bonniefide

I am from Columbus and wondered if there was anyone out there lurking. Saw some old posts in here from other people in C-bus, but nothing new. I know we have a lot of bariatric surgeries going on here, so there has to be somebody! If there is anyone, let's all follow this thread and try to get support from each other!

I just hit my 50 lb weight loss as of today. I must say I'm sad it's not more, but should be grateful it isn't less.

I have to agree with what most people are saying, which is that you should stop blaming outside circumstances that could be changed and instead look inward, being very blunt and realistic with yourself.
Alcohol should not be consumed by people who have had a sleeve for ideally 6 months to one year after surgery. There is a special digestive enzyme in your stomach that processes alcohol. Since 85% of your stomach has been removed, there is very little of that enzyme (if any) to process alcohol. You could actually end up with alcohol poisoning and be in the hospital getting your stomach pumped.
If cereal is a "trigger" food (a food that you can't seem to stop eating once you start) then don't buy it. There are a ton of things that I just can't buy because I know I can't control myself and I will eat all of it! Grocery stores sell pre-cooked chickens, usually for $5. If you want something quick and easy, you could get a chicken and eat off of that for a few days. Also, Protein shakes with milk will give you Protein and what your body needs to feel full. I tried Isopure Water for the first time today. It smells kinda weird but tastes OK... and dang, it filled me up. I'm actually burping! (TMI)
Support groups work when you work the program. Do you think it would be acceptable for an alcoholic to attend an AA meeting if they just kept drinking and drinking, week after week, year after year? Just going will not help someone until they actually hit rock bottom and make the decision to stop. The point is, it is horribly difficult... horribly horribly difficult to stop eating... (I am literally fighting it every minute of the day) but it is something you have to fight just like any other addict.
Your stomach is not likely stretched all the way out, but you could be doing damage to your insides. Your hair is falling out because you are not consuming nutrients. The majority of people who get a VGS will have hair fall out - this is because your body is working to keep the more important parts of your body working (like internal organs and muscles) and ignores things like hair, nails, and skin.
I've noticed in a lot of your posts you mention things you can't do, such as not being able to cook. I can't cook either, and that was a big fear of mine. So, what am I going to do? I'm going to sign up for cooking classes. In the meantime, I look up stuff on youtube that looks basic enough for someone who can burn water! My nutritionist gave me smoothie recipes that use frozen fruit and yogurt. The frozen fruit doesn't go bad for ages (cuz it's frozen) and the yogurt isn't anything fancy. Then I just add Protein powder and put it in a blender. It literally takes 5 minutes and you can't screw it up.
To conclude, it's easy for anyone to tell you what to do; however, you sound very depressed on top of everything else, so anything people tell you to do will seem unrealistic. I have been through therapy myself and was on antidepressants from the time I was 15 up until last year when I finally got good therapy (I'm 33 now). So, I do understand depression... everyone is just like, "Well... don't be sad. Think positive." Gee.... why didn't I think of that? I'm cured! haha. The point I'm trying to make is, PLEASE reach out for help... either to your primary doctor to work with you on getting the correct type of medication for you, or to a licensed therapist that can help you through this. If you can work through some of these issues in a non-judgmental environment, you will feel more positive about your outlook in life, then things kind of click into place slowly but surely.

I just hit my 50 lb weight loss as of today. I must say I'm sad it's not more, but should be grateful it isn't less.

I just hit my 50 lb weight loss as of today. I must say I'm sad it's not more, but should be grateful it isn't less.

I just hit my 50 lb weight loss as of today. I must say I'm sad it's not more, but should be grateful it isn't less.

I just hit my 50 lb weight loss as of today. I must say I'm sad it's not more, but should be grateful it isn't less.

I just hit my 50 lb weight loss as of today. I must say I'm sad it's not more, but should be grateful it isn't less.

Laura - those posts you just posted make me feel sick. These people obviously missed the entire point of the surgery. It makes me sad to read stuff like that on here... when people post it, it seems like they want to have their bad actions validated and have someone tell them, "It's OK. We all make mistakes." We do all make mistakes, but 15 days out of surgery having a burger? Really? You could justify yourself back to your starting weight and all of the pain and money would be for nothing. This has to be a life-altering, life-long commitment.

I am most definitely an addict. I didn't ever eat in private, but every waking hour revolved (and still resolves) around food. My mom is an addict also and raised me that way from a young age. "We had a bad day, let's treat ourselves." "We had a good day, let's treat ourselves." "I'm bored. Let's have a snack." I honestly do not know how to associate with people without food. Every friendship I've ever had, we would get together for a meal. My new plan is to meet people for activities instead of meals. I also ditched a few "friends" that really were not healthy friendships for me and am only keeping positive people in my life that support my goals.
I'm 2 weeks out of surgery, and tonight my Aunt is coming in to town and I have to go to my parent's house, so I'm scared. I told my dad that they should have dinner and when they are done they can call me and I'll come over. That way I won't have to endure as much food pressure.
I can't wait for the day that it will become easier... it probably will never go away entirely, but I will accept any improvement. It took 30 years for me to get where I am now, so it'll take a while to undo all those bad habits!

10/21/13
192
4 weeks out
22lbs
21% gone
Fibromyalgia -arthritis- EE
Hiatal hernia repair during sleeve
5'0
Goal- 125.

Went to 1 month check-up today. Never thought I would ever hear I am not eating enough food! Need about 500 more calories a day. Also eating way too fast! Guess this is a learning experience. Doctor said I am learning to eat healthy now so in the future when I don't feel sick to my stomach to tell me I am eating too much I will already have it down! Excited to be able to have cheese and crackers soon! Happy Holidays to all of you!

Sunkist Protien Shots are 27g of protien in like a fruit flavored Syrup, kinda like that 5 hour energy stuff! I used them a lot my first week to get all my protien. There are berry and Orange. I seemed to tolerate the Orange the best. Don't do one all at once but break it up into like 3 shots or so. I got them at either the Vitamin Shop or another site online. Just put in Sunkist protien shots and you should be able to find them.

I am not drinking soda - my surgeon's rules were to wait at least 6 months, but preferably never. Diet soda is proven to make you gain weight, so there is no way I'd risk either after all the money and energy spent on this! The only "cheat" I have done is a half cup of coffee when I had a headache. After detoxing from caffeine, I don't want to get off the wagon, cuz that was a hard wagon to get on to.

Surgery Date: October 25, 2013
HW: 308
SW: 292
CW: 255
On my way!

Hw in August 302
Cw 258
Surgery was October 7th
Goal weight maybe 175, when I wasn't fat 155you could see my ribs so we will see what my goal is as I get under 200
I had a hitial hernia fixed during surgery
No more heart burn
No more snoring
I don't have a headache every day like I did pre surgery (I was taking ibuprofen twice a day everyday )

My life changed on 10/23/13
Highest weight: 340
Surgery weight: 324
Current weight: 299
It's been such a journey so far, teaching discipline every step of the way. And I'm loving it. This is just the beginning of a brand new me!

High: 391
Start of preop: 383
Surgery: 358
Current: 321
Doctor just took me off BP meds on Thursday.

Thank you! I have an appt with my dr in two weeks but I am going to call him in a few days to let him know how the Pepcid is going. Today I feel great, no pain no hunger. And I haven't had any oranges or coffee.

Laura - those posts you just posted make me feel sick. These people obviously missed the entire point of the surgery. It makes me sad to read stuff like that on here... when people post it, it seems like they want to have their bad actions validated and have someone tell them, "It's OK. We all make mistakes." We do all make mistakes, but 15 days out of surgery having a burger? Really? You could justify yourself back to your starting weight and all of the pain and money would be for nothing. This has to be a life-altering, life-long commitment.

Laura - those posts you just posted make me feel sick. These people obviously missed the entire point of the surgery. It makes me sad to read stuff like that on here... when people post it, it seems like they want to have their bad actions validated and have someone tell them, "It's OK. We all make mistakes." We do all make mistakes, but 15 days out of surgery having a burger? Really? You could justify yourself back to your starting weight and all of the pain and money would be for nothing. This has to be a life-altering, life-long commitment.

Gallbladder pain can be in your right upper quadrant, but more often than not people have pain in their back or upper shoulder. Appendix pain is in your right lower quadrant. What you describe does sounds like a peptic ulcer.... but gallbladder could cause similar problems. Blood in stool and coffee-ground emesis (vomit) is generally when it goes on for awhile. If it is that bad, I would definitely want my surgeon to squeeze me in asap and run some tests. My boss had bypass and had a GI bleed, but she kept taking NSAIDs after her surgery, which was a big no-no! But, there are a multitude of things that could cause it. Keep us posted on what your doctor says!

Please work with your MD. It could be an ulver at the surgical line (a marginal ulcer -- at the margin of the surgery), but if feels like GB. BUT we ain't MDs, keep working with the docs to get an answer!!!

I am so excited just went in for my 6 weeks check up and I lost a total of 26 pounds since surgery October 7, 2013! I was told today to eat whatever I want just to make healthy choices. I told my nutritionist I would and she told me that everyone will have temptations and it's normal just don't get carried away because you want to see results!

You're doing great!! I had a major victory today, I, for the first time in, like, 6-7 years am down under 220! 219 to be exact... Yay me!