Inner Surfer Girl

This was on Facebook today and I thought some folks might find it helpful. This is from one of my favorite books. "The Language of Letting Go April 12th, 2016 Letting Go of Fear Picture yourself swimming floating - peacefully down a gentle stream. All you need to do is breathe, relax, and go with the flow. Suddenly, you become conscious of your situation. Frightened, overwhelmed with "what if's?" your body tenses. You begin to thrash around, frantically looking for something to grab on to. You panic so hard you start to go under. Then you remember - you're working too hard at this. You don't need to panic. All you need to do is breathe, relax, and go with the flow. You won't drown. Panic is our great enemy. We don't need to become desperate. If overwhelming problems appear in our life, we need to stop struggling. We can tread water for a bit, until our equilibrium returns. Then we can go back to floating peacefully down the gentle stream. It is our stream. It is a safe stream. Our course has been charted. All is well. Today, I will relax, breathe, and go with the flow."

Tips? Yes, focus on getting in all of your Water and Protein (64 grams of protein seems low) and stay off the scale. You are healing. Your body is in flux. Your primary job right now is staying hydrated and getting in enough protein. None of us lose at a constant or steady rate. We all experience stalls. Most of us experience our first stall about three weeks after surgery. Also, you are correct: 4 days does not make a stall. Just follow your program, stay off the scale, and embrace the stall. http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Ditto.

I just discovered some very bad news. I just found out a colleague where I used to work recently passed away. I knew her because we had the same insurance and saw the same therapist and attended some group counseling together. At one time, the possibility of WLS was raised. Our insurance did not cover it (our employer excluded it). I was not yet ready to consider WLS even though I had family members offer to help. She despaired because she wanted it but did not have the same option. Fast forward. The last time I spoke to her on the phone I was on disability and I told her I was having/or had had surgery (I can't remember which). She was still struggling with health issues and working. It breaks my heart that for want of a relatively small investment a terrific person is no longer with us. She was a long-time employee with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Although there are no guarantees in life, I truly think that if she were able to have WLS she would still be with us. The US insurance/health care system is so messed up. This is not right.

Wow, this is awful. Sending prayers. Just curious, but why wasn't this caught during the barium swallow right after surgery?

Try making one healthy change at a time: wean yourself off of carbonation, drink more Water, eat more vegetables, tracking your food, increasing your Protein, avoiding starches, etc. You may find that just doing those simple things will keep you from gaining more weight.

Please read some of the posts by people who wound up in the ER due to dehydration. It is not worth it. Please, please, please take getting enough hydration seriously. The bonus is that it helps with weight loss.

Hi Patricia, I was sleeved a year ago at age 51. I am down over 200 pounds from my highest weight with a ways to go. Welcome!

Thanks for the mug cake reminder. I even bought some baking soda (?) a while back so I could try it but haven't gotten around to making one. I do use baking soda, right?

I got protein pudding from Bariatric Choice. The brand I like the best is WonderSlim. The other brands I have tried, not so much.

I'm not very good at swift kicks. It sounds to me like you are just trying to adjust to real life. It is fairly easy to follow our program early out when it is so structured. Once we get to a place where we can make choices it gets harder. One thing I like to do is focus on what I "can" have instead of what I "can't". What is it about the sausage rolls that were so attractive to you especially to the point where you ate them until they made you sick and then went back for more? Could you find an alternative that satisfies whatever it is you are looking for? For instance, making a lower fat/lower carb version with turkey sausage, etc? (Fatty/greasy foods don't sit well with me anymore. I might have been nauseous, too if they were greasy.) Also, whatever I choose to eat, I make sure I record it in MyFitnessPal. It is a great way to weigh my options. I can quickly see whether or not the extra calories/fat/whatever are worth it. Don't let this situation derail you. You can learn from it and let it help you be successful. This is where a good counselor or therapist can be very helpful. To help put things in perspective and to help learn new coping skills and attitudes. Also, if you struggle with wanting to eat compulsively, you might want to consider looking into a 12-step recovery group for compulsive eating like OA (OA.org). Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Yes, getting too few calories can slow down your weight loss. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am not either, that is why I buy pre made soups most of the time. Just read labels and make sure whatever you choose is appropriate for your phase. I liked the ProtiDiet creamy chicken and tomato basil soups that my surgeon allowed even on the clear phase. Some people get won ton or egg drop soup from a Chinese restaurant or similar and just strain out the won tons. You can also get canned or prepared soups at the grocery store or deli. Bone broth is high in Protein. Please try to get in more. Dehydration is no joke.

Here you go: http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Why not? As long as you follow your program, you will lose weight. I have lost over 200 pounds in my first year and have no intention of stopping until I get to goal.

It is a process. Learning new habits takes time. At least you noticed and are examining what works and what doesn't. That is part of learning to eat mindfully. I have had to really practice slowing down, taking smaller bites, and chewing thoroughly.

Why only one Premier Protein? My protein target is 100 grams of protein and my surgeon said that there is no physical reason I couldn't drink three in a day starting the day after surgery. It took effort, but it was doable. Getting enough protein and Fluid is critical for both healing and weight loss. If you get in more protein and fluid you should have more energy and shouldn't experience much hunger. Also, keep in mind that dehydration can seem like hunger, can make you feel like you have less energy, and is dangerous.

This is a big decision. I suggest you learn as much as you can about each option and then talk with your surgeon about which one would be best for you. I started out weighing much more than 300 pounds and was sleeved almost a year ago. I couldn't be happier with my decision.

I think smell is a very important part of the chemistry equation but I don't know what come first loving the scent or scenting the love.

I truly believe that flying is an ordeal for "normal"-sized people. It is torture for those of us who are larger than the average person. I am looking forward to being able to fly in relative comfort.

By a month post-op I was on soft foods. As long as you stick with soft fish or seafood you should be fine if that is the stage you are on.

Yes, it gets easier. Keep working on getting in all of your protein and fluids. You need them for healing. As you heal, the swelling will go down and it will get easier.

I like Premier Protein, Syntrax nectar, unjury, and GNC Lean shake 25. I also like the ProtiDiet liquid beverage concentrates (great for the clear phase), Quest, and Eve Carnation Breakfast essentials (a nice budget option). Try samples before you commit to buying a large container of anything. Also, keep in mind that your tastes may change post-op.

Here is a nice article about dealing with uncomfortable feelings. For most of us, food may have been a major coping mechanism. Without using food we have to learn new ways to experience our feelings. http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/02/how-to-deal-with-what-you-feel-4-breakthrough-guidelines-for-facing-difficult-times/

My advice: Take lots of notes, write everything down. Ask questions and if you don't understand something keep asking until you do. Most of all, be prepared to be patient and politely persistent. Best of luck!