Strangefruit

I love the medically supervised/ diet & exercise explanation!! Think I'll go with that!! *clapping like we're on Family Feud* Good answers!! Good answers!! Thank you all!

PdxMan - I guess what is hard for me is that even when I eat the RIGHT types of food... and eat a lot less...it is still not ... easy? comfortable? Not sure... I guess I could take exercising every day, logging calories (professional dieter - used to that) but I expected that I would eat LESS and eat healthier... what I did NOT expect was difficulty eating PERIOD. Eating skinless chicken or turkey, eating Protein, I don't even miss carbs as much as I thought I would... but I still feel physical discomfort eating. So. Perhaps that is just me. I did not expect a lifetime of dreading food...just LESS food and healthier food.

I am one of the posters who have said in the past that I have regrets...Not all of the time, but yes - I have. I *did* do my research...I had psychological counseling... my entire preparation time was over a year. I KNEW what I was getting in to.
I have had a love/hate relationship with food for over 40 years. So yes - it IS hard to adjust to a different style of eating. I WANTED to lose weight...I STILL want to lose weight. I am down almost 70lbs in six months. I am healthier... I exercise EVERY day. But. This is still the hardest thing I have ever done. And I can't say for sure that if I had to do it over again, I would. The last 6 months have been the hardest 6 mos of the last 30 years of my life... So, it hasn't all been rainbows and unicorns.
People who think that weight loss surgery is an "easy way out" or a short cut? I want to punch them smack in the mouth. It was VERY hard. For me. Some folks seem to have the surgery and bounce right back and go to work the next day, run a 5k, etc, etc... ~shrug~ Flame away, but that is how *I* feel.

Yeah, that was the good news ... now, for the bad news ... at one year, you may begin to throw caution to the wind and wish some foods were not as easy to go down. At least, that is my experience from reading threads from folks 1+ years out. They are amazed at how much they can eat without difficulty, but admit they don't follow the guidelines. So, for some folks, this is their magic time to get their best weight loss results because of the difficulty. I still follow the guidelines pretty closely and have been able to maintain, I believe, because of this. I accept this as being how my body communicates with me now. When I am full, it is uncomfortable. That is a good thing. Some folks will cry out, "IT HURTS WHEN I GET FULL!!" Uh ... and ...

Well, I have good news for you. I see that you are at the 6 month post-op mark. For me, this was the point when things just started to get *easier*. It was when I caught the first glimmer of hope that one day my life might return to some form of normalcy, as far as food went. At 6 months I could eat one piece of red meat (tenderloin) and it didn't hurt. If I tried a second bite, it did hurt, but knowing that I could have one bite let me know that I was progressing. I was also able to eat salads comfortably, too, at 6 months, which I loved and still do. Up to this point, eating was a chore, but it isn't anymore.
I think the most remarkable unexpected thing about this whole thing was I had an expectation that I would no longer be obsessed with food. Funny thing is, I probably am even more obsessed with it, but for different reasons. Before, I was obsessed with what I was going to eat next. Now, I am obsessed with the nutritional value of what I am eating. I think about food even more now, but for far better reasons.

PdxMan - I guess what is hard for me is that even when I eat the RIGHT types of food... and eat a lot less...it is still not ... easy? comfortable? Not sure... I guess I could take exercising every day, logging calories (professional dieter - used to that) but I expected that I would eat LESS and eat healthier... what I did NOT expect was difficulty eating PERIOD. Eating skinless chicken or turkey, eating Protein, I don't even miss carbs as much as I thought I would... but I still feel physical discomfort eating. So. Perhaps that is just me. I did not expect a lifetime of dreading food...just LESS food and healthier food.

I can absolutely understand what you are saying. It is hard, and some people absolutely have an easier time than others. I'm like you where I have to watch what I eat strictly and exercise every day to lose, and I have weeks where I drop nothing. I did expect it to be hard to lose the weight, I'm looking forward to after I lose it, that maintaining the loss will hopefully be an easier task because of the restriction. I don't think anyone here is trying to paint any one group of people with a single brush.

Before:


After:



My Debbie, RNY, Nov. 2011. Went from Size 22 to size 4. Went from 235 to 125.
Look at that face...beaming with pride...posin' n' stylin'...diggin' that camera!
My friends this is such a difference for her. No more feeling bad about herself. She's got energy coming out her ears.
This is the gal I married in 1973. Her old sassy snap is back and I'm loving it!

Almonds. I eat 10-15 as a snack, but must count them out or i will eat too many.

Also consider this:
A remarkable study published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology in 2006, found that this long vilified plant contains a compound with not one, but two therapeutic properties ideal for addressing both the surface symptom (memory problems) and root cause (brain plaque) of Alzheimer's disease. This is an ironic finding, considering that the prevailing stereotype is that using marijuana "fries" the brain, leading to debilitating memory issues.
Researchers discovered that the psychoactive component of marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), both "competitively inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as well as prevents AChE-induced amyloid b-peptide (Ab) aggregation."
On the first account, THC's ability to inhibit the AChE enzyme, is not unlike the mechanism of action behind most Alzheimer's drugs on the market today. Drugs like donepezil (trade name Aricept), for instance, by targeting and inhibiting the brain enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), result in an increase in brain levels of this neurotransmitter, which in turn, results in symptom reduction, i.e. improved memory. Donepezil, however, is riddled with controversy due its well-known association with seizures, which likely reflects its intrinsic neurotoxicity. It is, in fact, a chemical in the same general chemical class as venom, insecticides and chemical war agents, such as nerve gas.
On the second account, THC's ability to prevent the acetylcholinesterase-associated amyloid b-peptide (Ab) aggregation, i.e. brain plaque, indicates that it may, as the researchers noted, "directly impact Alzheimer's disease pathology." In fact, they found "Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Ab aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease."
What is so encouraging about this research, and which the researchers described as "noteworthy," is the following:


THC is a considerably more effective inhibitor of AChE-induced Ab deposition than the approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment, donepezil and tacrine, which reduced Ab aggregation by only 22% and 7%, respectively, at twice the concentration used in our studies.7 Therefore, AChE inhibitors such as THC and its analogues may provide an improved therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease, augmenting acetylcholine levels by preventing neurotransmitter degradation and reducing Ab aggregation, thereby simultaneously treating both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

I smoked marijuana almost immediately after because it was the only thing that would help with the nausea. It was a life saver for me.
Exercise- I started on the treadmill or the elliptical a week after just for 15 minutes and gradually built up as I felt better. One month out I started doing any and all exercises.
Alcohol- I started drinking wine again about two months out. Haven't had any trouble.
coffee and Tea- I pretty much started on those as soon as I could eat regular food and was off my liquid phases.
I think I am not a very good example but thought I would honestly answer your questions. Hope this helps.

Sleeved 2/19, down 32lbs. Yesterday, I stood and looked at myself in the mirror and I cried. I cried because I can see the contours of cheek bones. I cried because I have one roll and not two stomach rolls. I cried because I have a range of clothes in my closet from 22-14 and the 18's are almost too big. I didn't even try 16 yet. I cried because I am worth it and to have a boyfriend who doesn't compliment me because he is scared of losing the fat woman has given me confidence.

I think that it is natural to fear regaining the weight. We all have been in the endless cycle of losing and gaining and losing and gaining again. I think you have to take a different approach this time with the sleeve. Sure there is a possiblity of gaining weight, IF you fall back into the habits that got you to point of needed the surgery to begin with. Learn those good habits early on in your process and you will have a better chance of success. We are very much like an former alcoholic that is just one drink away from going back to being an alcoholic. We have to focus a little bit more, work a little bit harder. That doesn't mean we can enjoy eating and eat the foods that we love, but use the sleeve as a guide. It will certainly tell you when you've done too much. Getting in the mindset that you will not return to your old ways is also key. I haven't done it yet, but I plan to cleaning out my closets and getting rid of anything that is too big now. I've been up and down the scale so many times, that I have clothes of every size. But no more. I didn't sprawl full out on a cold OR table and let a group of strangers cut out my stomach to go back to where I was. Keep a picture of your former self somewhere and look at it regularly to remind yourself of where you've been. I don't think that you'll go back to that person anytime soon. Hang in there!

I will admit - there are TIMES when I regret this surgery. I had the surgery in Oct 2012, and am down a smidge over 61 lbs...I look better, I feel better, BUT...there are times when I still miss/mourn my old relationship with food. I had a love/hate relationship with food for over 40 years! We would fight, break up, get back together again and I have to admit - there are times when I miss being able to go back to food again. I can't. Ever. If I eat ONE BITE too much, I get sick... there are some foods that are permanently off limits for me... I don't miss them all the time, but occaisionally, I do. My taste buds changed...there are some foods I just don't like anymore...
Today? Today I would totally do it again... but I would be lying if I said that I NEVER regretted the surgery. It is hard...the behavior modification is very strict... the old me, if I "fell of the wagon" and had a dinner of margaritas and nachos, I had to deal with my guilt and disappointment in myself. Now, I will get PHYSICALLY sick. I guess that is what it took for me to remain compliant. But it is hard.

I will admit - there are TIMES when I regret this surgery. I had the surgery in Oct 2012, and am down a smidge over 61 lbs...I look better, I feel better, BUT...there are times when I still miss/mourn my old relationship with food. I had a love/hate relationship with food for over 40 years! We would fight, break up, get back together again and I have to admit - there are times when I miss being able to go back to food again. I can't. Ever. If I eat ONE BITE too much, I get sick... there are some foods that are permanently off limits for me... I don't miss them all the time, but occaisionally, I do. My taste buds changed...there are some foods I just don't like anymore...
Today? Today I would totally do it again... but I would be lying if I said that I NEVER regretted the surgery. It is hard...the behavior modification is very strict... the old me, if I "fell of the wagon" and had a dinner of margaritas and nachos, I had to deal with my guilt and disappointment in myself. Now, I will get PHYSICALLY sick. I guess that is what it took for me to remain compliant. But it is hard.

The one on the left is me prego the other is today. Down almost 70lbs.

Isopure Alpine punch is the only Protein I can tolerate now... I did Premier Protein shakes for pre and post op, and now am totally SICK of all of those sickeningly sweet shakes... I do Isopure over ice with a wedge of lime in my glass... sometimes when I am feeling froggy, I chill it in a martini shaker and serve it in a martini glass!

*regrets reading this thread*

Did you try it? I'm curious to hear how it tasted!

Maybe its because you have only been here a couple of weeks, but your post ( in my opinion) is insensitive and judgemental... People who need this surgery are not typically good at staying on diets, or are yo yo dieters who sometimes fail when it comes to always doing the right thing. I am a professional dieter, but after my surgeon had me on Liquid Protein skakes for FIVE weeks, even commercials for McDonalds looked like gourmet cuisine...
I think some come here to vent, some come to be talked out of a temptation because this? ...Is a SUPPORT group...
To say that people are "lacking in common sense" because they may need help to stay on track is just ... mean.
I hope if you have a rough day and are tempted, that you get the support you need and are not belittled.

Trust me.. You don't have the suckiest in-laws.. I DO, or did. They have passed away and I seriously doubt they are resting in peace. I spent 30 years in in-law hell and it didn't matter what my husband said to them. What ever he said, they would blame that on me, too. Nothing matter.. It was always my fault!
No in-law knows of my WLS .. Uh uh.. No way! In their eyes, If you're overweight you're not perfect. Ok, rant over
Back to OP
If you don't want to tell anyone then don't. I told kids and husband ONLY. No plans to telling anyone. I don't want to tell, therefore, I'm not. Simple. It's my life and there it is.

I think, Cheri that you hit the nail on the head... what I am "regretting" is really mourning my relationship (albeit) unhealthy - with food. I am 52, and for over 40 yrs have had a love / hate relationship with food... I have "broken up" with food, loved food, gone back to food, and what I am feeling now is the inability to resume that broken relationship. I have to look at food differently now - food as nutrition, not food as comfort, as love, as entertainment, as so many things...
With the sleeve, even when I eat healthy food, I have to stop before *I* am ready...not when my stomach is sated... it is a hard thing to unlearn. My relationship with food is what I am mourning... I used food to reward myself for so long, I resent that when I really *want* something, I can't have it - even when I *think* I deserve it.
Last week, my son texted me to please stop by Krispy Kreme and bring home some hot donuts... I did and got a dozen... I did not even eat ONE as I was afraid the greasiness and sugar would cause dumping syndrome (which I have never had, but like a root canal I know I don't want it)...
And, I guess it bummed me out...that I couldn't even have ONE.
I needed to read the responses...you guys *are* right...I am off my blood pressure medicine, I am exercising daily and feel better, the scale is moving slowly, but I am wearing clothes I haven't worn in over 2 years... I guess I just needed to "say" it aloud - that sometimes I am sad that I cannot order pub fries and a margarita anymore for dinner...

I really don't think that choosing not to tell "everyone" is out of shame, not loving yourself, or not being strong.
We all are just different...people in my life know about it. And yes I've even told a few strangers about it. But it is my choice my decision on who and when to tell and I reserve the right to change my mind about it everyday!
So live on people some like to tell, some don't!
And some of us are all over the place