Scarlett Fire

Had only been at my job for six months when I was sleeved March 24. I developed a hernia after Christmas and knowing I would be out for surgery in the near future, I shared with people that I had a hernia and I was going to have a surgery. I wanted to sort of "cover" the surgery issue because I knew I'd be out. But what I didn't consider was that my coworkers would notice my weight loss, and put 2 and 2 together that I had WLS. I have had a few people say, how are you doing it?, etc. I have said that I cut out processed foods, sugar, alcohol, white carbs, etc. That is all true. But now some people have asked for details because they want to lose weight themselves. And these people who asked for details are not obese, but want to lose a few pounds. Also, there are 2 obese women there who are the best of friends and always talking and huddling. And I have very clearly sensed dislike and jealousy/or envy from one and a sort of, "I'm not stupid, it's obvious that you had surgery" looks from the other. I can feel their judgement just seething from behind their smiles. One asked how my surgery went (I gave her the hernia explanation). Anyway I feel like I need to do something pro-active now. I can't say I had WLS now because I'd be "lying" in their eyes, and I don't want their judgement (even if they are judging silently to themselves!)… So now I'm not sure what to say because my weight is still dropping and I'm still getting questions. I know I don't owe anyone any explanations and it's my business and stuff. The reason I elected to tell only a handful of friends I'd that my BMI was only 35, and when I began thinking about it, the folks I did talk to told me that I didn't need it. And another thing that crossed my mind was that I would seem vain for wanting to do it when I wasn't morbidly obese. Now I know it was they best decision ever and I am very happy about my results. But I need advice on how to proceed. Thanks

It WILL get easier, we promise! Keep your eye on the prize!! Good luck!

So Monday or Tuesday is looking okay for a few of us. Trouble is I have no experience "leading" a support group. Anyone want to be a leader? Maybe we don't need a leader though. Also, we need a space to meet. I live in Cloverdale. Any thoughts on where in Santa Rosa to meet? The Dr Woodbury group I believe is for anyone in any stage of the journey, I don't think you need to be a patient. If that's true, that might be the answer. They are established, etc.. They meet monthly at Wells Fargo Center on the second Saturday after (or maybe before?) the monthly WLS seminars for those seeking info for surgery, which is a prerequisite for those just starting on the path.

I guess you liked my post so much you must have copied and pasted it. Ummm thanks?? </p> </div> I thought this looked familiar when I hit "like" again!! Lol

We'll put. And I love your screen name, btw!

Hear, Hear. Well said.

That's how I feel too. What you are sharing isn't a lie. I wanted help to figure out the best way of Not lying but not share everything..

Thank you to everyone for your support. It means the world. Blessings All!

It has nothing to do with feeling superior or anything like that. In fact, I don't like to stand out. It's the judgement from others I'm trying to avoid. Funny thing...you kinda sound judgmental a little bit... Not trying to start anything. But it's sort of funny because maybe this question in the forum is showing me that there's no where completely safe from judgment. Thanks for teaching me that!

So anyone still looking to make a support group? VeggieGal, how are you doing? I'm thinking like 6:30 in Santa Rosa somewhere on Mon or Tue night? Any takers?

You look amazing! Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Awesome start! For me the second week was the worst. I was so so hungry. I layer in bed way too much. Walking in beginning is a good habit to start for sure. Good luck!

Pfries62, veggiegal, gpippin66, Alex, Hi, I just logged on and see now there are more of us. I am supposed to be going to be going to Healthy Steps support groups but haven't yet. After my four weeks off work I went straight back to work and have barely breathed since then (I returned April 20th) I can meet in Santa Rosa pretty much any night. I work in Hbg, live in Cloverdale. Sound good any/everyone? Peace

I chewed up Popsicles and I did have little tiny bites of like, yogurt. It hurt my tummy though. But being able to chew and swallow was so great. I only did that a few times, and not sooner than week 2

Just wondering...browsing on here I've seen more than just a few people who started with a LapBand then wound up having VSG. Why wasn't the VSG done initially? If I were considering the band for myself, I would have serious reservations about its "effectiveness". Couldn't some of these folks just had the sleeve and not even have had the risk of having to get another surgical procedure? Just curious :-)

My doc said the swelling could be just bloating. I'm irregular, and once I'm regular again, swelling/bloating will go down I hope!

Sorry I re-posted my reply. I thought my first didn't go through. Anyone know if we can delete our posts?

Can you find a more convenient pool? Inconvenience to get somewhere will keep me from going. My knees killed too. My knee surgeon said that for every pound lost, three pounds of pressure come off your knees. My rubber exercise bands can really get my heart pumping better than walking. Not saying to do it instead, but it is a non-impact exercise alternative that will keep you better. Keep it going!

E-cigs is how I did it. They don't show up on the blood test because there's no carbon-monoxide to poison your blood. I'm sure there will be a day soon when "vaping" is deemed evil and banned everywhere. But it really helped me get the smoke out. My hubby did too. We smell so much better! Lol There's no acceptable rationalization to continue smoking. Quitting is the only option. Be Well

Is there another pool you could use? For me, the more inconvenient something is, the less likely I am to do it or keep it up. There are also other non-walking things, like using those exercise bands. When I do those, my heart really gets pumping, and I better than walking. My knees used to kill too. Weight loss is helping. My orthopedic surgeon told me that for every pound loss, you lose three pounds of pressure off your knees. Keep on it!

Citrucel worked for me pre-op so I'm trying it again. Embarrassingly I hadn't had any BMs since surgery until last night. No diarrhea since 4 days post. Where does it go if it's not coming out? I've also been bloated. These could explain my 2-week stall. I hope they can!

Meant to say 4 weeks OUT!

Hi Alex. I too live in SoCo. Got sleeved 3/24/14. Four weeks pit and returning to work tomorrow. I'm in Cloverdale, how about u? ☺

I tried to post a minute ago and lost it so I'm trying again... I'm 4 weeks out as of two days ago. I'm eating soft foods and drinking a lot of water. I hardly eat because I'm not hungry and of course when i do, I am too full to overheat. I haven't had much exercise, but maybe I should've. I started out at 265, was 255 at surgery (vsg) and when I came home after two days in the hospital I was 230. Then two liquid-only weeks later I was down to 228. Then I seem to have stalled because I went back to 230 and now I've been hovering there. Has anyone stalled for 2 weeks so soon after surgery? I have a post-op check up this afternoon and I'm worried that the nurse will be disappointed. I had it set in my head that I would lose slowly but steadily for months. I'm worried I may not lose more. Did I just lose 4 weeks of work (at my job)recovering only to plateau 35lbs lighter than I originally was? I am questioning if it was worth it. I took a year educating and mentally preparing for this, and I really don't understand what I'm doing wrong!

Thanks PdxMan! I will read them more. I only browsed around for a few minutes. Thank you for responding, I was wondering if anyone was out there!