SoCalLeslie

@@Swamprat I recently purchased Best Fork Forward, by Steph Wagner. I haven't made anything from it yet, but the recipes look super easy and seem to use ingredients I already have on hand. I also like BariatricFoodie.com - a lot of great recipes on that site. I've made Taco Casserole and pizza Bake. Both have great flavor and are very hearty.

I don't want to frighten anyone, but this is exactly what happened to me about two weeks after surgery. I noticed when I was out walking I had pain in the back of my leg, similar to a charley horse, that wouldn't go away. My two week follow-up was the next day; they ordered a stat ultrasound and it was indeed a clot. It eventually dissolved (6 months on Warfarin), but as AvaFern said if you're having any symptoms have them checked right away. I don't think it happens in that many cases; I was only 1 of 2 patients my doctor had ever had develop clots.

Starting to see a therapist at 2 years out was the best thing I ever did. I'm learning a lot about myself and the tools she has given me to help deal with my head issues are even more beneficial than the tool my surgeon gave me. After all, obesity is not about the food, it's about emotions and behaviors.

Thank you all for your insight. I will definitely check out the book. I really don't want to get started on another medication. Am down to one and hope to be off it soon too. I will also ask my primary doctor about therapy. I've dealt with weight issues most of my life, so I agree there must be something else going on.
Thank you again!

yes to what @@Kindle said - however it is pretty easy to make some good Protein dishes that freeze up well in your own portion sizes so that you basically end up with the same grab and go convenience. I usually do a lot of cooking for the week on Sunday and I believe several others here do the same. I try to put a few dishes in the fridge and a couple in the freezer, so I can pull out a variety for the week and not eat the same thing every day.

There is not a single lean cuisine out there that is not loaded with carbs. I'm not as familiar with weight watchers but I imagine they are similar. Protein costs too much to put very much of it in frozen dinners. The Atkins meals may have a little more protein, but even with those you are getting a sh**t ton of sodium, binders, fillers and other not so healthy ingredients.

Have you tried researching herbs that may suppress your appetite? Something like chromium pliconate, less side effects... All these prescription weight loss drugs have unwelcome sided effects..
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think japeters had some great comments.
There are counselors who specialize in eating. It could be a good course. I would also recommend a book called eating the moment. The exercises are the best part of the book. It helps me work through things and think about eating.
Good luck and stay strong. You can do this.

the challenge with those meds (I speak from experience with them prior to being sleeved) is that the effect is temporary, once you stop taking them the problem returns and you gain the weight back, plus they are not safe or healthy long term. Have you thought about speaking with a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders? It could be that you need help redirecting or understanding the root of the desire to eat. One thing I've been doing lately when I feel the munchies come on is I pick something to do-maybe clean something, go sit outside with a book, call a friend or my sister to chat, etc... do something to take your mind off wanting to eat-redirect it into something productive.
Good luck, I hope this helps you a little, I know how hard it is. You've come a long way, be proud of yourself and remind yourself how valuable you are!!!

If that charley horse starts to make your leg feel warm, hard, red or gets worse, go to the ER. Sometimes a DVT starts off feeling a lot like a charley horse and this close after surgery would increase your risk. Highly unlikely, but something to keep in mind.
http://bottomlineinc.com/a-charley-horse-or-a-deadly-blood-clot/

@@Inner Surfer Girl has a good point. Do those 800 calories include at least 60-80g of Protein? Some patients have even higher Protein goals. And what about fluids....at least 64oz? 100oz would be better.
Appetite suppressants are a band aid. Yes, they will make staying at 800calories easier, but that is not a sustainable caloric intake anyways and your hunger would come right back when you stop the drugs. Learning how to cope with life without food as a crutch is a permanent fix.
As for a therapist, someone who specializes in bariatric issues and eating disorders may be a good place to start. Personally, mine specializes in grief recovery and cognitive thinking. We don't even talk about food or diet. I barely mentioned I had WLS and it is not a focus of our discussions. But the mental tools she is giving me complement my VSG tool very nicely. Very rarely are obesity issues about food, they are about emotions and behaviors. All things that take a LOT of work to acknowledge, overcome and change.

Congratulations!
re your in-laws -- it's better to not have them say anything than to have the say something rude.
After reading this forum in the past, I realize that some people actually don't want anyone to comment or say anything while others do as long as it is complimentary. Basically, it's so hard to know how people feel so I tend to not comment anymore either. They may just not know what to say. Or they could be mean people. I don't know. Doesn't matter--you are doing fantastic!

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm fascinated by people's reactions to weight loss. I've tried to analyze why people have such an array of reactions ranging from "fantastic" to absolutely no reaction. Very interesting. I've faced the same thing and I'm still mystified. I think lots of people just don't like change, they pigeonhole you and don't want you to be any different even though they may not like you overweight.

Like many on this site, traveling on an airplane when I was super big was very challenging.
I am now down 150 pounds, and had my first plane trip. I could not believe how amazingly I fit in the seat, no seatbelt extender, and room to spare all around. Yay!
On the ouch side, I am visiting my in-laws for the first time since I've lost this weight and nobody said anything. 150 pounds down, and no one said a thing. I know I have much more to lose but OUCH. They even know I had the surgery (in all fairness, they didn't ask a single thing about me or my husband because they're self-involved but really???)
Thanks for letting me rave and rant about this! I've decided by posting this to let go of the ouch and focus on the NSV. Thank you to everyone on this site.

Congratulations on your outstanding weight loss. Just don't let those green meanies steal your joy.

I have told 6 people: my husband, my 2 teenagers (who seemed completely unphased), 2 of my 8 sisters who I knew would be supportive (one of them had gastric bypass 15 years ago), and lastly, my work partner because we travel together and I'll need her support once we start flying a couple of weeks after surgery.
I travel for work each week to different locations, so most work relationships are remote or for a few days at a time. I'm most worried about staying hydrated once I'm in the air again.
I am deliberately choosing not to tell casual friends from church, school, and neighbors. They will talk enough as it is...no need to explain anything! I only needed to overhear a couple of catty chicks talking about wls once (and going on about how overweight people need to learn to push back from the table) to realize silence is golden. ????
Surgery on 1/5/16....excited, nervous and probably over stalking the boards out here!

Had my sleep study last week. I thought I slept great. They called today and told me I quit breathing 203 times during the night, 32x a minute. I'm mind blown! I never wake up and think "man, that was a good night of rest!" I always think "man I'm tired" but at least now I know why. I thought I was just a sleepy person! I had no idea I quit breathing. I have to go back now and do the test with a cpap on and I don't know if I'll have to use a cpap from here on out or just for surgery. But this just like is one more thing letting me know I'm making the right decision to have the surgery. I can't wait until I can be healthy and get a good night of rest and not wake up and feel exhausted. Anyone else have any sleep apnea stories or maybe you don't have it anymore since you lost your weight... I can't imagine sleeping with that Loud machine and mask on my face every night

Exactly daveo! I was thinking the same thing...i was so glad I tried it because now I won't be yearning for what I can't have but appreciating what I can and knowing that I'm not missing a thing...I'm impervious now!

I was going through that with some of my favorite foods about a month ago. I had stayed away from them for months after surgery but decided to try them. The taste of them are different now and I can honestly say that I am glad I tried to eat them again. Now I don't deprive myself of foods I once loved because they don't taste the same. I used to love soda as well but when I tried to take a sip of sprite I just couldn't handle the taste and the feeling I got in my stomach. Now it's Water, green tea and Crytal Light!

Today was my son's birthday and of course the obligatory cake. I said none for me but then, as usual comes the also obligatory guilting. So after finally agreeing to the microscopic piece consisting if three small bites with the frosting scraped off, I ate my cake. I was shocked it was so bitter and nasty tasting. Pretty miraculous considering 2 months ago I consumed most of the cake on the eastern seabord. In fact you know that saying about loving something as much as a "fat kid loves cake"? Yep that was written for me. But anyway my point is it felt good to control my own body and mind and not give in to my addiction. And considering how it tasted going down I think it will be a long time before I take another bite. But more important than as anything I realize that I am not afraid of food any longer.
Thanks for listening to a crazy old lady rant

As a dad I would want to know, but understand this is a very difficult situation. You have already made the hardest decision to have the surgery.
Whether the wife accepts your decision or not is not going to change the fact that you are having a life changing event in your life, and more than likely this decision will not be the last decision you and the wife will disagree on.
I would also agree with you I miss my mommy as well.

@@choosehope
It sounds like you and your Dad are close so I understand why this is so tough.no one can tell you what to do here but the important thing is to guage whether or not he will support your decision prior to telling him.
And trust that he will likely tell his spouse. Just prepare yourself to defend your decision. This is all about getting healthy and WLS is the number 1 cure for obesity. Simply explain that this is something you need to do to get healthy.
"Yes, I could diet and exercise but the weight will still be there or will come back, I have proven it over and over again in my life. This is my best chance to get healthy and keep my weight off for good."
explain what you need from them and if you have to what you don't need from them. Many times when you tell your parents they are mostly scared for you.

Choosehope, not only are you trying to get mentally healthy with therapy, you are choosing to get physically healthy with WLS too ! Good for you for putting yourself 1st ! We are about the same age ( im 57) , and it was always me in last place, very typical of being a Mom, everybody and everything else came 1st. Well, not anymore ! Tell Dads wife that youre finally putting yourself 1st, and that your health is more important than her negative, uninformed comments. Just because she' s your Dads wife "who makes him happy " doesn't give her the right to be a "know it all and judgemental" on your journey to be healthy. Stay strong ! You can do this ! Good luck !!!

This journey is not an easy one, as I'm sure you know, and the more support you can get, the better. If you think your father would be supportive and a help to you during this time, then i would say, just tell him. Perhaps try to talk to him on his own, and then you two can discuss if it's worth telling his wife. I told very few people in my life for this same reason; I did not want to judgement from people who have no idea what they are talking about, or pity, or ridicule. People can be downright cruel, especially when they think they know everything but in reality know nothing about your situation or your perspective. But don't let one.. ahem... busybody prevent you from connecting to someone who loves you and cares about you and could be a big help for you during this long and difficult journey. You deserve far better than that.
That's just my opinion though. whatever you choose, good luck to you. At the very least you have the caring and support of all of us here.

I think I will say something like, "I used a surgical proceedure as a catalyst for radical across-the-board lifestyle changes in my pursuit of radiant health."