Sherrie Scharbrough

I am one of the LUCKY ones!! I had my RNY July 2, 2013. Lost below my goal weight in 6 months, I weighed 117's. I did gain back 8's which I feel so much better. It is weird how just 8#'s made such a difference. I have maintained my `125# weight for over 3 years. Now for why I am lucky. I still feel no hunger!!! No physcial hunger but I do deal with mind hunger a lot. I had some problems with strictures (like scar tissue) I feel like that was the reason I lost so fast!! But hey I'm not complaining!! I am so glad that I had my WLS!! It is one of the best things I have done for myself and my family. Just remember each person has their own journey and no 2 are alike!! Good Luck

Like was said above you need to be 100% sure this is what you want. It will help you lose the weight but let me tell you the MAINTANCE is the hardest. Mentally you will have so MUCH to figure out on your journey. It will not be easy!! For myself I had tried every diet known to mankind practically. I could loose some of my weight but lost my motivation some where along the way. I got really sick with my Fibromylgia had to leave a job that I had worked at for 10 years!! I hated what my body did to me. I lost so much of my joy because I was sick all the time. At that time I did lose 135#'s. But it didn't take me to long to gain it all back plus. THAT was a push toward my WLS. I had contacted a Surgeon in Eugene, Oregon. He wanted to do the Lap Band on me. I refused because my hubby had his Band for 13years of course he lost 100#'s but never got to his goal weight. So I just figured I would be heavy for the rest of my life!! Fast forward, hubby's Band had to be removed. While he was in his Dr's office the nurse and I were chatting and I mentioned that I only wish I could have WLS. When she asked me why I coudn't I told her of the other DR. Of course I made a appointment and I was ready to have my RNY even before my hubby's and removal of his Band. The rest is history. I lost 132#'s in 6 months but I did have a 8# gain. But I have maintained my 125#'s for 3 years now. But it is totally a fight to keep my mind from making me think that I can't keep doing this!! I swear my biggest fear is being a statistic and gaining my weight back. I even have nightmares that I have to weigh in front of my family and I had gained everything back plus. I still see the heavy Sherrie. Some days I feel so FAT and then some days I am ok. Total MIND STUFF!! Good luck in whichever you decide to do!!

I had my RNY on July 2, 2013. I was 57Years old. I am now almost 61 ydears old. My PS was amazed at how fast my body healed after my Panni which was done last Sept. I am telling you IT IS SO WORTH IT. For the gas pains (I still have gas issues most of the time it is because I ate to much or the food just doesn't digest ) I have taken PAPAYA ENZYMES they have saved me so many times. They are chewable so I chew up 4 of them and lie on my left side. It works better for me than GAS X. With them you need to drink to get em down. When I have that gas going on I can't drink or eat anything. You can buy them at Walmart for less than $5.00. Plus they are 100% natural. LOVE THEM

Hi jadeskys, I have Fibromylgia also plus Psoriasis arthritis and Osto arthritis. I know tat you proablly have been told that exercise is the key to helping us with our Fibro. I got so tired of hearing that but...now I know it is true!! My pain isn't gone by no means but man o mighty has it got better!! You are early out from your WLS. You need to just push yourself to get in your fluids as you already know from being in the hospital. My Suregon always told me that fluids and the Protein is what we need to concentrate on. The protein helps with healing and it doesn't take long to get dehydrated for sure. Your post sounds like mine. LOL I do still have some problems with my Blood pressure but I am so much better. I use to take 12 different medication. I was so insulin resistant I couldn't get my blood sugars under control I was on 100units of Levermire 2 times a day plus 500mg of Meteformin 2 times a day. I am off all diabetes meds, I take 4 precriptions now. Of course my Vitamins. Here are my STATS: HW 249# (I had lost from 285#'s before my WLS) SW 232 LW 117# CW 125 I lost down to my lowest of 117#s which means I had lost 132#'s but I did gain 8#'s back. Which is and was totally ok with myself and my DR. Just KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE keep doing everything your Surgeon 's guidelines and it will work out. I hope you can get to feeling beter so you can do more and this will help with your FIBRO, depression and anxity. I have so many illness like you. depresson, fibro, high blood pressure, anxiety, and panic attacks BTW your Wl is good. You are just 1 day shy of being a month. When have you been able to lose weigght and keep it off? If you are like myself, I have lost 100's of #'s over and over again. Hang tight you will get there. This is a journey not a quick fix. Hugs you've got this!!!

Hi Dave, I had my RNY July 2 2013. Before I discuss my weight loss story I was insulin resistant and had diabetes for 30 plus years. I took 100 units of Levermire twice a day plus 500mg of Meteformin twice a day. Without getting my sugars under control. I took 12 different medications. Now I take 4 with three of them for high blood pressure. I really wanted to be off those too but I just don't know how to unstress myself. If you figure it out let me know. I am able to get out and walk. I walk 3 to 4 miles 3 to 4 days a week. Which I also have Fibromylgia, Osteo arthritis, Psroriatic arthritis also. All I heard from my DR's was exercise will make it all better. But...how can you do the exercise when you are in pain and it makes it worse to do it. It kind of just goes to the wayside for sure. It defintly helped me with my pain levels I'm not saying I am pain free but to be able to get out there and feel so good about what I am doing is a blessing for sure. Now here are my stats: HIGH EST WEIGHT 249#s (this time I managed to lose from 285#'s before on my own) SURGERY WEIGHT 232#'s LOWEST WEIGHT 117#'s CURRENT WEIGHT 125#'s!! The best thing is I lost 132#'s in 6 months. I did gain 8#'s back but I have maintained my 124# loss for 3 and 1/2 years. Still going strong. I won't say that I wish I would have had it sooner because I was not ready for the work it takes as WLS is a tool!! We have to do the work. Would I do it again YES YES a million times YES!!! Now you and only you with the help for your Dr can decide which surgery you need to do. Good luck and I am sorry I wrote a book. Keep us posted and I look forward to following your progress!!

Hi Dave, I had my RNY July 2 2013. Before I discuss my weight loss story I was insulin resistant and had diabetes for 30 plus years. I took 100 units of Levermire twice a day plus 500mg of Meteformin twice a day. Without getting my sugars under control. I took 12 different medications. Now I take 4 with three of them for high blood pressure. I really wanted to be off those too but I just don't know how to unstress myself. If you figure it out let me know. I am able to get out and walk. I walk 3 to 4 miles 3 to 4 days a week. Which I also have Fibromylgia, Osteo arthritis, Psroriatic arthritis also. All I heard from my DR's was exercise will make it all better. But...how can you do the exercise when you are in pain and it makes it worse to do it. It kind of just goes to the wayside for sure. It defintly helped me with my pain levels I'm not saying I am pain free but to be able to get out there and feel so good about what I am doing is a blessing for sure. Now here are my stats: HIGH EST WEIGHT 249#s (this time I managed to lose from 285#'s before on my own) SURGERY WEIGHT 232#'s LOWEST WEIGHT 117#'s CURRENT WEIGHT 125#'s!! The best thing is I lost 132#'s in 6 months. I did gain 8#'s back but I have maintained my 124# loss for 3 and 1/2 years. Still going strong. I won't say that I wish I would have had it sooner because I was not ready for the work it takes as WLS is a tool!! We have to do the work. Would I do it again YES YES a million times YES!!! Now you and only you with the help for your Dr can decide which surgery you need to do. Good luck and I am sorry I wrote a book. Keep us posted and I look forward to following your progress!!

Hi SassyPants, (I love your name) I hope that everythiong works out for you. I really don't think that we were the only one that had these experience. Just be careful. I am sorry that I am a DEBBIE DOWNER but I do care what happens to others. I still need some skin stuff and I know of people that have went to Mexico for their skin removals, but....even tho it would be cheaper I wouldn't go there. I just ask my hubby if he would go to Mexico even with the things that we both went thru. he said he still might. But it wouldn't be Juarez Mexico. He would go to Tijuana. We have heard good things about them. Personally I might notice I said might go thru Tijuana. It will be how much I want it and need it first off. I'm not sure but this site may have Skin removal Dr's. Take care. Hope to see you around sharing your Journey.

Thomas and wynellgray, My hubby weighed over 500#'s. Way back 17 years ago. He presued WLS back in 2000. His Surgeon convinced him that he needed the Lap Band. He lost 100#'s but had nothing but problems with it. In Sept 2013 he went in for a revision to the RNY. The band had eroded into his Liver so they removed his band and gallbladder then told him in 3 months after he healed they would do his RNY. He ended up with abcesses and was deathly sick for 9 months. (3 of them he doesn't even remember!! So after that he found out he has Cancer in his Kidney (which Tuesday he goes in for a ebalsion to kill the Cancer. He weighed to much for them to do anything, this was a huge reason that he needed to lose more weight. Fast forward to June of 2016. We went to Mexico and again they gtried to do the RNY not happening!! His total eft side was solid scar tissue!! So he got the Sleeve!! Now he has lost 135#'s. We are so excited!! Like I said earlier he gets his Cancer zapped like popcorn in the microwave. LOL That is what his Dr said. thought it was a great metaphor. Any how I wanted to share some of his walks in the fast lane. Both of you KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!

It is hard enough without us being so very hard on ourselves. I can actually say that I was told before my RNY that in time there are no forbidden foods, that I need to learn to have things in Moderation. Now I'm not saying this mind attitude works for everyone but....for myself if I try to not hve a small treat once and awhile I go BALISTIC!!! It works for me!! Now I am 3 and 1/2 years out and I have maintained 124#'s for 3 years. I lost 132#'s in 6 months. But I did have a 8# gain after that. I had Strictures and was unabe to eat much of anything..I couldn't even hold down Water. I had 5 endoscopes with 4 dialations. It started around my first couple of months out. I really feel like my lack of hunger (I still am not hungery) and my exercise has been my saving grace. Each of us have to find our nook and work it hard. I have tried counsiling because thru it all I ended up with a adversion to food. Eating used to be so enjoyable now it isn't on the top of my list. The counselor didn't help me much at all. I started with a local councilor that didn't have a clue what WLS was all about. I contacted myy Surgeon to get a Baritaric cousilor. Well her anwser was she wanted me to eat every 1/2 hour that I was awake!! Talk about getting frusterated and kind of hurt my heart!! Like I told my hubby, I refuse to trade oned eating disorder for another and become a grazer!! I had to work it out for myself and that is exactly what each of us need to do. It is not a one size fits all!! Kind of likke the clothes that say one size fits all. What works for me may not work for you. Please be kind to yourself we all have had so many negative things done in our lives. Take care of YOU!! And KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!

I really don't understand why people need to run ANY of the choices each person makes, that it really is a personal choice. What works for me may not work for you. I had the RNY and my hubby had a SLEEVE. Just in our case, I defintly lost all my weight in 6 months with an 8# gain in 4 years. I have maintained my 1234# loss for almost 4 years. He had his Sleeve a year ago this June. He has lost 135#'s but mostly it is the food choices he makes. First off he weighed 460# now he weighs 330#'s. He still working on it. His choice defintly (he had the Lap Band for 13years) even back then was the RNY. He had complications after they removed the Band. That was in 2013. So in 2016 we went to Mexico for his surgery. When they got in there his band had caused so much scar tissue that he ended up with the Sleeve. My opinion on which surgery is the best would be WHATEVER YOU AND YOUR DR DECIDES ON. Educate yourself on all options. Then make a informed decision of which one works for you. Good Luck in whichever way you go.

Hi, I don't want to rain on your parade. But my hubby had his Sleeve done by him. I WOULD NOT chance it. That Hospital isn't good. They have a hard time with understanding what you are saying. The nurses never washed their hands, only 1 nurse used the santizer, I am not lying they removed my hubby's IV without using gloves. Not once did they use gloves. The sad thing about that is my hubby has HEP B. We paid for a suite and they put us in a crappy room. He started doing surgeries early that morning and did them all day until 10pm that night. The medication that you pay $50.00 for is a joke, it did nothing for pain. If he had been in a lot of pain he would have been in trouble. He was released without discharge papers at all. When he was supposed to get the RNY but it ended up being the SLEEVE. When I ask for paperwork for that surgery they told me that RNY and Sleeve are the same. Which they are NOT. We had to bring our own washclothes from home. When I tried to explain that he was sick to his stomach they had no idea what I was talking about. We went thru the site called "BELITE WEIGHT LOSS" they were supposed to have everything taken care of. NOT They want their money right away. Which was not a probem at all. We paid for the RNY and when he didn't get that surgery there was a refund coming but they didn't give the amount that they should it was less. Them stating that his surgery was so complicating was the reason. At that time we just wanted it to be over and get home!! Just beware. You can also ask one of the adminstrator here on this site what they have heard about them. I hope everything goes ok.

I really don't understand why people need to run ANY of the choices each person makes, that it really is a personal choice. What works for me may not work for you. I had the RNY and my hubby had a SLEEVE. Just in our case, I defintly lost all my weight in 6 months with an 8# gain in 4 years. I have maintained my 1234# loss for almost 4 years. He had his Sleeve a year ago this June. He has lost 135#'s but mostly it is the food choices he makes. First off he weighed 460# now he weighs 330#'s. He still working on it. His choice defintly (he had the Lap Band for 13years) even back then was the RNY. He had complications after they removed the Band. That was in 2013. So in 2016 we went to Mexico for his surgery. When they got in there his band had caused so much scar tissue that he ended up with the Sleeve. My opinion on which surgery is the best would be WHATEVER YOU AND YOUR DR DECIDES ON. Educate yourself on all options. Then make a informed decision of which one works for you. Good Luck in whichever way you go.

YAY!!! Nothing feels so great!! 100#'s just think about it. That in such a short time!! YAY to you!!

One thing that helped me was this: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!!! Take your time noe to heal. Push the fluyids because it doesn't take long to get dehydrated. Keep doing everything that your group has set before you because they KNOW WHERE IT IS AT!! Everything they say to do is very important. Be very careful don't start cheating here and there. It will get out of hand quickly!! Hang in there it does get better!! Congradulations on getting started on your AMAZING journey. I look frward to following you on this site. Smle

I had to be on Protein Drinks for 2weeks preop and 4 weeks postop. I was able to have broth SF popcicles and SF pudding but after I made sure that I got as much Protein and fluids in I never had any room for anything else. But those are the 2 things my DR told all of his patients: PROTEIN AND MORE PROTEIN!! Lots of fluids because we can get dehydrated quickly.

We have a TAYLOR also. We got it because my hubby weighed over 450#'s. This is the same one that the "BIGGEST LOSERS use". We have had our's for over 5 years and have only changed the baterys 1 time. Not to sound weird but did you check the battery? My hubby had went so long without having a scale to weigh on that when he started losing weight he was jumping on them every few minutes. LOL Myself NOT SO MUCH!!! I have always hated to weigh, in fact I have been known to cancel Dr appointments because I knew they would weigh me. Even now I have been at my goa weight for over 3 years and you would think it shouldn't bother me!! Somethings never change. LOL

I am at my goal weight and I do obsess about weighing. I use my clthes as a indicator and only weigh at my Dr. appointments. If I feel like it, otherwise I skip them once in awhile. As long as I stay within 125 to 129 I am happy!! I know of lots of people that weigh everyday 2 to 3 times. It drives me crazy I have ANXIETY Issues about enough other stuff I really really HATE those Damn Scales!!! I have even canceled DR appointments because I get physically sick to my stomach. I know it all stems from the years of going to the DR for one thing and it being said if you lose weight that such and such would be better!! Sick and wrong!!

One thing to remember there are lots of outside things that effect our weight loss. I would say to follow your DR.'s guidelines. Try to get your Protein in and your water!! These are both so important and will help you on your way. Each person's journey is heir own. Please don't compare yourself to others. Good Luck

One thing that helped me was this: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!!! Take your time noe to heal. Push the fluyids because it doesn't take long to get dehydrated. Keep doing everything that your group has set before you because they KNOW WHERE IT IS AT!! Everything they say to do is very important. Be very careful don't start cheating here and there. It will get out of hand quickly!! Hang in there it does get better!! Congradulations on getting started on your AMAZING journey. I look frward to following you on this site. Smle

I really think you and I and most everyone has this problem. I was told many times that our mind takes quigte awhile to catch up with our weight loss. As long as I just look at my face in the mirror I can really see myself different. As long as I don't look below at the rest of myself. I'm almost 4 years out and lost 132#'s in 6 months, had a 8# gain but have maintained for 3 and 1/2 years. I am still waiting for my brain to catch up. Take lots of pictures and measure yourself because a lot of times when you are in those DREADED STALLS. Pictures and measuring can keep you going. One of another group told me to always take a picture in the same place like in a door way, because it gives you a good look at your progress. That is one thing I wish I had done. I hate to have my picture taken then and now both. I didn't measure which I totally regret but I hated to see my weight on the scales and in measuring those BIG numbers drove me crazy. Sorry now tho.

One thing that helped me was this: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!!! Take your time noe to heal. Push the fluyids because it doesn't take long to get dehydrated. Keep doing everything that your group has set before you because they KNOW WHERE IT IS AT!! Everything they say to do is very important. Be very careful don't start cheating here and there. It will get out of hand quickly!! Hang in there it does get better!! Congradulations on getting started on your AMAZING journey. I look frward to following you on this site. Smle

As was mentioned above, HE HAS TO DO THIS!!! It is so easy to fall back into bad lands believe me!! I am 3 and 8 months out. I had problems with strictures and couldn't eat hardly anything. So I ate what I could keep down. Both my Surgeon and his PA knew what I was eating but they were in the mind set that I had to eat something. So long story short I could eat oatmeal, Cheeto's and crackers!! Well, I don't eat Cheeto's any more but those DARN CRACKERS have a great big hold on me!! I fight with night eating everyday. I wake 2 and 3 times most night s and guess what I eat YEP CRACKERS. I get a hold on it and then I fall off the wagon again. Now my hubby had a Sleeve done in June of 2016. He has not followed his program much until the last few months. So I go with him to his DR appointments which his DR was kind of jumping on him. He said My wife really does a great job of taking care of me. Do you know what his DR said? She said, Mister this is on you!! Not her!! You have to do this not her!! I was a little shocked. But the bottom is THEY DO NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!! I know it is hard. I still give him looks or say things about not making yourself sick but.....it is on him. I don't force feed him and I'm sure you don't with yours. I am sorry that you are going thru this and I know how hard it is for sure. Just keep doing what you can and know that he will wake up again and hope it is before he gains to much of his weight back. Hugs

I can totally relate. I went below my goal weight, I had my RNY JUly 2, 2013. In 6 months I went from 249#'s to 117#. Everyone in my family thought I looked sick and that I had lost to much weight. I did gain just 8#'s!! Now that number doesn't seem like it would make a big difference, well it defintly did. The gain made my family happy and I have maintained my weight of 125#'s for over 3 years now. Does your mind catch up with your body? Mine HAS NOT!!! I just now don't go to the PLUS SIZED racks. It totally blows me away when I try on clothes and see the size I am in. If I look in mirror and stop at my neck I can see the loss. But...any more looking down I still see the FAT ME!!! I have FAT days and not so fat days. My daughter just doesn't get it, she see's me and just thinks I am being weird about my fat days. It is REAL!!!

July is a great month to have WLS. I had mine July 2, 2013. A very good month!!

July is a great month to have WLS. I had mine July 2, 2013. A very good month!!