lfw57

I had my surgery on June 6th at Mount Auburn Hospital with Dr. Julie Kim. Have received excellent care there and am doing pretty well. 12 lbs down since!

LipstickLady -
What a wonderful, honest, well written post! You described so well the little things we deal with on a daily basis.
I'm 52 and also considered a "fit-fat" person (but that's really an oxymoron, right?). My cholesterol and blood pressure levels are fine and I'm not diabetic . I swim. I've done CrossFit. I do yoga. I spin (and can keep up with women half my size).
But at a high of 280 lbs these activities take a major toll on my body and I have to pop a couple of Advil because my knees are swollen, my back aches and I'm exhausted. The rest of the day I'm on the couch feeling like a failure wondering why I can't get this problem under control.
I'm exactly 1 week post-op today. The week has been a physical and emotional challenge, but posts like yours are so inspirational, and such a huge help. Your photos show someone who is living a life full of joy and it helps me to see that this could be my future too.
Sending you a huge thank you!
Lisa

LipstickLady -
What a wonderful, honest, well written post! You described so well the little things we deal with on a daily basis.
I'm 52 and also considered a "fit-fat" person (but that's really an oxymoron, right?). My cholesterol and blood pressure levels are fine and I'm not diabetic . I swim. I've done CrossFit. I do yoga. I spin (and can keep up with women half my size).
But at a high of 280 lbs these activities take a major toll on my body and I have to pop a couple of Advil because my knees are swollen, my back aches and I'm exhausted. The rest of the day I'm on the couch feeling like a failure wondering why I can't get this problem under control.
I'm exactly 1 week post-op today. The week has been a physical and emotional challenge, but posts like yours are so inspirational, and such a huge help. Your photos show someone who is living a life full of joy and it helps me to see that this could be my future too.
Sending you a huge thank you!
Lisa

I was sleeved on Monday. Had problems getting any liquids in, but today is better. Getting 40 oz at a minimum is a real challenge.
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I was sleeved on Monday. Had problems getting any liquids in, but today is better. Getting 40 oz at a minimum is a real challenge.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is Monday as well. So far just coffee and Protein shake. Am very nervous but will try to keep busy, as well. Am making my own chicken broth. My coworkers gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a card, which was so nice. I started all this in January...I can't believe it's finally here!
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I'm June 6th too!
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I'm June 6th too!
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Ok...
Have laptop, will share...
I'm not sure if what I say is what you were getting at but it kinda fits with your post..
I'd also like to preface this with the following -
What I'm about to say is simply my opinion...
I'd not be so bold as to assume I was speaking on behalf of all men...
My opinion...
Mine!!
As a guy, there's a better than average chance that I'd not really notice your (anyone's) scars..
No, not because I'd be distracted by various other naked parts (tho that'd help)..
But I'd not notice for a different reason...
As I was discussing a few days ago with someone VERY special, when I'm looking at someone who I'm attracted to, I don't notice their (self-perceived) 'faults'...
You've a 'crease' above your eye when you smile? - I didn't see it. I was looking at your eyes...
You've a dimple that sometimes shows up and sometimes doesn't? - I didn't notice. I was focused on the way your smile lights up everything around it...
You've a few little scars on your belly? - I had no idea. I was admiring your feminine curves and wondering why you weren't kis...
Well...
You get the idea...
In my opinion, it's a female thing to notice such things in yourself, as well as in others...
It's not necessarily a bad thing..
It's just a thing...
I certainly don't mean this in a nasty, sexist way..
I just mean that we're different, guys and girls..
As a guy, I notice the parts of 'you' that I like..
As a girl, you notice the parts of yourself that you don't like...
So ultimately, I'd not worry about what to say..
Chances are, it will never really be an issue...
If it does get asked, have a cool story planned - Pirate knife fight, shark attack, mongoose invasion.. That kinda thing..
Guys like a scar with a cool story...
Good luck to you and your 'somebody new'...
***I told you it'd be worth waiting for!!!

June 6th here. Am glad I have more time since my diet still isn't where I want it to be and am working on it but am also getting increasingly anxious/nervous about it, which I know is normal.

Congrats!
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I've watched Oprah struggle with her weight since the 80's, and I've come to the conclusion that having money doesn't mean you have better access to information than the rest of us "mere mortals". In my desperate attempt to lose weight I researched nutrition for years but I never even looked into understanding the facts about surgery, because I thought, like most people do that it was taking a drastic and "easy" approach. Then a close friend had the sleeve and my doctor, who I trust suggested I look into it, and I learned the facts. I was surprised that with all my work to educate myself, I was ignorant about this. So I'm guessing Oprah my not be aware or have strong biases, like I did. My surgeon told me they struggle to influence primary care doctors, even with several quality, peer reviewed studies that prove the success of WLS.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I've watched Oprah struggle with her weight since the 80's, and I've come to the conclusion that having money doesn't mean you have better access to information than the rest of us "mere mortals". In my desperate attempt to lose weight I researched nutrition for years but I never even looked into understanding the facts about surgery, because I thought, like most people do that it was taking a drastic and "easy" approach. Then a close friend had the sleeve and my doctor, who I trust suggested I look into it, and I learned the facts. I was surprised that with all my work to educate myself, I was ignorant about this. So I'm guessing Oprah my not be aware or have strong biases, like I did. My surgeon told me they struggle to influence primary care doctors, even with several quality, peer reviewed studies that prove the success of WLS.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I've watched Oprah struggle with her weight since the 80's, and I've come to the conclusion that having money doesn't mean you have better access to information than the rest of us "mere mortals". In my desperate attempt to lose weight I researched nutrition for years but I never even looked into understanding the facts about surgery, because I thought, like most people do that it was taking a drastic and "easy" approach. Then a close friend had the sleeve and my doctor, who I trust suggested I look into it, and I learned the facts. I was surprised that with all my work to educate myself, I was ignorant about this. So I'm guessing Oprah my not be aware or have strong biases, like I did. My surgeon told me they struggle to influence primary care doctors, even with several quality, peer reviewed studies that prove the success of WLS.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

First off, you didn't have success with phentermine. You gained the weight back, didn't you?
Second, 20 pounds in 6 weeks is a perfectly acceptable number. I don't know what your stats are, but I'd be willing to bet you're a lower BMI. That always makes a difference in the rate we lose weight. Age and gender a are also good indicators of rate of loss.
What's your hurry? Will you turn into a pumpkin or something if you don't get to goal by a certain date?
It took me a year to lose 85 pounds, and an additional 5 months to lose 10 more. How long it took me doesn't matter one bit. The fact that I got there and am maintaining it does.
Just keep working your program, learn as much as you can about excersise and nutrition to be the healthiest you can be, and don't fret about how fast you're losing. It's negative thinking and counterproductive to you goals.

I agree with Alex. You are under no obligation to tell. Your body and surgery is very personal and is your business. I'm pre-op but have thought about this, as I'm single. I can't imagine I would get into a relationship with someone who has a bias against this to begin with.
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I personally do NOT know anyone who had had surgery only to regain a lot back. That said, I've heard about a lot of "aunts", "cousins", "neighbor's mother's sisters", etc. You know, all the horror stories that people love to share about this "easy way out" we chose - the one that really doesn't work anyway.

P.S. My shrink says that after people lose all their excess weight have to find NEW motivations and NEW goals to inspire their commitment to the lifestyles that will keep them thin. After the initial weight loss, he says, the compliments stop, the thrill of being newly slim fades, boring real life pales by comparison to the excitement of watching the weight fall off. He says those who are most successful long-term are those who actively identify and work toward new goals. In other words, the most goal-oriented patients are those who have a natural advantage in keeping their weight off.

Hi all -
Going through the pre approval phase at Mt Auburn. Had my immersion day in late Jan/early Feb and have my first surgeon appt in two weeks. They estimate early May, although I wish it was sooner.
So far I like Mt Auburn... am glad to be able to connect with others here.
Lisa
Watertown

Thanks all! Looking forward to connecting with you.
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Hi there - am either late April or early May. Would love to connect with others..
Lisa

Looking at the percentage stats here......damn !!!!
You have to learn to accept compliments, praise and sheer wonder. You have to. It's going to happen time and time again so you'd best learn a move that will get you past if quickly if you so choose.
Try something like, "Thank you so much.....I appreciated that......I am feeling so much better.......how are you doing ?". The quicker you can get folks talking about themselves.....the easier it will be.
You've kicked ass !!!!!!!

One of the reasons on the list of reasons for doing surgery is to look better. If you deny it, you will notice that your nose has grown. People who compliment the change aren't saying that you looked like crap before. They are commenting only on what is in front of them at the moment. They are acknowledging your choice to change and being supportive of it. The rare individual who thinks, "Gee, she really did look like crap before," is just a tad jealous and perhaps has a mouth filled with sour grapes. Who cares?
Ask yourself how you'd feel or what you'd think if people you see infrequently didn't notice. "Don't they see me?" "Don't I make an impression on them?" "Am I not here?" "Are they stupid?" When a person looks dramatically different, how easy is it to pretend you don't notice? When you see an acquaintance in that position, it certainly can't feel natural to avert your eyes and bite your tongue. Even more to the point, it falls within the category of withholding good feelings for the success of the altered party. How mean-spirited that is.
Relish the compliments. Flash your most dazzling smile and say, "Thank you. It's so wonderful to see you again."