lilbearzmom

Replying because I am HOPEFULLY going to be working my 1st job as an RT soon, need ideas. Thanks for starting this thread!

At over six months out from surgery I should know most of the answers. Unfortunately at 6 months out and 20 lbs from initial goal I am really starting to think about my loose skin and how I am going to deal with it. Thing is, I don't understand what it is, exactly. Is it stretched skin or ACTUAL extra skin or both? Did my body produce extra skin cells as I gained weight or do you have a set amount that stretches? Please enlighten me. I have probably 8-10 lbs of the stuff seems like. The only good thing about that is that I can say, well, maybe I am actually 10 lbs lighter....LOL

This happens to a lot of people. I was only a few days post-op. Thank God I was at home!!!! LOL And it's not a common occurrence- only happened once... For God's sake, it happened to Al Roker at the White House! Talk about the wrong place/wrong time!

send me a friend request on MFP- I log obsessively and my diary is public. username is lilbearzmom.

I posted this on the veteran's forum, but I wanted to put it out here as well. During my years of gaining weight and being obese, I developed a very negative self-image, which of course perpetuated and became a cycle, making me eat more and become more obese. I felt worthless, like I didn't deserve anything good to happen to me, no one should like me or want to be around me, or want to hire me. This is where, even 7 months after surgery and 120 lbs gone, the feelings of worthlessness and inability to believe that someone would see my worth are still here. I just graduated from school, passed all of my exams for certification and licensing, and am looking for a job in Respiratory Therapy. I had an interview in May which didn't result in a job, and I felt like I was treated very unprofessionally by HR (although I get the feeling it's normal in this day and age). I had another one yesterday which went really well I felt, but despite feeling like I SHOULD get the job, based on how the interview went, I can't shake the fear that I will never hear from them again. Logically, there is no reason to feel this way. Maybe it's a way to self-protect. I was wondering if anyone else feels or has felt this way. I see a therapist 2x per month and I will be bringing it up with her at my next session. Thanks for reading. I just had to get it out there. My husband doesn't understand.

Are you logging and measuring and weighing all of your food? If not, that's where your problem is.

So during my years of gaining weight and being obese, I developed a very negative self-image, which of course perpetuated and became a cycle, making me eat more and become more obese. I felt worthless, like I didn't deserve anything good to happen to me, no one should like me or want to be around me, or want to hire me. This is where, even 7 months after surgery and 120 lbs gone, the feelings of worthlessness and inability to believe that someone would see my worth are still here. I just graduated from school, passed all of my exams for certification and licensing, and am looking for a job in Respiratory Therapy. I had an interview in May which didn't result in a job, and I felt like I was treated very unprofessionally by HR (although I get the feeling it's normal in this day and age). I had another one yesterday which went really well I felt, but despite feeling like I SHOULD get the job, based on how the interview went, I can't shake the fear that I will never hear from them again. Logically, there is no reason to feel this way. Maybe it's a way to self-protect. I was wondering if anyone else feels or has felt this way. I see a therapist 2x per month and I will be bringing it up with her at my next session. Thanks for reading. I just had to get it out there. My husband doesn't understand.

OMG amazing!!!!

I usually get a venti iced coffee with skim milk and SF hazelnut. Can't beat 40 cals for all that!!!

Yeah, I haven't been around much- I've been spending most of my time over at MFP, but I do at least lurk here everyday and occasionally post to see how you all are holding up. I can't truly stay away- you are all my "peeps" and are the ones who understand me and my journey better than anyone. Love to all and keep up the fight, because you're worth it!

25 lbs to goal.

People say this to me all the time too. I don't mind because they are right in my case.

Well at least when you're lying in your coffin dead from weight-related health issues, you will have a good looking head of hair! How's that for perspective/tough love?

so after surgery, you arent sad that you cant eat alot anymore?? I know this is silly, but these are the things that people are saying to me..

Sure, in the beginning it is normal to mourn your "old life". I used food as a coping mechanism for years, and not having that old crutch to fall back on has been hard. Nothing that is worthwhile is easy, including gastric sleeve surgery. I found a fabulous therapist who is helping me deal with the emotional side of this surgery. What I meant about "eating normally" is that yes, there will be things you will have to avoid, like you mentioned, beer, pop, etc. You will have to learn how to pick the right foods that keep you on track, but that's the beauty of the sleeve. It gives you that extra support to make those choices. After the sleeve, you can go to picnics, holidays, family dinners, restaurants, etc. You will just be eating differently than before, but still "normal". These changes are necessary in order to save you from an early and very uncomfortable death. It's normal to have the feelings you're having- but people should not be saying things to you that are clearly well intentioned but ignorant.

So why can't you eat normally again? That's not at all true. You can eat like a normal person, just less.

All I can say is, get used to it. It's rare that people lose week after week. I am a stair-stepper at 6.5 months out. I tend to go up & down 1-2 lbs for a week or two, then drop like 4 lbs in a week. In my experience, it's SO much better to weigh in once a week or less. Weight fluctuates so much, even in the course of a day. Put the scale away so it's not so easily accessible. Mine lives in a closet- if it gets left out, I MUST step on it, which leads to feelings of frustration. I will start weighing every day once I get to goal, which is just 28 lbs away....))))

I had highlights done almost 8 weeks ago- don't know if it affected my Hair loss or not- I am over 6 months out and wonder if I will be bald by the time I get to my goal weight! But hey, at least I have my health if not my hair...LOL

I was allowed "thin" type breads at 8 weeks. I still avoid most bread, Pasta, and rice, although I have eaten all of those things since surgery. It honestly doesn't appeal to me- the "doughy-ness" of the bread is a turn-off. Hard to explain...lol

This was told to your friend by someone who makes a lot of money from maintaining lapbands?

Maybe I should have had my surgery in Mx and not boring old Columbus, OH...

What are your results?

If it's from a large pizza, one slice without the top crust, but it might depend on the toppings- this is based on a sausage piece. 1 piece from a small cheese pizza like today, the whole thing. Edited to add that these are 2 of the 3 times I have had pizza since surgery six months ago. In general I avoid it.

I am a little over 6 months out as well (surgery 12/17/12). I eat between 1000-1200 in general. One day I went over 1200 by 199. I have done pretty well, lost 84 lbs since surgery, but I feel like I really have to work at it more and more. Obviously the first six months are the "easiest", as odd as it sounds. I am "hungrier", can eat pretty much anything now, and can eat more than ever. The restriction is still there, though, when I eat the right things. My weight loss has slowed for sure as well. I think this is fairly normal for where we are in our journeys. 50 lbs is nothing to sneeze at for sure- it's a good loss!

*getting out the popcorn because now I can*

I thought plication was another term for the sleeve. Like an "old school" term. Stick around! The more the merrier!