Q.O.D..Day 16

Happy St. Paddy's day to you all Today's question is... What are the biggest struggles you have faced since surgery, both physically and emotionally? Do you feel your personality has changed any in the last three months? Jackie I would say for me..the biggest physical struggle has been making sure I get enough water and protein in each day. The biggest emotional challenge is not getting discouraged when the loss is slow, and also not letting the fear of failing bring me down. As far as my personality, I think I am a little more sensitive to things and a little bit more irritable since I can't use food to comfort me.

Hi- My biggest physical struggle is to chose the proper foods.. I want to snack and have to work hard at self discipline... emotionally- I also struggle with not running to my old friend food to numb me up-mostly when I'm feeling stressed out- I also find I'm a lot quicker to speak up for myslef if I feel I've been wronged..I guess my "thick skin" is thinning as well personality change?- I'm so much happier and more peaceful , less irritable.. Have a great day! Elaine

Biggest physical for me is getting enough exercise. I do exercise, but it is the biggest struggle for me. Emotional is the feeling of ---well, I don't know what word to use, but just wanting to change my life to not settle for things...to exercise my potential. This has primarily been career-oriented for me. I have always been a competitive personality and one who was career oriented, but I feel I have settled for a lot because I didn't think I could do better because my weight hindered me in my career choices. I am really involved in this emotional struggle. Christy

lack of motivation on the exercise part...no problem with the protein and water most of the time. But I have noticed that my friends haven't been very communicative....they mostly out state....several states away...and I guess I expected (shame on me) for them to be excited for me and to check in more often on my process. Fortunately people at work/school have been very kind and supportive and make nice comments! I had a major surgery and most of my friends barely even checked in to see if I survived. Are they afraid I won't be ME after I lose weight? Several of them knew me when I was normal sized (12/14) in college. SO that shouldn't be the excuse. however the one friend-- i think we kinda have a competition type relationship at this point....job $, houses, trips etc.... her only advantage over me at this point is she is "skinny".... IF i lose weight then I have "won" otherwise there is no excuse for the rest of them! My biggest physical struggle is dealing with this crappy constipation and the vitamins/supplements required contribute to it.....

My biggest struggle has been my 3 strictures...2 fixed and one waiting. But they have probalby helped make the other things easier. Need to get the excercise figured out. Had an ingrown toenail and removal and it is finally healed so need to get serious about what I want to do for excercise. So it has been a struggle but such a blessing. Down aobut 70 pounds!! Alice

Hello Jackie, I think the biggest challenge I have faced is Trying to get my water in on a daily basis, trying to get my protein in on a daily basis (I'm good most of the time but I have days when it seems impossible). I found out after this surgery that this is NOT as easy as it seemed before. You still have to fight of every pound that you lose and diet like crazy to make the scale move. Granted it is easier than trying to lose before surgery because you have the constraints of your pouch. But I was under the impression (as I'm sure a lot of us were) that the weight would come off (fly off -as we heard on the message boards) faster and in that happening would keep up your motivation. We still have those days where the scale doesn't move and we want to give up, fortunately this surgery does not allow us to give up! That is the greatest part of the "tool". Emotionally I have some days when I feel like a real hottie and could take over the world then others when I look in the mirror and still see that same fat girl looking back at me. Amazing how we perceive ourselves day to day. My friend told me that after all I have been through with the surgery and struggles afterwards, doing something so major to improve myself that I deserve to get a little ****y, but he assures me that I have not yet. Now he is saying things like..."When you are a size 4, you wont want me around anymore". MY how things change!!! That used to be me. Tracy

Physically everything is going great.....I could exercise more, but who couldn't??? Emotionally-It is a lot harder than I thought.....When me and hubby would fight before I would have him go get me some taco bell or something then all would be better......Now if I am mad at him....we just have to deal with it.....he can no longer cure me with food......HE is so thankful......also when I get stressed/mad I have a hard time finding something to do to distract me or calm me down......It is hard to quit relying on food.....I work at it everyday!!! jesi

Hi Jackie, Every single day since my surgery has been a struggle with me. I can't get enough protein in, I'm having a hard time finding the motivation to get to the gym and haven't found a vitamin that I like. Emotionally I feel like I am doing great - I haven't had antidepressant since the day of my surgery - it's been seven years since being diagnosed depressed. As for my personality, I am definately less crabby than I was before surgery and am thrilled that I can't eat food to comfort me anymore. But I have noticed that I am a little more confident with myself especially at work and tend to be a bit ****y with my husband since I haven't weighed less than him in about four years. Lori

physically : getting used to the new me,being able to do for myself. emotionally:Thinking about my brother who died at 26 1 year after having wls in 1987, he never was the samr after that. Also, I am at the same age my father was when he died in 1981 (44) I cant believe I will out live him.Thank God for Dr Kelly and WLS>

Mine are the water and protein too.... and not getting on the scale "just to check" every dang gum day! ~Rachel