jessinoz4

I agree with some of the other comments - you should talk to your doctor about PCOS. What you are describing is acanthosis nigricans and it is usually seen in people with insulin resistance (a major part of PCOS) and obesity...trust me, I have it too and I am very fair. Once managed, the dark patches will fade over time becoming less and less noticeable.

You look amazing!! Keep up the good work!

You look amazing! Good job! Very encouraging to see

I was having the same problems with fatigue after coming home from hospital. Are you getting plenty of fluids and all your Protein in? Also, starting a Multivitamin can help with the fatigue, as well. I threw the idea around of joining a gym, but walking gently around the block will give us great results, too. Let us know how you are going with your fatigue - I hope that it gets straightened out soon for you.

I was sleeved on April 22 nd, and am currently day 5 post op. I have had severe nausea lasting up to now and it is quite debilitating. Has anyone else had this problem? I am not sure what to do - Any suggestions? Thanks

I am also interested to hear what other are using. I know that Vitamin E oil works WONDERS on scars but I am not sure what to use to keep skin from sagging.

Thanks guys, for all of your posts. I am glad to hear that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Today, the nausea has been a bit better - I'm trying to always keep some sort of drink at my side so hopefully the feelings of nausea came from that "hollow-gut" feeling when you're hungry. *shrugs*

hahahaha!! Hilarous!

Khloe, could you add me on FB? jrusk333@facebook.com I'd love to join with you all!

I would also love to join, but an error message keeps coming up!

Welcome!! Congratulations on joining us on the journey to reclaim our lives and our happiness! I can't wait to hear how things are going with you. Keep us posted! Good luck!

I asked my surgeon this very thing because I LOVE beer and a Rum and Coke. He told me to give up the carbonated drinks, he said it can make the new stomach feel really uncomfortable, and to be ware that alcohol will greatly slow down the body's burning of fat. He recommended that I wait until I am at, or very near, my goal weight before I reintroduce alcohol. Good luck to you!

Hello, everyone! As I am new to this site, picking up on the way things are done may take me a little while. lol I am originally from Alabama but currently living in Australia with my DH and just celebrated my 30th birthday! I am not exactly sure where to start specifics about my past leading up to now and when to mention what all has occurred to influence my decision on having the VSG. I have been large from a very young age and I feel that it's primarily due to the sexual and physical abuse I endured as a child. As I grew and years passed, the more and more weight I gained - as that weight piled on, my self-esteem, will power, and self-worth decreased. Fast forward... I was diagnosed with PCOS at 18 but was on OCP for my cycles so I wasn't too worried at that time. I married my first husband at 22 and we were married for 4 1/2 years and TTC for 4 of those years. During those 4 years of Clomid, Clomid, Clomid, Chinese herbal medicine, temperature charting, saliva testing, etc, I gained a substantial amount of weight that would barely budge regardless of diet and exercise routines I put myself on. We FINALLY conceived with ovulation induction but sadly, lost the baby at about 7 weeks. So, on top of low self-esteem, will power, and little self-worth, feelings of severe inadequacy and failure as a woman, along with depression, became parts of my every day life. My first husband and I divorced, and now I am with DH and we desperately wish to have children of our own. With years of unsuccessful attempts at weight loss (vital for PCOS'ers) I have finally admitted to myself that I cannot do this on my own and with being 30 years old now, I may not have many more years left to conceive. I spoke to my GP and got a referral to the Adelaide Bariatric Centre and booked an appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Chisholm, in December 2012. We discussed surgical options (Lap Band, gastric bypass, and VSG). I was originally leaning towards the band but quickly decided to go for the VSG as it's permanent and I won't need to make several visits to find the "sweet spot" where the band is tight enough. My surgeon was ready and willing to do the operation in February but I couldn't as I was still saving up money for the procedure. So now, the surgery date is set for April 22nd. My liver function tests (LFTs) are severely elevated (most likely due to fatty liver), I am Insulin Resistant (THANK YOU, PCOS!), have high blood pressure, and my weight was 316 lbs. at my last doctor appointment. Dr. Chisholm decided to put me on 4 weeks of the Optifast diet to ensure my liver would shrink and be easily moved out of the way and the weight loss is generally nice He wants me to lose between 8 and 10 kilos, or 18-44 lbs., before the surgery. Currently I am finishing up my 2nd week on the diet and have lost about 13 lbs. - Only TWO WEEKS TO GO! WOOHOO! lol So the decision to finally get help to lose this weight was not an easy one. I felt each day I was dying, both physically and emotionally. I felt imprisoned in my own body. A slave to my emotions and hunger. I am ready for a new life and to be healthy and live life the way it's meant to be lived...happily and without regrets. (Oh, and sorry for the HUGE paragraph...my ENTER key isn't working in this box for some reason...)

Hello, Pattylo! Welcome aboard! This seems to be an amazing site with so much knowledge and really good people; I am so glad that we have it for support! Good luck and keep us posted how things are coming along for you! *hugs*

Oh, yes, sister! We're going to hit that ground running...and even perhaps quite literally! lol To a new life! CHEERS!

I'm not Australian, but I'm living in Adelaide and am set to be sleeved on April 22nd!

Hi, I'm Jessica. I am from Alabama and have been an RN for almost 8 years - 1 year in telemetry, 4 in L&D. Currently I am nursing in Australia and have been here for almost 3 years. I am set to be sleeved on April 22, 2013. It's so good to be able to chat with so many other people about the op and what to expect, etc. I'm looking forward to talking to you all more

Welcome, Hollisterfan27! And congrats on being approved! Do you have a surgery date set yet? I am new here as well so keep in touch! This site seems pretty amazing with tons of people and lots of knowledge and experiences. Good luck!

Hi, Pixie Dust! Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I will DEF be here when you have your surgery done as well! I think you're right about the sexual abuse thing...maybe losing weight will help me shed those negative feelings about myself that started after the abuse. I CANNOT WAIT to be healthier and HAPPY! We all deserve that! I wish you the very best with your upcoming surgery. Let us know when you're set!

Lukkymeee, yep, I am living in Australia at the moment but from Alabama, USA I do have facebook! We should catch up on there!

Proudgrammy, thank you so much for your reply! It's good to be in an environment with others going through the same things as myself. Congratulations on your weight loss! You look amazing and that is so encouraging.

I TOTALLY know what you mean. I was wanting to keep it hush, hush too. I finally told my family in the states and they were/ are SOO supportive about it - not the reaction I was anticipating. My husband and his family know about it but I haven't told co-workers. And like you said, it really isn't their concern. Anyone outside of my support network is in a grey area, for now. When they see me looking hawt later and they ask me how I lost the weight, then I'll tell them lol

Hi, dlashanne! Good to meet you! You can do this!!