Kelsey Marie

Well my boss is very sympathetic to my multi-periods and gave me the name of her gyno, who was a guy, but there is a female in the practice also and I can get in to see her at the end of October. So I have a little bit of a wait, but at least I know I'm not alone in this and it gives me some time to do some research into other forms of birth control.

@@gpmed Did your gyno say like they are never ever recommended, or just for a little while after?

@@gpmed My gyno moved earlier this year, so she set me up with my last prescription of the the birth control and that was the last time I saw her, and it was before I went in to see the surgeon to start the RNY, or any WLS, process. And until this, it hadn't been on the top of my list to find a new one. I'm not so much concerned about pregnancy, you have to have sex to get pregnant. But I do worry that I'm habitually taking a pill that's not working. Although something that lasts for 3 years worries me as well. I don't plan on having kids in the next 3 years, but what if I change my mind? That's always been my worry with implants, I can't just stop it at the end of a pack. But that's a whole different thing!

@@leanne1126 I feel better knowing that I'm not alone. I've thought about going to my Gyno, but I have to find a new one because the one I was using moved, so it's an extra hassle. I'm tired of getting my period. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone.

Okay, so some basic information up front. I'm 24 I started taking Seasonique birth control the October after I turned 18. I've always been very regimented about taking it, only missing about 5 pills in all that time. I haven't had sex since March. Before I had the RNY, both a urine and blood test confirmed I wasn't pregnant. So okay, with Seasonique, you get your period once every 3 months. I started my current pack in the beginning of August, so I should have my scheduled period at the end of October. That's how it's always worked for me. And they are always short, light, simple periods that last 3-5 days. I had my surgery on August 27. Two weeks after that, I got a period. At no time did I miss any of my pills. My surgeon said that my surgery was late enough in the day that I could take the morning of the 27th and it was small enough that I could resume taking it the next day. The period lasted a whole 7 days; it was bloody, like a scene out of Carrie, I was an emotional wreck, and the cramps! I thought the cramps were going to kill me. I talked to my mom and a friend who's a nurse, and we all agreed that since I just had a huge surgery, it messed with my hormones, overrode the birth control and caused the period. I could live with that. Then, another 2 weeks passed (this is the time of the month I would get a period if I wasn't on birth control; in the past, I have spotted during this time for a few days, which is totally normal). I got another Carrie-worthy period, well, still am. I just started my last month of birth control, which I'm hoping will end it. But I also know that it means that in two weeks (if everything goes as it normally would), I'm going to be an emotional wreck with horrible cramps. I don't know what the period will act like. I'm just wondering if any other women had anything similar after their surgeries? I'm not going to lie, part of the appeal of the Seasonique is so I don't have to buy tampons every month.

Waistline: 38.5" Weight: 224.2 lbs. Bust:45.25" Hips: 47.5 Neck: 15" Wrist: 7" Bicep: 15" Forearm: 11.5" Thigh: 28.75" Calf: 17.75" Weight Lost: 40.8 lbs Total Inches Loss: -21" BMI Reduced: -4.7

So Thursday marks my 4 week mark since my surgery. It's been a crazy ride so far! Here are my current measurements. Waistline: 38.5" Weight: 227.3 lbs Bust: 45.5" Hips: 48" Neck: 15" Wrist: 7" Bicep: 15" Forearm: 11.5" Thigh: 29.25" Calf: 18" Weight Lost: -37 lbs Total Inches Lost: -19.25" BMI Reduced: -4.2 I love watching the inches fall off as much as the weight. It really is wonderful! My waist hasn't looked like this in years!

@ I didn't have to see an exercise specialist or submit proof of prior tries. I know that the first time I spoke with my nutritionist, we went over everything I tried. I also went over that stuff with my surgeon and the psychologist. The one thing I did have to submit was my weight from the last 3 (?) years, which I received from my doctor and submitted to the coordinator. Usually the surgeons office is able to get it from your GP but my GP was moving offices at the time so it was difficult for them to get the documents they needed, so I just went and got them.

@@leanne1126 Yes! I am so grateful for their Long pants, and my mom is grateful for their Short pants. Not everyone is the same height and has the same inseam.

@ Thank you!!! I really appreciate it!

I was (still do) have the pain. My surgeon couldn't come up with a reason why, but he prescribed me a mild muscle relaxer (Flexerill, but I'm not sure on the spelling). It helps greatly. The first couple days I took it 2 times a days, but now I just take it at night. The pain has greatly decreased.

So this morning I was looking in my closet trying to figure out what to wear to work when I saw "the dress." I bought "the dress" back in March for my birthday from Old Navy (I bought it online). When it came in, it didn't fit. Not, just barely didn't fit, but like really didn't fit. I had to un-button all the buttons to get it over my head, the elastic band around the middle was stretched out all the way, and then I could only re-button about 2 of the buttons and they weren't attractively buttoned either; don't even get me started on how the sleeves fit. I never returned it, it just sat in a bag at the back of the closet (eventually I hung it up). Well, this morning, I saw it hanging there, and there weren't any other clothes that I really wanted to wear this morning, and so I thought I would just see how it's fitting, knowing that I had other dresses I could quickly put on when it didn't fit. I undid all the buttons, stretched out the band as far as it would go, pulled it over my head, and began to button. Then I realized that it fit. The waist was cinched. The buttons buttoned. The sleeves were loose. The chest of the dress was loose. I began to tear up. I ran to the mirror to see what it looked liked and it looked great! I couldn't believe it. I know I had the surgery to better my life, but this part is definitely nice too.

I know I'm a week behind, and I'll get my Week 4 measurements up soon, life has been crazy. But here they are! Waistline: 39" Weight: 237.3 lbs Bust: 46" Hips: 49" Neck: 15" Wrist: 7.25" Bicep: 16" Forearm: 12" Thigh: 30" Calf: 18.5" Weight Lost: -17.7 lbs Total Inches Lost: -13" BMI Reduced: -2.7

I would talk to your coordinator. That's what I did. Pre-op at my first appointment, I was 260. At my 2nd nutritionist appointment I was 265. I was worried about the weight gain. I e-mailed my coordinator. With my insurance, Aetna, if I had kept the weight on, they wouldn't have approved me. I spent the month working the weight, and more off. The only thing that will totally ease your mind is asking your coordinator, they'll have all the answers.

So here are my second week of measurements, 3 days post-op. Already seeing amazing changes! Weight: 247 lbs Waistline: 42" Bust: 48" Hips: 49" Neck: 15" Wrist: 7.25" Bicep: 16" Forearm: 12" Thigh: 31" Calf: 18.5" Weight Loss: -8 lbs Total Inches Lost: -6.25 BMI Reduced: -1.2 I'm really excited to see what the results will be next week!

Thank you so much! That makes me feel so much better! And it makes sense, water and broth are the only things that haven't caused me to feel pain or anything. I'll work on that. Thank you!

I've tried the Nectar drinks, I had a horrible case of throwing up the Cherry one before surgery and now every time I look at the container, that's all I can think of.

So I had surgery Thursday afternoon and everything went perfectly smooth! I planned on being out of there Friday by 2 (because that's when my surgeon makes his rounds to check on his patients). I had to have a scan of my GI track and drink this nasty liquid to make sure that there weren't any leaks (it really sucks that the first thing I drink tastes like trashcan punch) and it was fine. The doctor came in after that (closer to 4) and said that everything was fine, except my pulse was "constantly" over 100, usually in the 120 range, and he wanted to keep me until it went down, even if that meant another night! Luckily I had my Fitbit on, and I was able to show that it was normal all day, except when they would come to do the readings, because the readings always fell right after a breathing treatment or right after I'd done laps around the floor. Finally, at 8, I was discharged. So that first day really wasn't normal. Yesterday, I kept it pretty simple. Made a nice little pallet on the couch, walked every now and then, but the thing that gets me is drinking. My doctor didn't really give me a range to aim for, but I know I'm no where close. Yesterday, throughout the day, I was able to drink about 5 oz of my Isopure Protein drink and about 8 oz of Water. The more the day goes on, the harder it feels to drink anything, even if it's been hours since I've had something. I woke up today feeling more enthusiastic, I guess because when I woke up, it wasn't as terrible to sit up. Water today hasn't been as much as an issue, I've had about 10 oz. I'm currently nursing about 2 oz of chicken broth. But when I tried to drink my Isopure today, it was a joke. I got about 1 oz in before my stomach said "Nope." I would get the pain behind my breast bone, which my surgeon said usually means you're full. I just don't know what to do, because I know that protein will help with healing and weight loss, and I know I'm only 3 days out, but this is scary.

So what I've always done is take Mirilax 1-2 times a day (it depends on how back up I'm feeling) and either take a warm bath once a day, or sit with the heating pad, kind of massaging my lower stomach while I did it. Even before surgery, my BMs haven't always been normal and my system has been extremely picky. A GI doctor I saw once recommend this and it's worked like a charm every time!

This is great!! I didn't even consider my anxiety going into it and I know on Thursday I'll be a mess!

@@Mayastone So these are a few things I know from discussing the options with my surgeon and from watching family members have WLS's. -Malabsorption is a huge part of the RNY. I think maybe what she meant by the first 6 months is that that's when people who have the RNY have the majority of their weight loss. But according to my surgeon, it's always about that, unless you stretch out your stomach enough, and then you have other issues. -People who choose to have the RNY loose weight for both reasons, not just one or the other; they work together to help the person lose their weight. -As for the safety, I'd say they're both equally as safe as long as you have a surgeon who knows what they're doing, and depending on the patients other health issues at the time of surgery. -I highly doubt the sleeve will be rarely be preformed in 5 years. According to my surgeon and my moms surgeon (who has since passed away) the Sleeve has been and will be a wonderful option for people. Unless they develop something new even better, which you never know. -My mom had Bypass 5 years ago in May, she lost 101 pounds, and has gained 15 back in the last 2 years. She doesn't have to work very hard to keep the weight off. My aunt had the Sleeve 3 years ago (not sure what month) and lost about 50 pounds, she doesn't work out, but she drinks shakes regularly, but has still gained back about 10 pounds in the last year. My brother had the Sleeve 3 years ago in November, he lost 60 pounds, gained back 25 because he got "sloppy" (his word) so he started working out and watching his food intake, and lost 20 of those pounds. -When I first met with my surgeon, he explained to me that with the Sleeve, you lose about 60-70% of your fat; with the RNY, you lose about 70-80%. He also explained that within 5 years, people who have the sleeve gain an average of 5-10% and people who have RNY gain 10-15% back. Honestly, I would see a different surgeon. You have quite a few other things to consider, like the oral chemo, and you need a surgeon who is 100% on your side and not just trying to make the most money off of you. I mean, from what I've read about you, I would do the Sleeve, and I'm a huge RNY person. You should never do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Let us know what you decide!

So tomorrow I go in to see my surgeon for all of my pre-op blood work and to go over all of the final things before surgery on Thursday. I was wondering if anyone had any questions that y'all think I should ask him when I go in. I feel like I'm forgetting things.

With my surgery being on Thursday, I decided I'd write out all of my measurements so that way I can track how far I come every month after the surgery. Current Weight: 254 lbs Waistline: 42.5" Bust: 48.5" Hips: 50.5" Neck: 16" Wrist: 7.25" Bicep: 16" Forearm: 12.75" Thigh: 31.5" Calf: 18.75" I am able to keep these measurements with me on my phone thanks to the app "BodyShot." I know it's available for iOS, I'm not sure about Android. But it's an app I've used in the past, and I love it! You get to select what measurements you want to keep, and you take a picture of yourself so you can see physical progress, and also the inches coming off (which you can't always see). Other than that, I'm killing this all liquid diet! But I'll be happy in 5 weeks when I can start introducing solid foods into my system again. Can't wait until Thursday!