no onions

This is my first post, but I didn't know who else I could share my experience with who would actually appreciate the fun and joy of going shopping for real clothes in the mall. I've been trying to not buy anything new since my surgery back in November. I didn't want to waste money when I could see that my size was getting smaller each week. Even when the scale only changed a pound, my body changed a lot.
So my daughter and I decided to waste some time in the mall yesterday. Macy's had racks and racks of clearance items and lord knows I need sweaters that fit since I'm always cold since I had surgery (even living in sunny, but chilly, North Florida). So my daughter kept pulling these really pretty sweaters off the rack and begging me to try them on. Size Large when I was 2X 11 weeks ago. Then she kept telling me to look at my profile....."Mom you are so skinny"! I kept looking in the mirror and seeing a "skinny" version on myself. Then my daughter tells my how proud she is of me for changing my life. She's my youngest, only 20 yrs old, and she tells me she wants me to live a very long time so I can enjoy all her first....engagement, marriage, grandchildren etc.
I thought I had this surgery for me. To improve my health for me. Now I understand I did it for my family as much as for myself. My sons and husband weren't real supportive of my decision, but now the three of them are also commenting about how much better I look. That I look younger, have more energy. This morning as I was thinking of which new sweater I'm going to wear today, I was overcome thinking how much my family loves me. Sometimes it's easy to forget you're loved until you open your heart and listen to what they say (even when it's not "I love you"). I feel blessed and hope that many of you feel the same way!

Following. I suffer for the same thing! My surgery is 2/19 for WL. My mom, who had gastric bypass, and I call it "gallbladder dumping syndrome". So uncomfortable! The only time I didn't experience it was while pregnant - it made my stools normal!

I am very interested in knowing more about this issue! I have had my Gall bladder removed 11 years ago and My bowls play up all the time !! Even a small take out coffee has me running to the toliet ! I am worried after having my Sleeve done that this will get worse !

I had the same issue after my gall bladder surgery 7 years ago. I found a pill form of cholestyramine called Welchol and was able to convince my doctor to let me try that instead of the powder. It has worked well all this time and also made my cholesterol amazing. (It's a cholesterol medication.) Before my bypass, I asked my surgeon if it surgery would effect this either negatively or positively. He said probably neither. He also said only about 3% of people get bile salt diarrhea after gall bladder surgery. Anyway, mine has actually been better. I only take 1/2 a pill now and only once every couple of weeks instead of a whole one every day.

I had my gall bladder removed 5 years ago and suffered for about 4 years with bile acid diarrhea before starting on the cholestyramine, and it works great! Wish I had tried it much earlier. I also asked my surgeon if I'd be able to continue taking it after sleeve surgery and he said he didn't see any reason why not. He did mention that most patients complain of Constipation after surgery, so this could end up being a non-issue. In fact, this has turned out to be the case. I had my sleeve done on 1/07/15 and so far I've only taken 1 dose of the cholestyramine, simply because I thought I "should". I haven't taken any more in the past 15 days and have no diarrhea problems. Now, will that change when I'm able to eat more? We'll have to see. I'm just grateful that the medicine is available for us "3% ers"!

Technology is amazing! I won't lie, the picture you linked - I thought it looked like some kind of robotic spider.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/med-tech/the-robotic-doctor-is-in-15204883

We are redoing our bathroom and I considered getting one of these...
Just for general purposes - I haven't had surgery yet so cannot speak to this possible issue. If I have surgery and this becomes an issue then I might break down and buy this seat.
Purefresh Scented and Lighted Toilet Seat
http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Purefresh-Scented-and-Lighted-Toilet-Seat/content/CNT115100007.htm

Well, as i like to say... "my give a damn is busted" these days....
Really, I am just not as willing to be the smiling, happy, jovial fat girl anymore.
I have grown fond of quoting country western songs... so bear with me... but one of my themes is "I'd rather have nothing than a whole lotta something I don't need". Meaning, I only want people in my life who are true friends and bring a good energy into my life. Relationships have changed.
But I also agree with what everyone else said - the crankiness should be temporary. The being less concerned about what others think/or feeling the need to sort of fit in seems to be a permanent change.

I feel like people have opinions on this topic (Obamacare) that are not supported by facts.
I cannot find any rational (legit) source that indicates mom & pop pharmacies are being destroyed (by Obamacare).
Now -- I did find an older article that said the Express Scripts-Medco merger could have a negative effect on independents.

So earlier this evening I mooned a group of my friends. Just about walked out of my pants. We were all laughing.. Nearly peeing my oversized pants. So I'm proactively bagging up all the super baggy stuff. I don't need to keep it "just in case." Think I'm gonna drop it off at a non profit tomorrow. ????????

I had doubts the night before also, getting changed into the hospital gown the next day I was about to break down and just walk out but I know I couldn't do it any other way.
I went thru with the surgery and only being two days out I am in some discomfort but glad I did it and looking forward to the next chapter in my life.
Good luck with surgery if you do proceed.

Had my phone apt with UHC nurse Rebekah from Minnesota. Very nice lady. She said I met all criteria. Only thing left for me was to meet with the Dr, do a psych eval, and any labs the KC Bariatrics center required. She anticipated I would be sleeved in 2 months or less. YAY ME!!

My name is Theresa but everyone calls me Tree! I am 42 years old and my surgery is scheduled for March 11th! My husband had his surgery Sept 30th and is down right at 50 lbs. He is losing slow but we are ok with that, he is losing and he has more energy than I have ever seen him have. (currently he is in the other room lifting weights - so proud of him)!!!! Just found this website tonight and so excited to be here! Looking forward to connecting and sharing my progress along the way! So far I have met with surgen, sonogram of gall bladder done, and met with nutrionist. I have psych eval, EDG, and heart clearance to go! Oh and the ever wonderful prediet! So far so good!

I don't understand the feeling of "cheating" because you had weight loss surgery. Is having surgery for any other medical problem cheating? Is calling a plumber when you have a plumbing issue cheating? Is taking your car to a mechanic instead of fixing it yourself cheating? Is shopping at a grocery store instead of growing and raising your own food cheating? I'm pretty sure I could go on here, but you get the point.
"Hey Bob, my appendix were about to rupture, so I cheated and had them removed." Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?
If someone thinks you are a cheater for taking care of a medical issue, they are probably not someone you need in your life anyway. Screw em.

I don't know why, probably the late hour and the need for sleep, but the cat picture posted a few screens up (flounce flounce) made me think of Toonces the "Driving Cat" ... flounce. You know this cat flounces out to his/her car and flounces on down the road listening to... metal? pop? npr?

I don't know why, probably the late hour and the need for sleep, but the cat picture posted a few screens up (flounce flounce) made me think of Toonces the "Driving Cat" ... flounce. You know this cat flounces out to his/her car and flounces on down the road listening to... metal? pop? npr?

Well, I'm one year today from my sleeve surgery. Not quite at my goal, but still a major accomplishment so far. I went from wearing 55 pants to 34's and XXL shirts to Mediums. From never stepping foot in a Gym to 2-3 times a week and riding my bicycle every night for about 10 miles. The stalls did start going longer and longer so I've had to step up the exercises to keep the weight coming off. I have been eating alot (between 100 to 200g) of Protein daily and that has really benefited me in my workouts and exercises. I have noticed a real increase in muscle and strength.
I've already planned a spring snow skiing trip, (first one in about 8 years) so I now have added motivation to hit my goal weight mark. (And I WILL !!!)
I've had many other surgeries (including replacing both knees, so I was prepared for the long haul. And while the other surgeries I had all provided me with great benefits.......nothing compares to the total exhilaration of getting close to my goal weight and all the changes of a healthy and energized body.
So any of you out there that are bummed by stalls or tripping over occasional bouts of depression........Stay with it......think of the goal.....Keep up the effort......and you WILL get there and you too will get to enjoy this experience.

Hi I had my surgery back in May 2014. Just wondering how you guys are doing and if you will like to share any pictures and how you guys are doing.
I'm doing great I work out 3 to 4 days a week for at least an hour. I have a full time job and two kids n a hubby and I'm still attending college so sometimes is hard. I do have a very supported husband and mom so that's a big help.
HW:267lbs
SW:252lbs
CW:183lbs
I'm actually very proud of my so far outcome and my goal is 147lbs by my birthday April 28.
Attached are some Before and After pictures

Got my 1st surgeons appt on 1/26!!

Hi everyone. I'm Eli and in two weeks I am going in for the gastric sleeve surgery and I'm a bit anxious, excited, nervous, hopeful, dubious and ready for the life changes ahead. I'm 40 and I've been overweight since the age of ten. Of course back then it was an extra 10lbs, an extra 30lbs in high school, 60lbs in college and since then I've worked myself up to 308lbs, or about 130+ lbs overweight.
I'm trying to work on myself from all angles to become a better me. Two years ago I quit smoking, I started cycling and exercising on a regular basis. I just applied to go back to school and get a degree in enology (wine sciences) to start a new career that I actually want to do on a daily basis. And of course, one of the biggest changes, I'm getting the surgery and setting my sights on losing 109lbs to get under the 200lbs mark. So far, leading up to the surgery I've lost 22lbs via caloric restriction.
Being overweight has been a tremendous burden on me not only physically, but mentally. I stopped dating a decade ago and resigned myself to a life of loneliness because I just couldn't comprehend that anyone could find me attractive. Perhaps the biggest thing I hope to get from the upcoming weight loss is a renewed sense of self pride. To be able to look at myself and think I'm a catch. To gain self confidence that comes with the hard work and time consuming nature of self improvement. So that's it. I Live in Portland Oregon and love it here. I'm looking forward to backpacking trips and long bike rids, to kayaking and just becoming a busier more life-loving version of myself.

Thank you for the replies.
WannaB - I'm planning to do that (call back in to see if I get a different answer). :-)
onmyway - the rep said something similar to me about my employer's plan (she's never seen one quite like it).
I'm also planning to follow-up with the WLS program I'm interested in next week and may just allow them to submit on my behalf and see what happens.
Good luck to you both as well.

As always with this forum, you are going to experience that opinions and tact will vary, especially when a post is not all sunshine and roses. I am sad that your weight loss has become about someone else and not about your own health, happiness, and longevity. Will this person support you in other attempts? Will they go walking with you and help you pick and cook healthy foods? Or will they sabotague your efforts and bring home Krispy Creme Donuts?
I do hope that even if they don't support your decision for surgery, at least they will still have your best interest at heart and support you with encouragement and assistance.
You will find all kinds of people on this site. There are folks like me who got sleeved and had no complications and no hair loss. There are others who have had complications or lost a lot of hair. There are those who have been at death's door several times. I don't regret my surgery at all. Others wish they had never heard of it.
Since you are putting surgery on the back burner, I would like to make a couple of suggestions. One is that you come visit the forum often. You will still find good advice and support here, no matter what method you use to get healthy.
The other is to at least pick up on the basics of what our surgeons present to us for success:
Eat lean Protein and plenty of it.
Eat some non-starchy veggies daily.
Eat fresh fruit (apple, not apple pie), but not a lot.
Drink Water until your eyeballs float.
Don't become part of the couch.
I wish you the best success with your efforts. Let us know how you are doing.

Sleeve101, I just read all your posts and learned:
* Pre-op, you were anemic (low red blood cell count), and your Mexican surgeon almost didn't do your surgery, but relented and did it anyway.
* You may not be measuring or tracking your food (although not sure about that).
* You have had a tough time emotionally post-op, but haven't yet sought medical or counseling support for your distress.
* You have federal BCBS insurance, which has pretty good insurance coverage.
I strongly encourage you to find a counselor or therapist who's familiar with bariatric patients' issues and journeys who will support you through this tough time you're having. As you know you can't get your original stomach back. So it's time to learn how you can move forward with this new lifestyle. Many, many people have done very well post-op. You can, too. You don't have to remain miserable. It's your choice.