TeeJay84

Long story short, I shaved my head due to MASSIVE Hair loss after bypass. I was losing clumps of hair every day and had a very obvious bald spot. I bought a hair topper wig to cover it with but it only helped for 2 weeks before it no longer covered the growing baldness. So I said screw it.... and shaved my entire head!
I feel empowered. It's something I've always wanted to do.
I'm also 248lbs currently! My starting weight was 340lbs. Worth the hair loss
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Do you want to need them again? Try to avoid this type of logic, stick with "I refuse to need this size again".

So I started my weight loss journey in December 2017 with a wish to loss weight and make a life change for me. My birthday is September 1st and as a present to myself on my 60th Birthday I will be 4 months post op on September 16th and I’m down 63 pounds. I still am not at goal but I am happy with the results so far.

I was eating 1 egg omelets with cheese, though I was never able to finish the whole thing.

I can't speak for others, but I chose my surgery based on the least invasive. Having had cancer 6 years ago, I am leery of doing too much to my body but wanted to have the surgery done. I hope that makes sense? So far so good as I have lost quite a bit of weight already, but I have more to go to get to a healthy BMI. The part that I do know, is I CAN get there. I have had the surgery and I work with a psychologist that is helping me emotionally and that balance has been tremendous. The tool is only as good as what we put into it.

So today I was trying on jeans at the store. I literally have no jeans because it’s been summertime and I’ve been wearing shorts. Well now my shorts are all huge on me. Anyways I fit in a size 11 comfortably today. When I had surgery in Feb. I was in a 20...

Hi all. Six weeks post op from the sleeve and feeling. Depressed today. Was supposed to have dinner with family last night but it’s tonight. Italian restaurant. I’m still adjusting to this new way of life-not being able to eat whatever I want. I know where it got me-it’s just such a big adjustment. I feel sad and almost in mourning today. For my old life. Trying to shake it. Anyone else been there done that?

I watched it and was happy that my pre-surgery weight was somebodies goal weight. I don’t think I can watch it again. Just too raw with the surgery and all...

My consultation with my surgeon was in December 2017. Surgery was in June.

I know everyone wants the process to go quickly but I’m so thankful it took longer. I really got to prepare and deal with my issues with food. Made the pre-op diet and liquid post-op diet a breeze.

So I started at 304lbs ( 21' 10 ) for the uk'ers and blimey did I feel every pound!
I have lost steadily and I am now 245lbs (17' 7!) so very chuffed, and cannot believe how much my life has changed.
Here are a couple of before and afters, one at my heaviest and the other, two days ago for clarity.
I can't really see a massive difference myself but others have told me they can definitely see it, can you?

I can’t even begin to describe the changes in my life. I’m doing AMAZING. I feel incredible, I am running again, and I’ve finally mastered those effing kettle ball swings. I’m also down to a size 16. That’s right, a six-freaking-teen. I’m loving it!

My diet could probably use some tweaks. I’m averaging about 800 calories, and with the running I definitely need to kick this up a notch.

Still cranking out my Protein goals and fluid goals. I’m averaging 80g of protein and 90-100oz of straight Water (plus my 2 8oz Decaf coffee w/ premier protein!)

Additionally, I think my pouch is made of Iron. I still have yet to come across food I can’t eat. I still have no feeling of hunger so I suppose that could be an issue if I wasn’t strict about my eating schedule. However other than that I’m having no issues. This surgery was easily a great decision.

Hope all my fellow May surgery buddies are doing well!

Annnd a picture for progress!

I went to the BMR calculator, put in my info,and nothing came up. Am I dead? Dang. I hate THAT-- I'm always the last one to know these things!

I wanted to post this ongoing photo grouping that I've been working on with my sons. It started as a great way to show their aging, but it's also showcasing my weight loss.

2010, pre-band. I was around 370 in this photo.
2014, post-band. I was around 310 in this photo.
2018, post-bypass. I was 237 in this photo.

Just wanted to show everyone that, even just 4 years can change things so drastically, 8 years is even more amazing. Looking forward to going back and taking another update in 4 years, I can't wait to see what 12 years of changes looks like.

So when you are just a handful of days out of surgery and are feeling like nothing is changing. Or when you are stalled out for a week and are super frustrated. Please remember, this is a long term adjustment. Some folks are lucky and do see really fast results, but that doesn't mean anyone that doesn't see fast results is a failure.

Just keep looking at the horizon and taking 1 more step forward. Soon enough, you'll be where you want to be.

WOW! This was eye-opening! I consider myself a slow loser, but I seem to be right on track with the 200-250 group.

I have had 2 knee replacement surgeries, had my fall bladder out in the bad old days when everthing was OPEN. I have had other surgeries, some Ambulatory some requirng hospitalization.
And at 72, a LOT CLOSER to MORTALITY than you! And I am not frightened, not a bit. Lets examine just a few reasons.
1 I really really want THIS Surgery. I started seeking it,is August 2015. I have suffered twists, turns, ups and downs in this persuit. If I tried to sell my story to TV they would refuse it as implausible, not even real enough for a soap opera, yet I LIVED it!
2. I have few people left in my family. In the 2000s I have had a lot of deaths in my life. My mother,my mother- in- law, both,in the same year, 11 aunts and uncles, some i,loved as extra parents,my godmother, many friends and acqaitances, many,of them younger and seemed to be in good health,my husband 6 years ago at the age,of 70 on the 4th,of July, yes the day I should have been celebrating my country's Independance and a son suddenly at the age of 31 suddenly. And although there a few still left to,mourn me every year the number grows smaller. It has gone from a massive funeral, wake and procession to local cemetery to a picnic,luncheon at the local park and a scrapbook for people to look at.
3. It can only improve my health,mobility and future life. A body riddled with arthritis, obesity, being short,of breath, unable to walk around the block only once before I have to rest, not,being able to sit in many chairs because they are too narrow, being more comfortable in bed then up and,moving. Sure I still have a life, but it is not giggles and laughs anymore.
4 I do trust,my surgeon. Oh Frustr8 is VERY very careful who she trusts with her body. Scars, dings, missing paint here and there on my chassis, but IT is STILL MINE. I checked out my doctors reputation, his bio, his statement of purpose, whether he had patients my age before and,most important had he ever had fatalities as a general or Bariatric Surgeon? Since i,now love ME I wanted to give myself,the very best I could. And he is perfect as a surgeon, but I still wanted to meet him, how did he present himself? He is more than a people mechanic , he will,hold my very,life in those hands. Wanted to,make sure he had no tremors or twitches. And all is good.
4 I learned as much as I could about surgeries available. I am 72, no time for "do overs" this has to be,very good. Actually had decided before I met my doctor, Dr Needleman, what surgery I would seek, sure I might listen to his medical advice, but MY BODY, MY CHOICE!
So on September 5th I will March proudly through the front doors of Rhodes Hall, the admission area before 5 AM, with a sm8le, happy that,he day has finally come. I don't know what all the steps from them on will be but I can and will go forth happily. And at 7AM, give or take a few minutes, I will be wheeled through the Operating Doors, frankly I would prefer to walk but I will make that concession. And there clad in all his Sterile garb will be my Bradley J Needleman MD, the Big Kahuna, the director of Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Weight Loss at the Ohio State University-Wexner Medical Center, a full Professor in the College of Medicine. When Frustr8 went surgeon fishing she landed herself a Trophy Specimen.I sure there will be a lot of other people there,this is, after all, a Teaching Hospital as well as a Bariatric Center of Excellence. I will go peacefully to sleep, my arms extending out to each side, I will be intubated, my gown removed,my tummy blown up with CO2 gas to the point I look like I am expecting octuplets, and quite a few more people will learn. that I am a redhead all over. Makes no never mind to me, I'll be sound asleep. And I will receive my RnY, my tool , my key to a brighter thinner future. And I expect to wake up,in the Recovery Room still smiling. What not, if I weren't lying down I'd be wagging my tail. A little tummy pain? Pish Tosh, I've had acute pancreatitis, this has got to,be a walk in the park after THAT PAIN!
I expect to be,up and walking, no Cath in place, so it will be "Tinkle Time", walk walk walk and sip sip sip until I recover in a few days to go home. Only concession to my age is I might get to stay longer.
Que sera sera!
So my young friend I am not waiting for death, I rather look to life triumpant afterwards and you should too. What came before is merely a prelude to the Future.

That's almost funny because I feel in limbo, like I'm waiting for my life to start...

I was terrified going into surgery. I truly thought I was going to die. I went so far as to remind my family exactly what my wishes are for what should happen after I die. I was sleeved on July 18, and I am here today, almost 1 month later. It is ok for you to be terrified. Surgery, even laproscopic surgery is a BIG deal.
What I would suggest you consider is if your fear of death is actually a way to cover for fear of what your new life is going to look like. I know that was at least partly true for me. I was legitimately scared of actually dying, but I also new that my life, as I had known it, would be over when I woke up from surgery. That is a terrifying prospect too.. but one that is much harder to articulate than the fear of actual death.
Whatever your fear... you are allowed to feel that way... just don't let it get in your way. Take deep breaths and keep moving forward.

WOW! This was eye-opening! I consider myself a slow loser, but I seem to be right on track with the 200-250 group.

I literally had to go in the bathroom at work and tie a knot in my draws! If I hadn't I would have lost them and I had on a skirt.
Its nice to lose weight but geez! It never occured to me to buy some new panties

i broke my stall. I was stuck at 228-229 for 2 weeks and I just weighed in at 225. Woot! Woot! I can't tell you how stressed I was during the stall. I thought I would never lose weight again and that I wasted all this effort on the surgery. Man it was a roller coaster. Not fun.

I swear by Syntrax Nectar. Best tasting Protein Powder I’ve tried.

You said you weren’t happy that your wife went forward with this from the beginning. Is it possible that you are unconsciously looking for physical changes in your wife to support that feeling? Maybe even a “I-told-you-so” feeling because you’re not happy with her appearance now or maybe because she proceeded with her surgery despite your feelings?
I’ve come to accept what she has done… I don’t think you’ve accepted it at all. Why were you opposed to her decision to have this done in the first place? Is there something deep inside of you that resents her for having this surgery even though you were opposed to it? (I don’t know you, but some men have a problem with women making their own decisions, including decisions about their own bodies.)
She used to be… she is now… she is starting to look… She also looks like…. These sound like mourning words. You’re in mourning for the body your wife used to have.
I’m starting to worry… Starting? No, you're in full-blown worry mode, except it’s not really worry. I still think it’s mourning for what was.
I’m afraid I’ve lost my wife… Afraid? No, in your mind you’ve lost her. But have you lost her? Really? Your wife is happy. And the doctor’s office doesn’t seem worried.
His office pretty much ignores my concerns… Are you sure that they’re just disagreeing with you and not ignoring you?
This surgery killed my aunt…. WLS is not a murderer with a sawed-off shotgun. Your aunt had a rare and unfortunate complication. I hope you didn’t bring up your aunt's complication as one of the reasons for not wanting your wife to have her surgery. Or did you?
If I come across as terse, it’s only because men tend to understand things better when those things are presented bluntly or in black and white.
Lastly, it’s only been 10 months. Your wife's body is still trying to find a happy balance.
Has your sex life changed? Is that something you’re also unhappy about? (My husband has always enjoyed my big, soft body.)
Please do not interpret anything I’ve said above as lecturing or patronizing because that is not my intent. This is just my take on things from a woman's point of view. Not every woman's point of view. Just mine. We're not all the same, you know.
You sound like a loving and caring husband. No one here wants you to be unhappy, including me. Your wife, I’m sure, doesn’t want you to be unhappy. But guess what? It’s okay to be unhappy sometimes, except you need to figure out if your unhappiness and fears about your wife’s new body are rational or irrational. If they are irrational fears, and you still can’t come to terms with it all, maybe a therapist might help. Maybe joint therapy. And there is, of course, absolutely no shame in that. None.

Going on 8 weeks out this coming Wednesday. Still stuck at 19 pounds lost since surgery. I say stuck because I hit 19 pounds lost 2 weeks ago. I’ve been stalled since then. *shrug*

I started working out regularly at 4 weeks. But I’m a beginner so it’s nothing too strenuous. Treadmill, light weight lifting.

I had my gallbladder removed the same time I was sleeved. The hospital said gallbladder removals are a same-day release procedure usually. My recovery from both surgeries seem to be on par with those who just had the sleeve done. It was laparoscopic.

So far I’m able to handle most things fine. I had a ...explosive reaction to guacamole and light sour cream one day. But I ate the same thing the next day with no problem. So it kinda depends. But, overall, digestion is good.

My attacked were incredibly painful and frequent. So I’ll take a little unpredictability with my bowels for a while over that pain any day!