RJ'S/beginning

Look, we all have big fat heads. And probably always will look at ourselves not as others see us but how we see ourselves. 20 lbs. Great..You are on your way to being a loser like the rest of us. There is a lot of retraining your brain in this journey and only you can control how you see this or how your adventure will go. We all see ourselves as large even if we are small and we will always take the first pot shot at ourselves because we want to do it before anyone else has the chance..Years of abuse has done that to us. It is not fair but it is what it is. Be proud of every lb gone. That brings you closer to goal. But it is going to be a bumpy ride. Full of tears, moods, laughing, and brain training. If you don't change how we feel about food then we cannot succeed. One step at a time...And handle it as it comes along. Worry about today's worries and tomorrow there will be other things to test your resolve.

Yes I know I have heard the same thing over and over again myself...The reality though is different. I felt like I had dislocated a rib. This went on for 6 weeks. I would go to the Chiropractor and he would crack every bone in my body until the last time I went and he told me there was no bones out of place. He told me to please go and check it out. So I did. they did a Cat Scan and found I had an abscess in my chest cavity by my sleeve. It was full and needed to be drained. So I went to my surgeon and he did more tests and found a leak in my sleeve and it formed the abscess. So he put in a drain and did a scope as well. Although my sleeve was in excellent shape. There was an ulcer. And because of the ulcer I got a leak. Now the kicker is that if you get an ulcer there is a huge chance that you can get more so you have to take preventative action to stop it. So now I am on stomach meds for the rest of my life for that. BUT all said and done it was a leak that caused it...nevertheless ......They can still happen as far out as 19 months folks. Another woman was there with a leak as well. She is 8 months out.....So keep care of your sleeve..That is all I am saying!

I wouldn't say I feel better. But good enough to be home......

I am 19 months out..I have had every complication known to WLS of anyone here or anywhere for that matter. I just got home from a 16 day stay at the hospital again due to another complication. I was surprised when I got home that I reached my goal. Would I want to go back to the old me..Never...Has all the work I have put into this wasted time because I miss the old me..No Would I trade my life for my former one..no Do I miss the large amounts of food...Nope I thank god everyday that I can't over indulge anymore. Has my life changed. Yes in good ways and in bad... I am so active now and have energy to spare even when another complication rears its ugly head....I am a new and improved person who never wants to see the old life again at any cost. I eat out sometimes and enjoy every bite I can fit into my sleeve. I eat everything in moderation and balance. That is how my nut taught me to eat. And unlike a lot on here I have learned a new way of eating but eating in the real world. I am fussier now then before and have the pride to only eat the very best of whatever I eat. I find I am so much happier then I ever was before...I am a new girl. In a new world and I take no prisoners...I am free now from the bondage of obesity...I intend to stay this way...No matter what!!!!! No matter what I go through while I travel this road...I am here to win it......And you will be too... Fear is normal. I had none when I started this journey but that was a mistake. I was not prepared for what was about to happen. You face those fears and make sure your ready for a rocky road that is full of tears, smiles, laughs and huge changes in the way life looks at you and the way you look at it.....

If I could tell myself one thing it would be to expect the unexpected. That this is a life changer for sure. The ups and downs and changes emotionally, mentally and physically are what you never thought would and will happen...Seeking out those that have been there is a real help. And trust your sleeve to do its job and get rid of that damn scale!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Numbers mean nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leaving the hospital after a 2 week stay with an ulcer and abscess. My surgeon is sure he's got this one licked...I feel bad for him sometimes because we are on first name basis...... But with everything in life there is a price. And I am almost at goal and happy about that. Thanks for caring..

Andrew hello, I have been told those very things myself at times. First you have to remember that you are not 25 anymore and that for sure you will not go back to that slim, tight skinned look. As we age gravity works and things tend to go downward. Your still walking as if you have to avoid people and worried that you still might bump into things. Your still working on your head. While everyone is worried about you and comment on what they think you should do. What do you think you should do? Pick your head up and walk with the right to be there, not hiding like we used to. Our so called turkey necks will improve as time goes on. But it is nothing for a surgeon to tuck that area. I have been told about mine abd it hurts. But right now I am trying to get used to the new me. And you are as well! Don't get caught up in the comments...Think for yourself and your teams answers for your weight.... It is a celebration that you have gotten this far......own it okay!

Well seems I have a date with my surgeon again. the pocket, ulcer or abscess is empty but did not collapse. So I have to go in today and spend some quality time with Mr. cutie and hopefully he will have an answer for me and a cure...Can't live with a cavity in my chest that hurts like the dickens.... 4 CT in 3 weeks Soon I will light up like a Christmas tree in summer time..With all the dye they keep putting in me...the bruises from the last 3 iv's have not even healed yet. The time before last it took them 3 times to get it in..The blew 2 veins...The last time 5 tries to put the iv in....Fun, fun, fun..... Who knows I might lose a few more lbs and be under goal if they keep me..You know hospital food....yuck!!!!! Sending everyone best wishes on your race today...Don't know what's in store but will, check in when I check out of the hospital...Now I have spent a total of 6.5 months in hospital since I had my surgery...Wonder how long this little adventure will be....

Well here is the latest........Had a 5th Cat Scan and they found the abscess was empty..But because it still hurt they decided to keep me in the hospital and run more tests..... I am clogged up and they qare trying to open the dam....lol And now the surgeon has found that the sleeve has an ulcer and that there is a hole in it. So the fluid runs into my mouth and down my sleeve and into the intestine..Also the intestine that vis part of my sleeve. So They gave me another Cat scan yeaterday and when they did the dye. I was on my side and it puddled in my mouth....yuck! So the surgeon also did a scope and that is where he found the ulcer. So even though the abscess does n0ot have anything in it. If I drink or eat it goes into it and fills up....So he decided to put a bigger drain in and put me on some heavy meds to heal the ulcer and clean this mess up...The reason it hurts so much is because I have the drain under my Diaphram, And the drain touches the lung and spleen. Nerve endings scream when they are touched so everytime I move they scream and so do I. Now I have to keep the drain in for 10 or more weeks. So they have to give me good meds so that I can handle the pain. So this is where I am now....... One cool thing though is that he said that when he did the scope my sleeve was in great shape. It had not stretched or moved or has been damaged in any way...Yes me!!!!!! 19 months out and doing great in the sleeve department as far as it changing over time. Now I have an ulcer that is on my sleeve. A tiny one and it is open and so what I eat or drinks leaves it and goes out of the ulcer and goes into the abscess. Then from there it goes in the drain. They havegiven me powerful antibiotics for this and soon great pain pills... Here is to hoping I go home soon..And contrinue my life... Thank you all for the well wishes

Stay off the scale for 3 or 4 weeks would be even better..Your body is trying to heal and it is getting rid of all the meds they gave you. Plus you are swollen and raw from surgery and not as active..Or eating or drinking enough..Numbers are not important..Your health is...Just take care to feel better for now and stop the scale from controlling your life so early in the game.....

I had a similar experience today.. I was riding home from the grocery store and the noise of a child crying and nagging for Snacks and drink..A friend babbling in the back seat. My hubby hitting every pot hole he could find..It was the end of a very trying week for me!.....I thought I was going to lose my mind...I told my hubby that if things were how they used to be I would go home and make a big pot of Spaghetti and meatballs. And drown my sorrows...He looked at me and he saw me smile.....I told him thank god I have my tool..Because I can't do it even if I wanted to. And have no desire to do it anyway. But it is amazing to me how close to the surface it always is!!!! I could taste it..The soothing, filling Pasta and sauce with home made meatballs..It was temporary madness...But I find it happens when I think I have it all figured out... Thanks for sharing your story! It gave me a a giggle or two!

I was sleeved in Nov. 2012..I have lost 200 lbs...100 lbs. indeed!

Congrats @@Kindle You look awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jill I think you know exactly what to do...You said it all in the first few lines of your post. Back to basics girl...Stop grazing and drink your Water.. Dense Proteins first, veggies, fruit, complex carbs.... 3 square meals a day and 2 Snacks..Snacks are nuts, cheese, fruit, yogurt, things like that...Meals are 1 cup of food...mostly dense Protein....You may want to take a few days and return to liquids to restart your journey.....Protein rich liquids.. Vitamins....Look you really need those.. There is no way your body can absorb enough vitamins and minerals by food a lone...A long with the stress you are facing your body is going to start to rebel on you..Run down and out of steam...... The therapy might help..But this is your trek, no one else can run it for you girl....We can help you and encourage you but we can't fix you...While you are seeing the therapist...Stay close to the forum and look for those who can help you, encourage you and stay close to you...Start to really sort things out in your head.....Say it out loud what you are feeling and thinking and you will find that you will feel better and once you change your relationship with food....you will be so much happier....I promise! You did this because you wanted a better healthier you..You must still want it or you would not be reaching out for help..Good for you kid!!!!! Anything I can do, ,just PM me and I'll do my best to give you some help..

No ,no, no not at this stage at all should you be eating popcorn..And now I will tell you why! Popcorn has rough edges that stick in your teeth..These little pieces can stick into the creases of your sleeve and cause problems..It is cautioned not to eat any of it until your sleeve has completely healed...Some say never eat it because of that reason.... Me I eat it and have since about 8 months out....Careful for now..Okay! Don't want complications at the early date....

Okay so I told my hubby I needed a pop tart...He said go on the forum and tell them that you want a pop tart and they will tell you in not a kind way to not eat that damn pop tart... I really want a strawberry one with frosting guys......Just one.....Me bad! I wonder what I am really needing for my body that makes me think a pop tart will do it for me.....Toasted and warm....Dang it!!! Almost 2 years out and want something so menial. Fighting..But still want one!!!!!

If you want a Pop Tart then have one, however you will probably feel like crap after and want to get sick to your tummy. It has something to do with the sugar you just want to get it back out of your system...its called the dumping syndrome Nope sorry did not feel like crap. Did not feel bad in any way and have no regrets about eating that pop tart...No dumping or any side effects.....Now if it had been ice cream..holy smack...I would have had to run instantly to the head...But alas...nothing....It is over and there has been no relapse since.....Been there done that....

If you think you are a failure...You are not!!!!!!!!! the weight is fluctuating yes but not packing on. So you are doing things right. I encourage you to get back to basics. And for now..Stop eating the bad stuff until you have got it under control again.....Try liquids for a few days..2-3 Back to Protein first ( dense protein ) Veggies, fruit and carbs...Complex carbs.... 1 cup of food at each meal and 64 oz of Water a day...Not including coffee or tea If you find you are hungry after working out..A few nuts will do the trick..... The only time we fail is when we give up and stop working at it..And you have not.....There is no option but to keep trying and working through your issues...There is no down time...It is the rest of your life.... I was sleeved on Nov.6 2012......what a year eh!!!!Congrats for coming back for help!!!! your going to make it..Maybe not today or tomorrow but it is not a race it is a new life style that we all have to embrace...forever!

When I had my 5.5 month stay due to complications from WLS...All my hair fell out. i came home to 2 little strands on either side of my head. I did not eat for over 5 months and so did not get the proper nutrients to keep it or regrow it... I started to take Biotin and protein and upped the vitamins and soon I started to see little fuzzies coming up all over my head.... I have short hair now but my hubby likes it that way.....Losing hair is part of the package of WLS. Once your vitamins are established and your eating protein and drinking the right amount of water..Thing will change...This from the girl who lost it all except 2 strands of course!!!!!!!

Thanks. And yes i do feel a lot better. My battle with complications rages on..But I would not change a thing.....I am so happy to be where I am now and hope that everyone will find their way through this and come out the other side strong, determined, healthy and most of all happy!!!!!

I was stuck in a size 20 for what seemed like forever and I was starting to think I had reached my ideal size and weight...and then boom...18, then 16, then 14, now 12...Soooooooooo cool..It will happen to you too!

Everyone one worries about messing up after surgery. If they say otherwise they are fibbing....Common feelings and a good thought to keep in the back of your mind as you proceed to change the way you see food.....Take the time to fix your thinking and the body will follow....That is the key to all of it....except the work you will do to get there and stay there..... Soon you will be in the losers circle...Can't wait for you to start your journey!!!!

When my number had finally come up I had just gotten a new Doctor (GP ) Could no longer work with the one I had for 30 years. Fired my Psychiatrist. And was on the look out for a new and improved life... I told her why I got read of them and how I was looking to work with them on this my last change that desperately needed to take place... She said how can I allow you to go through this with no support. I said how can you let me go through this with no support...What???? They were not helping me, they were hurting my progress. They were trying to tickle their own ears with how wonderful they were. I knew more then they did at times, they were not listening to me.... When I explained why the changes, she saw my meaning and said you are Approved. She said she would have never done that before. But understood that if something is not working it is just pulling you down and hurting your progress. The smartest thing I ever did was dump those two!!!!

I spend hours at the grocery store now and it drives my hubby crazy esp. if I forget my glasses and then I say oh can you read this or can you read that......It is fun to shop now. i pick new and interesting things to eat. I love fish and have explored many types. I eat legumes and rices that I did not even know existed...I am crazy for an open sandwich with cheese, chicken slices, tomato and a bit of mayo....Can only eat one slice...But I love it..... Now for treats...I do it, I own it and I don't cry about it...If I change and things go in reverse I will tighten the food belt and lay off of refined sugar and carbs. But for now...The world is wide open...And I am running through a large field of change........

Try jello and pudding, yogurt, vanilla protein shakes, anything non acid for a day and see if that helps. It could be something not agreeing with your sleeve. Or you need to get it checked out by your Doctor!