Dad is worried! Should he be??

I had the surgery on march 6th of this year and I have done very well. I have lost 48 pounds so far. I have a double protein drink (40 gm) (unjury) in the morning and it lasts me about an hour for 16 oz. Then I have a double drink later in the day as well as some water and then when I get home I usually have a small dinner with my family and a few pretzels in the evening for a snack. I do try and get all my water in and most of the time I do, but my dad is really on my case saying that I am not eating enough to sustain life and anything else he can think of to make me want to eat, but believe me if anything it just wants me to stay away from food even more. This is not something I can share with my nutritionalist or anything because I wasnt completely honest with her about my past and the eating problems that I used to have a long time ago. I used to be VERY thin because I did not eat and was doing other self-destructive behaviors to keep the weight off. Most of my family new about it. I then went to the opposite end of the spectrum and used food for comfort and blew up like the good year with all that I ate. It was all cakes, candy and cookies. I have not had one drop of sugar since march and do not have any desire to do so. I just wonder if there is really any validity to my dads worrying????

Its important to be honest with the nutritionist as well as follow their recommendations. I can understand why your father is worrying...you can reassure him by showing him the recommendations that were set up by the surgeon and/or the nutritionist! good luck!

Dear Jennifer, Prior to my surgery I explained in GREAT detail along with DOCUMENTATION FROM MY SURGEON ON POST OP EATING FOR LIFE. Perhaps your surgeon has provided you this as well as your dietician and show this to your father. You are an adult now, and you can simply say this is how I eat for life, and I'm doing great and my surgeon and dietician agree. Please stop fussing over my eating because I can't eat like I use to. I don't want to be overweight anymore and this tool I had done is what will change my life and let me live LONGER, HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER AND ISNT THAT WHAT YOU WANT TOO??????? I wish you the best -- fathers and mothers are not easily convinced sometimes-- we have to assure them this is ok and that it is RIGHT. Hugs Stacey

Perhaps what you need to do is make an appointment with your surgeon (or nutritionist) and take your dad with you so he can hear for himself what is required of your new pouch and how it effects you and what you can and cannot eat. If you are following the advice of your surgeon, getting your vitiamins and protein in, you are doing great! Do not feel that you are alone! I am getting the worry from my Mom at this time. Actually, I have slowed down my weight loss and I need to get it started again as I would like to be down another 20-25 lbs when I see my surgeon in September for my one year check. Good luck to you!

Rhonda, OMG Girl! You look awesome! Love the new picture. Claudia

Thank you! I still need to lose 20-25 more lbs, then wait 6 months before I have a tummy tuck and a boob lift! The pic was taken April 27. The outfit was one I had bought for my birthday - if you check out my profile, I have the pic the day I had surgery and on the 27th of this year. I thank my Aunt Margie for sending me Andrew Jackson. I took him shopping with me to buy that outfit, but of course he didn't come back!!

dad going with me is not an option, he isnt going to drive 5 hours to the doctors office, and even if he did, he is likely to tell the doctor and the nutritionalist that they are crazy for letting me eat to little. I can see why he his worried a little bit though. I was 26 when I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and I am 33 now, so maybe its just a flashback for him.

I just want to add that Dad sounds like mine. Controlling and nervous for his little girls health. All you can do is re-assure and re-assure and show him over time you are doing the right things FOR PROOF MY DEAR WILL BE HIS ANSWER TO HIS CONCERNS. PROVE TO HIM THIS IS RIGHT, AND THAT THIS IS THE GUIDELINES. Do not let this frustrate you. I understand your concerns, and his. My father was so against this I thought pfffffffffffft, I'm 46 I can do what I want, yet he still had a hand on it. Until I gained dignity and told him that I was doing this with or without his blessings. It was my pre op day that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer which eventually took his life in February 2006. I'm sure if you take each day with baby steps and a different approach, he will see. You aren't going to change his mind with words, but with actions, honey, those speak much louder than words. So prove it. Hugs Stacey

Of course he's going to worry. Perfectly legit concern when you look at us and how little we eat but remember to tell him that you are eating to fuel yourself. Your body can live off it's fat stores for a long time hence weight loss. As we use the fat we get smaller and when we eat enough to satisfy the requirements we don't lose. You are in the business to lose weight so you eat less and use the fat stores. Let him know that the concern is legit but not nessessary. Make sure you are getting your vitamins in though. kp