Gettin all fat and puffy and shit. - Page 4

xoxoxoBruce · 01-14-2010, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dagney

It grates my nerves to hear some folks (no one here) say that I took the 'easy way out'.

It sure doesn't sound easy to me.

Dagney · 01-14-2010, 05:46 PM

It's really not THAT bad...you just have to sacrifice a little spontaneity for planning ahead. When I travel, I make sure I take my protein sources with me, so I always have something that will boost my numbers. I'm pretty well versed in things that I can eat, and can usually always find something on the menu wherever my hubby wants to go. I pack my meals at work, which saves a lot of mone - also a good thing because I shrink out of clothes in a heartbeat.

All in all, it's been a positive experience - not easy - but easily the best decision I made for myself!

Shawnee123 · 01-14-2010, 07:43 PM

Dag and juju: I've also heard people say it was the best decision they could make for themselves. It couldn't have been an easy decision. I know, because a friend of mine went through it before my very eyes, that it's not easy. However, she had spent her whole life very big. She was happy in who she was to some extent, before the surgery, but I watched her start to feel good about herself, physically.

For her, it was so new that the adjustment period was particularly painful. She made some abrupt changes marriage-wise and career-wise. I think, in retrospect, that she needed to just start over.

I'm asking with all due respect, did you experience that? I was with my friend as she dealt with all of it, but I can't say I really understood it, only because I saw her go through some hard times.

Anyway, congratulations. Just keep taking care of yourselves the best you can.

You're already there, you already made a hard decision! Feel good.

jujuwwhite · 01-15-2010, 09:29 AM

As for me, Shawnee, I was divorced and living on my own so I was honestly able to say I made the decision for myself not for anyone else's acceptance. I too was 'satisfied and content' with being a over sized woman. It didn't stop me from living a life, or so I thought...LOL I had to make my decision to have my surgery after they thought I was having heart problems, but thank God it wasn't!

Anyway, the heart doctor looked me in my eyes and told me that if I didn't get the weight off I would be dead within 10yrs. See, I already had severe sleep apnea and he explained to me that I would not have a heart attack that could be helped, I would just go to sleep one night and suffocate from my own body weight! It scared me to death to think about dying in my sleep and no one finding me for days! That is how my journey began but it still took 8 months to get through all the red tape of insurance and other fun stuff.

Yes, it was the absolute best thing I ever did for myself. Yes, I too, had an adjustment period of trying to figure out who I was. It's funny because as your obese body begins to melt away before your very eyes, you begin to see the real person emerging. Butterflies became my theme because in so many ways I felt like a caterpillar who was transforming into a beautiful butterfly. That's why there is a large beautiful butterfly tattooed on my chest as a cover up tattoo to a ugly broken heart that was tattooed there.

Shawnee123 · 01-15-2010, 09:31 AM

Thanks for sharing your experience juju. I love your butterfly story.

squirell nutkin · 01-15-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

You already made a hard decision feel good.

I think she does that for Capnhowdy every night.

monster · 01-15-2010, 09:35 AM

oh shush, you'll get them started again....

squirell nutkin · 01-15-2010, 09:37 AM

What was I thinking?
Newlyweds. It's sickening.

jujuwwhite · 01-15-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

oh shush, you'll get them started again....

Nah! He's at work and I'm supposed to be getting dressed to meet him for lunch but I just HAVE to catch up on the cellar first! LOL

xoxoxoBruce · 01-15-2010, 09:44 AM

Nooner, nooner, nooner.

Pie · 01-15-2010, 10:05 AM

Ladies, thank you for sharing this. I'm listening to these stories avidly. I'm considering getting a lap-band or bypass -- I have about 110 lbs I need to lose, and apparently the younger you do it, the better the outcomes.

As my doctor says, "Well, right now we've got your body fooled with drugs into thinking it's healthy. But you won't ever be healthy till you lose that weight." I'm on two oral diabetes drugs and a statin (though I may never come off the statins; large genetic component there!)

More questions: can (or should?) you drink alcohol? What do you do about special occasions, or going out to eat with a group? Do your co-workers know?

What are the really long term (20 or 30 years down the road) expectations? I'm 35, so I need to consider a 40 or even 50 year horizon, possibly!

chrisinhouston · 01-15-2010, 11:15 AM

I started eating better for breakfast because my wife said my usual grilled sandwich of Emmenthaler cheese and prosciutto on wheat or rye might not be a good thing for loosing weight. I now have oatmeal for breakfast but since I don't like sugar I put a small pinch of grated Parmesan cheese in it. It kind of ends up like risotto. I also sometimes put in a teaspoon of salsa or some chopped up cooked asparagus. i am also not drinking wine before noon now.

Dagney · 01-15-2010, 12:12 PM

Pie -

I was 37 when I had my surgery - which puts me about in the same age range as you. (Ugh, I'm OLD!)

Before I had my surgery, I told all of my co-workers, I figured they deserved to know, because I was going to be out of the office for a while, and would have a very different way of behaving when I got back to the office. (I"m still a bitch, they can't remove that one!)
Each surgeon's recommendations are different with regards to drinking - some say that you shouldn't ever again, some say that you can after 12-18 months. Mine is of the 'don't ever again' school, and since I'm still in the active losing phase, it doesn't bother me - they're empty carbs that I don't need - and I really don't miss it. I've heard stories of people who get very drunk off of very little because of how things have been re-plumbed, and recommend that if you do drink - you do it at home or around people you trust until you know how it will affect you. Juju would be able to give you a better perspective of 'further out' than I can - so hopefully she'll chime in when she can.

With regards to dining out and special occasions - for the first 6 months, I ate at home. I was eating so little, and was still learning the ropes that I wanted to make sure that I would be okay. The few times I did try to dine out, I found myself getting sick because food was either too dry, or not prepared in a way that made it easy for my pouch to process. It was just easier, and a lot less embarrassing to get sick at home, then when out with friends. Now though, my hubby and I do dine out a few times a week. I generally order kid's meals, or something small, and end up bringing half (or more than half) home for lunch the next day or another meal. I promised myself that when I did this, I would not let the pouch stop me from enjoying my life - I would just have to make modifications to how I did it. Hanging out with true foodies has been a little hard - I do have some issues with sugars and carbs, so I try to avoid them when possible, and I do okay there.

If you are truly considering this step in your life, I will answer any questions that you have that I can answer. I've got a bookshelf of resources that I will recommend if you want. For example, if you want to get into a community of people who have had WLS (rny, band, DS, etc) or are waiting for the surgery - I would recommend obesityhelp.com - there is a LOT of information there

Kellie

Spexxvet · 01-15-2010, 01:32 PM

A risk of gastric bypass surgery is alcoholism.

http://calorielab.com/news/2006/07/1...or-alcoholism/

Dagney · 01-15-2010, 04:02 PM

Actually, it's transfer addiction - not alcoholism per se. People who do not deal with the underlying cause of their food addiction (the thing that required them needing the surgery in the first place) that addiction will be transferred to something else, shopping, drinking, exercise, etc.

So, to say that the surgery causes the alcoholism is inaccurate - it can contribute to it, but the true cause lies much deeper.

ETA - yeah, that article says pretty much the same thing.

01-14-2010, 05:46 PM	#47
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	It's really not THAT bad...you just have to sacrifice a little spontaneity for planning ahead. When I travel, I make sure I take my protein sources with me, so I always have something that will boost my numbers. I'm pretty well versed in things that I can eat, and can usually always find something on the menu wherever my hubby wants to go. I pack my meals at work, which saves a lot of mone - also a good thing because I shrink out of clothes in a heartbeat. All in all, it's been a positive experience - not easy - but easily the best decision I made for myself! __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

01-14-2010, 07:43 PM	#48
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Dag and juju: I've also heard people say it was the best decision they could make for themselves. It couldn't have been an easy decision. I know, because a friend of mine went through it before my very eyes, that it's not easy. However, she had spent her whole life very big. She was happy in who she was to some extent, before the surgery, but I watched her start to feel good about herself, physically. For her, it was so new that the adjustment period was particularly painful. She made some abrupt changes marriage-wise and career-wise. I think, in retrospect, that she needed to just start over. I'm asking with all due respect, did you experience that? I was with my friend as she dealt with all of it, but I can't say I really understood it, only because I saw her go through some hard times. Anyway, congratulations. Just keep taking care of yourselves the best you can. You're already there, you already made a hard decision! Feel good. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

01-15-2010, 09:29 AM	#49
jujuwwhite Capnhowdy's #1 smasher Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rentz, GA Posts: 339	As for me, Shawnee, I was divorced and living on my own so I was honestly able to say I made the decision for myself not for anyone else's acceptance. I too was 'satisfied and content' with being a over sized woman. It didn't stop me from living a life, or so I thought...LOL I had to make my decision to have my surgery after they thought I was having heart problems, but thank God it wasn't! Anyway, the heart doctor looked me in my eyes and told me that if I didn't get the weight off I would be dead within 10yrs. See, I already had severe sleep apnea and he explained to me that I would not have a heart attack that could be helped, I would just go to sleep one night and suffocate from my own body weight! It scared me to death to think about dying in my sleep and no one finding me for days! That is how my journey began but it still took 8 months to get through all the red tape of insurance and other fun stuff. Yes, it was the absolute best thing I ever did for myself. Yes, I too, had an adjustment period of trying to figure out who I was. It's funny because as your obese body begins to melt away before your very eyes, you begin to see the real person emerging. Butterflies became my theme because in so many ways I felt like a caterpillar who was transforming into a beautiful butterfly. That's why there is a large beautiful butterfly tattooed on my chest as a cover up tattoo to a ugly broken heart that was tattooed there. __________________ I don't suffer from insanity...i enjoy every moment of it.

01-15-2010, 09:31 AM	#50
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Thanks for sharing your experience juju. I love your butterfly story. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

01-15-2010, 09:35 AM	#52
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	oh shush, you'll get them started again.... __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

01-15-2010, 09:37 AM	#53
squirell nutkin has a second hand user title Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: in a Nut House Posts: 2,017	What was I thinking? Newlyweds. It's sickening. __________________ And now I'm finished posting.

01-15-2010, 09:44 AM	#55
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Nooner, nooner, nooner. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

01-15-2010, 10:05 AM	#56
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Ladies, thank you for sharing this. I'm listening to these stories avidly. I'm considering getting a lap-band or bypass -- I have about 110 lbs I need to lose, and apparently the younger you do it, the better the outcomes. As my doctor says, "Well, right now we've got your body fooled with drugs into thinking it's healthy. But you won't ever be healthy till you lose that weight." I'm on two oral diabetes drugs and a statin (though I may never come off the statins; large genetic component there!) More questions: can (or should?) you drink alcohol? What do you do about special occasions, or going out to eat with a group? Do your co-workers know? What are the really long term (20 or 30 years down the road) expectations? I'm 35, so I need to consider a 40 or even 50 year horizon, possibly! __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

01-15-2010, 11:15 AM	#57
chrisinhouston Professor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Houston TX Posts: 1,857	I started eating better for breakfast because my wife said my usual grilled sandwich of Emmenthaler cheese and prosciutto on wheat or rye might not be a good thing for loosing weight. I now have oatmeal for breakfast but since I don't like sugar I put a small pinch of grated Parmesan cheese in it. It kind of ends up like risotto. I also sometimes put in a teaspoon of salsa or some chopped up cooked asparagus. i am also not drinking wine before noon now.

01-15-2010, 12:12 PM	#58
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	Pie - I was 37 when I had my surgery - which puts me about in the same age range as you. (Ugh, I'm OLD!) Before I had my surgery, I told all of my co-workers, I figured they deserved to know, because I was going to be out of the office for a while, and would have a very different way of behaving when I got back to the office. (I"m still a bitch, they can't remove that one!) Each surgeon's recommendations are different with regards to drinking - some say that you shouldn't ever again, some say that you can after 12-18 months. Mine is of the 'don't ever again' school, and since I'm still in the active losing phase, it doesn't bother me - they're empty carbs that I don't need - and I really don't miss it. I've heard stories of people who get very drunk off of very little because of how things have been re-plumbed, and recommend that if you do drink - you do it at home or around people you trust until you know how it will affect you. Juju would be able to give you a better perspective of 'further out' than I can - so hopefully she'll chime in when she can. With regards to dining out and special occasions - for the first 6 months, I ate at home. I was eating so little, and was still learning the ropes that I wanted to make sure that I would be okay. The few times I did try to dine out, I found myself getting sick because food was either too dry, or not prepared in a way that made it easy for my pouch to process. It was just easier, and a lot less embarrassing to get sick at home, then when out with friends. Now though, my hubby and I do dine out a few times a week. I generally order kid's meals, or something small, and end up bringing half (or more than half) home for lunch the next day or another meal. I promised myself that when I did this, I would not let the pouch stop me from enjoying my life - I would just have to make modifications to how I did it. Hanging out with true foodies has been a little hard - I do have some issues with sugars and carbs, so I try to avoid them when possible, and I do okay there. If you are truly considering this step in your life, I will answer any questions that you have that I can answer. I've got a bookshelf of resources that I will recommend if you want. For example, if you want to get into a community of people who have had WLS (rny, band, DS, etc) or are waiting for the surgery - I would recommend obesityhelp.com - there is a LOT of information there Kellie __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

01-15-2010, 01:32 PM	#59
Spexxvet Makes some feel uncomfortable Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 10,346	A risk of gastric bypass surgery is alcoholism. http://calorielab.com/news/2006/07/1...or-alcoholism/ __________________ "I'm certainly free, nay compelled, to spread the gospel of Spex. " - xoxoxoBruce

01-15-2010, 04:02 PM	#60
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	Actually, it's transfer addiction - not alcoholism per se. People who do not deal with the underlying cause of their food addiction (the thing that required them needing the surgery in the first place) that addiction will be transferred to something else, shopping, drinking, exercise, etc. So, to say that the surgery causes the alcoholism is inaccurate - it can contribute to it, but the true cause lies much deeper. ETA - yeah, that article says pretty much the same thing. __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)