skinnybitch

i was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 1-1/2 - 2 years ago... I had my surgery on 10/17/11 and have been off my meds completely for about a month and a half now. so far so good. I just increased my frequency of going to see my therapist to every week instead of every 2-3 weeks. Not suggesting that going completely off your meds is for everyone, but.. i was mostly a depressive.. and most of my depression came from being overweight... im far from my goal weight still.. (ive lost about 45 lbs) but I *know* i will get there, and that alone keeps me feeling good.

I've heard stories of people going in for surgery and then waking up and being told that they still do not have the band, they had to stop the surgery because the liver did not shrink enough. One light meal a day is ok, but have 2-3 Protein shakes in addition to that throughout the day, also, this may be too late for you, but for others reading... My doc had me start that diet a month before surgery to make certain that my liver would shrink enough. This also kinda mentally prepared me for eating so much less after surgery and I lost about 15 pounds in that month before even having surgery!

yes! write about him all over the internet! that will help others avoid his office. i had a rude and crappy surgeon at first that scheduled my surgery date.. then AFTERWARDS i got a call from the office that he had "changed his mind because he didint think i would be successful". i quickly found another surgeon who was able to come to the rescue and has been wonderful. good luck to you, and i hope you find a much better doc!

let me clarify, im not saying people need to lose weight to be popular. just saying that its something internal, you seek out people more because your more self confident. make sense?

im only 2 months post op.. but i would think that as you lose more and more weight.. you rely less and less on your support system. yes, they probably are more "busy and popular". losing weight helps to give most people confidence. which means you'll probably go out with your friends more.. meet new friends... etc..

Let me add this... My goal is not to be "ultra skinny", it's to be "ultra healthy". Just because I use the fact that I want to prove my doc wrong as motivation, doesn't mean that I'm not doing this for me. It's just the extra motivator I need to really push myself. As far as I'm concerned, that works for me.. If I was able to just use the fact that I wanted to be healthy as my motivation by itself, then I might not have needed the band in the first place. Just another tool to get you to your end goal. Whatever it takes.

I actually had my doctor back out of surgery at the last minute, after he had already scheduled it and my mom bought her plane ticket to come take care of me. He told me he did not believe I would be successful. I was so angry and upset, but I didn't let that stop me. I found another surgeon that was able to keep my surgery at the originally scheduled day and I'm about 2 months post op and have lost about 45 lbs. my new doc is super impressed by how quickly I'm losing. I trUly believe that my previous surgeon helped me lose so fast. I've set out to prove him wrong. Use it as motivation to prove them wrong!

Don't take it personal, I've had posts where no one responds, too.

I usually eat scrambled eggs with reduced fat cheese for breakfast... Lunch is random lately.. But about 2 oz of protein and 2 oz of other foods... Sometimes I just do 4 oz of protein. Lean taco meat with cheese has been my fave lately. Dinner is usually 2 oz of chicken and 2 oz potato. My only snack is usually at night and I have a huge sweet tooth so I have to have some dessert. I try to keep it sugar free, lately I've just been drinking a glass of low fat chocolate milk and that satisfies me. Don't worry about the stall.. I've already had one.. And then last week I went up and down 5 pounds in one week.. We all have our bad days... A lifetime of bad habits aren't going to magically disappear because you have surgery. For me, It's just acknowledging it, and being able to move forward. If I have a bad meal.. It's ok, I just try not to let it stretch into a bad day. Also during the holidays it's been pretty hard... It's just this time of the year that makes me want to eat junk food. But I am doing my best and I keep pushing forward.

I would talk to your dr, I'm not sure. I've only heard of women getting heavier periods, but I wouldn't be surprised if the opposite were normal.. But def ask your dr. I've lost about 45 lbs

Eeek! Everything Ive always heard has said that it probably means you're too tight.

I'm about 2 months post op and mine have actually been heavier then normal.

i started putting mederma on it right away.. but.. i didint like it. not because it didint work, but because my tummy would be tacky even after i showered and cleaned the area well (it was also $30!!!). i switched to a stick of 100% cocoa butter. (around $2 at cvs.. looks like a push pop tube) im a little over 2 months post op and my scars are disappearing nicely. i highly recommend it!

i was banded 10/17/11 and got laid off 11/4/11. I didn't do any emotional eating (miracle!!!) and have been using my unemployment as an excuse to really get my exercising into gear. I walk Monday, Wednesday, and Friday..and sometimes on the weekend. My longest walk has been 4 miles with a friend (when you're not alone you can go farther!), and today I did 3 miles by myself. I think being so active has helped keep my mood in check.. Im also eating at home for the most part to save money... but I do sometimes meet up with a friend for lunch or something.. I AM a cheap date now :-) As far as the bad days... I've had 2 or 3... but I try to keep it to a bad MEAL rather then a bad DAY. Also, when I go out to eat, for the most part, I try to eat high Protein so it's not that bad. I know it's hard to make the good choice Vs the bad choice.. but do what you can. If you see that you can't keep yourself from eating bad when you go out, then try not going out. I know that everyone has got to do what works for them, but this has been my experience and I hope it will help you!