butterfly23

My plan allows for drinking right up until eating and then no drinking until at least 30 min after eating When I have pushed it because I was thirsty, sometimes it made me sick so I try to stick with it.

@@courtknee_luv congratulations, wow that is so soon! Best of luck on Thursday!

@@rozay55 congratulations!! Best of luck during this next month as you prepare for this amazing change.

@@mi75 how did the session with the new trainer go? I love your enthusiasm and initiative! You go girl!

@@karine76 than you for posting as I can really relate. For me, not only is food bingeing no longer an option, but after losing 180 pounds I find I am more sensitive to triggers because I used weight as protection. In fact, I have been stalled and think this is part of it, I think I need more non-weight boundaries. Some of my feelings (for me, shame, anger and fear - others I seem to handle fine) are so overwhelming, not too mention the hormone dump which is normal from burning fat. I have had to really work to build other ways of coping - but mostly, I have had to increase my capacity to sit with really intense feelings of shame and fear. I still have much work to do and weight to lose, but mindfulness practice, self-compassion rituals and shame resilience work have been my path to dealing with triggers, and boy I seem to have more and more as the weight goes. Great job posting and asking for what you need. Identifying that you were triggered is good work and the first step. Perhaps make a list of all of the things you can do to take care of yourself for moments like this - that has helped me. You got some great suggestions above. Keep reaching out - your are doing great work for yourself!

I agree with @@Inner Surfer Girl - loose dress was easy and comfortable! @@aortiz1987 best of luck on your surgery on Wednesday.

Balance

@@Hagengirl3 thank you for the article. I have been thinking a lot about this topic - the continuum of abstinence to excess with moderation in the middle. I know for me, there are some things I can do in moderation but some that I cannot due to wanting more and more and I need to abstain. I know some people that abstinence only works, and others who have found moderation works for some things. In my experience moderation is a lot more work so it does not become a slippery slope to excess. It is interesting to see the different viewpoints on BP about this topic, but I believe that we can only determine this for ourselves, not what works for someone else.

@@madisunshine1 great work! I love how you acknowledged your success about going to the movies and enjoying yourself without the popcorn. I have found success in trying to be grateful for all the steps like that and refocusing my attention of what I have instead of what I do not have. Of course there is still room to be upset, but then remind ourselves that we are making positive changes. Yay for you (and for your husband, sounds like you support each other!)

@@KaiserKid thanks for your thought provoking post. I do not feel guilty, but I do feel shame about not taking care of myself and getting to be 421 lbs (guilt is feeling bad about what you do, shame is feeling bad about who you are). While I know I am not bad intellectually, because of early and repetitive trauma I felt (and sometimes still feel) bad, and used my weight to show everyone I was hurting and to protect myself from further harm. Like others here, I am actively working with a therapist and this part of my WLS work is just as important as what I put in my mouth and how I move my body. Letting go of my shame is essential to my success. Now I am building my own protection and boundaries so my weight doesn't have to do it for me. I fight shame every day with self-compassion and making the best choices I can, and trying not to judge myself too harshly for the times I take a step back. I work hard to forgive myself (and others) for the past and try to focus on the present. I try and practice gratitude as much as possible. Balance of compassion and accountability - still trying to find it, but a little closer each day. Now under 250, I still have a way to go in letting go of both weight and shame yet know I will get to where I need to be if I keep at it. As @@Dub says, free your mind and your ass will follow (the kingdom of Heaven is within!!)

YAY! Hope you do something special to Celebrate.

@@deairae thanks for posting. Being accountable with ourselves is so important, and posting here can help. At the same time, please be kind to yourself as this is hard work. I agree that having a plan/goals/action steps has been helpful to me, especially when I struggle. May you find your path!

@@BigHarleyGuy1 fantastic! Hope you are going to Celebrate your success and hard work. I am a bit past my surgiversary but wanted to say YAY for you.

Congrats, what an awesome feeling, and it is just beginning!

@@Hopefully A Butterfly, thank you for posting. You already are a butterfly! I also chose butterfly in my name because caterpillars eat and eat and eat....until they do not need to eat anymore. Then they go into their chrysalis and focus on healing and changing and emerge a butterfly. Sounds like that is where you are. Beyond the sharing of the name, I have and continue to struggle after the death of my brother 8 months post sleeve. I can really relate to your post. You are brave to post and face your challenges head on. My biggest offering, besides sending you positive energy, is to be compassionate to yourself as you do this work. Develop a self-care plan to fall back on when grief strikes and when choices are a struggle. As you know, grief comes in waves and while we may be balanced one moment, a thought, song, image, smell can take us back into our grief in a heartbeat. I hope you are having moments of happy memories of your friend among the pain of their absence. Please be kind to yourself and stay on BP. There are good people here!

@@motherboard sometimes I get constipated and I love using the "smooth move" teas at night to help, always works for me and not too harsh. I know there are other threads on here about constipation and others find that Fiber or medications like colace or miralax work but I love my smooth move tea!

@@Inner Surfer Girl it's true, although we just had a hepatitis A outbreak in Ahi last week, so beware the poke!

@@kmorri congrats on your success! Just imagine how the next 50 will feel!!!

@@CelesteMarie hope you are enjoying your holiday! While Protein is important for healing, I cannot imagine that a week or so of less than optimal protein will have a long-term effect. I live in Honolulu, and protein shakes are not as common at convenience stores here as they are on the continent - although I have found some at ABC stores in a pinch and sometimes 7-11. Congrats on your success!

@@flip26 congrats on your referral!! I got my sleeve at Kaiser Moanalua, but I am guessing that won't be of much help unless you have Kaiser. I have heard good things about the Castle Bariatric program too. I am over a year out and had a great experience with Kaiser although I still have quite a bit to lose I am optimistic I will meet goal. Best of luck to you - I am happy to share more if you find it helpful.

@@Christinamo7 thinking of you and your family and sending you lots of prayers. I imagine the shock is wearing off so please continue to surround yourself with loved ones and support. I lost my brother 6 months after WLS and while you know eventually you will get a chance to test your new skills with a crisis, never thought it would be so soon. I am sad you are finding this out yourself, but from all the posts I've read from you and been inspired by, I know you will continue to thrive even though your loss is so huge and unexpected. Thanks for keeping us updated.

@@DivaSoBlessed yay you are so close to surgery! Re: Protein shake, I use Premier Protein from costco and I spend about $30 a month. As far as your day of surgery, I found that taking care of all my chores (house was clean), having my support network rallied (errands etc) having my fluids ready (not too much, tastes change after surgery) and also gathered my comfort stuff (movies ready, soft comfy clothes ready etc) made my transition home easy and allowed me to focusing on healing and sipping. There are some good threads on here about what to take to the hospital, too. Best of luck to you, will send you positive energy on Tuesday!

@@RhondaF @@csalt congrats on getting your date! It will be here before you know it, best of luck to both of you!

Congratulations on your success and results of your hard work! You will be to your goal before you know it.

@@bellabeans good job on the weight loss! Sounds like you are almost there, whatever you are doing, keep it up because you are changing! Edited for spelling