MichiganChic

Hi Lisa, I am so, so sorry to hear that you have other people in your lives with cancer. You are right, it is an evil, terrible disease. I've also lost family members to cancer, and there's just no other way to describe it. There is no good time for all of this happen, but when it just keep happening and it's so close together, it's even worse (if that's possible). I do hope that you have some support where you are. Lean on your church or friends, or support groups (like us, and grief/bereavement groups in person) to help get you through this. While it's happening, I think it's hard to see the light on the other side, but truthfully, there's hope for a happy life for you again someday when you make it through this. And it's what all of our loved ones who have passed want for us, we just have to figure out how to get there. You are in my prayers and thoughts.

I usually ignore this type of post, but I feel compelled to respond. This isn't for the OP, since they already have a plan. It's for new people reading this. Drinking alcohol at that stage isn't just "wrong", its a bad idea in general. There's no way to know if its safe and no evidence to suggest it is, and its totally unnecessary, so there is really no justification for it. At the very least, it's high in calories. It is counterproductive to what we are trying to accomplish. At 10 days post OP, I suggest extra caution with a new incision and a long, long staple line that could leak.

None of us can predict the outcome of this surgery as individuals down to pounds lost - that's why there are statistics.However, I'm willing to bet that you don't need to worry. I could EASILY gain weight - probably every pound I lost. I'm a size 8/10, (started at a 24/26) but would rather be in a 6. I could probably get there if I worked super, super hard. I think a lot of people work hard to get to those smaller sizes - it was not magic or mysterious in any way. As you lose weight, you'll start to learn what it takes to lose it, and then when you get to a weight you want, you'll figure out what it takes to stay there. Barring any unforeseen problems, you can choose your weight, especially when you want to weight more. It's pretty easy to get in a few high calorie things to accomplish that. Most of us struggle trying to get off a few more pounds, and that's when your body might refuse to drop more weight - not the other way around.

Hi Lisa, I think you are an awesome woman with a bright spirit and kind heart, based on the way you cared for your husband. The six month mark after a death is a tough one, and with holidays approaching, it's even tougher. You are doing the best you can. That's all any of us can do. First, I agree with @@CowgirlJane, the calorie math is crap. There is way more to it than that. However, having said that, it's one of the guides we do have to use to gauge our intake. You probably know what yours should be, otherwise you wouldn't have been so successful to start with. Use that knowledge to guide yourself now. I use myfitnesspal, and the best advice I can give you around that is weigh, measure, and be brutally honest with yourself. That's one of my key actions to keep on track. Second, sometimes during stress you actually can gain weight without an increase in calories, or you can gain in a disproportionate amount to intake. Do some research on stress and weight gain. Lack of sleep (which often accompanies stress and depression) can also lead to weight gain. You could try a counselor for that as you mentioned. However, I was a hospice nurse, so I do suggest you contact your local hospice and join the support group if you have not already done so. They have bereavement coordinators who can talk with you and visit, as well as spiritual care people. The support groups are wonderful. Another idea is to volunteer with them. We had the most wonderful volunteers who had been through losses with hospice, and they said it gave them purpose and the opportunity for social interaction, often with people who had similar experiences. Or maybe you have a church or other group that you'd like to help. It's a way to get out of the house, not strain your back, and have a purpose. As for how to manage your diet, I am with you on the coffee creamer!! When I was 300 pounds, I always had black coffee. Lately, I've been drawn to pumpkin spice coffee in the keurig, and pumpkin coffee creamer. That 35 calories does add up. I'm also going to have to give that up - and I really don't want to! But I know that it is contributing to me hanging on to the last few pounds. It is really hard to make that change, isn't it? I do have the chike coffee, and I love it! And keep coming here for support. We got your back

I fasted Monday and Wednesday last week, and low calories on Wednesday. I found it to be really helpful, in that my restriction was definitely stronger after that. However, I had too much food and temptation in the house for thanksgiving and over the weekend, and ate too much! I went back to my regular eating yesterday, around 1100 calories. I'm probably not going to fast to 500 calories for a few weeks, though, because I'm having plastic surgery again in 2 weeks, and I think I better get my nutritional status as optimal as possible for healing. If you guys don't mind, though, I'm going to stick with you, because I think as soon as that's over, the 5:2 might be the best plan to FINALLY get me to my goal! I think that it's easier to eat lower calories after a 500 calorie day, and I have to eat pretty low to just maintain above goal. Have a great day, ladies.

Mine will be implanted under the muscle, too. I agree, I don't want to look matronly or out of proportion for my age. And I don't want to be stuck with anything huge. Uggh. I wish I could try them on and decide while I'm in surgery, and decide for myself!

Girl, you look great! Not to discourage you from reaching your desired goal, but honestly, you look like you already hit the jackpot! Look at those guns What a remarkable transformation!

I agree, its almost incomprehensible to have so many complications! But then again, we know how one thing leads to another. Either way, I hope and pray you are at the end of that and will now heal and enjoy life and health again. I also will pray that you are well enough to go home tomorrow!

I don't have a word. It depends on the context for me. Sometimes it is a journey, sometimes its a change. Other adjectives I've used include diet, lifestyle, plan, transformation, process, life, path, choice, option, and probably others that escape me right now. I'll admit, I don't love the word journey either, but I do use it sometimes.

Thanks to all for your responses. I've had several consults, and just got back from the surgeon's office who will be doing the surgery. Right now, we are looking at around 400 cc. That doesn't really offer much guidance, though, because it depends on how much breast tissue you have to start with. I have almost none. We looked at pictures of people who look like me now in their before pics, and then with implants in a similar size. She didn't have anything for me to try on, so it's really hard to know. It also depends on how wide your breasts are, and how much projection you get. I am going with the small to mid range projection, and apparently my breasts are wide, so they said they wouldn't be too big. @@CowgirlJane That is a great list of questions. I thought of many of those questions, too. I really don't want to look like an old fake woman - I'm OK with aging (mostly ). I also don't want to have to buy a bigger size top. I currently wear an 8 or 10, some smalls and some mediums, but I sure don't want to up a size! She is going to extend the incision out a little, and remove some of the excess skin the hangs out around my bra strap, so that might make my torso a little smaller. Right now, that size 8/10 is with that lovely padded bra, so I'm relying on her good judgement in the OR to go no bigger than that. Makes me nervous! I hadn't really thought about looking professional, but you are really right about that. I work in a professional setting where I really need to look the part. I think overly large breasts will detract from my desired look. I always think most people probably look best with what God gave them, so really large breasts just isn't me. I don't think God would mind a little help, though

Those small losses add up over time. It's what we do over the long haul that makes the difference. The first 3-4 months were really difficult for me, too. I didn't ever get the energy spurt people talked about, yet 2 years later, I have as much energy as I did in my twenties. Eating and drinking was a chore, now it's not. I used to think every pound lost would be my last, and that this surgery would not work for me. I was so wrong - it does work, and I learned a lot along the way on how to MAKE it work for me. It's amazing how your life and body will change over time. Just keep on doing what you know you need to do!

I used to love to cook and bake before surgery, but not so much, anymore. I don't do it as often, either. I had to give up my preoccupation with food in order to succeed at weight loss with my sleeve. Thinking about, purchasing, preparing and serving food used to be a huge part of my daily life. It took a lot of energy to do that, and I just don't have the willpower to resist it. I try to keep no junk in my house, and I limit the amount of things to choose from so that I am not tempted.

Good luck, see you on the other side!

My doc didn't recommend them, and I didn't wear them. I wish I had, though, because I had really awful swelling. She said there isn't evidence to support that the compression garments do anything. My scars look pretty good.

You might find it improves over time. Mine was really bad when I first started losing, but has continued to firm up over time. It's been 2 years since my surgery, and while I notice if I look, it does not jump out at me like it used to. I'm going to look at laser treatments, but not ready for anything surgical with it. I really don't want a face lift if I can avoid it.

I had a LBL 3 months ago, and I'm still pretty swollen, too. Even the small of my back is swollen, and feels like I'm laying on a lump when I lay down or sit back in a chair. Not everyone swells so much, but it can last a year. My swelling goes up and down, and I can easily retain 5 pounds of water in a day when it goes up. She removed about 6 pounds of skin, and I have never lost a pound since surgery.

I've been watching this thread for a while, and decided I should jump on for a bit, too. My weight has been stable for the past 7 months or so, but it inches up from time to time, and I just can't seem to get to goal. I don't even know what goal should be anymore! I had been taking a diuretic, but had to come off of it because my blood pressure was too low. I gained 15 pounds in a week, and only lost 7 of it. Then I had plastics, and I've been somewhat swollen since then, so I'm still up the same 7 pounds from my lowest weight even though she removed about 6 pounds. With the holiday's coming I thought it would be good to be proactive to prevent more gain, and hopefully lose some! So I started yesterday, and came in at 520 calories. I only had Protein Shakes and yogurt, and a cheese stick. I'm going to shoot for 900-1000 today, with super low carbs. Have a nice day, everyone!

I'd say the same for myself. It has definitely been an eye opening experience for me, too. You are the only person I know who has to eat so little besides myself to lose! I can lose slowly on 900 calories, and better at 700. I also came to the realization that I can't eat carbs. It was a little affirming for me that I hadn't lost the weight before this because I sort of had the deck stacked against me. I never really thought that or realized it before surgery until I had that barrier removed. I always felt a little guilty or something, that I caused myself to be that obese. While I'm not making excuses for it, having a reasonable explanation for it made my light bulb come on. Having surgery leveled the playing field and gave me a fighting chance at successful weight loss. Now I still have to work for it, but at least now I know what it takes. Now I'm at a more normal weight, so it not an insurmountable task, and with only 15% of my stomach left, the restriction can help me if I start to go overboard, and the knowledge and habits I've gained are becoming ingrained.

I had my surgery two years ago on December 19. Most definitely an anniversary I Celebrate each year - more so than birthdays or holidays - because it changed my life. I also struggled with a sleeve vs RNY. In the end, I chose the sleeve because there is less incidence of ulcers post sleeve, and you can take NSAIDS with a sleeve. I know that as I age, needing those types of medications (as well as steroids), will increase. I do take ibuprofen every day without issue. I also didn't want the malapsorption issues, or the possibility of dumping. I can eat anything, and I've had great success with the sleeve, so for me, it was a good choice. On the flip side, because I can eat anything, it requires a lot of self restraint on my part not to. (I'm sure it's similar with RNY, though). I am a grazer, and honestly, RNY would have been a better choice in that respect. Because I don't have dumping syndrome, there is not physical aversion to sugar. That's both a blessing a curse, but I'm still not sad about it. While the RNY is reversible, the sleeve is not. However, I've never wished for my stomach back. I also know that I could convert to a RNY if needed. Some people get reflux really bad. I had it before surgery, and for a while afterwards, but now I don't have it and I don't have to take anything for reflux. So, I did a list of pros and cons, and that NSAID thing was the deciding factor in my case. Only you know what your issues and concerns are, but knowing the benefits and risks of each surgery can help you make your decision.

I agree with others, look at the specific surgeon you are considering, and what their complication rates are. The other thing to remember is that they are statistics - so if you are one of the rare people who do get a complication, you have it 100%. Only you know your risk tolerance. Having said that, getting the sleeve was one of the best things I ever did for myself. I'm two years out, and I'm living a far better life than I did before surgery. I used the surgery to help me do the things I need to do - I changed my eating and lifestyle permanently. I've been successful as a result, but only because I did the work, and continue to do so. I always have to remember to make a conscious decision to make good choices, all day, every day when it comes to food. Honestly, I know that having the sleeve made it possible.

You look absolutely wonderful! Congratulation on your success!

Good to see you back, GG, and congrats on your success. You both look wonderful in your pictures! I also have to track, and as you say, it is the daily diligence that matters for overall success. I can never let my guard down. Good luck with your impending plastics! I've had some done, and looking at more, and it really was worth it for me.

@RJ'S/beginning I have another thought for you that I hope can make you look at this differently. I know you've had some uncaring professionals, but I hate to think that EVERY one of them is that way. I used to be that nurse on the end of the phone. I had 45 patients to get safely to and from surgery every day, and 45 more that I had to get prepped via that phone call. As the manager of the unit, it was a lot to do for my staff! We had a standard questionnaire that we had to ask everyone, and it could keep you there a long time if you went too far off the beaten path. The nurses job is to get the basic information so that the anesthesiologist can know it and ask more detailed questions if needed. But honestly, knowing you had a surgery is often enough. The fact that she asked you if it was worth it tells me she was interested, but honestly, going too far down that path is unprofessional. It's none of her business, and not relevant. So, I didn't hear her tone, and I'm not defending the nurse. I only say this because you have to go there for care. If you feel like they are all not caring, then it makes it harder for YOU. If you choose to look at it differently, maybe it would be easier for you. Once you decide that all the health care professionals in your area are bad, it makes it really hard to get good care, because you will always perceive that you are not. You would be mad at them before you even know them. Do you think there is a way for you to step back and look at things differently? Just a thought sent to you with the most caring tone - and I mean that. Hugs.

I love to bake, and used to bake almost every day. Since surgery, I've baked twice (in 2 years). I don't think about this stuff all the time, but if it's around, I do think about it. I hate that it's that way for me, but it is. At least I have the willpower not to bring it in the house, and I am OK with not baking all the time. But it would be glorious to not want it if it were around. Last week I baked chocolate chip Cookies for my dad, and I had one small one, and I didn't think it tasted very good. I used to LOVE them when I made them. It made me want to eat a few more to see what was wrong with them.....or see if maybe they just don't taste the same as they used to, to me. Either way, I didn't eat anymore. They were only in the house 12 hours, and so eating one wasn't too bad, but I had to just tell myself no. I don't think I would have tried or been able to stop at one before the sleeve, so that's definitely a blessing!

Congratulations on your wonderful success! Great pics!