Shanny

I'm 15 months post-op. I thought having complications was long behind me. But alas, yesterday I found out that I have to have surgery to repair my incisional hyper-umbilical hernia. Six months ago, I was doing crunches and I felt a pull in my navel. I went to the doctor and we both thought I had pulled a muscle. It didn't bother me for a while. Three months ago when I had an impacted colon, my CAT scan showed that I had a hernia. Recently, the more I exercise, the more my stomach and navel hurt. Two weeks ago, I had the stomach flu from hell. I threw up for 3 days straight. Since then the shape of the top part of my stomach has changed and now I feel something poking out of my stomach, which I cad push back in. I went back to my surgeon and he did an exam. The hernia that was a few centimeters in January is now from my navel to almost my breastbone. To make things worse, when my surgeon had me cough, he noticed that my intestines are pushing through the hole. Luckily, nothing is strangled, but he wants to do the surgery sooner, rather than later. So, I'm waiting for a date. We trying to do it next week, or the week after. The good news is, he said that he can tighten the muscle above my navel - like a particial tummy tuck, and it will be covered by my insurance as a hernia repair. But, because the bottom of my stomach is fine, he can't do that part. I guess beggers can't be chosey. I really thought that after my sleeve my next surgery would be plastic surgery. Guess that's not the case. I feel fine, for the most part. It only bothers me when I do certain things. I can't work out like I want to because things start pushing through and it's irritating. But jogging and walking don't bother me, so that's what I've been doing. Eating feels weird because I can feel the food moving through my stomach and intestines. I'll be so glad when I get this fixed!

I know exactly what you're talking about! I wasn't a big sweets eater before, but I'm definitely an emotional eater. I've been stressed lately, it seems to be coming from all places. Since I can't eat Pasta & bread (what I loved before surgery) I've discovered chocolate, brownies, and ice cream! Unfortunately, it doesn't hurt when I eat it. I'm really trying to get myself together and keep away from the sweets. I exercise regularly, but lately sweets have been my reward for working out. It's hard, but yesterday I looked at myself in the mirror and decided I've come too far and worked too hard. I'm not going back!

Oh, I just found this thread! Thank God for it! I'm addicted to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, York Pepperment Patties, chocolate ice cream...hell, all chocolate! I never had a sweet tooth before but now it's all I crave. It's easier if I just don't have any chocolate, because I've found out I can't have just 1 piece. Last week, I ate an entire snack size bag of Reese's mini peanut butter cups. That's the only food I had the whole day! I felt worse emotionally than I did physically afterward. I need rehab!

@ Lissa, I know 3 pounds isn't a lot. I'm just afraid that 3 pounds will turn into 10, which will turn into 20 and then me gaining all of my weight back! It's irrational, but I'm so afraid to go back to feeling how I did when I was bigger. I can't let that happen. I want to nip it now before it gets out of hand. Thanks for the kind words. I feel great and I'm healthy. That's all that really matters.

I try not to stress about my weight. I know what I'm supposed to do and I have it down to a science. However, over the last few weeks, I've realized that i am addicted to chocolate. It's the one thing that I can eat all day long. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and York Peppermint Patties are my drug of choice. Actually, there were a few bad days where that's all I ate.Granted we were waiting for high school acceptance letters, and then financial aid/scholarship awards. I know that doesn't sound like a good reason to go on a chocolate binge, but if my son didn't get into high school, he would have to go to public school and I swear I will put on clear heels and glitter, change my name to Bubbles, and work a pole before that happens - I was stressed out! Needless to say, in the last 6 weeks, I've gained 3 pounds. Even though I had my chocolate thing, I still exercised regularly. In fact, I've stepped it up! I walked 14.5 miles yesterday! Go me!!! I belly dancing, Bollywood Dancing, do Crunch Ass & Abs everday, aerobics 2 times a week, and walk at least 20 miles a week! I'm in great shape. I can't get these damn 3 pounds off though! It's not all bad. My body shape has shifted again, and I have a butt and hips again! Thank God. The remaining fat shifted and I'm curvy again(I hated the way I was shaped once I started losing weight - I'm not used to not having a butt!) My measurements are smaller than they were before my chocolate indisgression, yet my weight is up. I'm even in a smaller pants size now. I'm down from an 8 and firmly into a 6. But, I weigh more. I don't understand it. I try not to live my life by the scale, but I can't help but to weigh myself everyday. I love the way I look, I love the way my clothes fit. I'm in the best shape of my life, so why are those damn numbers so important to me? I know I have to maintain my weight for 6 months before I can have plastic surgery. Maybe that's why. I want a tummy tuck and my thighs and arms done. But at this rate it's not going to happen as long as I'm gaining weight. I haven't been through one of these upward swings in a hot minute, so I'm slightly freaking out about it. I know that I have just wait and one day I'll wake up and have lost 5 pounds. But, until then I remain slightly frustrated!

NSV = Non-scale victory!

So, went shopping, and the pair of pants I wanted they didn't have in my size. In fact, they didn't have it the next two sizes down from me, either. So, for the hell of it, I picked up a size 5 just to see if I could squeeze a thigh in it. Guess what? I bought them! HA!!!!! I am NOT a size 5, but I can wear these pants! I can't pull them up on my hips as far as I can my other pants, but I can button and zip them, sit in them, and bend over in them. I HAVE A PAIR OF SIZE 5 PANTS!!!!! I am still smiling about it! I'm going to wear them this weekend on date night - make myself feel extra special! Love my sleeve!!!!

I know what the scale says I weigh, but sometimes it doesn't seem real. I have worn a size 2x pantyhose, and Queen sized knee highs for years. Yesterday I decided to buy some hose, and I was lost in the store. After buying several things and them not fitting, I found out, I'm a size A hose, and now "One Size Fits All" applies to me! I love my sleeve!