ChunkCat

I don't see how taking more estrogen will help stop bleeding being caused by excess estrogen? But I'm not a doctor... Progesterone always helped my periods regulate but they weren't off for the same reasons yours are. I'm so sorry you are going through this. I once bled for a year straight so I can unfortunately empathize. I'm really surprised the surgeon isn't more help though, they should understand the shift in hormones post surgery better than your GYN. Are you on birth control pills? They might help. I'd talk to the GYN about progesterone if the estradiol didn't stop the bleeding... I hope it eases up soon!

You can do this!! I know it is scary. But weight is not worth dying over... I keep reminding myself that with the horror stories I've read about surgery, there are tenfold that never get told about obesity co-morbidities killing people. It is worth trading medications for vitamins. It is worth trading co-morbidities with some POSSIBLE side effects. It is worth trading physical dysfunction for wellness. Living like this is a life half lived and that is not something I want for myself or anyone else. So I will do the hard thing! I have done hard things before in the name of a well lived life. This will just be another on the list. People very, very rarely regret this surgery. The odds are overwhelmingly in our favor... Your life is worth doing scary things and being rewarded with health! ❤️

Ohhhh, you are in the UK! Then no, not insurance. But I'm assuming they have to adhere to treatment protocols like they did when I lived in NZ? They were quite fussy about them from what I remember... Or else the nurse was just plain rude, that happens everywhere. ?

Doctor's offices are often very particular about when they give vitamin/mineral shots/infusions because they don't want to overload the body and have strict protocols to adhere to. Also because often insurance will only pay for them at very specific intervals. A week early could be the difference between it being covered or not. But it is frustrating to go all the way there just to be turned away! I'd call and make them double check the timing next time.

Yay!! That's great news!! The body doesn't like to let go of weight when it is sick or traumatized (like with a surgery) so that stall was probably inevitable. I wish you smooth sailing now and some extra weight loss juju!

I can't answer what will sit well after surgery, but as for general shakes I've found that baby spinach, frozen cauliflower, zucchini, and avocado tend to disappear into most drinks I put them in. Not always the most appealing colorwise but they all work well taste wise. Especially with berries! Yesterday I saw someone on a WLS Instagram use frozen riced cauliflower in a smoothie with low calorie orange juice and a coconut cream protein powder for a tropical Orange Julius and now I'm intrigued to try it...

Good luck!! Crossing my fingers and toes for you!

Huh, that's so weird. Everywhere I've been catheters are used for surgeries expected to last an hour or more. I even had one placed for a 45 min surgery. I wonder if that's why you had bleeding? From pressure in your bladder during the time you were out? Either way hopefully they figure out what's up! Glad it seems to be abating...

Great job!! I'm sure you will make your goal by your follow up! Way to go back at it, making progress must feel really good. Keep going!!!

People at these places tend to forget they are providing you a service and taking your money for it, you deserve to be treated with kindness and respect! It sounds like the nurse at that practice has a God complex and way too much power over the patients there... Abusers will abuse no matter what job they find themselves in. Yes, don't give up hope!! I'm so glad you went to see your GP. I hope the new practice treats you much better. Please keep us posted, we are cheering you on! ❤️

I'm sorry things feel so rough right now. It seems most people regret these operations at first because recovery is so miserable. But eventually things even out and the feeling eases and the weight loss starts. Please be gentle with yourself right now. Anesthesia can cause depression and takes a long time to work its way out of the system. Plus, your hormones are all over the place and that alone can make you depressed and weepy! I agree with Lindsay, find someone you can talk to who can hear you out without being judgmental. Sometimes we need to get all that panic and fear out in the open so we can breathe a little. You feeling this way right now is perfectly normal... Take it one moment at a time and try to find something that will make you smile each day. When I had cancer I spent part of my recovery coloring in adult coloring books! Coloring in big, bold swear words was cathartic. ?

I'm glad you are out of the joint now!! They sure did keep you for a while... I've been in a local Alabama hospital before and it was not an experience I care to repeat. LOL I wish you much good healing and feel free to ask questions if you can't find what you are looking for, everyone around here is super helpful!

I think they are amazing medications for weight loss and certainly worth a good try! I just find it frustrating as a diabetic that there are shortages that affect my dosing schedule. I had a similar issue with Plaquenil, the arthritis med that everyone suddenly wanted when they thought it might be useful for Covid. I don't begrudge anyone else a go at the meds, I just think pharmacies should put aside a portion of their stock for their regular diabetic patients since it impacts us so much when we can't get our monthly supply...

I'm assuming you had a catheter in for surgery? UTIs after catheter use aren't unusual and sometimes you can have one without symptoms so you may want to have them check for that at some point. Congrats on your surgery!!

I've tried weight loss shots. I haven't had surgery yet. I had luck with Saxenda but the insurance did not think I was losing weight fast enough so they refused to cover more. Losers. LOL I had some nausea with it at first but no real issues otherwise. When I stopped the meds I gained the weight back plus extra, of course. I'm on Ozempic now but it is to treat diabetes. I have way more side effects with it as the dose goes up, but it usually evens out after a few weeks at the new dose. I don't love it though. The Saxenda was way easier on my body... I've lost 10 lbs on the Ozempic, then gained it back as I've had a hard time consistently getting the med since everyone is on it for weight loss, it is super frustrating. I have heard of it being used in conjunction with weight loss surgery and some people have a lot of luck with it! The ones I've followed have been using Mounjaro though. CarolinRNY on Youtube talks a bit about this in her more recent videos if you'd like a first hand account of it being used to boost weight loss that has slowed post surgery. My guess is if you pair it with behavior modification and taper off it slowly after you hit goal weight you might be able to maintain the results. If not you are stuck with a weekly shot until something new comes out. The shots themselves are easy to do and aren't usually painful, though they can sting a little. ETA: I think The Sleeved Dietitian is also using Mounjaro to lose weight with and has been successful with it. You can find her on Instagram.

It is sad how some women feel the need to tear other women down in order to feel better about themselves. Clearly she's got some **** going on somewhere. People like that used to hurt me until I really understood it is more about them than it was about me. I've been overweight most of my life. I've had people telling me how to fix that for most of my life too. As time has gone by and age has taught some wisdom I've come to understand that the only person's opinion that truly matters is mine. Everyone else can choke on it. Hahahahaha! But OMG does the advice mill get annoying!! I store up good one liners for this purpose, with a generous dose of sarcasm. I would have looked at her wide eyed and said "Wow, that's a really interesting perspective. I had no idea you think about me so much! I'm flattered!" ?I usually just deflect what people are saying and they get the hint, but for the stubborn ones I won't hesitate to make them as uncomfortable as they've just made me. <3

Woot!!! What a great accomplishment! And you look fabulous by the way and so happy! Good job!!

This is similar to what I wear to the pool. I'm pre-surgery and very self-conscious about how I look in a bathing suit. But I do aquatic therapy and it has been way more effective than land exercises! I wear a swim tank with an actual bra built into it and the capri pants along with water shoes. I can't wear the layered tops because they float up during therapy but the snug tank works well! The pool I go to has water aerobics where people of all ages are wearing similar outfits. I've seen people of all shapes, sizes and weights and it has helped me be much less self conscious about my own body in the pool. And the water feels so good!!

My gut says you have dodged a bullet. This is awful treatment and I would not feel safe letting those people have my care in their hands. You should have had your concerns validated and calmly discussed by a patient coordinator over the phone, not suddenly have your procedure cancelled simply because you voiced concerns. My worry here is if you were to go through with things with them, what happens if you have a complication, heaven forbid?? Will they treat you as a malingering patient instead of taking you seriously? That could go very badly, very quickly. I know this delay is devastating. I am so sorry you are experiencing this. My heart hurts for you! I would seek out another practice. You already meet all the pre-reqs. The process shouldn't take as long the second time and you deserve to be in good hands that will respect your time and your trust in them as a patient. This behavior from them is inexcusable. ETA: As an out of area patient they should have been taking that into consideration the whole time and should have been working hard to keep your schedule steady. This is NOT a big ask of an office doing this sort of care and is something the patient coordinator should have been advocating for you. Surgery practices are accustomed to needing to do this. Some will even schedule multiple appointments for you in a day and work with each other to ensure you get all your boxes ticked with minimal travel. I really want you to know that your expectations are not out of the norm, their behavior however IS.

Wow, that's incredible! What an awesome achievement! You really do look like a different person and I'm sure you feel like it too!

Oh, definitely a non-scale victory there!! Congrats! As for healthy fats olive oil and MCT oil in moderate amounts. Maybe some coconut if you like it. I like adding avocado to smoothies for the nutrient and fat boost. Nuts are good, walnuts especially are great for heart health. Plus remember fish like salmon and sardines if you tolerate them, very healthy fats there!

What a great appointment! He must feel your healing is going well. And way to go on the 17 lb loss!

Yay!!!! That is a great win! I want to get rid of my diabetes with the surgery and reduce my overall meds for things too. It is encouraging to see you having results so soon! I know that has to feel good...

I'm glad they straightened that out! Is your blood sugar being more stable now that the last dose has worn off? How are you feeling now? OMG I will be so glad to get off the Ozempic. ?

I love this picture! The green of your shirt really highlights the lovely shade of your eyes. I'd buy more things in that green! LOL