Weight Loss "Side effects"

You crack me up.  I am glad that it is coming to an end for you.  Summer plans? 

My mother and I plan to drive up to Minneapolis to visit my sister and her husband.  We will be away for nearly 2 weeks.  My husband can't take that much time off, so he's staying behind and will take care of the kitties and dog.  On June 23rd, the day before we head to Minneapolis, I'm taking part in a sort of music teachers' retreat in Durham.  It's an annual informal day-long sharing and networking session.  I love going.  My husband is also planning to have his RNY this summer too, so I'll be taking care of him too.  So, those are my big plans for the summer.  Other than that I'll be bumming around here, doing stuff I don't normally have time to do during a regular school year.  How about you?

Well, right now I am stewing because my son who just turned 18 on Thursday got a tattoo.  I have not yet seen it but my hubby did today.  It is something I asked him not to do while he was living at home.  I didn't want him getting one at all but as least not until he left home.  Well, now that he is an adult, and can get his tattoo, he is going to see what an adult has to do.  So, no more laundry done by Mom, no more special meals.  Eat whats cooked if I cook at all.  No more anything like that.   I am so mad I could spit. 
We are not planning on doing much this summer.  I used all but 17 hrs of vacation time.  They don't break it down between sick and vacation.  So, I used some when I had surgery, some when the ungrateful son of mine had his tonsils out at Easter time and some just here and there if I needed a day off.  I get more in Sept but that doesn't leave me much time for fun this summer.  I guess I will just go to the beach a lot and then to the country club to swim. 
I could beat the boy over his head for getting a tattoo but I hear that is illegal. 

Reason 1001 that I am glad I didn't have children.  I have kitties and they make me very happy.  Maybe one day my husband and I will foster a child, but I have to say I selfishly enjoy the freedom of not having children to deal with.  My husband has grown children who have their own kids, so I have step-grand children I can visit if I want to be reminded again why I'm glad I don't have children.  LOL!

Smart lady.  I thought of that idea too late.  lol

Well I don't know the answers to any of these questions.  However, I do know someone who have the gastric and the lap, both threw up, but I hear its usually from either eating to fast, off limits foods etc.  Gastric patient had plastic surgery covered by his insurance due to the excess skin and ended up having to have his belly button removed because they didnt' place drains...\

Great questions btw and amazing response from everyone!!!

Yikes.  Thanks..

Kelly

Hi Kellie,

1) My shoe size went from a 9.5 or 10W to 8 or 8.5M. I went from a size 22/24W--2/3X down to size 6/8 (sometimes, even a 4!) I went from wearing a size 10 ring, down to a 6.5. From a 46B to a 36C. From size 12 panties down to size 5/6... It's really amazing and I'd have to say that I was most surprised by the change in my shoe size. 

2) Many people tell me that they can't tell I used to be obese or that I must have had plastics... NOT. I think I look like 'Old MacDonald's Farm' with a 'turkey' neck, 'bat' wings', elephant legs and tummy. If money and pain were no object, I'd probably have it all done, but it is, so I won't. I am probably most sensitive about my neck, then, my arms. I think for me, it's that I know that I wouldn't have the extra skin if I hadn't done this to myself and it's a somewhat painful reminder. Some like to wear theirs as a badge of honor, but I don't know that I'll ever get there. I have noticed that during this second year post op, that there has been some 'redraping' and things look a little better than they did before. I also think I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that I'm not 20, I've had 3 kids and one pregnancy was with a set of twins, so even if I hadn't been obese, I'd probably wouldn't look as good as Valerie Bertinelli..., but boy, do I wish ;-)

3) Throwing up... Yep. It's happened to me and to my DH. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it's more common than not. Sometimes it's what you eat, but more often than not, it's how you eat that will get you into trouble. Eating too fast, not chewing enough or eating too much is most likely to give you problems. Early on, some have trouble telling if they have eaten too much until it's too late. This gets better with time for a variety of reasons... Your pouch is really swollen at first and you just can't consume much early on. That gets better. Also the nerves that tell you that you are full may be damaged some in the surgery and you may have trouble knowing that you are 'full' early on, but as they heal and mature, that gets better too. I'm now 2 years out and I don't throw up... I've learned a lot and my pouch/tummy has matured, both help me to not get sick anymore.

 

Barb,
I'm with you on the loose skin being a reminder.  I think the arms are going to be what bothers me the most simply because everything else is always covered.  I've said that since my dh is the only one who sees the other, if he wants me to have plastics bad enough then he'll pay for it.  This is very unlikely in both ways (not liking my body and wanting to pay that much no matter how bad I look)!!! lol

Thanks for your responses!  You have had a lot of changes..You have definitly done so well with your weight loss... I agree I have had a twin pregnancy and a singleton and I know my skin would never be the same either.  Let alone all the extra weight.  Thanks again.

Kelly