ilikecake2much

@@Butterfly512 OMG are we living the same life? Seriously this is getting creepy. Different hubbys, same mentality.

@@Butterfly512 I have a little more time to comment now, but my kids are running a muck. My surgeon just told me my surgery goal weight, I have to lose 15lbs before they do my psych evaluation, then another 5 before they schedule my date. And once they schedule my date, they usually do it 4-6 weeks out! And I am soooooo impatient. And once I get my mind/heart set on something, I get so anxious to just make it happen!!! It's driving me crazy!! Meanwhile, I am so down on myself. I just feel like I really let myself down. I also don't bother with hair/makeup/nice clothes. And now that I have made the decision to go for this, I feel helpless not being able to speed it along. *SIGH* But the time will pass, and one day we will look back on this pre-op time as just a little blink in the grand scheme of things. I hope it goes quickly for you.

I am so sorry you're feeling this way, but I am so happy I am not alone!! I know EXACTLY how you feel. And I can't write much because I have to pee really badly, and I have to close up the office and go pick up my kids, but I wanted to let you know that you're not alone!! ((hug))

@@MammaBear2Kamp - You are an amazing Mom!

I read on this forum yesterday that a leak in a sleeve only happens shortly after surgery. It never happens months/years later. Is this true? Does anyone have any links/research supporting that? One of my biggest fears of having the sleeve is the possibility of a leak. BUT I honestly don't fear it happening immediately following surgery, I trust my surgeon 110%, she has never had a leak. I fear it happening 20,30,40 years down the road. Is that possible? I tried to find info online, but haven't found anything...I also tried to email my surgeon to ask her, but the way my insurance is set up, I have to email my PCP. Who could then ask the surgeon to call/email me, but that could take up to a week or more and I'm a very impatient person lol. I guess it makes sense that it wouldn't be likely to happen once the stomach is healed...but I would think it could still be a possibility if someone were to drink lots of soda, coffee, alcohol, etc...???

I'm in Manteca and my surgeon is in Fremont...

Thanks! @@Mike4132

I just met with my surgeon and she basically gave me the option of Bypass or Sleeve. She said she would recommend me for either surgery, but she would lean more towards sleeve because I am young and hopefully have a good 60 years ahead of me and that's a long time to be maintaining a pouch...like there are more risks and a long time of taking crazy amounts of vitamins, etc. I was initially leaning more towards bypass because I am not doing WLS as a method to lose weight, I am doing it as a tool to keep the weight off. And I wanted dumping syndrome to keep me in line because high fat sugary foods are my slippery slope. I do have faith in myself and I am confident that I can do this if I really set my mind to it, with or without dumping syndrome, but I wanted that extra assurance. But I do agree with her, the sleeve is less risky and invasive and that's comforting. What made your decision?

And I'm so excited!!!!! :D That is all. PS - Did you know there is a limit on how many emoticons you can use?? LAME

Still super excited, but a little pump on the breaks. Apparently my insurance changed and it isn't as great as it once was...so I will have a much higher out of pocket expense. It's going to take us a while to save up for it. *sigh*

....Not being fat. I have been fat as long as I can remember. I was actually a skinny child, but once puberty hit the pounds just piled on. So I was only skinny before I knew what skinny and fat were. I look at all these before/after photos and I can't even begin to imagine what it will feel like to no longer be the fat one. The fat friend, the fat wife, the fat daughter, the fat mom, the fat cousin, sister, in-law, co-worker, etc. I am and always have been pretty much the biggest person I know. I can't imagine my life after WLS. I am so freaking excited!!!

@@Butterfly512 I feel the exact same way. And you know what? The truth is you (and I) probably CAN "do it on our own". But you know what else? We would probably also gain it all back and then some. What is making the decision easier for me is knowing the facts - about 97% of people who lose weight with diet and exercise will gain it all back. We are more likely to keep MOST of the weight off long term with WLS. That is what seals the deal for me. Yes, I could eat healthy and exercise and slowly lose weight. But I have done that so many times and it has always ended in me gaining it all back and more. Its time for me to try something better. Something proven to have a higher success rate.

@@gofigure - Me too! I'm 5'0 and the smallest I have ever gotten was 175! I was a size 14 and at the time I felt so thin but I know I was still way overweight for my height. So I also have no idea what to shoot for.

I am pre-op, probably going to have RNY. I have read a lot about how having WLS increases your risk of having gallstones and needing to remove the galbladder. I had my galbladder removed in 2004. Is there anyone here who already had their galbladder removed before they had WLS? Did it affect anything? I think I already have my own little version of dumping syndrome....I have diarrhea all the time. Maybe I have IBS? My tummy is upset by pretty much everything I eat, sometimes it's quite painful. I have noticed that if I suddenly go on a diet I have bright yellow bile diarrhea for a few days until my body gets used to making less bile. I guess this is something I will discuss with the surgeon, but I just wanted to see if there is anyone here like me.

I completely agree with Woo Woo. It sounds like he is feeling insecure. My hubby gets the same way (and I haven't even had surgery yet). Just do everything you can to reassure him that you only have eyes for him. And remind him that you only want to lose weight to be healthier and happier with yourself and better in the bedroom for him. He obviously "likes skinny girls" because you were thin when you met. Losing weight should not jeopardize your relationship. Just boost his ego as much as you can.

Tell me about your life! How limited is your new way of eating? The fear of dumping is honestly the only thing making me lean towards the sleeve. I do think that dumping is a blessing in disguise, and part of me wants it to keep me from eating things I shouldn't. BUT my hubby said "You won't always have perfectly prepared meals for the rest of your life." And he's right. Life happens, and when it does I don't want to dump!! So please tell me what your average day looks like, tell me things that make you dump that you have to avoid. I know everyone is different, but I just want to see what your experience has been like. Thank you!!

Has anyone used Medifast to lose the pre-op weight? I have some just sitting in my pantry and would love to get some use out of it...and seeing as though they want me to lose some weight...win/win right? BUT my surgeon wants me doing a 1200 calorie per day 70grams of protein "diet". Basically to start eating the way I should for life. Thoughts?

I don't even have a surgery date yet and I'm already wishing I didn't tell anyone. *sigh* I work with my Mom and she and I are very close. I talk everything through with her, so she has know my intentions from day 1. And she hates it. But it's my journey and my choice. But she basically told me who I had to tell, and she told me that I couldn't keep it a secret, implying that if I didn't tell people she would. Not cool Mom, not cool. So I told my bosses (a husband/wife couple) because I figured that I *couldn't* lie to them - gasp! Now I think why the hell couldn't I ?! Well, because Mom would have set them strait. My bosses are totally cool with it, and completely support it, BUT because they think it's a great idea, they don't understand me wanting to keep it quiet, and they have already told a couple of the guys we work with!! (We are a very close-knit, family like group) So the cats out of the bag. I have to just own it and kick butt. But I'm pretty pissed that I have such a big mouth.

Do you know if anyone has made a list for must-haves for post-op at home?? Like all the yummy SF things, proteins, and vitamins, etc...

@@62race I am meeting with Dr. Chu. She did the orientation, and I really liked her. What requirements did you have before they gave you a surgery date? I have already been going to a mindful eating group before I even started thinking about surgery. I want to move this along as fast as possible, I'm a really impatient person lol.

I'm not a gay male (strait female) but I just wanted to wish you luck, I hope you heal up soon! And I hope you find the support you're looking for!

Drink drink drink! I know it sounds counter productive, if you're retaining water why would you want to drink more? But it will start to flush!

My doctor recommended me for bariatric surgery. She said I am a "prime candidate". The surgeon is supposed to be calling me soon to schedule my first appointment. Before all this, I actually have been attending a class on Mindful Eating (which is required for bariatric patients) but I was just taking it in an effort to become more in-tune with myself and my food issues. I honestly had never even considered weight loss surgery. I always saw it as something I would never do, as a last resort for people who couldn't lose the weight, who had hundredS of pounds to loose, or who have major medical issues. But here I am at 246lbs and only 5'0. My BMI is 48, I should probably loose 125-ish lbs. I have been heavy pretty much my entire adult life. I do not have any major medical issues, but my father passed away due to type 2 diabetes complications in his late 40's and my mother has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I have tried everything to lose weight, and I have been semi-successful in the past (never got to goal though), only to be derailed by pregnancy. Then after baby, I get back on track and loose some weight, then gain some, loose some, BAM pregnant again, and the cycle continues I'm sure you all know the story. I am having a hard time coming to terms with the idea of weight loss surgery. It is very overwhelming and kind of humbling. I am still in the getting info stage, but the way I have been thinking about it and talking about it to my hubby and my Mom, I feel like I have already decided. But I'm scared to admit it to myself. Seeing as though I have no major medical issues, I feel like this is a little motivated by vanity. And I really struggle with that. Maybe that is my fat brain trying to convince me not to do it? I *AM* morbidly obese, 246lbs is WAY too much for my little 5'0 frame to carry, I am sore and tired all the time. I do get winded on short walks. And I do need to do something if I don't want to end up like my Dad. But does it really need to be WLS? I do feel desperate, like I have exhausted every other option. I am ashamed of having WLS...is that normal? I feel like my family does not support it...and they are all frowning upon me for looking into it. I know their opinions "do not matter", but it's hard to ignore EVERYONE around me. Even my hubby "just doesn't really like the idea", but he will support me in whatever I decide to do. (But long story, I feel like he kind of sub-consciously likes me fat and insecure as he is very heavy as well) I just don't know how I feel about the whole thing. I want to be excited about it, but it's hard.

I'm not original either, I just like cake... LOL Real Name = Melissa

@@sweet4422 - Hey Alex, how did it go?? I went to orientation at Fremont last week and I have an appt with Dr. Chu next Thursday 4/16! I'm so excited, I hope it all moves quickly!!