Stacyann81

A good friend is doing market research on bariatric patients. If you are a weight loss surgery patient, please take this quick survey!

Hello everyone I had my sleeve done on 2/4/14, After about 3 weeks i noticed i was not getting enough liquids. I felt like it took forever to drink and I was barely getting 6 cups of Fluid in, and doctor recommended 7-8.
I see a therapyst who is helping me deal with all of this. I brought this up and she gave me a great tip, and its working really well. She said:
Take small sips, when you feel thirsty the first time take one small sip
The next time you are thirsty take 2 small sips
Then 3
Then 4 and so on until you feel full.
Make sure they are small sips, and this way you will be able to recognize when you are full, with out pain, and will be able to get more fluid in.
This was so helpful, i had to write to all to let you know. If it helped me I hope it can help others.
Good luck to all, we are all amazing for doing this.
-IzzyBelle

I have a friend like this.. toxic is right. While my situation is different (she's always been skinny and she thinks I'm taking the lazy way out) I had to cut her out of my life for now, we still remain "friends" I refuse to hang out with her until after my surgery and hopefully a large amount of weight loss. If you have tried talking to her nicely about it, then it's time to get blunt and strong.

I have a friend like this.. toxic is right. While my situation is different (she's always been skinny and she thinks I'm taking the lazy way out) I had to cut her out of my life for now, we still remain "friends" I refuse to hang out with her until after my surgery and hopefully a large amount of weight loss. If you have tried talking to her nicely about it, then it's time to get blunt and strong.

I have a friend like this.. toxic is right. While my situation is different (she's always been skinny and she thinks I'm taking the lazy way out) I had to cut her out of my life for now, we still remain "friends" I refuse to hang out with her until after my surgery and hopefully a large amount of weight loss. If you have tried talking to her nicely about it, then it's time to get blunt and strong.

Hi Stacy!
I've battled the depression bug most of my life. I grew up with a war vet that had PSTD and I think he passed it on to us kids. As far as social phobia, I'll just bet most of us who carry around a lot of weight have some form of that. I think it goes with the territory. Society is very cruel to larger people. We are the last great prejudice. I've been in certain department stores and the workers and shoppers all give that same "what's she doing here" look. Plus, being a very tall female doesn't help. Let's just say I stand out in a crowd so I don't do crowds. I also go walking at night around 9 to avoid everyone. I plan on walking in the day light by this summer. I'm also tired of relatives getting on the latest diet topic every time I am around. I have a niece that likes to pinch the skin on her 110 lb. frame and state how she shouldn't eat because she is getting fat, and then give me one of those bitch smiles(just love that one) every time we have a family gathering. I have lately avoided them as well.
I personally am looking forward to the day I can go to a store, try on regular clothes, and not be noticed in a negative way. That in itself will help the social phobia. I do know there is a period after surgery where your body kind of wants to shut down and depression can set in. I am going to keep a close watch on that. If it happens I'm going straight to the doctor and getting back on antidepressants. You will do fine. Just focus on your personal goal and when the negative thought monster creeps in, tell yourself how far you have come and where you plan to be by,...say...this summer! You are going to do this. This can be a real game changer for us. Just keep in contact with your doctor if you start to feel like you can't handle it anymore. Also, take a lot of pictures of your progress. I really believe that when you see where you where and how far you have come it will give you motivation and good feelings. That 100 pound rock will go after surgery. I thought I was going to die over the liquid/clear diet (even had a dream I was eating pizza and could literally smell and taste it), now I have to force feed myself. Eating will become about keeping healthy, and not an obsession. Even thought I'm newly sleeved I don't obsess over food anymore (at all) except that maybe I can have something tasty in six weeks or so. For now eating is...eeewwwwyuck!(but I'm only 4 days out) Prior to surgery I would eat and obsess about my next meal. I think most of us self medicate all of life's garbage with food. It's a friend that is hard to give up. I think if you look at these boards and youtube posters you will see that most (98%) have no regrets and the great majority state they wish they would have done it sooner. You have already started with a healthy weight loss, keep up the good work! As someone on this board stated to me when I was balking over the clear pre op diet....You can do this! You must do this!

Yes it's worth it! I was having doubts to and my psychologist says its just the brains way of trying to get you back to the only thing it really knows, eating and being unhappy about your weight. It's a scary thing so doubt is normal. You will find new things to do together and eventually will be able to eat/drink some of your normal things in moderation. I'm pulling for you and hope you stick with it. I'm on a liquid diet myself and completely understand the feeling of maybe this isn't worth it, but from what I hear from people who have gone through this already is it is TOTALLY worth it!

It only took a couple of days once the insurance actually got the information but it took about 3 weeks to get all the information back in forth. I have UHC. I was hoping for a Feb 13th surgery date, my final appointment was on 1/8. I ended up being offered a Feb 18th date but opted to wait till March 4. You'll probably want to stay on top of your doctor's office and your insurance to get an approval that quickly.

I have a friend like this.. toxic is right. While my situation is different (she's always been skinny and she thinks I'm taking the lazy way out) I had to cut her out of my life for now, we still remain "friends" I refuse to hang out with her until after my surgery and hopefully a large amount of weight loss. If you have tried talking to her nicely about it, then it's time to get blunt and strong.

I am not a big sweet eater, but ever since I was told to replace two meals with Protein Shakes starting Monday. I have been eating sweets like crazy. Mainly Cookies. Has anyone else been through something similar? Did you have a last meal? I said goodbye to the unhealthy stuff by eating some shrimp and grits.

She's probably just very excited about her weight loss and doesn't realize that she's being inconsiderate. Maybe you could address the issue tactfully and say something like, "I'm so happy that you've had such quick success, but I too, am happy with my decision and my success so far. Your support means so much to me." She'll probably get the picture and realize she's not been a good friend. Unfortunately, sometimes we start to feel powerful and judgemental of others and forget how we struggled before. I'd give it a try and if she doesn't change her tune, you might need to see less of her.

I know the feeling I get angry and depressed too especially when I see a fast food commercial! I think it's normal, and as they say (don't punch me) this too shall pass.

Hi Stacy,
My name is Carol and I had my RNY on June 25, 2013, which puts me just over 8 months out. I lost 40 pounds prior to surgery (I have lost a total of 170 pounds as of this weekend!). If you have not found and started using MyFitnessPal.com I suggest you check this out. This app has been my salvation and was how I lost the 40 pounds pre surgery. Still it is hard when you have food around you that you love, but can't or shouldn't eat. I have allowed myself one or two bites of these foods. Having a taste allows me to not feel deprived of a food that is a favorite and want it all the more. I have to stress that I really do keep it to one or two small bites.
Losing the 40 pounds prior to surgery was a very good thing for me. It made me start to put in place new habits and strategies that have been mandatory following surgery. This is a great time to begin working on skills like counting Protein grams, separating drinking and eating, and increasing your Water intake. Make an effort to increase your activity. It's very hard at the beginning, but it really helps on so many levels.
I can tell you from the other side that this is a journey worth taking! I have my life back!! IT IS NOT EASY!! So many think that surgery is the easy way, it is not. But if you stay focused and do the work, you will have success. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

Bipolar here. While its a wild ride while your chemistry and your brain adjust to this massive shift of habits, it is eventually a force for positive change! Much happier, much more even tempered and socially confident. Preparation, full self awareness and strategy planning.

I'm not a veteran with wls, but I am with depression. I know that dark cloud that looms! It took a lot of work and the right doctor for me to overcome my depression. A quite a bit of weight that I had to lose came with that depression. Wls doesn't take that away, but me losing weight has helped me with a lot of issues, emotionally & physically.
My suggestion is to talk to your psychiatrist and see about going to counseling if you aren't already in counseling. If you are - discuss the problems you are having right now. Some counselors want to go through your whole life from the beginning, tell the counselor that you want to go through what is bothering you right now. Ask for some steps on how to relieve stresses in your life.
Please be good to yourself - get enough sleep, exercise, do things that make you happy. You'll get over this hump! Take good care and keep us informed on how you are doing !

Hi, I am 3.5 weeks out and I'm having a really bad time. I am depressed even though the weights coming off, I don't have much pain, so I don't know why I'm so blue. I get nauseated cause I want to over eat, my kids bring in taco bell and pizza and I have to bake stinky fish. There are no support groups nearby and I'm just in a whiny mood. I don't want people telling me "your looking so good" or "your gonna be so pretty"...I just want to crawl in a hole so I don't punch someone lol!. Sorry to vent, you guys are all I have right now.

My bypass is scheduled for March 26th. I quit smoking on February 16th after many years of enjoying this bad habit.
I bought some of the electronic cigarettes that do not contain nicotine-only the Water vapor which has helped tremendously.

I had the same issue. My doctor required 60 days smoke free. I smoked like a pack a day up until about 3.5wks before my nicotine test (horrible, I know) and I passed my urine test. Almost 7 weeks smoke free now and I love it! Just be honest with your doctor, I was. It's the best thing you can do. Quitting isn't easy!

Min not sure what's wrong with me today, I'm two weeks out doing the no carb preop diet and now starting to wonder if I'm making the right choice to get sleeved. Anyone else have these feelings ? I guess I'm just scared my whole family dynamic will change. We love going out to eat, cooking together and doing wine tastings. Any advice would be great!

I remember the Saturday before my surgery my family took our son for the night so we could have a date. We struggled really hard to find something to do in the winter in a tiny mountain town that wasn't related to food. LOL. You can do this!

Thanks I can definitely use a friend that has been there! I'm going to try walking my cravings away. My Mother and my sister wanted to know where I was at in the process and all about my liquid diet so they invited me out to dinner. Ugg I totally get what you must be feeling with the Pasta right in front of you.

I can offer my friendship and an ear. I am one month post op and this whole process has taught me just how much I depended on food for stability, emotional comfort, etc. I had a difficult time with the liquid diet for the first 4 or 5 days. They say that there is such thing as a 'carb flu' - where your body just goes wacko from detoxing from carbs. I loved carbs- Pasta, bread! I had headaches a lot for the first few days in addition to the moodiness of not being able to eat. The social thing hurts too- so much social interaction is based around food. I totally understand where you are coming from. What I can tell you is, it will get better. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

PS- I am in the soft food stage now and my family just had Pasta for dinner. I had a hard time with it. So I finished my meal (refried Beans for the 100th time) and went for a walk. That was a good coping mechanism that I am learning!

Hi!
I'm Stacy and I am currently pre-surgery... I have to lose 30lbs before they will do the surgery and they put me on a mostly liquid diet and I'm struggling. My Friends and Family all support the idea of surgery but none of them are very helpful in the understanding and encouraging department. I think I am going through withdrawals from food if that is even possible. On top of that I had to quit smoking too, whew I knew this would be hard but I didn't imagine all this at once. Sigh... anyone out there that has any advice or coping mechanisms that might help.
thanks
Stacy