melyssafaye

I've been wondering about this myself. I was looking at a high waisted Rago girdle. It provides a lot of core support and my hope is that it will help direct my body as it reshapes during weight loss. For me, waist training corsets seem a bit severe but Spanx are just better control top pantyhose. I need a big girl girdle. I wore girdles all through high school and college and I really believe that they help encourage that classic shape. Of course, that's just my opinion and your mileage may vary.

I'm sorry about your struggle. The sleeve is the first stage of DS. Maybe due to your other medical issues you need to do the second part to add malabsorption. You're surgeon should be able to tell you. DS is used for weight loss resistant people and for some, it's the only thing that works. You're halfway there anyway.

One thing my surgeon mentioned to me today at my post op follow up is that the time off isn't just about healing your body. The physical recovery is just one part of it. It's also about having time to re-learn how to eat and how to follow your bariatric program. When you're struggling to get through a day on very few calories, it is easier to make poor choice and/or skip meals because you don't feel especially hungry or thirsty. He said that people who push too early have a higher chance of never getting it right in the beginning and being less successful. Personally, I felt so good at one week out, I went and got a job at a busy hair salon. I am dead tired after a 6 hour shift and often feel pressured to eat super fast between clients and don't meet my protein goal or water goal. I'm 3 weeks out and my surgeon thinks I made a bad decision.

I have always been a body positive person and I feel that loving our bodies is super important. I think where the disconnect happens is that many people think "acceptance" means "this is how I am and I can't do anything about it". In reality, acceptance is that moment when you are able to acknowledge where you are and embrace yourself with compassion. I was always proud, attractive woman and have been over 200lbs since high school. I maintained at 235 for 20 years-gaining during my two pregnancies and then losing back to what I can only assume was my "set point". In spite of having a Bmi of 40, I wanted to see models who were curvy and I wanted designers to make clothes that would fit me. I wanted to express my style at any size. Over the past 5 years, however, I began to gain a little more and no matter what I did, I couldn't shift it. After lots of research and soul searching, I had VSG. Even as I'm losing, I accept myself and my body. Right now, I need all the compassion I can muster for my inner (and still outer) fat girl who is terrified of what this drastic change means for her. Our relationships with our bodies is so complex and complicated. I wish Oprah the best but I don't understand why she doesn't have WLS. With all her money and all the work she has put into losing weight, you'd think she'd try something that has a better chance of working. But still people say it's the easy way out while running out to buy whatever dad diet pill is on the market that promises to make you lose weight with no diet or exercise. Go figure!

I am a little over 2 weeks out and mashed potatoes were on my approved list for purée. I tried it once but found out quickly that for me, it led to major carb cravings. I had been doing fine and not really craving anything. The day I had mashed potatoes and the day after, it was as though my mind was continually obsessing over what kind of cheat food I could fit in my sleeve. It was crazy. I stopped the carbs and went back to not really thinking about or wanting food that wasn't on my list. For me, I just have an easier time when I'm eating my measured portion without much enthusiasm because it's time to eat rather than craving things and eating as much as I can until I'm full. But of course, everyone is different and it takes trial and error to figure out what works best for you. There is no shame in trying mashed potatoes.

I am a little over 3 weeks out after surgery at UIC with Dr. Ganjamei. I have only positives to say about the team. Surgery wasn't super stressful. On surgery day they are super efficient and get you prepped and ready in a super chill way. After surgery, I was hurting a lot for the first 3 days and feeling like crud, but I never had a complication or had trouble swallowing or anything. They do meticulous work, so you're in good hands. Good luck!!!!

I am 14 days out and suddenly today I am also having incision pain at my large incision next to my tummy button. I'm not sure why, but wondering if maybe I've been overdoing things. At 7 days out, I was feeling so great that I decided to get a job at a local hair salon ( I'm a hairstylist). Anyway, I got the job and this week I have worked two 3 hour shifts and tomorrow and the next day I have to work 6 hours each day. I think I may have taken on too much, but I'd be embarrassed to quit. Have you been overdoing it? Or maybe this is normal?

Wonton soup, no veggies, then toss the wontons. I recall it tasting like heaven. With the veggies, but strained wasn't nearly as yummy to me as no veg, but the wonton gives the broth flavor so just take then out before you drink.

I'm only 10 days out, but so far I think it was having mashed potatoes during purée. It seemed like a great purée food but I only had a couple bites. A few hours later was the first time I caught myself daydreaming and considering how to cheat. I was thinking about real pudding, maybe ice cream and hey, one of those little mini eclairs would probably fit in my tummy... I learned the lesson. For me, NO CARBS. I'm just not that strong.

I think people say it because they don't know what else to say. I was at a job interview recently and my prospective boss said something about how she was saving money to have a breast lift and Botox. She looked great to me, but I didn't want to be unsupportive and nay-say her choices. On the other hand, I wasn't sure if she was looking for a compliment and wanted me to say "you're kidding!! You're gorgeous!" Since I was on the spot, I said "that's great. Everyone ought to do whatever they want to look however they want. But if I looked as great as you, I might wait till it was really necessary." I work in the beauty industry, so I don't know what the right answer was. I never heard from her again and assume I didn't get the job. It's tricky. On the other hand, during my 6 month preop diet I had to meet monthly with my NUT and have three visit with a Dr of nutrition. At my first appt with that Dr, she came out to waiting room a couple time looked around and went back. Finally she came back out and asked receptionist where I had gone. I didn't know she was looking for me as she didn't call a name. The receptionist pointed me out. The doctor greeted me and apologized for the wait because she said she was looking for a bariatric patient and I didn't look like one. I was a little concerned but she opened my chart and said that I certainly meet the criteria, I just carry my weight well (which I think is maybe true). I am 5'5 hourglass shaped, SW 265 CW 236. Surgery 3/31/16

I'm a week post op and also have times when I'm very chilled. No fever or anything. I guess is just normal.

I'm 7 days post op and only just went to bathroom. It's normal, especially if you took magnesium citrate prior to surgery. There's just not a lot of solids in your system. I have been taking stool softners and miralax just to make sure I'm not getting constipated but they didn't make it happen. One thing you can pay attention to is gas. The gas pains are from the gas they used during surgery. As you pass them, you feel better but they are mostly odorless. They are your body passing that gas. When your bowels wake up, the gas will change into the typical fart smell. It's just a normal part of getting your digestion working again. At five days, you don't need to panic but hopefully the MOM will help get things moving.

I'm sorry about your troubles, but it may work itself out. I took magnesium citrate pre-op and had surgery 3/31. Yesterday I was worried because I hadn't gone either. My surgeon gave me liquid stool softener along with liquid pain meds. It tasted like I would imagine castor oil would taste. Gross!! I managed two doses but then it began to make me heave. Instead, I began taking Miralax every night. Nothing happened. Just like you, I had gas from surgery that pretty much didn't smell like anything and no urge to go. I'm prone to constipation so I decided to try magnesium citrate again. It was probably a poor choice. It is Very Very tough on a post op tummy. It's a lot of carbonated liquid. My poor tummy cramped up trying to get it down. Plus, you have to take small sips. I barely managed half the bottle with extreme effort and discomfort. I did end up having a bowel movement but it wasn't nearly what I had anticipated. In fact, I only went twice and that was it. Magnesium citrate needs a lot of water and is rough after surgery. I probably didn't need to take it because I think I just wasn't ready. If you're concerned and want to take the laxative route, maybe Milk of Magnesia would be a better choice. It's less liquid to get into your tummy and no carbonation.

That has always happened to me since I was a little kid. The joke is everyone knows I'm full because I sneeze exactly six times. So weird!Now that I'm just a couple days post-op, I'm curious to see if I continue sneezing or if it's something else. Btw- I asked an ear, nose throat dr about it and she said its called gustatory rhinitis and people sneeze in multiples of three usually.

I'm sure this is a silly question but pre-op I thought "head hunger" meant craving certain foods or wishing for a whopper or piece of cake. Today, I'm 5 days post-op and I just feel empty. I have this overwhelming want. Not for anything specific. I'm not craving anything or wishing for something sweet. I just want something and I want to put it in my mouth. My tummy aches and I've had some protein shake and a little broth, so I know it's not empty. I don't plan on eating anything else tonight, but I can't seem to ignore this deep want. I don't know how to explain it, but it's a fairly miserable feeling. Is this what head hunger feels like?

@@JamieLogical wow! You made me feel better. I thought I was being a snob when I judged him for having an office in what appears to be a strip mall with his name in huge letters. He performs cosmetic surgery along with bariatric surgery and other general surgeries like hernia repair or gallbladder removal. I noticed the camera doesn't pan out too much on the outside of the office but I expect there's a neon light that reads "100% Financing". Personally, I want my bariatric surgeon to specialize in bariatric treatment and my cosmetic surgeon to specialize in their field as well. The plastic surgeon that is affiliated with my bariatric team is the head of cosmetic surgery at University of Illinois and is a professor of body contour. He specializes in body contour after weight loss or reconstruction after accident, injury etc. Maybe he isn't a bad doctor but there is just something about him that rubs me wrong. I have a hard time accepting that he was the best they could find.

I have a sick fascination with this show. I really hate it but always seem to watch it. First, I think they ham it up for the camera. Most of these people seem to be fairly poor or at least not well off. Yet, no one in the house cooks and they eat out many times a day. How is that even financially possible? The people I've known who were in those situations were on disability and used their SNAP cards to buy things like chips and frozen pizzas. It's just cheaper for the family to eat junk. This is never addressed. Instead it's "stop eating fast food". Also, I don't think dr. Now is a good surgeon. Although, on Skin Tight he does better work than the twins. He always sends patients home to lose weight after a long trip and 5 minute consultation. My own surgeon gave me more info, resources and time. I was immediately paired with a MD of nutrition and two registered dietitians. And I had a Bmi of 40.4. I was watching Fat Doctor on BBC and Dr. Summers works with patients and I've seen him give super obese patients the gastric balloon for a few months in order to get their weight low enough to perform surgery safely. Comparing the two show doctors, Dr. Now treats his patients with almost contempt. Like its his job to shame them into good behavior. Dr. Summers treats his patients as sick people with a disease and helps them with medical treatments. If my surgeon treated me like dr. Now does his patients, I would find another doctor. Obesity is a disease not a moral failing. Most of the people on the show have obese family members as well. Not addressing whole family healing and nutrition is almost negligent.

I was dr elli's patient at UIC. He's wonderful. Unfortunately, he left to go to Mayo Clinic the month before my surgery.

Not waking up was my big fear as well. I'm 5 days post op. A week or so prior to your surgery date you'll be required to have an appointment with Anesthesiology. At that point you'll meet your team and they will do whatever blood work and stuff they need. They'll help calm your fears because that is a common one. They'll let you know if there is any reason to be concerned. Their job and passion is getting people safely under and safely back to consciousness. It will be ok. Like I said, that's what I was scared of as well. I don't even remember going into surgery. Coming out I was a little nauseated and disoriented but ok. As for the will, it's always good to be prepared. I always say that worry isn't preparation so at least you're using that energy to prepare instead of fret endlessly.

Have you checked out bento boxes? They're a cool way to pack little portions

I had a three hour eval along with a packet I had to fill out and bring to the appointment with me. The psychologist told me that she needed to ask lots of questions but that it wasn't her job to determine if my reasons were "right" enough. That basically she has to determine three things: 1- do I have a clear understanding of the surgery and after care. 2-do I have enough information about lifestyle changes to give full consent 3- am I mentally capable of giving that consent. For example, untreated mental illness, eating disorder or even a mania might be influencing consent. The eval is so that after the fact you can't say that you weren't given information or didn't understand or that you were not mentally stable at the time. It's a liability thing.

Good luck!! Let us know how you're doing

That's so great! I see so many people losing lots of weight during the liquid diet and I had hoped I would be the same. Unfortunately, I've been on the diet for 11 days and have lost 7 lbs. I haven't cheated at all ( although I really, really wanted to). I also work out a couple times a week with a physical therapist. Go figure. I'm bracing myself for being a slow loser after surgery.

I'm on liquids too. Today is day 12 and I want to bite someone. I feel your pain. One thing that helped me was getting wonton soup with no wonton or veg. It was the most delicious thing ever! I'm allowed broth so it wasn't a cheat. My surgery is on 3/31. I thought it would get better but it's still pretty hard! Stay strong!!!

As a hair stylist, I just want to say that while horse mane shampoo does make your hair feel fuller and have more volume, it is terrible for your hair. It works by swelling the strands due to very high ph. It's short term gain.The Nioxin treatment kit is the best thing out there to use preventatively and to encourage healthy regrowth. It's a little spendy though. As far as drugstore products, Infusium has a protein treatment along with a shampoo and conditioner that really helps keep hair healthy whole going through this process. Don't forget to use a good conditioner and apply from the bottom up not top down. By the time conditioner gets to scalp it should be well diluted from water in your hair. Also, just a general reminder-pat hair dry with towel, don't rub or twist. Always use a comb when hair is wet, never a brush and don't sleep with hair elastics or tight scrunchies. For long, thick or heavy hair in a ponytail, use Bobby pins if you can to keep sone of the pressure off the hair tie. These things cause breakage especially when your hair is stressed and fragile.