So sorry you are going through all of this, maybe if you try to think positive and avoid going to the ER all the time you will feel better, try focusing on something else, exercise even when you think you are tired, that will really help your morale, you can do this, find a friend who will exercise with you, the more you do it the better you will feel
Thank you, I have been trying to exercise and trying to think positive. I've had a pinched nerve where one of the incisions were so it took them a long time to find the problem, that's why I kept ending up in the ER, Plus constipation. I had two major surgeries together. My surgeon had to put me on so many different pain meds to get rid of the pinched nerve, he didn't want to have to go in and take out the stitch, but that's what was causing all the problems. Did you have the gastric by pass and if so how long ago if you don't mind me asking. I am thinking very positive, but there's just been a lot going on. My husband walks with me and we exercise, I'm a little off balance but getting there.
Plus I forgot a couple of years ago had open heart surgery. With this gastric by pass, I had a large hiatal hernia fixed too, my stomach was in my chest, behind my heart resting on my lung, so I had a hard time breathing. I'm not trying to make excuses, I'm doing the best I can!
I was just trying to in courage you to look for the positive in all of this, I understand some people have issues with different things, sorry if I made you feel like you weren't trying your best, we are all in this together, I know when I am feeling down on myself and my problems, I need someone to push me in the right direction. If I push you to hard just let me know, I'm here for ya : )
Thank you for your reply, I just didn't want you to think I was running to the ER for nothing, Where they put the camera in under my left breast they had to put a stitch there and they said it was all inflamed and the surgeon didn't want to have to remove it, but it was pinching a nerve. I couldn't walk, sit down, get up and down from bed without holding my heart pillow ( That's what I got for surviving my heart attack ) Well I had to carry it everywhere and hold it tight up under my chest because the pain was so bad. It lasted about 4 weeks and then finally got that better. I have been really trying, we went out for a walk again tonight and worked a little in my garden, but just get tired so fast, but do what I can. When did you have your surgery? What did you have done and how long ago? I Pray it's working good for you. I am happy, got 40 lbs off now. I do appreciate your help, I just didn't want you to think I'm not trying and not thinking Positive because I am, I just want to feel good again. Thank you for your concern.
I'm sorry you had to go through so much already and congratulations on coming this far! I can tell you that everyone I've talked to on this site is very supportive and none of us would think you weren't trying (unless it was completely obvious). We all have our own demons and occasionally get set back by them, but that's exactly why we are here. We help each other along the way. Me for example, I have my two-week post-op visit tomorrow and I'm dreading the part where they tell me to start exercising. I haven't legitimately exercised since high school lol. I'll probably whine and try to make excuses, but at the end of the day I'll remember why I'm doing this. Even the smallest amount of progress is better than none
Wow, I'm really happy for you, so you lost 85 lbs in 4 months? I hope I can do that. Have you been exercising and just following the plan exactly? You've done really good. I'm happy for you. Hate to ask this question but you were at about my weight when you started, is your skin firming up as you loose? I have this awful fear of the loose skin and I have very big legs. I'm trying to be as positive as I can. Keep up the good work. Thank you for writing back.
My weight loss journey started back in April when I decided to have the surgery. I had to see a nutritionist and a bunch of other Dr before I could have surgery, I lost close to 50 lbs since surgery, the rest was before, my legs seem to be getting better, they looked miserable for a while, my stomach is mushy, so I know there will be some extra skin there, but unless I'm running around naked, no one will see it, like I said I still have 40lbs to go yet. My Dr said to come see him in a year about getting the skin removed if need be, he also told me that when I get sores under the skin to go to primary care Dr, so hopefully eventually my insurance will pay to have it removed. I do exercise just about every day, except Saturday, and I mostly just eat protein and a little veggies, I weigh out it out, I also drink fruit smoothie with my breakfast, it's alot of work but worth it
Thank you for letting me know. That is absolutely wonderful that you lost quite a bit before surgery. You should be really proud of yourself. I'm proud of you. My doc talked to me about the loose skin and told me not to worry about the what if's right now, she said we'll deal with it when and if it happens. For medicare to cover you have to have some kind of rash or problems, so I'll work that out. But I guess you can't have anything done for 18 months and your weight has plateaued. So you started in April and didn't have surgery till Dec? I met with my surgeon in Dec and he got me through 3 classes as fast as he could and surgery immediately after that because of the hiatal hernia. I dealt with being nauseous for 3 months and he just got things going so fast and before I knew it I had the surgery. He had to get my stomach out of my chest. He's an awesome surgeon. I can't ever imagine me ever being as thin as what your going for. My doc said he thought I would probably get down to about 170 and I can't imagine that either. I'm the same way, will be hiding it under clothes. My husband says one person says anything, they got to deal with me because he know's I'm afraid of that happening. Another thing I was worried about was I read your hair could thin out and I've been taking biotin, plus biotin shampoo and I brought some strengthening shampoo and I use it all the time. I pretty much eat just protein, veggies and greek yogurt and lots of water. I usually try and have a protein shake a day, I found a good one with 30 grams of protein per serving so that helps a lot. Best of luck to you and please stay in touch. Good talking with you.
My surgeon also told me that my weight loss would be around 170, before surgery, but the last check up he said I could get down to that size, hard work is starting to pay off, and I am not going to worry about the extra skin until I get down to where I want to be, it might not be that bad, time will tell, at my hospital they make you wait 6 months before surgery, you have to see a nutritionist, and pass a shrink test, and a bunch of other test, go to classes and support groups before you even meet the surgeon, it's a long process but they try to get you prepared, plus you have to lose a certain amount of weight,
Hi Tracy, That's actually how it works here too, you have to go see a nutritionist and it usually takes about 6 months before the surgery, but in my case, my surgeon didn't want to put me through two different surgeries, so he made an exception and things happened fast. I just went to him to have the hernia fixed and he talked to me about the gastric by pass because if I didn't get the weight off, the hernia would have come right back. So he got right on board with the baratric team and got me set up for three classes which is the minimum you have to take and I saw him after that and he said are you ready for this and I was scheduled within two weeks, had to do the pre-op for two weeks and then I was in the hospital. It all happened so fast, but no that's not how they usually do it here either. I didn't have to loose the ten pounds that your supposed to either before the surgery, but I did with doing the pre-op for two weeks. It was scary but he had to get my stomach out of my chest and off my lung so I could breathe better again. I had been so nauseous from Oct till end of Dec when they finally got meds adjusted so I could deal with it. Then he asked me if I could just make it two more months and he was going to get me through this quick, which he did. He was wonderful. I can't ever imagine me ever weighing 135, or even 170, it's kind of exciting. I can't remember ever being below 200. Anxious to see that. What do you do for exercise if you don't mind me asking? Do you mind if I ask how old you are? I just turned 60 last month, seems hard to believe, but I am. My son always teases me, calls me oldilocks, lol. He's done that ever since my heart surgery, because I always had very straight long hair and after open heart, I now have natural curly hair. Seems weird to me. Talk with you soon. Take very good care.
Actually I'm going to try and not worry about the loose skin either, hopefully we'll both be lucky and it won't happen.
I hope that doesn't happen, when did you notice that?
About a month or two ago ugh
I am 48, going on 38 lol, for exercise I do alot of walking during the day, and then in the evening I walk on the treadmill and the recumbent bike for a half hour, 15 min. each
But it's not very much, is it very noticeable? I had read about that too. Don't like that idea. Do you use any of the products I told you about for your hair?
No, not using any thing special on the hair, I don't wash it everyday though, and I don't think anyone notices that it is getting thinner, they say it is just temporary, so that is what I'm hoping, no sense stressing over it, that could make it worse
Yeah I was told it could happen and it's just temporary and it usually just thins out some, but I've been taking biotin supplements for a long time which is good for your hair, skin and nails. I also brought biotin shampoo and some product called Niacin which is supposed to be for thinning hair and to strengthen your hair, but like they said it's temporary. I don't wash mine every day either because I dye it. lol. So it's not good to wash every day. At the meetings I went to before the surgery a couple people said there hair thinned out and others said nothing happened and one girl said she only noticed in the shower which wasn't much. Glad your doing so good. Do you go walking or go to the gym or something? Take Care!
