Reflections from a Fat Chick

[Malaika 50]

ROSEY - that's GREAT on the weight loss and I bet the hair looks soooooooooo cute ... you're going to have to post some pics very soon ... Bearded says "HI" and congrats on your weight loss to ... I'm so HAPPY for you, I truly am!!!!

[*susan* 1,709]

Rosey, that is wonderful! I agree with VA, we need pictures! It is amazing how losing weight can completely change our perspective.

[roseyandmusic 5]

Hi everyone,

Its been a while since I last posted. I've been doing okay; I have okay days and not-so-okay days. I started working full time again about a month ago (I'm a teacher). Let me tell you, that kicked my butt. I'm tired all the time and feel neauseated and sick a lot. But I do believe that I'm still healing and adjusting from a huge surgery- although it feels like a YEAR ago, its only been two-and-a-half months since my surgery. And I'm down 51 pounds!

I looked in the mirror the other day and saw my collar-bones again. That made me feel good. My fatty fat fat fat clothes are falling off of me, but I still have to make myself try on some of my smaller clothes to see if they fit. I guess I don't want to because I still think I'm too big to fit in any smaller clothes.

I have a hard time with eating. I still eat too fast or too big of bites. And unfortunately, I do not enjoy food much any more. There have been some days where I soooo wanted to just eat and be comforted, but I couldn't, and it made me sad. But I knew this would happen, and I just dealt with it- but it is hard! Like I said, I'm only 2.5 months out, and I believe this will get better, so I am just trying to do the best I can until then.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Believe me, it does get better. Most of the time, I totally forget that I even had surgery or have the sleeve.

[learned2bskinny 81]

Whoo Hoo!!! Way to go Sleeve Sister!!!! I'm so proud of you! I, too, get nauseated at times. It can only get better. I'm down 38 pounds now. It's unbelievable, isn't it! This is the best thing we could have done, for our health, our lifestyles, and our self esteem. Don't regret it for a second!

[Malaika 50]

Doing good Rosey - actually - doing GREAT! Keep up the good work. Thanks for letting us know how you're doing!:party4:

[roseyandmusic 5]

Hi everyone,

Down 59 lbs :-). Yesterday was my 3 month anniversary. I got really sick with the flu for a couple weeks, but I feel much better now. My fat pants don't fit anymore (in fact, they fall right off buttoned-zipped and everything), but at the same time, any smaller pants I have don't fit quite right either. I think it's my sagging stomach skin. Anyone else have this problem?

Another question for you all. Has anyone experienced bad mood problems. Lately I have been really irritable. I get mad very easy over stupid things. I heard that mood swings tend to happen after surgery because of hormonal fluctuations. Anyone else have this? Thanks.

[roseyandmusic 5]

One more thing. Sorry to be so graphic, but my bowel movements are terrible and anything but normal. I'm LUCKY to get a movement once a week, and when I do, it is very painful. The cramps and contractions I get are tear-wrenching. Anyone else get this. What can I do to regulate my BM. Thanks.

[AJW 18]

Hi Rosey,

Yes on the mood swings especially in the beginning. I'm approx. 7 weeks post-op now and down a total of 51 pounds (inc. pre-op 26 pound loss.) As for the Constipation issues, you need to either drink more fluids or add more Fiber to the diet, or maybe both. laxatives are not the answer because they take Water from your body to work, so up your fluids and increase fiber (fruits, veggies, bran, you get the idea) and should help you a lot. You probably got dehydrated when ill, so make an extra effort now to get your 64 oz. of fluids and increase fiber. Should make things much better.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

My band doctor and my regular doctor recommend Miralax. It's not a stimulant laxative. I take it every other day and I have no problems at all. It's great stuff and after a few days that you're on it, you will have normal bms. Make sure you drink lots of Water though. It puts Water in the stools to make them soft and normal. Sorry if that's graphic.

I know it used to be a prescription and my mothers doctor prescribed it to her.

[learned2bskinny 81]

One more thing. Sorry to be so graphic, but my bowel movements are terrible and anything but normal. I'm LUCKY to get a movement once a week, and when I do, it is very painful. The cramps and contractions I get are tear-wrenching. Anyone else get this. What can I do to regulate my BM. Thanks.

Rosey,

Happy 3 month anniversary sleeve sister! Wow! Great weight loss! 59lbs! Thats awesome! I'm at 44lbs down. Isn't the sleeve great! I had the same issue with BM's. There was a thread about this, and someone suggested magnesium supplements. As a matter of fact, I think it was Vegas. (sorry Vegas, if it wasn't you). I researched magnesium, and not only do they recommend it for Constipation, they highly recommend it to people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for regulating BM's. It also helps to lower blood pressure, which is a real bonus for me. I started taking it last week, and along with 1/2 dose of Miralax every other day, I now have regular BM's daily with no pain, and no straining. I hope this helps you. I, too, was only having one difficult BM a week. As they say, been thre, done that, no thanks! It took about 3 days for the magnesium and Miralax to work for me. Try it, its easy and it works. Keep up the good work.:thumbup:

[carolyn24seven 11]

I am still pre surgery, but, to get enough Water down I have been adding the Strawberry/lemon CVS brand Fiber. tastes fine and really helps in the end>LOL.

[Malaika 50]

Rosey - that is so great - not sure what to tell you about the pants -- wear skirts maybe until you can get into your smaller pants? Or a belt on the others with a long top over it maybe?

As for the magnesium -- that was me that told Skinny about it - it works for me -- if two doesn't work, the doc said take 3, try that a few days and up it if it still didn't work -- you can't OD on magnesium - your body will burn off what you don't use. However, I like Skinny's idea of the magnesium and 1/2 a dose of Miralax every other day. As for me, if I eat a salad, that will move things through in about 1 hour!

Keep us posted on your progress and you best be posting some pics soon girl - new hair-do - new body! WOO HOO.

Happy 3 month Sleeveaversary to Skinny, Rosey & my honey Bearded. My 4 month is tomorrow (10/12)

[Rosebud2 26]

That is the hardest part of the surgery. It is a big problem for me too. Do you buy magnesium tablets? Where do you find them?

[Malaika 50]

That is the hardest part of the surgery. It is a big problem for me too. Do you buy magnesium tablets? Where do you find them?

I got mine at Target - weren't expensive at all - I think they were 500 mg. - I was taking 2 in the am and 2 in the pm before surgery.