Giving up

Maddie, you can do this. It's hard, it's really hard. But you can do it. Everyone had great suggestions. I just wanted to say to you that we're all behind you.

Don't you dare give up!   You  have come too far on this journey to do that.  Follow that plan the NUT gave you and get your fluids & protein & multi vitamins in.  There are days I dont get my calcium in, dont fret over that.   I just bought a Leslie Sansone walking video. I got it through bestbuy.com. It is fun and easy to do and if you do the whole work out it is the same as going out and walking 3 miles so they say.  But you can do 1 mi., 2 mi., or the whole workout which is 3 mi.  You also get a band that you put around your waist to work your arms with.  DO NOT GIVE UP! You can do this, get your mind back on track and tell yourself, you did this to become healthier.  Are you on an anti-depressant?  If not, you might want to ask your Dr. about it.  That might help some.  You are doing an awesome job. Jenny

Thank you all for your support and nice words.  I feel more optimistic today than yesterday and plan to talk to Dr. Cacucci at my appointment tomorrow about some antianxiety medicine or an increase in my antidepressant.  I should be getting the Richard Simmons video in the mail today and I am going to look into the walking video that was mentioned.   The thing that makes me the most upset is that I was SO sure I was prepared mentally for this surgery and the post-op lifestyle so the reality is smacking me in the face. I really appreciate everyone supporting me and encouraging me.  Thanks again!

Maddie, you may think you are prepared for the things that are going to happen after surgery, but you really don't know until you experience them. It is hard to prepare yourself for something that you haven't experienced yet. Plus your body is going through so many changes now physically and mentally and hormonaly that is another thing that you need to realize. You have done great in your first month. I wish I could have done that well. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and before you know it things will be coming normal. Remember we are here for you. We are your own little cheerleaders. O.K. girls keep the pom poms going!!!!!  

Maddie, It really does sound to me that you are pretty...normal. Many, many of us have gone through what you are. Please, read my profile. I have a section in there for new post-ops that you may find helpful. And what others have said about weighing & measuring yourself are all excelent points. Myself, I DO weigh myself everyday. After I wake up, after I go potty, before I drink anything other than a sip for my synthroid, and before i put on one stitch of clothes. Notice, consistency. My body fluctuates so much during the course of the day that I try to take out as much of the variability as possible. After doing this, I have learned that my range is +/- 5 lbs. I have heard where others have a +/-10 lb range. If you are going to weight yourself every day, do it only to learn your range. I don't count myself as gaining/losing until I have maintained a certain weight at least 3 days in a row. And if it's a gain, I'm not going to get upset about it as long as it is in my range..because it has always gone back down. Today, I'm 147. My low in the past 7 days was 145. My high was 151. The only weight I had 3 days in a row was 146. And yes, always measure!!! You'll be pleasantly surprised. I measured every Sunday. Huggs.. Sherri

Frankly, giving up is not an option.  You had surgery so you couldn't give up.  All of us have given up on our diets and previous attempts at weight loss at some point.  And we chose WLS because giving up is not an option.  Unless you want to die.   What you are going through is very normal.  I felt many of the same things.  Before and after my revision I was pretty sick --- my lapband prolapsed which lead to the revision.  I had a g-tube and months of nausea, several endoscopies, and ER visits.  There was a period I really thought that living life this way was not worth it.  But it gets better!  I too wanted to give up, but then I realized giving up was not an option.  What helped me get through the rough post-op period was just being able to look back and see the progress I had made in the last month.  Are you feeling better than this day last month?  Have you lost weight since last month?  Chances are, yes.  If they aren't, then give your doctor and nutritionist a call! Also, at this point, getting in all of your fluids, supplements and nutrition is a job in itself.  I think it helps to make up a schedule and plan out your fluids and supplements.  Say by noon, you have to have 20 ounces of fluids in; by 4pm, another 20 ounces.  At this point, getting it all in is so hard that if you slack off for part of the day you will never catch up.  It also helped my to set a timer -- say for 30 minutes, you have so sip on an 8 ounce glass and try to fini**** by the time it goes off.  Somedays you won't make your goals, but each week you should see an improvement. Try to keep your goals small and simple.  Don't agonize over everything.  It is overwhelming.  But a year from now you will be amazed at everything you have accomplished!  Good Luck, Jennifer