MowryRocks

Hang in there! I know from experience that looking at the overall picture can be an overwhelming load to bear. I was on the fence about it several times over many years. At one point, I decided that it was not for me. I blogged for almost 7 years about trying to lose weight and that didn't get me anywhere. Last year, my dad died at 59 years old because he failed to take care of himself. He was diabetic and early on he wouldn't take his oral meds, then refused insulin, and when he kidneys started failing he would only do dialysis when he wanted. Eventually, he decided that despite being retired and living a life with no real time requirements, he would rather be dead than receive treatment. His death certificate said diabetes/kidney failure, but I tell everyone that he died from failure. Failure to do what he needed to do to survive. After he passed, I was angry. I asked my husband, "Why would someone not do what they needed to survive, why would someone choose to let themselves die and not do any possible thing imaginable to live?" He didn't have an answer for me, but later that evening as I looked at myself in the literal mirror, I thought aren't you one to question? I went to a seminar 3 weeks later and met with the surgeon a week after that. I went through 6 months of supervised weight loss and jumped through their hoops. I had my procedure on 10/26/2016 and I am down 60lbs. My hinderance came from a place of fear, I stopped myself from doing what I should've done all along. I have no fear about the procedure on this side. I'm excited about life again. I'm getting to a place where I believe in myself and I have less fear in general. The decision to have WLS is very personal. You will make the right decision for you. I have no regrets. Best decision I have ever made for my health. If you want to read through 7 years of failure, you're welcome www.lifeinsidetheblubbersarcophagus.blogspot.com.

I just found out that if you go to the perky Jerky website, under the Contact Us They have a drop down for WLS/Bariatric Surgery patients. If you fill out the form, they will send you free samples! Just requested mine today.

12 weeks post surgery. I eat 6 times per day.

I've been around for a bit, so I thought I would give you all a little insight into the insane inner working of my brain. I was sleeved on 10/26/2016, but in my previous incarnation, I was a nearly 300lb woman who when fed up with her situation, got her feelings hurt, and turned to the interweb of strangers to share my journey. Yes...a blogger. I blogged for years about losing the same 25-30lbs over 7 years, cried about injustices, shared my victories and my disdain for WLS. I love/loved my blog. I met amazing people and while I lost very little weight over the years, there were changes to mindset...some major, some still a work in progress. Today, I ran across an old post from 01/09/2012 called Things I HATE About People. Five years later and 59lbs down, I had a good laugh. Anyway, take a read if you're so inclined. Ok, Ok...so PEOPLE is a pretty broad term and to be honest...if this list were really about all people...it would be pretty detailed, less of a blogpost, and more of a series of blogposts. Or...a blog all in itself. This is just about people when it comes to weight loss and more specifically MY weight loss or journey thereof... To be fair, I am going to tell you straight out of the gate that I am guilty of some of these things. After all...I'm a people too! People who tell you the "BEST WAY" to lose weight. The problem I see with most of these people in my life is that they are always standing by and waiting to tell me that the best way is this new gimmick diet that someone who they know has a brother whose wife has an uncle whose cousin lost a lot of weight eating nothing but pickles and beer after 3pm. (This is not a real diet) (I hope). The fact of the matter is that we all already know the best way to lose weight is to decrease calories, make healthier choices, and work your ass off. The pickle and beer diet is only good for finding yourself drunk in an alley stinking of beer and vinegar. Not Good. People who try to push you to weight loss surgery. For those of you who are in an overweight or a "low" obese range...you may not see this one enough to get where I am coming from, but for a person who is 5'1" and 300lbs wearing her "sarcophagus" like a crown...I see this one more than I can stand. In one breath the person will be talking about my strength and determination. How they know that I am capable of soo many things and then they suggest that I lop off half my stomach if I really want a shot at losing weight. Wow....now I totally believe all the things you said about me before that (please note sarcasm). Not only do you people piss me off, but when I lose this weight through sheer will and determination...I will find you. I will have had less cookies by that time, so my mood will be questionable. People who suggest that weight loss surgery is the "easy road". Please note my above passage. I never said that I thought it was easy...I said that it is not for me and I hate when people assume that I can't do it without the help of surgeon and scalpel. I personally have checked it out. I have sat through seminars that have discussed all the options. I have talked to doctors, I have set appointments, but in the end I don't believe it is the right step for me. In fact...I think it may be harder than what I am doing now. My weight gain is a product of an emotional disorder. Creating "Frankenstomach" or naming it "Carrie Bradshaw" and dressing it in a fashionable "belt" doesn't fix that for me. I fail on this plan, but if I fail on that plan...I could die. Literally die. I refuse to let my tombstone say "Here lies Christie" followed by "Those damned mashed potatoes" If I eat them now...I regret it. I can LIVE with regret and move on. People who fail to recognize ANY obesity as an eating disorder. I believe that all eating disorders are emotional disorders. If I binge eat...its for the same reason that someone who is bulemic binge eats. I just HATE throwing up. I have the same body issues as a person who is anorexic, but starving myself to get the result they get will take time and unless you are a newcomer to this blog, you know that I have issues with follow through. (I am not condoning any of these disorders as a legitimate way of losing weight, but merely saying I can relate). I have an effed up relationship with my mom, I have an effed up relationship with my dad, I have an effed up relationship with my sisters, why should my relationship with food be any less effed up. I don't know one person who is overweight who thought, "Gee...I have nothing else to do today, why not make everything in my life HARDER" People who think they can change a person by pointing out that they are fat. They already know, thanks for pointing it out, Captain Obvious. Have you seen the sky today...its blue. People know they are fat. This is not an appropriate way to handle any situation. If you think it is, consider this is probably the reason that you do not have many friends. Pointing out someone's flaws or hurdles that they have to jump is not the best way to get them motivated to change themselves. Listen closely...you can not motivate anyone to do anything. The motivation has to come from within. If you care about someone and you have the type of relationship where you can have those kinds of conversations, then tell them that you are concerned, reassure them that you care about them and offer to support them if they decide to do something about it. Even Biggest Loser trainer, Bob Harper relayed a story about his sister and how he reaches all these people, but he just can't reach her. He can only be her brother...not her salvation. Remember, just because you are ready for them to make a change, doesn't mean they are. If you care for someone, you care for them no matter what. There is your free "Life Lesson" for the day, courtesy of me. Food and/or workout judges This is not the first time I have talked about food judges, but I find myself wanting to do this more and more. I guess it may be because I am finding success with what I am eating and I want to share my success, but being a victim of it. I know there is a right way and a definitive wrong way. I try to NEVER randomly judge food on someone else's plate, but in all honesty..it happens. Just the other day, I was in a restaurant with a friend and she had Bread...lots of bread. Cheese and Potato Soup. Chicken Tenders, a baked potato, all melty with butter and sour cream. (lo I have to admit. I saw her, I saw what she was eating and I thought, "remember when...." (mostly I was jealous...lol). I did have a twinge of sadness for her, because I was transferring feelings about myself onto her. NEVER EVER EVER, did I think about saying anything. It is not my place. If she had asked me for tips, about my weight loss journey, or to analyze her food then I would have gladly suggested swaps and told her what I find is the best way to make changes without feeling like I'm cheating myself. But she didn't so I sat silent. The point is that all people are not armed with the knowledge that you have and your knowledge is limited by your experience. If your knowledge is welcomed then share it. If you are not sure...say nothing until you are. Change is a delicate process in the fabric of one's life. Don't pull the loose string that causes it to unravel. Same for working out. Sometimes people are doing all they can do. It may be the first time they have made it to the gym. If you see them struggling and you start thinking negative thoughts, then you need to rearrange your thinking. At least they are there making an effort. The point is...become a support to those who are trying (even if you see the flaws in their thinking), life has enough road blocks that there doesn't need to be another you-shaped one in their path. Today's spark: Kicking my roadblocks in the peas!

@@SarahSleeve I hope I didn't come off as implying that you were not being truthful. All of this is very personal and you know the best way to handle this for you and your family.

I wish there was a magic answer for this, but there isn't. It stall will stop when it's ready, but the good news is that it usually leaves with a few days in a row of really good loss.

I have a 9 year old and a 12 year old. I was 100% honest with them and answered all of their questions honestly (Just what I did...not judging). It has made for a closer relationship with my kids because they understand that I am taking steps to be more present and involved in their lives. They are very aware of why we don't do things like go for pizza, as often. my 12 year old struggles with her weight as I did at her age. It has allowed us to have deeper conversations about making good choices now to avoid the struggle later.

I was told nothing over 10lbs til released for more activity. Check with your surgeon.

So excited for you!

I was required to be off caffeine for three months post surgery. I went off it 6 months pre-surgery on my own. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I love a strong cup of hot tea and I basically lived on an iced tea drip. I drink decaf of both now. I can "officially" have caffeine on 01/26/2017, but I am not sure that I will.

Interestingly enough, I was totally into the show before I even considered surgery. My weight was about half what theirs are and watching them succeed over time is actually what kicked my butt into gear. I thought "If they can be successful, What's my excuse?". A lot of the reason, I was against the surgery was my own fear. In 2014, I had to have an urgent double hernia surgery and my surgeon also did bariatric surgery out of his office. I felt so comfortable with him that I really gave it some hard thought. Glad I did...still love the show because I makes me hyper aware of myself.

PB has been allowed in my post op since week 3. I have always eaten sugar free jelly since I am diabetic. You know you. You know if you're getting in your Protein and you know what your calories look like. You know your triggers and you know what your will power is like. Turn off the noise (as you have been...lol). Hope it hit the spot.

I drink a 20oz bottle of Water during my commute into work and around 9 am I drink 20oz of decaf hot tea. This guarantees I'm 2/3 to goal before noon.

I am 42. Best decision I have ever made in my life regarding my health. In less than three months it has changed my life in more ways than I can effectively communicate. Whether or not to have the surgery is a completely personal decision, I spent years denigrating the potential benefits by saying things like "I would never feel normal" after the procedure. I was right. I do not feel normal. I feel above average. Good luck in your research.

I decided in April 2016, went to a seminar, then had to complete at 6 month physician supervised weight loss program. I was approved within a week of completing it and had the procedure on 10/26/2016. No problems with approval as it is covered under my insurance, I completed the 6 months. Started with a BMI of 53 and had co-morbidities (diabetes and sleep apnea). Good Luck!

I sometimes have an issue with it. Starting in my esophagus and then a mild cramping. I usually then belch for a bit afterward. I assumed it was gas pressure build up.

I'm a little over two months out. I've had very thin crust pizza (St. Louis Style!!!) I wanted it, I had it, I did not enjoy it. I felt fine after...no ill effects, but it didn't satisfy me in anyway. No reason for me to consider it going forward.

I just got my hair cut and colored last night and my neck fit in the bowl slot, I didn't feel like a mound of flesh popping out of the front of the chair, and when she was done...for the first time in forever, I was excited about my new look and didn't give myself the "that'll do" eyes. She, of course, commented on my loss because she didn't recognize me so that was a bonus.

I am so excited for you. I am going to Hawaii in February and I also plan to parasail. My husband does it on almost every vacation and I always acted like I didn't want to do it because I didn't want anyone to know I was over the weight limit! Have the best time!!!

My experience with insurance wasn't that bad, Yes, there were hassles, but in the end. I probably spent less than 2000 of my own actual dollars, so I'm not sure how that compares.

Congratulations on your loss. I knew going in that I was going to have to do 6 months pre-surgery, so I decided before my consultation that I was going to live my life pre-surgery as close as possible to what it would be like post-surgery. Best decision ever. You're doing a great job! Keep it up!!!

I did modified keto diet for the 6 months prior to surgery. I had a lot of success with it. It helped me to lose 30lbs prior to surgery.

You look amazing, but more importantly...you look happy!

I am not counting calories. I just eat when I am hungry. A tiny amount about 6 times per day. Only carb I have is in my Protein balls I make. I need to up my Water and protein drinks for sure , but I am so sick of em! Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using the BariatricPal App My sleeve can handle about 1/2 a cup of food at a time. I eat 6 times a day. I am no longer on shakes at all. I don't completely avoid carbs, but I don't have them all the time either. I will eat like Sloppy joes made with Ground Turkey on King's Hawaiian rolls or a boiled egg on a piece of toast. I do try to get about 45-60g of carbs a day just for calories and it seems to have helped to break the stalls.

Its the exact same thing that veteran moms do to first time prego's. If you really want to be a support, give the positives and the encouragement...not the worst case scenario. Women especially (not all) LOVE to level someone. One up them to the point of no return. That does not sound like a support group it sounds like a gripe fest.