BrenM
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Everything posted by BrenM
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I think despite the hard times I'm getting the hang of this. I had to sit in McDonalds today while my husband ate lunch. THAT SUCKED! But he was sick afterward and I said... SEE what happens when you eat McDonalds!
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Although the doctor's scale didn't move... I'm still 324, my husband said I look different. I said, everyone says weight loss is not the priority right now, but even when I take a shower I feel washing myself is... just easier. It makes me smile, cuz that is the point of all of this isn't it.
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Regardless, I'm printing out a daily menu w/directions for myself and my husband. So if I don't want to, he can still make me.
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Had a conversation with my husband about my diet. I haven't had one these last 2 weeks and it has to be very unhealthy. I have to have times to eat, what to eat, a plan. So this morning I ate 2oz of Greek yogurt. Still got that horrible pain at the bottom of my breatbone. I'm guessing that's the stuck thing I dunno. Then terrible cramping. I can't live on water alone...
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I slept much better last night, laying on my right side moves my guts/stomach away from the hernia. It's kind of hard to sleep in one position all night, but I don't have that shooting fire feeling.
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12 days since banding...
BrenM replied to kellbell2011's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Yay!! Congratulations!!! Recoginzing you have an addiction to food isn't like recognizing you're an alcoholic. You don't get to quit eating forever. What I am doing to manage this is 1st, setting out menu's. I've never been a menu person in my life. But recognizing that if it's planned it's less likely to temp you is important. I wrote a blog about 'chew bags'. I dunno, maybe that might be a suggestion to try as well. I'm having trouble with the full liquid diet. Everything seems to get stuck. Yogurt, Soup, anything with consistency beyond Water. It can be frustrating and painful. So my plan is to literally go for 1 bite at a time. They say make your meals last 1/2 hour. How would you make 1/4 cup of soup last 1/2 hour? I guess if I take a bite and wait 10 minutes that would work. After being stuck I don't tend to WANT anything anyway. It's a whole new ballgame and one we don't want to screw up. Keep working on it!! Bren -
My problem with gum is it doesn't taste like steak. hehehehe... Maybe I could start a new market, like Harry Potter... "Every flavor gum" The majority of this liquid diet stuff is all on the sweet side. I mean beef broth is good, but I was looking for a different kind of chew fix. I'm not real fond of sweets.
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Another long night. I dont' mean to be such a pooper, but smooth this road is not for me. I'm hunting for a hernia band that will fit my vuluptuous midriff today as possibly that will make things a bit more comfortable.
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Yay Terry!!!! I'm so excited for you. I can't believe you're already eating, that's GREAT!!! I'm still having a tough time with it, and got a hernia when I coughed. Another bandster said her doc told her to lean against the back of the sofa to keep pressure on her belly when she coughs. So, just thought I'd pass on the word of wisdom, because no one mentioned it to me. I'm gonna be fine though, just another surgery some time in the future. Take it easy, rest rest rest and we look forward to seeing you!!! Bren
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I've been reading this and I'm not the type to think I have everything, but for the past 5 years I've been suffering terribly from headaches, some lasting months at a time that no medicine seems to help, My ears feel clogged all the time, my hearing varies and I can hear my ears contracting from noise, I've had two sinus surgeries and been treated for sinus infections so many times with NO success, I've got floaters in my right eye. My optometrist couldn't find anything. How do you get this checked out. I swear sometimes my head feels OVER FULL of Fluid. It makes me neck hurt at times. Just wondering... Bren
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Unfortunately quitting eating isn't like quitting smoking. You CAN'T go cold turkey... at least not forever. It sort of sounded like bulemia without the vomiting to me at first, but if it works for people who NEVER get to eat, it can work for people who shouldn't eat.
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Rough day, up most of the night again, still hurting too much, saw GP, he said I have a hernia now where I felt that pop when I coughed. Said they probably won't fix it right away. Tried full liquids again, not going down the hatch without a fight. Painful. GP said I need some calories besides water and hot tea. "
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Today was another long day. When I'm feeling ok, I'm still exhausted. When I'm not feeling ok, the pain has me worried. I coughed today and something popped. It didn't hurt, just a pop right where the largest lump of swelling is. I'm afraid I screwed something up just by coughing. Now I hold my stomach when I cough, and I still can feel al tingle. The incision sites look good, there is no bleeding, so I think I'm probably ok. I tried to start the full liquid diet today...
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I'm sorry you are having such a rough time. My surgery was the 10th and I'm not up for much yet either. I am exhausted, can't consume anything but Clear liquids yet. I tried, but it didn't work. My tummy is swollen and when I cough I have to hold myself or I feel a pop and a tingling. It's scarey. When it comes to your kids.... You have my support. My children are older now, but 5 years ago I fell and broke my leg at work. For 3 days I laid in bed and my 7 year old had to help me move. I had no support system what so ever. Over the next 2 years I had 5 surgeries. I lost a lot of precious time with my kids, a lot of mothering I didn't get to do. Everything around us deteriorated, and I went through some very depressed times. In pain and incapable. What you can know for certain is this... what you and I are going through is much more temporary than say, a broken leg. It IS good for children to have some self reliance and independence from us. Sometimes it takes a tough time to make that possible. They won't be irreparably harmed from it, because as you succeed in your weight loss goals you will become an even more active mother. Don't weight yourself down with guilt, just focus on the task at hand. There are so many people here you can talk to about how you're feeling. They know, and they can tell you, there is an end. Just try to heal, and be patient. Patience is the hardest part. God Grand me the Serenity to Accept the things I cannot change Courage to change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference. You are doing all of that. Bren
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My surgery date was March 10th. I am 3 days out and struggling a bit. But glad to be with a group of people taking the leap as I have done. This group has really been valuable to me!! Go get em March people!!!! Bren
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After being on the liquid diet for 2 weeks I was feeling so successful, and so much hunger, that I went and had a meal at a chinese restaurant. Then a few days later pizza at my neices birthday party. Then a burger and artichoke dip. I actually made myself sick the night before surgery. WHY? Why did I need to reward myself by undermining myself and punishing my stomach? BECAUSE.... that's how it has always been done. I knew I couldn't look my doctor in the eye after having done all that, but kept telling myself... I only ate 3 times. That self talk didn't help much. What I have focused on since those events is this... I have no willpower. And willpower isn't important. What is important is to make up your mind to do something, and no longer give yourself any excuses for not doing it. You can reason with yourself in that cirumstance, and you are fully aware of when you are lying to yourself. I don't DESERVE that meal. I didn't do anything to EARN it. I have to find another way to pat myself on the back; and to give myself something else I DESERVE that won't hurt me or my goals. Here's a tried and true trick I've started using for those moments when your brain shuts off and your animalistic ravenousness kicks in. I picked up some marinated garlic cloves at the olive bar at Safeway. Then we had several dinner parties, WHILE I was on a liquid diet. And I was the cook. When I began that self talk about how a little wouldn't hurt, or I could just this once, just a taste isn't bad, I would break out the garlic, stick a whole clove in my mouth, and chew it for all it was worth until it was completely pulverized. HOLY COW did it burn, tingle, taste, and SATISFY. It is like putting a big red stop sign in front of your face, changed the focus, gave me a crunch, a munch, and a feeling of flavor, burned out my nostrils and tongue, and I was good to sit down, watch everyone else enjoy the meal and drink my vitamin water. I don't think a clove of garlic is something to feel guilty over, something that will hurt, nor something that will derail you. It really really works for me... give it a try. Bren P.S. The best way to stop craving sugar is to completely irradicate it in every way from your life. I've done this and my diabetes is VERY under control now, dropped 7 pills and all the insulin in 2 weeks.
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I'm doing ok, pretty tired. Got up 3 times last night to take pain meds. I feel like a total wuss, but I just know it can't be true after the agony I've went through over the last few years. I'm taking things one day at a time right now. Drinking a lot of liquids and enjoying the good times. I felt well enough last night to cook my family dinner and clean the kitchen. I'm ok with doing that and not tasting a thing. I enjoy cooking for them and knowing that what I am not ea...
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Getting banded March 9th.....a little nervous
BrenM replied to Sarabi's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
I don't know anyone locally who has the band, so it's nice to have you all out there with comments on how this can be a success. How are you feeling? What things have you been doing? I'd really like to join this little March surgery cluster/group. It'll be fun to see where we all end up, and to have encouragement throughout the journey. Bren -
Getting banded March 9th.....a little nervous
BrenM replied to Sarabi's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Hey Parker, how are you feeling? Seems we all picked a great week to get on the 'band'-wagon. I understand your not telling anyone. Eveyone knows I've had surgery, just very few have the info on what or why. I didn't find this website until the night after surgery when I was totally freaking out. I'm glad we aren't alone. I got support right away that night, and I come back here very often throughout the day just so I don't feel so alone. Reading the reminders, walk, sip, take it easy no one is exactly the same helps. Ive only had Clear liquids since the surgery, but may try a Protein shake today to regain some energy. What are you doing???? Bren -
Getting banded March 9th.....a little nervous
BrenM replied to Sarabi's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
Sarabi, how are you doing/feeling? My surgery was on the 10th, I'm still pretty exhausted and sore, head hungry but doing fine with it. I know we can do this thing girl!!! Let's stick together, Bren -
HOLY CRAP these pains hurt! 4 Days out and need help!
BrenM replied to MoTown22's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I've had surgery numerous times on numerous parts of my body. The stinging and pain is normal. What you can do about it is learn to use different muscles. After knee surgery I had to learn to use my hip.... You will be sore from it, but you'll be finding new muscles you never knew you had. I had surgery 2 days ago and am pretty sore right now, but when I get up or down I am no longer having the stinging because I've learned to use muscles that weren't operated on. It also helps to pre-plan your movements. I know to target and tighten certain stomach muscles before moving, which holds the sore and operated on one's firmly so there is no straining or pulling. -
So miserable. Please help!
BrenM replied to TexasNurseMom's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I've been using the Luci Le Beau Super Dieter's Tea. You can pick it up at Wal Mart by the vitamins, or Smith's. I've found it in most stores. I'm not big into spending money on "diet" products. But I find this tea helps me be regular. If not due to the Senna, just due to adequate fluid intake... which is the most important issue. It's also not harsh on the stomach like medications. A nice cup in the evening and one in the morning and all's well down there. I like it better than fiber supplements, because if you don't drink enough water with fiber supplements you can get pretty plugged up. -
I am feeling better again this evening after a rough afternoon. The pain meds work, but have too much Tylenol to take enough to be effective.