Inner Surfer Girl

I don't know how much I weighed when I broke my first piece of furniture but it wasn't nearly as much as my highest weight. Believe it or not, a lot of furniture today isn't very sturdy. In the past few years I have had to be very careful about furniture. You would be surprised to find how much isn't designed for over 250 pounds. Even though a piece may hold more than the recommended weight for a while, it will give out.

Great! All that said, constipation is also common early out. Making sure you get in your Water will help. You may also want to talk to your surgeon's office or PCP for suggestions. Mine suggested generic Miralax (I can't remember the name off the top of my head). If you take it just make sure you drink lots of water.

Eat it Up! by Connie Stapelton. OA literature (OA.org) The Language of Letting Go by Melodie Beatty When food is Love by Geneen Roth The One Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud

Have you talked to your surgeon? Are you taking a PPI?

I agree if it's for a clearance. But, if it's for someone to see for help it shouldn't matter to your surgeon.

You are very welcome!

I just wanted to post these because I just realized today that I am just "before I am half way" to goal. The Promises If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us — sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. The Promises; Alcoholic Anonymous (‘The Big Book’) pages 83 – 84 The Hidden Promises And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone-even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be interested in liquor. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition. The Hidden Promises; Alcoholic Anonymous (‘The Big Book’) pages 84 – 85

Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. We all stall periodically and almost everyone stalls about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise when cleared. And, Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am so sorry to hear that the food distracted you. I learned a long time ago that I can only "do me", but can imagine how uncomfortable you were. There is a reason the pre-op folks were the team. We have all struggled with food and come to the process at different levels of knowledge, skills, abilities, and commitment.

We won't leave you alone! Pre-op and waiting for my surgery really was the worst part of the whole process for me. The uncertainty and having no idea what to expect can produce a lot of fear and anxiety. Do you have a counselor or therapist? Have you attended any support group meetings? One thing that helps me is to take a shower, brush my teeth, paint my nails, etc. to just DO something rather than sit and stew. If you are able, a walk is a great idea as was suggested above. You CAN get through this and there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. I am almost a year post-op and can't even begin to describe how great it is to have hope, see progress, experience miracles, and get my life back.

I certainly understand. I was the Queen of Denial about how big I was. Going through this process has been as much about being honest and realistic with and about myself related to my obesity as anything else.

Sorry about that. I jumped the gun. 1000 calories with a 95 gram Protein goal seems low if you are exercising a lot. You MAY need more complex carbs and protein.

I don't know of anyone in particular. I have seen where some folks have used an online psych eval and from watching My 600 Pound Life have seen that it is possible to have online counseling. Have you started with your surgeon's office? Maybe the person who did your psych evaluation can refer you to someone.

How much Protein are you getting in every day? If I ate 80% of the volume I ate pre-op that would be a disaster because I wasn't eating nearly enough protein and ate too many carbs/starches. Are you avoiding starches, added sugar, and fried foods? Are you drinking at least 64 oz of fluid/water a day? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements? Are you exercising?

Are you tracking your food? Were you given a Protein target? Are you reaching your protein target every day? Are you drinking at least 64 oz of Water a day? Are you avoiding starches, added sugar, and fried foods? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements? I would definitely recommend that you find a NUT who works with weight loss surgery patients to talk about your goals.

Is this a duplicate post?

I started noticing little things that I could do that had been a struggle before. Whether anyone else tells you they notice or not really doesn't matter. Just follow your program and you will be amazed at the changes YOU see in how you move, feel, function, etc.

I am talking about the stomach (organ) not the exterior (waistline).To answer the other question re: 2 gallons of Water, yes I mix Chrystal Light in a half a gallon of water and carry it with me and have 4 of them a day = 2 gallons. But I've always been this way, even before I went on methyprednisone for 3.5 years which caused the weight gain to begin with. Please, I am just looking for input and not criticism. I suppose I feel I must hide this from my surgeon because I do not want to be a "bad patient." I do now see the flaws in my hiding this from my surgeon. I am good at asking for help and honestly taking seriously advise especially when there is a general consensus answer. Thank you for the nonjudgmental responses. I don't hear criticism, I hear concern. CALL YOUR SURGEON. Do you have a counselor or therapist? If not, see if the person who did your psych clearance can see you or refer you to someone. Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns?

I've always had interests and enthusiasms, some of them could border on obsessions. Now that I am regaining my mobility it is easier to practice more of them. Swimming Reading Writing Photography Doing something creative/artistic Going to movies Gardening Decorating Cooking? (At least trying to learn) Some that could be problematic- Shopping (at least now I can actually go somewhere and shop instead of relying solely on online-shopping it is getting better) Internet/phone/social media TV Hoarding

It is perfectly normal to experience erratic emotions soon after surgery. One book I recommend is by Connie Stapleton called "Eat it Up!". She also has a website. One of the challenges with weight loss and moods and emotions is that many of us are in the habit of using food to stabilize those moods. We don't quite know what to do once we can't use food for that purpose oftentimes. A good therapist or counselor can help. So can attending a support group such as your hospital's bariatric support group and/or a 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org).

Definitely. When you have your six-month follow-up it should include a blood test to check your Vitamin levels. What is your Protein target? Are you reaching that daily?

I know a pregnancy test was part of it for women. They may also test for nicotine. Otherwise, I don't remember.

None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. That said, 60 grams of Protein seems really low. Especially for someone who is still healing. You MAY need to up your protein. Have you talked to your NUT about your concerns? Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

You know your lifestyle best. I am not working so I have about three outfits I can wear in public (I have lost 200 pounds so far). Depending on your starting size and the cut of your clothes you may be able to wear some things for a little while. A lot of folks tend to shop at thrift stores while they are losing. Some of us who have a range of sizes in our closets can also make it a while without getting new clothes for a couple of sizes. You don't have to decide today. You might at least give away things you don't wear regularly.

I had them but don't remember how long I wore them. Why not give your surgeon's office a call and ask?