On Water and In Mourning

Hi, all! I just now found this board - I've been posting to the main board. I really like "talking" to you all who are in the same place as me! Just had a comment and a question. First, take what everyone says about drinking enough water very seriously! I've been battling it since my surgery. It seems I can eat or I can drink, but not both in the same day. Last week, I ended up in the hospital for IV fluids and I vowed that would never happen again. Well, yesterday, I sweated a lot extra because I had a speaking engagement and a party set up in the same day. I couldn't sip properly because the performance was about 2 hours. Guess what? First thing this morning, I was vomiting, dizzy, weak and sick, sick, sick. Right now I'm sipping a watermelon fruit smoothie I just made. I guess that counts as water, right? Second, I've been reading this book I got from my surgeon. It's called Living a Lighter Life. It's written by a nutritionist and a counselor. Anyway, one of the chapters is about mourning your change in diet and change in lifestyle. The upshot is that I will never be able to eat normally for the rest of my life. There are many, many things that I have comforted myself with in the past that are now gone for me forever. The books says that if I don't mourn properly, I will be at risk for "stuffing", junk foods, etc. What do you think of that? I can say I definately am in mourning right now. Sometimes I feel like my heart is breaking. One of the reasons I wanted to have this surgery is because I wanted a physical barrier to over eating, so I wouldn't have to be so consumed with counting calories and fat grams, etc. Seems like every time I went on a diet I would be obsessed with it and end up hating myself. Now, I HAVE to be obsessed with my demanding little pouch! If I try to forget about it for 1 second, I over eat, under eat, drink too much, too little, whatever and I am physically sick. I've lost weight and I'm happy about it; but I am also SICK AND TIRED OF THIS! Any comments? Roxanne 302/277/160 RNY Lap 08/24/04

I am sure you could count the smoothie towards your water intake. Right now I can't seem to drink anything without having bad pains. About the only fluid I can tolerate is tea so I've been having about 5 teas a day. The food part I don't mind. I don't have alot of appetite right now and can't even get in what I am supposed to at this point. Good luck Patty

You know, Patricia, I jsut rediscovered sleepy time and orange zest tea, and it's heaven! I used to drink it all the time, I don't know why I ever quit! I don't have the actual appetite, either, but my head hunger is outrageous. Especially towards the end of the day when I am very tired. Thanks for your response.

wow I guess I'm in mourning too... because I've ben pretty depressed and sad lately too.. Thanks for he info. Lisa

Lisa, Has anyone ever told you how gorgeous you are?! Ok, I SWEAR I'm not hitting on you - I'm really a happily married christian woman! But, I love you pic! Yeah, that depression thing really surprised me. I remember talking to the counselor during my screening, and he asked me if there were any foods that I would have a hard time giving up. Well, I'd just polished off a big lunch at steak and shake, so naturally, nothing came to mind! Now, the struggle is sooooo hard. I just keep reminding myself that God never closes a door (like my refrigerator!) without opening another one. Maybe if I'd been filling myself up on Him all this time I wouldn't have these terrible cravings. Hope it gets better for you, too.

ahhhhh Thanks alot ((hugz)) Lisa

Hi Roxanne, I was so depressed this week that all I wanted to do was cry. I then got to the chapter in that same book about mourning and grief and read it yesterday. That was a light bulb moment. Lets face it, food was always there, and now it isnt. I think this is normal, and we went thru to much to crawl in a hole and be depressed. *****or chins) up, and march on. We will do this together! Sue

Sue, You have NO IDEA how much I needed to hear your reply when it came! I think that is a pretty good book, funny how I should have known all about this before now, shouldn't I? I read it every night before bed and I just keep having light bulbs pop on! For a long time I kept waiting for a "good time" to schedule surgery, then I finally realized that as long as I was sick and tired, there never would be a good time. But, man, I sure wish I could have a couple hours off from this whole ordeal every once in a while. You know, I think that's the worst part: I can't take a break from it! (Sticking my chins up in the air, breathing deeply and taking another slug of protein drink.....)

Oh wow!!! I am so glad you are talking about this. I thought I was going crazy. I even talked to my therapist about it. Last week and this week I have been having these on and off crying bouts. Driving me nuts! I am losing weight and I am sricking to the program but when something comes up I have to change the way I deal with things because my pouch isn't going to allow me to eat the salty things I use to eat. Like chips. When I talked to my therapist she said I was definitely going through a mourning period for different foods. And the cycle of mourning for food is the same as mourning for anything. At first I was really upset because it just seemed silly - now though I understand more that the surgery has changed my life (for the better) and I must just change the way I do things in regards to continued weight loss. This is still frustrating. Thank you so much for talking about this. I am somewhat of a "lurker" and don't post because I am a bit shy....... Lisa

Lisa, You don't have to me shy with ME! I wish I could find a local therapist who specializes in WLS surgery patients. I think it would make a world of difference. In fact, I went into my doctor's office the other day and asked. They said that the nutritionists wish so, too. They said that 98% of the patients that come in need to talk about everything BUT nutrition!