True Confessions

I need help....I am struggling with food issues. I think I can eat too much for being almost 4 months post-op (5-6 ozs). I don't know what the issues are??? Although, my food choices are great (no sweets/sugar) it's a struggle. I do get hungery and I have an appetite!! I am begining to wonder if I had surgery!! I eat three meals a day most of the time...(breakfast sometimes) and three protein supplements a day...and sometimes a protein snack in between. Yes I get my fluids in there as well....I feel I am not losing anymore weight. I was soooooooo disappointed/depressed this week I didn't make it to the gym once. I feel like I am failing @ this surgery....I am @ an all time low....as I typing this tears are just flowing. I realize this is just a "TOOL" and lord knows I am trying to work it....But this can really play a "MAJOR" part on ones mental state. This was very hard for me coming to the board asking for help!!! Any suggestions/hints or tip please feel free. Thanks Family.

Dear Shay, Oh sweetie ... I so know those tears of fear that something is not right. HUGS - HUGS - HUGS!!! Truly the emotional fear of failure (at yet another attempt to lose this weight) is one of my hardest struggles also. But Shay, you are fine, nothing at all abnormal about what you are facing right now. Something you may find helpful ... I just read a study the other day about pouch size and successfulness of this surgery. The study stated that a little larger pouch size did NOT affect the successfulness of weight loss. Not saying that your size is small, large or whatever as I don't have a full grasp on that either. But what I am saying is, that even if your pouch has relaxed a bit already and you are able to eat a bit more than you expected, this does not equate failure. It simply means that your body healed a bit faster than another. You are going to be just fine Shay!!! You have done an excellent job thus far ... I stood in amazement when I saw you at Brett's party. You are such a beautiful lady, and as I told you there ... your skin is so beautiful, I don't think you are going to have the same issues with extra skin on the neck/under chin area that I am dealing with. I could only dream of having such beautiful skin. As far as feeling like you are not losing right now ... just want you to know that when I was at your point ... when the scales stopped moving the tape measure kicked it up into high gear. That is when my clothing sizes really started dropping. Your body is just playing catch up. It is necessary for us, as hard as it seems. Those scales ... those numbers ... are all so hard not to fall into the trap. I so struggle still today with the numbers game ... I am struggling to accept what I am and not compare to others, the scale, department store sizes ... etc. At this point ... I am having to draw back a bit in order to remain positive with my own accomplishments and not compare mine to others. Ya know? At any rate Shay ... you are doing an awesome job ... KNOW THAT!!! Continue doing what you are doing ... don't be upset because you get hungry, remember your body has simply healed fast and that my dear is a good thing!!! Continue to push the protein and get back to the gym. I had someone share with me about the time I got some hunger ... they said to make sure that I had my kitchen/office/etc stocked with easy to grab "good" snacks (protein, veggies, etc). And when hungry ... eat! I was also told that about the time I started getting hungry, to no longer count my shakes as meals ... that since they go right through us, they really don't do much to give us that long term satiety. And if we go too long between meals, we are able to consume more (thus perhaps the reason you think you are eating too much). Shay, know we all love you and are pulling for you. Please never, ever be afraid to come here and post a concern, problem, joy or whatever. Know that we all struggle one way or another. And we are all here to help each other drudge through all of this. Please also know that you can call me anytime, day or night. Love ya sweetie!!! Hugs, Tammy

Thank you Tammy for taking time out of your busy schedule to respond.....I am following your potein advice....The samples are in...YUMMY...Love ya too! And of course I'll follow this advice as well...Thank God for well educated posties

(((HUGS))) You are such a sweetie Shay. So glad you enjoyed the samples!!! I am about to stock up on some more samples myself to get some variety without having to purchase great big canisters. Did you see the post on the Unjury Fudge??? I made another batch last night ... boy is it ever good to me (at least for right now - who knows what tomorrow will bring)!!! And since I am finally losing some weight again, I am not about to rock the boat and stop it right now. Going to keep doing what I am doing, even though logically I am pretty sure the two are not connected! Have to say I am thrilled to find a way to use up my Unjury in such a tasty treat even still!!! How are things going for you these days? Getting any smoother? Those first few months were so hard on me emotionally ... felt like I was PMSing 24/7 with no break! Oh the hormones!!! Good news is ... it does even out, eventually! Hugs, Tammy

Shay Firstly, I am glad you are brave enough to state that you are having a problem. I agree with Tammy. Maybe your pouch has relaxed and you are able to eat a little more. I feel like I do, too. Mine reminds me, though. Sometimes I'll eat and hit that "don't take another bite" feeling and then take another bite anyway. Everytime I do that, I . So although it is unpleasant, I know that my pouch is working well. Maybe you have just not eaten too much for your pouch. Some days I want to eat NOTHING and force myself, other days I think I'd like to eat EVERYTHING in sight and just know that I can't (or won't). I think this might be the "head hunger" thing going on. I don't always get in all my protein supplements, but I am good about the vitamins. I think that you are doing very well. Perhaps it one of those "catch up" plateus that Tammy was talking about. Another thing is that you may be (I know that I am) weighing too, too often. I'm allowing the scale to set my mood for the day--that has GOT to stop. I am three pounds heavier today than yesterday. I know tomorrow or the next day it will pass, but it is ridiculous for me to let this scale have such an effect on me. I know that I am retaining fluid and will up my water intake and it will go away. Tomorrow (or today) is another chance to get back into the gym. Don't let this plateau break up your routine for too long. Hope this helps and hope you are doing well. You are quite an inspiration to us all. Dianne

Thank you Diane for your response...You are a sweetie too

Hey Shay, Sorry to hear you are struggling. It is not uncommon. Many people never get there appetite back and cannot understand the torment and anguish that happens when you actually start cleaning your plate again. I think Tammy has given you some great advice. The only two things I would mention are first, to try and limit your protein intake to 20g per meal and always eat breakfast. It get the engines purring! Second, call either the doctor or PMRI nutritionist to get some advice. Obviously you are not failing, you have already come so far. Just work on staying strong and positive. Good things will follow. Your bud, Rob...

Thank you "BUD" for your advice....I will remember to keep my engine purring for now on

Hi Shay, I'm so sorry you're feeling bad right now. Emotions can play hell with our minds sometimes, WLS or not! First thing is, you are not failing. If you were failing at this, you wouldn't even SEE a potential problem in my opinion, you would just do whatever until you couldn't deny it anymore. You have obvious concerns going on right now and the fact that you are so aware is a good thing! I hope you can get in a place where you can try and exercise through your low, I know it's hard but it really can help so much. Think of it in terms of being theraputic or medicinal, an actual treatment to counter how you're feeling a bit. The amount of food you can eat seems ok to me..5-6 oz isn't alot at all. Let me ask you about the density of what you're eating. Are you using things like solid proteins, chicken, beef, ham etc, or more processed type foods that tend to go down easily. How about cheese? I eat alot of string cheese for snacks. Definitely start including breakfast on a more regular basis if you can, I find it really makes a difference in how I'm feeling. Maybe you could get an appointment with the nutritionist and go over your plan and tweak it a little to see where you are? I have days when I feel as if I can eat more sometimes, then when I get used to that, all of a sudden pouchy kicks in and reminds me just how small it is LOL. I'm willing to bet you are going through one of those times. Yesterday I measured out 4 oz of leftover baked ham ( pretty dense stuff ) put it on a plate with some mustard and started eating it. LOL by the time I was done I felt like I was stuffed to the gills! lol, it was like oh yeah, I remember You are gonna be just fine. I can tell by your post how much you want to be a success at this, and you already ARE one. I'm finding my personal experience to be an ever changing one and that I really need to be flexable and change with it. If something doesn't work, find a new approach. Wipe your tears, start a fresh page on your food journal and remember that tomorrow is a new day. Linda

Thanks Linda for your advice and words of wisdom....Yes today is/was a new day.... Boy I thought I needed a "CRISES" hotline...It really hit me hard...GEESH!