Shae

Hi All, My name is Shae. I am 37 and I live in Biloxi, MS. I was sleeved on 10/19/11 at Keesler Medical Center by Dr. Laten.

I'm in... SW: 186 CW: 186 GW: 175 This will put me 30 pounds from my ultimate goal of 145. That is still an "Overweight" BMI (I'm 5'2") but I look and feel my best at that weight (if I'm remembering right LOL!). It will also bust the statistic that you can only lose 55% to 60% of your excess weight because that will put me at 74% of the weight gone. Right now I'm at 64% gone.

I surpassed my goal by one pound. I hate that the weight loss has slowed down so drastically but at least I'm still going down. Besides, my skin seems to be keeping up with me for the most part and I don't have a ton of loose skin everywhere, just a little here and there. I'll take the slow pace if it means not needing plastic surgery once I reach goal. I just hope it stays that way and I don't wake up one day with droopy skin all over!

I'm in... Challenge start weight: 197 lbs Current Weight: 197 lbs Easter Goal Weight: 187 lbs

I made it!!!!!!!!!!! I weighed this morning and I am 197.2 lbs!!!!!! Yay!

I tried searching for this but have found nothing on this site... Does anyone notice that their medications are affecting them differently? I am almost three months out and am noticing some things that could be the result of my meds. I take Lamictal 200 XR. It is a seizure medication but it was prescribed to me for it's off label use as a mood stabilizer. Pre-surgery, it was my magic little pill. As time passes it seems that it is becoming less and less effective. Could it be that maybe I am not absorbing it as well as before or not as much as before? My emotions are swinging more and more often and with broader swings. I also take Strattera for my ADD. Pre-surgery, the dosage was great. Now, I feel scattered and almost the same as I did before I started taking it. Again, maybe I'm not getting all the medication? Both of these are timed release medicines and I wonder if the sleeve causes them to release more slowly and then "get rid of" the rest that was not digested. I know these are questions for my doctor but I thought that maybe someone had experience with timed release medications. Any insight would help.

After talking with my doctor and my pharmacist, the dosage of the medicines were changed. My Strattera increased and the Lamictal is the same mg but given as two time released pills rather than one. I should have thought of this because I have to take two 20mg nexium rather than a 40. Weird how it works but it works. I take them at the same time. I'm feeling like myself again. Thanks to all for the advice.

Checking in: SW: 212 GW: 197 CW: 200 Onderland Here I Come!!!!!!!!!!! I believe that I will make this challenge!

Bryn and Dorrie, Thank you so much for your words as they describe me to a Tee!! Especially the part about self sabotage for no apparent reason. I guess it's sort of like I'm scared to be a normal weight person. I spoke to my husbaqnd yesterday and was telling him some of the things I was struggling with. He sort of gets it but having only had the problem of not being able to gain weight, he can only understand at a topical level. I find myself eating when I'm not hungry (not bad foods, low fat cheeses, fruits, lunch meats, veggies, etc) and eating faster so I can get more in (devil be damned the consequences of feeling miserable for a few hours). Sometimes I think I must be half insane because no sane person would do this to themselves. I just don't know how to stop. I finally found a support group in my area but I have to wait until Feb. 9 for the first meeting. Although, unless someone else has found a solution or at least some tricks that worked for them, what good does misery sharing company actually do? I'm at a loss here as to how to combat the issue, especially since we know what we are doing is bad for us but seem helpless to stop. Just know that you are not alone and that if I find anything to help me, I will certainly share it just in case it could help you too.

I am experiencing the same issue. I have found that Olay In-Shower Moisturizer works wonderfully. I even use it on my face without breaking out.It's fairly inexpensive, convenient and available in an auto-ship from Amazon. I swear by it because I just don't have time to lather up with lotion in the morning after my shower so I just do it in the shower. I agree that we are eating way, way less fatty, greasy foods that use to keep our skin lubed up (acne prone for some of us). They also caused internal issues that we no longer have to worry about! Yay US! But Water intake is a factor as well. The more we get, the better we look.

I have an appointment on Feb. 7 to discuss my meds. I don't crush, chew, or open any of my meds and the Strattera only comes in a time release capsule. As far as I know, any ADD medicine for adults is in tme released form. I will talk to my doc and see what my options are. Maybe since I am not digesting enough of the medicine, I may need to have the dosage increased. Thanks to all of you for the input!!

I have the same issues but label mine as a food addiction. I am (still) looking for a psychiatrist in my area that works with food addicts. Do you have anyone around that can distract you when you feel this way? My husband has been through the ringer with me getting upset when he asks me if I'm hungry or if I just need a fix. It's difficult to deal with and I have no answers as of yet. I know what you are going through and it is not fun to want to eat all the time when you know that you shouldn't. Sometimes, thinking of my hospital stay (which was not a good experience) is a good deterrant... other times I try to go for a drive or go sit outside. I have discovered (rediscovered) that I love working puzzles. They work as a distraction almost too well. I don't think of anything else except the puzzle - not eating, drinking, going potty, cooking dinner, appointments, etc. If you can find a distraction, that may help sometimes but I would recommend seeing a professional that can help with therapy.

So I bought some sugar free candies to have a "sweet fix" without getting all the carbs. But the package counts sugar alcohol as carbs. Are these carbs the same as regular carbs as far as weight loss is concerned or do they only affect your blood sugar differently? I guess a better question would be if I am trying to stay below 40g of carbs a day, do I count these as part of that total?

I would love to hear some responses too.

My switch, unfortunately, did not shut off. I have times where I catch myself eating even though my sleeve is not hungry or drinking with a meal so that it goes down better and I can have more. I still think about food a lot. Granted, I think about it less in that I don't think about supper when I'm eating lunch but about an hour after eating, I am thinking about it again. If I feel like I didn't pack enough lunch and Snacks for work I get anxious and think about it all day. I get anxious about what and where we will eat if we have a shopping day planned. I could go on and on... I am both happy for and envious of those of you who had your switch turned off. I think my weight loss would be further along right now had mine been removed.

Fighting it works most of the time but not always and it works less and less. I guess I have to find a way to fight it that works. I try to do something with my hands or go for a drive. I recently started putting puzzles together and it is helping a bit. I get angry with anyone who says "Are you really hungry or are you just craving that?". It's very frustrating when you know that your behavior is destructive but feel helpless to stop it.

I am a food addict. I believe that I am not alone in this and would love to hear stories from others like myself on how you get by on a daily basis. What has worked for you? What makes things harder? What triggers a relapse for you? So far, I have not found anything that works permanently or even more than one time. Boredom, stress, and negative emotions make it harder to stay away from bad foods. I have not found my triggers (other than my emotional state) because I have had many times where I "catch" myself overeating or grazing or eating the wrong foods. Please share your story...

I agree. I lost close to 7 lbs in 4.5 days doing the Basics Boot Camp...

My Dad is type two and he sometimes feels really fatigued and light headed if he doesn't get enough nutrition. Just a thought. I agree with all the posts... Drink to replenish your electrolytes and try to get in Protein. Rest if you feel tired. Give yourself time to heal. I'm so sorry you are going through such a rough time. Here is an ehug ((((YOU)))).

I'm in. I must say that I was in a while back but forgot to look for the initial post. Shae SW: 212 GW: 197 CW: 206 I was stalled for about three weeks, did LilMissDiva's boot camp and lost almost 7 lbs in 4.5 days.

I know I am telling you what you have already heard but please don't get discouraged. This is a MAJOR change. Part of the fatigue could be a lack of Protein or maybe you just need time to heal. Being upset and stressed can also add to your fatigue. Try to relax. Think positively. Try the gatorade that has protein in it so you get the protein and hydration. It costs a little more but it goes down better than the shakes or powders because it doesn't have the "protein" taste. I would also recommend adding Vitamin D and maybe getting tested for Diabetes. Are you on the pain meds? If so, they could be dropping your blood pressure and causing you to feel wiped out. Just a few suggestions that I have seen here. The first few weeks are a bear but we are all here for you cheering you on. You did this for you because it was the right choice for you. Look ahead to how good you will feel when you do feel normal and not obese. It really does get better every day.

Hospital cafeteria workers are no different from the workers in school cafeterias, Applebee's, or any food service place. There are those who take the job seriously and have a high work ethic and those who are there to get a paycheck. I am not surprised by your experience at all. At least you are aware of it now and will look at everything you purchase from there a little more closely. You can also complain to the cafeteria supervisor. You may get lucky and have one that gives a hoot. I would recommend showing him or her the package or any other item that you find that has gone beyond the expiration date. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I know the liquid stage is really tough to deal with and you don't need any added grief from it.

I concur that you will not find a Protein powder or shake or shot that is free of calories because it is not possible. 1 gram protein = 4 calories

I don't know if this applies to you or not but is there any possibility that you could be pregnant? This sounds a lot like I felt in my first few weeks of pregnancy... If it does not apply, then I agree with the above that you need to get in the protein and vitamins.

Is OA Overeaters Anonymous?