CanyonBaby

The scary thing about grazing is the uncertainty of calories consumed, as well as fats and sugars. This is dangerous especially if you are diabetic, and if not, it can potentially lead you into that category. And then there is the reality that eventually you will more than likely regain, then you have to ask yourself what you went through the surgery for. What was the point, why did you take the risk. Only you can answer these questions. If you are bored, find a hobby. Find several. Keep your hands, thus your mind, busy. Maybe take some time and read EVERYTHING you can find (there are some really good books on the surgery out there) BEFORE you have the surgery, it may not be for you. The surgery alone will not keep the weight off, you have to follow the rules. And it is HARD. I wish you much luck in your decision.

Never ever ever. And that's a quote. Apparently serious damage can result from it, not to mention the gas that it puts in your sleeve, which can take up the space that food should be in.

I don't know about a consult, but my team suggests waiting at least a year before doing any plastics. If your Dr. has a long waiting list to see them, you may want to make an appointment now.

Ok. I'll admit it....all I crave is Chai-Spice iced tea! Try it with the unflavored protein powder.....awesome!

It is amazing to me that I can now (I'm 4 months out on the 4th) look at food (in a grocery store, restaurant, my husband's plate...) and NOT have it trigger me!!! I actually walked through the bakery of my local grocery and it DID NOT call my name! Today at the restaurant nothing appealed to me, and there were tons of things on the menu I would normally love to have. I ended up with a basic breakfast...one I could divide up for the next 3 meals (after I ate the egg on it!). Boring, huh? But I think it is GREAT as this was the result I wanted from my surgery...no cravings, no desire for things I shouldn't have, a life NOT revolving around food. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy my meals, but it doesn't CONTROL me anymore. HURRAY!!!

@@carolinacrumb88 I guess everything posted on here is subject to interpretation. That's why it's best to take it "with a grain of salt", as they say! As for the meat craving, or whatever it is, try to remember the "head-hunger" thing, because that appears to be your issue right now. When you eat, remember to eat very slowly, chewing millions of times (even if you feel you don't need to chew it), then swallow. This is going to take practice, but then FEEL where the food hits your sleeve, after each bite. When you feel full, you are TOO full. So the next meal, try and remember how many bites you took last time and reduce it by one or two. If you feel full, food is likely in your esophagus, and you don't want that. Nasty. You want to feel SATED and NOT full. There is a difference. Sated is a "sweet spot", that will make you feel content, and not uncomfortable. It takes PRACTICE!!!!! And lots of it! Different food densities will give you different sensations, so don't think "ten bites of meat" will be the same as "ten bites of salad"..... Ah, learning to eat all over again! But once you get it, you should be fine! Good luck to you!

We who have been on the site awhile have seen the same questions asked over and over again, some with seeming total disregard for the true purpose of WLS. While it may seem chastisement, it isn't, really. After repeating the same answer over and over again, those answers may seem like chastisement, but it may be more of a quick way to answer the question. I think most of the people who are on the site and give responses to questions, truly care for each other, even though it may not seem like it. Why else would we be on here? Especially those of us who continue to answer questions brought be "newbies" to WLS. It is a learning process for all of us, and sometimes lessons are hard. As in anything.

Read my post "New idea for protein, and it tastes good!", that hopefully will help a little. If you need a buddy, let me know...I, too, am a "Jen" (seems like there's hundreds of us on here!). Good luck to you!

I follow the 2-3-2 plan. Eat within 2 hours of waking up in the morning. Eat every 3 hours. Eat within 2 hours of going to bed. Following this helps keep my meals the proportion the should be, 2-4 ounces, and I don't get hungry (if I am eating protein first, and eating good foods). And then I don't graze, either.

@@Bufflehead Thank you, thank you, thank you....finally someone has said it!!!!!!!!!!!! Should be the first thing read for everyone who has WLS! THANK YOU!

Remember, "This, too, shall pass...", and it does....

Another thing I was thinking about as I drove into town today, was that here in Washington state we get a lot of "depressing" days; no sun, lots of rain, and the dreaded fog. I hate fog. If I'm already in a not-so-good mood, the fog just makes it worse. Sunny days are diamonds in a world of coal, so every time a sunny day presents itself (if I can get away with it!!!), I say to heck with the chores...everything that CAN WAIT, and go play! The joy often carries over to the following days, even if they are dreary, and makes life far more pleasant. I've had a lot of sadness in my life, as most have, and this is one of the best ways I deal with it, because those memories ARE NOT ALLOWED on sunny days. No disrespect for the lost loved ones, but I can't dwell on those situations during my "play" days, or it will overwhelm me. There will be time on the dreary days, if I ABSOLUTELY have to dwell on it, but having the breaks helps me put space between me and the thoughts, and put perspective on them, as well. Have your "play" days, too, people, we NEED them!

Put in place a "forward" approach. ALWAYS look forward, because looking back will seldom help in depression. So, what to do? Find a focus, a goal to reach for. It doesn't have to require work, it can be a fun goal. Find the perfect purple blouse, hike to the top of that hill, learn to drive a motorcycle, create a new recipe for WLS...Whatever it is, have it take your mind off the negatives of the moment. Depression can easily get the better of a person, if you let it. DON'T let it. Aim to steer your thoughts elsewhere. I also have my faith that helps me in such times (and all times, really), it helps tremendously! You have to "train" your mind to seek positive thoughts and directions. Start with a little at a time, then progress over time. Force your mind to focus on the positive goal, seek it out when times get difficult. When you find it hard to find a positive goal, what I do is just think of all the good things I would really like to do, then make a plan as to how to achieve that goal. Maybe it will take baby steps, as it might be an expensive goal and it requires more money than I have right now. So how can I set aside little bits of money until I can reach my desire? It takes mental concentration, sometimes work, but the ACT of reaching my goal, more times than not, is actually more enjoyable than the goal ITSELF!!! ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS look forward......

@@liannatx I, too, have oily facial skin, but I find the big tub of CeraVe cream works awesome on it. I know it's not made for the face, but I love it! I am SOOOO glad it is helping you, too...I imagine with the dryness of summer coming, I'm going to be swimming in this stuff!

I just got my hair cut last week, just under my chin in a page-boy type, with bangs. Not too bad, and it looks fuller. The best part is that it doesn't get all ratty from the ride. Who knows, I may just keep it this way!! NEVER thought I'd say that!

Just a quickie, how do you lose a pound REALLY fast? Have your hair cut off! I did it today, as I was losing so much (although it seems to have slowed down now, thank Goodness!). I am pretty good at cutting my hair (done it for decades), so with my husband's help, we did a blunt-cut, so my new hair growing in can catch up quicker. Sad to see it go, because I like to tie it back when riding the motorcycle, and to quote Amy in Little Women, it is my "one beauty", and I'll miss it, for now! It appears a lot fuller, now, and since summer is coming (although it may not seem like it), the new style will be cooler. My fastest weight-loss day yet!

I like the bandana idea, but doesn't it get hot in the summer, when it's really hot out? Went out on the bike today, and I couldn't believe how small my head is minus the hair/head fat(?!!!) I've lost!!! My normal helmet is wayyyyy too loose for safety's sake, so, POOR me, I have to go get another (and it'll be CUTE this time!!!) helmet, and while I'm at it, how about a jacket that will FIT this newer, smaller body?! I THINK SO!!! Fellow motorcyclists - PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!! God Bless....

@@FinallyFit50s I was thinking I might need to go to a slightly larger size helmet, as I'm concerned the snugger fit of my current helmet might pull on my hair a little too much, pulling out more than necessary. Have you had this issue? It's always something!

To love yourself can be, and for some IS, the hardest thing to do. I look down at my body after being with it for 50-odd years and think of all it has been through. SOOOO many scars, soooo many surgeries over the years (we won't go into the why's or how-come's, not really necessary) and I ask myself "how on earth am I still here?" I see them as battle wounds, battles I have overcome by will, the support of my husband, and the grace of God. They will be to some absolutely hideous. To me they stand for something I can't even put into words. But I can say I am GLAD I have them, for without them I wouldn't be here. There more than likely will be more, before it's all said and done, and I'm as ready as I can be. I won't lie, it gets scarier each time, but if it means I can stay a little longer with the one God made for me, I'll do it! Makes me put things in perspective, makes me very thankful for a "hideous" body.

Good luck to you, and I hope you get all that you want from this surgery!

You know, if it were me, I would want answers, too. Do you have insurance? Would you be interested in having additional opinions from other surgeons? If so, I would suggest a second, third...opinion from different doctors, from different hospitals so you get all the answers you need. And call the insurance company who covered this for you, if you used them. Ask their opinion, and if they cover second...opinions. It can't hurt. Also ask the insurance if they cover a potential second surgery, especially if there was an error done by the doctor. You'll need to have all your ducks in a row for this, so start documenting EVERYTHING, and keep copies of everything. Good luck to you, and let us know what happens!

@@Bluesea71 When you find out what "normal" is, please let me know....I've been floundering around for DECADES trying to figure out what it is.....still floundering....

All of the above, plus this: my NUT said follow the 2-3-2 plan (eat within 2 hours of waking up, eat every three hours or so, eat within 2 hours of going to bed). Make sure you are getting enough fluids in, and DEFINATELY have your meds checked! All the best to you...

Yup. Every morning. My dietician said it is because the stomach has contracted, and is not happy with the splash of cold water I throw at it each morning! Go Figure!!!!! (I can't understand why not!!! Don't we LIKE getting cold water thrown on us?!) So, she suggested sipping warm water, instead, for a couple of sips, to kinda "prime" the stomach. Same goes for the first food of the day, "prime" it with a couple bites of soft food before throwing the hard/crunchy/tough stuff at it. This has worked greatly for me. Good luck to you!

Oh, by the way. You CAN'T be an onion. Onions, no matter how much you peel them, don't have a core, and only make you cry. APPLES, however, have a core, and are sweet. (This is how I see people. You are either an apple or an onion, which would you RATHER be?) Have a great day!