Ms. Thompson

Getting my lapband removed and getting a sleeve with duodenal switch!
Prayers, good juju, positive vibes, happy thoughts, or whatever your thing might be would be gladly appreciated!

Katy W- Louisburg, NC
DS scheduled for 12/26

About to go back for my sleeve! Excitement!
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I'm sitting here in the hospital getting prepped for VSG and I'm feeling weirdly nervous and a little scared..
Don't look back, turn the page, and let your next chapter begin!

The fact there's a few people who said this was a bad idea because it wouldn't last. I told them flat out that if I get 4 - 5 years of normalcy then it will be well worth the time. That's four or five years I won't have if I do nothing or change nothing and if it was so easy I would have done it a long time ago. Sent from my LGUS991 using the BariatricPal App

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Feeling pretty successful so far. I have 53 lbs to go to meet goal, but have lost 45!
HW: 240 (pictured in blue top 9/15/16, size 1x, 20
SW: 219 10/3/16
CW: 192. (Pictured In black 12/5/16), size L-xL, 14
Now time to keep focused and on track through holiday/cookie season!

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Pre op was much harder than post op. I've managed to be pretty rock solid at post so far. I am 11 days out.
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My best advice to you is to follow your plan. As you start to feel better, you may be tempted to rush your diet advancement, but remember that you have a fresh line of staples along the length of your stomach and you'll *feel* better long before that staple line is completely healed. Keep up with your fluids, walk as much as you can and follow your surgeon's instructions.

I had my surgery on 11/8 at noon, so today is 3 day post op and I have moved on from all Clear liquids to some Proteins. Honestly I feel like the pain was less than that of the band, I specifically remember having trouble getting in and out of bed. However, the pain in my belly is like a combination of gas pain, pain and nausea. It's better today, although I get these cramps and pains after slowing sipping some liquids.
I did have what was called a "tap" which is probably the nerve block.
Just thinking positive - each day will get better.
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Oh my goodness. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

So sorry to hear you are going thru all of this.
Good luck. Hope everything Goes well and op is successful.
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I scoured the internet for that exact answer when I was facing the test but never found it lol I took that test, went directly to the store, bought a pack, chain smoked 5. I'm a nurse BTW. It took a few more times to finally quit. Don't give up, you're not a failure!! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using the BariatricPal App

The first 3 days is the hardest......I know it's such a struggle but you can do it !!! I downloaded an app to Celebrate my success and it helped me when I quit cold turkey because trying to replace that feeling nothing can compare made me relapse. Good luck sorry I dont know the length of the tests staying in ur system Sent from my Z981 using the BariatricPal App

My 12 weeks is today. These are my victories during that time.
First, the mighty scale... I've dropped 70 pounds! I even went to a Thanksgiving dinner at church last night.


Next, the tale of the tape. Weekly measurements show me down 30.75 inches from my chest, stomach, waist, biceps, thighs and calfs.
Non scale victories.
Surgery in Mexico completely changed my perception of Mexico. I would go back for vacation. I felt comfortable and safe.
I can still cook for a bunch of people and enjoy it without feeling like I'm missing out on anything. I did this the weekend after I was sleeved.

As my stomach size has gone down I can now see more of "Mr Happy".
My wife and I are both enjoying the additional 2.5 inches of manhood and the possibilities that it has opened up. I now feel like a pornstar!
At about 4 weeks out my 38 waist shorts fell off as I got out of my vehicle at a patient's home.
On October 9th I fit in a pair of 34" Wrangler slim fit jeans!


On November 13th I fit in a pair of 32" Wrangler slim fit jeans!


My blood pressure is normal!

My shirts no longer fit! I went from a 4xl loose to a 2xl loose/XL snug.


This is the same shirt.

My wife can put her arms all of the way around me!!!!!!!

My wife has made some changes as well and she has lost some weight. She now fits in clothes that she hasn't been able to wear in years!


As crazy as this sounds, my poop no longer stinks! Sure it still smells like poop but before it was like death coming out of my ass. I even eat chili 4 times per week because the Fiber keeps me regular.
I hurt myself exercising! No way I would have done that before. I won't say that I enjoy exercise but I'm actually doing it.
I weigh less than I have in my entire adult life. I can remember being 225 in the picture of me with this monster backpack. I believe that I was 13 at the time. Check out the cuffed pants because of how short I am. The backpack was 100 pounds!

Drawbacks;
My feet are almost always cold even with thermal socks.
My hands get cold easily.
I've almost lost my wedding ring.
I have a theory on the cold. My heart rate and blood pressure are much lower now. I used to have a resting heart rate of 85-87 now it is 67-69. That is about 20% less blood flowing through my body to keep me warm.
My ass is so boney that it is uncomfortable to sit more than half an hour. I now sit on a thin gel pad...
Some extra pictures.
Hard to believe that I used to fit in this!


This is my favorite picture of my wife and I. We took this before we were married in 2008.

This is the same shirt.

And this is that same shirt now.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w242/skylarkgp/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-11-20%2020.40.29_zpsydq39xbx.jpg
I love/hate this picture. I love that my boy and I are both enjoying being in the garage tearing down this engine. I hate that I look like fat bastards stunt double from Austin Powers.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w242/skylarkgp/Mobile%20Uploads/20150425_115026_zps6c76pg4d.jpg
Geez!
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w242/skylarkgp/Caseysfirstgaragepics045.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w242/skylarkgp/IMG_0099.jpg

I will be 7 months post-op in just a few days! Loving my sleeve. First pic was 2/14/16 before surgery, other was today. Sleeved 3/30/16 

Good Luck everyone..this has been a 12yr journey for me to be ready for this life change☺
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Wishing you well. When you get a chance, you'll need to post and let us know how you are doing. This waiting gives me toooo much time to "think"!

I live 4 hours away but the trip was harder on my son who was driving!! There is quite a bit of flatulence and it is ripe!! Every time we hit a bump, out it came!! Needless to say he tried to avoid bumps!! lol

Ahhhhhh good luckkkk! Mine is tomorrow and I'm already feeling the same way. I'm sure you'll do fine!
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Congraulations !! You look amazing

SLEEVE VS BYPASS this is a personal decision in the beginning I was scared of having my intestines rearranged. Now I’m left with no choice!!!
Even with my issues and recent complications I still don’t regret my sleeve. I never knew LIFE would happen the way it did AND didn’t know I’d be affected by GERD so terribly.
I’ve wanted to be able to do this for a while and I thank God Bariatric Pal is STILL here 4 years later after my sleeve providing a community of release. Judgement or not it’s good to get it out!
I hate a lot of text so I’ll try to get straight to the point lol
HW-324 SW-312 LW-224 CW-250.3
Gastric Sleeve 11-6-2012
After my sleeve I was able to lose 100lbs in 10 months….Nov of 2013 my dad passed away from a sudden heart attack the day after his 60th birthday and at that time I fell into a SAD bad depression and instantly went from 224 to 236 and stayed there. I then had a divorce and my older sister passed away 9 months after my father to a heart attack as well. COMPLETELY DEVASTATED I was now at 258, I still decided I had to take my life back and I got back on track getting back down to 236.
Fast fwd to 2014- July of 2015 a new relationship (got WAY 2 comfortable) and I ended up pregnant. Sadly having a miscarriage last year which has brought me to where I am now.
After we lost the baby I was having horrible excruciating heart burn but no surgeon would give me a chance because I moved from Connecticut to South Florida they didn’t wanna mess with it.
I finally found a surgeon who sent me for an UPPER G.I. on 11/8/16 to see that my sleeve is slightly twisted up top adding to the GERD and heartburn pain and he described it as “very big” and said almost looks like a normal stomach. The pain I feel is in my chest but also under my left breast and it is SHARP and ive avoided and cut out ALL trigger foods. Even with Water. It hurts.badly.
I now have Cigna insurance whom requires nothing but a medically necessary letter and mental evaluation for revision surgery sleeve to bypass approval BUT I am still seeing a dietitian monthly and my last appointment is Dec 8th. We are submitting to insurance this Friday.
HAD to get this out because seeing those xrays I knew something was wrong, I STILL DO NOT REGRET MY SLEEVE. I am thankful for this journey and how far I’ve come. And I know with the bypass I will be out of pain, my twisted sleeve will be fixed and I have confidence ill hit my goal!!! Anyone else looking into revision December of 2016? I have to share because NOT EVERYONE is vocal about their journey but I have nothing to hide. Im already bariatric For life!! People have been evil and critical but I choose to dismiss them because I will never be 324 again and that I have to be thankful for!

Not all people would consider talking for two weeks and going on a date as setting an expectation for a serious, exclusive relationship. Have you two talked about not seeing other people?
If he has not agreed to an exclusive relationship with you, I don't think you can expect him to stop talking to other women or dating around. You would want to talk about how you feel and see if he feels the same way.
If he said he wasn't going see other people and he continues to do so...that is a problem. You need to communicate your expections and if he is not going to meet those expectations there is no reason to be with him unless you enjoy disappointment.
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Thank you everyone I was feeling down because for years that's what I thought until many trials and error with dieting I been over weight my entire adult and teen life it's been time to change and NOW I am doing it and it feel good first day of pre op diet and counting thank you guys
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I throw facts out at them. Only 5% of Morbidly Obese folks that have lost a great amount of weight keep it off for 5 years or longer... the statistics for WLS patients is much higher... like 70-something %.
It is not the easy way out. Whether you have co-morbidities or not, the fact of the matter is this surgery gives you a tool to change your health. It doesn't mean you get to eat whatever you want, and it doesn't mean you had surgery on your brain - which is much harder to reign in than a hungry stomach. It means you are taking steps to make yourself healthier, why would they go against that?
Tell them you are doing this to improve your health with the best tool science has at the moment.
Then walk away. If they are someone close to you, tell them you want and expect their support for your health... if they are an acquaintance, just ignore them and smile.

They think it's the easy way out! There is nothing easy about this. I have lost weight many times just to add more back on. This is, has been the hardest thing I've ever done (gastric sleeve 10/12/16). Do it for yourself because it's your health, not anyone else has a clue what a challenge this is every day. I'm told it gets better with time and I'm counting on it. For myself, this is a tool to help keep me on track. I promise you I don't like the sick feeling when you drink too fast or dry heaves when you ate one bite too much. Or when you eat and it goes straight through you. I wouldn't recommend this surgery for the feint of heart because it takes strength and fortitude to get you through. Each of us reaches a point where enough is enough and then we decide what is best for me.
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