gpmed

Welcome! It looks like you're getting good advice on this thread. It really is a personal choice. I'm more of a private person than an open book, so I'm keeping things quieter. I talked to my dad, boyfriend and best friend about it from the beginning. I chose them cause I know I could count on them to be positive and supportive and not say anything dumb. I was unsure of how the rest of my immediate family would react, but thought they should know I'm having major surgery. I asked my dad to tell them and if they reacted negatively to make sure they knew my mind was made up and I wouldn't tolerate any judgmental or inappropriate remarks. My sister still made some inappropriate remarks, but I shut that down pretty quickly. Work has been a delicate balance for me. I trust my two managers not to gossip about me or say anything inappropriate. I told them because I figured it would be helpful for them to understand why I would be going to more doctors appointments than usual and to let them know way in advance that I'd be out for the surgery. With others at work, a few people are finding out. One is a bodybuilder type who knows a lot about Protein powders and I wanted to ask him for recommendations. Another of my coworkers recently had surgery and I wanted to ask her what it's like having surgery and being in the hospital. I'm trying to put out a vibe that I don't want to talk about it a whole lot and I'm not being super open about it. I think my boss will be able to explain to my team why I'm out and let them know I'd like my privacy respected. When I come back to work, I'll be okay with people genuinely asking me how I'm doing but probs won't want to discuss things in detail. I guess I'll decide if I ever want to be more open later. It's so true that you can't "untell." I got kind of excited when I got my insurance authorization and I told my hair stylist, who is also a friend. Her negative reaction helped me remember why discretion can be wise. As for your patients, I'd say if they're not struggling with weight you can just say "oh, I made some healthy changes" and keep it vague. For your overweight patients, I agree that you could be an incredible advocate and source of support. Having a doctor like that can make such a huge difference in a person's life because overweight people face a lot of stigma even from healthcare providers. If the person's genuine, you could help them understand what WLS is, how it works and guide them toward deciding if it's for them.

I'm sorry to break it to you, but Nioxin sucks now. My sister worked there for many years while they produced incredible products that everyone in my family swore by. But then the owners decided to sell the company. Proctor & Gamble bought it, liquidated the Atlanta-based plant and outsourced production to Mexico. Since then, the quality of the products has plummeted. My sister rounded up every bit of product she could find before the plant closed and has been hoarding it in her basement. I'm begging her to send me some of the old stuff so I can use it post-surgery!

@@Dub I was really hoping you'd reply and tell me where you're coming from, so I'm glad you did. I had noticed your post here and the rant you posted on my thread the other day and was wondering what's going on. I misunderstood your first post here. When you said "most" I thought you were saying most who have had or are awaiting WLS were lazy and looking for miracles. I appreciate that we're probably coming at things from different angles. I've only been on the site for a couple weeks and probably haven't seen as much as you have. It's also just my style to give people the benefit of the doubt, even if they're saying something that sounds kind of absurd (there are limits to this of course). I figure you never know what a person might be going through and how that motivates their behavior. That's cause I generally respond better to gentle encouragement (like someone saying "you can do this!") than "tough love." I say this to clarify where I'm coming from, not to say my way is better. We're all individuals and respond to things different ways. Also, I saw your status update about your insurance requiring a six-month waiting period. I'm super impressed by your positive attitude about it!! I know I would have struggled to find the same enthusiasm after that news. I'm so ready to have my surgery and start using that tool to get healthier!

Thank you everyone for the tips and for telling me the truth!

Hi guys! What tips do you all have to preventing or lessening hair loss after surgery? I know it varies a lot from person to person, but just trying to think of what I can do to increase my chances of not losing too much hair. I've heard Biotin is good, but not sure how much to take? Thanks!

As a hair dresser and huge advocate for nioxin, using the conditioner by itself won't help. U have to use at least step 1&2 together (shampoo and cond.) And I always support the #3 step of a spray for the roots. Are you still pleased with Nioxin? I used to swear by their products. My sister introduced me to them. She worked for them for about seven years before the owners sold the company to Proctor & Gamble and they liquidated their Atlanta-based plant. She says there was a huge drop in the quality of the products after P&G took over. She actually has a huge stash of old product in her basement that she's using. I've switched to Aquage Sea Extend strengthening shampoo and conditioner. It's the next best thing I've found, but is definitely not as good as the old Nioxin product! I'm hoping my sister will give me a little of her stock for post-surgery. So just curious, are you still using Nioxin or have you moved on to another brand you like?

I really wish I could understand this judgement of your peers. We're all in the same boat. We're either awaiting surgery or have had surgery as tool to aid us in making life-long changes. We've all been called lazy or worse by someone at some point because we chose to use this tool. I thought we were here to support each other, not shame each other.

Not worried! I was just surprised by what this nurse said and wondering if it could really be true? It just sounded unbelievable.

Hi guys, I talked to my surgeon's nurse today and she mentioned that in the weeks right after the bypass patients are losing 7-10 pounds per week. Is that what you all have experienced? Was that actual fat lost or some Water weight too? I guess I'm surprised. I didn't think there would be so much weight loss immediately after surgery. I thought that would come when I feel well enough to get back into the full swing of exercising again (she says I'll feel like I have the flu for about six weeks, so I figure I won't be up to my normal level of activity until then). Btw, sorry if this is posted in the wrong place! Wasn't sure if this should fall under pre- or post-op discussion category. Thanks!

@@Indieflickers Congrats on your weight loss! That is amazing! I suppose what your doc says is good news and bad news. Good news that there's nothing majorly wrong that she can see. Bad news that you don't have a definitive answer. That can be frustrating, but hopefully if you ride it out for a while longer you'll feel better. Keep letting us know how you're doing!

@@Indieflickers Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!

@@Indieflickers That's definitely puzzling and no doubt frustrating. I'm sorry you're going through this. Getting your thyroid checked might really be a good idea. It's a pretty simple, basic blood test so I'm surprised this doc won't just order the test himself or herself? Maybe if you explained that it's a real hassle to wait to get into your PCP, he or she would just do it? Have you increased your activity in the last month? Either started exercising more or increased the intensity? I just wonder if it could take time for your body to catch up?

Are you looking for exercises or fun things to do? Or both?

I'm pre-surgery, but I can tell there are so many factors that determine one's tolerance for exercise that I find it meaningless to compare one person to another. Age, comorbidities, starting weight, etc. Also, it seems that those factors affect people in different ways (e.g., though one person is heavier than another, that person might have an easier time with exercise and who knows why?). I agree with everyone saying not to compare yourself to others! Some people can walk four miles easily before surgery. Others avoid walking to the printer at work cause their bodies ache so much. I know I won't be walking 3.5 miles two days after surgery. The last time I could walk that far it took months to build up to it and I was 40 pounds lighter. And I'm 32 with no comorbidities (unless you count plantar fasciitis). Do what YOU can do. In my experience, some days are easier than others. When I've walked for exercise, I could have one day when walking 3 miles felt easy and a few days later struggle to finish 2 miles. It helps me if I don't expect myself to be at peak performance each time I exercise. I give myself a little break on hard days and challenge myself on better days. Doing that, my average still improves over time, such that eventually what I did on those peak days becomes that I do on sluggish days. Also, do what you LIKE. There are so many different ways to exercise. If you like walking, great. If it sucks and you love Water aerobics, do that. I've been most successful when I do things I don't dread so much. Good luck!

That sucks cause it sounds like she's making digs in such a way that later she can say "I wasn't talk about him" or "I didn't mean anything by it." Uncool.

I hope she does too cause that is really uncool and unprofessional. Is she making the comments directly to you or behind your back? Either way, I wonder if you could try talking to her. Maybe say you value your relationship as professionals or the professional, supportive atmosphere of your workplace and would appreciate if she'd not give unsolicited advice or discuss your personal health with other coworkers? If it gets really bad, maybe reach out to your manager or HR? My sister is like this and I've definitely wished explosive diarrhea and more on her, so I get it. Hang in there!

This is why I wouldn't even consider WLS for years. That and the closest center performing bariatric surgery in the place I lived years ago had bad outcomes. Things changed when I took a job in marketing at an academic medical center a little over a year ago. I was asked to work on several pieces to market our bariatric clinic and I learned how far WLS had come over the years and also what great outcomes our center has. I even got a chance to interview my surgeon for a piece. I did this over the phone so he wouldn't be biased by knowing he was talking to someone eligible for surgery. I was struck by how knowledgable he is, how safe the procedure has become and how well our center is performing. A couple things he said really slashed through my guilt. First, he said people eligible for surgery who do not have surgery have a 2 percent chance of losing their excess weight and keeping it off. With surgery, those odds move to 50 percent or more. I also asked what his response is to people who say this is taking the easy way out. He said if you think undergoing surgery is taking the easy way out, you need to have your head examined. Hearing that helped me tremendously. Learning not to think of obesity as a moral failing helped too. I do my absolute best not to say things like "I'm cheating today" or "I'm being bad" if I have something off my diet. I know now that I don't need to justify my surgery to anyone. I'm keeping things fairly quiet to avoid negativity. For those I am telling, I'm happy to hear their genuine concerns and answer questions. But inappropriate comments and unsolicited advice I just won't tolerate. It's none of their business and I don't have to justify my decision to people who don't understand what I'm going through. So far I've only had one family member who has gone there and I shut it down pretty quickly. I'm also surrounding myself with those who support me unconditionally. That helps me keep in my head in the game.

Congratulations! I just got my insurance authorization and am looking at a September surgery date. Definitely talk with your surgeon about your health history and concerns. That will help a lot in choosing a surgery. I'm still deciding between RNY and the sleeve. My surgeon is also no longer performing lap bands. We're going to talk about my options more at my next appointment and make a decision together. Doing a lot of research and talking to people here will help too. If you're using insurance, have you called your insurance company to ask about requirements for surgery? My surgeon stays pretty booked up, so it actually took a couple months to get in for an appointment. I'm glad I started on my surgery requirements before that cause the process is taking FOREVER as it is! It'll be worth it though. Good luck and let us know how we can help!

You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't appreciate more those who share their personal experiences without being condescending or assuming they know what will work for you. It just sucks when people make assumptions or insist their way is the only way. I get enough of that from people who don't know anything about obesity or bariatric surgery.

Thank you. And you as well.

This isn't particularly newsworthy to me, as I hadn't made those assumptions to begin with. Not sure where that idea came from? I view WLS as a tool that can help one lose weight and tackle some of the unhealthy behaviors that lead to obesity. I posted so I could hear from others who had a sweet tooth and used WLS as a tool and learn how things are going for them post-surgery.

Imma say something blunt: If alcoholics can kick alcohol and diabetics can kick sugar, you can kick sugar, too. I don't know everything you'll need to do, but here are some obvious changes to make: * Don't buy it. * Don't let anyone else in your house buy it and bring it home where you could eat it. * Become more personally accountable and become more accountable to others, e.g., tell those you spend time with that you're not going to eat any more sugar. * Invite the support of those who love you (see above) and ask them to support your new sugar-free lifestyle. * If you really think you're an addict (you used that word, I think), then treat it like an addiction and get yourself into an addiction program, either out- or in-residence. * Stop regarding and using sugar like a treat. If you're an addict, it's dangerous to you. Treat it like poison. * Figure out what other activities or things you can use as rewards instead of sugar. * Don't hang out with people who eat a lot of sugar. * Identify all the hidden sugar in foods you are now eating that you think are sugar-free. I'll guarantee you there are some sugar-laden foods somewhere in your diet right now that you don't know about yet. * ... and other things. I know you know this, but the longer you go without eating any sugar, the less you will crave it. Good luck! I appreciate that you replied to my post and offered some tips. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but some of what you said reminds me of people who say no one really needs bariatric surgery. We just need to be more personally accountable and diet and exercise. Do you not see bariatric surgery as a tool for dealing with obesity and kicking the things that made people obese in the first place?

That's why I posted. I've been trying for years, with some successes and some failures, but I've not been able to kick it for good. That's why I wanted to hear how those who were in my boat used WLS as a tool and combined it with other tools to beat the sugar monster.

Totally agree with @@SlimJill ! What you guys have all accomplished, however you've had to do it, is inspiring and gives me hope.

Thank you everyone for your input, especially you VIPs! It's really helpful to hear other people's perspectives. I've been trying to battle the sugar monster for a long time, with successes and failures. Sometimes I've been afraid I'll never come out on top. I am really hoping that WLS can be a tool for me to use to win the battle and get to a healthy weight. I don't expect it to be easy, but I really hope it will be doable for me now. @@James Marusek It's really cool to hear about your diet now and how you're able to incorporate fats. My body seems to do well on whole foods diet with plenty of healthy fats. For me, that ends of being naturally low in sugar. However, it's been a struggle because I have so much excess weight to get off. Your plan sounds like something that could work well for me over the long-term to main after I've lost the weight. Your story gives me hope!