Chelenka

Hello and welcome to the Veterans Forum. I'm not quite 2 years post-op so 7 and 10 years post-op is awesome and amazing! I hope to do as well but am also constantly struggling to maintain my weight loss. It is a problem that many of us struggle to deal with as we go forward in our lives. There seems to be no magic involved at this point, just old fashioned diet and exercise. A lot of people here do the 5:2 eating plan and there is a big thread here in the Vet's forum just for that with tons of advice and links. Haven't tried it myself yet but maybe in the new year. Doesn't seem practicle to start a new weight loss plan this time of year, LOL!

Everything they said. Plus search the forum for all the info you can and online in general. Do your research not only about the different WLS procedures but also the surgeons in your area. I recommend going with a surgeon who is part of a Bariatric Center of Excellence. Ask the surgeon direct questions about complications their patients have had. This is a big decision and can be such a great life-changing experience. I wish it had been an option when I was 27! I have seen other young men post on the forum who had amazing success with the sleeve and it totally changed their lives! Nonetheless, it takes courage because it is a risk as is any surgery. However, unless you can lose the weight without surgery (most of us have tried and failed at that more times than we can count!) your risk of weight related health problems is also very high. No matter how you decide to move forward I wish you all the best. You are young!

I haven't read of anyone going thru this with a healing injury and cast. I think you should talk w/ your surgeon and PC doc or orthopedist about it. Is it a walking cast? Can you put any weight on that leg? You need to be able to walk after WLS but just gentle, normal walking, nothing too taxing in the beginning. My main concern for you would be that your body will be in such a state of trauma trying to heal both your ankle and from the surgery. That's a lot to ask of your body. However, I totally understand the insurance deductible aspect and financial concerns and your desire to move forward as planned. I wish you all the best whatever you decide.

Please go to the ER! Don't mess around!

Thanks to all who have expressed such loving concern for my Mom and me. Wanted to post an update here. My Mom has been responding well to the Chemo so far. She has had 4 treatments and after the 6th they will do a scan to see if it is having the desired affect. I am very relieved and thankful that her suffering has been alleviated and she has been able to return to some of her previous activities although not everything. I have been taking a lot of yoga classes which feels like a life saver to me at this time. I need to get some aerobic exercise too and I like to walk or bike outdoors but the weather has been too cold for me these past two weeks. Guess I'm gettin old! LOL! I belong to a Planet Fitness but I don't like it there. It's a tallness issue. I like to use the elliptical machine but the ones they have aren't comfortable for me. I like to hold onto the part of the handlebar that monitors your heart rate occasionally as I have a target heart rate I'm going for. I have to lean forward on their machines to grasp the handle bars and it bothers my back. Seems like a small issue for such a cheap gym membership ($10 a month) but the reality is, if I don't like it I won't use it. I have managed to drop a couple of lbs but it's going very slow. That's OK as long as it goes! Hope everyone is doing OK. Hugs to all!

I too have never been able to reach my goal weight, sigh ..... I've been within 5 lbs but then gained back 5 and have been fighting to maintain with many ups and downs ever since. It seems to be the way it is for many of us. I think it's difficult on multiple levels. First we lose like crazy and then it suddenly seems to come to a screeching halt. The honeymoon is over!! At least we have a fighting chance now. But none of us are used to success with weight loss so we're hyper critical of ourselves for not attaining a goal that may be unrealistic for our bodies. I also struggle with so much anxiety about regaining my weight and stress over it which only makes me want to eat more! Lastly, our body and our body image may not be in agreement. I still feel so damn fat! WTF?????

Thank you all for the kindness. RJ -- i think a plastic surgeon is probably looking at you and thinking in a technical way about how they can do the job. The thing is, as CGJ says, to not take this personally. That would be very difficult since it's your body and you've been through so much. I'm in awe of your courage! I don't think I could get myself to undergo plastic surgery even if I had the money. But I'm a big surgery phobe. Not sure how I got myself to have the VSG! LOL! I think stress triggers me to want to eat. I find exercises helps, especially walking and yoga. I'm loving yoga which I feel like is saving my life in a way. Only thing is I think it's built up my upper back and shoulders which is changing how my clothes fit. I find it ironic how I stress over a few lbs now. I also feel so fat! What's up with that? While technically I am still overweight I'm a shadow of my former shadow, as one friend told me. I catch myself being very negative about certain aspects of my body rather than grateful for my wellbeing and my transformation. My body has carried me for 55 years and that is a beautiful thing! Lots of love and light to all you beautiful ladies. We'll keep it together, together!

I have been struggling with hunger a lot lately too. I wonder if it's just an aspect of this time of year as we are bombarded with yummy food and it gets dark early which makes me want to curl up with hot coco and popcorn in front of the TV. Also I am struggling with a depressive state. My work has fizzled and my Mom is ill with stage 4 lung cancer. I've gained about 7 lbs from my lowest weight and have been fighting to take it off again. I'm trying to keep my perspective about my weight since 7 lbs isn't much on my big body, but it's enough to make my clothes a bit snug. Also I know what a slippery slope it can be and, as God is my witness, I never be that fat again! LOL! I am trying to keep busy by selling my old size 24 Diva dresses on eBay which is both fun and a pain in the butt. But with my Mom's illness hanging over me I don't want to look for another job cuz I feel like I can't make a commitment to anything since I want to be available for her. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband right now. Don't know how I would cope without him.

@@ladypoohbear try searching the forum for posts about artificial sweeteners. There are many opinions. I do use Splenda in my coffee but also like a natural sweetener called Nectressa.

I was sleeved on 2/28/13. I was 53 and weighed 325 at my pre-op appt. i'm very tall, 6'1", so my goal is 220, which is still considered "overweight". So I got down to 225 but haven't made it to my goal yet. Still working on it. In the beginning I lost very quickly and my rate of loss slowed around 8 months post-op. I never took the rate of weight loss into consideration when I chose the sleeve. I was initially going to have the RNY. I chose to have the sleeve because I felt it was a better choice for me. I really didn't like the idea of having my small intestine cut and rerouted. Also the dumping syndrome was a deterrent. However some people still get dumping with the sleeve too. I've had some very sugary or fatty things cause me to have nausea and diarrhea, especially if I ate it on an empty stomach. Some people may lose more rapidly with the RNY but it seems like the difference is pretty minimal. I think you have to go with your gut (pardon the pun) feeling about what is right for you. Everyone's experience is unique. You'll do great with either surgery!

So my Mom has been diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer. She is 85. She has decided to start Chemo on Thursday. Ever since she was diagnosed I've been going to stay w/ my parents to see her and help them cope for a few days a week. I've pretty much put most of my own life on hold. All I want to do is eat myself into a coma. The drive down and back is about 2.5 hours and I always have to stop at a Wawa for a pit stop. Then I end up buying junk food, especially on the way home cuz I'm also sleep deprived and probably slightly dehydrated. I've never learned how to calm myself or cope with intense stress and sadness other than with food. Yoga helps but it's not enough. I'm considering asking my Dr about an antidepressant but have had some adverse reactions in the past. I want to get a pedicure but time and money hasn't been available. Any inexpensive suggestions for coping sans food are greatly appreciated.

@@Alex Brecher: perhaps you should consider renaming the Veterans Forum since so many non-VSG surgery veterans are posting in it. Perhaps you could call it the "VSG One Year+ Post-op" Forum. Just a suggestion. Thanks. Chelenka aka Helen

Sorry you're having knee issues. I've had knee problems most of my life. Part of my reason for having WLS was because of my knee pain and anticipating needing knee replacement eventually. My knees have bern much happier but I still have some issues with them. I had a meniscus tear and surgery in 2005. It is very important to get the PT after the surgery and do all the exercises religiously. You have to give your body time to heal, 6 months or so, before doing anything that puts a lot of pressure on the joint. You can ride a bike probably, use an elliptical and swim. I liked the elliptical. Best of luck to you.

Not exactly, but I got cream of wheat stuck and had major slimies at that stage. You may be rushing the soft foods too soon. Don't think I tried avocado until I was 2 or 3 months post-op. Go back to clear liquids for a day or so but do call your surgeon tomorrow and tell them about it. In general try to avoid throwing up. If you feel like something is stuck do not make yourself throw up. It's very unpleasant and will hurt but it will go down eventually. If that happens and you are sliming and have bad indigestion try walking around and keep moving as much as you can. That helps your body digest the food and move it thru. I had this happen several times til I was about 6 months post-op. I still make the occasional error in judgement about how much I can comfortably eat and I often eat too fast. I'll be workin on that for the rest of my life! Hope you're feeling better tomorrow.

RJ: sending you a big cyber hug ((()))!!! I've not looked into plastics for myself. But I've been humiliated by doctors plenty of times. One time when I was a teenager will always stay with me, a doctor made me feel like a grotesque thing, not a person. It affected me so deeply and was so painful that I can't really put it into words. I was still a child but I looked like an adult because of my height, obesity and physical development at that point. Anyway, the rage that comes up when I remember that incident is pretty intense. Some Drs. are just insensitive jerks! You have been thru so much, with so much grace and strength, and always kind words and encouragement for others. You are truly beautiful! I hope you are able to find an amazing Dr who is compassionate as well as skillful. You deserve all health and happiness now! Be proud of your loose skin! It is your badge of victory and survival! As my Dad would say "non illigitimi carborundum" which means don't let the bastards grind you down! Rock on you gorgeous woman!

Dear Lisa: my heart goes out to you. You have been so incredibly brave and strong in facing your husband's death and caring for him. I think you may be experiencing PTSD. I went thru this after the death of my brother with whom I was very close. He suffered greatly and I was there with him. Here are some suggestions. 1. If you haven't already please find a grief counselor or group to attend. 2. Try an antidepressant medication to see if it helps you. 3. Don't buy anymore fudge-sickles, you are in an addiction-like behavior. 4. Try to take small, positive steps in your self-care. Drink some ensure, take your Vitamins and supplements, have one meal of real food, take a 1/2 hour walk; whatever you feel will help. 5. Write in a journal everything you are feeling and all your memories of your husband. Try to write about the joyful times you had together and all the things about him that you loved. Try to shift your focus away from all that he suffered. He would not want you to be stuck in those memories and would want you to remember him in his prime. I have no doubt he is an angel now watching over you. Try to feel the love of his presence in your life, even though his physical life has ended. I hope my thoughts are helpful to you.

Brava! You're rockin those brass cajones, diva!

Your body is probably holding on to fluid as you are still recovering from the surgery. Don't worry about it. You can walk but your surgeon should have given you some guidelines about exercise. If not, call them up and ask them. I wasn't up to more than walking, and not even much of that, for about 2 months post-op, but everyone's different. Some people start back at the gym sooner than that. Also, I was told not to lift anything heavier than 10 lbs for 6 weeks. That made bringing groceries in a team effort.

You are looking awesome!

I would enjoy doing that but I will be at work. Maybe I can do one in the future.

Philly area - surgery date was 2/28/13 at Einstein Montgomery - West Norriton Township. Lived in Art Museum neighborhood for 2 years and Manayunk for about 4 years, does that count?

@HAWK7775: it is true that everyone's experience is different. When I was 6 weeks post op if I over ate I had pain in my chest and would slime like crazy. That'll stop you in a hurry. You may still have some nerve deadening from the surgery and thus can't feel the tight sensation most of us get when we are full. So my advice is to be careful and measure your portions.

I am 18 months post-op and the stomach tissue left after surgery is still elastic like it was pre-surgery but not nearly to the same capacity. Also there are some foods that dissolve quickly, known as sliders, ( chips, popcorn, ice cream to name a few) and it is easy to overeat this type of food. The surgery doesn't change your brain but it does give you a fighting chance. You have to start working at it eventually.

I am 18 months post-op. I am a huge chocoholic and food addict. The surgery alone will not fix your emotional/psychological issues with food but there is a physical component as well, not just the smaller capacity but a metabolic shift. Regain is a problem regardless of how one loses weight. In thinking about my vacation eating one big difference was I didn't eat unconsciously. If I wanted a beer and some chips I got a beer and a small bowl of chips and ate and enjoyed them. In the past I would have eaten the whole bag without ever really paying attention to how yummy the chips are. I have been making a conscious effort to pay attention to and enjoy my food while letting go of the self-shaming over food that only leads me into a vicious cycle of eating and shaming.There is no pressure here to go thru with a surgery if you feel you aren't ready or that it's not the right choice for you. Being honest with yourself is what is truly important. Many people successfully lose weight the old fashioned way. It never worked for me but that doesn't mean it can't work for you if you are truly determined. Re: food-addiction, many of us WLS folks struggle with addiction behavior around food. I think for myself I gave up trying to figure out what deep dark secret was making me overeat and use food to feel or not feel whatever emotion. Everyone on the planet in every culture uses food for emotional reasons, celebrations or mourning. It is the universal drug. So don't beat yourself up for having an issue with food. I think there is a huge genetic and physical component to obesity. The difference for me now is that I have become aware of how much I was using food to keep myself calm. So I have to find another way to cope with my anxieties since I can't, nor do I want to, eat myself into a stupor. Exercise helps, both aerobic and yoga, and just taking a few deep breaths and saying to myself that whatever it is it will change.

I just got back from vacation where I cooked and ate lots of great food, drank beer and wine and ate dessert every night. I didn't attempt to track my calories but I did pay attention to portions just because the sleeve forces me to do that. I also rode my bike almost every day and enjoyed swimming in the ocean a lot. The result, I lost .8 of a pound! Holy crap! I am thrilled! I thought I was going to be up at least 5 lbs! So what has changed? I think the sleeve gives me a lot more self control than I ever had before and also I'm much more active because it's enjoyable now to get out and exercise. Are there foods that I struggle with and emotional eating triggers? Of course! Don't let your fears hold you back from doing something you really want to do.