Deegirl31

Thanks ya’ll! You also! 😊

Hi everyone, I just got the call for my surgery date of August 15th! Any twins out there that want to go through this with me? My mind is going 100 miles an hour!

August 15th 😃

On 07/17/2019 at 10:19, GradyCat said:

HAIR LOSS: I haven't lost any more since having the surgery. I already had thyroid problems and thin/fine hair, so I was worried about losing anymore. I've been taking Biotin pills and using Nioxin and Minoxidil and have actually gained some hair.



TOO THIN: Probably not anything to worry about. Our bodies self-regulate.



LOOSE SKIN: So far mine has stayed elastic, even at my age (54). There are plastic surgeries to take care of that after you lose the weight if it's a problem for you.



DEHYDRATION: I've never had a problem getting in way more than 64 oz of Fluid each day. I sip, sip, sip all day long.

Thank you! There is hope for me! My final appearance is such a concern for me. Maybe because I’m a “little disfigured” now. I’m 49 and will turn 50 on 8/31. My surgeon is also aware of my concerns and he completely understands them also. Which is a great feeling. He encouraged me to start all this “training”. He said it’s like training for a triathlon, train till your ready! I just more concerned after reading some of the concerns here and other support groups on Facebook. You all helped me to refocus on the prize. Thank you. Congratulations on your weight loss journey. 😊

On 07/17/2019 at 09:38, FluffyChix said:

Hi and welcome!

hair Loss: maybe? We're all different.

Getting too thin: Worry about following your surgeon's plan. Good news is most of us already broke the code on how to gain weight. Worry about how to lose down to your personal goal. The rest takes care of itself regardless of starting weight.

Loose skin: Probably. Also individual and depends on genetics and age usually.

Dehydration: The struggle is real for many. Fluid is KING before and after surgery. If you stay fully hydrated then it's easier to eat normally and remain nausea free and losing weight. I'm 17 months out. At 4 days I was getting my 64oz of liquids in and now I have 100+oz per day every day.

Congrats on making the pre-emptive changes. I've got zero regrets. Don't be anxious!

Thank you! Awesome advice and I do feel much better about things now. Congratulations on your weight loss journey! 😊

On 07/17/2019 at 09:48, catwoman7 said:

the hair & skin thing are individual and not much will help either one. I had minimal Hair loss - as in, if it weren't for the extra strands I noticed in my comb, I never would have noticed. Most people notice some on themselves, but no one else does. Losing clumps of hair and having bald spots is possible, but it's very uncommon.

with excess skin, you may not have much since you're starting at such a low BMI. But that also varies depending on a lot of factors. For many of us, it's very easy to hide. And I think all of us looking back would say we wonder why we wasted so many brain cells worrying about it, since loose skin is a very small price to pay for what we got in exchange. I would take my loose skin ANY DAY over weighing 300 lbs again!

getting too thin: first of all, not getting to goal is a MUCH more common problem than getting too thin. And you do have control over your weight loss. You can always put on the brakes if you start to worry that you're getting too thin - you just have to increase your calories until the weight loss stops.

Whew! Thank you! I feel ready just these little tidbits are worrying me. Congratulations on your journey and for helping me to understand these little things. 😊

Hi everyone! I have been trolling for a while, and asked a few questions and told my story, all with positive responses. Thank you!

I have the following concerns for after the surgery but have been prepping for them (I have not received my date yet).

Loosing my hair - I have increased my Protein intake and switched to a good Multi-Vitamin with B-12 Biotin. Is this enough or should I get an additional B-12 with Biotin? I also eat my protein, veggies then carbs at meals. I’m still working on chewing 20 times before swallowing.

Getting too thin - I have a rather small amount of weight to lose in comparison to many here. I am worried with the sleeve that I will become under weight. I’m 5’0” and currently 178 pounds. Most of my weight is in my lower belly.

Loose skin - I am currently exercising to help, but cannot do stomach toning yet as I have a very large incisional hernia that cannot be repaired until after the sleeve. By then I will have lost most of the weight (I hope) and I’m not sure how this will impact my belly skin. Is the surgery to remove skin possible after hernia repair or will ab exercises be enough?

Dehydration - I am currently getting the 64oz in and have cut my coffee to 1 cup a day, and no soda. Just drink Water all day. I have read that many have trouble after surgery to get it all in. How can I ensure to get all my fluids? I bought a cup that helps me to be sure I’m reaching my intake goals every hour, I know everyone says sip, sip, sip but some make it seem impossible. I am I doing enough to ensure I don’t become dehydrated after surgery or is this a case by case situation.

Thank you for any advice you can give. In the past I have had many complications from surgeries and I want to try to avoid any this time around.

Have a great day and thanks for the inspiration! 😊

On 07/12/2019 at 23:04, FluffySaysForkIt! said:

Hi, and welcome!

Goodness, you have been through a lot. Anyone would be nervous! I am so glad you are working through all your questions and taking steps to protect your health. After all, what is more important than that?

Hey! Take a minute to congratulate yourself for looking your fears in the eye. That is never, ever easy... but here you are doing it.

Now you can step back, take some big breaths and begin to untangle all those emotions and fears. (Which are totally normal, BTW.) It seems overwhelming at times, but it really is one step at a time on this journey. Ask the questions of your medical team that you need to ask, get the answers you need, and then make the next best move for YOU based on those facts. Fear does not get to be in the driver's seat for this one... logic and best bet according to your doctors do.

Glad you are here- I know you are going to find your right path. I look forward to hearing about your journey!

Thank you so much! I really have been on a very long road and it has not been easy, and I absolutely did not want any more surgery (prior to my hysterectomy I had 15+ for my skin condition) 2 of them also resulted in infection. I had to come to terms with all this that is happening now and was very overwhelmed but I’m ready to face it all again. Thanks to reading here and other support groups on FB. I feel safe here and that is all thanks to you all. Thank you for reading my lengthy post and responding and encouraging me. I do have this and feel empowered to win this and become the best me possible. ❤️

On 07/12/2019 at 22:29, Losingit2018 said:

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father. I lost my sister about a year and a half ago and then my mom in February. I am only too familiar with the pain of losing a family member.

I am sorry to hear about all that you have been through. Thank you for sharing g your story with us and good luck to you.

Ps- feel free to post anything that is in your mind here. This is a very supportive group and we will all continue to support you through it all.

My sincerest condolences to you as well. That is hard to handle also. That’s another fear I have, how will I handle things when my Mom passes as we are really, really close and I feel blessed every day We have her. Thank you for the words of encouragement and I’m looking forward to getting to know people and building friendships. I don’t know much about public forums or blogging and am still learning. Thank you for listening and responding.

Hi everyone, newbie here and reality is setting in that my surgery will be scheduled really soon. I am 50 pounds over weight and 5’0, I will be having the sleeve at the recommendation of my doctors. My story is long, but I first want to say that you all amaze me! To do what you have to do and be brave enough to go through surgery to get your lives back! In my readings here, you are all beautiful inside and out and I congratulate you all for taking care of yourselves, not only physically but mentally as well that is no easy task but you’re doing it!! I never in a million years would have opted for surgery before facing the situation I’m in. Yes, my surgeon had to convince me that this was the best option for me. My story begins back in December 2017 when I had an open hysterectomy that became severely infected and put me in wound care for 7 months, in February the wound vac was removed because it was deteriorating my skin and had wet to dry dressing changes and I was told that I needed to be careful for the rest of my life because I would be prone to hernia’s, fast forward to March 2018, my Dad was sick with pancreatic cancer and he had taken a very bad turn for the worst within a week, I helped my Mom get him to the Dr. When we got him home he was so weak he almost fell and I caught him. He passed away the next day. I was still under wound care with dressing changes. I saw pictures from when family was here and was shocked by how much weight I had put on due to my limited mobility. I decided in May to join Weight Watchers and was doing well and lost 35 pounds after being cleared in July 2018 to start walking and light exercise. In December 2018 I felt a bad burning sensation in my belly and thought it was my skin disease flaring up. My Dr ran some scans and low and behold I had a large hernia that developed. I was sent to a local surgeon who told me that I needed to lose 50 pounds fast, that WW was not good enough and that my stomach is in such delicate condition that he would not fix my hernia, that I needed a specialist and he referred me to a bariatric surgeon locally. They to refused to help me because my BMI was to low and insurance wouldn’t approve. This completely derailed me and on went 20 pounds! If they didn’t care neither did I!! My saving grace came when my husbands company told me they carry an insurance plan for situations such as mine! The heavens opened up and I began my journey to bariatric surgery. I was sent to Atlanta to consult with a specialist that will not only do the bariatric surgery but fix my hernia as well! The hernia will not be fixed until 3-6 months after the sleeve to ensure the sleeve holds without complications and no infections due to my condition and being prone to infection. Needless to say, I am having this surgery to get to having my hernia fixed, and to prevent any further hernias recurring. I am petrified of what I’m going to look like, as my belly is pretty deformed now from scar tissue, fat and the hernia. I am scared of the complications that can happen and the risk of infection. My surgeon has reassured me that the sleeve is the least risky, but there is still a risk. I am back down to only needing to lose 50 pounds to put me at 135 although my weight for my height should be 110. They would like me to maintain between 110-135 wherever I’m comfortable. I feel that I will become under weight and get sick, or look sick. I’m not sure how to address these fears because for me it is the fear of the unknown. I was given the option of continuing with WW and exercise and he will fix the hernia at 135 but there is the possibility the weight will come back and I will be right back where I started so backing out is not an option, the pain of the hernia is too much. I’m sorry this is so lengthy but this is how I got here and facing my fears have really hit me and I needed to get this out somehow. Thank you to those that read it and thank you for being an inspiration to many like me. Best wishes on your continued journey. 😊

On 06/27/2019 at 18:17, AZhiker said:

So far have gone from 42DD to 38B. Definitely droopier, but I sure don't have the pulling on my shoulders and back anymore.

I would be so happy! 😃

On 06/27/2019 at 22:20, lzucks said:

I’ve gone from 44DD to 34C. Band and cup sizes both go down!

Oh how I pray. Thank you! 😃

Good afternoon everyone! I’m checking into a high potency Vitamin and calcium citrate what do you all recommend. I was taking Centrum for a long time but recently heard they are mostly fillers. My niece works in a vitamin store and she recommended a few I just want others input to help make the best choice. Thank you in advance. Happy a great Saturday! 😊

Thank you again for your responses! You ladies are great and put a smile on my face and made me laugh. I also have no butt and have not really seen my hips in a few years (that’s where all my weight is). It should be quite a site in the end. I will let you know if I make it into the cartoons but I can now say, thanks to you all am looking forward to see the results 😊

Thank you ladies! I have talked to him years ago and he doesn’t say that anymore. He completely understands why I need this and is my biggest supporter.

I am in the prep stage for the sleeve and I’m petrified of what I’m going to look like when all is said and done. I do not seek attention and have always worn oversized clothes no matter what size I am. (I prefer to stay behind the scenes) I’m 5’0” and will probably shrink a couple more inches. I’m going to be 50 in August. When I was becoming a teen and blossomed, many people noticed my breasts before anything else about me. I started gaining weight around this time. My husband used to joke that if I lost my breast he would divorce me, not knowing this is a sore subject with me. I hate them and the attention they bring. Many say to embrace them but I just can’t. I have read that you will get smaller around but keep your cup size. I’m a DD! I’m going to look ridiculous with these saggy things after! I truly cannot imagine myself between 110 and 130 pounds with large breast! Any advice as to what I can do to help with this insecurity? Reduction is not an option!

On 06/26/2019 at 23:16, Deedee12 said:

I just placed an order for the instapot today on Amazon. My nutritionist just mentioned it at my appointment today!

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

That’s my next purchase.. there is so much you can do with it. My crock pot is getting old so that’s what I’m replacing it with.

Awesome responses! thank you everyone. I have all of the above. I was thinking of getting a mini Bullet but not sure if it will be useful. I love my air fryer and crock pot and use them frequently. I have the little cups that came in my box of containers that I buy for my kids to take their lunch for work. I just got a new pan set that has the pan that you discussed. So I think I’m good there. 😊

After gastric sleeve surgery, what was your best appliance to prepare foods? My sister has already purchased the baby food pure’ machine with the bags for me. Is there anything else You would recommend I should prepare to purchase?

You got this! For now try to relax when you wake up focus on Walk, walk, walk....

Hi Hop_scotch, thank you. Yes I have email confirmation so I believe that should be sufficient.

Thank you for your response 😊

Thank you for the information and the welcome. Best of luck to all the newbies!

Hi everyone, I’m new and just starting my checklist after making a decision for the sleeve. I need to provide proof of joining this support group, how do I go about doing that?

Hi all, I am new also. I did not come to this decision lightly but finally get that it’s my best hope at a second chance to do things right. I have many complicated health issues and although I am not expecting a cure all, I am hoping for a longer, better living lifestyle. I will be having a sleeve, no surgery date yet as I had not made a decision when I left the consult. This, for me, is a medically necessary procedure so I have to approach things a little differently. I joined a FB support group which helped inspire me and my decision. I also have great support from family and friends behind me. I wish everyone the best on their journey and hope that I can contribute in some way and do not appear needy. Thank you!