lsereno

Rootman, Sending loving thoughts your way. I am so sorry for your loss. You have been such a source of strength for me and so many others here. Your kind words and sensible way of looking at things have helped me so much on my journey. If you can, maybe a little trip with the wife. Buy yourself a present, or a present for you and your wife. Walking outside helps me too. I love being outdoors in the sunshine and the exercise helps me feel better. Writing is also good for me when I am sad. Sometimes I just write something in Word and don't even save the document. Just write whatever I'm feeling and then delete it. It helps me. Thinking of you, Lynda

I also love the Gold Standard Optimum Vanilla, but right after surgery it didn't set well with me. I didn't tolerate it well till about 2 weeks out. Lynda

At just over one year out, I drink the occasional diet rootbeer, carbonated Water, or flavored sparkling drink. I count them towards my daily fluids. I do not have one per day, more like 2-3 per week when it is hot. I mix them with ice, which takes some of the bubbles out. I never liked beer so I haven't tried it. Lynda

My doc told me that PPIs do not stop Calcium Citrate from being absorbed, just the Calcium Carbonate. She wanted me to take a PPI because of my RI med (methotextrate). Lynda

Hi Kate, I'm in San Jose and went through Kaiser Fremont. Kaiser Bay Area has a Yahoo board for WLS too. I sometimes go to the Fremont Support Group. Not so much now that I am in maintenance and not gaining. Lynda

I wasn't cleared to drink until I was 6 months out. I started out with sweeter, non-acid drinks because my tummy was still a little sensitive. I liked Cranberry and Cointreau and port wines. Not low calorie, but since I only had one or two, no big deal. I'm back to regular now, and drink anything I want. Lynda

Oh those sounds. Finally don't have that problem anymore. At a little over a year out, the only thing like that I have left is I do burp more than I used to. Lynda

I had good luck with unjury when everything else made me sick right after surgery. Also, Fage 0 Greek Yogurt has 23 grams of Protein per cup. You can thin it with Water to make a smoothie. I like it blended with splenda, orange juice, and a couple of strawberries. When I was early out, I could only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup max, but every little bit of protein helps. Lynda

Thanks for sharing the link! I loved seeing and hearing you talk about your journey. You look beautiful and you sound so happy! Lynda

I took mine the next day. I waited two weeks to start the Calcium, but took all other supplements and prescribed meds. I had to swallow each pill one at a time, but they went down fine. Lynda

I think you will be fine, but do plan on some emergency things you might need: What if you have to stay in hospital more than one day? Be sure babysitter can cover. May have to research getting someone from a service. Can you hire someone to come in and help for an hour or so each day for the first few days? If you feel really crappy that might help. And spending time getting ready will make you feel more comfortable: If you don't already have the babysitter book with Dr. info and emergency info, now is a good time to get that ready. Look at getting some movies/ books/ toys for you and the two year old to enjoy together while you recuperate. Buy yourself a pretty gown, slippers, lip gloss, and lotion for the hospital and home the first couple of day. Stock up on TP, cleaning supplies etc. so you have less you need to buy right after surgery. Buy the supplements. They are important. You have to take care of yourself. I wasn't supposed to drive right away. Have a plan for how to get around if you need to. Best wishes, Lynda

I chose VSG because: I had less weight to lose and I thought it would be sufficient. I wanted to be able to take arthritis medications. I thought I wouldn't need to take as many Vitamins (turned out I was wrong - my program through Kaiser has me take the same vitamins as someone who had the bypass. I'm OK with that now anyway.) I was afraid of the intestinal rerouting. I originally thought VSG was an external sleeve that was placed around the stomach to prevent it from expanding. But even after I learned what it really was, after reading this forum and other information about the procedure, I felt confident choosing it. BTW, I do know people who have gained weight after having VSG and some that have not been able to get to goal. So I wouldn't say I chose it because I thought weight loss was better or more permanent with VSG than with RNY. Lynda

Supersweetums, I think it's great you are going for counseling for the issues you describe. I do think it takes time to relearn or learn for the first time what it means to be our goal size. I have a hard time selecting the right size clothes still. I sometimes see fat legs and arms even though I no longer have them. And bathing suit fitting room - ugh!!! One thing that helps is I look in a full length mirror every day after getting dressed. I use a three way mirror when trying on clothes. Plus I consciously think about my new size and what it means as far as moving through three dimensional spaces, bending over, holding my knees closer together, holding my arms closer to my sides and even sitting closer to the table or desk. I do walk a lot too. I think that helps me get used to walking more erectly instead of kinda hunched from the extra weight. I've got a ways to go, but I am comfortable with the progress I'm making. I have it easier than some because I was naturally thin until my 30s, so I do remember how it felt to be a normal weight adult. Best wishes on your journey. Lynda

Globetrotter, I'm so sorry for everything you are going through. I hate it when things pile up! Make sure you are drinking enough Water and just try to force yourself to do some kind of exercise. For me, exercising really helps when life is weighing me down. I hate doing it, but I feel so much better afterwards. And sorry about your ratty friend! I like you no matter what! Lynda

Can you email or call your doctor? That's what I recommend. Lynda

I practiced eating slowly by using a clock. One small bite per minute. Try to chew for 30 seconds. I did this on and off before pre-op. Post-op I ate like this with the clock to make sure I didn't eat to fast and make myself sick. I also used a very small spoon and fork at first. Gradually I was able to return to my fast eating habits. Hasn't seemed to hurt so far. My one year labs were great and I've been at goal a few months, maintaining without a problem. Lynda

Hi DPFeffer, I would repost this in the post op thread or the support thread. I think you might get more responses there. I am so sorry to hear you are struggling. I agree with the tips I've seen so far, esp. for adding exercise and following Diva's bootcamp. Not sure if your program has a psychologist, but if it does, you might be able to get an appt to discuss. I also like going to a face-to-face support group for WLS. Not sure if you have one of those available. One tip I've used is instead of just giving something up (overeating), substitute something. So instead of just saying "I won't eat Snacks while watching TV after I eat dinner" go with the game plan "Instead of eating after dinner, I am going to paint my finger nails while watching TV and then have a cup of tea" Instead of "I won't eat a candy bar after lunch" go with "I will eat an orange after lunch instead of a candy bar". It's worked for me sometimes :-) If it worked all the time, I wouldn't have needed WLS Also, if possible, clear your house of crap. You can't eat what's not there. Love and best wishes on getting back on track! Lynda

I weigh myself every morning too, but I agree it's strictly personal preference. As with Little Miss Diva, I only got worked up when trying to hit a certain number. I thought I would never loose the last few ounces to my goal. Now that I'm at goal, I stay in a 3 lb. range on either side. If my weight creeps towards the high end, I slack off on Snacks and alcohol and make sure I am hitting all my workouts. If it drops too low, I up the fat content in my food. I like the daily weigh in for accountability and I don't trust myself to stay in range without it. During the losing phase, I weighed every day, but only tracked it on Fridays. Lynda

Hi Lissa, Congrats! I'm so proud of you! Happy Birthday to the new you! Lynda

Boy have you hit the nail on the head! I have dealt with this in a number of other situations, but after reading your note, I realized I was sitting far enough back from my desk to accomodate my no longer present bulgy tummy. My biggest thing was I had to consciously work on the way I walked. My arms were too far out from my newly thin torso and my legs were swishing about a foot or air instead of jiggly thighs. Also I was kinda hunched to help even the load of 100+ extra pounds. I also had a hard time recognizing my clothes (they all looked too small!) when doing laundry or shopping and walking through spaces that were formerly too small, such as down a narrow isle in the store if someone is already in it. It's a fabulous problem to have, but it does require work. I wonder what else I'm still doing that I haven't thought about now that I've scooched my chair in! Lynda

On full liquids I was allowed greek yogurt and it really made me feel full. I also was allowed cream Soups that had been strained. I like Anderson's Split Pea. It was filling and sat well, which other brands of split pea did not. Lynda

My opinion? You are going to get a lot more comments on this journey. I am fortunate to have a little thicker skin going in because my Mom is young and beautiful and I have had a lifetime of people, some well-meaning and some not making awkward comments and pressing for personal details I don't care to share. My advice? Toughen up now and fasten your seat belt now and your journey will be easier. Think about the things you know people will say and come up with a set of responses. For example, in response to "Don't have this surgery, it's to dangerous": 1. Stranger: My doctor and I agree this is the best choice for my health. 2. Friend: That's so sweet of you to worry about me, but (repeat #1) 3. Family: Mom, why don't you come to the Doctors with me so you can ask questions. 4. Pushy stranger who continues after you say #1: Move away or end conversation as quickly as possible. I generally said something like "I have made my decision." and moved away or said "I don't care to discuss it further." I am at goal now and I have heard it all: You're not big enough. It's too dangerous. You'll gain it all back. You'll become too skinny. You'll die. You'll look old. Your skin will hang. You're too skinny. You look sick. You're going to blow away. I didn't recognize you. Is that all you eat? How much do you weigh? How much have you lost? You had surgery? ( This right after surgery - I guess they thought I would be instantly skinny after surgery) What's your goal? That's too small! You're going to be smaller than me. You're smaller than me! I wish I could have the surgery (from people 5-20 lbs overweight). You should stop losing. Do what's best for you and the rest will fall into place. Lynda

I'm so excited to be able to offer advice. The sleeve has been a lifesaver for me. I can't believe it's been a year and I'm at goal and seeing many others join the losers' bench! Lynda

I too developed lactose intolerance post-op. At over one year out, it is better but not gone. Immediately post-op I only tolerated unjury chicken Protein. It has very little or no lactose. I drink Soy Milk now in my lattes and have learned to like it. I just kept trying different brands till I found one I liked. I can eat greek yogurt, but not regular yogurt. I can now drink a little milk, or have a couple of bites of ice cream, soft cheese, or whipped cream, but at first even one bite would get me. Lynda

Hi, Try LIttle Miss Diva's Bootcamp: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/28139-the-basics-boot-camp/page__hl__bootcamp__fromsearch__1 You can also try reposting your message in another thread. This one is for success stories, so some people may not have seen your message asking for help getting back on track. Lynda