BDL58

I had the DS 6/1/21 and am so happy my surgeon recommended it! It has definitely improved my life and health! I’m still early in this journey but down over 50 lbs from preop ( 35 of those since surgery!) and it feels great! I too am a nurse and walking those hospital hallways carrying 50 lbs less (so far) is sooo much easier now! I already walk farther, faster and have a spring in my step I haven’t had for years, and I’m 63 years old! Congratulations on all you have achieved! You are doing an amazing job!

I also meant to say that I also put off WLS for years because I had taken care of patients in the ICU that died due to complications (mostly leaks) after gastric bypass surgery and it scared me badly. Fortunately techniques have changed and improved over the years and surgical complication rates are MUCH lower so after much research and consultation with friends and coworkers who had WLS I decided the time was NOW. Plus the fact my insurance now covered WLS without requiring $3000+ up front any more convinced me it was time to go for it. Still early days but I’m convinced it was the best decision I could have made to improve my health and take back my life!

I had the DS 6/1/21 and am so happy my surgeon recommended it! It has definitely improved my life and health! I’m still early in this journey but down over 50 lbs from preop ( 35 of those since surgery!) and it feels great! I too am a nurse and walking those hospital hallways carrying 50 lbs less (so far) is sooo much easier now! I already walk farther, faster and have a spring in my step I haven’t had for years, and I’m 63 years old! Congratulations on all you have achieved! You are doing an amazing job!

My son brought me a t-shirt home from a concert…it was a woman’s style (i.e. fitted) size medium…it looked TINY compared to the 3XLs I used to wear. I looked at it and said “no way is that going to fit me!” But my husband said he thought it would so I decided to show him…OMG! IT FIT!!! Wow! My husband and son both laughed and said “your eyes haven’t caught up with your reality yet!” So true…body dysmorphia is real.

Hi JUNE friends! I get notifications when there are posts and how emotional I was to see all the NEW 2022 Junies posting! Made me reflect on everything that has happened to me in the last year.
Recorded my highest weight in NOV 2019 at 305 at 5ft1in at the doctor's office. Cried and talked with her about surgery. She was all for it. Let that sit and fester for another year, what was the rush? I have only been thinking about this for the last TEN years. Finally, Nov 2020, my levels were prediabetic. I was on two high BP meds. I knew I needed to stop this. My insurance sucked and conventional route was not going to happen. MANY MANY insurance companies DO NOT cover bariatric surgeries any more. WHICH is ridiculous since it is the only elective surgery that reverses or ends so many mortal diseases. Why wouldn't they pay? Between HBP and soon to be diabetes, probably need knee replacements, and on and on!!
I had to find self pay. I was too nervous to look at Mexico, and found Blossom Bariatrics in Vegas. I started my Pre-Op diet May 25th, 2021. Surgery was June 15th, 2021. Best DECISION I EVER MADE! We have all been there. Should have done it sooner, hmmm-ed and hawed for months and months once my doctor and I talked about it. Then there was covid. The delays never ended. But to all the new people.....TRUST THE PROCESS, LISTEN to your body. It will know what to do. If you do the work, it will follow. I consider myself a SLOW loser. I was not, will not, and won't ever be an exercise lover. I couldn't fathom doing any exercise when I was 305lbs. It was a terrible cycle. I can't walk and move my body because my knees hurt, my back hurt. I didn't walk much when I started this journey but then, after the tiredness subsides, you think wow, my knees don't hurt. I can go for a walk with the dog. Then, I WANT to walk the dog. For me, everything was baby steps.
BUT, suddenly the pants are looser. You start to see your face change. Then, those close to you start to notice. Slowly, but SURELY, it comes off. The ONLY WAY to lose this weight is by calorie deficit. It is the ONLY WAY we can all do this. It is NOT EASY. Having surgery is NOT easy. We still have to change the way we eat. We are still have to fight those old habits and desires.
I read everything I could, joined this group, and a couple on FB. I read all the advice. I am here to tell you a few of mine. I HATED pictures of any kind. I didn't take many before or after surgery. DO TAKE PICTURES!!! I love seeing people's before and afters and transformations and I just can't go back. and POOP. No one talks about the POOP or lack of it. It was my biggest side effect and still an issue. Hair loss, it happens, just start those Biotin pills NOW!
SO, sorry for this long post, it was kind of emotional and I needed to just write it all out. You took the first steps. You got this! I still feel like I just did and am in the stages you are. But, as I close in on my first anniversary, I am overwhelmed. I hit the 100 pound lost mark. Then, this week, I hit ONEDERLAND. Lots of milestones all at once. I am anxious to see what my pounds lost will be on June 15th!
Trust yourself and the process. There are NO steadfast rules. I hate when I see posts and people are so adamant and actually rude about stuff. In the end, you make the rules. I'm an open book and will answer any questions. You can message me or post. Literally remind yourself, it's ONE day at a time.
Best wishes Junies!!

I LOVE THIS! It sounded like ME to a T!! There have been SOOOO many NSV! I too felt like I was a ‘slow loser’, but the numbers don’t lie! I’m a few days away from 11 months post op, and it has been a roller coaster of a year! The pics, I NEVER wanted ‘full body’ pics of myself. I can’t STOP taking them now! I still can’t believe how far I’ve come. I still have at least 20 more to lose, and this journey is for LIFE. It’s a daily struggle, of course I still WANT the food, but my mind has changed.

I treated myself with a new bag: Hermes Birkin 40-cm Togo in the color Iris...with palladium hardware. It. Is. Beautiful. 💜👜

I can't say that I have "treated" myself with anything when it comes with food. I mean, if I feel like having something I just do if it's let's say, a cookie or two (an actual true serving size or less). Like the dietician says, it's not like you're sitting down eating an entire bag/box/etc. of said "bad" food 'cause now I have limits and stick to them. Anyway, that doesn't happen often anyway as I really haven't felt the desire to have such things.
Haven't treated myself to clothes yet either because I can't see wasting money if I could potentially still lose weight (I have about 50-60 lbs to go).
BUT, what I WILL FINALLY treat myself to soon, now that I lost the weight that I have, is a kayaking trip with my husband!! I was always worried about my weight before and would never give it a try. Was also always embarrassed to ask about weight limits when it came to it before too so I just never did. So now, within the next month or two when it opens, my butt is gonna be out there on one! LOL THAT will be a real treat for me.
Would also like to eventually get on a jet ski. Another thing I always avoided due to my weight. Haven't been to an amusement park in decades either. Something my husband and I used to always love to do. But of course I have avoided it due to my weight but now, unfortunately, he can't really do it either due to some heart issues he has. So, not sure I'll ever get back to one of those but we'll see. He said he'd still go with me even if he can't get on anything so maybe one day I'll take him up on that.

Unfortunately their dad is the only one who should be watching them since any friends and family would be going with me to the spa 😂. I will get there eventually.

The clothes thing is kind of crazy. I just pulled on a size 10 day for the first time ever (down from a size 28). They were a tad tight but the 12s I have are too loose. The tens fit 🤷🏼‍♀️ My mom was a bit concerned that I need to watch myself that I’m not loosing “too much weight”.
i have my one year appointment next month and I cant wait to tell my surgeon how much I weigh. I feel so much better now and it is amazing how clothes fit so differently (in a better/more comfortable way).

Amazing transformation! One thing you said really hit home for me:

it gave me the help for the work I wanted to be able to do.

That’s exactly the way I feel about the surgery (DS) that I had 6/1/21. So far I’m down 98 pounds (lost 18 pre-op) with another 75 to go to my goal. I feel AMAZING! Congratulations! You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing!

Amazing transformation! One thing you said really hit home for me:

it gave me the help for the work I wanted to be able to do.

That’s exactly the way I feel about the surgery (DS) that I had 6/1/21. So far I’m down 98 pounds (lost 18 pre-op) with another 75 to go to my goal. I feel AMAZING! Congratulations! You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing!

How is everyone doing? I had the DS June 1st. I’ve lost 52 lbs since the surgery…70 total counting the 18 I lost on the preop diet. I feel wonderful! Starting to get some of the Hair loss now but so far it’s not too bad, just annoying getting hairs wrapped around my fingers in the shower! Lol!

And I’m done for the night..... mic drop!!!

So the pain became a little more intense and my doctors office didn't call back so I decided to go to the ER. Good news... Bad News... Good News, I can probably eat Brisket again (hey, I'm trying to be positive here!). Bad news, it's Colitis - Apparently I have a severe infection (2 antibiotics for 7 days) and get to see a new kind of doc. Honestly, I was hoping for this to be a simple gallbladder kind of deal.
On a positive note, I've got no doubt I'll lose the remaining 10lbs with this issue! :)

@highlymedicated
I’m horrified that someone would even ask you that. What if you had, my mind is blown at what people say. Geez. Callus. I’m glad that you have not had a mastectomy and am sorry for anyone who has or is going through cancer treatment and get asked a question like that.

On the other hand congrats on the weight loss! That is AWESOME!!
I lost all my girls too when I lost my weight. They have since been brought to life here recently (8 mos ago or so). Mine were D before weight loss. Lost my weight and went down to an A. Mine looked crazy when I bent over. Nat Geo for sure. For me I wanted to bring mine back to life again. Nothing big but just in line w my body and the firmness now is a big plus I’ll say lol

I am currently going through the same thing. I have been stuck for about 2 weeks now. It is very frustrating even though you know it is somewhat common. I am barely eating anything (less than 800 calories) drinking plenty (80-90 ounces) and exercising 45-60 minutes per day, walking. I am keeping Protein around 80 or so per day and virtually no carbs. It really gets discouraging when you do these things and do not see the scale move. Yes, I know, don't weight yourself every day.........it is still an issue, even more so if you wait a week and still see no losses.

Hi everyone. I had my sleeve on June 3rd. My weight loss is slower than many people, but the scale is still moving. I do cheat here and there, so I'm happy with my progress.
I am hungry a LOT. Sometimes I attribute it to head hunger, but often it's physical stomach rumbling. Drinking Water helps a little bit, but not always and never for very long. That's when my restriction tool saves me. I can only eat a small amount, where in the past, I would have stuffed myself.
Still feel like this is one of the best decisions I have ever made!

Before I had surgery I heard about so many people not being hungry and was fully expecting that to be the case for me. Imagine my surprise when I started hearing my belly growl and start to feel light headed because I WAS hungry within a couple weeks of surgery! I have found that my hunger is much more manageable now. I do start to feel hungry about 3 hours after I eat, but, find that if I get distracted or busy by something it's very easy to put off eating. I try to be very diligent about ensuring I eat every 3-4 hours/5 meals a day (per my program) because I eat so little at each meal it's hard to hit my Protein goals if I don't eat when I'm supposed to. I think it's different for everyone, so, don't be worried if your experience isn't exactly the same as others.

I know I have read alot of stuff about being head hungry and not stomach hungry. I don't know if this is solid advice or will even help but when I am combating hunger I eat a sugar free popsicle and it helps me thru so much.

Wow!!!!!

Gorgeous! Great job!

Starting day 5 of my 14 day liquid pre-op. So far so good! There have been a few times where the smell of food around me was pretty overwhelming, but, there is no temptation to go off plan. I started this process nearly 18 months ago and I don't want to do a single thing that could jeopardize the surgery. I feel very fortunate that I haven't really had any side effects other than being hungry, but, it's manageable. I never thought I would look forward to a cup of chicken broth at the end of the day like I do now. LOL I've been staying super busy and have been focusing on finishing some home projects so I am not just sitting around listening to my belly growl.
Today was my pre-op appointment with the Anesthesiologist, which, went really well. I received some liquid surgical scrub, a Glycemic Endothelial Drink packet and prescriptions for Celebrex and Gabapentin. Next Tuesday I go in for my Covid test. Hard to believe surgery is next week.
Best of luck to those with surgeries this week! Sending many healing vibes to all!

I am doing a 3 week liquid diet too. It starts tomorrow. I have to be under a certain weight by June 15th, so I am just starting it a little early (my surgery is scheduled for the 21st). My daughters are freaking out about the idea of a liquid diet and my husband is worried that I will be hangry all the time, which surprisingly makes me less worried and more focused because someone has got to keep it together - lol! I do plan to have my three allowed Protein Shakes a day, as these are the only things of substance I am allowed to have, and treat them like Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.< br />
Congratulations on the weight loss - that is 10 pounds you do not have to worry about after surgery! I am hoping for the same!

Right weighs more. Right leg dominant. LOL. (I forgot to add, just don't swallow or you have to weigh, measure and log.)