Nerdgrl

SHOPPING! (And enjoying it. And not for jewelry and shoes - because they don't depend on my size.)
Working out without pain.
Wearing shorts.
Feeling like people are seeing ME and not my weight.
Not having to rush past all mirrors for the fear of accidentally seeing myself and being horrified.
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I am 8 days post-Op and was just recommended to try ZipFizz. They sell at on Amazon and at costco. In addition to electrolytes, it also has B12 which should help with energy when calories are low post-op. Otherwise I have been watering down G2 and Vitamin Water zero or drinking unsweetened iced tea. As @@DavidOso said, you will need to consume fluids like it is your job - so find what works to make that happen. Best of luck!
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I am 9 days post-op from VSG and definitely struggling with the lack of energy and itchy incisions. It's not at all fun but it is very normal! Two days ago I could barely get out of bed, yesterday was better - we will see what today brings. Are you getting all of your Vitamins in? I'm thinking of upping my B12 in the hopes that it will help with energy. I went back to work on day 6 post-op ... it's not easy but it's doable! Hang in there - I'm sure things will start looking up soon!
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SHOPPING! (And enjoying it. And not for jewelry and shoes - because they don't depend on my size.)
Working out without pain.
Wearing shorts.
Feeling like people are seeing ME and not my weight.
Not having to rush past all mirrors for the fear of accidentally seeing myself and being horrified.
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Surgery 9/29 and nothing yet... have been taking stool softeners with no luck. :-(
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Wow, you might be the most misinformed, psychologically disturbed individual I have ever met in the WLS world. (Probably from drinking all that nasty organic milk). But unfortunately it Sounds like your mind is made up and you will learn the hard way just how wrong you are about VSG surgery curing your eating disorder. Too bad your unethical surgeon and your mother is enabling you. If she really cared she'd get you the help you really need. but still, As long shes throwing money away, can I have some? I'll even tell you all the warm fuzzy lies about bariatric surgery you want.

I really like the Syntrax nectar shakes... though my favorite is premier Protein chocolate + ice + Water, milk or vanilla Greek yogurt + PB2 in a blender. It's so yummy! You can get Premier Protein on Amazon. You can also add sugar free pudding mix to any shake to mix up the flavor. Good luck!
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This member has been banned for trolling.

I was completely confident, gung-ho and excited about my decision to get the sleeve until about a week beforehand, when I started to panic. It's not uncommon to get cold feet when things start getting real. I viewed this surgery as a breakup from an unhealthy relationship - where you know your "partner" (food, in this case) isn't healthy or productive physically, mentally or emotionally - but it's comfortable and ending the relationship is scary, as is the thought of being solo without your crutch / companion. From what I've read, this is a very common feeling in the few weeks before surgery. A therapist is always a good idea to help work through any of these feelings / issues. I'm now only 5 days post-op and can't (yet) say that this is the best thing I've ever done, but I'm incredibly optimistic (and the 13 pounds I've lost since starting to pre-op diet is definitely helping to stay focused!). Hang in there and best of luck!!
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It's very typical. Fat cells store hormones in addition to fat, and when they release the fat to nourish you in this period of semi-starvation, the hormones come flooding out too. So it is very normal to have several weeks of strong emotion, whether that is rage, weepiness, irritability -- or the whole gamut! Try not to take it out on the people around you and don't make any major life decisions right now

I totally agree with @@Christinamo7 - there is no right answer to this one. For me personally, I have separated people into 3 categories: (1) those I told before surgery; (2) those I will likely tell after surgery and (3) those I will never tell. Group (1) included only my husband and my sister - people who I trusted would be unconditionally supportive as I didn't want to deal with any negative energy. Group (2) includes other family and close friends - people who are important to me, but who I suspected might not initially supportive. I am opting to tell them after surgery (I'm only 5 days post-op) when they would have no ability to impact my decision and would ultimately have to accept it. Group (3) includes people who just don't need to know - more distant friends, acquaintances, colleagues at work. If / when they notice my weight loss, I just intend to tell them that I've been working very hard at it and leave it at that. That's my strategy, but everyone's situation is unique. Hopefully your friends will be mature enough to be happy for you, but we all know that some people are too embedded in their own drama to see this as something you are doing for you and not something you are doing to them. Best of luck!
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Yes, I'm 10 days out from my VSG and I'm dealing with this issue. I know it's just my mind struggling to "let go" of the old behaviors, and I have used food as a companion for so many things over the decades that my triggers seem innumerable. I see them a lot more clearly now than I did, pre-surgery. But that knowledge doesn't help, I still feel like I'm going through a "mourning" process with food. I imagine it doesn't really help that for two weeks before surgery and now 10 days after, I'm consuming nothing but liquids. I miss chewing, texture, varying flavors, and the feel of eating. And you know, the killer of the whole deal...that eating made me happy. That emotional component to eating is probably 90% of the reason I became obese, in the first place. It's too much to expect that I'm going to shake that in just a week or so, even though I don't feel hunger and my stomach wouldn't handle it anyway.
This is why I had the surgery. I needed physical enforcement, I needed it to simply not be possible to backslide, or retreat into well-worn and comfortable habits, and let food be my emotional friend again. I find myself overly occupied by what I will be able to eat after I graduate from pureed foods and peoples' experiences are all over the place with what they did and didn't tolerate. Some people can eat whatever they want (just small amounts) and other people say their new stomach enforces restrictions.
It's just weird to have hit the reset button, now. I've been restored basically to the point of infancy when it comes to eating, and have to re-learn everything about it. I'm scared about putting things in because I don't know how much it'll hold, and I don't want to injure anything. And I know that's going to continue for months to come, as I figure out what is okay, what's not, and how much is enough. I never had to worry about that, before...I could just keep on eating whatever was in front of me, most likely finishing all of it, and never give any thought to what my stomach was going through.
I'm with you though...the mental part of this is every bit as big of a deal as the physical. But you know, when I really get to the meat of it (no pun intended), this is probably the process a person SHOULD go through if they're actually making the necessary changes to lose weight WITHOUT surgery...but which they don't. I think that was always a major problem for me...the idea that it didn't have to be permanent, I could stop any time. That lack of 100% commitment is just a set-up for failure, which I did time and time again over the past 25 years or so. That's why I finally decided that the only way I could achieve this goal is if my body enforced it for me, and took some of the load off my mind. But my mind is definitely struggling at the moment!

It's crazy! I own a successful company, and someone who works for me said I was doing it for cosmetic reasons. I politely said. "I am a successful, smart, beautiful woman. I'm am not doing this for cosmetic reasons. I know plenty of "skinny" women who are ugly. I am doing this for health reason. Did you forget I was just in the hospital for 4 days because my BP was 169/119 and they told me I have pulmonary hypertension because of WEIGHT". I'm sorry I'm not gonna die at 45.
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I have a 15 yr old son who is naturally health conscious- he lifts weights and plays football and basketball. He burns calories like kleenex in fire. My daughter she just likes the good stuff but doesnt want to burn it off. I feel very responsible for her weight but I decided to empower her to take action. Your kids are watching you even when you don't think they are... I could tell her what to do, scold her for not doing it but If I'm not doing it who am I to talk? The moment i took action for my own health she began to want to eat what I ate. She began eating off of small plates and so forth. As I learn more about how we fuel our bodies I pass it on to my kids because they will have to stand on their own one day.
I too am inspired by many here every day... I am glad I could shine some light on you today--keep on truckin!!
Isn't it crazy??? I tested the waters a few times but reality kicked in and it was not fun. Decided to stick with the program and eventually that voice in my head settled down. Once my hubby took notice of me and my daughter especially-- he was blown away. He wants in! (for now at least) Hopefully your hubby will follow suit. It sure makes life a little easier when everyones on board.

@@Candygyrl - I am in exactly the same boat... I am 4 days post-op and my eyes and head are collaborating against my stomach. Obviously I wouldn't eat anything, but everything my husband eats is making me crazy. I'm trying to focus on using this time to develop effective coping strategies for head hunger but it's not fully working yet.
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I am in my 4th day post-op from the sleeve and also have quite a bit of pain in my larger incision. I think that's not uncommon, but if it feels warm, becomes red, or you get a fever you should seek medical attention ASAP.
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@@mollydeez what a terrible, frustrating and discouraging ordeal you've been going through. I'm so sorry that this has been so difficult for you. While I haven't been through this type of struggle (I opted to self pay for my surgery in Mexico, in part because of the possibility of facing what you've been dealing with), I completely agree with @@Lukeadelle - you need to get in their face. Did you see the Sex and the City episode where Samantha was diagnosed with breast cancer and camped out in the oncologist's office for days until they gave her an appointment? It may sound extreme, but you can't take no for an answer. Show up at her office in the morning (and the next, and the next if that's what it takes) and just politely inform them that you're not leaving without your paperwork. Your doctor is being passive aggressive, so make her deal with you in person. Transfer the pain and suffering that you're going through to your doctor - even if she only submits the paperwork to get rid of you, I would call that success! Talk about how your doctor is putting her personal opinion over your health with other patients in the waiting room. When this starts to impact her business, she'll do anything it takes to get you out of there. Who cares if the receptionist is nasty? It's not her health or her future that is at stake!! Once you make the consequences of not responding to you worse than the consequences of responding to you, she will do it. Hang in there - be strong and out-stubborn them! Do not take no for an answer and don't stop until you get what you need!!! Best of luck!
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Water.
Seriously Water. If you can get into mindlessly drinking water when everyone else is stuffing their face, you can really win at this.

Tell that sumbitch to grow a pair and support you.
If it's too hot by your standards then.....it's too hot.....period.
If it's too hot to walk by your standards then......it's too hot.....period.
Punkassmofo.

I am having my surgery in Mexico next week with Dr. Illan through Bariatric Pal. The only person that I felt I needed to "win over" to this decision was my husband, so he joined me in a call with BP and was able to address all his concerns. Dr. Illan will also do Skype or FaceTime consultations. There is a Facebook group where you can hear everyone's stories and everyone raves about the care they received. I (and my husband) couldn't be more comfortable with this decision! As an adult, your family and friends should support your decision, but if there are any opinions that are particularly meaningful, it may help to expose them to the reality instead of the sensationalized horror stories. Good luck!!
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I am having my surgery in Mexico next week with Dr. Illan through Bariatric Pal. The only person that I felt I needed to "win over" to this decision was my husband, so he joined me in a call with BP and was able to address all his concerns. Dr. Illan will also do Skype or FaceTime consultations. There is a Facebook group where you can hear everyone's stories and everyone raves about the care they received. I (and my husband) couldn't be more comfortable with this decision! As an adult, your family and friends should support your decision, but if there are any opinions that are particularly meaningful, it may help to expose them to the reality instead of the sensationalized horror stories. Good luck!!
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I am having my surgery in Mexico next week with Dr. Illan through Bariatric Pal. The only person that I felt I needed to "win over" to this decision was my husband, so he joined me in a call with BP and was able to address all his concerns. Dr. Illan will also do Skype or FaceTime consultations. There is a Facebook group where you can hear everyone's stories and everyone raves about the care they received. I (and my husband) couldn't be more comfortable with this decision! As an adult, your family and friends should support your decision, but if there are any opinions that are particularly meaningful, it may help to expose them to the reality instead of the sensationalized horror stories. Good luck!!
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@@mollydeez what a terrible, frustrating and discouraging ordeal you've been going through. I'm so sorry that this has been so difficult for you. While I haven't been through this type of struggle (I opted to self pay for my surgery in Mexico, in part because of the possibility of facing what you've been dealing with), I completely agree with @@Lukeadelle - you need to get in their face. Did you see the Sex and the City episode where Samantha was diagnosed with breast cancer and camped out in the oncologist's office for days until they gave her an appointment? It may sound extreme, but you can't take no for an answer. Show up at her office in the morning (and the next, and the next if that's what it takes) and just politely inform them that you're not leaving without your paperwork. Your doctor is being passive aggressive, so make her deal with you in person. Transfer the pain and suffering that you're going through to your doctor - even if she only submits the paperwork to get rid of you, I would call that success! Talk about how your doctor is putting her personal opinion over your health with other patients in the waiting room. When this starts to impact her business, she'll do anything it takes to get you out of there. Who cares if the receptionist is nasty? It's not her health or her future that is at stake!! Once you make the consequences of not responding to you worse than the consequences of responding to you, she will do it. Hang in there - be strong and out-stubborn them! Do not take no for an answer and don't stop until you get what you need!!! Best of luck!
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After reading this thread, I got a little curious and started to do some research. For context, note that I have a PhD in Bioengineering (from a top 10, US institution - will become relevant) and have spent the 15 years of my career as either a drug discovery scientist in 2 large pharma companies or in contract labs that perform independent safety and efficacy testing for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. While I'm not an expert in Protein biochemistry, I do know a bit about bioavailability and biodistribution (and similar topics) - and, as a scientist, am skeptical by nature. So I started to dig and do some research on GENEPRO. Long story short, I found minimal to no scientific evidence of the claims they make - increase in bypass of the intestinal digestive system by 94%, increase in absorbency to 97.8%, etc. The graphs they included were found in the marketing literature from Deerland enzymes - the company that makes Prohydrolase. The clinical data in their "Clinical Studies" section was not related to their specific product (and was incomplete at that). The award for "2015 Life Science Impact Product of the Year" was awarded by the Triangle Business Journal - a local business publication in Research Triangle Park - not a scientific trade publication, society or association. The CEO, "Dr." Parks, received a PhD from Canterbury University (Auckland, NZ). I am not familiar with this degree program or its accreditations, but at best once could consider its scientific rigor suspect. If nothing else, one has to wonder why an entrepreneur in the RTP area of NC - in spitting distance of 3 world-class research universities - needs to go to NZ for education.
All this being said, to be fair we need to recognize that nutritional supplements are not FDA regulated and that none of the companies that manufacture these products are required to substantiate their claims. The take home message is not that their product is junk (there is no data to conclude that it isn't effective) - it's that one needs to be cautious about accepting their assertions wholesale. At a minimum, it's fair to say that they are over-inflating their "data" and lack independent scientific verification.
If you read the fine print on their website, I believe that they are stating that their 30g of Protein is an equivalent value - in simple terms, if their protein version is 3x more "bioavailable" than standard whey protein, ~10g of GENEPRO is equivalent to ~30g of standard whey protein - for whatever that's worth. Personally, I am still planning to use GenePro (my surgery is next week) as it does appear to be easy and tasteless, but to be safe will probably count this as 10-15g of protein and not 30g. Just wanted to share what I learned so everyone could make a slightly more educated decision for themselves!
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After reading this thread, I got a little curious and started to do some research. For context, note that I have a PhD in Bioengineering (from a top 10, US institution - will become relevant) and have spent the 15 years of my career as either a drug discovery scientist in 2 large pharma companies or in contract labs that perform independent safety and efficacy testing for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. While I'm not an expert in Protein biochemistry, I do know a bit about bioavailability and biodistribution (and similar topics) - and, as a scientist, am skeptical by nature. So I started to dig and do some research on GENEPRO. Long story short, I found minimal to no scientific evidence of the claims they make - increase in bypass of the intestinal digestive system by 94%, increase in absorbency to 97.8%, etc. The graphs they included were found in the marketing literature from Deerland enzymes - the company that makes Prohydrolase. The clinical data in their "Clinical Studies" section was not related to their specific product (and was incomplete at that). The award for "2015 Life Science Impact Product of the Year" was awarded by the Triangle Business Journal - a local business publication in Research Triangle Park - not a scientific trade publication, society or association. The CEO, "Dr." Parks, received a PhD from Canterbury University (Auckland, NZ). I am not familiar with this degree program or its accreditations, but at best once could consider its scientific rigor suspect. If nothing else, one has to wonder why an entrepreneur in the RTP area of NC - in spitting distance of 3 world-class research universities - needs to go to NZ for education.
All this being said, to be fair we need to recognize that nutritional supplements are not FDA regulated and that none of the companies that manufacture these products are required to substantiate their claims. The take home message is not that their product is junk (there is no data to conclude that it isn't effective) - it's that one needs to be cautious about accepting their assertions wholesale. At a minimum, it's fair to say that they are over-inflating their "data" and lack independent scientific verification.
If you read the fine print on their website, I believe that they are stating that their 30g of Protein is an equivalent value - in simple terms, if their protein version is 3x more "bioavailable" than standard whey protein, ~10g of GENEPRO is equivalent to ~30g of standard whey protein - for whatever that's worth. Personally, I am still planning to use GenePro (my surgery is next week) as it does appear to be easy and tasteless, but to be safe will probably count this as 10-15g of protein and not 30g. Just wanted to share what I learned so everyone could make a slightly more educated decision for themselves!
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