esskay77

So, I live in the NorthEast and, like everyone else out here, I was out shoveling. But, there are times when I have to really throw the snow, that I feel sharp pains at my incision points. Keep in mind that I should be all healed since I am one year post-op. What is this about? Is this a pain that I would have had anyway but am sensitive to because of its location? Or is something being pinched in there? Anyone feel this that is quite a ways post-op? Thanks

Lot's of "depends" for that. Like the other person said--what do you have to do for the conference? Are you presenting? Just attending? Makes a difference. If you are attending only and have a hotel room nearby in case you need a nap,it could be doable. Of course, everyone is different. Would you have to fly? Would you have to carry your own bags? Laptops? You wouldn't want to be lifting things that are too heavy. Are you staying in the same hotel as the conference? Or do you have to schlep things around to get there? Best of luck.

Awesome--Congratulations!

@@IcanMakeit Thanks for the ideas! I need portable breakfasts since I usually eat at work. We have a cafeteria but they aren't very good and they are VERY slow! But, maybe some scrambled eggs might work. They didn't do well with omelettes--each person made them SO differently. I usually put salsa on top but I may do that for some scrambled eggs. I generally bring in some hard boiled eggs and have them with my Kashi bar and coffee. Then later around 10:30, if I remember, I have a yogurt. But I like some of your ideas and may try them myself.

@@roundisashape -- JIF!! So many chemicals but SO GOOD! Honestly, it is the best tasting peanut butter out there! lol. I try to switch to real natural peanut butter but it just isn't the same. I also need to lay off the peanut butter. I have gotten into the habit of having peanut butter on multigrain crackers with my meals. I HAVE to stop! And I never used to be a peanut butter fanatic but now I can't stop!

@@IcanMakeit If you were to have a "clean" breakfast, what would it be? I have gotten hooked on Kashi Trail Mix bars for breakfast and know I should have something else but mmmmm.

No, I don't tag my friends when I check in. If I were to do that, I would probably only tag the ones who also do the check-in's. I have some friends who would not want me to tag them and I respect that. But, I usually don't tag anyone.

I've never heard of these videos! They sound a bit odd. THough I have to admit to being one of those people who "checks in" on FB quite a bit. I'm not worried about stalkers because the only people who see these are my FB friends, not the general public. Why do I do it? For my own benefit, not for anyone else. I have always kept track of where I go and what I do--I have calendars back to the 80s that have all this info on them! lol. Yes, it's a weird obsession and I can't seem to stop! And I have discovered now that my mother has always done this, too.

For the people who said Quest bars--does this mean that we shouldn't be eating them? WHy not? I don't have them very often but I thought they were ok to have. Sigh. I need a really good list of what we can and can't have!! not just protein and carbs but actually items. My head really has a hard time processing what is a carb, what isn't, what is ok, what to stay away from unless they are extremely obvious. Chicken=yes; ice cream=no.

It is uncomfortable. I know that the pain meds made me nauseous so once I stopped them, I felt much better. But, if I had been feeling pain, I would have gone back on them! That was just my experience. But it does hurt!!

Oh, and ice cream!!!!

Oh, so many things! Interestingly chocolate is one of those things that I keep thinking I can't give up but when I eat it, it really doesn't satisfy me or taste that great so I need to learn to remember that! I think my cravings go in waves. REcently it was tortilla chips with salsa and sour cream. And I had some. And now I need to throw the rest of it away! My other craving is fast food. I know, I know--most of my friends turn up their noses at fast food but I LOVED it! Nothing better than a Big Mac with extra mac sauce on the side (I remove the inner bun and eat that first, then put the extra mac sauce on what is left and eat that!), some french fries and a really big diet coke!! Yes, diet! I probably won't ever have it again but I sure do think about it every once in a while. Though I was thinking about what it was that I liked about it and I think it all centers around the pickles! lol. I love their pickles. I could go on about food but I'm learning from my support group that this is "romanticising" and is a bad thing. Yikes! But .... mmmmmmm. lol

I don't know but for me, things go in cycles. There are times that I feel like I could eat a lot and anything then other times, just a few bites of something and I'm done. I can't quite find the pattern yet but it just might be that my body keeps changing. I do remember that in a yoga class the instructor said "everyday you bring a different body to class" because sometimes you can easily do the poses and other times it is a real struggle. I relate that to eating, too, now. You are still new at this so take your time and find what works for you. It will keep changing

I heard that on the finale and was disappointed! But, I do know that many contestants that are on the show had the surgery previously and had gained it all back and then some which is why they are now on the show. Of course, conversely, many contestants have the surgery AFTER they have been on the show! lol I'm not sure the motivation--maybe if they see they are starting to gain it back? They have also become more open about how many of their contestants have gained back all their weight.

I can't tell you what to do but like some of the others above, I had the gastric bypass and can eat pretty much anything. I have never had dumping. So, there is no guarantee that it will prevent you from eating crap!! Trust me! This only works long term if you change how you eat and how you exercise, otherwise, you will gain it back. Many people do. Best of luck and remember that no matter which you choose, you still need to follow the plan for it to work.

Even the people who didn't get sick and had an easy surgery/recuperation feel regret at the beginning. But, that goes away! And your only regret is that you didn't do this sooner! Best of luck and enjoy every moment, even the bad ones.

you've had a tough time! The gall bladder thing is something we all end up dealing with. I'm trying to schedule mine to be removed. But you have extra crap to deal with--keep your chin up. Once they get this all figured out, you will be much happier. I don't think there is meds for gallstones so don't worry about that one. I hope they fix up your ulcer and you get a chance to heal so you can feel better and finally eat! lol. Take care and keep us informed. We are sending hugs and prayers.

I don't know. I found it a bit confusing and counter to a lot of what I have already been told so I'm not sure how I feel about this article. And it was not very well written. It confused me more than anything. If others feel differently, I would love to hear about it.

I think there are several things happening. First, immediately after surgery, we are still healing and not eating much and really trying to focus on drinking our water and eating protein, etc. Then there are the hormones. But also, we used to (or some of us anyway) eat our feelings or eat when we were stressed, upset, etc. But now, we can't do that and we have to experience those feelings and we might not know exactly how to do that appropriately yet. It's a learning process!

Everything about what you wrote is completely abusive. THat is not normal. That is no ok. That is not acceptable in any way shape or form!!!! That is NOT how all men are and is not how marriage is. Especially to that extent. Of course there are arguments and problems but your husband was abusive with a capital A. Don't take hi back .Why would you want to be treated like that again? Of course he says he didn't mean it and it won't happen again. That is what ALL abusers say. You are better than that and deserve so much more than that!!!

Everyone IS different. My experience--I think I stayed in the hospital for 2 days and then went home. I stopped taking the pain meds pretty quickly because they were making me nauseous so I actually felt better without them AT HOME. I took the following week off from work and then worked from home the week after that. In retrospect, I think I could have gone back to work sooner but there are a couple of things to consider--you are really tired from all that "healing" stuff! lol. And, it takes a while to get familiar with what to be eating so it is easier to handle that in your own home. I have a desk job which I can do from home if I need to.

Speak up with him and be direct. But also find out why he thinks it is better. Find out what the differences are, etc. But speak up. It's ok.

I was also told 30 grams of fat! But, I am also stalled for several months now! Hmmm. And I'm just a year post-op. But I have to say, I'm also at a loss as to how to eat. I have finally wrapped my head around the concept of grams of Protein but I have a really hard time translating all the grams of things into meals. My mind just doesn't work that way--yikes! @@jtubb, let me know what you find out about getting past that stall and the constipation! I think we are in the same boat.

I didn't want the band because I didn't want to keep going back for "fills". You have to do this on occasion, especially at the beginning. The band starts at a certain tightness and as you lose weight, it needs to be tightened. Or if may be too tight and you have to go back and have some of the fill removed to loosen it up, etc. Plus, it can slip. I think if it slips, you have to have it removed or redone or something (though don't take my word for it on that, just use that as a question to ask your doctor!!). And, you will notice that many people here have started with the band and then end up having a different surgery later for a variety of reasons. Often times, between the 2 surgeries, they put back on a lot of weight. I just didn't want to take that chance. I chose the gastric bypass over the sleeve though the sleeve interested me. Partially, because my doctor recommended that choice since I was quite a bit overweight and you can lose more weight on the gastric bypass. You don't have as much to lose so the sleeve may be a viable choice for you. I am very happy with my choice. You might want to ask about the percentage of people who have had one surgery and the had to have another. But basically, it's up to you and each person has their own experience.

I agree with the above comments. People ARE going to ask and many more people won't ask out loud but they will be wondering and possibly asking other people if they noticed, too. The first thing they might wonder is if you are sick. You don't have to give details. I don't give details to too many people. I did talk to my immediate group of people that I work with and sit near. Unfortunately, one of them told other people who then told other people. Sigh. But, if someone were to ask if this were a good thing, I would just say, yes, it was the right thing for me to do. Most people ask what it is that I'm doing (if they don't know about the surgery, and sometimes if they do know about the surgery because they really don't know how it works). I just tell them that there isn't just one thing that I"m doing. It's a combination of quite a few things, including exercising a lot and focusing on more Protein and less carbs. I don't feel the need to tell them that I had surgery necessarily. It really depends on who they are and why I think they are asking. One person had asked some vague questions and he is the only one I have felt bad about not telling because he is trying to lose weight and it may have helped him. I may still talk with him but not sure yet. The worst part for me is when I haven't lost weight in a while and they all wondering if I'm still on track. I just say that I am, though I have had a few stalls. And that's it. Luckily, most people aren't asking to be rude, they really care and want to know. Anyway, I would suggest that you have some vague comments prepared so that you can smile and answer the barrage of questions without telling them details. If they ask how much weight you have lost, just say that you are "on track" (with a smile). If they press, then say that you don't feel comfortable talking about that. Unless you do, then go for it! But, if you have some nice comments prepared, it takes the pressure off. Best of luck. I think one of the hardest things about losing weight is becoming more the center of attention. It's really only because when we are at our heaviest, we try really hard to be invisible and that becomes our comfort zone. Being uncomfortable is growth in a good way. You are really just rejoining the community and it is weird to do that. Enjoy your journey, enjoy people wanting to talk to you and taking an interest in you. It really is a good thing!