Hi MeeMee,

First of all, congratulations on your significant success. You have done a great job getting that excess weight off and as you said, it really does give you a new lease on life. It sounds like we were about the same starting size and like you, I never really seriously thought that a size 10 was in my future.  If you look at my profile photos, you'll see me posing in a black dress and a black suit. They were a size 10!

Now that you've lost your weight, the work that goes into learning to maintain it comes into play. I'm sure that if you keep going the way that you have, you'll learn to do what you need to do keep it off in the long term.

All the best,

OMG its a pain in the butt. I have been eating tuna in water ,boiled/seared beef , boiled (yuck)/seared chicken. I say yuck on boiled chicken because it is just nasty but I keep telling myself it is worth it in the long run, I think I actually have mytastebuds starting to beleive it. SF Jello with New Whey protein in it. Did this by replacing the cold water portion with the New Whey, will not be doing that again because not only does it take too many tubes for 2 boxes of Jello but because it is a bit expensive to do it that way. I also found a 4 carb Soy Protein Powder that tastes like vanilla ice cream. I do that for breakfast now instead of making myself something to eat because I find it is more filling than egg whites.

Anyhoo my body is trying to revolt against me, I found myself  carrying a granola bar into the living room last night and I honestly do not remember picking it up. TOld the hubby that he needs to hide that stuff for awhile, because I am NOT going to fail this.

Jackie, I'm so sorry you had that complication! Of course you don't feel happy. You had surgery and had complications. You feel ill because you are right now. I hope your family can be more supportive instead of fed up with you. I'm sending you a great big hug!

But you know that these feelings are not forever. Look at how many people who post say they felt "what have i DONE" for a little while after surgery. But they all say it passes and you start losing and start feeling better. I think the other poster is right: all sorts of hormones are released right now. I wish you the best, send another hug and hope you'll keep posting what you are feeling. You need support!

Maggie

  I had my RNY done this pas Monday, and I just got discharged last night.  My opening was at 2cc's , and a normal opening is 10-15ccs, so he had to use a scope and inflate a ballon to stretch my pouch so that I would stop coughing up blood.  I couldn't keep anything down, not even ice chips.

Now I have to take these nasty steriods 4 times a day, and I am so weak!  I can't stop cryinging ether.  I am driving my family nuts and I am just not happy.  I know it takes time and what not, but I feel ILL.

Any words of wisdom?

At Duke, they advised us to walk about 10 minutes each hour we were awake. Over time, we added some more extensive walking, but it's related to your ability. There are several of reasons that they want you up and moving: 

* Avoiding DVT's -- Deep Vein Thrombosis is something that can happen to anyone after a surgery and/or those who are more sedentary. Getting up and moving pumps the blood from the legs and circulating. 

* Dissipate gas used to inflate the abdomen during surgery -- Any time they are doing laproscopic surgical procedures, your abdomen is filled with gas to enlarge the abdomen and allow them to maneuver better. Unfortunately, most of the gas remains trapped. Moving helps your body 'process' and dissipate the gas more quickly.

* Getting in the habit of moving more -- One of the 4 legs to the chair of success is exercise. When you begin to make exercise/moving an integral part of your life, you are making a lifestyle change. This lifestyle change is going to be one of the foundations of your longterm success. Apparently, the exercise doesn't play as big a roll in helping you to get the weight off, but it plays a CRITICAL roll in helping you maintain your new, healthier body.

Hope all of that helps. 

Barb