New Me, New Mind

Hey hey! How are y'all creating status updates and are there "posts" that are better posted as personal status updates vs new topics here? I'm still unfamiliar to the specifics of this site and wanna make sure I'm not blowing up the topic section when i should be posting as a personal status🤔

I HIT GOAL, you guys!!!! I am so excited and loving life! 😍VALIDATE ME, VALIDATE ME, VALIDATE ME! 😁 102 total lbs lost:)

Im 7 months out and have drank some of my husband's coke here and there. I was told never to drink it either. I'm not encouraging you to break the rules. Cokes was never my thing though. I need to stop the iced coffees and redbulls again though[emoji5][emoji51] oh and I'm a sleever. Idk what group this is posted in because it doesn't show for me on mobile. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations!! That's so exciting to finally have a date!! You won't regret it! This site is an excellent community of support, encouragement, experience, and advice. Prayers for ur upcoming surgery next month! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Disclaimer: this is a long-winded post and could possibly be triggering for some ppl. As i watched tons..and i means TONS..of youtube videos during my "research" period pre op I heard lots of ppl mention the emotional and mental part of this journey post op. I gathered from those videos that i would probably be dealing with past trauma that needs healing as I lose the weight..uhhh i had no clue though to expect THIS! Does anyone else feel like as the pounds fall off, emotional scars are uncovered and smack u in the face randomly? I'm all about healing and psychology so I'm down for the ride but whew! I had a panic attack today and have cried all damn day, not knowing exactly which trauma i am supposed to be addressing in my mind. I had a nightmare/flashback two nights ago and woke up sweating and crying with a full blown panic attack. Thats not abnormal for me but i typically can identify the trigger and what specific trauma was triggered. I couldnt do that today, and the traumatic event that was relived in my nightmare the other night was what caught me by surprise bc that event always seemed like "just another effed up, unfortunate event" that occured to me as a child..not something i necessarily considered big traumas like my father's death, being homeless and on my own as a child, sexual abuse, etc. I'm 75lbs down, abt 6 months post op now. Everything has been super positive and ive been elated since surgery. All of a sudden tho its like as i lose this weight im on a healing journey of integrating the "little broken me" with the "grown healthy me"..if that makes sense..im a very positive, encouraging person (friends always get onto me for having "rose colored glasses"), but lately i am just floored as im slapped in the face with extreme emotions or memories from the past. This could be unrelated to wls...maybe just typical ptsd...i know we like to connect wls to everything we're experiencing now lol but it makes me wonder..are others experiencing extreme triggers now? As bad as it sounds, its still a very good thing..or is that my "theres always a silver lining" defense mechanism speaking for me? Lol..but seriously i can't even put it into words how extreme the trigger is but also the healing i feel im receiving! I ended up in the bathroom speaking all the things to myself in the mirror that i would speak to a child having gone through the pain i experienced as a child...I was giving myself permission to be happy and feel safe and to embrace all my blessings bc i am worthy and do deserve it.i was telling myself that i am a good girl and that im proud of myself (as i look into my 32 year old eyes lol)..encouraging me to trust myself to protect myself and reasuring myself that ill always be here to show myself the love i deserve etc..it was so beautiful and pure..not conjured up at all.. and i wasn't even "thinking" during all this really...it was just flowing from my heart and was really cool!! For the first time ever, i saw how beautiful and precious and strong i am and meant every word of affirmation i was speaking! It was truly amazing! Again, sorry im so long-winded, but i really wanna know, "is this what ppl were talking abt? Are others experiencing this or is this just a me thing?" Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

That sounds exactly like what is happening.I love science and psychology! I will go look for that book right now. Thank you for your response![emoji847] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow! I am so happy for u! U look fantastic! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

So glad to catch up on ur updates! Prayers for a quick and healthy recovery! [emoji847] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Oh my goodness u look amazing!! I am so proud of u and happy for u!! I cant wait to see the post op ps pics!![emoji16][emoji16] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I will definitely google and find some of those books. Thank u! I am sorry u have experienced such traumas and im happy to hear u are succeeding in ur healing journey[emoji847] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I know this isn't directly related to wls, but this is my only "social media" outlet so i wanted to ask if anyone has had successful sessions of emdr while they have aphantasia-the inability to visualize mental imagery. I am considering emdr therapy for trauma and am afraid this would be a significant obstacle in my process. I have only recently begun researching emdr (like a week ago) and am reading some people's stories online that have had success but didn't know if anyone of u personally have experience with this? Thanks in advance and if posts like this aren't welcomed here I would happy to not post once aware of this expectation[emoji5] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

https://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/ Here's the link to the ace test if anyone sees this post and wants to take it for their own assessment [emoji4] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey britt! I hope ur recovering well from wls and can find whatever works to heal/cope with ur trauma. It's very unfortunate that u have suffered so greatly and i will keep u in my prayers for the Holy Spirit to guide u in the right direction on ur healing journey. I would love to read ur book so get on it, girl!! [emoji2] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey hey! Thank u for ur response. I scored an 8/10 on the ace test (not considering all the traumas unaccounted for in the 10 questions) and 2 on the resilience test. I have childhood amnesia and also short term memory problems today as well. I would love book suggestions and will mssg u. I am currently researching emdr therapy. Any thoughts or experiences with emdr? Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I agree with everyone here. It sounds like ur doing great! I felt like i did 1000 crunches for abt 4 dayd i think and nothing else..no nausea, no real pain..minor discomfort when i felt like i was sewn up real tight in the biggest incision but that goes away quickly too..just fatigue to look forward to and naps help that. Congrats on finally getting it done!!![emoji122][emoji2] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hey hey!! Thank u for responding. Ill get on the computer and try it when i get back from pickin my kids up from school!![emoji122][emoji16] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

ugh yeah idk why it wont let us delete posts..that's weird to me. Totally off topic and not gonna take over this thread but OMG congrats on ur stats!! We're the same height and ur at my goal weight!! It encourages me to keep going!:):):)

u think so, Catwoman7? Lolol.. jk, clearly a typo.

Hmm ive never heard of that but my doctor says no gum because my new tummy can't break it down if i accidentally swallow it..maybe along the same lines? I know other ppls' surgeons let them chew gum tho so idk[emoji2372] im finding a lot of this stuff to be a guessing game, as so many professionals have differing opinions and so many patients have different experiences...google it maybe? Lol Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Haha ur post gave a giggle to end my not so great day so thank u for that![emoji16] i can totally see how it all makes sense actually. I hope ur poor little toes make it through this adjustment period lol! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Just checking in. How u doin? How's the protein coming? Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Congratulations on surgery tomorrow! I bet ur stoked!!! Prayers for peace during ur stay, no complications during ur procedures and that u will be in the least amount of pain as possible during ur recovery! I look forward to ur updates[emoji847] Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

Meal plans post op vary depending on surgeon and bariatric team but i figured id post my team's plan in case that helps u[emoji6] Weeks 0-4: 1-2oz liquids every 15-30mins Weeks 5-8: 3 tablespoons(1.5oz) puree..no red meat no veggies..cottage cheese consistensy. Very moist very soft Weeks 9-6mos: 2-3oz (limit 1 oz fruit and veggies) ground beef okay now. No other red meat or starchy veggies (corn, peas, potatoes). 6months+: 4-6oz (1/2-2/3 of meal should be protein). All meat and veggies okay now. Limit starches to 1 oz. Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am abt 6 months post op vsg now and freezing all the time. I used to sleep naked at night with a fan and sweat profusely through the day prior to surgery. Now my husband hates it because I have sweatpants, a hoodie, 2 blankets and a heating pad to go to bed every night[emoji1787] i have had hyperhidrosis since I was a child. This made my hands, feet and armpits stay soaking wet with sweat at ALL times. Im 32 years old now and as much as i hate being cold, i am so happy to have dry cold body parts since surgery[emoji1787] oh and i also feel faint and even queasy often now but i assume i need to up my water intake[emoji2372] anyways tho, it's all very "normal" apparently because many ppl talk about experiencing it as well. I hope u find what works for u! Good luck! Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app