Bree

I am really struggling with this too. I start my pre-op diet tomorrow. I've been trying to slide into it the last two days and it has been very challenging, constantly with the stomach growling and the nausea. Drinking 64oz of Water a day makes me want to throw it all up. I am not enjoying that much liquid... best of luck to you!

girl, I'm pre-op and I wouldn't eat that. nyech!

I started in with the tattoos at 18 and I'm the only one in my immediate family who has them. I faced plenty of mocking, judgement, criticism, and condescending remarks. I feel like I can sympathize on some level. At 30 you're pretty much your own woman, free to make choices that may go completely against what your mother tried to instill in you as a girl. It is probably similar to a conservative parent having their kid turn out liberal, or a conservatively religious family having a kid turn out to gay. Your mom might be feeling pangs of guilt and failure, and taking that out on you... most parents at the end of their day want their kids to continue being happy and healthy. When she gets through the forest enough to look back and see the trees, she'll recognize this and let it go. (I hope) Good luck, give it time, and get some more tats while you're at it just to show her you mean business.

I suppose I've done a bit of bemoaning my pre-op life... sorry. Oh lordy. I'm guilty of this too! I made a post about having/not having caffiene! sorry! Says you who "came to this site for help and support". On a public forum there will be those who uplift, and those who bring down. Most of us seem to be adult enough to overlook the BS and find that help, that support, as I know I have! And I am so glad to have come to this site, having no real-life friends who have gone through this. I am so appreciative to the folks on this forum who've taken the time to both answer my IM's and my threads.

Well, this morning my husband dropped the bomb on me that he's not really happy and is very stressed out because we haven't had sex in.... months. I don't even know how many it's been. I lost count. He's been trying, to his credit, and has always stated he's attracted to me, and there's no issues on his part. It's all on mine. My libido is intact. I take care of myself privately, get it done and over with as fast as I can. (yes, I realize how pathetic and sad that is). Well, here's why I don't much want to do it: It's very hard, and painful. I cannot participate to any degree I used to. I'm pre-op, 5'1" and 280 lbs. About all I'm good to do is lay around like a beached whale. Add to that a compressed disc and sciatic back pain and it makes for a lot of discomfort. Hygiene issues. I'm no longer able to reach my hoo-ha and things are overgrown and not as clean and nice as they oughtta. Esteem / Psych issues. I dont' recognize my own face in the mirror and the depression and emotional pain makes me feel disgusting and shameful. When he wants to get close, I feel disgusting and shameful. ....which brings me here. I'm in tears because I feel like I've truly let him down, and been a shitty wife. And yet, I know I should probably just give him a HJ or BJ or *something* but if I myself do not feel sexy or attractive, it feels so wrong. At the same time, I have to get my groove back. This surgery (mar 14) needs to not only save me, but my marriage. I am desperately hoping to get my groove back once I've lost the weight but between now and then? Is it unreasonable to go a very long stretch in a marriage without sex while I get through this? Could use advice, esp. from those of you who've been in long/stable/happy marriages.

I've been buying them at Whole Foods grocery, but you can get them online at amazon I think, and at walmart.com. http://www.walmart.com/ip/17197668?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=21486607510&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem They are so delicious!!! It's weird how it still sort of tastes sweet even though there's no normal or artificial sweeteners and the fruit "essences" are pretty accurate, they do not taste fake or like candy which I love. Blackberry is my fave :wub:

hoooooo lawd!

I've heard that hormones go out of whack when losing weight, causing everything from hair loss to mood swings or changes in libido. The amount of oil your scalp produces is directly related to hormones as well! I would get yourself a good "sunday shampoo" which is designed to strip your hair of oil and build up, and then switch to a light conditioner, and only do your ends. You can also get yourself a dry aerosol shampoo that will soak up the oil. I use it sparingly on my roots when I need a shower but don't have the time to wash, though if it's applied to liberally your hair can look dusty. Here's a good example of one. http://www.sephora.com/detox-dry-shampoo-P378169?skuId=1506468 Last advice I've got is working with the oil, and using hairgel / pomade to "slick" your hair into a pretty ponytail or bun if your haircut will allow it. Best of luck. I'd bet that when your hormones chill out your oil glands will too.

woman in me, you are so right. Thank you for that!!!

I thank all of you who made the effort to reply. The issue of being immobile, huge, and in pain, combined with the hygiene issues are really... SMALL in comparison to my emotional / psychological shame and self-loathing issues. I welcome any advice in battling these difficult emotions. Next step is to get a therapist.

He does love me, I am BLESSED in that respect. Hmmm... I can't fit into a tub anymore and with my back issues I'd have a hard time getting back up in the first place. And yep, I can reach to do the "deed" because my "massager" is 18" long. Otherwise, nope, can't groom or reach. I'll take your advice on the wine though. I have 3 more days before I have to start my pre-op diet. I'm not a drinker but alcohol might put me in a position of not caring about my self esteem issues.

If you love a little fruity flavor in your drinks, I've been loving Hint Water. It's unsweetened bottled water but it has flavored essences like blackberry, watermelon, pomegranite mango, etc. and they are surprisingly satisfying though there's no sweeteners.

It is no longer just a hunch, it is fact. A recent study by France's National Institute of Health and Medical Research was done across over 60,000 women over a span of 14 years and artificial sweeteners cause the body to produce insulin to the same degree if not more than sugar, increasing the risk of developing diabetes 33% up to 60% by simply consuming 12 to 20oz of artificially sweetened drinks in a week, and initial findings show it can increase cravings for real sugar. Only ONE 12 ounce artificially sweetened beverage per week can increase your chance of developing diabetes 33%!!! Source and study info: http://english.inser...ype-ii-diabetes Helpful "leyman's terms" article: http://shine.yahoo.c...-192600358.html Damning evidence if you ask me. 14 years over 60K+ women... Reading that was enough to swear me off artificial sweeteners for GOOD!

Thank you for the great advice... I feel like I'm crowdsourcing better information. My friend, who is having a hard time with chewables, might be pleased to know this. I am on a certain kind of migraine medicine that absolutely can't be crushed... plus I spent about $60 on supplements in pill form, I was pretty pissed! Thanks everyone, I will crush until I feel I can handle full pills (unless directed otherwise by dr. aceves). Cheers!

What brand of bullets were you using? I'd love to know for my own purposes. Thanks!

A friend of mine just picked up UNJURY unflavored protien power, though I don't think you can get it anywhere other than online... good luck!

Such a relief, thank you for the reassurances. I was worried I'd be layed up in the hospital bed directing my husband how to use a tampon applicator... or some similarly horrible experience. yeesh!

That's good to know, thank you for the details!

hooooo lordy. I'd better stock up on maxi pads, eh?

I'm self-pay and I didn't actually warm up to the idea of surgery in Mexico until recently. I have been packing away money knowing the cost of a US surgeon in my neck of the woods would be about $17-20K. I started saving all my money and came on here for support and just to check it out. I actually lurked here almost a year before registering! It was here that I discovered mexico self-pay, and how it was less than half the cost in the US. That meant that I could literally have the surgery NOW, I already have that much saved up. Seeing the affordability made me seriously consider it. The option of surgery in Cancun was really appealing to me, and I thought how cool it would be to wrap up the surgery and a vacation all in one... however, the doctor who perform's surgery in Cancun had, as far as I know, only one review here on the forums, very little anecdotal commentary and his ratings were not as high as Aceves. Aceves is more expensive, Calexico is a lot less sexy and wonderful than Cancun, but I want the best and when it comes to Mexico bariatrics, he seems like the guy. TL;DR This forum's anecdotal accounts of Aceves helped my decision. :-)

I'll post my entire Aceves experience and add to the wealth of existing experiences posted here. Like you I don't have much of a support system, only my husband knows and a lot of this will be on me to figure out. And hopefully I'll get some support here at the forums. I'm not scared at all, I just keep thinking... in 2014 I'll be skinny! One year... a year blows by so fast. Before you know it you'll be buying things in sizes that have single digits!

Think about it this way. You put your life MORE at risk by getting into an automobile, than you do going onto the surgeon's table for this specific procedure. (really! my husband and I worked out the odds of both complications and death, compared to that of getting into a car and risking an accident). This really helped ease both our minds about it. Also, who's your doctor? I'm getting sleeved in Mexico on Mar14 by Dr. Aceves. Perhaps our paths will cross :-) Stay strong, and don't chicken out. If your life is worth putting at risk by driving on the highway, then it's worth this risk to ensure weight loss, a longer lifespan, seeing grandchildren, not dying early of heart attack or diabetes, and reaping the great rewards that life offers to people with healthy bodies. If someone offered you all of those benefits by simply getting in your car and going for a drive just once, you'd do it, right? We all know there's potential for accidents, even fatal ones, yet we drive all the time. Performed by a credible surgeon, your sleeve surgery is even safer risk-wise. It is SO WORTH IT. Don't be scared Lotti. (hug)

That is so strange. My friend is just under a month post-op and she remarked on the same thing. Her sense of smell is now off the charts and she's nauseated by some food smells now, most especially her co-workers' food. Very odd!

I feel like a total newb for asking this -- but why are you guys all getting gas-X strips? Does the surgery cause gas pain? Or is it the diet? Pardon my crudeness but...is there no way to just fart it out through the day like most folks?