Stuck

Literally...I feel like I've been stuck at the same weight for months! I get so frustrated with trying to eat chicken, beef, hamburger, protein, etc. I throw up anything that is good for me or find that it hurts if I eat...but give me a bag of cheetoes, tootsie rolls, etc. and I am fine. Seriously, drinking water and exercising more might help...but I am concerned about my pouch. If you have had a scope, I'd love to hear about the results. Thanks, Kim Mattson Open VBG 4/03/03 264 213

Hi Kim, No scope here. But if I were you and was concerned I would certainly go talk with my surgeon. This is what I have found with eating the "right stuff". It hurts, no ifs ands or buts about it. It seems that dense food sits in the pouch like a ROCK. I tell people that the pain is similar to the feeling you get right before you throw up. I feel miserable for at least 1/2 hour, I can feel the pressure in my throat and want to just go throw up and relieve the pain. The bad thing is that I get to enjoy that feeling every time I eat. Sucks big time. However, we do need to eat those foods that "hurt" to eat. Those are the ones that we will lose weight by eating. I have discovered that if I lay down after eating the right foods I am able to lessen the pain associated with it. I certainly can not drink with the right foods and I try really hard to stop BEFORE I get that too full feeling. I have changed how I think about food now. I am eating to "fuel" my body. And if I am eating it for fuel I can't be throwing it up. If I am eating for fuel I can't be eating sweets. I think one of the important other factors with this surgery is that we can not use food for "comfort" anymore. I have replaced my "comfort" eating with drinking coffee. My favorite saying is "It's all about the coffee". So we each need to find a "new" "comfort". Whether it be gardening, exercising, walking the dog, singing, crafting, reading, drinking coffee, cleaning, etc. we need to find it. The sad fact of VBG is that we can sabotage the surgery if we continue with our previous eating habits. I am also a huge advocate of mental therapy. To go to therapy and work on my issues was one of the best decisions I ever made (right up there with WLS). Kim, I hope that you find a solution to your issue. I encourage you to go talk to your surgeon and make sure nothing is amiss. Best Regards, Sharon Open VBG 10.28.03 -108 pounds

Thanks for the awesome response Sharon. You're right about the mental therapy, sabotage, etc. I appreciate the support and will look at what I am eating more closely. You're approx. 5 months ahead of me, are you still losing? Just curious--again, thank you. Kim in WA Open VBG 4.3.03

Yes, I am still losing. I am losing much slower now that I am 9 months out. I am lucky if I lose a couple of pounds every 1-2 weeks right now. But hey, I am still losing and still working the program. I really need to get my exercise back up to par. I feel so "blah" now that I am not exercising regularly. Sharon

Oops, my mistake, I'm at 15 months out but the 1-2 pounds every two weeks is the same for me...then I go up those pounds. I will increase my activity and water intake this week. You're still way ahead of me with the loss and that is encouraging. Hang in there and thanks again...Kim

Yes, the weight loss is slow right now. But 4-10 pounds adds up pretty quickly anway. I certainly need to require more of myself when it comes to exercise. I am the queen of procrastination however!!! But then aren't we all? So -- I am off for a short walk to keep myself on task... Have a great night and day!! Sharon