pumpkin07

When I came to this board I only saw the upside to the surgery. Lately things are more 'real' and that is fine by me. First or second hand stories, if true, are good things to know.

I think that is so cool!!!! It is fun to lose weight.

I am still looking for our friend "Loser" who went to a certain doctor in Mexico, had complications that were severe but undiagnosed last time we spoke to him here in US, and never posted again. He was having complications and disappeared after previously posting 144 times. Yeah, these things scare the crap out of me.

I remember someone on obesity help with a bad abcess. Definitely you need excellent care and lots of prayer. We'll all be here for you!

I think we are still who we are. Even skinny people like cheetos and a Dr. Pepper or something similar. ENJOY IT. I mean, of course if we live like that then we will not be eating nutritiously. Today I had a bitch of a day at work and I didn't take the time to eat right. Tonight we went to dinner and I still couldn't get much down, but it was better. I hate missing meals with this sleeve.

Hmmm....it could be a lot of things. Maybe he worries you will knock him over the head with that pizza box and run away with the pizza boy when you are able. It happens. Or maybe he won't have anyone to tease and he worries you are upsetting the balance of power in the house. To be honest since I have started losing weight I have been happy I may now live as long as my husband, but now I worry that because he doesn't live on calorie restriction he could go before me. I worry about his eating b/c it was healthy compared to mine, but now not as much. My husband has enjoyed watching me lose weight with this surgery, although he does worry a little more about if I love him, would I ever cheat, etc. I think that is normal. He also still wants attention that I am too tired to give...but he'd still vote for the weight loss and having a hot wife rather than no weight loss surgery. Just like we have little anxieties, so do they. But just don't base your decision on what he says. I mean the bottom line is if we did everything right then we wouldn't have a weight problem, but we have it b/c we couldn't. I admit WLS is the easy way out of a weight problem, but what does it matter if it works? Isn't the point to get the weight off. I feel it is more natural than popping pills to lose weight. And more long term, hopefully. The smoking could be an issue I think, just b/c I have noticed that people with a history of smoking seem to sometimes have more trouble healing. You might talk to your doctor about that. Sounds like you are trying to be as healthy as possible going into surgery, so something to look at. Best wishes.

Well, I had my surgery the day after you did and you are ahead of me by a couple pounds. But from what you wrote, it is hard to see what you are saying exactly. How many ounces can you get down? What kind of variety can you eat now? I think everyone is different, but I can eat half a 4 0z hamburger if I don't eat the top bun - just eating small bites with a fork with a couple tomato slices. So that is about ummm...probably 2 oz of meat and a couple tomato slices. That is a few bites, right? I could maybe eat one taste of a potato but I know fries are not my friend in ANY way. They sort of 'over fill me'. I had this burger easter Sunday when we went out to Breakfast b/c I don't like eggs, couldn't really eat a pancake, I did not know what to order - we were at a diner. So I split a burger with my youngest. Or I can eat a 2.5 oz piece of fish with steamed spinach very easily. Last night I ate a steak and spinach taquito at home with some leftover ribeye. Oh and I did eat ribeye on Easter Sunday with no problem. Chewed well with a potato. OF course I probably only ate 2.5 oz total, maybe 3. But I can eat a pretty good variety of meals now, so it is hard to see from what you are writing how limited you are. I 'can' eat pretty much everything now but 'prefer' (by way of comfortableness factor) to not eat bready stuff, NO spicy stuff (big change for me). Not much fast food at all, more like homemade food. Eating out can still be difficult but I do it sometimes. No green Beans or many vegetables that I used to like. I find the most satisfying meals have 2 items in them - a Protein and a fresh or cooked green or red veggie. I ate a whole homemade crispy taco a few times and was too full... So I don't feel limited in what I can eat anymore. I feel what I can eat now if it did not change would be okay. I still will put more on my plate than I can eat if I'm really hungry, and if I over eat creates a tightness in my throat that I hate. Is that about what you are talking about? Or is it worse than that?

That is right Katt - don't be afraid to not use artificial sweeteners. I think when you are healing it is best to stick to nature not chemicals. Think of how many antibiotics we were given, nausea medicine, etc. I drank weak Kool Aid with sugar b/c I felt I needed it. If something sounds horrible, why do it, to me it is important to listen to your body. After I drank my big kool aid every day (20 oz with half sugar) then after a few weeks I didn't want it anymore. Then I switched to a touch of agave b/c I don't have Stevia and didn't like it once before. Slowly just learning to drink with less sweetness. I will go to McD's and get an iced tea and get unsweet with a tad of sugar. For me, moderation works. I get so pissed if you ask them to mix it in the drive through b/c they always give me syrupy sweet tea. YUCK.

I know, it is hard when it is something you bought that is NICE and good quality. I keep trying to wear stuff that is too big and I look ridiculous. I haven't bought much either. I've tried to look at how to cut stuff down, but I'm clueless too. I guess eventually you'll get rid of it. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Maybe start with the bigger clothes. OR MAKE A QUILT...you can give it to a quilt maker and they can make you some nice things.

It really tickled me to read your post. But I know what you mean...dating is hard work. I remember when I met my husband and we went out a lot initially, well actually for a long time. It was hard work to have the right clothes ready, to not have time to watch all my TV shows, etc. I was having so much fun, but so tired. I just wished for breaks sometimes. I still miss my leisurely life with my simple schedule. Work til 3 - Oprah at 4 - taking a nap - going for an evening swim - maybe out to dinner with a friend - keeping a journal - and off to bed. Makes me yawn to think about it. No kids, no huge worries. Now I'm busy busy with kids and husband, cooking for other people. Craziness. I think you called it though, since you are not sleeping with either one then to me it isn't at the level that it should be an issue. I wouldn't make it an issue until you see someone getting more serious. I think in a dating relationship when someone is feeling serious they should communicate that and ask to be exclusive. And then you may be faced with a choice. But you are not there yet. Now if I were on the other end of the equation, yeah, that wouldn't feel great. But they could be dating or looking around too, or not looking for a serious committed relationship. So we shouldn't assume that they are looking for that. But did this happen before you lost 102 lbs? hmmm....maybe. But I have lost enough weight lately that I see people treating me differently too. It is so weird how our society is towards fat people - it is hard to be taken seriously when you are very overweight. At least that is how I feel. Often ignored. I've been up and down with weight enough in my life to know the difference in how people treat me. I have sure had a lot more people wanting to talk to me lately in public, and the landscapers are starting to look my way at the gas pumps. Thats when you know you are losing weight when you go to the gas station and the trucks full of lawn guys are all starting to look. haha The first few times I was like, OMG, do I know that person? Why are they looking at me? Is my car on fire? heehee But then I remember no, just passing down to a decent weight and they are noticing a cute chic. hahahahahha This weight loss surgery really is a blessing. Not that I want people looking, but it feels good to be in the mainstream of society again.

Cajun that is soooooooooooo terrific. You are doing so well. I'm not morbid, but still OBESE. But looking forward to OVERWEIGHT. haha. I guess we all look at those same charts. You are doing great.

I can make a list I think I've tried it all... I pretty much eat like I used to, but less. However, that said... some things I eat seem to go straight to my stomach, but a LOT of times after I eat something I love like a true comfort food I don't really feel full in my stomach but have a tightness or uncomfortableness in my THROAT. Does anyone else get this? Maybe from overeating sometimes, but also just from what it is and maybe from also not being able to chew it down enough. The worst part is it takes away the satisfying feeling of the meal b/c it is like it is just stuck up there and I can't feel whether or not my tummy is happy. Even if well chewed, just the type of food I think. And things that do that throat thing to me are Chinese food (any I think b/c I love it and overeat or b/c I try to eat Soup first which doesn't agree with my sleeve); any tortilla other than a crispy prefried tostada, breads that are not very well toasted, eggs, refried Beans, tuna salad (ooooh not a good experience for me), fish that is a little tougher, rice and probably Pasta although haven't done that yet. Oh and FRENCH FRIES - they are a meal killer for me. But the great news was I had 3.5 fried shrimp at my FAVORITE boat, and it went all the way down. I haven't had any in 2 mos, but was so excited it made it to the stomach and happily skipped by the throat. But promise you if I ate even one of those darn french fries I would be all chokey like in my throat for a while and not feel really satisfied. Mashed potatoes do well, but a lot of thick things don't do as great. Fresh steamed spinach is great, crab cakes are great too...the best with spinach. Pairing the crab cakes with spinach is MUCH better than pairing with something thick. We eat a lot of eggs with refried black beans and bread b/c my husband is from Mexico. And salsa But I can toast the french bread well and eat it with the beans and tiny bit of salsa and be fine. But kind of like french fries, eggs change it all up and make it a not satisfying meal for me. Liquidy Soups just don't work for me. Feels like the next thing I eat floats up into my throat. Creamy soups do better for me. Beef Jerky and sunflower seeds are what I eat when I just need to chew for a while. Frito Lay brand sunflower seeds are not as salty, but I don't eat the shell, be careful.

I know it is real scarey. I am sure an RN might respond, but I'd say make sure you get your Water both before and after surgery. I got dehydrated, perhaps was dehydrated when I went into surgery, which made my IV difficult and can lead to clotting. Also you could just make certain you truly have an excellent doctor. They can be Centers of Excellence and not be excellent. You should be able to see a lot of reviews on line.

Oh that is so funny. I absolutely have an aversion to those pork rinds big time, BUT I have my own little addiction...sunflower seeds in the shell (SALT CITY). I'm growing tired of them, thankfully.

I can't add anything, I just hope all goes well for you.

When pre-op on liquid diet I was a total bitch. I hated that. Then the week after surgery, or sometimes 2 weeks I was in my own little pity world. You are entitled.

seems like the surgeon could write it as he is a doc, just backdate

Interesting....b/c my husband works for a Texas company and we have United Healthcare and ALL weightloss surguries & complications are excluded. But someone close to me also has United Healthcare and she can get the sleeve, bypass, or lap band covered but their employer is not based out of Texas, I think it is California. I don't know. I was mad but didn't know what to do so I just paid for it. Frustrating b/c we pay a ton for insurance. And scarey, because what if I have complications?

Too funny. GO buy you those pants today girl. Wow you have had fantastic weight loss ASH!

I'm not sure, but if I was single I would have saved a lot of money on food after surgery. So be sure and factor that into your budget. I was probably eating more than $350.00 a month in food I didn't need.

Hmmmm....that is very interesting that your family feels you can't do it. But I guess the sleeve takes the willpower away if that is their concern. I do still have the same wishes AT TIMES that I could stuff my face, but guess what - I CANNOT. After this surgery you physically cannot make a habit of overeating b/c it honestly is a miserable outcome. Overeating isn't exactly PLEASANT so once you do that a few times you figure out that is not the route to go. For me I made the decision to have surgery BECAUSE I could eat the same but less than I would normally, and because I wanted to be here for my kids longer and my husband longer. I didn't have major co-morbidities yet but I was really starting to show little signs of developing them. Since the surgery, which I've only lost 30 lbs so far (6 weeks) but I was just a little over 200 to start with, I no longer snore and physically I feel more capable than I did before the surgery. At home I now weight 184 and that is pretty cool - I haven't seen that weight in almost 12 years. I'm sure my cholesterol and tryglycerides have probably gone down which they were slightly elevated, but I haven't had them checked. But I've lost like all the weight I gained at least in the last 12 years so far so I'm certain it made a difference. I mean, given a choice, better to do this when you are overweight but relatively healthy otherwise , right? Also, an overweight parent can teach their child really bad habits. I did with my first who is 11 now and already has a weight problem. He eats terrible, even worse than I did as a kid I believe. My youngest one has more of a chance of not developing a weight problem b/c I have some control. Honestly now that I have some control it hurts me to see people eat terrible things constantly. Not in a judgemental way exactly, but like wow, I would hate for them to have to have surgery later to correct their problem in the way I did. Like my son downing Dr. Pepper one after another and eating candy and Cereal too much. We just started him in counseling and I hope it leads to a weight loss program for him but I need to get his head around it first. He is so resistant. As for me, if I did not have this surgery I would not stop eating wrong/over eating, period. I could never stay on a diet, just no will power. I have friends/relatives that can diet endlessly. I could not. So this made sense for me and I did it. Saying that, I had true regrets after surgery for a week or two and wanted to go get my tummy from the trash and put it back in. I was in shock b/c I was totally used to eating whatever I wanted/whenever I wanted. After surgery was a total panic state for me for a little while. I cried, I regretted, I mourned the big ole piece of fried chicken I was afraid I'd never taste again and the pizza pig outs with soda in hand, trips to Mexico eating everything/everywhere. But I just shed those tears to get them out and after a few days I got a grip. You have no choice with this surgery b/c once it is done, that is it. Those days are gone. While your stomach is healing your mind is starting to get itself around the new you. A taste here and there of those favorite things begins to satisfy, it truly does. Yesterday for lunch, at Sam's, my son ordered a hot dog and I helped him eat it - together we only finished half (he is almost 3 yo). I chewed really well. My husband had Sam's pizza and I snagged a corner of it and ate that and enjoyed the couple bites. The pepperoni was kinda crunchy and great. But no one finished that piece of pizza. Then for dinner, we went out b/c we were busy all day. My son bought a big hamburger at a nice restaurant last night and instead of ordering dinner I took a part of that, probably 1/5 of it (it was a huge burger, 1/2 lb) and we ordered all the toppings on the side. I took my piece and dressed it up with all the trimmings and ate it slowly with a fork and it was fantastic. I had lettuce, tomato, bacon pieces, mushrooms, onion, and mayo. I didn't eat all the bread b/c I honestly didn't want so much bread - but the meat, some bread, and some trimmings. That was my choice - focusing on the Protein, etc. Then my husband had some great shrimp tacos (at the same hamburger dinner) and I was full from the burger but I tasted a little piece of shrimp and it was good but guess what I WAS FULL. I could have brought it home, but he ate it all. I have seen people on this sight get sick and stay sick. There are risks. It worries me so much. I think surgeon's skill and your body's ability to heal well is a big part of it. But also, you do need support from someone just to listen to you without being critical. Perhaps the doctor can best assess your body's ability to heal. Maybe take a trip down there with your support person to see how things might go. There are great surgeons here in the states too. My insurance did not cover and they also did not cover complications (shame on them). So I paid cash here and really worried about complications, but I really didn't have anything major.

I had nausea in the hospital also. I kept throwing up old blood and maybe medication. It seemed like I was going to throw up until every little speck of it was out. I realized this and started not taking the nausea medicine b/c I wanted to get it out of my system. That worked for me. I was in the hospital 3 days and I felt horrible and was totally out of it and kinda scared what have I done, etc. But hang in there, once they tell you to take a shower and go home you will probably rise to the occasion and feel better.

Remember "Loser", he had gotten sick and has not been on in a while. I PMed him and no response. He is in my zip code but no idea how to find him. Just Loser, if you are out there please let us know how you are and if you need any help/support. If anyone knows how he is please let me know b/c I find myself worrying if he is okay. Thanks.

Yeah word to the wise - don't plan surgery near your menstrual cycle dates... I started the day AFTER surgery but worried a lot while on the 'table'.

I'm thinking WHISH WHISH HELLO? HI SO NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU? HELLO? HELLO? CAN"T HEAR YOU UNCLE BOB. WHISH SWISH MUST BE A BAD CONNECTION. LOVE YOU WHISH WHISH WE WILL TALK AGAIN SO- "CLiCK"