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Had surgery 3/19 ..193lbs...Bm on 3/23..192lbs Monday morning 195...can anyone tell me what's going on? We all are Superstars!*
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Considering another surgery
Ellebronwyn replied to Ellebronwyn's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
The side effect of my medication is weight gain; for example my younger brother at one time took this same medication and gained over 60 pounds in 3 years (prior to that he was always skinny). I have def noticed an increased appetite with it. I have never eaten to feel "full" or uncomfortable since surgery, I have always been good about stopping and eating small portions at a time (half plate of food). However, I think my main issue is feeling hungry again soon after eating and then snacking. The only thing I can think to do is to measure every single thing I eat for a period of time and see if that helps, and to cut out snacking completely. My diet is average at best. I still make sure to get 60-80 grams of protein a day, and enjoy lots of veg and some fruits, however I do not stick to low carb or low fat options all the time--this may be another issue. -
I wrote this question in the veterans forum only to find I do not have enough posts to post in the Veterans Forum! So I hope a veteran can help me out here.... Ok, I get it....i think....Is regain more of a probabilty or just a possibility? I am 3 months post surgery and lurking in the Veterans Forum searching for any scrap of information and inspiration that will help me in this fight for life. (Down 40 lbs, so far) My question is this: After weight loss surgery, does 3500 calories still equal a 1-pound weight gain? Or do we gain weight more easily, like looking at a chocolate bar equals a three pound gain!? I understand salt impacts Water weight. I get that once started down the slippery slope of one bad choice, it is tough to stop. But scientifically (?), why do we put on weight so easily? Am I doomed to some sort of a new physical curse whereby 500 extra calories equals a pound gained?
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I am looking into the sleeve revision surgery, yes weight gain in the last year. All time low 148 pounds. Im at 184 now.Im kicking my own ass,failure again. Who has had the "sloppy sleeve" revised or from sleeve to gastric bypass? I do medical abroad in Mexico . Lapband in 2008. VSG in 2016 . Thanks for reading Sent from my SM-G960U using BariatricPal mobile app
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So I got down to 196 now a week later I'm 198 wth??? Anybody else go thru this? Should I b concerned? I had surgery 1/24/11 btw
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For us folks just starting out on an exercise regimen, there is a nasty little surprise: Weight stall or gain. It's all over the internet. I've been on 3 very strenuous hikes and they have caused me to gain a couple pounds immediately after. I know I'm healthier, but it's disconcerting. I have been reading fitness articles like this one and the articles on the right hand side of the article below. They are all about weight gain and exercise: http://www.livestrong.com/article/378472-why-am-i-gaining-weight-with-exercise/ Now they make a very good point. We should be all about fat-loss as opposed to weight-loss. They also say in some of the other articles that the high intensity exercise that I prefer may not be the best for me because of anaerobic verses aerobic training and a host of other factors like Water retention, muscle mass and glycogen storage. It's just not as simple as burning more calories than you take in. I walk everyday and hike on the weekends. Should I increase my daily workouts? Decrease my weekend workouts? Mix it up more or stay on the same schedule? Increase the mileage and intensity of the hikes? Decrease it? I honestly do not know what to do.
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Anyone else experience weight gain years after Gastric-Sleeve? I'm almost 200 lbs again and very frustrated. I know a few things I'm doing wrong - not getting enough nutrient dense foods, too many non- nutrients rich foods/calories - not enough water *I hate drinking water - not enough exercise - Depression and stress have taken their toll. Now I need to 'start over'. WIth a busy life - 4 children ages 10-30 and 2 3 yo grandchildren - 3 part time jobs - volunteer positions at church - it's hard to focus on self-care. I need help, encouragement, focus and answers to reverse the effects of it all. Hoping to get some practical advise here to help me get my life back on track. I want to live a long healthy life and just struggle with the enormity of variety and choices in the diet and health world...
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Would love some thoughts and advice....
jay150 replied to jay150's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Nana Initially Wrote: "OK, you many not like what I have to say, It's called hard love, but here goes. I've seen this happen over and over and over again, from many lap banders, it's called "lap band abuse" and I've seen many on OH do this to their bands and bodies over the 8 years I've had a band, and have horrible complications and then come band and "innocently" bash the band and say their bands liked to "killed them" and had to have their bands removed in an "urgent situation", and then say how dangerous the lap band is and tell EVERYONE especially newbies that they too will suffer the same fate of a "horrible complication". But one thing I really appreciate in your post is that you are owning your problems, and reaching out for help. But sadly, your situation does not look good for a long healthy band life, here is your problem, you went passed the green zone, and staying in the red zone (too tight) for too long and I am sure you did not care because you were happy with your great weight loss. You lost your weight the wrong way, and when you lose the wrong way with the band you will pay for it. The lap band has a VERY HIGH complication rate for this very reason, (lap band abuse) this is why many surgeons are moving away from the lap band because so many people abuse, get too tight and never follow up until their bands has slipped so bad it must be removed. And of course many patients are not going to be honest with the surgeon about being too tight and using the band as a bulimic tool, many surgeons are just seeing all these horrible long term complications of problems with the esophagus and other issues and are moving away from the band to the Sleeve for this VERY REASON. This is one reason the manufacturer wants to sell it, people in the US abuse it too much, they can't be trusted with being HONEST of how tight their bands are, surgeons have NO CLUE of how tight your band is, they rely on the patient to be honest of how tight their bands are, you are suppose to let the surgeon know anytime you have frequent vomiting and can't keep solids down. Has your band slipped? We don't know, we are not qualified to answer this question, but based on living with the band 8 years and seen others go through the same thing, it SOUNDS like your band has slipped, either pouch dilation. You can actually live with an untreated band slip for a few years, but eventually the band will slip so band and cause horrible reflux and vomiting daily so bad and it cause maladaptive eating problems meaning you will eventually not be able to keep any food or keep liquids down. The reason you are a bit concerned now that you still have "some restriction" even though you've had a few unfills, reason is your band has probably started to slip from being too tight and vomiting daily and when the band starts to slip it gets tighter and tighter, and you have to constantly get unfills until you get all the saline removed. As you can see you can't depend on the band to do all the work, and keep it too tight to stop you from eating, you lost your weight wrong and sadly it will not stay off unless you conjure up some willpower and start using your band as a tool instead of a crutch and eat healthy and exercise. It may be too late to save your band, only your surgeon can tell you what your future with your band will be, but you really need to get in and see your surgeon ASAP where they can check the position of the band and pouch size, and sometimes Upper Gi's don't tell the whole story, sometimes you need a EGD (endoscopy) to access the damage to your esophagus or pouch. If you are not having many problems now since you've gotten some saline removed, does not mean your band is Ok, Also, If you don't have money or insurance now, the best thing you can do is stop the vomiting, watch your portions before you end up having to have emergency band removal, yes it can eventually get that bad. The only concern now is having tight restriction even though you've removed saline, some people have to continue removing saline until the band is totally empty and still have issues and when there is no where to go the band must be removed if you have horrible reflux and un-wanted vomiting on an empty band, and then you can aspirate food into your lungs, I hate to scare you but want to prepare you for what I've seen so many go through with their bands. Also while you are not having many problems for NOW, it would be a good to start looking for a new job that will offer you some insurance because sooner or later you will probably develop reflux to the point you will not be able to sleep and band damage causes regurgitation of vomiting in your sleep, it can get ugly. I am sending you a cyber hug and giving you tough love and sending you warm vibes, and I really hope your band will be ok, and you learn from this, sometimes you need outside help like counseling and seek a therapist to help cope with your eating and why you eat, you can't use the band as a coping mechanism, that's not its job, although the band is the SAFEST of all the weight loss surgeries, it can get very dangerous and do harm if we don't use it wisely and responsibility. Good luck" ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hi Nana, Thank you for your thoughts and advice. While I feel that much of what you wrote made excellent points, there were a few things however that I felt were a bit presumptuous. I definitely can take constructive criticism (even though sometimes we don't want to hear it), but I do feel there were some things that were a bit off. I included what you originally wrote in blue because that is what I am responding to, not the edited version that is posted now. You basically start off by saying...I've seen this happen over and over and over again, from many lap banders, it's called "lap band abuse" and I've seen many on OH do this to their bands and bodies over the 8 years I've had a band, and have horrible complications and then come band and "innocently" bash the band and say their bands liked to "killed them" and had to have their bands removed in an "urgent situation", and then say how dangerous the lap band is and tell EVERYONE especially newbies that they too will suffer the same fate of a "horrible complication." Just for the record...not once in my post did I bash the lap band. As a matter of fact, I don't regret having the lap band and I definitely take ownership for the issues I am having with the band. Yes, there have been points where it can be considered that I have abused my band. Not because I wanted to or even felt that this would help with weight loss. To be clear, I feel that during the times I was regurgitating food was also the time when I gained weight. This was counterproductive for my weight loss goals. The reason I did not get unfills/fills and tweak more often was because I could not afford to do so. My goal has always been to find a healthy productive way the band will work for me without throwing up. You stated...You lost your weight the wrong way, and when you lose the wrong way with the band you will pay for it. I can't help but feel slightly offended by this statement. The first few sentences of my post stated that I did very well initially, lost 75 pounds in the first 8 months and maintained that weight loss for well over a year. Then my post goes on to state that eventually I began having problems. I worked extremely hard to lose that weight and for you to discredit me of that achievement is completely unfair. I have had the band for 30 months and began having problems in the last ten months or so. You also stated...But sadly, your situation does not look good for a long healthy band life, here is your problem, you went passed the green zone, and staying in the red zone (too tight) for too long and I am sure you did not care because you were happy with your great weight loss. - and - And of course many patients are not going to be honest with the surgeon about being too tight and using the band as a bulimic tool - and - As you can see you can't depend on the band to do all the work, and keep it too tight to stop you from eating, you lost your weight wrong and sadly it will not stay off unless you conjure up some willpower and start using your band as a tool instead of a crutch and eat healthy and exercise. Again, I can't help but feel that you are making assessments of me that are simply untrue. I absolutely do care and that is why I have been back for an unfill and have been trying over the past ten months to find a middle ground. I would have loved to been able to tweak my fills more often, but because I cannot afford the charges, I was left in an undesirable predicament. If I took out too much, I was able to eat pretty much anything...too little and I couldn't eat at all. Yes, willpower plays a big part in this...I agree. And, I probably used my statement referring to having no willpower loosely. To clarify, when I first had my lapband, I had very good willpower. I measured all of my food and made the right choices. After I began having issues and could not readily afford to keep meeting with my doctor, I did go for "junkier" types of food because these were the things I was able to hold down and quite frankly, I was hungry. Of course, this type of eating puts you back into bad habits. I attribute this to my weight gain of 18 pounds. I was not using the lap band as a bulimic tool or crutch. I was trying to find a happy medium and unfortunately without insurance, this was a difficult task. In my opinion, the lapband should provide a healthy level of restriction so that it can be used as a tool and that was merely what I am searching for. I never said I had tight restriction now. I am at a point where I am able to eat a modest, healthy meal and feel satisfied. Now that I have had some Fluid taken back out and am able to eat healthier foods, those are the things that I have been going for. But, let's get real honest....if we all had amazing willpower to begin with, we probably would have never needed a lap band. You go on to say...Also while you are not having many problems for NOW, it would be a good to start looking for a new job that will offer you some insurance because sooner or later you will probably develop reflux to the point you will not be able to sleep and band damage causes regurgitation of vomiting in your sleep, it can get ugly. I am sending you a cyber hug and giving you tough love and sending you warm vibes, and I really hope your band will be ok, and you learn from this, sometimes you need outside help like counseling and seek a therapist to help cope with your eating and why you eat, you can't use the band as a coping mechanism, that's not its job, although the band is the SAFEST of all the weight loss surgeries, it can get very dangerous and do harm if we don't use it wisely and responsibility. Considering you do not know anything about my home situation, to suggest I look for a new job comes across a bit condescending. I currently have to stay home to take care of a disabled husband and small child. If I worked a full time job and had to hire someone to do this, it would cost me more than I would make. So I work part time when family is able to help me with my husband and child --- being i need such a flexible schedule - the part time jobs I am able to work do not offer benefits. I would love to get counseling to work through these lifelong eating issues, but therapy costs money. I do thank you for being informative and I really do appreciate a lot of the points you made. And although I feel your response to my post came from a good place and was well intentioned, I do feel you were a bit quick to make some harsh accusations about me personally without enough background. I just wish you would have asked me for a little more information before you rushed to judgment. I know that you have edited your initial post and your second one may not seem as harsh, but it is hard for me to "unsee" what I already have read. Jay -
When should i start loosing weight?
Mandymoo13 replied to jessicawinston's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey Jessica. We were banded the same day! I have lost 16 pounds pre-op and as of today...3 since surgery. I was also told that weight gain/loss is not important right now. Healing and getting our protein and water in are!! I wish you all the best! -
Ah ok, it isn't your eating disorder that is stopping you from eating. There are actually weight gain protein shakes that are pretty good. High calorie. I used to buy them for my father because he couldn't keep weight on.. Also, plenty of high calorie low volume foods like peanut butter, avocado... Etc. that you can add to your meals.
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What was your turning point?
SKCUNNINGHAM replied to samantha209's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I came into this world a 9 pound baby, and have been heavy most of my life. I was always the "fat" kid in gradeschool, and thought I was fat when I graduated highschool at 135 pounds (I'm 5'4"). I gained weight during throughout college and when I started working (although would lose 30 pounds with Weight watchers occasionally). I married at 24 weighing 175 pounds. Even though I was too heavy, I was healthy for amany years. Then I started gaining weight every year. Finally - in the 1980's - before Oprah lost with Optifast - I lost 90 pounds with Medifast - lost to my lowest adult weight of 118. Even though I was a regular gym rat and watched my food intake, I couldn't maintain 118. My weight crept up, and I felt like a failure again. I did Optifast again in 1990 before my hysterectomy - to get to a healthy weight before I underwent surgery. By then I was on bloodpressure medicine, and cholesterol medicine. In the late 90's I did a doctor supervised (weekly) program where I took ~ 85 pills a day of vitamins, minerals and supplements - along with folowing something similar to the south beach program.By now, I had a heart they wanted to "watch" for future problems. Never felt better - and got to a nice size 12 - but taking 85 pills a day is a BURDEN and I finally stopped them. (cold turkey - BAD IDEA - threw my immune system into a severe downturn and I got shingles as a result). I gained weight for the next 3 years, and finally in 2002 at 237 pounds I started a weight loss program with a hypnotist. Best way to lose weight except for the sleeve! I lost 103 punds in 9 months and kept it off for about 2 years - during which time I watched my intake, exercised and listened to my hypnosis CD's. Then, I was in a car accident and screwed up an ankle and foot (couldn't exercise), started travelling 80% of the time for work, not listening to my hypnosis CD's and eating on an expense account. Hello - weight gain! Since then, I continued to gain weight and get more health problems (sleep apnea, shortness of breath, worse blood pressure and higher cholesterol problems). WIth my family history of serious heart problems, I was a heart attack waiting to happen. My absolute highest weight was last September (263) - on a trip with my two sisters and my 85 year old mom. We were hiking up a hill in a park to go to a balloon fest. My mom was out-hiking me. My chest hurt so badly I thought I was having a heart attack right then. I guess I had an epiphany that I really needed to do something. When I got home, I seriously started pursuing the sleeve. I had been working to get certified before that (because my insurance would pay for the surgery) - but wasn't "serious" about it. I am absolutely serious now! Three months post surgery, I have lost 54 pounds. Best thing I ever did for myself. -
Gained 5lbs out of nowhere
Arabesque replied to melanieinamumu's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Remember your weight loss isn’t a straight line in a downward trajectory. it zigs & zags & goes up & down for seemingly no reason. There aren’t any ‘you must weigh this, be eating this many calories, be doing this much activity, be losing this much weight by a certain date’ rules. There are just guidelines, averages, may bes & could bes. I agree with the suggestion to talk with your team. Track your food for a week or so first, just to ensure you’re not missing something (it can be easy to do). But I don’t it’s real weight gain in such a short period of time. Yes fluid retention, poop, hormonal fluctuations, etc. Could all contribute. Have you had a medication change? Have you changed your activity in any way? Are you stressed, anxious, etc. about anything? And sometimes our bodies can just be weird & not make sense. I can eat the exact same things for a couple of days & my weight can go up & down. I can break a couple of days of constipation & still weigh more. Who knows why? -
6 days post op, paranoid!
Cocoabean replied to missalissa's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Post-op "starvation" is very common. Know that you all are not alone!! Liquids pretty much just run right through the band. Think of it like a funnel. They just drain right down through. It would be hard to do any damage to your stomach. Once you are back on solids you will feel so much better. I was ready to eat the kitchen sink, my dog, the couch, anything I could get my hands on that wasn't moving faster than I was during that time--the dog got lucky! Also, note that a bit of weight gain prior to the first fill is not uncommon, as there is little to no restriction. It is like having a beautiful new car with an empty gas tank. You have to fill the tank to get performance out of it. Borrowing the metaphor from a poster back when I was first banded. Heal and feel better. Over time as you get fills and find the sweet spot you will find the appetite control and the weight will come off. Denise -
Have any of you taken up bike riding since you have lost your weight? I loved to ride bikes before my weight gain and it has been years since i have been on a bike. Have any of you had any problems riding a bike as exercise since your surgery? (after being released by your doctor of course). This is one of my goals after the surgery. I have begun to make a list of things I look forward to after the surgery that I have not been able to do for years. Thanks.
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I have been over weight my entire adult life. I am 24 and feel like i am older than that lol. About 4 years ago i had a knee surgery that would lead to my weight gain and ultimatly to the lowest self esteem of my life. I struggle day to day with my body image and i hate being the Fat girl that has a "great" personality. I want to feel better and to look better. I have a wonderful friend that is a godnsend in my life. She is my best friend and sister. Next Saturday we are going to duluth to go to a seminar on weight loss surgery. We are looking at both getting the lap band. I am both excited and nervous. Part of me feels crappy that i have to have this surgery to loose weight but part of me is ready to change. I am waiting on insurance but i should have no problem with getting aproved by my insurance. I also have had the recomendation to have this surgery done. I will be posting on here about my personal journey through weight loss hell and too the ideal that i will be. I cant wait to begin my journey! Im jsut glad i am not doing it alone!
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Gaining weight after surgery
Tiffykins replied to BlaqBeary's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
How many carbs/sugar are in a non-fat greek yogurt vs. a deep fried chicken tender covered in honey? It's how our body metabolizes the calories, carbs and sugar. At least that is how my nutritionist explained it to me. All I know is that I was still consuming about 1500 calories a day of fast food, and eating out with my family and friends for those 5 solid days in Texas, and then I came home, went back to my eating plan and normal sleeve regimen, and I lost the weight. Plus, I was running around with family and friends all week between the 4 mile walk at the zoo one day, one day fishing walking around a lake, one day out on my mom's 25 acres wandering around with the kiddo for lord only knows how long, and last week, I came home sat on my butt with the exception of a few errands and one day of bowling. So, all I can say is that food choices definitely contribute to my weight gain and loss. If I consume 400 calories of dense Protein, wouldn't that be better than 400 calories of mashed potatoes and gravy, as it is metabolized differently by our bodies? -
so my surgeon said... Please help me.
Jerzeegurl0815 replied to lalaj's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I was 160 at time that approval was gained. my doc was a true advocate, highlighting my comorbitities, family history, and chance of weight gain. Because I was lower weight my doc did not make my stomach super small, but I do understand that it is just a tool...to date loving it more than my band!!! -
My sister is going to be going through this and I have a question
greytz replied to CrowT's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Both Lapbands have websites that will tell her what to eat. It appears as though the Nutrionist is exaggerating quite a bit. She will be able to have those things in moderation of course. However, I have read posts on here where there were people who could not tolerate bread and certain other kinds of foods with their bands. I haven't had any problem with nuts but I have chosen not to eat bread because I want to get to my goal more quickly. Just a personal choice. I am not sure where she got the burping information but I actually burp now more than I ever did. Carbonated beverages are considered a no no and I just don't drink them ever now because they will swell your pouch and could cause slippage. I just don't want to take the chance and honestly I don't miss them. They do cause weight gain even the diet ones. I just personally choose not to drink them. There are a lot of good alternatives out there. My choice is Crystal Light. So many flavors. I don't miss it. With the Allergan, I received a full packet of information about what to eat and I received four videos to watch called "Emmi" about my band. They were very helpful. She really needs to talk to her doc. -
4 days of mush and the scale has gone up :(
steggegirl replied to hotsexyrunnerchick's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Wow, I had no idea that weight gain was common. I lost 10 lbs the first week and since then have put 1-2 back on even though I am not eating that much! I still am wondering why it is that this happens. I am wondering how a fill will change things because like I said, I am not really eating that much - about 3 cups of food for the entire day. -
Revision Scheduled For June
eglean2 replied to artistapril's topic in Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)
I am or I was between 2 programs. The nutritionist I was seeing, on my last visit, tried to convince me the band was now working despite being unfilled and why would I want a revision?? I was slightly ticked since I have had weight gain, SEVERE reflux, dilatation and a slipped band. I was dumbstruck! Why would I change my mind now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!! If I have to go back to school myself, I will teach myself what I need to know nutritionally speaking. -
How to stop losing and maintain
Healthy_life2 replied to elcee's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
You are at a healthy BMI of 22. Don’t let it go to 18 (underweight) Its up to you on how you want to approach maintenance. You can increase your calories on your own without logging and see if it works. If you start dropping underweight, you may need to log for a while to see how much you need to eat to keep your weight up. At the end of the day its all about being healthy. You will find your balance with this. I’m five years out and maintaining. I maintained with ease my first two years out. Third year I gained 16 -ish *lol* and worked it back off. I was one of those people that said “weight gain will never happen to me” I hope not dieting and not tracking works for you long term. -
Hi everyone! I am a February 2019 sleever and I'm down 100 lbs! Yay! But now at 6 months...the scale has been going up. It's about 6 lbs higher than what I weighed at my lowest. I have been introducing new foods and I recently got injured at the gym so I've just been doing cardio... has anyone experienced this at 6 months? A stall or weight gain? Also...what were you eating at 6months? I really just want to take this time as an opportunity and not go backwards. Thank you!! Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app
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Appetite suppressants (prescribed) 2 years out...
VSGAnn2014 replied to McButterpants's topic in WLS Veteran's Forum
Different response coming here at you ... If I were in your shoes I'd probably not go the phentermine route based on my personal reaction to phentermine in the past. Yes, it made me lose weight. But the second I got off it my appetite returned worse than ever, resulting in some of the most rapid weight gain I've experienced in all my 70 years. This happened to me not once, but twice. If I struggle with regain I'll have to deal with it somehow other than using phentermine. I never want to be that much out of control again as I was after getting off of diet pills. -
Is this real? Or am I just overly sensitive about WLS?
belovedwar replied to Mrs. Reid's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I'm sure it's a combination of things, her own personal issues at home. She probably really wants to be supportive but feels awkward about her own weight gain. I think you need to have a heart to heart so it doesn't have more of an affect on your friendship. I had to tell someone, if you can't be supportive then just keep your mouth shut, she may be doing that(?) -
Appetite suppressants (prescribed) 2 years out...
McButterpants replied to McButterpants's topic in WLS Veteran's Forum
Wow - I didn't expect to come back to so many posts! I love it when a topic keeps going. A couple of things... My doctor and i had a very frank conversation - SHE asked me if I was interested in the suppressants. When I replied with, "I thought those days were over" (meaning, I thought my days of worrying daily about my weight were behind me - I was scared, because I do not want to go back to that miserable person I was two years ago). She said, "This could just be the jump start you need.", ie. a short term solution to get my head right again, get back on track and regain control. She also discussed exercising on a regular basis - "exercise is not an optional activity", she said. We talked about an eating plan which will also help with the appetite - trying to fit in 3 meals (food for Breakfast, lunch and dinner), 2 shakes and the Water has proven to be difficult. If nothing else, I'm more focused again and I do not feel helpless. I am, again, working on McButterpants. So she wasn't prescribing and I'm not taking the suppressants as any magic bullet or a long term solution - like a couple of people mentioned, it's a tool. On the "goal weight" topic - I gave up on my unrealistic pre-op goal weight a long time ago. Around the 18 month mark, when I hit my lowest weight, I realized that I was never going to get there and I was totally OK with that. During this process, this has become about so much more than a number on a scale. For 43 years I identified myself as the funny fat girl - I would make self-depricating remarks and people would laugh and I wouldn't let people know how unhappy, sad and full of self loathing I was. I would eat in private - I would actually look forward to when my husband and son would leave so I could eat. It was a horrible hell in which I lived. So, I was avoiding the 17 pound weight gain - If I didn't talk about it, it didn't happen. My jeans weren't THAT tight. My fear of going back to where I was 2 years ago, quite frankly, scared the $hit out of me. After a few days of regaining control, with the help of the appetite suppressants, I'm not feeling like that any more. I feel like I'm working TOWARDS my goal of healthy living, not avoiding (there is not a number attached to that "healthy living" goal"). I mentioned above this process has become more than the number on the scale - I want to expound on that, especially for the newly sleeved or the pre-oppers. My life is wonderful. This process has made me a better person - I have found out I am stronger than I ever realized. I smile ALL THE TIME. I am genuinely happy. I've become more outgoing - I make it a goal when I travel to spend time talking to one random stranger daily - that has helped with shyness and has helped me come out of my shell. My husband and I have a great relationship - we did before surgery, but now it's more (not too much detail, but the physical aspect of our relationship is much better - that was my hangup not his). My son sees me as a role model for physical activity - we work out together, we go to hot yoga together, we cook together, our relationship is stronger. Work - that has been a wild ride. I went from wanting to quit my job 14 months ago, to getting a promotion and now being viewed a valued member of the executive team. That wouldn't have happened 75 pounds ago when I was perfectly happy giving my ideas away freely and not speaking up in meetings. I now walk into a conference room and take a seat at the table as opposed to sitting in the background with my back against the wall. I appreciate everyone's input on this topic and the twists and turns this thread has taken - people are very passionate about how they feel and I dig that. Some people like to tell stories of "worst case scenarios" - I've never been into that and while I read them, I don't let them rent too much space in my head. I could drive down the highway at 75 miles an hour and have a head on collision with a semi - that's probably the worse case scenario. But I will say, that's not going to stop me from taking that drive and looking at the mountains and enjoying the view. Have a great weekend everyone!