Born in Missouri

Simple, but true. Attribution here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2018/10/22/what-happens-after-bariatric-surgery-makes-a-big-difference/#7fa2c4ec29b1 "What Happens After Bariatric Surgery Makes A Big Difference"

At 200.2lbs I'm almost there. I can almost feel it happening, but I can't quite get my weight to go below that 200lb milestone. Soon, hopefully. Congrats, Matty.

The bypass is working great for me. Lost 100lbs (over 7 stone) in 6 months. I've never experienced dumping and my bowels are more efficient than ever. As for the malnutrition, it would take months to reach any significant levels of malnutrition. I take my vitamins when I remember (no need to stress out about missing a few pills here and there). Do the best you can, and the weight just "comes off". My high blood pressure, slightly rising blood glucose levels, borderline high cholesterol and other conditions disappeared almost immediately after surgery). I honestly don't recognize the person I once was anymore. I fit in "normal" size clothes. Whichever surgery you choose, don't EVER worry that you picked the "wrong one". Both procedures have pros and cons and you'll do great on either choice. I can only speak about my success with the bypass. Good luck to you.

I couldn't resist, countrygirl. It was such a cheap shot to pick on such an easy-to-make typo. Shame on me! I lived most of my life in the city until my widowed mother remarried a bachelor farmer with 1000 acres in SE Kansas. I loved living in the country. My stepfather raised steers and had a lot of land set aside as HIGH GRASS PRAIRIE full of native wildflowers, blackberries, etc. He passed away two years ago, age 92. I loved him dearly. (He still has two older sisters living, btw. How many 92 year olds have older siblings? One is 97, the other 96). Back to your user name. Is it misspelled because someone else signed up as COUNTRYGIRL or was COUNRTYGIRL a typo? I won't be able to sleep ever again until I find out. BTW, my father grew up in Tennessee. We spent every summer there. In Spring City near Chattanooga. I don't know what got into me. I've been writing irrelevant blabber with no rhyme or reason. Being it's 3:30am, perhaps sleep is in order.

Being that's 994 years from now, there's plenty of time to re-consider all your options. (And here I thought I was the master of typos. Thanks for the laugh, counrtygirl. Wait is your user name a typo, too... or was "countrygirl" already taken?)

I'd be worried if you didn't have the jitters. Someone the other day on this forum talked about embarking on a laundry marathon and watching the holy crap out of Netflix. Those are just examples. Is there a hobby or something you like that you'd enjoy focusing on for a few days? You could always spend your time creating a LIST of things you'd do if you could.😀 Journal a bit. Put your jittery words on paper so later you can ask yourself, "Why was I so dang nervous. That was a piece of cake!". One super important thing. Don't forget to take a good BEFORE picture of yourself during this pre-surgery time. You'll be grateful to yourself later. Cheese!

An injection in your belly is absorbed more slowly than if it was injected into a vein. Also, some medications can’t be given by mouth because the acid and enzymes in your stomach would destroy them. The shot you were given was probably an enoxaparin shot to prevent blood clots. The needles are very slender so it was probably just the idea of the shot that bothered you, since it's a very quick and painless injection. I remember giving a few of the shots to myself (once I got home). I even let my youngest son, who was born with neuropathies in both hands, give me a shot. Little things like that can be a confidence booster for someone with serious fine motor skill deficits.

Humor is a good friend to take with you before, during and after your surgery. My surgery ended up being around 5pm. The patient before me had unexpected complications and her surgery lasted 6 hours instead of 2. At least your laundry will be done when you get back home. And Netflix will be waiting too. Isn't it amazing how a good (or even a not so good) movie can help you cope with nervous tension? I don't know you, but I'll be wishing you... and the other poster on this thread... the very best tomorrow. Promise to update us as soon as you feel able. OK?

Glad to hear that she was pretty much just quizzing you as a way to find out how serious you are. Maybe it's just me, but people who aren't even motivated to do basic research are probably poor candidates.

So happy and proud of you, AlteredReality. You inspire me. My boo-boo act is just that. It's more fun to pretend to be all depressed and crushed! Self-deprecating humor is a powerful motivator for me. I am genuinely thrilled that you are doing so well. I am proud of myself, too. We should both be proud!!

@AlteredReality. Have you updated your stats recently? I've finally caught up... or are you still kicking dust in my face?😀

I'm celebrating my second milestone: 200lbs. My first milestone was 250. My doctor said he'd be happy with a goal weight of 150. I'm hoping for 130. How much harder is it to lose those final pounds? The first 100 just seemed to fall off. Am I incorrect to assume that my remaining 50-70lbs will be my most difficult hurdle? My assumption is based on nothing scientific or logical, just a gut feeling.

Your surgeon asked you to DEFEND your decision to get a bypass? The hell you say! How odd. I've heard all types of stories, but this one takes the cake. What would have happened if you hadn't satisfied her demand for a blow-by-blow explanation for why a bypass was your procedure of choice? Was this your first meeting with this surgeon?

I was downing horse pills right after my surgery. Never considered crushing or doing the applesauce thing. If you feel any resistance by your body, go to Plan B (crushing, etc.) Otherwise, carry on... you'll be fine. Others here have taken their pills without modifying them post-surgery.

Your sense of smell, taste, and appetite will be wonky for weeks or months to come. I had a bypass over 6 months ago, and I am still sensitive to most foods. If you've ever experienced morning sickness during pregnancy and the acute response to certain smells (the smell of steamed rice sent me head-first to the toilet) you'll better understand what I mean. I don't know if a sleeve procedure is worse or about the same, but since we are all individuals... it probably doesn't matter which procedure you had. Hang in there. Hopefully, things will even out so you are less sensitive to ordinary smells.

This is my surgeon, Stephen Scott, doing a sleeve gastrectomy. He performed a gastric bypass on me... but for those of you who may be curious, check it out. Dr. Scott spends a lot of time training other doctors here and abroad on various surgical techniques. https://jnjinstitute.com/online-profed-resources/resources/gastric-sleeve-power-echelon-and-stratafix-stephen-scott-md?target_id

Taking two multivitamins at once is fine. The important thing is to space out your iron (if taken separately) so there are no absorption issues. Calcium inhibits the absorption of iron. What vitamins do you take specifically? Just a multivitamin? (Wait. I see that you are a sleeve patient. Never mind. You don't have the same nutritional risks.)

If you can't stand the sight of blood and fat and organs and burning flesh... don't watch it.

I forgot about the short-term appointments following the surgery, ie. one week, one month. I guess I was focusing on the lab work appointments.

It takes several months to develop a deficiency of any significance. It's good to be dedicated to your regime, but the reality is that it's okay to miss out on several days and still be perfectly fine. Just don't take more than recommended amounts later to make up for your missed days. (Not that I thought you would.😃)

I know nothing about the app. I use the website only via a laptop. I think we've been conditioned over time to be more sensitive to what we interpret (and often times rightly so) as fat-shaming. This site, like society in general, has plenty of room for improvement. That said, the community of people here, many of who have experienced their fair share of fat-shaming, won't be adding to your negative app experience. We're the REAL DEAL. Flesh and bones people who've been there, and want no more of it. Give the site a chance, @DeltaBravo, because the site is essentially PEOPLE and not fat-shaming data entry.

I had my 3-month visit and, recently, my 6-month visit. Normally, my next appointment would be in one year, but I was given my next appointment in 6 months. My surgeon told me that he expects me to meet my goal weight in 6 months and he wants to see me do it. He actually seemed excited (but not as excited as I am to accomplish that goal).

I have UHC. Policies vary even within the same health system. My policy didn't give a wooty-toot-toot whether I lost weight during my 6-month supervised period or gained weight! Sometimes a doctor's office staff can (in good faith) share the wrong information, so find out what YOUR actual policy states. Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask member services to clarify your policy for you. Are you getting the bypass? Write to me privately. I might be able to help you navigate other policy details.

You look amazing and your success is inspiring. I'm not sure I'd ever be able to post photos of myself. Even though I've lost 99lbs, I still don't feel comfortable with the way I look. The emotional baggage is hard to shake. I probably set an unrealistic goal weight. My doctor would be thrilled with 150lbs, but I'm hanging on to 130lbs for reasons unknown.

Keep doing what you're doing and it will happen. I've lost 99lbs in the last six months with little to no effort. I attribute my success to reducing my stress by not obsessing over the day-to-day stuff and concentrating on living and healing. While it's inspiring to step on the scale and see the numbers drop, be proud of what you've already accomplished and let that continue to inspire you. You've lost 20lbs! That's terrific. I noticed that you posted very little in your user stats. I've always enjoyed seeing my progress recorded. It's such an ego boost. If you need help getting to the right area to make these changes, I can (and others) will be happy to get you there.