Shell88

Hello fellow future gastric patients/post gastric patients. I don't even know where to start....
Ok, so let me Alcoholics Anonymous this - Hi, I'm Shell, and I'm an unhealthy eater. I don't overeat, I don't snack. I actually only eat 1-2x a day and it's usually something I can grab quick and shove in my mouth between taking care of my 17 month old, work, or doctor appts/errands. I also tend to eat after 10pm. Not good, I know. Or should I say, I used to eat those ways.... I've gotten better since I started this. Let me organize this a little better:::::::
Well, let's start here: I began my journey toward surgery on August 29th. Met with my surgeon, got my binder of info, other doctors and tests that need to be done, and diet information. I am an extremely organized person - but boy, am I feeling overwhelmed. I started dieting right away. I have actually lost 5lbs in a week! I noticed I'm going food shopping or running to the store a lot more often than I used to ( once every 2 weeks lol). I pre-cooked a lot of my meals (my freezer is full). I cut out 99% of my starches/carbs (potatoes, rice, Pasta, bread) and fried food - I only had brown rice once mixed with grilled chicken. I am strictly playing with meat, 1% milk products, vegetables and fruit now. I actually have to say, I'm not missing the JUNK.
I am looking for better recipes to turn me on to tuna and healthier alternatives. I made chicken, turkey or ground meat patties stuffed with skim cheese and veggies or jalapenos. But there's only so many meatballs and burgers a person can eat with getting sick of the idea. I am also looking into the Protein powders. Anyone know of some decent tasting/inexpensive ones I can pick up at Walmart or BJs?
Now that I got the details of what I have already done for the pre-surgery, as well as where my diet turned - let me say this has been a journey from bad to worse as it is. I was never a small girl. I grew up in a double Italian household where the family and company and love and EVERYTHING revolves around food. Pasta, meatballs, cake..... It was never healthy lol. I was 150 lbs in 5th grade, 200 by 8th grade. Senior yr of high school I was around 250/260. In college, I never ate, drank, and found myself on antidepressants before I graduated. That's when I did the unimaginable - my weight went over the 300lbs. I always told myself I would NEVER let that happen. But I did. And it didn't stop there. I gained another 30 lbs over the next 2 years, got pregnant, gained 30 lbs over the pregnancy and lost those 30 lbs when I gave birth. I maintained 330 for about 6 months, and then depression hit when life handed me some awful events. My daughter was placed in foster care, I was moved out to a different state away from my home of 25 yrs and my parents and siblings, and was stranded with no job or car. I had to attend doctor appts to get her back, meetings, court dates, and multiple weekly visitations. My schedule went haywire and I went back to eating once a day, usually chicken nuggets or a burger on the run.
Now here I am, a few months shy of getting my baby home full time with me after this whole mishap, full time job, apartment in the works with her dad, and 355 lbs as of August 29th. She walks, she talks, and she gets into everything! I can't be the awesome mother that I am if I can't keep up! Plus, I've shown her an immeasurable amount of strength the past year - I need to show her I'm strong enough to regain my confidence and do something important for her - AND myself. I want to be around for decades upon decades with her.
So here goes my journey. A journey that a lot of people are claiming to support, but I am not looking or relying on anyone else this time. This is for me, by me. It's my turn to shine, and be healthy. It's time to buckle down, get organized, and get ready for a long life feeling good and looking good.
Any tips? Has there been anything that works more for anyone than other things? What foods are your favorite?

@@ho11ieberry06 THANK YOU!! Congrats on your surgery and weight loss! From what I keep reading and seeing, it definitely is not easy, but more than worth it.

Thank you :-) my ultimate goal for everything is for my daughter's well-being. I want her to learn mommy's strength :-)

I've had family and friends tell me it's great I have looked into this for 2 years and am willing to put the work into this band surgery - but then I get the ridiculous questions of why I can't just drop the 200lbs all by myself, or if I am doing it to leave my fiance afterwards once I gain confidence back, or have I heard about all these family friends who totally went against their post-op instructions and either had the sleeve rupture, gained more weight (she is a drinker), or the one who just threw up all the time and had it removed. I am losing confidence in my support system, but all the research and reading and information I keep finding is pushing me in the direction of a healthy lifestyle for myself and for my little girl. She deserves my time, energy and a long life with me. It's just so FRUSTRATING!! Other people's inability to follow direction is not going to be my issue. But I do want to know that I'm not going to be looked down on for "taking the easy way out" or because it seems like I just want to make myself good enough to skip out on my life.

Thank you :-) my ultimate goal for everything is for my daughter's well-being. I want her to learn mommy's strength :-)

First post the other day, and I already felt attacked! Kill them with kindness - just thanked him for his support. Can't deal with my own inner demons, close family and friends who have their opinions and complete strangers as well...

I had surgery 3 weeks and 2 days ago. Absolutely no regrets. I am NOT hungry!! I have no cravings and the best part is I have lost 30 pounds so far!! I look forward to the bright and healthy future that is ahead of me...especially playing in parks with my grand baby next spring and summer!! All of my co-workers, family, and friends know and are super supportive. They have seen my never ending struggle with my weight and they want the best for me.

I agree with B52. Often the most critical people are obese themselves. It hits a nerve.

I wouldn't say another word and just go get it done anyway. I agree that this is not about them and their opinions; it is about you and your little girl. Take charge of your own health and go do what you need to do to be healthy and happy.

Shell, you are such a beauty - can't help but comment on that!
I read both the posts you started and your comment on the b*tch thread. I have so much to say, yet don't really know what to say. This is all food for thought... take what is useful and leave the rest behind. My intention is to be supportive but I remember how tender the heart is at the preop phase too.
Amazing success IS possible with any WLS. It really is. research it HARD though. I had the band for 10 years and didn't do well. Frankly, i suffered alot. I am told the band is better now, I can't comment on that, but in 2001 it pretty much resulted in eventual issues and removal for everybody I knew. I thought the reversible thing was good... like all I had to do was lose weight and life would be easy breezy...haha... Queen of DeNile.
Others have done well so I am not trying to talk you out of it, but, for a high BMI person ... there are considerations. Again, take it or leave it. The best advice I can give is to consult with more than one surgeon (I found out THEY are very biased too!!!) and go to some support groups. It was very educational to go to support groups of post ops... pretty much everyone therehad bypasss (that surgeon really preferred bypass) and only one other person was awaiting revision from band. I remember thinking how thin she looked, I couldn't imagine why she needed WLS. of course, when you weigh over 300... lots of other people look "thin".
I was too chicken to go for the bypass, the band didn't really work for me... so I wound up sleeved. I learned alot from that support group even though they were mostly bypass patients.
I had a BMI over 50 when I was revised to the sleeve. Right now, my BMI is about 23... so yes, i lost more than half my body weight. Losing that much weight (168# lost since sleeved - now weigh about 140-145 range) was not always easy but it was really worth it. I had reached the age in life (late 40s) where I was seriously getting concerned about longevity and disabiliy due to my weight. I had reasons to be SUPER motivated. The changes to my looks were just a side benefit.
Recently, my 40 year old niece died of a heart attack. She was very very overweight - heavier than I was. It was so sad, she had half a lifetime ahead of her and it was gone in an instant, largely due to her obesity.
I advise you to take the time to research, really understand pros and cons of each procedure (trust me, they ALL have negatives) and decide which you think you have the best odds of success. I spent about a year in anguish over the revision decision. It was not pleasant, but i think that painful year of indecision actually helped me when the going got rough post sleeve.
Whatever you decide - best of luck. You deserve good health and freedom from obesity.
People you know who might be 10, 20, 50# overweight... well... they kinda understand but frankly we are in a little different situation. It is hard to express how enlightening it was to meet with a surgeon who helped me understand the metabolic issue of obesity and just how complex it is. i hope you get that chance too.

Many people felt it was not the way to go....all I heard was "Diet and Exercise"....
The reason my PCP referred me was because I was "Dieting and Exercising" for over 35 years, and NOTHING worked...maybe for a short while, maybe 6 months, but then it all came back, and then some...a complete failure every time.
The best was from my cardiologist..(I have had a heart attack, angioplasty and stents).....anyway he was looking down writing notes when he asked..."Why do you need this clearance? What is the surgery?"
When I told him he looked up in shock, and said "YOU? Why not Diet and exercise?"
I could not go through with the explanation the 100th time, but he did clear me.
NOW, almost 4 years later....He cannot stop complimenting me...calls me phenomenal...a machine. Calls me HIS best success story for someone turning their life around after a cardiac episode(s)
I pass the annual stress tests like 1/2 the workout I do at the gym.....everyday..
I wonder if he realizes I'm the one who had THAT surgery?
I had the Lap Band...I don't care if it was the easy way out...it's all about me and I could not be happier...so what should I care about others thinking....You have to care of yourself...these critics aren't going to do it for you...if they can even do it for themselves....(Funny how the fat ones are the most critical...?)
It Saved My Life!!!

That's why I didn't tell anyone about my bypass except my husband and my sister. I hope you find the support you need, whether it's online or through a postop support group.

Thank you :-) my ultimate goal for everything is for my daughter's well-being. I want her to learn mommy's strength :-)

It kinda depends on what type of pre-op diet you surgeon has you on.
I also opted for Soups out sometimes. I went to whole foods and publix for soup... One day my husband and I went to our favorite Thai restaurant for coconut Soup.
I also made soups at home using my favorite veggies (zucchini soup was the best) I had to get creative because I knew that broth wouldn't cut it.

It's a medical issue not a vanity issue. Don't waste time worrying or even responding to the naysayers. They will believe what they want no matter what you say. Stay focused on your plan and what you need to do to be successful.

Looks like it's time to find a new support system. Between this site and the support groups going on in your area... I'm sure you will have plenty.
People who aren't going through this only have others pieces of info that they can relate it to. I don't think that everyone means to be unsupportive but you don't have to share your journey with anyone who is not making you feel great about making positive changes in your life.
Don't forget that.

I survived the pre-op diet (barely) by being as creative as I could with my Soups. I found that I lacked flavor and after two or three days of the Soups I was making and Protein I was drinking, I became sick to my stomach in a nauseous kind of way even though I was keeping my stomach full eating every 1.5 hours but hated what I was eating and so sick. So I ventured out of my kitchen and went out for my soups.
I had Olive Garden vegetable Soup and just asked them for mostly broth, I went to my favorite Chinese place and asked them for their sweet and sour soup but as much broth as they could give me. I did that at Jason's deli with their french onion soup. Basically, any place that I knew had good soup, I went there and purchased large containers of it and asked for mostly broth. Because restaurant soup is flavored much differently than canned soup or my broth I made, it really really helped me a lot.
My biggest issue was flavor not necessarily quantity. Now, please keep in mind, my pre-op diet was intended to shrink my liver and for "weight loss." I did lose 8 lbs prior to surgery, but my goal and objective was to survive it without eating my children.
I was also allowed to eat yogurt. I'm don't do dairy (something I am working on changing) so I ate soy yogurt and it was pretty good but I didn't do it much. One morning I put non flavored soy yogurt and blended it with orange juice and ice and it was a really great drink. My heartburn flared up after so I only did it once, but it was satisfying.
Hope this helps! Good luck with your surgery!!

@@ho11ieberry06 THANK YOU!! Congrats on your surgery and weight loss! From what I keep reading and seeing, it definitely is not easy, but more than worth it.

@@Shell88 Hi there! I had surgery in June and I really didn't tell anyone because this is MY journey and it's really none of their business. The hardest part for me is the mental and emotional part and changing my thinking and belief system.
Just remember that this is for YOU. You can do this, I know you can!! Think of your daughter and all the healthy years you will have together. Don't let other people's negative opinion bring you down.
All my best,
Holly
P.S. This is definitely not "the easy way out", but let the negative nelly's think that all they want!

If I get a response that feels mean-spirited, then I don't answer back and just move on. I learned from having such stress that it maxed out my blood pressure and hit me with a stroke in 2010. Now if I think someone is bullying me on-line here, I just walk away and leave them unresponded. I am not going to give them a chance to hit me twice. I have been on here since September 2013 and have received awesome advice that carried me though many dark days.
The 80/20 rule of life works here, too. Let's say that 80% of the comments here are intended to uplift you and sail you over the rough spots. Don't let that 20% of roadkill slow you down. There is a lot of valuable support on this forum. Please feel free to ask us questions. As you procede through your own weight loss journey, you will be able to look back and help other newbies following behind you.

I agree. I would imagine quite a few of us are insecure and are looking for moral builders and positive support. Thanks for speaking out.

And thank you to everyone that took time out to answer my questions or tell me their experience.
I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

I've been trolling for a little while and posted a few threads. I've seen others get verbally attacked and bullied on this site and all I want to say is don't be a bitch to folks here. Most of us already have suffered some type of abuse in some form or another and it isn't necessary.
Is hurting other people making you feel better about yourself? I thought this site was to build people up ...let's be positive to one another and not hateful there is enough of that in the world already!!!!

This sounds like a lawsuit. Time to take them to court...

Good for you! Get healthy for that baby! Good luck on your journey!!