Geminidrive

I, for some reason, feel like people are ashamed to tell more people about having WLS. It is not something to be ashamed of. Clearly people every day see us all overweight, struggling in our daily lives in one capacity or another. I, for one, am shouting it from the roof tops that I am making the biggest change of my life and getting on the road to a healthier me. I feel like people are either being phony or they are just too ashamed or afraid to open up and be honest about what is going on. Yes, some people are going to say negative things about you getting WLS, but SO WHAT. I have faced the same thing and just had to show them that I do not care what they think; I am going to do what is best for me and for my health. This surgery is going to be a life changer and it is going to bring back my vision.

I went to a support group a few weeks ago and people there were telling stories of how they would tell their friends and family that they had been working out more and changed their diets up when asked how they had lost so much weight. Why lie? Where is that going to get you? I would rather be honest and show them that I made a choice that I can stick with for life. Honesty has always been the best policy and I see no need to change that just to meet another human being's expectations of me.

My cousin, who was my babysitter growing up, just had WLS a little while ago. Our family treats her no differently than they do anyone else. At family gatherings they do not molly coddle her about what she eats or worry over whether or not they need to put certain foods away. Why would they? If you are willing to put your body through this surgery, you should be willing to have the will power to abstain from eating the foods or portions you know your body can't have. She is my surgery role model. I am so ecstatic that she is such and that we have such a supportive family behind us.

I'm sorry if this is offensive to anyone. I am tired of being "that girl" who let weight define her and keep her quiet for so long. All my life I have kept my opinions to myself because I wanted people to like me or be my friend, but now, I don't care anymore. I am shouting it out from the roof tops. Weight loss surgery is about to change my life forever!

Really, this has less to do with the attention you get and more to do with how you feel as a person.

You can try Greek frozen yogurt, it's tasty.

http://www.healthychoice.com/products/greek-frozen-yogurt/vanilla-bean-greek-frozen-yogurt

Anyone who wants to know, I even put it on Facebook (J/k).

Serously, I don't have any problems with anyone knowing I have had surgery, if I can help someone else I'm all for it. I don't worry about what others say or think about me.

Thanks for this post. I haven't had any issues and I'm 4 months out. It's all GOOD!!! 68lbs gone!

I wasn't required to do the Pre-op diet either. My surgeon said it is not necessary. I only had to do the Pre op laxative prep the day prior to surgery. Let me also mention, post op no pain, no gas and I have lost 68lbs since surgery 10/8. I also have not had any problems adjusting in any stage.

Shrimp cocktail, it's always a best bet.

Several hours after surgery I was given Water and Protein Jello, no problems.

Just watching the news and Long Island got smacked too. Focus! Find an activity that will keep you busy, don't give into the pantry.

I'm 18 days out and lucky for you to bad we can't all be on the same page !

Have you thought about therapy?

It's not just food it's your life that's changing in every way and its a good thing but very emotional did you not go through emotion on your journey ?

Just remember this too shall pass for you, try to find something that will occupy your time. Start a new hobby to take the focus off of this for a while, sometimes that helps.

What's going on? Why is this so hard for you? Is it the food?

I did. . I didn't find it difficult to adhere to the diet post op, I guess because I'm determined to make this work.

LMAO!!!!! You know bread and Milk is code for snacks!

Oh I would love to have a cocktail........

LOL @ Wing eating contest. I'm going outside now with my big pooch, he'll be trying to go skating......should be fun if I don't break my neck! LOL

I'm in NJ and it's not supposed to be so bad, but this is a test. You know snowstorms are the time for all to stock up on junk/treats/ice cream and eat. So far so good, gonna walk longer on my treadmill. It has been pretty much an uneventful winter so I'm not complaining. Have fun up there. Can't wait to see your snowman/woman! LOL

I'm staying inside, except to walk the pooch!

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most painful, how severe was your pain? 0

Was this pain attributed to gas? N/A

Was this your first surgery/abdominal surgery? yes

Were you nervous/scared prior to surgery? No

Was your surgery performed in a hospital or Surgical center. Hospital

How many days were you in the hospital? Overnight

Was your surgery in the US? Yes

What type of support did you receive post-op at home? Didn't need any, other than my boyfriend/neighbor to walk the dog.

My surgery was very uneventful. Good Luck!

i've also seen people with bariatric surgery go through surgery, loose a bunch of weight and gain it back.

The key is discipline, I'm still in the early stages, but I hope to continue eating healthy.

what have been your experiences?

how do you deal with the loose skin? Not at that level yet, but when that happens, I'll go to a good Plastic surgeon.

do you start preparing your skin ahead of time or adopting a workout routine? I didn't. But have adopted a workout regimen after surgery and will soon start back with my personal trainer.

how do people treat you afterwards? The same. I have amazing family, friends and co-workers, so I didn't expect anything else except love and support. I'm a very direct person and I have and never will allow anyone to treat me badly or talk disrespectfully to me.

how long before you can go back to eating right? You start out eating right, or making the right choices immediatley. It is important to create a healthy environment.

how grueiling is only being able to sip liquids? It was hard in the beginning then it becomes second nature.

im just scared but i know i want this procedure. Don't be scared....it's not that hard.

It is a bit early for any type of alcoholic beverages. I would check with my insurance company to see if you could meet with an in network nutritionist that specializes in WLS patients. I would then find a physician familiar with WLS to do the necessary F/U's and bloodwork. It's a shame that you weren't provided with after care.

I have been taught that lesson many times, hopefully I have learned it, time will tell.

I have noticed that how you tell folks has much to do with how they perceive it. Tell them like it's something you are trying to hide and they will sense your weakness and join you in looking down at you. Tell them like it's a real accomplishment and something you are proud of like getting a new Jaguar and they will resist putting you down knowing that you probably have a good defense.

You should be fine eating pork, but reintroducing any food after the surgery is trial and error. Sometimes it takes a while for your stomach to adjust.

I originally was only telling a few select people/friends, my mom and of course my husband. That was until I was approached by the clinical coordinator and asked if they could Tweet my surgery live from the OR. Feeling like my story could potentially help others, I agreed. So I ended up telling everyone and I'm glad I did. The support I've received from my coworkers and all my friends on Facebook has been amazing. Again, no regrets here!

I had surgery 10/08 and I've lost 68lbs. I track my food daily, and like Iggychic try to take in 50 or below in carbs and under 1000 in total calories. I have not had any stalls yet.

Your streamlined stomach needs to become acquainted with food again......patience......