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Kindle, the surgical clinic called me to set up a consult. My doc definitely wants it out. I declined for now. Dr. So also told me just to go ahead and get it out because I run the risk of pancreatitis if I don't. I'm so close to hitting my 100 lbs lost, I want to reach that goal before I schedule surgery. How bad is that? I know surgery will put me on an exercise break for probably six weeks. Without exercise my weight loss will stall. I'm afraid of losing momentum with my exercise as I'm on such a good roll. I just started C25K yesterday. Seeing what you went through, I am now reconsidering!

I understand your fear, I had the same hesitation. I guess on some level I knew that the start of my pre-op was my farewell to my good friend food. Take it one day at a time, every day you finish is one day closer to your surgery! Miso soup was a lifesaver, you can buy instant at the grocery store. It'll be ok, you'll get through it! I lost 18 lbs on my pre op.

Kindle, I found out I had gallstones a few weeks ago. My GI doc ordered an ultrasound as a precaution. Sure enough, I have stones. I haven't had an attack yet. I'm sorry you had to go through that

I should just keep my bigger pants because eventually I'll be able to tuck my boobs into them.

I can have salad now at six months out and I cannot get enough of it! I was never a salad fan before sugery but now I am! I have found that I can get a cup or two of salad greens with some grape tomatoes (with a light italian dressing and very little) down in addition to my Protein (chicken or shrimp, whatever it happens to be) without any problem. Salad seems to take up so little room but is a tasty addition as long as I watch the salad dressing.

I was worried about this as well. My employer gave me FMLA paperwork for my surgeon to fill out. I work for a major law firm, so you can bet that the paperwork was pretty thorough. The way the paperwork was worded, my surgeon (in MX) had no choice but to be very specific as to the nature of my surgery. I'm a private person, I actually considered not turning in the paperwork and taking it as vacation instead! I got over it - turned in the paperwork. My HR coordinator made it very easy - she told me I wasn't the first to have this procedure and said she was pleased I was making a choice for good health! I was so surprised! She told me that the law states that surgery is surgery and warrants medical leave - the FMLA would be approved. She said it didn't matter that it was elective surgery (I don't know if that is law or just our firm policy). She said even a boob job would have been covered under FMLA as long as I had the paperwork. She also told me that if I had complications later (even much later) that it would be covered under FMLA and linked to the claim I opened for surgery. I have 2 pools of time off to draw from. My vacation and my extended sick leave. Having the FMLA leave allowed me to draw from my ESL time and not touch my vacation. @@a.conners, from a discrimination claim standpoint, obese individuals are not a protected class (yet). There are no cases tried successfully relating to weight discrimination that I'm aware of.

Wow, I am SO sorry you had to endure that! I had constipation issues too, not uncommon but not to the degree of yours. I didn't think I'd ever be regular again. Things finally improved about 4 months out when I was able to eat a whole Quest bar at a time. The fiber in those enabled me to quit the Miralax all together. I only eat about 2 - 3 a week and it does the trick. It just takes the body a while to regulate. About the time I could eat an entire Quest bar I was getting more of my Protein from food and had cut back my shakes by a few a week. I think the shakes contribute to constipation as well. Good luck!

@@CowgirlJane I just picked up some DGL yesterday. I saw it at the healthfood store while I was looking for a more complete Multivitamin and remembered you mentioned it. I'm staying on my PPI for now but will use it instead of tums. I tried one last night, tasted fine! By the way - you are such an inspiration to me! I read your posts with great interest! I'm six months out and turning it up a notch so to speak. Buying my first pair of running shoes at Jock and Jill at Greenlake on Wednesday!

@@Dr-Patient I've seen your posts before but didn't realize we had our surgeries at the same time and we are currently about the same weight. I've been having similar struggles to yours starting at the same point in time - right after I dipped below 200 lbs. A few carbs here, a few there and BAM! Hunger is more, cravings are increased. Even something like a little milk and sugar free syrup (artificial sweetners seem to trigger me, go figure) in coffee sets me off on the carb path. Just like you, it isn't much or in the volume it was before. Last week was the worst since pre-sirgery - I had six homemade Peanut Butter Cookies in the span of 3 days which resulted in the scale creeping up 2 lbs. I've since gotten it off. Weekends seem to be my hardest time, that and the evening after I get back from zumba. I 've made a few changes. I bought a more complete Multivitamin this weekend. I am banning crystal light as it has corn syrup solids. If I get hungry after a class - no carbs just a small Protein snack. Let me know if you find strategies that work!

I didn't have any hair loss, I'm six months out. I died it red a month ago, hated it and just went back to blonde yesterday. Seemed to do just fine with the red, no apparent loss. I just didn't like the color!

Stop drinking soda. Start taking a Multivitamin to establish the habit if you don't already. Start exercising even if it doesn't result in weight loss. I went on Amazon Local and bought a 10 class package of Zumba classes and started 2 months before surgery, I think this helped me heal better and helped my lung capacity. Now I'm hooked and it is my main form of exercise six months out of surgery. Stop drinking before/with your meals because you won't be able to drink and eat together anymore.

I can't sleep on my belly anymore. Something in my middle wakes me up. My husband witnessed it a few times, he said I had something that sounded like a belch, but wasn't a belch came out of my mouth. I suspect it has something to do with acid. That and the sounds my stomach makes at night wakes me and my husband up - no lie.

Our culture is so food driven by both junk food and huge portions. Starbucks is wildly successful, I think their sucess has more to do with the fact that most of their drinks are absolute sugarbombs and Americans are SO hooked on sugar!

I marveled today when I slipped into a size L slim fitting tank top for my lunch time cardio (followed by a strength class tonight). I looked like every other person in that locker room. Wearing athletic clothing, who woulda thought? Working out twice in one day, is this really me?! Buying clothing styles previously way off limits is fun!

Thanks onajournee, super helpful to hear different opinions, it gives me something to think about. I've used Premier since the beginning but have often wondered if I should change it up a bit. Been thinking about ordering the Syntrax peanutbutter cookie flavor but can't find any in sample packs. I use shakes more for convenience (and laziness!) than anything else.

My GI doc here locally told me that 40% of the US population have hernias and are unaware. He said that number goes up quite a bit for obese folks.

I found out last week I have gallstones, my GI doc decided to do an ultrasound as a precautionary measure even though I've had no symptoms. I'm not scheduling surgery until I have symptoms. My GI doc recommends I have it out now, but dang it I don't want to stop my exercise regime, I'm so close to hitting my 100 lbs lost.

I've had no hairloss, or if I have it hasn't been noticeable. I had pretty significant hairloss with a c-section 20 years ago, so I was prepared to lose hair again but I didn't. I was pretty lousy (until recently) about taking my Vitamins, never took Biotin. I wear my hair short to begin with. I had 2 surgeries, my sleeve and the next day a hernia repair so I was put under anesthesia twice. I'm six months out.

Another thing worth mentioning - the few times I've indulged, I get a buzz quickly but it also goes away quickly. Almost not worth the effort.

I think I was about 10 weeks out before I had alcohol, it burned so I stopped. It was white wine. I am not a big drinker to begin with, only occasional like maybe every 4 to 6 weeks. The no mixer thing is hard. Just this past weekend I tried Jim Beam Honey infused (I usually drink Crown) and it was so smooth, no mixer required whatsoever! This coming from someone who can't get tequila past her nose and has never had a straight shot of anything before I had surgery. I say this because alcohol is not a big draw for me, I can take it or leave it. Keep in mind the potential for cross addiction. I just don't think I'm alcoholic material.

Start taking Vitamins now, get well hydrated and start exercising.

I am six months out tomorrow and in the same place. I'm 87 lbs down and seem to have stopped here for the last month or so. My appetite has also increased. It is a struggle now to stay around 800 calories a day. I've been examining my diet and fine tuning some things, I quit drinking crystal light because it has corn syrup solids in it and I wonder if it stimulates my appetite. I'm exercising 4 hours a week - can't do much more on that front. Yesterday I took a zumba class followed by a strength class. I'm just trying to be vigilant about what I eat on the carb front and that is getting more difficult! I also found out I have gall stones but have had no symptoms. I want to hit my 100 lbs lost before I schedule surgery.

I struggled with constipation for nearly 4 months. I thought it would NEVER clear up. I took MOM once or twice a week during that time. Now all it takes to keep me regular (although not daily like before but regular for me given my caloric intake) is 2 Quest bars a week. They help a lot.

I agree with posters above, finding something you enjoy is key. Before my surgery I thought I hated exercise. I was worried that exercise would be the hardest part of this for me. I looked on Amazon local and there were all kinds of deals for zumba, yoga, crossfit sessions, etc. I bought a 10 class package of Zumba classes and started pre-surgery. Zumba is it for me! I love going! When I think about it now, dancing was something I really enjoyed as a teenager so it makes sense that I've "re-discovered" it. Think of what you liked doing as a child/young adult and maybe that is a place to start! Believe it or not, fun workout clothes are also inspiring.

Kindle we like some of the same things. Baby bel mini lights, cottage cheese, beef jerky, snow peas (this is new for me), half a Quest bar, 100 calorie packs of almonds (keeps me honest), freeze dried edamame. Still like Protein shakes (Premier). Chike for a treat. But I can relate. I get bored with my food too. When I'm looking for new options I'm avoiding packaged processed foods.