Jeffrey Stern

Hi Jeffrey, reading about you made me feel much more positive. I am on my preop diet and I think it does make you dread about not being able to enjoy food again. You sound so positive and excited about good wholesome and healthy food that it reminded me not to feel down as I love all that food also and avoiding fish and chips etc shouldn't be a big deal.

It was good to hear about your diabetes as I had gestational twice and was having 3 injections a day, hypo's + worrying about eating all the time etc.

i also have hip dysplagia so I am hoping losing weight takes a lot of my pain away again and I'm able to be more active with my kids.

anyway seeing your lovely photo has made me want to get out in the fresh air and sunshine with kids(I'm in Australia so it's morning here🙂) thanks for the motivation and enthusiasm.

Hi Jules

I joined this forum a few weeks after my surgery last year. I had a very bad experience with some folks on the site telling me because I was a so called newbie at this Bariatric program. I knew nothing of what I spoke. I would be tempted again, by all the bad foods and that I would fall of the so called "wagon". I would start to regain my weight after a year. Well if that didn't give me more incentive to prove them wrong ..nothing would. I didn't have this invasive surgery for anyone but myself. I really needed to take control of my life again. The health issues I was having were more con than pro. I can only speak for myself, and I'm not preaching. However the best decision I ever made in my life...and I've made some pretty dumb stupid decisions in the past. wwwaaaa!!! LOL

I have become a new person and feel terrific. I wanted to see my 60th B-Day and the way my health was going..that wasn't going to happen especially with the type 2 diabetes. I was afraid of losing a limb due to it. Living on a daily bases with the pain agony was getting unbearable.

I guess what I'm trying to say..is that you must take control, mind over matter and will power is all important. I eat better than ever. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I have treats once in a while..I have learnt all kinds of tricks and food hacks to take care of those little cravings from time to time...don't need to feel discouraged ever.

I love going for walks and am very envious that you live in such a climate like Australia...try the cold and snow and ice of the frozen north in Canada...lol. It means a lot of snowbound days during the winter months and feeling like yeah a nice bag of potato chips and some sweet dessert would be great right now just to get through this horrid weather. LOL LOL LOL

I know you will do great. As well you have little ones who need a mommy to run and play with for a very long time. Like I mentioned there are so many alternatives nowadays to healthy eating... not just eating carrot sticks and celery...like a rabbit...lol

good luck and good health..

Jeffrey

I'm happy to read of your success!

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like you can:

Also, I know advice coming from a 21 year old probably won't be given any credence, but perhaps assuming the best in others and having a positive and humble outlook would help with your healing process. It would definitely help with stress levels, reducing cortisol levels in your system. If you decide to continue to participate in this forum, a humble and positive attitude and a thicker skin would also really help in terms of interacting with others. We're all here to learn and lean on each other when things get tough, it'd be nice to think of the members of this site as a family. Please don't assume every comment that doesn't praise you is malicious. Some people might just use a different tone when writing.

I legitimately think Greensleevie was coming from a place of good and trying to help you in the comment quoted. Perhaps the tone wasn't particularly pleasant, but let's look at what she's actually saying: we should be humble (weight loss is relatively easy right now because we're so fresh out of surgery, we also don't know what struggles lie ahead), she's asking you to be cognizant of the fact that a large number of people do gain some weight back and she doesn't want you to be one of them, finally, she admits that she also doesn't know what happens down the road for her just like you don't know what happens in your future. The vets on here have experienced everything we're going through. It would be wise to learn from their mistakes and successes.

Hi YA, I didn't get in on any of this but...I have had the wrath of a few of the other members. It doesn't feel right to me. Yes we learn from each other and should always be kind and offer the upmost support!! But at the same time watch how we word things so noone gets their feelings trumply on!! The time I mentioned things did get a little out of hand. Over something that I will use now and beyond today!! So hold your head up and stay here with us. If things come up again you have every right to post your feelings and not get dragged down the rabbit hole. Sorry this happened to you. Keep on keeping on!!

Dude. Really?

You're going to flounce because someone you don't know on an internet forum told you that you may not have all the answers as a newbie?

Don't give it a second thought and just move on. Don't be so thin skinned. It's an internet forum, and not everyone is going to agree. And guess what? That's okay! Most of us here are big boys and girls and we can handle it.

So he can call me out on a status update for all to see, but I'm not allowed to respond?

I never personally attacked him. I was hypothetically pointing out the pitfalls of regain and bariatric surgery. He instantly personally attacks me and insists I said he and everyone else fails at this surgery. I said no such thing. Then he slams me in a status update, but I'm supposed to just let it go while he can continue to talk ****?

I see a double standard here.

@Greensleevie I think its completely appropriate to respond, but I think your response was borderline cruel. Regardless of your intent, you obviously hurt his feelings. Yes, he called you out publicly, which I don't necessarily agree with either, but publicly defending yourself and throwing it back in his face only proves his point.

This is really all that was needed...

"I never personally attacked him. I was hypothetically pointing out the pitfalls of regain and bariatric surgery. He instantly personally attacks me and insists I said he and everyone else fails at this surgery."

Fair enough @MowryRocks. I agree.

I know it is very difficult for some people and easy to fall of the wagon. I've said it before... food is like an addiction. Some people turn to drugs, alcohol and some to food. I myself was one. This seems to be an on going theme with some people. However like drugs and alcohol they say you must admit to yourself you have a problem and hit bottom before you can get help. My bottom was being 325 lbs and gaining with health issues (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, back pain) find clothes to wear.

My surgery was covered by the government ( you had to have three medical issues to qualify for the surgery.. high blood pressure, high cholesterol and of course the queen of all ...type 2 diabetes... so yes I'm lucky in that ...I could never be able to afford the surgery on my own ). Now my blood pressure is better and my cholesterol is better and of course my diabetes is better I was taking upwards of 60 units of insulin a day ( my sugar levels were in the high teens and low twenties now they are in the single digits between 5.7 and 7 ) plus metformin. Now I have no longer to take insulin.

I'm not saying it's easy.. however I made a conscious decision and speaking with my doctor to have the surgery after a significant weight gain ( turning to food for depression).

I did say one thing before the surgery... I'm not going to fail this... I've hit my rock bottom. (like so many other things in my life) I'm not going to go through all this and not succeed. I needed a good kick in the butt.

I guess what I'm saying after all this, It is a life altering change and being mentally prepared is just as important as the surgery.

Good health and prosper

I'm really happy for you! Putting your diabetes in remission is huge! Good luck to you man.

Once again, the guy who is 3 months post op thinks he has all the answers.

Hilarious.

Take a look at youtube, there are so many great videos there to help you get motivated. Look for exercises that includes the items that you have. You can do this!

I think you need to find the activity that you really enjoy doing that way you will be more likely to continue. I will list a few, swimming, running, bicycle, sports games, dancing, lifting weights, zumba, yoga,

the list is endless.

Give yourself a chance to like an activity. You will be a little sore when you first start so go slow. You may find after a couple of weeks you start to look forward to doing it.

Thanks ya'll I did start to ride my bike... and was I sore the next day. I just needed a kick in the butt. I am just going to have to start excercising whether I like it or not.

I've decided to just wear what I've got for as long as I can. But I'm fortunate to wear exercise clothes (stretchy) to work if I want. I wear the same thing around the house and to church. But it is a little frustrating knowing I will need to get more later. I try to keep to inexpensive walmart/clearanced items for new things.

Still have ice cream in the freezer...untouched. 😊

glad you are back on the right path. i went to thrift shops too. didn't want to spend a lot of money on something i would "out grow" keep your head and pants up. congrats on your 75 lb weight loss. good luck - kathy