Inner Surfer Girl

The only veggi s I regularly avoid now is iceberg lettuce and other "filler" veggies. (To me, low nutrition, bulky veggies.) I do try to add a serving of veggies or fresh fruit to at least a couple of meals a day. I have been experimenting with roasted veggies lately. I also keep single-serve green Beans in stock for an easy addition to my Protein, but my favorite are Lee's green beans. I have a Lee's nearby and will pick up a large order of green beans. I'll heat up a tablespoon or two in the microwave with my protein.

@@VSGAnn2014, I am so sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. Sending hugs and prayers your way.

Some things that may help. In the present: Take a bubble bath if you are able. I am looking forward to being able to do this in the near future. Take a long shower. Light some candles. Make some hot tea or Protein hot chocolate. My favorite is Harney & Sons Decaf Hot Cinnamon Spice. Listen to soothing music. Practice a craft or hobby. I have been doing a lot of knitting lately. Color. Write a letter. Make a phone call to a trusted friend. Journal. Pray. Take a walk. Go to bed early with a good book. Make a gratitude list. For the future: Sign up for a class. Plan a trip. Volunteer. Get a pet. I am sure that other people have some ideas, too.

I am so sorry you are having such a difficult time. Getting in all of your Protein and fluids is absolutely critical for healing and for weight loss. What worked for me right after surgery was to sip, sip, sip, and sip some more. I sipped Protein shakes, protein Soup, etc. and Fluid all day and didn't go to bed until I reached my target. It's not easy but you can do it.

I just saw this question.if you want more responses, I recommend you start your own thread with your specific question. Do you have a NUT? A 50 pound weight loss in three months is great. What is your concern? Are you getting in all of your Protein and fluids every day? Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am so sorry you have had such a difficult time. I am curious to know why you have waited so long to seek help? It sounds to me you were relying on the sleeve to do all the work for you. As other's have suggested, I would recommend you find a good therapist and make an appointment with your NUT and your surgeon's office to talk about your goals. In the meantime, why not go back to basics? Follow your program. Pull out your written program materials and re-read everything. Track, weigh, and measure your food. Eat Protein first. Practice eating mindfully. Eat slowly, take small bites, and chew thoroughly. Avoid starches and added sugars. Strive to reach or exceed your protein target daily. (What is your protein target? Since you are able to eat just about anything, there is no physical reason you can't get enough protein daily.) Reach or exceed your Fluid target (at least 64 oz) daily. Take your Vitamins and supplements as instructed. Exercise. In addition, look for and attend a bariatric support group meeting. You might also want to see if you can find a support group (like OA). Keep us posted on how you are doing. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

The treatment isn't painful at all. I can actually feel my shin bones this week!

Green beans were the first veggies I started eating when I was on soft foods. They are still one of my primary go-to vegetables.

I haven't thought a lot about it but here are some initial thoughts. As a movement, I would guess that people who are active in it find community and belonging with people who have similar experiences. We all need a "tribe". As being fat was and is just one fact about me, I have never identified myself or allowed other's to define me as just a fat woman. I have so many interests and talents that have nothing to do with my weight and body size that I have never been self-limiting when it comes to friends and social situations.

Congratulations on your progress so far. I would recommend that you not set specific goals related to losing a certain amount of weight by a certain date. I find it much more effective to set goals related to inputs and activities, not results. For example, instead of a goal of losing x pounds by x date, set goals that will help you reach your Protein and Fluid targets. Example, drink 8 oz of Water when you get up, another 8 oz before lunch, etc. Getting in your protein and fluid is important for weight loss and healing. Just a note, but I don't think I have ever seen cheese puffs as an allowed or recommended food on any post-op food plan. By week three I was still on soft foods. If you are unsure about what foods are recommended please contact your NUT. Also, just a heads up, but you are due to have your first stall at about three weeks post op. It is a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. Don't freak out.

All I used was lip balm, a heating pad, and a pillow.

Thank you! I'm so OCD sometimes that my brain is always keeping a track of how many laps I've done, even while my mind is completely somewhere else! Back in my previous life when I was swimming regularly (a mile a day) I kept up with my laps more easily because I would swim sets of different strokes. Lately, I have been able to only do backstroke so I didn't even bother counting. I just went by the clock. It turns out that based on my Misfit Shine I was swimming over a mile of backstroke, just not every day. This past weekend I swam my first crawl in a long time so I will be working toward mixing up my strokes. I do water aerobics classes and water weights too so the water has been giving me a great workout. The water aerobics and water weights you do is this in a group class setting, or individual at your own pool. I have a community pool and I am not too sure even what water aerobics and water weights are all about. Any suggestions or perhaps an idea of what you do would be appreciated. Both. I have been taking classes for years, so if there isn't a class going on I can do it on my own. If you have never taken a class, I encourage you to see if you can find one. You can teach yourself (from youtube, books, etc.) but it helps to have an instructor to make sure you aren't doing something that will cause injury. I have some water weights, a kickboard, etc. at home that I use in the summer. I swim at a Wellness Center, so they have a lot more variety to use. Somethings I do: I use the weights for a variety of curls, etc. I use the noodle for crunches, ab work, and also balance.

I am so sorry you are in such a tough place. I understand the need to vent. All I can do is send hugs and suggest you talk to your therapist or counselor. Be rigorously honest honest with yourself and your therapist about what is going on. You also might want to consider checking out a good 12-step recovery program. Based on your post you might benefit from Overeater's Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, Gambler's Anonymous, or even Codependent's Anonymous. Have you talked about this with your therapist? I wish you the best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.

This is a great list. There are some things I count as "rewards" and other things I have done or will do just because I want/need them. I got my hair cut short not long after surgery. I have worn my hair long for years so it was a big change. I love it. I bought myself some art glass I like about the time I hit a big milestone so I called it a reward. I am eyeing another piece and am approaching another significant milestone so I may indulge. At other, less-significant milestones I have been scheduling massages. I am getting close to a point where getting a pedicure won't be an ordeal, especially since I am undergoing treatment for my lymphedema, so I am looking forward to that. When I get to goal weight I want to get a personal shopper at a nice store and build a good basic wardrobe. I also want at least one beautiful designer dress. Other things are on my bucket list and I want to do them as I am able. Especially related to travel and some classes/workshops/conferences I want to attend. My ultimate reward will be a trip to Hawaii to take surfing lessons and possibly a photography class.

Congratulations!

Thank you! I'm so OCD sometimes that my brain is always keeping a track of how many laps I've done, even while my mind is completely somewhere else! Back in my previous life when I was swimming regularly (a mile a day) I kept up with my laps more easily because I would swim sets of different strokes. Lately, I have been able to only do backstroke so I didn't even bother counting. I just went by the clock. It turns out that based on my Misfit Shine I was swimming over a mile of backstroke, just not every day. This past weekend I swam my first crawl in a long time so I will be working toward mixing up my strokes. I do water aerobics classes and water weights too so the water has been giving me a great workout.

Welcome, Rachael! It sounds like you are doing great. Getting back into the pool was a huge milestone for me, too. I couldn't wait for my incisions to heal so I could get back in the Water. I swim pretty regularly now and got a Misfit Shine activity tracker for Christmas so I can keep up with my laps.

If anything, therapy would help your psych evaluation as far as I can tell.

Other than making it easy to get in your protein when you are healing from surgery, I don't think using protein powder is required. As long as you are able to get in all of your protein from food I don't know why you would have to use it.

My incisions were glued. I was told to let the glue come off naturally and not to run or pick at it. I wouldn't recommend ripping anything off. If in doubt about what to do, call your surgeon's office.

What is the title of the bible study? I downloaded several of her books to my Kindle a while back.

Welcome! I am so glad you have found BariatricPal helpful. I know I sure do. Now, get up and walk, keep sipping, and update us on how you are doing!

This is a life-changing event. It is very normal to have doubts, fears, and uncertainty. One of the things that really helped me was all the years in therapy, etc. dealing with my food issues. I agree that this is a great time to talk with a professional (counselor or therapist) and to find a good support group (in addition to BariatricPal). Also, I did a lot of reading pre-op. There are several good books related to Weight Loss Surgery in particular as well as food and eating issues in general. A few books I suggest: Eat it Up! (I think the author is Connie Stapelton) When Food is Love The Language of Letting Go by Melodie Beatty The One Life Solution by Dr. Henry Cloud (although not about WLS or food specifically, it addresses boundaries and having a a balanced life). Journaling is also a great tool. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

You've lost 24 pounds. Congratulations! If stalls are going to upset you so much I highly recommend you stay off the scale. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process. They are going to happen. Getting upset because you stall is about as productive as getting upset because you have to go to sleep every night. You may not like it but it's how our bodies are wired. Just follow your program and STAY OFF THE SCALE. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall