RJ'S/beginning

You wear it well lovely lady. Congratulations to you! Awesome

I was in a lot of pain as well when I was a child. I could not sleep and I always had stomach problems. The Doctor told my mother that I was probably the youngest person he ever saw with bad nerves. That was not the issue. We were starving to death. We never had food. We got food from people on the streets and begged for it. A neighbor used to throw stale Cookies over the fence for us and we would gobble them down. The pain and worry was hunger and where were we going to get food for the next day. All my siblings have stomach problems. Later my mother remarried and there was finally food on the table. And so none of us knew how to eat in balance. We were still in the way of the lion. Eat until you are stuffed and then there would be a hunger period. But the hunger period was no longer an issue. We never caught on to it we still hid food under our beds and horded it. It was horrible. The lack of food was replaced by other more dangerous situations. Hence why I got obese. I can say it now and feel okay about it. My childhood was what made me strong. Now I fight my demons one at a time and I will fight obesity as well. Hope I didn't say too much here. Sometimes more is not good!

I have cousins who are majestic. That is the only way I could describe the entire family. Mother, father, a son and two girls. All over 6'. When they entered a room everyone stopped and looked at them in awe. They walked tall and dressed well. Everyone wanted to be near them because they put on an air of royalty. None had a shame or made to feel bad for the way they looked. I always thought wow. If I were born to be that tall I would like to be like that. It was just beautiful to see them. Now A few months ago I saw a woman that was well over 6' and she was suffering badly with Anorexia and when she walked she looked like a puppet with strings being pulled just to make her walk. I thought to myself she is not proud of her height and beauty. Because she was beautiful in the face. I immediately thought of my cousins and how they would have made her feel special. I hope now that you see yourself as you really are. Special and beautiful. Don't be fooled by some jack ass in the past. Thanks for the pep talk by the way! Your a gem! Jane

Exactly how I feel. I was always the biggest girl in the family and always struggled in my adult life. There is much more to that part of my life but it washes out the same way. It is a matter of feeling like I can live and move easier and be healthy. My back is starting to hurt again and I am sure it is the weight of the skin on my torso. I really need an understanding and compassionate surgeon. I am so happy for you that you have found your place and feel better about yourself. That is what this journey is all about. Getting to a healthy weight and feeling well and even happy. I so look forward to that part. Thank you!

That is what I heard in the Maritime's as well. I am hoping that the new surgeon will help. I just want to be able to sit down without a skirt cascading around my body. I think that is unhealthy. I am feeling a little better as far as feeling like a possible money making piece of meat now. Will go the distance where ever that takes me. Thank you Nancy for your offer. You never know stranger things have happened, we might meet each other one day. My sister lives in Edmonton! Jane

Your kindness made me cry. You are spot on as to how I feel about this next step. Just did not see the pain it would cause me and all of you on here have been a great encouragement to me. Thank you!

coconut Water without pulp. All natural hydrater. Or G2 hydrates your body as well. Any broth is good esp. home made if you can. Popsicles too.

I have a new appointment with another plastic surgeon on Dec. 1. I would put my life in his hands no question. I hope he will help me with more then the other guy said he would do without the almighty dollar getting in the way. There is also a woman surgeon that if he does not work out I will talk to her. Wow this is just as difficult as waiting the 4 years to get the surgery in the first place. I will keep pushing forward on this. I need this for health reasons or I would not bother. I am not Barbie. I just want to be healthy inside and out. Thank you all!

If life doesn't change we become stagnant. Living breathing dead people. You know I bet you don't look back and say boy I wish I had never gotten married. Or I never had my first child. No never! I already know the answer. I bet you wish you had known how to prepare food and eat only healthy food your entire life. Ah no! I already know the answer to that. Why are you sad about the new change that is about to take place. You are making the choice to be around for your wife, children and friends. It is a part of life or the cycle of life to change to grow to move. And you are going to move forward. You are heading into a new era of good health and well being. You will also have the ability to help others change their lives by example. I think you are ready for this I really do! Millions of people out there can not make it on their own. Big industries, drug companies and diet clubs are hoping you don't or they go out of business. But one reason is you were not ready to change your thinking about food. To change what it means to you in the long run. To not use it as comfort but as a way to feed yourself so that you can get on with the more important things like living and enjoying life. Food has never been a loyal friend and yet we went to it over and over again for comfort and ended up feeling worse for it. Now the chance is given to you to use this new tool to better your health and fix your brain. All of us here who have had one of these weight loss surgeries know how your thinking. If I coulda, woulda, shoulda. means nothing. There is a lot more to it then putting the fork down or nay sayers saying your taking the easy way out. It is a disease that is becoming an epidemic in our society. I think that you are ready for the change. Good and ready. I think you got this and you will find the support you need from family and friends and those of us on here that you wish to share your journey with. I started out heavier then you my friend and I have succeeded to goal and so shall you! All the best!

I was told by my Dietitian today that I look like a model. I was so taken back! But thrilled. Later after my scope I was told by the nurses on my old floor that I looked like a model. Okay now I was surprised but thankful. Next I was told by the lady I visited that I looked so amazing and wait for it-------Like a model..... It was a good day guys!!!! LOL Is that a NSV. They were lying but it was so nice of all of them. none knew the other said it!

I had a food funeral before I went on my pre-op diet. I never felt that it was a mistake although believe it or not you will be able to eat everything after your surgery only in smaller amounts. So for me it turned out to be a worry that I did not need to worry about. There are things that have changed like I find different foods more to my taste then say Pasta. I eat differently because that is what my body wants now. I love fish, okay I am in love with fish. Can't get enough. Before surgery. Rarely ate anything but Salmon. Now the sea is my Oyster! You may find this happening to you. Try not to gain to much because you will have to lose that after along with the rest. Also the lighter you are the less complications possibly. Now is a good time to learn to train yourself and get off of some of the sugar or fatty foods and try to eat healthier. Remember this is a life changer. No time like the present to start the journey.

Very very common as you are still very close to the surgery. Everything in your body is trying to heal and your emotions are all over the place because things are already changing. your system is adjusting to the changes you are making. And even though they are ultimately for the good our bodies will fight us. Even now almost 2 years out I still lose it with those who are closest to me. Rare but it still can happen. This is a new transformation of our entire selves. Ups and downs, good and bad. But the final outcome will be better health and well being..... Just keep swimming ladies!

I cannot find boots that fit me right because my legs are too thin. I need special boots with narrow calves. Go figure!

Further to the comments above. Some surgeons take out 80% while others like mine take out 85% leaving mostly the muscle behind. As it does heal and relax you are still unable to stretch it out very far. But what can happen when this much is removed is a pocket can form on the bottom of your sleeve and stretch there. This can then cause problems later on in the small intestine.

Your too cute!

You have all been so very kind to me... Thank you all so much. I think it takes a village to raise a child. it takes a forum to make one feel like they can do this no matter what! You guys all rock it!!!! Thank you again! Jane

I cried when I read this. Thank you so much for what you said...It made all of this right..That is what I need to do is help others and the fact that you mentioned it was so, made me cry so hard! All the best in your journey. And total success!!!!!!!!!!! Jane

Once again it is nice to hear that others struggled with this part of the process. Thank you @@CowgirlJane I will wait until Dec. 1 when I see another one. I know him better and would put my life in his hands. I hope he will take me on! Meanwhile I will work to make myself get a grip on what happened and move on. I will be seeing my surgeon in a few weeks and will definitely be telling him about it all. One is three is not good odds hun @@shellyd88 Nut your right. That means no more surgeries as far as the ulcer and leak go. Yes a positive for me!

Thank you everyone for your kind support. Just anyone saying he's a 'rat bastard' of sorts made it better for me.

When I talked to the nurse today and told her what happened she said that he really was not part of the team he was just another plastics that had been used. She also said that others had come back to the office after seeing him in tears because of how they were treated by him. I wanted to cancel my appointment with him but my hubby said " No lets get his opinion and then try another" I had his alright....... The nurse was going to talk to my surgeon I have no idea what will happen next...Except I will not be using him that is for sure. I served my time of people looking at me like I did not deserve to walk on the same ground as them...... It just really hurts and the sting has not left me yet. It will though I always push through!

Thank you guys for your encouragement. It was not about the money. It was about how he looked at me and how he kept putting the dollar first. Not to mention that I knew I looked bad but not that bad. I felt so horrible after that experience. But am not looking for charity. I just wondered if anyone ever had the same experience. My heart beats fast when I think about how humiliated I was and still feel.....It was one of the worst things I have ever endured.....I will never forget it! I really won't. It is just another thing in a long line of disasters for me through this!

I can barely stand it all! Thank you!

Yes he is part of the team that has been put together.

Thank you @@Andrew0929 I am proud of what I have accomplished and never expected to get this far. Seems when I do open up on here I get it with both barrels. I think everyone sees me in one dimension sometimes. I just really want to complete this ride and get to focus on the fun part. Seems something always gets in my way! Thank you again Andrew, means a lot!