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(deactivated member)
on 9/22/21 6:11 am
RNY on 01/01/14
Topic: RE: Just had vsg done and I regret it

I think you're doing GREAT especially taking care of two tiny ones ( I have two little toddlers of my own and boy are they needy and a total full time job )

but we signed up for this and we're lucky and appreciated by the kidz .... as far as food and liquid diet goes .... do your best and know we understand and are here for you and your family.... always

TheWombat
on 9/22/21 6:05 am, edited 9/22/21 9:39 am
VSG on 06/11/18
Topic: RE: Just had vsg done and I regret it

Hi Monique. Temporary "buyer's remorse" is *extremely* common. From here on, everything should start getting easier. You're exhausted now, but you will begin to get your strength back. Drinking is difficult now, but will become easier and second-nature, which should resolve the constipation as well. Figuring out what foods your stomach will tolerate is difficult now, but you will learn, and over time you will be able to enjoy a greater variety of food. Also, you will build a repertoire of healthy dishes you enjoy.

You have gone through the worst of it; things will get much, much better over the next few weeks. You'll find loads of help and support on this forum.

As for wondering if you could have "just made better choices in food and worked out more", well, the scientific research shows that it's extremely unlikely once you are significantly overweight. When you try to lose weight, your body fights against it*. For example, almost all the people on those "biggest loser" shows end up gaining all of the weight back. I have learned to lose weight, I need to stay under 900 calories. That simply would not be practical without the help of VSG. (Now that I'm at goal, I can eat more, fortunately.)

Also, temporary depression is very common after surgery or major illness. You may be experiencing some of that. That should pass in a few days.

*Fortunately, WLS turns that mechanism off for 6-9 months. During that time, your body will actually co-operate with you as you try to lose weight. Take advantage of that time to reach your goal.

catwoman7
on 9/22/21 5:18 am
RNY on 06/03/15
Topic: RE: Just had vsg done and I regret it

"buyer's remorse" is common the first month or so after surgery. So many changes - so many rules - so many restrictions. But - it all passes. Things get easier, you start seeing the weight loss, food restrictions lighten up. But constipation - chronic constipation is a very common issue. A lot of us take a capful of Miralax every morning to keep on top of it. Others take stool softeners, magnesium tablets, or eat a few prunes every day. Or Smooth Move tea. Just find something that works for you and keep on top of it.

only about 5% of people can lose a bunch of weight and keep it off. I was not one of those 5%, even though I tried and tried and tried for decades. I also started out at over 300 lbs. On my own, I'd lose at most 50-60 lbs (and those were my more successful attempts - I'd usually lose more like 10 or 20). It was only a matter of time before it all piled back on. Since I had over 200 lbs to lose, I finally came to the conclusion that there was no way this was going to happen, if I couldn't even keep 50 lbs off.

Surgery has been the only thing that has worked for me. My efforts actually paid off. I lost over 200 lbs. So hang in there..

Moniqueavila1
on 9/20/21 11:23 pm
Topic: Just had vsg done and I regret it

Hello my name is Monique and I had vsg done on sept 10th at Kaiser in CA . It was a great experience starting with the options program (diet classes) . I learned a lot about food and managing calories etc. I weighed 340 after on feb and starting a new way of eating in July after I finished the classes and I lost a total of 24 lbs . Day of surgery I was so proud of myself for losing more weight and I seriously thought to myself if I should continue with the surgery . I found myself thinking about food and what if I feel worse after surgery etc . I went ahead and proceeded and was by myself , when I woke up I really had regretted it I was in so much pain from the gas , I couldn't stay awake , I was nauseous . Now I am 11 days post op and I regret it so much I have trouble with drinking fluids , I'm scared to drink broth or shakes snd I'm dealing with constipation . I have two small boys who I cook for everyday and it's so hard not able to eat with them as a family . I feel like I'm not getting my protein in and I am making my hydration goal every other day. I find it so difficult and wonder alot of how I could of just made better choices in food and worked out more . I have dropped 19 lbs so far , my family sees a difference but I don't . It's just really hard especially not having someone to be with you every step of the way . What do you guys think ?

Kathleen W.
on 9/18/21 6:09 pm - Lancaster, PA
Topic: RE: Why I'm having hard time looking at pictures of me before my weight loss surgery

I still have my photo id from Motor Vehicles at my heaviest. I keep it with me to remind myself of what I don't want to go back to. Also, people didn't know me at that weight don't believe when I show them. It also reminds me of what I don't want to look like that again.

SW 327
GW 150
CW 126

                                      

Kathleen W.
on 9/18/21 6:00 pm - Lancaster, PA
Topic: RE: should or shouldn't go to my highschool reunion after lose 200lbs

Go and enjoy it. You could well be an inspiration to someone who is struggling with their own weight.

SW 327
GW 150
CW 126

                                      

JeanDiehl
on 9/18/21 10:11 am - Harrisburg, PA
RNY on 04/19/21
Topic: RE: Mostly hungry only at night?

Noom has great articles on breaking habits. Check out this one then Google "noom online articles on breaking habits"

https://web.noom.com/blog/behavior-change-101-the-behavior-c hain/

Noom has practical suggestions that don't make you feel like a failure because you failed in the past. Here's to change!

Want2beMe
on 9/17/21 2:42 pm
VSG on 08/17/20
Topic: RE: Failure

My stress level is out of this world! I caved in and bought 3 breaded unhealthy meals today. On the flip side I got a gym membership and get a fitness lesson in a week. I'm great with visual reminders, so I'm going to start a food chart and print some pictures of all the healthy foods I love- to post in the kitchen. I feel down on myself, but I feel like I have the motivation to keep aiming for my goal.

Thanks for all the feedback, I wrote down a lot to help me stay focused. I know VSG surgery wasn't a waste and I need to commit to the changes. I also have a great team of doctors who help me strive to lose. I am taking a break from TOPS and I decided to work full time verses part time which begins in November.

Alexpope
on 9/17/21 8:59 am
RNY on 10/21/20
Topic: RE: Failure

I am not yet a year out and I had a period where my weight was going back up. The reason was I was consuming alcohol regularly (beer) and eating crap foods while out with friends (mostly carbs) even though I could not eat a lot the amount of calories in both of those things lead to regain. Also I found that when I was drinking beer and eating carbs I was having what I think is dumping and I would go in to a feed frenzy afterward where I consumed more food. I gained about 20 lbs in two months and I was sure I had ruined my surgery. I spoke with some people on her via private message and encouraged me to start tracking all my food intake and to meal plan. I started doing that and sticking to high protein meals with balanced veg and fiber and I started losing again. Since that time I lost the 20 I regained and I am back on track. It is not too late to get back on track. The group I attend has some people who are out by 9+ years and many have had the same experience at one point but have said that this is all up to us and all we have to do is work to succeed. Can I ask why surgery you had rny or vsg?

TheWombat
on 9/17/21 7:02 am
VSG on 06/11/18
Topic: RE: Failure

My suggestion: Instead of trying to overhaul your diet immediately, fix one thing at a time. This can help you from getting overwhelmed.

1. Track everything you eat.

As you track your eating, think about why you're eating. Were you hungry? bored? stressed? Just wanted the sensation of chewing or crunching something? Was it a social occasion and you wanted to join in? I've learned that it's perfectly normal and healthy to eat sometimes when you're not hungry. Everyone (whatever their size) does it. Instead of trying to white-knuckle through these urges, I find it best to plan for it by having foods on hand that are fun to eat and low calorie (or low carb, if that's your goal). Some examples: pomegranate seeds, carrot sticks, frozen grapes/cherries (suck on them to defrost a bit, then chew), sugar-free jello, sugar-free popsicles.

Also, for the less-healthy foods, why did you choose them? Were you stressed and trying to self-soothe? Before my surgery, I made a mental list of things that I could do when stressed out, like curl up under the duvet, drink some fragrant herbal tea, take a hot shower, snuggle with my cats, listen to music. Notice how these activities involve a lot of different senses, as do the fun-to-eat snacks I mentioned earlier. I find it helpful to remind myself regularly to engage other senses besides taste.

Too tired to cook? Personally, I hate cooking. I knew I should meal-prep, but that was never going to happen. So instead I looked high and low for healthy prepared meals. I was surprised at all the options available. I have to drive a little farther to do the grocery shopping, but it's worth it.

I found that my desire to eat varies from day to day, even when taking activity level into account. My high-hunger days are usually balanced out by my low-hunger days. Realising this was a game changer for me. Now when I have a day where I eat more than usual, I don't feel I've "blown" my diet. I accept that it was probably just a hungry day, and I only need to worry about it if there are a few days like that in a row. I've noticed that my cats do the same thing. Some days they'll naturally eat more than usual, some days they'll eat less than usual.

2. Identify one thing that you can improve about your diet without feeling deprived.

Look at the things you eat most often. Perhaps one of them would be just as satisfying if you chose a sugar-free version, or made some other small change. Perhaps if you had better options on hand, you would chose them. Perhaps meal-prepping would help.

3. Get comfortable with that one change. Then you can consider making the next change (if needed).

TIP:I find it works better to focus on doing the things I should do, instead of resisting the things I shouldn't. I try never to tell myself "no" when it comes to food; instead, I tell myself "later". How does that work? From the time I wake up, I focus on getting enough fluids (I have found I feel better if I have 2.5 litres) and eating a vegetable dish. Once I've accomplished those two things, if I really want something, I eat it. My exception to that is sugar; I never want to get addicted to that stuff again! I do eat sugary foods once or twice a year, but it always leaves me feeling a bit queasy.

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