tiffers

We do indeed walk in different parks. I have never been pregnant. I can however relate to being bed ridden and walking with a cane. A few months after my surgery I was diagnosed with a tumor AND a rare neurological disorder. On a positive note, the tumor was benign. However, it was very large and took over about 1/3 of my spinal cord. It caused a significant amount of nerve damage in my legs that I'm still dealing with even though the tumor was removed last summer. I can't feel my legs properly, thus the use of a cane. I don't use it as much as I used to, though. As far as my neurological disorder goes, I had surgery for that in June. A part of my skull and spine had to be removed b/c my brain is larger than my skull and it creates an enormous amount of pressure in my head and causes me to fall all the time ( nerve damaged legs don't help! ) among other things. For me, having part of my tummy sucked out was a walk in the park compared to having 1/3 of my spine taken apart, having an extensively intricate tumor removed, and then having my spine put back together. And it was also a walk in the park compared to having brain/cranial surgery. I'm only 30. I'm not married and I will more than likely not be able to be pregnant b/c of my spinal and neurological issues. The past 18 months have been very difficult and getting thinner has been one of the positive things in my life! Im sorry your experience isnt going that great. Im not trying to lessen your experience or get your sympathy by telling you my story. And I do agree that all possibilities need to be explored and considered. Everyone has a different experience and it's interesting to see different perspectives, too. Neither the tumor nor the neurological disorder were caused by my WLS. In fact, if I hadn't had the WLS, I'd be probably be paralyzed right now b/c my excessive weight would have delayed my surgery the tumor would have completely destroyed my nerves. WLS saved my life in more than one way and I'm a big fan of it.

Just to clarify, I don't think surgery is as painful as child birth. I just mean that the end results far outweigh all of the negatives that may come along with the journey of getting there. I've had 4 other surgeries since I was sleeved. Believe me, being sleeved was a walk in the park in comparison!

I haven't had any children, so I may be way off base here, but I equate surgery to being pregnant and giving birth. Sure you might have morning sickness, and swelling, and feel awful while you are preggers, and childbirth can be all kinds of painful from what I hear, but the end result, being your child, is totally worth it. Surgery, and post op issues that may arise, and getting used to a new way of life is painful at times, but in the end, I think it's totally worth it! Don't let the comments get ya down!

I'm 5' 7" and my weight pre- op was 258lbs and my surgery was 3/21/11. I'm down to 120lbs now. I don't exercise. Don't be mad. I do, however, teach pre-k, and I'm basically moving non-stop for 6-7 hours everyday. I thought I might gain a bit this summer while I was off, but I didnt.

I don't want to make false accusations against your cousin, but are you sure (s)he isn't just fishing for info? While I have been pretty open with people that I had surgery, I have not posted ANYTHING about it, or my weight loss on FB. However, I had a distant relative say something to my aunt about how I mentioned my WLS on fb. Of course, I hadn't. She was just being nosy. My aunt plainly told her that I indeed had WLS, it wasn't a secret, but she was positive I hadn't said anything about it on fb. She even pulled up my page on her phone to show my distant relative that I hadn't. Lol. I'm sorry about your awkward situation, and I understand that you probably feel hurt by people you trust, but in my experience telling people has been remarkably positive. No one has told me they think I took the easy way out, nor have I heard that people are saying that behind my back. I've had a couple of friends tell me they could never do it, or it's not for them. I totally understand and respect that. I too was once in their position. They are also still overweight/obese and Im borderline underweight right now. What I have had is encouragements and compliments out the wazoo. No one pressures me to eat more or offers me more food when I attend social gatherings that involve food. I can politely refuse foods that are offered to me without having to lie. It's really very freeing not to hide it. I have also had 2 people ask me what I did, and they are now in the process of being approved for the sleeve also. Just some food for thought.

How are you planning on hiding the surgery from your boyfriend, esp. since you live together?

Sometimes (rarely) my lower back would hurt a little bit. I would just stretch it out on an exercise ball and it felt better. I just figured my back hurt b/c I was overweight and I teach pre-k so I bend over all day. It wasn't until I went numb and tingly from the waist down that I had any concerns. The numbness didn't stop. It was constant. That's when I had the MRIs to figure out what's going on. Also, even though I found out about my tumor 2 months after my WLS, just wanted to let you and anyone else reading this know that my tumor had nothing to do with my WLS. My tumor was huge and had been growing in my spinal cord and wrapping itself around my nerves for years. Just don't want to discourage anyone from having WLS, b/c the two are unrelated, and if anything the WLS saved me b/c had I not had the tumor removed when I did I would be paralyzed right now. The weight I lost was enough for my neurosurgeon to feel comfortable about removing my tumor w/out going through a lot of fat to get there. But its gone now, I can walk, most of my nerve damage is gone and Im super skinny, so it all worked out. Woo hoo! Good luck!

Thanks! I don't eat seafood and as much as I love chicken and turkey, sometimes it gets boring. I tried bacon once, and it was so painful afterwards. Sometimes I wanna try it again, though. Lol.

I was told by my surgeon not to eat any red meat post op (ever) because it doesn't pass well through the sleeve. However, after being a part of this group for a few months, I see that several people eat it. Has anyone had any issues with red meat post op? I didn't really eat a whole lot of red meat pre-op, but sometimes my body just craves it. I'm a little nervous to try it now. Any advice, tips, horror stories?

I had numbness and tingling in my hands and arms. Turns out I had a severe (like I was on the verge of going in to cardiac arrest) potassium deficiency. Got that all settled and then I went numb and tingly from the waist down. But it wasn't my potassium that time. I had a benign tumor in my spinal cord that caused a mess load of nerve damage. So, yeah, if you have blood work done and all your levels are good, and you're still numb and tingly, def. go see a neurologist.

I eat ice cream! Of course, I am a Texan and Blue Bell runs through our veins.

I'm really confused by your response. Why would you say you hadn't lost any weight?

Don't let the comments, or lack there of, from others get ya down! You are doing a fabulous job! Have people asked you questions about other aspects of your appearance? People that didn't know I had surgery would usually ask me if I had cut my hair, or changed it in some way. They knew something was different, but couldn't figure out what. Also, your clothes may be too big, so it may not be as noticeable. Last night I went to buy some new jeans. I tried on a pair one size smaller than what I've been wearing. The sales girl laughed and gave me pair 3 sizes smaller, and they fit! I'm still in shock! Lol. I'm over a year post op, and my has pretty much leveled off, so I was not expecting that drastic of a change. But enough about me, just give it some time.

Thanks! I've never liked steak, but sometimes I'd really like a few bites of a burger (sans bun, of course.) I'm a year and a half post-op and a little more variety would be great! Thanks again!

Woo Hoo!!! Keep up the fantastic work!!

I mean, if I buy a pair of jeans from The Gap, I wear a 6. Actually, I've lost a bit more weight and I'm wearing a 4 now. But at the time I posted this, it was a 6. But if I try on jeans at Old Navy, the size 6 is too tight. So, in my experience, size isn't the same everywhere, and I always try on before I buy. Make sense?

I usually don't. Some of them are a bit dense, so I just eat what I can, and then snack on what's left later. However, I'm 17 months post-op, not 8 weeks. I really don't remember my eating habits when I was 8 weeks out. I was dealing with some non-WLS related neurological issues, and honestly my diet became a secondary thing. I tried to eat what I should, and avoid what I shouldn't, but I didn't obsess over it like I would have had I not been dealing with other things. When I'm at work ( pre-k teacher) I do not have the time to sit down and slowly eat a meal for 30 minutes. Heck, i dont have time to quickly eat something in 10 mins. Lol I'm moving from the time I walk in the door until the children go home, then I have to prep for the next day. So, usually what I do is take 2 Protein bars and 2 cheese sticks to work. Whenever I get a chance, I take a bite of food. I know that's not what's recommended, but it's the only way I get any food in. :-/

After surgery I had to drink water at room temp. I couldn't stand to drink it cold. It tasted horrible. But eventually it tasted good cold again. Chin up!

I really like the Atkins bars. They have meal bars that are high in protein and low in sugar and carbs. I also snack on a lot of nuts and string cheese.

I made some of the "cupcakes" found on emilybites.com. They are really good. I made the taco ones and the lasagna ones. I also made the baked ricotta. This was the most action my oven has seen in years. Lol. But it was just a few hours of my day and I have plenty of food for a while. I teach, too, so when I go back to work I think I can manage this type of cooking. I am so depressed summer is ending soon, tho.

I did't get taller, but I look taller!! I had very long, skinny legs hiding under the layers of fat. It's still strange to look in the mirror. Lol

Oh, the questions! To this question I just started saying, " Just because I can eat something, doesn't mean I should, " in a really innocent voice and then just smile. Or, sometimes, if people are annoying me with their questions/ pressuring me I'll say, "Well, if you really want me to take a bite, I will. But don't get mad when I projectile vomit on you in about 15 mins. If it doesn't agree with me." That usually shuts them up and makes them feel awkward. Lol. What annoys me more are the, "when are you going to stop losing?" and "you're too skinny" and "it's good to see you eating something!" comments I get. Really? They never said anything when I was obese, but now that I'm actually getting healthy you're going to make me feel bad about doing it!? To these people I've started saying, " it makes me feel so good that you love me enough to express your concern. I promise I'm doing everything to be healthy, and my doctor is taking good care of me." And, "I know you're just teasing about me being too skinny, but it really bothers me. I've gone through a lot of physical changes lately, and I'd really just like to be "normal." not fat, not too skinny, just normal." So now I mostly just get encouragement. I think most people mean well, so I try to be polite.

When I was losing, I liked to go to stores like an hour before they closed. The staff was usually busy doing their closing duties, and I could try on clothes, figure out size I was, etc. Also, it's not really that crowded. I recommend trying on. Not all sizing is the same! Gap and Old Navy have different definitions of what a size 6 is!

I've had maybe 10 shakes since my surgery in March '11. However, I eat at least one protein bar a day, usually more. Other than being extremely active at my job, I don't exercise, and if you add up all of the time I've been in a hospital and/or on bed rest for non-WLS related issues, it probably totals 3 months of the past 16. I've lost 138 lbs, the majority of which I'd lost by last Christmas. I don't have anything against the shakes, the bars just work better for my life and my schedule, and I think I lost a decent amount of weight eating them.

I eat the Atkins bars. The "meal" ones have higher protein. But they are all low carb and low sugar. Not sure about the calories. I'm more than a year post op so I can eat whole one in a 30 min span if I pace myself.