Born in Missouri

@AlteredReality. What a beautiful user pic. You should be a poster patient to inspire those on the fence about the benefits of gastric bypass. I'm still behind you in terms of weight lost, but I am losing. I am so proud of myself.

Well, d'oh. I now see that you live in Australia. Do I feel like an idiot! I still suggest you ask a pharmacist, just not one HERE (in the US)!?

Try asking a PharmD. Pharmacists, like my daughter, study for 5 years in addition to a year of residency. My sons, medical doctors, know very little about meds compared to her. If you have a specific medication to ask about, pharmacists are often able to look up information about absorption. Don't forget to mention your surgery since your surgery may be significant in terms of what parts of your digestive system are affected. Many "Schools of Pharmacy" also run Medication Helplines that you can call for information such as this. Where do you live? I might be able to provide you with a helpline number to call.

I'd have more faith in BP's pouch reset program if it didn't seem so conflated with buying products from their store. It makes me wonder whether it's the person or the products sold that matter more.

See? For all those out there who think they'll have to wait forever for a decision, Harborgurl got an even faster turnaround than 3 days. The weekend messed me up. Paperwork in on Friday, approval granted on Monday. Primary contacted on Tuesday. I, of course, was the last to know!!

Our @Matt Z is, unfortunately, very knowledgeable about this complication. "The Band had become totally encapsulated in scar tissue, it took my surgeon and her team more than 3 times longer to remove the band than what's normal. My 3-4 hour surgery, lasted over 6 hours. Who knows what would have happened if I didn't revise. The band is gone. My insides have been rearranged. And I'm working my way down to my goal. One day at a time. " --https://www.bariatricpal.com/profile/120901-matt-z/

Insurance companies tend to tell people submitting their documentation that it can take weeks for approval (they told me up to six weeks). My approval ended up taking only THREE business days. In fact, I was sitting in my primary's office and she just nonchalantly said, "Oh, did you know UnitedHealthCare approved your surgery?" I guess UHC decided to let my primary before me! So when UHC eventually called, I said, "Oh, that's old news. "

There was a time when I was lucky to get 250 calories per day, let alone even a fourth of the required protein or fluid. As bad as that sounds, the main concern for me is -- and continues to be-- ANXIETY. If I'm feeling unduly stressed that is worse for me than missing calories, protein, or fluids. When I'm feeling calm and happy with myself, the rest eventually falls into place. My appetite returns, I'm able to handle drinking more... For me, it all boils down to nurturing my mind and taking care of my emotional needs first. My physical needs are secondary... Understanding that it takes weeks to months to really get in trouble or become malnourished in a significant way also helps me to relax. I'm also not overly regimented when it comes to my supplements. If I miss a dose here or there, I don't beat up myself over it. Of course, it would great if I ate the right combination of everything my body needs at the right time, took my supplements faithfully... but the best lesson I've learned since my surgery, is to be kinder and more forgiving to myself. No more feeling like a failure for dropping the ball on occasion. I know that there are people on this forum who are very dedicated to every daily detail in their lives since their surgeries. I can't live like that. Perhaps if I pushed myself, I could compete with that mindset, but it just doesn't work for me. I don't even like thinking about weight loss anymore, which is why I find myself coming here less and less. My reason for posting my "lazy ways" manifesto is not to call attention to myself for being so "irresponsibly" lax about things, but to let others who may be stressing out their days with what they're eating, what they're not eating, etc. to try taking a page out of my book and slow down. Just let your days unfold without making too many demands on yourself. You'll ultimately be happier, and you'll lose the weight as well. I'm okay with anyone calling me out for filling up the heads of others with my lazy, undisciplined ways.

Perhaps I should have posted a separate thread to share my below 200lbs news. My intent was not to steal any of your thunder, Matt, particularly since you lost 170lbs while I've only lost 100lbs to get to my 199.4. I have another 50-70lbs to lose to reach my goal. Congrats, again, Mr. Handsome.

This is a timely post for me. I also use a CPAP, but I haven't been compliant since my bypass. Now I'm starting to wonder if I should contact my doctor about recalculating my pressure before I try using it again. I'm sorry you had to experience what you did, but your rant possibly helped out someone else from going through something similar. THANK YOU!!!

@Matt Z I can't believe it. I got on the scale this morning (after going to the bathroom, OF COURSE!) and I also weigh 199.4! Is that crazy or what?!

Love your pics, Matt. Are you a good dancer? I couldn't help but to think of Jim Carrey when I saw you in your green suit. "Smokin'"!!!!

At 200.2lbs I'm almost there. I can almost feel it happening, but I can't quite get my weight to go below that 200lb milestone. Soon, hopefully. Congrats, Matty.

The bypass is working great for me. Lost 100lbs (over 7 stone) in 6 months. I've never experienced dumping and my bowels are more efficient than ever. As for the malnutrition, it would take months to reach any significant levels of malnutrition. I take my vitamins when I remember (no need to stress out about missing a few pills here and there). Do the best you can, and the weight just "comes off". My high blood pressure, slightly rising blood glucose levels, borderline high cholesterol and other conditions disappeared almost immediately after surgery). I honestly don't recognize the person I once was anymore. I fit in "normal" size clothes. Whichever surgery you choose, don't EVER worry that you picked the "wrong one". Both procedures have pros and cons and you'll do great on either choice. I can only speak about my success with the bypass. Good luck to you.

Simple, but true. Attribution here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2018/10/22/what-happens-after-bariatric-surgery-makes-a-big-difference/#7fa2c4ec29b1 "What Happens After Bariatric Surgery Makes A Big Difference"

I couldn't resist, countrygirl. It was such a cheap shot to pick on such an easy-to-make typo. Shame on me! I lived most of my life in the city until my widowed mother remarried a bachelor farmer with 1000 acres in SE Kansas. I loved living in the country. My stepfather raised steers and had a lot of land set aside as HIGH GRASS PRAIRIE full of native wildflowers, blackberries, etc. He passed away two years ago, age 92. I loved him dearly. (He still has two older sisters living, btw. How many 92 year olds have older siblings? One is 97, the other 96). Back to your user name. Is it misspelled because someone else signed up as COUNTRYGIRL or was COUNRTYGIRL a typo? I won't be able to sleep ever again until I find out. BTW, my father grew up in Tennessee. We spent every summer there. In Spring City near Chattanooga. I don't know what got into me. I've been writing irrelevant blabber with no rhyme or reason. Being it's 3:30am, perhaps sleep is in order.

Being that's 994 years from now, there's plenty of time to re-consider all your options. (And here I thought I was the master of typos. Thanks for the laugh, counrtygirl. Wait is your user name a typo, too... or was "countrygirl" already taken?)

I'd be worried if you didn't have the jitters. Someone the other day on this forum talked about embarking on a laundry marathon and watching the holy crap out of Netflix. Those are just examples. Is there a hobby or something you like that you'd enjoy focusing on for a few days? You could always spend your time creating a LIST of things you'd do if you could.? Journal a bit. Put your jittery words on paper so later you can ask yourself, "Why was I so dang nervous. That was a piece of cake!". One super important thing. Don't forget to take a good BEFORE picture of yourself during this pre-surgery time. You'll be grateful to yourself later. Cheese!

An injection in your belly is absorbed more slowly than if it was injected into a vein. Also, some medications can’t be given by mouth because the acid and enzymes in your stomach would destroy them. The shot you were given was probably an enoxaparin shot to prevent blood clots. The needles are very slender so it was probably just the idea of the shot that bothered you, since it's a very quick and painless injection. I remember giving a few of the shots to myself (once I got home). I even let my youngest son, who was born with neuropathies in both hands, give me a shot. Little things like that can be a confidence booster for someone with serious fine motor skill deficits.

Humor is a good friend to take with you before, during and after your surgery. My surgery ended up being around 5pm. The patient before me had unexpected complications and her surgery lasted 6 hours instead of 2. At least your laundry will be done when you get back home. And Netflix will be waiting too. Isn't it amazing how a good (or even a not so good) movie can help you cope with nervous tension? I don't know you, but I'll be wishing you... and the other poster on this thread... the very best tomorrow. Promise to update us as soon as you feel able. OK?

Glad to hear that she was pretty much just quizzing you as a way to find out how serious you are. Maybe it's just me, but people who aren't even motivated to do basic research are probably poor candidates.

So happy and proud of you, AlteredReality. You inspire me. My boo-boo act is just that. It's more fun to pretend to be all depressed and crushed! Self-deprecating humor is a powerful motivator for me. I am genuinely thrilled that you are doing so well. I am proud of myself, too. We should both be proud!!

@AlteredReality. Have you updated your stats recently? I've finally caught up... or are you still kicking dust in my face??

I'm celebrating my second milestone: 200lbs. My first milestone was 250. My doctor said he'd be happy with a goal weight of 150. I'm hoping for 130. How much harder is it to lose those final pounds? The first 100 just seemed to fall off. Am I incorrect to assume that my remaining 50-70lbs will be my most difficult hurdle? My assumption is based on nothing scientific or logical, just a gut feeling.

Your surgeon asked you to DEFEND your decision to get a bypass? The hell you say! How odd. I've heard all types of stories, but this one takes the cake. What would have happened if you hadn't satisfied her demand for a blow-by-blow explanation for why a bypass was your procedure of choice? Was this your first meeting with this surgeon?