MichiganChic

I was low, too. My Vitamin D level was 3 - literally. It didn't delay my surgery. I took 50,000 iu for a week or two before and after surgery, and now I'm taking 20,000 iu a week. I take 2 5000 iu tabs twice a week, and it's been working for me. Most obese people seem to have low vitamin d levels. My Iron levels were OK, but now I supplement to keep them normal.

You should weigh and measure your food. Not sure why, but some people don't feel the restriction at first - maybe numbness? Then they report later that they do. Either way, I wouldn't push it. You are less than 2 weeks out, and have a long way to go before you are healed.

I think it probably is a combination of diet, hormones, and maybe a little bit of taking ourselves back because we now feel enabled! Before surgery, I used to feel super hungry and irritable if I needed to eat, especially if I was on a calorie restricted diet. Those hunger hormones are what drove me to eat, eat, eat, and if I tried to ignore them, they screamed at me. Not only did I want to eat, I also was wildly irritable, which is not my normal. Now that those hunger hormones are gone, I think the physical hunger feelings are diminished, but that feeling of irritability is still there, also greatly diminished, but present none the less. I'm sure there other hormones at work, too. But I also wonder about feeling more entitled to be on equal footing with others as we gain confidence in ourselves. It's not only about the way we look, but the fact that we are feeling capable and accomplished as we succeed in weight loss. Also, there's not such a need to "blend in". When I was heavy, I was careful to never give anyone a reason to insult me, and though I've always been pretty direct with people, I would choose my words very carefully. At about 2 years out, things have leveled off (not actually sure when they did), or maybe I'm just used to the new me. Once in a while I do surprise myself with my ability to say what needs to be said without fear of the backlash. Not to say that I'm unkind or unreasonable, just making my opinion known appropriately when the situation calls for it. Really, being of a normal weight really takes a lot of crap off the table - it's baggage and a barrier that, once gone, is freeing!

You've gotten great advice here, so I'm not going add any - just know that we are rooting for you. We all know it's hard to keep your head in the game after a bit. For many of us, it takes a LOT of effort to lose weight and maintain it, even after WLS. It takes focus, drive and energy, but we are worth it. When you've come so far and done so well, going the other direction is extra hard. So, pick yourself up and do what you know you need to do. Take a one week, day, or minute at a time and focus on your goal. You've done it before, and you can do it again. Recognizing it is half the battle, so good on you!

First, let me say I totally get that you love having your grown sons around. I also love having my three grown daughters in my house, too! One got married, procreated, and moved back while they are building a house, and I love that even more! But I had to just laugh at your rant. Actually, not AT it, but with you, because if I think about it like that, I'm pissed, too. So, I just stuff down that feeling because I sure the heck love being thin way more than I love food, and I go shopping instead Seriously, though, it is a struggle. For me, being alone is worse than being with lots of people around. They distract me from thinking about food. If I'm home alone, food always makes it's way to to the top of my thought processes. That REALLY pisses me off even more!

@@CowgirlJane that's an interesting topic, regarding the way you dress. You could have taken the words out of my mouth. When I was obese, I was always well groomed. I love makeup and clothes anyway, but I always felt that I had to go the extra mile when I was fat because I wanted to make sure I looked as good as I could, and I had a strike against me with my weight. I didn't want to give anyone an opportunity to say I was slovenly, lazy, or any other untrue stereotypical sentiment. I had to wear business professional at work, and even at my kids games, I still made the effort. Now that I'm thin, I LOVE clothes even more. I crack myself up, primping like my 18 year old daughter! I figure if I have to wear clothes, they are going to be super cute - always. That usually is fitted, more polished, etc. I never forget the details like belts, bags, and jewelry, either. I don't buy anything that I don't love. I think years of habit has carried over, and I also might be projecting an image like you suggest. I just never considered how others might perceive it - I just figure if I think it looks good they would, too, lol. My 23 year old daughter always tells me (lovingly) I'm a "basic B----", even though she never says the second word. I always tell her thanks, that's all I ever wanted to be, lol. She just shakes her head and it's our joke, because the rest of the world thinks its an insult, but I think it's a compliment. However, after reading your post, it got me to thinking, maybe that's what she's talking about? Great, thought provoking thread.

You go Girl! Love that story, and that self-realization!

Transfer addiction is "a thing". It's real and it can happen. Statistics show that alcoholism rates are higher among WLS patients than in the general population, as is divorce and other things. It's an accepted truth. I'm not sure what the statistics are, but it's a risk, not a certainty. They tell us this so we can be knowledgeable about it, and act accordingly to mitigate the risk for ourselves. I'm almost 2 years post op, and I don't drink any more than I did preop. I do shop more though - and while I'm not addicted, it is a fun pass time, and I do use it to avoid food. When I'm home all day with nothing to do, I want to eat, so I shop instead. Some people exercise, some people clean, and probably some don't do anything to distract themselves. So, your boss is probably right about her sister in law, but that doesn't mean it will happen to you. What happens to you is up to YOU.

My insurance didn't require that, and my dr didn't either. People who go to him whose insurance does require a 6 month diet program are not required to lose weight, just show up and give a good faith effort. Either way - you are required (unless you can go to another dr), so one foot in front of the other, lose the 12 pounds (you already said you have done it before) and just jump through this one last hoop. My guess is that the physician wants proof of the good faith effort, to show that yo have the dedication it's going to take to succeed. Maybe change the way you are thinking about it - rather it's the means to the end instead of one more diet that won't work. Sounds like carbs are an issue for you, so get rid of them. I call bread, sweets, and other simple carbs gateway food. They lead to craving more and bingeing. You are an expert dieter - we all are/were. You know what to do - and you can do it!!

I had that for about 5-6 weeks, and now it's totally the opposite.

That's normal. It takes a good six weeks to heal. Stop pressing on it

I'd say take a look first at your calories for weight gain. I have to count everything I put in my mouth, and I have to eat pretty low calories not to gain weight. I doubt if the addition of a shake has caused the weight gain, it's more likely due to an increase in calories. If you add the shake to get the Protein, you have to leave something else off. I use myfitnesspal and am brutally honest with myself about what goes in my mouth. Also, 70 gm of protein isn't low by most standards. What's your objective for trying to increase it?

Two years out, and I'm still freezing. Kept the air set at a much higher temp than ever during the summer. I have had the heat on for a while. I am always wearing a robe over my clothes in the house to stay warmer. I keep the heated car seat on. I'm dreading winter again, but it's about a billion times better than being fat and/or hot!

Oh, yes, I get that! I love their yoga pants! Bought the XLs, then the Large, and now I think I could use a medium. It's so liberating! Keep on doing that happy dance - being thin never gets old!

I had plastics in Michigan recently. Didn't need the vertical incision at all, and I'd say the pricing is in line with what others are posting. I had abdominoplasty, butt lift, and arms in one surgery, and I still need another surgery for legs/breasts. My insurance did cover a portion of it.

I believe that if you can, someone should stay with you. When I had my sleeve 2 years ago, I had my young adult daughter stay with me, and i'm so glad she did. She helped me get up and walk in the middle of the night, put the SCD sleeves on and off, and just was generally my advocate. More recently, I had plastics, and another daughter stayed the night for similar reasons. I'm a registered nurse, and so I know what needs to be done, but I wanted someone else there to help watch out. When my mother had surgery recently, we stayed with her (different surgery). She's also a nurse and capable, but she also said she was glad we were there. You'll get a variety of opinions, so it's a personal decision. It's not a requirement, and most people probably don't. I just know that mistakes are possible even in the best of hospitals and with the best staff, and we all can use an advocate when compromised. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

I don't think the question is "should I", but rather "when or how". He's going to know. So you have to decide how you want this to go. Either be up front, or worry about it and decide how to answer the obvious question when it occurs. I'd think up front is easier and better for you both.

Anyone is free to add me, as well. I'm tboosrn

I was going to suggest getting a job where you have to go in! I know it's much nicer to work from home, but that's a disadvantage to me. I used to think I wanted to work from home, but I'm starting to think otherwise for that very reason - too much access to food. I've even started to think I'm never going to retire....I'm not sure that I could maintain my weight if I was home more. I find that I struggle every evening and all weekend, and days I do work from home. I'd say try to set up a different routine, keep the junk out of the house, and drink a lot of Water.

There are always horror stories, some of them true, some less so. You are smart to realize the people you thought would be your support system are not supportive - or at least they aren't for the moment. That might change as you go through this and they see how well it works. They probably just don't really know what it is, and how it works, and that you are dedicated enough to take full advantage of it. Give them a little time. My family was supportive, but suspect, mostly because of worrying. After a while they began to see first hand what was possible, and they changed their minds. One thing for sure - it's not easy, and it requires 100% commitment from us in order to succeed. There is nothing magic about it, but I still feel it's nothing short of miraculous! For the first time in my life, as long as I do what I am supposed to, I get the desired result. Never had that before with weight loss/maintenance. It made the impossible finally possible.

I was a water drinker, too. Then after surgery I had a hard time drinking it. It didn't taste right, and it kind of hurt my stomach. I used flavoring drops to help. Now at almost 2 years out, I can drink it fine - and pretty darn fast, too.

That's frightening, to feel totally off track. We all know that it WILL catch up with us if we allow it. There is a reason we were obese, and for me, it's always lurking. Good for you that you are acknowledging it. It's the first step to turning things around. I agree, get rid of the things that are making your feel out of control. Change up your routine a little where old/bad habits are creeping in. I've found that I seem to want to settle into grazing in the evenings when I get home from work. If I just slightly change the routine, like take a walk, go shopping, or do housework, it prevents that. Find what it is that is causing your issue, and make a change n that area. You can do it!

Good luck on your next appointment! Be sure to let us know how it goes! One other thing - about "Barbie". I sought plastic surgery because I've read that there is a link between people who have plastics and long term success after WLS and massive weight loss. I also did it to feel "finished", though I can't quite put my finger on why. Vanity was a part of it for me, though it was low on the list. I didn't really think about it in terms of looks per se, so I was pleasantly surprised when I realized what a a difference it can make. I think I spent my life being obese, so I had very low expectation of ever looking great in my own skin. For me, it's just another example of how obesity beat me down in ways I didn't realize.

Sorry you had to go through that. We've all been there. The first time I flew since losing weight was a wildly different (positive) experience, and you have that to look forward to! I think the truth of the matter is that most airline seats do not accommodate many people who are overweight. I'm not a pilot, but it seems to me that flying a plane requires you to monitor and know the weight that's on the plane, and they certainly charge more for increased weight - think baggage fees. I think they make those plane seats that size on purpose - to restrict the weight on the plane, and to pack more people in to increase revenue. I think that policies that require obese people to purchase extra tickets, make them request seat belt extenders, or limit the locations they sit is born out of the physical issues associated with seat size, but it breeds the sort of mentality and behavior the OP described. I am certain any airline would not want their employees to treat patrons that way if asked or given a choice, but the truth is that they can't control everyone (not an excuse - the employer is still liable). The planes physical layout makes it easy for ignorant and insensitive people to behave this way in the name of doing their jobs. I think that the OP should complain bitterly, and that employee needs to feel some of the misery she breeds. Shame on her. Sadly, fat hating, discrimination, shaming, bullying, or whatever you want to call it, is alive and well, and this was an example of it made in the name of "safety".

I can also drink plenty and not feel it. Not that I do, but I was thinking a little bit would go a long way, but not for me.