speckles62

It's been a whole year since I took control of my life and had RNY gastric bypass. I've had ups and downs and physical delay after delay(chronic Lupus flares, swollen joints, torn rotator cuff, loss of ability to use my right arm, etc), but here we are! It's been one year and I don't regret it for one moment! I am not where I want to be YET, but I will get there. Here are my stats: hw:429lbs sw:386 cw:220lbs

Cosmic Fist Pump to this post !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So damn glad I listened several months ago and had my sleeve.
Life is now able......and meant.......to be lived !!!!

Yes, I am in counselling. And I am being successful in my 800 calorie pre op diet. I can follow a routine, I like structure (former military). I have a very problematic bowel condition and eating small and often will really help. I know that this sleeve is merely a tool. Back in my day, they wired your jaw shut! lol.
Now that I have started to break the cycle of overeating, carb addiction and needing huge portions of food, I have been concentrating on my emotional eating. Why I am hungry, when I am hungry. When I want to comfort eat, when I eat out of boredom, etc.
I am sad that my family have let me down. But I have to do what I think is best for me.
We were very close so I know this silence between us is sad for her too.
I feel utterly alone and abandoned. I can't believe that she is going to let me go into surgery without her even calling to say good luck.
I would never do that, not even to just a friend.
So it's just me and Jesus! And that's what is important!
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@@GinaCampbell
Im going to give you a virtual hug. *big squishy hug*
Im sorry you are being treated like this by your daughter.. you deserve love, support and understanding.
You should be proud that you have made the choice to change your life, admitting that you have a weight problem and actually doing something about it!!
It takes a lot of courage to make such a drastic change.... physiologically, psychologically and physically.
My brother actually said to me once i did it... quote.. "girl, you've got some balls to cut off your stomach.... good for you for taking control of your life, at least you are not sitting around stuffing your face sulking about it"
When he said that it made me realise.. that he is right..... i could sit here sulking, stuffing my face feeling sorry for myself... or take action and make that change.
Basically what i am trying to say is good for you for taking action.... and we got ourselves to thus weight alone...and we will lose it alone....
If your daughter is not speaking to you, she might have her own reasons, she might be scared or maybe she is fearful of doctors because of her son... who knows.
Perhaps sit her down and have a frank discussion with her, tell her what you have told us... and explain that the journey is already stressful without her adding further stress by using emotional manipulation.
If all else fails.... i am happy to volunteer to be your WLS daughter

You must live for yourself...your daughter now has her own life and family. Is she willing to take care of you if you DON'T have the surgery? I'm sure she means well, but if you have prayed to God about this and feel certain its necessary for you, she will come around. People try to manipulate you into doing what THEY want by different means (like not talking to you). If she loves you and is there for you before the surgery, she should be there for you after.
Don't give up - you may never get this opportunity. GOD has got you (you're never alone) so go ahead, SEIZE THE DAY!

I have to be at the hospital early tomorrow morning. In less than 12 hours, it will all be done.
I have been pursuing this surgery for two years. Jumping through every hoop they produced.
I won't actually believe it's going to happen until I am out of surgery!
Exciting!!!!
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I'm June 6th as well. Good luck to you too. Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

I'm June 6th and nervously excited. Sure is nice to be able to read and share with others! :-)Anyone from Oregon?
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I just had my initial consultation with my surgeon yesterday. I felt absolutely deflated when she told me I'd realistically reach about 185. My head was thinking 150. She said surgery will reset my body and I'll lose significant weight, but I'll probably not get to 150. Now, as I said I felt deflated because in my head I was visualizing 185 as still being really fat. Well, one of the insurance girls came in and I was visiting with her about my disappointment. She stood up and said, "I'm the same height as you, how much do you think I weigh? Guess, and I'll tell you." I looked at her and thought, man this girl looks wonderful. I guessed she was about 140 lbs. She smiles and says "oh honey, I wish. I'm 190. I'm considered overweight." My mouth dropped. Could not believe that that's what 'my ideal weight' looks like (in general). It shows just how distorted my mind has gotten when it comes to weight. If I look even close to that good, I'll be thrilled!!! It was very encouraging and inspiring. I don't care if I'll still be considered overweight. I'll be healthy!!! And over the moon happy!!! I rarely post, but felt like adding my experience. Bless you all.

When I hit my goal weight I will still be obese. The BMI weight I need to be for my height is way to skinny for my body frame. I'm 5'9 and should be 165-170. Not in my book I shouldn't. Lol
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One thing I have learned through this whole process (surgery, pre-op diet, liquid phases, etc.) is that whether I think I am hungry or really HUNGRY, it won't kill me to wait until my next planned snack or meal.
I eat frequently in order to get my 100 grams of Protein so there is ALWAYS a meal or snack on the horizon. Drinking Water or making some tea or refreshing my Mio bottle will usually do the trick.
If all else fails then it won't be the end of the world if I eat a small Protein snack. Even a piece of fresh fruit occasionally is not the end of the world.
The red flag is when your head is telling you to eat, eat, eat, even though you aren't physically hungry. For me that is a signal that something else is going on -- not hunger.
If you don't have a counselor or therapist already, I suggest you consider finding one. A good book written by a therapist who works with WLS patients is called EAT IT UP! I found it really helpful.
I credit all of the years of therapy and working with my food addiction for helping me through this whole process. The help has been invaluable.

Not in Oregon, but close here in Washington.

June 6th here! Anyone else

I am June 6th - Best wishes to all!
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The difference with the sleeve is after you are healed, eating less is effortless compared to dieting before surgery.
Sure people eat around their sleeves. You have to purposely try to do that, it doesn't happen by accident it is a choice.
WLS isn't the easy way out. It is still hard work, but having the sleeve as your tool makes it a lot easier.
The ability to eat very little and not feel like you are starving is something you can only understand once you have experienced it.

I lost 110 lbs during my 7-month process to get the sleeve (had to have 6 months with monthly meetings with a nutritionist). I very nearly canceled my surgery. Here's why I didn't:
- The chance of losing a significant amount of weight and KEEPING it off is really low. Within 5 years something like 95-98% of people who lost weight gained it back, usually with some extra on top. Even if I lost all the weight I needed to using diet/exercise, I have never maintained a loss. My sleeve is the tool that will help me do that.
- My years of overeating had really messed up my stomach. My portions of food were still too big. I completely overhauled my diet and started eating low-carb, high Protein. However, I still ate quite a lot. I would just fill up on salad or veggies, usually at least 3 normal-sized servings. If I tried smaller portions, the hunger got overwhelming and I would end up cheating.
I just didn't want to take the chance. Yeah, I MIGHT be able to do this without surgery, but with surgery my chances are much, much better. I NEVER want to be 400 lbs again. Also, both my surgeon and my nutritionist said that my loss prior to surgery is a really good sign that the sleeve will work wonderfully for me, especially over the long term.

You have to or you'll be at the ER getting them by IV. It's really important - it sounds like you're already experiencing dehydration.

I was recently having a discussion with a Personal Trainer (PT) mate of mine.
He was asking me about the changes I'd noticed with my body since losing my 230 lbs (so far)..
I told him about my 'deflated balloon belly'...
He laughed...
I told him about the 'bat-flaps' of skin under my upper arms that slap against me sometimes when I move...
He laughed...
I told him about my two sizes smaller feet...
He laughed..
The I told him about what was REALLY p*ssing me off...
My 'turkey neck'...
You see, I had a great big bullfrog type head...
Neck really...
I was one puffed-up-canetoad lookin' dude...
I mean, have a look at this -
As you can see, I've kept the beard in an effort to cover up the under-chin carry on...
Actually, that pic on the right was in October last year, so I've lost a little more from there now...
I'm in a new job now, so I'm decidedly more 'neat and tidy'..
Anyway, back to the 'roid cream thing...
My PT mate was telling me that a lot of the female body builders he knows use the 'roid cream to smooth their bits (no, not THOSE bits) when it comes to comp time...
He reckoned that if I grab a tube or two and have a crack at applying it regularly, it may just smooth and tighten my biggest uncovered embarrassment...
So, here's the sh*t -
Beginning Monday, I'll be applying the Doot Cream twice a day...
It'll be post shower in the morning and evening...
Over the weekend, I'll try to take a decent pic of the affected area...
If I can do so, I'll post it on Monday, then each Monday after I'll post updated pics to see if there's any difference...
I'll also be trying some 'neck yoga sh*t' that I just stumbled on when I googled "wobbly neck skin"...
I hope to be able to shave the beard off (or some of it) by my birthday in July (18th for all those planning gifts)...
So, if anyone is interested, stay tuned and we'll see how we go...
Of course, if anyone has already tried this, please feel free to chime in and let me know how you went...
Thanx for reading all the way to the end...
Assuming you did...
Jason

I'm finally seeing a difference in my body! I'm 3 months post-op as of today and I'm down 74 lbs. I'm staring to feel "normal" again and I'm loving it. I took a picture this weekend and was finally able to see some of my progress. We have to Celebrate all along the way!

Ahhhhhh the horrible feeling of dreading going in for a fill. I know the feeling and it's terrible. Your story is similar to mine- diet pills, trainer, a band. I had a band for 6 years with moderate success- until it broke. My surgeon was very reassuring and removed it and created a sleeve at same time. I couldn't be happier.
Have you considered having band removed and getting a sleeve? I ask because my doctors were very unhappy with bands and refused to put any more in, only remove them. They said overall they created problems (slipping, gerd etc) and not very impressed with weight loss overall.
It just sounds like you have been through so much and are still willing to fight for your health. Why not set yourself up for a better chance of success? WLS is NO magic cure I KNOW. It's work, mental and physical. However there are so many success stories out there as you can see on this website. I would love to see you part of them.
I sincerity wish you the very best. Big hug O.
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Diet pills are not the answer. Figuring out why you're letting yourself eat crap foods or binging (you don't really say what your issue is) means you are facing a control/willpower issue. You still have the restriction so it's just a matter of getting that control back. You can do this!
You should try going back to basics: Protein, veggies and complex carbs and getting in a minimum of 64 oz of Water. There is even a 5 day pouch reset that mimics the food stages from the beginning that can help clear out the simple carb cravings if you've been eating way too much of that (because the more you eat, the more you want to eat of that crap).
http://5daypouchtest.com/plan/theplan.html
If you are dealing with triggers like stress that are causing you to weaken, then address that as well. If it is seriously an issue then it might be a good idea to find a counselor to help you find non food ways to feel better and to work away from binging and eating foods as self-medication.
Go back to tracking every bite, every sip. Get back into doing regular exercise if you've stopped. Recognize that you have to be accountable for your role in this, and use the tool you were given instead of trying to find a short cut (like pills). You'll be much better off than screwing up your metabolism with crap stuff like diet pills or crash diets.
And stop bringing bad foods into your house or eating out at bad places. If you don't have the bad stuff in front of you or easily accessible, then you won't be as likely to eat it.

You may not be eating enough. Especially if you are exercising.
My surgeon wants her patients during their main weightloss phase to be 900-1200 cals/day. I just had my metabolic rate tested, and my RMR has dropped as I've been well under 800 cals/day for a lot of the past three months. My RMR says I shouldn't have less than 1290 cals/day or shut my metabolism further.
Something to think about!

I too am scheduled for June 6th. Can't believe it's almost here. :-)
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I am scheduled for June 6th.
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@@VSGAnn2014 - that's true .. but her responses were inflammatory and.. honestly pretty downer and mean.. and at that point is when I ask people to leave. I can handle if someone doesn't agree with me but be polite about it.. but when they say things like "Well if you want people to lie to you go ahead" - because I'm very much a Thumper person.. I believe this forum exists to offer encouragement (and yes correction but always POSITIVELY done) and if you can't do one of those two things.. then you should resist from giving your opinion on a thread - especially to someone who started the thread saying they were already down and out.. that's like kicking someone when they're down.