Water Nazi

This week will mark 6 months since I had VSG surgery. It’s been a strange and wonderful 6 months in a lot of ways. The biggest factor that finally got me on the WLS track was my mobility. I blew out my left knee many years ago (twice, actually) and have had several surgeries. My leg is permanently bent from arthritis, and at 320 lbs I limped very badly and my mobility was extremely limited. Eventually, my right knee began to break down & last year my orthopedic surgeon told me that we needed to plan on double knee replacement surgery for this year. I knew that the longer I could hold that off, the better it would be, so I started looking into WLS instead. My ortho surgeon told me that for every 10 lbs I lose, I’ll take 40 lbs of pressure off my knees. With that kind of ratio going on, I knew I needed to do everything I could to lose weight & keep it off. I have been active on this site since last March, and I have learned many valuable things here and made some great friends. My postop experience has been really good, and I’m very thankful that I didn’t have a lot of complications. I haven’t struggled to stick to a smart eating plan, and I haven’t had any major episodes of craving or binging on carb-heavy foods. I have occasionally indulged in sweets or crunchy salty Snacks, but the volume I take in now is very small. I feel like when I give in to those temptations now, it’s more like it should have been all along…have just a little, enjoy it tremendously, have no guilt afterward, and then pick right back up with smart food choices. I don’t feel the need to stuff my face and my portions are well within a reasonable amount. On average, I eat between 800-1000 cals per day, 80-100g of Protein, 60-80g carbs, and 30-50g of fat.

I feel like I have control over what I eat. There is no food that I define as something I “can’t” have, so maybe that’s part of why I don’t feel a longing for certain foods. I haven’t had soda yet, but I had pretty much stopped drinking soda more than a year before surgery. I've had a few sips of champagne twice, but that’s the only carbonated drink I've tried. I enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail 2-3 times a month. I used to eat refined carbs, especially potatoes and bread, at every meal….and I mean literally EVERY meal. I don’t know if I've just gotten used to not having those foods on a regular basis or if my body has gotten the sugar/carb imbalance back under control, but I don’t even really miss those things. When I have indulged, it’s been only with really excellent versions…like freshly baked bread or a few bites of Pasta made from scratch at a nice restaurant. So far, I haven’t even been tempted to have plain old sandwich bread or a hamburger bun or pasta from a box.

I try to keep in mind that things may change as I get farther out, so I need to remain open to changing my habits as needed. I exercise regularly, and I have been genuinely shocked to discover that I enjoy it. I focus on the positive things, and I don’t beat myself up for small stuff. I have way more good food days than bad food days. I have way more weeks where I get to the gym at least 3 times than weeks where I slack off. I am far more active in regular activities…I stroll around the mall, I walk around downtown, I walk more around my school campus, and I don’t avoid going places where I will have to walk. Six months ago, I could not stand or walk for more than a few minutes without pain. Today, my leg is still bent and I still limp a little, but it’s so much better than it was. At almost 90 lbs down, I have taken nearly 360 lbs of pressure off my knees. I can walk and stand for much longer, and I can enjoy activities for a lot longer before I start limping. Because I still need to be very careful of my knees, at the gym I focus on weight lifting and strength training instead of using the treadmill or elliptical. I love being able to see improvements every single week, either in the amount of weight I can lift or the number of reps I can do. My handicap hang tag expired about a week ago, and I felt good enough and confident enough to make the decision not to renew it. That was huge moment for me, and one I am so thankful to have achieved.

In general, I’m a person who doesn't feel a lot of anxiety or worry. I was a pretty happy person preop, and I’m still a pretty happy person. I never questioned or second-guessed my decision to have surgery once I was postop, because there’s really no going back. There’s only forward, and I knew it was completely up to me to make that be good and positive or filled with doubt and self-sabotage. There are a lot of places in this world where I could receive negative messages about myself…my own head does NOT need to be one of those places. I try to treat myself the same way I think I should treat others…with respect, kindness, and the benefit of the doubt. I don’t beat myself up over stumbles and I try not to measure myself against someone else. I deserve my own best efforts, and I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of living that philosophy over the last 6 months. Each of us has a path to travel, and I know that my experience is just that…my own experience. For me, WLS was a great decision. My ability to participate in my own life has improved dramatically, and I'm so grateful for that. I’m excited to see what the next 6 months will bring!

I am ~5 months out. I have lost enough weight that I feel like a new person. I still have lots of weight to lose but the joint pain that kept me a couch potato has left. The fat around my middle that mad it hard to tie my shoes is nearly gone. The cheekbones that were hiding beneath my chunky face are reappearing. I love my sleeve. I only wish I had done this years ago. I have no regrets except that I have not always made the best of everyday since surgery. Take the gift of your tiny tummy very seriously. Don't squander the magnificent early months post-surgery where hunger is nearly non-existent and exercise plus reduced caloric intake can produce amazing weight loss. This rapid weight loss window is not infinite but it is magical. Enjoy it and use it wisely. You will be delighted by your progress and changes. Good luck.

It's slow and it sneaks up on you.
Being "aware" and not letting your guard down is a big piece of advice I have for those of you who are still in the "easy to resist" category.
I found this thread so interesting. I have been in OCD overdrive researching for my upcoming VSG.
I thought I only had my post-op meds left to research ie ulcer prevention, gallbladder, constipation/diarrhea (wtf either or, not both please). Now I need to deal with the mental aspect.
Laura- Thanks for starting the thread. I've printed your OCD/Food Addiction excerpt to be page one in my binder.< /p>
M2G - I put your comment on the cover as a constant reminder it won't always be easy.
Thanks girls. W

It's slow and it sneaks up on you.
Being "aware" and not letting your guard down is a big piece of advice I have for those of you who are still in the "easy to resist" category.
I found this thread so interesting. I have been in OCD overdrive researching for my upcoming VSG.
I thought I only had my post-op meds left to research ie ulcer prevention, gallbladder, constipation/diarrhea (wtf either or, not both please). Now I need to deal with the mental aspect.
Laura- Thanks for starting the thread. I've printed your OCD/Food Addiction excerpt to be page one in my binder.< /p>
M2G - I put your comment on the cover as a constant reminder it won't always be easy.
Thanks girls. W

I am scheduled with Dr Cabrera Feb 4 2014.
How was your experience?

It's slow and it sneaks up on you.
Being "aware" and not letting your guard down is a big piece of advice I have for those of you who are still in the "easy to resist" category.
I found this thread so interesting. I have been in OCD overdrive researching for my upcoming VSG.
I thought I only had my post-op meds left to research ie ulcer prevention, gallbladder, constipation/diarrhea (wtf either or, not both please). Now I need to deal with the mental aspect.
Laura- Thanks for starting the thread. I've printed your OCD/Food Addiction excerpt to be page one in my binder.< /p>
M2G - I put your comment on the cover as a constant reminder it won't always be easy.
Thanks girls. W

It's slow and it sneaks up on you.
Being "aware" and not letting your guard down is a big piece of advice I have for those of you who are still in the "easy to resist" category.
I found this thread so interesting. I have been in OCD overdrive researching for my upcoming VSG.
I thought I only had my post-op meds left to research ie ulcer prevention, gallbladder, constipation/diarrhea (wtf either or, not both please). Now I need to deal with the mental aspect.
Laura- Thanks for starting the thread. I've printed your OCD/Food Addiction excerpt to be page one in my binder.< /p>
M2G - I put your comment on the cover as a constant reminder it won't always be easy.
Thanks girls. W

It's slow and it sneaks up on you.
Being "aware" and not letting your guard down is a big piece of advice I have for those of you who are still in the "easy to resist" category.
I found this thread so interesting. I have been in OCD overdrive researching for my upcoming VSG.
I thought I only had my post-op meds left to research ie ulcer prevention, gallbladder, constipation/diarrhea (wtf either or, not both please). Now I need to deal with the mental aspect.
Laura- Thanks for starting the thread. I've printed your OCD/Food Addiction excerpt to be page one in my binder.< /p>
M2G - I put your comment on the cover as a constant reminder it won't always be easy.
Thanks girls. W

Oh my gosh, I soooooooo identify with that last statement. I really thought I had my head in the right place when we went up to my mom's last week. And she had the usual treats around (Cookies and ice cream and fudge!) oh my! Which I was able to resist. But then she made this huge batch of mixed nuts that she had put a honey glaze on. OMG...like fricken crack I tell you! And part of my brain said "nuts are ok, they have protein" but then the other more rational part said "yeah but you know how many fricken calories are in just a FEW nuts? and ones that have a sugar coating on them?" So she wasn't happy with they way they turned out. They were sticky. She finally moved them from the baking pan to a glass bowl. STILL not controlling myself, as they were just sitting there, too easy to grab 3 or 4 here and there throughout the day. Finally, on Thanksgiving, I told myself I was going to "stir" the nuts so that they could GO OUT on the table with the appetizers with my full intention being that they would get consumed by the 14 other guests and that I would NOT HAVE TO WORRY about the crack...er NUTS anymore. Wouldn't you know as I was stirring the sticky nuts, the whole bowl fell off the counter and shattered. It was such a wake up call for me. It was like I snapped out of the sugar coma and realized how addictive they were. And once they were all over the floor among the glass shards there was no where for them to go, except in the trash. I felt really bad about the bowl but my mom assured me it wasn't a favorite bowl or anything.
It's slow and it sneaks up on you. Being "aware" and not letting your guard down is a big piece of advice I have for those of you who are still in the "easy to resist" category.

Must go and live life today..
Including getting blood tests to show everything is good and in track
But I wanted to put this out there..
This is me. I'm doing well, but this is me
I have OCD and it may make things a little more challenging at times..
Thank you for indulging me
Compulsive overeating, also sometimes called food addiction, is characterized by the compulsive eating of food. Professionals address this with either a behavior therapy model or a food-addiction model.[1]
An individual suffering from compulsive overeating engages in frequent episodes of uncontrolled eating, or binge eating, during which she or he may feel frenzied or out of control, often consuming food past the point of being comfortably full. Bingeing in this way is generally followed by feelings of guilt and depression. Unlike individuals with bulimia, compulsive overeaters do not attempt to compensate for their bingeing with purging behaviors such as fasting, laxative use, or vomiting. Compulsive overeaters will typically eat when they are not hungry. Their obsession is demonstrated in that they spend excessive amounts of time and thought devoted to food, and secretly plan or fantasize about eating alone. Compulsive overeating usually leads to weight gain and obesity, but is not the only cause of obesity. While compulsive overeaters tend to be overweight or obese, persons of normal or average weight can also be affected.
In addition to binge eating, compulsive overeaters can also engage in grazing behavior, during which they return to pick at food throughout the day. These things result in a large overall number of calories consumed even if the quantities eaten at any one time may be small. When a compulsive eater overeats primarily through bingeing, he or she can be said to have binge eating disorder.
Signs and symptoms
Binge eating, or eating uncontrollably even when not physically hungry
Eating much more rapidly than normal
Eating alone due to shame and embarrassment
Feelings of guilt due to overeating
Preoccupation with body weight
Depression or mood swings
Awareness that eating patterns are abnormal
Rapid weight gain or sudden onset of obesity
Significantly decreased mobility due to weight gain
History of weight fluctuations
Withdrawal from activities because of embarrassment about weight
History of many different unsuccessful diets
Eating little in public, but maintaining a high body weight
Very low self-esteem and feeling need to eat greater and greater amounts.
Addiction
During binges, compulsive overeaters may consume from 5,000 to 15,000 food calories daily, resulting in a temporary release from psychological stress through an addictive high not unlike that experienced through drug abuse. In bulimics, this high may be intensified by the act of purging. Researchers have speculated there is an abnormality of endorphin metabolism in the brain of binge eaters that triggers the addictive process. This is in line with other theories of addiction that attribute it not to avoidance of withdrawal symptoms, but to a primary problem in the reward centers of the brain. For the compulsive overeater, the ingestion of trigger foods causes release of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. This could be another sign of neurobiological factors contributing to the addictive process. Abstinence from addictive food and food eating processes causes withdrawal symptoms in those with eating disorders. There may be higher levels of depression and anxiety due to the decreased levels of serotonin in the individual.[2]
There are complexities with the biology of compulsive eating that separate it from a pure substance abuse analogy. Food is a complex mixture of chemicals that can affect the body in multiple ways, which is magnified by stomach-brain communication. In some ways, it may be much more difficult for compulsive overeaters to recover than drug addicts. There is an anecdotal saying among Overeaters Anonymous members that "when you are addicted to drugs you put the tiger in the cage to recover; when you are addicted to food you put the tiger in the cage, but take it out three times a day for a walk."[2]
The physical explanation of compulsive overeating may be attributed to an overeaters' increased tendency to secrete insulin at the sight and smell of food, though medical evidence supporting this is controversial.[3] Research has found a link between the sugar and fat content of foods and bingeing behaviors.[4]

My surgery is in two months.
I have shared with two "non-judgemental' friends and for now, that's it.
I still heard, "Are you sure there's no other way?" I'll exercise with you"
People can't understand the fighting arguing and disgust in my head.
They can't know how it feels to want to be invisible in a room.
I missed a good friend's wedding as I couldn't stand to be me in a room of beautiful successful people.
For now, I opt to keep my decision private.
Problem:
I can't disappear for a week unnoticed.
People will ask questions and I will fold under pressure.
I am healthy with no history of stomach issues, other than 2 c-sections.
No hernia or ulcer history, nothing.
Looking for a believable story that requires only the briefest of explanations story.
I have virtually no medical knowledge so I'm not able to do any improvision.
Tks all.

Hoosier hottie,
I never read blogs but for some reason I clicked on your wordpress link.
You are a fantastic story teller! I delayed my morning shower to read your story beginning to end.
Loved it.!
Thank you for your honest and consistent accounting. As it turns out I am exactly one year after you (Feb 4 2014).
Different Dr though, so it's not totally freaky.
I just thought I'd say hi and great job! (In your writing and life) Cheers to you!
W.

Hoosier hottie,
I never read blogs but for some reason I clicked on your wordpress link.
You are a fantastic story teller! I delayed my morning shower to read your story beginning to end.
Loved it.!
Thank you for your honest and consistent accounting. As it turns out I am exactly one year after you (Feb 4 2014).
Different Dr though, so it's not totally freaky.
I just thought I'd say hi and great job! (In your writing and life) Cheers to you!
W.

Hoosier hottie,
I never read blogs but for some reason I clicked on your wordpress link.
You are a fantastic story teller! I delayed my morning shower to read your story beginning to end.
Loved it.!
Thank you for your honest and consistent accounting. As it turns out I am exactly one year after you (Feb 4 2014).
Different Dr though, so it's not totally freaky.
I just thought I'd say hi and great job! (In your writing and life) Cheers to you!
W.

Yes - I had my VSG with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC in February 2013. You are welcome to read my blog as I was looking for any and all info I could find before surgery www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com hopefully this is helpful to you.
Had a good surgery and smooth recovery. The most difficult part of the whole process was BEFORE surgery. Crazy random thoughts, frequent inner-discussion about why I couldn't lose weight on my own, friends worried about my safety, etc. Bottom line is this: if you can get past the geography and keep yourself from a nervous breakdown, Dr. Ortiz and staff are very skilled at what they do. Good luck...

The first 24hrs is rough. You won't hurt bad but you will be tired and a little sore. By day 3 you will be comfortable moving around. They will remove your drain tube that night and THAT is the best. From then on you will be fine.
You can drive whenever you want. Just keep your luggage light bc you can't lift more than 15lbs.

I went by myself and glad. I did. The nurses will get anything you need and then Abraham and Orlando will take you anywhere. Some ppl prefer to have others around them when they are feeling bad. I don't. You really only feel bad for the first 24hrs. And it's not even that bad. You will do fine.
I'm 8 days out and feel 95% back to myself. Absolutely zero side effects or complications.

I think I found a cool new product.
Bariatric Advantage has just added a new Multi to their line. Includes 1000 mg B12.< /p>
Iron
Powerful nutrition in 3 capsules! Our newest encapsulated multi formula is the highest potency member of our multi family of products. Designed to meet the latest guidelines* just add Calcium and you are ready to go for the day. Contains a full 3000 IU Vitamin D3, 400 mg Magnesium, 45 mg Iron, and a unique phytonutrient blend to support good health. powder added to something ie applesauce. They seem not a bad price at $49/270 One only needs to add their calcium.
If you are Canadian and at a loss, let me know I can hook you up with a supplier in Vancouver.
She told me about these. I hope someone finds this helpful. I know I am sure relieved to have found something a little more cost effective. No buying separate B12 or Iron. Just add calcium.
W.

over a pound a day is pretty good but I have to ask... What do you expect if you are unwilling to exercise? Are you unable? Did you get this surgery thinking it would just fall off you with no effort? I'll save my sympathies for someone actually trying.
Just a little tough love - I am not trying to be mean but I think you might need a reality check here. This mentality is disastrous.

So many:
1. Adding up the weight of everyone in the elevator to make sure I don't push its capacity above limit;
2. Pretending I want to stand up because I can't possibly fit in your plastic lawn chair;
3. Not eating at a function because my dress won't fit post meal;
4. Feeling the fold above my elbow hit the back of my forearm;
5. Underwear rolling down below my belly;
6. Apologizeing for my very existence at the grocery store;
7. Not being sure I am "clean" everywhere;
8. Being the person that by my presence gives everyone else permission to order dessert;
9. Being a non-threat to insecure women!

Well after reading that I was a bit scared to answer...
But yes I found that going into surgery my emotions were all over the place. And not just because of the major surgery I was about to get.
It was everything.
I am fat.
What have I come to that I need to do something so radical.
What if I fail again.
Am I making a mistake.
These and many other thoughts guided my days.
I have to say my moodiness did not end right after surgery either. I was prepared and so was my husband, but it didn't make it any easier somedays.
I said to myself ok you can't be trusted with food so you are essentially going to take your free will to eat away for a long while.
But those days, weeks following surgery?
I missed food, I missed the act of eating, I knew I would, I mean that what I signed up for right?
But it was a painful mental breakup.
I wanted to binge and sooth myself.
We just went through something major and our main source of self soothing has been taken away! So my nerves were raw, and I went through some feisty days..
All I can say is it is an emotional roller coaster, warn those around you, that you may have some mood swings, and when you are feeling them, recognize them for what they are and be kind to yourself and others

I am in TJ right now at the Marriott. I just met a lady that was one day out of surgery with Cabrera. She felt really good and was enjoying laying around the pool.
Her only complaint was that she didn't get the full support that we got. So she didn't know as much about aftercare. But she was very happy with him.

my sister and i both sleeved with cabrera an hour apart
surgery went well..sleeved on thursday checked out of hospital on sunday morn....
spent the day at sea world and then flew out San Diego at about 7 in the evening....we were a bit tired after a day at sea world and drinking only gatorade but we did it and slept on the trip home....arrived nyc monday early morning....my sister went to work at 9 that day...i went to sleep for a bit....the only problem for us is that we did not get a lot of after info....we kind of knew liquid puree and soft foods....we experimented and still do with what feels good to eat....to drink 64 oz of Water is impossible for us....

Both me and my husband were both sleeved by Dr. Venezuela and Cabrea(wrong spelling) it was a awesome experience for us both. We were sleeved 6 months apart and we are doing awesome . I would recommend to anyone and everyone. I booked through Mexico Bariatric centre.

... and higher priced surgeons are not always best, either.