chrystine

Just wanted to share what was a surprise NSV for me. For the first time in probably 15 years, I wore out an article of clothing. For countless years, I outgrew everything before it wore out, then I was losing weight and too small for my clothes. Now three years post RNY, my weight is stable. It was really odd but a victory when something was worn out, stretched and faded and needed to be discarded.

You have to be honest with yourself. Only you know the reasons why you're hesitant. As tragic as any loss of.life is, your likelihood of passing away.from this surgery is far less likely than dying from heart disease,diabetes, high blood pressure, the list goes on. Think how many people die in auto accidents. I would say it's the rare person who stop dying from risks.many people fear dumping. I have never dumped and I do cheat and.candy sometimes. There foods iove but afaid because they make me feel nauseated, I don't dump though. Sleeve people lose less excess weight than gastric bypass. I wasn't a sleeve candidate because of severe.GERD. I would Have had run RNY regardless. 20 months post open, have lost around 125 l s and and regrets. It's not.easy, but my life wasn't easy being obese Hope this helps! Wishing you the best!

I use ice, topical ointments and am working with a trainer to strengthen my core. I also see a chiropractor and the pain mtg doctor has said it is possible to burn the nerves in my back to kill the pain but it's a last resort. I also never wear anything but orthoric shoes and sneakers with inserts. It's a challenge but many have it much worse

I'm just dealing with 1 disk,I can't Imagine 5! So what do you do for the inflammation? Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Everyone's experience is different, but I will share mine. I had 5 herniated discs prior to wls. I have lost between 101-103 lbs depending on the scale that day. I am 5'1 131 lbs and muscular. My back, knees and feet still hurt. Not as much as when I was a 100 lbs overweight but not every ache and pain disappear for everyone.I do not regret surgery but I think people presurgery need to hear these things.I was told I would never miss the anti inflammatory meds I can no longer take but for me, not so. I am 48,18 mos post op and was obese about 15 years not a lifetime, just for reference. Best wishes.

Isn't it amazing how we still give ourselves a wide berth and expect not to fit place where we fit perfectly? I am still nervous about movie theater seats and restaurant booths at a size 8, & almost 19 months post-op. Nice job!!

Not only do I no longer.need a seat belt extender, I can walk down the aisle of the plane without turning sideways.

It's not worth it, it really isn't. I have read a lot about alcohol abuse after surgery. Our body's can't handle it and it goes through our system very quickly. We would need more to get the same affect. Why trade one addiction for another? Where I work a woman was fired after WLS because she became an alcoholic; she actually came to work under the influence. I am going to France and would love to sample some wine while I am there but it won't be worth it (I will have a dessert or two though...also a no-no but no DUI)

Pandora, Thank you for sharing your story. I am so happy for you that you have found peace and have transformed yourself, and how you feel about yourself. It sounds as though you are much happier and healthier and I really admire your outlook and attitude! Chrystine

Hi, First thing to remember, everyone is different so please keep that in mind when reading everyone's thoughts. I still obsess about food daily. I had surgery 15 months ago and actually joined a weight loss group with weekly meetings and weigh in's because I was unable to lose the last 20 lbs. Since joining the program, I have lost 7 lbs in 4 weeks. I have to track every bite and remind completely mindful at all times. I need a formal program, I think many gastric bypass patients do not, but I am determined to not only reach my personal goal but not be one of the 1/3 who regain all the weight they lost. I know once I become a lifetime member I am going to keep going to meetings and get weighed in every week for the rest of my life. For me, this is a huge struggle. I never dumped and there are very few things I can't eat so It's tough. However, I am 95 lbs lighter than my highest weight so now that I have a big investment in this. I am committed to losing the last 10 lbs and keeping them off forever. I don't want to scare you but for me it never got any easier once I was 8 weeks post op and not feeling miserable anymore. That said, I don't regret the surgery. Just go into knowing it will help you lose weight and get healthy but it's not a magic cure all. Best wishes!

Perhaps you need to actually read what I wrote and not infer what you wanted to read since you are a bit of a bully. I said "I hate READING these posts even though they are important..." It is not because I am jealous of other's peoples' easy time, it is because I had such a difficult time and it makes me feel worse. Read what I wrote, don't put your own spin on it. The severe mood swings are due mostly in part (due to my medical teams info, not an webexpert) by the excess stores of estrogen leaving my body with the large amounts of fat and Water. How dare you assume I'm that emotionally hung up on food? I'm not even interested in food, as stated. I have been taking Miralax (he said no Milk of Magnesia) since I left the hospital; guess you're surprised a board certified surgeon would have heard of that, huh? You're really ignorant, and borderline bully.

My experience was very difficult. Keep an open mind.

It's not a far-fetched theory but I will tell you my experience. My husband married me when I was about 40 lbs overweight. That is quite a bit for 5'1 person. We were friends first and he admitted he wouldn't have answered an online profile if I had one with my height/weight listed because he didn't think he would have found me attractive. Well, my highest weight since our marriage 11 years ago was 80 lbs more but that man never once made me feel less than, not attractive or not desirable. Even at 220 he told me he likes "showing me off" and meant it. My food issues were a combination of many things but not self-loathing that made me consume an extra 2,000 calories a day. I do not hate myself and most of the people I went through the classes with had the surgery for health reasons. My surgeon said that should be the primary reason. If you hate yourself, losing 100 lbs isn't going to make you fall in love yourself. Get some therapy now, before your surgery. This is a tool to lose weight, not reframe your mind entirely.

I will be upfront and tell you that while my husband and I are not thinking about divorce, the surgery has been very rough on our marriage and I am only 5 weeks post op. We have been very much in love for 11 years but have had a ton of trials and tribulations throughout the entire time. I heard over and over during the pre-surgical classes that good marriages get stronger, weak marriages don't survive the surgery because it is such a major lifestyle change. One spouse can feel threatened by the new confidence, more attractiveness to the other sex. For us it's not that; the surgery has been very tough on me physically and I have been extremely demanding. That combined with other issues in my past (not relating to my weight because my weight hasn't been out of control all my life and even when I was 60 lbs overweight I was still in the military exercising a great deal). My husband likes taking care of me and he has had to or been able to because I have suffered so much pain from all the excess weight. I will want to do more physical activities once I get the weight off. Will he want to join me? Probably not. Do I have any interest in meeting other men? Absolutely not, I adore this man and want us to work out our issues. I believe we'll make it; we believe in "for better or worse" but I can totally see how people throw in the towel - especially if they were with someone who didn't make them happy but they thought that was the best they could do because of their weight.

Hello, My surgery is a week from tomorrow and I started this journey a year ago today! Wow! Anyway, during the classes and info sessions we were told that our food preferences may change. I have always had a sweet tooth to the extreme. I have never polished off a lasagna or eaten a huge steak but I can eat a cheesecake, pint of ice cream, half package of oreos - you get the idea. If I didn't have a sweet tooth, and crave those food when I'm stressed, I wouldn't have a weight problem. I am just wondering if anyone has had a huge sweet tooth and lost it after gastric bypass. When I went gluten free a few years ago (very hard but I did manage to lose 25 lbs and felt much better), sweet foods had little appeal until I feel off the the wagon. Then I never quite got back on. I welcome other people's experiences. Thank you!

The process is so different for each program. I had to have my psych eval before I could meet with the director of surgery, then she ok'd me to meet with the surgeon of my choice (I met him at the info session). He actually scheduled me for surgery without approval - I was soooo nervous about getting approved but I got approved in 24 hrs!! I wish you the best! From everything I have read average time in 2 weeks. At the info session my doc said he had a lot of experience with my insurance (I am retired military) and he didn't think it would be a problem, and it wasn't. My insurance is very picky about where I can have the procedure done though so that may have helped.

Congrats! Do you mind if I ask your starting weight? You are the same height as I am so it would be good to know what your starting weight was. I read about people losing X lbs in 3 months but without knowing the starting weight it is hard to gauge how rapid my weight loss will be - with the idea that I folllow all the instructions, of course. I am currently 213 and my ideal goal weight is 110 but I can live with 120. I have severe plantar fasciitis and really need to get the weight off so I am not in excruiating pain 24/7. I know even if I hit 140 it is still too much weight for my frame and feet. I have had two surgeries on my feet with no pain relief. Thank you.

Hi Brooke, Thanks for the encouragement! The Director of Surgery approved me yesterday! She said I need to gain a few pounds though because the weight I am at the surgeon's office is the weight sent to my insurance company and despite my pain from plantar faciitis and other issues, because I don't have sleep apnea, high blood pressure or diabetes, I won't get approved with a BMI under 40. First time I have ever been told to gain weight - lol. Hope to meet with the doc who will perform procedure within 2-4 weeks. Didn't think it would take that long but I have waited this long so far! Hang in there!! Chrystine

Welcome! If you've come this far you have checked many boxes to get to a point to wait for a surgery date! I have my appointment with the surgical director Wed to find out if I will allowed. I took a little break from the program but decided to continue. I am still well under the 8% weight loss I needed to qualify so I'm hoping for the best. Then, insurance is the next hurdle. I am in so much pain in both my feet I really hope I get a date! I really think positive thinking is key. If you get the bypass and believe you will be successful, that is half the battle

Serra, I'm sorry that you are going through this. My husband took a while to come around; he was worried about the side effects of surgery. I told him that I was far worse off if I didn't lose the weight and since then he has been very supportive. He has never given me any grief over my weight anyway so I am fortunate. My mother isn't supportive though and while it isn't as important as having a supportive spouse, it still hurts. Because I'm afraid of peoples' judgement, I tell very few about my journey. I meet the director of surgery on Wed., hope that she approves me then need approval from insurance company. Try to remember that if your husband is going to love you and support you and be there for you in the long run, he will regardless of whether you get healthy. If he isn't supportive of your getting healthier, does he want to keep you emotionally vulnerable, so you're more emotionally dependent on him? Take care and best wishes.

Juicing is a fad with minimal health benefits. Making a smoothie with a cup of naturally low sugar berries and a cup of plain, fat free Greek yogurt is one thing - fiber, and lots of protein plus the antioxidants. I will also throw a couple baby carrots in for good measure. Just juice from fruit is another story. I haven't read anything positive about juicing and you're right - loads of sugar, no protein.

Awareness of addiction is a huge step. Geneen Roth has written a number of books about addictive eating that I have found helpful. Mindfulness and DBT training can also be helpful in overcoming compulsive over-eating and replacing negative thought processes. Some people find 12 step programs helpful. For many, the answer really is eliminating the trigger foods such as white flour or sugar. It's important to realize though that an over-dependence on sugar substitute never quiets the longing and desire for sugar though. I don't think there is any "one size fits all" answer. I know that I come from a family with compulsive and addictive behaviors. I have never picked up cigarettes, drugs or alcohol but have definitely relied on food. For the first 25+ years it wasn't much of an issue because I could eat what I wanted and stayed close to a healthy weight (maybe 10 lbs heavy). By the time I finally got a handle on my compulsive over-eating, between my Hashimoto's which is difficult to control even with Synthroid, my metabolic syndrome and the pain that makes working out difficult, I know WLS is the only way to help me attain a healthy weight. If I hadn't wrapped my head around the food issue though, having the surgery wouldn't really help in the long run. I had my first WLS appointment Jan 2 and have lost 15 lbs since then. Such a struggle since my metabolism is so messed up. Do I still have an occasional candy bar and Coke pre-surgery? Yes. But I can't remember the last time I had a 16 oz bag of fun size Snickers bar and devoured them in an evening. If you are already post-op and still obsessing about food, please find a program, therapist, behavioral lifestyle class - something to help set you free. Best wishes, Chrystine

Good for you ! Can't wait for that feeling! I can't wait to wear a size 8/10!

That is very kind of you, remembering about the booth. I had been seriously overweight for about 2 years before my husband could remember to ask if we could have a table in restaurants. He didn't mean anything by it, he has never said one hurtful thing, just forgets.

1/3 the insulin sounds like a miracle White flour is the devil anyway...