Baxette

Yep, I received the bad news today, Saturday 4/4/2020.
My April 23rd surgery date has been canceled and will be reschedule some time later this year. It was expected given the growing numbers of cases in the US. However, I was hoping that in Alabama where the state wide cases are still under 2,000 that a late April date would be safe, guess not.
When I asked about a future date I was told that none of the area hospitals are taking and surgery rescheduling and that any updates are at least 30 to 45 days away.
And to make things worse, the "unemployment" subject is now beginning to enter discussions at work. I am self-pay and have decided - IF - my income flow is interrupted, I WILL NOT request a refund, I am committed to get this surgery no matter what happens on the financial front.

I have had 2 weight loss surgeries and have been successful losing weight with both. I only regained because my pouch developed a fistula, which allowed me to eat more, and I didn't realize why I was gaining. Most of the people that have nothing good to say about this surgery have not researched is as you have. They only know what they have heard or assumed to be correct. People are well intention ed, but also don't understand. You are doing this for you, not them. You want to be healthier and feel better and live a longer life and you can do so with this surgery. Also we are here for you to help in anyway we can! Hugs!

people fail because they don't follow the rules. If you follow the rules, you'll be fine.
the people you've talked to are going on very outdated information. Yes, weight loss surgeries WERE risky 30 or 40 or 50 years ago, but they're not anymore. They're among the safest surgeries being done today. And if you're able to take the weight off and maintain it, more power to you - less than 5% of people are able to do that. I tried for years - it never worked for me. Surgery was the only way I was able to loss a massive amount of weight and keep it off.
you might want to quit telling people. I didn't tell many people because I knew I might get the same kind of feedback that you're getting. My immediate family knew, and some close friends knew. And my boss knew (because I needed the time off, and I trusted her not to blab). I'm more open about it NOW, but before surgery, no. I didn't want to hear that someone's cousin's husband's nephew's first wife had it in 1972 and died. I'd done enough research to know that isn't the reality anymore. These surgeries are safe and effective, as long as you follow your medical team's instructions.
P.S. I just read Summerset's comments. Yes - she's right - there can be complications - but as long as you follow the rules (like keep on top of your supplements), they're rare. But you can get complications from ANY surgery. People have died having their tonsils out - or even having their wisdom teeth pulled. But how common is that? Answer: it's not. She's also right in that you're not going to find very many people who regret having the surgery. The vast majority would do it again in a heartbeat. I would. In fact, if I had to go back every year and have it, I would. Definitely.

most surgeons will recommend bypass if you've had issues with GERD. It will get worse with the sleeve about 30% of the time - so whether or not it will for you is kind of a crap shoot. I had GERD and was warned - so I went with bypass. I did not want to risk it getting any worse.
your surgeon will advise you on which way he/she thinks you should go based on your specific health conditions, but I don't think most would refuse to do surgery A or surgery B if you were insisting on it. But I would be careful with the GERD factor. I've been on this and other bariatric forums for several years and have seen a lot of people have to revise due to GERD. It may not happen to you - but there's no way to know that ahead of time.
also, malabsorption typically isn't a problem if you stay on top of your supplements. You'll have to take supplements with the sleeve as well.

Waking a sleeping Giant.....
The reports are that the truckers are getting supplies to the stores.
People are stocking the shelves all night and letting old people shop first.
Carnival Cruise line told Trump “We can match those big Navy Hospital ships with some fully staffed cruise ships”
GM said hold our cars and watch this; we can make those ventilators where we were making cars starting next week.
Women and children are making homemade masks and handing out Snacks to truckers.
Restaurants and schools said, We’ve got kitchens and staff; we can feed kids.”
Churches are holding on-line services and taking care of their members and community.
NBA basketball players said, “Hold our basketballs while we write checks to pay the arena staff.”
Construction companies said, “Here are some masks for the medical staff and doctors”.
Breweries are making sanitizer out of the left-over ingredients.
We thought we couldn’t live without Baseball, NASCAR, NBA or going to the beach, restaurants or a bar. Instead, we’re trying to keep those businesses open by ordering take-out.
What communist China didn't count on was America saying "Hey, hold my beer and watch this."
I think a Japanese Admiral in the middle of the Pacific said it best in 1941, "I think we have awakened a sleeping giant."
Give us a few more weeks (maybe months) and we will be doing much better! Look at your community and the activities going on!

Yesssssss.....but if it changes...I'm okay with that. Just want to be safe with the least possible chance of exposure to ANYTHING not just this darn virus. Thanks!

It's MY time!

I can't chime in on the fast weight loss or on the pictures, only with what I think about "being prepared".
WLS is like learning to swim. You can read everything about swimming and the technique, about how your body will feel when immersed into the Water and you can listen to the people giving you lectures on the "right way to do it" until they're blue in the face and your ears are bleeding.
The only way you will know what swimming is like is when you finally hit the water and try not to drown.

Do not sell - Just be patient! Markets go up and down! Live simple and get thru this! We are all here for you and this is rough times. Let this go thru and then let the market rebound- It will take about 13 months!
Money does not buy your life! You can live and be happy by living simple and as for Job get one you love!
All of us here got your back - Life sucks but you gotta enjoy what you have left in it!

NO NO NO-
None of you are hungry! You are addicted to food like everyone else on this site! You are bored and you head is playing games with you. You do not need to eat and consume non stop.
We all had to get thru this phase! You are in the head game stage and you are not hungry! You head is tricking you to think you are hungry. Your nerves and sensors were cut out. So how the heck are you getting hunger pains when you only have a 4 oz pouch. Tv marketing and packaging is everywhere. There are so much more things in life then a box of Cookies or chips. However all of us addicts are caught in the food industry nightmare@
Ok now that i attacked you ---- You guys got this ,,,,,,,Change focus from food to something else. Slowly you need to sip something to get your mind tricked to think your not hungry. This is a b***h to do! I crashed and crashed big time The post is here way back. I was saved but my key was a puppy! Yes a lab puppy. I started focusing on him and training him and walking him and getting my abusive behavior towards food and vodka Under control. I also have chosen to Fish a ton and Travel a ton.
You guys do the same - Mix up you life. The old life sucked you were out of control with food and unhealthy. Now its time to change. Look up Fluffy Chick here and she has great posts on changing you lifestyle. Find something new to add to your life, hobbies, craft, outdoors, Partners, Pets, movies, Like Nike JUST DO IT!
This is not going to be easy, but once you do it the best journey gets even better!
Not know here for being the snuggle member more of the right at you member

Nope, you can't sleep, you have some work to do...
I watched a documentary earlier this week on Netflix about virus outbreaks and what can be done for prevention. There was a segment on what is being done with migrants as they enter the US. Don’t want to open a can of worms on this topic either for or against. The fact is if there are services for migrants, there are “services” available for US citizens who are in need. The problem is one must do a lot of research and fill out what seems to be a mountain of paperwork versus what gets simply handed out to those who are not even legal citizens.
Yes, life has thrown you a bad set of cards now, but all IS NOT lost. From your profile you’re in PA, get on a computer, do a Google search on “Support services and programs in Pennsylvania” and start researching your options. There are plenty, apply for anything and everything, state and federal level! Got turned down, apply again!
Assuming you have a roof over your head but can’t pay your mortgage or rent due to the job loss, that’s the least thing to worry about. Rent/Mortgage is the last thing you would be paying in a situation of extreme limited financial resources, the necessities come first. It takes months for a formal eviction to be legal and with the court systems in turmoil from CORVID-19 closings and most likely the Federal Government will be stepping in since many will be in the same predicament, you will have some extra time to get some assistance before worrying about finding a new place to live.

I AM NEVER GOING BACK! This was my last chance, and I'm not wasting it. I got rid of every bit of clothing as soon as they were too big. Most were donated (some still had tags) and some were tossed. I keep my size 24 jeans to remind me of why I am never going back!

Your journey is inspiring! Glad you are back! Much love and respect to you! ❤️

It's been awhile since I checked in. Things are going pretty well. I feel so fortunate to have such a great bariatric clinic to provide me with support post-surgery. I've been seeing a therapist there since last fall and it has helped me so much. With both WLS and non WLS issues. I'm feeling so much more confident about myself than I ever have in my life and am really growing as a person.

I also had gained 12 pounds back since my one-year surgery appointment. But I have been exercising consistently and 3 pounds of that is muscle gained! My bariatric Dr suggested I get some help using medication to lose the last of the weight needed to reach my goal. They put me on Ozempic, which is actually a medication for diabetic patients but has been approved to help with weight loss. It's a weekly injection, which made me a little nervous since I don't care for needles. But it is the tiniest needle ever, I don't even feel it going in when I Inject myself. It is helping a lot, the restriction makes me feel like I've just had surgery again! It reduces cravings and makes me feel fuller faster. I'm very excited to be on the weight loss train again.

I've been lifting weights 3-6 days per week. 6 is the goal, 3 is the minimum I set for myself. I don't do much cardio anymore besides walking. I'm excited that the weather here is warming up so I can do more walking outside. I'm pretty proud of the progress I have made with weight lifting. I can see awesome definition in my shoulders, arms, and legs. I can't wait to see how much more muscular I will be when I lose the rest of this excess fat.

You know how they say WLS leads to divorce? I always thought this wouldn't happen to me. And it hasn't yet, but now that I know my true worth, the problems in my marriage are starting to make me question it. I feel like I deserve more than what he gives me. It has nothing to do about wanting someone else, because I don't. In fact, I don't think I'd want to date again, at least for a very long time. My husband and I have been married for 10 years. We've had a lot of ups and downs, and at this point I feel like he's more with me because of all I do for him and that I keep him on track doing the right thing. He's had issues with being responsible in his life before we met. It makes me feel like I'm his mom, not his wife. And I don't have or want kids! He doesn't help out around the house enough and isn't very attentive to me. I want to feel loved and special, I think I deserve that. So we're in therapy together working on things. I care about him, I just don't know if he can give me what I need. I don't even want/need much, I am not a high-maintenance gal!

That's all for now, I'm planning on Journaling more often here as I continue working towards my weight goal.

Great points Sheribear68!

5’7”, female, 51YO, 13 months post VGS.
HW: 262
SW: 246
GW: 155
CW: 134-137

MANY of us who are WLS all start in different places and have had different routes getting there.
I personally think that the human body is a wonderful and mysteriously frustrating thing.
As an adult, spent many years “normal” or slightly “under normal” body weight. It was only when I hit my late 20’s that I became MO. And stayed there for 22 years.

When I had WLS, I had to maintain my BMI (which was hovering right at 40) for 8 months so I could stay qualified. I’d love to see insurance companies lower that number to 35, because I could’ve been practicing healthier habits in the months leading up to WLS rather than INTENTIONALLY trying to keep my weight >252.

My point here is that I hit a “normal” BMI fairly rapidly-within 8 months of WLS- and I’m now struggling to keep my weight over 135. I feel like most of that was because I had a lower-than-typical SW, and that my body “remembers” being a skinny girl as a teen and young adult and therefore when I got my resetting from WLS, my body adjusted beautifully.
I’ve lost >110 pounds from my surgery date, which is way over 100% EBF.
I’m not a super-hero, I just happened to be a girl who (mostly) followed what her team recommended, worked out, and did my homework daily,weekly, and monthly to get and stay on track.

Honestly it take me getting creative some days and I still struggle trying to get in >1000 calories sometimes bc I refuse to eat crap.
Other than dealing with a weird Tomato and Kimchi craving right now, I’m not feeling deprived at all.

Thank you BadWolfGirl! I definitely need to drink more water! Love your name! ❤️

Leaving the hospital, saying my farewells to this magical man! 😍