Three month post-op visit

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

Had my three month visit yesterday. I was really trying to hit that 50 pound mark but missed it by 1 pound. Arghh!!

The surgeon was very pleased with my progress. He kept asking about complications or how I've felt, like he couldn't believe my answers about feeling like a million bucks! He told me I looked great and when I said "Thanks to you", he said no, that I had done all the hard work and his part was just a small part of it all. Very nice surgeon!

I told him I would be his poster child for relative lightweights and he asked me if I would be willing to post before and after pics on his website and Facebook page. I told him sure. Well, when I posted my pics on his Facebook page, I didn't realize it would post to my timeline and all my friends and family would see it. I hadn't told them all about having surgery. I got SO many positive likes and comments about my weight loss and not one negative comment about having had surgery.

So, the cat's out of the bag, now!

[InspirationMySon 135]

Nice job! I am trying to be around 50 pounds lost as well for my 3 month in December. So far I am down 12 pounds since my surgery 10 days ago so I hope I figured out your formula;) I am glad that the unintended Facebook post was a nice coming out for you. Good luck with the rest of your journey!

[Beni 1,484]

Oh, thank you, for mentioning the Facebook thing. I'll be careful not to do that since I have decided, for now, not to tell anyone, except my husband. I am pretty sure I will share with friends and family, eventually. I just don't want to have to deal with any commentary/opinions for now. My side of the family is a little too honest at times. I remember, I hadn't seen my brother for about a year. I had had a baby, and when I saw him next his first statement to me was not even hello but a straight up "Boy, you have put on a lot of weight." Rude! When my children say something reactive like that, I always reming them; 1) You can have a whole thought process in your head but the world doesn't need to know about it and 2) If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all.

Hope your hip recovers soon. How did you get hurt?

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

@beni I didn't tell a lot of people before surgery. Told the 2 friends at work who keep the candy bowl on their desks and leave chocolate for me when I am stressed. They were supportive and told me they'd slap my hand if I accidentally reached for candy after surgery. I told my best friend who took me to the hospital and stayed with me for 2 days. Told my kids (15, 20 and 23) and they were like "um, ok". I didn't tell a lot of other people because I really just didn't want the surgery to be up for popular vote and I had researched enough to know what was best for me. I read all the good and bad stories I could find and tried to make a balanced decision and just didn't want to hear stories of somebody's mother's aunt's neighbor's grocer who died during surgery.

Since surgery I'm open about it and tell anyone who really seems interested. I haven't had many negative reactions at all. The only friend who has been slightly negative is actually the person that really motivated me to make a change. She is very overweight and is somewhat disabled by it. She is diabetic, she can hardly walk up 3 or 4 stairs without help and she gets so tired she can't stand up through choir practice. I and my other friend that helped me through surgery have both tried to convince her to consider the surgery but she says things like she knows people who have lost and gained the weight back and stuff like that. I think they are all just excuses and she's either afraid she won't be successful or she doesn't realize just how serious her health is. It's sad because she needs it desperately.

I'm not sure what I've done to my hip. I've had bursitis in it for a while and it flares up now and then and gets sore but this has lasted almost 2 weeks now. I drove about 30 hours in 3 days 2 weekends ago and it started up a day or two after that, so I think maybe it was sitting inactive with my foot on the gas for so long that really irritated it. It's starting to creep to the low back now, too, so I'm going to see a doctor and figure out what kinds of meds I can take to maybe help it. Ibuprofen used to control it the best but that's off the approved list now after bypass.

Thanks for asking!

[Beni 1,484]

My surgeon told me, after a few months to a year, I could take NSAIDS once in a while as long as I also added a Prilosec anti-acid. The reason you shouldn't take them is because they can lead to ulcers. I wonder if there are any coated enough to allow passage through the stomach without dissolving. Also, you can take narcotic painkillers anytime, in moderation of course.

I am glad your children were okay with your choice. Mine are 13, 16 and 22. One is away in College and I fear she will be worried and not keep her focus on school. The boys, they too will be "oh, okay" as well. I think, I fear they will discuss it with friends and family and I am not ready to handle the deluge of friendly attention. It's almost like I would rather get attention from success rather then everyone worrying about me. I am lucky that I have great friends but I really don't need a lot of meals being brought over and phone calls checking up on me.

I so understand your "surgery by popular vote" concern. My thoughts exactly.

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

I just talked to my surgeon yesterday and he said taking ibuprofen with Prilosec for 1-2 days would be ok, so of course, today the hip doesn't hurt at all. Just the SUGGESTION of ibuprofen cured it! lol

[Beni 1,484]

That's too funny. Threats work too, I am told!

I have a super annoying tooth. Once in a while it really bother me. I have had a consult and the diagnosis is that I should have a root canal. Of course, I don't want to do that unless I have to but I am resigned to the fact. I have scheduled the root canal twice and at least a dozen time nearly have but every single time a day or two after it is all better. I think, it knows and gets scared, don't you? Let's face it your hip is a bit on the sensitive side.

[MisforMimi 760]

That's awesome. Congratulations on your success and coming out of the closet so to speak!