TropicalBeachDoll

Hopefully the only thing you will regret about your surgery was telling your coworkers.
Never base medical decisions based upon opinions of acquaintances. None of us made this decision lightly and for many of us we have spent much of our lives obese and tried diets and failed over and over.
We are here to support you through your surgery and beyond.

Do you trust these coworkers enough to let them choose a spouse for you? How about let them decide for you to have children, or not have children? How about let them take over your financial decisions? Nope? They cannot know what this is like for you. They have done none of the research, did none of the prerequisites and won’t be working the plan post op. This is all YOU. Fortunately you have the numbers on your side, the majority of people who undergo this treatment are successful. When you are thin and healthy, don’t be surprised if they aren’t your friends anymore. They won’t say it’s because you lost weight, they will have some other reason, but they will not really be happy for you.

I’m a month out from having my surgery and I don’t regret it at all. My only regret is that I didn’t jump on the chance to have it done 7-8 years ago when my liver specialist first recommended it to me because I was too scared to even consider it at the time. This time that it was recommended to me I did the research and agreed that it was what I needed after all. I had 2 friends who already had the surgery talk to me about their experiences as well as coming on here reading about others experiences helped me feel better about making this decision to have the surgery. You are going to do wonderfully! The first day or two are the roughest on how you feel afterwards but it improves every day. You will be feeling great before you know it!

This is a huge decision so no surprise that you're having second thoughts. However, I wish I'd done this 10 years ago when a doctor first suggested it! Your co-workers are well-meaning but not well-informed. They haven't done the research and have likely just heard that you can only ever eat a tablespoon of food ever again (I had someone tell me that). The first few weeks are tough. Won't lie and say they're not. But 15 weeks out, I went out with hubby last night, had a bowl of chili (well, not all of it - big bowl) and even had my first drink post-op. Life is "normal" but I would say I eat like those "skinny b*****s" we used to see out. No one at work knows I've had surgery and they just think I've reduced my portions, but they see me eat and don't bat an eye.

Congratulations

by


First one around 4/2/18. 292.9
Surgery day 4/17/18
SW: 282
Second picture 5/2/18 -15 days post op
CW: 268

So..got the call to arrive at 9:02am...lol Nervous but ready! Thanks for all the posts, it has helped immensely!
Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Beep Beep clear the road for our jeepgirl4🚐 Full speed ahead, you are almost to the Finish Line, you're the winner in the Bariatric 500!🏆

Thank you Liz for your update and your willingness to share your support.
Some days this journey seems like a long time and sometimes it feels like yesterday.
While the journey has not been easy and no one ever said it would be my progress or lack thereof has always been in my control. Finding a way to deal with life without turning to food has been and continues to be a challenge.
I am grateful for the band and all that comes with it. I know what works for me and have no one to blame if I do not follow the path that works.
I am grateful for this board it seems when I choose not to check in I tend to gain weight. Viewing the post can be incredibly motivating and when I am struggling I know that I am not alone
.
I am grateful that I continue to make more good choices then bad choices in my life.
I am grateful for all who share their successes, their struggles and parts of their personal life.
I am also grateful to my wife and her support and the fact that we both chose to be banded on the same day on September 12, 2007. Together we have kept off over 200lbs.
Glad to be a part of this new thread.

Hello and good morning my friends. Welcome to Banders #7. So, I guess I'll start it off by saying how grateful I am today and every day for the new lease on life that I have. I walked to the office today from the train station. That was something I couldn't do before the surgery. I always say how light I feel and I realized it's not a state of mind, but a physical reality. We are weighed down by the excess weight and all that goes with it. When we don't rumble and jumble as we walk, our steps are lighter. I was listening to my ipod and started to dance a little as I was walking. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? When one is thin, even looking ridiculous seems OK.
I am grateful for my for my beautiful grandson who I was able to tuck into my lap last Saturday morning so we could play while Mommy and Daddy got to sleep in a bit. I'm grateful that I fit anywhere and everywhere. No more worrying if I will break a chair, or be able to navigate a booth at the restaurant, or walk down a narrow aisle without having to suck it all in just to get past someone/something.
I'm grateful for my health. I take alot of pills, but many of them are supplements and not prescription for chronic ailments. I'm grateful that I can walk again...that I can swim, bike, climb, and yes....enjoy sex. I am surprised at how flexible I can be now that I'm thin.
I'm grateful that I earn enough money that I can indulge my new found love of shopping. I really think I'm one of the best dressed ladies in the office these days...and I know I've upped the game for others. I am definitely seeing more dresses than I did a year ago.
I'm grateful to Alex for having this site available...and I'm grateful to all the folks on it who are part of my success. I know I would not have been as successful as I have been if not for all of you. I talk about things here that I don't talk to anyone else about. You all know the struggles of being fat, and immobile, and feeling like a failure regardless of what we've accomplished..and I know now how much we 'hidden' people have accomplished. It's helping me to not turn that self hatred towards others still struggling with obesity. It also reminds me that I will always struggle with obesity. Under this thin person still lurks the fat girl. She is the one who whispers in my ear all the time that I'm not worthy of the good things out there and I should just order a pizza and eat the whole thing. She and I clash daily and it's why I still go every Tuesday to the therapist who listens and helps me to navigate this new world I inhabit.
Well...I think I've posted enough for today. Feel free to comment on the above, or share your stories, or say hi, or just lurk. Enjoy your day today...enjoy the upcoming holiday, and looking forward to a wonderfully robust Banders #7 thread.
Liz

I have been using a heating pad, not with moist heat though because the steri-strips came off that incision (like they were supposed to) but part of the wound looks/..icky to me, its healing but I don't want the scabby part to open it's weird looking. Luckily my sister and my aunt and other aunt and best friend are all nurses, they said the wound isn't infected or anything, just to be careful of it but at this stage no bandage. Sooo..a heat yes, but not moist as of yet. See the surgeon Tuesday, but the pain is really nasty at night

I know the feeling very well. My family is against me having surgery. I just mentioned it once and received a lot of back lash . I am keeping it to myself between 2 best friends my husband and wls group. All the support you and I need .

Hi
I too was in this same situation after having gastric sleeve last year. Mine was due to a stricture in the middle of the stomach pouch. This was found by doing an endoscopy. I was on picc lines and feeding tubes for dehydration and severe malnutrition. My doctor decided the only option was to revise to the full bypass. (This was after he attempted dilation and placing a stent). Having a revision was not ideal but at 4 months out from revision i am glad i did. No more vomiting i have regained my strength and best part no more tubes coming out of my body. Message me if you want to talk more.

I understand your feelings, you are just realizing what control of food had on you. Your relationship with food has changed, it will get better, you did this surgery for a reason. If your doctor has a support group I recommend attending. Even all the classes I had prior to the surgery could not mentally prepare me for what I was about to experience. I had similar feelings, but you will feel better stay the course. Hang in there. You can do this, You are strong.

Hello everyone for those who don’t know I had RXY NOV 28,2017 yesterday was my 4 months surgeversary.. so Happy! If you wondering yes I’m glad I did.. I have had lil to mild complications but right now all that drives me insane is the constipation... but I think something is working out for me.
I’m 5’7 by the way.

My mother .. was against it ... but is not like I ask her. I just let her know to come help me with the kids..she would tell me I was gonna regretted and blah blah blah exercise. I just knew what I have done to loose it before choosing a knife.. so that flew from one ear to the next one.

So I’m will probably have the sleeve sometime in June, every time I’ve talked with my mother about it she’s extremely negative and discouraging...dictating to me I shouldn’t do it and usually leaves me in tears....I’ve decided that at 30yrs old, I will have this procedure without her approval because I cannot continue to allow her to dictate how I should I should live my life does anyone here have parents or husbands ahl are like this? so I guess the only people I’m telling is my two best friends

Bypass people have dumping syndrome. Sleeve folks really don't. We can get nauseated a little if we eat too much sugary stuff...but not like the bypass folks. They get seriously sick. It passes...but it looks miserable.
I have no problems having a a bite of my hubby's desert when we go out. In fact...I kinda wish I had more issues because I really like sugar and it's empty calories that are not a great idea. I had a bite of a Cadbury Egg on Easter...OMG...was crazy sweet...but I didn't get sick. Did want a big glass of Water, though...lol...bleh!
But seriously....you will not have any problem having a couple of bites of pretty much anything. You need to worry much more about falling into old habits.
The Vitamins are no big deal. I take Flinstone's chewables and a some extra D and B vitamins (also chewable) and Calcium. It sounds like a pain in the arse....but it's no big deal at all. You get used to it. (and it beats the heck out of the prescription drugs I used to take)
Sometimes people need a while to be "ready" for surgery.
My first consult was almost 20 years ago.
On the one hand...I wish I'd had it done sooner because I feel so much better. My energy is awesome and I feel terrific.
On the other hand...I'm kinda glad I waited for sleeve.
Just keep weighing the risks against the benefits. You'll get there when you're ready.
But yeah....I'm so so so glad I had surgery:) Love my sleeve!

None are mine but if you needed a chuckle to get you thru to Friday i hope this helps.

Congrats [emoji322]

Only my husband, son and 3 close friends know. If I told my mother EVERYBODY would know. There are too many people that have negative opinions about weight loss surgery and I don't need that in my life. I'm going on 5 months post op and people think I lost the 81 pounds by walking and watching what I ate which is how I lost the 37 pounds before surgery. It's a personal thing and my husband and I want to keep it that way. You do what feels right for you. Best of luck on your weight loss

I kept mine a secret except for my husband and a few friends. I've been on so many crazy diets over the years that no one has blinked an eye over what they perceive as another crazy diet. I don't feel I owe anyone an explanation.

I kept it to just my boyfriend and parents for a month or two... then realized people basically already knew. You don’t typically lose 65lbs in 4 months 😂 so I started telling anyone who was brave enough to ask me what I was doing.

I was sleeved 8 weeks ago and I have chosen to keep my surgery a secret. Only a couple of immediate family members know, and they’re very trustworthy. I have chosen this because I live in a small town where people gossip and I don’t want to be the subject of gossip. I’m also naturally a very private person and always found my weight to be a very personal topic that I didn’t enjoy discussing. So far it’s been fine, but from forums, I feel most everyone is public about theirs. Is there anyone else who kept theirs private? How has that been for you? Any regrets about staying private? Thanks!

ElseeG, I was in your exact position. BMI 35, no comorbidities (as defined by my insurance). I do have advanced osteoarthritis and depression but those don’t count. So I am self pay. There was NO way I could afford anything over $10,000. I would have to consider financing and for much less. I considered Mexico too. But I went with a top doctor here for a consult and yes, the self pay cost would be $14,000 -$16,000. However, after a required EGD, if they found a hiatal hernia the cost would drop to $5,200. WOW. I thought for sure I didn’t have a hiatal hernia, but you know what? I did! Holy crap, my self pay would now be that low? Yes indeed. Now we’re cookin’ with gas! So not only do I get a top doctor in the Houston medical district, but I’m paying way less than what I had been quoted in Mexico. So, I would suggest getting an EGD where you live and sending your results to a good doctor near you or close state that has a similar program. I hate to think that your health is blocked by cost. Ugh. But I’m hopeful you will find a way - by hook or by crook!