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Be_pretty_epic

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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  1. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to azjeff in My Story: I ain't ashamed to tell it. I was fat, tired, hungry, looked like crap, barely went out, and sick   
    I've fought my weight since I was seven years old. Was bullied and called "marshmellow" in grade school because of my weight. As an adult I've gone up and down so many times I can't count. Diets seem to work, but then they don't and the weight always comes back with more. Two years ago I started developing all the illnesses associated with obesity. I had high-blood pressure, high chloresterol and sleep apnea. My Dr failed to diagnose that I had diabetes for over a year, even though he told me I had high blood suger but did not tell me to get blood tests. I became sicker and sicker until a friend at work who is a volunteer with ADA told me my symptoms indicated I had diabetes and I made an appointment that day to go back to my Dr. He said, I told you last year that your blood sugar was very high, why didn't you get blood tests. I flipped out and said, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T PERSCRIBE IT. My blood count at that time was close to 600 and I found my A1A was close to 15. I also had neuropathy, my skin was so dry and cuts were slow to heal. I also knew something was wrong because I was unexplecably losing weight without trying. That was a first for me.
    I found a Endocrinologist who took me in immediately and said I was lucky I didn't go into a coma and didn't damage my kidneys. I went on 60mg of insulin daily plus other meds. After several months of trying to control my type 2 diabetes, my Endocrinologist and I talked about weight loss surgery. I had been looking into it online. He suggested RNY bypass because in his opinion the long-term success is greater.
    I had consults with a couple of Drs that did lap-bands and sleeves and they said I could pick one, but didn't really give me many reasons other than the lap-band is adjustable to go with one or the other.
    I live in Phoenix, AZ and I found Dr Kurt Sprunger at the Phoenix Bariatric Center, that only does bypass surgery and he said that he stopped doing the other procedures because of long-term results. For my insurance to cover my procedure, there were several other Drs and a dietician I had to see.
    After all the hoops and finally having to get my primary physicians approval for the procedure. He was initially against weight loss surgery and I reminded him of how he failed to diagnose my diabetes the year before and that he is still my Dr, and still a Dr, he signed the consent.
    I had my surgery on July 28, 2015 at St Luke's Hospital in Phoenix. I was skeptical about the hospital, as I had never heard of it and it wasn't in the best part of town. After going to the hospital a week before the surgery put my mind to rest as the hospital was nice and updated and everyone was very attentive and friendly. The morning of my surgery, i went in at 6:30am, was admitted, and went into a pre-op area where I put on a gown and layed down. I don't remember anything after that until I was in my room at 3pm and was told I had several phone conversations on my cell prior to that. I don't even know how I got my cell after surgery.
    I will admit that after surgery it only hurt if I moved. I was up and walking that afternoon. Everyone at the hospital was fantastic. I was treated like a prince. St Luke's has a bariatric unit which I was unaware of previously. Spent two nights in the hospital and was on my way home. Each day I felt much better than the previous day. I followed my Drs directions and walked each day. Starting out by doing laps in my house. It was probably ten days to two weeks, with walking every day that I felt back to normal.
    Adjust to solid food was easy. My second meal I ate too fast and vomitted. I learned my lesson. If you eat too fast or too much, you suffer the consequences. When I eat too much or too fast, I have to go lay down until the feeling passes.
    My good news is that I've gone from 245lbs in July to165lbs today. I've gone from size 44w pants to now wearing 31w pants and jeans. I thought it would take me a year to lose 80lbs, not four months. Only ten pounds to my goal. I even lost a pound over Thanksgiving and I made a big Thanksgiving feast. I tasted everything. Tasting is enough for me now.
    I'm not hungry, or driven to eat emotionally for the first time in my life. I'm back in the gym lifting weights and ALL my obesity related illnesses are gone and I'm off all medications.
    When I went to my Endocrinologist's office, they didn't recognize me. I'm getting that a lot where people don't recognize me. My Endocrinologist was thrilled to tell me to go off all my meds. He also told me that he wished he could tell more of his patients to stop taking their meds and come back in six months. I asked if I should still test my blood twice daily and he said there is no reason too. Out of curiosity I have tested occaisionally and I'm between 95 and 105 which is very normal.
    My primary Dr is also amazed to take me off all my meds and he's amazed at my results and says he's definitely re-thinking his opinion of weight loss surgery. My Bariatric surgeon, Dr Sprunger was thrilled for me at my three months follow up as well.
    My Aetna insurance is great. They covered so much of my surgery. The only thing I paid was $800 to the hospital when I went for pre-op. Nothing else.
    I know my results aren't typical, but I have been following the post-op diet. I'm so thrilled. Finally when I look in the mirror I think I look great. I don't see myself as fat anymore. I can go to any store and buy clothes. For years I couldn't buy clothes in the mall and was buying clothes at Walmart. Now I can shop anywhere. The problem is now, I'm buying clothes like crazy and having so much fun shopping and buying outrageous outfits. Why dress normal and boring? Now at the mall, I'm finding they don't stock as many size 31w pants and jeans as they do size 34 - 38W. Please don't feel sorry for me. It's my cross to bear.
    Getting surgery was the best decision I've ever made. I can't recommend it enough to anyone that has fought their weight and the complications that come with it.
    I've only told my close friends that I've had surgery. One person I did tell at work that inquired how I lost so much weight, who I thought might benefit from my story said, "Bariatric surgery? Oh, you cheated". I said, "If cheating saves my life, I'll choose cheating everytime, BEOOOCH!" I know people at work have gossiped about my weight loss but I really don't care or feel like going into everything with work aquaintences who only want to gossip anyway.
    Pictures of me in the Green plaid shirt are from the beginning of Jul 2015. The ones in the jacket are from Nov 20, 2015. My most outrageous outfit and shoes yet.
    I trully hope my story will help or inspire anyone contemplating or has recently had bariatric surgery!
    Good Luck! Life is way too short to spend it sick, unhappy or with people that suck the life out of you.
    "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death" Come, sit at my table and take a tiny bite, and chew slowly.




  2. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to Kindle in BEFORE/AFTER PICS ONLY   
    . December 4, 2013
    238 pounds
    Day I started preop diet
    8 months later....
    . August 4, 2014
    146 pounds
    4 pounds below goal and still losing.....
  3. Like
    Be_pretty_epic got a reaction from Daveo in I want to connect with someone   
    I want to connect. Chat and whatever. Send a message let's chat
  4. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to Fatty McFatster in Share Your New Year’s Resolutions!   
    My resolutions are:
    Lose 100 pounds by the end of 2016 Become more active (hiking, swimming, walking, jogging, etc.) Work on becoming closer to God Work to become the best ME I can be
  5. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to Madmax68 in Share Your New Year’s Resolutions!   
    I'm finally down to a weight where I can go horseback riding and would absolutely love to get out riding in 2016. I want to try ziplining too. There are so many things that my weight used to restrict me from doing - I want to do them all!
  6. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to B-52 in Share Your New Year’s Resolutions!   
    I no longer worry about New Years resolutions, everyday is and should be a resolution...
    But considering all the junk I have been eating/drinking for the past few weeks, I am going to go on a 2 week "PaleoClense" to rid my body of all these toxins I have accumulated....
    Have to wait till Jan 2nd though, New Years day is still a party day.....
    BTW, I have been going to one Health Club - Gym for over 5 years now, and every New Years the place is packed with all those committing themselves to one resolution or another....after a few weeks it starts to fall back towards normal again...
    That is what I think of New years resolutions...if you're going to do it, then do it...why wait till a certain day which comes but once a year....
  7. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to heather5565 in Share Your New Year’s Resolutions!   
    #1 --- Goal weight.
    And have a couple of fitness goals:
    - riding my road bike thru the Rocky Mountains (almost 400km)
    - hiking up two specific mountains
    To finally be at peace with myself and just live happily ever after.
  8. Like
    Be_pretty_epic got a reaction from Alex Brecher in Share Your New Year’s Resolutions!   
    Mine is goal weight and accept who I've become.
  9. Like
    Be_pretty_epic got a reaction from Alex Brecher in Share Your New Year’s Resolutions!   
    Mine is goal weight and accept who I've become.
  10. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to Sgt7546 in Share Your New Year’s Resolutions!   
    I resolve to live at least another year
  11. Like
    Be_pretty_epic got a reaction from Leesa926 in Florida   
    Me too
    We should get in touch
  12. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to ouroborous in Sex... Oh My God... Sex!   
    First real "encounter" since the surgery (lots of fooling around, but yesterday was... the full meal deal). And... guys... wow. GET THIS SURGERY.
    Before the surgery, I was a real "one minute wonder" (if I could even get lucky; at 338, it doesn't happen much). I would be panting and wheezing and see spots, and I was lucky to even be able to finish. I was used to the woman not... finishing, either.
    Yesterday.
    SEVEN. HOURS.
    She had more... moments of joy than I could count (maybe 12? 15? 20?), and I had... THREE.
    THREE. In one night! Guys, I'm 42. That just doesn't HAPPEN to guys my age.
    And it certainly never happened before the sleeve.
    Good god, men, if you have ANY problems in that area at all and are pre-sleeve, RUN, don't walk, and get the surgery.
    UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE. I thought that stuff only happened in porno movies...
    Ok, I'll shut up now. But... wow.
    Sore... exhausted... and happy
    Edit: uh, it wasn't seven hours continuously, I should mention... 8pm till 3am, but not all, uh, action. Even at my current fitness level, that WOULD kill me. Seven hours of go... rest, chat, laugh... go... rest, chat, laugh... repeat until too sore and exhausted to continue! And NOW I WILL shut up.
  13. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to livvsmum in Vegas, Baby! And My Bikini Moment (pics)   
    So I am headed to Vegas next week with my hubby and I thought, you know what....I want a more-sexy, less-mom bikini for this trip. SO I went out on a limb and ordered one from Victoria's Secret that I would normally never, ever think about wearing, let alone, buy, let alone post a picture of me in it.
    But then today I was looking back through some old beach vacation pictures and I couldn't find one single picture of myself in a bathing suit or with my kids at all. Through 4 summers worth of pictures that I got through, I found ONE. One single picture and I'm trying desperately to hide behind my kids. It made me so incredibly sad because I remember so clearly what that was like. Can I just say, it is freaking amazing and freeing to be able to feel good in my skin and not feel the need to pull a kid in front of me when the camera is around.
    Here is the ONE single picture I could find, along with the quick snapshot of the new bikini for Vegas. :-) (Don't mind my scar sheets from my TT sticking out...this wasn't a picture I intended to share), as well as one snapped this summer at the beach. I also did a side-by-side comparison of myself in basically the same "at the beach with my daughter's" pose. Just thought I'd put this out there for anyone on the fence about the journey or the process. It works if you stick to it!!!!!
    *** PS be kind. I know that I am not perfect. I still have saggy legs and arms. It's a work in process!***




  14. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to James Marusek in I don't want to eat chemicals...   
    If you had RNY gastric bypass surgery, then you have to cut out fats and sugars from you diet for awhile. This is because the part of your stomach that normally processes these fats and sugars have been cut away and your body can no longer handle these, otherwise you will experience dumping syndrome.
    As time goes on, your body will change and your intestines will learn to process these foods and then you will be able to eat these again. This will occur around 1 year post-op.
    So during this first year, you will be able to eat meat, it is just limited to very lean cuts with little fat. You may find that eating meats will be rough on your new stomach. For example, you may want to boil chicken breast in a pot for several hours on low until the meat is so tender that it comes apart readily with a fork. I personally relied on softer foods, such as homemade high Protein chili and Soups. They went down easier. So you are welcome to make foods without artificial ingredients for your meals.
    But the most important requirements of the program are meeting your Protein, Vitamin and Fluid requirements. food IS SECONDARY. Your body is converting stored fat into the energy that drives your body. Thus you lose weight.
  15. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to MPetrelis in Best & Worst of UCSF Surgery/Hospital Experience   
    Since you've been thru the surgery, Cervidae, I'm sure you also found moments when the best medicine was laughter during the hospital stay. Every day, getting more and more recovery, I remind myself how smart it was to get the operation while my immune system was very robust. Being HIV poz, I was concerned about the operation's impact and then the life-long commitment to diminished food intake. Having AIDS was no detriment to going under the knife, after consulting with a few docs, and I'm certain losing all my excess weight will benefit control of HIV in my system.
  16. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to mskami77 in 409 to 148!   
    I'm so motivated by your story. I started at 314 and I'm at 180 almost 2 years out. I want to be 155-160ish. It feels like a challenge but I know it's obtainable. Thank you for sharing!
  17. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to KDM74 in emotional rollercoaster - 13 weeks post op   
    Best part is today I realized I am no longer morbidly obese. BMI is 39.7! Yay!
  18. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to Reem Ashraf in protein intake and weight loss connection ! please advise   
    Hi
    i am a month post op now and since the surgery (gastric bypass) i do really hate Protein shakes i can't stand it so i don't even take 10 or 20 grams per day and since the operation i only lost 10 kilos 5 of them in the first week and the 3 weeks follows only 1 to 2 kilos i am trying to follow everything as planned i started eating normal food like salad 2 days ago and i am afraid of gaining weight again ! or not losing :/ is taking the Protein % per day helps you to lose weight ! i am so depressed of that slow weight loss thing please advise
    thanks
  19. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to kwyant1976 in Are There Any Single Sleevers Out There..   
    Newly single, newly sleeved, New me .. I am looking for other single sleevers out there to talk about single life, before during and after the sleeve. Maybe a place were us singles can come together and talk about whatever who knows maybe Someone can find love.. In a loveless world. So if you are single and out there lets hear from you..
  20. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to little_mrs in 9 months post op pic!   
    Hw 289
    Cw 175
    Gw 150
    RnY 11/18/2014
    What an amazing 9 months it's been ????
  21. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to PittGuy in Just had my 2 year anniversary- willing to help mentor   
    I just had my two year anniversary and am very excited about my life change. If any one is looking for a mentor/encourager let me know. In the last two years I have lost 150+ pounds and ran a half marathon with two more scheduled. It has not been easy but it has been worth it.
  22. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to bellabloom in My journey from 250 to 123   
    I had surgery with a weight of 240 after the diet.
    My rny was fine at first but I started having complications. To this day we aren't sure what caused them, but after four months in and out of the hospital I had my surgery reversed and had gastric sleeve instead. It's very rare to do this but this was my surgeons suggestion.
    My first surgeon was a total jerk and was very unsupportive. It was a tough experience and very scary. I had two pic lines and went days without eating or drinking.
    After my sleeve surgery, my major complications stopped, but I have never been able to transition to solids. My sleeve surgery was March 2015 and I've never had a full meal.
    I found a new surgeon who has diagnosed me with a stricture and scar tissue in the spot they reconnected my pouch from the rny with the new sleeve stomach. He has done one dilation on me but it did not help. He wants to continue the dilations.
    The ironic thing is that he says if the dilations don't work, I may have to go back to rny. So I'm 123 pounds at 5'6 and still losing about two pounds per week. I can't seem to settle on a weight loss goal and I'm terrified of entering maintainence.
    On the positive side, because this post is not in any way intended to be negative towards this surgery- I have never looked or felt better. I feel amazing in my new body. I love the way I look now. I Celebrate this body by dressing up and buying clothes and enjoying a dating life and a social life I would never have had otherwise. My confidence is through the roof. My back pain is gone and I have more energy for my kids and life in general. This surgery have my my life back and released me from the chain of a food addiction.
    I would do it again in a second!!!! Again and again. Because guess what? Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. Period.
    I hope my story helps you in your journey. I highly recommend this surgery, it is a wonderful tool that can give you the leverage you need to lose weight and the truth is the vast majority of people do not have complications. I would do it again in spite of mine and I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has for me.
    Here are some photos of me. I haven't had any plastic surgery and don't plan to.
    Before:
        
    Most recent:
           
    The last one, me swimming with my kids, is something I could never have done without this surgery.
  23. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to Lutasha in New Member - 12 Weeks Post-Op   
    Greek yogurt helps me get my Protein without over eating. The Fage brand, plain, has 20g of protein! I add Splenda, vanilla, and cinnamon; Splenda, vanilla, and cocoa; or Splenda, vanilla, and PB2 so it tastes delicious and I don't mind eating it. That's nearly 1/3 of a day's protein intake in 7oz of yogurt.
  24. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to lsheshequin in New Member - 12 Weeks Post-Op   
    Hi there! I just found this forum site yesterday and didn't hesitate to join. I am 12 weeks post-op (RNY) and so far things are going pretty well. My starting weight was 250 lbs and I've just hit 199 lbs so I'm down 51 lbs! I'm 43 with 3 young children (6yrs, 4yrs & 3 yrs) and have been overweight and obese for most of my life. I've lost weight many times in the past, only to gain it all back (and then some) over the years. Many health issues on both sides of my family (diabetes, heart disease, cancer), and the fact that I want to be an active, engaged mom to my kids were the underlying factors for me deciding to go ahead with gastric bypass surgery.
    So today I have no regrets. My goal weight is 150 lbs so I'm halfway there. In the first 6 weeks or so, I was losing about 4-5 lbs per week. Over the last month or so it has slowed to 1-2 lbs per week and I'm ok with that - everything I've read says those who lose it at a slow, but steady 1-2 lb per week rate have the best chance of keeping it off. Fingers crossed!
    This past weekend I spent the majority of my time outdoors with my kids and it felt so good to be able to move about without pain and discomfort. I think that is what will keep me motivated as the journey continues. Of course, I have struggles (salty snacks!), and I know I'm probably still in the "honeymoon" phase, but I'm determined to lose the weight and keep it off this time. One mental challenge I do have is constantly worrying that I already have, or will, stretch my new pouch. I try to be diligent with the small portions, but I have overeaten (not intentionally) a few times. I need to be more mindful of eating meals slowly, which I was really good at during the first 6 weeks. I so don't want to ruin this for myself!
    Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this post!
  25. Like
    Be_pretty_epic reacted to glitter eyes in Hello! Still a newbie   
    Good luck to you!! Weight loss surgery can be an amazing life changer. You can do it!!

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