Sylvia13

I really wanted to have a sleeve and was planning all along to do it. But as the time got closer to surgery, my surgeon said to me that he did not recommend the sleeve for me because I had a hiatal hernia, which I was going to have repaired when I had the surgery. I was pretty upset to have the plan change at the last minute, but my surgeon did explain to my that the RNY is the "gold standard" of bariatric surgery. There are decades of statistics for this type of surgery. I eventually changed my mind and am SO happy I did. I've been very successful with weight loss and I no longer have any reflux issues.

Great rant topic @her1981!
I don't tell many people, but I've had three non-fam people seriously ask how I've done this loss, because their lives are in danger from obesity:
I told my 60 year old brother in law who is over 450 lbs (about 5'7") and can no longer visit his father etc. His response? "It's just too extreme for me! It changes your body and your life even." Um yes, for the better. And too extreme? Like 450 isn't?
I told my friend who is mid forties and around 390 he says, (also around 5'9") and he said it was "Too drastic! I might consider it if nothing else worked--but that's just way too drastic a thing to do." I can't count how many joys he's given up because he cannot physically do them now. Drastic indeed.
I also told a woman friend in her mid-60s when she looked like she was miserable and about to drop in her tracks at our gym. She looked like I'd given her the winning lottery ticket! Now 9-10 months later she went self-pay she was so sure of it, and is already at goal! Yes, she's smaller than me, and i'm thrilled for her.
Lets just call me "extreme" and "drastic" in my completely changed joyful life!

Right, but what about the millions of people who survived and are doing well! I bet the reason is because many of us keep it secret due to people's ignorance, so they probably know plenty of people who've had it, but don't know they've had it.

I waited until 2 months post op to tell my mom about my surgery. Add that to my pre-op and it was 8 months of "secret keeping" because I knew how'd she react. Her words when I told her "shame on you". I wasn't surprised and only mildly hurt. She has struggled with her weight her whole life and her health issues were one of the big reasons I got my surgery. I know at some point, probably the next family holiday, that it will come up and I'll have to defend my choices to my family because they don't know. Thankfully I've been armed by my team with the knowledge to educate the nay sayers and if they still want to be Negative Nancy they can be. I'll be on the other side of the room perscription drug free, not diabetic, in shape and sassy in my size 8's enjoying the company of those who are happy for me.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/05/why-the-weight-loss-study-everyone-has-been-sharing-is-kind-of-misleading/?tid=sm_fb
Excerpt below from the above article in today's Washington Post (my emphasis):
Is there a metabolic penalty, in other words, for getting lighter?
Much of the evidence shows that there is some, but the amount varies. And some of the evidence shows none. In the none category, there’s a study of women who lost 5 percent of their body weight (with a high-Protein diet and exercise) with no metabolic penalty. And two studies of people who underwent bariatric surgery, all of whom lost significant weight, showed no disproportionate decrease in metabolism. Sometimes, there’s a temporary metabolic penalty that disappears after a while. A 2012 meta-analysis that looked at data from nearly 3000 subjects from 71 different studies found no penalty.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/05/why-the-weight-loss-study-everyone-has-been-sharing-is-kind-of-misleading/?tid=sm_fb
Excerpt below from the above article in today's Washington Post (my emphasis):
Is there a metabolic penalty, in other words, for getting lighter?
Much of the evidence shows that there is some, but the amount varies. And some of the evidence shows none. In the none category, there’s a study of women who lost 5 percent of their body weight (with a high-Protein diet and exercise) with no metabolic penalty. And two studies of people who underwent bariatric surgery, all of whom lost significant weight, showed no disproportionate decrease in metabolism. Sometimes, there’s a temporary metabolic penalty that disappears after a while. A 2012 meta-analysis that looked at data from nearly 3000 subjects from 71 different studies found no penalty.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/05/why-the-weight-loss-study-everyone-has-been-sharing-is-kind-of-misleading/?tid=sm_fb
Excerpt below from the above article in today's Washington Post (my emphasis):
Is there a metabolic penalty, in other words, for getting lighter?
Much of the evidence shows that there is some, but the amount varies. And some of the evidence shows none. In the none category, there’s a study of women who lost 5 percent of their body weight (with a high-Protein diet and exercise) with no metabolic penalty. And two studies of people who underwent bariatric surgery, all of whom lost significant weight, showed no disproportionate decrease in metabolism. Sometimes, there’s a temporary metabolic penalty that disappears after a while. A 2012 meta-analysis that looked at data from nearly 3000 subjects from 71 different studies found no penalty.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/05/why-the-weight-loss-study-everyone-has-been-sharing-is-kind-of-misleading/?tid=sm_fb
Excerpt below from the above article in today's Washington Post (my emphasis):
Is there a metabolic penalty, in other words, for getting lighter?
Much of the evidence shows that there is some, but the amount varies. And some of the evidence shows none. In the none category, there’s a study of women who lost 5 percent of their body weight (with a high-Protein diet and exercise) with no metabolic penalty. And two studies of people who underwent bariatric surgery, all of whom lost significant weight, showed no disproportionate decrease in metabolism. Sometimes, there’s a temporary metabolic penalty that disappears after a while. A 2012 meta-analysis that looked at data from nearly 3000 subjects from 71 different studies found no penalty.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/05/why-the-weight-loss-study-everyone-has-been-sharing-is-kind-of-misleading/?tid=sm_fb
Excerpt below from the above article in today's Washington Post (my emphasis):
Is there a metabolic penalty, in other words, for getting lighter?
Much of the evidence shows that there is some, but the amount varies. And some of the evidence shows none. In the none category, there’s a study of women who lost 5 percent of their body weight (with a high-Protein diet and exercise) with no metabolic penalty. And two studies of people who underwent bariatric surgery, all of whom lost significant weight, showed no disproportionate decrease in metabolism. Sometimes, there’s a temporary metabolic penalty that disappears after a while. A 2012 meta-analysis that looked at data from nearly 3000 subjects from 71 different studies found no penalty.

I've said this before ... It's like the bumper sticker I saw on the back of a San Francisco taxi 40 years ago:
OPPOSED TO ABORTION? DON'T HAVE ONE.
In other words, you do you; I'll do me.

I don't tell people because it's none of their business. I don't feel ashamed of myself.
I don't tell people when I am on the rag. Not ashamed of that.
I don't tell people when I acted like an ass and my husband acted like an ass and we fight. Nope. Not ashamed.
I don't tell people when I have gas/vomit/have a zit on my ass/need to spit out a loogie. No shame in that game.
Why the #$%^&* do people associate my right to privacy with SHAME??? JEEZUS.

I've had a couple of stalls so far. I have found that what has worked for me is to try and put it out of your mind (easy to say, hard to do - I know!) and to just listen to your body. I found that each time I've been stalled I've also been more hungry than usual. I tried eating a little more (within my doctor's guidelines) and moving more -- that seems to have worked for me. I find that as you get closer to your goal, the scale moves more slowly. One last piece of advice -- focus on what you have lost so far and not on what you still have to lose -- enjoy your progress (and don't be hard on yourself)!

I do the same thing! I log in to change my weight and look at my ticker. Huge motivator!

I've had a couple of stalls so far. I have found that what has worked for me is to try and put it out of your mind (easy to say, hard to do - I know!) and to just listen to your body. I found that each time I've been stalled I've also been more hungry than usual. I tried eating a little more (within my doctor's guidelines) and moving more -- that seems to have worked for me. I find that as you get closer to your goal, the scale moves more slowly. One last piece of advice -- focus on what you have lost so far and not on what you still have to lose -- enjoy your progress (and don't be hard on yourself)!

Love your post! Congratulations on all you've accomplished both physically and mentally!
I've noticed that in my youth when I was a normal weight, I was always unhappy with my weight. Since my surgery, I've vowed to be happy with whatever weight I end up at. I'm currently at the weight I was when I got pregnant with my first child (19 years ago). I remember being upset because I had been hoping to lose some weight before I got pregnant. Today, I'm so thrilled I've made it this far! My plan is to lose a few more pounds, but if I stay right here - I will be so very grateful! I feel great and all of my creeping health issues have disappeared. I've learned to appreciate what I have.

Love your post! Congratulations on all you've accomplished both physically and mentally!
I've noticed that in my youth when I was a normal weight, I was always unhappy with my weight. Since my surgery, I've vowed to be happy with whatever weight I end up at. I'm currently at the weight I was when I got pregnant with my first child (19 years ago). I remember being upset because I had been hoping to lose some weight before I got pregnant. Today, I'm so thrilled I've made it this far! My plan is to lose a few more pounds, but if I stay right here - I will be so very grateful! I feel great and all of my creeping health issues have disappeared. I've learned to appreciate what I have.

Love your post! Congratulations on all you've accomplished both physically and mentally!
I've noticed that in my youth when I was a normal weight, I was always unhappy with my weight. Since my surgery, I've vowed to be happy with whatever weight I end up at. I'm currently at the weight I was when I got pregnant with my first child (19 years ago). I remember being upset because I had been hoping to lose some weight before I got pregnant. Today, I'm so thrilled I've made it this far! My plan is to lose a few more pounds, but if I stay right here - I will be so very grateful! I feel great and all of my creeping health issues have disappeared. I've learned to appreciate what I have.

Love your post! Congratulations on all you've accomplished both physically and mentally!
I've noticed that in my youth when I was a normal weight, I was always unhappy with my weight. Since my surgery, I've vowed to be happy with whatever weight I end up at. I'm currently at the weight I was when I got pregnant with my first child (19 years ago). I remember being upset because I had been hoping to lose some weight before I got pregnant. Today, I'm so thrilled I've made it this far! My plan is to lose a few more pounds, but if I stay right here - I will be so very grateful! I feel great and all of my creeping health issues have disappeared. I've learned to appreciate what I have.

Lost in translation I guess - where I am, a "side of ham" is like a whole ham/leg, or whatever. I knew what you meant, but it amused me to picture you sitting down to a single egg and a quarter of a pig lol.

I've just read through all of the replies on this posting. This just affirms why I really enjoy this site -- you are all so kind, supportive, and just plain NICE!!!! Even though Chuckster was obviously wanting to pick a fight, you all killed him with kindness.

Wow -- job well done! Thank you so much for posting. You are a true inspiration!

You should not feel stupid! But you should remember the lesson you learned -- serving size is very important AND it's important to read labels. I don't think too many of us got into the situation we were in to begin with if we were careful about serving sizes. Mistakes happen to everyone, but not everyone learns from their mistakes!

The exact same thing happened to me! I really didn't want the bypass because it seemed too drastic to me. I went to another well-known surgeon in the area for a second opinion. He explained to me that the bypass is "the gold standard" of WLSs. The medical world has a LOT more data with the bypass. He also told me that he was confident that if I insisted on the sleeve that I would regret it and end up doing a bypass in the long run. So I went forward with the bypass and have not regretted it. I was suffering from an autoimmune disease and post-menopausal - there was no way that I could get out of my downward spiral. My excess weight was aggravating my joint pain, and my joint pain (and slower metabolism) was keeping me from being active and losing weight. Tomorrow I will be 3 months post surgery, and I've already lost over half the weight I'd like to lose. I am pain free - my autoimmune disease is in remission - and I am no longer taking any medicines (except for Vitamin supplements). I feel and look 15 years younger!
Think about why you wanted to do WLS in the first place - that should be your deciding factor.

I am so happy for you!

The exact same thing happened to me! I really didn't want the bypass because it seemed too drastic to me. I went to another well-known surgeon in the area for a second opinion. He explained to me that the bypass is "the gold standard" of WLSs. The medical world has a LOT more data with the bypass. He also told me that he was confident that if I insisted on the sleeve that I would regret it and end up doing a bypass in the long run. So I went forward with the bypass and have not regretted it. I was suffering from an autoimmune disease and post-menopausal - there was no way that I could get out of my downward spiral. My excess weight was aggravating my joint pain, and my joint pain (and slower metabolism) was keeping me from being active and losing weight. Tomorrow I will be 3 months post surgery, and I've already lost over half the weight I'd like to lose. I am pain free - my autoimmune disease is in remission - and I am no longer taking any medicines (except for Vitamin supplements). I feel and look 15 years younger!
Think about why you wanted to do WLS in the first place - that should be your deciding factor.