shelly420

So where is your medical degree? Please post a pic of it. I am entitled to post my opinions & experience, just as you are.

The first few months were really hard, but I've gotten used to not being able to gorge myself. I still have my days where I want to overeat, but mostly those are gone. You get to a point where it's not worth throwing up over, and you find other outlets.

I never noticed any difference when I had my gallbladder removed (years before my bypass), except the horrible pain I was having prior to it was now gone. Hopefully you'll experience the same.

I couldn't each much of anything until month 4, without throwing up. Take advantage of the time when you can't, you lose weight much faster. Now that I can eat more, my weight loss has slowed way down. Those months when I couldn't eat really helped me to mentally get used to eating way less.

Click on your user name (upper right of screen, two to the left of the shopping cart), then click on "my ticker", then "create ticker".

People having the sleeve are having to convert to the bypass (or so my surgeon told me). The sleeve was intended to be a temporary solution with the bypass being the final step. That being said, lots of people have a lot of success with the sleeve. With 150+, if it were me, I'd do the bypass & not waste my time with a band or sleeve, but I think it's something you'd have to discuss with your surgeon to determine which will work best for you. I have never had much will-power, so the bypass was the recommended surgery in my case. I had a band previously, and that was a total waste of time & money in my case.

That's freakin' AWESOME!!! Congrats on your success. Just imagine where you'll be at the one year mark. Woot!!

I experienced the same thing. I think my body went into shock post op. I had a good 6 week stall which was horrible, and felt like I totally wasted my money on this, but then....... the weight started falling off like crazy. Just stick with it, your body will catch up when its ready.

You're looking fantastic, keep up the great work!!

I had lap band to bypass, and had no complications or pain at all, other than when I pressed on my abdomen. I filled my post op pain meds, maybe took 4 of them, and the rest are sitting in my cupboard, I just didn't need them. I was really worried about hair loss because while my hair looks thick, if you get it wet, it deflates to pretty much nothing. My thyroid has always reeked havoc on my hair as well, with it continually getting thick, then then, then thick.... I am 4.5month post op now, and still have not had any hair loss, except the normal amount I have always had in the shower. I did take biotin, but haven't taken that in awhile & still no hair loss. I also have not experienced dumping syndrome, and I have eaten my fair share of sugar post op. The worst thing I get is feeling uncomfortable enough where I have to lie down for 30 minutes, after eating something I shouldn't. Perhaps I've just been lucky, but from the start I kept telling myself I wouldn't experience all those issues, and my body followed suit. The mind is a powerful thing, if you tell it something is going to happen, it will happen. AT least that has always worked for me.

I hate to brag (yeah right), but I've never had to shave my legs or armpits in my life. My hair just doesn't grow in those two (four?) locations, so it wasn't a concern for me. lol

Oh NO!!!!! haha I know that feeling, but I was just worried about the 20ft walk to the restroom, not on an insterstate, OMG!

Anyone else going broke buying smaller clothes? I know I should wait until I am closer to my goal, but I have to have nice dresses for work and my fat clothes are WAY too big on me now (oh darn! lol). I'm not complaining, I've been dreaming of having this problem for a long time, so it's all good. Anyone ever tried one of those clothing rental services? I was looking at Gwinnie Bee since they carry dresses from my favorite store (Nordstrom), but I haven't pulled the trigger & signed up. We need a clothing trading forum on here.

Just remember, if you can get through the first two days, the rest gets easy. It's just those first two that are the hardest. You can do it!!

It's exciting, isn't it? Congrats!!!

WE have both where I live, but I haven't been in years. I'll definitely check them out. Thank you.

I have been thinking of having a few items tailored, but I just don't know of one in my area. I need to ask my coworkers to recommend one. Then I might sell a few, and the rest I'll give to a woman's shelter. I'm guessing they could use some plus sized work type clothes for women in need.

Yes, I definitely need to check that out.

That stuff is fantastic. They seem to hit about 45 minutes after I take them. I must make 4-5 trips to the bathroom, but then I'm back to normal for the rest of the day. Are you' taking potassium tabs too? The two two should be taken together, or so I'm told.

I stalled for a good 6 weeks about 3 weeks post op, it was soooooo frustrating, but eventually ended. I think my body went into shock. I was certain I was going to be that rare person who this surgery didn't work for, but my body finally cooperated & it's been wonderful ever since. Don't give up, it will happen.

The first two days are the absolute hardest, once you get past those, you'll probably be fine. Drink a ton of water, it helps. Ice water worked best for me.

Costco surprisingly has some great deals and they carry some large sizes. I just bought a bunch of tops for $9.99-$12.00 on their website. Anyone know of other cheap places to buy clothes?

The pre op diet was the worse part of the whole surgery for me, but you have to do it. It will all be worth it, you'll see. Don't cheat, whatever you do. If the MD opens you up & your colon is full, he/she may very well close you right back up & not complete the surgery. I know you don't want that.

My MD put me on diuretics a couple of months after surgery, and I lost 18lbs in two weeks (& it hasn't come back). He told me to expect to lose 5lbs.

The biggest thing for me at this point (besides finally being able to buy nice clothes!!!), it just not having the pain in my knees any longer. Prior to surgery, every single step I took was painful. I still have a slight amount of pain remaining in one knee, but otherwise it's like night & day. I used to always look for the closest parking spot out of necessity, but now it just doesn't matter. If I have to park far away, I gladly walk the extra steps. It's a great feeling. I'm excited for you! It will be hard at first because you want to eat, but can't. I was never hungry after surgery (still aren't hungry 4.5 months out), but it's a huge mental game. Mentally you want to eat, but if you try and eat too much or something you shouldn't, your body will remind you that you can't do that any longer. I am blown away that I have already lost 86lbs in such a short time. It's hard to wrap my brain around that, but I'll deal...lol After surgery I had a good 6 week stall too, and wondered if I was going to be that one in a million (or whatever) that this wouldn't work for, but once my body got over the shock of it all, it started cooperating. Keep us all posted on your future surgery. My first big goal will be to snow ski next winter. I gave it up about 25 years ago after breaking a leg, then gaining too much weight to ski.... & you know what? I know I will reach that goal! This surgery will help you reach any goal you have. You're young and you have your whole life ahead of you. I'm excited for you!!