Monkeyfulbrighter

2 hours ago, Matt Z said:

Are you allowed a backpack hydration pack? Might help you get more Water in without having to touch anything with your hands.

Absolutely not, the mouthpiece is exposed to the environment. No food, drink, chewing gun, putting on chapstick, etc. for my own safety. I've just been trying to remember to keep Water at close break rooms and excuse myself when I have a moment

6 hours ago, newmebithebypass said:

You say you moved from Maryland I’m a native I’m getting surgery here at gbmc we have a great closed Facebook page where you can talk to the nutritionist and any of the 3 surgeons pm if you want ok

Yeah, I just moved from Gaithersburg, MD to Durham, NC. I got my surgery at Shady Grove

19 hours ago, Torriluv87 said:

I WISH i could have gotten that low so quickly. Im still struggling to get to the 130s. You look great. Im totes jelly. But DEFINITELY make sure you're getting your Water if nothing else.

Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

I've had a lotttttt of stress and a tramatic brain injury since my surgery, my body and emotions have been chaos. Just because I'm a different number doesn't make it better, probably shows you are happier and healthier than me, silver lining.

13 hours ago, Pearldrop said:

From what you’ve said, you aren’t eating enough of the good foods or drinking Water if your dehydrated. Is the a number you can call for advice? If not, keep up your liquids and Protein til you can speak with your doctor.

Living alone, and eating such small portions, preparing food seems costly and taxing as one normal meal out feeds me for 4 meals. Trying to drink more, I can't drink alot at work due to cross contamination concerns

13 hours ago, millerla4 said:

OmG......finally have met someone with the same issue as myself. I also feel like I am maybe losing to much as well. My ribs are showing a lot. I started at 200.5 and I am now down to 113. I just had my yearly checkup and they don't seem concern due to my height of 5'2". My goal was 120. Not trying to lose anymore but it keeps coming off. The dr. Told me to eat more smaller frequent meals. I am trying just not hungry. I don't see him for another year hopefully I won't blow away in the wind in the meantime.....lol

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

My goal was 150, I liked the way i looked at 140, I feel like skin and bones at 125. Maybe the loose skin and loss of my breasts and butt are part of it, I've also been having alot of emotional issues with moving by myself to a new city right after beginning a promising relationship and having anxiety/ depression from that so lately I've just been sleeping and not taking proper care. I'm trying to fix that, but it's an uphill battle. I'm seeing a 'personal assistance counselor at my new job today, hopefully that will help point me in the direction of getting the doctors I need.

for reference my BMI is 20.4 according to my scale

So I know most people reading this will either be pre-surgery or just after post-surgery and probably can't fathom my current dilemma but I am 11 and a half months out and have literally lost half my weight from 243 to 125.

I am 5'6". I went from almost busting out of my size 16 jeans to an unbelievable size 00 and XS shirt.

I I'm not trying to sound like I'm complaining because the benefits have been substantial , though the first two and a half months I question all of my life decisions. But I have not had an appetite ever since the surgery and I have trouble remembering to feed myself -even when I set alarms three times a day. I'm getting thin to the point where I can see my ribs on the top of my chest and through my back and am starting to feel like a skeleton.

Maybe it's just that I'm not used to being thin and once I get muscle tone I'll look normal but having a thigh gap and deflated breasts and seeming so bony makes me worried that I'm borderline anorexic.

I know the first thing people will ask will be have I talked to my doctor - the issue there is that April 22nd I moved from Maryland for a new job in North Carolina and my health care in North Carolina only started this week and so I am in the process to find all new doctors and don't have my ID number to make appointments yet.

Thoughts? Ideas? I'm laying here just trying to suck down Premier Protein because I don't have energy from being dehydrated and not taking in enough calories

3 hours ago, BigViffer said:

@Monkeyfulbrighter - adorable! Don't tease though, show more puppy pictures!

Haha!! Wouldn't be thread appropriate but its an awesome pup- the next Hero Dog in training!

I volunteer with an organization called Hero Dogs that trains service dogs for Veterens and first responders and she was the newest recruit. 💕

9 months out from my VSG and decided to post some progress photos after its been forever. I finally stabilized my loss at around 140 pounds, 10 pounds lighter than my goal but I stopped caring about the number awhile back when people started getting on my case about losing too much.

One is from Memorial day May 2017 just before surgery and then earlier this month.

One clearly marks the timeline from August 2017 to Feb 2018,.

One is January, February and March 2018.

The last is regular new me

HW: 242.2

SW: 236.0

LW: 138.0

CW: 139.2

I get hiccups when full as well.

I have heard red hair is actually common in people with Vitamin D deficiency and as people age - it happens noticeably in India where they usually would have dark hair and it grows in red.

6 minutes ago, Missytee said:

I wish I could talk to him and tell him how I feel, but I can’t. I tried earlier and he left the house.....smh

He left the house?? It is starting to sound like not just hormones but him being unsupportive uncaring jerk, to excuse my frankness. First nail is not coming to hospital, then walking out when trying to give your struggles, right after you have major surgery?? Most people don't understand how major it is but that is supposed to be your partner and pillar of support regardless if he agreed with the decision or not. 😤😡

Hey all, I am getting close to 4 months post op and I am only taking in 400-600 calories a day. I don't feel hungry, even when I do, since I don't crave anything I don't want to eat. I know I've not been taking in enough Protein and when I remember to try and 'catch up' its later in the day. I can't eat at my desk at work and my work never gave me any accommodations to help with meeting liquid and food intake which makes it a lot harder. I feel like I've gone off the rails but also having a bad mental night so focusing heavy on the negative which I was doing well at combating the last couple weeks.

I'm almost 4 months, 60 pounds down, 25 to goal weight but honestly.... i am still an emotional rollarcoaster. I feel for toy sweetie. I am laying here feeling regret over a relationship that ended 3 years ago and one currently ending. I've been going between some of the most well-adjusted spans to out of my mind since just before surgery. I don't think I'm the norm so please don't get discouraged but i came to the site tonight myself because I need some emotional support. It is ready really tough, especially the first 3 weeks before you can really drink well.

On 9/25/2017 at 8:52 AM, DaleCruse said:

First, congratulations on your surgery & weight loss so far. You're doing great!

You're telling us all the reasons you find it hard to be single. Instead, try telling us all the reasons you can be single successfully.

I'm not quite sure about the reasons I can be single successfully but I can give it a try:

- entire roommate reset, ex and 2 stressful roomies leaving end of next month and I will begin anew which should help with new singlehood. (Although the ex is who i get alking with best and it isn't ending on bad terms what so ever, just not good fit)

-i'll have more energy to spend my time in a healthy manner, getting out, walking dog, instead of living of the couch

-no strings, I don't work with my ex anymore or work where people know the two of us so no questions about us

-gym will be a win-win for both physical and mental health

Uhh..... blanking.....

On 9/24/2017 at 1:53 PM, Sosewsue61 said:

I think therapy would be a good option right now. Maybe explore the why behind the social anxiety, some of our long held beliefs can get in the way of what is really true about ourselves and about how others perceive us. I have had completely wrong reactions based on what I assumed people thought about me and often ignored when people really were treating me terrible or actually liked me but had their own issues.

Body image colors our interactions and how we project ourselves and this changed body needs time to become the new normal - our heads take longer to catch up. It's even unfair to bring a new relationship into that hot mess until you have it figured out.

The why behind the social anixety is a long history of gaslighting from my mother and tramatic life events. I agree about therapy. I have attended the local support group. They are ok but beside me attendees were 50s to 70s, not a real issue but they are in a different life phase so experiences are different accordingly.

I was in personal therapy but stopped because it wasn't a good fit. I saw my psychologist tuesday and she gave me a new name to try.

I am pretty horrible at social interaction I've been told. Don't get me wrong, alot of people like me but I strike a lot people the wrong way, cpme off as pushy, a know-it-all, too forceful or direct (which is amusing because that would be some of the last adjectives I'd use for myself).

I agree about the head needing to catch up, but my head has always needed fixing. I've dealt with severe anxiety, depression, panic attacks since puberty. It actually feels strangely calm lately despite strong work stress. Just trying to take life a day at a time but so much to do

Hey All,

Just looking for some support and thoughts. I had my VSG surgery 6/27/17, so just about 3 months ago. I had a really rough recovery the first month but the hardship has faded and I'm over 55 pounds down now.

I've been a serial long-term dater since I was 16 without ever really having a break - going from a 1.5 year relationship, to 3 years relationship, to 6 year relationship, to 3 year relationship. The last relationship, we've known for a long time we didn't work with our ideals and different motivations but have stuck together much longer than we should have basically due to comfort of going home to somebody and fear, then to help me get through surgery. He is moving out at the end of our lease Nov 1st and I'm trying to learn to be more independent.

I'll be 30 in December and starting fresh body and mind can feel pretty overwhelming. I'm doing my best to keep depression at bay. I'm so used to having a man to live life with, help me around the house, take care of each other. I've always dated great guys in the ways that they help around house, cooking etc. I thought the man I was with 6 years was it but there was underlying intimacy and trust issues.

I don't know how to be single, everyone is telling me to stay single and not jump into another relationship but I just don't know how which sounds a bit pathetic. It's always been easier to make strong boyfriends than regular friends. I live 8 hours from my hometown and don't have a strong social base where I live here in MD just outside Washington DC. I've always had social anxiety and feel its difficult to make friends as people usually take a love or hate stance on me pretty straight off. I'm working on both body and mind trying to get over the negative thoughts that's been programmed in me since I was a kid

I've heard alot of new VSG patients end up going through break-ups and big life changes, I think it just comes with taking control of your life. I am actually really proud how well I did this weekend solo, spending Saturday walking miles with my dog and today have plans with a new friend to do a BBQ, bring my pup and help them train their dog.

For anyone else that has had big life changes pretty soon after surgery, how did you handle things?

In the beginning I put GENEPRO Protein into miso Soup and got a fair amount in that way

My suregon didn't want me taking Calcium or Biotin until 45 days post surgery for shine reason. I had trouble with Multivitamins as well, the chewible Bariatric Fusion multivitamins I was taking tasted horrible to me for awhile but i was able to tolerate Flintstones so-so which my suregon also recommended until my tastes went back to normal about 6 weeks post. I just had to force myself but doesn't make it any easier. I hear they make liquid vitamins- maybe that would help ??

On 8/16/2017 at 10:18 PM, monalyssa33 said:

The before picture was from 2014 around my highest of 400. The after was July 2017 at 230 pounds.

So AWESOME!!!!! Super proud of you!!!

When did Hair loss start for most of you? I was sleeved 6/27 so I am just 8 weeks out and 43 pounds down but haven't noticed any significant change in hair loss yet but i know I don't get enough Protein, only 45-65 g a day

1 hour ago, Half-Tum said:

Like the topic said, I'm exhausted. I feel like I just want to lay down all the time.

Could it be Protein? Could it be dehydration?

Could it be the ridiculously low amount of calories I take in on a full liquid diet?

Could it be healing?

Any suggestions, good people of the pouch?

Yes to all of the above!

I had my surgery and still have issues with energy and fatigue. Protein and making sure you take your Vitamins are huge at giving the body enough energy, otherwise your body will need to burn protein in the form of your muscles and creates fatigue.

Also think laws of physics, a body at rest stays at rest.

This is the hardest part for me - thinking past being tired and getting up to move around. Seems a bit counterintuitive but endorphins kick in when you reach a certain point and your body feels rewarded therefore more keen to keep moving.

Thankfully after 6 long weeks today is my first day back at work so I have to move around !

The beginning was beyond rough for me, but hopefully you are trying your best to stay positive!

Doctor had me swallowing pills in the hospital so i am unsure... and my doctor has a slow food progression and very conservative usually.

I'd guess due to not swallowing air with it?

5 hours ago, Geri Marie said:

Under Fmla (family medical leave act) you have 120 days of job security that's the law. Happy healing!!

Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

FMLA is unpaid and in DC, no one can afford to be unemployed for long. Because I had 2 surgeries in a row, my FMLA has about 2 weeks left of protection, but I am trying to job search just in case. I work with animals and it seems like every job you need to lift 50 pounds and be fit.

I also wish I knew more than every few days how to plan the upcoming week.

Since last posting 10 days ago, I continue to not be allowed to return to my job

Has anyone had any issue with work?

After my job got my doctor's note and then talked to my doctor on the phone, the military site I work at didn't want to risk liability because my doctor expressed that I need to drink every half hour (which sometimes I don't drink that often here at home).

I need a new letter stating when my doctor estimates I'll be able to go at least 2 hours in the lab and the military wanted to know when I'd be 100%.

They keep saying my job isn't at risk and they opened up a leave donation bank so I finally started getting paid again but knowing my doctor- she always is very conservation with healing and I guess she'd say at least a month until she'd want to lift the restriction.

I'll be 5 weeks post-op tomorrow. Honestly now that I have help with expenses I don't mind the extra time off because I have some lingering issues from getting an infection after my operation and I'm weak but I just hate how blown out of proportion everything seems.

Surgery June 27th, one month post op