Hopeful Spirit

Thanks, Nicole for starting this Boston Group. I am from Allston (on the Brighton border) and was "sleeved" 2 weeks ago today at Mass General Hospital by Dr. Matthew Hutter. I am 66 years old and was afraid of complications becasue of my age, but luckily had a very smooth recovery with only a couple of challenges. One was that I quickly became lactose intollerant, but have now conquered that with soy milk and soy products! Another was that I seemed to have pain in my incision area longer than other people on the forum, but learned that was normal and caused by stiching on the inside to the muscle as well as on the outside at the two main areas (the one for the camera and the one for the stapler).. I know there are a few more people from Boston here on the forum in the "Regional" area of the forum. Maybe we can join this group? If anyone has any questions for me, I am happy to share what I can. All good things, Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Too bad to hear about your problems. But it sounds like it could be gall stones or gall bladder infection. Did any of the doctors at the ER mention this possibility to you? It is good that you are seeing a GI doctor soon. He/she will figure it out. Good luck! Phyllis

Hi Everyone! I am looking for people who will be having their VSG in October. My surgery is Oct 17 at Mass General Hospital in Boston with Dr. Hutter. Anyone else out there in Massachusetts or Boston? But that isn't necessary to respond. Let's share our thoughts and feelings as this surgery get closer, happens and we start our new lives. Let me know how you are doing! Looking forward to hearing from you. Hopeful Spirit.

You can see my reply above. I am not doing that well, either. Down 98 lbs and up 30 lbs since October, 2011. I just updated my profile. Let's keep in touch. OKay? Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit Yes would be happy to. Just sent you a message! I don't see a message anywhere. As a matter of fact I don't see any information in your profile.

You can see my reply above. I am not doing that well, either. Down 98 lbs and up 30 lbs since October, 2011. I just updated my profile. Let's keep in touch. OKay? Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi. I am a Oct 16, 2011 Sleever and have to say that I am "doing ok" and "not doing ok." That is, I still have an OVERALL weight loss from start to now of 70 lbs, but have gained 30 lbs since my lowest weight which was in May of 2012. I have just updated my profile now since the new Bariatric website, so you can look at the pictures. I am REALLY struggling with not regaining weight. I have continued periodic appointments with the psychologist at the Mass General Weight loss Center and also am working with another psychologist because this is so difficult. I need to start connecting to others again through this website. I have just been reluctant since everything seems to have changed since the original VSG site which I was very active in. So that is me so far, HOW ARE YOU DOING? You didn't mention anything. If you want others to reply, you need to say something too! Please? Phyllis aka Still (somewhat) hopeful Spirit

Hi Jolie -- LONG TIME NO COMMUNICATE!! But looking back I can see your posts amongst mine as we anxiously awaited our surgeries together and came out on the other side!! We were "sister sleevers" because we both were sleeved on October 17, 2011. It seemed like a long time ago now, doesn't it. So here we are 2 years and counting past that date and I am so happy to hear from you again. I wonder how the other October, 2011 Sleevers are doing. You and I are truly struggling our bad habits re-emerging, but I do feel hopeful for the future. I am, remember, a "Hopeful Spirit" . Let's keep in touch, Phyllis (AKA Hopeful Spirit)

Hi Laura-Ven: What great news you share! I would love to check out the Veteran Forum, and will look for it. I need all the help I can get. Before my surgery -- which was Oct 17, 2011 (by mistake I said October 16 earlier) -- I found the VSG site very helpful in sharing stories and giving support. You are correct about hard work in detoxsing from carbs, sugar and junk!!! Really easy to fall into old habits there. Right now my new clothes which I bought after my big post-surgery loss are beginning to feel tight and I REFUSE to buy new ones!! I cleaned out my closet of BIG clothes, so I do NEED to lose weight or I will be walking around in the winter cold NUDE. And believe me, that will NOT be a pretty sight! Thanks so much for your interest in answering our posts! All good things to you, Hopeful Spirit

Hi Oceanblue. What a pretty name. You bring back a lot of memories. It has ALSO been a long time since I have been on this site, and, quite frankly, I have been avoiding it. I started this topic of "looking for October friends" way back in October, 2011 before my Sleeve Operation (one day before your operation) and well, "petered out" in my posts to this site after I had lost close to 100 pounds in just about 6 months! It was really wonderful way back then -- losing all that weight. But, like you, that wonderful fast downhill journey didn't last for all that long. I have a lot of your same problems with craving carbs (especially sweets) and being hungry. Weight started creeping up slowly. I started at 309 pounds and went down to 209 pounds with a goal of 160. I, also, remember those first 10 pounds gained. But I was not so lucky to stop at that. You are doing much better than me. I managed to add another 16 pounds to that and am now at around 235. So I am pretty concerned as well. I started to see a psychologist and continued going to the Weight Loss Center at Mass General Hospital to see the people there for support, but have been in constant struggle for this past year. I remember feeling SO THIN after I lost the 100 pounds, and NOW I feel fat! It is so funny how we see ourselves. So I was actually happy to see your entry on this website even though I hardly even recognize this website anymore. I think I will need to start using it again and, like you, start reaching out for support. I don't know what this "5 day pouch test" is, but it doesn't sound good to me. It sounds too much like a diet and for me, diets ALWAYS means weight gain afterwards. The only cure, I think, is learning how to cut down on the carbs and sweets. Sugar is the real culprit. I have made a couple of efforts at curbing my sugar cravings by substituting fruit, which actually worked for awhile, but I somehow fell into my emotional eating pattern again, and the sweets came back. I wish I could offer you some help or advice now, but I am in your same position, only with more weight gained since my operation. I will have to look for help for the "old-timers" who have maintained their sleeved weight for a long time. But for now, I just want to tell you that I totally understand and perhaps we can support each other in overcoming this road-block to our weight loss and health goals! All the best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving and a little turkey and veggies and tiny dessert! I like to remember that Thanksgiving is only a one-day event! Let me know how you are doing. Hopefulspirit

Hi KD: First of all, it is very good that you joined this forum because there are lots of people who can give your tips from their own experience. So congrats on that. Also, 30 pounds lost is nothing to sneeze at. Congratulate yourself on losing this much. Secondly, if I were you, I would go to the "tell your story" part of this forum if you haven't done that yet to tell people about who you are and what you need. Also, I would recomment asking questions in the "Post Surgery" section which is also fantastic if you have a problem, like you seem to have with worrying about weight loss. People will help you here. But you need to give people more information about your situation -- like how you are measuring your 30 pounds lost. Is that the amount since your surgery, or are you counting before surgery weight loss. How much do you need to lose? In my "weight loss ticker" below, I am counting from before my surgery, when I started with the weight loss program at Mass General Hospital. I lost 10 pounds before I had my surgery. Also helpful is where you had your surgery. Are you under the care of a nutritionist or program giving you instrucitons on what and how much to eat and drink? What are you eating and drinking? These are things that will help people know how to give you advice and suggestions. We are all in this together so sharing is important. You will get help. You say you are from New England. Where abouts? I am in Boston. Good luck, Phyllis (Hopeful Spirit)

Hi everyone: I am 3 weeks post op and just starting eating soft, moist and very tiny pieces of Protein. Veggies and fruit will be added next week on my program. I have been chewing and chewing but there are some more pureed types of food that go down faster, like yogurt, cottage cheese, humus, etc. I am one of those people who does get hungry (both head hunger and real hunger) and I am really trying to pay attention to my body and STOP EATING WHEN SATISFIED, OR FULL. The problem is I can seem to figure out when that is. I am also one of the people who have not changed my taste for the favorite foods I love (except asperteine-flavored beverages). Last night I got into a scary spot because I was reminded of my old compulsive eating habits. This was the first time it happened since surgery. I was eating humus, and loving the taste so much. It also seemed to go down smoothly. I was probably slipping into an "unconsious" eating stage and ate too much too quickly because it tasted so good. I finally stopped when I began to feel sick, like if I put ONE MORE tiny spoon-full in my mouth, I would vomit! This scared me, becasue it was the first time it happened. I didn't vomit, but just felt sick for an hour or so until it passed over. I don't want to fall into my old patterns, but don't know how to tell I am full so I can stop and not OVEREAT. Does anyone have experience with this and have any advice. What does it feel like to you when you are full and satisfied. Help is sorely needed. Thank you so much, Phyllis, aka, Hopeful Spirit

Me again, Chris. One more thing. Why don't you change your "Ticker" to something other than pumpkin Pies? Anything other than sweet food. That way you can start changing your mind. It is a small step process. I don't even want to think aobut pie right now. Later, maybe if I feel I can handle it. I hope I am not being too forward here. Please forgive me if you think that is the case. All good things, Phyllis , aka Hopeful Spirit

Hi Chris: \It is pretty funny that we both are experiencing the same "problems" with eating and asked the same questions, but I have received some TERRIFIC answers from people and I looked at your post and you did as well. There is a different way to know that you are full, and I am using all the advice I have received and working on fine-tuning my method of knowing when I have had enough PHYSICALLY! Physically is the operative word here. To work out what I want to eat EMOTIONALLY is a totally different subject and needs to be handled on emotional terms. NOT EASY to do. Believe me, I know all about it, but I am on the journey to work it out and I hope you can join me and the many others on this forum who managed to also work it out. A hugh undertaking, but well worth it. The first thing I did after posting my request for help here is to set specific times when I eat so I don't graze. This hasn't been that difficult to do because I have been keeping busy in between times. That is also important. That way I don't think about food until I eat my meal. I drink lots of Water in between. And I try to change my priorities to look for value in other things besides food, and things like that. I am also eating foods like fish which have a lot of Protein and little fat and if cooked properly, is pretty moist. I make a little tarter sauce with low fat mayo and relish and put a little bit (tiny bit) in a small bowl with a small amout of fish (I have cod today) and mix it up and eat it. I happen to love fish, so I guess I am lucky, but for now, it is something I can work on. The biggest problem I have, like you, is loving the taste and wanting to eat more than I can. But, besides becoming very uncomfortable, I know it will lead to weight gain in the future and I have to force myself to put controls on myself. So I also just put about 2 oz of whatever (now it is fish) in my tiny plate and sit down and eat it as slowly as possible. I don't get up to have more until I have stopped eating for at least 10 minutes. This is hard to do, but I am getting better at it. I also just recommended a book to Shea, above, and I will recommend it to you as well. I have found it very helpful with helpful tools. The WeightLoss Surgery Workbood, by Doreen Samelson, EdD, MSCP. There you can find different strategies for controling emotional eating. Good luck and let's keep in touch! Phyllis, aka Hopeful Spirit

Dear Shae: I so totally appreciate your entry here and admire your courage to face your past traumatic family situation of food deprivation as you struggle with changing those early patterns that hold such a firm part in our minds. Perhaps a start is just consciously reminding yourself and even looking at the extra food you may have in the house every time before you take a bite. You can always go back if you are really hungry. But I know this is easier said than done. Although different from yours, I also have my "demons from my early childhood" which interfere with my desire to only eat until I am physically satisfied. I was sexually abused as a child and have it "set in my mind" that I have to overeat to feel pleasure and be fat to protect myself. Of course, that isn't the case now, but I, like you, have to have the courage to confront those deeply set ideas to change them. Becasue my life is different now and there are other ways to find comfort and protect myself. The problem is that it isn't easy to learn those "other ways" but I am determined to do that. And for you, learning ways to convince yourself that you are no longer deprived and that food will be available when you need it, will also be a difficult journey. I think may people on this forum deal with similar issues, so you are not alone. I found a very good workbook, "The Food and Feelings Workbook, A Full Course Meal on Emotional Health by Karen Koenig, LCSW, M.Ed. This really helped me identify my feelings when it comes to food. Maybe it can help you too. You can get it on Amazon.com. Another good book is The WeightLoss Surgery Workbook, by Doreen Samelson, EdD,.MSCP. This book also has some good tools for "emotional eating." I am also lucky to be seing a therapist to help me through this "new" stage of my life where I need to find new forms of pleasure (I know they are out there!!) and new ways to protect myself without being fat! Good luck to you and may your journey be blessed! Phyllis, aka, Hopeful Spirit

Thank you all for your understanding and advice. It is really important to know the experience of others at a time like this. This is such an opportunity to learn how to eat properly. Thank you again.