Inner Surfer Girl

Wow. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot of life. I didn't have DS, so don't know if the post-op program is significantly different from a sleeve post-op program (I don't know why it would be). The first thing I would suggest is that you talk to your PCP and/or look for a good therapist to address your depression. Since you are in grad school you might want to consider talking with someone at your school's counseling center if they have one. I also suggest that you go back to basics. Make sure you are getting at least 64 oz of water/fluid every day. Track your food. Meet or exceed your Protein target every day. Did your NUT and/or surgeon give you a protein target? Mine is 100 grams a day. 80-100 grams a day may be a good place to start until you can get a good target from your program. Avoid starches and added sugars. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Get regular blood work to check your Vitamin levels. Exercise regularly. It will help with your stress level, depression, and with weight loss. With everything you are dealing with, time management is going to be key. Make sure you plan time for meals, Snacks, and exercise. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

By ten weeks I was was cleared for most foods. My incisions had healed over and I was cleared to swim at about four weeks. I don't know why you couldn't travel. I would just recommend that you run it by your surgeon. Sounds like a fabulous trip to me! I hope you have a wonderful time.

You do know that you are responding to a post from 2010, right?

Here is to droopier soggy boobies!

This is great, but I would also caution you about buying clothes more than a season ahead. You may blow past the plus sizes by winter-time.

Are you taking a PPI? If not, what you may perceive as hunger may in fact be acid. And/or, you may be experiencing "head" hunger. It is common to crave food when we are used to using food to regulate out moods and it is no longer an option after surgery. As to the constipation, in addition to the Miralax, make sure you are getting in all of your fluids. Miralax only works with enough Water in your system, plus the hydration will also help relieve your constipation. Some diluted prune juice may help, too. You may also want to talk to your doctor if either the cravings/hunger and/or the constipation persists.

One of the things I found helpful both with the pre-op diet and post-op diet was to focus on what I CAN have instead of what I can't. If there is something you can't eat or don't like then find an alternative. Your NUT, along with the folks on BariatricPal, can help you do that. Another thing that helped me was that I made up my mind to do everything I was asked to do by my medical team, even if I thought I couldn't or was afraid to try. You may find that post-op there are things you thought you don't like that you do -- tastes do change.

Share away.

I lucked out. I had a friend who was returning to grad school and needed the money. We came up with a good skirt pattern and then I had her make me a skirt every month. I paid a flat rate per skirt plus the fabric. I was really spoiled!

I know I definitely used food to keep from feeling. It is hard to deal with intense feelings. Go ahead and punch a pillow. Go ahead and cry in the shower, I know that being afraid to show my feelings is one way I got into the shape I did. I also used to work in a legal environment and know first-hand that they are not nurturing environments to be in. Do you have a therapist? A good counselor or therapist will help you learn new ways to deal with stress, anger, and uncomfortable feelings. It is important to learn healthy coping skills for both you and your son. It is so great to hear that you chose to take a walk and share your feelings here rather than eat. That is a HUGE accomplishment. Sending prayers and hugs your way.

You are "supposed" to lose a certain amount every week. None of us lose weight at a constant are steady rate. We all have periods of rapid weight loss and periods of no weight loss (stalls). Almost everyone experiences their first stall about three weeks after surgery. Just follow your program and focus on getting in all of your Protein and Water. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

Not free, but look for a massage school (for inexpensive massages) or a cosmetology school (for inexpensive facials, mani-pedis, etc.).

I could have more clearly stated that the DS was developed as a two step process for people who needed to lose weight before they could safely undergo bypass but because the first part (sleeve) was so successful they started using it as a standalone. My understanding is that the DS is a variation on the bypass. I am a layman so the final word on all of this should come from your surgeon

Done. I scheduled a massage for next Friday.

This is great! I actually found someone to see for me when I was at my highest weight and it was great. Unfortunately, I have since moved and still haven't found someone to take in all of the skirts I had made just for me. Since I chose all the fabrics I want to keep them and recycle them as I lose weight. I need to start looking for a good seamstress again!

By the way, the priority is getting in your protein and making sure the texture is appropriate for the stage you are on.

Duplicate post.

I didn't have a purée stage. As far as I can tell there is nothing magic about purée other than its a way to get more flavor and nutrition in with a semi-liquid/soft texture. If you like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, refried Beans, tuna, Protein shakes, etc. then I don't see any reason to force yourself to eat something you don't like.

Pre-op, I was pretty immobile and even my favorite form of exercise (swimming) was difficult. I got an exercise peddler and peddled it with my hands while watching tv. I worked up to an hour a day. It really helped me prepare for surgery and to get to a place where I can now exercise much more easily. A fitness tracker is also helpful. Even if you can only exercise a few minutes at a time, it helps me to keep track so I can see how small increments can add up.

Not all is lost. It is not too late. You can turn things around. I was sleeved so can share what works for me, but you probably need to talk with folks who have had bypass for more insight. Here are the critical success factors to look for: Find a good bariatric NUT so you can discuss your specific goals and needs. Track your food. (I use MyFitnessPal.) Drink at least 64 oz of water/fluid a day. Find out what your Protein target is and eat at least that amount every day. Mine is 100 grams. 80-100 grams would be a good ballpark to aim for until you can talk to a NUT about your specific needs. Take your vitamins and supplements. Again, a bariatric NUT and/or someone who has had RNY can help with developing a Vitamin regimen. At a minimum make sure you are taking: a Multivitamin, D3, calcium, B1, B12, C, K, and Iron. Get your blood tested regularly to check your blood levels. This will also help you determine what vitamins you need to take. For bypass, don't drink and eat at the same time. Eat protein first. Eat slowly and mindfully. Avoid starches and added sugars. Exercise regularly. This is a great site for support, so participating on this site will help you keep your head in the game. You also may want to see if you can find a good counselor or therapist, attend bariatric support groups, and/or 12-step recovery groups like OA. A good book you may want to read is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. She also posts on this site so you may want to read her posts here, too. You have already had some great success without guidance, so with some structure you should do great! Keep us posted on how you are doing. Not all is lost. It is not too late. You can turn things around. I was sleeved so can share what works for me, but you probably need to talk with folks who have had bypass for more insight. Here are the critical success factors to look for: Find a good bariatric NUT so you can discuss your specific goals and needs. Track your food. (I use MyFitnessPal.) Drink at least 64 oz of water/fluid a day. Find out what your protein target is and eat at least that amount every day. Mine is 100 grams. 80-100 grams would be a good ballpark to aim for until you can talk to a NUT about your specific needs. Take your vitamins and supplements. Again, a bariatric NUT and/or someone who has had RNY can help with developing a vitamin regimen. At a minimum make sure you are taking: a multivitamin, D3, calcium, B1, B12, C, K, and iron. Get your blood tested regularly to check your blood levels. This will also help you determine what vitamins you need to take. For bypass, don't drink and eat at the same time. Eat protein first. Eat slowly and mindfully. Avoid starches and added sugars. Exercise regularly. This is a great site for support, so participating on this site will help you keep your head in the game. You also may want to see if you can find a good counselor or therapist, attend bariatric support groups, and/or 12-step recovery groups like OA. A good book you may want to read is Eat it Up! by Connie Stapleton. She also posts on this site so you may want to read her posts here, too. You have already had some great success without guidance, so with some structure you should do great! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

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.

Sounds like you are doing great to me. Just keep following your program and your head will catch up with your body.

This is awesome!

Yes, I plan to try to schedule a massage for next week. Yes, I plan to try to schedule a massage for next week.

Whew. I think I got them all.