Hello, I'm new!

[830830 0]

Hello everyone,

My name is Julie and I live in England and had my gastric bypass on the 8th Feb, 2014, which makes me 5 weeks out today!

I'm over the worst of the opp, physically, and now I am trying to deal mentally with what I have done to myself- and what this means- living with gastric bypass.

I am delighted that I have gone ahead with this huge decision and I feel that I have researched it well- but honestly- research all you like - nothing will prepare you for how you will feel deep down inside as the weeks go by. I can't put my finger on it- but something has been lost.

I am lost. My new life is governed by times and drinking waiting times, eating duration times, pills and in the early post opp days self injections.

I was so relieved when these were finished. I just don't like injections!!

I have lost including the milk diet weight loss which I did for 10 days, 29LBs. I am delighted.

I have a long way to go , but it's a good start and I am still learning what to do best for me as an individual and not just a bypass patient.

I feel very well supported- my family and friends mostly have been great- but I did not tell many people till the last Minuit , not even my mum!

I had to get used to the idea first before I went public with this ! I was afraid with what people would say, like oh, did you hear about Julie? She really must be desperate to do that!

I know that comments like that represent lack of information on Bariatric surgery, and they simply don't understand that we are fighting a disease like any other and it is a very distressing disease socially at the least...

I also have fabulous support at Streamline with the team and the forum there.

We have monthly meetings and the people that I have met have been very supportive.

Everyday my main focus is on what I should be doing for the best for the bypass living- I have many other things in my life and I guess I feel guilty for thinking about these things secondly- guess I am not used to putting myself first. Everything takes so long to do. I walk for an hour briskly then I come home exhausted and don't really exert myself after that. Just potter around the house and do jobs that need to be done, that I feel I have energy for. I aim for 10,000 steps a say with my FITBIT device. Don't always manage it.

Before my surgery I had high blood pressure and was morbidly obese. So I decided to improve my health for now and the long term. That was my aim. So I had the gastric bypass.

I had good energy levels and now I am tired very easily. I will be happier when I can regain my energy levels, eat a wider selection of normal foods- eat out, I haven't done that yet, and do what I need to do without feeling like I am wading through mud!

I am probably a very impatient patient!!!!

I don't know myself how I feel but I feel different, more unsure of myself- it's like a knock back.

This new life is a learning process.

I am aiming for happiness.

Wishing you the best from over the pond,

Julie

[butterfly2014 128]

Hi Julie! First and foremost Congrats on making this major decision in ur life. You may feel lost at the moment but u will soon find urself as u see the pounds/inches drop. To be the "New Healthy Julie". Always remember why u did this and don't stress over people's reactions or comments, its ur life! I wish u the best on ur new life journey!

[Carlotta1 401]

Hello 830830...congrats on your recent surgery. One week after surgery..I had a day of. mourning over the lost if my best friend, my consoler, my go to. ...FOOD. On that one day, I wanted to binge ..I wanted my best friend that I loved so much for 40 years. I knew I could use my friend anymore.. I was so sad.. It was day of realism..however, with that mourning..my mind flipped. It was also my day of acceptance..that I had to let go of my best friend. Though I know my friend can come and knock on my door again, I am doing the best to keep her a bay. Every since my sleeve, it is so much easier to jump into what life has to offer..rather than being in a stupor with high fat, high sugar food. I have discovered my cues of head hunger'. I.e. Tiredness', stress , and anxiety. I am very aware when I have head hunger..then I take the time out and evaluate what situation I Have put my day in. Then I slowdown..tell myself that nothing is worth being anxious about ..to,sabotage my health journey.

You are going through a transition..and that is an integral part of growth towards health..when I are feeling out of your body. The time to analyze your feelings and write it down..face your new reality.

Make sure you are not over exercising. Not eat all your Protein...etc etc. Your body is healing.. So be patient..be kind to yourself..

I am so happy that had that one horrible day. I did not binge..I eat what I was directed to. But it was a day of awakening. So embrace change. Even though it is foreign to you right now.

[KIbsch 1]

You said it very well.

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[830830 0]

Thank you for your lovely replies!

I'm not a misserie guts, just lost and trying to think ahead about how life will be now, without that best friend food!!

It has helped to write down and post how I feel- in this new way of being!

I need some sunshine!!!!

Keep in touch,

Julie

[Baconville 578]

Hi! Welcome to our group! There are some amazing people here and you will find another group to offer support, encouragement, and inspiration. These are all things you will find you need along this journey that is gastric bypass surgery. I am approaching 9 months out and have lost 170 pounds. I started at 330 and am down to 158. It is a new way to live, but the rewards are SOOOO great. I will be spending a few days away from home on a short vacation for the first time since my surgery. Just another step in the journey! I am nervous and excited at the same time. You will find, I think, that this is very common too. Best of luck to you! We are here for you!!