jen_1381

I would check with your PCP or GYN. I see a DO (doctor of osteopath) as my PCP, and she gave me some tips for how to manage the symptoms that didn't involve actual medication. I went off the HRT because the estrogen increases your risk of breast cancer, and not that I'm paranoid or a hypochondriac, but breast cancer was the last thing I wanted to deal with after having to have a hysterectomy.

Congrats!! Hitting those milestones feel SO good!!

I went through a pseudo-menopause after I had a hysterectomy and then a year and a half later stopped my Hormone Replacement Therapy. Hot flashes at 28!! No fun. I feel for you. Luckily, my symptoms only lasted a few weeks. I feel for ya As for the mood swings...I like to think I never had them...just don't ask my husband!!

I know this may not fall exactly in line with your diet plan yet, but I find now that I'm about 13 weeks out (and on a regular diet) that if I'm craving something, it's best to have a little taste of whatever I want. If I don't indulge just a tad, I eat around it. I think - - well I can't have my _____ so I'll have this...then this...then this. And before you know it, I've eaten four times the calories of the one thing I was craving. So I let myself have a very little bit. A bite of something then give it away or throw it away. I'm not recommending everyone do this, especially if your diet guidelines have you still on liquid/mushy. I just learned a long time ago that I'll eat around whatever I'm really craving if I don't give myself just a little.

It hits me really strange sometimes; at my skinniest in the past 15 years, which happened to be last year around March (I was 2 pounds lighter than I am right now) I bought this super cute size 12 jean skirt for my friends wedding. Out of sheer curiousity I put it on yesterday, thinking I am still a few months away, and it fit perfect! I was a very bizzare feeling.

My first thought when I put on a pair of my regular jeans and they are WAY too big is...huh, what happened to my pants? Not - hey, you've dropped 4 sizes, now your smaller pants are too big, good job....but, huh, maybe they need washed in hot Water to shrink back up? It seems like something is wrong with my clothes vs. me actually losing and fitting into smaller things!! I haven't been able to give myself any credit yet along the way. This really frustrates my husband, because I still don't see the difference and he can't understand how I couldn't see it. Yeah, most of my clothes are way too big (including my bras), but looking in the mirror I still see the same person.

So I think I may be very close to the ellusive Green Zone, if not in it. I'm kind of struggeling honestly. I don't get my "full signal" at all until it's too late. Now, partly that's my fault because I've been back to my old ways of letting myself get way too hungry then eating too fast. I thought maybe I was ignoring the signs of fullness. I've had two "stuck" episodes in the past few days, all from eating too fast and not chewing well enough. I haven't had to PB or anything, they pass after about two minutes of sheer hell. I reprimanded myself last night after dinner, and have vowed to slow down, eat only my measured out portions, really tune into my body, and for the love of everything holy, start exercising again!! Where did I get derailed? I was working out every single day. Then I decided I needed a rest day because my hip hurt. That turned into two, then three, then two whole weeks!! My treadmill practically rusted!! So, Thursday, my husband and I went and climbed Beacon Rock (850 ft incline, a trail that is all switchbacks but not too horrible). I was shocked that out of my husband, his brother, and me, they were stopping more than me! Last night I had planned on jogging a 3 mile loop, but after the blister on my big toe (since wearing appropriate hiking shoes the day before would have been too easy) opened, so I settled for the elliptical and some calnisthetics. I'm still bouncing between the same three pounds, 189-192. It's frustrating, especially since I only have a week until the end of the month when I wanted to be 185. I doubt I can do it, but, I'm still going to try. Now that I'm in the zone, hopefully my scale will get as excited as I am and start dropping numbers.

Checking in at 189.4.

How many cc's do you have in your band? If one fill got you to the green zone, consider yourself very lucky! Most people need a few fills to get to their green zone. Your apetite can come and go. Some days I struggle to get in 500 calories, other days I'm making myself work out extra hard because I've eaten more than usual, and am still starving! I'm not sure about a hot tub making the band tighter...I know a change in altitude, or stress, among other things, can make the band tighten. Maybe the heat does? I just embrace my hunger, or lack of. Each day is different.

I told them I was really tired and loopy so I'd rather not talk right now. I used to work in the recovery room and people would say the most amazing things (like the nurse (who was the patient) that was telling her doctor what an ass he really was). I always try to keep my mouth shut!! I do remember joking around with the xray techs, and telling the nurses I felt fantastic when they asked how I felt. I was awake pretty fast though, and had no pain.

Honestly, I was so used to the liquid diet, and so scared to attempt real food, I almost stayed on liquids! I just transitioned into mushies slowly, trying one food at a time in case something didn't sit well. Also - don't be alarmed if you gain a few pounds when you transition into each new eating level. It took my body a few days to get used to real food and it reacted by holding onto my weight.

Laura - I had a reduction when I turned 18, went from a 40DD to a full C. After having the surgery, I don't need to wear a bra if I don't want to. My boobs were super saggy before and now they're perfectly in place whether I have a bra on or not. Maybe getting a reduction or lift, and removing excess skin, will keep them in place without them going completely away (unless you want them all the way gone).

Is your port in that location? There's not much in the left lower quadrant..colon is about it. Is it intermittent - like it could be gas pain? Also, it could be referred ovarian pain. Just a few ideas...but it's always best to run it past your PCP or surgeon.

Make sure you're hitting your protein goal for the day. I started taking Biotin to help prevent hair loss, plus I dye mine (a lot!) and the Biotin helps make your hair healthier and your nails grow stronger.

That's a great question for your surgeon. When I asked mine where he puts it, he said that he ALWAYS puts it in the same location. On the right side, about an inch or two below my ribs. He said that he found that location to be the least likely to flip for his patients. I sleep on my right side and would have preferred it to be placed on my left, but as it turns out it doesn't even bother me.

Tough questions - I'm debating whether I'm in the Green Zone yet or not. I have a 11 cc band and have 6 cc's in it. I don't get my "full" signal when I'm eating, but I do stay full for 4-5 hours after I eat around 1 cup of food. Maybe I'm just not tuning into my body well enough. If I'm not in the Green Zone now, I'm very close.

Wow Joel, you are such an inspiration! Excactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you for sharing your story. Congrats to you!!

"The band allows 1200-1500 calories a day" is not a true statement. The band would allow 100 calories or 5,000. It's up to you and what you put in your mouth. The band is simply a tool to help you feel fuller, faster. The goal is to be satisfied for 4-6 hours on 1 cup of food (trust me, I still have moments where I'd like that 1 cup to be all Sour patch Kids or a Snickers). The surgery has to be accompanied with a lifestyle change that includes healthy food and exercise. If this sounds like something you're up for then the band may be right for you. I also have hypothyroid and don't think it's an issue so much...I take a supplement daily to help keep my levels in range. You may need to adjust your meds as you lose.

I'm losing weight porportionately, but I have more to lose from my abdomen and thighs. My back and sides were actually the first place to slim down, then I noticed my collar bone shows and my face was getting thinner. I do a variety of exercises to try to keep losing from all over, but should probably focus a little more on my stomach

It's too bad we can't chose where to lose weight from! I have lost a whole cup size since surgery about 13 weeks ago. I had breast reduction surgery when I was 18, and was very happy with my chest the past few years. Now...well not so much. BUT, I embrace the weight loss, smaller boobs, the looser skin on my tummy, and my port showing because it's paired with jeans that are 4 sizes smaller, thighs that only no longer touch in most places, and no longer needing an "X" in front of my shirt sizes. So, I get what I get

As frustrating as it may be, it really is true when they say that the first few weeks are not for losing but for healing. Your body has been through the trauma of surgery, in combo with the altered diet, it's in panic mode. It's going to hold on to all of the Water and calories it gets. You need to give yourself time to let your body calm down. I was up about 6 lbs the day after surgery. It was shocking, but within a few weeks I was back to steadily losing. Don't worry or get discouraged, it will get better.

Get back on track, girl! You'll feel SO much better when you don't have the stress and guilt of eating badly. Don't get hung up on your slip-up, just right your wrongs today, NOW, and focus ahead. (Was that non-coddling enough?!). The pre-op time is a great time to get used to the healthy lifestyle we all strive to live. That being said, it's human nature to make mistakes, give into temptation, etc. I'm currently resetting myself - - I ate too much last night, and although it wasn't horribly unhealthy, it wasn't my normal meal plan. I feel crummy from the not-so-great food so I'm doing Protein shakes today and a light dinner. I felt a twinge of guilt after I was finished eating but shook it off, knowing that this was a rare event and I will do better from that moment on. So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, find a new outlet for exercise this week and get focused on your meal plan. Prove to yourself you can be strong and overcome the temptation. Trust me, walking away from the cupcake or candy bar feels empowering.