Lyngolean

I also had childhood sexual abuse from 8yrs-12yrs old. Thank god, only had to deal with long lasting emotional trauma. This is even more of a reason for you to seek professional therapy during this process. I already had a therapist when I started because I suffer from PTSD from the abuse, but if I didn't, I would have established with one. A critical part of success in this, is to be mentally healthy!

Being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse (impregnated at 12),
I managed to overcome many buried years of trauma. I keep telling
myself that I can do this, too.
It feels good to have power now, particularly after having a long history
of it being denied to me. Those pedophilic bastards!
I'm encouraged by the kind words of support so far. I hope at some
time soon (in this forum) I will be able to be more a giver-of-support and
less of a taker-of-support. For now, though, I will allow myself the guilty pleasure of
"receiving" until I can reciprocate, in a genuine way, all of the kindness offered me.

Well you've just gained an entire community of "real" friends, and I know we can't hang out in person, but we will be there for you in any way we can. I shut people out too. There were certain people that I avoided seeing or hanging out with for YEARS. There was only a very select inner circle that I still saw regularly leading up to surgery. I'm afraid I became somewhat of a recluse, and as a result, my husband turned into one too. Our friendships ended and we became even less active.
I agree with your dietitian about the dress! However, please take another piece of advice. Please establish with a therapist before surgery. Someone who's been punishing themselves by wearing the same thing everyday may struggle with the emotional hurdles of stalls, timing of weight loss, and internal expectations. This is the biggest mind game I've ever played. And I think you need more people in your corner, so to speak.

You look amazing! I'll bet that dinosaur in the first pic wouldn't even want to eat you now - too skinny! He'll hang back and see if you have a plump friend

If he can stand the travel I'm still more tasty than I want to be. Oh how hard I am working to become bony, want to go from Ham to sparerib, keeping my little hooves so active it's a wonder I haven't split one!

If you do your research its actually not. Is it more recommended for people with a BMI of 40 and above? Absolutely YES! However, people with weight threatening diseases like mine are okay to get the surgery of a BMI of 30 and above. Thanks for your input though!

I would seek legal counsel if I were you about your work situation.

Something about getting really close to goal has me being way too honest. Obnoxiously honest.
I'm openly talking about all my screw ups....which, lets face it...people just don't do. We're all perfect, right? And we should inspire others to achieve perfection and never color outside the lines and never backslide and never admit it.
Admitting it is setting a bad example, right? Think of the Newbies! Cover their ears! SAVE them!
(in truth, I wish someone HAD admitted that screw ups occur regularly when I was first staring this process..I quite enjoy ugly truths...but I'm weird that way)
More and more, I think I'm getting close to the end of my time here at Bariatric Pal.
Once upon a time, I recall telling someone...if I stick around at this site past when I reach goal and pretend I have some kind of answer.....please Shoot Me. I don't want to be that person. I'm not that person.
By luck, trial and error, Herculean patience, Feck all who knows?...somehow, I'm a stone's throw from the holy grail: Goal.
The only answer I've got...is that answers vary. No two people have done it exactly the same way. Try hard every day. Don't give up. Use all the help they give you.
Weight has defined so much about my life for so long....i'm just burnt out on it.
I want to start talking about other things.
I'm giving myself another month for the last 4 pounds...but come August...I think i'm outta here:)
I know for a few of you....this is welcome news! Bahahaha!
It's been a hell of a ride, my bariatric friends. Legendary.
I wish each and every one of you.....fulfillment of your expectations and a safe healthy ride getting there.
Smooches!

As long as your supervisor approves the time off request, you have no obligation to work around someone else vacations, etc.

It has happened!! I lost 100 lbs! 313 to 213! To Celebrate, I got a new tattoo, not a Thanksgiving type meal I normally would have given myself as a reward. Such a great feeling, but now on those last 53 lbs....
I have my next goals, but what are my next rewards? What do you reward yourself with when you meet goals, weight or otherwise? Let me hear them, let me hear your latest accomplishments!

Your body needs time to adjust and reconfigure, is what I assume with stalls. As long as you are following directions, things will get moving again. It seems to me that when the scale isn't moving is when my body seems to do some shrinking. Doesn't make any sense, but there you have it. Stay the course!

For me, it helped to wear my abdominal binder (elastic thingie with velcro), and of course take my Tylenol as directed. Also a cold pack on my abdomen provided relief. I also was prescribed hycosamine, an anti-cramping agent which helped me when pain cropped up before my next dose of Tylenol was due. Good luck! You're almost to the part where pain decreases. Keep walking too...

For me, it helped to wear my abdominal binder (elastic thingie with velcro), and of course take my Tylenol as directed. Also a cold pack on my abdomen provided relief. I also was prescribed hycosamine, an anti-cramping agent which helped me when pain cropped up before my next dose of Tylenol was due. Good luck! You're almost to the part where pain decreases. Keep walking too...

Surgery Date: 4/18/2018
Starting Weight: 300lbs
Total Loss: 30lbs
Current Weight: 270
I've experienced two stalls so far lasting around four weeks total. It's very easy to get down about not continuously losing the weight but I know my body is still trying to figure it out. I don't get all the Protein I need in a day but because of dumping syndrome everything pretty much goes right through me including Protein Shakes. I drink tons of Water though. I still get actual hunger pains and feel hungry often which is disappointing but someone pointed out that the feeling of hunger in your stomach could actually be from acid so taking Gaviscon tablets could help with that, I'll have to give that a try. Hopefully I start losing weight again soon. I'm so ready to be over this stall.

Rachibabe-I'm sorry you feel this way.
#1, I'd say that if you're having discomfort drinking or eating, talk to your doctor and/or nutritionist.
#2-I know I'm not "living the dream". I feel like my entire life revolves around food. Planning my meals, planning when to eat, how much to eat, monitoring my macro-nutrients. Let's not even go there about doing this when you're traveling! I still have the occasional lump going down if I swallow a drink or a bite that's too big. I've had episodes of unexplained slime/foamies that are best described as torture. I lay awake at night worrying myself to death that the bit of heartburn or indigestion I had will develop into something worse. I struggle to meet my Protein goals every day. Fortunately, I have found shakes that I like.
You aren't the only one who has struggles. We all kind of struggle in our own way. Tell your doctor how you're feeling. Try some protein Water (I don't like it, but others swear by it).

Surgery 20/04/18
HW - 233
SW - 220
CW - 190
I can eat 3-4 bytes of most fruit and vegetables now, also little bit of fish is ok too. chicken is another story, I just can not keep it down. eggs smell quite funny since surgery and I don't like how cheese tastes. In the end I still get most of my Protein from shakes, I don't like that, but that is what it is.
Sometimes I get frustrated by so much restriction from my sleeve, I just want to eat a proper meal without throwing up. The good thing is that I don't experience any hunger at all, that alone was worth having the surgery, it is just so liberating.
I haven't eat a single gram of chocolate, sugar, bread for two months now. One of my goals is to try to not eat it for one whole year. I started intermittent fasting, 5:2 plan and it is quite easy because I am never hungry even when fasting. Will try to keep IF for the rest of my life as a way to keep weight off. Haven't started exercising yet.

surgery date 4/2/18
hw 321
sw 284
cw 239
1 gw 170
2 gw 140
i feel good but really have to constantly wk at getting my calories & Water in.i am super busy at wk & sometimes only have a few mins to decide if i should eat or drink.i get filled up so quickly.i always get my Protein in but struggling some days to get my water in.i do cardio 5-6 times a week,anywhere from 36-70 mins.,depending on how i feel.im getting sick of eating the same things.i like to cook but so hard to track all the ingredients & then either have to freeze or throw away before it gets eaten.i just have been eating simpler,less processed foods.i dont get to my vegs & fruits as often as i would like,since im trying to use space for water & protein.my nut wants me eating 3 times a day,no Snacks ideally.im allowed 600-800 calories a day.i cant wait to have lean red meat & pork when i get to 6months.i hope everyone else is hanging in there & feeling well.please let me know how the rest of u april sleevers are doing.

I'm so sorry that you're having such difficulties. I'm sure someone here will know about dilating an esophagus.
As far as work goes, is this company large enough to have an HR department? If so, that is who you should deal with, not your boss. They are supposed to keep everything confidential (I know, no guarantees) and they could just tell your boss "complications" rather than details. Hope this helps. (hugs)

I was sleeved 06/13. I had my 1 week post op yesterday...
For the stats fans:
5'3"
SW: 234
CW: 222
GW: 135
This last week has been utter hell! I have been in a severe amount of pain. I'm so jealous of the people who feel nothing afterward! My left incision is TIGHT and I have a huge bulge because it's so tight. It's swollen and hurts like a SOB. Especially when I go from sitting to standing. YOWZA!
But the worst part is the pain with swallowing. Ever since my first baby sip of Water on surgery day, I've had pain when I swallow. It is so much pressure and feels like a weight is sitting on my chest.
Because of that, I'm not meeting my Fluid or Protein goals. The most fluid I have had in a day was 46 oz and protein was 32... And that was on my best day.
My surgeon said she wasn't surprised I'm having issues because she thought the opening between my stomach & esophagus looked tighter/smaller than it should have been while she was in there. So that pain is because things are getting stuck.
The plan is to go back in and have my esophagus dilated, but she wants to wait 4 weeks to give me time to heal. 4 weeks of this pain and exhaustion! Meanwhile, I have a standing order for IV fluids at my local hospital for any day I don't reach my fluid goals and anytime I'm feeling exhausted or just not feeling great. Which is all the time since I'm dehydrated and not getting enough protein!
They also said I should wait to go back to work until at least a month or until after this issue has been fixed! I don't know what to tell my boss because I am not telling anyone about my surgery. Even worse... It's a brand new job! My first one after 6 years as a SAHM! I told them during my interview that I was having surgery (not what kind) and that I would need at least 2 or 3 weeks off. They said for the right person, they would make anything work and offered me the job on the spot. They said it was their first time ever hiring someone immediately, but they knew I was perfect for the job and team. That made me feel amazing!
But fast forward a month into the job when it was surgery time, they only gave me 12 days off and put me back on the schedule. I told them I wasn't sure if I could come back that early, but that I would keep them posted. They sort of agreed to that...
But a month? Now I don't know what to say! My doc provided me a note, but it says 'bariatric surgery' in the company letterhead. I can't use it... I only told 2 people about this surgery... My husband and my mom. And I am not comfortable telling anyone else.
I'm sad it didn't go as planned... frustrated that my doc didn't fix it during surgery when she clearly saw it wasn't right, exhausted, and real tired of being in pain!
Is anyone else going through this? I feel so alone!
Please do NOT comment just to say "I never had any pain or issues!" Or "I'm going back to work 5 days post-op!" Yeah... Congrats.
😏😜😂
I can't tell you how disheartening it is to read all the stories like that. I'm glad for you, truly, but super jealous it didn't go like that for me! So, please don't be salty! Lol!

I needed to share; I’m finally out of the 200s and feel amazing! I went from a size 22 to a 10, and today I got an 8 on but not comfortably yet. I even started training for a 5k which I would have never done in a million years. Best decision I ever made!

VSG 3.14.18

Highest weight: 285

Surgery weight: 248

Current weight: 199

Failing.....you had surgery a MAJOR surgery a few days ago. Most ppl dont have super easy recovery. Days 3 thru 6 can be the worst due to swelling and soreness. Walk, sip and lay on your left side with heating pad to expel some gas. Use gas X. You doing fine. You cant fail at surgery recovery.

No I didn’t realize that Orchid!!! When you put it that way....

Wishing you smooth sailing from here on out! So glad the bleeding was caught early and addressed.

I'm 2 months post op as of today, down 55.5 pounds. I am SO happy I did this. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER! It has been a life changing experience, all for the better. You asked about downsides early on: The day after surgery, it was an effort to stay hydrated. I was very glad to graduate to full liquids after Clear Liquids the first week. Then I was very glad to graduate to pureed foods after being on full liquids due to more variety. Now I eat normal food, but very small portions. It's amazing to lose weight fast without feeling hungry! I REALLY wanted to be a healthy weight and considered the restrictions on what I could eat well worth it. I am almost half way to goal and feel like a new woman.

Wishing you smooth sailing from here on out! So glad the bleeding was caught early and addressed.