Born in Missouri

There are all kinds of families. Not everyone is kind or respectful toward other family members. Swanton_Bomb knows her family (we do not), and she has decided what is best for her. In an ideal world, it's true that lying is not "right", but in an ideal world, a family wouldn't unfairly judge or belittle another family member either. I can only imagine Swanton_Bomb's predicament. I hope you have a speedy recovery from your flu!

This topic makes me crazy. I was a chronic pain patient BEFORE my bypass surgery. To my horror, I was not treated for my existing pain but given such a low dose of morphine that it did nothing for me. My surgeon left for Sweden right after my surgery, his assistant never visited me, and the hospitalist failed her responsibility toward me miserably. Leaving a patient to suffer needlessly is just wrong. And there's a big difference between being an addict and being dependent on opiates for pain relief. If I'm addicted to anything, it's not being in unrelenting pain. Pain medication allows me to lead a semi-normal life without feeling out of control. Only someone who has chronic pain can understand this. It's a horrible cycle. And for the record, pain medication does give one a "high"; it merely takes the edge off so that you don't feel the pain as much. Nothing makes me crazier than being treated as a drug-seeking, attention-seeking hypochondriac. Some people in the health care field have become cold and indifferent to the suffering of those who live with chronic pain. They assume everyone is abusing.

@GreenTealael All I crave are nuts, seeds and dark @chocolate. Not even fruit anymore. I will have fruit occasionally because I work it into recipes but I realized I bought watermelon and gave it away because I had Brazil nuts I wanted instead. Save me. Brazil nuts are one of the best sources for selenium, a micronutrient you need. How can you go wrong with that?

What turned you off about the bypass? I went in thinking the sleeve was for me, but ended up getting the bypass. My surgeon presented the pros and cons of both procedures during my initial visit, and I left that visit 100% confident that the bypass was the better choice -- FOR ME. Both procedures have malabsorption issues. The sleeve, however, has the chance of developing GERD (even without a history of the condition) whereas the bypass does not. Regardless of your choice, this community will support you! I am so excited to hear about your upcoming procedure. It never gets old hearing about someone who is embarking on such a life-changing journey. Promise that you will stay connected with us and that you will share your story.

You chose the sleeve because of the SLIGHTLY lower complication rate? If there was only a slight rate, why were you dissuaded?

I was never able to reach any of my protein or fluid goals post-op. I was lucky to get 250 calories per day. I fretted about it briefly, then decided to concentrate on healing. You can make yourself crazy with all those grams and fluid ounces. Some days you'll do fairly well meeting a recommended requirement, other days you'll feel like a complete failure. My three-month labs turned out fine. I've lost almost 80lbs since June. The way I see it, I could have beaten up on myself daily for not meeting my protein/fluid goals or I could just relax (which is what I decided to do) and let each day unfold without stressing out. I'm glad I chose the latter. I feel lucky to be one of those who didn't face feeling hungry or starved post-operatively. I only rarely feel hungry now. Some else I learned, don't compare. A fellow forum member and I had pretty much the same surgery date. She was losing like crazy... about 30lbs more than I was during the same time frame. I let it get to me. Once I got over that feeling (with the wise advice of friends here), I've been losing as well. Only a couple of brief stalls, too.

What the hell? I'm repulsed and amused at the same time. Where's the pee hole?

@mylighthouse Yes, I like to keep up on all pain medication research. I used to take tramadol once upon a time. https://www.drugs.com/article/tramadol-need-to-know.html My pain was no longer controlled by tramadol, however. I now take morphine (300mg per day) and oxycodone for break-through. I take gabapentin as well. For a while, I was excited by research regarding sea snail venom. https://www.sciencealert.com/sea-snail-venom-could-provide-a-new-long-lasting-alternative-to-opioid-painkillers and cone snail venom https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/cone-snail-pain-killers-could-be-100-times-effective-morphine/ https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Chronic-pain-relief-How-marine-snails-may-be-able-to-help-477550613.html In my profile, I describe my bypass surgery and how I was not treated as a chronic pain patient having bariatric surgery but only as a bariatric patient. There is a huge difference. The pain medication I require to be comfortable is significantly greater than the average patient. This is a subject in which I can quickly go off in an incoherent tangent. Pain changes a person. It affects one's personality and makes life a day-to-day struggle. For others who experience chronic pain not associated with their WLS, please share your experiences.

So happy about all your pregnancies and babies. Being pregnant, and breastfeeding, in particular, were some of the most rewarding and memorable events in my life. Despite what pregnancy does to a woman's body, I wouldn't give up those times for anything.

Forgive my little tirade, Biddy zz. In no world I know is a pair of overalls, putting your body on exhibit. I was just venting. Our histories interrupt us at the most awkward of times. I apologize for stealing your thunder by calling attention to my past. It has nothing to do with your amazing accomplishments.

You look fab. I'm 57. How inspiring. I love your waspy waist. I love imaging a waist narrower than my hips! I hate my upper underarm flab. It's a lousy dancer, too. I see myself destined to elbow-length sleeves. One pleasant surprise is that my once double chin is now taut. I dreaded a floppy turkey neck. Didn't happen. My thighs and other core areas look oddly shocking, but because they will remain private, I'm not terribly concerned with their lumpy-dumpy look. I can live with that, as long as I can cover those areas with fabric that doesn't show my contours. I'm not interested in a "hot body". That's never been my mindset. Actually, I find the whole idea of being on display for others to ogle unsettling, even when I was young. No judgments on others who enjoy exhibiting their bodies. I think my childhood sexual abuse has a lot to do with never wanting to be "seen" sexually. I don't find anything empowering about showing flesh. I admire and respect women who feel comfortable in their own skins, but that confidence disappeared when I was repeatedly violated as a child, ages 7-13. Miscarriage at age 12.

@Frustr8 Why aren't you listing your most current surgery as your surgery date? Just curious.

I chose a goal weight that was more or less unattainable. After giving birth to four children, it's unrealistic to expect to shrink back to the same body. Men have no idea! I picked 130 lbs because, for my height (5' 6"), it's reasonable... but not for someone with my physical history. By picking a goal weight that is beyond the finish line, I feel I'll always have something to keep working toward. By picking an attainable "goal weight", I thought it might make me complacent and, therefore, feeling that I no longer needed to keep working on my weight.

"Humans are the fattest species on record at birth. A baby human is born with about 15 percent body fat—a higher percentage than any other species in the world. Only a small number of other mammals make it into the double digits at birth: about 11 percent for guinea pigs and around 10 percent for harp seals, for example. Even our nearest primate relatives are not born as fat as we are." http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2018/01/12/baby-fat-cute/?utm_source=dsctwitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dsctwitter#.W-G0wxRhPzI

Your question is not silly! (I've cornered that market. ). Seriously, if something picks at your brain, makes you anxious, or causes you any distress and it's because you are unsure about something... how can that be silly? Ask away. There will almost always be someone else who will benefit from your question and the comments that follow. We have essentially the same surgery date (me only two days before you). Those eggs did nothing wrong. You did nothing wrong. You were able to consume an excellent protein source and keep it down. I remember when even one egg was a challenge. It still is, to some extent, but I just carry on with what my body is telling me. I'm actually grateful that my body is able to take in a bit more as time passes. Three spoonfuls of food just didn't seem like a meal. And it hurt after. Now, I can eat what looks like a normal-ish portion and it sits nicely in my pouch. The biggest no-no for me has been forgetting about drinking milk or water during a meal. That ruins the meal. And how can a meal feel satisfying when pain follows? Sometimes it takes repeated failures to learn a lesson. Soup, oddly, doesn't seem to have the same effect, even when it's "thick" soup with lots of ingredients. I haven't figured out that one.

I use a C-pap. You could have healthy lungs and still have sleep apnea. There is no correlation between the two. The test results this time around are obviously flawed. Do you sleep alone? If not, does your partner hear you snore?

Do you see your bariatric doctor annually now? What does your primary say about your blood levels? Which form of iron are you taking? Are you taking a multivitamin with micronutrients such as selenium, copper, and zinc? What about your B12 levels? You are well into the time period where permanent damage can occur... not all deficiencies are reversible without consequences. "Symptoms of lack of vitamin B12 can cause serious anemia, nerve damage and degeneration of the spinal cord. It is common for anemia to develop first, but this is not always the case, especially if a person is taking a folate supplement. A lack of B12 damages the myelin sheath that surrounds and protect nerves. Without this protection, nerves cease to function properly and conditions such as peripheral neuropathy occur. Even a B12 deficiency that is relatively mild may affect the nervous system and the proper functioning of the brain. The nerve damage caused by a lack of B12 may become permanently debilitating, if the underlying condition is not treated."

My home state of Missouri, plus the city where I currently live, Lee's Summit. I would have preferred using a variation of my name, but I have good reasons for not wanting to reveal that. My father died at the age of 44 of a heart attack. I was 12. He was not overweight, so that was not a contributing factor. My mother is still living (age 80) and she has always been model thin and 6ft tall. It's a strange thing when you realize that you are older than a parent. I am 57. My father would have been 89 now, had he lived.

@CeeCee2018 . Always nice to meet a new forum friend. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I'm an expert at asking dumb ones, so don't let any topic stop you from getting to the bottom of what you want/need to know. We were all navigating unfamiliar waters in the beginning, so don't be shy. And, yes, the archives are a wealth of information. Of course, they lack that one-to-one contact with another forum member directly, but they can still provide you with a lot of details that you may not even know you needed to know! You came to the right place for bypass info. Actually, the bypass area would be better than this area, which is the general weight loss surgery area, but you'll find your way there. Ask if you need a roadmap. (You'll have to re-fold the map yourself, though. )

Do you use a C-PAP, by chance?

At least HR didn't broadcast that you had a big box of Poo-Pourri waiting for you in the mailroom. Seriously, very unprofessional. Was this the HR person's first day on the job? Maybe it'll be her last soon... if she keeps violating HIPPA.

Here's a photo of a drama drop: Not making fun of the OP. It's just that in the beginning every misaligned stitch or unicorn-shaped bruise almost seems like a near-death event.

Tea--It's your dramatic moments, many comedic, that I find so endearing about you. More exclamation points!!! More ellipses...

Wow. I just noticed your name. Gabrielle Simone. Talk about a lovely name. It sounds like the name of a big-time, famous celebrity.

Forget your lameass surgeon. Call your primary doctor. You need to be treated with antibiotics. This is a disgusting story... not because of your infected bellybutton but because of the way you were treated by your bariatric staff. It's pretty apparent that your post-operative health is not your surgeon's concern. As for his NP, shame on her. Most nurses I know would NEVER dismiss a patient so coldly. You could have developed sepsis! I'd call my surgeon only to let him know that someone else treated the infection that he neglected!