docbree

I said it wasn't personal. I have been to several and for different reasons and for all of them they had one solution. Here it is ready ( Don't do that! ) And no you don't know me and I understand that there are people out there who can help one another. Including professionals. ( shrinks ) I just never found one. I did get close though. But then she decided to go into helping children instead of adults. I loved her by the way. So my intent was not to put down any form of help...
Coddling. I did not ask for that.

Oh my gosh RJ! I truely cannot believe the lack of support you have gotten from the medical community and SOME people around you. You (and all of us) deserve so much more. I hope the dietician they are sending you to gives you the support you need.
As to your place here on Bariatric Pal? Your voice is so important to us - pre- op or post-op, newbie or veteran. Your insight and perspective and humor are so valuable and needed here! Bariatric Pal would not be the same without you.

I was furious and close to tears myself as I read your post, RJ.
To echo the above...WE NEED YOU! You have been a rock to me... I look to your experience and expertise all the time. I love your posts and insights, PLEASE you know better than to let someone effect you in that way (telling you that you don't belong HERE)...
as for the doctor...all I can say is *SMH*

You are a success. Think of what you went through to get to this point! And you are where you are supposed to be... you're a host, for Pete's sake! Doesn't that tell you something? Few of us know each other, but we are all friends in a way, since we can talk openly about things here in a way that is pretty rare in this world.
No, the problem is that you need a second or even a third opinion. Believe me, I've fired lots of doctors for being jerks. These doctors don't know everything. I would look around for some good referrals to people who are both compassionate and experienced in these things. Folks who have never been fat will never understand. Period. Get someone who can help you.
And then you find that someone who is on your side and will pull out all the stops. Ask your friends, any doctors your trust, go on Yelp, Google away...
Please, your voice is very important to this group, and we want you among us.

RJ - never doubt that you belong here. Things members say resonate with you. Things you say resonate with other members. You. Belong. Here. You are a complication survivor but that isn't all you are. You don't let it define you but you use it to support and educate others. Your voice is strong - not just the voice you use to communicate with us, but your inner voice too. When it is at odds with what others are saying, listen to it. ((Hugs to you))

Thank you for the tip!! You probably just saved a ton of people from gas pains. I will definitely heed your warning!

My doc recommended sugar free Popsicles to help hydrate post op but I've found that most brands have sugar alcohol in them. I stopped eating them yesterday and gas pains have been greatly reduced. ( sugar alcohols cause gas in many people)
If you are recently sleeved, eating SF Popsicles and can't get rid of gas, sugar alcohol may be contributing to some of it. It seemed to be for me.

Congrats!!! Don't hurt yourself laughing too hard at this. haha! I remember when I was fresh out of surgery and on so much pain medication I called my mom and instead of telling her I made it I for some reason shout/slurred "I AM AN UNREALIZED chicken FARM!!" into the phone. I couldn't understand why everyone in the room was laughing.
HUGS to you and we'll be here to support you on your journey!

@@angewil60 I hope your doing ok! It sounds like your doing REALLY well! I can't wait until you read this later! I hope you don't think we are making fun of you its just too funny! After surgery my daughter said I was talking nonsense about Starbucks and scooby doo!

lmbo did anyone get that

Big fat NOPE! But it made me laugh! I got the "it's over" and then it was OVER!

@@angewil60 Holy mother! Lol! You may need to type that up again....After you come off the pain meds!!!!

I am happy for you. I'm just really curious if your psychiatrist gave permission for you to quit your mood stabilizing and antidepressant medication. It may be just a little different for you. I have to disagree about food consumption causing or correlating with bipolar illness. It has more to do with a dysfunction in brain chemistry and is best managed with therapy and medication. I've witnessed people with bipolar and schizophrenia quit their medicine because they felt like they were on top of the world after finding a new partner or losing a lot of weight. It was only a matter of time before they became delusional or manically depressed. I wish the best for you.

I think you need to bring him back right away.

@@Alex Brecher
The BIG books on Weight Loss Surgery Series
received my copy from "Mr. UPS" the other day
lovin' it
book is a good read
Christmas present:? (to yourself, who deserves it more? )
buy of these books in the series
alex, still waiting for endorsmant check
kathy

softcover and digital Books on Weight Loss Surgery.
@@Alex Brecher
I've know about the book since it came out
bet its very good, informative
sure wish this book was available when i was looking into WLS
My DOS was 12/15/11
i envy all you pre-op and newbies
this book sounds great
Alex, when do you give me my check for this endorsement??
kathy

It's nuts how little food it takes to make me feel full! I used to be able to eat like a bear...now I take as long to eat my child sized anount as it takes my boyfriend to eat two hearty helpings.

I was surprised by how little I would actually be able to eat. I know the quantities would be small after surgery and have seen in mentioned many times. However, actually having it happen to me after eating half of 1 scrambled egg was a shock to the system. Compared to how much I was able and did eat before surgery to what I eat now is shocking!

I felt totally prepared after being on the forum for a year prior to surgery. Like vsgann2014, I was surprised at how easy my recovery has been.

How great it would be to finally not feel hungry and to not have a life completely consumed with food!

I agree, pre-surgery, my thoughts were continually on, "What am I going to eat next?" - even while I was eating!! Yikes!!

I wish I'd known post-op was going to be as easy as it has been.
I used pain meds twice after leaving the hospital.
I've never thrown up. Not once.
At mealtimes, I eat, and then I'm full / done / not hungry any more.
At this point, I've been sleeved for almost 16 weeks. Since then I've been losing weight steadily -- have lost weight every single week. No stalls. And it's not really slowing down overall. Of course, some weeks I lose more than others. But those weeks sort of alternate.
I've already lost 67% of my excess body weight. That just blows my mind!
So far, this is much easier than I'd feared. Loving it.

Had I known I wouldn't have had to give up all the wonderful foods I love and enjoy I would have done the sleeve long before I did it. Had I known it wasn't a death sentence for my relationship with food, and that we could still be friends, I would have done it sooner, had I known how easy it was I would have done it sooner. If only I knew last December what I know now, I would have done it then. But fear of the unknown kept me from doing it and putting my life on hold for yet another year. I'm so glad I've done what I did. Had I only known then, what I know now!

I am very thankful for @@proudgranny (Kathy). She is always so positive and encouraging to everyone. When I've been ready to throw in the towel she has used "tough love" to get me to stick it out. I appreciate her more than she knows.

I was self pay at Obesity Control Center in TJ. I was required to lose 5% of my body weight on my 2 week preop diet. I was so nervous I wouldn't lose enough that I started 2 days early. 3 Protein shakes/day plus unlimited leafy green veggies. I ended up losing 22 pounds instead of the required 12 pounds.
In the 3 months between scheduling and having surgery the only thing I did different was wean off caffeine. Other than that, just ate and drank like normal. No binges or food funerals and no "practicing" being sleeved. The chewing, sipping, Protein and Water all came postop.