KristinInCO

I am going through a divorce as well. I am concerned about the opposite problem. I can't eat when I am under stress. In fact, if I try and do anything beyond sipping Water or herbal tea, I feel the need to vomit. I was banded a month ago and have lost 30lbs. YUP...you heard me...30lbs in a month. I am telling people it was because I had WLS, but the truth is, I have no appetite. I am worried about this because I am not getting the medical benefits of learning to eat real food, recognize when I am full or any of that. I have emotional anorexia. My husband left because he was convinced I was cheating on him. I know my weight loss would only have added to his crazy suspicions, so I know it was time to end it. He is VERY controlling. I guess I should be happy for my freedom, but I have been "institutionalized" over eight years. It's like a prisoner leaving jail...but not knowing how to function in the "real" world. Good luck to us all having to deal with such major life changes together!

I ADORE you!!!

Hey Team! I was banded on 9/27/11 (three weeks ago, tomorrow). I was told that I was not allowed to go back to my workout routine until I reached one month post-op. The thing is: I am not your average 250 lb woman. I have always been very active (side effect of living in Colorado). In fact, I finished a tri and a half marathon less then a month before surgery. I have been in a bad depression for the past two weeks. I finally started to come out of it this weekend. I feel, other than my "break up" with food, that my lack of gym time has really effected me mentally. I am usually very high energy and annoyingly happy and positive. I have been kinda an a*****e lately. What is the consensus about getting back to working out? I feel like I can go...and just take it easy. I have lost 23lbs in the month since my pre-op physical (9/15/11). I have plateaued the last week and a half, so I think the gym will help me get off this damn plateau! Has anyone started working out prior to the doctor's OK and lived to tell about it?

It was AMAZING!! I am so happy I went!

Thanks for all your wonderful input! based on your recommendations, I think I am going to load up my iPod with the Footloose soundtrack, head back to the gym tonight, take a nice stroll on the treadmill or maybe really slow on the elliptical. Then reward myself with a nice swim and soak in the hot tub! Thank you all again so much. This forum has been an invaluable partner in this journey. I feel like I have an extended family who knows exactly WTF is up with this craziness! PS...I have been able to eat a little more, so I am much less of an a*****e now

I just have to say, "I love you guys!!" I have been feeling like a crazy person. I couldn't figure out why I was so down when all I could think about for the past three years was how bad I wanted this band. Tomorrow is my three week post op anniversary...and I am just now starting to feel human. Thank you for reminding me I am not alone!

I love reading the blogs! I know blogging for me has been a great tool! http://bornagainkristin.blogspot.com/ I will warn you...I am pretty raw and I use the F word a lot If you are offended by Sex and the City or just about any article in Cosmo...don't read it If you have a sense of humor and can laugh at yourself and this process....then it maybe for you!

I love the support here!! I was banded on 9/27 and EVERY TIME I sip something I feel like there is a knot in the center of my chest. I am relieved to hear other people are feeling that, too (is that evil of me? ) I have found warm, herbal tea is a nice relief. I don't feel hungry at all, unless I see a commercial that reminds me how delicious KFC is . In fact, I am FORCING myself to down at least one Protein shake a day. I know I am not getting enough calories, protein and fluids just because I would rather go without then feel that ache in the center of my chest. I am working on that. 22lbs down since my pre-op physical on 9/15!

Thank you so much for posting about the "emotional" part. I am one week out of surgery as well and am having the EXACT same experience. I have to FORCE myself to eat. I am down 7 lbs since last Tuesday. I feel slow, lethargic and like an emotional basket case. I am usually such a happy person. This week I have sobbed uncontrollably daily and can't figure out why. I returned to work yesterday and had to leave early. I never do that. I went home, crawled into bed, cried myself to sleep and woke up 15 hours later. I am determined to be focused and positive today. I started the day with a Protein shake and a cup of herbal tea. I WILL put a smile on my face and focus on having a great day. Thank you again for sharing this! It makes me feel better that I am not the only malnutrition, emotional wreck out here

I'm getting banded on the 27th which is kinda like the 29th in S. Korea I was looking for someone who was around the same time I was. I am getting really nervous, too. I have waited 3 years and can't believe it is a week away! Good luck! I look forward to sharing our progress!

I am so glad you brought this up. I am about to be banded on 9/27/2011 and wonder if it will help. I am afraid that this is my last hope. I have lost 80lbs in 2009, but have put most of it back on again (which was my drive to finally get banded). I am so happy this support group is here. Thank you for sharing your story. AND trust me....it is not non-human to have metabolic issues. I lost 80lbs by living on lettuce, vinegar and Water, working out 2 hours a day....and even THAT took me 6 months. I even participated in a triathlon and 150 mile bike ride...so you can't tell me I am not in shape.

The reason my band works for me is not because of the little bit of restriction I feel on occasion, but because I told everyone I was having this surgery and now that I have had it I will be the biggest loser ever if I don't lose the weight. This is the EXACT reason I have told EVERYONE I know I am having this surgery! Hurry up September 27!!

The reason my band works for me is not because of the little bit of restriction I feel on occasion, but because I told everyone I was having this surgery and now that I have had it I will be the biggest loser ever if I don't lose the weight. This is the EXACT reason I have told EVERYONE I know I am having this surgery! Hurry up September 27!!

Amy...I am totally with you! Other than 3 days pre-op Clear liquids only....I am a little concerned. I would love to hear people's suggestions!

I am an Atheist. I am used to being excluded. Look...we don't even have our own thread. What about people like me who don't get comfort through faith, but science and reason? Where is our support? The last thing we can ever do is turn on each other, regardless of faith or (in my case) lack of faith. So...Mormon, Catholic, Jew, Atheist....aren't we all in the same battle for our health? Let's stick together! I think that's something we can all agree on

I went though the same thing with my MOTHER of all people. She has never been overweight in her life and has no idea of the battle I have fought for the last 20 years. She, like many people who have NEVER struggled with obesity, have no idea what it's like to have people say, "You'd be SO beautiful if you just lost weight" or have people cringe and pray out load that you don't sit by them on an airplane or be thought of as someone smelly, weak and lazy, etc. etc. etc...... She told me that all I had to do was cut calories and exercise more and my 100lbs. will be gone in no time. OH?!? is that it?! I had *NO* idea it was that easy. REALLY?!? Like I haven't spent the last 20 years in a gym, a dojo, on a trail, on a bike, in a wrap, with a trainer, in a dance class, kickboxing, grapefruits, low carb, low fat, low sugar, high *right* fat, and on and on.. Even after all that she says I am weak. Only weak people get bariatric surgery. Well....I guess I am a weak loser. But, I find myself in good company

My date is September 27th. It seems like a lifetime away! I am a little concerned about people mentioning pre-op diets. I was only told to start a clear liquid diet 3 days before surgery. I am "practicing" eating with no liquids, smaller meals, etc. but nothing formal. Anyone have any other suggestions... 35 days and counting

HI! I am in Highlands Ranch. I am waiting on insurance approval, too! Maybe we can have a race..LOL

Hi Bethany...By any chance was it Dr. Tillquist's office you spoke to? I had tried to speak to them twice and they would not give me the time of day. The first question out of thier mouths was...do you have insurance and with whom? As soon as I told them I had Cigna...they practically hung up on me. I would highly recommend Dr. Chae...his office works with Cigna and they are very, very friendly and helpful. I am in my 6th month of this journey and have just the nutrition class to go before my packet is submitted to Cigna! Wish me luck!

Hi! I am in Douglas County, too. I saw Dr. Chae on July 17th. I have been on this journey since February and have jumped through all of Cigna's hoops...only to have my doctor (Dr. Melniczek) tell me he was moving to another state. So...I started again with Dr. Chae. Here I go...back through another nutritional counseling. Hopefully, I won't have to go through another psych eval...because this process have made me crazy...:-) Good luck and keep in touch.

Hi Ladies! I loved Dr. Mel, too. I was very sorry to see him move. I had just completed my packet for submission to Cigna when he announced he was moving. Now, I have had to start again with Dr. Chae. I have been on this journey since February and am still waiting for approval. I am trying to stay positive, but really thought the surgery would have happened by now. Anyway, I look forward to learning from everyone here!