Uncomfortable

Honey they operate on our tummies not our heads (unfortunately).  Talk about this to your therapist.  If you're any6thing like me you were using your fat as a shield, now it's gone and it's just you out there.  You've just gotta become comfortable with yourself.

My session is in another week and I do plan on bringing this up.  Its funny how this has not been an issue for sometime....now its back and I forget how to deal.  You are right about the shield.  I am good as long as we aren't talking about me.  I don't know why I don't like me.   Debbie

It is so wierd that you brought this up because lately i've been thinking a lot about this extra attention I will be getting. I know I will be uncomfortable with it and it will be especially hard because I don't plan to telling most of my friends and family about it. One conclusion i've come to is that people probably talk about my weight gain behind my back and that makes me uncomfortable but at least with this its positive!!  Hang in there, Debbie!

Abbygirl...I would definitely be sure to get a  therapist to help you in the beginning.  Work it now.  Thanks for the support! Debbie

Debbie, girl I don't have alot to say but hang in there cause you are not alone in this journey. I have never really had much of a support system all thru out my WLS journey even from my DH (I say that lightly) who was against it from the start. Each bump in the road along the journey=surgery and Slippages I would drive myself to the hospital have the emergency surgery and drive home because he was against it and no one at work knew about it and if they did they (the nurses and doctors are against Bariatrics there because they dont do it there). I changed jobs to a Surgery Center and have a boss lady that had the RNY who was great with me the day after starting I needed emergency surgery for my last Band Slippage and for its demise. That being said I am watched over like a hawk with the food that I eat because I still YES still eat the Bandster=WLS ways and eat healthy and small amounts. They tease because I go to the gym most days after work and continue to lose weight even slowly. The boss lady eats junk ie:cakes, cookies, muffins etc. and no one says anything but being the new gal in town , well ya get my drift it is hard to take with all the comments. I tend to wear bigger scrubs so no one sees me to make the comments but it still bothers me.  One would think=ME that doctors and nurses (who I work with) would understand but they are human too just like the DH that didnt understand and never will why the hell would I put myself thru everything if it was just about vanity and not about my health when I was spending tons on medical bills and RXs and still had uncontrollable Diabeties, High Blood Pressure etc.  Girl, hang in there like I do and when I get miserable like today I just come to these boards and read as I know I am not alone on this quest for a Healthier life.......................Sharon

Boy can I relate!  I have had the days from Hell too!  I do have a very supportive Hubby....Excellent although sometimes just too much for me....He does watch too much and sometimes I just want to do whatever.  I do come back to reality but it does have to be me that does that not someone telling me to do it.  I don't like to be bossed around.  I don't like to be watched....although my boss does that alot.  Its his nature and funny thing is he doesn't bother me.  Weird huh....I guess its because he observes but does not open his mouth and to me that is the best way to handle me.  Don't use words but if I know someone is watching I tend to stay away from doing the wrong things.  You are right about the health care professionals...why would they treat you that way...sucks!  I would think they would be happy to have a healthy coworker...one that comes to work rather than calling out so they have to do more work!  I am sorry to hear all the issues you have had with the band.  Okay this RNY thingie is not so bad!  And yes its good we can all come here...support ourselves, vent and give praise to others along this journey!  I defintely love coming here and the people I have met along the way have been nothing short of great!  We are all  GREAT PEOPLE for we think of ourselves! Debbie

Hey Debbie, you are soooo not alone. Since I have been taking care of my Mom, I don't get to the gym everyday. Sometimes once a week. Some weeks 2 times. I still follow all the rules of eating/drinking but without the exercise I have found about 10 lbs that I lost. I get angry at me for not being #1 anymore. I feel fat again. When I see people that say what I success I have been with WLS, I feel like such a faker. This is hard. I can't take the compliments or any criticisim either.  If there was an invisible pill I'd buy it. I would caution anyone contemplating Surgery that: (no specific order) #1 this is for life.  #2 This is not a short term fix.  #3 This is hard.  #4 The surgery doesn't fix our heads or emotions.  # 5 If you do decide to do this for your health, take advantage of your golden oppurtunity and learn good habits right from your 1st waking moment at the hospital.  # 6 Plan on exercising your fool head off to get the maximum out of this, for the rest of your life.  # 7 If you can, make your new addiction exercise instead of your love of food.  #8  Rethink WLS if you still want to have kids.  # 9  Don't have WLS without a great support system.  #10 Whether you decide to tell or not to tell others, remember you will have to deal with others comments forever. People are cruel and we can be very sensitive about our image. How we eat now & how much we eat can be a sore subject.  People we love, get critical. People we don't know have opinions. I suggest that you decide in advance How to handle some of this.  #11 I attend support group meetings so that I can be supported by others that feel as I do. If they don't, I try not to be critical, but empathetic with their personal struggles.  #12 Try not to whine too much. But if you need to, go ahead, we understand.  #13 Keep a journal/diary.  I think I will re-post this since I got a lot off my chest tonite. Feel free to add on to my list. Maybe we can come up with some profound knowledge to share with each other.  Hang on Debbie. We all knew this would be a bumpy roller coaster ride . My fingers are getting tired from hanging on. But with each other we will make it GF.  ((HUGS)) Elissa

This is a great list!  I do understand where you are at with your Mom.  Did that on a short term basis and I felt terrible that I let things go.  I still feel terrible because I haven't gotten to the point of control that I had before Gram.  I love her and don't blame her.  I blame me for not staying on the straight and narrow.  Its hard with all that life offers us.  I would trade anything to go back to post op days.  I think it was easier then.  Maybe I am wrong.  Well I am off to the gym.  I gotta get back into the swing of it and this is the week I am starting it!   Went to park Sunday and walked for 45 minutes so lets see what we can do tonight.  Glad you stopped in.  We do need to find ways to get exercise in and curb our appetites!   Debbie