A bit of a whine but I need to do it .....

Sometimes I just get so tired of managing myself, I am vigiliant about the water, the weighing to make sure I am not gaining, the small portions of food. But then some days I am constipated, then the next day I am in the bathroom-like I have been unplugged. Something that doesn't usually bother me (like soup) makes my pouch irritable. My bones seem achy and I am wearing layers and layers to keep warm. Clothes seem to shift into big mode overnight. My skin is droopy the more inches that go so losing more seems counter productive since I am not ready to pursue PS. Thanksgiving was good for two days then I was sick and weak for two days.............I went to Vegas on business and carried food with me the whole time since most things were so rich I knew I would miss what I needed to do there if I ate what was being served. I had a dumping episode at the Wynn-nice bathrooms! In fact I know where most of the public bathrooms in Vegas are! I wasted #'s of food stuck in front of me. Thanks for reading, any suggestions appreciated! I always learn from the ppl here. B

Hi Barbara, Whine away! And I hear you loud & clear. I love the way you put it "managing myself." I am so tired of that, too! Last night after supper I asked what time it was - I didn't have my watch or cell phone on me and I was so thirsty! BUt committed to waiting 30 minutes post-meal to start sipping again. My father in law says, "Got somewhere ta go??" And motherin law chimes in, "Relax, honey!" thinking I was stressing about something. Thank God my sweet husband knew why I was asking and he just said, "It's 6:15 baby" and smiled. This whole thing just got on my last nerve and I felt so doggone irritated about all the little ways I have to "manage" myself post-op. Sometimes my job has me in cir****tances where I have to sit in a small room with four other people for up to six hours straight. I always have my food & water along so I can get what I need during the day, but I have to sit there and watch the other folks munching on chips, cookies, candy, stuff from the vending machines sitting right next to us usually, and they always kindly offer me what they are eating. A) NO THANK YOU but man, it gets hard to say "no thank you" every time somebody whips out something, and eventually I feel I need to explain why after a few hours of this, and B) Just listening to the crunching and the lip smacking and the conversation about how DELICIOUS it is..I feel like I'm in a Fellini film or something how crazy it makes me some days. So to make a short story long I have no additional suggestions for you, apparently I had some whining of my own to do. You inspired me! At least you know you are not alone? Well, I could suggest this, it's trite, but true for me - when I feel mired in the negatives, and if I can get just a moment of clarity, I try to consciously shift my focus to the positives. I don't know your stats, but for me, I've lost gosh, I need to do the new math or look at myticker - whatever 351 minus my current weight of 189 is. 162? I've lost a bunch of weight, anyway, and I feel so much better. I'm loving shopping for clothes. I had no serious complications & can enjoy almost any food I choose in moderation. I feel strong and powerful - I used to be so timid and afraid physically - of falling, embarrassing myself, etc. Now I can run up AND DOWN stairs again, chase my niece & nephews around the yard, take my dogs for a JOG! You get the idea. In the final analysis, the good definitely outweighs the bad for me. I hope the same is true for you! Took a look at your profile & picture - you are looking wonderful! That's a great family picture! Congrats on your wonderful success. Feel free to "whine" anytime! Kathy

Kathy: You cracked me up! Thank you for the support, tonight I played basketball with my husband and son and jogged around with the ball without collapsing in a wheezing fit. Yes-progress. Still can't find jeans that fit because of the belly. I always have a sticky note around with a time on it for when I can resume drinking and I burp and rumble away around my coworkers, they are immune. A new manager finally told me she couldn't figure out why I was so noisy with that at times and no one reacted! Your husband sounds like a doll and I did so enjoy your wedding pictures. Stay well, Barbara