kimmarie_36

I have to say I'd be careful with a SSRI such as Zoloft they all cause significant weight gain. That said living with panic attacks and depression is no good either so you have to do what's best for your health. A psychiatrist would be best to advise you on it. There are meds that don't have the wt gain side effect if that is even something you are worried about. Deep breaths and Good luck with it.

Congrats! That's amazing! Be proud that was hard work you did!

I've got 5 kids (ages 11, 10, 8, 6, and 4).
I told them a few days before surgery because I didn't want them to worry OR to blab it to everyone. I explained the surgery itself and that I was doing it to be healthier. The 4 year old didn't really "get" that, so I also said it was make me run faster [emoji4] I also told them that health information is private and it's my news to share. Other than a preschool prayer request for "Mama's operation on her tummy" I think they've kept fairly quiet about it. lol
The kids have been awesome supporters! They cheered me on when I graduated from full fluids to purees to soft foods and to regular textures and comment on my now too loose clothes. The other day my 8 year old said, "Mama, even your FACE is getting skinny!"

That's so nice!

I usually go to the ones at the Perelman center. Thanks! I am! All my doctors are at Penn, I find it's easier for them all to keep track of me even though I live in Wilmington.

I would have preferred to go to the one at the Perelman center as I find it easier to get to. So maybe I will catch you there at one sometime. Definitely it's easier to have everything through the same place. Good luck with it! I'm sure it's exciting to have come this far!

lol. I don't anyone really caught it. I had to go back and read it to see for myself.

I definitely didn't catch it. I was distracted by my kids reading it which is prob everyone else reading the post too

tfw you realize you suck at counting to 4 and can't go back and edit a post.

LOL what's it say about me when I didn't even notice? I think to edit you highlight the post until a menu bar comes up with an edit option.

I do. I went to the one in April but missed May's. I wanted to go to the one in June but I will have had my panniculectomy 5 days prior so I will most likely not feel up to it lol I will be going to the one in July though. Have you been?

I went to my first one this past Saturday at Presbyterian. Maybe I'll catch you at one sometime. Good luck with your upcoming surgery! Are you getting that done at Penn too?

I heard he's good. I had Dr. Dumon, he was very good.

That's awesome. I think they have a great program there. I've been happy so far but also nervous! Do you ever get to any of the support meetings?

I told my 5 year old daughter (5 and a half more precisely) that I was getting my stomach cut out because daddy's too fat caused by eating too much sugary garbage food and drinking too many sodas. She's been tracking the wounds on my abdominal region as well since surgery (I prefer walking around the house shirtless unless we have company), and I've answered all questions she has as best I can.
There's a couple factors for this.. 1) I'm shamelessly direct with people, 2) I think it's counterproductive to removing the stigma by being secretive and/or shameful about it, 3) I don't beat around the bush when it comes to informing my daughter -- I want all my children to know everything, and 3) She needs to understand the consequences of decisions, and not make the dumb mistakes daddy did. So rather than just keep her away from sugary junk (not entirely, just very limited) with no explanation, which is more likely to lead to a rebellious attitude about it, it's simply more in line with my personality and what I think raising a child smartly should be like.
Because of the lifestyle changes I've made with great results, my wife has begun changing things too (after months of me nagging her about soda and wanting her to reduce her carb intake dramatically) and my daughter is engaged in understanding why we do the things we do. It's entirely possible she talks to people at school and student care (i.e. after-school care) about it, but most of them already know my circumstances anyways, and I really don't care what others think, or what they approve or disapprove of. If they have an issue with the choices I make they can confront me, otherwise, couldn't give a toss what others think.

Thanks for the reply. I think it's great you are open about it. And that's true that its a lesson for our kids to learn about healthy eating and the consequences of our choices. You are right to not care what others think too because ultimately you're getting healthy and improving your quality of life so what is wrong with that.

My 11 year old son knows about the surgery, but is confused why I'm still big. Everyday it's "why is your butt so fat?" Sigh. Before the surgery he very rarely mentioned my weight. I'm 2 months out.
Funny story... I was at chik fil a getting meals to go home for 2 kids, and one for the daughter that went with me. The worker thought I was ordering two meals for myself. I guess that could have embarassing before surgery, but knowing now that I could only eat maybe 1/2 of a chicken patty.. it was hilarious.

It's funny how kids take in the things that we are focused on as I'm sure being 2 months out it's been a major change for you.
As for rude chick fil a employees I have no words. Good for you for not letting it get to you!
Best of luck to you!!

My worry right now... I want to tell my 7 year old, I want him to see what a process this is for me but I'm not sure he'd keep it to himself so still weighing my options...

I know exactly what you mean. I have a 9 year old who I'm debating on telling for that reason.

I'm getting it at Penn too with Dr. Williams

Anyone who has had the sleeve surgery have small or school aged children? Did you tell them beforehand? How did they process your weight loss and physical change?

Thanks for info I wish you the best. I will check on meds. I would really like to know the stats on the number who regain and those who maintain.

I think it's important to hear both experiences when going into this. Thank you for sharing. Hope things get better for you!

Don't be fooled it is not going to be any easier after surgery than before. I know four people who had surgery before I did. All have regained the weight.....and so have I. I have not gained all but most of the 80 lbs I lost. If one does not deal with the reason they over eat the problem still exist. I had my surgery in Ashland Kentucky and they did not have afollow up program. They said call if you need us. That was it. I think extensive psychological counseling is needed to change food addiction just like any other substance abuse. I wish you well,however, gastric sleeve is not the answer. All I got out of the surgery is loss of bowel function.

Thanks for the reply. I'm so sorry to hear that and of your experience. I totally agree that counseling is needed through this process. Best of luck.

Thank you! That makes sense what your saying and I never thought of it that way. I'm with a hospital that's a center for excellence in Philadelphia. I'm self pay so I haven't had the insurance guidelines to follow pre op, but I go this week for a nutrition appt. Thanks again for the advice!

Currently in the pre op testing phase. I expect I will get my surgery date soon for late June-early July. I still struggle with staying on track and counting calories. I'm assuming we all have had this issue if we are here so

What Changes after the surgery? I assume it's still going to be hard afterwards, but how mentally do you go from struggling to stay on track to having kind of no choice but to stay on track?

Because I have failed so many times losing weight and yo yo dieting in my head I feel like I will get this and not lose a pound. Which I'm pretty sure is impossible. Any insight into this from post sleeved peeps would be great! Thanks.

I've been thinking of an iud or going back on pills. Im leaning towards iud. Im just scared it can become misplaced during sex or something. Or if my partner can feel it. That and the cramping and the implantation of device kills. Not looking forward to that.

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I've had the paragard iud for almost 5 years now. The insertion was a little uncomfortable but really didn't hurt and was not bad at all. I honestly could almost completely forget that it's there. The one complaint is that because it doesn't change your hormones I have really really heavy periods. I believe Mirena that does have a hormonal component would control that. Overall though I just deal with the periods and because I'm married and already have 2 kids its nice to have something I don't have to think about at all. Due to have my surgery this summer so I'm not sure if anything will change with it afterwards!

Ah I got it. Thanks! Helps if I review what they gave me [emoji5]

Totally agree. It's hard! Glad you got your date. That's exciting! Good luck with everything[emoji4]

That's awesome. I'm with Dr. Williams. They have been really great too. Have you done the weight management session? Wondering what that entails.

I think I just replied to a way older post that I didn't see date until now lol. Well hope all went well if it is. [emoji4]

Hi all! This is my first post here, my dietician suggested I join to get some input from others on some of my nagging worries. I keep telling her I just cannot even fathom that I won't be constantly almost panic inducing-ly preoccupied with food like I am now, especially with such restricted calories. I have a long history with restriction and exercise bulimia then rebound binge eating disorder and lots of therapy under my belt plus a year of pre-op certification to get approved. I'm just so scared this is how I'll always be. (I am stable enough for surgery, all of my team agrees.) I was a maniac at the peak of my restriction, eating 1000 calories a day and going to the gym for an hour on my lunch break and an hour after work and I was just miserable. Finally I couldn't keep up with that and gained back all the weight I'd lost with some serious binge eating disorder in place of it. It's all left me with a panicky preoccupation with food most of the time, and the dietician says that my brain chemistry will change and I just...can't imagine. Peace? Will there be peace? I'm 31 now and so sad that my self hatred and obsession with weight loss and dieting and food stole my youth. I've had binge eating disorder for so long that it's basically not effective anymore for that rush my urge to eat is so desperately seeking, which has been a good thing in slowing it down, though I know the discomfort and preoccupation is my body seeking more and more for that high. I am afraid that 'losing' the few foods I still do like will be devastating to me in terms of quality of life. That sounds dramatic lol especially in comparison to REAL, ACTUAL quality of life. My dad had a heart attack and died at 54 a few years ago and I know if I don't get it together I'm going to be on the same path. Have any of you maintained success with a similar background?
Also I fear getting back into exercise because I fear getting out of control again, also, I just hate it with every Fiber of my being. Now especially with all the weight I've gained because it's just so physically painful. I know I have to find something I like, but I don't know what that will be yet. (As a very fair skinned, very heat intolerant introvert, it will probably be something in my nice air conditioned apartment lol) As a former and still fat kid, I have a borderline traumatic lifelong history with the discomfort and embarrassment of physical activity and everything in my brain is always just SCREAMING "NOOOOO" to any type of exercise. I'm sure some of you can relate. How did you get over that?

Hey! I have don't have any first hand advice for how it will be post surgery as I'm just starting this whole thing. Had only my initial consultation. One thing though I can tell you is I relate to all of the things you mentioned. And I have to believe that most of us that are seeking this surgery have had some form of this very same history with food and feelings of self hate etc. Even so look at all the people that have succeeded and now have healthy lifestyles with huge weight losses. (There are a lot of post wls people on Instagram and YouTube that give some helpful insight into the day and the life of post op.) None of them started like that they started like us. I do believe it's hard post but the surgery makes it bearable to quit food as we know it or the way that we see it. Obviously can't quit food altogether but you know what I mean . Especially in the beginning. I've heard the hardest part is the pre op diet and then post its much easier because physically we can't eat much and our hormones that trigger our hunger drastically change as well which is partly why the sleeve has so much success.
As far as exercise. I would start with something very easy and light. Stretching even for few minutes. Don't stress about it though. Honestly it's our diet that will initiate the weight loss and as we lose exercising will be easier and not as dreadful to do. Which is perfect timing since that's when we'll need it most to maintain the weight loss. Something that is light and bearable for now is good.
One other thing that you could look into is that certain medications can help with binge eating. One is Vyvanse which is a stimulant used for ADD, but has also been approved for binge eating. It helps. If that is still an issue for u. That is a totally personal decision though to discuss with your doctor or a psychiatrist. But just advice from personal experience that I wish I knew about way before I did and got to the point I'm at now. Ultimately though if you are approved for surgery by your drs and have come this far don't give up. Like I said we all have/had messed up relationships with food but somehow this surgery has been the key to get past it. Good Luck!

Had my initial visit with surgeon and team. Testing and weight management starts the 19th. Anybody have or going to have it done there?