WL WARRIOR

My primary problem is not my relationship with food but more with my source for a reward. It first started with my overuse of opiet medication. After a long day, I would look forward to it as a reward for getting everything done. Of course, after a length of time, that reward started occurring multiple times a day in larger, out of control quantities. During my 30 day rehab, I was relieved that they allowed smoking every 3 hours. Thus, creating another type of unhealthy reward for quitting the opiets and something to look forward to in my dulldrum life existence. When I gave up smoking, I replaced it with snacking. This "entitlement to a reward" or just a sense of needing something to look forward to plagues my brain when I am bored, overworked, stressed, tired, anxious, or depressed. Okay, pretty much all the darn time. It will always be a struggle of mind over matter. It comes down to diverting my attention to other activities that I find enjoyable. I don't think this is a step by step process, but more of a rationalization. My problem is not cross addiction (although it clearly seems so), but a problem within the pathways of my brain. Knowing this is helpful, but doing something about it is the only way to make my surgery successful.

I became obese after pregnancy and then extremely obese after a traumatic experience five years ago. I refused to have my picture taken and don't hav any pictures of myself from that whole time period (except my hideous license picture). Part of me is glad I didn't because I want to perceive it as a bad dream. Realistically, I missed out on having a picture with my son when he was a baby or young child. I guess I was being selfish. I plan on participating in a family picture once I hit onederland. I only get weighed at my post op bariatric appointments and GP appointments. I own a scale, but don't use it right now. The scale still makes me anxious and afraid, even though I'm staying on track and following all guidelines. It's a mental thing. I'll eventually get past it.

I don't use the app, but find limitations on BP when using it on my small device. I cannot create a ticker, but there are settings available to manage one. I also can't see the text when I create a post either. My stats are kept up to date that appear next to my posts and responses. It shows the date of surgery, surgeon, starting weight, current weight, and total weight lost. Why do I need a ticker in addition to that? Isn't the ticker just a visual representation of info. that is already displayed?

I took Excedrin Migraine tabs 3-4 times a week before the sleeve for sinus headaches. I would take it once a day during allergy season. It was the only thing that would work on my intense cluster headaches. Back in the day, I would take Orudus for migraine pain. They pulled it off the market because it caused stomach bleeding and ulcers. I went through withdrawal from the Excedrin during my first week post op. I had forgotten how much caffiene was in Excedrin. I've only taken a half of a dose of Excedrin since surgery and it did give me mild stomach pain. I would be careful because it contains aspirin and caffeine, which is not recommended for post op patients.

I guess I need to get my terminology straightened out. So, does overweight mean fat? Does that mean obese means "super fat?" Then what about the term "morbidly obese?" Does that mean "super duper fat?" I hate the term MORBIDly obese. I always associated the word morbid with someone that liked looking at dead bodies or year old mashed potatoes in the back of the fridge. Besides that, congratulations on your weight loss! I can't wait to get where you are. You are not fat; you are a success!

I just read "Eat It Up!" by Connie Stapleton and found it to be a great resource for maintaining weight loss after surgery. The book presents many skills and strategies to help deal with emotional issues that crop up during the years after surgery.

I take Wellbutrin (Bupropion) for help with post surgery emotional eating and depression. It doesn't reduce hunger, but that is what the surgery is suppose to do. Phentermine is habit forming and raises blood pressure. I wanted this surgery to get healthy, which means isolating drugs like phentermine and tobacco.

Does the migraine headache get slightly better when you lay down? If so, that is actually a good sign. The ER is notorious for giving Benadryl for migraines. It does work, but makes you feel stupid because it would have been a lot easier to stay at home and take a dose yourself. If it really feels like a migraine, I would try the Benadryl. I am getting over a sinus and ear infection that started out as a severe headache. I am getting over it now on strong medication, but now everyone in my house has influenza A. The flu vaccine does not prevent or lesson the symptoms of it, so it looks like I'll be spending x-mas with the flu. Hope your migraine headache subsides so that you can enjoy your day.

http://www.cosmesearch.com/bodyslimmer/index.HTML I was thinking of ordering this one since it is more free breathing. It says its like a tummy tuck without surgery. It's only 9.95.

I was told in the hospital to drink one ounce every 5 minutes. I never had trouble getting in 64 fluid ounces in everyday at that rate. There were a few times that I gulped instead of measuring out my water and I got nauseated. You will feel the restriction once you progress to solid foods.

I have past addiction problems, so I was sent to a bariatric psychiatrist after my psych evaluation. That was when the topic of "cross addiction" was brought up. It wasn't really explained why alcohol was so bad after surgery. I had to research that on my own.

Sorry, I cannot edit and I forgot something important. This interview was done by Dr. DeMatteo and Lori is his daughter. He mentions in the comments that it was hard to not cry during the interview. He is such a remarkable man and the information he includes with the video is very insightful and a must read. I think this is a video that could save lives.

Title of YouTube video: Bariatric Surgery and Alcoholism This video shows the story of Lori, a 43 year old woman that had gastric bypass in 2003. She was never a heavy drinker and stayed away from alcohol for the first year after surgery. She noticed something different about her body's reaction to the alcohol after surgery. Her tolerance level had changed dramatically and it led her drinking to spin out of control. I think all pre and post op patients should watch this short interveiw to better understand why alcohol is dangerous after surgery. Please give your viewpoint after watching because the message is slightly against weight loss surgery. You may have to cut and paste the URL, otherwise type the title in the search bar at YouTube.com

Tamster01, That's odd. Isn't Topamax used primarily to treat headaches/migraines? I took Topamax over 15 years ago for migraine headaches and noticed that decreased hunger was a side effect of the drug. I assumed the combination of phentermine and topamax was put together because they both help you lose weight and the Topamax would lesson or treat headaches caused by the phentermine. Most uppers like Phentermine cause headaches, or they have for me at least.

There is a new drug that combines Phentermine and Topamax. My doctor has quite a few patients on it now and says most are finding success with it so far.

Pinkbunies, Taking more than the recommended amount to try to achieve the same effect is a classic sign of addiction. You may have a tolerance issue with the tea instead of experiencing a side effect from Tylenol 3. Well, unless you are taking more than recommended of that too. Be careful!

Elode, Yes, the 2.5 weeks was a long time. I tried Benefiber, fibercon, colace, and some other stool softener. I don't care much for the Miralax because it takes many uses to work. I have to get it approved by my bariatric doc since it expands in your stomach. I'm thinking of trying the tea in a few days. My general doctor thought the bleeding was not from the tea, but from the fact that I hadn't gone in so long. So, I'm going to try it again in hopes of becoming regular.

blondebomb, I really like what you mentioned at the end of your response. I think it is important to not be judgmental and let others be themselves. There use to be so many social functions in which I would not eat in fear of others watching and judging how much the fat girl eats. Maybe it was paranoia, but I could sense the thoughts going on in their head after I caught them eying my plate. Obese people feel frustration when others judge them as being stupid, irresponsible, or lazy. Ironically, many obese or WLS patients can behave in some extremely negative judgmental behavior themselves. Often the comments are geared toward groups of people with difficulties similar to our own. I know the original poster was not intending to sound cruel or harsh. Most people aren't aware that they are being critical and judgmental. When it is pointed out that comments like these sound judgmental, most people quickly realize that how they engage in the very same negative behavior they dislike when it is directed towards them. Like blondbomb mentioned, focus on your own thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Let others worry about theirs. Everyone judges unfairly sometimes. I am trying to be more aware of my own judgmental comments, thoughts, and behavior.

It look likes it originally aired in March. Is it suppose to be on PBS tonight? I read that the biggest downfall of the documentary was that it didn't cover mental health or therapy for food addiction.

TMI alert: I hadn't gone in 2.5 weeks,so I thought I would give this a chance. There was no cramping and it come out very solid. There was some bleeding afterwards and I've already contacted my doctor. I don't know if anyone else experienced this, but it was a little scary. I'm taking Miralax now.

Single?

My first visit with the bariatric doctor was January 28. I wasn't required to go to classes, see a nutritionist, or lose weight. The hardest requirement for me was getting my teeth fixed. There was a question in my application packet concerning the current state of my teeth. I was honest and admitted that I had a few broken in the back that were never fixed due the cost of getting them fixed. Well, the bqriatric doctor decided that I needed a clean bill of dental health before being considered for surgery. It took me 11 dentist visits, some complicated oral surgery, and a cost of over $1800 to get it done. Supposedly, a dental infection can spread down to your newly cut stomach. My last bariatric visit was the third week of September and I was cleared for surgery October 7. The wait seemed to take forever and there were times I thought I would lose my mind.

This topic is covered in-depth in the book "Eat it Up" by Connie Stapleton. I use to think it was pathetic to blame your current problems on childhood issues. However, this book provides great insight into how childhood abuse or neglect effects your eating behavior during your adult life. Not all obese people grow up in dysfunctional homes, but most do. Survival in a fearful environment takes many forms, eating being one of them. Food may be the only way we found comfort as a child and it continues to be the means by which we soothe ourselves as adults. This insight into why we overeat is not what truly matters. Doing or not doing the healthy behaviors is what counts.

Would you mind sharing your experience with VSG? What has been some of the problems or complications that have occurred to make you decide to have gastric bypass? Did you experience less restriction over time?

I have to chime in again about this drug. I talked to someone today that is actually taking this drug and we had a disagreement about whether this drug was addictive. It ends up that Naltrexone (one of the ingredients in Contrave) is NOT addictive according to the drug's insert pamphlet and released info. from the FDA. I think I was being a little judgmental and should have remembered that we are all different when it comes to how our body reacts to weight loss medication. Many people may benefit from this medication and a doctor is a better source to determine if it is right for you.