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My daughter came home today and she told me I should try on some of her dresses from her college formal days. Never, ever, ever did I expect them to fit. I feel pretty good after I looked at these photos. Of course, I've got the whole "bat wings" going on, but I'm not going to stress over the details. Just wanted to share my joy of the moment!

It has been 7 months, and 2 days since my WLS. I finally hit my GOAL when weighing in this morning. I have never been this small in my adult life. It is such a great feeling, knowing that everything I worked for up to this point has been worth it. My ONLY regret is that I didn't do this 10 years ago. I have lost 81 lbs., went from a size 20 jeans, now in a size 6, (I posted a few days ago that I was a size 8, but my new jeans were actually too big, and I had to get a size 6). I am sooooooo happy!!! 😄😄😄😄😄

April 13,2021 Sent from my motorola edge plus using BariatricPal mobile app

If they did a urinary catheter during your surgery, the biggest risk factor is infection. Damage to the structures during catheterization is very rare; possible, but rare. What you're describing sounds like 2 things/2 different symptoms: Urinary urgency and Urinary retention (the not feeling like you're emptying, then having to "go" more). You should see a doctor for both. Get checked for a urinary tract infection. Both can be symptoms of a urinary tract infection (among other things). My experience: They did not insert a urinary catheter for my surgery (I know, I asked). But, within about a month after surgery, my urinary issues were better. Before surgery, I dribbled and would easily wet myself if I coughed, sneezed, or laughed too hard. No amount of Kegels seemed to help. After surgery, I no longer dribbled and I these days it's pretty rare for me to have issues with coughing/sneezing/laughing.

I think it's age. I know I used to almost NEVER get up in the middle of the night to "go", and now I do at least once - and usually twice. I was telling some other friends in their 60s about it, and they just laughed - they said welcome to seniorhood... p.s. although a catheter might affect things initially, at two years out, no...

I had an endoscopy done revealing bile reflux 3 years post VSG. I can say it was absolutely miserable I really couldn’t do anything without basically throwing up a little. I had issues with grazing so I opted for a DS instead of a Bypass but it instantly fixed the problem for me and I am so much happier. Typically a DS does not help with reflux but in my case it did and I feel like a person again. I would get the bypass.

Hey Chiquita...I had surgery the same day. I have lost 22 pounds so about the same. I had two 5 day stalls in the first month. I m confident this will be successful as long as we stick to plan.

Congratulations on reaching your goal and all of your success!!

So I may now call myself a neuroradiologist. 😁 🧠 🍾

I'm throwing this here cause it's more of a rant than a question. Just wanna complain to some people who may get it. To get it out of the way, I am not mad at the psychologist, or the clinic or anything like that. I understand why I need more therapy prior to getting surgery and I fully agree that addressing problematic behaviors is important for long term success. The support of bariatric psychologists and support groups is why I decided to go with a hospital close to me that offers that stuff as part of the program instead of going to Mexico where it'd be much much cheaper as a self pay patient. All that being said, I can't help but feel a bit down trodden and frustrated. I go to therapy frequently, and have for years. The past few years I've felt like I was doing really well. I hadn't had any major bouts of depression or anxiety that lasted for notable periods of time. There had been a few hiccups but they were promptly addressed and such. I thought I was gonna pass this thing with flying colors. Alas, nope. My psychologist that was evaluating me asked if any of the doctors or surgeons I had visited over the years had asked about my relationship with food cause she was seeing some concerning things, and honestly they haven't. That isn't to say I haven't talked with my therapist about my weight, it's just that eating patterns and behaviors themselves weren't ever really discussed. It was more just acknowledgement that depression and anxiety had contributed to weight gain. The bariatric psychologist also stated she doesn't think my current medications are working as well as I think, and that based on what I described as "normal" eating for myself, I am self-medicating with food in addition to the medications, and she'd like to make sure that I won't spiral once that food aspect is no longer a possibility. So I am now scheduled to see a therapist who specializes in bariatric surgery and disordered eating (she doesn't think I have Binge Eating Disorder, but she does think that my eating is disordered), and we'll check in 90 days later. The psychologist did repeatedly thank me for being honest though, so there's that 😕 I had a bit of a cry session yesterday when I found out. I am continuing to remind myself that the behavior and mental support part is why I chose to go with the hospital I did over other places. This is essentially what I wanted. I don't want to fail at this. I know it'll pass and a few months (hell even a year or two) is a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of my life. It just doesn't seem that way in the moment and I'm just super bummed out.