catwoman7

I did RNY. The scars are mostly the same, although there's one incision on the VSG that's longer because that's where your stomach is pulled through. Anyway, I can't see mine at all anymore. They never bothered me at all.

it's NOT the easy way out. Trust me - I've been at this for almost six years. Even now, it's a daily challenge. If you're afraid of people's reactions, don't tell them. Although I'm more open about mine now, for the first several months, only my immediately family and a few close friends knew. also, if you can lose it on your own, you probably would have done it by now. Research has shown that fewer than 5% of people are able to take off a lot of weight and keep it off on their own. Getting WLS doesn't guarantee you'll be able to keep it off (and yes, there are people who regain most/all of their weight), but it greatly increases your odds. Before surgery, I'd lose 50-60 lbs (on my more successful attempts), sit there for a couple of months, and then it would all gradually come back. This happened again....and again...and again. I had more than 200 lbs to lose. I finally admitted to myself there was no way this was going to happen if I couldn't even keep 50 lbs off! as long as you stick to your program, you'll lose the weight and keep it off. It's when people start pushing the envelope, stop paying attention, and/or let bad habits sneak back in that they experience regain. Don't be one of them - or pay close enough attention that if you start noticing a regain, you get on top of it before it gets out of control. You can do this!

Yes - sounds like you have an allergy or intolerance to some ingredient in that shake. I couldn't stand the sweetness earlier on (I was OK with it once I was a month or two out), so I used mostly the Unjury chicken broth flavored one. Although that has whey protein isolate, so if you've become lactose intolerant, that probably wouldn't work. You may have to experiment with different brands - or ask your dietitian if you can get off them early. If you can meet your protein goals through other food, you should be able to give them up...

it could be your hunger coming back. Mine came back at five months out.

nope - sag city here. I've thought about getting it "taken care of", but haven't yet...

40 lbs so far is actually fantastic!

I haven't heard of that with WLS. I'd check with a doctor. I'm not sure that's related to your surgery...

don't forget that a majority of us gain 10-20 lbs after hitting bottom, so keep that in mind as well. I also freaked out because I was getting too thin, but then I shot up 15 lbs during year 3 without much effort.

it's common for liver enzymes to skyrocket during the rapid weight loss phase. Fast weight loss is really hard on livers. They should normalize once the weight loss slows way down. Mine were really high when I was around eight months out - but they rechecked them once I hit maintenance a few months later, and they were fine.

if any approve it for weight regain, I'd think they're few and far between. I haven't heard of that, but you may be right. I know some will approve it for medical reasons, though - like GERD or other complications that can't be "fixed" through more conventional means. And many won't cover revisions AT ALL (like mine...luckily, I haven't needed one). I have a friend who's suffered horribly for the last couple of years from a 10-year-old lapband. It worked fine for a few years, but not anymore. Her insurance company won't budge. I feel horrible for her.

P.S. before surgery, my husband and I would order a large pizza, and I'd eat half of it. I physically cannot do that anymore - at least not at one sitting, anyway. I can eat one or two pieces, though. But then, that's about what my skinny never-been-obese women friends eat, so...

I've been in maintenance for four years. I eat about as much as many of my never-been-obese women friends who are constantly watching what they eat. In other words, if I go out, I'll get something like a salad or an appetizer. Or if I order an entree, I'll take half of it home (or maybe 2/3 of it if it's enormous). If I'm out and we order a pizza, I'll eat one or two pieces. So yes - I'd say I eat like your normal "light eater". No one would be able to tell at this point that I've had bariatric surgery, just by observing what I eat. this is NOT true the first year or so (and definitely not the first few months). But once you're in maintenance, yes.

I can't remember if I read any books (I spent A LOT of time on the internet researching WLS, though), but some of the vets on another site I'm on are often recommending "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" to new people. I can't really vouch for it myself, though, since I've never read it...

from what I've read on forums, you'll have some loss - but it's not like you get at first from a "virgin surgery".

that's pretty common when you're that close to goal. Happened to me as well - drove me crazy - but I finally did make it...

I know you didn't ask me this, but some insurance companies will approve revisions if there's a medical reason for them. So GERD would count...

I lost 16 lbs the first month, but I started out WAY higher than you. Your BMI is actually pretty low, so 9 lbs might be fine for you (I would say most of us are somewhere in the 15-25 lb range that first month, but you're what we call a "lightweight", so 9 lbs might not be that unusual for someone at your weight.

I avoided spicy food early on for that very reason. I still kinda do that (I'm 5.5 years out) - or I'll put a dollop of plain yogurt on it (esp if it's something like Indian or Thai food) to kill the heat

I've had other surgeries in addition to this one - and I'm always freaked out before them. I think it's a pretty normal reaction. BUT...most people come through this and other surgeries just fine! like GradyCat, I had no pain with this surgery. I was a little nauseated the first few hours from the anesthesia my first time through a surgery, but the nurses put Zofran in my IV bag, which helped a lot (now I ask for a scopolamine patch (which you stick behind your ear) before I have surgery, which also helps). Recovery was quick for me. I was mostly just tired. as surgeries go, I felt this one was pretty easy. There are definitely some people who have a rougher time with it, but it seems like the majority of us sail right through and have a fairly easy recovery.

I used to love water but don't so much anymore (unless it's at restaurants). I drink a lot of sugar free flavored water when I'm at home.

it's important to some people, though, and that's OK!

they have an LGBTQIA subforum over at Obesity Help, but I don't know how active it is anymore (Bariatric Pal is definitely the more active of these two (general) forums, but I think in general, a lot of people are using Facebook groups these days. I prefer these types of forums, though...). Another option is to start one here - I know there have been other LGBTIA members here on BP in the past - there may still be a few who are current (and active) members.

chronic constipation is a common issue with WLS patients, both sleeve and RNY. Many of us take a capful of Miralax every day to keep on top of it. I also take 400 mg of magnesium every day. For the most part, this works, but I still get clogged up once or twice a month. When I do, a night or two of Milk of Magnesia will usually do the trick... just find something that works for you - some people take daily stool softeners, some eat a few prunes every day. Some use something like "smooth move" tea. As long as it's something that is safe to take long-term and does the trick for you, you're good!

I can't remember - maybe a week or two? They likely have a lot of staff out on vacation for the holidays, so I'd give it a couple of weeks. You may hear before then, though...

being cold all the time is pretty common in WLS patients. I was my first year out, but I don't notice it anymore. For a lot of people it seems to be permanent, though.