ShelterDog64

Where is Alex and his ban-hammer? The fat shaming from a fat person is just...odd.

*to say anything else to... You can't call me stupid and have simple grammatical errors in the same sentence. She went back and edited it...I swear, I'm going to pee myself!

@@TracyBar We're very similar: I'm 52, 5'7" and I started at 262. I was on one pill for hypertension, and I have/had fibromyalgia and was taking 2 meds for that. But I didn't feel good...262 was the most I'd ever weighed, my legs and feet hurt all the time and I got winded walking to my car. I felt like I'd lived all the life I had in me and I didn't know what the future held. Was it going to be diabetes, or a cardiac issue, or was I just going to keep gaining weight until I wasn't able to walk at all? I had gone from being a very healthy, happy, active woman who ran, hiked, downhill skied, swam, etc. when my kids were small to a fat, miserable old woman who couldn't keep up with her teens and husband. So maybe my motivations were different? But, I did have many of the same thoughts you did. I was afraid to give up my relationship with food because it was the one that I spent the most time on...eating, planning to eat, etc. I love to cook and I'm a good cook, and I was afraid of giving that up (which was silly, I still cook!). I was who I was, fat and all, and I was afraid that I'd have the surgery and either fail miserably or hate my new life. It was talking to my sons (22 and 19) and my wonderful husband that made it all okay for me. I talked to my husband first, alone, and he was fully on my side, ready to help me in any way, exactly as I expected. When I sat down with my boys to tell them what I was thinking and get their opinions, they were both excited and hopeful...the younger one said that they'd missed doing active things with me and hated to see me so unhappy with myself. That really drove home to me how much MY weight affected the people I love the most. I missed a good 10 years with the 3 loves of my life, wasted it being fat and distancing myself from their active lives because of my weight. So, I decided to do it. Someone a couple of months ago here on BP was worrying about giving up the ability to eat large quantities of food and I told her this: At some point, you have to be willing to say to the people who love you and want you around for a long, healthy life that eating a giant cheeseburger and fries was more important than they are...because that's kind of what you're saying. I couldn't say that to my guys any longer. I chose them, instead of the big old cheeseburger. And guess what? I'm down almost 60 lbs, I don't have hypertension any more, my fibromyalgia is gone (fingers crossed!) and I walk 2-4 miles a day with no pain and no problem. And, I can still have a cheeseburger...just a tiny one, with no bun, and I don't miss big portions any more. I can have a french fry or 2, but I seldom do, because I'd rather fuel my body than feed my carb cravings. I'm no longer a "live to eat", I'm an "eat to live". We still go out to dinner, still have meals with friends, still go to breweries and beer fests and all the things we used to do, but now I've got this marvelous tool, my sleeve, that helps me make better choices and is helping me find my old self again. My only regret is waiting 10 years to do this. I kick myself for that. I hope all this rambling helps you...I know I only talked about myself, but just wanted to give you another person's experience and perspective. There are wise vets here who've been on this road much, much longer than I have, but your post really tugged at me...the uncertainty is very difficult and I hope you find some peace with whatever decision you come to. The vets will provide you with lots of great information about what it's like a year, two, five down the road. And for the most part, they say it's pretty awesome Good luck with your decision, I hope you stick around and let us know what you ultimately decide to do.

Okay, okay....everything is about you. I promise. Now, just sit still and let me help you slip into this very special, very long sleeved shirt. No, no, don't worry about those buckles...they're ornamental! OOOOOOH! Are they silver and sparkly?? Yes! And they wrap around and around you, like a nice, medicated little HUG.

Okay, okay....everything is about you. I promise. Now, just sit still and let me help you slip into this very special, very long sleeved shirt. No, no, don't worry about those buckles...they're ornamental!

Me. This bee-yotch is talking about ME. She loves me now, though. She really really does. :::sigh:::: every. single. thing. is NOT about you! But this is! hahahahahahaha....love you, Lippy ;-* Me. This bee-yotch is talking about ME. She loves me now, though. She really really does.Whether she likes it ir not. Sent from my SM-G930P using the BariatricPal App I'm just nice to her so she leaves me alone

I've only been here for about 6 months, and I'm only 3 months post-op, but you're really on the wrong track here. When September is 6 months in your rearview mirror and you've actively participated, do me a favor and revisit this topic. I can promise you your attitude will change. There is a small handful of dedicated, seasoned and well-informed veterans on this site who tirelessly answer the SAME 20 QUESTIONS over and over and over and over and over again. They VOLUNTEER to do this. Willingly give up their own time to try to help the rest of us. So when one of them starts a thread about what she will/won't answer questions about, it's long overdue and they don't need a 2 or 3 week member, still pre-op, telling them what they should or shouldn't do. I was not a huge fan of some of the vets when I first arrived, but that's completely changed as I observe the rank stupidity they're willing to deal with day after day, solely to ensure that anyone reading doesn't take any of the rank stupidity to heart. Try dealing with the vets as carefully as you'd deal with the newbs...they deserve that and more, from all of us.

You can fly...people fly home from Mexico just a few days post-op Walk on the plane to keep clots from forming, remember to drink even more Water than your normal 64 oz, take Protein with you and have a great time! I flew a few days shy of 4 weeks post-op and didn't need any extra assistance...plan for it, but you may find you feel well enough to do it on your own.

Those B'more Organic shakes look awesome...not sure why you'd gain if you're sticking to what you listed for food. Check your yogurt, some of them are loaded with sugar, but even so, you should be losing. Good luck with the weigh in!

@@suzzzzz is my WLS twin

@@xoxococojay I'm so glad my post helped! Be confident and tell whoever you want to tell, and tell them as much or as little as you want! This is about you, baby

@@xoxococojay I've told virtually everyone who I interact with frequently. To me, there was no point in trying to hide that I've dropped 50+ lbs in just a few months...it's very, very noticeable on my frame. When I told people about it, I didn't ask what they thought or indicate in any way that I was looking for permission, commiseration, support, whatever...I just told them matter-of-factly that I was having WLS. If they asked "why?" I told them "because I want to". That seemed to be sufficient So far, other than one outlier (and my mother initially), everyone has been wonderful to me. The outlier is very, very obese and I think she didn't want to lose a fat friend to a healthier life. She hasn't spoken to me since my surgery and I don't miss her. On the other hand, I have 2 friends who are now planning WLS, in part because of my openness and willingness to share about mine. I'm PROUD of myself, and I'm going to share it.

It's understandable, but it's also a lot better than being with someone who doesn't care about you, leaves you because you're obese, tries to sabotage you, etc. I think we're ALL a bit irritable post-op, so remember this when it's his turn

I use patches: a multi, an Iron, a calcium/vit D and several times a week I add a B-12, which also has Biotin. PatchMD brand, sold here on BP.

@@madisunshine1 I love cheese, and I've now become a huge fan of Moon Cheese. It's crunchy and cheesy and amazing...now I want some! I like almonds, and also low sodium/low sugar beef Jerky. I found a brand that was awesome when I was traveling last month, but I threw the bag away and can't remember the name of it String cheese is great, too. I like to wrap it, along with a spear of pickled asparagus, in a piece of black forest ham. That's more than a snack, more like lunch, but it's yummy. I eat some carbs, so my favorite Protein bars are now the ones by FitJoy...they truly taste like what they say they are (ie pumpkin pie) and they don't give me that heavy feeling after I eat them. What are you best Snacks? I feel like I eat the same things over and over and over and over...

@@Dub I just saw my dietitian and she wants me to get 110g/day. I HAVE to supplement to do it, which makes it seem like an unattainable goal for me. I consistently get 80-90 but she's not happy

I use stevia and monkfruit as much as possible. I really don't like the taste of Splenda but it's in a LOT of flavored Protein powders, syrups and Protein Bars.

@@madisunshine1 Girl, you are HARD on yourself. First, by my handy dandy calendar, you aren't even 2.5 mos out...you have another 3 weeks till you hit 3 mos! And really, you've lost 36.5 in less than that because you've been stuck for a month. Being sick can really derail your weight loss and this is a typical time of the year for getting sick. All of our kids go back to school (aka the Petri dish) and start bringing home the virus du jour, plus we're easing into flu season as well. I had shoulder surgery last month and my loss has slowed dramatically, since my body is busy doing something else...so is your's when you're sick. Have you been able to track your food and Water intake? I can't remember if you have access to a dietitian or a nutritionist, but if you do, have you been able to meet with them and talk about this? I tend to lose in little clumps right now...I'll go 3 or 4 days at exactly the same weight, then it bumps down half a pound or maybe more. Others here seem to be losing at a faster rate, but I know I'm following plan so I'm pretty chill about it. I don't know or know of ANYONE who had the surgery and stayed on plan that didn't reach their goal or darned close to it. Hang in there...like you said, it's 36.5 lbs you wouldn't have lost otherwise and I KNOW there's more weight loss in your future

In general, 'clear liquids' means just that...liquids that you can see through. 'Full liquids' is the step beyond, to opaque, pourable foods. Baylor Health has their bariatric post-op food guidelines online and they do a great job of giving examples: http://www.baylorhealth.com/SpecialtiesServices/WeightManagement/ChefDave/DietaryProgression/Pages/Stage1.aspx

@@mallnut Clear liquids would not include true milk products, no. Clear is literal here...you need to be able to see through it. Full liquids include Soups and Protein drinks, and still must be of a pourable consistency. sugar free popsicles are okay on a clear liquid diet, but not fudge pops. I had my surgery in June and I'm still in love with sugar free popsicles

@@Shell Renewed There is a vets forum, but it's dead as a doornail. Just waiting until I can post there! :-D

Great job! You deserve a new suit for all that hard work

This is almost certainly the problem...when I came off HCTZ, my weight shot up, my rings got tight(er), etc. When your meds come, you should lose the water weight pretty quickly. Make sure you tell your surgery team about this, too. Good luck!

@@mallnut No, I don't think it's okay to have ice cream cake while you're on liquids. I'd consider a bite or 2 of ice cream cake once I'm in maintenance and not a day before. Honestly, this is about changing the way you relate to food. Eating can't continue to be a knee-jerk reaction to the desire to celebrate and we have to find new ways to spend social time with friends and family. It's hard...most of us have spent our lives equating food with happiness, or sadness, or celebrations, or all of the above. But if we're going to spend the money and take the risk to have this surgery, we owe it to ourselves to finish the job by changing our habits, too. That said, I hope you have a very happy and healthy birthday!

@@overthemoon444 Have you tried the lemonade flavored Isopure? It was the only one I could stand, and you can't beat the Protein load in those drinks. Post-op I was taking liquid tylenol w/codeine and liquid potassium, so the Isopure seemed like a treat, if you can wrap your head around THAT :-P I hated the fruit punch and whatever the blue flavor is, but the lemonade was okay. Good luck with your surgery!