Folly

I am seeing this thought repeated over and over by people who are doing research and want the most effective surgery. What seems to be lost in translation is that no matter what surgery you have, eventually you will reach a point where you have to work at it to keep momentum going. Surgery is a tempory fix, an effective separation from your addiction, a marvelous tool but eventually you have to deal with all of it. People much larger than I was have had great success because they deal with the triggers and issues that caused the obesity. They are mindful of what they put in their bodies. They exercise. They take vitamins....it's work we all have to do. No easy fixes. .

Yes, the one asking if anal sex will hurt the sleeve

Your opinion is valuable but please don't ask the administrators to supress any speech that isn't violent, hateful or illegal. They may censure someone for saying something you didn't like but next time the one censured may be you. It is wrong to do that, please don't. :-)

I saw a bumper sticker last week that said "Stupid Should Hurt". I just now decided I agree with it....lol

It will wear off on it's own. When mine peeled easily without pulling on the skin my Dr told me I could remove it. No big deal.

Babydoll, there is living proof we always have way more horse's asses than horses to go around. The lowest common denominator of the stupid, the coarse, the rude and the ugly is in the unprovoked mean that they think passes for "witty" and throw at others. She obviously isn't smart enough or nice enough to even stand next to you. Ignore her.

I truly believe it is the resolution of those issues more than anything else that will determine long-term successful, healthy living.

Definitely we should get something going locally.

That's cool. I will be in S. Everett by Feb 2nd. If you're up for it maybe we can look into getting a support system going locally. :-)

I spent half the night reading through posts about the physical transformation people go through. Am I the only one who has found it emotionally and psycologically painful? (Necessary, ultimately cleansing and very worthwhile) but not an easy or always happy journey. No one seems to be talking about it.

Lolololololol

If you can eat other whole grains popcorn should be OK, too. If you aren't loading it with fat and sodium, it isn't bad for you in small portions. It IS a whole grain with actual fiber. :-)

For me it seems the major challenge thus far has been in addressng the issues that made chronic morbid obesity an acceptable life choice. *sign*

Lomita, CA but relocating to Everett, WA in a week

Still happens frequently

BIG HUG coming your way!!!!!! I recently hit the 200 lbs off milestone. The world is a different place when you aren't the biggest person in the room, isn't it? Peace and Comfort!

It seems like you're planning on the changes in lifestyle, diet, exercise and surgery not being enough. I researched a lot before VSG surgery, went to support groups, talked to people. There wasn't a lot out there anectdotally or otherwise to support the idea that people over 380lbs have long-term success with VSG surgery alone. In fact, many don't even complete initial weight loss goals before they start gaining again. However, even this site is full of people who defy that grim statement. The reality is that you sort of have to look at the real picture. The food/weight issue is a dangerous, destructive addiction that stalks and kills just like other dangerous/destructive addictions. There are no magic cures, not even surgjcal ones - just tools to help. Whatever surgery you choose, your long-term success might be directly proportionate to the effort you put not only into beginning and maintaing a healthy lifestyle but also addressing the issues that led you to becoming obese in the first place. This has been my experience and my journey so far. I hope my two cents worth helps. Peace

My journey began with me weighing 449 lbs. I didn't have gastric bypass. You're in charge of your body. If it's not right for you please don't let your surgeon push you into it. Many people are just as successful with VSG even when they come from the hjgher weights. More consideration and research time is alotted to anyone who isn't sure. If I can offer you anything constructive or helpful please let me know.Peace

My Surgeon used adhesive to close the external skin on my belly. I have 5 tiny scars that look like faded lines. Honestly, I've had 5 children, 2 c-sections, cancer and lost over 200 lbs. I'm carrying some battle scars. I have earned them. I'm still beautiful. So are you. If your belly has some scars you will still be beautiful. :-) Peace

My Dr referred me for nutrition classes in March 2013 that started May 1, 2013. The classes lasted 12 weeks. I lost the required weight and had the surgery on September 23, 2013.

I don't regret the surgery. I was very well prepared for the physical changes and challenges and it fell within my expectations. The emotional toll this has taken totally blindsided me though - I wish I had understood how intensely drastic physical changes can upset your sense of well-being and safety, even when those changes are so clearly positive.

I was going to point out how many stalls I've had already and how meaningless they are but it seems everyone beat me to it... :-)

I've been on all sides of that. I've been waiting for my surgery watching others who already had theirs filling up on junk. I had great success initially and some months of stagnation, followed by old habits beginning to resurface. It turned out, for me, not to be about diet, exercise and food choices. I absolutely had to stop fixating on food and weight and start working on the emotional and psycological issues that took me to a place where I was willing to do that to myself. I can only speak for myself here but once my approach shifted to the deeper issues the weight/food/exercise thing sort of worked itself out with a lot less stress and worry on my part. I have to be mindful of what I put in my mouth but it just isn't such a big deal these days. Anyone else having a similar experience?

OK, I got one... My husband gets terrible conztipation. After what I read here I thought it might help him... we did it 3 times. My butt is so sore I can't sit down and he STILL hasn't pooped.

@@catdaddy Thank you :-)