New here...

[SammySam312]

I'm new here and not exactly sure where to start. I had gastric bypass surgery in July of 2012. I had TONS of complications including flatlining on the operating table twice, plus what was supposed to be laparoscopic surgery turned out to be anything but. I came home with a saucer sized hole in the outer part of my stomach which had to be packed and cleaned daily and had to even see a wound specialist quite often. This was after being in ICU for 9 days. It just goes on and on from there. Since all of this I have found out that I have a congenital heart defect, I've had a pacemaker implanted. I went from 330lbs down to 180lbs (my lowest). Since then, I have now gotten back up to 239 lbs. I currently have no support system, my then best friend has passed away (she had the surgery also, but passed from cancer), my husband passed and then my mother. All who were my strength and support through all of this. My kids who were also a HUGE part of my support are now all adults and out of the house with their own families. I guess I joined for some possible support from others who know exactly what I'm going through. I REALLY want to get back on track, but most days it seems impossible. I've seen dieticians who were no help, they didn't seem to understand exactly what I was going through. I've also moved away from the hospital where I had my surgery so reaching out to them is a no go also. Anyone else years out, and just stuck? Or was? Someone who knows how to do a restart lol. Here I am babbling.... anyways that's the short version of my story.

 

[homegirl93662]

Welcome to the group, Sammy. Sounds like you've been through a nightmare. I didn't have anything go wrong like you did, so I can't help by commiserating, but I can tell you, you're in the right place. Stick around and slowly you'll see posts responding to yours. Also, comment on other posts that mean something to you and members will know you're serious about being here with us. We give great support here and you are recognized and noticed. I hope you can find medical support where you live now. It's so important.

One thing I can tell you is that others have had horrifying experiences too, and survived. You have the added distraction of not having the support system you did have before, but now you're on your own. If I may make a suggestion, start with affirmations, positive statements of your success. Look for affirmations in this group and you'll see examples.

Focus on your successes. I, too, lost a great deal of weight and after a few years gained too much back, though I can live with that. When I want to feel better I go back to my eating plan given to me by my nutritionist and become very deliberate about weighing, measuring, drinking water and adding some movement. You CAN come back. People do it all the time. But you need to weed out all those negative thoughts and reflections on your failures and focus on your successes. When you do that, make sure you say your affirmation in present tense, like "Everything I eat turns to health and beauty," rather than making the affirmation conditional like, "Following my eating plan WILL lead to my success." Say instead, "I'm successful because I follow my eating plan."

If you don't have an eating plan, search this group AND the Internet. You'll find many examples specifically tailored to post-op bariatric eating.

Again, welcome and congratulations on your great successes.