Mountaingal

Like everyone else here I have also lost and regained hundreds of pounds over a life time. I seem to remember the chances of keeping off weight conventionally is only something like 3-5%. That is not a very good result after all the work to lose. If you are starting get health consequences it is time to look at other ways. You may be surprised to find your eating choices/ your taste in foods changes after surgery. Many people find that and perhaps that will help you. You will also have time while you go through the hoops to get the surgery to try out lots of different protein drinks and sources and find something you find tolerable. You have taken a good first step thinking about surgery and com coming here where there is so much help and support. Good luck on this journey.

Happy Surgiversary. You are an inspiration.

I was about where you are with losing interest in things etc before I decided to get surgery. Now I have far more interest and energy to enjoy life with. Plus my health is far better. If you are thinking of going to Mexico you could be at no better place to find out all about. I had my surgery through the offers Bariatric Pal does and could not have been happier with any aspect of the experience. My husband said the same things you think yours will. His dr also did not approve of WLS. Between that and the cost I waited another 5 yrs till I did it. Don't do that and watch life pass you by. Good luck.

That is incredible and you deserve the credit for it Alex. Thank you for all your have done to help so many of us.

Please don't give up. You have endured so much and come so far. Check every pharmacy you can contact for prices. Ask your local hospital if they have any clinics or pharmacy plans themselves which would help you. Talk to your Dr. perhaps he/she can help or find you a painkiller where the drug co has a plan to help people get it at a reasonable price. Sometimes they will prescribe one that you can then top up with your oxy. I guess with so many problems there is no hope that killing off any of the nerves involved.Unfortunately I think this is one of those meds that is incredibly hard to buy on line from a foreign pharmacy for though they provide legit drugs this is one that would be readily resold. I understand how devastating this but you are not alone in this "medical mess" we call health care. I know others struggling as well. Please keep on trying to find meds and if you are in too much pain to tackle this try and find an advocate that will do it for you. I wish the very best in finding an answer.

Your wife is so very lucky to have your support. Lots of people both male and female struggle through this alone or even with someone who is very anti WLS. Others have pretty much said it all but I wanted too my 2 cents worth and support for you and your position on this. If you need a place to learn more about your wife's surgery Alex Brecher has written some incredibly useful books covering every aspect of these surgeries. After being totally against surgery 5 yrs ago my husband was my biggest supporter when I decided to do it last year with or without his support. The biggest thing he did was to be far less picky about what he was eating. For 30 yrs of marriage feeding him has been a daily chore and cause of much marital discord. This change was huge for him. I don't think he could have done anything more caring. He compliments me every day on how I look. He truly believes it when he tells me that a stall will pass and just give it time. I do not feel patronized in any way and truly feel his belief as he says that.He is encouraging me to buy new better fitting clothes and shoes as I am not a shopper and watch money carefully. He says I deserve it for all the work I have done to lose the weight. We have not talked much about the psych side of this adventure as he is not into that kind of approach to life but he has certainly given me all he can in the way of support. Your wife is a lucky lady to have you and we at BariatricPal are lucky to be seeing your posts and sharing this huge step in both your lives.

Most Drs require "a liver shrink diet" consisting of liquids for at least some time before surgery. During this you take in lots of liquid and protein as shakes. Shakes can be bought pre-made or made from powders. The purpose of this is to shrink your liver so it is smaller and less sticky thus easier to move to get to your stomach. Your Drs office or nutritionist will tell you all about this. When you know what they want you to there are lots of us who can recommend brands of shakes and help you with support as you go through the process. Good luck.

You are not alone. I have the same issues with a spouse who additionally has had a major stroke. I also have a child (adult) with similar problems. It is very hard to have the energy left to focus on your own needs. For 4 yrs after his stroke I just cared for him and got fatter. Then one day I said "enough" it was time I did something for me. It was his stroke not mine (though it often does not feel that way). I had researched WLS yrs ago but neither my husband nor his therapist were for the idea and I let it go. This year I relooked at the WLS info and did not ask or discuss it with him but told him I was going to do it. It was for me and my health first and foremost. Being able to remain healthy and take care of him was secondary in my mind. Now I see how being healthier and happier in most instances benefits us both. Strangely he was for the idea when I wasready to do it this year. No idea why he changed his mind. I am now having some thoughts of needing/wanting to do some things on my own and am wondering how that would affect our relationship. Only trying it out will answer that one. I try and get in a walk every day. He can sit in the car and wait or stay at home. I take some time each morning before he gets up to do what I enjoy without distraction. It may not be long but it helps. I have recently started thinking about getting back into meditating to help with the stress. Much as I wanted a marriage where I had a true partner it has not turned out that way. Now it helps to keep reminding myself it is my life as well as a shared one. I hope you understand that. So I have to do some things for me. That includes eating things that he will not eat and if what he gets to eat is simple (due to my cooking two meals) he has to deal with it. I am not at maintainance yet and like you will appreciate any help and strategies others are able to share. Thank you for starting this thread. With your professional background you could verse what needed to be said so much better than I could have.

Thanks for the update meve3681. Good to hear you have done so well. Congratulations.

Congratulations. What a great way to end the year and start the New One.

I can no longer guzzle water either. I just sip, sip, sip. Odd since many people are told to not use straws I also find using a straw help.

I'm right with you girls. I get to 199 and stay there for 3-4 days , then it is back to 202 or even 203. Up and down, up and down. Can't wait to get under 200 and stay there. It has been 15 or more years since I was at the number.

Some kind of container you can use to cook in the microwave with would be good. Even disposable coffee cups will do to heat things in there as well as make coffee or tea. Cottage cheese goes with everything when you want protein. Rotisserie chicken, good for meals or to pull apart and snack on. Protein bars, low fat string cheese,nuts,canned tuna or salmon with pull open tops or in foil packs. protein powder can be sprinkled on or stirred into anything, powdered milk. Those are pretty much my must have when camping. Enjoy your trip.

There are some middle east sites that come up on Facebook if you look for weight loss support or the specific surgery.

Welcome to the forum. So nice to see someone else who has had a plication. Don't seem to be many of us, though that surgery is more popular in Europe (where you are) than it is in the US.Pretty much all the advice given here for other surgeries apply post plication. You can probably start mushy foods etc a bit sooner than with the other surgeries and advance to solid food a bit faster . Less to heal with a less invasive procedure. Do remember weight loss is slower with a plication so don't compare yourself to VSG or bypass. Congratulations on being on losers bench now. If you have any specific questions please post them. I am sure you will get replies and lots of support.

Pinkgirl I think bch said her lapband was removed, along with her gallbladder in Jan 2015.

After losing 50lbs my old bras have all been put in a package and been sent a new loving home. I too miss those pretty things but for now I am wearing plain functional and comfy. I do have some lovely new ones that may only need a small amount of loss to fit. Bought them some years ago and they were too small before I got to wear them. Looking forward to feeling pretty (and that much smaller) again. New lingerie is in order too.

So how are you doing now butterflyvan? Please update us. This was the surgery I wanted but could not find anyone to perform it. So I eventually gave up looking and had a plication in Mexico.

Which part of the body are you interested in having the treatment done to? I have two friends that have had it and were very satisfied. Unfortunately it only last a few months if that so the expense is recurring. That said it is far cheaper now than it was 15 yrs ago. Can't say my friends took any time to recover though they reported mild discomfort for 24 hrs. One had it done in NJ and one in VA so I have heard nothing about Dr Francis.

Fantastic accomplishment. Hiking is one of the things I am working towards.

Welcome cyrus05. What a fantastic Christmas gift you are giving yourself. It will be the best one ever! Lots of wonderful people here and lots of information. It is a great place.

Good luck with your plastics. The skin they remove will help you get a little closer to your goal. If you are comfy where you are and are able to stay (maintain) there it may just be right where your body wants to be. After all you have lost to heck with the numbers..get those plastics gal.

I season ground chicken all kinds of different ways and make patties from the mix. Quick to cook, nice and moist, easy to reheat and sit well in the tummy too. Will try your recipe just using fresh ground chicken rather than left over meat which I put on salads or turn into chicken salad. Thanks for sharing.

Probably not for me at age 64. But time and more loss may surprise me! Looking good girl.

Some people just don't love themselves. No matter what you say or do, no matter how much you love them. nothing will change till they change themselves. My husband ate his way to a stroke despite all the warnings I, friends, relatives and his Drs gave him. No pleading begging etc would change how he ate. Just denied it would hurt him. Obviously your wife isn't ready to change. I know it is very hard when you are working so hard to care for yourself. Good luck.