mousecat88

My therapist (started going before surgery to deal with my "fat" brain) encouraged me to make a thought journal when I have thoughts like this - you kind of just did but its good practice to write it down:
Evidence FOR the anxious thought
Evidence Against the anxious thought
Then look and see what real evidence you have - it helps me sort out anxiety from reality. Anxiety is a nasty "what if" joy stealer! Good luck to you - we have all been there.

Yep yep yep! Exactly what all of you said!
It takes a while to build trust with our old cheating hearts! You know, we weren't successful in the past with either losing down to goal, or maintaining goal. But that's because we had a different set of rules. Our bodies were physically working against us by upping their game with gut hormone regulation.
This time around if we do mind our own personal p's and q's, it IS possible to lose to our goal (and beyond), and also maintain longterm. And the surgery is more of a weight maintenance tool. It will still (down the road), try to rewrite the rules of the road by jacking with our gut hormone levels again...BUT if you're really vigilant you CAN maintain. Just look at all of the successful vets out here who live maintenance every live long day. (That gives me big time Billy Bad Ass hope--does it you?)
Congrats on your weight loss to date. That's really phenomenal! You'll do it. Just worry about 1 day at a time. And it will all come. You won't believe how far you've come when you reflect at 6 months. Swearsies.

I have a feeling your story is me in a few months! First off, we're human, we've struggled and we certainly can be our own worst enemy. I get in my own way ALL the friggin' time Be an advocate for yourself and learn all you can. Read, read, read!
Just remember, there's no reason to "chug" Protein Shakes, if you do, only chug the ones with minimal to no sugar and don't go over your daily Protein macro set by your doctor. For women especially, just about anything that raises your blood sugar and causes insulin responses can trigger your body to store fat. #1 thing responsible for that is glucose and it comes from several different places, not just what you eat. We are 100% commercial grade, fat storing machines meant to survive and populate the world in all circumstances LOL
There is such a thing as too much protein. Protein metabolism, handled by your liver, has a limit. Our bodies make glucose from 2 main sources, #1 the break down of fat in the form of triglycerides in your blood and, you guessed it, #2 proteins...in the form of amino acids. Proteins are strings of amino acids. If you eat too much protein, that protein will become the preferred source of gluconeogenesis...in simpler terms, that's process of your liver converting those aminos to glucose, which in turn can cause blood sugar spikes, which in turn can trigger fat storage, which in turn can lead to dreaded weight loss stalls and gains (like you already experienced). OMG all the science! LOL
I haven't had surgery yet, but I'm speaking from the multitudes of knowledge gained while following a keto/LCHFMP diet for nearly 2 years. If you want to put your mind at ease, kill it with knowledge. The more educated you are, the less there's a need to freak out. No matter your diet, bio-science such as protein metabolism is the same for all of us (mostly).
Don't forget....YOU GOT THIS!!! 💓

So, my 4 weeks is officially today. I've lost 26lbs. I should be thrilled, right? Nope. I have this total mental derp happening that makes me feel like I will somehow be the only person in gastric bypass history to ONLY lose 26lbs and that's it. I'm done. No more weight loss. lol! I think because I've had so many failures in the past, I just anticipate this being another one of them... even though I am following everything the best I can (in light of my ulcer, I am low on Protein - working on it!)
I also have a mental derp against Protein Shakes. Aside from my whey allergy and getting super nauseous... back in 2009 I had liposuction when I was a mere 140lbs. After surgery I drank TONSSSS of muscle-building/weight-gaining protein shakes because the plastic surgeon said I needed them for muscle recovery. Welp, I gained 40lbs doing that! I had no guidance and was an idiot, basically. But that's where the weight gain started - so I have a creeper lurking in my brain that protein shakes = weight gain = super morbid obesity. I am trying to get over it; I have a sweet home gym and was just told yesterday I am not allowed to exercise because my protein is currently too low. So, that has motivated me more and I started a soy shake last night. Gunna keep it up.
I feel like I have conquered so many of my cravings-issues, though. I read just a few chapters in Never Binge Again and it is so helpful. I highly recommend that book. I feel very in control, and did have one mishap the other day when I got very stressed (I overate, but not a "banned food")... we're all human, though.
Why are our brains so self-defeating?! I know I am championing through this in light of the complication and there is NO reason I will fail... unless I set myself up for it. So, nipping it in the bud now, for sure. But it sure is hard to overcome some of those mental blocks. If it wasn't, I'm sure most of us wouldn't be here.
Just my random blurb o' the day.

So, my 4 weeks is officially today. I've lost 26lbs. I should be thrilled, right? Nope. I have this total mental derp happening that makes me feel like I will somehow be the only person in gastric bypass history to ONLY lose 26lbs and that's it. I'm done. No more weight loss. lol! I think because I've had so many failures in the past, I just anticipate this being another one of them... even though I am following everything the best I can (in light of my ulcer, I am low on Protein - working on it!)
I also have a mental derp against Protein Shakes. Aside from my whey allergy and getting super nauseous... back in 2009 I had liposuction when I was a mere 140lbs. After surgery I drank TONSSSS of muscle-building/weight-gaining protein shakes because the plastic surgeon said I needed them for muscle recovery. Welp, I gained 40lbs doing that! I had no guidance and was an idiot, basically. But that's where the weight gain started - so I have a creeper lurking in my brain that protein shakes = weight gain = super morbid obesity. I am trying to get over it; I have a sweet home gym and was just told yesterday I am not allowed to exercise because my protein is currently too low. So, that has motivated me more and I started a soy shake last night. Gunna keep it up.
I feel like I have conquered so many of my cravings-issues, though. I read just a few chapters in Never Binge Again and it is so helpful. I highly recommend that book. I feel very in control, and did have one mishap the other day when I got very stressed (I overate, but not a "banned food")... we're all human, though.
Why are our brains so self-defeating?! I know I am championing through this in light of the complication and there is NO reason I will fail... unless I set myself up for it. So, nipping it in the bud now, for sure. But it sure is hard to overcome some of those mental blocks. If it wasn't, I'm sure most of us wouldn't be here.
Just my random blurb o' the day.

I think we have all been there and felt this way...especially when the surgery is new and we have been programmed for so many years to be use to failure regarding our weight loss. Stick to plan and it has to work! You're doing amazing!

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So, my 4 weeks is officially today. I've lost 26lbs. I should be thrilled, right? Nope. I have this total mental derp happening that makes me feel like I will somehow be the only person in gastric bypass history to ONLY lose 26lbs and that's it. I'm done. No more weight loss. lol! I think because I've had so many failures in the past, I just anticipate this being another one of them... even though I am following everything the best I can (in light of my ulcer, I am low on Protein - working on it!)
I also have a mental derp against Protein Shakes. Aside from my whey allergy and getting super nauseous... back in 2009 I had liposuction when I was a mere 140lbs. After surgery I drank TONSSSS of muscle-building/weight-gaining protein shakes because the plastic surgeon said I needed them for muscle recovery. Welp, I gained 40lbs doing that! I had no guidance and was an idiot, basically. But that's where the weight gain started - so I have a creeper lurking in my brain that protein shakes = weight gain = super morbid obesity. I am trying to get over it; I have a sweet home gym and was just told yesterday I am not allowed to exercise because my protein is currently too low. So, that has motivated me more and I started a soy shake last night. Gunna keep it up.
I feel like I have conquered so many of my cravings-issues, though. I read just a few chapters in Never Binge Again and it is so helpful. I highly recommend that book. I feel very in control, and did have one mishap the other day when I got very stressed (I overate, but not a "banned food")... we're all human, though.
Why are our brains so self-defeating?! I know I am championing through this in light of the complication and there is NO reason I will fail... unless I set myself up for it. So, nipping it in the bud now, for sure. But it sure is hard to overcome some of those mental blocks. If it wasn't, I'm sure most of us wouldn't be here.
Just my random blurb o' the day.

So, my 4 weeks is officially today. I've lost 26lbs. I should be thrilled, right? Nope. I have this total mental derp happening that makes me feel like I will somehow be the only person in gastric bypass history to ONLY lose 26lbs and that's it. I'm done. No more weight loss. lol! I think because I've had so many failures in the past, I just anticipate this being another one of them... even though I am following everything the best I can (in light of my ulcer, I am low on Protein - working on it!)
I also have a mental derp against Protein Shakes. Aside from my whey allergy and getting super nauseous... back in 2009 I had liposuction when I was a mere 140lbs. After surgery I drank TONSSSS of muscle-building/weight-gaining protein shakes because the plastic surgeon said I needed them for muscle recovery. Welp, I gained 40lbs doing that! I had no guidance and was an idiot, basically. But that's where the weight gain started - so I have a creeper lurking in my brain that protein shakes = weight gain = super morbid obesity. I am trying to get over it; I have a sweet home gym and was just told yesterday I am not allowed to exercise because my protein is currently too low. So, that has motivated me more and I started a soy shake last night. Gunna keep it up.
I feel like I have conquered so many of my cravings-issues, though. I read just a few chapters in Never Binge Again and it is so helpful. I highly recommend that book. I feel very in control, and did have one mishap the other day when I got very stressed (I overate, but not a "banned food")... we're all human, though.
Why are our brains so self-defeating?! I know I am championing through this in light of the complication and there is NO reason I will fail... unless I set myself up for it. So, nipping it in the bud now, for sure. But it sure is hard to overcome some of those mental blocks. If it wasn't, I'm sure most of us wouldn't be here.
Just my random blurb o' the day.

Just a quick update, possibly to give hope for healing-
Had my repeat EGD on 11/16, 5 months after my marginal ulcer was found so that I had to take that yucky compounded immediate-release omeprazole w/ sodium bicarbonate & Pepcid & Carafate. I still have gastritis (stomach pouch irritation) but my ulcer has healed! I was really afraid I would need a revision or worse, a reversal. I am able to eat now without pain-yea! I have stopped losing weight which has been a huge concern for my family & friends; my mother says I look "gaunt." I am so glad I did all the online research I did on marginal ulcer healing; Bariatric Times is a great resource, geared to the medical profession so the terminology might be a bit difficult.
Keep the faith, everyone. You could be as fortunate as I have been. Good luck to all.

I told my new partner on the second or third date. I had an unexpected dumping incident and didn't want to have to lie about my behavior so I bit the bullet and told him. He didn't care (I suspect because he liked the current me and could careless about the past he was not a part of) And really why should I? I'm not interested in indulging in the past either.
Whatever you decide good luck!

Girl I am just 6 days post op and feel exactly as hungry as I did last week, pre-op.

My (ex) bf and I have dated for nearly 5 years; he lives with me. The last year of our relationship has been rocky anyway, but ever since I told him I had decided to have gastric he became even more standoffish and argumentative. Two weeks ago we had a huge blowout over something completely idiotic, he comes back to the house, and says he has been acting the way he has because he thinks that once I lose weight I am going to leave him and that's all he can think about.
Mind you... I have not even had the surgery yet. He said I am going to lose weight, gain self-esteem, realize I am too good for him, and leave him.
Well, guess what, pal... I don't need to lose ANY weight to realize I am too good for you. It's been a long time coming, but I think it's even sadder that he is using my choice to get healthier as a justification for being an a*s.
The only thing this does is put me in a rough position as far as someone staying with me while I recover. My mom and stepdad are going to take "shifts" as long as they can, but they both work. And the ex is currently dwelling awkwardly in my basement, but will probably not give me a hand at all. It does make me sad because I had hoped he would be there at the hospital with me... but then all of this BS happens. *insert gigantic eye roll emoji here*
I am okay, though. I need these next 12 months to focus on me and getting healthy and fit and not dealing with unnecessary dramatics and stress. I have always thrived when single and he actually had moved out of the house for a year and it was fantastic. I hate to say it, but I'm looking forward to this new chapter - of not just weight loss, but of being single and free!

Also the timer idea is a good one. I think that will help me a lot!

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Just wanted to update. This morning I woke up and just filled up a giant Slurpee cup from the tap with hot Water. It's been an hour and I've had 39 ounces!! I had my first meal and it was filling for once!

You seriously never appreciate the power of what water can do when you're drinking 100 oz a day... until you suddenly drop to... 10 a day. Feeling much better already.

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Hey everyone! We have a super secret private Facebook group for everyone that has had bypass in November. Do a FB search for Bypass'ing in November 2018 and join!

Can we just start a thread for us November bypassers? Mine is November 1st! Please feel free to spill your guts over your fears and excitements! I'd love to have the support knowing we're doing this together, even if we are physically far away.
I have 150lbs to lose and I am anxious to see those pounds go! My goal is to reach my goal weight within 24 months. I know it can happen much sooner than that, but I want to give myself a far out goal-date so I don't get too upset if it doesn't come off as fast as I hope. I hope to spend my 32nd birthday at 140lbs! My birthday is November 24th, so this is the best 30th birthday present I could give myself.

Now that I've had the last 2 weeks to think about it... these are my conclusions so far...

I honestly don't want to waste my time going on a date with someone just for them to have an issue with it. I like the other poster's process of putting a before and after photo as one of the dating profile pics. That way, they know whether to "swipe right or swipe left" and I don't even have to talk to anyone who may be against it.

I was planning on waiting until after plastics to start dating. I won't feel comfortable in my own skin until that's finished, and I don't want to start dating the wrong person because I still have low self-esteem due to my body image. I mean, yes, time flies and all.. but I am 29. I think I can wait 18 months-24 months to start dating again.

A progress selfie is a great idea!

I had the original plan of not "worrying" about getting into the dating scene until I had gone through my weight loss, plastic surgery, etc. I wanted to spend the next 2 years focusing on just me and my health. I was talking about this with my mother and she thinks it would be better to start dating someone before I lost the weight, so I know they care about me no matter my size. Personally, I feel more comfortable waiting so I am comfortable with myself and not adding to stress.
That being said, did you tell your new partner after you lost weight that you had weight loss surgery? Did you mention it in your dating profile? I feel like I want to be upfront that, hey, I was almost 300lbs once and I do not want to be with anyone who has an issue with that. I would hate to get to know someone, and then have them make some snide comment about obese people, etc. I want to screen out those people. How did you approach the subject?

Welp. Today I drank 26oz in 30 minutes, which was apparently a grave error... as it came out the other end 10 min later without warning. So, yes, I can drink now... But apparently I need to pace myself. lol. Ughhhh.

As far as Protein, I am just following my handbook exactly and not specifically counting. They said not to worry about meeting protein goals for several weeks and to just follow the book. I am probably 2/3 of the way there anyways with what they have me eating.

I had a mini mental breakdown last night over Taco Bell. The ex moved out yesterday and it was contentious and now I am totally alone, but started reading Never Binge Again during said breakdown, and it made me feel a lot better.

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Just wanted to update. This morning I woke up and just filled up a giant Slurpee cup from the tap with hot Water. It's been an hour and I've had 39 ounces!! I had my first meal and it was filling for once!

You seriously never appreciate the power of what water can do when you're drinking 100 oz a day... until you suddenly drop to... 10 a day. Feeling much better already.

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Thanks for the advice. Coupled with the encouragement from the dietitian that I haven't ruined my entire plane of existence, I feel a bit better. lol.

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Ohhh I got the liquid Carafate. Normally it's like 500$!!! But I hit my out of pocket max for the year so it's free. Yay!
Just got a message back from my surgeon and they ARE going to add back Prilosec - don't have to open the caps though "yet". Whatever that means...

A progress selfie is a great idea!

If you want to be totally bored out of your mind, there's a TON of NIH studies explaining how gastric bypass "resets" your metabolism to match your new weight. Here's a boring, technical article that explains why this is only applicable for bypass patients: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5158101/ and here is a layman's terms article: http://www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/diabetes/art4005.html There was a really good article about it I found pre-op... but I can't seem to find it anymore.