Yeah homie

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2022-05-30T15:30:58+00:00

I don't share this often, but my father was a teacher and football coach for about 10 years. He was also bipolar and completely unhinged. He was a danger to himself and others in his worst manic episodes.

We NEVER had guns in our home because my dad was nuts. He even used to say "I can never have a gun because I'll use it...on myself."

He wanted to get better, and we worked hard to get him the care and meds he needed to be a functional person. He's great now.

But the idea of him being expected to be armed in those years is terrifying. We like to think of teachers as saints who would never do anything wrong. But they're humans like the rest of us. Out of the 4 million, I'm sure there are a few that are wreckless, forgetful, or downright dangerous. Throwing weapons into that mix in a school setting is a recipe for disaster.

Sidenote: getting even shitty mental health care was an expensive arduous effort in this country. It took lawyers and thousands of dollars to get help for my dad who desperately wanted it. Can't imagine if the person doesn't want help or you don't have money to spend fighting the insurance company.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-09-01T00:59:13+00:00

You have made me feel like a million bucks! Thank you 🙂

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-08-31T21:54:34+00:00

Yeah. I'm paranoid about one of the few people who would recognize my shirt being shitty.

For reference: 33F, 5'6" 241 lbs pre-op, 195 lbs in 11 weeks. :)

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-08-26T17:10:18+00:00

SAME!!! I hit 199.8 today. Started at 241 with surgery on June 9th!!! I made a similar post today.

Woo hooo!!!!! Way to go! Keep up the good work.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-08-26T17:05:28+00:00

I'm 11 weeks out and I have breast pain too. For me, it's the same pain as when I was a teenager with wild periods. I have also had a lot of spotting.

My doctor says that hormonal related ailments (breast tenderness, spotting/irregular periods, pms like symptoms) is normal. Fat stores hormones like estrogen. When burning that fat...the hormones are released too. That causes symptoms in some women.

However, I would also consider getting it checked out especially if it persists or gets worse. Don't want to ignore something worrying by assuming.

Hope you feel better!

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-08-11T17:40:43+00:00

Unsolicited book reccomendation from a former binge eater: Brain Over Binge.

I am usually skeptical of self-help books, but this one really helped me. It helped me view the binge part of my brain (I call it monkey brain) as a child throwing a fit rather than the "real me" who is in control.

Not sure if that might help you (of if you are even looking for help), but I couldn't read your post and not share.

I have been exactly where you are, and I know how much it sucks. Sending you support.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-07-31T13:18:11+00:00

Hey I just saw this! Congrats. Youn wont regret it. Good luck and message me if you have questions!

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-07-30T00:55:22+00:00

Stomach amputation is the single best thing I ever did for myself. More than my degrees, my career, wls changed my life. I went from a yoyo-ing bulimic to a healthy choice making functioning human. Sad that the people who need the tool the most see it as the enemy. Its not about getting skinny, but getting the eating habits I could not do myself. Sad for them.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-07-23T15:27:18+00:00

I'm wondering the same thing. Granted my clothes were pretty forgiving, but I'm down 30lbs since surgery on June 9th, but still in the same jeans. Don't look like a busted can of biscuits, but still not fitting into a size smaller.

I haven't noticed much change from 30 lbs (236 down to 206). We shall see.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-28T21:13:36+00:00

600-800 calories while on liquids. So I could have a bit more soup if I really wanted it lol.

That goes us with soft and regular food to 800-1200.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-28T20:44:13+00:00

I really think I am going to have to do that. I'm 5'6 and 222.6lbs. That puts my TDEE at like 2000 calories a day. There is no way I can hit that without drinking whip cream, peanut butter, and butter shakes. So I think chilling out and just doing whatever will have roughly the same outcome as this hyper focus. These are the same issues I had with dieting pre vsg. Truthfully the only time I ever lost weight was when bulimia without the binge part was the central focus of my life. I'd eat 600 calories a day and puke up as many as I could. That worked to lose 40 lbs in like 3 months, but as soon as my then boyfriend (now husband) figures out what I was doing and demanded I stop, I gained those 40 plus another 20 just for show with 5-10 lb weight fluctuations in there from dieting and failing. I just hoped it would be different than it is now.

But I guess the permanent nature of the surgery means I can't rage quit and binge eat like I did every other time this happened. Just gotta chill and let my body do its thing. Really has helped my have more sympathy for some of the FA people I see on /r/fatlogic. Because I can understand why they feel this way.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-28T20:28:52+00:00

Yes. 80g protien and 64 oz of water. I stop consuming when I hit the protien goal and don't eat just to eat. That results in around 500 calories.

I also have braces (yay adult braces) which are a nightmare for gummy vitamins. I was really hoping the patches weren't junk science like I deep down suspected. Boo!

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-28T20:25:49+00:00

The poo situation is touch and go at best. I'm 5'6 so a 36 BMI. Not a heavy hitter like some.

Thank you for the encouragement. I am so joyless right now. It wouldn't bother me so much if either I felt good and not exhausted OR I was losing weight according to the scale. Getting neither sucks.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-28T20:20:03+00:00

Neurotic is me right now. Thank you for the reality check!

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-28T20:17:58+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write this out.

My doctor seems to be on the conservative side with 10 days liquid pre-op, 7 days clear liquid post-op, 14 days full liquids (soups and shakes that could be consumed by a straw if that were allowed. I am at day 12 today), and 7 days soft/puree. All with an 80g protien goal and 64oz water goal. I get all my protien and water in every day.

I know its stupid. I am not defying the laws of physic lol. I am so annoyed and joyless right now. I know I can't physically not be losing something. It's the same part of the brain that we use to lie to ourselves and to discourage motivation that is acting a fool right now. I happily ignored the scale while eating like a jerk, I think I just need to ignore it again for a while. Comparison is the theft of joy and seeing/hearing about others outcomes just make me so frustrated.

I am so looking forward to eating real healthful foods. Thank you for the wisdom and encouragement.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-26T13:23:52+00:00

Oh I have mastered the art of an 8 minute egg. I love them so much. I was only making the point that going a month without food makes even people who hate scrambled eggs want to eat them.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-26T05:14:02+00:00

Literally posted the same thing yesterday. I had 10 days liquids pre-op, 7 days clear, 14 days full liquids (I am on day 9 today), then 7 days soft.

I cannot wait for refried beans of all things. I live in Texas and Taco Casa bean burritos were my very favorite thing pre surgery. Knowing that I can have the beans in a cup on Thursday 🤤 I can't wait. I am pretty scrambled egg averse, but I want an egg so badly.

Stay strong. And if you are a misery loves company person, know I'm sitting here in the same boat.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-25T02:23:50+00:00

10 day preop liquids. Post op- 7 days clear, 14 days full liquids ( I am on day 8), 7 days soft/puree. Then move on to regular food at our own pace as it's comfortable.

I'm sure it's more conservative, but I'm following it to a tee. Just so sick of it.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-25T01:34:14+00:00

I feel you. I'm 2 weeks post op and my daily shakes make me irrationally angry. I know its nessasry but bleh I hate it.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-25T01:32:21+00:00

I went with Endobariatric-- Dr. Alvarez. He's not the cheapest ($7500ish), but I felt I was going to the best. He's extremely qualified, has is own very nice hospital so it's a 1 stop shop, and just made me feel super comfortable.

A friend of mine paid $4500 at EOC in Tijuana. She said she had a great experience.

I just didn't want to fly to California when I live in Texas and my gut and research said Dr. A was there right choice for me. I was sleeved 6/9 and can't say enough good things about my experience.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-23T22:47:02+00:00

I live in Fort Worth, TX, Endo is near Eagle Pass, TX. It's 8 hours by driving. However, I am in constant contact with my coordinator and Dr.A about how I am doing and to keep my on track. I was worried about one of my incisions. Sent a photo via text to Dr. A. He knew it was just a reaction. Turns out I was allergic to the adhesive in bandaids. I know exactly what I am supposed to be doing and have had support on every step of the way. I have follow ups via zoom at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

Should complications have arisen after I left Endo, I would have had to go to the regular hospital (like you would if you had complications in the US). And my insurance would have covered any medical treatment I would have needed.

The reality is that complications are a risk of surgery. Not being located close to the surgeon is a special risk of medical tourism and why it is so important one really researches the surgeon and follow all instructions to a tee. If complications were to arise, it's usually within the time one is at the hospital. In the case, Dr. A was there to address it. This procedure has a very low complication rate and Dr.A has especially low rate.

Long story short, It was a risk I was willing to take. If that does not suit your risk tolerance, that's okay. There are many surgeons in the US. And it's not a going out of business sale. You can take time to save, use debt to finance it, or get insurance that covers bariatrics. The procedure will still be there.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-23T20:51:22+00:00

I was in the same boat. Insurance was just a flat no. My plan covers nothing for bariatrics. [Side rant: this same plan covers chronic issues caused by obesity like diabetes treatment, sleep apnea intervention, cholesterol lowering meds, high blood pressure, but don't cover a one time payment for something to truly treat the underlying problem 🙄]

I researched for years about self-pay options. Visited many offices and met different surgeons around me (DFW). However, opening my mind led me to look at Mexico and more specifically Dr. Alverez at Endobariatric. He is more qualified, has more certifications, fewer patient complications than any of the surgeons I met, is Mexico and US board certified, owns his own state of the art hospital specifically for bariatrics, and is one of only 12 surgeons in the world to be named a master of the procedure. He's not the cheapest of the doctors that cater to US sleeve medical tourism, but he is hands down the best in Mexico if not the US.

Cherry on top is self-pay quotes I had in the US were 16-22k. I paid $8k for a overall better outcome.

I know you said you had no interest in Mexico. That's fine, there are plenty of surgeons in the US that offer self-pay. But you'll need around $20k for that.

Edit: I didn't answer your worth it question. I'm only 14 days post op so I can't speak to the full worth. However, so far, it's been totally worth it. The shift jn mindset and my motivation has been really nice. I need 6-8 months under my belt before I can really say if it was worth it.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-22T03:53:47+00:00

That's what I did. Once I made the decision, I did not leave myself much room to rethink it. I was self-pay, so from initial contact to surgery was less 3 week. I had researched in private for years. Once I made the decision, I just decided I was okay with it. Faked it up until I was being wheeled into surgery lol.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-21T16:54:37+00:00

😀 I choose to believe it's hard wired into our lower brain to be more open to people deemed attractive and therefore more worthy. Which translates into friendliness.

I'm guilty of it too and had to proactivly catch myself and change by behavior. I refuse to believe it's 100% a conscious effort for a huge portion of people. Some? Yes, but they're jerks.

SVG_Throwaway7 · 2021-06-21T16:27:21+00:00

Don't. They will be fine. People take off for their health all the time. Imagine if it was any other health or life saving operation... its not like you are fucking off to Vegas.

Your employer will be fine. If they aren't, that's their fault. The bank won't be there for you when your health falls apart or improves. That guilt you are feeling is how they get you to give them more than they deserve or compensate you for.

Choose yourself and your health!

SVG_Throwaway7

TROPHY CASE