be4unoit

Well, the guidelines for bariatric surgery are continuously evolving. There is evidence of the benefit of bariatric surgery for Class 1 Obesity (30+BMI) as well as the benefit for overweight patients with significant comorbidities, of which I have about 10. That, coupled with a rapid weight gain over the past year does actually qualify me for surgery.
My original sleeve was made larger than most because of my severe GERD. Unfortunately the sleeve has made it worse. My surgeon recommended a bypass prior to my sleeve surgery, but I was too scared to do it.
Remember that there is a broad range of what is considered safe medical practice, and there are indeed reputable surgeons who will do bariatric surgery for patients like me.
I support everyone in doing whatever is best for them, including choosing their surgeon and procedure.
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Congratulations! Many blessings your way!

So, you wanted a sleeve to force a temporary diet? You had surgery for that? Seriously?

Not being looked down upon because I'm fat. Walking into a room and turning heads. I too love horses and so want to horseback ride again. I just took a trip to Australia & New Zealand and one of my bucket list items was an ice climb on Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. Unfortunately I was told I weighed too much and couldn't do it. I ended up just taking a helicopter ride up to the glacier with 10 minutes on the ice. Not what I wanted but I had to settle. I don't want to have to settle anymore. Riding all the rides at an amusement park. I want to learn to scuba dive. I want to see an empty closet (and I have a LOT of clothes). Being able to walk into any store to buy clothes and hopefully buying boots with a regular calf size. Traveling without being squished into the seat and the person looking at me in disgust. There's so many more things I look forward to.

The energy I'm getting. I can cook dinner every night, and not be exhausted. I can take my dogs on long walks. My plantar fasciitis is so much better. Our house has never been so clean! I used to only have energy for work, I'm a bit of a perfectionist so they got 110% of me. Left nothing for home. That's all changed now!!!!

Look at this deal! It's regularly $129. I couldn't resist.

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-LUX50-Programmable-Stainless/dp/B006E7I7MG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480287267&sr=8-1&keywords=Instant+Pot+IP-LUX50+6-in-1+Programmable+Pressure

I can't wait for the NSV's. I want to be comfortable enough to go to the gym pool and swim again, or even join a masters swim club! I want to go sky diving! I want to be able to clean house, play with my daughter and teach all day without being exhausted all the time or having to take breaks constantly. I'd like to buy clothes that are cute and make me feel like me and not someone else. To be able to look in the mirror and smile because I can see me and not the lbs of shame.
thank you for this post! It is so uplifting and fun to see everyones aspirations.

@@Dottygirl I feel you on the clothing stores for bigger girls. I happen to enjoy the clothes at Torrid, but I am so tired of spending so much money on cute clothes....I want to be able to shop at the discount/outlet stores for cute clothes. This year I went with my sister before school started and I had to go to Lane Bryant and Torrid while she went to Loft Outlet and Gap Outlet and I ended up spending almost double what she did for less clothes. =[

This is a fun and inspiring topic. I miss yoga, sailing, and hiking. My husband, the romantic, just bought me new hiking boots! Heck...I hadn't even thought about the underwear. Maybe I too, will Celebrate by burning all of my granny panties with the Christmas tree ....in the back yard!!!

Thanks for this thread--it's so inspiring and uplifting!!
I can't wait to buy cute clothes, stitch fix even? To feel healthy and confident, to play wildly with my five year old, to try running, to go camping, biking, and maybe even rock climbing again. I want my life back please. Oh, and maybe I'd go on a date again?

Not being looked down upon because I'm fat. Walking into a room and turning heads. I too love horses and so want to horseback ride again. I just took a trip to Australia & New Zealand and one of my bucket list items was an ice climb on Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. Unfortunately I was told I weighed too much and couldn't do it. I ended up just taking a helicopter ride up to the glacier with 10 minutes on the ice. Not what I wanted but I had to settle. I don't want to have to settle anymore. Riding all the rides at an amusement park. I want to learn to scuba dive. I want to see an empty closet (and I have a LOT of clothes). Being able to walk into any store to buy clothes and hopefully buying boots with a regular calf size. Traveling without being squished into the seat and the person looking at me in disgust. There's so many more things I look forward to.

Not being looked down upon because I'm fat. Walking into a room and turning heads. I too love horses and so want to horseback ride again. I just took a trip to Australia & New Zealand and one of my bucket list items was an ice climb on Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. Unfortunately I was told I weighed too much and couldn't do it. I ended up just taking a helicopter ride up to the glacier with 10 minutes on the ice. Not what I wanted but I had to settle. I don't want to have to settle anymore. Riding all the rides at an amusement park. I want to learn to scuba dive. I want to see an empty closet (and I have a LOT of clothes). Being able to walk into any store to buy clothes and hopefully buying boots with a regular calf size. Traveling without being squished into the seat and the person looking at me in disgust. There's so many more things I look forward to.

Not being looked down upon because I'm fat. Walking into a room and turning heads. I too love horses and so want to horseback ride again. I just took a trip to Australia & New Zealand and one of my bucket list items was an ice climb on Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. Unfortunately I was told I weighed too much and couldn't do it. I ended up just taking a helicopter ride up to the glacier with 10 minutes on the ice. Not what I wanted but I had to settle. I don't want to have to settle anymore. Riding all the rides at an amusement park. I want to learn to scuba dive. I want to see an empty closet (and I have a LOT of clothes). Being able to walk into any store to buy clothes and hopefully buying boots with a regular calf size. Traveling without being squished into the seat and the person looking at me in disgust. There's so many more things I look forward to.

I got excited when I was told I'd have to eat Protein first. I prefer savory to sweet. Stick a steak in front of me and a slice of chocolate cake and I'll take the steak every time. I occasionally want something sweet so right now getting protein in is hard since I'm only 4 days post surgery and drinking Protein Shakes all the time is making me want something savory. I'm going to start making my own with Fage 2%, fruit, skim milk and Protein Powder. Hopefully it will be a lot less sweet but I'm counting the days to pureed food. Gimme eggs!

If your experiencing pain while eating you may be eating to fast, introducing to many new foods.. Also make sure ur not drinking at least 30min before or after meals and of course not during.
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Many go through a period of regretting the surgery and I was among them for about 1 month.
I am 3 years out, down 150 pounds, and have maintained at goal for about 2 years.
However, 5 days post-op, I had internal bleeding and almost died. My BP was down to 65/25 and an ambulance transported me to the hospital in a huge snow storm. Had a second surgery on an emergency basis. I regretted the surgery for a while and mad that I risked my life and almost died.
But when the weight started falling off and all of my health issues disappeared I embraced having the surgery.
Now 3 years later my life is so much better than before the surgery. I'd do the surgery again even if I knew about the second surgery being needed.
Follow the process and use this tool to change your life and get healthy.
Andrew

I went in for RNY on 11/23/16 and came out with the sleeve due to twisted intestines. So now (after researching everything for RNY after deciding to go that route) I am now catching up with sleeve research.
I don't regret the surgery. Even though my pain is coming from the upper right incision and that hasn't dulled much it's not bad enough to take pain meds all the time. I generally only take one at night before I go to sleep.
I don't crave food or want to eat anything (yet) and I watch a lot of cooking shows. What I did before surgery was had a 'last meal' at the fast food places I usually went to. McDonald's, Taco Bell, pizza and for the most part as I was eating my last meal I realized "this is crap". It didn't taste great and I was just eating it because it was easy to go through a drive through rather than cooking etc. But for the things I truly loved (like tacos) I created versions I could have without guilt when I'm back on solid food. (Using mini peppers as taco shells so I get the crunch - I have a texture issue so I hate things that are all one texture) - using 90% beef or ground turkey/chicken. It's all in the spices. For pizza I will use a cauliflower base, grilled chicken etc.
Today I started full liquids and managed to drink 11oz Protein shake (20g protein) for Breakfast with no problems. I'm about to get dressed and take a walk around the block. It's baby steps. Think ahead so you have something to look forward to.
I have lost 8 lbs in 3 days. That makes me smile.

Every surgery has the potential for complications. If your surgical team didn't go over them thoroughly with you, then you should insist that they do so. As a nurse, I do not believe anyone should agree to surgery without fully understanding the potential for complications along with how often these complications arise.
@@GinaCampbell has had one of the worst experiences I have ever heard of. And not just for the complications that arose, but also for what I consider mis-management of the complications after they arose. It is worth noting that she is being treated in the NHS system which may be overall quite good, but I believe at least some regions have some serious deficiencies in their practices. I know that her case would have been handled quite differently by every single physician I have ever known or worked with here in the U.S.
However, even here in the States, I have read many accounts here on BP where the surgery team absolutely has not done what they should in preparing the patient for the surgery, the demands pre- and post-operatively, and have not given them the support they need. If some of the stories I've read here are true, there are bariatric surgeons out there who don't give written instructions for post-operative care and don't give all of the information needed to make an informed decision. I consider both grounds for a malpractice complaint, honestly.
It is vital to have faith and trust in your surgical team. You have rights as a patient to have your questions fully answered prior to consenting for the surgery, and to have clear written instructions for every stage of the process. If you don't have those things, ask for them or find another surgeon. Period.
I think some people worry that if too much focus is placed on the cases that are outliers with severe complications, that people who are in the decision phase will get scared and end up deciding not to have the surgery that absolutely has the capacity to save their lives. Honestly, if the surgical team cannot put the fears to rest, the person shouldn't have the surgery.
I was another person who wanted to hear the horror stories, because then I'd have a clear picture of how bad it could get. Then I discussed those concerns with my surgeon who was able to give me overall statistics of the incidences of those complications, along with her personal track record. Also, she was able to tell me if there are things I as the patient or she and the team could do to prevent the possible complications.
Gina's case is not the norm, at least here in the States. But I agree that hearing her story and the stories of other people who regret their decision for whatever reason, are important.
I believe that a lot of people have the surgery without really understanding the choice they're making and what it will mean for their lives. If the surgeons are not doing their part to mitigate this, then places like BP can help by exposing people to lots of different perspectives and experiences.

Not being looked down upon because I'm fat. Walking into a room and turning heads. I too love horses and so want to horseback ride again. I just took a trip to Australia & New Zealand and one of my bucket list items was an ice climb on Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. Unfortunately I was told I weighed too much and couldn't do it. I ended up just taking a helicopter ride up to the glacier with 10 minutes on the ice. Not what I wanted but I had to settle. I don't want to have to settle anymore. Riding all the rides at an amusement park. I want to learn to scuba dive. I want to see an empty closet (and I have a LOT of clothes). Being able to walk into any store to buy clothes and hopefully buying boots with a regular calf size. Traveling without being squished into the seat and the person looking at me in disgust. There's so many more things I look forward to.

I'm doing okay. I went in for RNY and had to the sleeve because my intestines are twisted. I'm being discharged today since I'm doing okay walking and drinking Water. Can't bend over to get my shoes on so will need to ask a nurse for help. Just waiting for my sister to come get me.

How are you feeling? I'm miserable currently... hoping as the days go by I'll be much better... do your breathing thing... I have Fluid in my lungs because I haven't been doing it right
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BariactricGirl4Life

My surgery is scheduled for 8:30am tomorrow morning. 11/23. Let's do this!
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This is mine.

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I have been heavy my whole adult life. I have dieted and gained as you do but nothing stuck. Thanks to back to back surgeries (bunions/hammertoes - both feet and a new knee) in less than a year my mobility has been stagnant due to pain because of my weight. I decided it was time. I had told myself I wasn't going to do this unless I promised myself I would follow through to the end (plastic surgery upon completion). I asked my PCP to refer me for bariatric surgery. I had thought about it off and on for a very long time but was never a candidate. Oh I had the BMI covered but no co-morbidities. Lately I have added high blood pressure and severe obstructive sleep apnea.
So my journey started. I had to go to a seminar before I could make an appointment. After that I met with my surgeon, the nurse & nutritionist. I had homework, lots of tests (My doctor sent me for a CT scan on my heart since I had taken FenFen which showed I had a moderately enlarged ascending aorta - which led to a MRI w/contrast before I could be cleared for surgery), psychiatrist and had to lose between 15 - 30 lbs. I was given a tentative surgery date of Nov. 23rd.
I went for my final appointment. I had done all my homework, lost 22 lbs., and decided on Roux-en-y over the Sleeve. (I had the option of either one). I have Blue Shield *** and the approval came through the first time. So I was given my pre-op drink & body wash and I'm set for Nov. 23rd.
I had seen the Vitamin Patches and my nurse raved about them so I've already ordered the 3 I need to use every month. I have powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury unflavored Protein powder and Isopure Zero Carb Creamy vanilla. I have a shopping list for next weekend to pick up what else I would need.
I'm ready for this. It's time.

Anyone who says this is the "easy way out" obviously don't know very much about the entire process!!
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