hermione53

I think the hardline feedback is needed. I also think that support and compassion are needed more. Please applaud yourself for your honesty and your commitment to your health. I'm four months out and luckily did not feel cravings for the first couple of months, but it's gotten harder. I'm in a mindful eating group now. Mindful eating is eating with awareness and NONJUDGMENT. I personally don't bounce back from poorer eating choices if I get stuck in judging myself. I really like the workbook we are using in the group. It's called Eat, Drink, and Be Mindful by Susan Albers. I also recommend the book The Self-Compassion Diet by Jean Fain. Regarding finding a therapist, if you work you might check to see if you have an EAP (employee assistance program). They're usually good at providing referrals. Also, I think the Psychology Today website has a therapist database that you can search. Since you were so honest, I will be, too. Yesterday I went way off track and ordered some food from PF Changs. I ate a small plate and started to go for another. I checked in with my body and felt full. So, I decided to throw the rest of the food down the garbage disposal (90%). It was greasy and carb laden. I didn't feel great physically, but I didn't judge myself. I put the food into My Fitness Pal and moved on. I'm proud of myself for throwing the rest away! Good luck to you!

I'd lost 42 pounds by my scale by the time I saw her. Their scale said 35- so whatever, that's 35 pounds in 3.5 months. Not a super fast loss but consistent loss nonetheless. She didn't even ask how much I was logging, eating, exercising, meeting protein goals, or taking the recommended supplements. I told her that I'd been having trouble for about a month with nighttime eating because I take insomina medication and am then up and eating about 45 minutes later due to medication-related decreased inhibition. She seemed to get hung up on that but didn't even ask what medication I'm on. I asked if she had any suggestions. She said that my weight loss was "not bad" in way that sounded "not good." She asked what my lowest lap band weight was, which was 178. She said she expects that I'll get back to there as if that should be my final goal. WTF? I'm about ten pounds from there now. She didn't say, "that should be your next goal" or ask what my goal is or say anything that was at all encouraging. She suggested that I get more outside support (even though she knows that I have a therapist and psychiatrist). She didn't acknowledge my participation in the clinic's weekly support groups. I told her that I'd signed up for her clinic's upcoming Mindful Eating class with the intention of addressing the nighttime eating. She didn't respond to that but rather suggested that I join Weight Watchers. Again, WTF? I didn't say WTF at the time but wish I had. Weight Watchers is not at all appropriate at this time and from my experience, they are hostile to people with bariatric surgeries. I'd been a member for most of the last ten years. I'd liked the surgeon the couple of times I'd seen her prior to this, but in retrospect I remembered the following. The day of the surgery they had a hard time bringing me back to consciousness. From what I recall, they feared an air bubble in my lungs so when I did come to, they were pushing away a chest x-ray they'd just used and they were yelling at me to wake up. I was scared from the commotion and yelling and said, "I'm scared." Nobody said a word. Thankfully I was soon in the hands of an excellent empathic recovery nurse. :-) Also, the surgeon did not tell me that I'd have a drain until right before the surgery. I had no idea that it was even a possibility so was quite alarmed when I woke up with it and found out that I'd have it for ten days. She also sucked at explaining how to take care of it. She told me to "not let it get wet," which was impossible. I learned how to care for it online. She also told me to dress it with Tegaderm film and gave me three to take home. I needed more within a few days and had a hell of a time finding them. They're easily found online so it would have been nice to know to buy them ahead of time. Anyway, even if I chalk up 50% of this to my likely taking things too personally, she still 50% has a crappy bedside manner. Just a rant...

I had my band removed in October of last year and was sleeved seven weeks later. My surgeon wouldn't do both at once but others will. I had my gallbladder removed 13 years earlier so that wasn't an issue. The band removal surgery was super easy. The sleeve surgery recovery was about the same as gallbladder recovery surgery, in my opinion. Both hurt but were manageable. I had 4 weeks off and feel like I needed every minute of that time. I think having all three done at once would be a lot at one time, but I am not qualified to say that it's a bad idea. What are your thoughts on it? Good luck!

I did the same and had to leave work early!

I have a friend who feeds avocado to her baby so it seems like it's a good soft food. He loves it. I also love it and love it mixed with finely chopped hard boiled eggs for green egg salad. It may be too early for you to eat eggs bc some people can't tolerate them. I had no problems with them cooked in any form, though.

Participate by all means since they gave you a thumbs up. Anything to keep you motivated! Good luck!

I really enjoy Pamela's turkey chili (smallest size). It's yummy!

I was talking with my hair stylist about upcoming hair loss (it hasn't started for me yet). I told her I am taking Biotin and she recommended I also take Biosil (not for prevention but regrowth). She said she's seen it have amazing results with clients who have lost hair. I thought Biosil had Biotin in it, but it doesn't do I'm taking both.

I'm four months post-op. At three months I had some wine. Felt like I got buzzed more quickly than in the past, but it wasn't a huge difference. I drank slowly and it was enjoyable.

I still have scars from my first lap band surgery 17 years ago. Then my second lap band surgery, my gallbladder removal surgery and my lap band removal surgery. Now the VSG. I'm over it at this point bc I'd rather be thin and healthy than scar free. No man I've ever been with has even asked about them. Must be what's north and south! [emoji3]

Anybody seen this? http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/article/20858072/the-winners-of-the-2017-peeps-diorama-contest

I also think your psychologist is being completely ridiculous. Mine did heavily emphasize exercise, but this was mostly to get me going on the habit of it pre-op. He did not judge me when I didn't exercise and did not have any exercise requirement for approving me for surgery. I'm now consistently hitting 11,000 steps a day but had to get into physical therapy to deal with knee pain one month post-op. I'd suggest trying to see that other psychologist if you can. Good luck!

189.8 April 14th

I had a follow-up visit with my surgeon last week (I'm four months out) and was telling her how I'm having a problem with taking medication for insomnia, becoming a little cloudy mentally after about 45 minutes, and then getting out of bed to eat even though I'm not hungry and have brushed my teeth etc. I was simply letting her know this and asking for her advice (I'm already addressing this with the medication prescriber and my therapist). I also told her I'd joined a mindful eating group associated with her practice with the intention of addressing this behavior. She suggested that I get more external support like joining Weight Watchers. I was quite taken aback by this, as the WW points system isn't aligned at all with what the NUT I see (also associated with her practice) has me doing. I didn't say anything in the moment, but I think this was an inappropriate suggestion. I'm already logging everything I eat and exercising almost daily. I was a Weight Watchers member for years and found that people with bariatric surgeries aren't treated that well (I never told anyone there that I had a lap-band because I didn't want to be judged). Has anyone else's surgeon or NUT recommended that they join WW post-op? Is anyone doing WW post-op? How's it going?

Hello helpingfriend, I understand where you're coming from- you love your friend and want him to be healthy and succeed. My friends also want me to succeed and they've watched me struggle with obesity and food addiction for as long as we've known each other. I agree with others, though, who wrote that the post-op lifestyle decisions are his to make. I know this is tricky since your friend invited you and your other friends to join his journey at the beginning, but I also think you need to back off at this point. I actually feel uncomfortable reading this string/ topic because I joined this site with the impression that this is a private group of people pre and post op who are living the struggle themselves. I think you being here demonstrates love and genuine concern but also an absence of boundaries. It makes me feel less safe here. I encourage you to let your friend know how much you care for him but tell him that you'll not be helping him with meal planning unless he specifically asks you to do so. I also encourage you to stop judging him- I assure you that he knows you are doing so even when you don't say anything. He likely beats himself up enough already and doesn't need you eagle eyeing his every bite. And, in closing, I encourage you to explore why rescuing him is so important to you. I don't think this is really about him.

Thank you, outsidematchinside, for your feedback. I've been pretty ticked off about the WW suggestion and her general lack of support in the follow up appointment. She said other stuff that set off a spiral of self-doubt- like that I can expect to get to a previous low of 178 in a way that sounded like she doesn't anticipate that I'll get lower. I've been telling myself that people with good scalpel skills aren't necessarily trained to be empathic or experts in the emotional side of obesity. F*ck her.

Hi there, I had a band to sleeve conversion so have to tell you that I think it was the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. That said, I was lucky to have mine covered by insurance. Is your dad able to help you to the tune of $18,000? If so, go for having it locally. If not, can you do it on the sly without him knowing you went to Mexico? If not and he refuses to help even if you show him data about successful surgeries in Mexico, you may have to finance it. I hope he comes around. Good luck!

I didn't know that she actually has a show about her WLS. I may have to watch it. I have seen some photos online and it looks like she's done well. I worry about Honey Boo Boo. She looks like she's picked up her mom's unhealthy habits. Reminds me of myself at that age.

Hi there, I work in Human Resources. Many states require that employees be given meal time and breaks (some paid, some unpaid). Here's a link to a Dept. of Labor site that lists what each state requires. https://www.dol.gov/whd/state/meal.htm If you live in a state that doesn't allow this time, you can request what's called a Reasonable Accommodation under the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). For this you would just need your surgeon to fill out some paperwork stating that you need to eat and drink every few hours. Here's a link for that info: https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/internal/reasonable_accommodation.cfm#A Also, are you in a union? If so, I'd consult with your union rep. Good luck!

Hi, You may want to do a search of this topic because I've seen other threads in which people report whether or not their insurance companies are covering shakes through www.insurenutrition.com. I can't remember if CIGNA was mentioned. I, myself, applied this week and am not sure I'll be approved. I have to call to give them more information. From their email response it looks like they can provide some sort of weight loss stimulant medication and a scar cream in addition to the Premier Protein shakes. Good luck!

Hi, I'd like to participate again. 4/7/17 weight: 190.2 goal weight for challenge: 172 Thanks!

I also use the app called Round to remind me about meds and supplements. It's great.

I'm also 3 months out and feeling more of both real and head hunger. Like others have mentioned, some days I'm able to eat quite a bit. Other days, not so much. I'm doing all the right things and still losing, but it's slow going (2 pounds a week). I realize that it's a healthy pace, but it's natural to wish for more. I was at about 700-800 calories a day for a while. Now I'm at about 1000-1100. I'm going to work on getting it back down.

193.4 Thanks for your encouragement and work on this, @Dashofpixiedust8

Wow. Great job. You look great!