highdesertblue

My daughter recently had the same issue. It took months of going without makeup (and she is a sparkly girl!). She eventually found a few product that didn't bother her. She uses Jamberry nails now. I say get the doctor approved nail polish. You are worth it!

I am anxious to hear the answer to this. My first appointment is Wednesday, November 5.

Has anyone else had gastritis and other stomach problems prior to surgery. My first surgeon visit comes up Wed. Nov 5. I have a hiatal hernia, and serious GERD (acid reflux). I had my stomach stapled way back in 1989 and the stapling failed after about 18 months. I have LOTs of pain if I eat fruits and vegetables, especially if they are raw. If I eat a salad (and I love salads), my stomach hurts for 1-2 weeks. Sometimes, very cooked vegetables are OK in small quantities. I can eat a banana and it doesn't bother me, or the tiny amount of fruit that comes in yogurt. Raw or al dente vegetables do not really digest. I will spare you the details. Has anyone else had trouble digesting vegetables and fruits? Was it better after the surgery? .

I'm still pre-op,but I've had several other surgeries. The catheter isn't bad. It is much better for me than trying to urinate on a bedpan. They usually take it out before you even notice it. I hope I can get up and walk around as soon as possible. I always feel better when I am up and walking. Best wishes to you on your surgery, Crystal88!

From reading your posts, it looks like your husband is afraid of the surgery, and afraid of losing you. besides reassuring him, I think taking him to a support group would allow him to see how many people have successfully gone through the surgery. He might hear stories about how bad their lives were before losing weight. Perhaps you can show or tell him reasons the weight is so bad for you, and how it could be much more dangerous than the surgery ever would be. My husband says he supports me. I attended the first seminar, and see the surgeon on Nov. 5th. Then I will find out what tests and procedures I need prior to surgery. My husband recently started buying me candy bars. Hmm. Think he is feeling insecure. I made a list of physical reasons I want to lose weight and posted them on the fridge. None of them had to do with how I will look, or being able to wear cuter clothes. I had to think about what I will be able to do, and how i will feel. He reads that every time he goes into the refrigerator, and I think it reassures him a little. I know he will feel insecure when I lose weight, but I plan to talk to him about how much better I feel and talk about how I can go for walks with grandchildren, take them to the park, etc. I can barely walk now, and need major spinal surgery. I can't have it unless I lose at least 100 lbs, so I am VERY motivated. I really do hope your husband comes around.

Thanks for sharing, Jim! i have my first appointment with the surgeon next week, and hearing success stories really help me keep up hope that weight loss can happen for me, too!

I am pre-surgery, but had a weight loss procedure way back in 1989. There are much better nutritional products and nutrition information available now. I had very little followup back then. My surgeon has good information, and they do much more to prepare patients now. I was not prepared for the incredibly strong desire to chew food when I was on the liquid diet. We didn't have the internet to share healthy eating ideas, recipes, and new products. We were just told to add protein to soft foods, such as non fat powdered milk in 1989. Now I am trying out different products prior to surgery. I know my taste might change after surgery. Even though I had experienced the body dysmorphia during previous weight loss attempts, I am still nervous about that. I am so blessed that my insurance covers intensive behavioral therapy for obesity, so I am trying to find a therapist in my area. Back in 1989, the local support group was disbanded before I had the surgery because the lady leading the group was tired of it turning into a "b$%#hing and moaning" session about divorces and other life problems. Hmmm. Looking back, I understand that marriages and other relationships suffer when one party has a huge weight loss. It really upsets the status quo! Today, I know that my problems won't all be solved by weight loss, but I WILL be healthier. I know that I will be able to move around easier, put less stress on my overwhelmed joints, not break into embarrassing, red faced, hot sweats when everyone else in the room is cool. I appreciate the people who are realistic and willing to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of the WLS process.

I will tell people if they ask, but I'm not sure if I will make a big announcement when I have the surgery. I am open with family and close friends. I don't really want to face all of the negative comments and "helpful' advice from people who have lost 5-20 pounds in the past. i'm guilty of offering weight loss advice that I obviously an not following. I am also concerned about people who feel insecure about me losing weight. I went through this 25 years ago when I lost weight, and it upsets a balance in relationships. I'm the fat one who makes others feel ok about having a piece of cake at the birthday, or getting ice cream on the way home from a meeting that is 2 hours away. I understand why people don't want to share, but lying about the type of surgery, saying it is a gallbladder or hernia repair doesn't make sense. People will guess what is really going on.

Best wishes in making your choice! I am going to consult with the surgeon, and rely strongly on his opinion based on my situtation. Based on what he said at the seminar, I think he currently feels that the gastric sleeve is the best choice for most patients. I hope things go well for you.

I missed out on getting the surgery a few years ago for the same reason. I have Medicare now, because I am on disability, so I finally got the nerve to start the process again. JenJen 1653, I truly feel your pain. Sometimes there are ways to get around the clause, but you would have to talk to the WLS surgeon and your primary care physician to see if they can help you. My daughter is going through the same thing. She works for the local school district, and every year they beef up their "wellness" campaign, but refuse to include the weight loss option in the insurance. Instead of holding mandatory wellness fairs, and not allowing birthday cupcakes, or teachers to drink coffee, they could offer the option to those willing to pay a little more for their health insurance. Getting loans or going to Mexico is not an option for my daughter. You might want to check with the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation. They have "scholarships" for people who cannot afford the surgery. They are on Facebook, and they have a website. You can get the details from the website. I wish you the best!

I am so sorry you had to deal with that. I had a bad experience last year. Normally, the flight attendant very discretely hands me a seat belt extender, and that is the end of it. I generally fly about once a year, and I have weighed the same, plus or minus ten pounds for a long time. (Haven't had the surgery yet) The woman at the Southwest gate came charging down the ramp into the plane. I was in the process of putting on my seat belt, and she kneeled on the seat in front of me, facing my husband and I. She said that I couldn't fit in the seat with the arm rest down. i said I could, wait and look. She said in a nasty voice, "Not comfortably!" I had just flown a week before on two planes with Southwest. My husband was sitting right next to me, so there wouldn't have been another customer complaining. She told me she had to put a seat between me and the other passenger, had a printed "reserved" ticket that I had to place between us, and told me that I was now in the computer as a passenger who requires two seats. She was not discreet. How humiliating! I am flying to Chicago next week on American. I hope there isn't another incident. I've never had that problem before. I was traveling with my husband who had a stroke six month earlier, and has stage four cancer, so I didn't get her badge number.

Wow! You are beautiful in both! I attend my initial seminar tonight! Your pictures give me hope, especially since I am close to your starting weight. Thanks so much for sharing! Kristy

I attend the first seminar in two days, and I am terrified of failing before I've even started! I've failed before on every diet, lifestyle change, or whatever we call it. I tried to get the surgery approved several times over the past few years, but ran into insurance issues. Now I have Medicare with an Advantage plan, and the first obstacle is overcome before I even start the process! I am excited, but terrified that I will fail, too! I have a very specific goal in mind this time. i can't have spinal repair surgery until I lose 100 pounds. I had to quit a job I loved and go on disability in my early fifties, and now at 57, I can only walk a very short distance. I had to get a manual wheelchair, and my independence is disappearing day by day. YOU can stick with this if you understand how many great, amazing, wonderful years you have ahead of you with good health! I hope all the beautiful advice that the others posted above will get you past the fear! Praying that you have a great success!

My husband and I both got referred to a kidney specialist because of blood tests that were a little "off." The doctor spent the entire visits telling us about how wonderful it is to cook in a crockpot, and how it is the best way to lose weight. Same conversation at every visit. We stopped seeing her. A few months later, my husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer by another doctor. Maybe if she hadn't been so obsessed with crockpot cooking...