Orchids&Dragons

Try to be fair - men wander into the ladies' forum as well. We just see the "Recent Topic" and click. I don't think anyone is intentionally butting in. But it would be nice to have a screen. As you mentioned, there might be a lot more participation on sensitive topics.

I'm still trying to find out my proper balance of stool softeners/fiber. Some of the experiments have been disastrous!

Sorry to be gross, but . . . If you're sitting on a rock, the bm has already made it to your rectum and it's just too hard/large to pass. Dulcolax isn't going to change that. It may just make you even more uncomfortable by building up pressure behind the blockage. You have 2 options as were explained to me: A Fleet glycerine (not water) enema. Apparently you will need someone to help you with this. And it can be extremely messy. Pretty much the only other thing you can do is put on a glove, lubricate well, and try to reach in and break up the stool. All the stool softeners/laxatives in the world aren't going to shrink the size of the bm now. Apologies if this was TMI but reality bites sometimes.

google exercises for triceps!

You will find from reading on the site that a lot of us had "food funerals" the last week or two before the pre-op diet. Even though you will still be able to eat these foods again if you want, there was something "satisfying" about saying good-bye. From other posts here, I haven't seen that those people were predisposed to failure on weight loss post-surgery. Just sort of a "grieving process" before they could move on to acceptance of a new lifestyle. Don't sweat the past, learn from it and move on. Good luck!

We have probably all been body-shamed and it leaves scars. We have a history of being pretty mean to ourselves, too. I think we're all just going to figure this out as we go along. Sadly, even super models and actresses are constantly attacked, and they're smokin' hot. Just let her relax for an afternoon and forget to suck in her tiny tummy and some tabloid will be posting headlines about her baby bump! There are always hateful people out there and we need to learn to deny them any power over us.

I had Thai green curry (my absolute favorite) over the weekend. No rice, just ate it like a soup. The one small bowl made 2 meals for me and they were DELISH!

Welcome to the site! This is a very friendly and supportive community. Personally, I chose the sleeve so that there would be fewer long-term malabsorption issues. However, if you have GERD, the sleeve can make it worse. People who have bypass tend to lose faster, but for a shorter period of time. Sleevers can lose for a couple of years. Either one can get you to a healthy weight if you stay with your program. Also, there are ways to "eat around" both of them if you're not sufficiently committed. Telling people - entirely up to you. Before surgery, I chose to tell only those whom I knew would be supportive. I didn't want to deal with having to justify myself to anyone. It was my decision. Now that the surgery is done and the weight loss is apparent, I don't volunteer the information, but if someone asks, I tell them. Again, entirely a personal choice. If your friends are generally supportive, I doubt they'll see you in a different light. They've probably watched you struggle and wished there was something you could do. It's not as though people don't know we're overweight. Fears? My biggest fear was that I would fail, yet again. This is where having a good support network comes in. I find support groups to be invaluable, as is the advice from vets on this board. Friends and family have our best interests at heart, but they don't understand the "ins and outs" of daily living with WLS. Anyway, good luck to you and continue to let us know how you're doing!

I'm going to be the really mean one here. Don't try to force the surgery just because of the insurance window. They approved you once, they'll approve you again. It sounds like you're not sufficiently prepared for the surgery. This process is only 20% stomach, 80% HEAD! Your head isn't in the game yet. One slip-up is a cheat. One week of binging is self-sabotage. You're looking for an excuse to cancel because you're afraid. If you've read these boards, you've seen people who have totally wasted the opportunity provided by their surgery with self-defeating behavior. You need to spend the time to get your priorities set, imo. Because after the surgery you will have cravings, you will want comfort foods, you will want to gnaw off your own fingers sometimes with hunger. And you may very well resent others being able to indulge. Don't think that because binging will cause you to throw up right after surgery that you are "cured". There are many ways of "eating around" restrictions and you will have to be constantly on your guard. Please understand that I'm not trying to be hateful. I want you to succeed. But right now, I think you need to spend time with a therapist, not a surgeon. Good luck to you, whatever you decide.

This turned out so scary. I'm glad you're all right and moving on with your new, healthier (physically & mentally) life. He didn't have the right stuff to be part of that. Congrats on the 5K!

Thank you for sharing. It's an important reminder that we all have different needs.

That's interesting. Thanks for sharing! I need to find out if I have any unsalted crackers at home It all comes down to "doctors give advice based on the "average person". Sadly, not one of us is that "average person"

Thank you so much for sharing!

Do they have a local support group? When does it meet?

Congrats on your excellent success thus far! Welcome! This is a very friendly, supportive community. Feel free to dive right in!

Best of luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery! Love your poem!

@Frustr8 Keep on fighting the good fight! I pray that all goes smoothly from here on out.

I'm glad they're going to check you out. I've been worried. ((HUGS))

Good luck with your appointment. Here are some things I wish I'd asked: Do they have a nutritionist on staff who can answer your questions or do they refer you to someone else? Do they have someone on call outside office hours or will you have to go to the emergency room if a problem arises? How long will they follow your progress with follow-ups and assistance (like the nutritionist)?

Sounds like you're progressing nicely! 14 pounds in one month the "normal" way isn't easy. Great job!

The next step is usually meeting with your surgeon and his team. The surgeon's office is the one that makes the final determination if you are a candidate and sends the paperwork to your insurance. Once you get into their program, they'll guide you on your way. Congrats!

Question about protein - Is there any benefit eating beyong 80g of protein a day? I noticed that some of you are eating 100g or more and wondered if there was a benefit to that. Thanks

Congratulations on your excellent success so far. You are an inspiration! I don't have enough experience to comment on your long-term meds, per se. However, I've been around prescription meds long enough to offer this advice: Do NOT let your meds run out, especially if the insurance will cover them. Renew the prescription, and then experiment with eliminating/reducing them one at a time while you have a good supply in case it doesn't work out. You don't want to take the last ones you have, thinking that you don't need them anymore and then realize that you REALLY do need them and have to wait to refill a 3-mo prescription by mail. Been there, done that, it's rough. Good luck to you and your monster-taming! Blessings!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

This is fascinating! Have you always fenced or did you take it up as part of your post-op exercise routine? Yes, 31% rocks for a post-menopausal woman. Go, girl!