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BetterBelizeIt

Pre Op
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  1. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  2. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  3. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  4. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from GreenTealael in I’m ALWAYS cold   
    Has anyone suffered with being cold only at night. It’s gotten to the point where I have to sleep with a blow dryer to keep warm. I lost my job and insurance due to covid so I have not had the opportunity to do lab work. And sometimes I feel faint if I do something like move too fast or bend or lift something heavy. Any recommendations or suggestions?
  5. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from GreenTealael in I’m ALWAYS cold   
    Has anyone suffered with being cold only at night. It’s gotten to the point where I have to sleep with a blow dryer to keep warm. I lost my job and insurance due to covid so I have not had the opportunity to do lab work. And sometimes I feel faint if I do something like move too fast or bend or lift something heavy. Any recommendations or suggestions?
  6. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to ChiNaDoll2285 in Before and After Pics   
    Good job! You look TERRIFIC! u give me hope. Can't wait for my turn on Jan 28. My birthday is in Feb. I so can't wait!
  7. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  8. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  9. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  10. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  11. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Hop_Scotch in Before and After Pics   
    SW: 278.4
    CW: 200
    GW: 180





  12. Like
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Cherie562 in Surgery date approacheth   
    I’m new here but I’ve been lurking since May. My date of surgery is August 28th. I’m so excited and scared at the same time. I feel as though a major part of myself is about to die. I’m now tryna focus on how to fill that void. As for pre-op, I definitely struggled in the beginning but so far everything is going smoothly. I send you all my prayers and may we all have a speedy/easy recovery.
  13. Hugs
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Tracyringo in My ugly truth about WLS   
    May I vent for a second?,
    I’m nearly two months post-op from gastric sleeve surgery. I’m now 40 pounds lighter from when I started this journey at 278 lbs. I look amazing. But in the inside I feel like $#|%. I may be one of few people who Love and Regret my decision at the same time. I finally understand what some of y’all meant when you say you have to be mentally prepared and mentally strong. BOY!!!! I miss being able to eat at my own leisure without worrying if my body will accept it...or wondering if I’ll feel horrible afterward. I thought I knew everything there was to know abt bariatric surgery...but just like a first time parent finds out, boy was I wrong. I realize that for me it’s very difficult to separate myself from my love of food. For me, it’s very comparable to a drug addiction. Of course, I can’t physically eat as much as I want/used to but I long for normalcy! I miss the old me. Am I wrong for feeling this way? I dwell on this feeling everyday. Is there anyone else who feels the same? Is this normal? Honestly, I’m starting to feel some sort of self-doubt which I know can lead me back to bad habits. But I have to be honest with myself and at least acknowledge my thoughts, feelings and actions.
    I’m also struggling severely from having to cut certain people off. A few of my close family members, who are also over-weight, have started treating me differently. They constantly mention the fact that I had surgery. And say that I’ve changed...duh!!!! Ya don’t say????!? They say I’m always wanting to be seen, and the truth is that I have more energy to go out and try new things. I can now walk around the room instead of hiding in one spot for hours. They’ve since started delving deep into my personal life with the malicious intent to “discover” something else unflattering about me since weight is no longer a major concern. It hurts me deeply because my intentions currently do not align with my reality. I pictured pure happiness and laughter with my loved ones and friends...and now they’ve turned on me. I pray the good Lord blesses me with new and supportive people in my life who actually accept me as I am, as a person who wants to do better. My struggle with my loved ones make me regret my decision tremendously. I’m not sure what to do.
  14. Hugs
    BetterBelizeIt got a reaction from Tracyringo in My ugly truth about WLS   
    May I vent for a second?,
    I’m nearly two months post-op from gastric sleeve surgery. I’m now 40 pounds lighter from when I started this journey at 278 lbs. I look amazing. But in the inside I feel like $#|%. I may be one of few people who Love and Regret my decision at the same time. I finally understand what some of y’all meant when you say you have to be mentally prepared and mentally strong. BOY!!!! I miss being able to eat at my own leisure without worrying if my body will accept it...or wondering if I’ll feel horrible afterward. I thought I knew everything there was to know abt bariatric surgery...but just like a first time parent finds out, boy was I wrong. I realize that for me it’s very difficult to separate myself from my love of food. For me, it’s very comparable to a drug addiction. Of course, I can’t physically eat as much as I want/used to but I long for normalcy! I miss the old me. Am I wrong for feeling this way? I dwell on this feeling everyday. Is there anyone else who feels the same? Is this normal? Honestly, I’m starting to feel some sort of self-doubt which I know can lead me back to bad habits. But I have to be honest with myself and at least acknowledge my thoughts, feelings and actions.
    I’m also struggling severely from having to cut certain people off. A few of my close family members, who are also over-weight, have started treating me differently. They constantly mention the fact that I had surgery. And say that I’ve changed...duh!!!! Ya don’t say????!? They say I’m always wanting to be seen, and the truth is that I have more energy to go out and try new things. I can now walk around the room instead of hiding in one spot for hours. They’ve since started delving deep into my personal life with the malicious intent to “discover” something else unflattering about me since weight is no longer a major concern. It hurts me deeply because my intentions currently do not align with my reality. I pictured pure happiness and laughter with my loved ones and friends...and now they’ve turned on me. I pray the good Lord blesses me with new and supportive people in my life who actually accept me as I am, as a person who wants to do better. My struggle with my loved ones make me regret my decision tremendously. I’m not sure what to do.
  15. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to summerset in My ugly truth about WLS   
    It's not necessary to view "food as a friend" to miss it sometimes. If you can't eat certain foods you always liked anymore it's quite normal to miss them. Taking a look outside of the weight loss/bariatric/eating disordered community is quite helpful to get a feeling for what is seen as "normal" or not regarding food.
    I can remember my own surprise when I realized that everyone eats emotionally to a certain degree. I know no one who "eats for fuel only".
    If anything people are in abusive relationships with themselves not with a piece of cake or pizza.
  16. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to summerset in My ugly truth about WLS   
    Results are generally mixed when it comes to treating eating issues. "Mixed" meaning "by far not always successful". Yes, worth a try if the access to a therapist ist there, but I wouldn't expect any miracles.
  17. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to summerset in My ugly truth about WLS   
    Most likely. Shouldn't be a problem in a bariatric community though.
    I agree that ambivalent feelings are normal. They occur with many things and too many people respond to them with "Well, you knew it would be like that". What comes to my mind here is when people in the medical field talk about e. g. being on endless working hours, night shifts, 24 h duties etc. - of course everyone who've chosen working in the field knows about these things (duh!!), however, what nobody knows is how you'll be able to cope with these things a decade or more down the road when you're in your 40s or 50s.
  18. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to JMA2019 in My ugly truth about WLS   
    I can relate with your first paragraph 10000%! I feel the exact same way. I try to explain it to my family and friends but they don’t get it. I’ve felt very alone in feeling this way. Just know you are not alone.
  19. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to rs in My ugly truth about WLS   
    I too felt the same in the first few months following surgery. I was angry that I couldn't eat what I wanted and how much I wanted. I hated eating my small portion then having to sit at the table waiting for everyone else to finish eating. I'm now 14 months post surgery and somehow some way it's all gotten easier for me to come to terms with. Not sure if it's simply the passage of time or what. I still struggle with following the plan exactly but I've been maintaining my goal weight for a couple months now so I think I'm managing ok. Sending you lots of good wishes that this journey gets easier for you real soon.
  20. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to Dances with Carbs in My ugly truth about WLS   
    I am sorry this is turning into a love/hate experience for you. Unfortunately from the time we are children we have gathered around food at all social and family functions. It's a bond created from generation to generation centered around food. I haven't experienced anything that negative yet. But I constantly get invited to dinners celebrating anything from birthdays to anniversaries. It kinda sucks. I haven't ordered anything for myself at a restaurant since surgery. I generally eat off my husbands plate but when he's not around I just sit there and drink Water and assure everyone I'm ok and I'm not starving as they suspect. Usually I've already chugged a Protein Shake in the parking lot of the restaurant in anticipation of my situation. My bestfriend tells me all the time that I've changed but I keep reminding her I haven't changed me, just my eating habits and we can bond over something other than food. I've also had to break that food bond with my husband and mother. It's been hard but they are coming around. I just try to be as open about my needs to them as I can so they can understand. I hope you find the support you need. It makes this journey so much easier.
  21. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to Saxons in My ugly truth about WLS   
    You are absolutely correct in how bariatric surgery not only changes your eating, digestive habits forever, but there is also a huge mental impact as well. I do think we all suffer some form of regret and remorse.
    Everyones experience is different. I am 18 months out from gastric sleeve. I have lost 75lb, but goal is another twenty pounds and I have been stalled now for 3 months. Frustrating.
    Everyone tells me that I shouldn't get dumping syndrome, as "people who have sleeves don't suffer dumping". Well I definitely do and it's miserable. My husband and I are medical, so we know the condition. Seems to happen mostly when I eat Protein (red meat, chicken, less so with eggs and fish). I become extremely sweaty, pale, dizzy and nauseous. I feel like I could lay down on the floor and pass out. It lasts about 30-45 minutes which feels like forever.
    One of the strategies my husband proposed was to view these episodes as similar to a "ice cream headache".. Only longer. If I stick it out, I will feel better soon. I am not dying, and this too will pass.
    We loved eating out at restaurants, having brunch, eating with friends. I am quite scared of food because I don't know how my stomach is going to react. So, now we don't do as much of that. And because we chose not to tell anyone (my decision), I do worry about whether people will notice that I have hardly eaten anything.. Especially if we are guests of friends. I hate thinking "what if they think I funny like their food?!"
    I wish some days I could be reconnected as well, but as I have dropped 5 dress sizes, have no loose skin (amazing but probably genetic elastic skin.. but I am thankful for that) my knees don't hurt anymore, I can wrap a standard size bath towel around me, climb stairs without huffing, cross my legs very comfortably etc etc.. It has been worth it. Just keep reminding yourself. Enjoy all the benefits, and try not to focus on the bad.
    Best wishes.

  22. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to Mrs. Mercedes in My ugly truth about WLS   
    @BetterBelizeIt Thanks for your post. I agree with the posters above that this is something not talked about enough. While I am happy for all of the people here who are doing great and adjusting well to their new lives, I sometimes feel alienated by my own feelings of frustration. Your post was some welcome realtalk.

    I don’t regret my decision and I believe things will get better in the months that follow. But for now, I’m so frustrated and unsatisfied all the time. I go from feeling ‘hungry’/empty stomach to a feeling of pain (aka the new ‘fullness’) within about 5 bites. There is never any feeling of satiety. Like you, I miss that so much. I especially get frustrated when I take the time to actually make a meal. I’m 32 days out and finally made a meatloaf last night. it was a recipe from my nutritionist. It took 90 minutes to prepare after a long day of work and when I sat down to eat it, I took a few bites and the pain hit. I got so upset. It feels like a pointless waste of time to bother cooking anything. Maybe this is the effect of an unhealthy relationship with food but i don’t necessarily think it’s unhealthy to want to feel satisfied after eating Or be able to enjoy a meal. It’s not healthy, I guess, to feel excited about food, but now I almost dread eating.

    I saw someone else on these boards comment recently that they think about food now more than they ever did before surgery. i feel that way too. When to eat, how much to eat, how slow to eat, how Long to chew, counting minutes between bites so i don’t eat too fast. It’s A lot and i was not prepared, despite 6 months of pre-op counseling, reading books, internet research, talking to friends. Etc.
    anyway, thanks for sharing your frustrations and allowing The rest of us to vent, as well. i Know it will get better and I am lucky to have supportive friends and family. can’t imagine the added stress you are feeling without that ❤️ Please take care and remember it’s ok to put yourself first and cut toxic relationships if you need to.
  23. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to S@ssen@ch in My ugly truth about WLS   
    @Frustr8, I would report this NP. It's unprofessional and unhelpful in any medical practice to say something like that, not to mention outright rude. He/she entirely dismissed your concerns. Doing that has lead to malpractice in many instances and should NEVER happen.
    @BetterBelizeIt Sorry to have somewhat hijacked your post. I agree entirely with Orchids&Dragons above and don't think I could have said it any better. What you're feeling is normal and I would strongly urge you to seek out support and/or counseling to help you through. Best of luck.
  24. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to GreenTealael in My ugly truth about WLS   
    I think these feelings are VERY normal and not often enough talked about. Probably centered around fear of seeming ungrateful or having the great karmic finger pointing and wagging "you wanted it now well you got it"... IDK
    {An aside}: After my conversion to RNY my boyfriend began to feel this way for me. He was utterly devasted when more & more foods were added to my no go list (I suspect I'm more adaptive than he is when it comes to that and just was fine) You would have thought he had surgery 😒... I digress
    But i hope you find that this is a safe space to vent (without fear) and when you need tangible help and suggestion there are plenty of people who are kind enough to talk in private too! (see post above)
  25. Like
    BetterBelizeIt reacted to Orchids&Dragons in My ugly truth about WLS   
    @BetterBelizeIt The feelings that you're experiencing are very normal. The comparison to first-time parents was spot-on. You can prepare as much as you want, but until you have the actual experience, you don't know $#@!. Surgery doesn't turn us away from our long-time coping mechanisms (i.e. food). It makes it more difficult to over-indulge, but certainly doesn't prevent us from doing so, especially once we learn how to eat "around" our restriction.
    I'm sorry that friends and family have not been there for you. Some react out of jealousy, others mistakenly think that you now look down on them. Avoid them for now, maybe they'll come around in the end. But you need to do what you need to do and surrounding yourself with supportive people is important. This site is absolutely amazing for that kind of support. Seek out and connect with others who are at a similar phase of weight loss to you and support each other. If you have a local support group, go and meet others who've gone through similar challenges. One-on-one connections can't be beat, imho.
    If you have access to a therapist, by all means take advantage of it. The results may be mixed, though. My experience has been that therapists who don't work with a lot of bariatric patients tend to lump us in with other "eating disorders" and I didn't find that helpful at all. There are also some books that may be of help to you: The Emotional First Aid Kit is the only one I can bring to mind right now, but maybe others will add favorite helpful books that they've read.
    Please reach out by PM if you'd like to talk more and good luck on your journey. Btw, where are you in Texas?

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