Almost 6 Years
Well thank you Annette...
It's not always easy being honest, especially when I don't even know when I'm lieing to myself! That ever happen to you? This pouch thing has taught me that I HAVE TO BE HONEST in order to survive. It's not an option anymore ... because I can'teat away the feelings created by lieing to myself or to others.
You are soooo right. A much better life it is...more beautiful than I'd have wished for.
Jeani
It's not always easy being honest, especially when I don't even know when I'm lieing to myself! That ever happen to you? This pouch thing has taught me that I HAVE TO BE HONEST in order to survive. It's not an option anymore ... because I can'teat away the feelings created by lieing to myself or to others.
You are soooo right. A much better life it is...more beautiful than I'd have wished for.
Jeani
Enjoyed the frankness with which you posted. I read the whole thing, but one thing stuck out:
(1) I followed the surgeons rules for physical health
So many people just don't get this. To me, it has been easy, because I did that. Followed rule number 1.
When I went to the hockey game with my grandson, I did not feel like paying $4.50 for a bottle of water, so I asked my grandson for a sip of his soda. Just wanted to wet my whistle. And I didn't even drink enough to moisten my tongue. I told my grandson that was the first soda I had had since my surgery (14 months ago).
I am also impressed at numbers 4 and 5. Telling the truth and accepting your mistakes. What a concept! Taking responsibility! I have not been on this board long, so I really don't know you. I don't know what you have been through (though from your post, it seems a lot). But one thing for sure. You have your head on straight now.
God bless you.
(1) I followed the surgeons rules for physical health
So many people just don't get this. To me, it has been easy, because I did that. Followed rule number 1.
When I went to the hockey game with my grandson, I did not feel like paying $4.50 for a bottle of water, so I asked my grandson for a sip of his soda. Just wanted to wet my whistle. And I didn't even drink enough to moisten my tongue. I told my grandson that was the first soda I had had since my surgery (14 months ago).
I am also impressed at numbers 4 and 5. Telling the truth and accepting your mistakes. What a concept! Taking responsibility! I have not been on this board long, so I really don't know you. I don't know what you have been through (though from your post, it seems a lot). But one thing for sure. You have your head on straight now.
God bless you.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!
Hi George,
I've talked with people who don't get any directions or even suggestions from a surgeon who performs this very serious surgical procedure. It amazes me. When I finally decided to do this, at my PCPs insistence, I looked at the 8 surgeons who my insurance would pay for and I did a lot of background work, like how many they had done versus deaths, how many open vs lap, how many successes by talking with their patients; and I also checked their aftercare programs.. I chose the one surgeon in the bunch with laproscopic trauma training and an extensive aftercare program including support groups with a psychologist and nutritionist on board in the office. Thank goodness I had enough presence of mind to realize I might go a "tad" crazy with this whole thing. LOL. I guess that's why it's a good thing this message board community exists. At least people can come here and glean an idea or two about how to treat thier pouches.
I remember when I was "angeling" a woman who called me 3 weeks out of her surgery and told me she was so happy she could eat a whole hot dog at the game that weekend. I was dumbfounded and speechless. Needless to say I verbally kicked her hiney and stopped angeling at that point. There was no point in driving myself any crazier with irresponsible and clueless newbies at that point it became "save yourself" !! LOL
You know George, it's been almost 6 years and I still don't drink soda. I've done what you did at the hockey game, but that's it. If I even try to put any more down there it hurts like the dickens so I don't even miss soda now. And, I was the soda queen. I'm amazed at the number of us that will push beyond the pain to reteach our pouches to take the abuse we gave our natural stomachs until they behave like one.
Taking responsibility I think should be Rule #1. I can't speak for all obese people, I'm only one of us, but my biggest issue was avoiding personal accountability and responsibility. I did NOT WANT to take responsibility for my health. I fought this surgery for 2 years because i DIDN'T WANT the ultimate responsibility for my own body!!! Have you ever heard anything so stoopid??? Yeah, me too. I've read it a lot on this board. I still see it here only the faces have changed.
Thanks for the "head on straight" view. I truly appreciate it, and I totally appreciate someone who can see that!! We can only see in others that which we already see in ourselves.
And, Bless you too George,
Jeani
I've talked with people who don't get any directions or even suggestions from a surgeon who performs this very serious surgical procedure. It amazes me. When I finally decided to do this, at my PCPs insistence, I looked at the 8 surgeons who my insurance would pay for and I did a lot of background work, like how many they had done versus deaths, how many open vs lap, how many successes by talking with their patients; and I also checked their aftercare programs.. I chose the one surgeon in the bunch with laproscopic trauma training and an extensive aftercare program including support groups with a psychologist and nutritionist on board in the office. Thank goodness I had enough presence of mind to realize I might go a "tad" crazy with this whole thing. LOL. I guess that's why it's a good thing this message board community exists. At least people can come here and glean an idea or two about how to treat thier pouches.
I remember when I was "angeling" a woman who called me 3 weeks out of her surgery and told me she was so happy she could eat a whole hot dog at the game that weekend. I was dumbfounded and speechless. Needless to say I verbally kicked her hiney and stopped angeling at that point. There was no point in driving myself any crazier with irresponsible and clueless newbies at that point it became "save yourself" !! LOL
You know George, it's been almost 6 years and I still don't drink soda. I've done what you did at the hockey game, but that's it. If I even try to put any more down there it hurts like the dickens so I don't even miss soda now. And, I was the soda queen. I'm amazed at the number of us that will push beyond the pain to reteach our pouches to take the abuse we gave our natural stomachs until they behave like one.
Taking responsibility I think should be Rule #1. I can't speak for all obese people, I'm only one of us, but my biggest issue was avoiding personal accountability and responsibility. I did NOT WANT to take responsibility for my health. I fought this surgery for 2 years because i DIDN'T WANT the ultimate responsibility for my own body!!! Have you ever heard anything so stoopid??? Yeah, me too. I've read it a lot on this board. I still see it here only the faces have changed.
Thanks for the "head on straight" view. I truly appreciate it, and I totally appreciate someone who can see that!! We can only see in others that which we already see in ourselves.
And, Bless you too George,
Jeani
I'm with you on the ulcer. My pouch ulcerated and now I can barely eat enough to keep my labs in the low range. I guess the ulcer is one of the reasons I cannot tolerate meat. I live on peanut butter. LOL. It's good to see you and see that you are still thin and happy. This place serves its purpose of the newbies and I come to see old friends, but after a while, I back out again. I have to admit that those people that I've met in real life are the ones that I check here to see how they are doing and consider my friends. BTW, do you still collect drift wood. During our ice storm, one of our trees had to come down and in the very top was a branch that had died years before and it had been used by birds as a nesting place. I'm tempted to put it back, but it is such a fine dried out piece of wood. So, I have it and am thinking of sanding some on it and making a vase. Yep, it is already a vase of sorts. Anyway, I see drift wood often and think of you and wonder what you would see in it. YOu need to come to Arkansas and visit the river beds when the summer begins to dry them out. Gotta go, coffee is getting cold.
Hey Gurl,
It's good to hear from you!! I think of you often. At the same Farmers Market Saturday I ate an Arkansas Black Apple and while thinking of my mom - from the Ozards whose favorite apple this was - I thought of you and your rocks too. I'm glad to hear you are alive and well, still "collecting" and loving nature. I promise you if I ever do get to Arkansas again I'll let you know and I would LOVE to meet with you and walk the river beds. I walk them here in the desert all the time. The washes are full of dried cactus spines, well further out in the desert the local area is too condensed with bipeds who keep it scoured. I have to go at least 80 miles to find the good stuff now.
Peanut butter is good!!! I eat a lot of it. The fat content doesn't seem to be an issue at all now that I'm not eating meat. I'm loving being a vegetarian...not a vegan - yogurt is my friend - but the consciousness around not eating animal flesh works really well for my soul. Who knew?
Do you take Nexium or drink Carafate for the ulcers - I will....for life. It sure has screwed with my insurance though- LOL. Ahhh who needs stickin' insurance...LOL!!!
It's good to know you are one of the people in the world "out there" being who you are...real.
Loveyou,
Jeani
It's good to hear from you!! I think of you often. At the same Farmers Market Saturday I ate an Arkansas Black Apple and while thinking of my mom - from the Ozards whose favorite apple this was - I thought of you and your rocks too. I'm glad to hear you are alive and well, still "collecting" and loving nature. I promise you if I ever do get to Arkansas again I'll let you know and I would LOVE to meet with you and walk the river beds. I walk them here in the desert all the time. The washes are full of dried cactus spines, well further out in the desert the local area is too condensed with bipeds who keep it scoured. I have to go at least 80 miles to find the good stuff now.
Peanut butter is good!!! I eat a lot of it. The fat content doesn't seem to be an issue at all now that I'm not eating meat. I'm loving being a vegetarian...not a vegan - yogurt is my friend - but the consciousness around not eating animal flesh works really well for my soul. Who knew?
Do you take Nexium or drink Carafate for the ulcers - I will....for life. It sure has screwed with my insurance though- LOL. Ahhh who needs stickin' insurance...LOL!!!
It's good to know you are one of the people in the world "out there" being who you are...real.
Loveyou,
Jeani
I do the carafate liquid and prilosec. I cannot go a day without either or my
pouch feels like it is onfire. I would love to have you come for a visit. I am leaning toward vegatarian because meat, since surgery, has never agreed with me. I cannot even do the milk or milk products. I eat chicken and peanut butter and most days just the peanut butter. My cat is biting me as I type. She sure is pissy about my keyboard. LOL
Thanks Connie - based on that pic you aren't doing too badly yoursefl gurl!!! How gorgeous. It's important to stop in now and then for those of us who are steady and somewhat further out to let everyone know it works and there IS A FUTURE!!! I remember the days being very difficult and I'd read a post from someone who "made it" and I'd be encouraged. So, I have to come back now and then and do the same thing.
Hugs,
Jeani
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