Hello from a perplexed newbie...

I have a history of being a positive, friendly guy. I think, some friends might say, to a fault... but that's another post.

The past week I haven't felt very positive. Help me out, my positive friends!! I had surgery Feb. 9th, RNY, and have only lost 16 pounds since then. Sure feels like a heck of a lot of work, pain and $$ to have gone through for such an inauspicious start on my "journey." Part of the problem is that magic point of 300 pounds, which I really expected to be under by now. It's 312... which (positively speaking) is less than I've weighed in years, years, years. And I certainly do show all the weight loss in my face (see my pics) and people say so.

Perhaps I'm losing more slowly because over the year before surgery I lost 56 pounds (including the 15 or so during the liquid pre-op diet)?

I'm an impatient patient, people!

OK, feeling a little guilty about not sharing the good news for y'all... the pain of surgery for me was not a big deal... got off my meds by two weeks out. Haven't had any problems keeping down my liquids or mushies. Today I feel fine, no pain, no issues. Just frustration... and perhaps a bit of weariness at all the change. My boss took the opportunity of my three weeks off work to change my work schedule from early mornings to late afternoons (used to get to work at 5:30am, now get in at 11am... I like the change, really I do, but it's a change). So... I have new eating, new sleeping, etc patterns to deal with. Two weeks back at work after three weeks off, and I'm just having a pity party today.

OK, enough about me. Hope all of you are having a fabulous day!!

First Let me say Welcome Greg. 

 I think we all make the mistake that because the name of the group is 'Positive Attitudes'  that we can't talk about feeling negative. I beleive the goal of the group is helping one another in a positive way, I beleive Yvonne created this group as a response to the negativity that goes on in places like the main forum. (Please correct me if I am wrong Yvonne)

Change is very difficult for many of us. Maybe the total change will be a good thing. You won't be in the same old routine, now you get to start a whole New routine. A healthier and happier routine.  As for the speed of weight loss, I think Many of us are frustrated by  how long it takes.   You may want to take a look at your protein and water intake, maybe even your food intake, oddley enough I found when I didn't eat enough or get enough protein, my weight loss slowed. 

Be Well

 I beleive Yvonne created this group as a response to the negativity that goes on in places like the main forum. (Please correct me if I am wrong Yvonne)

Girl as usual you are absolutely right!! I couldn't have said it better!
hugs, Y

 Thank You Y! For everything!

First of all Greg, WELCOME!!

I want to share with you why most of us are not feeling particularly positive at this time in our journey.  It is much like an alcoholic going through withdrawal.  Our body is going through hormonal changes but we literally are affected by the fact that when we get kind of "down" that we can't use food to self medicate like we did in the past.  What an incredible feat! 56 pounds before surgery and 15 during the liquid pre-op?  Your body is fighting to get back to where it was so it's holding on to those pounds because of going into starvation mode.  Pretty soon the pounds will be dropping off 5 pounds at a time.  Men in particular lose so fast!

I LOVE people that are positive to a fault!  Guess what? I'm probably your long lost sister!

This is exactly why I formed this board and that's so you can find answers to those little things you wonder about. Nothing makes me happier than to guide someone through their journey by helping them understand what most of us are about to face.  Your next to the last paragraph is what I call a "turn around statement" by talking about the good side.  Good for you!

As a newbie it's important to make all those life changes now and get them really under your belt (ok I didn't mean to be funny) before the honeymoon period ends.  We get this enormous high over losing this weight and when it's over it's time to get back to regular life and for some that is difficult.

So Greg, tell us about yourself.  We are so glad to have you here!
hugs, Y

Greg..first of all welcome to the group...so very nice to have you here. I am a postive person too and yet every once in awhile we all need to have that little pity party and get it out of our system.

Do you realize you have lost 16 pounds in a month..4 weeks!! that is 4 pounds a week..that is HUGE!!..sorry no pun intended..lol

You are doing great! I have to tell you about my husband..He and I both had our WLS last year. He had his on November 9th..he is down 100 pounds from his highest weight ever..it is falling off of him...He can now buy clothes anywhere after only three months..it is comming for you dear..sooner then you can even imagine.

Just remember you did not put the weight on overnight so it will not come off overnight..that is what I have to tell myself everyday as I get frustrated often with my loss numbers..until I break them down to how many pounds a week Im losing..then Im really proud of myself.

Keep your chin up and try and be patient..I KNOW ITS HARD..Im not a patient person either..but this is one time where your patience will pay off big time..in your health and looks and all aspects of your life.

Take a seat on the losers bench next to us and we will hold your hand and give you encouragement through your journey..Katie :)

Hi Greg and welcome to the Losers Bench!

OK, I read your post and all the responses and one thing I thought of... I like positivity also, and was thinking that when a person has this surgery you don't want any of their friends or loved ones to hear them say things like you said here, you don't want to have them think you are sorry you had this surgery because we know we aren't but would like to just let down our shield for a moment !  You did, we are here for you you, as the others said that is what this site is for !  We are your best friends and won't judge you for saying how you feel.  We are here for understanding and support.  Feel free to air your honest feelings ! 

Keep up the great work!

I think I'm in love with this message group! You people are amazing, and I really feel like you "get it" where I'm coming from.

Yes, of course I'm still thrilled I had the surgery and proud of myself for following through all the rigamarole... and actually lying down on that gurney and kissing my honey on the way to the operating room. And I would do it again tomorrow. I'm just at a bit of a speed bump. How could there not be a speed bump, undertaking something so huge and life-changing? And I have an inkling I don't know the half of it, the changes that are coming for me, not only physically but emotionally, mentally, dare I say, spiritually (more on that in another post).

Yesterday was my first day of "regular" food after the mushies phase. Pam cooked up a very most chicken recipie... no skin, small pieces of thigh meat... and I was surprised and thrilled that my little portion went down just fine after being chew chew chewed! I'm not bragging here... I really thought chicken might be my downfall. I've been waiting for the "uh-oh" feeling so many folks describe. So far... I can eat anything I've tried. This scares me a little... OK it scares me a lot... but I'm following all the rules (no drinking 30 minutes either side of a meal, etc) and feel satisfied with smaller portions. Getting used to that last part is taking some time... I have over-done it with some of the mushies, getting to the point of pain. I'm breaking down my resistance to measuring food. I've found little dishes that hold 1/2 cup, and I get to fill those little dishes up so I feel like I have a "full" portion while not over-doing. It's not that I feel hungry... I don't... it's just the old habits. I know you all understand!! Thank you for that.

I better get started with my crazy day... I'm trying out for the tenor lead in Ruddigore by Gilbert & Sullivan with a group I've worked with for many years. I usually play the old man parts or the stuffy official guy... this time I'm trying for the tenor lead!! I'm going to ask the directors to visualize me 75 pounds lighter, as I probably will be by the time the show hits the stage. Wish me luck!

There really ARE some amazing people here aren't there. I will tell you I was about leave OH when Yvonne invited me to this group. Had it not been for this group I would prolly have been long gone by now.

I wish you the best of luck as Ruddigore.  This past summer I was in a small dinner theatre at the yatch club my parents belong to.  Apparently I was good enough that people are still talking about it. (I won best actress...lol)  It was so much fun. I am thinking about getting involved with the local theatre. No singing roles for me though!!

Be Well My Friend

PS:

"and actually lying down on that gurney and kissing my honey on the way to the operating room" 

This is Too Sweet!!!

 

Thank you my dearest Lilitu.  You made my day with your first paragraph.  I'm so so soooo glad you stayed because you are invaluable to us here.  To think that we could have lost such a precious soul.  YEA!  Thanks for those kind words.  And I definitely think you need to do the local theatre!!
hugs, Y