http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/ Whether you, a family member, or a friend had a gastric bypass or Lap-BandŽ surgery, share your story with others. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:24:13 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/ http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40702-my-third-wls.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:57 GMT I turned 37 last week and am gearing up to have my 3rd wls in 6 years (see below for details). Am I completely crazy??? I had never considered myself a candidate for any WLS because I was not all that heavy. But one day, a PCP I was seeing at the time suggested it. I had had great success... I turned 37 last week and am gearing up to have my 3rd wls in 6 years (see below for details). Am I completely crazy???

I had never considered myself a candidate for any WLS because I was not all that heavy. But one day, a PCP I was seeing at the time suggested it. I had had great success with appetite suppresants, and that was the only way I had ever successfully controlled my weight , so I thought (and still think) that medical intervention was the solution. Thus began my pursuit of the lap-band. It was a new surgery then, plus I wasn't heavy enough to qualify for it, so I spent my own money (over my husband's significant objections) and went to France by myself and had it done in Feb 2004.

Over the last 6 years, I've had lots of problems with the band, including a slip and a second surgery, but ultimately, it hasn't worked. I still weigh the same as I did 6 years ago, which I think shows it worked somewhat as it prevented me from gaining. I never would have thought I was a candidate for RNY due to my lower BMI, but my surgeon suggested it and it is so tempting. And had I not had the band, presumably I would have put on enough weight over the past 6 years to be a legitimate candidate.

I am so scared. Not of the surgery, or the recovery, or not being able to eat afterwards, or chronic nausea, or feeling left out at gatherings. I've already lived through that. I am not afraid of anything except for life threatening complications. I am scared to do it and I am scared not to. I know exactly what life holds for me if I don't do it. I HATE being overweight and it makes me miserable for such a giant variety of reasons. But I don't have any life threatening conditions related to my weight--just a sore back, knees and feet--and I don't know what life will be like if I do it. It feels like a gamble and I have 2 little kids. My surgery is scheduled for Feb 3 if I don't chicken out. ]]> Personal Stories rsw http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40702-my-third-wls.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40637-so-my-story.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:59:03 GMT begins... I recieved my date today !!! The new me starts on 15 Jan 2010 59 days to go...:D begins...

I recieved my date today !!!

The new me starts on 15 Jan 2010

59 days to go...:D ]]> Personal Stories tekkies http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40637-so-my-story.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40617-lvl0rg4ns-story.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:38:03 GMT So I kicked around the idea of writing my story for a few days and today I figured.. why not?

So who am I? I'm Morgan. I'm 21 years old, currently living in Phoenix, AZ. I'm originally from Indiana but grew up in Tennessee. I currently work in the IT field.

I can not remember ever being skinny. I figure at some point I was, but it's not a time that I can remember. I grew up with my mom (overweight), my grandma (overweight) and my sister (a skinny blonde bombshell). I was the youngest in our household. My mom and grandma always talked about my weight, which I think drove me to being an underground eater since I didn't want my grandma or mom to see. I remember sneaking packages of saltine crackers into my backpack or purses and then going and eating them in the woods alone.

When I was 10 or so, my grandma tried to bribe me into losing weight by offering me 50 dollars to get down to 120 pounds.

At school, I was lucky because I was very rarely teased about my weight. I was the fat girl at school, but my sister was the one who was cruelest to me.
I was the funny and smart one at school who never got asked out and the only interaction with guys that were friends.

I was a size 16 in 8th grade and the sizes just kept going up from there.

I was a size 22/24 in 9th grade when my mom got gastric bypass. I felt abandoned and alone in my weight struggles as I saw my mom shrink down and become my sister's size. I was driven to eat more and for the first time in my life, I started becoming a recluse. My mom continued trying to encourage me to diet and lose weight, but my weight just went the opposite direction that I wanted it to be. I ended up dropping out of highschool for numerous reasons, but the biggest was the fact that I had to do an entire semester of swimming before I could graduate. I ended up getting my GED and am now in college.

I finally got up to 400 pounds this past summer. I was so disgusted and angry with myself. I went to work and came home. I did not go out if I could help it. Walking from the living room to the bedroom was/is tiring for me.

I had toyed with the idea of gastric bypass since my mom got it back on '01. With my insurance at work, I had to wait until I was 21 to get it. Once I turned 21, I decided I didn't want to get gastric bypass and tried numerous diets. I finally decided I had enough of dieting and failing over this past summer.

I went to my first RNY meeting in September and had WLS on October 27th. I currently weight 360 pounds. I look forward to taking my life back and enjoying my 20s, 30s, 40s, and so on. ]]> Personal Stories lvl0rg4n http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40617-lvl0rg4ns-story.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40574-scared.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:19:45 GMT Hi all!!! I am Michelle from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. New here. Had my Gastric Sleeve Surgery November 11, 2009, everything apparently went well, but while in the hospital, the day before I was discharged I had an anxiety attack supposedly because of a reaction to the morphine they gave... Hi all!!!
I am Michelle from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. New here. Had my Gastric Sleeve Surgery November 11, 2009, everything apparently went well, but while in the hospital, the day before I was discharged I had an anxiety attack supposedly because of a reaction to the morphine they gave me. I couldn't even pee. That was the day before I was discharged, which was November 13. My blood pressure remained in its normal level throughout the whole hospital stay.

Yesterday, November 14, I had a terrible headache, called the doctor and he said to cut into pieces 2 Tylenols, which i did but they did not work, so by noon my head was feeling like it was going to explode, so i called the doctor again and he said to go to the ER, well, I had my blood pressure in 172/112 which is extremely high for me. My normal BP is 111/70 ( On Monday I am going to the doctor to get a Halter, to check my BP for 24 hours) They gave me pain medication and still it did not work i was feeling desperately, then an anesthesiologist was called and he gave me an Epidural Blood Patch [URL="http://www.stmarkshospital.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=%7B310824E7-CAD2-4B63-BC6F-5E53CA374F5E%7D"]
which hurt like hell and did not work to well.

I finally slept a bit last night but i am having to get up to urinate like every hour, so its extenuating.

I have some questions for you, see if you can help me:;)

1. Has anyone's blood pressure peaked after surgery?
2. Does everybody has to go to the bathroom so often?
3. What else can I do for my headache?
4. How do you position yourself to sleep? I always slept on my stomach before surgery, is this ok to do now?
5. FOOD: I had not felt hungry at all until yesterday, now I have cravings, the smell of food is killing me, i feel i want to eat, is this normal?
6. Can't take all the water and liquids the doctor prescribed, plus i hate room temperature water, what can I do? I feel the liquid going down my stomach every time i sip something, especially water. I feel so full all the time but still i crave to chew and EAT real food.
7. Can I drink cold water?
8. I went to the Hospital at 213 pounds and I weighed myself today and was surprised to see i had actually GAINED 6 ounces, is this normal?







Date of Surgery: November 11, 2009
Date released from hospital: November 13, 2009
Starting Weight Pre-OP: 218 pounds
Weight Date of Surgery: 213 ]]> Personal Stories michelle http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40574-scared.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40550-please-help.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:11:19 GMT Well hopefully I get this right. Where do i start. My Name is Nancy and i am in need of help. I am such a mess right now and i dont know what to do. My father died in June and since then i have just feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I dont work and needless to say I dont... Well hopefully I get this right.

Where do i start.
My Name is Nancy and i am in need of help.
I am such a mess right now and i dont know what to do.
My father died in June and since then i have just feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

I dont work and needless to say I dont do much of anything but wake up everyday and wish i wasnt here.
I have been drinking too much and i know i need to stop and i havent had a drink in 5 days. and well i know its not that much but it's a start.
I am so depressed. The other day we went for a walk and i Had to force myself to do that. while i was in the middle of it I just wanted to go back to the house.
Everyday i tell myself that i need to get off my behind and do something different but it doesnt happen.
I started to go to counsling just one meeting so far.
I just feel so empty inside. I havent gained or lost any more since June. I need to lose another 20 so I can see about having a referral for plastic surgery but i havent done a thing.
I have so may bruises on my legs from falling down that its insane.
Where and how do I get strentgh inside me to get off my behind and change my life.
I want to go to school but i am so scared of not doing good that i do nothing.
Well i gotta go please tell me how to get past this feeling that i am not good enough and do something other then what i am doing now. which is nothing and not living at all. ]]> Personal Stories nancymorris05 http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40550-please-help.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40518-my-questions-hope-its-correct-thread.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:25:22 GMT As above, I am a South African working in Saudi Arabia. I have decided to do the RnY in Jan 2010. My problem is timing. I am going on vacation to South Africa end December and plan to do the opp on 17 Jan 2010. Assuming all goes well and my stay in Hospital is 3 days. My flight back to Saudi is on... As above, I am a South African working in Saudi Arabia. I have decided to do the RnY in Jan 2010. My problem is timing. I am going on vacation to South Africa end December and plan to do the opp on 17 Jan 2010. Assuming all goes well and my stay in Hospital is 3 days. My flight back to Saudi is on 28 Jan 2010. At the moment my only contact with the doc is telephonically and via email.

In your general opinion, is this doable? My next vacation to South Africa will be in May 2010. ]]> Personal Stories tekkies http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40518-my-questions-hope-its-correct-thread.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40517-my-baby-fat-long.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:52:51 GMT removed due to personal reasons removed due to personal reasons ]]> Personal Stories tekkies http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40517-my-baby-fat-long.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40425-im-pregnant-least-look.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:58:31 GMT I am going to meet with the surgeon on Dec. 21 - At that time we will submit to insurance for approval - the surgeon is usually able to show with gym memberships and other tried diets a 6 month period of diet. (I guess my surgeons office has dealt with my specific insurance requirements before... I am going to meet with the surgeon on Dec. 21 -

At that time we will submit to insurance for approval - the surgeon is usually able to show with gym memberships and other tried diets a 6 month period of diet. (I guess my surgeons office has dealt with my specific insurance requirements before -- and thats what my insurance required - a total of 6 months of proved diet) I will see what happens.

Im still fat and still hate school this semester --

Shane ]]> Personal Stories Shane- http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40425-im-pregnant-least-look.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40375-story-fat-lad-manchester.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:03:21 GMT I was chatting with the lovely lovely Kymel last week and she said she wanted to know more about my journey and about me, and that I should post a diary thread. She said she is just interested in people and their stories but I just think she’s a nosey kipper, only kidding Mel LOL. So if you get board early on blame Mel and feel free to skip to the end bit, not that its any more interesting you understand, just less taxing on the natural boredom threshold.

Well it started in 1962 when a cute baby boy was delivered to my hastily married parents. Mum always told everyone I was born a month premature as this meant I was conceived in wedlock, truth is my medical records strangely do not back this up. LOL I guess shotgun weddings were not unheard of even in the decade of free love. :o

I was a skinny kid who showed no interest in food but whose doctor said it was ok for mum to replace a balanced diet with milk and chocolate to ensure I at least ate something. How dietary advice has changed since then. Up until I was twelve or so you could count my ribs I was so thin, then I discovered the joys of lifting weights at school and soon built a young athletic powerful and hunky body. At least that’s how I remember it LOL. :D

At twelve and a half I met my soul mate. There had been lots of girlfriends (I was devilishly handsome remember) of my own age, but Val was 15. Two and a half years between us is hardly noticeable now, but then to be going out with a girl in her final year elevated me to legendary status in the schoolyard. It was funny but this made me even more popular with girls my own age that saw it as their mission to save me from this cradle snatcher. When at 15 I moved in with Val so I could stay at my school when my parents moved to the other side of town this only enhanced the status my mates gave me. :eek:

I left school and won an apprenticeship with a heavy goods vehicle dealership where I was trained to be a mechanic, and a very good one I was too. It was a great job but the winters were hell. Trucks hold a lot of water when wet, and drip for hours. We were constantly wet and lying or kneeling on the wet garage floor was killing my back and knees. I had stayed on at college and qualified as a fleet engineer with a certificate of professional competence which meant I could be a transport manager which was my dream job, but at 23 no one would consider me for that role, I was advised to come back in a year or two.

My father worked for a huge business service company as a supervisor and his guys were earning more as cleaners, than I was as a skilled technician, so I joined his company as a cleaner with the intention of leaving in a couple of years to go into transport management. Val and I had bought a house and she wanted a baby so the extra money was really useful even though I was working seven days a week to get it. Nearly three years later our beautiful daughter was born kicking and screaming into an unsuspecting world.

I had started to gain weight at an alarming rate from 16. I guess it was the sausage sandwiches served by the lovely Marie in the works canteen, also I had discovered the demon pleasures brought by alcohol and was putting vast quantities down my neck most evenings. My weight ballooned to over 250 pounds and I had to do something about. I went back to weight training and road running and soon my weight was down to 161. At 27 my weight was 180 pounds but my body fat was less than 5%. With a waist of 28 inches and chest 46 inches I was at the peak of physical fitness, training four night a week lifting ridiculous amounts of weight and running nine miles four nights a week too. I looked and felt absolutely fantastic, it was the best period of my life, and I was fighting the ladies off with a stick, I was madly in love with my partner and had a beautiful young daughter. Life was good.

My boss wanted me to accept a job as a supervisor but I was unsure if I was going to stay, the allure of the transport industry was still great, but he persisted and convinced me the management experience I would gain with him would make it easier to get a transport managers job in a year or two.

It was a pressurised job and I was too young to deal with the pressure so turned again to the demon drink. I climbed into a bottle at 29 and stayed there for nearly ten years. My training suffered and when the doctor told me the damage that lifting heavy weights had done to my neck vertebrae was irreparable and that I should stop lifting heavy weights, I used this as an excuse to stop all training. My weight ballooned again and the drinking reached the stage where Val and my daughter were preparing to leave me. I was foul and abusive to live with (No change there then LOL) and the rows just merged into one big one that lasted for four years or so. How that woman put up with me for so long I will never know. No one would have blamed her for getting the hell out of there or kicking my fat arse out. Thank God she persevered. We have been together 35 years now and may even get married soon, who knows. LOL

At 37 in 1999 I decided to see if I could stop drinking for three weeks, just to see if I still could. Well at the end I had found it really easy, not once did I want a drink in that time. Val said why don’t you make it the full month and I said OK. That was ten years ago. Not a drop has passed my lips since. Well done me.

I replaced one addiction with another and replaced booze with food. Food in huge quantities where ever I could get it. I would stop at KFC (Because chicken is healthy right?) and eat take away on the way home from work, then twenty minutes later would eat my dinner at home. I would eat until I could not swallow any more, then shortly after I would eat some more. My main problem wasn’t the amount of food; it was that I only had one arse for it to come out of. :o

I contracted diabetes and high blood pressure and in 2008 ended up in hospital for two weeks on IV antibiotics for a cellulites infection that nearly killed me, caused by you guessed it my morbid obesity. I had previously been referred to the diabetic clinic at my local hospital and my GP and the consultant there said I should consider WLS. I was amazed, I thought only private patients got “cosmetic surgery” and that it was only for really fat people, no way did I need WLS. The specialist said "Karl if you want to be here ten years from now you must have this operation". That kind of focussed my mind LOL.

I was referred to my local hospital that then put me through the various tests and assessments, and eventually I was granted funding. At my pre op check I weighed in at 400 pounds, I was appalled, ashamed and determined to sort myself out.

The rest is history I guess. On a cold February morning this year I was admitted to a private hospital, donned the paper underpants and gown and put on those sexy socks and walked down to the theatre. I sat in the preparation room while they put the canular in and stuck the monitor pads on my chest and sat there praying to the Gods that the operation would get done. I was not afraid of dieing on the table, I figured if I did my worries would be over, and my family would be well cared for financially. My only worry was that I would wake up and find they hadn’t done it. It seemed to take forever for them to be ready for me, and I was just about to say look lets forget this, I actually stood up to leave when the doors opened and they said we are ready for you Karl. I walked into the chop shop, shuffled my fat ass onto the table and went to sleep.

Well I woke up sore; but alive. I had made it and I was done, whoop whoop I had made it. There was a small drama where my BP dropped to 70 over 30 but after an emergency operation to put a mainline feed in my neck that was never used, the surgeon came back in to see me in the middle of the night and said it was simply dehydration and for them to give me lots of fluid. In a short time my BP recovered and I was sent back to the ward.

An hour later the physioterrorist arrived to walk me up and down the corridor and returned every chuffin hour throughout the rest of the day. Two days later I was drinking beef broth at home, farting for England and ready to take on the world. I no longer needed to take BP or diabetes meds and my asthma has all but gone too.

Nine months on I’ve lost 14 stone or 196 pounds with seven to go until goal. The only blot on the landscape is a recent blood test has shown a 40% reduction in my kidney function probably due to the diabetes not wanting to give in easily, but until I have another set of tests in a months time we will not know the extent of the damage, or if anything can be done to protect the remaining function. I am sure this will be ok, if not; well I’ll deal with it.

So a long and rambling tale of woe then rebirth, then joy tinged with a little nervousness about the future. My only regret is not doing it years ago. Can I say thanks to everyone here for the help, support, and advice you have given me since joining? I know my British humour doesn’t always come over well, and as Mel once said I can be a bit narky sometimes, but despite this I have always felt welcome here. And I have made some real friends, even some very very special friends here. You know who you are.

Credit to you if you are still reading this, your fortitude is better than mine. If you did just skip to the end you haven’t missed too much.

Thanks again

Karl.








. ]]> Personal Stories Karlos http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40375-story-fat-lad-manchester.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40357-wow-moment-today.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:05:28 GMT I got into size 14 jeans! Bought in the regular sizes section of the store!!!! I'm SSSOOO HAPPY!!!:D ]]> Personal Stories LaDawnS http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40357-wow-moment-today.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40280-laureates-update.html Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:52:53 GMT Judging from a lot of what I have read, I have been among the luckiest ones post surgery. My operation was quick and went without a hitch -- unlike the woman ahead of me, whose scar tissue dragged hers out for more than three hours. I did well in the hospital and have done ever better since... Judging from a lot of what I have read, I have been among the luckiest ones post surgery.

My operation was quick and went without a hitch -- unlike the woman ahead of me, whose scar tissue dragged hers out for more than three hours. I did well in the hospital and have done ever better since leaving.

I have been walking my dogs, raking piles of leaves and getting on with life fairly easily. I've been able to really enjoy my second week off work -- I even spent one day in the Smokies, which aren't but an hour away for me.

I feel fine to return to work next week.

I've tolerated the post-op foods without a problem and have gotten in plenty of protein. Protein shakes with skim milk have been no struggle and I've even enjoyed a few bites of scrambled egg and (separately) refried beans. I've had some Vitaminwater drinks as a change from Crystal Light products. Believe it or not, I got sick of SF popsicles!

Hungry? Nope. Not even head hunger. Yesterday, in town, I smelled wonderful smells coming from a nearby restaurant. I paused, enjoyed them, but got none of the hunger repsonse I used to. It was very nice -- like being immune to the sirens' song.

Today, I go to the surgeon's to get my annoying drain removed. I don't think I ever needed it judging by the lack of drainage. And aside from intense itching around the suture sites, I'm feeling strong and able.

I am already off of three medicines: Mobic for arthritis in my knees, Metformin for my now-gone diabetes and spiranolactone for swelling and blood pressure issues. Docs have also halved the dosage of a second blood-pressure med, Diovan, and anticipate my not needing it in a couple of months.

I'm still taking Protonix (and acid reducer) for the next couple of months until my pouch is well healed, and might get off that, too. I'll never get off my thyroid hormone because my thyroid is long gone due to cancer surgery almost two years ago.

Now for Laureate's lament:

Where's the weight loss? OK, I know it is coming down the road, but it sure is hard to go day after day under 1,000 calories (and yes, getting in plenty of fluids) and not see the scale budge. As I have said to a couple people, it feels like someone has played a mean joke: I've been punked!

Anyway, I know this is impatience talking and the loss will come. But it feels good to get it off of my chest for now! ]]> Personal Stories Laureate http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40280-laureates-update.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40258-one-year-ago-today.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:15:44 GMT …I woke from my cozy bed and hopped on the scale, weighing in at a hefty 242 pounds, knowing that that will be the most I will ever weigh for the rest of my life. I felt anxiety and excitement. I was about to embark on a journey that would cause my rebirth and would change my life forever. That was the day I was having my RNY surgery. I was thirsty and hungry after fasting. My surgery wasn’t scheduled until 12:30 that day, but I was happy it wasn’t too late in the day. It was Election Day and I was elated knowing that Dubya would soon be voted out of office. I hopped in the shower then took a ride over to the library to vote. My next door neighbor, who has been one of my biggest cheerleaders throughout my journey was there, and she gave me a much needed hug and pat on the back.

Here's me a year ago at 242 pounds:


I worried about my kitten. She hadn’t been away from me since we got her in July. I fretted over whether she would miss me while I was gone. I roused my hubby, said my goodbyes to my pets, and we were on our way. My real kids were still asleep, but I had said goodbye to them the night before. It wasn’t long before I was in the OR, on my way to la-la land. I woke up a while later in recovery and don’t remember much of that day until I heard on the news that we had a new president. I remember waking up feeling like crap, but forcing myself to walk the circuit in the hospital. After that, I felt pretty good.

A year ago today, my life changed forever. Within the next several months, I had started to lose weight. For the first time in my life, I lost weight quickly and consistently. I had my stalls, but wasn’t discouraged by them. I had met a bunch of online friends who had gone through similar journeys. I had met my best friend forever there, Valerie. She has been my rock. We had both laughed and cried together. We finally got to meet each other last summer and thanks to her and Andy, we had the best vacation ever at the lodge in Blue Ridge.

Within that year, I began my new life as a thin person. My life got better. I became more confident and came out of my shell. I joined a business networking group and made new friends and business associates. I found that I could get up in front of a group of people, make a presentation, and could feel confident about what I was presenting. I also started to notice that people would treat me differently. I hadn’t gotten whistled at or looked at by men in years. I was starting to get noticed. People now open doors for me. They smile at me. They show me respect. They listen to what I have to say. They compliment me.

Within that year, I lost not only weight. I lost that burden that I carried, that extra life-sucking, 108 pound parasitic twin that was always there with me. I found that I could do things that I hadn’t been able to do for years. Some are things that thin people take for granted, but obese people struggle to do. Things like taking the stairs, exercising, shopping for hours, hiking, cooking, cleaning, all of those things I can now do without such a struggle. My hubby recently grabbed me, picked me up and put me on his shoulder. He has never been able to do that because since I’ve known him, I’ve never been this small.

I now experience a euphoria that I’ve never felt before. I feel good about myself. I feel like jumping up and down and telling people how happy I am. I want to tell all the obese people in the world that there is hope for them; that they don’t have to live their lives with that burden; that they can be free, like me. Even though this has been a tough year for me financially, this has been the most fruitful year of my life. I am free. I am ecstatic. One year ago I was given my life back and I’m loving every minute of it!

Here's me now:
]]> Personal Stories Vikkator http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40258-one-year-ago-today.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40251-just-thought-i-would-share.html Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:35:14 GMT I started this journey out at 241 pounds. I am currently 191 pounds. 50 pounds down. WOO-HOO!!! I have also gone down a size in jeans. Size 14... I started this journey out at 241 pounds. I am currently 191 pounds. 50 pounds down. WOO-HOO!!! I have also gone down a size in jeans. Size 14... ]]> Personal Stories Suzi-Q http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40251-just-thought-i-would-share.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40207-rather-large-omentum-mild-steatosis-liver.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:58:12 GMT A quote from my surgeon`s feedback after the op. I have an excessively huge stomach (beer belly). I had always had this feeling that whenever I become stressed or depressed, my tummy bloats and I start gainning masses of weight, whether I over-ate or not. I had been a yo-yo dieter for two decades... A quote from my surgeon`s feedback after the op. I have an excessively huge stomach (beer belly). I had always had this feeling that whenever I become stressed or depressed, my tummy bloats and I start gainning masses of weight, whether I over-ate or not.
I had been a yo-yo dieter for two decades and I attributed the greater part of that to stress and depression. I had not done any research on the above or fatty omentum for that matter and most of the time, I was told it was all in my mind.
Contrary to it all being in my mind or being a myth, research has proved that fatty omentum is connected to stress.
My findings are that the omentum stores cortisol (stress hormone). High stress therefore stimulates the growth of the omentum and it is difficult to reduce the size by diet alone. Stress relief such as therapy or relaxation techniques is also required.
Considering that fatty omentum starts inflammatory process which can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and hardening of the arteries, I was really "an accident waiting to happen".
In regards to the mild steatosis liver pathology, I feel that mine was caused by obesity and the revolving door starvation or rapid weight losses over the years.
I`m therefore thankful that I made a decision to go for the surgery after 3 years of contemplation!!! I regret not going for it earlier.
Now the question is, is it at all possible to totally reverse the above two pathologies?
Do I need to go for therapy in regards to stress relief?
Can I ever have a normal omentum and therefore a flat tummy? Will I ever have a healthy liver? Anyone with experiences, wisdom, knowledge or comments to share?
I need to know that 1 year down the line I`m going to be alright and if not what could be done to rectify that as I go on my weight loss journey.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Masses of support and advice required. ]]> Personal Stories kcg http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40207-rather-large-omentum-mild-steatosis-liver.html http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40123-yes-im-alive.html Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:48:09 GMT I'm back... the fog has lifted... the earth has shifted... oh wait... that was just my jiggly butt. :)

In any case, just saying "Hello!", since I have been gone for so long. I hope that everyone is well, healthy, happy, successful, on the road to success, or at least headed there in a taxi. :)

I am fanfreakintastic as always. I know that Dr. C has always called me one of his success stories, but now I'm my own success story, and it feels fabulous. Once you succeed at this stuff... everything else is cake! Mmm cake.... :):eek: ]]> Personal Stories eyesthatkissu http://www.thinnertimesforum.com/personal-stories/40123-yes-im-alive.html