SKCUNNINGHAM

Slimming Sara - I may be going to Celebrate my 55th birthday this December - but I still have my priorites right. And, I REALLY am enjoying being lighter!

This is a very interesting thread When I see obese / morbidly obese people, my first thought is one of pity. I really feel sorry for the person. It does cross my mind that I have knowledge that could be useful to them - but I squash that thought as quickly as it is formed. I would not bring the subject up - I know how insulted I would have been if someone had done that to me. I also have a profound feeling of "there for the grace of God go I." And, every time I see an obese / morbidly obese person, it strengthens my resolve to use my sleeve appropriately to reach and maintain my goal. As to watching obese people eat - I don't watch other people eat. I normally am more interested in the conversation that is happening over the meal than watching the person eat. I do remember being next to a guy once who was making so many little happy noises while he ate, it was embarrasing to be close to him. Normally, those kinds of pleasurable noises don't occur at a dinner table! The guy was obese - but I think he was just strange and don't necessarily chalk up the behavior to his weight. I have never been attracted to obese guys, really skinny guys or really short guys - just a matter of preference. My perception of the world has shifted post-surgery. I am very conscious of the size of everyone I see. I've always been a people watcher, but I am even more of one now. I observe how women (primarily) of all sizes dress. I notice rolls and bulges on people where I would never have noticed them before. I observe many people have no idea how to dress to enhance positive attributes or hide problem areas. I have a silent running fashion commentary going all the time. Petty - but true.

My experience with the staff at Forest Park was completely different than yours. I was extremely pleased with my level of care and the staff I dealt with. My opinion of the facilities is also positive - and I wouldn't describe it in the sames way you did. Sorry you didn't like the experience you had. I had a choice to either have surgery at Forest Park or at Baylor Plano - and I chose Forest Park. (closer to my house - easier on my husband) I too think the medical / insurance situation in this country is totalled screwed up. I am thankful that my employer provides me insurance that covered my surgery.

This is the best post I have read in days! I may steal liberally from your words when I need to respond to friends or family members. Best of luck to you.

I am almost six months out (next Monday). Here are some of my examples: one 4 oz. carton of Activia yogurt for Breakfast or 1/3 c. cottage cheese with 1/2 c of canned fruit (peaches, pears, etc) or 1 2.5 oz package of tuna, mixed with 2T pickle relish and 2T lite mayo or 1/2 to 2/3 of a 3 oz package of smoked salmon or half a serving of roast beef from Grandy's (no bread) with 1/4 c. green Beans or 1/3 to 1/2 a serving of meat loaf from Cracker Barrel wtih a few veggies (baby carrots, green beans) or almost a whole hamburger patty from Sonic (save the last couple of bites for the dog) or 1/2 of a chicken breast wtih a few spears of asparagus. or 7-10 steamed shrimp with the tails on (~25 to the pound) with cocktail sauce or 1/3 - 1/2 of an order of Pei Wei Mongolian beef with veggies (no rice) Hope this helps.

I too was having low blood pressure readings (90 / 55 or 95 / 60). After several days of this and feeling like something the cat drug in, I went to my doc. She pulled me off an additonal 25% of my pre surgery BP meds (she had already cut my dosage in half)- I am now on 1 tiny BP pill a day. This week, I notice my BP is getting lower again when I take my readings. I am looking forward to being BP medication free. All of the comments about increasing fluids, increasing your salt intake slightly and being careful when you change positions quickly are good to follow. Your BP and your heart rate will drop as your fitness levels increase. I knew an Olympic athlete who's resting heart rate was 40 something. Sounds like you are not only rocking your sleeve - but becoming a buff gym rat! Way to go!

Congratulations! You look great - you need to wear more pencil skirts - they look very nice on you.

This sounds kind of like the cr*p pregnant women have to put up with as they near term - everyone tells them stories of their friend/ relative and the horrible delivery they went through. No one tells them of quick relatively painless deliveries. Seems like we all remember the bad news and have a compulsion to share. Be strong in your resolve to be successful with your sleeve. This formum is a great place to come for support. Best of luck to you.

I'd take it too - it sounds like it was straight from his heart.

I had surgery with Dr. Nick on 2/22 of this year at Forest Park. I am coming up on my 6 month surgiversary soon. You will do great with Dr. Nick - I think he is the best there is. To help with your hunger, drink at least 64 oz of Fluid a day - it really helps you feel full. Also, try to go ahead and get used to not drinking carbonated beverages, and I also decaffinated myself prior to surgery. It is definately worth the work up front. I have not regretted my sleeve on minute.

I had a bad experience with too much raw celery (no problem cooked). I severely limit my intake of raw celery.

I have lost 74 pounds so far and now fit into most 14's (down from a 24W). I have no butt, smaller hips and still have a larger waist and dough-boy belly. ( I am pretty much straight up and down from waist to hips with a small spare tire between.) So getting jeans that fit my waist and don't swamp my butt and hips is a challenge. I have found two different jeans brand that I really like - one is NOT YOUR DAUGHTERS JEANS. These have strong support to hold in the belly and to lift your butt. It actually puts mine back to where it used to be (miracle of miracles). I by mine from ebay - I don't know what stores carry them. Also - Levis make a line of jeans that come in three shapes - depending on how big your butt is compared to your waist. Slight Curve (really slight in my case) fits me. There are also two more for you more curvy ladies. If you have a bodacious booty compared to your smaller waist, they can fit you. The jeans come in different colors and washes, and in assorted styles from skinny (not me) to regular to boot cut. I ordered mine from the Levis website (I hate to run around and shop). Has anyone else found a type of jeans that really fits you? I am not satisfied with the mom jeans look any more. I am not trying to look like a teenager, but I want my clothes to fit. And, I don't want to spend a lot of money, because I am still 45 pounds from goal.

Good for you! Stay hydrated and you might need to carry a small amount of protein with you, depending on how long it will take.

I told my husband and my boss first - while I was doing research and qualifying for WLS. I told my boss because of the time away from work for doctor's appts. Once I had made my decision and gotten approved, I told my family and a couple of close friends. Right before surgery, I told the people that work for our family business. Once I got back to work, I told the folks I work with. I have told some friends on facebook individually, but haven't made a public announcement about it. Do what feels right for you - it is no ones business but your own.

I sprained my ankle severely when I was cleaning a closet on Sunday. I was digging out "skinny" clothes and tripped. So I went to see my orthopedic doctor on Monday afternoon, because I thought I had also broken bones in the foot. I wore a brace (laces, straps, etc) in to the doctor - but took with me one of those walking boot casts (metal, straps, etc) I had from a bad sprain a couple of years ago. The doc verified it was a really bad sprain - no broken bones. She told me I would need to wear a boot cast for a month. I pulled the one I had from under the exam table - and she looked at it. She said - that it would work - BUT THAT THEY WOULD TOTALLY HAVE TO REBUILD IT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO LARGE. Yea!

Every person has different goals, and different levels of effort they are willing to put forth to achieve those goals. In addition, you are dealt a certain hand, genetically, that will play a part in your ultimate results. If you want to be a 180 pound head-turner - set that as your goal. Develop your plan to get you to it, and start working your plan. Other than making ourselves taller, there is very little that can't be accomplished if you want something bad enough, are willing to work hard for it, and are willing to accept the consequences of your actions. If you add in the potential of plastic surgery - the possibilities increase even more. Don't let other peoples more modest goals limit what you want to achieve. You are a youngster - in your early 30's. You are going to do amazing with your sleeve. There isn't any reason you couldn't be a 180 pound head turner if you do what is needed to get there. Good luck!

I am on hormone replacement therapy, and have been almost continuously since I had a hysterectomy in 1990. (At age 33.) I stopped the HRT about 2-3 weeks prior to surgery, and stayed off of them until my 3 week post surgery doctor appt. Then I began them again. I have NO interest in getting off of HRT long term.I don't want all the nasty effects you listed.I feel better on HRT, and if there are risks associated with me being on them, I am willing to accept them. The risk / benefit equation for me is heavily skewed to the benefits. I did have a wicked side effecft after surgery (look for my post "Puberty Hell". I got a bunch of estrogen dumped into my bloodstream as I rapidly lost weight after surgery. Apparently, fat cells store estrogen and release it when you lose weight. I was moody (hired assasin moody) weepy, and wanted to be left alone. Those feelings moderated (thank God). I would be interested to hear what you decide to do, and your progress after surgery. If you want to visit more about this, message me. Sharon

I am five months past surgery, and am happy to be 79 pounds lighter. The first place I always lose is my face. Now, when I smile - not only do I have crows feet going up from the corners of my eyes, I have a set of parallel wrinkles (think of small pleats) going down from the corners of my eyes over the tops of the "apples" of my cheeks. I realize more wrinkles are inevitable as I lose weight in my face. And, I still have 40 pounds to lose, so more will be showing up. My question is, is there any skin care product that really help with this?That could significantly improve the elasticity? I currently use Oil of Olay and Estee Lauder products, and am pleased with the way my skin feels.I only wish it wasn't so lose and wrinkly. In the grand scheme of things, this is a nit - but I thought someone on the site might have a good idea. Thanks Sharon

If you have the energy to exercise 2X per day, I say go for it. If you are doing serious weight lifting, you need to give your body a break, are you lifting to that extent? If not - enjoy and watch the pounds / inches disappear!

Tiffykins - this is great info - thanks for providing it.

Congrats on getiing through the withdrawal and recovery from opiates! That class of drugs is such a blessing and a curse. Been there, done that (pre-sleeve - recovering from shingles in the eye.) Didn't realize it played heck with weight loss - good to know! Best of luck to you on the rest of your sleee journey.

You will be shedding a lot of fat quickly, and some vitamins (the fat soluble ones) are going to be dumped into your bloodstream. Interesting doc you have! I would certainly follow his guidelines.

That would be an interesting thread - what are the trophies/ mementos we want to keep from our old selves to remind us of how far we've come? I will look and see if there is one on the forum allready. I agree - bronze it and put it in a shadowbox!

I had no nauseau or vomiting after surgery. I did have a really dry mouth and those little glycering sponges on a stick they let you have to wipe out your mouth were a godsend. I would take some of the mouth spray I saw recommended on a post for the same reason. I spent one nite in the hospital then went home to recover. Learning what I could and couldn't cofortably and what hurt took a day or two. It also took me a few days to shake off the effects of the anasthesia (normal reaction for me every time I have had surgery). I took many naps as the drugs worked out of my system. Getting up and down from laying flat or being in the recliner was a learned skill. Other than that - no problems. Good luck!

I had no nauseau or vomiting after surgery. I did have a really dry mouth and those little glycering sponges on a stick they let you have to wipe out your mouth were a godsend. I would take some of the mouth spray I saw recommended on a post for the same reason. I spent one nite in the hospital then went home to recover. Learning what I could and couldn't cofortably and what hurt took a day or two. It also took me a few days to shake off the effects of the anasthesia (normal reaction for me every time I have had surgery). I took many naps as the drugs worked out of my system. Getting up and down from laying flat or being in the recliner was a learned skill. Other than that - no problems. Good luck!