Cindi_Augustine

I lost a few more lbs after this but this was the dream photo I'd been dying to have.

Taken the day before my October 2015 surgery:

Take a week or so ago....at the 6 month point:

11 months out

December 2013 (day I started preop diet) vs December 2014. I'm 19 months out now but look the same as 12 months post (with the addition of a new tattoo)

September 2013 ( 3 months before surgery) vs September 2014 (9 months postop and 10 pounds below goal

Still 14 pounds from goal but very happy with my current size.

I am a low BMI gastric sleeve patient. My BMI was a little over 35 when I got sleeved. I was approved by my insurance because I have kidney disease and getting HBP or diabetes would be detrimental to my health. I'm getting very frustrated with people not knowing my history and saying I didn't need the surgery. Although a 35 was the highest my BMI has ever been, it's more about the constant struggle with loosing weight and trying to stay healthy.

I just got back from the medical weight loss seminar that is required by the hospital. Very informative and helpful. I think I have made the right decision and my wife has decided to take the same adventure. Will be nice having a partner to go with. [emoji3]

@AnneElliot I'm with you, the mental struggle is absurdly difficult! I wish you the best your battles too.
@Cindi_Augustine - I agree good counseling can make a world of difference and is a great tool. Thanks for cheering me on.

To the others who liked my post, thanks! Sometimes it is really cathartic to speak about something to then move on and up. Grateful for the support.

There's a few obvious strategies, of course, like not having the problem foods in the house if possible. But that's not always something we can control. It really is about the proven neurological effect sugar, salt, and fat has on our brains. Once I understood that, through books and documentaries, I had better coping strategies, because, let's be honest, willpower never works alone.
Some people go cold turkey off those things, others wean themselves off, and some learn how to portion them in a way that doesn't trigger cravings.
Add that to counselling, and you have the psychological tools to go with the physical one of WLS.
Keep posting here, and keep moving forward. You can do it.

Congratulations on facing this head-on and seeking help! ::applauds::
Sugar, salt, and fats have now been proven to affect the brain and are as addictive as tobacco and drugs, according to recent studies. There are some great documentaries and books out there.
Depression is commonly self-medicated with food, so when people diet they may experience more symptoms. A good doctor, and a good therapist, will help you find other ways to deal with depression and food will no longer make you feel powerless over it. Together with this surgery you'll have the tools you need to lose it AND keep it off.
Best of luck, and let us know how you're doing!! We can help too!

I was like you, gained weight in childhood. I was very curious about the changes because, while I hated the weight, I have always felt pretty.
Once I lost the weight I no longer saw THAT me...but I saw my mom, and my sisters. I realized I really do look like them. I love looking in the mirror and seeing them, and it makes me feel even more beautiful, because I have always thought they were beautiful! They always will be...and so will I!
And so will YOU!

The mental struggle is so absurd. I am compulsive and emotional eater.
I attended my first oa meeting today. It's so sobering to hear others speak of their struggles.

There's a few obvious strategies, of course, like not having the problem foods in the house if possible. But that's not always something we can control. It really is about the proven neurological effect sugar, salt, and fat has on our brains. Once I understood that, through books and documentaries, I had better coping strategies, because, let's be honest, willpower never works alone.
Some people go cold turkey off those things, others wean themselves off, and some learn how to portion them in a way that doesn't trigger cravings.
Add that to counselling, and you have the psychological tools to go with the physical one of WLS.
Keep posting here, and keep moving forward. You can do it.

This post is just to share and help me process/be aware. RS
RNY almost 11 months ago and overall things are tough but this has been a great thing.
This week I've had a lot of stress, some from good things, some from negative/bad things. Thursday I blew my calories and found myself doing some emotional eating. Finding way too much happiness in peanut butter.... Friday I worked to correct it and still am today. It is difficult some days!
I just need to remind myself, yes I do still turn to food sometimes. I need to be careful of that. I need to stay aware and make myself use other coping skills. Have to keep trying to change my mind/thoughts/behaviors. Probably always going to be working on this and I need to remind myself that is ok.
One bad day doesn't undo all the good. Just need to learn from it and not run from it. Needed to get this out and think it through, admitting and owning up to it.
If you have any strategies that help you, I'd love to hear them!

Just to add to what has already been written. look at this as an opportunity. You are starting on a new life, and you will undoubtably meet someone who will treat you lots better. Your best response to your former boyfriend will be to live life well to the fullest.

Hey I just wanted to tell you that you're going to be alright. It's never easy to lose someone you've given your heart to- the best thing you can do (in my humble opinion) is just feel it, miss him, feel the pain, embrace it. Emotional eating is just throwing a blanket over something and hoping it disappears the more you deny it the more the pain will swallow you whole. There is no food that can fill the hole in your heart. Only you can do that, you have all the power in the world. Never doubt that. Self love is more empowering and beautiful then any love another soul can give to you. I'm sorry your hurting, truly. Don't lose sight of what you're doing for you it's hard to see now but sometimes our greatest hardships are blessings in disguise. This is your time to shine and the only one you need on your side 110% is YOU. I believe in you.
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Between major surgery, thoughts of "what have I done to myself?", and the hormones from the fat you're burning, it's no wonder you feel depressed! Hang in there and search around on here. I was just reading a thread on depression - you're not alone in feeling this way. But the good news is, it's not forever.
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Absolutely true. You are becoming more fit and healthy and as your spouse sees that it can create a dynamic shift as they become the less fit one. This can cause jealousy, anxiety, and a temptation to sabotage. They may be completely unaware of it, and bringing them to awareness can be tricky. Counselling is never a bad idea. If you can get your spouse to couple's counselling it would really help, but if they won't go then go yourself. The more you understand about yourself and your relationship the better decisions you can make.
Best of luck!

@@shedo82773
I would ask you how YOU feel about your appearance. The reason I ask is because many times we feel a certain way and then read more into comments than what is there.
If you feel great about how you look, then that rubs off on others. If you yourself feel like you are too skinny that may be part of the problem.
It takes a long time and sometimes we need help getting through such a significant change.
You have been married a very long time. I am guessing your husband is thrilled that you are now healthy and if that means you are no longer thick, he will Love you regardless.
We are all so hard on ourselves......Initially when some folks were telling me I was too skinny, it really did freak me out a litttle. It took some time for me to understand that they simply were not used to seeing us at a NORMAL size.
My husband is obese and has always been comfortable with women who have some meat on their bones. For him, he is most excited about how I feel and because of that He is thrilled for me. On Halloween we will be married 29 years. I was obese 27 of those 29 years.
The only bummer for both of us is how much loose skin there is but I decided I wanted in particular to have my breasts fixed. It is both for me and for him as that is always his favorite body part......LOL.
I have always said, I would rather have the loose skin than the fat and the scars vs the loose skin.
Anyway, my point is you might be overly critical of yourself and so you read more into comments made by others.
I get the no butt thing all the time....but I actually find it rather funny.

Congratulations on facing this head-on and seeking help! ::applauds::
Sugar, salt, and fats have now been proven to affect the brain and are as addictive as tobacco and drugs, according to recent studies. There are some great documentaries and books out there.
Depression is commonly self-medicated with food, so when people diet they may experience more symptoms. A good doctor, and a good therapist, will help you find other ways to deal with depression and food will no longer make you feel powerless over it. Together with this surgery you'll have the tools you need to lose it AND keep it off.
Best of luck, and let us know how you're doing!! We can help too!

I will never forget the laughter at my obese husband when he had heatstroke in the Bahamas, when he was in the ER at Freeport. I have pictures of the fat kid when he was 12. I am married to the most gentle and wonderful man in the world, I have watched him go days without eating, go two years on liquid shakes, Optifast, with heartbreak. I have called Rescue so many times. Twenty five years together, and I now see him as a happy man the first time in his life about himself. I laugh at the amount of clothes he buys. I laugh at him being 69 years old and letting his grey hair grow a little, asking me if it is long enough for a ponytail. He will never be laughed at again.

@@Redmaxx Thank you. It wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be, but things rarely are, right? The counselor is nice and she is slated to have the rny at the end of summer herself! Now that's what I call luck. Lol! She's even going through the same Dr I am. I couldn't believe it.
As for the support group... yes, there is one,but it only meets once a month. I went for the first time a week ago today.
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I dreaded my psych appointment but...it is a great thing!! They are trying to make sure that your mind is in the right place. I can say from my own experience if the WLS does NOT fix our minds. The surgery is a tool to help us make our goals. Surgery DOES NOT FIX the mind that takes big work on our part!! The physical part is the easy part. But...I have to deal with mind hunger every single day!! If you aren't truthful at your psych eval it can be very hard on you. Good Luck

As you lose weight, the chemicals and hormones that were stored in your fat cells are being released into your body. These will pass through your kidneys and are expelled in your urine. But they can generate a flush of hormones during the weight loss phase. They should simmer down once you transition into maintenance. It is important to meet your daily Fluid requirements, because it take fluids to flush these hormones from your system.
I did not experience any problems in this area but some people do. But it shouldn't continue forever.