Born in Missouri

I'd check myself out, but I lost my library card. No more moobs (man-boobs). That's sensational. Where is all of the loose, jiggly skin around your abdomen? Men who look pregnant in their BEFORE photos, don't seem to carry their "pregnant" skin for life. Not fair! You look great, by the way. Handsome and fit. You have good reason to be proud. Is your buff body the only furniture in that room?

@nibble Thank you for suggesting that article. Powerful words. "... understanding obesity as a disease has a positive impact on emotions, which then has a positive impact on overall attitudes towards people living with obesity. Findings from this study also support the idea that reducing blame might be an avenue to reduce weight bias attitudes.... Labelling obesity a disease seems to be related to less weight bias for individuals who hold strong beliefs about people getting what they deserve and who are satisfied with their own body weight at least in terms of reducing blame."

Actually, the classification of obesity as a disease by the AMA was not a slam dunk. There was plenty of opposition. There's a 14-page document out there that argues against obesity-as-a-disease, but I couldn't find it. Here's one journal article that asked the question, "Did the American Medical Association make the correct decision in classifying obesity as a disease?" (Oddly enough, this was written by an Australian medical journal). "Obesity has reached pandemic proportions, is strongly associated with myriad co-morbid complications, and is leading to a progressive economic and social burden. However, being obese does not necessarily equate to poor health, and evidence suggests individuals may be fat but fit. Perhaps most importantly, labelling obesity a disease may absolve personal responsibility and encourage a hands-off approach to health behaviour. This knowledge raises the question of morality, as individuals must now choose whether they will invest effort into maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to free society of the healthcare burden associated with obesity. Given the myriad issues surrounding the decision to classify obesity in this way, perhaps a new question should be posed in order for society to continue this discussion: who benefits most from labelling obesity a disease?" Go to: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4259211/ https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/806566

Has anyone experienced a difference in the way things taste post-op? I'm only post-op 11 days, but things that had a well-defined taste for me previously seem to be unusually bland now or have a strong aftertaste. We all have different taste sensations. I'm also one of those "tasters" who can detect a metallic-type taste when my IV is flushed with saline, for example. I've heard plenty of nurses who talk about the comments they hear from other "tasters".

Growing up, you could not get up from the table until everything had been eaten. The glorified clean plate club... We called it "The Happy Plate". If you finished everything, that was a"happy" thing. You only got dessert if you had a happy plate. I'm sorry to say that I passed on this "noble" traditional to my children. --------- I could feel the pain and sadness in every word of your post. For good or bad, you also have a "toxic" relationship with the English language. You're just too darn eloquent. Why are you convinced that the sleeve, instead of the bypass, is for you? I'm biased, of course, but I'm also curious. I wish I had something equally as eloquent to say in return. I guess I never had the foresight to buy multiple drinks in the drive-thru, though I did ask for two Big Macs and two fries in separate bags once. The encouraging thing I see in your post is that for each "sin", you seem to have an inner plea for change and a determination to end this toxic relationship. You want to succeed but fear is holding you back. Is this a rational fear or a defensive and irrational one? By the latter, I mean you've already put up a defense of sorts by "pre-convincing" yourself that you won't be able to stop eating despite having surgery. Why, then, get the surgery, it won't work for me anyway? That's a defensive fear. The person with whom you have the psych evaluation doesn't have to be the person you talk to about your relationship with food. That said, I don't think that merely having a toxic relationship with food precludes you from surgery. The psychologist wants to know if you are committed. Are you? You sound like you want to be free of the hold food has on you. It sounds as though there is a deep, but hidden urge to get healthy. That fear is blocking your urge to act. Deal with your fears first, so you can move on. Be your own self-advocate. Do what you would do for yourself if you were your own best friend. And you should be your best friend. I know that sounds corny, but it is often the turning point to action. Help your best friend; she needs you! Lastly, you broke free of one fear already (to a certain extent anyway) by baring your soul here. So now that you're here, continue to use us. Misuse us. We don't care which, just keep talking. Hopefully, the feedback you receive will help you to make some life-changing decisions. If you've been lurking here for a while, you've no doubt read posts from people who think they're ready but who are trying to make bargains involving food before they even start. "I want to have surgery, but I still want to eat and do this." or "I'm okay with getting healthy, as long as I can keep doing certain unhealthy things." I don't want to reveal this post to you here, but I can private message it to you so you can see what I mean by a bargainer. You don't appear to be a bargainer to me. I think you're ready, by virtue of what you've said above, to put on and lace up your walking shoes. (I'd say running shoes but those come later.. Heck, I've had surgery and I'm far from running.) I hope my words aren't too trite because I desperately want to say something --anything-- that is encouraging and meaningful to you, but if I continue to ramble on... well... I...uh...

I didn't really comprehend my size until I saw a video of myself. A static photo is one thing, but seeing my almost 300lb body walking, bending... or in my case sitting on a wooden porch swing next to my mother... is something I won't soon forget. If seeing my huge body on video wasn't disturbing enough, during the video I heard the swing crack as soon as I sat down. I couldn't stand up fast enough! The thing is, I didn't want to sit down and actually told my sister (who was recording the video) so. I had a bad feeling and I didn't want to sit on that dumb swing. "Oh, go ahead and sit down beside Mom. It'll be fun." Not only can I still picture my huge body sitting down on that porch swing, but I also have lingering and humiliating sound effects in my head, too. Body dysmorphia + body dysphonia! = I WILL NEVER AGREE TO BE VIDEO-TAPED AGAIN. The Greek root word phon means “sound.” It's a real word for an actual speech disorder; however, I made it up here to apply to my own embarrassing experience.

@Sweedfire86 It's not just you. There seems to be something more to it.

@Little Kansas Kitty "My ghrelin must of been insanely high and my leptin super low prior to surgery." Don't forget to add that you fixed your ghrelin and leptin problem by having metabolic surgery!

Cut one leg shorter than the other? This sounds like pegleg surgery done on a pirate ship. How truly tragic. Did she sue the first doctor?

Nearly 9 percent of bariatric surgical patients who did not take opioid pain medications until their weight-loss operation, or the month before it, report that they are still using prescription opioids one year postoperatively, according to the results of a Michigan study, presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2017. http://www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/112870/bariatric-surgery-patients-vulnerable-opioid-dependence I was an opioid (morphine) pain patient before my gastric bypass surgery, btw.

Do you seriously have 1.5 lbs to go until you reach your goal weight? As one forum member said, it was a guy, of course (they seem to thrive on scatological humor), "One trip to the bathroom should do it."

Your daughter's academic interests are intriguing. I loved every tidbit that you shared about her. Medical entomology has to be one of the coolest pursuits ever. Parasitology is a favorite of mine as well. I'm also captivated by anything to do with pain management research that involves discoveries like toxic sea snail venom and secretions from waxy tree frogs.

Oops. I don't know why I assumed your kiddo was a son. My daughter is the PharmD. My two middle sons are medical doctors. K lives in Omaha, NE and the older one (the one I mentioned above) is in Pontiac. Actually, C doesn't live in Pontiac, but in a nearby city. I can't remember that city's name now, even though I've been there! My youngest son wanted nothing to do with medicine. He's studying computer engineering. Go figure.

I mix FAGE Total 2% plain yogurt with 20g of Protein with Bio Chem unflavored whey protein 20g. I don't taste the protein powder. There's no gritty texture. In fact, it's richer and creamier now. If I hadn't been the sneaky culprit who spiked my own yogurt, I'd never notice the protein powder in there. After my post-op protein struggles, I'm finally getting some protein. Still not the recommended amount, but a whole lot more than before.

I have a colonoscopy every 5 years. I agree. Don't miss 'em.

Opioids as part of a pain management plan should be used in cases of moderate to severe pain, and for as long as needed if that condition turns chronic. I have long stopped feeling ashamed for needing opioids to manage my pain. I would be unable to walk or get through my day if my pain wasn't knocked down to some degree. There is no shame in opioid dependence for legitimate pain. I'm addicted to pain relief and the opportunity to have a quality of everyday life without pain. I think the study was about people who started with an opioid prescription but continued taking opioids long after their post-op pain ended. Taking opioids beyond that point is the concern. Believe me, people who take opioids for chronic pain, don't experience a "high", we're just grateful that our medication has taken the edge off the pain. My pain is never absent, and often even my morphine or oxycodone can't touch it, but it makes the pain almost tolerable. For almost two years, my primary and I tried every conceivable alternative to opioids. I suffered a lot during those early times. It took my pharmacist daughter to finally convince me that I needed something stronger, something that could best compete with my pain. Your friend's pain management plan most certainly required the use of opioids and would in no way be considered "abuse". I don't think this study intends to deprive anyone of their valid use... only their continued use if the reason for the medication ceases. How is your friend doing now? Did physical therapy help with her healing? It's a tough road for a while, I know. I had both knees replaced (three months apart), but, fortunately, for me, all went well. I wish for your friend a happy TKR ending, too.

@Creekimp13 Thank you for breaking it down. I pretty much just hit the highlights of the study, so it's great that you're able to pull out the numbers and get to the core of the study. This is definitely good news for those who've opted for the sleeve.

Question: Is there a difference in weight loss between laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in patients with morbid obesity? Conclusion: This study did not find a significant difference in weight loss between sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass at 5 years of follow-up after surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2669728?resultClick=1

@Creekimp13 Excellent information and follow-up. I loved your personal testimony paragraph. My oldest son completed his medical fellowship at UM-Ann Arbor and now lives and works in Pontiac. I hope through you and your talented son you can keep us up-to-date on this research topic. I personally find it fascinating. No thoughts of witchcraft here. Pure science and purely amazing. Thank you.

A study suggests that people who undergo a momentous life event such as weight loss surgery may possess a “bias to action,” -- meaning they may be encouraged to make additional life changes, like getting a new job, getting married or divorced, or moving. https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/bmi/getting-bariatric-surgery-unexpected-way-your-relationship-status-may-change/

I don't know anything about the extra week you might be facing, but that extra week would be worth it since, according to this article, bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for the most common cause of a fatty liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is becoming one of the most common causes of liver disease in the western world. The most significant risk factors are obesity and the metabolic syndrome for which bariatric surgery has been shown to be an effective treatment. The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on the Spectrum of Fatty Liver Disease https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5061986/ Several drugs also cause fatty liver, including: corticosteroids, tamoxifen (Nolvadex), and methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). Fatty liver is usually found or suspected when: Abnormal liver tests are found on routine blood testing Fat is seen ultrasonographically when ultrasonography of the abdomen is performed for other reasons, for example, the diagnosis of gallstones Infrequently when the liver is enlarged on physical examination of a patient

@Frustr8 I'm going to hold you to that promise. This study knocks the wind out of the widely-held claim that gastric bypass is superior to the sleeve in terms of greater weight loss. Darn! And here I was feeling all "abdominally" superior and crap...

@Tealael. What couldn't you find out... whether she's a pharmacologist or a PharmD? Now that I think about it, if she works in a hospital, she has to be a clinical PharmD. Pharmacists require a license to practice pharmacy. While PharmD's also study pharmacology, that is not the focus of their expertise. My daughter studied for 5 years plus one year of residency at a Veteran's Hospital. I'm very proud of her. Again, you're lucky that your program makes a concerted effort to help their patients with as many meds as they are able, despite the lack of data available for bariatric patients. I remember when I first brought up the topic of medication malabsorption at my first surgeon appointment. I could tell from Dr. S---'s expression that he didn't like how specific my questions were, and then, he surprisingly changed the subject. I knew then that I'd have to figure out my meds pretty much by myself... with the help of my kids and other health professionals whose egos allowed them to admit that there's not much research out there to go on. As for your questions about the requirements for COE certification, I found this link (below). I'm not sure, but I think a hospital can be a COE hospital independent of being COE certified for every program they're involved in. I don't think the hospital I had my bypass in was COE certified for bariatric surgery, even though it was a COE-certified hospital in other areas. I had two full knee replacements at this same hospital, and I don't know if they were COE certified for knee and hip replacements either. Too late now. Maybe if I have to have a brain transplant someday, I'll make sure it's at a COE-certified hospital for brain transplants! https://www.obesitycoverage.com/insurance-and-costs/pre-approval-process/center-of-excellence Some of the programs that a hospital can receive COE certification for include: bariatric surgery knee and hip replacement maternity care spine surgery transplants Oh, and I'm happy to have a new case-study buddy (aka someone who enjoys researching medical and scientific articles too!)

I added magnesium citrate to my supplements. I had no idea that there were so many forms of magnesium. https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/types-of-magnesium/ Despite, what is said in this article, when it comes to the bariatric community, the form that works best for us is magnesium citrate. Take magnesium with calcium for better absorption. My cramp hasn't improved yet, btw. I hope the magnesium helps soon if that's the cause for my pain.

@Tealael Visualization sounds like a worthwhile way to help me see myself as I hope to be. I think I'll send myself through a bariatric portal to Iceland. I love snow and all that is winter. Thanks for the inspiration!