cyndeelouwho

I have struggled with my weight since I was five years old. Late in 2016- at 28 years old at my heaviest weight- I had my first appointment with a bariatric surgeon in Akron, Ohio where I live and began the steps towards gastric bypass. I was so scared. But I knew that I would rather risk my life than live like this forever. I feared that my parents would bury me in 20 years and that my sister would become an only child. I knew I had to do something. I had tried everything. Between the ages of 8-28 I had tried everything under the sun. I could not lose/maintain the weight loss.

On June 26, 2017- I had gastric bypass surgery. I have lost/maintained 180 pound weight loss. I have a whole new life. It is quite beautiful. I look forward to living everyday. I share my journey on Instagram - (my name on there is Maddie5088) and I also have a public Facebook Page called Mornings with Maddie. I created a blog almost a year ago that focuses on sharing my journey, creating/sharing healthy recipes. You can find it here - foodfitnessandbeauty.com

I share body positivity, kindness, self love, inclusivity, healthy recipes, grocery hauls, I do monthly giveaways, how to meal prep, affordable/easy meals for bariatric patients and I do Q and As for Bariatric patients.

I have felt very called to share my journey with the bariatric community! I hope you come follow along my story! It’s been a heck of a ride!

Xoxo

Maddie

My thing was that DS has the best long term result, having had regain already.

Does the doc you are consulting offer the DS? Only asking cause not as many do it. I asked dr why that is and he said it’s mostly to do with training and familiarity.

I am weighing in at 165 this morning. I am 3 months and 3 days post op VSG to RNY. My weight seems pretty stable in the 160s which is nice. I always felt like I was struggling to keep it in the 160s with the VSG. I feel normal now like before surgery.
I am still having a little burning in the mornings before I take my PPI and they are wanting me to start switching the PPI off with something else. I am awful and cant remember if it was pepcid or zantac.. I have not been rescheduled yet for an EGD but am hoping they do that at my next post op visit in 3 months. I need peace of mind that this worked and I am healing from the erosive esophagitis grade D.
I had another episode where I overate and had to leave a dinner. UGH. I was sick for around 2 hours afterwards. I didnt think I had eaten that much but I was wrong !! I still have to be mindful of what I eat and how much. Anyone who has had the bypass know exactly what I am talking about, it is awful dumping or overeating !!

On 6/15/2020 at 9:40 AM, JAKE H said:

Im no longer just alive, im actually living now. This was an experience ill never forget and i cant wait to go again. This has always been one of my goals but i was too heavy to do it. Making dreams become reality. Im loving this whole process.

Sweet you look like you are on top of the world, silly me you are!!!

On 6/27/2016 at 5:15 PM, Kaze said:

Very few weight loss medications are actually safe and effective from what I've heard, nor are appetite suppressants. You'd be best off asking your doctor. But as far as your age, there are some older people who have had sleeve or bypass, so you're not necessarily alone in that venture.

Hope you can find the answers you're looking for!

I checked with my doctor and she said I had to many things going on medically especially high blood pressure meds

On 12/28/2020 at 8:30 PM, Hop_Scotch said:

You haven't filled in your profile which would help people respond to you properly, what would be helpful is the type of surgery you had.

Anyway, sometimes excess stomach acid can feel like being hungry, are you on something to help reduce stomach acid? My surgeon had me on something for a month after surgery for this.

What food stage are you at on your program? What are you eating and in what volume?

Are you drinking enough fluids?

Remember at this stage it is typical for a lot of people to barely eat, their stomach is healing, there is inflammation and the stomach is likely still swollen. They get by with fluids - like Protein or Meal Replacement shakes, high Protein milk etc. If on the pureed stage foods like high protein yoghurt can help (and what ever else is on your program no doubt).

I'm having trouble finding out how to input info into my profile can anyone help? Thank you in advance

On 12/21/2020 at 5:48 AM, ecugsplgrl said:

I am only 10 weeks post op however for the 2 periods that I have had, cramping is excruciating and nausea for a few days before I start. Anyone else had this experience and did it improve? Side note, I have always had issues with menstruation having PCOS just seems more exaggerated currently

Can I ask you a question

?

Hi there, I am just starting my journey and wanting to know if anyone has CHAMPVA through the Military and if so was there a lot in cost that was not covered? Just putting feelers out there. I am looking at the Sleeve, first appointment with the Surgeon the 25th. Thanks this is my first post

On 9/3/2018 at 8:53 PM, UnderTheCaliSun said:

I agree N0VA, if you get where you want to be, it doesn't matter. I just find it interesting that so many doctors don't recommend it or perform it. It just seems like such a viable option. Lots of sleeves get converted so I don't understand why they don't just recommend it in the first place. Personally, I don't know many people that have had it. I have met a lot of full bypass patients and sleeve patients. I rarely meet an MGB person.

Hi everyone hope you all are doing well. I myself, had an old school gastric bypass surgery in 1980. I have a consultation Jan 4th 2021. I'm really leaning towards a MGB. I just don't know how they can do it with my scar tissue? I'm nervous and scared that I worked myself up to this and a possible let down. Anyone know anything about this type of situation? If you know of any questions to ask the doctor please advise me. Thank you all for any help!!!

10 hours ago, mb983782 said:

Hi! I had bypass on Nov.27th.

Hi how are you feeling today? How did your surgery go? Hope all is well with you.

On 11/22/2020 at 9:11 AM, Grammie2 said:

Maybe Water, too??. Are you on puréed foods yet? If so are you doing that with the information you were given in your bariatric packet or did you get a bariatric cookbook? I’ve been looking at getting a cookbook if I can find one set up for the different stages of eating. I love variety, not that I like ALOT of different foods, but I like to TRY.

Try Amazon they have different stages of eating.

6 hours ago, mil_unloaded said:

Great job!! Congratulations!!

Way to go young man

Just try to get it together. I believe once you start stalling you'll be happy with yourself. You still have some more to lose so hang on to your brain and emotions and be ready to face the stalls. A lot of people lose fast be happy and put your mind on other things.

14 hours ago, Tracyringo said:

They have kicked the guy off. The comments made were back in June. Good Luck on your journey !

Thank you good to know

I'm from Wisconsin lived there all my life. In 2003 moved to Cambridge Nebraska. Consultation on January 4th 2021. Any others from Nebraska?

I'm 69 years old and was told that there weren't any age limits. Has anyone have surgery that was my age or near it? How did everything go? Does anyone think with my age it will be a lot worse? I already went through a gastric bypass surgery in 1980 at 30 and it was awesome hardly any pain. I know this time will be more difficult but I'm willing to try so I can possibly have a better quality of life. To be continued...

On 6/1/2020 at 2:49 AM, ge0rgette2 said:

It was a damm JOKE. Sarcasm! Don’t claim to be an expert. This isn’t the first time you’ve come across in a snarky know it all way. I’ve seen it. Don’t act like you’ll never have/think of pizza or ice cream or a damm cookie. It’s life. You’re not an expert or you wouldn’t be here with us. This isn’t my first rodeo ... I was joking with someone who had a recipe I never heard of. I also meant that I can’t have ricotta. Why is that bad to prep myself before hand to a newer way of life moving forward from a sleeve.

OMG are you two going to argue like school children? This is not the place to be immature. If you can't get along just don't respond to one and other. I'm sure some of the others don't want to read this either.

I hope I didn't overstepped my grounds but I felt I had to put my 2 cents in

On 12/22/2020 at 11:15 AM, skyewolfe said:

Did any one just stop sharing their progress with people they know because of their reactions?

I told my mum about my BMI victory and she said “b***h” her tone dripping with jealousy. She then asked me how much I weigh now and when I told her she said “f*ck you”. Once again with a jealousy and honestly a little pissy tone.

it hurt (I could feel myself mentally and emotionally recoil) and honestly makes me not want to share my progress with her any more. Even if she meant it jokingly (but seriously the jealous tone was there) it was still hurtful.

I know others have dealt with this sort of thing. How did you handle it? My mother is the kind of person where if I try to talk to her about the effect it had on me she’d get defensive and make herself into the victim (she does it every time someone tries explaining to her why something she said or did was wrong. She acts like a spoiled emo teen).

Sorry that you have to go through this. I think you stop and let her see for herself that you have done so well. Sometimes you need to just back away for a while. Remember there are always those who are going to be jealous of your accomplishments. Stay true to yourself you'll get through this. Good luck with your journey.

On 12/15/2020 at 1:25 PM, NovaLuna said:

Good to know! I have dysphagia and can't swallow pills so I end up chewing them and it's nasty so knowing they have something that I don't have to worry about that with is a plus!

Thank you so much for the information. I have been freaking out over my meds after surgery. Talking to psychology depth now to get more information

10 hours ago, Lisa LoVuolo said:

I have Degenerative disk disease stage 2 and fibromyalgia arthritis

Sent from my U693CL using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm sorry to hear that you have DD. I used to get needle therapy and the was unbelievable. It did not do anything as far as relieve the pain. That is one of my reasons I am trying to get the surgery. Are you pre op or post op??

On 10/27/2020 at 2:44 PM, ms.sss said:

@skyewolfe : Congratulations, great job!!

P.S. your pirate costume is AWESOME

You should be real proud fantastic job

On 12/21/2020 at 4:25 AM, Neensyb said:

You look GORGEOUS!!!


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You go Mama

On 11/18/2020 at 1:24 AM, BlueEyedAngel28 said:

Had gastric bypass 3 years ago as of oct 13th, 2020. Feeling amazing

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You look amazing and happy hope you are

I have been on geodon for years and it's the only bi polar drug I have been able to tolerate that actually worked. I'm allergic to many medications and laudable is one of those. I'm scared of myself if I'm not on them. BTW I'm already on Wellbutrin.

I'm on drugs for osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, sleep medications. I have PTSD and mood swings and severe nightmares. So I'm not sure if I'll qualify for this surgery. Anyone else have some or all of these things?

My consultation with the doctor is Jan. 4 2021. I'll let you all know then.

This group has helped me a lot. I appreciate all of the information and advice. I'm sure there are many people who feel this way.

Merry Christmas to all and I hope this doesn't offend anyone

Thank you for all of your help with I think I will ask my doctor what he thinks about a MGB. I don't know if that is going to be an option or not. I had a gastric bypass surgery in 1980 and gained all of my weight back. My consultation with surgeon on 1/4/21. Wish me luck 🙏 😅