ramos252006

I used to love working out, then I started school, had to study for exams, and just let life get in the way. Now 2 years later, and 3 months after surgery I WANT to get back in the gym, but oh my gosh it is sooo hard to get started again. I have been walking 60min everyday since the surgery and Im down 55lbs. I KNOW I can lose more if I just start weight training again. It is so hard to start up again, and believe me when you do, you will feel so good about yourself. I know I did the first time I started working out. There isn't much to the treadmil, I LOVE the elliptical machine, most ppl don't like it, but I LOVED it. I have always like lifting weights, so I know in order to tone my body I need to include weight training as well. It is hard to start a work out program with no one beside you (support system). My friends who start with me always quit after a week or so. I think that is what is holding ME back, no support system, but I need to get over that and "just do it". haha You got this, just start slow and listen to your body. It will tell you if you have over done it, or not doing something right. Thats what the employees are there for, to help you out. Good luck!!

I forgot to tell you something. I've been a member of 3 different gyms since 2005 and not one single time did anyone harass me, ridicule me, or ever say anything negative. What I have gotten several times is people saying things like "you're doing a great job" and "keep up the good work". Don't worry about looking like a fool - we look way sillier with a box of donuts on our laps complaining about our weight than we do at the gym doing something about it!

Thank you to each of you for encouragement. I admit I was in a self pity mode, poor me, and I whinned, and I did panic. This is a huge thing and while myself and my mom were talking, we both have used food as our comfort when no one else is around for support or we feel lonely. Now my stomach is like a baby stomach and I have to learn all over again basically to eat and to maintain a healthy positive attitude. So like Melody2 said, I can pity myself and do nothing, or I can pick myself up and start trying to start over. I am the only one who can do something about my mental status, so I have to start somewhere. After I posted this, I went for a walk around my apartment complex. I did 6 laps and I gave myself a talkin to and I prayed and I talked to my mom. I feel a lil better now, I just tried drinking a thin Protein Shake and Im having some cramps again. So I still have to figure out how to get my Protein in. =/ Thanks again for all the responses!!

It has been a long journey for me thus far. I was always over weight as a kid, I was never teased though, which is a good thing. I had the LapBand in 2010 and well that didn't work for me. It slipped, I got a hernia, and needed surgery, so I decided to switch to the sleeve. Everyone I work with seems to have had it done and nothing but amazing things to say about it and they look amazing. I wanted that feeling.

So I had my sleeve done on April 29, 2013 and I gotta tell you I got the crappy end of the deal. I have had issues ever since i got home. I got a boil on the rear end, had to have that taken care of and tested, then I had severe cramping in my stomach and around to my back. This was the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life and I have tattoos, and being a woman having those wonderful monthy visits. These pains were like menstrual cramps and labor all in one. Like drop you to your knees, crawl in a fetal poisition and cry. I went to the ER and they did blood test and a CT scan, everything came back normal.

So i had traveled back to Irving to my surgeon and the nutritionist this past Wed. The nutritionist didn't like anything I was doing. She hated what I was drinking, she hated my Protein shake choices, she hated my Vitamin choices, nothing I did was right. Then I went to see the dr. They did a swallow test and everything is still very swollen. So they gave me a steroid shot to help with the inflamation and another week on full liquids.

This was suppose to be a great decision and I am suppose to be happy. As of right now Im feeling angry, sad, frustrated, irrataed, every feeling you can possibly feel except happiness. I am regretting this decision because it seems like I can't do anything right. Seeing everyone around me eat amazing food that I USED to be able to enjoy and I cant even get a Protein Shake, Soup, or crystal light to go down "normally". I am just lost right now, everyone tells me "it will get better", "give it time" and I just can't see it right now. Thats why I joined this support sight because I can't drive 300 miles every week to go to a support group and there are none in my town I live in.

Thank you to each of you for encouragement. I admit I was in a self pity mode, poor me, and I whinned, and I did panic. This is a huge thing and while myself and my mom were talking, we both have used food as our comfort when no one else is around for support or we feel lonely. Now my stomach is like a baby stomach and I have to learn all over again basically to eat and to maintain a healthy positive attitude. So like Melody2 said, I can pity myself and do nothing, or I can pick myself up and start trying to start over. I am the only one who can do something about my mental status, so I have to start somewhere. After I posted this, I went for a walk around my apartment complex. I did 6 laps and I gave myself a talkin to and I prayed and I talked to my mom. I feel a lil better now, I just tried drinking a thin Protein Shake and Im having some cramps again. So I still have to figure out how to get my Protein in. =/ Thanks again for all the responses!!

I am SO sorry that you are going through this! I wish there were words I could say to make it better, but I know I can't. But, know that you aren't in this alone, and I will be praying for you.

I have found the hardest for me is the "mental" aspect. I am only a week out, but I find myself automatically putting things in my mouth when I am cooking for my kids.
You can do this!!! I really hope you start to feel better because you sound so sad and depressed.
I hope that even three weeks from now as you settle into the routine of new sleever, your warrior spirit kicks in and you can say to yourself "I got this!"
Will be thinking of you

Oh hun, i'm so sorry things are being difficult for you right now. The first month is a b**ch! But you are doing a wonderful thing for yourself!! I know how hard it is to see the light at the end of the seemingly endless tunnel, but, speaking from experience, it is there, and you will reach it, and it really will get better. But, that doesn't do much to help you right now. Just try to take it one day at a time, or even one "meal" at a time. The head hunger will start to get better and everything will eventually settle down and you will remember again why you did this. Hang in there, we are all here for you and cheering you on!!
P.S could the pain be your gallbladder? I had mine removed prior to surgery, because i was having awful attacks, worst pain ever, manic kind of pain. It was my gallbladder. I was going to wait and have them take it out during the sleeve, but it was giving me to much trouble so i had it done earlier.

I really like what Melody2 said...you have made a life changing decision and you know it will be better in the long run for your health....You are having food mourning and that is normal....or at least that is what I have been told in the support group that I attend...My surgery is a week away....thing of it is you cant change it now...all you can do is find something else but foot to occupy your mind, and realize there is life after wls....you will be fine once you get past this milestone.

Well, it all just sucks right now. The third week is one of the hardest. Ok, so it sucks. You have two choices--do nothing, do something. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get determined. You got this. You can do it.
Remember, you still have all of those hormones running around....bound to make you feel discouraged.

I am so sorry you are having a difficult time. To my knowledge I have heard of things still being swollen. I know it is easier said than done when you hear that it take time and to be patient. I know you don't want to hear that but it's true. I truly believe you made the right decison. I felt the exact same way when I was in the hospital. I was in so much pain and discomfort. All I kept thinking was, What did I do to myself? But this is my 2nd week and the 3rd week is fastly approaching. I start back to work on Monday. Am I ready? Yes! I was so bored at home. I was forgetting to eat and I was having a difficult time getting the Protein in. Well I still am. I have to keep searching to find one I can deal with where I don't get bored. But with that being said don't give in to the minor complications. You will be past this very soon. I will keep you in my prayers and please keep me updated on your progress.

I started out walking up and down the hallway in my apartment and progressed slowly to where I can get out and walk a few times around the block without pain. I find that using the elliptical or the exercise bike are super easy now. I just took a friend to the gym today and showed her around the machinery. She was dying after 5 minutes on the exercise bike, while I did that 5 minutes, plus a half hour on the elliptical, plus weights. She was beating herself up over her "lack" of ability and I had to explain to her that it takes time to build up the endurance that I have now. All of us have to start somewhere, but, no matter how little you do, you're still miles ahead of those sitting on the couch!

I agree with Kelsa. It's time to cut the ties with the ex. He's getting something from your interaction (hero worship from you perhaps?) and so are you, but it sounds like you're getting negative messages from him. Don't tolerate it. I also think that counseling would be a great thing for you to explore. Being overweight adds to depression issues and you can't be part of a healthy relationship with someone else until you have a healthy relationship with yourself...whether you have WLS or not. Being thinner only changes your outside packaging. The inside has to change as well...and THAT part of this journey is tough without help. The one thing that I have learned from my year of counseling after WLS is the "be careful what I think". If I start negative self-talk in my head, I will end up depressed and sad. If I keep my self-talk positive, it spreads sunshine and light to the rest of my life. I'm not at my personal weight loss goal yet, but I will get there. However, I'm a million miles removed from the sad, depressed woman I was before my sleeve. This journey requires a lot of head work in addition to the food restriction and exercise that we do. There is a huge mental change that comes with this journey and you really need to be prepared to handle that change because it's going to rock your world in a good way!