mrs_brontosaurus

And you undoubtedly are at a Calorie Deficit, this is your body's way of saying " For Gods sake, girl, you just had Major Surgery- sit us down before you topple over!" let Bronto- Grandma and Bronto- sissy help a little, obviously they ❤ a whole bunch. My daughter , the RD , short for Rotten Daughter, lives 6/10ths of a mile from me, wouldn't turn her hand to help me, there is one of those in every family, and I had the horrid luck to birth Mine! I no longer plot revenge, Karma is going to get her and it may be soon. Already wrote my Death Notice/ Eulogy for our local newspaper, when you're 72 and facing surgery you think about such things. Anyway it says at the end" She is also survived by Mrs_____. her daughter, with whom she was estranged at the time of her death." And the publisher of our Local Newspaper, I graduated from High School with her older sister, so it is cleared it will be published just That Way! My son, the Tomkitten knows just where to locate it and has promised to submit it. And it will also not say "Blankety- blank Funeral Home is honored to serve my family" I dealt with these people for all of my family's funerals, okay people but they took every drop of Life Insurance money coming, not a nicety but a business with substantial profit. Late hubby thought he was leaving Tomkitten and I sitting pretty, nope, had to keep on working to keep us fed, so nice as things look, IT IS A Racket, pure and clear.
And day by day you are going to get stronger,more healthy, less "OMG WHAT DID I LET MYSELF IN FOR? ", the sun will shine, the birdies tweet tweet once again, this I Do Promise! It takes a while,to Be the Very Best and to Feel the Very Best! And I pray for everyone on Bariatric Pal, even the ones who didn't ask ME,to. Figure that will be between Me and GOD in the long run!

WLS is hard. You are going through a time that is a right of passage.
I think we've all "tested" the waters during our diet progression--some with more success than others. But please understand this...the rules exist for a reason. For our protection! At 7 days the risk of perferation and leakage are HEEEEEEUUUUUUUGGGGGEEE! The reason you are placed on liquids is to reduce the amount of activity in the stomach. The stomach actually expands and contracts when food (and sometimes liquids) are brought into it. They even do that in response to PICTURES of food. And the docs want to keep that activity to a minimum.
And the second thing that must be asked of you guys cheating:
What were you hoping to get from WLS? Why would you actively say WTF, I'm doing it anyway cuz I am "tired of liquids" Why would you actively add back caffeine to your program when your doc told you not to? When decaff is an option?

*SMH. Trying not to judge. But this WOE is hard enough without actively trying to eff ourselves with bad choices--most especially during this early, early, time. You have ONE honeymoon period. Don't eff it up. Don't squander it. Get started doing the headwork, and making the hard calls.


I'm sure others will be along shortly to soothe your ruffled feathers and give affirmation to your decisions and rationalizations...

I don’t have a date yet, but the only thing I have left to do is my scope and a final meeting with the surgeon to begin my two week pre-op diet. Scope is on the 30th this month, then middle of May I’ll be out of town for a week. My scheduler was certain that I could have a June surgery. Cheers to all!

I am scheduled May 29. One more appt with the surgeon, then a seminar on pre- and post-surgery diets. Had an EGD last week.

To each their own and viva la difference!
I just believe I'm not the poster child for WLS awareness and feel that this is my story to tell to whom I choose. Most people do not possess the "need-to-know" security clearance for this.
It has nothing to do with stigmas for me. It has to do with not wanting to be the subject of idle curiosity and commentary. Gossip about someone else.

And the beat goes on, I got a call from an local number Friday, turns out it is the Wound Care Center at my local community hospital, no one admits to making. such a call, I have no open wounds. Turns out my PICC LINE cultured negative, so why pull it unless everyone was just tired of me having it? Now to the matter of the elusive Fe Infusion, the one OSU said I would require, local yokel PCP said " Don't travel a 100 mile roundtrip to Columbus and back, I can can order it here" today one of his nurses , an LPN I never have liked in the first place, called to tell me it never was ordered, am I deluding myself that I even need it? Now what? Do I call OSU, the lady at Option Care? They both said I needed it , when are my last blood labs at? Local hospital was drawing them here, sending results to Columbus but supposedly my PCP was also getting a copy. Flip HIPAA and all the little legal tweaks, it should have been my body, my choice, my records and I should have been in the Loop on all this, not on the outside knocking on doors trying to get the info everyone is hiding.. I could have had my INFUSION last week in Columbus if I could have found transport, instead I waited for local yokel, who seems to have done nothing.
So let's examine the record, I was hospitalized for pneumonia, nobody knows what the infective agent was? I had Fluid build-up in my Right shoulder, Orthopaedic drained the Acrominal space, got what seemed like a small jelly jar of what looked like funky looking fluid. Decided it didn't look pussy, just some sort of inflammation so he decided not to culture it, then my PICC line which I felt was of use to me was pulled, I feel capriciously because all the cultures were negative. I am left with a dressing on my left arm where the PICC was, I can't get it wet until it fully scabs over, a right shoulder that still is painful when I try to move it, and a cough that has still fully resolved. I am weighing and trying to eat something every 3 hours, 2 oz of Protein or soft veggies etc although I would prefer being left alone. I feel much more miserable eating than not. Does anyone listen? Nope, my road to recovery is not mine, it seems to belong to all these other people, yet I am supposed to spout the cheery Weight Loss song while they manipulate me? I don't eat junk or fast food, I have tried to be good, I can only pray I show a weight loss, something to be proud of in all this chaos. And I get hiccups, in the old days I could drink Water to stop it, sip a carbonated soda, well those 2 are gone so I burp- bump like a car alarm in a parking lot until my side's get sore and I gradually stop. And if my first 6 months are so crappy, will I even be still sane by my year anniversary? IDK what next👈!😣👉

I have this issue even pre-op at 245 pounds. I’ve dealt with it since I was 10. It’s an annoying thing my body does. I can’t say if it improves as your weight stabilizes, but I can tell you that most remedies have been useless for me. Increasing sodium, taking atenolol, wearing compression stockings, chugging Gatorade, it was for naught. I know now to just manage the symptoms as they come. I try to avoid triggers like doing anything too exerting first thing in the morning, exercising too intensely, standing stationary too long, especially in stuffy/hot environments. If I feel an “episode” coming on, I try to lie down if possible, and if not I sit down and try to ensure I won’t fall if I faint. Good luck!

I feel like I’ve just been told off! Being smart before you let someone cut out your vital organs is a bit of an obvious point, but granted, you don’t know me, I COULD be an idiot ,so thanks? However, I assure you, i’m not.
In your defence,i don’t think I was very clear, the 2-3 weeks timeline is AFTER you’ve provided all your Medical history and had evaluations. It not just cut and cheque and a cut a stomach.
They have told me the barrage of tests he’d need to do first, including blood test, group blood test and rh factor, biochemistry analysis, (ALAT,ASAT, bilirubin, cholesterol,HDLP,LDLP, triglycerides, INR, APTL, prothrombin, urea, creatinine, (Na+,K+,CL-, HCO3, Ca2+), TTH, glucose, total serum Protein, chest x Ray, fibrogastroduodenosvopy with anaesthetic, heliocobacter pylori test, ultrasound, ECG and Hep C .
A lot of which would be performed at the clinic, if you’re not suitable for surgery when you get there, they return your funds minus a deposit to cover the travel/accommodation of getting you there.
I think your own experience has made perhaps made you a tad prejudice to other processes. Irresponsible and reckless are strong words. I understand the process is different in the US but when you’re paying private for anything, things move quicker, there are fewer stages and hoops to jump because you’re not costing anyone else anything. If someone want to claim a major surgery on their insurance, obviously the insurance company isn’t going to make it half as easy for you as they would a private paying client. This why I need to make sure I’m doing as much research as possible to know I’m making an informed decision. Including the advice they give you for preparing before a surgery.
As as per the Water comment, I meant with meals-I didn’t specify that, so my bad. I’m not the biggest drinker in all honesty though, but I’m aware of the requirements and I’ve done plenty of Keto diets before that require a LOT more than the recommended 1.9litres a day that I’ve seen and managed just fine. Someone pointed out protein water as an option too, because I struggle with the texture of shakes, so that’s an extra incentive to drink.
i know I’m out of other optoins. “One last attempt to do it myself” for me, was at least 2 or 3 attempts ago. I don’t need a huge diet before surgery , just need to eat healthily for health’s sake because my BMI is 35.8 which isn’t far from their minimum requirements as it is.
I’d say i’ve made my mind up to be honest. I’m going to follow the clinic over the next month, there’s a few more people that I’m speaking to that are going for surgery this week and they’re going to be journaling their experiences over the next 2-4 weeks and if i’m Still happy with the regimen , i’m Hoping to call and book this summer

I don’t think you sound impulsive. Even if you were, the process to get surgery can be frustrating and long. I’ve been considering surgery for five years at least. Only now that my insurance changed is it a possibility for me. I went to a seminar with the surgeon in December, had to reschedule my intake appointment in February, and probably won’t get surgery until June once Ive jumped through all the hoops, and that’s without a 6 month supervised diet. I think that being active in communities like this, discussing your plans with your doctor, and making any changes you can ahead of surgery is a good way to gauge your level of commitment. I wish you all the best with whichever option you choose.

I don’t think you sound impulsive. Even if you were, the process to get surgery can be frustrating and long. I’ve been considering surgery for five years at least. Only now that my insurance changed is it a possibility for me. I went to a seminar with the surgeon in December, had to reschedule my intake appointment in February, and probably won’t get surgery until June once Ive jumped through all the hoops, and that’s without a 6 month supervised diet. I think that being active in communities like this, discussing your plans with your doctor, and making any changes you can ahead of surgery is a good way to gauge your level of commitment. I wish you all the best with whichever option you choose.

I found this adorable jumpsuit at Target the other day. It is only $29. I can't wait to wear it next spring (2020)!

That’s so cute! I can’t wait to confidently wear things like that.

I just bought the cutest pair of cowgirl boots. I can't wait to wear them with sundresses and skirts this summer. Its always a look I thought was super cute on slender women but harder to pull off when you're plus sized.

My whole life long as I can remember since I watched Christopher Reeves in Superman I've been obsessed.
I've bought multiple shirts with the big 'S' on front but most only go up to X or 2X so that's my dream to wear one of them and possibly have a nice chest to fill it out 😀
Up up and away!!

I had avoided this thread, but let me share what I had posted elsewhere:
"Who would I be if I weren't fat...I had actually avoided this 'thread' when I first came across it on another social media site. I had immediately thought of the times I had allowed being overweight/fat/obese/heavy (whatever is your preferred term) to interfere in my life, my happiness, my career, my relationships. I don't share personal well, but I will share a couple of more recent experiences.
My then current partner was of average weight,I wasn't of course, and I use to get embarrassed with public displays of affection, I mean what would people think of a slim to average man, who was pinching my backside as we walked upstairs or out of a restaurant, when I was very clearly overweight. While I am putting it out there, I had let how I think about me impact on our sex life, here was a man who clearly adored me, but I continually pushed him away.
I was lined up for an job interview (only one of two people to be interviewed) which would see me progress in my chosen profession. It was with a well known company, I had a vision of 'beautiful' people who would work there, and that wasn't me because I was fat. I called the contact and made my excuses, I lied as to why I couldn't make the interview....I very much regret that, I regretted it as soon I put the phone down.
So I have had an ESG, and I am losing weight, I still have a ways to go, but no longer will I allow my obesity to hold me back, where I go to from here will be my own responsibility and no more excuses. The sad thing is I have always been an advocate of the saying...what anyone else thinks of me is none of my business...I wasn't walking the talk, but I will be from now on!"

I can understand not telling friends, family and co-workers about your surgery, but I don't see how you can conceal it from your spouse. Do you really want him to find out after the fact, when you're on your post-op diet and are dealing with all the usual post-op recovery issues??? It's not like he wont see the incisions on your body. How will that conversation go when he finds out after the fact?? The fact is, if your husband is not supportive to the point you feel you have to conceal this from him, you need to consider whether you should be staying in this marriage. This is not a healthy situation.

You will still be you, that is true. But you might be natually more secure in yourself. You would not have been a victim of "fat shaming" , no one would have told you had no right to an earthly life because you were obese. And Fat Shamer has several Siamese twin. brothers, in fact they are quads. There is Economic Shamer- Don't pay any mind to Tubby Thelmika, she is from a lower economic class and didn't want to better herself. They are Dub

There are the Sexless Squad. Oh don't worry too much about Thaddeus or Tina, they are obese, we all know they have no sexual sensations, they got fat didn't they? And that is a facet nobody mentions.

My moment that really solidified this choice for me was when I had to take my son to the hospital. He was six months old and suddenly got sick. I had to take him to the children’s hospital. He was miserable and he was crying and being walked around helped him calm down a bit. I could barely do it. I have gotten so heavy that my hips, knees, and back ache. I am so fat that I couldn’t comfort my baby as good as I should have. I don’t ever want my weight to impact my children so I’m doing something about it. It’s a big commitment and not something I’m taking lightly. I need to do this, though.

My moment that really solidified this choice for me was when I had to take my son to the hospital. He was six months old and suddenly got sick. I had to take him to the children’s hospital. He was miserable and he was crying and being walked around helped him calm down a bit. I could barely do it. I have gotten so heavy that my hips, knees, and back ache. I am so fat that I couldn’t comfort my baby as good as I should have. I don’t ever want my weight to impact my children so I’m doing something about it. It’s a big commitment and not something I’m taking lightly. I need to do this, though.

Exactly! It's a medical decision which should be reserved for physicians. However, I hope bariatric programs don't make mandatory diets a requirement of their programs as a knee-jerk reaction to insurer demands - even when insurers don't "demand"! Why? Because there is no evidence-based medicine to support mandatory diets! Here is more information to help:
ASMBS Position Statement On Insurer-Mandated Pre-Surgery Weight Loss Requirements

Hi, I'm from Kentucky too! Yeah, I was disappointed when I couldn't get a surgery date as quickly as I thought I would or an appointment with the surgeon. Use this time to research everything and write down every single question you want to ask. I took a notebook with a list of questions with me to every appointment and they took as much time as I need to answer them all. Good luck with your appt!

And if I didn't have a Directions card( formerly food Stamps) I couldn't afford THAT. It was very hard applying at my age(73) emotionally to request that, but,until Spring comes and I can put a little garden out it helps quite a bit!👈👵👉

Muscle and fat weigh the same. Fat just takes up more space then muscle.

I’m Elizabeth! See you then!