KristenLe

Had my 1st dr appt after surgery today and I'm off most of my meds
Craig Martinez
Austin, Texas

You're overthinking this. No one is going to bat an eye if they realize you have food issues. Hell...we all have food issues. They just want to be sure that you're not certifiable.

@@auroradawn ...Yes - I am just starting this journey but feel the same way! I am same age and just about same stats as you as well! What's making me feel better is reading all of the posts about successes but also stalls or perceived failures.
You are not alone!
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First time posting here, but I've been lurking for awhile.
I'm self-pay and scheduled with Dr. Illan in Mexico for May 12.
Feeling very calm and not nervous about the surgery itself...but I worry that I'll be the one this doesn't work for. Has anyone else felt that way??
About me 5'2", 47 years old, 295 pounds. I've been overweight since I was maybe 10 or so. Childhood pictures show a normal-sized child, but I don't remember not being fat. I was over 200 in high school, probably 250 or so before/after my two pregnancies, and been 275-295 for the last 15-20 years. That's were my weight seems to want to be; on the one hand, I can pretty much eat whatever, and I don't go up anymore; but on the other hand, it's pretty impossible to lose anything, and it always resettles in the 275-295 range.
I've been a vegan/vegetarian for over 10 years (first 5 vegan, now vegetarian). Before that I did Atkins and lost 80 pounds (but was also pretty much starving myself...it was Atkins in name only). Since then, I've done WW, superfood diets, blah blah blah. You know the drill.
I have Hashimoto's, which I'm sure plays a role in all this (I was diagnosed at hypothyroid about 16 years ago, and Hashi's about 5 years ago). I am treated properly for my thyroid and it is technically right where it should be.
I'm excited about having the sleeve because I feel like, from everything I've read, this will be the tool that gets me where I want to be. I love to eat healthy foods (though I eat bad ones, too, for sure), and wish I could be more active without the pain, so in theory this should all work for me.
But...I can't picture it. I don't know what it's like to be a healthy weight. What if my body can't do that, no matter how hard I try (so far it hasn't, afterall!). I feel like this is my last chance, so what if it doesn't work? These are my worries :/ I'll be the one it doesn't work for...
My goals are really just to be healthier, to avoid diabetes (I'm pre-diabetic now) and heart disease, to be able to go backpacking and walking and do all the things I want to do. I have a vague idea that I'll be able to fit into smaller clothes, and that would be fun (I've never in my life bought something that was actually cool or fun to wear or fashionable). I hope to lose a lot of weight, and I'm 100% willing to do the work. But....I've done the work before and been frustrated when nothing happens. So that is my worry and my fear.
Has anyone else ever felt that way? Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my rambles...

I just ate a scrambled egg with salsa and a little cheese, I think it was the best thing I've eaten ever. I have a new appreciation for food!!
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FYI....I went into therapy at 100 lbs. down as I had body image issues. Could not recognize myself and it was very difficult to be happy with the weight loss when I had these other issues. Turns out, I needed her help for two years as I went from morbidly obese to now being petite. I recommend it for anyone who is losing a considerable amount of weight as it is very much a mental thing along with the physical changes.

I was warned about this being a possible side effect on my 1st NUT appointment. With only being 3 weeks post-op - I wouldn't be eating anything like that anyway. Your body is telling you that you shouldn't be eating sugar!
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Last year, instead of going to the WLS seminar I thought "I don't want anything that drastic..I can do this without surgery"! Well I was as wrong - I'm heavier and heading towards 300lbs. I have hypertension, hypothyroidism, PCOS, Mild sleep apnea, interstitial cystitis, joint pain, degenerative disc disease, aches and pains all the time (back, hip, ankles). I can not do this myself and I don't want to be dead or riding around in a hoveround (?sp) when I'm 50 (48 now!). I figure at the rate I'm going I'll be diabetic before long! In addition to my health issues - I can't stand the sight of myself. My weight is impacting my social life.
WLS isn't for everyone and it certainly isn't an easy decision but it's a decision I wish I made 10 or more years ago! :-)
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Please discuss the right amount of Protein for you with your Dr or NUT. Too much Protein can cause problems.
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Thought of another one.
We live in a lake town so we spend a lot of the Summer at the Water. We bought kayaks last year, so each of the 4 of us (my husband, kids, and myself) have our own boats. I was SO not graceful getting in and out of that thing! I almost tipped it several times because I didn't have the strength to get my big body out of it correctly. I'm looking forward to being able to go out with my family and not panic that I'm going to get stuck and make a fool of myself. Also - the size of my life jacket is ridiculous. I'd like a "normal" sized one! Being comfortable in a swimsuit is going to be amazing, as well.
Next Summer should be a lot more fun for me

Feeling better (less aches and pains), more energy, more social (stop obsessing about if I'll fit into the booth when we go out to eat, or if I'm going to pull a Shallow Hal and break a stool or chair, how I need to sit in aisle seat at a concert and attempt to make myself smaller so I don't annoy the people around me,) being able to have a picture taken of me that doesn't make me cringe or cry and pray no one sees it!, having a shirt for more than a day before I spill something down the front of me, going to my PCP and getting a clean bill of health instead of another referral to a specialist because something else is wrong with me, a better sex life, more energy, wearing a worn out pair of levis in regular size and looking damn good, etc, etc.
I just pray I'll get there...
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June 2015: 297.6 lbs
1/18 Surgery: 267.6 lbs
Today: 215.0 lbs
82.6lbs gone forever and just 65 more lbs to goal! Seeing these pictures side by side has given me new motivation!

I have been really, very lucky. No skin removal surgeries and none planned. My bariatric surgery was not covered by insurance, so I KNOW plastic surgery wouldn't be. I have a small bit of skin on my lower tummy and a small bit on my upper arms, but nothing that I am currently concerned about. I work out quite a bit, though, so that has helped

Haha, Thanks sleevyk!!
Rydersmama, I started at 330. Surgery weight was 323 lbs, I weighed in this morning at 158 lbs. I've lost 172 lbs since my very first orientation visit with my doctor.

1 can of tuna
1/2 a diced avocado
1 diced hard boiled egg
1 tablespoon capers
2 tablespoons diced red onion
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Mix everything together and serve in a hollowed out half of a Tomato

I just saved this from a WW site...haven't tried it yet but looks good! I'm just starting my WLS journey...does anyone see any concerns with this recipe after surgery?
http://77recipes.com/tuna-and-white-bean-salad/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Postcron.com
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Feeling better (less aches and pains), more energy, more social (stop obsessing about if I'll fit into the booth when we go out to eat, or if I'm going to pull a Shallow Hal and break a stool or chair, how I need to sit in aisle seat at a concert and attempt to make myself smaller so I don't annoy the people around me,) being able to have a picture taken of me that doesn't make me cringe or cry and pray no one sees it!, having a shirt for more than a day before I spill something down the front of me, going to my PCP and getting a clean bill of health instead of another referral to a specialist because something else is wrong with me, a better sex life, more energy, wearing a worn out pair of levis in regular size and looking damn good, etc, etc.
I just pray I'll get there...
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Feeling better (less aches and pains), more energy, more social (stop obsessing about if I'll fit into the booth when we go out to eat, or if I'm going to pull a Shallow Hal and break a stool or chair, how I need to sit in aisle seat at a concert and attempt to make myself smaller so I don't annoy the people around me,) being able to have a picture taken of me that doesn't make me cringe or cry and pray no one sees it!, having a shirt for more than a day before I spill something down the front of me, going to my PCP and getting a clean bill of health instead of another referral to a specialist because something else is wrong with me, a better sex life, more energy, wearing a worn out pair of levis in regular size and looking damn good, etc, etc.
I just pray I'll get there...
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I'm a year and 5 months out, and surpassed my doctors goal last month. Life is great

I think they just mean the humidifier settings, not the humidifier itself.
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What kind of mask do you have? You may just have a cold but you could also be sleeping with your mouth open which could cause a sore throat. Also be sure to have enough humidity (my machine has a built in humidifier and I can adjust it) and clean the filter frequently (especially if you have animals).

Feeling better (less aches and pains), more energy, more social (stop obsessing about if I'll fit into the booth when we go out to eat, or if I'm going to pull a Shallow Hal and break a stool or chair, how I need to sit in aisle seat at a concert and attempt to make myself smaller so I don't annoy the people around me,) being able to have a picture taken of me that doesn't make me cringe or cry and pray no one sees it!, having a shirt for more than a day before I spill something down the front of me, going to my PCP and getting a clean bill of health instead of another referral to a specialist because something else is wrong with me, a better sex life, more energy, wearing a worn out pair of levis in regular size and looking damn good, etc, etc.
I just pray I'll get there...
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Nothing to be embarrassed about...I think it's important that you are in the "right place" emotionally before getting the surgery. You will be far more successful! This is why the psych evaluation is important and part of the quality WLS programs. I have mine Tuesday...hoping I "pass" but if I don't - I will know I need work on my mind before I get any on my body! Hoping that you can have the surgery in Sept and do well!
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This is NOT something you should be asking us. For severe pain at non-surgical sites more than 3 months after surgery that is so debilitating it disorients you, you need to talk to a medical professional ASAP and get checked out. If you can't get ahold of your PCP, call your surgeon and see what he thinks. If you can't get ahold of either, I'd recommend urgent care or the ER. If this happens while you are driving, walking across a street, getting out of the shower or walking down stairs, you could be hurt.
I'm a nurse, and these are red flags that I'm not going to even try and speculate on. You need to see someone ASAP and not worry about what strangers on the internet think.
Please take care, be safe, and keep us updated.

@@KristenLe Thank you so much!!! Waking up everyday to this is crazy!