emilygrace

My family and best friend know the facts. I have one close friend I haven't been honest with mostly because although I know she'd support me, she has been known to have a big mouth and I don't want it to get around work etc. Strangers or people at work I'm not friends with - I have said "I don't really feel comfortable discussing my weight with you". I'd rather stand up for my decision and tell them it's none of their business than make something up.

I have tons of hair and really didn't worry about hair loss at all - I figured I had plenty even if I lost some. Now, I am 18 or 19 weeks out from my VSG, I am freaking out because of my hair loss! I am shedding all over the place. I play with my hair a lot and just get tons of strands as I run my fingers through it, in the shower, if I brush my hair. Not just all-over thinning, but my hairline at the very front has a small bald patch! Well not bald, it's got short stumpy hairs but ew. I can put my fringe over it so others don't notice, but I find it traumatic!! I have always eaten my Vitamins (Multivitamin plus extra vit D) and Protein. I am just hanging my hopes on the hair loss being temporary.

Also be aware that eggs and meat are 2 of the hardest things to digest, so many people advise waiting til 6 or 8 weeks post-op for that. "Mushies" can encompass thick soups, yoghurts, puddings, etc, not just meat and eggs. I had problems getting stuck on tuna one month out - couldn't manage it until I was about 8 weeks out.

I don't feel you're any more "open" than I am because I choose not to broadcast my personal medical issues to strangers. Yes, it is important to support each other - I don't feel calling someone "cold" is particularly supportive, but you may disagree. Seeking out people who are interested in the same surgery you had or are considering and forming part of an internet community is one thing. Feeling obliged to educate overweight strangers I come across in daily life, I do not consider to be my responsibility. If that makes me "cold" in your opinion, so be it. Your judgemental attitude is precisely why I don't feel obligated to expose my choices to others.

Thanks for the info, I'll be sure to ask the GI doc about it!

Mine has been horrible lately - it was well controlled on nexium twice per day, and stupid me thought I could drop one dose since i hadn't had any reflux since postop. Cue awful reflex! Restarted but didn't resolve.. added zantac as well as nexium.. didn't resolve. Have had constant annoying throat clearing/dry cough since then which is driving me CRAZYYYYYYYYYYY!!! I am now going to go see a GI doc, may need some kind of upper GI test. I did have a hiatal hernia (that I wasn't aware of) fixed at surgery. I am 4 months postop, started getting worse at about 3 months. Also definitely haven't lost any weight this month despite counting calories, carbs and protein grams which is driving me batty. I am not more "hungry", but with acid rolling up my throat I am eating to try and keep it suppressed.

The final size also depends not only upon the bougie size used, but also how tight the surgeon wraps and sutures it.

Definitely see a doctor to rule out various things such as thyroid as Tiffy suggested. That can make your metabolism work too fast. If you can't tolerate solids right now, can you go back to liquids/protein shakes/meal replacements? That should enable you to get in a lot more calories than you're eating, at least while you're ill.

Well that's fine for you, because you feel you are able to stand up to people who question you and "give them a piece of your mind". Not everyone feels that way. The natural answer then, is to do whatever feels right to you. If you want to tell, tell. If you want to keep your business private, do so. There isn't a right and wrong answer and I don't feel it's anyone's business how I am losing weight. The other "obese brothers and sisters" can access the same information I did to make my decision, they aren't my responsibility.

Twoboysandagirl - I was lucky, my immediate family (parents and siblings) were shocked at my announcement (I only told them a few weeks before surgery) but impressed by my research - I kind of launched into my reasoning and research and answered all their questions before they asked, and they could see I had done my homework and made up my mind. I did NOT tell other people for the reasons you found - people love to dump on your plans and I was nervous enough without the negativity. Plus, if I'm honest, I think deep down I was doubtful that that even this would be successful because nothing else had been. I didn't want to disappoint anyone - I am a huge people pleaser and perfectionist! I ended up telling my best friend, and she's just as excited by my successes as I am so far, although I'm sure she doesn't really understand as she is slender.

The problem is having 2 general anesthetics so close together - definitely try and get the ops done at the same time.

I started at around 260, and would like to get to 140-145 so that will be 115-120 to lose. I am just 4 months out and have lost 65lbs so far - hoping to get to goal by my 1 yr anniversary.

Ah ok yes I was thinking of US. Phew!

I bet it's reflux - ask for some meds.

You might have overdone it, it's impossible to say. If you have ongoing severe pain after 10 days postop I would give your doctor's office a call and see what they say. Regarding reflux - I never had it preop although apparently I had a hiatus hernia which was fixed during sleeve op. I woke up with AWFUL reflux, flt like something grabbing my throat then just rolling uphill. Ugh, it was yuck. They gave me something IV in hospital, then I went onto nexium. Once a day wasn't cutting it so they made it 20mg twice a day, plus then had to add a zantac in the afternoon/evening. I am off to the doctor's tomorrow to get this investigated because it's miserable. You should ask your doctor what to take for reflux though, I wouldn't self medicate.

I thought bariatric surgery was a disqualifier to joining the military..?

I actually get this really bad if I take any antihistamines - I didn't realize for a long time what it was, but whenever I took benadryl, etc, Tylenol PM, anything with a "-hydramine" in it, I get crazy restless arm/leg/whatever - feels like bugs crawling under my skin and I just want to rip it off, it's awful!

Partly, I agree that your parents can surprise you. It's amazing how important their approval can still be when you're an adult (35 in my case!). I was totally a wimp with telling my dad and got my mom to tell him for me. I just had no idea how I would broach the subject as we don't discuss things like my weight.. ever. In the end, my mom died a couple weeks before my surgery and he came in with me, drove me to/from, visited, etc. He really surprised me - if anything it probably made us somewhat closer. He always asks how it's going when I speak to him on the phone now (I live a long way away from him). Equally, you'll be surprised how little people really take notice of what you're eating. I just take a scoop of each thing, spread it around the plate, and people don't care/notice what you eat. If you take too much (which I did a LOT early on, until I wrapped my brain around the serving size thing - it's almost a reflex to take enough food in case it disappears!) then it's easier for people to tell that you didn't eat much. Postop I went to a restaurant a couple times for family birthdays etc and got Soup but really only ate a few spoonfulls and then gave it to my sister.

Oh duh, I totally forgot about that - I had a wheat pack that went in the microwave and it was a LIFE SAVER with the gas!! Totally the best thing.

Exactly like the gas pains I had - although I did also have a massive bruise on my shoulder from I don't know what when I was asleep in the OR! Walking and taking Gas-X helped the pains I had.

Wish I only had one scar!

I was still in hospital til day 5 postop, although only because surgeon was away. I could have gone home day 3 but I could not have stood and worked for 4 hours, esp doing lots of movements with arms like hairdryers would require.

Also you can get "sludge" in the gallbladder that can cause problems but not necessarily be seen on ultrasound. It does sound like colicky spasm-type pain though. Biliary colic is not fun.. hope you feel better soon.

God, what are you doing - I am almost 4 months out and have only lost 60lbs (including preop diet). I started at 260lbs.

Yes I tried dropping down to 1 a few weeks ago and it did not go well.. took a week or so to get my levels back up and get back to where I was.. ugh.