terry1118

I bought a strapless bra! I have not used it but the fact that I CAN just floors me!!!!! :-)

Isn't it fun? Shopping has been my motivation through the whole experience! It's a pleasant activity instead of the dreaded experience that used to cause tears and bouts of depression. Now everything I try on fits, although sometimes I tend to grab clothes to try on that are too big because I still can't believe I'm that small! I like to try on clothes for fun, without even buying anything. It's like playing dress-up, and it helps me figure out what size I really am. Today is my day off and I'm about to go off on a mission to find a maxi dress in a petite small - very difficult to find a petite short enough for my five foot frame... :-)

Other people are going to eat as they always have. You are the one who has changed so you are the one who needs to find a way to deal with your feelings. It may be that you'll need to avoid being in the room w/people who are eating until you can tolerate it. Or maybe being a part of the socialization during a meal will help you get over it. Try not to be angry with people for eating normally.
I take my meals as I need them. Sometimes they coincide with my husband's meal and sometimes not. It doesn't bother me to prepare food for him or see him eat it. I go out to eat with family and coworkers, or order takeout, or eat on the run (although eating on the run is 'planned' - it's always Wendy's chili or Dunkin Donuts egg white wrap). I know what things I can safely eat and order them. I carry a lunch bag everywhere I go so I have acceptable 'safe' things to eat.
In time you will feel better about what you are able to eat. Other people's food choices won't bother you, especially as you begin to see the results. :-)

Monday Dec 30 will be exactly seven months from my surgery. I have lost 101 pounds. :-) Everything is going well and I am thrilled with my results. I'm curious how much more I will lose. I'm currently 132 pounds. At 5' tall that is still over the recommended weight range of 105 - 120 that my PCP says is ideal for someone my height. I weighed 115 on my wedding day - I wonder if I will get see that again? It seems possible but I would be happy enough right where I am. Life is good! :-)

Be easy on yourself. You just had major surgery. Your body is healing and recovering from the trauma. You've gone through some drastic physiological changes. Many of us were not in the best of health before surgery due to weight-related health problems and years of unhealthy eating and inactivity. WLS doesn't result in instantly feeling well afterwards. Also, the first 1-3 months you feel nauseous and foods taste unappealing, maybe even bad (it was quite some time before foods tasted 'normal' to me again). Concentrate on the basics - rest, fluids, Protein, and slowly but gradually increasing activity. Try staying away from the scale for a few weeks while you're recovering. You'll get there! :-)

Be easy on yourself. You just had major surgery. Your body is healing and recovering from the trauma. You've gone through some drastic physiological changes. Many of us were not in the best of health before surgery due to weight-related health problems and years of unhealthy eating and inactivity. WLS doesn't result in instantly feeling well afterwards. Also, the first 1-3 months you feel nauseous and foods taste unappealing, maybe even bad (it was quite some time before foods tasted 'normal' to me again). Concentrate on the basics - rest, fluids, Protein, and slowly but gradually increasing activity. Try staying away from the scale for a few weeks while you're recovering. You'll get there! :-)

You will find someone who loves you for you. When the right one comes along it won't matter where you are in your journey. When it's right, it's right. Be patient. And in the meantime you'll get to figure out who you REALLY are inside! Many of us are hiding behind our weight. We find new confidence, self assurance, and self discovery! When you love yourself others see you differently and will love you too. Each pound lost allows a little more of that special person to shine through... :-)

I don't have hunger at all if I stay away from simple carbs. I have tons of energy and have since immediately following my surgery a year ago, probably because I'm eating better - lots of Protein and complex carbs. I lost a lot of hair but just went to a shorter hairstyle which I'm keeping short until the new growth catches up (I already have 2 inches of new growth). I found a Protein powder that cured my Constipation. I have never had a problem finding something to eat at any restaurant I go to, except the fast food places that have nothing but garbage. My boobs are pretty much gone but I had a bra fitting at Victoria's Secret and now know my correct size and what type of bra helps my girls look better. For every problem you mention there is a solution.
The key to happiness is always going to come from inside yourself - it's a positive attitude and outlook. Focus on positives, not negatives. It's harder for some people than others but with a conscious effort you can feel better about yourself and what you've accomplished so far. I'm sure there must be SOME improvement to your life since losing 50 pounds. It's still a lot of weight - I can't lift 50 pounds!

Yesterday I spent the morning cleaning my basement, then cut grass w/a push mower for three hours, then weeded my veggie garden, then walked my dogs, then made dinner on the grill. An ENTIRE day of nonstop activity without being winded, tired, or in pain! Life is good! :-)

Isn't it fun? Shopping has been my motivation through the whole experience! It's a pleasant activity instead of the dreaded experience that used to cause tears and bouts of depression. Now everything I try on fits, although sometimes I tend to grab clothes to try on that are too big because I still can't believe I'm that small! I like to try on clothes for fun, without even buying anything. It's like playing dress-up, and it helps me figure out what size I really am. Today is my day off and I'm about to go off on a mission to find a maxi dress in a petite small - very difficult to find a petite short enough for my five foot frame... :-)

Yesterday was dress down day at work. The jeans I've been wearing were getting too baggy so I tried on everything in my jeans drawer. Most of them were two baggy! Only two fit - and I hadn't been able to fit in those for three years! :-)

I don't have hunger at all if I stay away from simple carbs. I have tons of energy and have since immediately following my surgery a year ago, probably because I'm eating better - lots of Protein and complex carbs. I lost a lot of hair but just went to a shorter hairstyle which I'm keeping short until the new growth catches up (I already have 2 inches of new growth). I found a Protein powder that cured my Constipation. I have never had a problem finding something to eat at any restaurant I go to, except the fast food places that have nothing but garbage. My boobs are pretty much gone but I had a bra fitting at Victoria's Secret and now know my correct size and what type of bra helps my girls look better. For every problem you mention there is a solution.
The key to happiness is always going to come from inside yourself - it's a positive attitude and outlook. Focus on positives, not negatives. It's harder for some people than others but with a conscious effort you can feel better about yourself and what you've accomplished so far. I'm sure there must be SOME improvement to your life since losing 50 pounds. It's still a lot of weight - I can't lift 50 pounds!

When you've finally reach a normal BMI and are amazed you've reached it after 28yrs! :-)

There are many reasons for plateaus and everyone experiences them from time to time, some more often than others. It could be Water retention (possibly from Aunt Flo), less activity, not enough Protein, or your body could be going through an adjustment. You could be losing inches during this time. Don't cut back on food (if you snack you could back on that) and DO continue getting your Protein and fluids in. Stay away from the scale for a week or two. Focus on NSV's (non scale victories) like clothes fitting better, not needing a medication, climbing those stairs w/o being winded, or whatever changes you are noticing in your life. These are the little things that mean so much more than a scale number and are the things you are working hardest for. Celebrate every one of them!
The scale WILL move again, and most likely you WILL stall again eventually.
Note: My first and only stall happened at 7 months out. It was a doozey, lasting almost TWO WHOLE MONTHS! :-)

I had RNY on 5/30/13. I have had a great experience and have no regrets. I had no complications, a quick, relatively easy recovery, and a very successful weight loss. I started at 233lbs and currently weigh 118lbs. All my health problems have cleared up and my joint and back pain are gone. My labs are perfect. I'm in the best health of my life. My WLS team has been wonderful. I followed their instructions to the letter which I believe is key to success. If I had it to do over again, would I? The answer is 'HELL, YES!'

Yes, I would do it again. I had RNY and never regretted it, not for a second. It was way more successful than I expected. I went from a 2X/22-24W to a sz6/small! I never dared to dream I could get that small! At best I was hoping for a size 14. :-)

In my program it was stressed in pre op appointments, psych appointments, workshops, and nurse education class). Post op, it is discussed frequently in support group meetings. I was just shocked that the statistics showed how easy it is for a non-drinker to become an alcoholic. It seems that all of us have some sort of tendency to addiction (ie food addiction) so we really need to be vigilant to avoid a transfer addiction to drugs and alcohol. And to shopping, exercise, sex, or anything else.
Just liking something is not an addiction. Some people like exercise and jokingly call it a new 'addiction', as do some people with shopping. Liking and enjoying something you've never been able to enjoy before is normal and healthy. Doing it to an unhealthy degree - thinking about it all the time, doing it all the time, having it affect your relationships with people, interfere with work, affect your finances, affect your health, and affecting your life in any negative way - these are all signs of an addiction you need to seek help for. It is a very real but avoidable danger. Recognize the signs of an unhealthy addiction and change what you're doing before it becomes a more serious problem.
I like wine but with my family history of alcoholism I limit to two glasses on Saturday nite. I love shopping (and coworkers say I have a problem) but I work in a bank and need a professional wardrobe. I budget a certain amount per week for clothes shopping. I'm not spending money that I can't afford to spend. Shopping used to reduce me to tears and send me on a donut binge but now I enjoy trying on clothes even if I don't buy them. It's fun activity for me. :-)

Even more disgusting is puking up everything you just ate because you didn't chew it well. You learn to do what needs to be done...

I have no problems with eating out. I just came back from a week long vacation in California. For dinner I ate Mexican food and I ate lots of sushi. I stayed at a hotel that provided a fridge in the room and I bought Greek yogurt and ready to drink Protein Shakes for my Breakfast and lunch. On my plane I had Protein Bars in my purse and I ate nuts. I drank lots of Water and iced green tea from Starbucks. It was a fun vacation where food was not the biggest part of my fun. I enjoyed visiting my son, meeting and getting to know his girl, walking on beaches and beach trails, and seeing the sights. My life has been very different since food has been lower on my list of priorities. And I lost two pounds. :-)

I had RNY on 5/30/13. I have had a great experience and have no regrets. I had no complications, a quick, relatively easy recovery, and a very successful weight loss. I started at 233lbs and currently weigh 118lbs. All my health problems have cleared up and my joint and back pain are gone. My labs are perfect. I'm in the best health of my life. My WLS team has been wonderful. I followed their instructions to the letter which I believe is key to success. If I had it to do over again, would I? The answer is 'HELL, YES!'

Yes, I would do it again. I had RNY and never regretted it, not for a second. It was way more successful than I expected. I went from a 2X/22-24W to a sz6/small! I never dared to dream I could get that small! At best I was hoping for a size 14. :-)

It's common. I'm 15 months post op and still get them, usually if I forget that I'm not 'normal'. You can avoid them by taking small bites, chew-chew-chew, eat slowly, measure small portions and stick to them, and avoid dry food. Even so you may still have bouts. It's a wake-up call, a reminder, and a deterrent. It helps keep you on track.

I had RNY on 5/30/13. I have had a great experience and have no regrets. I had no complications, a quick, relatively easy recovery, and a very successful weight loss. I started at 233lbs and currently weigh 118lbs. All my health problems have cleared up and my joint and back pain are gone. My labs are perfect. I'm in the best health of my life. My WLS team has been wonderful. I followed their instructions to the letter which I believe is key to success. If I had it to do over again, would I? The answer is 'HELL, YES!'

Immediately following surgery and in the first few weeks following it everything tastes 'not right' - for me that lasted about 5-6 weeks. Combined with the mild to severe nausea that many of us feel during that time it's hard to get the Protein we need. It'll get better eventually. One tip someone gave that was helpful to me was this: measure out a full scoop of unflavored protein powder and put it in a bowl. Over the course of your day, sprinkle a little onto/into EVERYTHING you eat or drink. It's such a small amount you can't really taste it and by the end of the day you've gotten an extra 20 plus grams of protein. Good luck! You'll feel better soon! :-)

When I told my husband about my decision he wasn't happy about it. He was afraid I could die from complications. I told him I was going to die sooner if I didn't do it. He tried to be behind me but I could tell he was only going through the motions. He didn't have the advantage of all the information I'd been gathering for months. He went with me to the first seminar but that was just basic info. He got a much better understanding of the whole process after the nurse education class, though he still worried. He's a natural worrier. He's good now that it's over and there are no more unknowns.
I love my husband very much (we've been married 31 yrs). But, in all honesty, this was something I was going to do with his support or without it. I couldn't just keep 'existing'. I wanted to LIVE.