Post Op lifestyle for dummies - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

bridgetgirl · 04-01-2008, 10:02 AM

I think this is a good idea for our newbies as well as prebies too, who have concern when they feel they are goofing up, or fallen off the wagon! This can be used for long termers too!

If you are having a bad pounch day, food feels stuck, you vomit inconsistently, go back to basics. Clear liquids for a couple of days should get you back on track.

Throw away that scale or give it to a friend. You didnt consistently weigh yourself before surgery, dont start now. You will only allow those numbers (which are perfect) to determine your self worth. (You are not perfect)

Take your measurements, every week! Take photos in a doorway or in front of your refrigerator to visually monitor your growth.

Plan your meals. Meals should last (time varies by surgeon) usually 15-20 mins. Me? I do 10-15. When you get further out, and you are disciplined (like I have been) you get the idea on what you can eat in a specific amount of time.

Do not eat in the car, in front of the TV or at your desk or computer. You cannot enjoy and focus on your nourishment while multi tasking. If you must eat in your car, make sure you planned to do it (ie running errands on lunch break) and bring your planned meal with you.

I do not recommend eating breakfast in the car for the first year if you can help it. One day a protein bar will sit just fine, and the next your sharting all over the place! Embarassing! To this day I WILL not eat a nutrigrain bar in the car EVER. Too much of a crap shoot-pardon the pun!

If you ate something one day and enjoyed it, does not always mean you will have the same experience with it the next time you try it. You didnt mess up, its just a new fact of life!

Go to support group! On line, face to face, what ever you can do-do it! They are essential for long term success. If you notice all the people here that are three years out and post regularily have maintained their weightloss, the majority of the long termers that visit infrequently do so because they have gained weight and want to try and get back to support. I know ALOT of WLS patients, trust me on this.

Keep an extra change of clothes in your car whenever possible.

Your ex will not go crazy over the idea of losing you, and treating you horribly as he did in the past-just because you are hot now.

Being thin will not make all of your financial problems disappear.

You will lose friends, expect it. Its not your problem. The only thing you have control over is the kind of friend you are to them. Sometimes no matter what you did they appear resentful, stop calling or inviting you places. Make sure you try one time, and always one more time to call them too. But, dont beat a dead horse either and move on to making new friends.

How to deal with comments:

You will hear "You have changed!" You respond, 'Thank God I did!"

You will hear, and choose not to believe, " Hey hot momma, Hey skinny girl", etc. Your reply is to SMILE and say "Thank You". If you disagree with the person giving the compliment it insults that person, and makes the conversation uncomfortable with your insistance and theres. The solution is to smile and say thank you no matter what!

You will hear, " Wow you look great!" You can either smile and say thank you or respond with "Thanks I feel great!" Thats the one I use.

If you think your marriage or relationship is shaky now, it will usually get worse after surgery, losing weight wont bond you together, but communication will.

Im sure there will be many more to build upon. Good luck to all of you!

bridgetgirl · 04-01-2008, 10:04 AM

You will hear, "Oh you took the easy way out." This is a pisser of a comment- I respond, " Whats the value of doing something the hard way, anyway?"

Or "Youre not big enough to had or have that surgery." Response, "Well my PCP, me, a Psychologist, Surgeon and Insurance Company seem to disagree with you!"

Your emotions:
Yes you feel like no one can do anything without your help. You feel like the center of everyones universe. You may be having financial woes, and social issues and they seem to be out of control and you just want to crawl into bed and be left alone, or worse DIE. You are feeling the same way MANY of us have felt as well. As a MO person, your fat traps alot of estrogen and testosterone, you usually have high levels of it. With rapid weightloss they are released quickly, causing a huge emotional stir. You may not experience anything different or you may. It may be after your 2nd week or up to 2-3 months post operatively. Warn your loved ones of this possibility and when you feel like choking the life out of a loved one, come here and vent vent vent. Like I have said before, we will take one for the team to keep your family safe from the wrath of your temper and breaking point!

MiladyB · 04-01-2008, 11:22 AM

Excellent post, Bridget! Not really anything more that I can add. You've hit some of the biggest things.

Gwen, darlin'? I would suggest adding this on to your newbies thread!

Thanks for putting all of this together Bridget.

bridgetgirl · 04-01-2008, 12:16 PM

No problem, my pleasure!

redinsc · 04-01-2008, 12:17 PM

I printed this and am putting it up in my office at work. Thanks!

Godsblessedme · 04-01-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

You will hear, "Oh you took the easy way out

okay so if accidently having bowel movments on myself is the easy way out sure. I hate that statement and hear it all the time

wonderful post too

bridgetgirl · 04-01-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsblessedme

okay so if accidently having bowel movments on myself is the easy way out sure. I hate that statement and hear it all the time

wonderful post too

roflmao!!!!!!!

coptergirl · 04-01-2008, 12:34 PM

Great post, Bridget!

nikkibeat · 04-01-2008, 01:15 PM

Am I hearing this right? Is the change of clothes for "accidently having bowel movments on myself"? Is this a real side effect of GB? I haven't heard this one yet, and I onlyhave a week b4 surgery...
Someone please answer... is that what I have to look forward to?

I would have taken Alli if that's what I wanted to do...

bridgetgirl · 04-01-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikkibeat

Am I hearing this right? Is the change of clothes for "accidently having bowel movments on myself"? Is this a real side effect of GB? I haven't heard this one yet, and I onlyhave a week b4 surgery...
Someone please answer... is that what I have to look forward to?

I would have taken Alli if that's what I wanted to do...

It CAN happen. There may be a time that you didnt make it to the bathroom fast enough, rather that be with bile or bowel! (throw up or poop) Remember your insides are rewired, you mostly have great days, but you can never be too prepared for a bad one should it happen.

I will be honest here, I crapped on myself in my car trying to pull off the road trying to run into a McDonalds ( I was sipping Starbucks) 10 minutes after I got the cofee treat! I ran in, took my panties bunched em up rolled them into paper towels and tossed them in the trash. Washed up and went to work disgusted with myself and commando!

I crapped on myself standing on my own front porch. I was about 4 blocks away from my house when I pulled into a Wendys and ordered a small chicken nugget. I ate one, cuz I didnt want to wait to get home. I drove like a maniac, in agony trying to get it all together-leaaped out of the car and crapped trying to get the key in the door!

Hey, dont hate me because Im boo-boo utiful!