OKCPirate

Do the math and you will figure out that half of the world is below average. WLS people are no different. There is a Bell Curve on intelligence and ability to learn as well as self control. It is not surprising to me that 5-10% of comments are insane. I am actually surprised that these comments are rare enough that it makes so many people on this board stop what they are doing and run to their keyboards. But as far as support groups go, I have been very impressed with this one. I have enjoyed my two years here. I have lurked on others and was not impressed. They were obviously not monitored. I have to give @@Alex Brecher credit for keeping it as sane as it is here.

@@KaiserKid - actually it is really good to get all that worked out in advance. Figure out the worst cases possible, what it takes to minimize the risk. If you can come to grips with everything that could go wrong it makes you stronger and sets you up for long term success. I am not worried about you, it's the polianish people that I'm worried about.

I had liquid Tylenol too, but never needed it. I was given pills (antibiotic and pain meds) and had no problem taking them one day after surgery and the leak test.

Well I guess there is always parts of Chicago or DC...oh wait. Come on, I'm not suggesting Mogadishu most of the drug war in the border has ended. It is like being in any other city of several millions.

Well if it is of any help, my mom went with me to Mexico. She is a retired RN. She made some interesting observations: The big private rooms. She thought they were great, and hadn't seen them since nursing school. Lack of equipment everywhere so fewer surfaces for germs to hang out. They mopped four times a day, again great infection control The constant staff monitoring, she thought it was great to see old school care again instead of people doing endless "CYA" paperwork. In short, we do a bunch of crap in the states because of lawsuits and managed care that are not necessary and in someways bad. My experience was great. I also saw some numbers which showed that the rate of post op infection was lower there for the reasons I mentioned above. I hope your experience was as good as mine.

Much tougher on women than men. (We guys usually can think of ourselves as studs and are not nearly as hard on ourselves as you ladies are on yourselves). Biggest problem is usually anger because you see new superficially from people. You go from invisible to people hitting on you. I won't deny it's hard on ladies. But I have noticed that this passes in a few months as you hit a new normal. Part of it will depend on where you started and how long you have been there. If this is an issue that was acute in High School, it will be really hard. You have time...start working through this book: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659 It was very helpful to me. Good luck and remember, ultimately this is about changing your health for the good.

@@Babbs you are right on Protein and hair loss...a good hunk of it is hormones...http://www.americanhairloss.org/women_hair_loss/causes_of_hair_loss.asp. And when you are losing fat, those bad boys and girls do all sorts of odd things. All you can do is stick to the program. I lost a great deal of hair during that phase, thankfully it came back when everything stabilized. Only difference...its now kind of wavy, and no one knows why.

Six days out...does that mean you are having surgery in six days? If so what this is doing is shrinking your liver making it easier to get the sleeve done (liver right above stomach). Ketosis (https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/keto) is a quick way to make it happen.

@@gomezk2 - glad there are no leaks (though at this point, that would be not related). I have not needed a dilation post surgery. Keep us posted. Someone might be in the same position someday.

@itzbrittaanyx3- Three weeks after surgery, I had to attend a work formal dinner. I'm seated next to a potential First Lady...and I can't eat. I just worked it out with the banquet staff to get me soup. They were very accommodating. Yes, I wanted the filet, but I knew I had to stick with the program. It was fine. No one noticed. Now, in your case, this MIGHT be a clue to some emotional eating issues. Worth discussing with yourself. Is food=family good times? Are there other issues related to this? Your first month is an emotional adjustment. It is a gift to relook at the behaviors that got you to the point of WLS. At this point you are the "pig." (The joke is at an egg and bacon Breakfast, what's the difference between a chicken and a pig? The chicken contributes to the meal, but the pig is committed). So you are in this and committed at this point. But you are getting conflicted feelings and feeling deprived. This is a signal that something is going on. Your mission, find out what it is. My $.02.

@@BigViffer - mine ties to my iPhone so it makes tracking easier. Might be worth the extra $10 to get that option. But avoid the wrist versions which seem to be very inaccurate.

You need a prescription for air. Sorry. I had my PCP write a script for a bipap machine. These are automatic and don't require the pressure calibration. I bought an open box model online for $200. I also tried several masks until I found one I liked. You can probably work out a rental deal with a local medical supply person to see if you will be compliant. Not everyone does well with these devises.

Yes, tastes great, protein, and very filling.

@@Dub brother, that is GREAT FREAKIN news man. Congrats.

If it is a concern, keep a log. The more specifics you can give your doctor the better. The biggest danger/side effect for WLS people is not getting enough Fluid and having gallstones. I don't pee as much either, but I also sweat a great deal during workouts. While caffeine won't dehydrate you, it does seem to kick in the peeing and poop reflex. You are off it and that might be slowing things down.

I just don't watch any reality TV. My ex did though. Many of the Diners and Dives places are really good. But I'll get something tasty and split it with the GF and have leftovers. What is scary is there was a time when I would have had two.

Biggest side effect? Lost a bunch of weight and kept it off two years. Oh yeah climbed a mountain did a 5k and greatly improved my sex life. Other than that, hasn't changed me at all. I wouldn't even have noticed it except I can split an entre and still have leftovers

I wouldn't even have the conversation with myself until you hit goal. Revisit then

Seven miles of new veins with every pound of new fat you gain. That's part of the reason for the high blood pressure when you are fat. With less of your blood going to support the fat, it has more to support down there. It's a wonderful thing. @defibvt I'd say, keep your chin up, but well that seems to happen spontaneous already!

@ - Great issues to be working through pre-surgery. Yes there are internal changes which start to become clear as the external start to show. As you become more physically attractive, it changes the power dynamics in relationships. There are many pages on this site about how women get very uncomfortable for a season when they transform and start becoming visible. These are all very real. IMHO, no reason to ignore the benefits to your health and well being, but these are real issues. A shout out for seeing this in advance. I found this book prior to surgery, and I hope you find it useful: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical/dp/0976852659. Good luck, and way to be aware of the challenge.

It used to be extremely embarrassing, now only moderately so.

I don't know if I miss it, but was wrestling with a big heavy box that we store Christmas stuff in. I had the boys move it the first year after surgery, but when I tried to move it, it moved me. You can't get around some of the rules of physics and mass. But I am glad tennis balls don't go into orbit around me .

@@LipstickLady - Your point is well taken. I have done post in this section where I did ask for women's input. I was thinking this topic was going to go another way, but the best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go askew. And @@BigViffer is going to rank my guy card and kick me out anyway, so we probably won't have this discussion down the road.

I really have no objection, esp. when the women give their perspective on the subject. If I'm wrong, I hope they would tell me, but if they are reinforcing a point that we men need to hear, I'm actually OK with it.

Don't miss my CPAP, blood pressure meds, gout flair ups, not being able to do her favorite position because the gut was in the way, not being able to see "down there", the pain in my knee, taking the walk of shame when the roller coaster bar won't come down, not being able to use the tray top on the plane, and the two hours it seemed to take to cut my toe nails.