ocgirl15

Do you feel your lying if you were to say, "I've cut way back, I watch my sugar and carb intake and eat a lot of protein" I struggled with the issue of possibly feeling like if could be lying too but came to the conclusion to be honest about how I'm eating....if for its someone seriously wanting to know because they also have struggled, I think I would be discrete and tell them about the surgery Sent from my SM-G920T using the BariatricPal App Pup I would do the same, if obese friend asks I will tell them everything. But telling my tale will be limited to friends. I am not telling the obese check out girl at Walmart that I don't know. Strange thing is most people i know are normal weight.

Thank you all for your incredible advice!!!!! I learned alot!!! I have had issues with my knees since 1997! My knee issues really scare me because my dad had had a failed knee replacement last year. Little more than a year out the doctor is saying it should be redone. His first recovery was horrible and I can't imagine him going through that again. But it made me realize I need to face this issue before I need a replacement. Time to stop putting my head in the sand and being ignored by doctors! @VSGAnn2014. I have been complacent in my weight loss because I look good but really I could loose 20 more lbs and not look too thin. Maybe that is what my knees need and it worth trying. I have lost most of my weight with minimal exercise because of the knees.... Who knows how far I could go if I worked a little harder or how it could improve my health. My biggest goal is to be active and I am not there yet. I am going to look for a orthopedic sports MD. My rheumatologist is worthless. He told me to lose weight and totally ignored the fact I had autoimmune disorder that can cause arthritis and wouldn't even do an x-Ray! I am glad there are other specialist I can try. Finally I am going to give PT a try. I already have the referral and it can't hurt. @Valentina..... I looked up Synvisc... It is from chickens!!!! My dad had that a couple years ago and they called him chicken legs!!!

This is personal preference and make the discussion that fits your life. Don't let people sway you one way or the other. Just listen to their decision and reasons. I told 3 local friends and my husband. Who does not know: My parents, larger family, young children, co-workers, boss or general acquaintances. Why didn't I tell anyone? Well I live 3 hours from my husbands family and 9 hours from my parents so they really can't support me. In the beginning I did mention the possibility to my mom and her response, "oh you have more will power than that". Well I made the decision to exclude family because she loves me more than anyone and worries about my health to no end and yet is too ignorant to get it. Believe me I tried the traditional way and wasted so much money. My husbands family are a bunch of gossips and neither my husband or I wants to tell them. I am virtual application developer and never see my co-workers or boss in person. They don't even know I was fat. Work was not an issue. From responses of others work can go either way depending on your work culture keep that in mind when you decide. I am an introvert who is very very private, I never discuss my business with anyone (other than my husband and 3 friends). It would literally cause me great aniexty to be asked about this constantly. One of my friends says she is proud of me and that I look great every time I see her.... And it stresses me out. I say thank you and change the subject. I can't wait until it is a non issue. Most people don't known about any of my numerous surgeries so why would WLS be different? Basically I hate to be the center of attention and I knew I would be for quite awhile if I told. With of that said my inner circle does know. It is a small but supportive circle and I have no shame because the people's who's opinions mean something to me do know.

I can't say I had the say I had the same experience. Pre op was the hardest part for me. With that said I think this is a strong indicator your head is in the game and you are committed to the process. As a result your post op will be an easy transition. Good luck!

Wow you look awesome!

It is hard not to compliment you because you really look beautiful! You were a beautiful obese person and now you are the picture of health! The mental aspect is the hardest part and congrats on facing it head on!

Chocolate PB2 is so yummy... Probably the sugar!

My pain was minimal and typical. Some soreness and gas pain. I don't think my fibro made that part worse but I did take the RX pain meds as prescribed. Mentally I was in great shape early on. I was excited to get my new life started. However I did get the hormone dump moodiness further out at about 3 weeks. Again that is a normal phase for most. I have a virtual desk job... I could wear my PJs and work from my bed if I wanted so I can't give helpful advice there. Still I took 2 weeks off and still very tired at 2 weeks. Starting the multi Vitamins and purées got my energy back up.

Bufflehead is right even after termination (or in my case miscarriage) you will continue to test positive for quite awhile.

I went to Star Wars about 4 days after surgery (missing it wasn't an option) and took a protein drink in my purse. At that point hydration was important. There is nothing purée friendly at a movie theatre. And 7 months out there is still not anything appropriate for me to eat.... So I don't eat at theaters. I have a meal before I go and they only last couple hours. My best advice is don't eat at movies because it is the definition of mindless snacking. If you have to have something take a Greek yogurt or a protein shake.

@@theantichick that worked!

Congrats! I have my tubes tied and I had to still take a pregnancy test. I am sorry but your surgery will be cancelled. No reputable doctor would operate under the circumstances.

I am interested but the link didn't work. My experience with various diets and WLS have convinced me that diet does impact autoimmune disease. But I think everyone has different triggers. It could gluten for one person and dairy for someone else. WLS provided a unique opportunity to discover mine. Also both psoriasis and fibro pain improved.. I know after medifast diet that soy is a trigger for me. Lost a ton of weight but had the worst psoriasis flare of my life. I also agree losing weight reduces inflammation so it improves things like autoimmune disease. My personal experience supports that but my dermatologist also said the same thing as your doctor. I love my sleeve!

I talked to HR after my first Doctor's appointment. I have to use sick time first, and then I have short term disability to cover the rest. This is wonderful advice. You can talk to HR to find out what you are eligible for even before your boss. Remember most surgery is elective and FLMA covers it. I am sure there are exceptions to that rule but WLS is not!

I tried to talk to my boss about fmla today and she said it wasn't covered because it's an elective surgery. Wtf everything I have read says it covered. I'm totally freaking out. I'm going to turn in the papers tomorrow and see what happens. Sent from my KFTHWI using the BariatricPal App I have an HR background and it should be covered. I know mine was. I was eligible for short term disability as well.

My situation is unique because I am a virtual employee. But the job is demanding and high pace and I wanted to give her as much notice as possible so I told my boss that the possibility existed as soon as I saw my surgeon. So about 7 months. I am not advising that others do this but it was right for my situation. I did not tell her what it was for and she didn't ask. The managers at my company know what is and what is not appropriate to ask an employee and managers are well trained in HR matters. If she had asked I would have told her that she shouldn't ask but that I will provide HR all required info when I request FMLA. My boss has never meet me in person though we talk all the time. She really has no clue what the surgery was for because she does not know I was obese. I could tell she was genuinely concerned about my well being. I told her it was nothing serious like cancer my the surgery would improve my health and quality of life. She probably assumes it was female issues.

Congratulations!

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia but was never convinced the doctors were right. But I did have chronic pain pre surgery that is for sure. Either way all pain is much better. Like 95% better and I never take anything stronger than Tylenol now. I was given a narcotics post op but the pain was not bad and recovery easy. My fibro pain went away quickly .... a little bit pre-surgery and resolved completely soon after surgery. My theory is my highly processed lousy diet caused the pain. Pain went away as well as headaches before I lost significant weight so what else could it be? Also my psoriasis improved. I don't know if less carbs, sugar or gluten helped but something diet related made all the difference even before I lost a lot of weight. I still have knee pain but X-ray confirmed that is arthritis. Good luck!

Yes, yes, and if I can afford it a Breast lift is in my future.

Thank you for sharing! Wonderful insight!

During the soft foods soup was my friend. Also soft fish like talapia.

At one week post op every doctor will say no way!!! Your stomach is healing and alcohol very harsh to your GI track. Most patients will agree with no alcohol this soon out. As far as no alcohol forever that rule is so different among doctors. Mine allowed it later on.

No it will improve quickly. You will be there soon be patient. My first restaurant meal was a cup of black Beans from Chilis. I could only eat about a 1/3 of it! Hydrate before your meals. At 7 months out a couple sips to wash down my food doesn't hurt anything. Remember I said sips not guzzle! Good luck!

I do restaurants on a regular basis... That aspect of my lifestyle has not changed. What I order has changed. Actually it hasn't changed ... Same things but I focus on protein and skip processed carbs. Here is what I like at real restaurants. Fajitas (skip the tortilla), hamburgers (like once a month) skip the bun, Maryland crab cake (local crab only), tuna steak sandwich skip the bun. I avoid things that are hard to remove the bread/pasta like wraps or meat with pasta. I always skip the bread pasta or rice. I ask for the vegetable of the day instead of fries. Also avoid large entrees because I can't eat 2 sides anymore.... Easier to skip the bun and the portion means less waste. I also will order from the kids menu or get an appetizer instead of a meal. Finally there no shame in taking home leftovers. If I am at a fancy restaurant and really want an entree that cost $30 I get it!

I am 7 months out and started eating chicken the minute I was cleared for it. I think that was six weeks. It only bothers me if it is greasy or too spicy. My sleeve loves meat! Hamburger, fish, pork, chicken all go down fine if they are lean.