POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery Reviews
Simultaneously Thrilled and Petrified! Yet Knowing This is Much Needed... - Kirkland, WA
UPDATED FROM herringbones
11 months post
10 months post-op
$20,000
So... at my last monthly post-op dr's appointment last week, I weighed in at 123 lbs. OMG I don't think I've been that weight since elementary school! Funny thing is, I'm not actively trying to lose weight any longer, and I had thought that I had gained a few pounds, for sure, after my 3-week vacation. But no, I had lost another 6 lbs last month. I was super surprised. If I keep losing by next month's visit, then I may start getting a bit concerned.... We shall see.
I hope everyone is doing well on their own personal journeys. I look forward to reading all your stories!
I hope everyone is doing well on their own personal journeys. I look forward to reading all your stories!
herringbones's provider
Replies (2)
September 25, 2015
Thanks for posting your story. This is the first time I have read it. I am scheduled for surgery on Oct. 15th.
UPDATED FROM herringbones
10 months post
Hi there, my RS friends! Long time, no write....I am SO bad...
Again, I've been negligent in updating my reviews. Please forgive me. Life somehow gets in the way of...stuff, and I find I blink and a month's gone by. I take a nap and 6 months have passed. WTH is happening? It's daunting how quickly the time has flown by this past year.
I'm doing relatively well. I still have sporadic excruciating upper abdominal pains but one of my doctors thinks I might have IBS and she prescribed meds for me that may be helping somewhat. It's hard to say, since I get the attacks so infrequently. My bariatric RN thinks I should have a "full GI work-up". but that'd cost a ton and it may not even result in an diagnosis. So I'm weighing the pros and cons of going through with that.
It's hard to believe I'm 10 months post-op.
I never weigh myself, relying instead on getting weighed monthly at my post-op bariatric follow- up appointments. At the last appointment, I weighed 128. 128. I don't think I weighed in the 120's since elementary school, literally. I was shocked. I'm no longer trying to lose weight and I'm eating my new "regular" diet (with a few set-backs at times. Hey, I'm not perfect!), but I suspect I may still be losing. (I will find out this next Friday, when I have a dr's appointment and get weighed there). This past week I've noticed bones sticking out at my clavicles and my ribs were getting prominent. It freaked me out a little, as I just got back from a 3-week vacation and I ate a lot of "contraband". If anything, it would make sense if I gained a pound or two. If I lost weight, that would be very odd and a bit disturbing. I will see on Friday.
Otherwise, I am well. I didn't have a GI attack while on vacation (something I was nervous about), and I have started playing racquetball (the only sport I've ever really liked. I used to play in my later teens - over 30 years ago), and going to the gym more. I walk every day at my lunch break.
I got a super short hair cut, which I adore.
I'll try to upload/download a recent photo (I'm still tech-challenged. Sorry!). I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the journey!
I'm doing relatively well. I still have sporadic excruciating upper abdominal pains but one of my doctors thinks I might have IBS and she prescribed meds for me that may be helping somewhat. It's hard to say, since I get the attacks so infrequently. My bariatric RN thinks I should have a "full GI work-up". but that'd cost a ton and it may not even result in an diagnosis. So I'm weighing the pros and cons of going through with that.
It's hard to believe I'm 10 months post-op.
I never weigh myself, relying instead on getting weighed monthly at my post-op bariatric follow- up appointments. At the last appointment, I weighed 128. 128. I don't think I weighed in the 120's since elementary school, literally. I was shocked. I'm no longer trying to lose weight and I'm eating my new "regular" diet (with a few set-backs at times. Hey, I'm not perfect!), but I suspect I may still be losing. (I will find out this next Friday, when I have a dr's appointment and get weighed there). This past week I've noticed bones sticking out at my clavicles and my ribs were getting prominent. It freaked me out a little, as I just got back from a 3-week vacation and I ate a lot of "contraband". If anything, it would make sense if I gained a pound or two. If I lost weight, that would be very odd and a bit disturbing. I will see on Friday.
Otherwise, I am well. I didn't have a GI attack while on vacation (something I was nervous about), and I have started playing racquetball (the only sport I've ever really liked. I used to play in my later teens - over 30 years ago), and going to the gym more. I walk every day at my lunch break.
I got a super short hair cut, which I adore.
I'll try to upload/download a recent photo (I'm still tech-challenged. Sorry!). I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the journey!
Replies (3)
August 31, 2015
Congrats on your success. Please do not think I am being a jerk here or anything when I say that it seemed like you were doing a great job losing the weight even before the procedure. It seemed like it must have been so physically and mentally exhausting to go through all of the post surgery challenges. I just wonder if doing the weight loss the traditional way, coupled with some counseling to address underlying issues may have been easier. Please understand I am just wondering, not saying it was a bad call. I wish you the best and continued long term success. After reading all of your post you seem like a very sweet and kind person. God bless.
August 31, 2015
HI Medieval! No, I don't think you're a "jerk" at all. I was very successful at losing weight prior to my surgery. In fact, I've been very successful at losing weight MANY times in my life. I've lost a substantial amount of weight repeatedly over the past 54 years. The problem is, it always finds me back. LOL!!! I knew I could lose the weight without the surgery, but I needed a tool to help prevent me from REGAINING the weight. I hope this makes sense! Wishing you luck in your personal journey to health.
September 1, 2015
I just read all of your post... They helped me so much..I love the details...as I'm also having the sleeve done very soon!! Be blessed :-)
September 2, 2015
I'm so glad my story has helped you. I am excited for you as you embark on this journey! It truly is the start of a new life. Still challenging, granted, but nothing worthwhile is easy. Best of luck to you!!!
September 2, 2015
Thank you for sharing your journey- inspiring and great to hear of your progress. Hope your belly is feeling better!
September 2, 2015
Thanks for the kind words, and reading my story! Can you tell I'm a frustrated writer at heart? lol! My GI issues haven't been acting up this past month, knock wood! I hope it lasts... You never know....
UPDATED FROM herringbones
3 months post
I'm feeling brazen tonight...
So here's another photo of me! Taken just this past week. Funny, prior to this month, my last photos were taken about 8 years ago, or longer. It's nice not to run for this hills whenever a camera appears. I admit, it's refreshing to be happier with my appearance.
Replies (5)
January 31, 2015
You look fab!! Praying that u recover fully!!
January 31, 2015
Thanks, Dallas! This procedure works; there's no getting around it. I'm doing a little better, thanks. I take things day by day. Feel good that I'm back online with you all.....
January 31, 2015
Donna, you're one of my inspirations! Thanks for the kind words today, and all your support.
January 31, 2015
Thank you so much!
If nothing else, I have learned that, having this surgery, it's no magic bullet. It's still hard work, and challenging, every day. I think we ALL look great and it took us all a lot of work to get here. And it will never end! At least we have each other to lean on.
February 2, 2015
Thanks, Dallas! I think I'd have fared better if I knew this first 6-12 months post-op were potentially rocky. I had a good day today (despite my Seahawks losing the Super Bowl) so I just take it day by day! Thanks for the good wishes!
March 12, 2015
was thinking about you today, had somehow missed your 2015 posts! you look great! my dr told me my nausea should start going away at 3-4 mos, so I hope you're feeling better now. love that you posted some new pics :) awesome that you're so close to goal 3 months out (or 4 mos by now?!). I'm at 2 mos and still have F-O-R-E-V-E-R to go! keep on keepin' on!
March 13, 2015
Well, your journey is paying off. I want to offer a few suggestions and just in case others have given you these already, I'm sorry! I know what you mean by choking down the Costco brand of protein drink etc. I only use those in emergency and carry them in the car just in case...Have you tried drinking powdered whey that is 20-25 gms protein and coconut water? Its very tasty and I now add banana or a couple of strawberries or kiwi to it in my bullet blender. The protein powder gives me room to think drinks up and use a base that is not going to be to bad. I put it in soups and blend and then heat up, in jello, with tomato juice and just about any juice that is not to many carbs. Getting impacted with your bowels is not a laughing matter. It happened to me once when I was 8 months pregnant and I was in sitting in a warm bath for hours because I couldn't move! Bad stuff!! The 'smooth move' tea you can get at walmart works great and just to have a nice cup of tea at night is easy as can be! The liquid cherry tylonel is something that I simply cannot tolerate even the smell. To many children puking it up on me through the years!! Gel caps in all your vitamins and your sub lingual B12 will do the job. I hope and pray it gets better for you and you regain your strength and energy so you can enjoy your new life!
How are you doing?