Becoming Bariatrical

A quote from RuPaul comes to mind... "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" You have VALUE! He doesn't appreciate you! You deserve respect, love, and happiness! It's so easy to forget these things.

@@green*eyed*girl I know EXACTLY how you feel! I constantly get comments at work about my weight loss transformation. It's like now the men suddenly know you exisist when before they keep their eyes averted like being fat was contagious! I swear I daydream of chocolate and Pasta daily! I guess the only difference with me is that I have always been a stomach sleeper, so it's actually more comfortable for me now. Especially with my tempurpedic bed! The skin issues REALLY suck! I am researching plastic surgeons and procedures now!

I had gallbladder removed 6 weeks before my RNY on October 2nd, 2014, so I ended up with 12! My stomach is pretty crazy looking! But I wouldn't change a THING!

No worries! It is expected, I weighed more for a week or so after surgery. Don't forget you have internal swelling and bloating. I will be better soon!

I am four months out and my hair has been falling out in clumps! I'm taking Biotin but haven't noticed any difference. I will have to try Toppik. It's GOT to stop soon!

Wow, 20 lbs in 18 days is brutal, but possible. Being scared before surgery is perfectly normal. I was terrified! All I kept thinking of was all the horror stories I have heard and I didn't want to die! But I just kept reminding myself that I REALLY needed this surgical tool to be healthier and become more of a participant in my family's life. I could barely walk without a cane last year. Now, to be honest, I have had minor complications, but I have no regrets! It won't be easy, and it will be an adjustment for your family and friends. But when you have more freedom and energy you will be so much happier! All this struggle will be TOTALLY worth it!

Endicott, New York (Upstate) Dr. Christian Tventenstrand

I have spent soooo many years avoiding pictures, that I never considered taking more pictures to show how I'm changing. I feel very odd looking in the mirror now. I tend to notice the flaws first. Thank you for this powerful reminder!

Great article, thank you for sharing! I think the outcomes would be even better for non-veteran healthcare providers. The Bariatric Program I did required several appointments with a dietitian, counseling, and support group attendance before they would even submit to your insurance. Veterans get much quicker approval for the surgery but don't get the tools they need to be successful, at least that was the case with my veteran friends. I strongly believe that bariatric surgery improves our health and give us a better life.

I think the general public needs more education! My family thought I was CRAZY to get Gastric Bypass surgery. Last year, I was so heavy that I was crushing my knees and could barely walk without a cane. Now my family sees the HUGE difference and I can easily walk miles. They have realized that the surgery was not a quick fix. I worked hard and struggled but I am happy and that's all that really matters... you do your thing!

I have been using opurity bariatric optimized vitamins. I am 4 months out from my Gastric Bypass surgery and my dietitian was surprised how well all my vitamin levels were on my last bloodwork. Many people require B-12 shots, but opurity's vitamin B-12 with folic acid sublingual (under the tongue), I have avoided the shots. I couldn't be happier!