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Welcome to my journey toward being able to walk again!
 

Started my liquid pre-op diet

Hi Everyone NOTE****** This posting was written Jan 26th 2016 not July 9. Somehow it never got published and when I clicked to publish it today it came up after my 1 year posting. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused. ******   Today Sunday Jan 24 is my birthday and I had to start my 2 day liquid pre-op diet. We celebrated last night with a Wine and cheese fondue party. I had 2 small glasses of wine and some vegetables, meats but the fondue was a flop. It isn't as easy to make fondue as it seems. I guess we should have made some fondues before we had the party. However my favorite the ice cream and the cupcakes were great.   This past Tuesday during the pre-admission workshop I was told to stop taking my Meloxicam for my arthritis as it will affect me during surgery. I was also told to stop taking all the vitamins and supplements I take for various problems. Well about an hour after the party ended I started getting my horrible leg craps. OMG! I had such horrible leg cramps in both legs in various locations throughout the night from 10 pm until 6 am. At 3 am I couldn't take them any more and took one of my Clonazepam. I am hoping taking the clonazepam doesn't affect me in any way for surgery. I had a few more cramps after the med but they were not as intense as the ones that happened between 1 to 3 am. Around 3 am I thought I could have a bottle of Powerade Zero which would help as it restores electrolytes. I finally fell asleep around 6 am and slept till 10 am, Today I had 3 protein soups, a SF Jello and popsicle and of course plenty of Crystal Light. and Powerade zero. I mostly just sat around the house but did do 2 loads of wash, started getting my hospital bag in order, and froze all the vegetables and meats left over from the party. This evening my body is feeling badly mainly due to not being able to take my Meloxicam. Only being able to drink I am peeing every hour and am really sore from all this standing up and down. Despite having protein in my soup and drinnks my tummy is growling at me this evening. But I am staying busy. I hope tomorrow will be better. Will continue writing more tomorrow. I am basically calm now but who knows what will happen tomorrow. Ihope I don't have any more leg cramps tonight. Wish me luck as I don't know if I could stand another night like last night.
ssflbelle

ssflbelle

0
GastricSleeveGalJourney
 

Month 7: Skinny Fat?

I am now 148lbs, my 1st goal was to be 145. Just about.   Problem is, even tho my stomach has drastically reduced in size, I still feel skinny fat. My body fat is still in the 30% and up. It is not reducing much but the weight is melting off :S   I still can't eat a whole lot, protein is still hard to do unless I do all shakes. And I am starting to work out.
skp

skp

0
EmmGem's Blog
 

Stomach burn.... it's not hunger it's acid reflux.

So even though I'm still a fresh post -op, there are things that you are going to discover on your own in between doctor visits. So last week I noticed that I was snacking and that is a big no no. Because I was at work I didn't pay too much mind to it until I got home. At this point I began thinking why am I eating every few hours and then I realized that my stomach was burning and every time I would eat, the burning would go away. Stupid me, I was not taking my anti acid medication(the liquid kind) I began re taking it and I was definitely helped reduced my intake. Please be careful, snacking will slow or stop your weight loss.   Happy weight loss journey, God bless!     EmmGem
EmmGem

EmmGem

0
EmmGem's Blog
 

OH....THAT POST-OP GAS!I got the remedy!

OMG THE POST-UP GAS was no joke. The gas post -op got the point that it was unbearable, it traveled between both shoulder blades, I could not sleep and I was sooooo irritable, I'm sure you can relate. I'm going to get off topic for a bit and explain the remedy I used.   So my parents are Salvadorian descent and they have a lot of believes that may make you wonder but that's ok, I'm glad to share this information that I do find helpful. When a woman gives birth, we know that her pores are opened and you need to be covered up with sock, a sweater and a hat. I did it minus the hat ...lol Because you are full of air due to open pores, they give post delivered mothers chamomile tea to sooth the bloating and gas. They give infants chamomile tea mixed with the formula to sooth colic's, I did it and I never burped my daughter and she never suffered from colic's. Back to me...I told my mother I was not feeling good, the pain of the gas was so bad that it began to travel to my neck. placed an icy hot patch and I felt some relief but not enough. She then suggested the chamomile tea which is caffeine free. I drank 2 of them very warm, one in the morning and one in the evening before going to bed, I sipped about 4 oz. The next morning the gas was gone and I mean GONE!!!!If by day 2 you still have the gas repeat the 2 cups of chamomile tea. I have been reading that people go 10 + days with this pain and I could not do it , so I decided to pass this useful information along. I hope this helps you on your road to weight loss.   God bless!!!
EmmGem

EmmGem

0
Welcome to my journey toward being able to walk again!
 

One Year ago today- Down 98 pounds this year-total 243

Hi Everyone It was 1 year ago today June 15th 2015 at 1 P.M. that I went to see the surgeon for a hernia, gallbladder and possible sleeve surgery. I had to use my mobility device as despite having lost 145 pounds on my own since 2004, I still was not able to walk into his office building. That right all, my highest weight was 497 pounds. I was pretty much housebound and in so much pain I cried every night. Any how 1 year old ago at 352 pounds, my surgeon told me I had to see him for the next 6 months as he was putting me on a HPLC supervised diet. After that more than likely I would be able to have the 3 surgeries all at once. On Jan 26th 2016 he performed the 3 surgeries with me weighing 314 pounds. A 38 pounds lost in those 7 1/2 months I had to wait. Since surgery 5 months ago I have lost an additional 60 pounds for a total of 98 pounds in this past year.   I am only able to eat about 2-4 oz of meat and still have the feeling of being full before I even get to the vegs. I never knew feeling full could be so painful. I am tracking calories around 800 to 900 calories and getting in 60 to 90 proteins and 41 to 80 carbs and all my water each day. I am biking 4 to 6 miles 5 days a week and started water aerobics 2 days a week. I am 5 pounds away from being able to go to a back surgeon to see what they can do to help me to walk again now that I am almost below 250 That was their magical number before they wanted me to get to before they would help me.   I was sitting here pulling out seams to to cut down and take in my clothing, but have taken a break from it as there are many pants I have to take in. I am thrilled to be doing this but it is a lot of work for my CTS hands to be doing. When I do stand to transfer to a chair my pants are falling off of me and I am stepping all over my pants legs. I can't afford new clothing but am thankful I know how to take in clothing. Since my highest recorded weight I have lost 243 pounds. My BMI has gone from 80 to 41. I haven't posted any pictures since the day before surgery. But once I get below that magical number of 250 I plan to take some more pictures. When I do get there I will be sure to post. I still have 102 pounds to lose but because of the sleeve and all the hard work I am doing I know I will reach my goal.   I plan to be here over the next year as I just today renewed my Bariatricpal VIP Membership.
ssflbelle

ssflbelle

0
The Rambling's of a Quirky Wanderer
 

And then it all came crashing together... in a weirdly perfect way!

So my RNY was 1.27.16, it's been just over 4 months and I've been doing alright.. I'm down about 75 pounds and still dropping!   All in all, even with the weirdness of the past year and even the past few months... my life just sort of came perfectly crashing together last week in the most phenomenal way. I've been focused on myself and my health for the past year, finally back on track with EVERYTHING and decided to just sort of test the waters for myself in the ol' dating world by putting up profiles on POF and another site. Oddly enough 20 minutes after signing up, the second message I received was from a good friend of mine that I've had a crush on for a little while now and we decided to meet up for a late night cup of Coffee (I signed up at 12:40am.. and got the message at 12:55am.... when he was on his way home from work and I was setting up my profile!). So that cup of coffee turned into an early morning hike for several hours which turned into an all day date and looooooonnnggg discussions about life and the cosmos.   My life has been back on track and I feel like some funny little piece of karma had it's hand in Mike and I getting together too. We both work for an airline and just took a fabulous trip to Chicago last week. I am so pleased to be where I am at in life and have met someone that I am super excited about that is healthy and happy, wanting the same in me!   I dunno, I know it's still a "honeymoon" phase as they like to call it.. but I am still over the moon excited about my love life and about just being in such a great place overall. I haven't been this healthy, this happy, or this motivated in so many years..... I can't imagine going back to where I was before starting this life changing adventure last year! I am grateful for every day and look forward to all the tomorrow's I will be lucky enough to see!   Here's to love, happiness, and enjoying the little things in life!
BlueBongo

BlueBongo

2
A journey without end
 

May 30th - 12 weeks

I haven't posted for a while. I had a few weeks where I plateaued, but I'm moving again and as of today I was 220.2 lbs - down 57 lbs from initial weight. I am doing really well - my energy level is good, I"m working out time a week and doing the treadmill every day. A few more lbs and I will be half way to my goal weight of 150. I'm very happy with my progress.   A few dietary challenges - I have found there are a lot of things I can't tolerate - bread (except very thin toasted bread in small quantity), tortillas (I can only eat about half of a very thin wrap), baked chicken (I can eat thighs, but no breasts - too dry), hamburger (unless in sauce it is too dry). I can only still eat a very small quantity at one time - just 4-5 oz at a time.   Its all good. And the great thing is that I still don't have an appetite. Which is wonderful!   Good luck to all of the other sleevers out there - I think we have all made a great change in our lives - a courageous change! A better, healthier life. A happier life.   Happy Memorial Day!
bal

bal

0
GastricSleeveGalJourney
 

Month 5 Update

I am down 48 lbs now   Beginning Weight: 203 Current: 155 lb   I am 10 lbs away from my first goal.   Still not eating a whole lot. Need to up my protein. My hair is thinning out like crazy. I havent been taking vitamins for a while; I need to get at it. Its been hard dince I been away from home fir almost a month due yo a cuty wide evac because of a huge fire surrounding my cuty and within the city.   I have been going to the gym alot, doing weights and cardio. I also been walking. I used to hate it so much. Now im full of energy when walking, feet dont hurt anymore and i do t get out of breath as quick.   Hotflashes are non existent   Can now fit in med clothes and not extra larges.   So happy with everything so far   I will post updated pics once I am back home.   Ttul
skp

skp

0
Lily's Blog
 

Introduction

So this is my first time doing anything like this. I will just start by introducing my self. I am a 32 year old, wife, and mother of 3 young children. I had surgery in March of 2014. To be honest I don't think that I was completely prepared for everything that went along with this weight-loss tool. I am pretty lazy and truly only worked out for the first year or so. My eating goes in spurts. I will do good for a while then have a couple months of not so good eating. I was around 298 when I began this journey, but that was not my highest weight. My highest was 320. I am currently 218. I have been this weight for about a year and the lowest I got to was 207. Don't get me wrong, I am comfortable at 220ish. But I do want to be healthier. I wish that I would have really found something I liked to do exercise wise in the begining. Instead of just walking. I would like to eventually be 160 to 180. More on the 180 side. I would really like one more child. I have PCOS and so it is hard for me to get pregnant. If I can lose more weight and become a little more healthy I could get pregnant easier. Also I am sure it would be easier to take care of another child, the healthier I am. I am just stuck. I have started to do a really strict eating plan again. Not a post-op, but close. I pretty much do one chocolate shake =30 grams of protein in the morning, then after noon I do a 2 scoop shake of Nectar, which =46 grams of protein. Then I eat what ever we have for dinner. With portion control in mind. Sometimes, if I am really hunger in the day I will eat a bowl of oatmeal. That is pretty much it. My water in take sucks. Like realllllly sucks. Usually on average I would guess I get 24 oz at best. Usually right before bed time. Weird time I know. However the last couple weeks I have tried to step it up and get more liquids in. I have been drinking unsweetened green tea. Sometimes I put sugar free syrup in it. This has helped the liquid intake to about 48 oz. As far as exercise, I really don't do much. And nothing consistency. I am coaching my daughters softball team right now so I am running and hitting and catching for about 5 hours a week and then coaching the games. This is awesome. I have forgot how much I loved softball. Man was I good at. I wish there was a competitive older team here where I live. That is something that I could get into and do all the time. Any hoo, this is basically it. The worst thing that I probably do is night eating. Like super mindless too. This is something I need to get a handle on.. For sure!
rlily

rlily

0
jenniferNA's Blog
 

Just because I am young doesn't mean I am lazy...

My name is Jenny. I'm 20 years old and on May 5th 2016 I met surgeon. I started gaining weight when I was in high school. I was about 130 lbs. and gained about 30lbs in 4-6 months, and it all went down hill from there. I am currently 234lbs and was diagnosed with diabetes about 6 months ago. I have tried weight watchers, atkins diet, and even weight loss meds. & nothing has worked. Never in a million years did I think I would need a weight loss surgery. My goal isn't to be "skinny" or even fit into a bikini. It's to be healthy and be able to do the things I used to enjoy doing. (like walking without having to ask everyone to wait up for me)   EVERYONE says I am being lazy and just don't want to workout. but I don't think they understand my physical pain when I'm done with a workout. my knees hurt so bad I start to cry. or I cant even sit down because I feel like my back is going to break. Many people have told me I am too young to have surgery, that I should "try harder" but I don't think they understand my body and my health issues aren't of a 20 year old. I feel like I'm living in a body of a 70 year old woman. I'm in constant pain and never comfortable. I feel trapped. & I wish everyone would just understand that this is me trying. Me doing my research on surgery and taking time to find the right doctor is me trying !
jenniferNA

jenniferNA

1
GastricSleeveGalJourney
 

Month 5

It has been a slow month, I haven't lot a whole lot, perhaps 1-2 lbs, it kepted fluctuating all month.   BUT I been eating too much junk, mainly popcorn and nachos . I have stopped now and I am kicking this month into high gear.   Still trying to get all my protein in, got to get back to my vitamins. need to take em. Hair have been thinning a bit.   This month I have a friend who is very fitness minded training with me, today was Day 1 and I killed it I did a lot I didn't think I could do. Especially now Im just about 38 lbs lighter. I'm BOUT 164, MY offiial weigh in is Tomorrow and I will post some updated pics and measurements.   I am also going to post a before training pic and then my after. Its intense so far. Did cardio, tomorrow is Strength day.   I hope everyone is doing well Thats all for now. TTUL
skp

skp

0
Tessa's Blog
 

introduction!

Hello! my name is Tessa and I'm a 22 year old class II obese girl. i was looking for support group community to share and document my process in and i found BariatricPal   Ive been a big girl almost all my life, i went from an extremely skinny kid to an over weight teen. However, i have never seen my weight as a problem even when i was over weight, i have always thought that my body was not perfect but not too bad either so why change it! that is until recent years.. my weight has skyrocketed in almost five years i went from 70 kg to 105 very fast, bringing with it lots of medical problems, high blood pressure, back and joint problems, asthma, high cholesterol levels, stretch marks, and lots of insecurities. i went on lots of stupid extreme diets, protein only diets that made me sick to my stomach and at times very moody, i never had time to work out due to my very busy schedule but i did manage to go to the gym from time to time.   i have just graduated from university and decided to invest all my time and effort to lose the weight and get my life back on track again, i have decided that Gastric sleeve surgery is my best choice to help me achieve my goal and prevent illnesses like diabetes that my doctor is predicting for me, my main goal is not to lose the wight for beauty and appearance purposes (even though its a big plus and going to be a huge boost to my insecurity issues) but to mainly tackle some if not all my illnesses, the fact that I'm 22 and already suffer from illnesses that prevent me of living a normal life is troubling to me.   Today I'm setting my surgeries date and i will be updating and documenting my journey through this from   All in all, i joined this website to educate myself as much as can to tackle obesity and learn how not to fall back to living an unhealthy life.   Thank you for reading!   Tessa
Tessa-VSG

Tessa-VSG

2
JThompson72's Blog
 

WLS Seminar

Went to the WLS seminary on Saturday. It was scheduled for one hour but was closer to two hours. It started with a sleeve patient a year or so out who had lost all of his weight. He told us about his journey and it was quite inspiring. He started by saying nothing works until you get your mind right. Which I thought was an awesome way to start out. After all, the surgery is not on your head it is on your stomach. He was followed by the surgeon, who was interesting and answered lots of questions. He started with a video with information on obesity that is fairly new to me (and here I thought I'd heard all the theories), basically stating that obesity is caused by hormones, especially ghrelin. The bariatric coordinator spoke last and I didn't get a very good impression of her. Probably because she acted kind of annoyed when I asked a question.   So, the seminar was good. It was a very good day overall. My friend came with me and we had a very nice day discussing surgery and everything else while shopping.   Overall, the seminar didn't really scream a decision at me. The surgeon does all types of WLS so he mainly presented facts about each. I have, however, begun to think that maybe WLS isn't my answer. I've struggled with why this would be different than the last one and how not to fail again. I had decided to see a shrink, a nutritionist, maybe get some drugs and, most recently, go back to OA to help me with my food issues on top of WLS. On Saturday, my plan was definitely go back to OA and see a shrink and nutritionist (I really don't like drugs) on top of WLS. Now, though, I'm thinking OA, a nutritionist and maybe no WLS. I did go ahead and submit my packet, though. The bariatric coordinator said they'd contact me in maybe two weeks to set up a day for marathon testing. Among other fun stuff, she mentioned an EGD. While I don't like the idea of having something shoved down my throat, after 8 years with a band, its probably a good idea to have it done.   So, no rush for me on WLS. I'll go through with the certifications but for now, I'm back in OA and already feel a little of the calmness and a lot of the hope returning.
JThompson72

JThompson72

0
NikNakD's Blog
 

UGH I FEEL LIKE I CAN NOT WAIT ANYMORE

Surgery date is 05/12/2016. Its all I think about. Even started dreaming about it! I know I am so close but it feels so far. I have been thinking about getting the sleeve done for 4 yrs now. I am really kicking myself for not doing it sooner. I keep telling myself maybe I wasn't ready 4 yrs ago. Since I got my surgery date my mind is changed. I am more positive and I completely listen to my Dr. I have not smoked since 02/12/2016 and I took away my social drinking. My diet starts 04/25/2016, I am hoping I stay with a positive mind and don't get annoyed because it not happening tomorrow. This website has help me a lot and I love love hearing people stories. Please HELP ME STAY POSITIVE! )))
NikNakD

NikNakD

1
GCFresh's Blog
 

GC Fresh

People have always discussed weight loss and each person nowadays seems like he or she has their own take on weight loss, people can make a simple thing so much more complicated than it actually is or needs to be.   Guys, weight loss is not complicated, don't let people tell you otherwise, it is people that make it so. Weight loss has always been and will alsways be two things: dieting and exercising, nothing will ever change that, nowadays we also have supplements so there's that, natural supplements, some of which are really good while others are scams.   I am not against them but be careful what you pay money for. Coming back to what I was initially saying, the enemies of weight loss are sugar and fat or calories, these are things that you must avoid as much as possible, unless you want to struggle more to lose weight or to have it come back after you've lost it and to have a very slow progress, what's the point? Remember, weight loss is about health, not just about building your body to look nice and attractive, too much sugar and too much fat is unhealthy for you and in the future these things may lead to more severe health problems such as heart disorders or diabetes.   Avoid meats that have a lot of fat on them, try to purchase and consume only lean meats, try to eat fish, chicken breasts, if you enjoy dairy foods try to consume non-fat dairies, avoid sweets and pretty much anything that has added sugars and also eliminate or reduce the starches in your diet, this is pretty much what I recommend to anyone that asks me for advice on dieting, there are many foods that fit this description so feel free to add whatever you want and remember to eat small but multiple meals throughout your day if possible. Don't get stingy on the vegetables, eat plenty, they will not make you fat at all, they are extremely healthy and great for the microbiome and digestion, they are rich in fiber and can help with your appetite, what's not to like?   As for those other advices such as keeping a diary and so on, this in my opinion is something that you can do only if you want to or if you feel like it helps you, for some people this is extremely helpful and motivational but for others it doesn't work as well. For supplements, just remember to choose carefully and pick natural supplements. Have a look at Garcinia Cambogia, it gives you energy and more endurance and can also supress the appetite and it's rich in fiber. Visit the official website for any more info.   Reference: http://www.garciniausa.com/lose-weight-garcinia-cambogia-fresh/
GCFresh

GCFresh

0
JThompson72's Blog
 

Can I Really Do This?

So my seminar is this Saturday and I went ahead and filled out my patient profile packet yesterday. It was pretty long and asked me why I thought I was unsuccessful in the past and why I think I'll be successful this time. Not really hard questions but they got me thinking.   Why was I unsuccessful in the past? My friends and I (all professional dieters) have a saying about weight loss -- when I'm on I'm on and when I'm not I'm not. Maybe we aren't all that creative but we're basically saying that when I'm motivated, I can pass anything up and am a model of control. But when that motivation fades or I'm not "feeling it", I pass nothing up. In fact, I grab extra for later and just in case. I've been like this since I first started dieting in my teens. I lose interest/motivation, get tired of not having what I want, decide "I've got this" when I really never do have it. The sad thing is I can rarely get that motivation back for that particular diet once I've fallen off. I think my body treats diets like a virus and develops antibodies against it. Underneath all that, of course, is my food addiction. Yep, I'm an addict. And like all good addicts, I can quit for a while but I always go back for my fix.   A few years back I started going to Overeaters Anonymous (OA). I am currently 44 years old. Prior to my 40's, I would have said I was not a food addict. I didn't really eat all that much, I just have a slow metabolism and bad genes. Then I went to my first meeting and realized these were my people. They weren't all heavy like me (some were quite slim) but they were just like me and I was just like them. That was such an emotional shock. My whole life I thought I was alone and then I discovered I wasn't. I did really well in OA but then I quit going and quit following my eating plan. I have yet to successfully get back to that eating plan. It was such a great eating plan, too. I created it myself. I lost maybe 30 plus lbs but in OA, losing weight is secondary to controlling the overeating so I didn't sweat the weight loss, I was working on not overeating.   I learned a lot in OA --- that I wasn't alone, that I didn't need to eat until I was full - just until I wasn't hungry anymore, that food addiction is a progressive disease, and that even when we are most in control of our eating, our addiction is in the corner lifting weights and getting stronger. I also learned that just about all OA'rs fall off the wagon. Repeatedly. I tend to forget the good things I learned but I never forget that nearly all of them fall off the wagon. So disheartening. It makes me mad that I have to have an addiction that I can't just kick for once and for all. Nope, I have to have a food addiction. The one addiction most people don't care about and don't really consider much of an addiction. In fact, most people joke about it. Don't get me wrong, though, OA is a wonderful program. I wish I had never quit going. It was such a stupid and childish reason.   I don't live in a large city but I live very close to one. I went to my first few OA meetings in that city but couldn't continue making that drive so often so I started going to a local meeting on Saturdays. This meeting consisted of 3 people. Four people once I started going but I think we only had all 4 show up just once. It wasn't a very good meeting and one of the members would stare at me the whole time. It made me so nervous and anxious. I should have said something but I didn't want to embarrass anyone. Usually I would just stare at the reading so I didn't have to see this person staring but one meeting, I had plans immediately after and texted my friend to say when I'd be there. The member who continuously stared at me interrupted the reading to ask that I not use my phone during the meeting because it was distracting. Of course, I was embarrassed at first but then I got really angry. This persons habit of staring distracted me terribly and yet I said nothing and here he had the nerve to say I distracted him with my phone. Of course, I never said anything. I just didn't go back. Showed him! Not very mature, I know.   My history worries me that I won't be able to do this no matter what surgery I choose. So often I give in to my food addiction in all its sneaky and not so sneaky ways. I hate to admit it but sometimes I don't even fight, I just give in. Yes, I plan to start seeing a therapist to help with my food issues but that is not an overnight fix. I'm playing with the idea of going back to OA (not the same local meeting, though!). Maybe they have a better online presence than before. I'm afraid that whichever surgery I choose will not curb my hunger. I can't stand to be hungry. It makes me feel sick and consumes my mind.   I think if I were to ask my friends and family if they thought I could do this, most would answer no. Oh, they would support my efforts but they've all seen me start and stop so many diets and lifestyle changes. After all, I already have a lap band and that didn't work. Granted, only one person aside from myself really understands what happened with the lap band. She got hers right after me and had so many problems it was removed a few years ago. She's going to the seminar with me for support and because she's the most level headed person I know. I trust her to not get overwhelmed or confused with stats or data (I'm easily confused). Okay, one of my other friends might not be so supportive but I don't expect support from her. She generally takes every opportunity to remind me that she lost (and regained and lost and regained) her weight the old fashioned way - hard work and exercise! That's okay, I've lost and regained more than her over the last 30 years using the same methods. I'm just more tired of it than her.   One of the other questions was why I thought I would be successful this time with the drastic diet and lifestyle changes. I answered that I would be seeing a therapist and spending a lot of time with the nutritionist. Which is true. I kind of feel like I know myself and WLS better this time. When I got the band, my reason was that I didn't want to be40 and still be fat. A good reason. I did a lot of reading on the lap band and felt that I would be successful because the band would get rid of my hunger and that would allow me to focus on working on my food issues. I knew I would have to work out still and watch what I ate but I would get full faster and not be hungry. Win! Of course, for various reasons it didn't work out like that and here I am, heavier than ever, trying to decide if yet another WLS is right for me and whether or not I'll just fail the same as I did with the lap band. Can I be stronger than my food addiction? Not just for a few months but really successful?
JThompson72

JThompson72

0
A journey without end
 

Almost 4 weeks post op and doing great

In just a couple of days I will be 1 month post op. I can't believe it. 31 lbs lost so far. One size down. Worked at at the YMCA - 30 minutes on the treadmill, and 30 minutes on the cycle. And I feel great.   I've made some mistakes - eating too fast (uh - horrible feeling in my throat like it was all backing up on me - no vomiting, but almost wanted to to get rid of the feeling), not eating enough (hate that lightheaded woozy feeling). Funny thing is that I still don't have an appetite - I can eat, but I have no urge to eat.   People at work have noticed - apparently I had a chubby face, and its noticeably thinner. I can't see it, but a bunch of people have mentioned it. I am really enjoying wearing clothes I haven't had on in years.   Journey well under way, a few bumps but nothing serious. Smooth sailing...
bal

bal

2
JThompson72's Blog
 

First Entry

I've never blogged before but I'm going to give it a try. This is basically me trying to work out whether to have another weight loss surgery (got a band in 2008) and, if yes, which one. It will probably be extra long and all over the place.   To be honest, I've pretty much decided to have another surgery. I hate it and it terrifies me but after 40 plus years of fighting and losing, its becoming pretty obvious that diet and exercise aren't going to work. And I'm just so tired of fighting every day and never winning. And I'm not just mentally tired. I'm physically tired, also. I can barely get myself up for work in the mornings. I'm sucking air like a fish out of water just walking from the car to the office. My knees and hips hurt. Somehow, I've managed to aggravate/pinch my sciatic nerve while sleeping (yes - sleeping!) twice just this year. I know I've been very lucky up until now with being this heavy and not having too many medical problems. But I think that is changing. Forty four years is just too long to put this much weight on my poor joints and bones and heart. I can only hope I haven't done so much damage that I can't come back from it.   As I said, its felt inevitable for some time but I just got back from vacation with family I hardly ever get to see. There are so many things this weight keeps me from being able to do. I'm constantly stressed over where I can sit/fit and can I walk that far and that fast. I hated slowing everyone down. I even had to take a rest while walking to a restaurant. Granted, it was hilly and three blocks but no one else had issues. Just me. Everything I do is impacted by my weight. In fact, everything about me has been shaped by my weight.   I haven't told too many people yet but once I get the insurance approval and the appointments start, I will tell everyone close to me. When I got the band, I kept it a secret from my co-workers and cringed whenever family would try to discuss it. In fact, I still don't really tell anyone. I'm really very ashamed at my failure with the band. I think I don't tell people about the band because I don't want people to know I'm fat. As if they can't see me trying to bust out of my size 26/28 clothes. Also, I think it was sort of a fail safe for me - if I don't tell people, they won't see if/when I fail. This time, I'm going to be open about it and take away my ability to deny everything after the fact.   I'm also going to start seeing a therapist to help with my food issues and binging. I am hopeful that the surgeons office will have someone to refer me to. I think this will be very important for me. If I could do this alone I'd have done so by now. I'm also thinking maybe some medication to help with mood swings and cravings.   When I first decided to consider another WLS, I was not really aware of what the sleeve was. I thought it was just another new type of gastric bypass. So now I'm trying to decide which WLS would be best for me. The gastric bypass truly scares me. Re-routing intestines just seems like playing with fire. If we didn't need them just like they were we wouldn't have them in the first place. I like the idea of the sleeve. Cut out most of the stomach and hunger hormone. No hunger and a tiny stomach. My cousin got the sleeve and has lost 200 lbs in 3 years. She says she often forgets to eat cause she's just not hungry. Wow - what is that like? Just the idea of not being hungry makes me hungry (yeah, I'm broken). But the sleeve is restriction only and I already have a restriction only device inside me. I was hungry immediately following my band surgery and it never made me feel full, just sick but still hungry.   For my own decision making purposes, below are some questions I think I need to address in order to make a decision:   1. Do I want to be normal sized or just not so fat? Weird question, I know, but a friend of mine had the gastric bypass a few years back and lost so much weight the docs wanted her to gain 20 lbs, She is a couple of years younger than me but she looked so old. Nearly twice her age. BUT, she had a lot of bad complications and is/was very malnourished. Maybe a sleeve would allow me to lose enough weight to get healthier but not too much. Yes, I'm very vain. I'm not sure, though, that going through surgery to maybe lose a little weight is a good idea. If I'm going to have surgery, why not go big and try to lose the majority of my excess weight?   2. Can I give up food? This should be number 1. A tiny little voice in my head is telling me this is the real source of my fear. Food is my ultimate frenemy. Seriously, I only just gave food the title of frenemy yesterday. I smoked for over 20 years and quit 10 years ago. To date, that is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But to give up food - the thought terrifies me and nearly brings me to tears. When I think of it, I think of an episode of My 600 lbs Life about Lupe. She is 39 years old and immobile. She's nearly died a few times. She hides food and binges. Food is her comfort. Because of her heart issues, she gets a sleeve instead of gastric bypass. At one point, she asks out loud if she can give up food because its been her comfort for so long. I think about her asking that a lot. For her, it wasn't just maybe food was killing her. It had already tried a couple of times. Food has such a hold on her that despite the knowledge, she was still asking if she could give it up. I realized watching that episode that I would have to give up food if I have surgery. I don't believe I can have both because food (my frenemy) wants me to be sick and tired and die young. I will definitely need the therapist for this one.   3. What will I do without food? Breakfast. lunch and dinner are currently the highlights of my day. What will I do without them? I'll need something to look forward to and concentrate on. This is probably where the therapist will come in handy.   4. Can I handle the post surgery diet? I'm going low carb on Monday to sort of get ready for eating high protein after surgery. Not the same, I know, but close. Sort of. I diet well for a limited amount of time and then I start to slip, eventually binging on all the forbidden foods. I've never been able to maintain the momentum of a diet, though. I lose interest. Get tired of it. Confuse myself by reading about a different kind of diet and then fall off and into a binge.   5. If I choose gastric bypass, will the fear of dumping be enough to keep me away from my fave foods - cake and cookies? This probably goes with #2.   I'm scheduled to attend a WLS seminar on 16 April. I can't wait. The surgeons office said its about two weeks after the seminar before you get an appointment with the surgeon. I feel like he would recommend the gastric bypass due to my BMI of 59 and because it would be a revision from the lap band.   My health insurance currently offers a free weight loss coaching program that I am participating in (not successfully). It uses the DASH diet. I'm wondering if they would consider that to be medically supervised. Also, my primary care docs office has a weight loss program I'm doing. Maybe that would also count. Not that either have really helped me much. They've actually been kind of non-starters for me. The one through my insurance allowed me to get weight loss drugs at a lower cost but they didn't really do what they were supposed to do so I didn't continue. Definitely my insurance has records of my weight issues, though.
JThompson72

JThompson72

3
clabaume's Blog
 

Almost 6 months out

So on April 29th i will be 6 months out. I have lost 50lbs. as of today as i type this. I have been lucky enough to not have all the nausea, dehydration, hair loss, ect that some people are having. I also have figured out that i can eat the "forbidden" foods and not get sick. I've caught myself slipping and falling back into that trap because i have a lot of stress going on in my life right now and i'm glad i caught myself as i started to slip and am now trying to work on ways to channel my frustration into something more positive instead of the food trap. I have also noticed that i am losing inches faster than the weight but i have always been that way. I probably could be down a few more pounds had i not splurged a little but i did not gain any weight but stayed the same so now i am back on track and have started walking again and keeping myself busy and active. I see so many positives going on with so many people on here and i wish i could congratulate everyone personally but i'll give a group shout out to keep up the great work and you guys are all doing a hell of a job. To those struggling you have my support and are in my thoughts and prayers as these are hurdles and you will over come them and be successful. Lots of love
clabaume

clabaume

0
GastricSleeveGalJourney
 

Month 4 Update w Pics

Going into Month 4 now   Still a challenge to get what my body needs. I am still strugglig to get all the protein and water in and even food. Still a few bites here and there. But I can eat junk food Sucks becuase I dont want to. The weight is coming off a bit slower now. I am starting to easein working out. So far I lost 36 lbs since Jan 5. I was in the 200"s now in the 160"s   My first goal is pre wedding weight if 157. I don"t know from there how much. I like to get to 145 as my 2nd goal and go from there.   So happy ! But eating is a pain. Stomach still gurlgles like crazy.
skp

skp

2
The transformation of one crazy goose
 

My surgery is tomorrow

To be honest I feel numb about my surgery right about now, there's not much excitement anymore, pretty much like okay lets do this and get it over with. On the other hand part of me is like meh I'm not ready because I don't know how to prepare pureed foods and if I -have- to prepare them. I'm stressed out. Too many things going on at once and while the pre-op liquid diet gave me an awesome 24 pound weight loss I can't be excited or focus solely on this surgery because I just moved into my own place and still need so much stuff so I'm spread thin and I need a bunch of new furniture but I don't think I'll be able to lift things for a while. I'm overwhelmed and it sucks. I've become absent minded and started making poor choices in terms of financial priorities. I can't think straight and common sense has not been my best friend lately. Not sure if it's because of stress or that I haven't had a good meal in a while now.   I have somehow survived this pre-op liquid diet, I don't know how but I did. I hung in there and been following the directions precisely although today I went overboard on apple juice and had 5 glasses of it but only one bowl of broth and that's all I've had all day so maybe that's not so bad. Maybe it is because I'm a diabetic I don't know. Yeah...So one more day and it won't be spent resting. It'll be spent running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I have to get my hair done so I won't look like a wild lion tomorrow, my therapist wants to see me one more time before my surgery so I have to see her because it might be the last time since she's being transferred somewhere else. I have to go by my apartment and pick up my overnight bag for my hospital stay and then I have to go grocery shopping for when I come out of the hospital, then last but not least visit my grandma in the hospital and then call everyone in my family just in case it's the last time I'll ever speak to them but I'm not worried in the least about that. I don't think I will die. This body has been through a lot but it's strong. Everything wrong with it is just weight related but that's about to change.   I'm hoping two months from now I will be in a position where I can actually appreciate the surgery and the sleeve, appreciate my new apartment and the things I have and I know that I should appreciate them now but I can't. I just feel too anxious and overwhelmed.
crazygoose

crazygoose

1

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