
You just gotta fight for your life...

Thank you

I had horrible pain when I got home. It seemed like I was the only one willing to admit it. I have a really high pain threshold normally and this was unfathomable pain. But - and here's the good news! It gets MUCH better each day and now it is just discomfort - pressure.

I just had my surgery on 4 27 15 and I'm in pain can't lay down much I'm feeling so bad right now