Cherry

Hmm curious what red hair has to do with previous comments? My progress is soooooo slow. I'm just over 4 months. My weight loss is 34 lbs since surgery. I'm visibly lighter and at 165 I'm in sz 12. It's great that no one knows I had the surgery. I'm eating most foods, just in the smallest amounts. I have NOOOO cravings though so it's very easy to turn down a piece of cake - even in the smallest amounts. Simply not interested. I wouldn't say I'm getting enough protein or water though. I'm sure if I increased the protein, is drop weight faster. However I HATE shakes. Never did them this entire time. I LIVED on unjury chicken broth. I know that once it cools down this month, I'll feel more inclined to drink it again. But for now, the scale moves very slow. My only complaint is that my left shoulder is in chronic annoying pain. It tells me when I eat too much, and also when I'm hungry. It hurts every morning when I get up at 6am. I rarely overeat though. If ever. I've done that only about 3x usually by eating 3/4 slice of pizza rather than 1/4-1/2 of it.

So how is everyone doing????????????????????????????????????? I'm doing ok.... I'm down a total of 68 lbs, though only 30 of it is post-surgery. My weight loss was not ever fast. I am losing 1 lb/wk - not what I had hoped for, but it's subtle and no one knows I had surgery. I could go on about all the good stuff though like how my clothes fit again and my GERD is GONE. My cravings are gone too etc etc.... but how about some updates?

What is "Sliming" ?

I'll preface this by saying that I have now lost enough weight that I am back in all of my amazing business suits, clothing, and shoes and I am in the beginning stage of returning to work after 4 years. Actually, my suits are getting too big and I have to consider where I'll get the funds to shop for smaller sizes Here is my question: In the business world (think county execs, lawyers, legislators, state assembly, CPAs etc) which is MORE "offensive" (err maybe the word should be "which is more of a turn-off"?: a woman with ugly exposed tattoos on her arms, OR a woman with no exposed tattoos but a shirt that is too tight on perfect breasts (yes, I find it a turn off when I see a business woman with a shirt that is too tight)? Now we all know that what matters is the work ethic and ability to do one's job, as well as a great personality. But I really would like your opinions about my questions: Exposed ugly arm tattoos or shirt too tight on large breasts. Keep in mind, the work colleagues are both men and women. Thanks!

So my left shoulder tells ALL. It lets me know when I'm full.....and now it lets me know when I'm hungry. Uggggg Yes I know why and I know all about the nerve, but it's really very annoying. It hurts a lot and too often. I've had more success controlling it by never over eating, but at 5am it's KILLING me due to hunger I guess. Anyone else?

This was also in my pre-surgical package but my Dr does NOT use them. When I asked him why it was in the package, he said that the package has a lot of standard pratices and precautions, but that he does not use them. So before you wind yourself all up (as I did too), ask your Dr. Also, in the hospital, I was VERY numb and had a very difficult time peeing regardless of how many hours I sat on and even fell asleep sitting on the bowl. By day 2, I was "threatened" by the nurses that if I didn't pee, they would have to put a cathater in before they could release me. I REFUSED and still could not pee. On the moring of day 3 (the day I was released), the numbess went away and I peed GALLONS.

I am 2 months post up. I have lost only 18 pounds!!! I was at -20 but gained 2 lbs this past week, despite not changing any foods/portions. I thought I had been doing everything right. 18 in 8 weeks ??? Very discouraging !

I dont know if you've happened upon or read my previous posts but at 5 weeks post op, I suddenly got what I thought was a stomach bug. It lasted 2 weeks. I did not go to the doctor because I am out of town. It was awful and I probably should have gone to the ER several times for IV Fluids (dehydration). When I did some further research, I found a trend of RNY patients getting same thing 5-8 weeks post op. Unsure if it was a real stomach bug or if it was related to the RNY. But it's passed! Thank god!

FYI - Biotin INCREASES hunger. Not only have I experienced it, it's a proven side effect - I will NOT take biotin. I am so pissed about my hair - I had this happen 2x in my life in the past 20 years. I have tried anything in the past to no avail. I really thought it wasn't going to happen.

Search my recent post called GERD - my GERD was cured and several responded

Well I had originally expected the hair loss but since I had no stress, no pain, no real turmoil, and by week 7 I had NO HAIR LOSS, I was hopefull the hair loss would not happen. WRONG!!! It began slowly last week and now it's pretty bad. Yes I know why, and yes I have taken all my vitimins and try to reach the protien, but 2 months post up, it has finally kicked in MY F-ING HAIR IS COMING OUT!!! Soooo, I know the cyle goes in 3 months... but how long can I expect this to last do you think??? My scalp is tingly and I am careful when brushing and washing but I know there will be no stopping the telogen effluvium.

I know that this is not a cure for all; so many have written how bad their GERD got after RNY. But for me it was a CURE! I hope it will be for you too! I cannot believe I am GERD-free after 20 years of agony.

GORGEOUS!!! Even before the weight loss!!!

Mine was the same way - I'd choke and throw up and have to go to the ER Even though my weight loss is soooo slow (-19 in 7 weeks), just getting rid of the GERD is amazing! I am drinking ORANGE JUICE!!! WOOT WOOT :P

I have had GERD for at least 20 years. It has been bad and I have even been to the ER several times. I have been on different prescriptions for it as well. It is not caused by any specific food and even drinking Water causes it. Yes, acidic things will aggravate it, but just about everything has contributed to it. I am about 7 weeks post op. My GERD was gone the day of my surgery. I thought it was too good to be true. I stopped my meds the 2nd day. For the first time in 20 years I can drink things like OJ! GERD IS GONE!! Anyone else have this happen??? Does anyone know why it happened (the biology of curing it through RNY)?

WOWOWOW This is a good thread!!!! This isn't about one vs. another, although I agree with much of what TinyMamiof3kids said. I am SURE she realized she wasn't going to be getting kudos for what she wrote but I definately understand her comments and agree. I know a ton of people and read a ton of posts here about people who are struggling in part due to their "partners" and family members. Another person here related the food addiction to that of an alcoholic and I totally agree with that.... When you make this decision and you risk your life to receive a medical intervention - you HAVE to consider the affect this will have.... and your live-in partners are definitaly a part of that atmosphere. I read another thread where a woman's hubby brought home a cream pie not even 2 weeks after she was post-op. He said it was a GIFT for her and presumed she would eat it because it was soft. THAT HORRIFIED ME FOR HER!!! Yes, eventually the hubby admitted that HE was the one who wanted to eat the pie, but I found the whole situation to be sooooo sad and dysfunctional and a contributor to why WE FAIL!!! We fail because we are not unified - our family sabatoges us time and time again - our friends do it too (some out of jealousy). But for some reason WE ALLOW THEM!!! Food is NOT better than you!!!! I am REPULSED by the foods I see my family eating and the portion size - just as I was repulsed by myself when I did the same, yet I couldn't always stop myself. Watching them eat GOBS AND GOBS of food, saddens me and breaks my heart. It is so unhealthy and damaging. At least with alcohol, you can stop because you won't need alcohol to live, like you need food to live. YES IT CAN BE DIFFICULT but you MUST find the motivation and committment to not eat it anymore. YES this is indeed willpower at its best. However, this does NOT absolve your loving partners from thier responsibility to SUPPORT you and love you in a healthy manor. I think it is mean and selfish for partners to continue to "flaunt" their foods in front of you. But someone here said it well - that you cannot change them. But you should tell them how you feel about it COMMUNICATION I think so many people do not understand the dysfunctional dynamic way in which people react when there is a change. People are losing thier eating partner. They are watching as ONE person does something to help themselves, and they don't know what to do - it's change and that scares many people. In some cases, things get really bad - divorces happen even, and the one who changed always gets blamed - even when they did nothing bad or wrong.

I like your post - I have been going through this too. NO ONE knows I had WLS, so in a way, I feel a little bit guilty when my friends are saying I look great and asking how I am losing the weight. I have been a yo-yo-er my entire life so they are all use to me losing weight, and have ALWAYS asked this. I continue to say that I am avoiding starches/heavy carbs and no sugar - along with portion control. Although that IS indeed true, I feel a tiny bit like a liar.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE TRUTH!!! Please measure everything and do NOT over eat. Your stomach is numb basically. I am 6 wks post-op and this is something I went through. Your stomach is no bigger than an egg so do not fill it more than that ever.

My surgery was 2 days after you (4/17) Yes - I AM WITH YOU I am going through same thoughts I have some days where I am content to barely eat much, then for a moment I will crave a KFC nugget. I am COMPLETELY ambivolent about food. I could care less what I eat, when I eat, or even if I do eat. I have also become a little turned off by the quantities of food I watch my family consume - even the 2 tiny family members eat a MOUND of dinner. I dont get it, though I suppose it was me at times. Even my past favorite foods are not interesting to me. I am only down 17 lbs in 6 weeks. Still better than gaining!!!

I HAD a serious Diet Snapple addiction in life.... Here are some problems I had with it (Pre surgery life BTW) It left me with bad aftertaste in mouth I always had cotton mouth in the morning I stalled frequently I experimented by removing diet snapple from my diet and my stalls came to an end. Post surgery, I never touched it again, but that was because I got off of it long before. I TRUELY believe that there is something very addictive in it - could possibly be the artificial sweetener. It is GARBAGE (although I dont think one here & there is a problem)

What does a blockage feel like? What types of blockages can one get and where in the system is it? Can you have a blockage and not throw up? Same questions for a stricture... what exactly is the difference because doesn't a stricture turn into a blockage? Thanks

Yeah I agree about the collar bone too - though my right side is destroyed and looks pretty ratty now that you can see it more. I had not anticipated that my knee bones would hurt when I sleep from bumping. I cannot imagine that skinny people feel this though.

So here are some things I can really notice and am adjusting to: My knees-I can see the bones again and I actually need to sleep with a small pillow between them! I can also feel a hip bone finally (still under fat) but it's there! sleeping on my side is actually a little uncomfortable and I change sides frequently. Sorry this one is crude but when I sit on the toilet, I immediately notice how much of my butt is gone and it feels great to fit on the seat (and much easier to wipe). Here's another crude one: had sex with husband for first time in a while (he's been away for work) and it felt totally different when he was on top of me because my "fopa" is GONE!!! (Aka belly).

For you, perhaps this is fine. And I do agree that when it comes to food, some people do need to satisfy that craving before they blow the entire 'diet'. But that should either be a substitute or the smallest bite possible to satisfy it. The craving at that point is emotional and sets people up for emotional control and an automatic 'rebellion' mode. FOOD CONTROLS PEOPLE and it should not. It makes me sad for food addicts, just as it makes me sad for those who MUST consume a drug. I want to scream that food is NOT better nor stronger than you! While food is NOT a human relationship, your point about the 'last meal' has been argued to me by MANY about bachelor/bachelorette parties and justifying sexual shannigans with the non-partner. Just sayin'