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Hello. :)

Minniver

New Member
Hey all, I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the process to have weight loss surgery. I started this journey because I have PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrom), low performing thryoid, and joint and back pain. I'm 40 (soon to be 41), and was just plain tired of being tired and in pain all the time. I originally decided to have the gastric bypass surgery, but now am leaning more toward the sleeve. At my highest weight I was 398 pounds. When I started all this, I weighed 362.8. I'm currently 336. I did really well at first with changing my diet, joined a local group of ladies doing Zumba, and was progressing nicely. Then I got a stomach virus, and it's completely thrown me off the rails as far as my diet. Plus it's frustrating when everyone around you can have things you can't. I'm struggling to get back on the diet (although I've managed to keep under my calorie counts for the most part, it's just having stuff I know I shouldn't) and I've let the exercise go by the wayside as well. The diet is so restrictive, it's hard to go to family dinners at my parents because the majority of things they make I can't have. I feel like I'm kind of spiraling and I'm not sure how to stop it. I went looking for an online forum and found this one. I'm hoping by reading other people's posts and talking to others I can get back on track and get my life back.
 
Hey all, I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the process to have weight loss surgery. I started this journey because I have PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrom), low performing thryoid, and joint and back pain. I'm 40 (soon to be 41), and was just plain tired of being tired and in pain all the time. I originally decided to have the gastric bypass surgery, but now am leaning more toward the sleeve. At my highest weight I was 398 pounds. When I started all this, I weighed 362.8. I'm currently 336. I did really well at first with changing my diet, joined a local group of ladies doing Zumba, and was progressing nicely. Then I got a stomach virus, and it's completely thrown me off the rails as far as my diet. Plus it's frustrating when everyone around you can have things you can't. I'm struggling to get back on the diet (although I've managed to keep under my calorie counts for the most part, it's just having stuff I know I shouldn't) and I've let the exercise go by the wayside as well. The diet is so restrictive, it's hard to go to family dinners at my parents because the majority of things they make I can't have. I feel like I'm kind of spiraling and I'm not sure how to stop it. I went looking for an online forum and found this one. I'm hoping by reading other people's posts and talking to others I can get back on track and get my life back.
Welcome and glad you are here. I have to be bold however and tell you it isn't up to us to change your mind. We can encourage you, and we can cheer you on but the decision is only yours. You have to be able to get on this bandwagon again and hold tight because if you are already upset about the things you can't eat at family dinners or get-together's it only gets worse after surgery. Think of how far you have come 398 all the way to 336! That is GREAT! You did that, not anyone else. Which that tells me YOU CAN DO IT. You cant' let events or things that happen throw you off though you have to have the flu and still make good choices and when your better resume exercise. Life is FULL of things that could throw us off, or events we attend where there is food we want but we shouldn't. You can eat anything you want, in moderation. Obviously this is a hard task, I used to have NO self control and a bag of Lays original chips would be mine and gone and one sitting. I have learned over 5 that when I buy things I portion them out in snack bags before I ever put the item away. I make snack bags with the exact portion size. Yes it is time consuming, and meal prepping takes hours on Sunday but I AM WORTH IT. You have to convince yourself either you are going to do this and you will try and you will stick with it because you are TRULY SICK OF BEING OVER WEIGHT AND TIRED AND IN PAIN or YOU REALLY AREN'T AND FOOD TASTES BETTER THAN FEELING BETTER FEELS. Its up to you but you have done it, so I know you can it!! Get back to it, your worth it! Good luck!
 
I know how hard the diet is but it is worth it. I have been doing the same diet for the past 4 years. It is normal for me now. But you have to push your self and remind your self what is more important to you. If you are going to family's how they should not feel bad about you bringing your own or making something healthier there. Everyone that knows me have and open invitation to find something that is better for my diet or I can take my own. Have you informed them about the surgery yet and if not maybe it is something to inform them about so everyone is on the same page. Maybe they will try to learn how to help you along the way as well.
 
Thanks, ladies! I know the choices are my own. I know it's also normal to have bad days and to get frustrated and to feel like I can't do it. I'm going to try my best to get back in the swing of things and do what I need to do.
 
Thanks, ladies! I know the choices are my own. I know it's also normal to have bad days and to get frustrated and to feel like I can't do it. I'm going to try my best to get back in the swing of things and do what I need to do.
As corny as it sounds, say some positive affirmations throughout the day. Even if you're thinking, oh brother! :rolleyes:

Pretend you believe them if you have to! What's that saying, fake it till you make it? Anything to bring on positivity. I'm not a happy-go-lucky person and I have to remind myself to do this ALL THE TIME. Once you're in a positive state of mind, everything else is easy
 
One of my downfalls before my surgery 6 years ago was I always had a season, day, reason, month or EXCUSE to not start taking care of me and eating healthy. Examples...I can't start taking care of me and eating right November 1st because it is almost Thanksgiving and then it will be ruined so I might as well not start now, December 1, well can't start now...its almost Christmas and I will be baking and cooking....January 1 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION! It is time! I start but two weeks later I start my period and fall off, so then I have to wait for "Monday" but Monday I have dinner/drink plans with friends....well next Monday then. There is/was ALWAYS a reason to not start and the facts are it doesn't have to be the 1st of a month, or a Monday or a month with no holidays or plans. That is us and allowing ourselves excuses. Start Saturday morning, Tomorrow the second you wake up or better yet...start with this glass of water right now. Start with the next snack or meal you chose. Today take a walk that you have put off since the flu. Just start now and stop waiting for the right time! There will never be one.
 
Write down what you gain from taking care of yourself and having surgery.
Write down what your future looks like if you don’t.
It’s usually pretty obvious which choice to make. Sometimes it sucks, there are still good days and bad days, but darn it I am going to fight to have a better life!
My two cents
 
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