Frustr8

@ Altered Reality, you can do this! So proud of you making it this far and now you are going to do the last presurgical step in and you'll be forever changed but in the Right way. Go into the future strong and proud.👍😝

@lbug, you didn't have to lose your spleen did you? That is a scary prospect, I know their blood supplies live very close to each other and a bumbling,less-than-compandent doctor can mess things up badly. Case in point: My daughter R.D. She went in for a laprascopic hiatal hernia repair. Dumb bunny doofus doctor, no longer practices here, maybe no where. Nipped the tip of her spleen off, she nearly exsangiuated on the table, her smooth and simple repair turned into a nasty open incision. She lived, but it changes your blood chemistry eternally, you lose all your immunities, yes they can be somewhat replaced but still it,was a game that shouldn't have been played. And on June 15 2015, the same day of my first EGD she had to have a huge ventral hernia repaired. If she ever sought WLS, and truly she should because she inherited LL big thick bone structure and now is wider across the rump than me probably also,outweighs me but tells everybody on Facebook she is a size 14. & ,in poor health, started up a Go Fund Me account so she could go see some stars from "Supernatural." FYI nobody even ever contributed penny 1. GO FUND ME accounts are for valid reasons not ding-a-ling flights of fancy like that! She was not my best piece of work, her very nice upstanding brothers I hope made up karma- wise for her. Every family,has one of them, to my undying shame-- I gave birth to mine.😪

@Dragonflies and Stars, stay strong ---❤you have made it all the way to your Glorious Day!🙈🙉🙊The 3 little monkeys are very,proud of you.

@Trixie82 how was/is your Magnesium levels? That, potassium or calcium imbalances can give you leg cramps, oh believe you me, I have had them horribly bad.😪

You have any questions, just ask. You won't shock,us, most of us have gone through or are going through the same stages ourselves. So never fear it,is too silly or too trivial, we can and will help. I am a future RnY bypass, no never mind, most of the rules are the same. My compatriot CreekImp us spit on with her tips. Some I am finding helpful: Cut down your portion sizes. U am an only child but I ate like I had 7-8 brothers and sisters reaching for,my turkey drumstick. Slow down your speed of eating, you get no bonus for eating fast, you are not punching a time clock, life gives you more than 5 m8nutes to eat a 6 course meal. And 6 course meals should be a thing of the past anyway. If you slow down, you will be learning to chew each bite multple times instead of bolting it down. I confess, I ate so much and so fast,i didn't know what food tasted like. Now I am beginning to know and some the things taste pretty fine. There were times in the past when I ate until it hurt, I got indigestion or even barfed. I am very greatful those days are behind me. Don't sit in frontof the TV. chomping away. I remember with horror the times I demolished an entire bag of Fritos or Lays Barbeque chips and never even noticed what they tasted like. If some of my dietary sins horrify you, think how I feel . My PCP still has binge eating on my health record, I have tried getting him tobecpunge it but he won't! Giving up caffeine is good, and you certainly should do,it but also give up sugar sweetened empty calorie empty food value colas, root beers, soda pop. In fact anything sugar swettened, crackers, cookies, pies, pretzels any thing with snack,in its name. Sounds like famine and austerity, maybe so but whether you realize it you are,not engaged in a fight for your future life. Please believe me, where you are going to end up is vastly better than where you are now. Gosh, you're thinking , what a bossy broad I pulled the chain of here! Yep guess I am. But much of what I'm saying I am reminding myself of as I say it. Oh I am far from perfect. But I am willing to keep trying until I get it,right. I have spent most of my 72years of life eating in a wrong manner, and it is more good luck than good planning haven't died already. I have looked the Angel of Death in the face and he is an UGLY dude I get so out of breath a toddler with short stubby legs could outrun me Every joint in my body hurts and several of them are now artificial. Every year fewer and fewer of my high school and college friends are alive to talk to. I have a 55th h.s. class reunion coming up. My class numbered over 300, there are 100-150 of us left. My grandparents, parents, husband and son are dead. My son died suddenly at 31, no not drugs, from a condition my genes may have given him and was never diagnosed. 10 years and I still feel the guilt. Late diagnosed female Aspergers/autistic. Was raised feeling there was something intrinsically wrong with me, in the days when parents were told if I was a boy I could be ADHD or Autistic since I was a female I was just Weird, Even had relatives tell me to kill myself because of the fact I was no,use to anybody, and now I've outlived them all . Plenty of excuses to kill myself by overeating, but excuses don't keep you warm at night, they don't prolong or enhance your life span. So I am reaching,out to bariatric surgery for a tool to help me because I can't do it all alone, I have the will, I have,the determination and after 43 million diet plans that didn't work, gave me no hope of long term success, this is my last best hope and while I have the srength left to grasp it, I shall. And l8ke the Phoenix Bird I shall rise,from the ashes of my,lady and fly strong swift and free as long as my wings can beat against the winds of life. Care to join me? No guarantees other than a chance at future life, but my dear friend, that is Good Enough For Me.

Had DresdenDoll Shirley Temple-type curls, went into surgery with ether for T&A, came out with lank straight hair. Never had my curls again although if I keep it cut short in a pixie-shag the waves and curls return. So I look like a heavier female version of Will Farrell in ELF most of,the time. I will hold on to my last vestiges of CUTE until the day I die!

B*I*R*T*H !

bort not from birth, it just seems that way at times!

Don't you wish you had the paycheck of Phil Mickelson, professional golfer and co sufferer? Hey I have psoriasis and I have arthritis birth but my body and my PCP never conceded they can go together. Bless you, you give,me aching pre surgical body hope! Think,you for your posting.

Shelly, I am really enjoying your journal of going from Iowan and Corn-Fed to a Lean Keen for the living Queen of DesMoines and points West. Might even start one after my July Surgery too. In the meantime yours is might fine! Happy Early Birthday, Happy REBIRTHDAY and happy today's and tomorrows😝

My program has a little mantra of Its own If, through a funnel, it doesn't go through---- Never classify,it as Stage# 2!

I like that "Bob" find you realize it could also stand for Belly On Board? I named my itty bitty gastric ulcer, Hector, I figured it might Hector and nag me if I didn't swear off NSAIDS and not follow a more bland gastro-friendly diet from now on!😪

Warning 🌏 I am a widow, will be,marking,my widow- versity of 6 years on July 4th. I have been told widows like our sisters the divorced are reputed to be " it to trot" well I have had 2 knee replacements because my weight wore them out,not sure I could canter let alone gallop but,i think there are go many trail-walks left in me . And as I lose weight I will only grow friskier And ornier . Shall I aspire to give a few good men an ❤attack or stroke? Not to necessarily brag but I did give as good as I got -Mattress-Mambo-wise. Not ready to tally hang up my spurs, will my pretty cowgirl boots with the pink camp insets fit under your bed? Even better, do you by chance have a mattress in the back of yonder pick-up? I'm well past menopause so we can play without paying the piper! Stupid 45 year old PCP without looking up from his clip board Hmmm-- are you still Sexually Active ? My answer: No but I do live in hope!😝 He choked, serves him right, he brought the subject up. I probably would have kept it a secret had he not asked! So Baby you don't have to light my fire, just help me fan the flames!💥💥💥💥

I have 2/3rds of your co-morbilities, substitute Severe GERD for diabetes. BMI almost identical but bear with me a second on MY story. You have been obese most of your adult life? I was born at the end of WW2 to parents who had just lived through the American Depression so what my mother's doctor told them didn't seem unreasonable. My mother nursed me, although at that time breast-feeding had largely fallen out of favor, after every nursing and yes I nursed well she was told to feed me a full 8 oz of Carnation Milk Formula. I started out my extra uterine life at 7of 12 oz, at 1 year I was 35 inches tall and weighed 36 lb. Yes the size of the average American 2 and half year old, I had fat cells set down in my body before I could walk. And I walked or lurched around on my own 2 feet before I turned 1. No wonder I have 2 arificial knees, I started wearing them out early. Although I looked in semi-average size until. puberty my flesh was always soft, never muscled up, how could I? My muscles were naturally fat sheathed. So I guess I have been lipid-challenged my entire existance. Fast forwarding many years, I will soon be receiving a RnY bypass at 72, yeah my blubber should have done me in before 72, and it dud try! Received isn't perhaps a strong enough word, I have been active to semi-actively seeking Bariatric surgery since August 2015. If I don't get it pretty soon I have lined up a box cutter, 50 pound test fishing line, hair clips , a Swingline stapler, a 3 way mirror , some surgical manuals . I am redheaded, stubborn , at least medically semi-literate and like my pen name Frustr8-ed, do you honestly think I couldn't wreak havoc? Oh and I am also high-functioning autistic, we can center on one subject to the exclusion of everything else. And my box cutter has a nice clean blade in it, a leftover from working at Wally World and they kept my work equipment sharp and up to date. When we parted company I didn't happen to generating,it so they never got it back!👉🐵👈

You know what they tell me at removal and I have had a few, since I am a woman and get the "Just big enough to do the Job" size not the" OMG WTF are you going to do with THAT THING? NO IT IS NOT GOING IN MY,MAN PARTS, NO- SIR -REE! "size. They always tell me" Breathe Out!" When you are blowing air out you do not tend to tense up And although to medical personel it's about as thrilling. as a greasy old car part to a mechanic they realize you are proud and protective of your nether regions, so they do it in one smooth stroke not repeated tugging like it was a boat rope.😪

And 2A in my case- your RnY bypass pouch will be bigger than a pullet egg, smaller than a ostrich egg, the bypassed intestine will be long enough,to ensure proper bypasser digestion, short enough to avoid exceptional malabsorption and your stoma will be the Golilocks variety, not too big, not too small but Just Right. And if you don't believe this is possible you had better join Orchid and Dragon's VSG customer in running for the High Hills as soon as possible. Your surgeon is compentant, he/she is skilled, surgeon has done many many or you went shopping at the Wrong Surgical Store and you,were more help than we can possibly provide here! 'Nuff Said?

And since it is a Level 1 Trauma center as well as a Teaching Hospital as well as a Bariatric Center of Excellence and has been since the term was invented, any and all surgical helpers and students Dr Needleman😷 deems necessary- my life and future lies in his very capable and well-trained hands. Amen and Amen

And my stats in case someone is interested and doesn't know them already Age 72 date of birth December 26 1945 Eyes hazel green Hair Strawberry blonde aka light red gold(& natural) Height 5ft8in down from youth high,of 6 feet- at my age you have the spine of a osteoporotic mackerel! Current Weight321 lb High Weight 355 lbs October 2017 Surgery weight- To Be Determined Surgery Date. July ?? 2018 Future Surgery Location- First Operating Theatre Open Ohio State University Hospital-Wexner Medical Center Columbus Ohio 43210 Presiding Surgeon Bradley Needleman

At 72 Not Much At All! I have had 2 knee replacements because my weight worebth r m out. I have had scares with cancer, heart, lungs, kidneys eyesight and hearing I have buried my grandparents, parents, husband, son at 31. I have babies unborn. I have buried relatives who treated me badly I have buried animals who treated me better,than people did I outlived the cousin who told me to kill myself I have,lost friends to cancer who I still miss I outlived the doctor who,told me I would be diabetic by 30 and,I wasn't I outlived people who told me I was ugly, fat, would never have friends, wouldn't graduate or ever do anything worthwhile with my life. I proved the naysayers who said people over 50, 60 or even 70,are too old to plan Weight Loss Surgery I am proving the,people who said i,should sit down, shut up, give,up and resign,myself to dying and doing it soon. I am still,going, going strong and can see a future ahead and. I am part of it. Doubt count me out yet I have pride in me and what I feel I can still accomplish. And from now on I will vibrantly live, with 5 to 7 small scars showing, my badges of honor in a less than honorable world. My gastrointestinal renovations are just that, a remodeling to enhance,my future days. And on the day of my,upcoming I will present myself at my bariatric facility with hope in my ❤ ,pride in myself for this decision, deep humility for this opportunity for my surgery, and a giant smile on my face. On that day I will be doing the right thing At the right time For the Right Reason With the Right Surgeon At the Right Facility For the maximum Results On the Right Day and at the correct time For the Right Person - ME And if my future years are many- Wonderful And if they are few' still I will have lived them and lived them to the best of my ability. I have said my piece- Spoken what I feel- I go forth to write my story and conclude ehat,life I am still given. And that is good and sufficent enough.

The above mangled word was TOOK care not just to.

Yeah my sisters, but we get the neat sweet yet complete size, men get the OMG you are not putting that MF thing in my MAN PARTS size. I once to care of. a man with an indwelling 30 French catheter. That is one "Hello I'm here" size. Some people end up with VSG stomach remnants only 2 to gauge points bigger and then use something that size for digestion the rest of their lives. No wonder guys quiver in mis- apprehension and fear!😖💦😖

Sounds like you have hit upon what works for you and your body. I salute your recovery.😛

I don't k,ow if I mentioned it on here but I have a Ohio State winter weight coat, not the cheap discount store knock-off. The Bono Fide. When I bought it I rationalized it was for Tomkitten, well he is not the fan I am, it's a large maybe 1XL, so help,me when I get small enough, be it winter, spring or the heat of summer I am putting it on and having,my picture taken. And if it is any good I will post it on Bariatric Pal, even,if my hair clashes with it! So There!

Eme several other posters have said savory things and broths set better with them, try some bone broth or even soup with the vegetable or noodles strained out. That you might like more, okay?

@Gundy I assume you mean my posting about. my dear,precious Cousin Anthony. Yes he belongs to the side on my family with the unadmitted to Native American blood. If you look at my ancestral,pictures on that side, the farther back you go, the stronger the impression you form. One day when I summoned up some bravery and asked an older relative , she gave me a withering look and declared I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! Maybe back then nobody had any pride in a "Indian in the woodpile" didn't matter that,much to me, after all I'm redheaded and they were sure I didn't belong to them. Anthony's branch always was proud of their dark thick hair, made fun of my red gold wavy fly away hair every chance they got. So this was a good jibe back, hmmm just thought of another if dear cousin and I cross paths. I think,I shall smile sweetly and say "Anthony,i just don't understand it, I always heard Indians don't go bald? " Mind you they probably do, but,the bulbs in that side only light if you screw them in better than normal. See I also have an education to be held against me. And of course THAT side had no obesity in it. Educated, red👸 hair with waves fair skin and fat, OMG I am a failure times 4. Sad isn't it?