Inner Surfer Girl

SMH. Money can't buy class, taste, or common sense.

It is very common to struggle with emotions and feelings post-op. Out hormones are in flux due to the fat loss and we no longer have our favorite coping mechanism -- food. It is ok to seek help. Do you have a counselor or therapist? If not, see if the person who did your psych clearance can see you or refer you to someone to talk to. A good therapist can help you learn new, healthy ways to cope with stress, uncomfortable feelings, and anxiety. Have you talked with your PCP about your anxiety and depression? You may also want to find a good bariatric support group and/or a 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org). In addition, exercise, adequate nutrition, and good quality sleep will help you to feel better. A good book that you may find helpful is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. As to complications. They are just that, complications. I am almost 1 year post-op and have had no complications. But, everyone is different. Are you following your program and post-op instructions? If you experience pain, something unexpected, or out of the ordinary, then call your surgeon's office. Otherwise, you can practice letting go. Start with deep breathes and reciting the serenity prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Keep us posted on how you are doing. It is very common to struggle with emotions and feelings post-op. Out hormones are in flux due to the fat loss and we no longer have our favorite coping mechanism -- food. It is ok to seek help. Do you have a counselor or therapist? If not, see if the person who did your psych clearance can see you or refer you to someone to talk to. A good therapist can help you learn new, healthy ways to cope with stress, uncomfortable feelings, and anxiety. Have you talked with your PCP about your anxiety and depression? You may also want to find a good bariatric support group and/or a 12-step recovery group like OA (OA.org). In addition, exercise, adequate nutrition, and good quality sleep will help you to feel better. A good book that you may find helpful is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. As to complications. They are just that, complications. I am almost 1 year post-op and have had no complications. But, everyone is different. Are you following your program and post-op instructions? If you experience pain, something unexpected, or out of the ordinary, then call your surgeon's office. Otherwise, you can practice letting go. Start with deep breathes and reciting the serenity prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Reset what? You aren't yet getting enough fluids. And it doesn't look like you are getting enough Protein. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. Everyone stalls and almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids every day. For me that means AT LEAST 100 grams of protein and 64 oz of Fluid, every day. Track your food. Avoid starches, added sugars, and fried foods. Eat slowly and mindfully. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. And, stay off the scale! Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall Reset what? You aren't yet getting enough fluids. And it doesn't look like you are getting enough protein. Stalls are a normal, natural, and necessary part of the process of losing weight. Everyone stalls and almost everyone experiences a stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your protein and fluids every day. For me that means AT LEAST 100 grams of protein and 64 oz of fluid, every day. Track your food. Avoid starches, added sugars, and fried foods. Eat slowly and mindfully. Take your vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise when cleared. And, stay off the scale! Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Without more detail it is hard to give suggestions. Are you still following your program? What is your Protein target? Are you tracking your food? Are you getting in all of your protein every day? Are you getting at least 64 oz of Fluid a day? Are you avoiding starches and added sugars? Are you avoiding fried foods? Are you avoiding carbonation? Are you avoiding alcohol? Are you eating slowly and mindfully? Are you taking your Vitamins and supplements as directed? Are you exercising? How much? How often? Have you talked to your NUT about your goals and your progress? Are your goals realistic? Just saying you wanted to lose X amount but ONLY list Y amount doesn't tell me anything. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

This would make a great stand-alone article: Training for C25K for the morbidly obese. This would make a great stand-alone article: Training for C25K for the morbidly obese.

This would make a great stand-alone article: Traibing for C25K for the morbidly obese. This would make a great stand-alone article: Traibing for C25K for the morbidly obese.

What surgery did you have? What kind of education did you go through? My surgeon's very first requirement was that I take an online course that explained, in detail, each of the major surgery options, how they are performed, risks and benefits, etc. I couldn't schedule any appointments until I had completed the course. What surgery did you have? What kind of education did you go through? My surgeon's very first requirement was that I take an online course that explained, in detail, each of the major surgery options, how they are performed, risks and benefits, etc. I couldn't schedule any appointments until I had completed the course.

What? What?

I didn't have a calorie "limit". I had/have a protein target (100 grams) and a liquid target (at least 64 oz.). I avoid starches and added sugars. I do not eat anything fried. Doing that keeps my calories in a good range. I didn't have a calorie "limit". I had/have a protein target (100 grams) and a liquid target (at least 64 oz.). I avoid starches and added sugars. I do not eat anything fried. Doing that keeps my calories in a good range.

Wow. I can't imagine. Especially with all of the fear around polio. That was before my time but I can't even imagine what kind of fear surrounded kids at that time. By the way, I really hope the control group eventually got the vaccine.

This image came to mind.

That magic 100 pound number. We moved when I was in 4th grade. I remember talking to a new friend. She was one of those "petite" (aka tiny little things) walking home from school. We lived at the top of a hill so it was quite a steep climb from the bus stop. I don't know how weight came up, be she said something like "well, as long as you don't weigh over 100 pounds" you were ok, not fat, I don't remember what the assessment was. I just remember that I weighed over 100 pounds so I felt less than. I have run across so many people, an ex-boyfriend comes to mind, who seriously think that they get to decide what weight is acceptable. It's almost always based on something other than what is right for me (my height, build, etc.). It is interesting how that 100 pound number seems to be the arbitrary dividing line, especially around puberty.

Congratulations! This is awesome!

Good luck! My advice: Focus on what you CAN have, not what you can't. Stay hydrated and have something to drink with you at all times. Stay busy. Remind yourself that you can do anything for two weeks and that it will be over soon. Remember why you are doing it: to be healthy and have the best chance for a safe and successful surgery. You can do it!

Gym teachers and coaches can be the worst when it comes to setting us up for humiliation.

Congratulations on getting on your Protein and fluids. As for your Aunt, try just saying "Thank you for your concern. I appreciate your feedback but I have already made my decision with the help of my doctor." Or, something similar. She sounds well-meaning but uninformed (especially if she thinks the lapband is somehow acceptable but the sleeve isn't). We definitely get the opportunity to practice setting boundaries and being assertive during this process.

It's ok to be scared. Being scared means you're about to do something really, really brave.

I understand. I just wanted to clarify because I see so many posts from people who seem to equate the two. I understand. I just wanted to clarify because I see so many posts from people who seem to equate the two.

Great news! I am also so glad you found a way to take the focus off of worry until you could address the issue. These are the kinds of skills that will help you be successful in this process.

Reading this article brought back so many memories: the annual President's Physical Fitness test, gym glass, locker rooms, lunchrooms, etc. I only wish I knew then what I have learned about obesity, nutrition, and fitness since starting my weight loss surgery journey. It is so scary how much damage well-meaning but misguided advice from the medical community, schools, and public health has done to the bodies and minds of those of us who struggle with obesity. It is as if the war on obesity is really a war on the obese. And, it starts so early. http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/the-youngest-casualties-in-the-war-on-obesity This is a sobering article.

I didn't even notice until you pointed it out! You look great! I didn't even notice until you pointed it out! You look great!

If you are cooking meals for your family can't you adapt your program to what you prepare? For instance, choose a lean protein and a vegetable that you can have and then add something else that they can have (like a starch). You can eat a smaller portion of the protein, have lots of vegetables, and avoid the starch. Also, if you haven't done it already, weaning yourself off of carbonation and increasing your water/fluids will also help. You can do it!

Happy early Birthday and congratulations on getting started with the process. It will happen when it is meant to happen. Patience and polite persistence will get you to your goal, but it does take some time to get through all of the pre-op assessments. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing. Happy early Birthday and congratulations on getting started with the process. It will happen when it is meant to happen. Patience and polite persistence will get you to your goal, but it does take some time to get through all of the pre-op assessments. Best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.