Daisee68

You are only 9 days out. Give it time. It gets better. The first few weeks can be a little rough. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

I was set on sleeve but had HORRIBLE reflux the day I saw the surgeon for my consultation. She strongly recommended the bypass because of the reflux and amount of weight I had to lose. (Height 5'10" - SW Jan 2015 - 322.6 / HW - 336 / Surgery Weight June 2015 - 296 / Today - 175.2) I left her office thinking no way I would do bypass! It sounded so scary and frankly to me, the sleeve sounded "easier" (NOT saying it IS Easier - just saying that was my impression and I was looking for an "easy" way out). I eventually came around to the idea of bypass and am SO glad I did. For me, I think I would have use the sleeve to eat things I knew I wasn't supposed to. Now having said that, I have eaten some things along the way that are not the most nutritious choices and have found I do not dump. I could have eaten those things either way, but in the end it was my mind (through therapy) that had (and still has work to do) to change, so I may have been ok with sleeve but very happy with the decision I made (or that the dr made for me I suppose). There are a ton of people on here with great success with the sleeve (even those with larger amounts to lose than me). You probably cannot go wrong with whichever choice you make. It is a very personal decision. Hopefully you have a great surgeon that can help guide you.

@@carlissa_RN - So glad you are home and doing better! Rest assured that SO many of us have that "what have I done??!!" moments. You may even have them again. Just hang in there. I will be a year out next week and wow, cannot believe how great this journey has been! BUT if you read my activity from probably the first 3 months post-op, you will see I felt the same as you! It does get better! Enjoy the ride!

I know it is common with some doctors but I don't believe that it is mainstream yet. I know Nicholson Clinic in Dallas does it that way.

@@tobhappy&healthy - Thanks! And trust me, you will get there! One of my biggest NSVs (Non scale Victories)!

I do not suffer from the coldness so much but many do. (I am almost 1 year post-op and down 120 pounds since surgery / 145 pounds in all). BUT I was just saying earlier this week on another post how nice it is not to sweat all the time anymore! I seriously didn't realize how bad it was until I don't have the problem now. So great....

Many many different opinions and many many different threads on this subject. Best to do a search of the forums and read those threads. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

A lot of people go through the emotions. I remember specifically having one day where I just cried and cried for no reason. It is partly the realization of the immensity of the change but partly it is supposedly just release of some hormones from the fat. Take a deep breath. Go to bed early if you can and get some good rest and it will all look better tomorrow. I promise!! And meanwhile - big hugs from Texas!! Hang in there! I know you can do this! Vent on here anytime you need and we will cheer you on!!

My last A1C was 5.7 (which is technically borderline) but my endocrinologist felt comfortable declaring it as "resolved" or in "remission" as you said. It is still listed as former condition but I would disagree with the term PCP used of "diet-controlled", wouldn't you? My point being this was controlled before the diet changes began. I am sure I could be declared diabetic in the future if I took to eating lots of carbs and gained a lot of weight back, so maybe that is what she meant by it being "diet-controlled"? And to @@jenn1 point - I am (was) Type 2 which is quite different than Type 1, so I am not sure of all the differences in how it can affect Type 1. Not sure "Type 1" is ever "resolved" as it is something born with not diet-triggered as Type 2 is (or was in my case although I had genetics at play - grandfather, aunt, mother, cousins...) Luckily I do not have to even test my sugars anymore (unless significant diet changes or in the event of surgery or injury). I know that is not the case with Type 1 and seems that Type 1 can be much more difficult to deal / live with. My best wishes to you Jenn!

So I had a visit with my PCP (not WLS-related) on Wednesday and I told her that the Endocrinologist had determined my diabetes was "resolved". Her response was "We don't consider it resolved. We call it diet-controlled. If you eat poorly again it will change" I wanted to say to her "Um no..." If it was diet-controlled, then they wouldn't have removed my diabetes meds in the hospital and sent me home without it - i.e. BEFORE it could be diet / weight loss related. Now, don't get me wrong, I still tell each dr I see (including recent plastics surgeon consult) that I have / had diabetes - especially if I am going to have surgery or anesthesia of any kind. I want them monitoring my blood sugar just in case. BUT it did really make me question how much my PCP actually knows / understands about WLS.

NUT = nutritionist Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

@jaxmom LOL!! cake....

Have you made "cheese crackers" yet? Basically small cheese slices (or piles of shredded cheese) under the broiler.

@@heather5565 - What a great post! I sent the link to someone who had PM'd me that is a newbie. I know this is going to help a LOT of people! Thank you for taking the time to do it. @@Babbs - Thanks for weighing in. I am entering maintenance and trying to sort it out so I appreciate the reminder!

I don't have any recommendations but have you looked at realself.com? You can search for surgeons on that site and see their reviews. You can also post questions / pics for doctors to respond to.

Wow! Interesting! Thanks for posting!

I don't have much advice as I am not there yet but wanted to say Congrats on the great work! I am 11 1/2 months post-op and down 145 pounds and the excess skin REALLY bothers me, so I had a consultation last week and plan on having surgery this fall/winter. For the most part, it isn't something that insurance covers (mine isn't anyway), but it seems from several who have had the procedures that I recently have corresponded with (@@Elode, @@CowgirlJane, @@JamieLogical, @@NewSetOfCurves, @SpiceyFrog) - all say it was worth every penny! For me, I know it will have a psychological improvement!

I know my doctor in Dallas does some very complicated reversals. Dr Colleen Kennedy.

@@blessed973 - yes. Insurance does not cover any of the procedures. Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

BariMelt - can be purchased at BP store or Amazon. I originally took the BariActive Vitamins that came with the Nascobal (nasal spray B12) that my dr gave me a prescription for, but I lost my insurance and they got expensive. I wanted to find similar ingredients and somehow BariMelts are identical - nutrients, taste, color, etc. It must be the same manufacturer selling it under a different name.

I thought I would come back here and update after having my first consultation last week. Dr. said I was a good candidate and at a good weight. Would be fine if I didn't lose anymore but if I did to not lose more than 5 to 10 pounds at the most. This dr (Dr Peter Fisher in San Antonio) doesn't do implants if he can get away with just a lift but he said there was simply not enough tissue/fat left for him to just do a lift on me. He had me try on a bra with some implants (450cc tear drop shaped silicone) that filled out a 38D and put my shirt back on. I felt like they looked a little too big but I am not doing the breasts first anyway, so I have some time to discuss that. First procedure we are going to do is Brachioplasty & LBL (which includes extended tummy tuck with muscle repair, mons lift and reduction (if necessary), outer (lateral) thigh lift, buttock lift and fat transfer of buttocks and hips as needed). This is an 8+ hour surgery!! I am very anxious about that! My 2nd procedure will be breast lift / augmentation and extended medial thigh lift. Procedures must be at least 3 months apart.....

I think I am scheduling mine for September. I fear it is a little early (I will only be 15 months post-op) but dr said I was a good candidate and was at a great weight for it. (He said I would be fine if I didn't lose anymore but if I was going to lose more to do it before surgery and to only lose 5 to 10 pounds most.) I am scared and anxious too! Will be anxious to hear how your procedure and recovery goes!

@@Spiceyfrog - I had my first consultation last Friday. Dr said so much that I didn't take it all in but I remember that he said that spiral thigh lift would not work for me as I had too much loose skin hanging to my knee (I think that was why). I also have bad saddlebags where the skin actually folds down some. I believe he said that if I just had the inner thigh loose skin, that spiral lift might work but that given my situation, I would not be happy with just spiral. Have you received any surgeon's opinions yet? Dr I have chosen is Dr. Peter Fisher in San Antonio who specializes in excess skin removal. His results are great. He does consults over the phone I think. You could send him pics and see what he says. Website is peterfishermd.com

Maybe you are taking too much fiber? I know that sounds counterintuitive but I found taking fiber supplements made mine worse in the beginning. How far out are you?

@@bigmamaAfrica - I copied the following from Wikipedia: "Biltong differs from jerky in three distinct ways: The meat used in biltong can be much thicker due to the slower drying time in dry air conditions; typically biltong meat is cut in strips approximately 1" (25 mm) wide – but can be thicker. Jerky is normally very thin meat. The vinegar, salt and spices in biltong, together with the drying process, cure the meat as well as adding texture and flavour. Jerky is traditionally dried with salt but without vinegar. Jerky is often smoked; biltong is never smoked." Granted it is Wikipedia and not always correct but I thought I would pass it along as it says the biltong is typically thicker. Not sure how far out you are, but if not very, be careful as it may be too tough to properly digest.