DrGee

My ReBirthday is 9/14.

@FluffyChix no, I’m no choir and you’re not preaching. I appreciate reading about folks’ experiences and sharing mine with you all. While our journeys are similar, how we walk thru them is crisp and unique. Thank you and LETS GET THIS SEXY GIRL! We got heads to turn this summer. Some people ask me how much weight I want to lose. I Tell them how early on I threw my scale out the window because it lies to me and has no place in my walk. My goal is to be able to dress inappropriately and look dam good doing it. BAM!

Depression is a neurological disorder where chemicals called neurotramitters are misfired, restricting whats needed to feel pleasure, esteem, and other factors that it impacts. What scientists DONT know is whether genetics, hormonal levels, environmental factors, medical illness, stress, grief, substance use, or any combination of these causes this chemical imbalance. They do, on the other hand, facilitate its symptoms, intensity, and longevity. Research has NOT found that there is a cure for depression. However, symptoms can be managed (not cured) with medication, diet, a lifestyle change, therapy, or a combination of these. You be the judge.

I’m a 48 y/o AA, single Mom. I had band over bypass on 9/14, on liquids until 11/1, and will have my first fill on that date. I started at 296 lbs (301 at my highest) and as of 2 days ago I was at 278. Im not as interested in the numbers as I am in the “look” (finally being able to wear clothes and feel sexy again) and lifestyle change.

I had the band surgery on 9/14. I’ll get my first fill on 11/1. This, like any other weight loss efforts, is difficult BC I’m deprived of my drug of choice...FOOD. The liquid diet, as many have posted, gets boring. But I researched best places to get soup here in Chocago and have gotten quite an assortment of delicious cream soups that keep me very very satisfied. I’ve also asked my family to save leftover juice from meals they prepare and that helps tremendously too. The internet provides really cool ideas for soups, too. Pillsburry.com has some really great soup ideas with the cooler weather coming soon. The protein drinks are a drag for me too. So I mix the 2 scoops of protein powder (the equivalent of the 2 daily shakes I’m suppose to have) with skim milk and ice cubes and it makes the best chocolate or strawberry milk. There’s a website that sells Bariatric products that sells different protein powder flavors and soups. I didn’t care for them though. Two weeks post op (long enough for my incisions to heal), I see a trainer 2x/wk and I do 20minutes of some kind of cardio daily. As of 2 weeks ago when I weighed in, I had lost a total of 22 lbs lost 30lbs so far. Also, during the first 2 weeks post op, I would get these random unexplained stomach cramps similar to charlie horses. I would have to position myself into a good stomach stretch and it would go away. Beware though. During the first few weeks your band isn’t full. I don’t get my first fill until Nov 1. Ive read a post where someone could actually eat as much as they wanted of whatever they wanted. The problem with that is the stomach above or below the band can move or shift which cans cause a prolapse in the band soon or later on. Post op and pre-fill time and the liquid diet allows the stomach and band to get to know each other, bond, and become a perfect union before your first fill. The tension and work of digesting harsh food is absent so that they can live happily ever after. Tee hee. Finally, I’ve organized a support group on an ap called Meet Up also. Support, whether it’s from a group, friends and family, co-worker where you can share, vent, fill mental time with is trendously helpful. This is a SUDDEN life change that I couldn’t transition into alone. Let them know in the beginning that, like any addiction, in the beginning you will withdraw. Bug for us, it’s like quitting cigarettes while living with smokers. I got moody and snappy at times in the beginning. I cried a lot and felt much regret. I’d go to bed feeling awful after having to cook for my son. Trust me, that all gets easier with support, positive self-talk, exercizing, and whatever u need to do for yourself in a given moment to get by. This site helped a lot for me too. Connecting with those that have been there done that, agreeing with some and agreeing to disagree with others, sharing victories, meltdowns (I’ve had a few while here) and setbacks, ALL THAT, helped me too. Forgive me but that was a lot but it was all I could think of to share. The journey is not easy but more than possible. Great luck.

Yes. I have the band. I’m looking now for a protein supplement. Those soups are expensive... $9 not a small 😱

It’s because my gut needs to heal is why I’m NOT cheating. Prolapse is painful, dangerous, and sometimes fatal. That’s scary to me. So, I can’t give all the credit to my so called strong will. Unlike the sleeve and gastric bypass, a foreign object has been placed inside of me. One slip (yep, pun intended), and I’m history OR WORSE, I’m left with a jacked up stomach and a lifetime of explaining my f/up. NO THANKS. On a brighter note... I’m not sure if your town has a restaurant called The Soupbox but this joint here in Chicago. I had a bowl of lobster bisque and a bowl of white cheddar broccoli soup that blew me away. I HATE the shakes. Does anyone know of another protein supplement to use? It leaves an aweful aftertaste and this morning it made me nauseous. HELP!

Thanks Fluff

I really love my Bari family here. Last night really sucked for me. I ended up riding my elliptical and watching tv til it watched me. Everything u guys said was dead spot on but I’ll tell u something. When I’m in the throws of that misery and it’s got a hold on me like a newborn in a blanket, to shift my thoughts as y’all suggested is close to impossible. Luckily It typically hits me hardest at night and I can simply go to bed and eventually to sleep. Interestingly enough, I dream of eating my favorite food. As a therapist myself, I know that to get thru it is to go thru it. There’s no testimony without test. I also know how this is actually my second chance at bat (I had gastric bypass in 2008). It’s these facts about my journey that tell my body (motor functions) and deep in my heart that cheating is not an option. My food addicted Mind (my brains pleasure center), on the other hand is what screams in agony. It’s sometimes physically draining for me. Luckily my education has taught me to understand this and that to let it out as I did in that post helps release a small bit of the stress. The rest, for me, is to vicariously live the lives or to become enthralled in the happening of television characters. Luckily it’s worst at night and this practice just seems to work out. I hope this post helps someone who’s thinking about cheating on this journey. The battle between the “to do or not to do” is real. Everyday, every minute we beat that urge is a strike of accomplishment. ANYBODY that says we took the easy way out can kiss your ass for me too BC at the end of the day, only we as individuals know and live with our demons and what it takes to beat them. One day at a time.

I am sooooo not thinking scout carbs right now. This liquid diet is torture. Although I said a few posts ago that I was versatile with my liquid choices. I’m 13 days GLB post op and I want to sink my teeth into some food. I’m sooooo depressed right now. And please don’t tell me to hang I’m there. I don’t have a choice. I know that. All I know is that this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure in my entire life. I know what rock bottom feels like. All I want to do is watch tv just to keep my mind occupied, living vicariously thru the characters on the screen. I guess that’s what the next 4 weeks will be like...cooking scrumptious meals for my son and going to bed at 6 to excape the torture of knowing I can’t touch any of it. Sure, I’m 23 lbs lighter at this very moment I’m crying and miserable. PLEASE DONT RESPOND WITH A HANG IN THERE or IT GETS BETTER!!!

Food can be addictive too. As a matter of fact, for me it is. I just don’t know if I’m being rehabilitated or am I just a dry drunk. TBH, I wanna eat so bad this very moment that I’ve contemplated pushing myself to the limit to test this 2 and a half week “clean time” (sobriety) to eat a fried chicken wing or two. It doesn’t help that I have to cook for my 16 yr old. In fact that’s what put me in this talespin. I’m n bed and just wanna sleep to end this torture. My eye is on the prize and my head is in the gutter. GOD HELP ME.

@DisplacedYankee Don’t get me wrong. I do the 2-3 shakes a day and there are times that I HAVE felt hungry. However, the different liquid options I mentioned are on a detailed meal plan that was given to me pre- and post op. By switching things up so far as other liquids I’m able to easoer the already difficult task of changing eating habits so abruptly after 47 years. Another difference between you and I is that I’m not a sleever. I have band over bypass. Perhaps aside of having different surgeons, the regimen for your procedure is quite different from mine.

@DisplacedYankee Don’t get me wrong. I do the 2-3 shakes a day and there are times that I HAVE felt hungry. However, the different liquid options I mentioned are on a detailed meal plan that was given to me pre- and post op. By switching things up so far as other liquids I’m able to easoer the already difficult task of changing eating habits so abruptly after 47 years. Another difference between you and I is that I’m not a sleever. I have band over bypass. Perhaps aside of having different surgeons, the regimen for your procedure is quite different from mine.

@theresa_86 I’m 2 weeks and a day today. I change it up with different types for creamy soups. Tomato bisque, butternut squash soup, and creamy tomato is the best. I also buy different seafood chowders and I take the chunky stuff out. I’ve had collard greens/ham pot liquor, baked chicken drippings as a Sunday dinner treat. Whole Foods has good soups with tasty broths. It takes forever to take the broth vs the other soup content but it’s worth it. Because I miss the taste of seasonings, sometimes I’ll lick boullion cubes PLUS I love my pop cycles and bombpops. There’s a fat free butterscotch pudding out thatscquite tasty. My mom makes a chicken and veggie stew and once she’s served it to the family, she saves the juice from that and it makes the BEST meal. It help to switch it up a but. I gotta do the liquid meal for another 5 weeks. I had to get creative.

@theresa_86 I’m 2 weeks and a day today. I change it up with different types for creamy soups. Tomato bisque, butternut squash soup, and creamy tomato is the best. I also buy different seafood chowders and I take the chunky stuff out. I’ve had collard greens/ham pot liquor, baked chicken drippings as a Sunday dinner treat. Whole Foods has good soups with tasty broths. It takes forever to take the broth vs the other soup content but it’s worth it. Because I miss the taste of seasonings, sometimes I’ll lick boullion cubes PLUS I love my pop cycles and bombpops. There’s a fat free butterscotch pudding out thatscquite tasty. My mom makes a chicken and veggie stew and once she’s served it to the family, she saves the juice from that and it makes the BEST meal. It help to switch it up a but. I gotta do the liquid meal for another 5 weeks. I had to get creative.

@ratcat2 I have NO CLUE what the 6 week rationale is. But, it PT what it is. As far as being "over" liquids, it's too early n the game got me to be there. This is why I'm being savvy with my choices. I had creamy tomato that tasted like Chef Boy r D. THE BOMB. Has your Dr added fluid to your band yet? When u think about it, that's when I start purée food...on my 6 week visit. He said that it'll take 6 weeks for my insides to adjust to the band. As for the scale, too late. It's gone to scale hell for being a liar. I see my personal trainer every Mon and Wed. Her scale said 18 lbs. That sounds more like the truth. Either way, I'm not looking at numbers again until I can actually SEE change.

I'd like to avoid or minimize the typical excess or flabby skin issue down the line. Im almost 2 weeks post op and I decided to hire a personal trainer to meet with once a week starting today to create a plan. I'm not sure if this is the way to do it but if anyone HAS avoided getting excess skin after weight loss or knows someone who has not gotten it or at least minimizes getting it...PLEASE REPLY.

@ratcat2 We're BandTwins. My ReBirthday is 9/14 also. Answers to your question: 1. I lost 13lbs in a week. Somehow I've gained 2 lbs and I threw my scale out the window (no, seriously I did). 2. Still on liquids. I've gotten creative with these. I had the pot liquor from cooked collard greens and chicken drippings as a Sunday Dinner. LOL. 3. Hernia repair? Nope. Cooking for ma son is a nightmare. It makes me super depressed and I either go outside on my back porch or I go up to my room. Either way I get a good cry in. My doctor has me on liquids til Nov 1 😩. But again, I get creative. Butternut Squash soup is the BEST. I tried guspacho and didn't like it. I'm making Pho broth (Vietnamese noodle dish) tonight in my crockpot. Every day has its challenges, don't get me wrong but like they say in AA... One day at a time, it works if you work it.

@Lizbeth3124 I'm not sure about sleevers (I had band over bypass) but I KEPT sipping water all day. In fact, I STILL sip all day. Also, I'm not sure about you but I had to teach myself to be hungry. My brain knew the difference but my heart, emotions, body, and addiction to food didn't. That made adjusting to not putting food in my mouth, chewing it, and swallowing it a overwhelming challenge. To know is to know better.

@OutsideMatchInside My surgeon told to either crush or take chewables.

@Sosewsue61 I'm a Webutrin poster child. I'm just taking a break for a few weeks. I've suffered from depression probably longer that I can remember. It's just that I'm not sure if the "fat girl" life causes it or if I was born this way. All I know is that at this very minute, I can't take the medication and I'm emotionally symptomatic. My doctor, therapist, and I are monitoring this closely. THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS CONVERSATION AND CHAT THREAD. I REALLY FEEL SUPPORTED, HEARD, AND ACCEPTED.

I didn't have a choice. I have, however, under my doctors care and watch while going thru this. My pills have to be crushed. Research shows that crushing pills can sometimes be fatal (resulting in death) considering the impact crushing has on the molecular structure the release of the drug into the system, how the content of the medication attaches to certain receptor sites, and/or other internal interaction to the crushes pills new means of absorption. Not to mention, the stomachs new way of absorbing ANYTHING post op, is now different which adds a new risk. In my case, if I have to choose, I'd rather not chance the latter. Hence, my doctor and I have elected to cease the med for the 6 weeks while my entire body is healing and adjusting to this new way of life and living. Medication can be reintroduced slowly.

I took Wellbutrin and while I'm ubanble to crush the medication due to this impacting the medications molecular structure and potential hazardous effects as a result of the change. My physician and I are working this issu out now. Be as it stands I'm off Wellbutrin til a get off the 6 week liquid diet.

@DropWt4Life While the idea of "getting your mind right" is ideal, it may not realistic. Desires to conquer eating unhealthy and overrating is sometimes a matter of culture, ritual, addiction, emotion, and/or a persons psychology. To simply put those real life fact on the shelf is not as simple as it seems. On the other, as a doctor of psychology, I agree with your suggestion to look at and talk to youself, reciting positive statements. I'll take it a step further be suggestion that we say, write down, email, and even text those types of positive self statements to read or say to ourselves daily, hourly, or as needed to become conditioned at believing it. Change is a process go thru them, feel them and own every minute of them, makes getting thru a matter of success.

It's kicking my ass too. I still have to cook dinner for my son and I get tremendously depressed and cry afterwards. I just keep telling myself that to get thru it is to go thru it. I went to Whole Foods today and filled a small bowl with juice from collard greens cooked with ham (my southern bred family call greens juice pot liquor), a bowl of baked chicken drippings, and broth from their chicken noodle soup. It helps to change up but this 7 week liquid this is still a BEEEYAUCH!