TakingABreak

I gotcha! I never have tried the psyllium. The stuff I take is completely tasteless and texture-less. You wouldn't know it was there unless you mixed it in. I mix it with my smoothie every morning, and water at night. I hope you find something that works.

Quite frankly, I hope your dietician doesn't have a lot of sympathy. What you need is good and honest information and no slack. Because I promise you, your pouch won't give you slack when you go to eat something sweet and end up dumping. Don't stress about it, don't eat things you cant swallow, but that doesn't give you the go ahead to eat crap either. If you go through this surgery with these types of excuses or reservations and if you don't toughen up... you won't succeed. This is a HARD thing to do. You don't want excuses to ruin it for you.

^^this

It sounds like you do better with soluble fiber, vs. insoluble fiber. Psyllium is a soluble and it's worked in the past, you may want to just get a different version. To each their own, as far as the supplements vs. the powder. The important part of taking fiber is making sure you UP your fluid intake. So by putting the powder in your drink, you accomplish just that. I do know that Miralax only works when taken consistently, and you've done just that. It's not a miracle drug, and I've heard it doesn't work for everyone. https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/whats-the-best-fiber-supplement

In the meantime, I wonder if you put it somewhere in the title? I know that you shouldn't have to, but it might help. Its hard to see the room on the app. It's in very small, light colored, print.

I never got a tattoo because I always wanted to lose weight, and thought my skin would be saggy and it would ruin it. Also, placement is harder when you are overweight. So now, I def want to get one. I don't know if it will be to signify my WLS journey, but I will always know it wouldn't have been possible without it.

Yeah it was a good excuse

Do you pick out the red ones first? lol jk jk

I usually don't mention this because I'd hate for someone to go buy a recliner and then not need it. It's not like a bottle of breath spray. But I couldn't sleep in my bed for 2 weeks. I actually did buy a recliner online and had it delivered during my hospital stay. I also slept in one at the hospital as well.

I ate a lot of things in the weeks leading up to the pre op diet. I thought, "it will be my last time". There were a few things that I ate more than one "last time". However, for a lot of it, it was the last time. For a few things that mattered, I ate it again. It wasn't even as good as I remembered. Food funerals are normal. If they help you stay focused on staying with the program, I support it.

Once you get cleaned out. I highly highly recommend a daily regimen of soluble fiber. The fiber gummies or supplements don't work. They have it that is tasteless and can be mixed with any drink, or soft food like apple sauce. Also, my GI doctor once told me that Miralax is the ONLY over the counter medication that your body doesn't build a tolerance against.

If I only knew the names of the weight machines at the gym, I'd be happy to help. I'm sure there is a fitness gu-ru that will post some good ones!

Thanks for the input ladies!

it's so true about photos! I can see it the most in them. But the second I look in the mirror, I feel defeated. Which is bizarre because it was the complete opposite before. I hated taking pictures. Now I'm the selfie queen. My husband rolls his eyes.

I guess my self doubt and body issues are little birdies reminding me that I'll never look good enough to "pull off" those types of clothes. Its a constant reminder that keeps me in check. But I will say, I have allowed myself some more freedom with clothing here lately. My biggest fear is that someone is going to make a comment and take away all the confidence I've built up. We need to bump shoulders so you can rub some of your confidence onto me. I also remind myself that I'm only 4 mons post op. It takes time to see yourself differently.

I'm going to try and explain this as best as possible..... Now that you've lost weight, do you feel like you have gained or lost any modesty? The reason I ask is because I have a friend who had RNY a few years ago. She was my inspiration for having the surgery myself. Sometimes I see her and I think, WOAH! I wouldn't ever be able to wear something like that. Or I think, she is so confident. She has loose skin, never had any plastics. Even swimsuits that have mesh sides, or dresses that are skin tight. But she rocks it completely. I always have said that I will maintain my "modesty". I never wore shorts before, so I wouldn't start now. Please share your opinions!

Congrats on your decision! I decided on Bypass because I was at a very high BMI, and there is a higher recorded loss statistics with bypass. I also had GERD and it has completely illuminated it for me. As far as telling friends goes, I would hold off until its closer to time. One of my top pieces of advice is to only tell people who you know will be 100% supportive. A lot of people think that if you have WLS that the weight will melt off, but sometimes that's not the case. You don't want people to place unnecessary expectations on you. I think telling people that you have changed what you eat, and increased exercise is good enough. No one needs to know the specifics.

Agreed. I'm also glad there are guys like Matt who are very active on the site. There aren't many of them out there.

Oh wait, I missed the wagon on that one. Why are you liking your own posts? LOL I mean, if I were you, I'd like them too...

Yup

I'm not even close to being where you are, but I can image its such a mind f**k to go from being overweight, and inevitably people making comments about you needing to lose weight, to the exact opposite. I think only you will know what your end number will be. You will know when you feel good and healthy, until then, I wouldn't worry about other's comments. ((and I know easier said than done)). Perhaps discuss with your doctor about your concerns. Also, have you had a whole body fat percentage done? A lot of people who have lost major weight, have access skin weight, that may appear to be "fat". Perhaps the extra weight is just excess skin? Anyway, I'd say that you should follow your gut and ignore the people who probably have the best intentions, but don't know the struggles you've been through.

^^^very valid. I mentally blocked the 3 day post op part. Unrealistic expectations will cause more agony than good. You will inevitably be sore for a few weeks. Different foods can cause discomfort. It takes a good 3 months for you to feel "normal" again.

I still cannot drink straight water and I'm 4 mons post op. I was told it is a texture thing with water and your pouch. Try adding something to it, like a caffeine free tea, flavor additive, lemon, lime, cucumber, ect. It may help. Also try different temperatures of water as well.

It's totally normal Stacy. There is an overflow of hormones surging through your blood stream due to the fat loss. Plus, you just had major surgery 3 weeks ago. You have dramatically changed your diet, and this will cause a range of emotions. Things will get better! I know that at 4 weeks I started working out and it helped me release a lot of emotions I was carrying around.

that's a great attitude, you won't regret it! Skin is so minor compared to the troubles of being overweight.