Inner Surfer Girl

Good observations. One thing I have been thinking about lately, especially with many of the issues that are being brought to the surface because of the US political campaign is sexual abuse. I know a large part of my obesity is the result of me building a literal wall against unwanted attention/pain. Even though I never experienced overt sexual abuse, the memories of bullying, ostracism, ridicule, unwanted comments, catcalls, rejection, harassment, and discrimination are very vivid. Much of it because I am female, but more so because I am a fat female.

Fortunately, I am not now, nor have I ever been a coffee drinker. One less monkey on my back.

I think it is pretty standard. I was prescribed Ursodiol post-op. I know it is supposed to help get the gallbladder working again after surgery. I don't think it is a guarantee that the gallbladder won't have issues, though.

Excellent article. Thanks for the information. I hadn't really thought about fat it my tongue before. I went to the dentist yesterday and asked the hygienist if she noticed any fat loss on my gums. She said she noticed some shrinkage -- whatever that means!

For me, I have truly come to see obesity as a disease. Especially in that it is not a moral failing or a defect of character. It is a physical disease.

Excellent!

This is a great question to ask your NUT. Immediately after surgery it is hard to drink a large volume of Water at once, but that restriction lessons as you heal. By the way, this thread is a couple of years old. You may get better feedback of you start a thread with your specific question. Best of luck.

Welcome! I love cheese, too. Fortunately, it is a great source of Protein.

I see a possible business opportunity: healthy food for long haul truckers.

I agree. In addition to Protein shakes, cottage cheese, and yogurt you could pack tuna packets, turkey, etc. If you must eat at fast food restaurants, go for lean Proteins like turkey, tuna, chicken, egg, etc. You can get turkey sandwiches or similar, without bread at Arby's, Subway, etc. Wendy's chili is a great choice. You can get chicken or eggs at McDonald's. Once you are cleared for more solid foods you will have more options.

I think you bring up some very good points. One thing I have observed just on BariatricPal is that for those of us who are not really drinkers to begin with, the idea of possibly never drinking again is not a big deal. But, for those who are drinkers (from regular social drinkers all the way to full-blown practicing alcoholics), just the idea of never drinking again will often lead to very strong negative reactions, I would guess that the "medical community" recognizes that if these people are going to be helped and will even listen to health advice, they will be more effective with a less restrictive message. Alcohol use is a HUGE hit button issue on this forum. I encourage you to read some of the alcohol-related threads.

Except for the making my bed part, and the fact that high fructose corn syrup IS evil, and I don't have any money: can I join your cult? Or, at least be invited to the parties?

Here is a link to the story I heard on NPR that someone mentioned above: http://www.cpr.org/news/npr-story/when-loved-one-dies-overdose-what-happens-family

I heard that same story and it was very impactful. Wasn't it that their children had overdosed? It was a few weeks ago but well worth the listen.

Great ideas. Punching a pillow helps, too!

OMG! That sounds delish! Please share the recipe. http://healthyrecipesblogs.com/2013/11/04/eggs-baked-in-portobello-mushrooms/ I used garlic pepper seasoning and black pepper along with light sharp cheddar instead of parmesan. It was so good. I want to try this. Thanks! Note to self: try this recipe!

Here is one recent thread that might be applicable: http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/361405-GP-says-to-do-Weight-Watchers-instead Still looking for another one that I think might be helpful.

Thank you for sharing. I am not a physician but consider myself literate and pretty well educated, but I too had trouble following much of what he was trying to say (and I have read up on the study/studies? he seems to be relying on). For instance "gaining the weight". Does he mean gaining weight? Gaining some weight? Gaining more weight? I could go on... Another big piece that is missing is how the medical community in general treats obese patients. There is a recent thread on BariatricPal that has some real horror stories. Unfortunately, they seem to be more common than not. I agree that General Practitioners and other MDs need a great deal of education about obesity, weight loss surgery, and post-surgery care, however far after surgery. You are spot on when you note that too many post-op patients are thrown to the wolves post-op when it comes to mental health issues. I will definitely have to think about this to see what additional response I could provide.

Great article. I do agree that we still have a lot to learn about obesity, food addiction, etc. I do disagree that we can't learn more without quantitative evidence based studies. There should be lots of studies that can be done qualitatively using social science methodologies. Think of the research that Brene Brown has done around shame. These aren't "medical studies" but do seek to answer questions nonetheless. I look forward to reading more.

You really have to read the labels of everything. One of my favorite examples is reduced fat peanut butter. It is reduced fat because they add corn syrup.

According to my surgeon the US has an epidemic of scirosis (sp?) of the liver due to high fructose corn syrup consumption. It is in everything.

Thank you so much for such an educational, enlightening, and useful article. By the way, several years ago, before I started even considering Weight Loss Surgery, my eating disorder therapist at the time recommended your book Eat it Up! I read some of it back then. But, not until I was in the process of having surgery did I read it carefully, cover to cover. Now, it is one of the books I recommend on a regular basis to people who are going through this process. Thank you.

Great advice.

I haven't thought a lot about it but here are some initial thoughts. As a movement, I would guess that people who are active in it find community and belonging with people who have similar experiences. We all need a "tribe". As being fat was and is just one fact about me, I have never identified myself or allowed other's to define me as just a fat woman. I have so many interests and talents that have nothing to do with my weight and body size that I have never been self-limiting when it comes to friends and social situations.

Thanks for the reminder. For me, learning to keep things in perspective really helps to make life more manageable.