JCP

Whoknows, please keep us posted. I saw a dermatologist about my hair loss (genetic, hormonal, and probably nutritional) prior to my venture into WLS. He recommended men's rogaine (higher dosage than womens). My surgery will be in Sept so I am already behind the 8 ball on hair loss. Will you please post later if rogaine seems to help preempt any loss for you? I am not looking forward to this aspect of the surgery but won't let it stop me of course. Per my dermatologist, I've already lost about half of my hair. I'm 56, post-hysterectomy (et al), no hormone replacement therapy.

I take an anti-depressant. It is a small pill but is VERY bitter if chewed. I guess I can crunch it up and just choke down the bitterness but I plan to ask my physician about this on my pre-op visit. I forgot to ask him previously...

You are my hero!

What a meaningful way to commemorate your accomplishment. Thank God you are feeling so much happier and healthy. I'm so thankful to live in a time when medicine offers us so many options that just 20 years ago did not exist. Congratulations, God bless, and I love your pretty kitty avatar.

Yall are all such an inspiration! I wish my surgery was tomorrow!

Oooooooh that saddle is gorgeous! Kindle is just beautiful. And you look wonderful! So awesome that you are able to spend time with your horse and you are both enjoying life together! Live it up to the fullest! I can't wait.

Love this. Can't wait to ride again. And even more so, not need three people to heave me onto the horse.

Ice cold crystal light. Love it.

I start my two week pre-op diet, then surgery on 9/10. In bed tonight, legs really aching, tired, getting ready to put on the cpap. Sure am ready to move forward... Wish I had known I was so anemic! That caused the delay. But hopefully the time will fly by and the iron will do the trick. SO ready for this!

By the way, my mom was morbidly obese. She spent the last 15 years of her life in a wheelchair from ruined knees, on insulin, and with congestive heart failure. She went through hell. Our whole family life revolved around trying to help her use the restroom, take bed baths, etc. Not that I would ever resent it, she was an angel and my soul mate and I would have walked into fire for her. But seeing her suffer broke my heart. She spent months in the ICU with heart, lung, and kidney failure before dying. That was 2009 and I still grieve like it was yesterday. I will do anything to avoid going through that or placing my husband in that position. Your husband needs to understand that this could be your future as well if you are not able to change your path. You need support from him now, so he does not have to care for you as an invalid later. God bless you. Prayers sent your way.

I can't wait! I bought a cute 2 piece bathing suit and I have it hanging where I can see it all the time. I can't wait to be able to buy a non-plus size piece of clothing. Hey, maybe I can even shop at Abercrombie & Fitch! LOL! Don't think so!

Mark, simply amazing! What an inspiration you are! Your wife is a lucky lady to have you supporting and caring for her. Bless her heart... RA is a bear. May God bless you both! Congratulations!!

This is very scary. I am very anemic, pre-op, and have frequent dizziness and nausea and I started losing hair. The NUT has me on several supplements and I'm feeling better but not great. Surgery won't happen until it is resolved. Please update us. You must have been very scared. You could have been killed. Sure hope you are better.

Embroidery, reading, and doing my own manicures/pedicures/foot massages have worked for me in the past. And petting my kitties, of course (best therapy of all).

Forgot to add... So far my favorite is Premier Protein vanilla, 30 grams of protein. Got them at Walmart. We'll see if they still taste decent after surgery!

I'm waiting on final approval too although I have been given a Sep date. I'm dreading the two week pre-op way more than the surgery! I think the post-op should be much more tolerable based on what I've been told and read. But hey, no matter what, I'm ready!

The thing that sealed it for me was going to a support group meeting and talking to those who have done it. There were people waiting for surgery and some years out. One lady was year two and training for a marathon. So much positive energy, I left on cloud 9, knowing it was the right decision. If your provider can recommend a group, check it out. And if it's a good experience for you, ask him to join you. He is right to be concerned and it shows he cares. But it is your choice. Keep us posted and God bless!

Don't worry; endoscopy is a breeze. The procedure takes all of 15 mins and you'll be out while they do it. No problems! They just check the condition of your esophagus and entry to your stomach, make sure you have no big problems. It's a piece of cake. My date is Sept 10! We will be having ours very close to the same time! I am really excited too!

I think the only appropriate response to questions like that is total silence, long enough to make that person feel really uncomfortable, then turn and walk away. Some people really are idiots.

Anyone who judges you is not worth a second thought. May God comfort and bless you and your entire family and your dear son who has passed. What a special pair you and your husband are. Be proud of yourself. You deserve it.

Posts like these are so inspiring. I met a woman at support group a couple of weeks ago who had her sleeve two years ago. She said she has so much energy now she pops out of bed in the morning "like a piece of toast". Lol! She is in training to run a full marathon. Keep these happy stories coming!

Finally got the date... Sept 10! Wish it was not so far off! But anemia threw a wrench into things. But the iron and vitamin supplements and protein shakes are already working and giving me lots more energy! Gee, imagine if I could actually lose this extra 100 person I am carrying around 24x7.... What kind of energy would I have then? So glad I made the decision to do this! There is HOPE! YAY!!

My family is in Houston but I live M-F 4 hours away in SA. (Laid off in Houston.) I am having my surgery in SA and recovering alone as my insurance will pay more for the hospital here. My physician said I could recover at home and he could refer me to a physician there. But I decided I will be more comfortable staying near him at least for the first month in case of complications. But you can do your post-op anywhere as long as your physician approves. People who go to Mexico come back right away then follow up with local docs. Good luck with your surgery and your move! I love Tennessee!

I used to have migraines and so did my brother. This is probably going to sound weird but since we both went on anti-depressants, they have disappeared. He and I will be on them the rest of our lives as ours is severe and chronic and can only be controlled with meds. Maybe it's just our genetics but we no longer have to experience those horrible migraines. I hope those on here who do have them can find some relief.

Yall are killing me. Thanks... You have no idea how badly I needed a laugh!