pumpkin07

I love to graze. Weekends are the worst when I am at home. I eat a lot of sunflower seeds or any kind of munchy. At mealtime I don't overeat but it isn't long and Im just munchy. I figure it balances out, bc there are days I cannot eat as much. It is when my sleeve is most relaxed that I'm munchy. If I'm tense I have trouble eating a lot and forget to chew well enough. The other night I took too many big bites at a party and it was like all my food was up high and I was not satiated. I like to eat in a relaxed state. I hate when people argue during a meal or when there is some kind of problem. My husband and son argued tonight at Chinese food and I was so pissed. Ruins my whole enjoyment of my food.

Yes it is no cake walk for many of us. Kind of shocks you, right? I think it is hard to know what to expect bc sometimes it is so smooth and other times...and I am assuming you were throwing up dried blood, not dye, right? I threw up a lot of black blood. I was very nauseated until all of it came up. It was very scarey. I hope you feel better now, please update us on your condition. God Bless You & Keep You Safe.

Wow. It seems you've made the most of the opportunity to get your life back. Last night at a New Years Party I was looking at my beautiful niece who probably weighs what you weighed when you started this. She is so depressed and overdosed on food and probably a bit too much alcohol. And she was talking a lot about losing weight and how hard it is to meet a nice guy, and I was sitting there thinking how pretty she is naturally, but how much the weight is robbing her of her life!!! I was thinking how different her life could be, and how much more power she could have over her life if she wanted the sleeve and went after it. No one asked me for an opinion, me who has now lost over 70 lbs in less than year. Me, who went from wearing a size 20-22 to an 8P. I thought that was interesting that the subject of weight loss is now taboo with me. She is trying to exercise, but of course at 295 it is no easy feat, right? My opinion would have been at her weight it is not realistic to think you can do it on your own without a tool to keep you 'reigned in'. Especially bc she is a single mom with two young daughters. It is possible, but not realistic. And until people realize that they refuse to consider surgeries like this. And they are not even interested in learning about it. That is interesting to me, because I was overweight for 20 years. Until I heard a doctor actually quote the statistics of how many people successfully lose weight and keep it off on their own. KNowing I only had like a 1% chance of that, and knowing I sucked at dieting, let me know I had fought a losing battle for 20 years. And in 1 year I've accomplished it with this tool, something I never even came close to doing in 20 years. I read in some countries the sleeve is a remedy for Type II diabetes, and yet here it is not well known. I also wonder how many celebreties and models have the sleeve but do not discuss it. I wish there was more on television about this surgery. So others could be as happy and fit as you are. COngrats!! That is how I feel, that the sleeve gives you an opportunity to gain more of who you are - helps give back what might have been taken from you for whatever reason (for me it was hypothyroidism).

You are so great looking already!!! I hope you and your sleeve have a very Happy Happy New Year!!!

For a while it was hard to get regulated. I drank epson salt with warm Water - it is gross but gentle and efffective. Then on recommendation of another sleeve sister I bought Fiber Choice and started eating couple tablets daily to get more fiber. I started going every day and eased off of them. I will chew one now on days when I feel I might be heading towards constipation but I don't wait until it is there. Once after sleeve I was so constipated that I felt like I was trying to shit a glue stick out my rear end. It was so awful I thought I might have to go to doctor, but the epson water did the trick and I learned I needed more fiber. I love fiber choice bc it doesn't taste like medicine.

For a while it was hard to get regulated. I drank epson salt with warm Water - it is gross but gentle and efffective. Then on recommendation of another sleeve sister I bought Fiber Choice and started eating couple tablets daily to get more fiber. I started going every day and eased off of them. I will chew one now on days when I feel I might be heading towards constipation but I don't wait until it is there. Once after sleeve I was so constipated that I felt like I was trying to shit a glue stick out my rear end. It was so awful I thought I might have to go to doctor, but the epson water did the trick and I learned I needed more fiber. I love fiber choice bc it doesn't taste like medicine.

I had 2 c sections and I felt WLS was harder than that. I think it was anesthesia and nausea and general grogginess. It scared me a lot bc it made me realize what I had actually done to remove a huge portion of a vital organ. I was in a state of panic inside, but kinda tried to hold it together. Plus I had a backache after surgery that has lessened over time. I don't know if a nerve was damaged or what, but my mid back has given me grief here and there since surgery. But honestly I'd say this felt like major surgery to me, whereas the c sections were just so good. Not to scare you, everyone is different. But it makes me scared of the body lift which I have heard is painful, bc to me this was just not a good first week. But heh, I made it through. You have to really deal emotionally beforehand with what you are doing, and I think that can be difficult. But I just took it day by day realizing what was done was done and I had to make the best of it. BC I don't think I fully understood what I was doing beforehand. I'm kinda like that though. I tend to have trouble understanding things until I experience them. You know, a full understanding. I understood the sleeve, but didn't understand how drastic of a difference it would be. I didn't know they took 85 or 90 percent of stomach out. I kind of thought it was a 'trim'. So then I got scared. But now I'm almost a year out and I can tell you it is a good solution to a weight problem that cannot be solved elsewhere. This is probably the first year of my life that my first new years resolution is not to LOSE WEIGHT.

Does life suck? Well, my daddy taught me early on "life is not fair". You just cannot expect it to be. But yeah, it can still piss you off, right?. With women, I feel rejection at either weight bc when I am fat I can make friends better with other fat women, maybe cause we eat together. But becoming a more normal weight has changed my friendships. I lost the closeness of a fatty friend I think maybe bc of surgery. There are certainly women that were more comfortable with me fat. But then again I just hang out with my thinner friends. It really doesn't bother me with women - I don't take it personal bc I accept the fact that women want to be friends with people they have stuff in common with. The hurtful part to me is when you want a significant partner and you have a lot to offer, but can't attract a man of true caliber that is your equal in many ways. BC lets face it, excessive body fat is a turn off to many men who tend to be on the healthy side of things. I'm sure there are exceptions. I have a husband who really prefers me slightly overweight but not skinny and not obese. That works for me. But to tell the truth I met him when I was slightly overweight (after losing some weight) and then I gained weight after birth of our kids. He hung in there, but he was thrilled with weight loss. He loved me, but he is healthy and wants me to be the same, and he is more attracted to a more normal weight woman. I see men looking at me now, but I'm 47 so I'm not even sure what they are thinking. Sometimes it is nice to get attention, but sometimes I'd rather be invisible bc there is a peace/tranquility there. There was a time I was overweight and alone. And it was sad, but such a damn peaceful time in my life with lots of time for self reflection, personal growth compared to now married with two kids and a busy career. AGH. Now I have to stay up late to find a thought for myself. But of course I'm happier, not as sad or lonely. But just sometimes I'd like to sink back in for a couple weeks just to get some peace and rest. Hang in there...we're just hotties now and we gotta get the pennies b/c we were obviously shorted a few earlier in our lives....lol

I don't know, seem a bit slow. Slow isn't all bad. I'm almost 11 mos out and I have lost I think 85 percent of my excess weight but I have a pretty low goal. I seem to have started maintaining a bit early, but then I will drop a few pounds. I'll lose 4 then regain 2 and so forth. It makes progress downward but slowly now, very slowlllllly I got scared I wouldn't be able to stop losing, I think to the point that I started adding in too much sugar/carbs I wanted to prove to myself that I could maintain I think bc my doctor scared me a bit I've been struggling to lose 2-4 lbs a month now. You and I both need to kind of push it a bit harder I think with exercise. When I exercise vigorously, even walking all day bc of work or an event I tend to lose weight. Sounds like you are not quite getting the nutrition just right nor the exercise. I can so relate to that as I've just kind of relaxed into this whole thing But I think if we choose one or the other it will jumpstart the weight loss, right? I mean perhaps doing both right is hard but focusing on at least 1 of those should make a difference. I want to start adding in 30 minutes of exercise every day, kind of my New Years Resolution for the Whole Year of 2011.

Wondering if you are feeling better yet...

Sometimes people on the outside can see things you cannot see so clearly. It is obvious from your post you need to not only see your doctor but you need some crisis/psychiatric intervention. Perhaps you need to sort of go through some intensive treatment and advocacy to get adjusted to your sleeve. You are excited to lose weight, you realize you have lost too much too fast, and yet you are so afraid to gain that you will not consume food that your body needs to heal and survive. These are just not rational thoughts in my opinion. You need to realize that to be healthy you need to eat and drink as specified by your doctor. And you are taking a long time to find solutions to your problems!!!. I'm sure there are liquid meds the doctor can give you in place of pills, but meanwhile don't wait too long to GET help. Your doctor is not a psychiatrist though - if you feel like you are struggling emotionally with this adjustment you need to seek help now. I'm sure our surgeon can give you a referral It is tough. I had a hard time too, and people here had to wake me up. But it might not be enough. You have to love yourself enough to really seek out solutions to the physical or emotional problems you are having.

It does sound like she is talking about gastric bypass. And that she is not real informed about WLS in general. This is why I pretty much don't discuss anymore with most people. Very few people have a clue about this surgery. I think we'll be okay. I do know someone that had this surgery like 10 years ago due to stomach cancer and she is thin, but not too thin. She looks good and she feels good. She does take Vitamins and still eats small meals.

I am still sometimes shocked how much people eat. Isn't that funny when I used to be one of them. I have nacho memories myself, bc after my sleeve we went to a party where they had simple nachos w jalapenos which I love. I should have just had one at least with cheese bc I was probably salivating I wanted one so bad. I did have that nacho a few weeks/months later. We went to a place that sells them and I insisted my husband buy me nachos and I ate like 2 and then said okay, I'm done. It was so funny my husband was kinda ticked b/c they were like $3.00 for 2 bites. Now I can eat more, but it was so funny at the time. Best damn nacho I ever had .

I am so happy for you. What a great holiday present to yourself, right? I'm sure last Christmas we were all pretty different. I'm trying to remember last Christmas, and honestly I haven't a clue. Seems like a lifetime ago. But one thing I know is I was FAT lol. It feels good to have done something truly magniicent in one year.

I'm a 34C. Haha just kidding about the C part. But my doctor insisted to use a 34, but I wanted a 40. He said to trust him. But I know other doctors who won't do less than a 40.

When you say zero issues, does that mean you don't have reflux? Just curious. I would say I battle with this and haven't quite figured it out. I don't want to take Prilosec every day but instead take it when I need it. But I'd rather not have reflux. Just curious. I have wondered if it is bc I have a 34 boughie, bc my cousin got a 40 boughie and I don't think she is having the exact problem.

It is just weird. My frame is getting smaller now, and my husband comments. Definitely I've turned a head or two which is totally awesome. People who have known me a very long time now tell me I look more how I used to look which is nice. But I can't see myself. I have to ask my husband to show me someone that is my size. If I see my shadow it still looks big to me. I also have an edgeyness to me that is still that defensive fat mechanism or something. I don't feel normal yet, if I ever will. I am still overweight but in a few more pounds I will be normal weight for my height. Incredible, but no, I don't feel it either. I love the smaller clothes, love love love them. I do think sometimes other people have gotten used to me this way as they rarely comment anymore. I like that, I would like others to forget I was ever fat. This little guy at work, he must be like 22, made a comment to someone that if he hopes when he is married and my age he has a wife that looks as hot as I do. I was like !!!!!!?????!!!!! I mean, he is a bit cross eyed himself, so take it with a grain of salt. But it was still a nice compliment. And I know how you feel about being given the XXL shirt. Someone actually gave me a Lane Bryant gift card for Xmas and I about died. I cannot wear a pair of underwear from there anymore. It really hurt my feelings, bc it was at work and I had mentioned a Brighton gift, and I wonder if someone thought I said Lane Bryant. They were all so proud to get me a gift I couldn't say anything. But it was weird bc they also got me size Medium regular pajamas, so why the Lane Bryant card? The only thing I could figure out is that is what someone thought I said, or that my coworker remembers seeing me shop there before. She has never been overweight, so maybe she is clueless. Actually I'm pretty certain I wear the same size she does now!. I think I'm going to save the card to buy something for someone else like my SIL, or I could send it to my SIL. But then I feel bad doing that in a way. If I find the receipt at work I'm grabbing it and returning it.

I am extremely hypothyroid which started with a goiter at 12 years old. I'm 47 now. I was a slightly chubby but fit child, a slim fit teen, and started gaining weight crazily in my late 20's. It came to a point I could not lose weight, no willpower. I maintained pretty well, but every couple years I would add a few lbs. Just never really lost weight, only a slow slow gain. I am short and weighed 220 when I went to get WLS. As a teen I was 102 lbs for a few years, then 115, then 125...you know how it goes for many women. No longer fit, no longer real high energy. My life is sort of in peaks and valleys. I'm definitely in a valley right now wishing I had more energy. Some people talk about more energy after losing the weight, but for me I have more stamina but still feel a bit tired. I chose this surgery bc I knew the only way I would lose weight was to live with caloric restriction. Bc my metabolism is just low. And I couldn't live on caloric resriction without some help with the sleeve. It is working. Sometimes I think I could manage better with a slightly bigger sleeve, bc it does feel like overkill in some ways. But it is what it is, and my thyroid doesn't seem to have been helped or hurt by this surgery. My blood work has always been fine, it just isn't an issue. ONe thing I did a few years ago was switch to Armour thyroid which is natural. I don't do well on the synthetic hormones.

I think he sounds uninterested. Some people think this is too personal to discuss or are simply not interested. I was very open, but few people are interested. I mean, people comment on the weight loss and are nosey enough to find out how I'm doing it, but once I say surgery that seems to be enough information for them. Even my husband didn't learn all the details of the surgery - just trusted that I chose the right surgery. He doesn't have a weight problem and he just isn't interested in the subject of weight loss. He also wasn't a husband that badgered me about being overweight which I appreciated. Sounds like this person might not be a main support system...hopefully you have a good friend or family member that will step in more.

I like the idea of starting with the 15 minutes and slowly going up from there. I'd like to walk, do light weights at home (we have a small gym here that I don't use), and do pilates. I am going to commit to start with the walking tomorrow. That shouldn't be too hard.

Thank God that I survived this. I want to also become more fit and better at Vitamins. Kind of my goal to get better at this things now so when I'm at goal I'm all done. I want to do Pilates.

Definitely my PMS is worse since surgery. My periods were heavy and more frequent. My periods now are more normal I guess - no clotting at all. But the PMS is such a bitch. It is like by the time I start my period I've already cramped, been a bitch for several days, bloated and come down from that, etc. Then after all that is DONE I'll start my period and it is just sort of flows for a 2-3 days but no cramping, no bitchiness, etc. I guess I never really had PRE MS before, it was cramping and bitchiness during my period. Now it alllll happens before my period. Lovely.

So sorry to hear you are not feeling great. My doctor said to try to get half the Protein in, but he admitted even that can be hard. But truthfully I lived on weak Koolaid, sweet Jello, 1 Protein Drink a day that took a while to get down, and lots of hearty chicken broth that I would sip like tea. My first real food eventually was cottage cheese and I began to puree some of the boiled chicken and put it in my broth. It was actually very satisfying. I just had to get down what I could get down. I too had regrets afterwards, but eventually you will realize its done so its a sip at a time, a minute by minute, hour by hour thing. Try not to think too far ahead. Try to go in survival mode and hunker down into yourself, meditate, pray, read inspirational things or listen to them. No negative influences. Anyone who is not your cheerleader is not allowed. Bc no goin backwards now. You will do well. You will. Your husband sounds like a good support system, but he may begin to get a bit afraid. You gotta stay strong for him too. My husband kind of got scared when I couldn't eat and was crying and stuff. He still remembers that and talks about it.

I would think the hard candy or gum would be BAD idea bc what if you momentarily forget and it breaks and you swallow it? That is why I didn't chew gum, which I wanted to do also. I did have oatmeal and it was nice. You can make it sort of thinish. It has a little chew to it.

Perhaps another consideration for him could be gastric plication since it is reversible but still has restriction. Asking the doctor for suggestions is your best bet. Perhaps the sleeve is too drastic.