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My last resort but Start to a new me!

butterflywhisper40

butterflywhisper40

Member
Hello Everyone,

My name is Lisa and I’m 38 living in Arizona. I have so many goals and dreams I want to pursue but my weight causes so many health problems it gets in my way. I’ve been obese for fifteen years. I’ve lost weight only to keep re gaining. I know all the implications to Bariatric surgery. I started researching it 8 years ago. I just felt i could always lose the weight on my own.

I have tried La Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Ali pills, phentermine, and red mountain weight loss. I’ve even gotten a personal trainer and with her lost fifty pounds three years ago! I sadly regained the weight back and here I am.
I know that surgery isn’t a quick fix. I understand I will do all the work and this is a lifetime commitment. Because I know this makes me 100% ready to commit.

I feel scared at times thinking about how lonely my journey will be. I’m the only one overweight in my family, so therefore, the only one getting weight loss surgery.

My family is supportive and I am lucky they are. It’s just they don’t understand, that I won’t be able to eat the same as they eat anymore. That i will give up a ton of foods. I know I don’t have too, but I want to, to do this right and be healthy. They don’t understand I lye awake at night in tears that I have had no quality of life for a very long time and I’m afraid of the complications that come with this type of surgery.
That my whole life is going to change drastically. That is why, I’m glad I found this place.
 
Hi Lisa
I know exactly what you are saying - I think we all feel / felt the same way - I am 3 1/2 months out from RNY surgery
276 on surgery day and 230 today. It took only a few weeks to get used to the new way of eating and now that I am past the 3 month mark I am eating much more of my "old foods" just tweaked a little. I really missed french fries so now I have 4 or 5 FF but I bake them so there is no oil or grease involved - same thing with Taco shells I use the ready made baked ones. I eat lots of meat and cheese, I even make small pizza with the cauliflower crusts
I have been the fat girl since 3rd grade ! This surgery is a lot of work but it is also a gift - I have never lost 50 pounds in my life !
I know what you mean about not being able to do things - my husband always wants to walk on the beach whenever we are out of town- it is too hard for me - just getting there makes me break a sweat and huff and puff - At Christmas a few weeks ago we went to the beach and I actually enjoyed myself on the walk I did not sweat and have leg pains it was great to be able to do something so simple - I also cannot wait until the time comes to go on an airplane again and not have to ask for a seat belt extender in front of everyone - it's the little things that I keep realizing that make me so happy I did this
you will feel the same too.
 
Hi Lisa, welcome to our group, we are glad you found us too! It sounds like you are ready to start you journey and I'm glad your family is supportive. And while family may not "get" your situation or the modifications you will be making, surrounding yourself with others like this support group will help you to feel like you are not alone. I wish you all the best and look forward to getting to know you.
 
Welcome to the group. I’m also the only obese one in my family, but they were all very supportive. My mom and sisters watched the surgery video with me so they could understand what would happen to my system. I felt it was important that they see it because I don’t see them as often, mostly holidays and get togethers, so their understanding of how I’ll be able to eat afterwards was paramount. My husband and kids have also been fantastic, but I needed them more for help during my recovery. I showed them the video as well, and my kids had a million questions about what I could and couldn’t eat afterwards. Congratulations on taking this awesome step towards your life and health goals. It’s all worth it.
 
Hello, I am 53. I grew up on a farm and never had a weight problem or activity problem until after marriage. It is just me and my husband we both work and enjoy life.
My weight loss journey is similar to your story. Through the past 20 year tried all the different ways, coach, medical weight loss. Still I returned to the issue of 'self indulging' is what I called my issue.
I was scared to do the gastric sleeve surgery. I am new to the group. After 2 years of trying medical weight loss and lost 27 lbs, then was getting such GI distress from the medication and it came back on in 4 months. At the beginning of medical weight loss I weighed 327 lbs.
It was time to commit to something that would make a definite change.
My Gastric Sleeve surgery was 10/21/2020. At the meeting with surgeon in Sept 2020 the starting weight was 307 lbs.
Of course I really wanted to say no... the week before surgery, but I made the diet change already on all liquid...I can do this too.
Now that it is Jan going on 3 months later. I have adjusted many different ways. Still adjusting to drinking the 64 oz water daily is very hard for me and normally making 42 oz only. The waiting to eat after water 30 min and same waiting to drink 30 min after eating, not used to completely yet, but found a timer on APP called Baritastic, using this past 2 weeks and it has helped a lot. (Chew time, wait to drink, wait to eat.)
BUT, since the surgery, I WOULD NOT HAVE STUCK to the changes that my body is now making me do/ no, forcing me to hold to what I really need to do!!!
I am not quite at 3 months on Jan 21. Today is 1/17,2021 My weight is 258.6 lbs. Have not increased but held a couple weeks at a time. So I just review what I am doing and what I need to 'tweek' to improve on what I am doing. Plan on more exercise the upcoming months. Just walking presently and doing arm /upper arm exercises.
It is all for a good cause, ME. Really, I am doing this for myself, because I wanted to and needed to for my knees, and mentally to be healthier.
So, best wishes. I'm happy to have a place to go to and share also.
 
Congratulations on the weight loss!

I found out I’m anemic and so I’m not sure if that will change anything in regards to being able to go forward with the surgery? I am not having it until July but I don’t want to be disqualified from having it. It’s not just a little anemic either. I got my blood results and Im pretty severe. This is poor timing.
 
jkrenewed said:
Hello, I am 53. I grew up on a farm and never had a weight problem or activity problem until after marriage. It is just me and my husband we both work and enjoy life.
My weight loss journey is similar to your story. Through the past 20 year tried all the different ways, coach, medical weight loss. Still I returned to the issue of 'self indulging' is what I called my issue.
I was scared to do the gastric sleeve surgery. I am new to the group. After 2 years of trying medical weight loss and lost 27 lbs, then was getting such GI distress from the medication and it came back on in 4 months. At the beginning of medical weight loss I weighed 327 lbs.
It was time to commit to something that would make a definite change.
My Gastric Sleeve surgery was 10/21/2020. At the meeting with surgeon in Sept 2020 the starting weight was 307 lbs.
Of course I really wanted to say no... the week before surgery, but I made the diet change already on all liquid...I can do this too.
Now that it is Jan going on 3 months later. I have adjusted many different ways. Still adjusting to drinking the 64 oz water daily is very hard for me and normally making 42 oz only. The waiting to eat after water 30 min and same waiting to drink 30 min after eating, not used to completely yet, but found a timer on APP called Baritastic, using this past 2 weeks and it has helped a lot. (Chew time, wait to drink, wait to eat.)
BUT, since the surgery, I WOULD NOT HAVE STUCK to the changes that my body is now making me do/ no, forcing me to hold to what I really need to do!!!
I am not quite at 3 months on Jan 21. Today is 1/17,2021 My weight is 258.6 lbs. Have not increased but held a couple weeks at a time. So I just review what I am doing and what I need to 'tweek' to improve on what I am doing. Plan on more exercise the upcoming months. Just walking presently and doing arm /upper arm exercises.
It is all for a good cause, ME. Really, I am doing this for myself, because I wanted to and needed to for my knees, and mentally to be healthier.
So, best wishes. I'm happy to have a place to go to and share also.
Click to expand...

Hi JKRenewed, welcome to our group! Sounds like you are doing well following your surgery. It's quite normal to have a stall around 3 or 4 months out as your body adjusts so don't let that surprise you. And I like what you said, "It is all for a good cause, ME." We've got to take care of ourselves. It's like putting on the oxygen mask on a plane in distress, you put it on you first so then you can help others. :)
 
butterflywhisper40 said:
Congratulations on the weight loss!

I found out I’m anemic and so I’m not sure if that will change anything in regards to being able to go forward with the surgery? I am not having it until July but I don’t want to be disqualified from having it. It’s not just a little anemic either. I got my blood results and Im pretty severe. This is poor timing.
Click to expand...
I've been anemic on and off throughout my life. The doctor will probably start you on Iron supplements now so it has time to build up. If it is really severe they might even want you to have an infusion. I wouldn't worry to much about the surgery being cancelled because of it, especially since it isn't until July. If you do go on supplements, it is best to take them separate from other vitamins, except for Vitamin C which helps with absorption. My supplement has Vitamin C already in with the Iron. Also I take mine at the end of the day.
 
butterflywhisper40 said:
Hello Everyone,

My name is Lisa and I’m 38 living in Arizona. I have so many goals and dreams I want to pursue but my weight causes so many health problems it gets in my way. I’ve been obese for fifteen years. I’ve lost weight only to keep re gaining. I know all the implications to Bariatric surgery. I started researching it 8 years ago. I just felt i could always lose the weight on my own.

I have tried La Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Ali pills, phentermine, and red mountain weight loss. I’ve even gotten a personal trainer and with her lost fifty pounds three years ago! I sadly regained the weight back and here I am.
I know that surgery isn’t a quick fix. I understand I will do all the work and this is a lifetime commitment. Because I know this makes me 100% ready to commit.

I feel scared at times thinking about how lonely my journey will be. I’m the only one overweight in my family, so therefore, the only one getting weight loss surgery.

My family is supportive and I am lucky they are. It’s just they don’t understand, that I won’t be able to eat the same as they eat anymore. That i will give up a ton of foods. I know I don’t have too, but I want to, to do this right and be healthy. They don’t understand I lye awake at night in tears that I have had no quality of life for a very long time and I’m afraid of the complications that come with this type of surgery.
That my whole life is going to change drastically. That is why, I’m glad I found this place.
Click to expand...
I'm slowly learning work-arounds on cooking to appease my husband's palate and my diet. He's been extremely supportive but for the holidays he got lots of goodies. I made him keep them and eat them in his car, haha.

I do recommend making lists, ideas, use Pinterest or a recipe site, and get yourself in the mindset of substitutions for bad foods and how you will keep them out of your pantry and thus off your plate. I'm trying to keep it simple by only eating real foods. If it's processed, it's out.
 
butterflywhisper40 said:
Hello Everyone,

My name is Lisa and I’m 38 living in Arizona. I have so many goals and dreams I want to pursue but my weight causes so many health problems it gets in my way. I’ve been obese for fifteen years. I’ve lost weight only to keep re gaining. I know all the implications to Bariatric surgery. I started researching it 8 years ago. I just felt i could always lose the weight on my own.

I have tried La Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Ali pills, phentermine, and red mountain weight loss. I’ve even gotten a personal trainer and with her lost fifty pounds three years ago! I sadly regained the weight back and here I am.
I know that surgery isn’t a quick fix. I understand I will do all the work and this is a lifetime commitment. Because I know this makes me 100% ready to commit.

I feel scared at times thinking about how lonely my journey will be. I’m the only one overweight in my family, so therefore, the only one getting weight loss surgery.

My family is supportive and I am lucky they are. It’s just they don’t understand, that I won’t be able to eat the same as they eat anymore. That i will give up a ton of foods. I know I don’t have too, but I want to, to do this right and be healthy. They don’t understand I lye awake at night in tears that I have had no quality of life for a very long time and I’m afraid of the complications that come with this type of surgery.
That my whole life is going to change drastically. That is why, I’m glad I found this place.
Click to expand...
I for one am so excited for you and your upcoming adventures. You have to much to look forward to! Stay positive. I see a bright future ahead
 
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