Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

What an interesting thread!

Today is my 62nd Birthday!

I had my sleeve done exactly 4 years ago this month and have been at goal weight for 3 years.

This surgery changed my life, as it has done for so many others.

But unlike most of you, I do not have children or grandchildren (by choice...long story).

I have been happily married for 24 years, but my husband and I live a poly amorous life style and we have never been happier our my lives.

I have met really interesting people on this forum and have been grateful for all of the followers of my blog, some who have become friends.

I grew up in San Francisco, lived in Hawaii for 10 years and for the last 3 I have lived in Amsterdam and have no desire to return to the US at this point.

I have an unusual life, but I have an extraordinary life that works for me.

I am thankful every day to be living a healthy life and it would never have happened without the surgery, and maybe even without this forum, as it was here that I found the support I needed to make that first step.

Happy Belated, Birthday!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, 35/male from Houston, TX. I've been in Houston for about 8 years now, originally from Michigan. My wife and I met in high school, both went to UofMichigan and have 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls) ages 6,7,11 and 13.

I had gastric bypass on October 1st after decades of struggles with my weight. I have been doing well thus far. I decided to pay for a VIP membership as a way of giving back to this site. I found this site as I was still deciding on surgery. This site got me through all of my initial questions, got me through the pre-op diet and all my fears regarding surgery. I'm very optimistic that this site will also see me through the 200+ pounds I intend to lose. Safe to say I wouldn't be where I am without this site and all of the great people contributing!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hello all. I;m a 51 yr old male living in the Dominican Republic and I had sleeve surgery 7/29. I am married to a wonderful women that has supported me through this process and we have three adult kids (23, 22 and 20). I have been benefiting from everyone's collective wisdom for some time and hope to be able to help folks as I have been helped.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@fernandfj Welcome! I think family support makes a huge difference. My husband didn't want me to have the surgery. He didn't think I needed it. But he knew it was my decision and since the surgery, he has been nothing but wonderful through my healing process and dealing with my new ways of eating. He has had to adapt right along with me and I am so thankful he hasn't complained once!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@fernandfj Welcome! I think family support makes a huge difference. My husband didn't want me to have the surgery. He didn't think I needed it. But he knew it was my decision and since the surgery, he has been nothing, but wonderful through my healing process and dealing with my new ways of eating. He has had to adapt right along with me and I am so thankful he hasn't complained once!

@@JamieLogical

I'll bet he hasn't ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Happy birthday queen

Hope it is all you wanted????????

I know I am thankful each day for my better life... Seems like you wouldn't change anything either!!

Aren't we so lucky!

Welcome to the new members...

Have faith, work your program and l hope your life goes well????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all. I decided to go ahead and make my "membership" official and join the VIP club. ???? So far BP has been fantastic to read and to participate in(the good and the bad). I thought it was time to fully commit! ????While my program has a monthly in person meeting, it never seems to fall on a day I can go so BP has become my default support group.

I have been mostly quiet up to this point but I have been soaking up so much. I am now 5 months since VSG so things are settling down to be more routine. So many of my early questions were answered by reading the responses of the oh so patient veterans on other threads. I can't tell you how much it helped me!

I didn't panic after I didn't lose much immediately post op.

I didn't get upset when I hit the 3 week stall. (A little discouraged, but it helped to know it wasn't just me)

I was prepared for when my hair started to like the floor better than my head. (Not happy, but hopeful since everyone says it will come back!)

I learned about lots of new food options (Halo Top ice cream!) and recommendation on Vitamins.

And most importantly, I feel I am getting to know a group of individuals who on this "project" with me.

Don't get me wrong, I have

lots of support at home and from friends and family, but it isn't the same as talking to others who are in the same boat. At times I will admit to feeling a bit lonely in this journey. Just reading and sometimes responding on BP has helped feel more connected.

So I thought it was time to fully commit to BP and work on starting to give back. ????????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi All!

My name is Jennifer. I am 44 years old. I am a wife and mother of 2 boys (24 and 16). I live outside of Houston, Texas and help run our family owned trucking company where I am a bookkeeper, sales manager, and A/R supervisor (we are that small LOL!).

​I had my VGS in October of 2011. I went from my highest weight of 308 (as far as I know - I don't know many who want to check the scale regularly at that weight :o ) to my lowest post surgery weight of 213 in 2012. I had hit a plateau in between and began training with a former college running back. I was doing well. Around 2013 I ran into a series of health setbacks. I was able to maintain my wait or close to it (didn't for over 217) for well over a year, perhaps 2.

Within the past year I began gaining weight. I am currently struggling with this, and this is why I have come here. I am looking for advice, accountability, and to be a good WLS buddy to anyone who needs one!

I am really looking forward to getting to meet new people, and hear your stories! I love a good success story!! I plan to be one myself soon! :D

Thanks for listening...I have a feeling this would not be a great personal ad...but hopefully it wasn't too boring!

Jen

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@JenniferVSG2011 Welcome! I think you have definitely come to the right place. A lot of vets on these forums have struggled with some weight regain in the years post-op or never quite reached goal. The good news is, you still have your sleeve and it will still work with you as the tool it was meant to be. It sounds like you already know a lot about what you need to do, but hearing from others and the accountability these forums offers really help with the process.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Jamie! That is what I am counting on. It's hard to go it alone when you don't know anyone personally who is or has been going through it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

35, male, Austin TX (but New Jersey native) - got the Lap Band in 2006, lost about 112 lbs. Gained 52 back, lap band removed and converted to sleeve on June 27th 2016, feeling good so far.

Love this site and the great people on it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

35, male, Austin TX (but New Jersey native) - got the Lap Band in 2006, lost about 112 lbs. Gained 52 back, lap band removed and converted to sleeve on June 27th 2016, feeling good so far.

Love this site and the great people on it!

Welcome! You are right. This is a great site!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I've never used this forum on anything other than my phone- until today. Discovered status bars and VIP membership. Who knew?

Most of you know who I am already, but my stats--

49, female, married for 20 years

3 kids -19, 16,15 boy girl boy.

Just got my oldest off to college for the first time.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago- and grew up in the city itself.

I practiced dentistry for almost 20 years before I became ill with an autoimmune disorder. My weight gain was directly related to this- high doses of prednisone combined with the inability to move around.

The catalyst for surgery came from my rheumatologist who was reading anecdotal reports of people with RA who had bypass going either into remission or having a dramatic drop in symptoms. I didn't respond to any traditional or experimental meds on the market, so my thought was- the WORST case scenario for me would be less pressure on my joints. Luckily, I've not had any flares or RA symptoms since surgery. I got my life back. I'm contemplating returning to work now. I won't go back to active dental practice- I'm too scared, quite frankly. Worry of a relapse happening, my hands literally freezing up while working on a patient- so many scenarios of bad. People don't realize that RA can actually be deadly. They equate it with osteo arthritis.

I'm an avid- maybe rabid?? Lol- hockey fan, and am thrilled beyond belief that my beloved Blackhawks are so Fricking amazing! Also- a huge college football fan (Go Wildcats!)

That's that.

I so appreciate the wisdom, wit and camaraderie here.

These are my kiddos-- just cause I'm proud of them! Oldest is studying Sports Management at Iowa and plans on law school after. My daughter has an amazing voice and has been studying opera since 12, but wants to be an anesthesiologist-go figure! Youngest guy is the funny one, football player. post-284996-14736552933491_thumb.jpg post-284996-14736553195865_thumb.jpg post-284996-14736553694819_thumb.jpg

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello all, I joined the site in early 2013 when my husband and I were sleeved. It was the most wonderful learning experience, I was Linda from Florida then. Moved on to a lot of traveling, boating, hunting, cruising and loving my husband. I need the camaraderie of the group, the motivation, and am back with a vengeance as LoopyLulu. I worked 44 years in the Courts in Florida, and became too opinionated, too caring, too judgmental, and over involved with helping others. I have the best marriage for 25 years, and the previous one of 20 years recently sat by me sweetly as we watched our only grandson marry. Life is great, and I grew to really enjoy some great people on this forum.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×