ava32

I was sleeved 10/10/ 16 I just don't feel like I'm losing enough weight. Compared to the people I see on my Instagram my progress is disappointing. I know I shouldn't compare myself but it is hard not to when people are posting there updates. I try to be positive and congratulate them but deep down I'm frustrated and envious. I was thinking of deleting my app until I got into a more secure place in my journey. In the meantime I've reached out to people who are several months out to see if they remember a slow start at the beginning. Some did experience the same but I still feel like an isolated case. A lady also sent me a picture of the average weight loss depending on pre op weight. While I was deciding on getting surgery I watched a lot of YouTube videos of people who accredited the sleeve for giving them their life back. I guess I'm just nervous that I won't be able to say the same. Attached is the picture the woman sent me.

Hello! I'm currently 80 pounds down from my HW. I had surgery 10/10/16. Lately I've been getting a lot of attention from men. I just turned 24 and unfortunately I don't have much dating experience. Growing up I used my weight as crutch and refused to put myself out there . How the hell am I supposed to navigate the dating scene? Should I date bariatric surgery guys only, because it is implied they understand this journey? What am I to do?

I'll keep you informed

I totally agree with the hormone thing. Guys at the gym and at work who never spoke before are always trying to get my attention now. I also think it is the newfound confidence that I have. I really appreciate the advice you've given me. I'm just gonna do me for a while. The men will be there when I'm ready.

I thought about doing this. I really should because I'll be starting nursing school in September. Thank you for the advice.

OMG!!!! Thank you soooo much for your reply!

To clarify the things I find the most awkward/frustrating about dating post op are: *gaining attention *receiving compliments *general dating etiquette( figuring out how to be open but not reveal much too soon, etc) *working through emotional/psychological issues while dating (i.e. "Does this guy really want ME?")

The only awkward thing about eating on dates is, guys don't know why I'm full after 2-3 bites. They assume I'm trying to not look like a pig and they encourage me to eat. What they don't realize is that I probably should've stopped after the first bite and now I'm hoping I don't start burping for the rest of the night.

I'm just about 3 months post op and every once in a while I feel a "pulling" sensation around my belly button. It eventually goes away but I just would like to know the cause of it. Because I'm scared of being a failure with this surgery I have been going to the gym 6-7 days a week and I enjoy using the ab machines. I've noticed that after using the machines or picking up something heavy that the "pulling" comes back. I thought after 6 weeks we could go back to functioning as normal i.e. lifting and exercising. Has anyone experienced this feeling before? I have my 100 day post op appointment coming up soon so I will mention it. I'm just scared that I'd have to be opened up again.

OMG nooooooo!!!!

This is SOO me. Especially the self esteem thing.

Currently going through this now. I had surgery 10/10 and I honestly don't feel the weight is falling off like I hoped. I'm a part of the Bariatric surgery community on Instagram so I get a lot of progress updates from people who have similar surgery dates. I feel like I'm behind the rest of the class. People keep telling me not give up and keep my working hard. Honestly at times I have "buyer's remorse" and feel having surgery was a waste. It is extremely difficult to see the light at end of the tunnel.

After a grueling process full of ups and downs I will be sleeved Monday October 10th in Seattle, WA. I started this journey December '15 and wanted to give up so many times. I struggled with the demands of my insurance, being approved for FMLA and most importantly my emotions. There is no way anyone can say I took the "easy way out". My pre-op diet consisted of 2-3 weeks of high protein and less than 20 grams of carbs per day. Liquids only the day before surgery and NPO 12 prior to surgery time. I'm so excited but at the same time my nerves are getting to me bad. Im mostly scared of blood clots. I'm a pre-nursing student so I know the threat blood clots pose. Then there is the fear of failing at using my tool effectively. After Monday I plan on being a lot more active on this platform. I have already started an Instagram to document my journey.

I'm for days post-op and I'm still experiencing gas pain. I feel pressure just underneath my breast/top of my torso. It makes it difficult to find a comfortable position to sit/sleep. I've already reached out to my WLS community on Instagram. They recommend: walking, herbal tea, Gas X strips and using a heating pad. I decided to post on this platform to gain anymore suggestions. I know this is part of the process but if there are any methods to alleviate gas pain I would like to try it out. The pain isn't severe enough to call my surgeon. It is most just nagging.

I'll tell you what's been working for my gas after my bypass surgery in May I have been using some baby has drops and it helps. Sent from my SM-J100VPP using the BariatricPal App Wow. Really? Never heard of those. Where did you buy them?

I ran laps around my nurses while in the hospital. They couldn't keep up with me. Lol. So far premier Protein Shakes make me extremely nauseous. I mix unflavored whey protein with zero calorie Powerade. And no bm on my end either.

Okay so this sounds normal. Walking is the major key to get through this. I will continue to push myself more. Thanks! [emoji4]

I'm 23 and halfway through my required 6 month weight loss. If insurance approves, I should have my surgery in August. Being young how do you deal with the stigmas or judgment of "not losing the weight on your own"? As I'm getting closer to the finish line, a lot of anxiety and doubt are kicking in and I'm feeling guilty about getting surgery. I recently got a job working at a hospital, and it has become difficult hearing the 20-somethings discussing training for marathons or belittling people who've had bariatric surgery. When that happens I try to block it out. How have you guys pre & post op dealt with the negativity/stigma of being "young" and having bariatric surgery?

Oh my goodness our situations are too similar. I just finished my six month supervised weight loss and attended my final review with surgeon and nurse coordinator. Unbeknownst to me my insurance from my job (hospital) that I started this year in April just kicked in. So the day after my final review the nurse coordinator called and said that my work insurance is now my primary insurance (previously it was the insurance through my mom) and my work's insurance has different guidelines for approval. One being that I only had to do 3 months instead of 6(what my mom's insurance required). That didn't upset me too much, but what did is that I now have to weigh 20% less than I did at my initial consult. Now everything is stalled until I loose 5 more pounds. The unit I work on isn't too busy but it is fairly new so we don't have a lot of staff. I've been keeping my manager updated as much as I can but I'm so pissed off. I am hoping to get a surgery date before the new schedules are posted. I was not anticipating this road block in my life right now. I'm currently applying to nursing school and now I have the pressure to loose 5 pounds ASAP. I was supposed to be done after my final review. I just feel so discouraged I don't know what to do. I've been drinking broth and Protein shakes trying to loose weight as fast as I can. Working full time AND preparing for nursing school really has me wanting to dig into some carbs but I can't.

I'm 23 and still pre op. It seems like every month as I get closer to the end of my supervised weight loss a new fear cripples me. One month it was loose skin, then possible blood clots, another was life long nutrient battles and just recently my coworkers finding out. Then I worried if I will totally regret getting surgery. I too battle severe depression & anxiety and I'm working on controlling them. I am open to being a buddy and going through this journey together. I think because this is all new territory for us we let our anxiety get the best of us.

Thank you for explaining this so well. I think sometimes older people don't realize that we are in completely different stages in our life. Most resources/advice I feel is geared towards the 35 and above crowd in many publications. I think as more younger people get the surgery, their experiences and results can form a new bank of information for those coming after us.

true I didn't necessarily mean like a heres how you lose weight book i mean there are plenty of those out there i just thought it'd be cool if there were maybe books about peoples journey that I could relate to or like a here was my experience the funny moments or the do's and don't i learned I don't know I guess I am a bit of an over prep type of person and as for the youtube i just generally enjoy youtube videos maybe its because i am a youtuber myself I don't know its fun to watch videos sometimes and see how people although they are going through the same thing may live totally differently and it'd be nice to see more people my age doing it I have seen plenty of books or youtube channels on the vsg and peoples experiences and I have only seen like a handful of peoples in 20's do it was more so making an observation Agreed! I've found maybe 5 people on YouTube in their 20's, everyone else is much older. I've been able to find a larger population on Instagram and for the most part are really supportive. I have also have been searching for some type of guidance on WLS for your 20's. I have so many questions about the holistic lifestyle change of getting surgery in your 20's. Posting questions here is nice, but your not guaranteed to get replies. I think it is important to have information regarding life after surgery specific to our age group.

Learn to swim and ride a bike. Go zip lining without thinking the harness will give out and I'll plummet to my death. Also shopping in non plus size sections/stores.

I have Uniform Medical, they have me jumping through hoops. Now I have to see a psychiatrist because the psychologist from the weight loss center that I meant ONCE, wrote in her notes 4 months ago that I'm extremely depressed and need to talk to someone. So now if I don't, my insurance will not approve me.

I've started my journey in January. For insurance approval I have to do a 6 month medically supervised weight loss program. I was extremely bummed out when I was told this and wanted to give up. My mom pushed me to continue. I just had my halfway mark appointment 2 weeks ago and my team said I've been doing really good. Since January I'm down 24-28 lbs., mainly because of my extremely low carb/calorie intake. My social worker asked me if I still wanted the surgery and gave me "homework" to do. The homework is to make a pros/cons list for getting surgery. He told me not to forget that at the end of the day the weight loss center is a business and that they will push you to get the surgery because they will make more money. I'm 23 and have struggled with my weight ALL my life. I've done Weight Watchers, Nurtisystem, Jenny Craig, Atkins, etc. I loose the weight then it creeps back on. My family has a history of heart disease, diabetes, high BP and etc. I will be starting Nursing school soon and I don't want my weight to continue to get in the way of me fully living life anymore. I'm not sure what to do. I still want to get the surgery but the social worker has put doubt in my mind, and I can't stop thinking about if I'm making a huge mistake. Any advice or opinions are welcomed. I'm totally lost right now.