melissa130

It really can not hurt to find a behavior therapist to visit once in a while. Mostly everybody who goes through the process feels like you and I do! But- if you find a professional to talk to--- you will be very pleased.

It is a battle that seems to be very popular with this surgery. Get 64oz of water in your body everyday!! It is absolutely going to make all the difference in the world. When I dont get my water in - that is when I need to take laxatives.

I feel the same way. I am 6 weeks post-op and I really don't search for all the different foods I am allowed to eat now. I stick to greek yogurt---oatmeal---and cottage cheese--my protein shakes--and eggs. I think i am a tiny bit afraid to eat to be honest. But I see the weight coming down almost daily.

Ok - I have to ask. How long before you are getting busy in the bedroom post-op? I am a bit embarrassed to ask - but I really want to know how long people wait after surgery. Or how long they don't wait. And any serious discomfort?

I have heard many stories on people regaining weight with gastric bypass and the band. I really don't hear to much about people regaining a substantial amount with the sleeve. Is there anybody on here that has had the sleeve and gained back more than 15 pounds???

When I went through my pre-op diet I was hungry, irritated, and seriously reconsidering what I was about to do. I decided that if I could not get through what my surgeon wanted me to do before the surgery - exactly- that I was not mentally ready for weight loss surgery. I did it. I never strayed from the guidelines and I lost 12 pounds and felt really good about it the night before my surgery. I know so many people personally that "try to beat the system". They figure out what they can get away with eating. Then they are stunned when the scale stalls or shows pounds gained. This surgery does not control what is brought to your mouth. For only a short time will it control how much of that food goes to your new stomach. This surgery is a great tool to give me a chance to break the cycles of bad habits. I haven't had fast food (pizza, McDonalds, Subway............) since January 6, 2013. Of course I miss it. But I will never give them a dime of my money again. I feel betrayed actually. All the money I have wasted on that garbage food- and in return I get 100 plus pounds of excess weight to carry. I am not going to try to see what I can get away with. I am serious about getting healthy. So the only foods I eat will be what the bariatric surgeon says I can. High protein/ low fat and low carbs. Mentally I have created an atmosphere for success. I go to support groups once a month for weight loss surgery. And I go to overeaters anonymous and I have a behavior therapist to visit 2x month. Matters of weight take place in the mind and this surgery does not take place in your head.

I am now 5 weeks post-op. I follow the guidelines strictly and have lost a total of 38 pounds. I am looking so forward to this summer and all the traveling and camping. Being obese always hampered my excitement for these trips. I want to know from all the post-op folks who drink alcohol---- how long after operation did you drink - what did you drink--and how much??? Did you have any trouble with side-effects? I am hoping for many responses. Thank you.

I use miralax- it is a softner and stimulant. I have had a terrible time in this department as soon as i hit 3 weeks post-op. I actually mark on my calendar a small little "b" so i know exactly when my last bm was. And i think i am going to stop eating cottage cheese for awhile. I think it contributes to the hardness problem. And absolutely - get 64oz of fluids in.

Thank you for that honest response.

You will be ok. You will progress faster than you realize. I have heard of this many times. You most likely will never have to deal with this again so that is something to focus on. It is done and over. You are back home and soon you will be right where you left off.

thank goodness- i never had any gas pains. phew!

today is the first time i have heard of gas being such a problem. Not to many people complain about it. I follow all the guidelines to the letter - i have had no trouble with gas. good luck

You need to follow your Doctor's orders. Seriously. You do not want to jeopardize your surgery and increase the risk for complications. These bariatric centers have very spent a lot of time on studies and know what works best. Just do what you are supposed to. Please. I wasn't crazy about the Fusion shakes I had to drink - but I did it.

I kept the whole process to myself until 1 week before my surgery date. Then I had to tell my husband - he initially did not want me to have surgery- and I was going to need help getting my children off to school....and a bunch of other stuff - so i told my siblings and my parents. They have all been so helpful and supportive. You will need a support system for sure. I don't plan to tell anybody else about my choice. It really is nobody else's business. But I am so glad I finally told my immediate family--good luck to you.

I am 5 weeks out- i can not imagine eating a turkey burger- did your doctor say that was ok? I am just now going to move up to soft foods from pureed. I could hardly get one whole scrambled egg in me.

I have never counted one calorie. I just followed the guidelines my bariatric center gave me to the letter. I don't have to worry about anything - it is all written down on paper and I do not even have to think about it. Good luck.

oh i felt so bad for you reading your post. I am 5 weeks post-op and have worried about that moment when we go out.

Good for you!

And also....it will take you several months to develop the new skills you need. Knowing that- relax- and take one day at a time.

This is completely normal. You are ok. And you made the greatest decision for yourself. The surgery will absolutely help you get to a physical comfort zone- but this surgery was not performed in your head. You are on the right path seeing a therapist. I myself see a behavior therapist, i go to weight loss surgery support group and also overeaters anonymous. That is 3 seperate places that I find help with this disorder for mental help. It is the complete key to success- it really is. Don't feel like a burden and don't wish that it is another time that it isn't. Jump into yourself right now. Take advantage of all the support out there. Find a weight loss surgery support group. You are ok.

does your surgeon know? If not - make that call!

It would worry me if I could drink 17oz of fluid in 20 minutes. That sounds like you may be risking stretching your pouch. My guidelines read -- 1oz of fluids every 10 minutes to avoid stretching new pouch. I don't want to worry you more- but that could be why you don't feel much restriction. Maybe you should talk to your surgeon. Or do you have a nutritionist available at your bariatric center?

Be careful with your food choices too. Too much sodium in just one serving of food and make u retain water. And fat grams too. do you choose lowfat cheese stick or regular cheese?

It is such a personal decision. You need to consider what you want to deal with post-up. With a band- you will have to get fillers frequently. But it is a reversible process. Sleeve is permanent. But no frequent band fillings. That is why i went with the sleeve.

exciting post! good for you and your progress so far.