built2livenotexist

I'm only a couple of weeks out myself, but i just didn't want the high maintenance that goes with the bypass; vitamin deficiencies, dumping etc. I would have wanted the super quick drastic weight loss though! Also, I have a family history of diverticulitis and other intestinal issues and I'm only 37; I'd hate to have problems with my intestines a decade from now and wind up with a stoma. I want to give myself a chance to treat food properly; I have never done that. I am looking forward to being able make better choices with all types of foods and the bypass wouldn't allow for that. I made the right decision for me.

What a wonderful way to bring in the New Year! Congrats on a powerful positive life changing decision!

I am paraded with this product as well and have mixed into pudding, yogurt, cream soup, apple juice and soy milk. Haven't tasted it at all. I was so over the shakes this works perfectly!

@Rogofulm... maybe you should be a psychologist:) I'm not worried about a negative reaction, but my privacy. There are a few things/conversations I don't have with others which includes my sex life, religion, politics (particularly around social issues) and my health. But let's say I were going to share my truth. .. any thoughts on how to best approach?

Oh, do I ever get it. This was a while back but I went to Cedar Point for my birthday with my now ex-husband and a couple of friends. We waited in a really long line and it took about an hour and a half for a ride that was brand new. I was nervous about fitting the belt but I just barely made it. I wasn't anticipating the over the head and shoulders mechanism not being able to latch securely and that two skinny young employees would come to j form me that I couldn't ride the ride. I had to get off in front of dozens of people and I was mortified. I have a great many embarrassing fast lady moments but that's the worst. Cheer up though; thaws days will soon be a thing of the past

You are not a failure. You made a mistake. I had to do the pre-op diet for 2 weeks which included giving up caffeine and smoking both of which were long time habits for me and it sucked! The diet wound up being the easiest part. This is tough stuff; huge epic changes in lifestyle and thought process. ... there are bound to be some bumps in the road. Be kind to yourself, but don't self-destruct! You're almost there!

Best wishes! Here's a tip. Don't be afraid to ask last minute questions and don't be a caregiver while you need care. Which means; don't be embarrassed or ashamed to push that call light and don't apologize for needing help! You'll do great!

I'm about 12 days post-op and have a wonderful active special needs 3 year old boy who still sleeps in a crib. Here are some tips I can give. Before the surgery, I got my guy a doctor kit and began to explain to him about hurts and boo-boos and laying down to rest when we feel yucky. We took turns being sick and needing rest. Also, I brought the car seat in the house and let him sit in it, get in and out of it so he'd actually know he could do it himself; he'd never really tried as I always picked him up. He's been able to get in and out of the crib by himself forever but sometimes wants mommy to pick him up so I got a chair for him to climb up and I assist him in climbing in and then take the chair with me or I pile up all the pillows from our sofa and let him jump out, making it a game. If you can, do diaper changes on the bed; it's been easy for me with my bed because it's easy to sink into and get up from. Set yourself up with a caddy of diapers and wipes before hand so that you don't have to go back and forth every time. The hardest part is bending over the tub. My solution has been showers with mommy. I bring along some of his toys and tell him he's going to 'play in the inside rain' and so far so good. It's a real good idea to stock up on his non-perishable items before hand so that when your husband goes back to work you can leave the house at your leisure instead of absolutely having to go out. Most importantly, your little one will most definitely benefit from having a healthier happier mommy so try not to feel guilty about upsetting his routine or having a period where you can't do the things you would normally do. Good luck.

Yikes. If you actually think about what an a-hole is...A small foul smelling orifice that poop and hemorrhoids fall out of..yuck. I am an honest person but someone once told me that before I tell someone something I should ask myself if it's kind, necessary and true. This same person also asked me, " Does everyone really need to know what you think and how you feel all the time? " The kind, necessary and true rule helps a lot when I'm offended or angry because when I'm offended or angry my first instincts are neither kind nor necessary. As far, as letting everyone know what I think and how I feel all the time; I want to be a benefit in the lives of others. This starts with not treating others as my emotional dumping ground and understand that my perception and the truth aren't necessarily the same thing. I am cautious because I don't want to be the villain on even one page of some else's story. I don't want to be the horrible lady in someone else's bad day; especially people who I love. I don't always pull it off, but when I do I'm being true to who I am. I'm not advocating being a doormat or letting people speak to you or treat you with disrespect. But, there is a difference between reacting and responding...and retaliating. It costs me nothing to be considerate of the feelings of others before I open my mouth, and I don't require a contingency. I only have to deal with my own reflection.

I'm not a huge yogurt fan either and the kind that I bought pre surgery was organic but had way too much carbs even thought it was Greek, so that's out. I get it.

I told only 2 people; my mother who has always been on my side(and is the guardian of my child in the event of my death) and one girlfriend who I knew I could trust not to tell a soul. Of course, my therapist knows but I've been working on the psychological and emotional issues around food/overeating with her for months. The odd part, is that I didn't tell my 2 best friends because they are both big mouths and I'm sure our entire social circle, which is huge, would know within hours. So, just 2 people in personal life know I was sleeved. I am not a super private person, except when it comes down to my health. I think we all have the right to decide what we share and with whom; whatever the subject matter.

I weighed in at 255 on surgery day which was on the 22nd. As of this morning, I am down 11 pounds which is amazing to me. I began full liquids today and only made it halfway through a cup of Greek yogurt before I felt the restriction. My total loss from Oct 8th to today is 18lbs. I have no idea about how real clothes will fit because I'm still doing yoga pants to try and be easy on my incision sites. My friends remarked that I must've had a wonderful time in Mexico because I look great!

Being fat in our society is up there with being a smoker. People who aren't think it's horrible, disgusting, unattractive, unhealthy,etc. In each case, the non-smoker or nonfat person usually has zero compassion for the difficulty that controlling/quitting entails. The thought process is usually that the fat person/smoker is to blame for being in the position to have to combat such a difficulty and often considered weak or lazy or even stupid for knowingly risking their health and in the case of smokers others as well. I don't think that being fat is my worst quality either, but i can't deny that I hate it.

Congratulations and enjoy the ride!

Good luck this morning!

You're going to need support after the surgery; everything will (should) be different especially your capacity to absorb alcohol. There are the post-op phases too, one of which is. ..liquids. I had to have a heart felt talk with the person I live with who wants the benefits of the surgery for me, but doesn't really want to do anything in a contributory manner. I really had to spill my guts about all the reasons I had decided to have the surgery. The feedback was " Good for you, but I'm not doing it!" was annoyed at first but stayed focused and determined and made small changes as far as how the rest of the house will be eating. As the primary grocery shopper, I slowly stopped bringing in crap into the house, and stopped cooking anything that would go against my new tummy and lifestyle. Even with the support of spouses and loved ones,the bulk of the effort and work has to come from us. I have to be okay with this multi-phasic diet, the incisions, the risks, etc; no one else really has to be on board but me.

I'm always game for a round of TMI:) I was sleeved on 10/22 and started off having liquid bm right off the bat but had my first semi-solid today and I gotta say it didn't feel great, but it wasn't intolerable. I had no narcotics except for the 1st 24 hrs of recovery which may be a factor for me. Also, I'm on clear liquids only; which does not include the protein shakes which is another factor.

I don't feel pitiful still but I'm sorry you do. Days 1-2 were pretty sucky with alot of nausea, vomiting and coughing which hurt the hell out of my incision sites which are tight. Sending good thoughts to you right........now!