RJ'S/beginning

i suffer from chronic depression and am one of those that the meds only take the edge off. but this time of year it creeps up on my like a dark shadow. I have found that the only thing that works is either riding it through or upping meds for 3 months....I can't stand feeling off like this...since i tend to be kinda off anyway..lol Sorry you suffer the same fate....Not nice eh!

I am a sleever and feel exactly the same way about how I do this journey. I do not eat as I would if I were on a normal 1200 calorie diet. I believe in moderation and balance. The other way did not work for me either. so I do have a cookie when I want one. I too eat better then I ever have in my life and I chose wiser choices not just because they are good for me but because I actually like the taste and flavors and what it does for me. I refuse to see this as another diet ( failed ) This is my life for the rest of my life and I need to live it in the real world not in a place where lettuce is the number 1 item on the list to eat. This is a journey for me as well. A life long change that I work hard to embrace and help others as much as I can. However, bailing after you have received the help you needed from this forum is just not nice. There are new people here that need your help as much as you needed others as you were finding your way. I feel paying it forward is the right thing to do. Not jump ship when it gets a little frustrating answering the same questions over and over again. We needed help and others do to. We are in a society where there is not a lot of help out there for people who have WLS. I am sure B- 52 you have a lot to offer folks on here that are considering or just started their WLS journey. Don't be like the others that moved on....Be there to help others as you were helped..... Feel free to tell me to do the same if I decide to leave as well..Okay!

You will find that you do not go as much as you did before. Your not taking in the amount of food that you used to. The body uses the food thoroughly now, So it is not that we are not eating enough or drinking enough Water. One thing is that we are not used to how little we have to go. You know the feeling of constipation...A discomfort in the intestines and stomach as well. A pressure there as well. Most people who are on an Iron supplement also suffer from constipation. Myself I take a light laxative called Senokot S. I find it is gentle and effective. Now that I can eat solids and have for a long time I eat Raisin Bran every day and that seems to really help as well. Some people take milk of Magnesia as well for constipation. I find a 1/2 c of bran flakes with lactose free milk is doing the trick for me.....

Whaddya mean there's no volume in Scotland?! We're all the volume required, darlink; just the two of us As for the international conference aspect? Yeah, I could go for a bit of that.. Just as long as everyone had badges detailing their internet names. And it was made mandatory to wear them. Why? Well, when the fur starts flying, I want to be able to identify the main parties, recount what had 'gone down' accurately and whilst happily chomping on my protein-rich popcorn and sipping my diet margaritas, I could take bets on the 'favourite' of the day. Win: Win Just for you sweetie I will wear a placard saying that I said it, I did it, I'm sorry..as I walk into the room....Better to be humble from the get go you know then let others take you out. Would love to see you and all the of the others that have helped me along the way!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome Rev. Aww, loves ya. You have no need for a placard, darling - unless it says simply 'Wonderful RJ'. I could have a field day creating some for a few others though.... S'okay. You can sit next to me and help me collect the bets, chomp the popcorn and drink the margaritas. How does that sound? Sounds like a good time...only I can't drink....

You look fantastic!!!!!!!!!...But your journey will never be over...there is lots to learn and lots to do and lots of great things a head of you.....Lining is a wonderful thing.

I ask that question all the time.....15 months out and always freezing...The insulation is all but gone...So now the extra blankets, heavy sweaters and warm fires in the wood stove.....Really did not count on this as I have always been toooooooooo hot all the time.....

You may find the information you are looking for on this site: http://www.provostbariatrics.com/can-you-really-stretch-your-pouch/

Whaddya mean there's no volume in Scotland?! We're all the volume required, darlink; just the two of us As for the international conference aspect? Yeah, I could go for a bit of that.. Just as long as everyone had badges detailing their internet names. And it was made mandatory to wear them. Why? Well, when the fur starts flying, I want to be able to identify the main parties, recount what had 'gone down' accurately and whilst happily chomping on my protein-rich popcorn and sipping my diet margaritas, I could take bets on the 'favourite' of the day. Win: Win Just for you sweetie I will wear a placard saying that I said it, I did it, I'm sorry..as I walk into the room....Better to be humble from the get go you know then let others take you out. Would love to see you and all the of the others that have helped me along the way!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome Rev.

Okay folks this is what I have learned from your replies..which were very helpful and kind.. 1) I have to encourage my family to see that I am doing the right thing for me. 2) That no one knows what is going on in your body but yourself and that they should trust you unless you are out of control...which I am not! 3) That the only way to measure how much skin, is when you are on the operating table and the surgeon starts to cut. 4) The main issue is to keep a healthy goal in front of me at all times. 5) Expect people who love you to try hard to protect you. 6) I must step back and see myself for who I am and stop looking at myself in my fat head kind of way. 7) Yes I do believe that after surgery there will be more weight loss because of the surgery effects. Poor appetite from the surgery itself. Must take that into consideration. 8 ) Talk to those who have had plastics to get a better idea of what they experienced so that I can gleam from their experiences. 9) And the most important.....Quit being anxious about a event that will happen down the line, not right now..I need to work on my training and body rebuilding before I can even think about it. Thanks everyone!

Well said Gman...I also feel that there is not enough information out there that is helpful to those who are entering this process or have started the process. There is nothing like experience to teach yourself and others how you can get through the difficult times of this journey. They are not a lone and that is so important. It is to me to have been able to find people on this forum that encouraged me to keep going, who gave me strength when it was impossible and even when I didn't like some of the answers I knew where they were coming from...So it was all worth it to me and so therefore I want to give it back....You know " pay it forward. " There are so many views about different issues. you can sift through them to see what applies to you. While others will find other information helpful... I am so indebted to the people who have helped me a long the way. I am the only person I know personally that has had weight loss surgery in my area.... Great post Gman!!!!!!!!

How did your Doctor depress you? Can you expand please?

LOL She did come out fighting..silly girl..I love her for it..but to me it is now a waste of good energy...And frankly I really didn't care what was up that ladies butt.....I did feel a warm glow over my body when she told me what she did....She was a mom-ma bear for sure...!!!!!!!!!!

I am on board here too Alex...don't know where I would fit in being from a different country. But ready, willing to help any way I can....This is so amazing to be given these opportunities to help in my new found life. i so want to help others!

Well Gman if that is the case then I have some more weight to lose to reach my goal! I feel better now......

I need to do what I need to do. I think it set them off when they said I could stop losing weight now!..okay then maybe 5-15 more if you want to... Well right away fear entered their heads and their overwhelming protective mode started up in this area as well as everywhere else. My daughter asked me this morning if i ate more yesterday because I worked out...i said yes I ate a Protein bar...She said not enough...It is going to be great when you get some muscle then you won't look anorexic anymore.....what?!!! I know there is fat in muscle and organs and every where. This is their concern not mine. I am being affected by it because they are at me again about it... Never thought in a million years that I would be hounded about not eating enough. That plastics will take off a pile of weight and that I am small enough in their minds to even be concerned about it all. I will sit down with hubby and talk to him and try to get him to understand that I am not at goal yet and that if I only lose 5 lbs of skin then after I still won't be at goal......I just wish I could tell them all to back the hell up! Can't though...they have been through so much as well.......

I have been working my tail off trying to get one set up in my area... there seems to be support for everything but this...A lot of red tape...I am so interested in this. i feel it is time to let it out of the closet so to speak..... Thanks Alex.. How would this work in Canada? Where I am there is no support at all. Everyone who learns of my surgery act as if I flew to the moon and back......I need a good solid program of encouragement and learning.....

Breath deeply....exhale over and over again. Remind yourself why you are doing this. Get a picture in your mind of who you want to be and concentrate on that....it will be done in a moments time......for you! You can do this!!! Your on your way to a happier, healthier and stronger you! Don't forget that!

Friday he told me that we are going to start doing planks on the floor.....no way eh!!!!!!!!! And he is starting me doing squats without a chair with a 6 lb medicine ball.....I am scared I am going to hit the floor with that one.......My butt!!Oh my butt!!! Today I did the bridge with my feet up on my exercise ball......Now that was a trip let me tell you....My legs and thighs were killing me! I'm only beginning this.......I think this stuff may kill me after all!!!!

Take the plunge..Bag um and get rid of them...It is so exhilarating to be free of them.....You will start to look forward to the next size down..Trust me!!! It is a wonderful feeling!

Here in Canada we have a free plastic surgery because of WLS. One time only..So we are very selective as to which surgeon we go for. Who gives you the most bang for your buck! But there are hacks here too. So I will be careful who I chose....No panel.....Just Doctor recommendations can get it done. Here they do include skin loss as part of a goal. It would not be prudent not too. It is unnecessary skin adding potential problems to your health. It makes since to me that they would include it and have a good idea about how much skin you have to have removed. They leave it up to you if you want it or not....No pressure. does not matter as some find it not a problem. Me it is a big problem....... It never seemed included to me as no one can predict how much you will lose and they can’t predict how your skin will be. I was told I would have no loose skin on my legs as they were not really big- well that was rubbish I lost weight on my legs first and so fast I have saggy knees on up lol They know we WILL have loose skin but to what degree and how much is a unknown variable so didn’t think anyone factored it in when they start and decide (if they do) on a end goal. I think the concerns are further down the line if you can’t slow it down now or even go a few weeks on a plateau they are projecting that you will just keep losing weight month after month get sick and then it’s a scary problem that none of them want. It does slow down and will when your body is done it will work its self out and find its sweet spot and you will maintain maybe going up and down 10lbs either side all the time. I no way thought I would lose this much weight and still be losing, to be frank neither did any of my doctors! I haven’t stalled once to my knowledge in almost 2 years its slower and I know once there isn’t anything left to lose it will stop. I sometimes wonder where the weight is coming from when I am down yet again I assume all the lose skin is just skin but its not its got a lot of fat in it still especially my belly and that’s where its going from. As long as you’re not under eating and going crazy your body will settle down soon enough. Families just love you and worry if you have underlying medical issues, which I read you do then they can overly worry about you. Maybe sit them down and say look I get it your worried I wont or can’t stop even if I try to and become a 50lbs frail sick skeleton but its ok my body is still using its fat storage you may not be able to see it as much but its still there under the skin in places. I will adjust to working out too find the even keel where fuel in is maintaining what I output. I think if you just settle their fears a bit that your still ok and its not going to be some crazy obsession like them crazy people on the biggest looser who go too far to win they might settle down a bit and back off for a while. I think that is where their concern is..They have never seen me gain or stall but that is probably because I never weighed myself that much. But to them it is becoming an issue. Not to me, just to them. My daughter is worried that I cannot stop losing and my hubby is always in over protective mode since I got so sick..... I think you would be surprised how much skin does weigh. And it should be factored in because once it is gone that is how much less you will weigh. I always felt great at 150, but felt fantastic at 170....Don't know if that will be the same today as I am a lot older. It is not consuming me it is consuming them. I too have out lost more then they expected and they are so pleased with me....I am pleased with me as well...But the plastics is coming up and that is a concern my family is now worried about...I have had 15 surgeries in 1 year and another one is coming up the end of March. So they have a right to be concerned over things but they can suffocate me at times...you know.... By the way sassy...You have done amazing in your journey..My goodness girl you must be totally stoked at the differences you have made in your health and self.....inspiring truly!!!!!!!!!!!!

You do gain weight when you build muscle mass. And use more fuel. So that is normal. Being able to eat more at this point is normal as well. That being said....We still have to watch the amount of food we put in our sleeves.. I was told that the stomach does not stretch, what happens instead if we consume too much over a period of time is a pocket forms below the stomach and can cause problems later on. That means that the small intestine expands. It would be better to eat more healthy meals in a day then eat more at one meal. By continuing to watch your Protein intake, Water and eating as healthy as you can. You will eventually find your body settling into a weight that is right for you. Right now I am struggling with this issue as well. Waiting to see if my body will settle out to its natural weight..... Congratulations on your success by the way!

First of all congratulations on your upcoming adoption..! You must be very excited to have this new addition in your life and worrying about the two events crashing together is a possible problem. While the majority of people fly through this surgery. It is smart to think that something may not go as easily as for others. Do you have a backup plan in case. Will your family help you if something happens to set you back? I think you are a wise woman to consider all the angles and if you have any doubts you must explore the help and support aspects around you. Both are so wonderful it is difficult to, no...I think the adoption is marvelous! See what you have around you to help you in these two areas if something does not go well..... All the best to you and your future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes that is who I depend on but it does not stop my supporting family worrying about me...Silly! Last night I said to my husband....You know it is very difficult to eat more..He said....Just try harder....What does that even mean?

Here in Canada we have a free plastic surgery because of WLS. One time only..So we are very selective as to which surgeon we go for. Who gives you the most bang for your buck! But there are hacks here too. So I will be careful who I chose....No panel.....Just Doctor recommendations can get it done. Here they do include skin loss as part of a goal. It would not be prudent not too. It is unnecessary skin adding potential problems to your health. It makes since to me that they would include it and have a good idea about how much skin you have to have removed. They leave it up to you if you want it or not....No pressure. does not matter as some find it not a problem. Me it is a big problem.......

No, no, no...I am so glad I am not in your shoes.....good grief!!!!!!!!!!!!