mycree

Hi all, I was just thinking about how my relationship with food has affected my whole life and how it has lead me to todays post sleeve. I thought we might all benefit from talking about the emotional aspects of this journey. Make a few friends and keep each other motivated and balanced. Now I'm not saying we need to do the whole, it's been 4weeks since my last stress eating or anything but I wouldn't shy away. I guess I'll start, jump in if ya not scared. I was homeless for a 9months as a kid. (13yrs old) This is where my relationship with food started to go bad. Being hungry all the time and having nothing to stop the pain or fill the void was horrible. The blinding migraines, gut wrenching spasms and dry heaves over powering every thought. I was very angry and picked fights often to deal with my anger and starvstion. I remember eating people's left overs as the went to pay their a bill at a restaurant, begging for change, being happy when a McDonald's had a to toss out old food, eatting out of the trash littered with bugs. I know gross!!!I didn't know the affect that would have on me as an adult. I managed my weight through sports but once I was out of school and working everything slowed down. I wasn't exercising like normal, and I got pregnant. When I miss carried the stress pushed me into this survival mode. All I wanted to do was hide and my grief, anger, and shame by eatting it. Fast forward a few years and my Max weight was 253lb and I was miserable about it. Diabetes, fibromyalgia, insomnia blah blah blah all hit me and then the doc said my liver was fat. That pissed me off!! Enough that I realized it I had been 12 years fighting my weight and I was losing. I needed help. So here I am 3 weeks Monday post op. I'm down to 211lb. My fears are around my mental fortitude. I am hungry and when it hits it hits like it did when I was starving. I feel like I can't breath and like I'm being hollowed out all over again. That makes me want to reach for the closest food. I'm doing ok now because it hurts to eat I haven't figured out how eat slower. It's like a mad dash to fill the void do though put the spoon down between bites I'm still to fast for my tummy to adjust. Goal weight 140lb. Attitude determined but scared. Plan, therapy and support network. So there ya have it. Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I don't want to hy-jack the conversation but quick question. How soon after surgery did you all start yo eat meat. I'm a month out and I'm moving into soft foods and still on shakes for the protein. I'm a big steak and chicken kind of girl. Do whens it safe to start say a pot roast slow cooked so veggies are soft and meat falls apart with ease let. I'd love to start adding more protein than just the shakes and drinks.( I don't do fish. To many allergy. ) Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I think it depends on what type of work you do. I was back to work a few days after but I found that it was to soon. In total I ended up taking 2.5 weeks off. Trying to get liquids in and learning my bodies communication. My work is physically demanding​. With restrictions of listing, bending, and the like it was rough trying to return early. I think it's an individual choice. Only you know how good you feel. I 24 days post op. Best of luck Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

My doctor told me our minds will play tricks on us, making us think we are hungry when we are thirsty. This is because our bodies are trying to learn how to communicate with us now that we broke it's normal routine. I'm freezing all my drinks and eating them like crushed ice because straight names me sick. Drinking is hard so use to being able to take bigger drinks. Gluck!! Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes I have a therapist for my Ptsd. She's trauma specialist and helping me around my will power and strength. She's a good send right now. Some times you just need to know you have someone in your corner no matter what. Even if your paying them to be there therapy really helps. Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Talk to your doc. They didn't want me taking anything pill form including my sleeping meds. Gluck Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

How do you do that sipping? I'm having a hell of a time with one. Al! My liquid is frozen or a broth it's the only way to slow me down to drink. Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you. I'm going through this now as well and it sucks. Your feedback helped. Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Me too and happily. Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I know just what you mean. Tomorrow is my 3week post op and I too feel like ****. The surgical sites are not painful to me any longer. I haven't been on pain meds since day 3. Not because I didn't have pain but because I threw up every time I took it. The meds they gave me to keep that in check didn't work. I've been in the clinic 3x for fluids because I just can't hold enough down. I have hunger pains and when I eat or drink I get the gas pain that as you described as taking the breath out of me. The trauma of surgery is no joke and the body needs time to heal. It's wonderful so many are doing great. I just wanted you to know you are not alone. I know we will be there too but the journey isn't as easy for all of us that's for sure. Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Return to my athletic desires. I love sports but my weight and pain has kept me from doing. I don't wanna be a bench warmer any more. Put me in coach! Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for sharing. It can't be easy to admit you failed the first time! I'm scared of failing as this is a dramatic life style change. I exercise and I'm determined to do right but the desire to eat is strong. How did you start going wrong the first time and where are ya today? Proud of you for going back with a more serious attitude and desire. Best of luck! Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you for sharing. I was worried no one would join in. You are right the breads are dangerous I love the free bread. I'm not to the point where I can go to a restaurant but you survive d a huge temptation! I wonder how how the sleeve will be that gun for us. I find it comforting it's there and still doing its job for you. That means with will power it will work for me too. How was bring at the restaurant? All the smells and sites I'm scared of that right now. Pizza commercials are killers being in person. Tears. Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

The pizza commercial kill me!!! Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

You are very welcome. You have a lot of good feedback it's very nice to hear that as well! Anytime you doubt you can count on us to help. It's time to shed that day friend and show your true self. If you need to talk you can private mail me. We all need friends the more the better. Best wishes you got this! Sent from my QTASUN1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Best wishes

It's a new world and a new life for you. Congrats and best wishes. The pain and anxiety will pass.