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So I’m still in the hospital and it looks like I may have a viral intestinal bug. Have seen both surgeon and a slew of other docs and they seem in agreement. So when I got here and they handed me the small gown to put on I was hesitant as I’ve always needed the large one. The small one fit and has room. I cried. I can not remember when I could wear this small gown. Even though I’m pretty miserable I’m trying to find something good every day to celebrate. You all are the only folks that understand.

So... the people WITH experience of this are saying “it works, it is excellent, as long as you are ready to change your life it is a great tool” and the people whose experience is confined to what they hear in the paper or from gossip is “no, too radical, it might not work, no need, danger danger”? And which group is is sensible to believe? I think a stock of ready answers might just do the trick! Feel free to pinch any of these, as the situation demands: “Thanks for your concern, funny how everyone has an opinion about what is best for MY body!!” “Thanks for sharing your worries, but I have enough of my own! Could you just support my decision?” ”oh, you are such an expert. When did YOU have this surgery?” (Complete with “I see it didn’t work for you - why not?” if appropriate) ”I know it isn’t a magic bullet, but it is a tool and I need this tool.” ”People who regain the weight generally don’t have a good support network to help them keep the weight off. Can I count on you being there as part of that support system for me?”

WLS can really change relationships. My ex-wife had WLS six years ago. Her surgery was very successful (522lbs to 165lbs). Once her weight stabilized she had several reconstructive plastic surgeries. Shortly thereafter she asked for a divorce (I was no longer her best option). I had my surgery last year and have lost about 115lbs. The way women interact with me has totally changed. This includes my ex-wife who I still have to talk to since we parent our kids jointly. All this has actually lowered my already problematic estimation of most people.

People are always surprised when some of the medical community are so against wls, but not all physicians have education regarding it or first hand knowledge of the procedure, they read medical journals, or even listen to anecdotal evidence and really don't understand obesity - plus everyone has an opinion, even doctors. How many fitness 'experts' really know how to help an obese person get in shape? Shoot there are OBGYN doctors that know squat about breastfeeding, they claim to support it, but really are clueless - I especially find a lot of neonatal intensive care nurses to be the worst at supporting a breastfeeding mom - ' oh you don't need to be concerned about nursing, your milk won't be in for a few days anyway'. Say what!!! Do you not know that the breastmilk of a preemie mom is actually calorically higher and that the colostrum is just filled with immunities and the perfect food for those first couple days. YEP, so called professionals are biased and often not fully educated about a lot of procedures and situations. Don't get me started about doctors that think an insulin reaction is a seizure disorder...eejits. So do what is best for YOU.

I didn't tell most of my family because I didn't need opinions from the peanut gallery--I knew most would not be helpful and would be against it. And they have reason to be: people do gain the weight back. I know several people (friends, colleagues, family members) who have gained back considerable amounts of weight after WLS, far more than I know people that have been long term successful. And yes, and there are the possible side effects. I am living with one of them right now. I won't BS you, it is a gamble. I knew that going in. At the end of the day, you take your shot, for good or for ill. Maybe you got what it takes to be one of the lucky success stories, maybe not. Sometimes discipline and following the program to the letter does not get you the results you want--sometimes your body is just an a**hole and doesn't care how hard you are trying. However as Wayne Gretzky said, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." This is your body, your future, and only your decision. As long as you go into this with eyes wide open, you'll do fine.

I weighted today and I am 40 pounds lighter [emoji6] I am super excited, and soooo glad I made the decision to have surgery. Meeting with my surgeon on Wed. So I hope he's as pleased as I am. I hope you all are doing great. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app

Right now, you should be on a liquid diet, like pre-op for a day or two longer, then transition to pureed foods for 2 weeks Then to soft/moist foods for another 2 weeks. All the while getting 60-80 grams protein and 64+oz Water with 30 minutes after water before meals, and 45 minutes after meals before water. Different programs have different variations of this.Sent from my XT1609 using BariatricPal mobile app

I am really sorry about your Dad. What a lot to deal with. Yeesh. If you have any reinforcements....Now is the time to call them in. A bestie, a cousin, an aunt...anyone you trust. You need help. You need to drink. Sip, sip, sip. This is so important. Keep drinking your clears and keep drinking your protien drinks. Put a couple in your car. Put a couple in your purse. Keep drinking. It's your most important job right now. You need to rest when you're tired, but don't sit or lay for too long. You need to get up and walk every hour if possible, except when you sleep at night. Don't exhaust yourself, but keep moving. If you're doing cremation, consider delaying the funeral. My mother in law passed unexpectedly and we did her funeral a month after her death because there were significant health crisis's among the core family. It's unusual, but there is no law against it and people really do understand. Best wishes, and again, heartfelt condolences.

I'm turning 25 in a few weeks and scheduled for my sleeve on 8/6. I've struggled with my weight my entire life and the last few years have been especially rough all around. A family member got her sleeve two years ago and told me it was the greatest decision she's ever made and she wishes she had done it at my age. She and my mom are supportive and totally feel the same way, but a lot of other family members have been aggressively trying to convince me not to do it i.e. telling me how permanent this is and it could lead to issues down the road, telling me people gain the weight back all the time and if then they're stuck with half a stomach, etc. I've done a bit of research and spoken to a lot of doctors during the screening process pre-op and they all seem to think it's an excellent surgery, and I know I want this and I want to change my life, but I can't help but worry with all the negativity that's been getting thrown at me. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? How did you deal with the doubt?

Hello All! I had my Gastric Sleeve on 5/31/18 and I'm sitting at 2 weeks an 3 days Post-Op. My daily life is absolutely miserable and I'm wondering if it gets better at any point because it doesn't feel like that. Post Surgery Pain Lasted 3-4 Days and I was off Pain Meds with NO nausea. I was getting 48 ounces of water in a day and all was great. 1st Week Post Op I got cleared for full liquids but not told to integrate them slowly and made the mistake of having a very spicy creamy tomato soup. It WRECKED me. Since that day Nausea has spiked and I threw up for the first time 2 days later. I'm miserable. I ended up getting severely dehydrated because I'm nauseous and can't bring myself to sip. I ended up getting some IV fluids and a new prescription for nausea meds. Now my biggest problem is gas when I attempt to eat and the heartburn is INSANE! I've never dealt with this before but it rises to my chest and I want to throw up. It is terrible in the morning and evening. I will be starting some allergy medicine tomorrow to help with post nasal drip and seeing if they can prescribe a new med for heartburn because Omeprazole is too big and I can't handle eating the granules in food. (I gag.) Has anyone dealt with this? Does it get better? I don't want to eat ANYTHING! I'm miserable and regret my choice on the daily. When you're exhausted it takes a toll on your psyche. Any advice please?!