gingeryank

@@t1da I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles, but congratulations on your new sleeve! Is it helping? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@littlered12973 I've been on sick leave since January--also to focus on aggressive treatments, some of which caused a considerable amount of my weight gain. I'm so glad your blood pressure and sleep apnea have normalized! That's quick if your surgery was only on Mar 29. My BP has normalized, too, and my surgery was on Feb 25. I can tell you, being 6 weeks out, that the weight loss has had a significant impact on my chronic pain. WLS has been the best AS "treatment" I've had thus far. I hope the same is true for you and your condition. Good luck! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats on your surgery date! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Welcome! I'm fairly new here, too, and am enjoying the forum. I had bad fatigue and dizziness and finally figured out it was my BP meds. I'm nearly off of them completely at 5+ weeks post op. Dehydration can cause the same symptoms. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Simply put, I do what works, and I don't count meals/snacks. I just feed my body when it feels like it's running out of steam, I put quality food in it, and I try to track calories. I admit that this is more of an intuitive process for me. I'm 5+ weeks post op, and I don't track every day (yet). I'm just finding my way, and I try to give myself a little grace. Stress doesn't help. I also take a lot of medications throughout the day due to a genetic, progressive autoimmune condition, so when/how often I eat also depends on when I need to take meds. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't know that I have words of wisdom or recipes. I'm new here, too, and had my VSG on 2/25. But welcome! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@ewalter31 I began my journey at 212 and have lost 18 lbs. Maybe we do just lose slower. I have 40 lbs left to lose, and sometimes I forget that I'm already (nearly) halfway there if you include my pre-op loss. Hang in there! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Today is 5 weeks for those of us sleeved on 2/25. I've only lost 18 lbs since surgery (and 18 before). Doesn't seem like much compared to everyone else. Hoping the weight loss picks up after 6 weeks as my surgeon promised. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sophisticated. Stylish. Just plain gorgeous. I'd be proud if that was me. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@shrinkingkimber I had to hold my Cimzia injections 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after. My surgeon wasn't happy either because of the higher risk involved. But everything turned out fine. Btw, I'm going to Remicade next if I fail Cimzia. I've already failed Humira. A lot of my weight gain also came from steroids. Good luck on your surgery! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Ouch. Sorry you had to go through that. Glad you were able to get the surgery. Just looked up Peggy Cappy. Her DVDs are affordable. I might check out the one for Arthritis. Thanks for the tip! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Christinamo7 that's a new one for me. What symptoms do you struggle with? I'm glad walking is working for you. Someone mentioned something called restorative yoga. It's supposed to be good for AS patients. I'd like to try yoga. I always felt out of place in yoga classes (mental thing). Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It will be interesting to see if there are others like us. I know that I don't like being defined by my disability, but it sure would be nice to be part of a sub-community of folks going through similar struggles. Feel free to PM me anytime! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@UalreadyKnow I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with these illnesses. I've fallen down the stairs in my home, in the grocery store--just randomly when my knees give out. My eyelashes fell out. All autoimmune related. I find that autoimmune diseases can and do overlap. I understand the need to feel normal: a normal weight and, in my case anyway, as able-bodied as possible. Good luck to you in your battle! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Is anyone out there suffering from an autoimmune disease? If so, has the disease affected your weight loss journey? How so? I have a genetic autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis. My overactive immune system attacks my spine, large joints, and eyes among other things. I got this surgery because of AS. I know it won't cure my AS, but I welcome any measure that will reduce the pressure on my spine. Ways my weight loss journey has been affected: AS causes chronic fatigue. Couple that with the fatigue we all feel following WLS, and it's a bear. I'm limited to two forms of exercise: walking and swimming. No weight training. Since muscle burns fat, that's a bummer. But I'm still hopeful. I've lost 36 lbs (pre op and post op combined, height 5'1, surgery Feb 25). I'm at a stall at the moment, and I would love to hit the gym with gusto. My body and mind/will are not in sync. I would love to hear from those with similar battles. Tell me all of this gets better? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@MIMISAN, I sent you a PM. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you, jane13! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you, Falecha! I'd love to support you, too. I welcome anyone here to PM me anytime. I don't know much being only 4+ weeks in, but I'll happily listen and share what I know. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Re: finallyfree Thanks for reaching out to me and for the affirmation. He was supportive the day of surgery and the day after. Then nothing. Weird, I know. Thanks to everyone who has responded to my thread. It's so refreshing to hear that people are behind me. I hope to return the gesture. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Umo, what a small world! I'm thrilled to meet someone else from the Nicholson Clinic. Maybe we can keep in touch through this site. I'm curious to learn where you are on your journey and what your experiences have been like so far. Nice to "meet" you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Anyone here available to be a sleeve buddy? My surgery date was 2/25. I'm 5'1. Pre-op weight: 212. Day of surgery: 192.8. Current: 176.2. I live in TX and don't have much of a support system. If you'd like to read my introduction to these forums, it's called "Lonely in Sleeveland." It's under the sleeve "tell your story" section. Thanks for considering. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good to know. Thank you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

P.S. Are there other online forums, besides BariatricPal? I don't know of any. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's funny. I teach online, but I wouldn't describe myself as an online/social media enthusiast. I feel like I need to become one insofar as I need to be part of a community. I also have a genetic autoimmune disease, AS, and would love to connect with others with chronic diseases/pain. I have an excellent psychologist. I guess I forgot that important detail. She's especially helpful in pointing out my husband's control issues and showing me how to retain my autonomy and freedom (and joy!) in the midst of them. I see her weekly, but most recently, she's given me the gentle push to branch out and meet people. I'm so used to hiding--mainly due to my weight--so this step will be important for me. Congrats on being 19 months post op! Can't wait to be there. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App