Hi Patrece - and Everyone else

 Thanks for the message this morning.  I haven't been here like I used to be, I know this.  I have my reasons, and most are selfish:

- I'm struggling.  I am on "real" food now, but most of it doesn't really like me much.  I have a hard time keeping things down.  I'm also... there's no delicate way to say this:  I'm constipated!  This is a whole new experience for me, and it SUCKS!  lol  I have talked with my doctor's office, and everything is normal.  It's just not pleasant right now!  I don't usually like to be a "Debbie Downer", so rather than voicing my daily trials and tribulations I have just been keeping to myself and learning how to 'deal'.

- My daughter and her fiance just moved out, we finished the move yesterday.  I miss them - a lot already!  She's 5 months along now, and I miss the daily interaction with the baby-to-be as well; yes, I'm the corny one who talks to the belly... lol

I have a lot going on in my life right now, and some of it is making me cranky.  I have lost 62+ lbs since Jan. 26; that is amazing!  But it's costing me some too, both physically and emotionally.  I went into this with my eyes wide open, and I know it's all normal, but when reality hits and all of the stories you hear about beforehand actually start happening to YOU... well, living it is a whole lot different than reading about it!

Overall everything is good.  Patrece, love the new pictures, you look incredible, and I can tell you feel great too.  I'm really happy for you!

I'll try to be around more, and be more supportive of others.  I promise!

Have a great day everyone  :)

Hi Darlene, it was good to see you post.

I can be a "Debbie Downer" sometimes but that's part of being in a support group  If everything was all right all of the time, we wouldn't need support groups.

Hope to see you more active with the group.

Colleen

darlene, so good to be hearing from you. you have been missed around here. sorry to hear that you are struggling.   i know what u mean.  i have had little things go wrong with me from day one.  i don't like to gripe either but this is a support group and that is part of it, so just let it fall from your fingers on to the key board.,  that is why we are here.  your weight loss sounds great. do u feel skinnier?  i bet you do.  hang in there. vick

Aw darlene honey... Please do not ever feel like if you are posting with challenges and struggles that you are being a dwoner. This is what we are here for. To help each other get through these hard times, challenges, difficulties, and share in the wow's too. Like Colleen said, if this were easy, we wouldn't need a support group. Group support can be one of our most powerful tools in making through all of this.Please make good use of it and et us be here for you. I have really missed you being here. I have thought of you often and wondered how it has been going for you.

As for the constipation, most all of us go through this. I take miralax, it is non habit forming. It mixes tastelessly into ANYTHING you drink and does not make it all thick and nasty like many of the fiber ones do. Try this, or an equivelant. One dose daily. in a few days, you should notice some major relief. Also, you may need to increase your water intake (or crystal light sugar free popsicles, etc) Nothing with caffienne, as it is a diuretic and will contribute to the constipation.

As for the food not sitting well, is it everything? or just some things? Or have you not been able to identify what triggers it? You may be eating too quickly, or too much at one time... Lord knows that in the early months we barely take in enough to justify calling it a meal. Maybe try to slow down how long it takes you to consume your meal, chew extra good and really listen to your pouch to tell you when you don't need any more. Don't wait to feel "FULL" just satisfied.

Anyone who believes this is the easy way out, is so uninformed and clueless...huh? There is nothing easy about any of this!

Congrats on your wonderful weight loss! you are doing awesome! The day will come that you will learn how your body best tolorates things, and you will find this journey to get a bit easier. Until then, please do not hesitate to post here and let us walk beside you in your journey.
Thank you for coming back to us!
Hugs and love!
Patrece

Darlene, congrats on the weight loss!!  That is a lot of excess that is gone, and gone for good.  :)  I know it does come with a price.  This isn't easy, even when, like we both did, going into it with eyes wide open.  But, then compared to what life would have held for us had we remained way too heavy in terms of increased health problems, decreased life expectancy, and limited mobility, for me, it has been worth every pain and frustration I have gone through since surgery.  And I know there are more struggles to come, some even bigger than the ones I have already faced with the surgery. 

But, then there are the small victories...the other day, I walked up a hill without huffing and puffing and having to stop mid-way.  This morning, I was able to cut my toe nail with my foot flat on the bed and not having to twist and turn and hold my breath just to see my toes.  And I am excited to see an old friend tomorrow, someone I haven't see in almost 25 years, and am not worried about what she is going to think of me and my size.  Those small victories are so powerful!!  And I know there are more of those to come, too, some even bigger than the ones I have already experienced.  :):)

Hang in there, sweetie!  If there is anything I can do to support you in the good times and the bad, please let me know.  We are all just a reach away.  :)


Guayas

Good to see you too Guayas, I do catch up with you during chat from time to time.  Great wows with clipping your nails and walking without shortness of breath. 

Have a great weekend yourself.  Hugs

Darlene, I am so glad to see your post.  You are very important and what you are going through matters.  We are here for all phases of the wls.  Happy, joys, wow, just day to day talking, questions, concerns and everything in between. 

When people disappear, I tend to think that things are going so well, that they are busy enjoying life.  I can see that that is not always the case.  Just letting you know that I care for you and will continue to walk beside you on this adventure.

We talked about constipation in our local wls support group last month, others were so glad that the topic had come up.  We were all afraid to say something, once the topic opened up, lots of sharing happened.  I use generic benefiber in my crystal light every day and an occassional dose of miralax when needed.  Tried milk of magnesia, yuckkkkkkkieeeeeee, have the rest of the bottle available for anyone who wants it, lol.

I have a life long experience in stuffing or hiding emotions.  Suspect that many of us do this.  It does help to put thoughts and feelings down, it helps us to see that we are doing and being normal.  Journaling or posting, writing things down helps to clarify thoughts.

Congratulations, you are doing well on the losing.  Is there something I can help you with?  Know that I care, hugs, hugs and more hugs

Hi Darlene. It's good to hear from you. Sorry about the constipation problem. I deal with that every now and then to. My biggest problem is still food and not getting in enough of it because, like you, alot does not agree with me. But I am starting to have a day now and then when I can eat more normally like my nut wants me to do. So there is hope!

Congrats on your weight loss and I hope things soon get better for you.

Hugs,
Rhonda

As someone who gets very emotional, I would say it isn't good to bottle your feelings.  When I deal with things myself, I eat.  That's something I'm realizing now, and a story for another day.  But what I mean is, you have a perfectly good and nurturing support group right here.  Support groups aren't just about the sucesses, they are also about getting help with the other stuff.  Life isn't perfect, so don't be take it too much to heart.  You've started a new life with 62 pounds lost, and there is a  baby is on the way.  That's so exciting.  God bless, and hope you feel better!