Kandis SupaStar Hill

Thank you for responding, my first outbreak was in 2008, I thought it was a few ingrown hairs under my arms but then I noticed that my breast would break out as well. when I was diagnosed I was so embarrassed and felt helpless because there is no cure. I think I the last few years the breakouts have been below the waist which is really freaking me out. I REFUSE to date. My PCP says that once I'm down to a good size maybe below 165 lbs I may see a reduction in breakouts so I'm praying. I know that working out has irritated the condition but what can I do? ugh! I can't wait until this is over. Thanks again for responding!

Hi everyone, This is a semi embarrassing topic, that I have to just get over and ask about because I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who suffers from this. I have Hidradenitis Suppurativa which is a skin disease that 1-4% of the population suffers from. it can be a very emotional and debilitating condition, that can make the slightest movement feel like thousands of knives stabbing you, and that's putting it mildly. For those of you, which may be many, that don't really know about it, here is a link for your info: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hidradenitis-suppurativa-leaflet For those of you that do suffer from this, have you notice any changes in flair ups after surgery? I've noticed that mine have gotten unbearable, I've scheduled an appointment with the dermatologist, I don't wanna go under the knife again so soon, but I'm starting to think that cutting out the sinus tunnels in my skin may be my only option at this point. I'm really sick of the out breaks and the drainage and I though weight loss and diet change would calm it down some, but it hasn't seemed to work at all. Has anything helped for any of you? I've read taking zinc helps, but I'm not so sure. Thank you in advance for your input, Kandis

That's amazing, I'm so happy for you, thanks for sharing!!

Yes, I hate eating now it's become a chore - I still haven't mastered the whole "knowing when I'm about to get full..." so it [fullness], still sneaks up on me from time to time. The one thing I hate is how some food feels when it's going down, some stuff makes me feel so sick, I'm still learning what stage six foods agree with me and which don't. It's strange that I didn't puke until I made it to stage six. I thought I would puke from over eating; but nope, it's just that certain foods after a bite don't agree with me at all. I loathe getting hungry, some days I wish I could just walk around with an IV attached to my veins to have liquid nutrients pumped into my system, LOL.

@@Introvert does bread feel as if it's swelling in your stomach? that's how it feels when I eat it

I'm here, muddling through and learning what I can and can't eat, and trying not to freak out by all my hair shedding... yuck!

LOL my stomach sounds like Mt Vesuvius every two hours, I'm like what the heck is popping off in there I know my co-workers hear it, but they don't say anything, LOL!

I feel your pain, I get hungry every two hours,having to eat again within a short span of time really doesn't bother me much because I try to eat every two hours anyway. It's just that the hunger pangs are ridiculous it feels as if there's some type of raging monster in my stomach. At first I thought it was due to the lack of liquids but even when I'm adhering to the liquid in take my sleeve starts erupting like Mount Vesuvius! I'm hoping that upping my fiber intake would at least calm my sleeve down since I am only two months out, but it sure is hard some days.

I'm sorry I'm stuck on the facebook poll, are you serious? That's just plain wicked. Some people can be so hurtful even when they think they're trying to help. As if taking a poll among facebook users, most of whom probably aren't even educated enough on the topic to comment let alone take a poll, iwould to stop you from doing what you know is best for you. I'm sorry you had to deal with such a crappy friend. Do you think she was just angry that if you lost the weight she'd lose you as a friend?

I chose the sleeve after watching live videos on both procedures and after speaking with the weight and wellness team at the hospital. I think both procedures are amazing tools if you utilize them properly, I just know me and I know their would be days were that "dumping syndrome" would catch me off guard so I was like no ma'am! Plus, and I hate to sound morbid, the thought of having 80-90% of my stomach removed sounded kinda cool - no take backs, LOL! whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll make the right choice!

I didn't shout if from the roof top, but I didn't tell everyone I knew either, I only told a certain few; it wasn't because of privacy, it's just because I didn't feel like explaining myself. There are certain people that you just can't waste energy on while you're going through the process because it's stressful and draining as it is, without dealing with complete ignorance. You know who you can share things with, and you know who just needs to find out when, (if ever), they find out. Now that I've had surgery, when people ask how I've dropped the weight so quickly I answer honestly. I had no intentions of lying if asked; I just felt it was on a need to know bases, and a lot of people just didn't need to know. I do believe that everyone in my family now knows because my parents are like your local channel 5 news anchors, but that's a different story, LOL. I don't know why people lie about the surgery, you can put two and two together and tell they had "something" so you might as well be honest. I think for the most part it's just a comfort thing; some people may be embarrassed they had to look to this type of tool, or some people just don't want to waste time defend their decision. However, I agree you are right, if you don't stand up for your choices then people will be free to continuously place whatever stigma they want on WLS. Speaking out about it is the best way to educate, I just believe in speaking out about it only if asked. If a person doesn't ask, they can feel free to guess all they want.

@@swimbikerun I think it might be a mixture but I know depending on the person it can be a bit of derision. I remember a friend making the comment about another friend who's getting the surgery and it was full of ridicule. She basically said it wasn't fair that she was able to eat herself into a death chamber, (meaning her body), then get a free pass to get out of it without ever putting any thought into her weight before. Besides calling her body a "death chamber," there was a few things wrong with her statement. First, you never know what someone thinks about the condition of their body skinny or obese, so to say she just simply got a "free pass," meaning her insurance would cover her irresponsibility, is quite ridiculous to say the least. I do think that people who don't understand the WLS is a tool feel a little jealously because they're under the assumption that you never have to go the gym, be cognizant of what you eat ever again, while they're running for their lives on a treadmill. It's just a stigma that comes with WLS because how often do people get educated on the topic, aside from the people who are actually going through it?

I went through that, too I didn't realize that some things just go down easier than others so I immediately jumped on the board and freaked out about it. It's perfectly normal to do so. I'm two and a half months out and I can tell you, my sleeve is still firm and letting me know when I've reached 3 ounces.

Sounds like my mother, she told everyone at the 4th of July BBQ, thank goodness I wasn't there. When I asked her how it came up, she nonchalantly said she "simply announced it," she better be lucky I lover her, and you only get one mom, LOL!

@@MisforMimi Exactly, as if that was the sole answer to weight loss, LOL!

@@bikrchk You know what? Now that you've mentioned it, they (people who say you're not that big..) really do think they're complimenting you. It's basically an insulting compliment, it's like telling a chef "your food is edible..." I mean a crayon is edible if you think about it, well based on the fact that my dog eats them, LOL.

when I started this journey towards WLS, I was 207 my BMI was 40.1, mind you I'm only 4'11! I only told my four closet friends, they were extremely supportive. I knew not to tell certain people in my family. Some of them are so old fashioned, and I couldn't be bothered explaining to them that WLS isn't the same as plastic surgery. When I told my parents of course they were concerned but then I took them to one of my appointments, and that settled that. Of course my mother has a big mouth, so she told THE WORLD. She said the biggest response was "She isn't that big, all she needs to do is drink more Water and walk around that park...." I'm glad THEY think it's that easy because it's really not. I had this conversation with my surgeon and he response was "Who told you that?" She explained that people don't understand that just because someone carries their weight evenly, which I did, it doesn't mean that WLS isn't a proper tool for them. Now that I'm down almost 30 lbs people can clearly see "I was that big..." Sometimes it's just a matter of not being educated that leads people to comment the way they do.

I freaked out big time, I was scared about going under, the surgery itself not so much. I remember I kept talking about going to sleep and not waking up. Finally, my mother simply told me to shut up. Not the smoothest move on her part, but she said the more I talked about it the more antsy I got. So, I started singing 'Pretty Hurts,' by Beyonce. Don't ask me why, I wasn't questioning my reasons for getting the surgery, I think I was questioning my reasons for thinking I wasn't worthy of it, and to prove how unworthy I was the universe would do something like cause the Dr. to botch the anesthesia and I'd die. Morbid I know, but it was what I thought nevertheless. I think it's human nature to freak out, for whatever reason, and there are many. My friend's surgery is the 22nd of this month and she is freaking out. I told her the hardest part is showing up, and trusting that you're making the right decision for your health. I'm glad you rescheduled, best of luck to you!

I second that emotion, I keep buying food as if I'm going to eat as I used to eat. I find myself constantly going to the store because, "I need something," the truth is I just haven't come to terms with the fact that now my eyes are LITERALLY bigger than my stomache.

And may God have mercy on us all if the day ever arrives, could you imagine?!

Hello, Congrats on your decision to have surgery, I don't know much about BCBS of CA, because I switched over to Tufts because of a job change. I can tell you that as soon as my insurance kicked in, I went to my PCP and got a referral, and two and a half months later I had the surgery. So I don't think it matters when you seek the surgery, it mostly just depends on the insurance requirements. As Beni stated they may require a two year weight history, but your PCP should have that info. Best Wishes!

praying that you have a swift recovery, congrats!

Hi Guys! Sooo..... I'm on stage 4 now, I've been there since last week; HOWEVER, it's becoming a huge hassle . Breakfast: 1 Protein 1 starch 1 fruit lunch: protein starch veggie fruit Um, I can barely get the protein in, after two bites of protein I start burping and feeling so full, I might as well tip over. So I went back to yogurt, and Protein shakes. My PA says she knows I'm scared but I have to move on to stage 4 and eventually stay there. My problem is I cannot get any of that food in, and the less I eat, the less weight I lose. She wants me to set up an eating plan so I'm getting at least 500-600 calories in, but Um... How?! I never thought eating would become so frustrating. Any tips on how to get this food in? Some days I feel as if I'm eating and drinking every hour on the hour. top of the hour: food, then I wait an hour drink, the next hour food. If I don't do this, I can't get it all in. I don't like the fact that my day revolves around getting protein in. I know it get's easier, but right now I feel like a slave to food all over again. Any tips would be greatly appreciated, please and thank you! Kandis PS I'm also getting tired of protein shakes, but that's a whole other beast