Katcloudshepherd

hopeful2 be slim, I understand. I am off all of my Non Steroidal Anti Inflamitory DrugsS, (NSAIDS), since before my surgery and even though the weight loss has helped--still a lot of pain. I am so blessed to have an excellent chiropractor who is keeping my back aligned with the weight changes. The only kind of aerobic exercise I can do is in the pool. Fortunately, I have a membership to a gym with a pool made for swimming/exercise. I've been tired as well lately. I don't know if it's the pain, allergies or what. I'm getting my sleep, Protein, Water and exercise so I'm at a loss as to what it could be. I know I can take tylenol for the pain but I fear of the impact on my liver. I wish you luck with getting in the pool. I know how much effort it can take just to get in the pool. I know I feel so much better for it. On the days I do work out, I sleep so well. Kathleen

I agree with don't beat yourself up over it. I fall off the horse too often. Sometimes it's less of a fall and more of a jump : ( BUT I was eating badly for DECADES. You cannot change that overnight--if I could have done so, I wouldn't have had to have 80% of my stomach removed. Kathleen

I'm 6 feet tall--would be over six feet if my back weren't so dang crooked. Surgery was 12/11/13. HW 358.--several years before surgery. SW 327. CW 267. My goal is 200 pounds. I'll be happy at that weight. Kathleen

Blondiee, Thank you. I've become a regular shopper at Goodwill and the Texas Thrift store in San Antonio close to Walzem road. Saturday I made out like a bandit at Texas Thrift. They had a sale going on where the women's clothes were 50% off!!!!!!!!!!! I think the men's clothes were too, but I wasn't looking for men's clothes ; )-- I looked through the ENTIRE plus size rack and got a large plastic bag of clothes for under $57.00!!!!!!!!! I absolutely LOVE it when they make the plus size seperate from the regular sizes so you don't have to look through all the racks! Not only that, found some "cheater" floweres. They're the old fashioned heavy plastic kind. Put them out by my garage. No watering needed. I'm sure the sun will fade them but heck, they're inexpensive and I'll just pick up some more at another thrift store and recycle the old ones. Take Care, Kathleen

Mama Spike, I had my surgery 12/11/13 and I had serious orthopedic issues before surgery. I had to stop taking Naproxin, 500 mg. twice daily. It has NOT been an easy adjustment even though I have lost a significant amount of weight. I see a chiropractor on a regular basis, (back is a crooked as a politician), and I'm getting another injection in my knees today. If I were you---I'd see a doctor. My chiropractor said as you loose weight, the way your body carried the heavier weight is not necessarily how it will need to carry the lower weight. That is why I'm still getting regular adjustments even with a significant weight loss. I hope you get relief. Kathleen

LindafromFlorida, Good point. I know my body better than anyone else and I know when something is amiss. Kathleen

Marlin Collingwood, You are doing great!!!!! I lost 10.5 pounds pre-op and my surgeon was so happy with that! I started mine early so I could lose as much as possible. When I saw him for my final pre-op he said: "You're going to do really good." When you have your sugery, walk, sip when you're allowed, rest, walk, sip, rest, walk. For me it was: pee, walk, pee, rest, pee, walk, pee, rest, pee, walk, rest........ I walked as much as I possibly could and my surgeon had 2 IVs going the day of surgery. I was full of Fluid and thus had to pee every couple of hours. Sending thoughts and prayers you have a routine surgery and easy recovery. Kathleen

I'm thankful my insurance covered the surgery which is allowing me to LIVE not just exist. That would be my greatest blessing. I'm thankful for my husband who even when I'm in my Restless, Irritable and Discontent, (RID) state still puts up with me. I'm thankful I have a decent job when so many Americans don't. I'm thankful for the friends I have who accepted me before surgery and after. Too many other blessings to list. Thankful you started this post! Great idea. Wishing many blessings to come your way, Kathleen

meledl, I have terrible arthritis in my spine and my knees are completely shot. I had the sleeve because I didn't want the malabsorption problems which come with the bypass. I was on 500 mg. of Naproxin taken twice daily before sugery. I took an antidepressent before the surgery and was actually given Zoloft while still in the hospital after surgery. I was able to wean myself off of Zoloft after surgery. I'll be honest, going without the prescription NSAID for several weeks after surgery was inconvienent. It's a lot easier to swallow a pill than to use what I was prescribed after the surgery. I was prescribed Voltarin, a topical cream that somewhat takes the place of an NSAID taken by mouth. It helped me to get through the transition time when I was loosing enough weight to make a difference in my joints. Now that I've lost enough weight to take some of the stress off the joints, I don't even use the Voltarin regularly anymore. I can actually use Tylenol for the pain if it gets too bad. Like others have said, Do your research and then decide what is best for you. I wish you the best with whatever surgery you decide to have. Kathleen

Hello everyone, It has become rather tiresome for me to hear the infamous question: "So how much weight have you lost?" Jeez, can we talk about something else? I'm also now some kind of: "Maestro of how to loose weight" to some people. Well, DUH! I had 80% of my stomach removed to help me do so. My former boss, whom I "fondly" refer to as "Chupaboss" came to me for weight loss advice. OK, let me back up. In South Texas a Chupacabra is a mythical blood sucking creature that roams the woods at night, killing chickens and other small livestock by sucking the animal dry of blood. Thus my sarcastic term "Chupaboss" refers to a human form of the creature in a supervisor position, that sucks the very life out of you---only a little at a time and not in one night. So (my former boss) Chupaboss, has high cholesterol and comes to me for advice. You have no idea the devious thoughts that ran through my head. "Yes, I'd LOVE to help you after you screwed me over without even kissing me first-sister", "How could such a thing happen to such a WONDERFUL person like you?" However, being the "nice", "sweet", "polite" person I am--I didn't verbalize the sarcastic thoughts running faster through my head than a car on a race track. I told her to go with lots of non-starchy veggies and lean Protein. Cut out the carbs and sugars. This is what I did on the pre-op diet. Other people have asked as well and I tell them to again, cut out ALL sugar, most carbs, (especially highly processed foods), eat lean protein and load up on non-starchy veggies to fill your stomach up. I just had to get this off of my chest. I'm truly tired of the question as if it defines my whole existence now and my new found position among a few of being a weight loss expert. Have a good one everybody. Kathleen

FABULOUS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been stuck in the Restless Irritable and Discontent, (RID) state for some time. I will begin today in making a list of things to be grateful for to get me out of the RID state. I have much work to do to overcome the faulty programming I recieved growing up. Blessings, Kathleen

Jeremiah, Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of you and so happy for you. It takes courage to embark on this journey and even more strength and courage to do what you need to do every day to be successful. I went to Overeaters Anonymous, (OA) for several years and it was referred to as an "Attitude of Gratitude". I taped a small note to my bedside light instructing me to be grateful for at least one thing before I get out of bed. I also wrote on there to "Make up your mind to be happy". Blessings, Kathleen

Hello fellow December sleevers, My stats: HW 368 well before I even thought of surgery. Weight at beginning of process: 338 VSG Date: 12/11/13 SW: 327.5 CW: 267.0 Size 28 to 20 fitting into 18 REAL soon. I am blessed in that I was going to the pool regularly before surgery. I'm still going to the pool 3 times a week with weight training during the week as well. Kathleen

Hey y'all from TEXAS!!!!!! I live in Lavernia but work in San Antonio. My ta-ta's are going away but frankly my dear, I don't give a da!n. What I've lost in my boobies, I've gained in health!!! I would NEVER trade my weight loss, to include my breastisis, for the impoved health I now have. Kathleen

Ladies that wear a size 12 I FEEL YOUR pain, I'm still able to wear my size 13's. I have long feet, of course my body is long too. I have to order all my shoes online. Can't find them in a brick and morter store. Distinct disadvantage in that you can't try them on. I love my walking cradles--get them on Amazon. They provide great support for my bad knees and back. I've been able to wear some 12WW's that I couldn't wear before surgery--guess my feet were fat as well as the rest of me ; ) Have a good one, Kathleen

I'm not that far out from surgery but I would do it over again. I had no physical complications so that would be 0. The mental ones--I'm still dealing with. I'd put that at a very high number, above a 5, some days close to 10. I'm desperately trying to develop a more positive outlook. Because of my upbringing, I am ALWAYS waiting for the other shoe to drop or the next bad thing to happen. This faulty mental programing is an absolute buggar to change. Something said at a support group meeting by one of the surgeons has really stuck with me. "Before your feet hit the floor in the morning think of at least ONE thing you are gratefull for." He also said he thinks of things he is grateful for with every step. I think the man could easily become a motivational speaker. I'm working daily to improve my outlook on life. Overcoming bad childhood programing is a lot of work. That being said---it obviously is a common need. There are so many motivational speakers and programs out there--I'm obviously not alone and it takes daily work. YES and HECK YES I would do it again in a heartbeat. A short period of pain to begin LIVING life not just existing but actually living life. Blessings to all, Kathleen

Hello, Sleeved on 12/11/13 and down 62 pounds. I don't weigh myself other than when I'm at my surgeons office for follow-up or at my primary care doctor's office. I measure my sucess on how big my clothes fit me. I"m down from a size 28 to now into a 20 and getting REALLY close to fitting into an 18.

"My precious!!!!!!" rules my life--big time. No flaming Hoo-Haas ("Lord of the Rings")thank you very much.

CowgirlJane, Can I ever relate. I have no reason to be blue, yet at times, I get very depressed. I sometimes wonder if I am mourning my old friend--food. My old friend was ALWAYS there for me. Feeling a little low? Have a bite or two, or three, or four........ Sedate myself and swallow away the pain. I don't have that avenue now. I have to deal with my emotions--head on. I wouldn't go back--but--at times I think I'm mourning the way my life was and learning that the "new normal" is quite an adjustment. I have no choice--I have to make that adjustment.

I celebrtated my weight loss by purchasing some sexy underwear and bras. I needed them anyway. I normally wear plain ole' white cotton panties and plain white or beige bras. I decided to buy some nice, but inexpensive lacy undies and bras. I'm getting sexier by the day and gosh darn it--I deserve it!

I was having a terrible time for a while. I would get up and get nauseated after drinking orange juice and taking my iorn pill. I was so light headed. Turns out DUH the OJ is too high in acid and once I took my iorn pill with water--I was ok. I was also lightheaded until I started taking that EXTRA iorn pill. I did this only after my primary care doc ran some blood work and found even with the bariatric iorn supplement I was taking--my iorn was still low. I don't know if this helps. It sounds like your nausea may be from something else. Take Care, Kathleen

Keep it Up! You are doing amazing. Sip, sip, sip, walk, walk, walk. Blessings, Kathleen

Hello, I didn't tell my two brothers in Michigan. They are in for one heck of a shock when I will see them in July. Didn't tell them because when I joined the Army, they said: "you'll be back in a week." I knew by that comment, no way in hell was I telling them about WLS. By the way, I served 7 years and a few months in the Army with an honorable discharge--so screw them. My two sisters knew about the surgery. They have been very supportive. Looking forward to seeing them in July. My brothers, not so much. My brothers are alcoholics--I have a problem being around such negative, unhealthy people. I live in Texas not only becuase it is where my husband retired from the military, but because I don't want to be close to my brothers and their negativity. There were fewer employment opportunities in Michigan when I left the Army as well. I'm glad I didn't tell them. They may be my brothers but I have grown away from the awful "childhood" I had and they are still stuck in the same patterns of unhealthy behavior. Kathleen

Hey, I'm right there with ya! I'd be so P.O.'d it would take every ounce of my strength NOT to tell them to FRACK OFF---because after all you still have to work with them. I'd REALLY like to know where all these people get off talking like THEY have been to medical school or more importantly have dealt with the pain and suffering you've endured because of carrying extra weight. I know what I'm talking about. My knees and back are so much better now that I've had the surgery and lost some weight. Hang in there. You have to do what's best for YOU. Blessings, Kathleen

Why do TOTAL STRANGERS think they have a right to lecture someone who is overweight????? Why is it that TOTAL STRANGERS who don't know you at all think they have the license to lecture you about ANYTHING? Before the surgery, I would recieve unsolicited advice from people who "found the magic bullet" to lose weight. When I think about it now--I ask myself, "why didn't I just tell them to PHUCK OFF?" "Oh because you're such a nice, polite girl who would never stand up for herself" my alter ego responds. I've really noticed since I've lost weight from the surgery---people I don't know at all, treat me with more deference. Maybe it's a reflection of my attitude? Back to the subject at hand, I would definetly email corporate, more importantly, the manager needs to know that their employee is poetentially making customers--EXcustomers. I would noever go back to that store again as I'm normally not a non-confrontational person. That may change though--getting more confidence as I am losing weight and a less willing to put up with other people's crap. Good luck with your surgery, I wish you the best. Blessings, Kathleen