justhere4theshow

You should be able to post about your experiences without starting a sh*t storm. Nobody ever has an obligation to give advice on every single topic, especially if it's something that clearly triggers negativity for you. Agree to disagree, and if you must dispense advice, keep it civil. I have noticed many people who manage to remain objective and kind.

I can't resist. Just because you CAN do something, doesn't make it a good idea. BUT I already committed so here goes: I honestly don't give a rat's a** if somebody wants to drink, smoke, vape, have unprotected sex or whatever other destructive behavior they can think up. Everybody here should be old enough and smart enough to make a very basic decision about what to post about, however stupid any of you think it is. Why can't people quit being so freakin' nasty to each other and just keep scrolling or clicking right on over to another thread that might offend you a little less? Who appointed any of us as the all-mighty highest authority on ANY of this stuff? If you don't have MD after your name, your opinions are ANECDOTAL. Nothing more than that! Don't give yourself a concussion when you finally fall off of that high horse you rode in on. This is ridiculous. You have your opinion, I have mine. Go ahead and shower me with hatred, too. You'll only prove my point. Nobody asked you to save the world.

Leave it alone and let it fall off on its own. Don't scrub it or pick at it. This was the instruction that I got from my surgeon. I left mine on for about 3 weeks and my incisions looked great when it finally peeled off in the shower. It's annoying but much better than stitches or staples.

Dear Lord! If you ate nothing but 600 calories a day for any length of time, your body would learn how to maintain its functions on 600 calories a day. You can't sustain that kind of restriction for very long without getting sick, so as soon as you go back above 600 calories a day, guess what happens. You GAIN weight. Be careful and take care!

I'm going to be very unpopular after this post, but that's fine...Could someone please shed some light on why it's such a secret if you had WLS or not? I don't care who knows, because at least they know I am taking action to correct a major health issue. How will we ever reduce the stigma if we make it such a dirty secret? Who cares if they judge you or don't "understand"? I understand keeping certain things to yourself, but for the life of me I can't imagine worrying about what other people think of my decision to have weight loss surgery. If they don't like it, that is their problem, not mine.

Several people have weighed in to give you the information you asked about. Having said that, it is ultimately between you and your surgeon as to what you need to do about smoking OR vaping.

I was vaping 6 mg in February when I started in my program. I immediately switched to 0 nicotine because my surgeon requires a nicotine test if you smoke, and will not do surgery on anyone with nicotine in their system whether it be from smoking OR vaping. I quit vaping completely by the time I had surgery, but I have since picked it back up and I still use 0 nicotine. I just really enjoy it. I have vaped for 4 years, and never had another case of bronchitis or barely even a cold since I switched to vaping from cigs. Is it harmless? I don't know. All I know is my personal experience which has been completely positive. I had to have a vice--no cigs, no alcohol, no junk food...so I vape, but only when I want to, since I am no longer addicted to nicotine. I just like it!

I would just have a candid conversation about your surgery and explain only as much as you feel comfortable explaining. If it's a serious or potentially serious relationship, I would think he/she would be very interested in your surgery and your reasons for having it. Anybody worth staying with will be glad to hear more about it. My husband was very supportive and helps me so much with exercise and my food, so it's good to have a support person in your life. Best wishes to you all!

Has anyone else had episodes of severe sweating not related to a meal? It happened to me about three days ago, and at that time I attributed the symptoms to having a hard time having a bowel movement. Then it happened again today when I was walking in the mall, at a reasonable pace, not what I would consider over-exertion. My hair gets soaked, and my entire body gets very sweaty. It's very uncomfortable, because it takes a long time to cool down and get it to stop. I have a call into my doctor's office, but unfortunately it was a little late to get a call back today. I have had hot flashes before, and this is different. I thought it might be low blood sugar, but it feels different from that also. I don't believe it's a fever either. Anybody else have these "episodes"?

Thank you ladies!!

We have similar stats, except I was sleeved 5/23. I have only lost 16 pounds! Just do what you know you're supposed to do and hang in there. I think it's harder to lose when we stress too much about it. As long as we don't give up, we will make it!

Thank you all so much. I feel better having some ideas of what could be going on. I will make some more phone calls tomorrow and see what I can figure out.

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch Thanks so much for the info. I will contact my primary care doc and see if he will check it for me.

Oh boy...I hope it doesn't last long! It's pretty uncomfortable. Maybe it will settle down once I get some weight off.

I just wanted to say how much I have appreciated everyone's help and encouraging words. I really do feel supported and that means so much to me. I can share my experiences up to the seven week mark where I am, and it feels good to help others as well. I am especially grateful for the "no judgement" and heartfelt messages which help me so much. I didn't know how hard this would be, but you lovely people have made it so much more tolerable and I am hopeful because of the people who have taken the time to share and give me advice. I am forever grateful. You guys and gals are awesome!

Congratulations!! It is such a relief to get that approval. You are feeling all of the normal things, so try to embrace it and know what a blessing you will receive. I have had frustrations along my journey, but I would not trade this experience for anything in this world. Best wishes to you!

Most surgeons are very good at winning approvals. They sometimes just have to clarify things and it goes right through. Don't give up; there is still hope!

It really is a blessing to have a great support network. I had to do two weeks of liquids only pre-op, and then 3 weeks liquids only post-op. I was so hungry at times I wanted to cry...but I wanted my surgery so badly I somehow got through it. My husband never ate in front of me. My daughter offered to do liquids with me, bless her heart. She's only 15 so I didn't let her do it of course...but the offer was so sweet of her. You will find out just how strong you are! Hang in there...I made it and so can you. It will be so worth it! Best wishes to you on your journey!

This will probably cause a riot because I'm pretty sure it's a common problem--stalls and all that jazz...BUT, I have to ask. Has anyone found it MORE difficult to lose weight after surgery? I certainly have. I am only seven weeks out, but I have lost and gained the same four pounds over the course of the last seven weeks. I am getting my Protein and Water, and walking as much as I can. Am I just expecting too much? I feel like my body has gone crazy. I am just curious to know when things finally fall into place. Anybody else have this problem?

My NUT called and still advises that I should not eat less than 30 grams of carbs. I also was eating fruit by itself, and I have to eat protein with every meal no matter what. Fruit is fine as long as it has some protein with it. She okay'd my Quest bars, and reminded me to stay hydrated. She also said to stay off the scales. Still early yet for the magic to happen...Patience is a virtue.

I will be more diligent in tracking my carbs for sure. I am so grateful for the advice. Thank you!!

@KristenLe: THANK YOU. I will ditch the crackers and meal replacement bars. I think I need to stay away from processed foods.

My surgeon said to get 90 grams of protein, and most days I am between 80 and 90. I am not eating and drinking at the same time, which makes it difficult to get all of my Water, but I tend to get there if I stay on top of it. I am thinking about just going back to liquids and starting over. My surgeon said he is in no hurry for me to rely on food for all of my nutrition, and that I can do Meal Replacements as much as I want until I see him at 3 months post-op. I take Bariatric Advantage multi-Vitamin and Calcium every day.

Seven weeks post-op is not an indication of what your life will be like after you have healed. You are still healing and recovering from major surgery. I HIGHLY recommend that you stay off the scale and only weigh at your doctor's appointments. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in ALL of your protein and fluids. For me that means at least 100 grams protein and 64 oz Fluid. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. Stay off the scale. And, Embrace the Stall http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall Thank you. I really do need to throw my scale in the closet. I am obsessive at this point. I think I may need to tweak my diet a bit, but I will talk to my NUT about all that. I wonder if my insomnia has anything to do with it? I will ask her about that, too.