RJ'S/beginning

It is always good to remember that no matter how flat a pancake is it has two sides. So someone can state their opinion but with respect to you and others. There are times when we all have had enough of certain threads and we pass over them until we can again talk to the person who is having the issue with dignity and warmth. No one likes to be talked to in a harsh tell it like it is attitude. I have read a lot of your posts and you are very sympathetic to people on here and have told your story to help others. I am a monitor of Rants and Raves. I have a responsibility to look at that forum and respond if I feel the need. I mean no malice just like you offering a different slant on life and its issues.

I think it is so cool to have a buddy to go through it with. My hubby is very supportive but sometimes at a loss as how to help me because he can't feel what I feel. Your right though it is about you and your mate right now and we have to make decisions others will find difficult sometimes. But that's okay!

What gets me is that patients on here who are timid and do not know what is exactly happening to them and their nerves give in to fear. Because that happens to all of us during these changes in our lives. If we belittle their comments and fears why would they ever want to come back on here and get the help they need from those who have experienced what they are going through. Going through this a lone is a horrible thing and that is what this forum is for to help.....guide and encourage. Doing it by your own examples of your experience... Who on here can not say that even in the beginnings of this hike through this change that we were not a little scared or frightened that we may not have second guessed ourselves and hoped that some one would just say it's okay...Your on track..Work through it. It happened to me. Repeated questions are part of this forum...I just worry about the ones that are scared off by a harsh opinion of their feelings...I know I would not want to experience it..I would want help. that's what we are here for. I understand the OP reasons for posting this thread I just don't agree with it.. So I will agree to disagree and go on. I have said my 2 cents worth and that is that!

That's great you survived your hardships. As you said you don't know me. I know from past experiences I can get past anything. I had to fight tooth and nail to get cleared psychologically because of some of the things I experienced while deployed. But I overcame and proved one psych doc wrong and here I am. Doing better than those that got approved right away. Your blues are not mine but I don't throw a pity party. I tell myself that is the past and it will not hinder me. It's what I do next that defines me. So yes I can rant about whiners. It's my right to in this thread. This is the Perfect Place. I don't think some comprehend what I said or that just read whine and get offended. If your going to rant & rave, whine, do it, whatever make you feel better. My POINT is that REGRETTING surgery over a few Expected Temporary symptoms is unnecessary whining. That is bit much. Maybe they weren't really ready for this Serious surgery. When I am on here my goal is to help, educate and enlighten those who need support in one way or another. I hope that others will help, educate and enlighten me as well. I don't throw a pity party for myself and never have. If I did I would not have made it..OKAY! Taking my experience and putting it into a pretty little blues package was very hard of you. Just because you are military does not give you the right to be a Drill Sargent on here. I am happy that you can stick it out and will push aside anything that might get in your way. That is a great attitude. But not everyone is as strong as you. Are they not allowed to express how they feel as you are allowed. Stepping up to the plate will be a fine example if you endure any hardships over your decision to have WLS. But until you do....Anytime now or in the future, you cannot guarantee that you will handle it perfectly just because you were taught to endure...Life has a way of kicking us in the arse when we think we have it all together and humbles us once again.. If someone wants to tell me on here that they are having trouble even with the first issues of WLS. I will chose to either reply or pass over it. You can do the same!

Why?! Because someone so soon out of surgery can't possible know about regrets? I don't believe in them. I may be early out therefore not in the clear yet but even if I get a leak or some other complication I'll deal with it. In a year you will see this thread again and I will ask... You were saying? I don't know you and I think your attitude is wonderful for now. I am one of those that paid big time for this and still have complications after 17 months.. I wish this on no one, ever. You may think that you have it all sewed up because you are handling things right now, but you don't say that you will just deal with it...I worked my ass off for this sleeve and almost died for it. But I would never make the statement that I would just deal with whatever comes. To be honest. You don't know what will come or what won't because it is your trip, no one else. I think if someone feels pain they have a right to say if they need to. some just need to say it and hear it is okay. No one ever thinks that it will be them that has the real difficulties. I rolled the dice and won the lottery of 14 surgeries, coma and a hell of a lot more. Rant all you want. But for me I Celebrate the easy victories everyone has because no one is really ready for the opposite. not even you hun!

Congrats @@cstewart on your decision. I started at 380...My life was over before this surgery. The emotional changes and mental changes are the most difficult. You have us here if and when you need us...K

I had that happen to me as well. After I had done the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. They told me an emergency had come up and I said okay I hope that if I need mt surgeon that someone would do it for me as well... I had a lot of other peoples surgeries cancelled on my behalf. Let me tell you......So I did the pre-op liquid diet twice..fun! It will happen....For sure and you'll be a loser like the rest of us...lol

@@Chelenka This is the hardest part of the journey, trek call it what ever you want. Our thinking. Our minds are the most difficult thing to control. As soon as we think we have it figured out something else happens. We will always struggle with weight issues in our bodies or in our heads. We will always second guess ourselves and doubt ourselves. That is the nature of the beast. Seems to me that you are having an issue with depression. You might want to look into that. Also put that damn scale away girl. Weigh yourself once and week or every second week. Obsession is a big part of the problem. We can easily trade one for another. Your hunger is real but it is not necessary to treat it as it wants to be treated. Your right when you are sick it can bring a bucketful of stress and false feelings crashing down around you. Breath, breath deeply! Let your mind catch up to your life and slowly work to get it on track. Stop the numbers game okay....Get well and regroup. You know what to do if it gets out of control. You got this... Plan a snack, a good one for those times you are extra hungry...PROTEIN a few nuts...okay....And don't let it get out of your hands. You are so right.Visits to the team can make you feel like a failure before you even get on the scale....We are our own worst enemies. They will be pleased with you I promise! OKAY!

I could bore you to death with the complications I had or are still having due to WLS. I understand that you will not have an easy go of it..Most patients don't I'm afraid. But you seem right on track with how you feel about the entire situation... If you push through you will start to feel better. You really have to try to look at this differently. Like it is part of the process so that you can continue to the next place. Attitude is 50 %. You may want to try some Gatorade 2 for dehydration. I still drink it diluted by half 17 months out. You got this okay! Your on your way... Just keep swimming!

If your new to this new way of life then it is probably not a good idea to go there. If you are a long way out and have learned what your triggers are and your sliders are. Then you could have a small treat now and then. If it could send you off the program in the attempt. I would say..Don't do it! I am a believer that we need everything in our diets. But in moderation and balance. I cannot eat some things because of bad reactions. You will learn what your reactions are. Take it slow and be true to yourself. Remember why you are doing this and what you want to accomplish..... Keep that in mind when you decide to try these new things..okay!

Rationally I knew stalls would happen but I have been so careful and compliant this last week, increasing my exercise every day, keeping calories down (400-600) and Protein up -- but I have been stuck for six days now and I don't remember even sitting still this long on traditional (ok, failed) diets in the past. For the first month I took pride in looking at my food and exercise totals at the end of the day, but now they only tick me off. I know I should hide the scale and get on with it, but I am so looking forward to getting to a place that is actually noticeable to others, 40 pounds is still a drop in the bucket. Why aren't you listening to a vet...Look eating between 400-600 calories is not enough. you can exercise until your blue in the face but if your body goes into protective mode. You will store those calories and you will not lose the right kind of body fat. Not to mention killing your metabolism as well. ******Who cares if you are smaller if you make yourself sick over this. This is not a race. This is a time to make yourself healthier, but not by any means possible. Seriously you have to back this train up and take a new look at what you are doing to yourself. Put 40 lbs of butter on the table and try to pick it up...There is the ticket. Or forty lbs of potatoes. Or forty lbs of gum drops. All the same you will see that you are doing great... You can not rush your progress by eating 400-600 calories.. You are only going to hurt yourself......Please think about what your doing. Take that scale and smash it with a sledge hammer until you learn how to treat the scale as a tool and not look for numbers as your soul measure.......

PM me anytime you want and I will answer your questions to the best of my experience..k

You are not going to lose much more if you keep your caloric intake there. You need at least 900-1000 calories a day. Mostly Protein. There are times that even at 17 months out that I have trouble eating enough. Other times I could eat more then I should if I chose to do so. But you..Your body will stop you cold if you don't feed it. Try a Protein shake after a few almonds 15 min. apart. Take in a Protein Bar....You have to eat more so your body is fed well enough to feel safe and drop the weight. Your metabolism is slowing down and your body will fight you.... This is fact......okay..Do it for your overall health!

You think that is tough. Wait until everyone stops eating and stares at you as if you were some kind of phenomenon. and then you get irritated because you want them to stop it. Then there will be a time when you look around and will start seeing them all eat and you will think..What I eat this much and am alive.. What are they doing to themselves.... Right now your experiencing this..Later it will be turned around and you will be so pleased you have your bypass protecting you.....trust me!!!! I say it all the time about my sleeve..I am so glad I have it!!!!!!

the ultimate goal is 60 gms of protein. Right now your tummy can't take that in with meat solids... You still need help!! K

Nope not at this point. You still need assistance to get your proper amount of Protein in. Put Protein powder in sugar free pudding or yogurt. You will get to the point where you won't need it as much. But not yet. If you take your calories down too far..You will stop losing. As your body will shut you down. Protein is the building block of this program and if you don't eat enough then your hair will fall out as well. The sleeve is healing but not quite yet. Okay!

In no time at all I went from a size 8 ring to a 5.5. Even when I was a teenager my fingers were a 6. All of my rings are too big for me... It is sad because both of my wedding rings cannot be sized because they have designs on them...Right now I am wearing a fake diamond and wedding ring. I really don't know what to do. I have tried wearing some different ones together but the rings just twirl around my finger..... They are in my dresser....

Seems to me that you are right on track.... Don't use the scale so much..It is your enemy. You are geared to lose weight so it will happen when your body allows it...Try to up the Protein a little more so that you won't have too bad of an issue with hair loss. The small amount of calories can and will make your body believe it is in distress and it will protect itself.

We all have it is just the part of learning. You'll get to know how to treat your new bypass....

I cried like a baby when John Candy died. He had heart trouble and went everywhere with his family because he felt he could not take the chance that he might die without saying good bye... I liked John Pinette too. But when John died I thought at any moment I will die as well for the same reason. Complications due to being overweight....

Thank you so much for your reply....i too am not ready to give up the fun of life. In fact I have found after my surgery and somewhat success that I am more willing to play then ever. I appreciate your candor.

Congrats!!!!! Your workin it!

Stick to it. Put that scale away and wait it out...Your body is protecting itself from you. It stops and stores when it feels threatened. Just keep to the program and it will start to move downward as soon as the body feels safe... Wonderful machines aren't we....

It has nothing to do with cup cakes. It has to do with not being able to put enough complex carbs in your sleeve sometimes to make things work properly. One thing my nut told me is that if you had it before in the past it can rear its ugly head again after surgery. I started having this when I began training ( exercising ). I had no idea that it would happen to me. Every other issue seems to have leveled itself out. But this one came on hard and fast. So now Like @@cheryl2586 I have to eat something 6 times a day. the episode I had last was so bad I passed out. Scared the S**T out of me. My nut told me that it does not happen to everyone but some. Yes it can. I like others are informing that this is a possibility! Cupcake indeed!

Hi; I have not read about this topic on here and so I thought I would share my latest health issue. I found this article on it and thought others might find it interesting because it does happen to WLS patients more then you think! What is reactive hypoglycemia? After bariatric surgery you may experience reactive hypoglycemia: • Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar • Reactive hypoglycemia is having low blood sugar after eating a meal or snack This may happen after eating foods that are high in sugar or simple carbohydrates. It is thought to be related to dumping syndrome. How do I know if I have reactive hypoglycemia? You have reactive hypoglycemia if you have: • any symptoms listed below a few hours after having a meal or snack and • these symptoms go away after eating or drinking What are the symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia? You may feel one or more of these: • hungry • sweaty • shaky • anxious • dizzy • weak • sleepy • confused What should I do if I think I have reactive hypoglycemia after having a meal or snack? Having low blood sugar is not good for your overall health and can be life-threatening. • If you think you have reactive hypoglycemia, check your blood sugar. • If your blood sugar is less than 4 mmol/L, you need to treat it to bring your sugar above 4 mmol/LWhat is reactive hypoglycemia? After bariatric surgery you may experience reactive hypoglycemia: • Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar • Reactive hypoglycemia is having low blood sugar after eating a meal or snack This may happen after eating foods that are high in sugar or simple carbohydrates. It is thought to be related to dumping syndrome. How do I know if I have reactive hypoglycemia? You have reactive hypoglycemia if you have: • any symptoms listed below a few hours after having a meal or snack and • these symptoms go away after eating or drinking What are the symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia? You may feel one or more of these: • hungry • sweaty • shaky • anxious • dizzy • weak • sleepy • confused What should I do if I think I have reactive hypoglycemia after having a meal or snack? Having low blood sugar is not good for your overall health and can be life-threatening. • If you think you have reactive hypoglycemia, check your blood sugar. • If your blood sugar is less than 4 mmol/L, you need to treat it to bring your sugar above 4 mmol/L. Follow the steps on the next page. If you do not have a meter, talk to your family doctor, health care provider or the diabetes educator in the Bariatric Clinic to get a meter. When your blood sugar is less than 4 mmol/L: 1. Take 15 grams of a fast acting carbohydrate right away. This will raise your blood sugar quickly. Examples of fast acting carbohydrate include: • Chewing 3 to 4 dextrose or glucose tablets (read the label) or • Drinking ¾ cup (175 ml) of juice 2. Wait 15 minutes and check your blood sugar again. 3. If your blood sugar is still below 4 mmol/L treat again with one of the fast acting carbohydrates listed above. 4. Repeat these steps until your blood sugar is above 4 mmol/L. 5. If your next meal or snack is more than 1 hour away, you need to have a snack that contains carbohydrate and Protein that fits into the stage of diet you are at. Examples of Snacks are listed on the last page. You may feel like eating sweet foods like Cookies, cake and candy. Even though these foods are high in sugar and can raise your blood sugar, your blood sugar will go too high too fast which is not safe. This can then lead to another low blood sugar because too much insulin is released. How can I prevent reactive hypoglycemia? You can help prevent reactive hypoglycemia by following your diet guidelines for bariatric surgery. • eat 3 healthy meals and 2 healthy snacks each day • space meals and snacks 2 to 3 hours apart • eat protein at each meal and snack time • avoid skipping meals andsnacks • avoid or limit alcohol depending on what stage of diet your are at • avoid or limit caffeine depending on what stage of diet your are at • avoid sweets like cookies, cakes, candy, pop, juice and sweet drinks Instead of sugars and simple carbohydrates, eat complex carbohydrates because they release less sugar over a longer period of time. Having a complex carbohydrate with protein will slow this release even more. Try putting any of these together when they fit the stage of bariatric diet you are at: Complex Carbohydrates • whole wheat crackers • whole wheat bread • whole wheat pita • whole grain rice • potatoes • cereal Protein • nuts • cheese • meat • lentils • peanut butter • eggs • yogurt Here are some snack ideas to have after treating a low blood sugar: • crackers and cheese • pita and hummus • nuts and yogurt • melba toast and Peanut Butter