Pookeyism

I don't know if you worded it poorly, Sabrina - but because someone decided to not tell someone, or a group of people, does not make it an excuse. It most definitely does not make it something they are not proud of. I have many things I am proud of that I do not share indiscriminately with whomever. I hope anyone else reading it does not assume there is a lack of pride in discretion. I will use the "I" instead of "us" as a group because in this context I speak for myself only. Below I have a summation of why I decided to tell or not to tell presented to all as food for thought but also I feel we can begin to "know" each other in these posts. I made a selective decision because I knew that not everyone would be supportive, some would be true malwishers, and some would worry too much. For those who would not be supportive I did so that we would not immediately have to deal with this, because I can have a short fuse and would be very likely to tell someone to fudge off. I know some people that are in our circles not because we like or dislike them or they us, they are collateral acquaintances. I know some of them would be negative and I know human nature and guarantee there would be people you would not expect that would be negative. I believe in the power of thought and energy, and I also KNOW I have other friends who would either like to have the surgery or want it and (doing what so many do) are making up their minds. Maldoers just spread discontent and I do not want to offer them fuel. I do not want to give them negativity that my friends will have to listen to and ask them to shut up, or be in that awkward state of knowing someone said something and feeling bad they don't relay it (it is better not to relay it, to me anyway). I would dislike others negative comments about my surgery affecting another’s decision to have or not have the surgery. In the end it would affect many more people than just me. Thirdly is family and friends who would just worry too much. I made an active decision to keep it away from my Mom and Dad and Granny, etc. But my Sister knew immediately. This decision goes into an unexpected area, and not everyone (please dear God no one else) has to deal with. My Mom worries about my Sister and me all the time. We are successful and mature and independent and she will always worry about us. That was my reasoning for my Mom. It changed. I was sleeved on 1/4/12. My Mom, 58 years old unexpectedly passed away in her sleep 1/11/12. If I had told my Mom, I would spend the rest of my life worrying, thinking, praying about the fact that maybe her worries over my surgery added to whatever caused her to pass. More people know now and I may eventually tell even more. But for now, post-op, I give it little thought. I also want to be careful around a young family member of mine who already shows signs of an eating disorder - no matter what I say, I am afraid this very young lady will only focus on one of her favorite women (she wrote a paper on me as a successful business woman - geez!) had to cut out her stomach to be skinny. I am very concerned what that might do to her. I was just unable to lump this into a very black and white area. Not that it can't work. Everyone is different.

Also just after surgery, it is very swollen inside, so there is probably less difference than is even shown there. Interesting pics. I wonder what that patient's success rate is.

Sorry about your illness - super sorry about catching up on homework!!! It's great you were approved! Yay!

PS - I suggest you quit fast food cold turkey and don't look back. The chemicals, fats and salts in those foods "rewire" our brains similarly to some drugs, you will crave them for no real reason, and they are unhealthy, overly processed foods.

You seem to be answering your own questions. You didn't do what you should have, and you did many wrong things. Start over - act as if you had the surgery last week. Get back onto full lliquids for a week or so, low carb and while you are on that get used to keeping a food log. Go to mushies, etc and simply make all the right choices. Deal with your stress and refuse to eat unless you are physically hungry. Look for another job in the meantime. EXERCIZE BTW - many U's have resources like counceling available for students. It could possibly help with the stress. Good luck.

It was a challenge but worth it! The smaller your liver the better off you will be.

I don't know if I would go back to liquid/puree for weeks, maybe Diva's boot camp? hmmm...maybe strap the kiddo into a kiddie backpack and use him as extra weight when you take a walk? lol

Spend the time losing what you can, learning about the major issues like head hunger and totaly avoid spenging much money on foods and protien drinks pre op, lol!

My weight is 214 and I would love to be in onederland by Easter!

Flowers are awesome anytime! yay for you!

Wow, you woke up with a tube down your throat??? ugh! I'd been fighting people and yanking it out...

YUP! Hubby bought me several pairs of wool leggins and I wear them constantly when home. He also got me several layers of school socks that are heavy cotton so I can be warm at work. And a heated matress pad! The matress pad is awesome. I never dreamed I would need such things in HOUSTON. We have extra blankets that never leave the living room, just in case. I wear my hubby's gear from Alaska alot. North Face, North Face, North Face.

I would think you probably could shrink your tummy a little, but backing off the fluids at mealtime is probably enough. The stomach has alot of elasticity. But shrinking or stretching it is a long term effort.

My husband has had food stuck for almost a day before he would let me take him to the ER. Food getting stuck due to a constriction or bone or Fiber in food catching the throat was, according to my great- grandmother, a very bad way to die. People used to die of this, UGH! Actually people still do - according to the doctor who saw my Hubby. It can cause a reaction that causes Water to build up in the lungs, or if you have an existing heart condition it can cause a heart attack.

Are you keeping up with a support group? These are the things we need to look out for - and you are lucky to be headstrong enough to recognize them for old patterns. If you need it, this is one of the things the counseling will help with - but you need to also find strength - we all do that differently. Good luck - and perhaps stop looking at summer as some end all goal - you have 40 lbs to lose and a WHOLE SUMMER to fill full of activities to burn it off in, while being amazed at what you can do now that you couldn't last summer. Maybe look at it like that? I was 279 last January. I am 212 now. From size 26-ish to baggy 18 some 16 - and I can't wait for summer! Literally! I am going canoing on the Colorado River for the first time in FOREVER in April! Good luck.

So many good posts! But I want to mention the part where you referenced lack of will power and that the sleeve will help when you want to eat a big piece of cake - it won't help that. It will make you less phisically hungry, but it will not cure the head hunger that tells you that you want cake. The "head hunger" is something you want to be in as much control of - or at least understanding and recognition of, before you undergo surgery. The pre-diets that insurance companies make you go through, and enough emphasis is not put on AT ALL, do so much more than just qualify you for surgery or get you in a better physical state to undergo anestisia and surgery - that is when you begin to deal with your issues, and really begin to get an understanding of life after. I too am 38 and I began to think about the bypass about 10 years ago - I had a rapid unexplained weight gain (very long story) and was not able to do the things I am used to and panicking because it wouldn't come off. I decided no way on the bypass about 7 years ago, and then lapband, and then no go there, too many complications. Then the VGS and I chose that. I do not have any regrets so far - I was sleeved 1/4. George (my sleeve) has had some issues and we are still mainly on liquids but I feel better each day. I tried sooo hard before I finally decided to go with VSG. I understand the desire to be able to say "I did it on my own". But I am doing it on my own. I decided on the surgery, arranged it, paid for it, I put the food in my mouth and record my intake and take my Vitamins and exercize. The medical side would have been there to one extent or another anyway. Teh surgery was just a different type of prescription - that is how I am looking at it. Prayers for you as you make your decisions!

The dims for the pool should be posted somewhere - I bet the gym will even have a chart. Good luck.

If you are feeling too tight I could definately consider it, I can get in about 2 oz almost 6 weeks out just about every 45 minutes if I do regular small swallows. Beyond that I get the burps and I can even get a kind of spazy feeling in my stomach like little jerks - and it can push it through too fast also. If I sat and drank 4 oz I would be way too uncomfortable. 1 oz is a snooch less than 30 cc. Our stomachs were generally reduced to 50cc-65cc and possibly a little more. So 2 oz exceeds alot of peoples pouches. if you have a 90cc pouch you could just hold 3 oz. Liquids pass which is why we can consume faster, but for some, especially for the first few or even several weeks, you would be better to treat liquids just like anything else. Have you ever cut yourself and left a very clean, deep gash? If you did do you recall the way it raised up and swelled? That is what our stomachs are doing now, except it is doing it in a very acidic environment and it wasnt just cut, it was pushed around and tugged on and cauterized. It is going to take time. Be careful not to irritate it anymore than it probably already is. Okay sleevers chime in, I want to be sure I gave good measurements!

Yes, the 1/2 cup is a bit much - 8 oz. to a measuring cup so that is 4 oz. switch to about an ounce at a time and see if that helps. If it does you know it is the serving size. Good luck.

When did you have your surgery, what are youup to eating now, and about how much do you eat?

1/4 here and I am well. I have been fighting some sort of allergy or somethign for the last 5 months or so and it is bad today. My eyes are almost psoriasis like - ugh. At least is isn't sleeve related, lol.

You have my most heartfelt wishes and ample prayers. May you choose the path that is correct for you.

I had very regular periods before the surgery as far as cycle goes, but they were always very intense, and very painful. The days fluxuated but predictably (moderate 1st, xxx heavy 2nd, heavy3rd&4th). Only had two so far after and one followed JUST after and was early, I was on pain meds still so I don't know if the pain was bad or not, lol. The next was like clockwork again - but ligher and I don't think I hurt as much.