Constantly paranoid...

I had my surgery on 5/2/06 and have lost 27 pounds so far. I feel great for the most part. The only thing is that I'm constantly paranoid about doing things wrong. Worried abou****er, worried about food, worried about how fast I eat the food, worried about my pouch getting stretched, worried about not losing enough weight. Just worry, worry, worry. Did anyone else experience this? I also wanted to say thank you to all the people who have posted on this website. You guys and extremely brave and have definitely been a source of comfort even though I just joined this site today.

You worry too much! Water: drink as much as possible. If you're not using the bathroom very much, drink more. And then more. With summer coming on, drink more than that. For me, this is easier said than done, but it helps to always have some water with you, and every time you think about it, take a drink, thirsty or not. Food: at this point, you CANNOT eat too much. Did you see a nutritionist before surgery? They should have outlined the procedure that you're to follow with regard to which kinds of foods when. You should still be on 1/4 to 1/2 cup pureed food for each meal, 3 times a day. I personally am 7 weeks out tomorrow, and have tried some solid food a couple of times, but my body TELLS me in no uncertain terms that I am not ready for that, and up it comes. There aren't many exceptions to this. (I nibbled at this TINY piece of hamburger (maybe an inch square and the size of my thumbprint) about a week ago, and so far, this is the only thing I have kept down in terms of solids that weren't necessarily soft.) Chicken kills me, even if I chew it to death. But I'm gearing up -- I am allowed "real" food next Tuesday, but that's not really going to stop me from pureeing most of everything. How fast you're eating: Do you know about/follow the 30/30 rule? (no drinking of ANYTHING 30 min before, during or 30 min after a meal) Is it taking you about a half hour to eat? I think this is one of the ways that this surgery gets you, eating to me now is so BORING, and takes FOREVER, as well as a lot of planning, which is annoying too. Sometimes I'd just rather skip it altogether, though that's really not an option either. I think a major contributor to a pouch getting stretched is carbonation. Avoid, at all costs, ANYTHING with carbonation in it. I don't know about other ways your pouch can get stretched, if I put too much too fast into mine, it doesn't stretch out, it just comes back UP. Do you belong to a support group? If not, you should really consider joining one. I notice you're in Reston; Fair Oaks Hospital has at least two really good ones that I know of. You have already taken a good step by coming to OH for a really good kind of everyday touchstone to keep on track, but you have to take advice you get here with a grain of salt -- every person is different, every surgeon is different, and you can get a crazy amount of contradictory advice here. On the other hand, it's always good to hear more than one point of view, too. I'm still learning, but I'll give you any help I can. Julie

honey, just take it slow. i will probably get shot for saying this but i had surgery in nov and dont follow everything to the t. no matter what i have been losing faster than i probably would have wanted. 100 pounds +since nov. i have been through so much with my family in the past year you wouldnt believe it. no matter what the weight has kept coming off. thank God for that! I really have been blessed. most days i dont get my protien and sometimes i forget to take a vitamine. i try to do the best i can. i can't tolerate the whey protien, it makes me sick and i am lactose intolerant now. my doc advised me to switch to soy protien and soy products. that has helped recently. sometimes i forget my vitamines so i just try harder to remember. these things are all very important though and should be followed because they can cause seriouse problems down the road. we are not perfect though and we all just need to make it as best we can sometimes. some days you may forget a vitamine or not get in all the water you should have. just do better the next day. it will be ok! dont beat yourself up. Lots of Luck!!! susanne~

Hey Susanne, I am so glad to see you on the board. It's been so long since I talked to you. I remember posting to you just before your surgery and you were a wreck. I didn't recognize you in your recent picture and had to go and look at your profile. You look great!!!! Amazing how much different one looks after lossing 100 + pounds. I don't know if you read my earlier post but I finally got approved for surgery. My date is July 3rd. I'm excited and also scared. Bet I don't sleep much the night before. Just wanted to let you know about this because I alway felt close to you when you were going through the approval/surgery process. E mail when you get the chance and let's catch up. Miss you bunches Lots of Love Kathy-26 days & counting

Worry .. it was my middle name ... I worried so much in the begining ... that I bit all my acrylic off my nails ... what did I do ... ??? I came here .. and stayed here . This was my support for a long time . I can tell you this now being 2 years out .. the weight loss will happen . You where given the fundamentals to this surgery . You know what to do .. just keep it REAL . Take each day one by one . Do not look at any goals .. right now . Just make sure you are keeping to the basic formula . PROTEN + WATER + EXERSISE = WEIGHT LOSS It is that simple ... yea you say well Tink .. what if I mess up .. OMG I had so many trial and errors at this .. .if you falter .. start over .. tommorow is another day . Take your worry and turn it in to positive ... when you feel like you are about to worry your self sick .. write about it .. get out and walk .. but do not let this get you down . Know we are here for you .. always .. !!! Hugs and Much Love .. Natalie