melliegates

I'm officially 8 months out from my surgery. I'm feeling great and can't wait to see what 2016 brings.   

@@skinnybitchgoals
when the last time you could have said that
keep up the good work bud
welcome to onderland
kathy
congrats

WooHoo! Congrats????????

@ melligates I'm so sorry your having so much discomfort but it does get better trust me , I had the Constipation and the barely able to get anything in too but it got better and now everything is goin great and that will happen for you as well. I used the Metamucil in my tea at nite and believe it or not oatmeal for Breakfast works wonders especially if you drink Water trough out the day .. If u have any questions that I can answer I will try????

You look wonderful!! Congrats! I will be 5 weeks post op Friday 19th. How much have you lost at 5 months? I can't wait till I feel like going to the gym. I just still get so tired.

I posted my success story over here:
http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/67034-here-is-what-the-local-paper-had-to-say-about-my-success-story/
I was 437 and now I'm 185. You can read the article in the link and listen to the radio round table I did here if you have any questions. http://www.knpr.org/son/archive/detail2.cfm?SegmentID=9672&ProgramID=2699

Hurting a lot and listening to my knees sounding like rice krispies every time I sat down.
That and going to the drive in movies and feeling the camping chair slowly bend closer to the ground until it wouldn't close up any more.
We wanted to go to Six Flags before school starts but I got so depressed thinking about walking, riding and just sitting while everyone had fun, we decided to cancel. And that depressed me even more. We cancelled a mini vacation because of my weight.
Been toying with the idea of WLS, but I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired, you know?

What was the final thing that you encountered that made you say this is enough? I have had numerous.
1. Leaving a wife and 2 sons, Husbandless and fatherless.
2. Not being able to get on amusement park rides with my sons.
3. Not being able to take my wife to a concert, because i could not fit in a seat.
4. Avoiding restuarant,movie theaters and sports complexes with tiny seats.
For me, walking through a a department store and some little child looking at me like im a alien had to be one the hardest things.
Respectfully,
Joe

I started thinking tonight about a lot of things and I was wondering if it was regret. I started feeling bad because I can't eat two large pizzas anymore in one sitting. I can't fit into my size 38 pants any longer. I can't wear a 2 Xl t shirt any longer.
I can't eat a whole double cheese burger. I can't drink soda. I don't know if I can drink alcohol as I've been afraid to try.
I then realized that all the things that I think I gave up I really needed to give up but I couldn't do it without the help of surgery.
I wanted to change what my future looked like. If we go off of our family history, I was at major risk for Diabetes, high blood pressure, cancers, dementia, seizures etc. I watched my father die of brain cancer, diabetes, dementia etc. My older brother is having seizures and he is huge. I want to tell him I'll pay for his surgery if he'll do it but haven't approached it yet. I am sure his response will be that he is healthy etc and he doesn't need to lose any weight. He's shorter than me (I'm 6 7') and he weighs 380#.
My father was bi-polar and unfortunately I followed that path. He would never see a doctor or get help. I sucked it up and wasn't afraid to see a doctor or take medication for it. After Surgery, I've noticed I'm not depressed and I don't have mood swings any longer. I take no anti-depressants or bi-polar meds any longer.
So I realized that once I looked at the over all picture, I think I made the right decision and I think it was for the best. I'm only 7 weeks post op now, and of course things can change. I might have mood swings again, but hopefully they stay away. Research that I've found suggest that a lot of bi-polar symptoms are related to the food we eat and all the chemicals in the food.
I didn't do this to simply look good. I did it for the health reasons. I can admit, I wanted to be thinner again, but it wasn't the only reason why for the surgery. I didn't want to have ED at the age of 32. I didn't want to be embarrassed every summer when we go on a family vacation and I'm afraid to take my shirt off due to my size. I'm looking forward to Cancun again in 2015.
I would do it all again if I had to.
No regrets. If your feeling regret, look at the whole picture. Think about why you did it. Think about what you are gaining in terms of good health. Think about your spouse/bf/gf/better half etc.
I also found out that the acid pill I needed was available over the counter. I feel so stupid for not finding this out sooner. Amazing what one little pill can do.

I am officially sleeved!!! I can't believe I actually went through with it!
AND...
I feel really good despite some gas pains.
This has been such an awesome day. I'm so happy I have the tool that's going to change my life now.

Thank you tkinsey! I keep trying to sip and constantly have ice chips. Hopefully something changes ????

Don't rush yourself just take your time and heal , I didn't start actually exercising until about 3 months out and i started it very gradually, so just take your time

@claudia2103 Thanks for your help. I will try that at bedtime. I would love to get relief in the morning. Is Metamucil and benifiber similar? You are such an inspiration with your weight loss!! Congrats!! I can't wait to be there!! What do you eat during the day for your meals?

Thanks everyone!! I just need to keep trying and not be discouraged. I am trying walking but will be glad when I can actually workout. I am still a little tender when I bend and I get so exhausted just going to the grocery store at times. It is so nice to have all of you to lean on???? I still grieve wanting to eat but I am being strong and resisting. Just a lil truth????

@ melligates I had the same issue with being very constipated and no amount of drinking helped me.. So my dr had to start me on colace and I didn't get relief from that either so he had me take a Metamucil and that worked ,I would mix it in a cup of hot tea at bedtime and morning came relief???? hope this helps. And I'm 10 months out and my weight was at 384 highest and at my surgery day I was 325 and I'm now 208

In the morning I usually have either a single serving of instant oatmeal or I make a Protein Shake and for my lunch I'll eat something like a slice of cheese with a veggie burger and I'm not a vegetarian but those burgers are so good without bread of course????and maybe a very small salad sometimes I can't eat all the burger so I'll eat half. My meals vary from day to day and I eat 4 small meals a day and I feel good. Congrats on your new journey and if you have any questions feel fee to ask ????

Bene Fiber and Metamucil have different active ingredients. I've been on a fiber supplement daily and it has helped.

@melliegates - Colace is a stool softener. Senekot is a laxative. Things like metamucil and benefiber are Fiber based additives designed to help things along. I never had trouble with Constipation pre-op. In fact I would go 2-3 times a day in average. Post-op I go 1- 2 times a day. There are lots of things you can try such as prunes, prune juice, herbal teas like Smooth Move or Get Regular, a tsp of epsom salt in grapefruit juice are all natural ways to go. In addition to the meatmucil or benefiber type of products. It really becomes a matter of trial and error. I also find a good vigorous workout gets things flowing for me. After my pre-gym Protein Shake, a glass of Water and a good workout, I typically need to go 30 mins after.

yes i had same problem, now i take a stool softener twice a day and Miralax at night and i have no more trouble and lots of Water

Thanks everyone!! I just need to keep trying and not be discouraged. I am trying walking but will be glad when I can actually workout. I am still a little tender when I bend and I get so exhausted just going to the grocery store at times. It is so nice to have all of you to lean on???? I still grieve wanting to eat but I am being strong and resisting. Just a lil truth????