VDB

I was openly honest with all comers about the fact that I was going to have surgery. I decided that when weight loss became obvious I would be transparent with those who asked questions, if they were kind people. If they were people with bad info about WLS, I would keep it short or just polite unless they were a**h***s. Now, at almost 11 weeks out and close to 70#, it is becoming noticeable. When they ask about if I lost weight, I just say (after patting my stomach) "I got my internal plumbing redone with WLS", or "Al Roker and I have something in common!". If they want more info, I explain what gastric bypass entails. Today at the public pool where I swim 3x a week, someone who knew I had WLS surgery said "Looking good!". Most (90%) are appropriate. Some of my many relatives got a bit irritating by asking every time they see me (which is almost daily) "How much have you lost?" . Now I just say "Not sure, don't weigh frequently, but feeling healthy!". Most get the idea.

I am a thrifty person. Over 20 years ago, I bought a nice suit, an expensive suit, for $5 at a big and tall men's store on their last day of business. It was 6 sizes too small and there was no way I would ever fit into it, but I figured hey, for 5 bucks, I can store it in case I ever lost a bunch of weight. I kept it all these years and this morning, with almost 70# gone, dusted it off and tried it on, it fit! In a twist of fashion fate, it is of a style that had gone out of fashion, but now is back in fashion, looks right in style. Woo-hoo!

WannaBe -- My psychologist said he rejects about 5%. They also get paid regardless of approval, around here anyway. Most psychologists (I am one of them) would not accept testing tasks if the results and payment were tied together -- that would be viewed as unethical.

No. Day of surgery on

I can understand the worry, but don't! The standardized tests such as the MMPI I filled out simply look for trends about how you think and view life. They also pick up inconsistencies and untruths, so it is important to just be honest. During the interview, it is good to have copies of your previous info given to the Bariatric Clinic, such as your highest weight etc. so you can be consistent. I am a psychologist, have never done this type of assessment for bariatric patients, but having done lots of testing, can tell you this is an important step. Having gone through the surgery, it is important to be ready for it, and if someone were emotionally unstable, the results could be bad and even harmful to the patient. If someone is having the surgery for the wrong reasons, such as that a family member forced them to have it, the testing picks this up.

Surgery on April 21 this year. Ten weeks out now, down 40 in first month, down 28 in second....

I am wearing it to my daughter's wedding in a month!

Way to go in decision making, Harley! If the idiot insurance can't see the long term savings, screw 'em and get it done anyway....10 weeks out today, over 60#, off all blood pressure meds, off 90% of my diabetes meds, more flexible, just worked 8 hours in the heat in my garden and orchard yesterday, so much easier than before. It is worth it!!! August will be here soon.

WOW! those seat belt extensions! I traveled for 25 years and took my own most of the time, but had some fun with them over the years. On a flight to Seattle, the guy next to me said "Well you are big but there was a guy next to me last flight that was so fat he needed a seat belt extension". Me, of course just rang the call button an asked the flight attendant for a seat belt extension! I use them as way to practice self love -- when I needed one I would push the call button and when the flight attendant looked my way I would just put my hands up and make the seat belt connection motion.... instead of hiding the fact that I needed one. BUT, it will be great to not have to use one....and that time is soon. Great work!

Ten weeks out tomorrow, 60# down, so many health improvements they are hard to list...off 80% of meds. Yes, I do miss eating some things but honestly, giving up old favorites is easy when I receive flexibility, hope, and a clear head. I don't chase food all the time...you will do well!!! My NUT and head nurse said that pop is a WLS defeater-- you will give it up and see the reason for giving it up. Good luck!!!

2 1/2 weeks post by-pass. I can't stand chewable Calcium Citrate, anyone recommend a non-chewable 500mg alternative? The ones I have are about the size of a thick quarter, and taste really gross to me. Thanks in advance.

I find that I have to eat some fruit to keep my digestion system running ok. Otherwise, get really constipated. I rehydrate a bit of dried fruit, including dried prunes, apples, and pears, and have 1/2 cup of this cooked mix a day.

Peachy, that one takes the cake! Mystery shots!

By the way, went home off all BP meds, too and BP is maintaining at a great level even without any meds...I had been on BP meds for 35+ years! I was already on a small dose of statin, but will likely go off that as well next blood test.

I have Type 2. I was diagnosed 6 years ago, but it is apparent, and my Dr. agreed, that I had it for at least a decade or longer. The first few years it was ok, with A1C in the 6 range, but gradually, with the same good diet, it crept up to the pre-surgery A1C of 8.9. I was on Farxiga, Metformin, Slow Insulin (Lantus), and two others. The insulin was 60 mg a day at the end. I went home from RNY on no meds, but after 2 weeks, BG began to creep up and I added back 20 mg a day of insulin to try and maintain a morning low of 145. Now, with 60# off, I am able to lower the insulin to 15 mg a day. This is an indicator that I will eventually be on a very tiny dose as my pancreas has to produce for a much smaller me. I did the RNY because my diabetes was going to take my feet, my eyes, etc. with the progression it was on, and my research says the RNY is 20% more effective at diabetes reduction than the sleeve, likely due to the malabsorption part of RNY. Good luck!!!

I think at the core of this thread is the desire in all of us for "it all to be better" -- such a drastic step as WLS seems to deserve a huge outcome in every area of our lives. I appreciated all of the statements by the bariatric clinic team which helped set expectations that "no, it won't all be better unless you work on it". I spent my time with a therapist prior to surgery, which helped set my expectations. He really helped me get going in the right direction, and I think it has gone well. I am delighted to have lost 60+ pounds post surgery, but I still can get grumpy, my wife still irritates me at times, and the adult kids may still want to borrow some money! I am a retired shrink, and I think it is important to understand how vital it is to find the right therapist. In your search, check with other bariaric patients for references -- the right therapist must know their way around the fat world. One patient may love their therapist, but that person may not be right for you. I personally ascribe to the world of cognitive behavioral therapy -- I want a therapist who will give one tools for dealing with the behaviors which if not addressed will get us fat again after the weight is gone. Standard talk therapy, where you spill your guts out to a nodding therapist who repeats back what we have said, is simply ineffective therapy...in fact, I want a therapist who challenges, who gets in my face about my stuff, and who gives help in the form of adaptive tools. I feel like even with 125 pounds to go to goal, I am on the right track to lose this rest of the fat suit, but more important, never get it back. I am continually working on the other areas of my life. I deserve to be an even happier person.

My skinny wife of 35+ years and I are now splitting meals when we have to eat out. We avoid eating out, but sometimes on the road it is unavoidable. So, she gets 2/3 of the plate and I get the rest. Saves money, too!

When I was a fat young teen and feeling truly ashamed of myself for the first time, ashamed of being fat, I saw the AYDS boxes in the drug store and was too naive to know that hucksters reign. I did not have much money, but bought the boxes, convinced my problems were over. That "candy" was nasty, but I kept eating it. Did not lose an ounce and eventually put them in the back of my closet, throwing them away years later when I moved out. We laugh about all these horrible diets, but underneath each is someone who got taken advantage of by greedy people and fake diets. But did that stop us? No -- the diets continued unabated, all the way to WLS -- which really works.

I do an hour of aerobic swim three times a week, and walk the lab pup twice a day, maintain a huge vegetable garden and a small orchard, and plan to add some treadmill time on days that I don't swim. I have a treadmill for big guys. I do this not to lose more weight, but because my body feels better when I exercise. I am no athlete -- was always too fat for that, but two years pre-WLS discovered aerobic swimming and for the first time in my life, got addicted to exercise. The 7 weeks I could not swim were torture, but now, back in the pool! I also purposely got a lab puppy because I know they demand at least two good walks a day -- and boy, does he ever! Love the time with him in our fields. I can really feel the 50+ # weight loss, much more nimble, can't wait to be a normal weight and see how active I will be with this extra 130# off me!

Thanks everyone, it just keeps getting better. Edema now 95% gone after 7 weeks, urge incontinence all gone, weight loss has slowed but still losing every week, getting "the lay of the pouch" down, getting the right amount of food in is now habit.

I don't like to hurl. I have only had a hangover twice in 64 years. First time, thought maybe it was a cosmic accident so gave it one more try, that was it. With WLS, I had to try to push the pouch capacity. Yep, threw up. Not once more in 5 weeks. I have learned to chew, small tiny bites, and small portions because I am a shameless wuss --- don't like pain, don't like to throw up.

We have tried them all, haven't we? Good to know that I won't ever need to do that again, because of a simple formula -- Protein first, good veges next, a bit of fruit, likely no room for carbs....and lots of Water and exercise!

My plan is three Protein meals in a day plus two Snacks, still on mushy phase for 7 more weeks. My typical meal is tender poultry or fish, a bit of dark green or orange veges, and a bit of low sugar fruit like applesauce (homemade). I am really tired of cheese sticks for snacks. Any suggestions for quick protein snacks?

I avoided carbs the first four weeks, worried about dumping syndrome. I quickly learned that my new pouch did not tolerate greasy foods, beef, regular cheese (low fat is fine) or too many eggs. Unfortunately, I learned that sweets like cake did not cause a problem as predicted. So, for a millisecond, I was like "Wahoo, I can eat cake" but then of course, that is stupid. As someone said previously, getting one's Protein first leaves a bit of room for veges and a bit of low sugar fruit.... that's all. I do miss the carbs, but not so much that I would hurt my progress....

I am almost 7 weeks post bypass. I am noticing a gradual loss of my sense of hunger, which is unusual for me. Almost every day, I seem to have more need to remind myself to eat. Is this normal? Did any of you vets have the same experience? Thanks!