CowgirlJane

Awesome - isn't it just a wonderful thing?

I don't "think" people shouldn't have had the surgery if they have some struggles. I don't say that either. Heck, by the time the surgery happens, it is kind of late to bring that up. What I do think and say is that once people have the surgery, they are much more likely to have better long term results if they follow their program as closely as possible. None of us are perfect, but it is a sad situation to see people come back a year after making goal with significant regain (I am not talking a little bounce, I mean some people come back regaining a huge portion of their lost weight). I am sure this happens for lots of reasons... but the courageous people who share details often admit it is because they either never really followed the program that closely or they didn't stay with it. What they learn the hard way is that you have to change habits during that first year or so .... or else maintenance is every HARDER than it is. (For many people, maintenance is harder than losing, especially when you hit about the 3-4 year mark - the stats as well as veteran discussions support this.). I knoweth from what I speak - I "failed" with my first WLS and I really really don't want anyone to go through the misery and disappointment and frankly lost time when I could have been living a full life and instead spent it twice my healthy weight. I am passionate about this - it is devastating to fail post WLS; it was for me anyway.

I guess this is geared to recent post ops. Water loading BETWEEN meals is a well known hunger management strategy for those of us further out/in maintenance.

I have a clear idea of the overall "look" I prefer but I would like suggestions on how to approach the details. i like something that is a bit like what is described as "transitional" but I tend to like a bit more color pop than the brown on tan neutral. I like that clean, simple uncluttered look - but I want it feel comfortable too. When I go look at furniture - lets use a sectional sofa as an example - it looks and feels comfy but I feel like it will also appear very bulky and "heavy" in the space. I am not really sure and I don't want to buy it and then discover...ooops. I have furniture, rugs, wall art etc that I might want to reuse/recycle but also open to purchasing new. My house changed alot, the floor plan, flow of traffic and energy is really different. What I have done in the meantime is put my existing furniture on little skids so I can move it around and try to get the feeling of how it will flow with different arrangements before I start buying. It has been my expierence that designers are good at identifying the details that support the vision... like how to bring it all together or perhaps to try something that a person might not have considered. I don't think anyone can actually advise on it without seeing it (even pictures are very hard to work with) so I think going to staged homes/open houses might be a good source for inspiration.

And don't be surprised if that feeling of being a fraud takes awhile to overcome. don't be surprised if it gets more intense as you get slimmer. I recently discovered that I completely self identify with my trimmer/fitter body but it took years! I was hit pretty hard emotionally by some physical issues that led to me losing some fitness (no more toned looking muscles). I haven't regained a bunch of weight, but just losing my athletic feeling has been a little hard on me so I think that emotional attachment to how we see ourselves is pretty powerful.

My nerves are really amping up - surgery for implant removal is Thursday. I am not scared of the surgery (well, a little) but I am mad that I have to do this and feel... dismayed... at being lopsided for 3 months. I have a nagging fear that they won't be able to "make me right again" even after going through all this. I shouldn't be so negative as odds are on my side, but it is my anxiety speaking up....

I think some of these responses have been a bit exagerated. What I think/believe is that the more compliant you are with the guidelines, the more likely you are to have long term success and good health. I went through a bad spell on Vitamins. They made me sick and I was already on the lower end of what looks/feels good on me. I am past all that, but i still take gummy vitamins because #1 I will actually take them (as opposed to horrible huge pills) and #2 I am far enough out that I can eat a pretty healthy diet in portions large enough to get nutrition and #3 my Protein drinks have a pretty good spectrum of vitamins too. I am still taking vitimins and Protein Drinks though and I think they help me maintain good health. My previous primary care doc said something to me that reasonated. She said the problem with WLS patients is you don't realize how vulnerable you are. You get malmourished, deficient etc and the "road back to health" is difficult and made harder by the reduced capabilities of stomach/digestive system. Her point was it is just alot better to avoid those problems as it is often hard to correct them later... harder than it is for people who haven't had WLS.

I am having popcorn ceiling removed and a whole new modern ceiling made... in addition to some other fun stuff. Anyway, my kitchen is hermetically sealed, i can't get to my brand new fridge or micro or anything. As a result I have been living off Protein drinks, sandwich meat and going to a local establishment for appetizers for "dinner". It is unpleasant and I feel like i am not getting enough veggies, but it is helping me get back to goal! I have been floating around a few pounds over goal all summer long and I am almost back to it... just a few more pounds! In truth, I have been working to getting back under goal for awhile, but this is giving me a boost! I have never done extensive remodeling of a home while living there. It is really hard but I have animals so it is very easy for us to just move to a hotel or a friends house! I am really looking forward to it being done and over and hopefully looking really nice.

I can't edit the typo...grrr

I saw 158.9 on scale this morning! .8 more to be back at goal!!!

Big big change. It freaked me out a little when I discovered I was no longer invisible. Flip side,I also act differently. I would have said I am educated,successful and self confident pre weight loss but let's just say that in hindsight there was denial.

For me, naming the fear helps. Example, if the fear is of failing again - focus on success stories and pix, track your intake, give yourself pats on the back for following your program etc. If your fear is of complications, perhaps avoid reading the very emotional posts by people currently experiencing complications, instead, read research that proves that it really IS a small percentage of people that have serious complications. Try taking walks, call a friend, get outside of your own head a little. I hope the counseling helps, but it could be partially due to the hormone fluctuations caused by rapid weight loss too. Hang in there and keep your eye on the prize ,- remember WHY you did this. For many of us, WLS saved our lives.

While there are exceptions, the pattern I observe that "goes bad" is somebody posts something.....Well...it seems like they are seeking permission or validation for behavior that many believe wont support long term success. They get a few straightforward replies, sometimes too blunt maybe.... the original poster gets annoyed (or even better someone else does on their behalf). Then sometimes the regulars get caught up in the ridiculousness of it all and the thread becomes...off course...and at times unnecessary kidding happens. At that point there really is nothing of value to the original poster. I don't like this, but I am asking a serious question here...should we all just remain silent while misinformation is shared? It is clear by questions asked that people don't get or maybe don't understand the instructions from their surgeon or nutritionist and actually need or seek rational guidance. We all know this board is full of lurkers who read to "research" and is it better to leave the impression that eating crap in small quantities is a good bariatric program? I get and genuinely try to give support here. @@B-52 alot of times I am vague on what procedure a person had or even what forum the post is in if I am using a mobile device since the sites merged. I think most of us attempt to stay to our own experiences but mistakes happen.

@@Chimera My thoughts are with you this morning. Wishing you the best outcome! Keep us posted- maybe you'll have time to post during recovery.

@@Babbs I am surprised that you consider sleeve as strictly "restrictive". My personal experience is that the sleeve is something quite different then simply restrictive - I was banded which was much more intensely restrictive vs sleeve ... and yet I have been much more successful with the sleeve.

The fact that I come back to read this thread tells me.... I think I need to get a little more action going on in my life. I have a nice flat tummy and yet, nothing to view... dammit!

What are you asking? I feel a great deal of empathy for the financial challenges you and your family are going through. Speaking for myself, the surgery and post op period were quite stressful - I would have had a hard time coping if it had been piled on top of everything you are talking about. I too would consider rescheduling - and here is why. One of the differences between the people that get to goal weight (and maintain) and those that dont is the ability to make big lifestyle/habit changes in those early months post op. Good luck to you and your family - I hope you are able to get back on your feet soon.

I don't know anything about you or your situation so it is really hard to advise/make suggestions. I can only talk about myself... I had a crudload of weight to lose.... about 150# or about half my body weight. I was so worried about the honeymoon period and all that that I felt the need to be be pretty strict during the initial phase. I don't think I would have enjoyed a cruise very much at just 2 months out because everyone around me would be eating/drinking and I'd be like... having my 1/4 cup of Protein and some veggies kind of thing. Now, I am 4 years post sleeve, been in maintenance a long time - no problem. However, I was pretty challenged and learning new ways of living and eating at just 2 months post op.

Oh I know my style but too low budget for decorators...it's the details I need help with!

@@Oregondaisy it is sad to lose a beloved pet, and I spent about a day or two declaring I would NEVER get another pet... but of course I have changed my mind because I love my pets... they enrich my life. Remember, I still have old cat (pushing 18) and old horse (pushing 24) so at the time Boston was dying I had that whole... "oh I can't keep going through this!". Even a week later, while I am still sad as heck, i have a bit better perspective. We rescued Boston from a high kill shelter when he was about 6-7 months old. He had been returned twice, black wild child dog... he was slated for execution. So, he made it to about 14 years old and was a wonderful dog and I like to think we gave him a healthy wonderful life. He died with his teeth and coat in beautiful shape - he was loved and i guess that is one of the big things any of us can want from life. I am curious how the phsycic visit went!!?! @@globetrotter Well, I am glad your mother got a chance to experience so much. I sense this is a trip you will cherish many years after she is gone. Of course, I am the one crazy enough to drag small children through the great site and artwork of Europe so I know what you mean about it "not always being the trip you would have taken" @@feedyoureye I am so excited to hear about how your motorcycle lessons go! I wish I wasn't so afraid of them because "in theory" it seems like my kind of fun! I have a huge huge front yard (with no horses on it!) that is definately campable! If my boys ever move out, I might even have a spare room!

Or... just leave your name. I ,mean everytime I read it I think for an instant "I wonder what resources and clothing she has?".... then the fleeting thought passes but maybe someday I will stick with it long enough to remember to ask.

They actually write books giving advice to insult someone? Good heavens.

@@AvaFern I don't mind being complimented at all. I think it is generally flattering, generally intended to be kind/positive. However, there are a few asses who really don't know how to behave properly. As I said before, a gentleman pays the compliment, lets you know he is attracted/interested and then actually treats me like a human being. The dude who said to me, feedback from a normal picture, nothing risque, and I quote: "your body looks like a fun playground" - seriously? who says that kind of thing to basically a stranger that you are interested in dating? So, while we may overreact, there are also people who have no taste or manners. Flip side, it realy is a head trip to adjust to this. I know that I have have gone through some "weird emotions" on the topic. Time has helped alot and the number one perspective I have is that looks really don't matter that much. It gets you the first date, but doesn't necessarily get you a quality relationship.

Lapband procedure is statistically not as effective over the long haul. So my #1 reason is wrong choice of procedure. #2 lack of education on managing hunger, food etc. #3 lack of support, especially when the side effects got unbearable and I had to have Fluid removed. #4shame and pride and blaming my fat self rather than seeking medical care. #5 not understanding the obesity disease process

I didn't intend to "turn mean". I remember what it was like. The fears, the history of failure (heck I'd even failed with a previous bariatric surgery!) . I had so much to lose, I too was at times scared that I'd miss the honeymoon period etc etc. It is just very hard to give rational reassurance when people are in such a high state of anxiety.