Debbie Jean

I've lost weight many many times. The difference this time is that I have more confidence I can reach my goal and stay there. I take it a day at a time and follow the guidelines of my doctor and nutritionist. How fast I lose just isn't that important. I can be patient... because it's a journey... I think of it as a marathon not a sprint. ????

So many people here are nodding their heads as you tell your story. Gaining, losing, food abuse and the anger at ourselves. It took me 62 years and a laundry list of health problems to bring me to WLS last December. Forgiveness is a powerful gift and Gods grace has already been given to you. You know that. Forgive yourself and move forward. I realized the Lord has more for me to do in my life but I need my health to do it. With 65 lbs gone my health has returned in a way I did not know was even possible! I have a ways to go but am no longer in fear of regaining it all as I did in the past. I am energized and expectant to see what the future brings. WLS is not an easy path. Those who have walked it know this. You will need all your inner strength on the journey. Let go of the past. Love yourself as God does and move forward with confidence.

Well, I'm a sleeve so it might be different for a bypass. I had a slice of cheese at about 2 months out. Managed about half. pizza was always my absolute favorite... hey, I'm from Jersey LOL. I missed it desperately or thought I did. Honestly, the magic wasn't there. Although I will certainly have it again sometime in the future, I haven't had it since and don't miss it. Not a bad thing I think ????

GW 179 SW 192 CW 186.8

GW 179 SW 192 CW 190

Good Monday all GW 179 SW 192 CW 192 Let the challenge begin!

Being bipolar is a medical illness that as you know has no cure, only treatment. People who are not bipolar or who have never loved someone who is bipolar really cannot understand the unique challenges of undertaking WLS of any kind with this illness. Talk to your treatment team, psychologist and psychiatrist. If you are relatively stable WLS may be a possibility. You will definitely need to be very closely monitored as you lose so that medication adjustment can be made and your moods can be watched. I understand the problems with bipolar medications and weight gain. It's so frustrating! One doctor said to me that you gain 10 lbs just taking the script to the pharmacy to be filled! A psychopharmacologist told me that this is because it takes the lid of hunger and you just can never feel satisfied. This is one area that WLS surgery can help since physically you can feel full on much less. Youalready have a DH who can be supportive. That's so important. I'm sending big hugs your way and wishing the very best! It sounds like you have so much happiness already in your life. Hopefully you can put this one last piece in place!

Please add me to the new challenge. I will post start weight and goal on Monday. ????

That makes it difficult. ???? I would encourage him to go out anyway and be with people. It's about the people not the food! Especially with friends, right? It's really common to feel down after WLS partly because we struggle to find a new "normal" in our lives. Being able to go out and be with people again can really help, I think. It's also good to be able sometimes to talk it out. If he is not interested in formal therapy, do you have pastor/priest/rabbi he could talk to? A sympathetic shoulder? It's major surgery so it does take time to recover physically. He's so lucky to have a concerned family and you are doing all you can. Prayers that his spirit will be lifted as his recovery progresses ☺️

SW 205.6 CW 194.2 GW 195 Made my goal!! ((((Happy dancing)))

My PCP was less than enthusiastic. But while I really liked her and she was a super physician... very sensitive to women's issues... she was an athlete, as in marathons, laps in the pool at the Y at 6 am every morning. You get the picture. As luck would have it, right before my surgery, she left the practice. I switched to her partner, who actually was sleeved last year! I am one happy camper to now have a PCP who is not only supportive but really able to understand so much better the journey of WLS.

You and I are about the same age, Ann. So far at month 3 my pattern is like yours. I'm glad to hear that you continue to lose while increasing calories/protein and are so close to goal. Are you doing any exercise in addition?

I think I averaged between 550 and 650. My nutritionist said she was more concerned with getting in 60 grams of Protein, limiting my carbs and getting my Water in. She said the calories wouldn't be an issue since at that stage I couldn't eat more than about 800 anyway. I track in My Fitness Pal so I see what the calorie totals are. But I really use it to make sure I get my 60 g of protein and limit my carbs to less than 60. Calorie total is not per my nutritionist guidelines something I need to focus on. BTW, I find that she is correct. As long as I'm following my eating guidelines I'm not exceeding 800. However I'm only 3 months out so I'm assuming that will increase over time.

I was allowed coffee on discharge as part of full fluids. I have two cups straight up every morning. Has never bothered me. Since docs really vary on this though, ask your surgeon and follow his/her directions.

I would think that since you are on s blood thinner, yours would be a special case. Definitely check with your surgeon and cardiologist and make sure they are on the same page. BTW, although I had to inject Lovenox after my knee replacements, I did not have to after my sleeve. I got the injections in the hospital, but my surgeon doesn't continue them after release unless there is a reason. Docs seem to vary on that.

You definitely can! Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow! We'll see you over on the losers bench ☺️

This is a blood thinner which helps prevent post-op clots. I needed them for several weeks after both of my knee replacements. They really are idiot proof and very very easy to use and dispose of. Although they look huge, the injections, which I self administered in the belly, aren't painful. They can leave large black and blue marks... these simply fade over time. They will likely start you on the Lovonox in the hospital and show you how to do them then. Not bad at all and very worthwhile!

SW 205.6 CW 196.7 GW 195

Also remember that special occasions may present challenges but if you focus on the people, the conversations, the pleasure of being together, the food becomes so much less important. ☺️

I wanted to add that while online communication has important disadvantages, one of the greatest advantages to online communication is that it brings like minded people togetherness.. people who would otherwise never meet. The is particularly important to those who share an experience or who are like you, disabled. This does not change, however, the caution they must be used in communicating online and the disadvantages that are inherent in it.

Frankly, gal Friday, I'm surprised in this day and age you are not more aware of the difference between online and face to face interactions. Online is a form of non verbal communication that lacks those verbal cues that make a critical difference to people when communicating in real life. It also allows people to "create" personas that may or may not reflect their authentic self. I teach communication at a large university in the northeast. I also have been active in many forums across the years. People who are vulnerable always have a difficult time. Often it is often because they disclose inappropriately. Online forums are NOT therapy. You simply have no idea of who you are interacting with and how your posts will be interpreted. That's just the reality. Some people will honestly feel that the best way to respond and help "tough love". It doesn't make them rude or insensitive. I assume you didn't practice therapy in an online environment. Nor on an online open forum. Often the appropriate response to a "distressed/depressed" poster is to seek therapy, one on one, group or otherwise but face to face. People get offended by this suggestion. But the reality is they need a therapist not an online support group. This forum is not unique. It is very similar in the way communication... TEXT based... occurs. If someone is at a point in their life that they truly become upset by what they perceive as "hurtful" responses then they probably should not be posting personal issues. Reading a forum for information and support can be for some people just as therapeutic and preferable to posting online.

Yikes! No wonder you are feeling awful ????! Just shows that we really know our own bodies more than docs sometimes. I think this is especially true for bariatric patients. Glad you got retested. You will feel so much better when they get it properly adjusted. ☺️

Wow! That's half your previous dose! I also have Hashimotos and my endocrinologist cut me from an alternating 150/175 dose to 137. As I lose he will likely continue to lower it. He said if I start to feel symptoms of going hyper, to call immediately so he can test and adjust immediately. All I can think is maybe you were lowered that much in anticipation of continued weight loss. But it sounds like you are now massively hypothyroid again. ???? I would for sure get in touch with your doctor!

What fantastic news! You are a true warrior. This is just the beginning of your wonderful weight loss journey. I know with your attitude and energy you will be a great success ????

You have every right to feel proud!As one of your sleeve sisters, I understand the hard work, patience and courage it takes to walk this path to wellness. I had my surgery in Dec and am down 50 lbs. I'm healthier than I've beef in 20 years and feel wonderful! Best wishes to you as you continue your journey ☺️