SleeveToBypass2023

I'm definitely not someone who sews. My mom use to, but she lives in Florida (I'm in Colorado) and her arthritis has gotten bad and she hasn't sewn in years. I honestly wouldn't complain about something like this anywhere but here because absolutely NOBODY else can relate. I keep hearing "but you were so heavy before, I would think you'd be ecstatic now!!" and I alternate between wanting to look around on the floor to see if I can find their brains that must have fallen out of their head and wanting to smack the ever loving daylights out of them. The AUDACITY to say that...to my face!!! I'm hoping I can either find someone who wants to trade scrubs or someone wants to buy mine. I'm so thankful and grateful that I'm healthy and have lost so much weight. I honestly am. I just want my body to settle on a set point and stay there lol I absolutely DO NOT want to go lower than a Large right now, because I was already told I'll likely go down a size after my skin surgeries. If any of TPTB (The Powers That Be) are up there listening...PLEASE let me be good to go now lol I'm extra happy and grateful and thankful, and as my 3 year old granddaughter would say "I all dooooooone now" lol Please and thank you!!!! 🤣😁

I'm definitely going to do that. I never thought of that. At least it gives me more options to try. Thanks!!

FB marketplace, Craigslist, thrift stores....ugh. I never thought about the clinics and hospitals....I'll have to look into that. I'm just annoyed. I hate wearing clothes and scrubs that don't fit. Not only does it look silly, it's uncomfortable. And having to keep hiking up my pants at work in front of patients is just ridiculous.

I've been looking, but ironically, now that I need size large all I see are plus size. 🙄

Obesity is an eating disorder. You wouldn't tell someone with anorexia "just go eat a sandwich and stop exercising so much" or someone with bulimia "just stop binging and throwing up. Just don't do it". So telling someone who is obese to just diet and work out and you'll be fine is absolutely WRONG. Yes, it's an addiction to food, but it's usually a trauma response because of something(s) we went through or are going through in our lives. Like every other eating disorder, it gets out of our control, we become addicted, and as much as we know it's unhealthy and bad for us and we need to stop, we can't. That's why we need the surgery AND support groups AND therapy. The surgery alone isn't enough. This is a lifelong, multi-step process. But it's completely possible to turn your life around and become who you have always been meant to be. Ignore those that won't support you. They aren't you, they aren't going through everything you are, and they haven't lived your life or experienced your emotions and thoughts. This is your chance to save yourself. So many of us, myself included, have been faced with our mortality and poor choices and had to make the hard choice and do the work. But I don't regret any of it and would do it all again. If you're ready to take your life back, then do it. If you don't find support in your real life, I can promise you you'll find it here. This place is amazing, and we're happy to answer any questions you might have

Yep, when I originally had the sleeve, I still had to prioritize protein.

WOOHOO!!!! That's awesome, congrats!!! You really are doing wonderfully. It's only going to get better from here

It's been a while. Have you heard anything or been put on the schedule yet?

I have family and friends in North Miami Beach as well as the Tampa Bay area. We're looking at the Orlando suburbs like Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista.

That's really strange because the focus should be on protein right from the beginning. I was drinking protein gatorade zero, protein water, ready made protein shakes (not thick, very watery), bone broth, and flavored electrolyte water (Propel has been my favorite).

I've owned a home twice. And sold twice. Not for me lol I prefer living in upscale apartments that include all the things I want and have maintenance onsite and located near everything I want lol

Definitely look into Miralax daily, or at least a few times per week. It's gentle and keeps you regular. The laxative/stool softener is really for getting things moving (later on, once you're further out)

After every surgery, I took 2 per day for the first 5 days, then 1 a day until I hit 2 weeks post op, then 1 every other day for another week. Then only as needed (typically I take them if I haven't poo'd in 2 days. On day 3, I take em and make sure I can go). I will say I tend to use Miralax often, as it's less harsh than actual stool softeners. But that only works for me if I'm not "backed up" and needing the stronger laxative/stool softener combo to get things moving again. For me, Miralax more keeps them moving, not really much help if things stop.

That's the plan!! I was born and raised in Florida. Lived there from 78-2004. Only been back to visit maybe 6 or 7 times in 20 years. I miss everybody there, I miss the weather, I miss being in the south. And to go back with a successful career and looking much like I did in high school again, well, that's always a bonus, too lol

Next year. Thinking about moving back altogether.

I'm with you on ALL of that. I was in a 28/30 and 5x in clothing and size 10 in rings and 11w in shoes. When I could even find anything in my size, it was expensive, ugly, and not in style at all. I hated it so much. Now, I'm in a size 12 and Large in clothing, size 5 ring, and size 10M in shoes. So much easier to find clothes in my size that are cute, fit better, look better, and priced WAY better. I can shop sales and clearance, I can go thrifting and know I'll find stuff, I can shop in ANY store and not be embarrassed or disappointed. Activity is so key. I couldn't move around without a cane before, and even then it was so hard. I was out of breath after the smallest tasks. Now I go on 10 and 12 mile hikes, I work out and do core/strength/weight training, and I can go horseback riding (just did that last weekend and it was AWESOME to be within the weight limits) or anything else I want to do. Sleeping is so much better now. I can sleep in any position, I don't snore anymore, and I don't wake up with headaches like I use to. I was told I needed a cpap but I didn't want one, and I suffered because of it. Don't need one now!! And of course, my health has drastically improved. No more high cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation meds for my joint pain, or diabetes. Instead of constantly being anemic, it stays low normal, which is huge for me. All my labs consistently come back perfect and normal. It's a whole new life now, and even though I went through SO MUCH to get here, I would do it all again in a heartbeat

Absolutely AWESOME!!! You really look amazing. You did the work, used the tool, and look at you!!! Hottie McHotterton from Hotsville!!! Excellent job

Ah ok lol I was like "I'm pretty sure it's not the DS...but I absolutely could be wrong" lol

Also, it sounds like an umbilical hernia, since it's by your belly button. Here's some info I found about it: An umbilical hernia is a bulge or defect in the abdominal wall near the belly button. The most common sign is a visible bulge on or near your belly button that's soft to the touch. In some people, it's always visible. Other times, you can only see the bulge when there's pressure in your abdomen. This hernia develops when a portion of the lining of the abdomen, part of the intestine, and/or fluid from the abdomen, comes through the muscle of the abdominal wall. If the trapped portion of intestine is completely cut off from the blood supply, it can lead to tissue death. Infection may spread throughout the abdominal cavity, causing a life-threatening situation. Adults with umbilical hernias are somewhat more likely to experience a blockage of the intestines. Surgery is recommended for most adults with an umbilical hernia because the hernia is unlikely to get better by itself when you're older and the risk of complications is higher.

Definitely sounds like a hernia. I had a ventral hernia that required surgery back in December. But I had A LOT of pain. However, they think I had the hernia for a little while until it became incarcerated and started hurting. They did a MRI and got me into surgery 5 days later. Pay very VERY close attention to it. Any pain at all, even mild, needs immediate medical attention. It can go downhill very quickly, so don't ignore it or try to push through it. It'll get worse, not better, and it won't correct itself or heal itself, especially once the pain starts.

I can't wait to go back to Florida and see all my family and friends in person. They've seen my pics online, but it's just different in person. I can't wait to go to the theme parks and be able to walk around and ride the rides with no issues at all, no funny looks, no problems fitting in any seats. It'll be the first time since high school that I can actually enjoy being there and doing what I want (and dressing cute while doing it!!)

My program didn't offer anything either. We had 1 online group "power session" that basically told us what we can and can't eat before and after surgery, what recovery would look like, how long we would be in the hospital, and that we have access to the (fairly useless) nutritionist. That was it. I learned more from Google. Then I found this forum and the rest is history. This place is WAY more helpful than anything else, so I just stick with it. Now that I'm 2 years out from my original surgery and 1 year out from my revision, fully recovered my my SLEW of complications and additional surgeries, and not only made it to my goal but am below it, I feel like I have stuff to offer in the conversation now. I owe everyone here so much that I just hope to pay it forward to others.

I was coming on here to say it sounds like either dumping or a new allergy, or maybe both. I've had both happen and it's not fun.

Not to sidetrack the post, but what surgery did you end up with? Your stats say duodenal switch, but I don't think that's right, is it? I forget what you said you were getting, and then it might be something else when they get in there if they couldn't do it. UGH...I hate having a crappy short term memory!!!

I wish I could do something like this!!! I definitely have things I could tell them about BOTH surgeries!!! I might look into it, although I have no idea where to even start.