Mattymatt

It may help to try and build up the muscle in the gluteals area. Back in 2013-2014, when I lost a little over a 100 pounds in about 8 months time through traditional diet and exercise, I had the same issue so I worked those muscles and it helped quite a bit.

29 minutes ago, nikkiw218 said:

People keep asking me what my “goal” weight is. And I have no idea what to say. I’ve been well over 350 pounds most of my adult life...so I have no idea what I’ll look like at 200, or even 250! My goal is to feel better in my body, to be able to ride a bike or go for a walk or ride a dang rollercoaster with my daughter!!

But secretly, I hope to make it to “One-derland”. Even if it’s 199! Lol

You don't have to have a goal weight. I picked one simply by BMI to satisfy the surgery gods but in all honesty, I don't think it will be clinically possible for me to be 190 and 6'4". It's more realistically for me to be simply under 220. I am trying a new approach this time around. Previously, when losing weight I had really lofty goals (quite possibly unrealistic) so this time, all I want to do is simply get healthy. In the past I set really hard goals and the moment that I had a serious set back, everything unraveled. I know that I have a medical tendency toward severe depression so this time I am not setting myself up for failure. My goal is to live healthy in mind, body, and spirit - My only goal is ending the cycle of sickness.

5 minutes ago, jingles0231 said:

I also have chf but I am going to see my heart and lung doctors soon. I have so much going on in my head it's making me go crazy!

CHF is really frightening. I remember my grandmother dealing with the end stages of both COPD and CHF. I was never close to her but her fear and turmoil was written all over her face. My grandmother was not overweight but she smoked all of her life - Marlboros. With significant weight loss, it may be possible to reverse the CHF. Either way, I am wishing you the best. I truly believe you've made a good decision.

24 minutes ago, James Marusek said:

It sounds like both you and your husband are planning to have surgery at the same time.

Sounds like a bad dream. I hate strange dreams. So tonight dream that your husband was approved and you were denied. How does you husband act!

Strange dreams are just another permanent part of my life. These happened after I had a serious accident while riding my bicycle and I was definitely concussed. I wonder though if weight loss will have any effect on mental state...

2 hours ago, klk1959 said:

I had my sleeve done this past Monday 1/22/18. pain has consistently reduced since then and I was discharged from the hospital Wednesday morning. I really only take pain eds at night at this point but have noticed that unless I take extremely small sips of Water that I get a very brief cramp so it is impossible to get 64 ounces of Water down in a day. I think I had the normal regrets and questions about whether I did th right thing and even started resenting things when I saw the oversized steak or hamburger commercials on TV. I even had the f...its yesterday and decided it would be a good idea to have a small piece of ham, because I wanted it. Well that entitlement didn't last long and I found that pain and throwing up was a pretty good means of letting go of those resentments. New day today, I made a Protein smoothie this morning with greek yogurt, some Protein Powder and some frozen fruit in my Nutriblast blender. It seems to be going down pretty easily. I'm intending to go back to work this monday. I run a treatment program so I'm not digging ditches. No difference in my mind between sitting at home and sitting at a desk at work. I am also finding some very amazing similaraties between the things I am mentally struggling with and the process the clients in the program I run go through in their recovery journey.

That's very insightful! food is also a strong addiction. One of the advantages to this surgery is that it kind of forces you to break that addiction. This will make you so much better at your job because you will be able to identify with your clients on a whole new level. In some ways, your newly developed insight will help you to have long success.

I have heard that people's taste buds change quite dramatically as a result of surgery. Some folks have told me that foods that they used to crave look nauseating now. One guy at a support group that I attended no longer eats red meat because the taste is enough to make him gag and he was a meat and potatoes guy.

40 minutes ago, jingles0231 said:

I am 65 yrs. old and weigh 375. Anyone in that bracket? The doctor said I need this to help alleviate other serious problems. He said I could die w/o the weight loss. Am I too old? I haven't seen a surgeon yet because my primary just told me. Any words of wisdom?

I would say that you aren't too old. Go through with it and make your life better.

17 hours ago, MG1776 said:

I've now lost over a 2 month old horse and have my eye on that newborn giraffe. Once I hit that, I'll evaluate and see from there! My initial goal weight of 195 is 28 lbs away and I can see it!

Excellent!!! 28 pounds is a drop in the bucket. You got this.

It sounds like a good idea to basically take all the time that you need. My new job requires a fair amount of walking and I don't have much trouble with that but I think I'll take what time I need. No sense in rushing only to cause a problem.

I am getting very close to my pre-op diet and I'm kind of nervous. Of course, I am a lot heavier than the thread asks. I am just hoping that this surgery gives me some quality of life back where I have none whatsoever right now. It's refreshing to read about people whom have had their lives turned 180 degrees for the better.

1 hour ago, Azalea7878 said:

Thank u. You are absolutely right! I am hoping for a second opinion soon. The only problem is that where i live, all the drs know each other and consult with each other and i feel like I’m never gonna get the attention i need to fix the problem. I will end up going out of state I’m sure which is not something i wanted to do but i will if i have to. This has been awful.

Yeah, looks like out of state might be your best option. Some of the best hospital systems on the east coast are Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, Penn Medicine, and Mass General. For something like this, I wouldn't trust less than the best.

Let's look at one thing at time. First off, you need to get to the bottom of the issue. Don't wait on the bariatric surgeon as you have stated that he is contradicting your primary care doctor. When two doctors don't agree, it's time to go to a specialist and get another opinion. I know you are seeking a remedy for your current situation but this is going to take time and persistence. I would advise seeking out a specialist that is employed by a major, respected healthcare system. If you have to go out of state to do it, then do it. This is the sad story of healthcare in America. Not only must you fight to get better, you must fight the system that is supposedly helping you to get better. The specialist's diagnosis will most likely override both your primary care and surgeon's diagnoses.

Now, while you are doing this you need to take some form of action against the surgeon because it is absolutely unethical for him to behave the way he has. Your bariatric surgeon has a responsibility to you for some ongoing, post-surgical care. If were you, I would reach out to him, firmly remind him of his or her responsibility, and if they continue to neglect it, I would look for an attorney. This is a serious situation that is not to be taken lightly - your quality of life hangs in the balance. Sometimes it takes that kind of measure to end the hubris of a doctor. When their livelihood hangs in the balance, it becomes a whole different ball of wax.

6 hours ago, Bariatric Baddie said:

I just got sleeved 4 days ago and at the time it seemed like that was the best option but now almost every forum and fb group I’m in is just riddled with people getting their sleeves revised to rny or bypass. Is anyone actually happy with their sleeves?

You have to remember that what you read on the internet is not always true. For every good story there are at least 4 bad stories. People are more apt to share their nightmare before their good fortune. This is just basic human psychology. We share our nightmares to get reassurance or even elicit sympathy from others. Remember, you made the decision in conjunction with the medical professionals and they don't generally perform risky elective surgery. Is this going to be an easy, pain-free, and discomfort-free journey? No, it probably won't be. Instead of relying on other people's experiences to judge the wisdom of your decision, you have to ride out this phase and come to your own conclusions. If your gut feeling says that this is the best option, most likely it is.

Since I am a T2 diabetic, the best option for me is RNY. My entire care team knows that RNY will be the best surgery for reversing or curing T2 diabetes. I am putting my faith and trust in those whom are caring for me. I read about all kinds of horror stories about RNY and automatically dismiss most of them. The cold hard facts from research show that there is a less than 1% chance of complications which is statistically insignificant. Most people worry about the lifestyle changes and I think you just have to ride them out.

Perhaps you need to seek out another surgeon, one who has successfully performed higher risk surgeries. I thought that the sleeve was less invasive than RNY. I remember reading about another user on here that had an aborted surgery because of a somewhat similar issue. Is it possible that you could have the surgery done open instead of laprascopically?

2 hours ago, Seahawks Fan said:

I had surgery yesterday and everything went well. I’ve had one little trouble spot below the center of my rib cage. I started drinking Water today. It’s going pretty good if I don’t have any setbacks then this is pretty much a breeze. I have yet to feel the fullness of my pouch but I’m sipping Water & taking it slow. I’ve been taking my pain meds pretty regularly due to that one trouble spot other than that things are going great! Almost time to go for another walk.

Nice! Keep us posted and don't be shy about bragging about losing the weight.

At least you're headed in the right direction, man. Think positive. I am still at the pre-op stage and if I am trending downward like you are, it will be a good day.

14 minutes ago, DropWt4Life said:

it shouldn't affect anything surgery wise. Your height is already documented, and you are already approved. Don't worry about it. You felt a need to stretch the truth, and that is bad, but I feel that the 40 BMI rule is stupid anyway. I think that a 35 BMI should be allowed without co-morbidities.

Good luck to you!

Honestly, a lot of the requirements are just stupid. The one that pisses me off to no end is when I hear that insurance companies are requiring 3-6 months worth of medically supervised weight management. Traditional diet and exercise alone has not worked in the past, so how will this time be any different? Isn't the classic definition of madness to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result? Instead, the patient ends up kicking the problem down the road 6 more months and may end up even heavier by the time comes for surgery.

Again, I will point to the statistics: 65% of people who use WLS as a tool have long term success versus only about 10% through traditional diet and exercise alone! If you're a health insurer, wouldn't you rather pay for someone to go this route than potentially pay for someone's heart attack, stroke, or expensive medications and treatments? Sick people are very costly to insurance companies so you would think that the health insurer would be all over something that could save them tons of money long term.

On 6/20/2017 at 8:15 PM, BigTink2LilTink said:

Man a brotha is really starting to like his arms and shoulders right now.

Sent from my SM-N920P using BariatricPal mobile app

Dude that's just fooking incredible! Wish I could have some arms like those.

First off, good for you on bettering yourself. I am glad you did not let your failed relationship derail you from getting your health back! You have certainly been through a lot and now it's time for you to live life for you. I am sure you look good and feel great so it's time to play the field again and see what you can see. Personally, I can't fooking wait to be able to look into the mirror and see someone who looks good. Live it up, man!

On 1/15/2018 at 11:10 AM, Todd_196 said:

Hi Gang,

I’ve been thinking of starting a daily journal. I’m pre-op and I’m currently seeing a counselor to work on some depression and co-dependency issues. I’ve been told in the past that it helps to write things down so you can see where you were and help you on the path of where you want to go. I also know from past experience, (way past) that journaling your exercise and nutrition intake on a daily basis helps tremendously.

I know that following tradition men typically don’t put thoughts and feelings to paper. But seeing that we are in or seeking to be in a special circumstance that journaling may be of help.

So what say you? Do you keep a daily journal and if so what about, no need for details, and how do you stay motivated to keep up on your entries?

I've started doing this simply because I need to break the cycle of eating when I feel stressed, upset, or depressed. Instead of going to food to handle this issue, the thoughts go to pen and paper. I've found this to be incredibly helpful because my blood sugars must be under control in order to go ahead with surgery. If they're wonky, I am sh*t outta luck. So I do what I feel I must in order to succeed.

Go to the doctor! This could be serious. Most of us are unqualified to even speculate what might be going on.

2 hours ago, AshAsh1 said:

I’m here at the hospital waiting to get taken back for my RNY. Make room on the losers bench! I’m on my way. Down 25lbs since pre op diet.  

The fact that you're down 25 pounds from your pre-op diet alone means that you should get some amazing results. Keep us posted.

8 hours ago, numinousvessel said:

I went on January 16 for gastric bypass. I woke up about an hour after being put under to a nurse in the recovery area telling me they did not complete my surgery because of complications. I have multiple adhesions and my intestines are stuck together so much that my anatomy does not look like it should. My surgeon did not want to complete the surgery until I could be told. He has given me the option to have him do a sleeve or for him to refer me out to someone who still does open bypass surgery.

I cannot explain the mind f**k this was and the anxiety I am feeling. This is terrible. I knew something was going to happen or be found. I knew that I was right. Something was going to be found that would explain the symptoms I had had for years at this point. These adhesions do not show up on scans of any sort unless you have an obstruction. I have only had one other surgery in my abdomen and it was a laparoscopic appendectomy 10 years ago. He thinks it stems from chronic inflammation and autoimmune **** that I have.

Has anybody had an open procedure for bypass? What's your experience? Or has anyone been opened up and not finished?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using BariatricPal mobile app

Eeek! I am sorry that you've had to undergo this. If it were me, I would absolutely not go open bariatric surgery. If the procedure could not be done laprascopically, it is a no go. Consider going the sleeve route then. I don't go for surgery until next month but if I have this kind of situation, a sleeve is still better than the alternative of continuing to be obese and have health problems.

1 hour ago, NYCNomad said:

I was just approved for sleeve surgery (yay ) and now the reality is setting in and I’m getting nervous about everything. Current weight 265 and actual height is 5’10”, although I lied to doctor and said I was 5’8” to make sure my BMI was over 40 for insurance approval.

Does height matter for surgery? I’m nervous this can effect incisions and measurements for surgery. If I tell my doctor will they make me go through approval again? Actual BMI is 38 vs 41 (which it would be if I were 5’8”). Thanks for any advise!

No, it should not. Did they even check your height? This is surprising. If all of your medical and surgical clearances came back as healthy and safe enough for surgery, then you should be fine but I am not a medical professional and if you have concerns that is whom you need to consult. You have to consider whether or not to tell the doctor at this point. You could also ask the doctor a very generic question, "Does a person's height matter for surgery?"

2 hours ago, thegoat said:

384 vs 264

Damn dude! That's awesome. Great work and dedication!