insta_adventurer

I was always an Advil gal myself. Always had a bottle in my purse, in my car, and in my desk. To be honest, much of my “headaches” were usually sinus or blood pressure related. If I stay on top of my allergies, I really don’t need any headache medicine... and the surgery brought my blood pressure down to a healthy number- so that trigger is gone.

The few times I’ve had to take something, Tylenol seemed to do the trick for me. It never worked before, but works well enough now.

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.”—Lao Tzu

Glad your surgery went well! It is difficult to navigate this journey and the impacts it has on our relationships. My husband has been fairly supportive, but there have certainly been times when I’ve had to put my foot down and prioritize my needs (usually my insistence we cook and eat at home versus him wanting to eat out or order takeout). It’s weird how much food and weight can impact a relationship, especially if one half is adopting a lifestyle they didn’t have going into the marriage. However, we are managing... but sometimes managing means I’ve got worry about doing me and he’s gotta worry about doing him and we’ve just gotta trust that being happy individually will make us a stronger team overall.

Resolutions:

1. No more cheating rampantly by snacking. I’m trying to get that in check by only having healthful snack options.
2. Get back on my workout schedule. Travel and seasonal colds have got me off track.
3. Make a derm appointment to figure out once and for all why my skin sucks.
4. Figure out what I want to do with my career. I’m considering going for my IAAP certification to up my Web Accessibility credentials. I just feel I need to keep growing professionally and don’t want to stay static!
5. Move. We’ve been in our apartment for 4 years and I’m over it. However, we’re not quite set on staying in the area, so we’re not looking to buy, see also #6
6. Pay down debt. We’ve got a good life and good careers, but it took a lot of student loans to get us here. If we buckle down financially we can wipe some of that out.

On 01/02/2019 at 20:11, Sprinkles1 said:

Update on my hair growth!

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I feel like saying “drugs are bad mmmkay!” is a bit stating the obvious. Obviously the OP knows that cocaine doesn’t equal kale (even if it tastes the same) in terms of being a healthy choice.

Let me tell you judgy judgers something... there is NO ONE using drugs (other than pot) that thinks they are making a healthy choice. It’s like smoking- or eating that pizza. People know they shouldn’t, but they do. I’m not condoning coke use, but I’m also wise enough to know someone doing a few lines of coke isn’t the same as someone shooting up heroin and I’m not going to label someone who does the former an addict. They probably, well definitely, shouldn’t have done coke, but I’m sure the OP knows that and wasn’t asking for us to tell them their choice was okay. They were asking if it could have caused the gastrointestinal distress they are experiencing.

I’d guess you probably caught a bug or something. I wonder if cocaine use can increase your risk of ulcers? I mean, isn’t there like a post-nasal drip effect? I’d imagine that it could be irritating to your stomach if it reached it?

I think- the bigger problem is that SOMETHING is causing you nausea and diarrhea and no matter what caused it, it’s probably a good idea to check in with your doctor.

I have the Kyleena IUD. It sucked getting it inserted and my periods are just now (7 months later) returning to kinda normal... but no pregnancies so I guess I’d call it a success!

Just calling like I see it. Creating exclusionary zones in a place that’s supposed to be supportive just seems juvenile, as does getting overheated/throwing a tantrum and unfollowing someone (😂😂) for merely disagreeing with something you’ve said.

On 12/27/2018 at 12:49, HunterJsMom said:

I’m currently on 60mg of cymbalta and 300mg of extended release Wellbutrin. My psychiatrist said I need to stay on these for the time being.

I haven’t asked my surgeon yet about taking these after surgery.

Can anyone tell me there experience with taking anti depressants after surgery?

😂😂😂

On 12/27/2018 at 11:29, FluffyChix said:

PSA: Welcome all tweens--especially our newbie tweens who've just hit their 6months seniority!!!! As defined on the first page of the thread, here is the definition of Sophomores, in case you don't know it and are in this thread by mistake or prematurely.

" Ok, so tweens in the WLS world (in my tiny Idaho) are peeps who are experienced -- maybe 6mos-9mos+, but are not yet VETS. However, VETS reserve the right to participate in the high jinx due to their exalted status here. "

kthankyouvermuch

serrynotserry

Just coming into Sophmoreville. I am nearly 6 mos post-RNY and noticing my hair seems a little thinner. Not too bad, but the baby hairs ARE killing me. Sticking up all over the place, but most noticeably around my hair line. I went to FaceTime my father in law on Christmas and immediately said, “JFC I look like a d*mned porcupine!”

Has anyone noticed skin changes? Mine seems to be getting a bit more oily, whereas before it was always on the dry side.

My former primary care doc told me he preferred “more conservative methods” and I just needed to watch my portions. My current primary care didn’t suggest weight loss surgery, but was totally on board when I brought it up.

My cardiologist strongly suggested that I look into doing it. Eventually, I’ll need to have my aortic valve replaced, thanks to drawing what’s likely a genetic short straw, but he said losing weight could lengthen the amount of time before needing the replacement surgery. I think I ignored it at the time, but he’s the only one whoever brought it up.

I don’t understand why doctors do not mention it to patients who have weight related illnesses or health problems, especially if they are advising them they need to lose weight. They really ought to provide more guidance/options for losing weight.

I feel you. I’m 230lbs, about 50lbs from my surgeons goal and about 60lbs from my own goal. I’ve had a couple of people ask if I was at my goal and tell me I shouldn’t lose more that 20 or so more pounds or I “wouldn’t look right”... Seriously? I think it’s just I would no longer look like they think I should. I don’t think people realize how odd and out of line such comments are. I always respond with, “well- I’m just following my doctor’s program and they think xxx is a healthy goal for me.”

Please, please, please find yourself a good counselor or therapist to talk to about your regrets, worries, and fear that you won’t be able to change. I only say this, because we are not equipped or able to walk you through what sounds like an extremely difficult emotional time for you. I don’t want to see you ruin or waste anymore of your life caught up in these worries and regrets, so please seek help from a qualified professional! ❤️

On 12/22/2018 at 23:25, Jed J said:

Question. I had the sleeve on Monday. I have been hungry every second since. I have been 100% faithful in staying on liquids only and will not do anything other than follow what I have been instructed as far are diet. Tonight for example I ate 16 ounces of chicken broth in 15 minutes and only stopped because I feel like I should. Not because I was full, satisfied or had any irritation, stopped only because I felt that based off everything I’ve been told that was too much. Anyone out ther have a similar experience or advice? I thought 4 ounces was supposed to be normal. I’m freaking out that there will be no difference in appetite or ability to eat too much.

I think ones motivations and expectations dictate so much of this.

I did this solely to get healthier and improve how I physically felt. I did not expect rainbows and unicorns and for this to solve every problem or insecurity I’ve ever had.

Even though I’m not to goal yet, I can honestly say mission accomplished. My health has improved drastically. I’m able to do things I wouldn’t normally have been able to or dared to do.

Like many others, I only wish I had taken this step sooner.

On 12/21/2018 at 16:41, mousecat88 said:

I tell myself that it will take the 18 months to get near my goal. Which would be April 1 2020. So far away! lol.

Yeah- I’d watch the coughing for a week or two immediately post-op. Also, be mindful of the munchies that typically accompany smoking pot.

Obviously I’d recommend enjoying it some way other than smoking it.. because smoking is not healthy. Maybe an edible or a tincture?

There’s no surgical related reason why can’t still do it... just be mindful of the side effects like coughing and munchies.

I started the process in late January of 2018, weighing in at 339. I had surgery in mid July and my weight was 302. I’m down 104lbs so from my starting weight, but only 69lbs (I think? I’m bad at math...) since surgery. It’s hard not to compare your journey to others. Now that my weight is getting to the lower side of the 200s, it’s coming off slower.

I know what I need to do to get back on my game. I’ve just been dealing with so much holiday-related anxiety and exhaustion. My plan is to not beat myself up over the next week and then kick my butt back into gear in the new year. It’s hard not to compare my weight loss rates to others who started at similar weights at different times, but just gotta stay focused on fighting your own demons, ya know?

On 12/17/2018 at 10:29, gahvi said:

I’m a very shy person and keep to myself. I simply stay private about my personal experiences in life. I only told my immediate family and my parents. I now regret it though.



I had a hard time making the decision to keep it private because I knew I would have a rapid weight loss and it would strike up conversations about my weight loss. It would then definitely keep the rumor mill busy and boy, it has.



I regret not coming forth and just telling people I had WLS when they asked me and not worry about criticism. The reason being is that during my first 6 months, I avoided lunches with coworkers and other friends as I wouldn’t be able to eat a regular sized meal and the questions would pop up. Now that I can eat up to 8 oz of food, it’s still difficult to hide or beat around the bush. Some folks will notice that I eat very little and some have asked me straight up “have you had WLS? You eat like my friend, relative, brother or sister that had WLS surgery.” I deny having had WLS and I hate it because I’m lying to my friends and coworkers. I’ll sometimes say that I splurged on the donuts/cake in the break room or that the vegan lifestyle I’m trying to live by is upsetting my stomach. I just think that I created a very uncomfortable situation for me and I think people suspect that I had WLS. I’ve had close coworkers tell me that people talk about my new eating habits and that most likely I was one of Dr. Nowzaradan’s patients. There’s also other nasty criticism that has come along with it.



In hindsight, in my case, I should of just answered with the truth when asked and not worry about the nasty criticism and stupid rumors. They’re doing it anyways. This would of let me know who are the true supportive individuals.



I hope your experience with this topic goes as you wanted it to be. Good luck with your journey. It’s going to be a positive transformation, trust me.

On 12/17/2018 at 10:31, sillykitty said:

Similar to towels fitting comfortably ...

Hotel robes - Not only do they fit, but they have plenty of extra room to wrap around me!

Checking in...

Challenge start weight: 238
Current weight: 233

The holidays have been a struggle. Too many “oh well, It’s Christmas!” cheats.

I have a month left of the honeymoon period and really need to take advantage to get some high losses.

I know as my weight goes down, the loss numbers will, too. It’s just hard to wrap my mind around- even though I know scientifically you lose 10lbs quicker at 300lbs than you do at 230lbs.

I need to stick to plan and stay on track!

We were broke students when we got hitched so my original ring was not an expensive one. We always planned to upgrade our rings, but haven’t yet. When it got too loose, I picked up this pretty silver ring from a local artisan to replace it with. I’ll keep replacing it with inexpensive rings until my weight stabilizes and then plan to work with the local artisan to make custom gold “forever” rings.