ABawdyMermaid

Cheers! Walk as much as you can (but don't overexert yourself, of course!) Every little bit counts!

Hi RinRin! I have depression, GAD, and panic disorder, so I can relate to some of the things you've said! Sometimes I can be just fine, then out of nowhere, I'll have days where I feel like doing nothing but crying. I imagine that given you are post-op (and not that far out from it), that your body is dealing with a lot of changes right now, not to mention probably still healing. That might be part of the cause for your moods fluctuating so much? Either way, I hope you get to feeling better soon, just try to hang in there, and if it gets really bad, try and contact your doctor (if at all possible.) Please take care of yourself!

I had several pre-op appointments (of different kinds.) It will vary from plan to plan and person to person though, keep in mind. If I recall correctly, my first appointment was with a gastro specialist who generally just discussed the different surgeries and what each one entails. They told me the basics of each surgery, but didn't go into heavy details. It was there that I was first told how much weight I was supposed to lose. I also spoke with several nutritionists in between who told me a little more about the surgeries and helped me to understand what the pre-op diet would be like. My second pre-op appointment was with the surgeon herself, and she also did my gastroscopy so that she could examine my stomach and make sure it was a-okay for surgery. She answered any questions I had at the time, and we discussed possible complications a bit, but in general I didn't honestly get a lot of information at the time. I had my last pre-op appointment just a couple days ago with the anaesthesiologist, and she weighed me, checked the size of my neck, and discussed the details of the procedure (how long it would last, basically, and the direct details regarding the surgery itself.) I came prepared this time with a whole slew of questions, but I sadly wasn't able to get them all answered. She provided me with a drink that I'm supposed to take a few hours before the surgery as well. (In between these appointments, I had a lot of different tests conducted. Bloodworks three different times, testing for diabetes, the gastroscopy, and also an EKG. I also had to see a psychologist as well.) I should note that I feel like I wasn't given as much information on the surgery as many people have been provided with their plans. I was not told about a lot of the different complications that can happen (such as possible hair loss, for example) or even what my meals would be like post-surgery, and only learned after I did a lot of my own research. I would highly suggest you do the same, just in case the same happens with you! Good luck with whatever decision you ultimately make though!

I'm in the process of doing this now! Pretty much cleaning the apt. top to bottom, making sure anything that requires a good set of eyes is especially taken care of. (Hubby is partially blind!) Lots of great tips in this thread, thank you all! I definitely agree with staying on top of constipation. I'm dealing with that now with my pre-op diet, and I know it will be a thing after as well, so I'm trying to keep up with it and make sure everything works as 'smoothly' as possible.

I can't speak for BariatricPal directly, but I get the feeling that it was possibly an (unintentional) oversight of some kind? I use the mobile app to browse the forums, but I filled in all my information on the regular ole' computer, and my starting weight was definitely higher than 362 as well. (Assuming I'm reading your post correctly!) I've also seen some people on here with weights higher than mine as well, so I'm not sure what's up? Hopefully you get it resolved though, and congrats on your losses/successes!

Hello there, I tried my pre-op diet several times before doing it for real, to sort of 'practice' for the month long prep diet. I believe it was five times that I tried (or four, I forget), each time for anywhere from 3-4 days up to 1.5 weeks. The first time I did the pre-op diet (which consists of 5 protein shakes, a tiny amount of protein (meat or meat substitute), and up to 500g (roughly a pound) of non-starchy vegetables), I had no issues with hunger whatsoever. Every time after that (including my current pre-surgery diet) has been misery. I have been extremely hungry with considerable stomach pains, although I have been losing the weight like crazy. I just kinda endure it because I have to at this point, and don't really have any tips to share. Some people can drink water to help stave off the hunger, but that sadly doesn't work for me. I wish I could offer some kind of other tips, but I don't have any to speak of. I do wish you luck though, with whatever you choose to do!

I'm really late to responding to this, but.. I'm trying to think of when I last had their chili. I think it was when I was a teenager, so that's been ages ago. I know that I don't like their chili unfortunately, just the general taste is not that good to me. Oddly enough, I do love Wendy's chili (or at least I used to), though I can't really remember how it tastes anymore. And now I'm craving chili just thinking about it. It'll be a while yet before I can have any, but when I can, I'll whip up a batch of veggie chili for sure!

Hi there! This answer will vary from person to person, since our programs can vary wildly from what I've seen, but for me, I can tell you what I've had to do. Back in 2014, I considered the surgery then, but ended up backing out due to fear and anxiety, plus I had (and still have) other undiagnosed health issues which I figured would be only made worse from doing a surgery. Ultimately, years later, I decided to go through with it again, because my health is getting so bad that it's now incredibly difficult to get around or do anything that I want to. I can't even walk the dog without a great struggle. So I started the process last year, I believe sometime around August. I was required to lose a certain amount of weight before the surgery to prove I am committed, since here in Finland, most everything is paid for with very little cost to the patient. I did lose the weight and went through a period of waiting on a letter back from the surgeon confirming the surgery which was about 2.5 months. Then, I had to have an endoscopy to check the stomach and make sure there were no issues with it. That happened about three months back, as I recall. Then once more, I had to wait for another letter to arrive with my surgery time and date, which I received at the end of November. My surgery is scheduled for the 15th of January. Required from there is a 1 month pre-op diet (which I am on now) consisting of 5 special protein shakes per day (which are around 150 calories each, and each one counts as a full meal.) Aside from that, I am allowed a small amount of protein meat or meat substitute (or high protein cottage cheese or quark.) Also, up to 500g (or about a pound) of select vegetables that are not starchy. Additionally, I'm told to drink up to 2 liters of liquid a day, that should be mostly water (but can also be tea or coffee without cream or sugar as well as diet soda.) I have switched off soda completely now since I can't have it for a long time after surgery, and getting in the water has been.. incredibly difficult. [Just as an example, my typical pre-op meal is the 5 shakes spread out through the day with water in between. For my meal, I usually have anywhere from 75-100 grams (1/5th a pound roughly) of vegetarian 'meat' (it's called Mifu here in Finland, and is made of milk protein) along with 300 grams-ish (a little over half a pound) of some kind of steamed, boiled, or baked vegetable such as zucchini, cabbage and onions in broth, eggplant, carrots, etc.)] My surgery is about 9 days away now, so I'm quite nervous, and I have a last round of bloodworks on the day before to triple-check that everything is ready to go. Feel free to message me about anything you're interested in (or just reply here) and I'll answer what I can. Hopefully some people who have gone through the surgeries will respond, since I have yet to even go through mine!

Heya and congrats on your surgery! ❤️ Mine is also on the 15th, bright and early at 7am! I had some pre-op bloodworks done on Friday (the 2nd batch), and Monday is my appointment with the nurse to discuss everything from there. I have one last round of bloodwork and checkups the day before the surgery as well. Here's to hoping everything works out well for us! (Hopefully we will see eachother more after the surgery on here!)

I did much the same for a while, basically trying to fit in all the things I thought I wouldn't really be able to enjoy anymore. Seems like a lot of people do this. I am not having a bypass (having the sleeve,) but I know that post surgery, I won't be able to eat to get that super full feeling any longer. (At least not the way I used to eat.)

I'm actually glad that I found the website, because I learned a lot of things that my surgeon (and surgical team) didn't even tell me.

I just hate that my lipomas all hurt so much. I wonder if it has something to do with fibromyalgia though? Mine hurt all over, especially around my waistband area (to the sides of my belly button) and then also right beneath my breasts. I literally can't find a single one that doesn't hurt. I think I will bring it up to the surgeon or nurse that I'll be seeing in about a week and see what they say. I'm terribly worried that they will hurt even worse post-surgery.

Yeah! Trust me, I never believed in my wildest dreams I'd be moving to Europe, lol! But yeah, very familiar with that whole area, used to drive to Cincinnati sometimes as well to shop at the Torrid there (alternative clothing store for big girls.)

I'm pre-op but I've had this exact same thing for a long while now! (Nearly 8 months or so, at least, possibly longer.) I've discussed it with my doctor, but they just attribute it to being fat, and don't really discuss it further than that. It feels numb part of the time, but also painful, too, if that makes sense? The sensation is definitely strange, and I also get the pins and needles as well as stabbing pain. Also, I sleep on my belly, and sometimes I wake up to it hurting badly and have to readjust afterwards. It worries me a lot, so I'm hoping with more weight loss, it will go away.

..I had not even considered medication after surgery. I'm on Lyrica and Cymbalta for fibro and anxiety, as well as several other medications for hypothyroidism, staving off UTIs, general pain, etc. This is yet another thing that was not discussed with me at all by my surgeon or nurses. ?

Hi all, I've got a couple questions to pose for you all! Does anyone here have hard, lumpy or 'ropey' fat? It's something I've been meaning to ask around about for a long time, but never had a chance. This is something I suffer from, and it's really only felt like that in maybe the last 3-4 years of my life. (I'm 33 now.) Is this something that just comes with being quite large or is it abnormal? My second question, I also have little lumps and nodules of fat all over my body that are *very* painful. I have brought them up to a doctor several times that just handwaves them as lipomas (or fatty nodules) but everything I've read claims they shouldn't hurt, whereas pressing on mine can be downright excruciating. Some of them also have gotten bigger over time. I've noticed that I have several as well right where they will be (probably) putting in the ports for my surgery. Has anyone here dealt with this, and if so, were you adversely affected after your surgery in any way? In other words, did the surgeon cut into the nodules or anything by mistake to make them even more painful? This probably sounds like an odd question, but it's something weighing on my mind heavily.

I now live in Europe, but I used to live right across the river near New Albany, Indiana, if you're familiar? Used to go to Louisville all the time to see friends and such (especially Bardstown Rd.)

Mine's coming up in a little over two weeks, so I feel you on the excitement (and worry!) I haven't gained anything given I have been on the one month pre-op diet, but I did have a small splurge yesterday admittedly. I don't think it will hurt anything though, given my surgeon did mention I could have a small Christmas meal if I wanted (even though I didn't have one on that particular day.) I am mostly struggling with sipping water, given I don't really like the taste (even if the water here is really good), and I'm dealing with a lot of stomach pains from the lack of actual food. As for the other bit, I would say to at least tell someone, be it your mom or someone else (whoever you are comfy with), and otherwise.. No one else needs to know, unless you want them to! It's your business, not theirs, especially if you're not looking for opinions on the matter.

I am pre-surgery, so I can't answer #3 for you, but as for the others.. I admittedly *hate* water. I don't know why, maybe it's the taste or something, but I just can't stand it. That said, I am trying very hard to drink more especially knowing I have to be sipping it often post-surgery. As to the questions, 1. In one sitting, about a cup's worth is about all I can drink before my body is screaming to stop, lol. 2. See #1, though I have drank more only when I had to (like if I needed to give a urine sample or something like that.) Prior to getting ready for the surgery, I mostly took in liquids from milk, juice, or diet soda, but now it's mostly water.

Best of luck to you!

Oh, if only! I actually love pickled beets (and other beetroot dishes,) but I can't have those, sadly. The vegetables for the pre-op diet are very specific ones, and they can't have any kind of oil, cheese, etc. Basically boiled or roasted, though I do add some salt and seasonings (what is allowed, basically.)

There is a local pool here, but it's a bit on the expensive side, sadly. (It's around 4.50 per trip in euros or 80/mo. for 10 trips!) We do go sometimes, but not a lot admittedly. I absolutely love swimming, but I'd have to see if maybe there is some cheaper option (or maybe even another pool somewhere with a better price.) As for fencing, that sounds awesome! My hubby is actually heavily into HEMA, so I aim to get involved with that once I'm able to stand for more than five minutes. XD Right now I can do some practice poses with the sparring swords we purchased, but I can't do more than maybe five minutes before tiring out.

I tried chair exercises a long time ago (some years back) and kinda forgot all about them! I could definitely start doing that again, as that might work well alongside shorter walks maybe? Most of the pain I have with walking and exercise is related to my lower back and hips, so I think that could definitely be helpful. Thank you!

Hmm, I saw.. I think they were a physical therapist (I'm not certain since I live in a foreign country, and many of the doctoral terms are still not quite known to me or even my husband!) Basically they had me do some different stretches and the like, and that was pretty much it. They also said my muscles were tight around my back, and did some kind of very short (less than 1 minute) massage to try and loosen said muscles. They never felt of my legs or anything like that. (This was a long while ago when I went before with muscle pains which may or may not have been attributed to fibromyalgia.) I did try the stretches they offered, but it just didn't help that much, and in some cases just made them ache even more, strangely, even though I've been told it should help. I could try speaking with the doctor again and asking to be sent to an exercise physiologist. I just need to figure out how to translate that and explain it to them (and hope they are willing to do such.)

Hey there! With everyone's responses, I'm feeling much better now about the hair loss. I'm going to get some supplements and start them early as another poster mentioned, and given I have thick hair already, maybe the loss won't even be that much if it does happen at all. (That's my hope, at least!) And even if I do lose hair, it will probably grow back as mentioned. I'll just hope for the best on that part! That's a very good idea, about carrying the photos with you! I have even thought about posting a picture (in the bedroom, maybe on the back of the door) of my 'before' self just as a reminder to never go back to that point! Another suggestion I found elsewhere was to hang up an article of clothing I really want to wear (but can't yet) on the wall, as a sort of carrot-on-the-stick, lol! (I think I will do both of these!) I'm already starting to get out and walk, though it's been very hard (and painful) to do so. So far I've managed about 15-20 minutes before my hips want to completely give out, and by 5 minutes in, I'm already in serious pain. But I'm trying to push through it and work up to longer. I do still have time (about 20 days) to get to that point though. And sodas.. Oh, that's going to be hard to do, but I know I have to do it. I don't want the pouch to expand at all, so my intention is to not buy anymore diets once my last set of four cans is gone. They have been a weakness for me all my life, so it will be difficult, but I know I need to let go in order to have success. Thank you as well for all the tips, and I'll be sure to keep it all in mind! ❤️