Recent Posts

Liz J.
on 2/6/19 1:33 pm
DS on 11/29/16
Topic: RE: 3.5 Years Out - Not Wanting to Take Vitamins

Set some timers on your damn phone and take them with THEN take them! You are going to lose your teeth... Do you like gumming food? Better get used to it...

HW: 398.8 SW:356 GW: 175 CW:147

visionboard
on 2/6/19 1:16 pm
DS on 08/28/16
Topic: RE: Stomach Issues 10 years out

We tried but the treatment didnt work. So I went to a gastroenterologist today and they are sending me for an endoscopy and ct scan to make sure I have no obstructions or inflammation and barring that we have to look at more aggressive acid treatment.

chevtow41
on 2/6/19 1:01 pm
DS on 11/11/14
Topic: RE: Stomach Issues 10 years out

Did you treat the "eh, acid reflux"? If not, I'd start there. Are you staying hydrated?

If all else fails might be worth checking back in with Dr Greenbaum, or consulting via phone with Dr. K in California.

chevtow41
on 2/6/19 12:58 pm
DS on 11/11/14
Topic: RE: 3.5 Years Out - Not Wanting to Take Vitamins

I have zero idea why you'd prefer serious illness and/or death to swallowing vitamins. But if that is your mindset you may need to get a psych consult, because if you stay on your current path, you're as good as gone.

PattyL
on 2/6/19 12:56 pm
PattyL
on 2/6/19 12:55 pm
Topic: RE: 3.5 Years Out - Not Wanting to Take Vitamins

Best motivation ever, you will get really sick and maybe even die if you don't. Supplements are not optional for us.

Are you interested in going to work every day? Interested in changing a poopy diaper? Interested in paying your taxes? I already know the answer is no. But you do all these things, right? It's just part of being an adult. So just put on your grown up panties and take your vites.

Liz J.
on 2/6/19 10:45 am
DS on 11/29/16
Topic: RE: Lessons Learned after 1

Congrats on 13 years! Woot! Happy to hear the side affects might slow down!

HW: 398.8 SW:356 GW: 175 CW:147

Eliza970
on 2/6/19 10:22 am, edited 2/6/19 10:49 am
Topic: Lessons Learned after 1

On the occasion of my 13 year anniversary from a February 6 surgery in 2005, these are the things I've learned. (Warning, this is long and you can skip to the end.)

  1. DS meant the end of a lifelong cycle of relentless weight gain and loss. I've stayed within 20 lbs of my lowest weight and have happily landed at 10 pounds over my lowest weight, which was too low. I can buy clothes and wear them year after year because I am in the same size. I lost half of my preop weight and stay at size 8-10.
  2. The side effects of the surgery have been significant at times. Most days are great, but there are a handful of days over the years when I have had fecal incontinence, and relatively frequent episodes of putrid flatulence in the first 5 years after surgery, even with very careful eating. It is much better now, and i fart no more than the average person and it doesn't pollute the room. I use Imodium prophylactically when I am in a situation that might produce incontinence, and before situations where farting would be too embarrassing, like church, a job interview, or a wedding.
  3. The health effects have been mostly good, with a few exceptions. Getting rid of diabetes, hypertension and joint pain is a blessing that probably saved my life. But I've broken two bones and have osteopenia, and have reactive hypoglycemia. The iron deficiency anemia has led to 5 iron infusions over the years. On balance, I am much healthier. My sister has colon cancer and when I had a colonoscopy, the doctor said I had a dramatically lower risk of colon or breast cancer because of the weight loss.
  4. My diet is healthier, not because I feel like I am dieting, but because the foods I enjoy have changed. I am naturally on a keto diet, and I eat cookies now and then, cake at birthday parties, and candy once in a while. I don't feel deprived. I eat less than the average person, but I eat more often. I am not hungry all the time, as I was when I was fat.
  5. Because I was warned of the risks, I am compulsive about my supplements and blood tests and haven't had problems with deficiencies, except iron.
  6. Postop life is expensive. The supplements are probably $650/year, the grocery basket with mostly meat and dairy is expensive, and the infusions are quite costly. I am grateful for good insurance for the cost of those and the blood tests.
  7. I wish I had done DS before 2005 so I didn't embarrass my then-teenage son, suffered the low self esteem of obesity discrimination, and missed out on a lot of fun swimming, at amusement parks, skiiing and horseback riding, among others.
  8. I think I look better than I would have if I had stayed fat, but I look older than my age. I definitely have more wrinkles, sagging skin, drier skin and dry, thinning hair than my sister that is roughly my age.
  9. I absolutely love my DS and it has changed my life for the better.

Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps someone plan for the future.

mirobi10
on 2/6/19 8:20 am
DS on 07/27/15
Topic: 3.5 Years Out - Not Wanting to Take Vitamins

Hi all,

This is my first post. I am about 3.5 years post DS and I'm having some major motivational issues with taking my vitamins. Are any of you guys feeling this way?

It seems silly, because logically I KNOW that I will gain all these health problems by not taking them and I've attempted to change the form/regiment (with the help of my doctor) several times in order to spark some "interest" in taking them. But to no avail...

I simply just don't want to take them. And I can feel myself becoming drowsy and week from the lack of vitamins. I take enough to get by but I'm thinking there is some sort of psychological thing here? What's holding me up?? Why am I like this? Why am I being so stubborn?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

visionboard
on 2/4/19 10:37 am
DS on 08/28/16
Topic: RE: Stomach Issues 10 years out

Yes in the hospital they did an endoscopy and did the contrast to check my esophagus cause they were worried Id have some tears from the vomiting. They found nothing that led them to be concerned

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