Aimee480

Good to know I am not alone with this. I SO wanted some wine yesterday evening, but I knew it would only make me feel yucky and mad at myself. Which would lead me into negative self talk and on and on with the negative behaviors. Amazing how physiological ALL of this is..... The food, the drinking, self talk. I just want to BE....

I am making this post because I need to come clean. Prior to surgery I would drink nearly every evening, a glass or two of wine or a couple of beers a night. Did I feel I had a problem??? - Maybe, but I would rationalize it by telling myself I could go days at a time without drinking, so it could not be a problem. During my pre-op stage I did not touch alcohol, nor did I even want a drink. Post surgery, I did fine for a month... Then, I thought, I want to try a glass of wine. I did and one glass was all I needed. But the next day there was still that wine left, so I rationalized drinking again by saying I did fine the night before might as well have another glass. A week later I have rationalized my way into having a glass to a glass and a half of wine nearly every night. I see an old habit returning and I don't want it back. I poured out the remaining wine and am making this posting to come clean about my error. For those of you who might be like me (a regular alcohol user pre-surgery) and want to have drink post surgery.... Please don't. It could be slippery slope into letting other impulsive negative behaviors back into your life. Yes - I know there are people who can have a drink with no problem post surgery. I am just admitting I am not one and I started to slide down the slippery slope into old unhealthy behaviors.

I am one month post op and eating soft foods. I too miss certain foods like chips and salsa, but I ask myself "will eating this really make me feel better/happy?" I think of the times where I would eat myself into a coma and how I NEVER actually felt good or happy when I ate that way. If you are craving something, take a bite chew and chew, then spit it out.

Try Crystal Lite PURE. My NUT (who is STRICT) said it is approved. It saved me.... I could not do regular Crystal Lite or other fake-ass sweet stuff. The Pure does not taste fake and is so yummy!

I also have Hashimoto's and had a partial thyroid removal eight years ago and had not a single question or concern about this issue when going through the surgery process. On a side note, I had the surgery almost four weeks ago and have been successful with weight loss. I don't think my thyroid had much to do with me being over weight. I am over weight because I was eating and drinking myself to death.

Think of this as your "rock bottom." My rock bottom was also on day one of my two week pre-op clear liquid diet.... I snuck food under a towel and sat on the toilet eating cold scrambled eggs and two sausage links. I was never so ashamed or embarrassed with myself and this gave me the strength and resolve to be a better person. You can do it!

I was sleeved on 6/14 at Gateway with Dr. Schuster and was BEYOND impressed with the Gateway staff. All of the Banner Gateway Docs have great reps and rightfully so, they are very professional. The pre and post op support groups are also an important component of the process. I as SO apprehensive about the surgery and am beyond happy I made the decision.

I had to do a two-week pre-op diet where I lost nearly 20 lbs. Since I felt so successful on the pre-op diet, I thought I did not need the surgery. Up till the moment I was put under, I almost backed out. I thought I would die under the "knife" or that I was just making a dumb decision. I did not back out and I am THRILLED with the process. I feel wonderful and know this is the best decision outside of deciding to have children. On a side note, and please don't think I am being critical. But I do not care for it when people refer to this as "a new life." Your live will still be your life, you will still have the same problems and issues. I think of this process as my new attitude towards myself and the way I interact with food.

I tried decaf hot tea for three weeks, but it is just not the same as coffee. I broke down one week post op and had myself a cup of coffee. I limit myself to one cup a day of real coffee. I do not have any other caffiene during the day and usually do not drink the entire cup of coffee. Now, I am NOT back up to my cup of hot coffee and large iced coffee w/ sugar free vanilla from McD's, and I will NEVER go back to that bad habit. But my single cup o coffee is so nice. :wub:

I am almost three weeks post op and am EXACTLY the same. The first few days after surgery I could just take little sip after sip, but then at about six days out I could drink pretty normally. If I am thirsty enough, I can easily drink a 16 oz bottle of water in ten to fifteen minutes. I was worried that there was something wrong with me cause I could drink so "normally," but I am not too worried b/c when I try to drink an entire protein shake I get FULL when I am not half-way done.

I had the sleeve on June 14th and have also his a stall. I went in for my two week post op appoitment and was told that this is normal. I also attend a support group for WLS patients and everybody said they his a three week stall. Some folks said it lasts a short time and for others it was a couple of weeks. Everyone gave the same advice, take your measurements. My thought on all of this is that I am 26 lbs down and happy. I never want to go back. Good luck, you'll get through this.

I am one and a half week post-op, but completed two weeks of a two week pre-op clear liquid diet. During the pre-op diet and a week after surgery I lost 23 lbs!!! BUT...since last Thursday I have only lost 2 lbs. I was getting depressed thinking I am "eating" too much. But when I plugged in my food diary into My Fitness Pal, I was pretty much on target. After reading this post and the comments, I feel SO much better. Knowing there is a "three-week" stall for many makes me know I am not alone.

Wow, you all are LUCKY! I am on week one of two weeks of a clear liquid pre-op diet. I have three to four protein shakes a day, sugar-free Jell-O, broth, sugar free liquids, and sugar free popscicles. I has been difficult, but down ten pounds in one week and feeling so much better. Good luck with your journey.

I received a notice from a third party entity informing me of the "Initial Denial Notice." The letter stated I was denied because "No Severity of Illness." Since my BMI is slightly under 40 I must have A co-morbity, which I do, I have high blood pressure. My main annoyance is from the lack of communication. The surgeon's office NEVER communicated the denial. I received a letter in the mail. When I called the surgeon's office, the insurance coordinator seemed put-out with my questions. This is suppose to be a top-noch/top-rated program. I have been very impressed up till this point. She made it quite clear that it is MY problem to do all the appeal work, she did her part by submitting the initial paper work, so wiping her hands of it all. When I called the provider, they said to call this other provider b/c they do not handle the claims (BUT your number is on the letter!!!!!!!). So, after numerous calls, I learned there is one nice person out there. She does not know exactly why I was denied, but she gave me some info for my appeal letter. I have written my appeal letter, will be calling my PCP to get records of my blood pressure with note of the blood pressure meds I am prescribed. And keep my fingers crossed. Anybody been through this process could offer words of wisdom/advice, I will be so grateful.

I guess I know how much I want/need this and am just afraid of the insurance co. But you are totally right. I have been over-eating more than normal. I am looking forward to the day that won't be able to over-eat. I know that sounds silly, but I am so sick and tired of feeling totally out of control. I know I am actually in control, but I don't feel in control.