gigim84

I have to admit I used to be one that thought surgery was the easy way out. However, being 7 weeks out now, I can say this is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but also the most rewarding.

@@KMendez325 I hate that, too. I had a family member tell me to try doing it the natural way. I was like....have you not watched me yoyo since 1998???
Be strong! I think electing to go with surgery is a strong and resolute action.

That is absolutely ridiculous! I don't think being overweight is a good thing I think it's horrible for our health but that kind of rudeness in not acceptable!

Thank you for your kind words.

That's sad I hate that you haven't found any good ones. I have had some great long term relationships. My boyfriend now will most likely be my husband he is wonderful and loves me for me big or lil. Hopefully after your surgery you will find what your looking for

That's sad I hate that you haven't found any good ones. I have had some great long term relationships. My boyfriend now will most likely be my husband he is wonderful and loves me for me big or lil. Hopefully after your surgery you will find what your looking for

Yes back fat! I never had a problem dating lots of men like big woman but I can't wait to feel good naked o hate feeling ashamed.

Ahhhh I can't wait for a dating life...I've been single about 8 years????????????
So tired of people asking when I'm gonna get married and have children.
And yes that awful back fat has got to go!

I've only told husband and two kids, who basically needed to know because they live with me. I haven't told my parents, haven't outright told my co-workers, my brother, etc.
My parents and brother would probably be really supportive, but I didn't want to because I felt this was my own thing and none of their business (we're a dysfunctional family, very long story). My mom has actually been asking me to get a surgery like this for some time and my brother's wife confessed to me she will be getting this surgery. So I know I'm in good company, even if they don't have a clue what I'm doing.
I forbade my husband from telling his family, and will have to Force choke him if he does :-P His father, in particular, is sexist and judgmental, and I absolutely don't feel like fielding his questions/ignorant insinuations as to Why were you so lazy and didn't just diet and exercise? and I don't want my tax dollars to pay for your $XXX procedure, damn Obamacare blah blah blah

I haven’t told my family, I just told one member after the surgery. I did say I was having surgery though, God forbid something happened to me I wanted them to know where I went and that I loved them. My reasoning is because its personal and I rather do it at my own time and I have one member of my family that is the human social media. Once they know, people in China will be tweeting about it. So I have to wait get my health back to normal and my routine in tact. As for the holidays, I do not like lying. I would say I don’t want, can’t have or something that is closer to the truth. Eventually it will be known so just take it slow and do what feels comfortable. For me it will be once I am feeling like my normal self. I am not ashamed, I just need time to deal with this life change before I start letting others give me their unwanted 2 cents.

My 2nd chin...????

You can't control how anyone reacts.... I've only told my parents ( my mom is from NYC, so she probably told the while neighborhood, I truly don't care)my husband and kids... To me it's not a secret, but a personal choice for me to be healthier.... Are you ok hiding in a hotel room after surgery? You may want to sit down and TELL not ask, her what you've chosen to do in order for you to be healthier...don't go seeking her approval, you may not get it, that's her issue.... But don't hide! This is the beginning of your next chapter!!!! ❤️

I had to stop cold turkey (no pun intended on this Thanksgiving Day) about a year before surgery. I was having a really hard time of it with reflux and diverticulitis, and a endscopy showed that I had a severe inflammation in my stomach and esophagus. The doctor put me on a no caffein, acids, hot sauce etc. regime to help.it calm down before I got full-blown ulcers. It was hard for a few days, especially since there are other soda pop drinkers in the house. But I had to decide if it was worth the pain of stomach ulcers.
My biggest problem with giving up certain things is not that my stomach wanted that stuff, but my taste buds wanted it. The advantage to that now is that either it's the medications, or the ketosis, or something phisiologic about the change in out stomachs - food and drinks (for most of us) just do not taste the same post-op. Old favorites are blech! and new things are hmmmm not so bad.
If you can get past a couple of days, you should be alright. My guess is that as soon as you ditch the soda and cut back on starchy carbs, any bloat that you have will start to disappear. You just have to think differently to feel differently.

I have not had surgery, but I drink real cokes! I quit, not for the surgery part but what I read about drinking cokes scared me to death! They really are not good for you! Alzheimer's has not been proven, but seems to be found in people that are heavy drinkers of coke! What I found that works for the caffeine headaches was to take Advil Migraine or/and phenergrine! Good Luck!

Hi! I'm Linda Reynolds from Indianapolis, IN and I was banded on 3-20-03 by Bradley Needleman at Ohio State Univ. Hospital. So far I have lost 34# and I am very pleased with the band and the control it gives me.
This site is great, but I'm a little intimidated as I'm not too computer savvy. It's very busy! lol I was asking my husband questions and he said that's just computer language. Duh, no wonder I can't understand what's going on!!
I'll warn everybody now that I'm a reader, not a big poster, unless I feel I have something relevant to say. Can you receive the posts in digest form?
Anyway, I look forward to reading and sharing. Best of luck to all that have the band and those who are waiting!

Went to the movies last night and It was a packed house 3 hr movie that was awesome but I hurt on both sides I had no place for my arms and felt like I was crowding my boyfriend and daughter look over and a woman my age was curling up both feet in her chair. I almost cried!!!! That is what I will never miss that horrible feeling when I really see exactly how big I let myself get.

Went to the movies last night and It was a packed house 3 hr movie that was awesome but I hurt on both sides I had no place for my arms and felt like I was crowding my boyfriend and daughter look over and a woman my age was curling up both feet in her chair. I almost cried!!!! That is what I will never miss that horrible feeling when I really see exactly how big I let myself get.

I've noticed that since my surgery I can't tolerate most medications. I've not had any alcohol yet though I suspect today I'm going to test the waters.
I take Xanax for anxiety. I used to take 2 MG and it would calm me down. Now I take 2 MG and it makes me sleepy as ever.
I also used to be able to take adderall XR but something about the gastric sleeve and the way it absorbs makes it not effective. Instant release is fine.
As far as addictions, I don't think I have any to drugs or alcohol since my surgery. Def. not Alcohol as I haven't had any.

It is very common.

yes, cross addiction is very common. In many cases, we are "addicted" to food....we use it when we are stressed, sad, happy, depressed, etc. We use it to Celebrate and to soothe us in bad times. A big part of successful WLS is learning how to not use food this way. We have to find another way to deal with our emotions. And yes, in many cases, food is simply replaced with another addiction.... shopping, gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, exercise, etc.
This is where the psych eval, counseling and therapy comes in. You have to find a constructive way to deal with the mental and emotional aspects of your relationship with food. Alcoholism and drug addiction are definitely seen in post WLS patients.

My surgeon mentioned it on several occasions. Sees more folks become alcoholics with RNY rather than VSG. That's what his take was.

Now that I'm 3.5 months out - I'll tell you what I don't miss the most. Of course i don't miss shopping in the plus size or taking the elevator instead of the stairs, or squeezing into a theater seat -- but the most significant difference is that I don't have the constant underlying worry about my weight. I know I've got it this time. I know what I have to do. I have a medical team that supports me. I have NO DOUBT. It is a very, very liberating feeling and I hope that all of you who are pre-op will experience it too.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Ellen

I'm right behind you at 3 months out. I stopped worrying about if I'm going to make a chair break due to my weight. I shop at regular size stores. I am wearing prettier clothes and makeup again. (These make me feel good.) There have been tremendous sacrifices and life has changed on this adventure. A lot of work would be an understatement. I am constantly aware of what I'm eating to ensure adequate nutrition. I can run after my daughter when we play chase now. Next year, I will go back to scuba diving.

I've not had a boyfriend in....since I was....ummm....12 years old. I'm 32 ???? so I look forward to an actual dating life! I look forward to enjoying shopping again. I look forward to wearing my stilettos again!!! Oh how I miss performing and singing in church in my stilettos!!! People are starting to look at me crazy because I don't wear them anymore. Smh!

I will not miss the judgment from others. The 6 pills I take a day to keep my blood pressure down not get diabetes. I can't wait to wear high heals run and play with my children for hours at the park. I want to feel as beautiful as my boyfriend thinks I am. I want to run naked on my wedding night and not be ashamed!