OKCPirate

I was thinking about it, and I could not think of anything better than encouraging someone who was considering WLS. I thought it was very appropriate.

I always found comfort by reading through this section...http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/195065-you-know-you-lost-weight-when/ I could really relate and it reminded me why I was doing this. It is about you, your health and living life abundently. Others can't do that for you, you have to do it yourself. It has been and continues to be a great journey for me. Good luck.

@4MRB4PHOTO - this title was mean. I think someone should be salacious and hijack this post. I'll start Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me... I'll finish this when I get close to post 2000 Now to make good on my threat... Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me. Less than two years ago, I was over 300 pounds. I had a girl friend, and while I enjoyed our moments of passion together, it was embarrassing being sweaty and out of breath. Then I did something radical. After hearing a pod cast about being fat in America I heard about the success rates with WLS. I remember saying BS when I heard the stats, but dang if they were not true. So I signed up. Went to Mexico and had a big hunk of my stomach permanently removed. Now this is where it gets salacious. After two months I lost a tremendous amount of weight. I was actually getting close to the size I was in college. As you might imagine, this did wonders for my confidence. But what I didn't know is my body was dumpling hormones at the rate of incredible out of my fat cells. So I am now experiencing Adolescences part II. But this time I know what I am doing. I don't know if I was releasing a pheromone cloud, but every first date I would end up in bed with someone. It was absolutely wild. Do I recommend it? NO. Was it fun at the time? Well yeah, because it was new, novel and your self estimime takes such a hit being fat, that suddenly being attractive is a rush. After a while I found myself with an odd little "harem." I had 5 women who didn't want a relationship, but enjoyed other things. Where was this when I was 17? It got complicated. One day I was literally with three different women. But thanks to the hormone dump aided adolescences, that really wasn't a problem even in my 50's. The stupidity of this situation finally dawned on me, and I broke up the band. I met "the ONE." The most emotionally healthy woman I know. Beautiful, intelligent, and makes me feel more at peace than anyone...ever. So moral of the story...quality trumps quantity anytime and I think I can prove it. Enjoy the journey.

Usually a wee bit of water is all that is required.

I started dropping off stuff to good will as quickly as possible, except for shirts.... http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/345874-fun-use-for-big-clothes/

I eat it all the time. I have for six months post surgery.

I felt I had to tell a few that I was partnered with and major consulting clients. I also felt that I needed to tell my kids and ex-wife because we shared custody and I was going to Mexico for elective surgery. I found from telling this small group[ of people that I felt I "had to" that telling the rest of the world is a bad idea. There is so much misinformation and screwy opinions, it just wasn't worth it. When an obviously heavy friend asks me what happened, I will pull them aside and explain the ins and outs, but for someone who has a weight related vanity problem, I just stick to "I ate less, moved more" which is technically true.

Bastards. All the problems going on in the world and now they do this

I said I was in the minority. There is a reason they are still in business, some of us can put up with it.

Alex, I think I am going to reject the premise of this question. I can't think of anything awkward post surgery. NOW pre-surgery there were some strained conversations with some very specific co-workers (I consult and I needed to let them know I could possibly be out of pocket for weeks). But everything went very well and the team (as well as myself) are very pleased with the results.

@@UCLA man - glad I didn't have the catheter. Sorry you had to deal with that. Not every surgeon does it.

I am Scotch/Irish which means I am cheap. The part that ticks me off is I will NEVER go to an all you can eat buffet. EVER. Those buggers got my last dime pre-surgery, I know I will never eat enough to make it worth while to ever go in there again.

Huh? You can't drink calories? OK, I know I'm being a sleeve elitist, but the reality is the same.

@BigViffer- I think you have stumbled onto something. When I was working on getting my black belt (a real one not one you purchase), I would get in these off periods where I could not progress. My sensei said, "quit, go home for two weeks, no Karate." It was amazing coming back after the break. I was smoother, fresher, ready to damn take on the world. So I suspect the change of pace kicked in for you too. Congrats. It's needed sometimes. I do it without a gym remodel. Sometimes you just need to completely change things wither we want it or not.

Eh, I have been an MP, a soldier (started as a private, made it to SGT, and then was commissioned , ended my time as a Captain). I invaded Panama, I have had people shoot at me and I have shot back. So please keep that in mind when I say this. Statistically, even with all this crap going on at the moment, you are more likely to be killed on the job if you are a taxi driver or 7-11 clerk than a cop. Sorry, but that is the facts. Being a police officer is statistically a very safe job. Yes there is a great deal of media coverage on this at the moment, but numbers are what they are. I like most of the cops I know. But about 10% of them are sociopaths. There damn unions won't get rid of them, and that minority is giving the rest a very bad reputation. Until they or the civilian authorities start cleaning house and stop the militarization of the police force it is just going to get worse. I am not black lives/blue lives...I am ALL lives matter. Now I will get off that soap box. That said, I really don't get all wrapped around the axells with a handful of idiots on this or any other site. Life if too short.

@@KCNielsen - How old are you? That would help with the skin question. The younger you are the better. If you waited as long as I did, thank goodness for compression stuff. Which will hold me in place until plastics. :-) Have you tried Isopure (http://www.gnc.com/Natures-Best-Isopure-Zero-Carb-Blue-Raspberry/product.jsp?productId=2715479&KPID=3690813&mr:trackingCode=712BA28D-1D3C-E311-89F9-BC305BF923E4&mr:referralID=NA&mr:filter=172553627354&mr:tid=pla-172553627354&c3ch=PLA&mr:ploc=9026283&mr:ad=104095794314&mr:iloc=&mr:store=&mr:device=c&mr:match=&CAWELAID=2715479&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:keyword=&c3nid=3690813&pla=pla_3690813&gclid=CjwKEAjw_LG8BRDb1JTxm8uP_UwSJADu_8pWm2LVlkKUtK8WChjjPpwETUdAZ0y-AdsNkCs_nhO_-BoCkEbw_wcB&eesource=CAPLA_DF:2715479:GNC)? I liked this stuff though I am in the minority. It gave me 40g of Protein and it was clear liquid for the first week. Clear liquids for a week so you help heal the staple line and then you keep getting thicker for a month.

Stay out of the sun, hot tubs and tanning beds. Keep the temp down on your showers and tubs. Skin is the largest organ in your body, treat it with respect. Lots of Water and Protein. It also helps if you did a good job of picking your parents, but that is one thing you can't control (genetics is a big factor). ;-0

@@bellabeans - the point of the pre-op diet is to shrink your liver. The surgeons come in from below your ribs and they want your liver out of the way. Don't cheat on this. If they have to move the liver out of the way it creates complications. Because I stuck to the program, my surgeon had a straight shot, and I was out for 25 minutes. Cut my recovery time down significantly. I didn't cheat, I wanted to get in and out.

I flew 3 hours back home. The biggest thing, keeping my carry on light and remembering not to eat the peanuts they kept giving me. (no kidding, I almost did it without thinking). It was really dang easy for me. Good luck, and way to get ahead of this, no scaring on my end. But I'm a hairy guy, so I can cover things up

Just woke up and started walking. Dangist thing, but that's what happened.

@@SuzieQ56 This is interesting and thanks for mentioning. I have been breaking up my welbutrin into two haldves every morning, because it wasn't having the same effect I remember years ago. (I use a pharmaceutical crucible to make it happen). Did I mention I really like the internet?

Damn, this is really good. Can someone put this on a billboard or something? This is about perfect.

@@purpletmar This is a great story. I really wish I had something to add, but I am looking forward to hearing the rest of the discussion.

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one. I was at an OU football game a few days after surgery. I was so damn bored in Mexico I went to the mall across the street (well boulevard, if you want some excitement cross a Mexican boulevard). I am so glad it went well for you.

@biglady904 I hope you will take the advise of... @KristenLe@Inner Surfer Girl I really do think think they know what they are talking about. I am much older than you. I get it. I have my kids nearly out of the house and we are in a much different place, but I think their suggestions may be spot on. So please let them know if it was helpful.