livvsmum

Aww thank you! So sweet!

My goal changed as I went, mainly, I think, because I didn't think I would be able to lose as much as I did. My first goal was 170. When I got to that rather quickly, I revised it to 150, which I thought would definitely be my lowest. It was also the lowest I was in my adult life before gaining weight, so that is why I picked that. Once I reached and passed that, I aimed for 130. To me, I looked a bit too thin there, so my goal resides somewhere between 138-140. I met and passed my first 2 goals and am about 10 pounds from my last one (though I was 124 at my lowest and am working off a bit of regain due to serious illness). I think your initial goal is probably pretty arbitrarily picked until you start to lose weight and see how quickly it goes. You can always revise it.

I'm sure there are some who need a revision for medical reasons. I had a friend who had her sleeve revised to bypass because of ongoing reflux issues. If you are looking for it just because of regain, I doubt it's "necessary" per se. I lost 140 pounds initially, then I was severely anemic, requiring blood and Iron transfusions. This was probably a year long process and it resulted, because of the lack of energy and the resulting food and exercise choices, in a 27-pound regain. However, once the anemia was resolved, I felt more like myself with the return of my motivation and energy. I've been able to shed 15 pounds so far of the re-gain and I have 12 more to go. I didn't ever even consider a revision. A re-set of sorts is possible. You just have to get back to basics, get back to asking yourself if you are REALLY hungry when you are eating, and stick to the plan. The "tool" never goes away. Just my thoughts.

Yes, yes, yes. So much yes! I started therapy with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders at about 10 months post op. I wish I would have started going to her pre-op. She has made all the difference. At about 10 months, for me, I felt completely healed and was able to eat sugary things or more in volume without having the negative side effects you have right after surgery. That scared the crap out of me. So that is when and why I sought it out. I tried going to a nutritionist, but honestly I've been on every diet in the world and probably could be a nutritionist. Knowing what I SHOULD eat wasn't the problem. Figuring out why I constantly sabotage myself was the problem. I know without a doubt that if I would not have sought out help I would not be maintaining 125 pounds lost 3 years later. Also, if you try therapy and you don't "click" with the therapist, don't give up. It may take trying a couple before you find someone you work well with. I was luck and found someone amazing. She's really more like a friend with a lot of good wisdom now after spending an hour with her every week for 3 years. lol. Aside from the surgery itself, it was the best thing I have done for myself!

This is what I used for my tummy tuck. I got a couple of them so I could wash one and wear one. They worked well for me and I probably wore it longer than I needed to because I felt more "secure" in it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009D01ZRA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

What a great story! Good luck on your journey! I did the same exact thing. I started a blog right before my first pre-op appoitnment and have been updating it regularly in the 3 years (almost 4!!) since then. It's in my signature so feel free to check it out! I tried to be as honest as possible along the way and documented my weight loss, my skin removal surgery, etc. The ups and downs, good and bad. It's such an awesome resource for me to go back and look at my journey. I think you'll be glad you started it!

What an amazing story! I think your response was totally understandable given your loss. I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my father as well and it is life-changing. I'm so glad that your mother had such a positive experience and I'm so hopeful for you as well. This will be an amazing new chapter in your story. It's great that you are so thoughtful about the impact and control of food on our lives. I think that shows that you are mentally and emotionally preparing. Good luck to you!

It is a major surgery, and like the other poster said, it depends on how well you tolerate pain. My sleeve surgery was laproscopic, so I didn't really have any incision pain. The first couple of days were uncomfortable, but I can't say I was in any real "pain".

I think, in the end, you can still binge eat with either the sleeve or the bypass. Just, instead of it being large amounts at once, it's large amounts spread out over the day. I can only speak to the sleeve, but I've known several people ("real life friends") who had the bypass and after a year or so went back to their bad eating habits and gained back their weight. Ultimately, either surgery is just simply a tool. I know we say that all the time, but it's true. The extent to which you use the tool effectively will determine your outcome. If emotional eating and binge eating are your vices, I would highly recommend getting matched up with a therapist you feel comfortable with who specializes in eating disorders. This will make all the difference for you, regardless of which procedure you go with.

I agree with you 100%. For me I realized at about 10 months post op that the issue wasn't "not knowing what foods to eat" to be successful, but was more "why do I sabotage myself". So, I sought out a therapist who specialized in eating disorders and, besides the surgery itself, that was the single best decision I've made for myself in my life. I've been going weekly for 3 years now and it's made all the difference in keeping the weight off, but also in changing the war that is constantly going on in my head with food.

That is awesome! Remember how amazing it feels right now whenever you start to struggle. That feeling will get you through! Great job!

Sorry! Didn't see this til today, but I'd like to participate if I still can! I've skipped the last couple, but would like to shed my last 19 pounds sooner rather than later! Goal Weight: 149 Current Weight: 156 Today's Date: 11/15

Seems like that is a significant problem for you. I would just be sure to document, document, document!

If you dont mind... What insurance do you have? What issues did you have that made it medically nessisary? I am sure there are many of us who just deal with the issues that come with being obese, but if we knew that they could possibly be considered pre reqs for surgery, we would go to the dr about them. HW 385 SW 359 CW 335 (50lbs down!) Sleeved 10/5/16 I have highmark blue cross blue shield. Honestly I didn't have a ton of issues. Just a little chafing, etc when I ran. My PCP did a really good job of advocating for me in my visits.

Nevermind....lol

I'm a half-marathoner as well. I really wanted to do a full marathon, and I know there are tons of bariatric patients who do (google bariathletes), but I just decided in the end, it wasn't me. I don't want to sabotage myself taking in the extra fuel for running. You read so many stories of people (without surgery) who gain weight training for marathons because of overestimating the food they should eat for the running, and I don't want to take that chance. Sorry, probably not helpful to you......and not what you asked for. I know there are lots of people out there who do it successfully. Hopefully someone can help you out :-)

It definitely is empty calorie/carb intake, but hey, it happens! It's probably unrealistic to think that most of us will go through life without ever having another drink socially. What I try to do is limit it to the least amount of damage, First, I'm a lightweight with alcohol since surgery, so I limit to 1 drink and sip sip sip. :-) Second, I limit to the lowest possible caloric option, which is usually a vodka & club soda or something. I know, soda is bad, and you probably can't do the bubbles since you're pretty early on. My usual go-to is a boring (but fabulous) glass of wine. Not great, but not the worst calorie wise. You may see that you stay the same instead of losing the next morning, but I just would not make it a habit and save it for those social occasions. :-)

Nice job! Stick with it!

Yes! I got a tummy tuck and panni fully approved by my insurance. I've been so pleased with the results. I just called my insurance company and found out what their requirements were to have it covered and I made sure I met them. When we sent it for approval it came back in 3 days as approved. The only requriements were 4 months of visits with my pcp documenting other treatments tried and failed (ie,creams, medications, etc), be at least 18 months post op, and have a surgeon submit photos.

Yep I had excess skin. You cannot really predict if you will based on others' experiences though. It depends on your age, your health, elasticity of your skin, etc. Too many variables to predict. Chances are though, you will. I was able to get a tummy tuck and panni approved and covered by my insurance. I've been so thrilled with the results (pictures are in my profile and on my blog). I was denied for the skin on my arms, but honestly it's not bad and really bothers me more than anyone else. But it doesn't bother me nearly as much as being 140 pounds overweight did.

It definitely became more real for me when I got my surgery date. I had a minor freak out...lol. But, I had written a blog post early on about my "post-surgery bucket list" which basically outlined all the reasons I was having the surgery. So when I started to have that little freak out, I just went back and re-read my blog and that post in particular to remind myself why I was doing it. I promise you, it's good on the other side and I've never regretted it! Just keep reminding yourself of why you made the decision in the first place.

I think you've gotten good advice. I would just echo what others have said. Meeting regularly with a therapist trained in eating disorders will be really important because you will certainly have hard and stressful times ahead. She/he will be able to help you process what is going on as you go through the divorce and help you find better ways of dealing with the stress. And, I would say, if you've jumped through all the hoops and gotten the surgery scheduled, girl, you put yourself first and have that surgery!!!! It is something you can do for yourself. Do not dare put yourself and your health on the back burner!

Good luck! It's going to be an amazing journey!

Good luck! That was one of the hardest times for me but I can tell you it's all worth it! Hang in there!

I think it took a couple of weeks for the loss to show because of being pumped full of fluids in the hospital. Hang in there! Stick with the plan and it will come off!