Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

BlueIGT

Gastric Bypass Patients
  • Content Count

    80
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by BlueIGT

  1. I struggle with this also. I have everyone telling me I am so tiny now and skin and bones...which I don't see. I try to explain to them that what they see and what I see when I look in the mirror or at my body are two very different things. I don't deny that I am a whole lot smaller than I used to be, but thin and skin and bones doesn't really seem rational in my eyes. I am well aware that it is body dysmorphia . I do look at side by side pictures of before and after and I do see the difference. I don't still see myself as heavy as I used to be but I don't see the thin. Some days I can see it in my face and then the next day my face looks really puffy and big. It's a really strange game our minds play on us.
  2. BlueIGT

    Self conscious

    I also suffer from social anxiety which is probably why it took over 40 years. You're in the right head space, you want to make changes and maybe they will be baby steps and it may take some time for you to get there. But I believe in time you can and will do it. How much time, who knows. I just really hope it's not another 20 years. You're so young and it would be such a beautiful thing to get that out of the way earlier on in life. I have never felt freer and I wish that for you. Slow is okay as long as you keep moving forward. You've proven you're strong by overcoming an eating disorder on your own, you got this. Hold your head up high when you're out and about, if even at first you have to pretend that you belong or that you feel comfortable or that you are not self conscious keep doing it until you believe it truly, (because you do belong). And then one day you'll realize that you aren't pretending anymore and that you actually are comfortable in your clothing, with your body, with your choices and you won't care about other people's opinions because who are they anyway? Best of luck my friend.
  3. BlueIGT

    To tell or not to tell

    I told my husband and that is the only person I told. I am not ashamed about having the surgery. I had two people in my family that had it and had no success with it, however they did not follow the program. I knew that I felt very dedicated to the process and I thought I would succeed and I didn't want to feel like I was rubbing it in their face. You really need to be in the right head space for this to be successful. You need to be all in and they weren't. For the first few weeks I told people I had the flu. now with covid out there I guess I would pick a different reason, such as a hernia like mentioned above. I am also a private person, I don't really discuss any medical issues with anyone other than my husband so I don't see why this would be different. It's a personal choice and whatever you feel comfortable with. You can tell people at a later date if you wish to, but once you let the cat out of the bag there is no putting it back in. I have not regretted not telling anyone about the surgery and when they ask for advice I give them advice from when I previously took off over a 100 pounds on my own (before gaining back due to the death of a parent and so much stress). Tracking food, drinking water, being active and being dedicated. If anyone brings up surgery I talk about it as I tell them I researched it and that it doesn't seem like a bad option either and suggest that they find forums that they can read about other people's experiences.
  4. BlueIGT

    Self conscious

    It took me many years of of being self conscious of everything about myself. I worried about what other people saw when they looked at me, worried that they were judging me. I let what I thought they were thinking about me stop me from doing things I wanted to do. I let what I thought they were thinking about me rule my world and my how I viewed myself. But one day in my early 40's I had a really good conversation with myself. I decided that on that day forward I would not let what I thought others thought of me affect me in anyway. In fact I no longer cared what others thought of me, I only cared what I thought of me. Some days I liked me, some days I didn't and that was okay. I realized that I gave 40 years of my life to people I didn't know. Who cares what they think? Not me, not anymore. I used to walk with my head down so I could avoid eye contact. Then I started walking with my head raised high and I looked at their foreheads, not their eyes because I wasn't ready to make eye contact. But I held my head high, I was not ashamed of myself, or my weight anymore. We are all different and if they wanted they judge me based solely on my weight or what I ate, then screw them. The more I held my head high the more I really didn't care. It's my life not theirs. I spent so much of my life worrying about other's peoples opinion about me. Opinions I never heard, I just assumed that's what they were thinking. At the end of the day, what other's think of me is none of my business. If they want to judge me without knowing me, it's their loss not mine. I am caring, funny, and loving person and honestly I have no time for judgmental people, they are downers and I want to live a positive happy life. If I could wish for one thing for anyone struggling with their weight or self image, I wish they would learn this lesson that I learned in my 40's when they were your age. I wish I felt this way back then. I wish you felt this way, it takes time but you can. Baby steps. You are special, you are not your weight, you are you, you are one of a kind. You are beautiful no matter what, you just need to believe it and stop caring about what other's think.
  5. My last appointment in 2019 the dietitian basically told me if she had been the one to talk to me and give a yes or no as a candidate she would of said no to me. Why? Because I am fussy and I don't like fish. My blood work was good. I was around 170 pounds to which I was told I am losing too much and I should of tapered off by then and been in maintenance. When I left there I felt very frustrated as I was a slow loser and maybe that was the goal they had set for me, but mine was lower. Anyway, she put me on an emergency list to go back in January to talk to her again so they could check on me. It's an hour drive and $20 to park. When I left there I tried more suggestions of what else to add to my diet and found that I was eating when I wasn't hungry, I was pushing myself to eat more than I wanted and more often than not I suffered for hours after eating. I did this for about 2 weeks and then went back to how I was doing it before.

    Now they've been calling since January trying to book an appointment and I keep giving excuses as to why I can't go. They called each month and now because of covid-19 they are willing to do phone appointments so I agreed. I told the dietitian about my previous experience and how it wasn't helpful. When I told her I was down to 145 on my scale she told me that once again I would be put on the emergency list as it more than a year later and I shouldn't be losing anymore weight and if I continued to do so I would likely be a failure and gain it all back. Hopefully the next one is over the phone also and I will just tell them what they want to hear. I will tell them I gained 10 pounds and I eat fish every other day and all the other stuff they say I need to eat.

    And like the last time for a couple weeks I tried to incorporate more food and more calories, and once again I suffer, I am so full I feel sick. I need to spend sometimes hours after laying down. Sometimes I pace in the bathroom because I am so close to throwing up. I haven't had to take gravol much over the course of my journey but after those two appointments they were becoming vital in my survival. Plus I was gaining weight, quickly. So here I am again, back to the way I was doing that feels right for me.

    I just don't understand why they are pushing for me to eat when I am not hungry... that's what got me to the weight I was once was, that's a bad habit. If I feel hungry I eat. I eat 3 meals a day and 2 to 3 snacks. I hit my protein goals. I drink more than enough water. I take my vitamins and supplements. My weight goes up and and down within 5 pounds. I don't understand their concern to keep me as an emergency patient that needs to be so closely monitored. I am not underweight, I am not malnourished, in fact I am still overweight. 

    Am wondering if anyone else has had this issue with the dietitians afterward? It's very frustrating and I am close to saying good bye to them because they make me doubt myself and I think I am doing well. I want to go as low as I can go, not unhealthy low, but low enough that when I hit the stage where I ultimately gain some back, the lower I am the lower I will after that happens. If I end up at 140-150 I would be content with that. I will not be content with with 180.

    1. TisTrue

      TisTrue

      Hi @BlueIGT,

      Your journey sounds a bit similar to my own. I feel that I am fine and as one member somewhat unkindly pointed out I am still in the overweight category. But I have been told more than once that if my WLS has not slowed down by June 2020 I will most likely have to have a revision surgery or whatever it is called. I am not doing another surgery and honestly after reading so many different stories and doing more research I feel that unless a person is unhealthy meaning malnourished and their blood-work comes back bad, it is all a matter of opinion on the timing of WL. I mean if I get underweight that is one thing, so for you I'd say the same thing, if you are healthy, drinking water, blood-work looks good-decent amount of vitamins, eating veggies, getting an appropriate amount of low-fat protein, not underweight, keep up the good work of eating what/when/amount that YOUR PERSONAL body needs.

      Thank you for sharing your experience and I am glad to know that I am not alone, not that I want you to be annoyed by DR.s but, yea. I spoke about my journey a week or so ago and although some comments made me do research and it did help a bit, I really don't think anyone quite got it. Thanks! Keep us posted.

    2. BlueIGT

      BlueIGT

      It is good to know that you're not alone, that said you don't want others to experience it as well. I feel the same way, if I am not underweight, all my tests are good, I am taking all the vitamins I am supposed to, getting all the protein they tell me to, and drinking more than enough water I am not sure why I am being kept on this emergency list.

      I've just read your post, I hope it slows down and stops where you want it to and you won't require another surgery. It's frustrating when it feels like the team is against you, I mean I am glad that they are looking out for me but it seems extreme and puts me in panic mode. My team has always said that I wouldn't probably get below 175, but I had gotten below 175 on my own (then gained it all back and then some, rinse repeat), so I always knew I should be able to get down to where I wanted. I just never knew they'd have an issue with me exceeding their expectations.

      Thanks for responding, it is good to know that I am not alone. Keep on keeping healthy and all the best in the future.

  6. BlueIGT

    Highest weight

    When I started this program my team told me I would probably not get below 175. So I set a goal of 160 just to push it a little further than they anticipated. Like others have stated earlier in the thread, I also am trying to go as low as I can so that when a few pounds creep back on me it'll be okay. My new goal is 140, however if I stayed where I was right now for ever I could easily live with it. Ultimately though if I could get to and stay at 140 that would be awesome.
  7. I really liked the way I looked in them and I felt really confident in them. When I bought them I had lost 75 pounds, was in really great shape. Then life happened and I put them away because I thought one day I could wear them again (sooner than 26 years lol). They've been a vacuum sealed bag for a few years.
  8. Congrats, I remember that feeling also with my towel. Watching the gap slowly disappear and now it overlaps. Great feeling! I found a pair a jeans that I last wore 26 years ago, had hoped to wear them again one day but forgot about them. I put them on and zipped them up the other day. They don't look like they used to on me, my body shape is quite different at this slightly older age and body but it felt awesome putting them on.
  9. I was active as a kid and didn't really run into problems until I was around 16. I don't blame my Mother (as I believe she was taught this behaviour), but her answer for everything was food. Bad day at school, let's get a pizza. Good day at school, good marks on a test, let's get a pizza. Going to watch some movies, let's get a pizza. Fight with your best friend, let's get a pizza. Food was always the feel good solution to every problem it seemed. I carried that with me for years. Stressed, let's eat, but not a little bit let's eat until I am so full nothing else matters. I would bury all my problems in a platefuls of yummy goodness that took my mind off of my problems temporarily until I needed to eat more to get some more relief. My Mother's side of the family are 90% on the heavier side, with some very heavy. Slowly they are dropping due to illnesses connected to obesity, and I didn't want to join them. As much I would love to see my Mother again one day I don't want to hurry my time here on earth, after all I am just starting to live again. It's still a struggle, on really stressful days my mind instantly wants to go empty the cupboards. Thankfully that isn't humanly possible for me anymore, but I have had some slip ups. I am working on other ways to cope, keep myself busy and not turn to food. But like all of us, it is a life long struggle and it 's something we will have to work very hard to be and stay successful at.
  10. BlueIGT

    Roller Coasters!

    That was one of the first things I did also once I lost enough weight. I could go on all the coaster. All the rides really but I passed on the spinning ones, no ty. But the coasters, fun fun fun! I am glad you got to experience them again, enjoy!
  11. BlueIGT

    Alcohol

    I had my first drinks over 8 months out at a wedding. It didn't take much and it hit me rather fast. Eating something took it all away. But having another drink brought it all back full force. Then I ate something else and it was gone. It was a strange experience for me. I didn't have any hang over the next day or anything. I had about 4 drinks over the course of the evening. I was never really a drinker, I would drink maybe once every 5 years or at some social event that I was uncomfortable at because of my size and needed liquid courage to get through the event. I don't think I will have transfer addiction because of it and I don't crave another drink. Everything in moderation.
  12. I drank for the first time yesterday. I only took 2 sips of a vodka and cranberry drink and I was truly buzzed. I finished that drink and felt pretty hammered. Funny thing is though I ate something and it seem to all go away. I was at an event so 30 mins later I had another drink and it went the same as the first, had one more and I didn't seem to get really drunk but quite buzzed really quickly. More food came out, I ate and my buzz was gone almost completely. Once again after 30 minutes I had yet one more drink with the same affect. The final round of food came out later that night and I partook and it cleared it up again. I then switched to water and was perfectly fine, as though I hadn't drank a thing all night. 

    I can see after last night how this could become a replacement addiction for some. It's interesting how it affects people differently.

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Krestel

      Krestel

      I have tried a half glass of wine along with carbonated water twice and boy did I feel the effects. The day after I didn't have a hangover or anything, but I definitely felt that if i had drank more, that there would have been a price to pay. I hear you on the transfer addiction....

    3. BlueIGT

      BlueIGT

      I have never been a real big drinker anyway. I didn't have any hangover symptoms the next day either. I agree though it is a very slippery slope and I think if I had been a drinker prior to all this it would more than likely pose a problem for me.

    4. november11

      november11

      @AJ Tylo I feel you and it's your dime . vodka and cranberry and I were very good friends I realize there are some things are worth the repercussions I was just meaning that this is your honeymoon phase of weightloss and the first six months or so is where we make it or brake it . so why not give your body the chance to do what you paid all this money to do. The drinks will always be their.No judgement I'M JUST SAYING.....

  13. BlueIGT

    To tell or not to tell

    A couple years prior to wls I had lost 90 pounds on my own with tracking my food and exercise and I did it in 9 months. I did put it back on the following year after falling into a depression over the death of a parent, the 90 plus 10. The month before surgery I started talking to family/friends about getting serious about weight loss again. If they asked how I was doing it I would say the same way I did last time, tracking my food and exercise, which is true I am doing those things. While I was recovering from surgery I told family/friends that I had the flu and it was kicking my butt. This became the reason I couldn't be social for a while or wasn't up to doing much... still getting over that flu, man it was a tough one. It worked for me.
  14. BlueIGT

    How many calories do you eat a day?

    Every time I see the nutritionist she wants my intake up. First time I seen her after surgery I was getting under 500 calories and she wanted it up to 1000. I didn't listen and I was stalled for 2 weeks. I then went up to 700 calories and the weight started coming off again. Now I am up to about 820 a day and was losing but have stalled. Scared to increase but I will try after I've exhausted other options like drinking more water or getting more exercise in. I believe we need to listen to our bodies and figure out what works for us and what's healthy for us.
  15. I weigh daily in the morning. I tend to weigh myself before I go to bed at night so I have an idea if I will lose or not in the morning. I weigh daily to keep track of how I am progressing and if I stall I try to tweak something, whether it be upping my calories a little, making sure I get enough water, trying to be more physically active, etc, to get the numbers moving again. I think it really depends on how the scale and seeing your weight affects your mental state of mind. Some people do well with doing it daily while it can really stress others out. Find what you're comfortable with and go with that. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer.
  16. BlueIGT

    Menstrual cycles

    I had finished my period a week prior to surgery and when I woke up from surgery I had it again. Then the following month I was late and it lasted longer and once again came back after a week. I think it was similar the third month as well. The last three months have back to business as usual with 28 day cycles.
  17. BlueIGT

    February 2019 weight loss buds

    On the food topic, I personally stayed away from sugar up until a couple weeks ago (aside from yogurt in the morning). I was scared to try anything with a large amount of sugar for 2 reasons... 1, I would have dumping syndrome, 2, I wouldn't and that could be a slippery slope. Needless to say I was out at an event and they had ice cream there and I since I was heading home I decided to have a small chocolate cone. I had no issues. Slippery slope here we come, I was out at another event and they had baked goods and I thought, hey I had the ice cream I can have a few of these too, so I bought them and brought them to a friends to share with her. I didn't have that much but I was in a world of hurt not long after, so sick, no dumping. I had to leave her place and rush home, thinking I would have to pull over at any time and another weird thing is I was yawning a lot. By the time I got home I had to lay down with a cold cloth on my head and just breathe until it passed which was about 45 mins or so. So now I am back to being scared of sugar which is probably for the best.
  18. I am averaging 6-7 pounds a month now. So pretty close to what you are losing. I feel like I am slow loser in comparison (which I know we shouldn't do) to others who had same starting stats as myself. As long as it keeps coming off I'll be happy with that. You are right, it all adds up, just keep on keeping on. We'll get to our goals.
  19. Like @justmetj said, every doctor is different. I think testing also depends on your medical history and family medical history. They asked me about my sleeping habits and if I had any problems. I wasn't required to do the sleep test, which I was happy about.
  20. I know that I lost faster prior on my own. But how many times did I go down only to go back up and then some. My hope is that with this tool I will get down there again and be able to successfully maintain it. It's ingrained in my head that I did not go through all this to put it back on, and I truly believe that will be enough to keep my head in the right frame of mind. Even it takes a while @catwoman7 is proof that it can be done if we stick to it. I have hit some stalls and found I needed to increase either my calorie intake or my water intake to get things moving again. All the best to you.
  21. So my hair has been falling out like it's got somewhere so much better to go. I don't think the shower drain, hairbrush, floor, vacuum or garbage seems that interesting and it should just stay put where it is. I've cut it and lightened it so it's not so noticeable, but apparently no one else really notices so that's good. I've been taking biotin 10,000 mcg a day since before the surgery but that didn't seem to do the trick. 

    I did however find out this week that I am now anemic and one of the side effects of low iron is hair loss... little upset that it took them 5 months to let me know that I had a problem. So yay double whammy on the hair. I also get dizzy a lot when standing, which I was attributing to my now low blood pressure but maybe it's the iron. I guess it takes the supplements 3 months minimum to get in there and boost my levels and I hope by then my hair is staying and my head isn't so dizzy.

  22. I lost about 33 pounds prior to surgery. Close to 14 from pre-op liquid diet. Like you I am aware that people lose at different paces but I also feel like I am slower than most that had a similar surgery date and starting weight. I did however notice that most that were ahead of me didn't do the liquid diet. Looking back at my app I was down 12.8 at week 5. I am 5 days shy of 5 months out and am down 49.1. So averaging roughly 10 a month, I can live with that. I hoped it would be more but I still have plenty of time to get down there.
  23. BlueIGT

    February 2019 weight loss buds

    I love otters but I went last weekend and did the roller coasters... Woohoo fun stuff and 19 k steps in the process. Watch some otter videos and do the rides!
  24. BlueIGT

    Bypass v’s Sleeve..... help!

    The surgeon actually told me I'd be a good candidate for Gastric Bypass. I was leaning that way myself. The idea of taking supplements forever didn't bother me as I was already taking most of them because I was a fussy eater. After researching more, like others have said I certainly didn't want gerd or to have to revise to RNY so I this was the best choice for me. I am about 3 and ½ months out now and I haven't ever really felt hungry, I hope it stays that way. I measure out what I eat, I have never really felt full. I have felt pressure and discomfort when eating to fast.
  25. BlueIGT

    February 2019 weight loss buds

    Water kicked me out of my stall. I just wasn't drinking enough, I knew I wasn't but I had no taste for it. I wasn't getting a lot of liquids in period. So I downloaded the baritastic app and set a timer for every 10 mins between certain hours to drink and since then I have been on a steady losing streak. I went from getting 48 to 64 fluid ounces up to 96 to 120 per day and it was easy with the reminder to drink. Good luck with breaking the stall.

PatchAid Vitamin Patches

×