ShapeShifter

So sorry you are struggling (and hurting). Have you tried returning to the liquid, hi-protein diet to see if you can re-set your sleeve? I read about someone doing that. Also, if you go to YouTube and watch the journey of AmySDMOM, she has an entry on doing a yogurt fast for a couple of days, which helps her to lose up to 7 lbs. Also, if you are depressed, that may have an effect on your movement. Can you take short walks, count your many blessings, drink more water? I wonder if the depression is keeping you from accomplishing some of your daily goals. Surrounding you with light and wishing you WELL!

If you wait until you have an attack, it can be very serious. A friend of mine (unrelated to WLS) had an attack and was hospitalized for a few weeks. They had to cut her open to remover her gall bladder, because her belly was so distended from the condition and it was not possible to go in laproscopically. If a gall stone tries to pass and gets stuck in your bile duct, it is horribly painful, and if the gall bladder ruptures, it could be fatal. Just do it. You won't regret it.

{{DOOTER}} Patience and persistence will pay off, I promise (I must believe this). Be gentle with yourself and take long walks with loving words for yourself in your heart.

I'm pre-surgery, so no experience here... but I recently suffered severe muscle and joint pain while taking antibiotics. Thought I'd mention it, just in case. I'm done with them now and returning to normal. It was unexpected.

I am guessing you are losing fat and your skin is loosening with the absence, which made your body feel more solid before. Over time and with exercise, some of the skin may shrink, but many people have to have it removed surgically once their weight loss is complete.

Happy Healing! I've read walking is good for releasing the gas pains in your upper body.

Welcome Kendra! I am in the beginning stages, too, and look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Congratulations! I can't imagine myself thinner, after 20 years at this weight. You look stunning.

Thanks Mrsteacher. She is a great vlogger. If you haven't found her yet, also look for AmySDMOM, as she is three years out, and keeps a weekly vlog on youtube. She shows what she was eating throughout her process... very helpful. I can't imagine going through this life-altering process without internet access.

Your words resonate with me, dear... as if they were my own. I fear the same irrational thought, not losing weight after surgery, because when I do WW, and plug in my points for the day it says I need to consume 17 more points. If I can't lose weight eating less than the experts recommend, will I lose it when I am incapaple of eating what they recommend for non-surgical weight loss? This forum reminds us that change is possible, and that we have a life-altering new beginning before us, and it will be wonderful. Happy New Beginning to YOU!

I am pre-op, so I can't help too much... but I do understand that caffeine dehydrates. Dehydration causes us to retain water. With limited room in your tummy, you need to hydrate all you can. I remember from my 800 times in Weight Watchers that if you had caffeine, you had to double your water intake. I hope this helps. Also, I've read that some people consume warm or room temp water to start their tummies for the day, in comfort. Wishing you WELL!

I am grateful to report that while the inital response from my insurance was that the sleeve was not covered, it turned out they just mis-read the policy. It is covered. Now, begins the hoop-jumping. The traditional 6-month, doctor assisted weight loss program is required, and since I had already started such a thing with my chiropractor (an herbal cleanse that helped take off a whopping 12 lbs and then stalled) in January, I believe that June or July would reach the 6 month mark. She has already offered her full support, and will provide the necessary check-ins and documentation to support my endeavor. I've been with my chiropractor for nearly 20 years, and she has witnessed my struggle. She told me she was proud of me for taking the necessary action to improve my health. I keep expecting those I tell to exclaim their horror at my choice, and not a single person has done so. Today, I saw my Internist for severe body aches I've been suffering (turns out it may be caused by the antibiotic I've been on for an upper respiratory infection), and I also received her full support and enthusiasm. I wonder how my Neurologist, whom I see for my severe sleep apnea, will respond when I see him next week. We check in every few months so he can read my CPAP card and ensure that I am truly breathing through the night. Since I still suffer from fatigue, I often wonder if I'm not holding my breath while I sleep. I dedicated 2011 to resolving my fatigue issues, and decided that since even Provigil (made for Narcolepsy) couldn't keep me awake, I would be open to any form of healing that is presented. So, this week, I sat down for BioMeridian testing, and it determined that I have issues with my digestive and endocrine systems (duh), and so I'm now taking supplements to support them. I'm not absorbing protein well, which is actually backed up by blood work that consistently shows low protein. If it turns out not to be just a bunch of hooey... then my body should be in very good shape for surgery down the road. I was also introduced to something called Cell Food, which are oxygenated drops of minerals and amino acids that are supposed to conquer fatigue and inflammation. I tend to be a skeptic, and so I reserve my opinion on said healing effects for some time down the road, when my body ceasing this aching and my head is clear of fog. I met a woman in a WLS support group I've joined, who is using a FITBIT, which is sort of like a super-fancy pedometer, but it also tracks your sleep, not just your movement. So... I ordered one. I figured that I need to start adding more movement into my life, and I am fascinated by the sleep monitor. I feel like I sleep pretty well with my CPAP machine, though some nights it seems I am adjusting the mask all night long. I'm curious to learn, of the 8 hours I'm in bed, how long I'm actually asleep. In summary, I am 43 years old... and I hurt like I'm 83. I dream of feeling well. I am not fantasizing about being a size 2 (which wouldn't be possible, anyway)... I am yearning to be free of back pain, knee pain, foot pain, ankle swelling, and suffocating in my sleep. I am on a path toward healing and wholeness. Because... I'm worth it.

Hi Missivory! I am pre-op, but have done a lot of reading. I have read that doing your best to consume your fluids, walking as much as you can to help the gas escape (without hurting yourself), can help... and also, that sometimes reflux medication or gasX can help with nausea. I hope you start feeling better soon!

Congratulations on your approval and all the best on your journey!

Wishing you a safe and wonderful journey. Cheers to your new beginning!

Congrats on your success (in only 4 weeks!!!) I am so excited for you!

I gained 100 lbs in my 20's and over the decade that followed, I contemplated the surgeries available, but ultimately decided against them. In 20 years, I've not been able to get the weight off, let alone keeping it off. My only co-morbidity is severe sleep apnea, and yet I am here because I now hurt when I stand, I assume from carrying 100 extra lbs for 20 years... and I am concerned for what the next 20 years may hold. This is absolutely a personal decision. At such a young age, you might consider dedicating the next year of your life to diet and exercise and see what happens. If your body is willing to let go of the weight and you find that adding the things into your life, that you'd have to add into a post-sleeve life, like excluding carbs and increasing exercise bring the success you seek, then you have the answer. If, like many of us, you go through the motions and your body, for reasons of genetics or metabolism, won't release the weight... then surgery may be a good option, if it feels right to you. Wishing you all the best on your journey!

Yay YOU!!!

I think I've read about people adding flavorless protein powder to increase protein amounts (like to your yogurt and broth, etc.) Being able to drink plenty of water is always a good thing. You are very mindful about making this life change. I know you'll do great - overcoming each obstacle.

Good luck on your test! Happy for your success.

In the early weeks of my research into VSG, I was immersed in video updates of sleevers' lives post-surgery. I must have watched 100 thoughtful and detailed check-ins with dozens of people reporting their success, struggles, and victories. During that time, I started ordering different kinds of recommended protein powders to see what flavors sat well with me, and also to see if upping my protein in an already low-carb, low-cal diet would invite my body to release some of the weight she insists holding onto. The funny thing about having empathy as one of your top 5 strengths (ala StrengthsFinder), is that one is truly capable of feeling the emotions of others. I found that my heart hurt for those who were in a stall and worried that, like in the past, their body would just refuse to lose anymore. Also, I was elated with each victory and celebration of releasing pain, meds, ailments, being able to sit comfortably on an airplane, wear a smaller size, walk up a hill without becoming winded, and many other wonderful achievements. I was so invested in the well-being of these courageous people, that I hoped that I could be one of these people, too. I starting stepping on the scale each morning to see how many pounds I'd lost due to the success of this life-altering event... and then realized (each morning)... that I am not one of those people. The scale shows me the same gained and lost two pounds every day. Sigh... Oh well... I'll keep working on the insurance issue with hope in my heart... that one day... someone else might be feeling elated for my victories, too. Wishing you a day filled with peace and beauty...

Woohoo! You look fabulous.

Did you have the same surgeon as your friend. I was reading that surgeons may use different sized (is it) boagies or bougies? Must go back and read more on that. Perhaps you have a little more room than she, and that may not be a bad thing. Happy for you and your progress.

Congratulations! *envious* ; )

Total nerd lover, here. I love the analogy you've used. Brilliant and expressive. Don't worry... we will be 'your Sam', you won't have to make that journey alone. Congratulations on your great accomplishment so far. I am still working on the insurance angle, and don't even have a date, (I long to be Legolas - light as a feather, walking atop the snow) and so I am the fellowship left for another task, yet carrying you in my thoughts and knowing you will reach your goal. I'll catch up to you in that enchanted place, some day.