Babbs

Oh yes, I'm sure there were people emailing and messaging you left and right you about your post. Don't flatter yourself. Jeez, what is it with these people lately? Me thinks me smell another troll in our midst.... We (I) need to just stop responding and feeding them.

Okay. I'll bite. You are correct. If the person isn't in the correct mindset psychologically, yes the person will not maintain their weight. If the patient has the correct support, information and knowledge, they will use the all important honeymoon period (12-18 months post op) when hunger is low and restriction is high to cement healthy eating habits for when the time comes when the sleeve is less effective (for lack of a better word). Sleeves don't stretch necessarily, so your stomach will NEVER return to its pre op size. That in turn gives the patient the opportunity, if they are still choosing healthy options 95% of the time, to continue to maintain their weight. It gives them more of a fighting chance per se than someone with a "normal" size stomach. And statistically, it's proven that people who have had WLS are more successful at keeping weight off than peopke who haven't. Honestly, I'll take those odds for a relatively low risk, low complication surgery. Just a reminder, this is a weight loss surgery support site. Most people have either decided to have WLS or have already had WLS. And yes, we have been bombarded with many posts lately discouraging people from getting WLS by posters throwing out bogus information and basically trolling the site. So on behalf of all of us who use this site, we apologize if we are a little skeptical of your post.

I think it's only rough the first couple weeks post op. Yes, like you, I cried when my husband was eating an egg Mcmuffin in front of me 3 days post op. But it gets easier and easier as time goes by. Because of GERD complications, I was on liquids for 6 weeks. It's not easy, but once you get over the hump, it gets easier. What keeps you going is thinking about that magical time where you can actually have pureed food for the first time But having 85% of your stomach cut out is a pretty good mmotivator for most people.

You're going to be fine. Just hang tough for the next few days. My surgeon didn't even require a pre op diet. Said the shrinking was so minimul that it doesn't even matter really. That said, you still have a weight loss requirement that your doctor wants, so just try to suck it up for the next few days and stick with it. I know it's hard! You're not going to be magically over the desire for food, even after the surgery. It's something that is going to be a constant struggle that takes time to break, if ever. The surgery will help, but like the saying goes, they operate on your stomach not your brain. Good luck and keep us posted!

Maybe the veterans forum would be a better place to ask your question? Congrats on your weight loss and keeping it off for so long! I think a 40 pound gain at 5 years out is still doing pretty darn good, but I can certainly understand your frustration. Good luck!

Surgery on Friday morning, discharged Sunday early afternoon.

I went through the EXACT SAME THING. It took her 2 weeks to submit everything to insurance! I was calling my insurance company every day to see what the status was. I was getting SO ANNOYED. I even had my husband call her to speed things up. Funny thing is, once it got submitted, it only took 2 days for insurance to approve me. Here's hoping it's the same for you! Good luck with your upcoming surgery!

@@leag78 You are a sweet girl, but I don't know how any times we have to tell you you're doing just great with your weight loss! That's amazing progress! It's good to set goals and timelines, but be realistic about it. You are not going to lose 40 pounds in the next 2 months, so just do the best you can and set a REALISTIC goal. How about 15 or 20 more pounds by 6 months? That you can do, and we will all cheer you on! And guess what? Even if you didn't lose that much, we would still cheer you on! Patience, my dear. It has taken me a year to lose a little over 80 pounds. One of the biggest things i've learned is to just be PERSISTENT AND PATIENT. It's made me a more grateful and grounded person. Good things come to those who wait.

We all know from experience. No amount of begging, bribing, nagging, or shaming will get anybody to do anything until they are damn good and ready to do it. Lead by example, and hope he follows suit. I take this approach with my adult kids, who are both overweight. I don't even mention it. They've seen both their dad and I struggle with weight issues their whole lives, as they have too. And just like mom and dad, they've lost weight, and put it back on again several times. Now they see mom and dad thin and eating healthier and leading by example. Sure, we've both had surgery, but they know that's an option for them down the road if they feel the need. My daughter recently started working out again,and told me I was her inspiration. Best feeling in the world

@@jenn1 I know! I thought that was so cool that you were his last surgery before he retired! He also took my gall bladder out 6 years ago

People didn't start noticing my weight loss until I'd lost like 60 pounds. Oh sure, the ones that knew would comment about it, but people who didn't know never said a word. And when I would ask if they noticed, they would say the same thing as her..."You look the same to me" I would have gone around and been mad at EVERYBODY all the time otherwise! Don't be mad at her because she didn't notice your weight loss. I don't think her intentions were to disrespect you at all. She was very complimentary otherwise. How can you be mad at someone for something they don't even know they did? We kind of started with the same stats. Expect people to really start to notice at another 20 pounds.

I think because of the similarities of the surgery, you could say you're having your gall bladder removed? And the strict diet after could kind of go hand in hand with it.

@@jenn1 Actually, funny story to your question. My husband had an RNY 9 years ago, and his surgeon was Dr Oakley (I think I told you that). Anyway, he got pretty thin, but still within healthy BMI range. When he complained to Oakley at his year appointment about people telling him he was too thin, Dr Oakley said this: "There are so many overweight and obese people these days, nobody even knows what a healthy weight looks like anymore".

That's why it drives me absolutely CRAZY when people make fun of impoverished people for being "fat". What people don't understand is that just because you're overweight or obese, it doesn't mean your not malnourished. Most of those people and their kids are severely malnourished because they flat out have to shop quantity (bulk rice, bread, Pasta, etc..) as opposed to quality because of income limitations. Sure, with a little budgeting and planning you can choose healthier options, but will those make several meals to tide the family over until the next check or payday? Probably not. And yes, I understand that government assistance is abused as far as what people are allowed to buy with it. But 9 times out if 10 it's just families just trying to stretch a budget the best they can with the staple foods that hopefully will make meals to last the month. That's why I hate it when people get all judgy about it.

Good luck! See you on the other side! Keep us posted.

Then I suggest you wait 21 days post op. A lot of this process is learning to delay gratification. You'll have to do it a lot to lose weight. You may as well get used to it now.

Everyone is different, so answers will vary. It's all going to depend on your starting weight (the more you weigh, the more you will lose at first), age, whether you retain Water, etc.... I've seen people GAIN weight home from the hospital because of all the Fluid retention. I've seen people lose anywhere from 10-25 pounds the first 3 weeks. I think I'd lost 15. Like I said, it varies so much for so many reasons. Also, expect a stall soon after (usually starts around the 3rd or 4th week) Just the body taking a break after the quick weight loss. Then you will stabilize to a normal rate of loss of about 2-4 pounds a week.

My blood pressure went from 156/92 at 235 pounds to (last I checked) 116/78. My fasting blood sugar went from 130 to 85. Obviously, off both meds

I know 100% im eating way more then I should be. But I am really excited to try out my fitness pal app! I guess itll take some time to get use to it It does, but you can do it! I promise you'll see the benefit from it.

Like I always say, this whole process takes a lot of "moxie" (it's okay if you're a young 'un to look up that word). If you've got it, the sky is the limit to how far you can take this! Sure, there may be road blocks along the way, but moxie will get you through!

@@Aribay1 Do you know approximately how much you can eat before you're full? How many ounces or like 1/4 cup? Use your measure thingies to find out. And then measure out less to eat and stop when your SATISFIED, not full. Does that make sense? The reason only eating until satsfied and not full makes sense is believe it or not, as the years go by, it will take more to make us full. Then we are eating more. Then gaining weight. Great restriction isn't going to last forever. Unless you're Lipsticklady.

I.....I don't even..... *Facepalm*

Here's what I suggest. First, find an app where you can track your calories. I use My Fitness Pal. At 10 months out, you should be at around 1000 calories a day. With your excerise, maybe a little more. Use the app. Measure your portions. I know it's a pain, but break out your measuring cups and spoons. Eating til full might be causing you to inadvertently over eat. Get rid of the bread and crackers for now. You have plenty of time to eat that stuff once you get closer to goal and beyond. Right now you want weight loss, and those may be hindering you. Concentrate on lean protien and veggies (and a little fruit) right now. Eat clean. No processed food, and Snacks should consist of nuts, fruits, or cheese. Try that for a week or 2 and I'll bet you'll lose weight. Repeat.

Oh yes! Was one of my rewards at the 50 pound mark. I love a good deep tissue massage!

I agree, you look great! Unfortunately, us ladies in our 40's will have to deal with the ravages of time. Some deal with it without letting it bother them too much, some like to pursue other options...the nip/tuck or a little botox. I'm not opposed to either when the time comes. You are quite a bit thinner than I am, so I still have a little plumpness to my face. I think if I got down to your weight my 48 years would definitely show. I'll see how low I go weight wise and take it from there. If you find a good doctor who does botox in our area, let me know