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bellabloom

Gastric Bypass Patients
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Everything posted by bellabloom

  1. bellabloom

    How I maintain

    Yes it is called intuitive eating by Evelyn Trimble and it's on amazon. I also like the blog the f**k it diet and Isabel dozen dukes blog about anti dieting
  2. bellabloom

    I think I am a hypocrite!

    Getting good feedback is awesome and it will start happening. People these days want to be careful about. Among comments about weight because they don't want to wrap an compliment into an insult. I'm sure they notice they are just trying to be polite. Be proud of yourself and own your hotness. People notice when you smile, have more energy and love, and send positive energy outward. That's what matters most. Maybe, just maybe, have you considered that everyone thought you were just fine before and loved you just as much? Cause I bet they did.
  3. bellabloom

    Non sugar dumping syndrome?

    I dump on all sorts of things. Mainly when I have over filled my stomach, mixed solids with liquid, eaten dairy... dumping sucks.
  4. bellabloom

    My story - lost 120lbs

    Absolutely well said by both of you gentlemen. In my opinion and this is just based on my own experience and research and extensive therapy on the subject, most if not all obese individuals are suffering from disordered eating. It may not be as extreme as anorexia or bulimia but it is still a form of ednos or binge eating compulsion. People with a balanced and healthy relationship with food simply don't go about stuffing themselves, obsessions about food and chronically dieting only to regain. Normal people eat when they are hungry and pass if they are full, or eat a little for fun but they don't stuff themselves if they aren't really hungry. Obese people are chronic dieters and also binge eaters or they are chronic binge eaters because on some level they are using food as a coping mechanism to deal with whatever is lacking or out of balance in their lives. My surgery got me to the point of being able to see the weight wasn't really my problem. My problem was with how I equated my value on my looks and what others thought of me. My problem was in relationships and boundaries. My problem was one of self esteem that made me a victim. I focused on my looks as to the solution only to lose weight and realize that still didn't fix my interpersonal issues and in fact those issues were worsened by my constant obsession with food, chronic starvation and concurrent isolating binging episodes. To say the least is was a wake up call. I now focus on body positivity and acceptance and eating to provide for my bodies needs and not to meet a standard of beauty that has nothing to do with my beauty on the inside. I refuse to spend the rest of my life concerned about my weight and missing out on so many other pleasures. I do believe in intuitive eating for weight loss and maintaining weight loss and I am prof that it works. But the bottom line is who cares because I have filled my life with so many other important things and it's really no ones business what I eat or how I look. Food has taken a backseat to 1000 different positive things. I have also realized I find overweight people extremely attractive and now that I don't fixate on my weight I can share a body positive mindset with those around me rather than being the fat phobic jerk I used to be. That's my experience. And I love it.
  5. My experience: at 2.5 years I had lost a tremendous amount of weight and still found myself as depressed and unhappy as before surgery. Food obsession, calorie counting, restriction and weight obsession ruled my life. My worth was totally wrapped around my weight. I decided I didn't want to live that way and I decided to stop dieting for good. Instead I embraced mindful eating. My weight is now stable and at a perfect weight for my body. I no longer obsess about food and yes I do eat whatever I crave, even junk foods at times. I decided to base my worth on things other than food and hence food became less important to me and I ate better naturally. I don't binge and I don't diet. I follow my body.
  6. bellabloom

    Identity crisis?

    Yes. It's a process. I found I had to go through a period of grief over the larger woman I used to be, the abuse I went though over my weight, and the self hatred I had for myself. I had to forgive myself and move on. I had to learn to love myself unconditionally because simply losing weight wasn't enough for that to happen. I'm still having trouble being in a committed relationship because I enjoy dating and exploring my options now that I have more of them. I'm taking it day by day and focusing on myself and self care. I'm still me but a better version on me. The best change happened when I decided to stop dieting all together and allow my weight to settle at the point it wished to. I took myself out of the dieting mindset and a whole world opened up.
  7. bellabloom

    Hello Vet's

    I no longer identify as a weight loss patient. I rarely think about food or my weight. I focus more on fitness, activity, body composition, enjoying my life and my family, and I no longer diet at all. I eat when I am hungry and stop when I am full and make sure I get enough food to not be hungry. I follow my cravings and don't fear food any more. I do have to eat slowly and chew but that's habitual to me now.
  8. bellabloom

    Vitamins

    I still take a chewable pre-natal vitamin but I really don't need to. I'm 2.5 years out and all of my labs come back perfect as I no longer diet and eat healthy portions and snacks throughout the day.
  9. bellabloom

    VET'S FORUM. What the %^&* is going on around here?

    I left for a long time because I got tired of the drama and needed to focus on myself. I'm back now with a healthier perspective and happy to give my two cents to anyone needing support.
  10. Um. I actually quite enjoy my occasional Pepsi. 2.5 years out and weight 128 at 5'6 and holding steady.
  11. I embraced intuitive eating. There is a ton of information about it online as well as a book. I eat whatever I please and am effortlessly maintaining my weight without dieting, which is not a long term solution.
  12. bellabloom

    OK...I drank the Kool-Aid

    Just to add a different perspective- at 2.5 years out I started to binge eat again and feel very depressed about my body and feel that I would still be trapped in the diet binge restrict cycle forever. I started to see weight gain and I panicked. My hunger came back full force and my quantity came way up. I decided to forgo dieting and embrace intuitive eating instead. It has been a miracle for me. My weight is stable and I no longer diet or restrict what I eat. I eat when I am hungry and stop when I'm full. I accepted that I may gain some weight and I did but it quickly leveled out. I'm not sure how much I eat in a day because I don't track anymore but I'm guessing it is around 2000-3000 per day. I will personally never diet again and have learned to love my body unconditionally. If you are struggling and want to stop being afraid of food I highly recommend exploring intuitive eating as an option for weight maintenance. I do not diet or count calories and I'm fine with what my body wants to weigh as long as I am eating for the right reasons and staying mindful.
  13. I would try an avoid it. At first, when I still had some weight to lose, it was okay. Once I got quite thin it affected me hugely. I blacked out a few times even cut my face once. The tolerance continues to go down over time. Also it will lead to weight regain. I would keep it moderate and always with food.
  14. bellabloom

    My story - lost 120lbs

    One of the most important relevations I had after this surgery is that while weight loss will change your body it won't change how you feel inside. Being on a diet rollercoaster for life is incredibly draining and takes a lot of joy out of like. I decided to love myself unconditionally and get off that crazy ride and I found a way to do it where I could also maintain a healthy weight for my height in order to be active and pain free. It was a long journey. I'm happy to discuss my experiences with anyone who is interested. Bariatric surgery is a great tool but it is not a magic solution and eventually there has to be a more sustainable approach to a healthy physique.
  15. bellabloom

    getting back on track

    I have decided to make peace with food. I don't plan on being on a diet the rest of my life. I highly recommend the book intuitive eating on amazon. There is a ton of information on the web about it as well. It's a way to maintain your weight at a healthy place and not have to spend your life dieting and avoiding the food you love. I have maintained my weight this way and am very happy.
  16. bellabloom

    My story - lost 120lbs

    The way I eat now to maintain my weight at a reasonable point is based on principles of intuitive eating. There is a lot of information about it online but the core info is in a book called intuitive eating by Evelyn Trimble. It's on amazon. It is based around the idea that our bodies have a set point that they are comfortable at and that set point is a healthy weight because our bodies are always striving towards health. When I reached my lowest weight of 115 I started to get very depressed and basically anorexic, terrified of gaining weight back and still living my life on a diet. That can only go on so long and after a while your body will be able to eat more foods and more quantity and even sleeve and bypass patients can find themselves white knuckling it again to avoid gaining weight. This is because dieting, i.e. Nutritional deprecation, doesn't work in the long term. Your body knows your starving and starts to fight back by increasing hunger and holding on to extra calories by slowing your metabolism. Intuitive eating is the natural way of eating we are all born with before we start dieting and messing with out internal cues. The basic philosophy is simple: eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full, allow all foods and honor your cravings. Eat regularly and respond to hunger. This process has allowed me to stop dieting and to maintain a healthy weight post bariatric surgery while also being free to eat the foods I enjoy and crave. Maintaining was the worst part of this for me and thank goodness intuitive eating allowed me to find a way to make peace. I had gotten down to 115 at 5'6 and looked quite sick. I didn't know what to do so I just kept losing. When I realized how unhappy I was I decided to make peace and allow my body to settle and a healthy weight no matter what that might be. Intuitive eating helped me gain to about 128 and it's perfect for me. My weight stays very close to that range and I eat whatever I want at the the time. I never binge and I don't think much about food any more to be honest. There is me at 115 vs 128. I feel much better now and I eat all kinds of yummy foods. I also have the energy now to run and lift weights on a regular basis and it's become a wonderful coping mechanisms for me.
  17. bellabloom

    Plastic Surgery in Mexico

    I am extremely happy and I would never never have plastic surgery in the us. I have have been treated like family here. My best friend also had bypass and plastic surgery in the USA. She was sent home to her hotel 2 hours post op with no after care. Only her mom to help her. She had a 360 degree tummy tuck, breast implants and Bracioplasty. They sent her away with five drains. Absolutely horrific. This surgery is huge!!! You MUST have post op care. You must have help dressing your wounds and caring for yourself. It is not in my opinion an outpatient surgery. I have everything done for me. Today and for the next three days I get gentle massages, help with anything I need. All My dressings changed, help showering, and my doctor checks on me daily. Now that's what I call care!! Do yourself a favor. Go to dr carmina de and save thousands of dollars and get the best of care. I am a real person and in no way affiliated with dr cardenas except that I adore her. She has given me the body of my dreams.
  18. bellabloom

    My story - lost 120lbs

    Yes. In spite of what I went though it has all been worth it. I have a huge amount of energy. I run about 2-3 miles a day and lift weights. I can carry my kids around and barely ever feel tired. I'm in the best shape of my life. As long as I slow down my eating and chew well I can eat quite a lot without issues. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is uncomfortable in their body, tired and in pain.
  19. I am staying at her recovery house now. Dr cardinas is the most charming a professional woman you'll ever meet. She is truly invested in her patients and extremely skilled as a surgeon. She preformed a neck lift, tummy tuck, and breast lift on me. Also included was 5 days in her awesome recovery house with 24 hour nurses. The hospital she operated out of is beautiful. Have zero doubts. She is the doctor you want to choose. She is also a weight loss patient herself and has much understanding of our bodies and needs. My results are beautiful. I adore her. I paid 12,750 for neck lift with mastoplexy, extended tummy with. Uncle repair, and breast lift.
  20. Tijuana surgeon dr Carmina Cardenas. You can't beat her, she is amazing!!!! Best decision I've made so far.
  21. Dr Carmina Cardenas in Tijuana is an excellent surgeon with a lot of experience in all sorts of surgery on bariatric patients. Look her up in real self.
  22. I went to the AMAZING dr Carmina Cardenas in Mexico for a neck lift, breast lift and extended tummy tuck with muscle repair plus five days stay recovery with 25 hour nursing. My cost was $12,750.
  23. bellabloom

    Tummy Tuck without muscle repair

    Muscle repair is in my opinion essential. It is what will give you a small curvy waist and give you long lasting results. I would not use a surgeon who did not offer that.
  24. bellabloom

    Plastics in Mexico

    I cannot recommend Dr Carmina Cardenas in Tijuana Mexico enough. I give her 10000 stars. Ten out of ten. If you want surgery in Mexico, look no further. She is my magic maker!! I had neck lift, breast and tummy tuck plus five days recovery stay for 12750. Neck lift was about 3500 Tummy 6000 Breast lift 4800 With a discount for combining my procedures. She does the absolute best tummy tucks I've even seen. She is 109999999 times better than any plastic surgeon in the us that I spoke to.

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