Weight Loss Surgery Forums

The toughest challenge in this journey? Hmm? Well, getting insurance approval was a challenge. So was pre-op dieting because my PCP was extremely unsupportive. I also am just getting over a mild complication which was also challenging. No energy, Food? Yeah...all that was challenging but I have never been so happy about a decision I made in all of my life (other than getting married) like I have since my WLS. I guess the biggest challenge though is learning that I need to take care of me. I have never thought of my needs and feelings over others. I didn't realize that I was not taking care of myself very well. I believed that I didn't deserve to take care of me. I am learning that I am able to be a better wife, friend, employee and person since I started taking care of me first.

My biggest challenge to date has just been fighting that mental battle. My head wants to eat something that I know my body won't handle well. So far, I have won most of the battles so that's a plus.
Another struggle for me is getting all of my vitamins...I am most definitely doing A LOT better than in the beginning so no complaints nowadays.
Submitted by: boomsheeka01

The biggest challenge definitely has been to keep the weight off. Once you find out how your body will react to different foods, it is real easy to just forego everything you've learned and go back to old habits. It is a struggle every day.
Submitted: babs71958

The biggest challenge has been more "mental" than anything! My head wants to eat (lots!) and my body can't handle it; then I end up feel pukey! Vitamins have also been a challenge for me as I HATE swallowing pills. Needless to say, I have as many as I can in chewable form! Other than that, this surgery one of the best decisions I have made!
Submitted by: mwhyte

My biggest challenge has been patience! From the moment I decided to have WLS, jumping through all the pre-operative hoops, the weight loss being slower than I thought it should be -all of this has taught me a lesson in patience.
Submitted by: ladyobub

All the tests, appointments and pre-op dieting were a big challenge for me. It seemed to go on forever. It was so frustrating at times, and I often asked myself, "Is this all worth it?". Now that I have had the surgery and I'm healthier and I have so much more energy, yes, it was all worth it. But my biggest challenge thus far is me. Even though I have lost 125 pounds, I have more energy than I can remember ever having, and that I'm so much healthier. Not to mention all the new smaller clothes, I still can't see myself as others see me. I get told all the time how great I look, and how skinny I'm getting. For me, when I look in the mirror, I still see the fat girl. I spent so many years failing at diet after diet, and I guess I'm afraid I may fail again. The fear of gaining back weight scares me to death. I want so badly to see in me what others see. I don't want to be the fat girl anymore, and I hope that someday, I'll look in the mirror and see the real me…I'm a beautiful person on the inside, I just want to see it on the outside too!
Submitted by: Lisa_67

I must say that the vets on the DS board are extremely supportive and have taught me well. They opened my mind and taught me to think "outside the box". Newsflash! Surgeons and dietitians don't know what it takes to keep you at optimal health when it comes to protein and vitamins, but the good news is you can be healthy and full of energy post WLS.
Once my mind was open, Michelle / "Vitalady", became the most influential person in my weight loss surgery journey. She teaches me new things about protein, labs and supplementation constantly. She leads by example and shares her mistakes and triumphs. All you have to do is read her posts, follow where she leads and ask her questions. She talks to people; she doesn't shout at them.
I know with all my heart and mind that I would be in a world of hurt if I hadn't started listening to Michelle's advice. The proof of the rightness in her advice is in my labs. My surgeon celebrates my labs with me every time I visit. I think he might be another Vitalady convert.
Submitted by: MajorMom

I'm just starting this journey. So far, for me the biggest challenge has been THIRST! I never realized how unsatisfying little sips of water would be when what I really want when I'm hot and thirsty is to jug half a water bottle down with 2 gulps. I really miss that.
Submitted by: jenpNC

I am pre-surgery and I guess my biggest challenge has been to sort out the advice the people give to me about the surgery and to not get caught up in the hype. There is so much information out there, that I have to really rely on my surgeon and nutritionist to make good decisions. I am still amazed that even now at 259 pounds that people tell me that I do not need to lose weight. What is that all about? Funny thing is, I was sitting in a weight loss center waiting on my appointment when this woman said this to me. It is a challenge not to be rude to people who obviously do not know me or what my obesity has done to me physically and mentally.
Submitted by: dee1621

Hi Kathy,
I had Lap-Band Surgery in May 2009. Since then I have lost 85lbs! I am about 20lbs away from my goal and it seems like these last 20lbs have been the most challenging. I think my biggest challenge is seeing myself as a thinner, healthier guy. My clothing is much different (designer jeans, etc.) but when I look in the mirror, I still see Jamie at 325lbs. I started seeing myself in photos and then I could see "Wow, I do look good!" so I hang those up on my fridge. When I want to snack or make an unhealthy choice, I have my little reminders. I think about my journey and remind myself that I am worth the fight because I am fighting for myself. I love myself and I remind myself with phrases like "my love of self is much stronger than my love of cheesecake" and I pick up a bottle of water or if I truly do feel hungry, I grab a protein shake, a piece of fruit, etc.
I'm sure others can relate to this, hopefully someone reading this will get re-inspired!
Submitted by: Jamie Miles

Kathy & Jamie,
I'm directing this to both of you as I so can relate to what you just said Jamie. Sometimes I believe we are our own worst enemy. I had my surgery on 1/14/10...this was such a positive step for me and one I did not take lightly...years of thought and research went into this to prepare myself. It has been the most positive experience, I am very grateful. No matter how much preparing you do, reading, listening, talking to others...that old voice inside tells me...”you will fail”...because I have every time before. Now, I don't have to be AFRAID of failing....this is a journey, not a destination I am on! WLS provided me with an awesome tool to help me along the way! If I maintain my tool, work at keeping it clean and running, it will....if I abuse my tool and don't take care of it, It could stop working properly. What I am learning is my awareness of this is encouraging and positive...I am not alone! Weight loss surgery is more than just about losing weight and keeping it off...it is about keeping a healthy mind, being positive...looking at food in a different light...reminding myself all the time that. I eat now to live, no more living to eat! When I am hurting or anxious....to be aware not to use food to comfort myself...but use my head and remind myself...I am in control. My food can no longer control me. Along with this blessing of a tool, to keep it running right, I need to make "healthy" choices, exercise, and take good care of my mind. Weight loss surgery effects the 'whole body". Mind and body need to work together.
Hope this makes sense!
Every day I come to ObesityHelp for encouragement...enlightenment...and to hear the struggles and triumphs of others. Every day I am inspired.
Submitted by: justjanirae

My biggest challenge is trying not to scream when I wash my hair. I get handfuls out every time. I know it's only temporary but it still shocks you when you see it. I just hope it grows back in as full as it was.
Grandma64 Submitted by: grandma64

The toughest challenge so far as been reaching restriction! Never would I have imagined that I would be almost 8 mos. out with NO restriction! So other than the weight I lost the first 2 weeks after surgery when I had no appetite b/c of the swelling...every lb. lost is as a result of me dieting! So essentially, I paid out about $15,000 to put myself on a diet!!!
Submitted by: MARIA F.

For me the biggest challenge so far has been the anxiety I experienced in the weeks leading up to my surgery. I was scared to death! Some days I felt excited about WLS, but most days I was just worried sick. The rest of my journey thus far has been easier than I thought it was going to be. It's such a huge decision to make. I am so happy I did. I am excited about life again!
Submitted by: Laura S.

Hi there,
New to this site... My surgery is June 30th. My biggest challenge so far has been me! I am in the liquid diet week and it is crazy! I never imagined this would be hard! I am very excited yet scared! I know it is what I am supposed to do! One of my very best friends had gastric bypass 7 years ago and she keeps telling me how wonderful I am going to feel I am praying for strength. Peace and encouragement to you all!
Submitted by: myshuggana

My surgery is also June 30th. I'm counting the days for the start of my new life. I am excited and scared also. The hardest part so far is everyone telling me how wonderful I am going to do. I feel like the pressure is on. It's bad enough the pressure I put on myself. The liquid diet has gotten better after the first week. I find if I blend the shake with ice it makes it frothy and more filling. Toasting to our success!! (With a glass of liquid protein of course!)
Submitted by: annshari

The biggest challenge for me is trying to understand why there are so many different "rules" to follow. I am not implying that you have to do many different things, but depending on who your surgeon is/was you have different guidelines pre/post surgery. For instance, I was told nothing but liquids for 2 weeks after surgery. I hear of others who have liquids for a shorter or longer period of time. I was told no solids for at least one month after surgery. I hear of others eating solids after two weeks. I can understand there are many different diets out there like low-fat, low-carb etc; however, when it comes to a "diet" after WLS one would think it should be consistent based on the type of WLS you had. Are there no studies on what works best after WLS?
Submitted by: MauiGirl

One of my biggest challenges is fighting the cravings of my favorite foods. I still crave food, however, when I taste it, the satisfaction is not there. The foods taste different and I find myself wanting to eat it again the next day to see if it tastes any better the second time. This has happened several times so eventually I'm hoping I won't crave it at all. I still want that "good" full feeling I use to get when I finished one of my favorite meals. It's not going to happen either. I found that out today when I did over eat for lunch and dinner. The only feeling I had was GUILT.
Submitted by: bskarenf

That is a great question. I think as we all walk our journeys, there are many challenges at that time that seem like the toughest then bam, something else comes up. Where I am at personally is my darn head! I still see myself as I was a year ago in the mirror, get frustrated, and forget how far I come and little I have to go. Although I have met my goals, surpassed my surgeons and primary care doctors goals, I would like to lose a bit more. I need to embrace me, and just enjoy the ride, and let my body do its thing. I know I am doing the right things, and it will be a slow ride for now. I didn't lose for nearly 2 months, then wow, down nearly 4 pounds in 10 days. So I am still losing, it's just at a different rate. My inches are disappearing, as my work pants look really saggy. Good luck on all your own journeys!
Submitted by: dbyarbro

Denise - your post is correct - the toughest challenge may seem to be what you're going through at the moment. After you find a solution for the challenge, it becomes less of a challenge in our minds.
For me, I think the pre-op diet was my toughest challenge. I was so hungry all day, every day during those weeks. It made me doubt that I would be able to follow an eating plan after surgery. Then another tough challenge was when I had 3 (not consecutive) weeks of vomiting 10 or 12 times every day. Until my surgeon solved this challenge with Prevacid, I thought that I would probably die within the year - not joking.
Now, the weight loss is slowing. Well, duh, I tell myself - you're eating more food! But I worry now, will this work for me? Better - will I make this work for me? Occasionally, I eat things or eat at times that I'm really not hungry that sends up warning signals to me. (i.e., Am I getting back to old habits?)
Currently, my challenge is how to force myself to exercise more than I do.
I see a future challenge being - can I keep whatever amount of weight that I end up losing off? I certainly have never kept weight lost off in the past.
Am I really changing my behaviors like I'm supposed to be doing or am I just reacting to what my new stomach will allow and then will go back to old behaviors as the stomach allows more?
Submitted by: msromagnola

The toughest challenge, without a doubt, has been the long-term cognitive dissonance between the head and the body. It is as if the one does not recognize the other. This goes far beyond issues of food and weight. It hits at the core of who I really am when no one is watching.

Now that I look like I wanted to look, I find that I don 't feel like I thought I would feel.

Long after achieving “goal” weight, a lot of identity and self-esteem issues come up. Personal relationships are strained or lost entirely as the pounds shed. The fear of not achieving success gets replaced by the anxiety of losing it when you least expect it. Substitute addictions replace the food. You begin to question life-long decisions: Would I have married her? Would I have chosen that career? Did I settle for less than optimal?

Yes, looking normal is great. At first. Later on you begin to wonder if you 're ever going to feel normal. And just what exactly IS normal? I suspect that these questions are not exclusive to the WLS community. They must be part of the human experience, but in us, the formerly morbidly obese, they come to a head in a very short time table because the physical changes are so dramatic.

I was sitting here trying to decide if it was the three months of life-threatening complications and hospital hell, the anxiety attacks and year of insomnia, or the lack of medical support.
But I think the most difficult challenge is what Christian said because it's an on-going, long-term challenge. He sums up exactly what I feel. I can't get my head and my body to sync. Not only do I have difficulty with it, so do others.
I wouldn't change the decision either, because it's the best one RIGHT NOW. I pray to God future generations don't have to risk their lives and to have their guts rearranged.
I'm healthier and my babies still love me unconditionally. I get to live with them now, not watch them live. I wouldn't trade that.
Submitted by: Cinn

Wow, it is nice to see it put down in words and not just floating around in my head. Thank you for sharing, it makes it so much easier to know I am not alone in this. I usually just lurk, but I needed to talk about this,
I do not see myself, and that makes it hard to find my style and guess a size. I do not enjoy going...gasp..shopping. I have no idea how it is done. When I wore a size 30 it was the same at all 3 stores, didn't have much choice, I didn't have to worry about liking the clothes I wore I bought what was in my size. Now I am trying to find my style and learn the sizes thing, a med. at one store is not the same at the next one. What is a Med? Large? X-Large? Why can't they put a # size on things? It is so confusing that I think they need a support group for just learning how to shop. I thought that this would be one of the things that I LOVED and that is such a big disappointment. Add to that that, I have lost my two best friends. It just makes all the rest harder. I lost the people who I thought would be there to help. I would never have believed that it could have happened, but it did.
Between the two, it is playing hell with my self-esteem.
Thanks for letting me vent....
Submitted by: veryproudmamaof3

My biggest challenge. Energy! I feel drained all the time. I don't have the drive to get up and go. Depression? I don't think so. My other challenge is wrapping my head around food choices, keeping food down (certain ones like chicken). I have my good days and bad, mostly good in how I think I look and feel.
Submitted by: schenwhit

My biggest challenge is also energy. I have no get up and go. Another is trying not to think about food. I think about food but I don't over-eat. Protein drinks are also a challenge for me.
Submitted by: sweetheart59

The toughest challenge in this journey is getting protein in. I am still having problems with eating meat, such as chicken, beef and even fish. I have been experimenting with different ways of preparing the meats to make them moister. One day it is fine, the next day it is not.
Submitted by: nrentmeester

I feel so new answering this. For me the biggest challenge is deciding. I would think after seeing up to five of my friends having surgery, I should be able to say YES! LET 'S DO THIS. But it is not. I am looking at this like a major life changing decision. Comparing it to having children and getting married. This is a huge commitment that I do not want to take lightly. So now that I know it is what I want to do and knowing I do not want a band. The hard choice is RNY or VSG? But I go to my first seminar in July, And then will make an appointment with my doctors of choice here in Missouri.
Submitted by: That_816_Princess

Just as Laura O said, my biggest challenge is understanding that it is okay to take care of ME. I lived many years taking care of others that it's hard to make a decision for myself. Just the other day a friend and I were going out for dinner and she told me to choose the restaurant and I had an anxiety attack. I couldn't make the decision. I told her her, "you know I don't like making decisions." She said, "you chose and call me back" and she hung up on me. Lol! Very simple, but very true. I'm learning that I do have a voice. It does ruffle feathers but...OH WELL. Another challenge I deal with is the mind. Depression sets in because I'm changing (for t he better of me) and others are uncomfortable with it and the closeness is not there as before. But again, with therapy and my great support group and "true" friends...this too shall pass.
Submitted by: chele514

My biggest battle has been my love/hate relationship with carbs. Even healthy carbs turn me into raving, craving maniac and all I want is more. As long as I stay away from them, I am fine. But I long for, cry for, and ache for the cereal and the fruit that SHOULD be healthy, but, for me, is not.
Submitted by: LunaSea

The toughest challenge of my weight loss surgery journey is simply how much of my life it took over. WLS has been the biggest part of my life for the last seven years. Submitted by: m m

Hi Kathy! The hardest thing for me has been the psychological component. Meaning the head hunger, emotional eating, wanting to eat when I'm bored, upset, angry, sad, etc. Also, changing my beliefs about myself, messages that I say to myself and about myself. I've needed to develop a nurturing inner voice and weaken my harsh critical voice in order to keep progressing.
Learning to take baby steps and set small goals along the way and celebrating achieving those goals and reminding myself how far I've come and not to focus on how much I've still to achieve. I've had to work weekly at my support group for over two years on not being a perfectionist and to set realistic goals and have reasonable expectations about my results and journey.
Right now the biggest problem is cutting my calories to make my next goal. Consistency is hard for me.
Submitted by: LDG1970

My biggest challenge is… Finding an answer! Starting 5 days after RNY, I developed problems. I am almost 2 yrs out and my problems have escalated into having Bradycardia with severe symptoms, getting a pacemaker and also developing Dysautonomia (autonomic dysfunction}. Prior to surgery I had no heart problems. Three cardiologist later and lots of medications and no change. I think my next step is the Mayo Clinic. The surgery did work. I am down 115lbs and have kept it off for several months, so yeah to that! I am hopeful for an answer….
Submitted by: gigi_c

Hi Kathy - What an appropriate topic and one that I am sure will generate many different answers! I have to agree with you that a huge challenge is in the aftermath of WLS when your weight loss slows or stops all together, the compliments are much less, the support not as strong, and basically you are your own cheerleader. It's an everyday challenge to try and live your life as normally as possible. Eat responsibly, exercise faithfully, vitamins every day and just adapt a totally new lifestyle and leave whatever former bad habits you once had behind you. It's tough to re-train your mind (and body) after living an unhealthy lifestyle for so very long. It takes hard work, determination, dedication and persistence!! So I guess like you, Kathy, the avoidance of any type of weight re-gain is indeed my huge challenge. I might also add that just making the decision to have WLS was in itself if not the biggest challenge for me, it was a close second. Again, facing surgery, rearrangement of your insides, no sugars, vitamins for the rest of your life, etc. etc. all are life-altering and if you are a food addict as I am, it is a huge step to even consider it but one I would do over again because the inevitable outcome is either life-saving (for me) or at least a healthier and longer life. Thanks for the great topic.
Submitted by: mollypitcher08

I'd have to say one of my toughest challenges early on was fear of the surgery. I was absolutely terrified of the surgery itself (it was my first time) and thought about backing out, but whenever I thought of the alternative - not having it at all, I kept remembering what my surgeon said, "The biggest risk for you is not having the surgery." And so I put one foot in front of the other one and on October 1st had gastric bypass surgery. Everything went extremely well and now, nine months later, I'm down 90 lbs and am off all medications except for one. I feel great and am enjoying new found freedoms. My current challenge is staying away from carbohydrates, keeping up the exercising and the fear of regaining the weight I've lost. I am staying positive, however, and am taking advantage of the connection I have with my bariatric clinic (doctors, nurses and dieticians I see on a regular basis), going to a support group twice a month and reading the forum pages on OH. With all that support, I am confident I can meet my challenges head on.
Submitted by: library_lady

Hey Kathy ,
What a great question ! My biggest challenge was food. I never realize what a huge deal food was in my life and still is. I thought surgery would help that and it did help me to realize that my relationship with food was very unhealthy. One time about a week out of surgery I found myself licking a Dorito. I actually snatched a Dorito from my son and licked it. I have learned that I eat when I am bored, when I am sad and when I am lonely which is scary because I have four kids. How on earth is it possible to be lonely? Food has always been there for me through thick and thin, never turning me away and learning to turn food away was and still is my biggest challenge. I am going to deal with this for the rest of my life because there is no surgery or pill to cure my relationship with food. This is a challenge that will follow me on my journey no matter how far out I get. This I have learned is a life time challenge! Thanks for letting me share.

LOL! I did the same thing with a Dorito! My kids are eight and five and of course still eating many of those foods that are triggers for me! Especially McDonald's French fries! I sucked on one of those one day too! I'm hoping things get better for me when I can start eating more foods and cooking some new low-carb, low-fat dishes for my whole family. I'm just three weeks out. Just thought I'd share that you aren't the only one to snatch a Dorito!
Submitted by: recoveringfoodaddict

My friends at work enjoy going to lunch and they don't quite understand that I can only consume about 2 oz's of food at a time. After two months they have come to realize that it easier to allow me to take small portions from different people at the table during lunch.
I am doing extremely well; it's just difficult introducing new people into my new way of eating. I just tell them to be patient with me and they will learn to understand the new me.
Submitted by: divadoll59

Well, you're probably not going to want to put this in the magazine because it can be very scary for the pre-ops reading it but here's my story...

For me, the first three months were the hardest because I was unfortunately part of the minority that had very severe complications and nearly died as a result of my RNY surgery. I had laparoscopic gastric bypass on Jan 07, 2008 and a few hours later starting vomiting blood violently and experienced unbearable pain in my left shoulder, indicative of a leak. I was rushed back in for emergency surgery and opened from chest to belly button. Gastric juices had spilled inside my abdomen causing a major infection. My surgeon spent the next few hours repairing the leak and cleaning out the infection. I was also given Penicillin even though I'm highly allergic and even had a red bracelet on that stated as much. So I went into respiratory failure at which point my surgeon asked my mother what reaction I had to Penicillin as a child...coincidentally..."respiratory failure". My kidneys also lost function. For the next two weeks I was in kidney and respiratory failure and on a ventilator, in a coma. After multiple attempts daily by staff to get me off the vent, I was finally able to breathe on my own after more than two weeks. Then the real "fun" began. I was in heavy withdrawal from all the sedatives and I was hallucinating terribly and extremely paranoid, thinking everyone was trying to kill me. After swinging and kicking at anyone in the room, including my loving family, I was eventually strapped to the $30,000 bariatric bed, but I still managed to break it. I was given a medication called "Haldol", an anti-psychotic to calm me down and help bring me down from all the drugs that were used to keep me sedated. Unfortunately, I experienced a terrible and common side-effect called EPS. EPS causes Parkinson-like symptoms (called Dystonia, the prolonged abnormal contractions and spasms of the neck muscles, tightness of the throat, difficulty swallowing, breathing and talking). All of which I experienced...and this was extremely painful. After a few days of this, combined with the continual hallucinations and paranoia, I starting coming around and venturing back into reality. Still extremely weak, I could not even stand on my own. With a lot of hard work and physical therapy I started standing, then walking a bit with a walker. Wanting to get the hell out of this hospital ASAP, I left after a few more days (three+ weeks total), complete with huge bed sores, an injured shoulder and a huge open wound on my abdomen. Luckily I have an extremely caring and helpful wife who took over a month off from work during this whole ordeal to care for me. I was pretty much completely healed about three months later and have not had any apparent long-term health issues other than an enormous recurring ventral hernia, which finally seems to be holding after my latest hernia repair.

On a much brighter note, I lost 240 lbs and reached goal in the 10 months following my surgery and feel amazing! I have been off all medications since about six months out and I am now living life to its fullest. Unfortunately, it took going through hell and back to realize that I need to put my health first. I eat right (almost exceedingly well, ha-ha), take all my vitamins / supplements and exercise every single day. I have been maintaining my goal weight for nearly two years now and of course it does get more difficult the further out you get with the return of your appetite, increased capacity, etc. But after all I've gone through I will never again fall back into old habits because I literally almost lost my life to regain my health.
-Adam - RNY January 7, 2008 - 6'6" - From 4
Submitted by: adam_

Well, ever since I first started thinking about WLS everything was a challenge...getting my husband to agree...getting approved by the insurance...setting up a date...taking my vitamins. in a little bit of words, everything has been a challenge to me...but with GODS help I have pulled through it all. Now, I have one challenge that I am yet to overcome...my sugar drops every now and then and sometime unexpectedly. I would like to know how to control it...but that is just another challenge that I will overcome. Submitted by: jrmll4

The biggest challenge was meeting all the pre-requisites to get insurance approval. It took me five years! I had to do the six month supervised diet twice, because I missed one appointment the 5th month by ONE day! Had to start all over with that and didn't realize it until after it was submitted to insurance the first time. Then getting in all of the required meetings, etc was difficult, because we don't have a support group here and the nearest Center of Excellence is over 300 miles away, as was the psychologist for the required psychological tests.
The cost (even with insurance coverage) was also a challenge, because insurance didn't cover as much as we had hoped, few of the prerequisite tests - plus I had to take most of the tests again, paying a second time, after the additional six month supervised diet was over.
But, now that I am over two+ years out - I am loving my RNY!
Submitted by: Dee Kay

I'm still a pre-op but the biggest challenge thus far is having patience waiting for my surgery date.
Submitted by: Leslie_

Right now it's getting 200 grams of protein in every day, some days it's no problem, but sometimes I'm so busy with life it's hard to get it done.
Before that, it would have been the eight weeks of recovery after the surgery; I had some complications and it was tough. But that's been gone for so long now; it's hard to remember how miserable it was.
Submitted by: Kerry J.

I'm only 4.5 weeks out and my early challenge was dealing with the complication of the GI bleed 10 days post-op. After a hospitalization, blood product transfusions, IV fluids, and electrolyte replacements, I was back on the road to healing.
This week was the first week that I felt human. It's a hard surgery to recover from and getting enough sleep was challenging. I make getting in my daily vitamins a priority which fills me quickly. The current challenge is to re-learn how to eat. Fats are necessary with DS and obese people always avoid them. I'm slowing trying to increase my food choices, focus on getting proteins in first, allowing fats in my diet, and continuing to get enough sleep... a big challenge.
Submitted by: EastCoastGal

In the beginning it was getting in enough fluid. Now it has been six months and I have been in a stall for seven weeks, this by far is the hardest ever. I just have to be patient and wait until it will start again.
Submitted by: lisaiamhappy

Well, the biggest thing so far was having Dr. Sudan leave Omaha and the hospital losing its Center of Excellence certification so I had to wait over a year and redo my tests when Dr. Anthone got his certification for his hospital. But hey- everything worked out and so far it's been a smooth recovery and weight loss...down to 212lbs and loving this DS!
Submitted by: STLfan

Kathy, what a great thread. It will be interesting to see how we differ with all our challenges.
At almost two months out, my biggest challenge would be intake. It's been difficult to get in all the protein, hydration and vitamins. Sometimes it works out and others it doesn't and something slacks. When I don't get enough of either my energy levels fail. But on a good note, things are looking better each and every day and for that I am happy. Woot!
Thanks for letting me share my biggest challenge...cheers!
Submitted by: sexysonya

Right now, the two most difficult things to deal with are both this pre-op diet I'm on and the anxiousness and anticipation of surgery. I'm sure I'll have a new list of challenges post-op!
Submitted by: rugratmama

My two biggest challenges have been the after surgery complications and getting in all my protein. I would still do it all over again.
Hugs to everyone,
Submitted by: bnaumann2002

I had a leak and was out of commission for a year, that's probably the worst part of my story. It's been over seven years now, and things are almost unbearably NORMAL. If I eat too many carbs and sugars, I gain a few pounds. If I concentrate on protein, they fall off. Totally what you'd expect. I've had a few lab issues that are under control, but other than that, I guess getting in all the fluids would be the toughest part of the day.
Submitted by: Wenda C.

Staying hydrated. I'm still nauseous and vomiting three weeks out.
Submitted by: Victorious_one

My biggest challenge so far has been keeping myself hydrated. I never imagined that this would be a problem pre-op. I used to drink tons of water could not pass up the fridge without getting a big glass of water and chugging it down. Post - op I do not have the thirst anymore. I have to keep reminding myself to make sure to drink plenty of water. I attribute this to my diabetes being cured. Now that it is getting hotter where I live (going to get into the 100's), I need to be really careful about my hydration. The other challenge has been to start a good vitamin regime. I never took vitamins before surgery. I would try a few times but would never stick to it. Now it can be a life or death situation without taking my vitamins. I can still struggle with this at times.
Submitted by: tonkasmom

Eating too much, too fast ... or really maybe it's just the too fast part ... that one extra bite that makes things PAINFUL.
I guess it's also been kind of hard to be patient and just let the DS work. The whole surgery experience is so intense that it seemed that for all the mental/emotional energy that I was investing in this process, that I should have lost at least 100 lbs that first month post-op!
I hate eating out with other people because inevitably I end up eating too fast. The portion sizes in restaurants are enormous to a post-op DS. I've learned to ask for a take-out container as soon as I get my meal. Now, at 20+ months post-op, it feels like the weight has just fallen off. What a relief to know that I have the best possible chance of actually KEEPING IT OFF this time!
Submitted by: Jc42

Staying hydrated and getting vitamins in. It was a learning experience.

Maintenance by far is the hardest.
The pre-op period and the rapid weight loss are physically more demanding, but the mental highs, the rapid weight loss, the changing of body appearance, the new clothes, all make it so much fun.
Maintaining is mentally much harder. All those wows are gone and the reality of long-term behavior changes sets in.
Also many of us learn to like all the attention we get as we are losing, The compliments, the looks, even the envy in a weird way is very empowering. We become the "it" person, the one everyone wants to be. Then after awhile others just get used to you being that size and the compliments stop. As women, many of us struggle with weight gain during perimenopause and menopause. The fact that we can maintain our weights causes a new round of jealousy.
This may be why cross-addictions alcohol, drugs and sex start turning up after the weight loss phase is done. Chasing the thrill.

The other thing you see is the yo-yoing. Relax a bit and you regain, jump back on the wagon and the weight loss starts up again. And all those feeling of accomplishment start back up. Do we get addicted to the ride? To the heightened emotions?
Submitted by: Amanda-DS

Hardest for me has been --- learning how to eat SLOW!
Submitted by: buzz97

The toughest part for me so far at being five months out is getting enough protein and water in. Still working on it. Also, just putting the trust in my DS and know that this time I will finally succeed in weight loss!
Submitted by: Nikki W.

I didn't find anything was too difficult to handle...from the introductory meeting, insurance approval, pre-op diet, post-op diet, etc. I did have a couple of rough patches, but I think everyone has a rough patch here and there. At one point, about a week post-op I couldn't drink, not even a sip of water would go down. My esophagus was irritated and wouldn't let anything pass and I got angry about not being able to even drink. I was thirsty but couldn't drink. Thank goodness for Nexium and Prevacid. They worked like a charm.
I am going to say acceptance of myself has been the hardest thing to deal with so far. I still do not really feel 'right' yet. I didn't see myself getting smaller, and I took plenty of photographs. Look at my page. It wasn't until March/April this year, a few months after my panniculectomy (panni was removed Nov. 09), that I took notice of the 'new' me physically. But now, emotionally I have a lot to deal with to complete my 'transformation'. I always thought the people were nuts that said, you will lose weight but you still have to deal with the personal and psychological thing going on in your life. "YEA YEA YEA, WHATEVER" I always said because I don't have issues like that, I'm just overweight. Well I am much thinner than ever before and I still cannot find employment. I am still unmotivated, uninspired and I have a low physical drive. I want to be motivated to do things, but it just isn't there. I was just as unmotivated before the weight loss, only difference is now I am more physically able to do the things I want to do but don't have the drive.
Submitted by: Jaime Breckenridge

My biggest thing is remembering that I am not that heavy person anymore and I can't fill my plate like I used too! I try to be a big girl and not use a small plate but I need to do that so I don't waste food, But on the upside, when I do use a big plate, I always finish it a few meals later!
Submitted by: oobiebus

Carb addiction has been my biggest issue. It was hardest during the liquids stage prior to surgery, but it 's ongoing. This is not even a Band issue - just my body specific. Breads, salty chips, cheese & creamy pastas with high-carb, high-fat sauces are among the strongest of carb threats for me. Always looking for healthy alternatives and ways to beat down the cravings. Over time, they are diminishing and every day I am proud when I beat a craving.
Submitted by: bleumonique

The hardest thing for me was losing the 5% before surgery
Submitted by: val28

I just wrote my 1st Blog, ever. I'm two years out with my Lap-Band. I was an overeater and a carbs junkie and after two years, I'm still mentally an overeater and a carbs junkie. It's a major battle everyday and I've gained back 20 of the 80 lbs I lost. This is so much more of mental/emotional
battle for me than a physical battle. Everyday means starting over again.
Blessings, S.
Submitted by: Shirley J.

Hi-
Just wanted to let you know--- I am right there with you!! Same situation... two years with the Lap-band and a carb junkie and overeater. I gained about 23 lbs of the 72 I lost. It is SUCH a battle every day for me too. So hard to get back on track after being derailed. Gave up for about the last six months, but I think I am getting back on track. Tracking my food again, trying to eat good choices, and started exercising again. Hope my body will let go of the weight. Blessings to you too!
Submitted by: LauraH.

Hi Members,
I am new to this site. I had my surgery on 8-20-09. I have lost 54 pounds. I started a journal
when I started this journey. In February I found out unexpectedly that I had colon/rectum cancer. So I have already undergone chemo/radiation and I have to be tested every three months for two years. So my weight loss journal became my cancer survival journal. Although I have lost
allot at first, I am ready to pick up where I left off with my Lap-band. I have a 10cc band but only 4cc in it now. I have to keep taking some out because I stay too tight. I love this website! It has helped through some of my darkest days. My weight started at 207 and now I am at 154. (I am only 5.1 tall.) I have 40 more pounds to go, so I am hanging here with all my friends. Thank you.
Submitted by: Debra51

This is actually a very hard question to answer as each stage of one's journey brings new challenges. For me, the actual physical challenges such as getting used to eating differently (slowly, less etc.) really pale in significance when I compare that with the psychological and social changes. Ironically, the smaller I became, the more visible I was. Having been at goal weight for three years now, I guess living as a 'normal' sized person has to be one of the biggest ongoing challenges. No more 'eyeing' chairs to see if I can fit into them before I sit down, no more wondering if I can go through small spaces without having to back out, learning different ways of dealing with stress, saying 'good morning' back to people who I worked with in the same building for years who never spoke to me when I was large (and not get angry), dealing with a husband who 'suddenly' developed a jealousy streak, not going into plus-size clothes shops, learning how to accept a compliment, dealing with adult children who only ever knew me as obese who said, "you are not mum anymore", losing fat friends because I no longer met their needs, believing that I am seen as an attractive person (still working on that one), deciding what clothes suit me,( I was only ever concerned with finding something to fit and cover me), learning to be assertive with my voice instead of aggressively using my weight (get out of my way), learning to eat to live instead of living to eat.
There are many, many examples of how weight loss has affected my life. Overwhelmingly, these changes have been positive but change can be difficult and comes with its own challenges. Have I ever regretted my decision? Honestly, there have been times when the challenges seemed overwhelming and I almost longed for my obese life back - change can be hard - but these moments passed. Has it been worth it? I have skydived, swam with sharks, run 10km road races and now I have a normal blood pressure and am no longer diabetic. So, Yes! A million times over.
It was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.
Submitted by: sharyn_pear

 

Good question. The hardest thing for me is to finish losing all the weight. I started at 273, dropped to 223, and entered the plateau that never ended. The scale wouldn't move. Then it moved up to 233. Determined to not give up, I am at 211 now, and my goal is to break 200, then set another goal. This is five years out. I believe I will do this. I had to take a break, but this is the longest I have maintained a weight loss in my life. Second longest, pre-band of course, almost a year. But with each regain, I reached a higher number.
Submitted by: sesmith

I am only a few weeks post-op but, without a doubt, my biggest struggle has been emotional eating. I want to eat all the time! I still feel hungry all the time and eating 1/2 cup of food three times a day just isn't enough to feed my emotions and I have a hard time stopping at my serving size!
Submitted by: kjslover

After the HONEYMOON phase! The closer you get to goal, the more you are faced with "life", faced with your “realities", and faced with dealing with your "emotional eating" issues. It is so important to get into counseling and learn how to deal with life and feel those feelings, so you do not stuff them down.
Submitted by: prek-3

Insurance for sure. It took over five years to get surgery. I then discovered I had a rare vascular disease, so that helped delay the surgery AND helped me to gain over 150 pounds.
Since being banded, the hardest part is retraining my mind and body that I don't need a huge portion to live. I can have a few bites of protein and a veggie and be just fine. I won't starve to death. Also, knowing food is NOT my friend when I am bored or depressed.
Submitted by: Guernica

I have to agree with the other poster about carbs..it is my biggest weakness and has been the hardest to curb.
Submitted by: NCA2008

For me, the most difficult part of the journey from 332 pounds to 144 pounds has been the psychological aspects:
1) I had significant depression immediately after surgery (that, surprisingly, had nothing to do with mourning food). I knew depression was possible, but was unprepared for the severity of it.
2) I struggled (and still do on some days) with controlling the urge to eat for emotional comfort or stress relief.
3) After years of being SMO (super morbidly obese), I have had a very difficult time getting my brain to adjust to my new body size. Even though I can now easily stand with both legs in one leg of my pre-op jeans, I look at my thighs (the only part of me with any fat left to speak of... and with lots of extra skin) and they look (to me) the same as they did 185 pounds ago. The body image issues make it difficult to fully embrace my weight-loss success, despite maintaining my goal weight for over a year. It is getting better -- now when I catch a glimpse of myself in store window or a full-length mirror, I no longer do a double-take -- but at almost three years post-op, it has been a slow and frustrating process.
Submitted by: cicerogirl

The sheer pain and unbelievable agony of gaining weight again. Now, for every new or considering being new- post op; IF YOU FOLLOW THE RULES, YOU WON 'T BE ME! I can 't stress that enough. After a few years at or near goal, I got snarky. I figured life was where I wanted it to be, I didn 't need or want (I thought) to continue to be a “post-op” of WLS but just a normal person.. I didn 't eat right, I didn 't take my vitamins, I went back to old habits, didn 't exercise.. well, you get the idea. I can give you a million “reasons” for my choices and the results, but honestly, let 's face it, I made the choices, no matter what the reasons, I chose them. Now the most difficult part is to get back on track and stay there. I have been doing pretty good but I am still struggling. I cannot stress enough for others to not tread these roads. To remember this surgery is only a tool, you can use it or not, but if you don 't you will soon after begin down the road you were on pre-op. And the choice to not go down that road can sneak up on you so quietly, that you don 't even know it is happening until you are again struggling with the weight.

Now I struggle, but the biggest aid for me is to consciously help others here. My driving goal is not to get sympathy, but to provide support to others. That gives me the support I need to go back to who I was post-op. I didn 't realize just how much I loved being a WLS success story.

I think the hardest thing for me, has been the head hunger thing. Our bodies change, our stomach has changed in the amount we are able to eat at one time. But, no one REALLY prepares our minds for the huge change. It is really hard at first to even make a plate of food that you don't totally over-load. It is hard to adjust your mind to "believing" that a small amount of
food is going to satisfy our feeling of fullness. Then realizing that just because it is lunch time that you don't "have" to eat. Just because its' supper, you don't have to eat if you are not physically hungry. So, get your head right. Somehow, some way, adjust your mind to believe in your surgery and that it works, and know that if you stay on track with the protein foods you are to be eating every meal, you will stay FULL and you will lose the weight.
Submitted by: rslyons

Almost eight weeks post-op.
The pre-op diet was tough for me.
Now it's the head thing w/ how little I can eat and what, as well as, the clothes. I continue to look at clothes sizes I use to wear & am starting to buy smaller sizes which is fun.
I also have the fear that I will regain after everything I have gone through to get to this point. I am afraid to give away my big clothes and sometimes even have dreams that what I am going through is not real.
Submitted by: Cindya19

I had a walk in closet that I could not walk into because of all the saved clothes. I made a conscious decision to give away the clothes so that others who desperately need clothes would have them. I have given many bags of clothes to Rosie's Place in Boston and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Please note that you will feel freer as the weeks go on.
May you experience all the joy that this surgery has in store for you.
Submitted by: AwesomeForever

The biggest challenge so far, is the fact I have lost interest in socializing and going out. All I want to do is go to the bar with my friends and have a cocktail and I wasn't big on drinking before. But now that I can't, it really bothers me. I'm supposed to go out to the bar tonight but all I can think about is, "Is there a single drink I could try to get away with?" My birthday was really hard. I told my mother to not make me a b-day cake. I really didn't want one. So, she made my b-day cake anyways( my fave cake) and made me watch everyone else eat it! I wanted to put her face in it.
Submitted by: Jessie72

The worst thing is head hunger and plateaus.

I'm only three days out of surgery and just got home yesterday. I got home to a room smelling of baked cake and brownies and a pot of rice cooking. I was so mad I could cry, but I didn't tell anyone. Emotionally, I'm a basket case right now and I still want to eat and taste things and I can't. It's very frustrating and I hate it. I can't wait to be able to drive and move around again to maybe get into a routine and start doing things, but for now, I'm still shuffling around and tired allot and have really loose stool so I'm afraid to leave the house!
Submitted by: Kathy H.

Hi Kathy,
I had the surgery on 5/18 in Kaiser P. and I'm doing just fine. I have lost 45 lbs already. I was bloated for 10 days, made me worry somewhat, but after that I'm doing great. No regrets here. I get positive feedback every day. Just keep your Doc prescribed meal plan and start to take the vitamins. Oh, and ask your friends and family to try to cook when you not home. (I know it's easy to say.) Soon, you can have creamy items, like Jell-O and sugar-free chocolate pudding. Those take my sweet cravings away.
Anyway, you made the best decision in your life! Be positive now!
Submitted by: charlieinla

Head hunger is my biggest problem. I am struggling with ways to deal with my anxiety and stress that do not involve food. Even though I have new tools, often times I forget to use them until I have eaten more than I should. Thank goodness for a good therapist to help me work through some of these issues!
Submitted by: Karen M.

Not finishing the last few bites! I try very hard to get my portions right when I fix my plate, but there are times when I fix an entire sandwich and intend to eat only 1/2. Well, by not putting only 1/2 on my plate, I often eat 3/4 then with only 1/4 left. I hate to leave it as it is too small to put up for laterso I'll just eat it...UGH!
Submitted by: turningpoint

I want to start by saying I wouldn't change things for the world. I know I made the right decision.
Prior to my surgery, my friends and I would do things together a couple times a week. We would typically meet either at one of our houses or go out. We have the best conversations, smoke a few cigarettes and have a few drinks. Evenings always ended with dinner.
Well, my friends are healthy and don't have any weight issues. Unfortunately for me, they also are not as interested in inviting me out since I no longer smoke, drink or eat to extreme. It makes me sad sometimes, but I am working on activities I can do without depending on my friends for company.
Submitted by: boneswag

My biggest challenge has been regain. After RNY surgery, I have been pregnant..with twins...twice. In the first pregnancy, I was terrified of not getting enough nutrition in for my babies and struggled to eat round the clock. I was very healthy and gained 40 lbs, which I thought was good for having twins. Unfortunately, that started a grazing pattern that has continued. Having to be up around the clock, I ate around the clock. Get up, feed first twin, and eat a granola bar. Get 2nd twin bottle, eat a granola bar. Repeat every three hours. Nine months after the first twins were born; I became pregnant with twins again. I had not lost a pound since the oldest twins were born. And I gained an additional 40 lbs with the next pregnancy. Now I am struggling with 80 lbs to lose again. I have not been on basics for awhile though. So, as I start back, I do feel my body and pouch responding which gives me hope. It is silly, but I threw up the other day after eating and was actually excited. I had not done that in years.
So here we go again.
Real protein first (not South Beach granola bars, not cheese, not Kashi cereal, I gained on these foods). Just meat.
NO DIET COKE. Seriously they are addicting and I believe cause cravings. (Or maybe it was just me.)
Water, water, water, water.
Exercise (I've been okay about this one, just need more time.)
Submitted by: girlscout39

I had my RNY on 5-19. Everything started out great, but in the past 10 days I have had to have two dilations. Now my surgeon has me back on a clear liquid diet until he "decides what to do with me." I have lost 31 pounds, yet I feel like a disappointment to my surgeon because of the trouble I have caused him. Not only that, I am weak and tired from not being able to eat. I just keep thinking once we get this straightened out, everything will be fine and I will be on my way to being healthy again.
Submitted by: rny51910

I had my surgery 12 days ago and have not regretted one day so far. The hardest part for me was getting through the insurance process. I started with my first informational session in March of 2008 and finally had my surgery 6/15/10. I had such a tremendous support system through the weight management program at our local hospital. Everyone from the receptionist to the nutritionist to the insurance specialist to the physicians. I never got anything but encouragement no matter how bleak things were looking at the time. I'm not sure I could have made it through this maze without them.
Submitted by: MtnGrl

I am nine months out and the hardest thing for me was learning how to eat a meal while listening to my body for clues on what, how much and how fast to eat. I find myself eating too fast so in turn, too much, and then paying the price with nausea and overall exhaustion for a couple hours. I also find myself not chewing enough which causes discomfort.
As far as what to eat my body and my mind will send me (not so subtle) clues like pre-nausea at the thought of eating eat but I overrule it by saying that is silly, you can eat this. Then, again, I pay the price after eating it. This happens with food that at other times I can eat, such as chicken, peanut butter, a bit of pasta or a potato.
My body tries to lead me in the right direction but sometimes I just don't get it!
Submitted by: tawnia49

Well, I'm three years post-op and I went from 245 to 123lbs. My biggest challenge is staying under 125lbs. I gain 2-3lbs prior to my period and I get mad at myself. I weigh 123 right now I started taking diet pills because I don't want to gain any weight. My husband gets mad at me because I don't eat very much, just a little here and there. What can I do to get my mind out of this stage?
Submitted by: jennie76

I had my surgery in April of this year and then on May 31, I ended up having a hernia and bowel obstruction and ended up having surgery again. The hardest part was that after my second surgery, my stoma closed and I wound up being just on water, popsicles and broth for 26 days. It felt so frustrating and I felt so weak and tired. I am having a hard time coming back from that and so that has been the most difficult part for me. Also, other people have been difficult for me too. It seems that every occasion is marked with food!
Even with all this though I would do it again!
Submitted by: Celinas

I'm only three months post-op, but the hardest thing for me has been finding things to eat that are different. Because I'm obsessing over my calories, protein and carbs, I find that I have the easiest time with things that have calories that are easily calculated, like chicken, pre prepared foods (frozen fish fillets) and protein shakes. Food has become very boring, I eat the same things every day, but maybe that's a good thing for me at the same time because I used to love to eat because it was just so good, and now I don't really like it so much!
I think most of us go through this, but worrying that you're doing things wrong and are going to be the only one this surgery isn't going to work for is something I've struggled through. The one month stall came, and I knew it was coming, but still was terrified I'd broken something and had screwed up the surgery. I obsess over the scale and if I don't lose weight or I *God forbid* gain a pound or two, I freak out! I think it gets easier to put the scale away as you get farther along, but at the beginning when everyone tells you you're going to lose super fast, you want to see that scale go down!
I'm also having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I'm starting to look different. I don't see a difference but my family and friends do. I still associate myself with being a 420 lb person, not a 315 pound person. I often catch myself making jokes about being the 400 lb person, and then I catch myself and realize I'm not the 400 lb person anymore.
Submitted by: caterpillarcrawler

I think the toughest thing for me is the wanting to eat and when I do, I get sick if I eat more than three or four bites. I get so frustrated about that and I don't want to eat anything. I would rather drink fluids or eat popsicles. I can't eat anything that I was able to eat before such as meat, bread, rice or pasta. However, I wouldn't change anything for the world. I am down 42 lbs since April 22nd (lost 20 before surgery) and the fact is that I am not on my medication for HTN or for GERD!
Submitted by: Cathy C.

I'm a newbie. I'm four days into this. So far, so good. I'm learning to listen to what my body is telling me. I feel like a little baby. I don't know if I'm hungry...if I need to potty...or I've drank too much, too quickly. How crazy this sounds to others who don't battle with diets! I'm sure you understand.
Another thing I'm seeing is how much time I spent wondering what to have for my next meal. My gosh...no wonder I didn't get everything done. I spent WAY TOO MUCH time on that thinking.
The third thing... You can't watch TV without food ads. I think I'm going to watch movies so I don't have to watch commercials anymore.
Thank you all for posting. I think it's this website that's going to help me the most. I'm married to a man who doesn't have a weight problem. Sometimes his HELPING...is a little more HELP then I really would like to have. LOL!
Submitted by: maplapband

Omg! I know what you mean about the commercial. I actually cried at a Wendy's commercial the first week post-op. I was very hungry. Lol!
Submitted by: undecidedloser

So far the most frustrating thing is....I don't know... I am still pre-op! The waiting on insurance, the hoops you have to jump through to get the surgery, the wait, the pre-op diet which I am going through right now. There is nothing like going camping with your entire family when all you can have is 3-4 protein drinks and one small meal that can fit on a DVD! Then being informed by the in-laws that the weekend before your surgery (July 16th thru the 18th) (surgery is the 19th), we will be going on a huge family camping trip and the only way I will be able to spend the last days before surgery with my son (4) and hubby is to go but then the only way to spend time with my daughter (17) is to stay home. I am so torn.
OK, I got it! The most frustrating thing in this journey is the weekend before surgery. I am torn between my husband and son or my daughter and the fact everyone will be pigging out around me while I am drinking nothing but protein drinks. I really wanted to spend that last weekend with my immediate family, just in case things went wrong, I want it to be memorable, not just another day that they would forget all too quickly. OK, OK I am having mortality issues...
Submitted by: MeaganJo

 

I am a newbie. I am only a month post-op. The hardest part so far was a couple days after I came home. I never realized how many food commercials there were. I know my body wasn't really hungry in the true physical sense, but the withdrawal from carbs "the big white monster" was brutal. I can't imagine a drug addiction withdrawal would be any worse.
I watched a TV Movie and counted 42 food commercials in 2.5 hours. Some of them were foods I never really liked in the first place, but my mind sure thought it wanted some of everything!

THE HARDEST PART FOR ME HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET IN MY PROTEIN. EVERY KIND I HAVE TRIED MAKES ME FEEL SICK. I CAN ONLY EAT ABOUT FOUR TEASPOONS AT A TIME SO IT IS HARD TO GET THE PROTEIN FROM MY FOOD. THE ONLY FOOD I ALLOW MYSELF IS HIGH PROTEIN FOODS BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH. I AM NINE WEEKS POST-OP SO I HOPE THE FURTHER OUT I GET, I WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD MORE FOOD AND GET MORE PROTEIN IN. I HAVE LOST 40 POUNDS SINCE SURGERY AND 11 PRE-OP, SO A TOTAL OF 51 POUNDS SINCE 4-14.
Submitted by: going2bethin

I would have to say pre-op eating and getting down protein that doesn 't make me ill has been a big challenge.

Hardest thing for me is remembering to take all the vitamins and supplements - multi and B12 in the morning then three calcium citrates throughout the day, then B6, multi, and Probiotic and Previcid at night I feel like I'm constantly popping a pill! Also - have had either diarrhea or constipation EVERY day. A normal poo would be great - and my family is ready to kick me out because of the gas.
Submitted by: HopefulRider

The toughest challenge for me so far has been waiting for a surgical date. My adventure started in Sept 09. I have been through six months of classes, endless tests, waiting for test results, and waiting lists and now for my surgeon 's vacation to be over.
I've done so much work and waiting that I can't help feeling so hopeless.
Thank you for allowing me to whine. : {
Submitted by: the22ndday

Post Date: 6/29/10 6:17 pm

My surgery is in a week and the closer it gets, the more emotional I am. I had my endoscopy today and the turnpike had a 10 mile backup and then we got lost trying to find another way and I was almost an hour late for my endoscopy.I thought I was going to lose my mind with my husband frustrated and me crying. It just seems like a really big deal right now. I know I have to do it, but I just feel overwhelmed at the "never agains".
So, I would say, up to now, this "almost there" time has been the worst .
Wish me luck!
Tisha
wife to Mike
mom 2 Zachy

The toughest part of this journey has been keeping the weight off. I'm two years post op and if I eat too many carbs or anything I'm not supposed to it shows on the scale. Also realizing that just because I lost weight doesn't mean everything is going to be great. I'm still battling with the emotions I used to eat away with food. It's almost like a line in the sand and I'm on one side and food on the other and I'm standing there with a sword fighting it off all the damn time. Also, I was working out religiously every other day for the past almost two years but in the last month or so I've missed weeks of working out so I have to battle to get back to where I was.
Submitted by: undecidedloser

For me...it's being getting my insurance approval. I'm going to have this surgery even if I have to self-pay, but I want to go through insurance first. So far I've been jumping through hoops.
I'm in the beginning of my journey though...
Submitted by: Rhietta

The toughest part is not resuming old habits, behaviors and ways of thinking. They tend to sneak in when I am in situations that would have "normally" produced eating behaviors. Chief among these is being angry or anxious. I know and have known for a long time that anger not only makes me yell but also sends me right to the refrigerator. My task is to deal with anger in new and DIFFERENT WAYS.
Submitted by: Susan L.

HELLO EVERYONE!
Well, for me it's getting these last 18 pounds off...I'm the type that wants things NOW not LATER...lol.
Another thing is... remembering that I'm not in the plus size section any longer...reminding myself, I'm not in larger sizes, that I can actually wear Jr. size clothing, now. In my head, I'm still in much larger sizes, and then it will HIT me. Hey, get outta here, you're NOT that HUGE person any longer. For a moment, I'm stunned that I have moved out of the plus size section, but it happens time and time again. I'm sure ONE DAY I'll just automatically go to the correct size section, but right now, I still head for the plus sizes first...ODD!
Also, I ALWAYS fill my plate TOO FULL! Knowing I cannot eat that much, AT ALL!
OLD HABITS ARE HARD TO BREAK, IT SEEMS. .AT LEAST FOR ME, SO FAR...
Submitted by: www.ohmeohmy.com.105

I'm three months out. I emotionally had a very hard time with mourning the loss of food as my comfort. I went through all the steps of loss. denial, depression, anger, and what I think now is acceptance. it was a really rough road for me I had to accept that I needed help. getting help has made all the difference.
Submitted by: Beth N.

I think I too will have trouble mourning the loss of food. I am already thinking of some sort of support group or counseling to deal with my food issues. It has been lifelong for most of us.
Submitted by: thornton716

Beth, this has been one of the harder things for me too. I'm 35 years old and food has been my best friend since the 2nd grade! There are things that I want to eat, but I know I can't and honestly I'm afraid to eat due to the fact that I do not want to get sick. I'm glad that it seems you are finding that light at the end of the tunnel as far as mourning food...keep up the good work!
Submitted by: Angela G

Cheer up! you'll be able to enjoy foods more as time passes. I think after the first nine months is when it happened for me. There are many times when I just don't care what I eat, which is a wonderful change for me- not to obsess about food! But when I want something, I can have it and savor it.
Submitted by: summer24

Keeping the right clothing sizes in the closet! It seems like I buy stuff and then a few weeks later they are too big!! LOL I love it!
Submitted by: FabBy50 .

My biggest challenge through this journey has been food. I have had trouble adjusting to eating slow therefore; I always have discomfort after eating. Also finding the right things to eat, I get bored with eating the same thing easily and sometimes skip eating all together. On the up side though, I wouldn't trade any of it, it is all worth it, everyday is a learning experience and each day it gets better. Seeing that scale go in a downward direction is well worth every trial and error!
Submitted by: Sands

Good Topic. I kind of think my biggest challenge is yet to come which will be long-term maintenance of weight loss. I can truly say I had about the easiest surgery and recovery imaginable. While weight loss has not been especially fast, it's been steady with only a couple of short stalls. I think the hardest was in about the second to fourth weeks trying to get protein in, hating the drinks, finding it not so easy to get protein in etc. Can't wait to get to goal to see what issues are presented by maintenance. Submitted by: diane S.

I used to think it was finding a way to pay out of pocket for my surgery, now that that's over with; it is surely learning to eat SLOWLY. I eat way too fast even though it's a zillion times slower than before. Still as slow as I can eat I always get a little discomfort, and I know its speed and not portion since I measure everything out and start getting that feeling after 2 or 3 bites.
Submitted by: stacie947

I was a gulper always eating fast. So the curve for me is learning how to eat a very small amount of food and make it last 15 minutes. I am sometimes uncomfortable and also am tired of eating the same things because they are easy. I don't want to stall my metabolism by not getting my protein, so far there is only one shake I like and sometimes I just want to avoid eating altogether. But make no mistake, I would do it all again in an heartbeat
Submitted by: nessabgood

My biggest issue has been the bariatric office I'm working with. They were pretty decent to begin with, but now I'm having issues with them. Ex: They made me pay $7500 up front for services that my insurance would not cover and now I'm trying to get back the $3500 I've overpaid.
Oh...the Doctor, surgery, recovery and everything else has been pretty easy compared to the money situation...LOL!!
Submitted by: Tammy J.

Far and away my biggest challenge has been fighting the insurance company for 14 months to cover my revision to a VSG from a slipped Lap-band. It taught me that time is more important than money. If I had to do it over again I would have self-paid a year ago and then just fought them in court for reimbursement when the pressure of continually gaining weight while waiting wouldn't have been there. My biggest battle and biggest regret by far. It's as if I lost a year of my life, not to mention my self-confidence from the weight I regained.

Several seemed to be tied. Yes, I'm a fast eater...I'm slowly adjusting to being a slower eater. I can't say slow because I'm not counting 15 bites...but I do put my spoon down between every bite. Getting the protein in is easy since I love the protein shake, but I'm watching the sodium too and the calories as well.
The toughest challenge I think has been that I started out as a revision (which they told me would inhibit my weight loss and I'd be a slow loser) and I started out as a light-weight. (250...light as a feather!) I've been at -50 some pounds since mid-May. I got down to 192...popcorn happened, I went up to 205. I can't say I was stalled the entire time...because I'm back between 196 and 198...but the only encouragement I want and need is the encouragement that I'm doing the right things and I want that displayed on the scale.
So...toughest is keeping my willpower up throughout this journey. It's not as easy as I thought it would be. I thought that without grehlin, I'd never really think about food, but I realized...I'm not a craver so much as a mindless eater. I want to eat when I read. I crave food when I read. I am always reading, I'm always craving food, but it's not food that I'm craving, it's the association of food with my usual habit (no one knows food quite like a romance novelist). Completely readjusting my thinking. Okay, that's enough...this is hard. No one said it would be easy.
Submitted by: OhButSheHasSUCHaPrettyFace

Post Date: 6/26/10 7:23 am

So far, my toughest challenge is me! My surgery is scheduled for July 15; I've had so many last meals and food funerals that I've gained 20 pounds. I feel worse than ever. I can't wait to have my surgery! I want to be healthy!

Submitted by: traceeingv

Trying to overcome emotional eating and frustration over non-reached weight loss goals.
Overcoming old habits and old love to certain foods.
When you have been fat all of your life, it's just not that easy to overcome everything. Especially if you have over 150 pounds to lose and the scale is not moving that much, Motivating myself is really hard.
Submitted by: free-spirit

Post Date: 6/26/10 8:13 pm

My toughest challenges are all related:
- seeing what I really look like
- waiting for my head to catch up with my weight loss
- knowing when I have lost enough and look my personal best
- accepting my body with its flaws. I have the same body, with the same tummy and thighs, just much smaller. Losing more weight may not get rid of those stubborn areas. I may have to learn to accept them.
I feel and look fabulous, I think I have the ability to lose as much as I want, but will I look better if I lose more? I honestly don't know. I am having a real hard time knowing what I really look like. I don't feel as slim as I look in my reflection. I look down and see 'me', but when I look in a mirror, I see a very slim woman, that I hardly recognize... She looks surprised but very happy
Ahhhh my new trials and tribulations...
Submitted by: BelizeSleeve

For me thus far (sleeve in two days) it's been the waiting for surgery and the emotional turmoil that I have been going through. But with the help of a lot of OH members, it's become less scary for me.
I will find out after the sleeve if something else is more difficult.
I love this site.
Submitted by: ManitobaMama

Well, for me, the hardest pre-surgery was getting approved. OMG! What a hassle! You probably all have heard my story as I complained long and loud when insurance denied because the consider it experimental. So I appealed and got an independent medical review and I won. Yeah! So that only took five months (during which time I gained d/t with all the last supper's I enjoyed). Now, however, my problem is I think my sleeve is bigger than most of you and I eat more than most of you say you can eat. I looked forward to not being hungry (that's what I was told pre-op, but it's not the case for me) I am HUNGRY every three hours. I feel it physically in my tummy and I HAVE to eat. It's like my tank is EMPTY so I am trying to figure out what I am doing wrong as my weight loss has stopped again. I'm only four weeks post- op and my struggle will be to figure out what I should be eating and how much. I am resigned that I may lose slower than some, but I am determined that I will lose. Take care everyone! Best of luck to us all. jeani
Submitted by: sleeve genie

By far the hardest thing has been changing my concept of food and eating. Changing my relationship with food. I have put it in its proper place of nourishing my body and not as an activity to look forward to and indulge in. I need to place the most healthy and body enriching foods in my body rather than going for the taste and texture of pre-surgery habits.
Changing those habits and changing those food concepts is an ongoing daily change. We are bomb-barded with food ads that have no nutritional value and are horrible for people to even eat! It's a hard battle to win. I refuse to give up! I refuse to go back to old habits and old concepts. I push on and if I falter, I let it go and move on to the next second (a GREAT concept from "The Beck Diet Solution") and the next minute of staying healthy and eating healthy.
Submitted by: SuziJones

For me, it 's snacking out of boredom! I'm in a huge stall because of it. I have found that the further out I get, the more I can eat, the worse it's getting. I need to get a grip and go back to basics!

Post Date: 6/27/10 10:48 pm

The challenges for me are several. I never realized how fast I ate or how I wasn't really chewing my food prior to my surgery. Now I know that if I don't recognize my habits, I'm going to be sick and of course I want to avoid that. I sometimes find myself falling into old patterns of behavior (eating the popcorn) which is a mental thing and yeah that is still difficult. I'm trying to do the right things but every now and then I don't. I'm still tired a lot of the time and that has also been something that has been difficult.
I'm thankful for my surgery and my sleeve but I know that I am a work in progress and not perfect.

My biggest challenge till now is to give up old habits.
I just can't imagine that I wouldn't eat freely like the past days. :(
Submitted by: drzimo

The most difficult part of my journey next to major complications during my revision to VSG was learning and accepting that I am 100% worthy to be living a fabulous life. A life that I deserve because I'm not defined by the size of my pants.
A life without obesity related conditions, aches/pains, misery, feelings of failure because I always gained back the weight.
The sleeve has helped me with the physical changes, and through those I have mentally and emotionally learned that I did this to live the very best life possible.
Submitted by: USAF Wife

I am still in the pre-surgery stage. I am approved for surgery on September 14th. So far the hardest things has been waiting for the surgery date to get here. My insurance approved me the first part of June but because of the doctor's schedule ,I can't get in for surgery until September. I hope the next couple of months fly.
Submitted by: Koolkatva

 

By FAR for me it's transitioning from liquids to soft/pureed foods. I cannot for the life of me figure out what those foods are or should be and I am finding myself at a point that I am starving. It's been hard trying to eat and then fit in drinking! My other challenge that goes along with that is the fact that I get nauseous after trying to eat. The doctor said that's normal and I'm trying to keep my sanity, but I am at a loss and I don't know what to do.

 

I am only a little over three months out, so I'm sure there will be more hurdles to come; but for now, I would say that remembering that my tummy is small and not over-filling my plate is hard! I know, it's crazy. I try to order the smallest thing or an appetizer when I go out, and I still end up taking food home!
I'm in the middle of my first stall, so that is no fun. Knew it would happen, but still not happy about it! Also, I'm starting to notice a bit more hair falling out when I shampoo, etc., and that is no fun. Was told that if I keep up with my protein (which I have), it would not happen. Yeah, that was a lie.
And of course, I still don't really see the changes in the mirror, at least not yet. I have so much to lose, I'm thinking I need to lose another 40 or 50 pounds and then hopefully I will be able to see it more easily.
This is a great question, thank you for asking. I've enjoyed reading all the comments.
Submitted by: ChristinaK

Learning to eat slowly and chew thoroughly! I think I finally have a handle on it.

The toughest challenge for me was trying to identify with the new skinny chick in the mirror.
It was a very difficult time for all of us (unrelated to the WLS), but my family & friends would say discouraging things which really took its toll on me mentally, which in turn made the transition all the more difficult for all of us (myself included) to accept.
Additionally, I had difficulty clothing that new person - finding the right sizes & stuff that was a go & work appropriate.
I am six years out now & have gained 59 lbs. I look better than I did at my lowest weight (at least they said I looked really gaunt & ill - "that's what death looks like"), but I don't feel better.
Now I have a mental picture of what I SHOULD look like (being somewhere between what I am & what I was), & I'm working on who establishing myself identify. Submitted by: Miss Candace

Keeping the weight off has been my biggest challenge, too. I have gained about 15 pounds. I continue to struggle with being a food addict. I liked myself 15 pounds lighter.
Submitted by: RubyRosebud

I'll be six years out in November. I have done pretty well keeping the weight in check. I play around with 10 pounds or so. The thing that initially bugged me the most of was never getting down to a normal BMI. I wear size 8 and 10, but my BMI hangs out around 28.
It is a lot easier to eat anything now, so the control lies definitely upon me. It's okay, I can do it, but I still love those carbs. That is a pretty big bug-a-boo for me...

I am eight years out and I struggle with the same issue of gaining weight. I started out at 318pds and I went down to 180 pds. My weight has went up and down about 20pds but now I weigh 195pds and I am hoping to get a tummy tuck. I have an appointment with a doctor..I don't know if I lost enough weight but I have kept it off pretty good in eight years. My biggiest challenge is late night eating because I have trouble sleeping. But all in all, I have no regrets having this surgery.

I previously thought my biggest challenge was the approval process...until now that I am about 3.5 years out and I still have not made it to goal. I would now have to say that the biggest challenge is FOOD and not allowing life events to veer me off the path to my goal. I hope to never hear someone say again that WLS surgery is the easy way out because I may be featured on AMW...LOL! I am determined to reach my goal and I know that I will one day soon. I know that is has been said before but I must say it again...I am not where I want to be but I am surely not where I used to be!

Kathy,
I can concur with you completely. I had WLS five years ago, and have now come to grips with the fact I have regained 50lbs. of the 143 I lost. Long story, but the short version is, thankfully I know I need to get on track and I can't do it by myself. Is there a forum just for this particular issue? I can't imagine we're the only ones.

In August I will be six years post-op. The hardest part of WLS for me has been to stay balanced. Meals are so small that it is hard to keep a good balance of protein, fiber, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals. The second I am unbalanced my digestive system lets me know by stopping up or free flowing.

The biggest problem for me is that the WLS did not cure my food addiction. I refer people to Kay Sheppard's book: Food Addiction--The Body Knows. At least she is one person who realizes that there is a physiological component to food addiction and that it's not all mental. I specifically have problems with sugar, white flour, and junk food. As to the mental aspects and behavioral changes we face when we slip, I recommend the Beck Diet Solution Weight Loss Workbook. The author, Dr. Judith Beck, is the director of the Beck Institute at the University of Penn. and her father, Dr. Aaron T Beck was instrumental in forming Cognitive Therapy. This book does use Cognitive Therapy, but it also provides about another 40 methods or procedures for getting back on track or simply following a lifetime way of eating (a healthy diet).
Unfortunately I do slip, and these books do help me. One more thing: I realize that I cannot hold the course by myself. When I get overwhelmed by my addictive thoughts, the best places for me to reach out are on ObesityHelp and to pray to my God. After having this problem for over thirty years, the Serenity Prayer finally is sinking in and making sense. And, I'm learning to live life one day at a time. I know it sounds corny, but it's true.

Several thousand years ago, Confucius said that, "A journey of even a million miles begins with a single step". What he failed to say was that that first step is often the hardest to take. I found this to have been the case with may weight loss surgery patients. It was for me. So I leaped and once I leaped, I was off and running.

WAITING for WLS..

Getting my insurance to approve the surgery...I still haven't gotten approved.

 

Finding a surgeon who would work on a "risky" patient....
I was declined by nine (that's right NINE) different surgeons from Buffalo to NYC, even was declined by John Hopkins's!
I finally found a surgeon to believe in me and work on the "risky" patient. He literally saved my life!
The rollercoaster ride of surgeons who'd say "Yeah, come see me", then look at my records and tell me "no.",was enough to make someone want to give up. But I needed to save my OWN life and I did what it took to get that done, with the help of Dr. Phil Schauer at the Cleveland Clinic!

Insurance covered everything without any requirements beyond my clear need for WLS. Love my surgeon and the office is busy but they help the day I call every time. NO post op complications. I have to say that my most "difficult" issue thus far has been trying to determine what I will eat for the rest of my life. Some eat what they want in small portions. The calories issue melts my mind. I know I'm supposed to eat high protein and "good" carbs. My surgeon 's office " prescribes" what we can eat for the first seven weeks and I believe I've been a compliant patient. Lol. I have tolerated everything well so far. I look forward to moving beyond flaky baked/ broiled fish, eggs and tuna for protein sources :) So, I can't complain as I start my 5th week post-op today. Rich

 

I'm seven weeks out and getting enough protein is hard for me. I'm a picky eater and am having a hard time imagining what I can eat and I get totally overwhelmed if I look at it long-term.

For now, I just drink Costco's protein milk until I figure it out. I have no hunger pains, so many times I just don't even think to eat and if I have to pick between something I abhor (like tuna!) and not eating, I just don't eat. So it's been hard for me and I realize it's mostly in my head. I have a lot to work on...but I'm putting one foot in front of the other...

 

My biggest challenge has been and is...acceptance.
I had to accept the fact that I needed this surgery.
I had to accept that my life would change.
I had to accept the fact that some of this is out of my control.
I am accepting the fact that my body might not want to lose any more weight, though I want to.
I am accepting that I am a new person.
I am accepting that I have to find out who the new Heather is.
I am accepting that things don't always go as we plan and we must make changes along the way.
And...
I am accepting that I am strong, stronger than I ever knew. :)

For me the hardest part has been realizing and accepting the fact that I have to control the food, not let it control me anymore. I have just come out of a long "stall". I am only using that word because it is what everyone else uses when they stop loosing for awhile. I've been at the same weight since January. Six months! That is one hell of a "stall". I have been eating out of boredom and stress. So it's not really a stall, is it? It's me through and through. I don't know when it happened but something clicked in my head and I had to sort out a ton of things and face many of my old demons -- grazing, carb eating, not exercising, etc. And added a new one -- depression. I was tired all the time, not able to focus well and just down in the dumps 24/7. I was losing 'happy' in my life. I was also noticing things about me I didn't like and thought, if I didn't like what I saw, what did others think of me. This realization occurred right about when I was due to see my primary for a physical. We had a good long talk - almost an hour. I came out of there feeling a little better and with a prescription for the little blue pill called generic Wellbutrin. It has been three weeks and I am feeling tons better. Life isn't perfect but many of my challenges are easier to face and aren't so dang overwhelming. I have been able to fight off the carb monster. He really had a bad hold on me, there were days I don't think I saw one gram of protein. I am no longer grazing. And biggest of all - I am not seeking food to deal with the stressors of life. I am exercising to fight the stress demon. Even if I am at work, if I feel stressed, there are five flights of stairs that help me beat it. The scale is slowly agreeing with me and is moving again. Not in leaps and bounds but it is inching down.
Life is getting better...

"What has been the toughest challenge in this journey?"
For me, that was learning that I have an addictive personality and getting it in check !
Not only did I have a problem controlling my eating, but also my alcohol consumption. Like food, I kept it in check at times, but there were times in my life that I would binge.
I had weight loss surgery in May 2004 to help with my eating addiction and it worked. But I soon discovered that it also contributed to my already existing love of alcohol. I lost allot of weight and felt wonderful. I wanted to celebrate my new found skinnier body and happy spirit with people. I loved the social aspect of drinking amongst friends. I thought it harmless until I realized that the alcohol was harming my body just as much (if not more) than my previous obesity was. I suffered consequences from my drinking and frankly, I became sick and tired of feeling sick and tired!
In November 2006, I went to an AA meeting and through the help of that program, I became sober that day and continue my sobriety today. I read daily from a book titled A Day At A Time. I try to use it in all aspects of my life to help keep my addictive personality in check. So far, I consider it a success but it's progress, not perfection. It's been a long road and thankfully it's not over yet!
Submitted by: RHONDA FROM KY

What has been the toughest challenge in this journey?
Weight regain and getting it off again. It's all us doing the work in the end. Surgery helps us that first 18-24 months then it just gets tougher. Thank goodness I exercise.
Having Kristi as an eating coach, learning from her is such a plus. Really paying attention to mindful eating and saying to yourself, "If I eat this one M&M, I will have to walk the entire football field to just get rid of one M&M calorie"...not worth it...haven't had an M&M since Kristi told me that one! LOL.

Kathy,
Truthfully, the part of this journey that has been the most challenging is the maintenance aspect. It seems that the last few months have been a constant battle to keep the weight off. I eat so few calories (most days less than 1400) and I've regained 15 lbs from my lowest weight and mind you I never made it to my personal goal of 150 lbs., though I exercised and mostly stayed true to what I could and could not have. Everyone is different, the challenges to get to a place are harder for some then others, but many of my friends on this journey are having the same issue with regain. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat, my life is fuller and more about living than ever, but I fear ever being "obese" again, which I guess is a good thing, as I certainly have learned to reach for the healthier choices.
Thanks for asking and so far it would seem we all face the same challenge.
Submitted by: Laureen S.

Hi Kathy,
Right now I'd have to say the toughest part of my journey was recovering from surgery. I had a couple of issues in the first weeks post-op that have resolved. It was tough at the time because of the physical recovery at the same time these complications popped up. These were normal issues that occur after any abdominal surgery so I can't say it was a result of the procedure itself.
That's been the hardest because right now things are going very well. I had a duodenal switch in April 2009. Since then, my diabetes has gone into remission. I don't need to test at all anymore. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels are back to normal too. I don't need any medications for any of those problems anymore. Now I won't have to worrying about advancing problems with diabetes, like neuropathy, eye troubles, etc. I'm so thrilled!
Before I lost the weight, I had bad bulging disks and a collapsed arch in my left foot. The arch in the right one was going. I had trouble walking and was in so much pain most of the time. Now that the weight's off my spine and ankles, everything's so much better.
I've lost 147 lbs since I began my journey. So that's why I saw the toughest part was the recovery period.. :) Cassie
Submitted by: Irishcoda

Hello Kathy. My biggest problem is not being at goal and dealing with both physical and head hunger and calorie control. Food never lost its appeal for me other than the first couple of months and my appetite came back early. I never lost my sweet tooth and I am struggling to keep losing as I have 50 more pounds to lose to be at goal and I just passed 18 months out. I was told at the hospital's program that I would be satisfied with one cup of food per meal, three meals a day and one snack for the rest of my life. That, unfortunately, is not true and it is very difficult to deal with as we were told not to worry about calories the first year. When I asked for a guideline after the year, I was given a number much lower than what I had been consuming for a number of months and it is hard to go back to the beginning again as I have so much more room in my pouch now. I have also been learning that I need to get rid of an "all or nothing" mentality and approach this one decision at a time. If I mess up, I just start over. I may feel guilty, but the guilt is not going to make me fail unless I let it and I'm not ready to call it quits. After all... like most of you, I have gone to great lengths to come as far as I have and I do not want a regain. I had a 14 pound regain that had to be water retention that's taken me months to get rid of and it is SO FRUSTRATING. Good topic.

HORRIBLE NIGHT EATING!!! It's such a pain!

My challenges changes from month to month -- or it changes with LIFE'S ups and downs.
Today in this moment in time, my biggest challenge is consistency with all of my eating habits. I am very consistent with exercise, journaling, etc. But not with food issues. When I master consistency 85% of the time or more, I will be unstoppable.
Thanks for posting this because it made me sit down and meditate on my biggest challenge in my journey and meditate on what I need to get consistency with my eating program.
Submitted by: Mollie S.

Other than a post-op complication, I haven't really had any challenges.
Right now my biggest challenge is behavioral, and has to be grazing. Eating huge amounts of food at one sitting wasn't really my problem, but after the WLS honeymoon period, that old grazing habit has come back to haunt me, reinforced by the meal, snack, meal, snack, program we adopt right after WLS. Thankfully, although I can eat more now than I could a year ago, it is still miniscule compared to what I used to eat and I have managed to get back on track with my exercise and I haven't had any weight gain.
While I still have 30 lbs to go to get to goal, I'm not so unhappy with where I am at and so I can't get motivated to really buckle down and lose that 30 lbs. I just need to get started again.
Ceelions
Submitted by: ceelions2

EVERYTHING!
I was doing good until my mom got sick in Jan. 2009. She passed in Feb. 2009. Since then it has been a whirlwind and I have had a tough time getting back on track. Today I decided that I have to do something I know I hate to do which is journaling my eating and exercise habits. I only hate to do it because I hate to write. Nevertheless, I will do it. I have made it a non-negotiable goal.

My challenges are caffeinated coffee, fast food and grazing, especially on high carb foods. While writing this post I realize that by not planning and preparing my meals and snacks, I graze. My excuse of being a full-time student is no longer acceptable.
Since being on my two week break I have regrouped, returned to OH and got back on track. My supportive daughter bought me a very nice lunch bag and I am planning my meals for the next two months (semester). School starts on July 6 and I will not be eating on the run (fast-food drive thru) as I have over the past 12 months.
After going back to the WLS basics for one week my pouchie is still in good working order. My BIGGEST challenge is to stay focused to maintain discipline.

One of my challenges is making time for myself...to exercise, journal, plan meals etc. With a full-time job, two kids, and volunteer work, it is hard. The first thing I let go when things get crazy is me.
This summer I am making time for healthy habits.

Thanks for posting this Kathy - it is great for me to read!
My biggest challenge right now is sugar (it takes a lot for me to dump) and grazing. I still have about 70 lbs to go and I refuse to give up!! As others have said, YES, WE CAN DO THIS and we WILL do this!

My biggest challenge was learning to be patient…waiting for approval…waiting for surgery date …waiting to get out the hospital…waiting to feel like myself again…waiting on being able to tolerate food and being able to keep it down…and now waiting for the LBS to come off! I have been truly blessed with allot of things but patience has never been my virtue! I am just thankful for all that I have been through because more and more I realize that "nothing happens before its time" .

Oh, where do I begin?
2007-First, it was not having a clue how to start. (Oh, my doc was the one to get me started, but he had no idea how to get things going.)
2008-Second, it was getting approved for surgery in the US. Did I get approved? No! After screwing around with OHIP for 10 months, I was now coming in at the time this center registry started.
2009- My doc's office sent my referral to St Joes. in Feb. 09. Refused! Resubmitted Aug.09 and got a call from St.Joes in Dec.09.
2010-Then another five months and I got my orientation date for May 10th.
All this time I wasn't sure what my weight was. (Scales only go to 350 at my doc's)
Orientation was fine, I was ready to sign on the dotted line. I called ASAP to get things rolling. My first three appointments set for June 9th. St. Joes faxed a sheet for blood work, ultrasound and ECG. I got those done right away.
My doc's office sent my colon and sleep study results and I quit smoking in Jan.2010.
So all is moving well, you would think.
No, my BMI is 70! So off the list I go untill I lose 60 lbs.
The best part is they are going to send me to diet classes. hahahahahahahahaha
I could write a #@%%$&^* diet book.
And there, is my story
Brenda
Submitted by: brenda l.

The toughest part for me wasn't approval; I had a pretty easy time getting approval for OOC, so from the time I applied, to the time of surgery, it was only three and a half months. The toughest part wasn't my recovery; I was pretty text book, thank goodness! The toughest part for me wasn't my new relationship with food; I had already gotten in the mindset for that. I would have to say that the toughest part of this whole thing has been the day that I bought a smaller size than my daughter...she's sixteen and she's a chubby girl too. It damn near broke my heart to see the look on her face when she realized that I was in a smaller size. Would I still have the surgery? Absolutely, because it was the best thing I ever did for my health.

I am six weeks out! I have done really well, I am down 32lbs. You may think that is not a lot but I started at 260lbs and this is a good slow rate for me. My biggest worry is that I will not lose enough and have the body I want in the end. After all that I have been through, the very thought of gaining any of this weight back makes me sick! I lost 30lbs in two years on my own and then had RNY. I don't want to fail and I felt like I should be further along than I am. It's only been six weeks and I'm like "how come I'm not skinny yet"! Ugh!

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE I'VE HAD IS BELIEVING IN MYSELF. BEFORE MY SURGERY, I WAS VERY WELL SCHOOLED IN WHAT I WOULD GO THROUGH, IN WHAT I COULD EAT AND DRINK. THAT PART WASN'T A PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM WAS FEAR OF FAILURE. WHAT IF I GO THROUGH ALL THIS AND GO BACK TO MY OLD SELF. AFTER 15 MONTHS OUT, I NOW FEEL MORE CONFIDENT I CAN BEAT THESE WEIGHT DEMONS. I KNOW I'M NEVER GOING TO BE OUT OF THE WOODS IN THIS PROCESS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT FAT PERSON WILL ALWAYS TRY TO GET OUT OF HIS CAGE. I DO BELIEVE WITH THE RNY TOOLS I'VE BEEN GIVEN I CAN KEEP HIM IN SOLITARY COFINEMENT. GOD BLESS MY RNY AND I HOPE WE CAN ALL WRITE ONE DAY ABOUT HOW WE SLAYED THE WEIGHT DRAGON.-ROGER

HI! the biggest challenge IN my weight loss journey is believing that I can keep the weight off. I also find it a challenge of getting all my vitamins in each day. I am almost two years out of my surgery and still can't believe I am doing it and have kept the weight off so far. I am so glad I got this life saving surgery; I was on insulin actos and now I am off the medication. I was also on dialysis for three days a week and I am now off that as well. I am now out of plus sized clothing and very happy. Also, I find it challenging to find energy. I want to recommend to the ones still waiting to get this surgery to not give up hope, to be patient and wait to get the surgery. Keep your eyes on the prize to get you through the journey..
SINCERELY YOURS,

YOUR OH FRIEND ALWAYS
PAULA(paula-37)

I've had a few challenges throughout this journey. Not food limitations, recovery, or even mindset as anticipated, but the little things I didn't think about.
Getting enough water in, I still struggle to drink enough water.
The biggest challenge, for me though, has been learning to accept compliments. I've always been very hard on myself, and when dealing with obesity, it was very difficult for me to believe someone actually thought I looked nice etc.
Now, I still find myself responding to those "Wow, you look fantastic" or "You're so skinny" with something like "I still have a ways to go" or something like that.
I've lost 108lbs in six months, and I've had to finally let down my guard and I am proud of my accomplishments.
Like Julia Roberts said, "The bad stuff is easier to believe".
I don't believe it anymore though!
Lyndsay
Submitted by: Mom2Boyzz

I am only five weeks post-op and the hardest part for me is that I'm not losing as much as I expected. As a matter of fact, I've gained nearly 2 lbs since starting solid foods. I am following exactly what the dietitian has provided me but still, the scale is moving in the wrong direction. This is quite frustrating and it brings back all the negative emotions of the yo-yo dieting that I've been stuck in all my life.

For me, the hardest thing so far has been eating the broth & cream soup. They are nasty! (In my opinion.) 17 days out and that's my only complaint. It's the best thing I have ever done!
Tina
Submitted by: Baileys_Gammy

Toughest part for me:

Staying on track food wise! I am eight months out and am able to eat almost anything, so for me, it's remembering not to fall back to old habits!

 

What a great topic.
My name is Kathy, and I had my surgery on January 30th, 2009. I am 17 months out of surgery now, and down 134-138 pounds.
I find that NOW is the toughest challenge in my journey.
I feel so happy about my weight loss most the time, and so content. However, for some reason, I have been sabotaging myself.
I've been eating the "wrong" foods.
I haven't been getting my water in.
I haven't been exercising.
And, I live in fear of gaining the weight back.
I guess I feel that I have been on some magical journey - and now it's over. Now, it's going to be hard work.
I find myself saying the same things I did before surgery... Tomorrow I'll start again.
Tomorrow I'll eat healthier. Tomorrow I'll exercise. But tomorrow comes, and I say I deserve that can of coke, or that poutine.
The journey is not over once you've had surgery. It has been the best thing I've ever done, and I thank my friends who went ahead of me to give me courage to do it, but now, in the end, it's up to me - as it always was.
Say a little prayer...

I think the toughest part of this journey for me was wrapping my head around how I look now. It took a very, very long time for my brain to match what I saw in the mirror. I bought clothes that were too big many time before. At almost three years out now (and with the help of some plastics) my head is finally catching up.

My biggest challenge has been my spouse 's reaction to my new-found confidence. (Not going too well.) I will no longer be a door mat. Period. My life is in my hands and I'll see what happens.

During my journey there were/are some bumps and mole hills along the way but something that has been difficult for me is to get around has been the head games from food and not knowing if I'm REALLY hungry or my head THINKS I am because of my old habits. The head games of believing that I'm 195lbs and not 376lbs, the weight I was before my surgery. To get my head around the idea I am not that large anymore- to accept the idea I am now healthier. And mostly to accept compliments! To accept them and believe them without rebutting with a negative comment about myself or saying what I need to improve. These to me have been the toughest part(s) of my journey thus far!

Staying away from candy. Sugar is like crack. Avoid it ...and treat it like it is poison. My diabetes was gone on day two after the surgery and every candy I touch has such good memories that I get hooked. I am not binging, but... I eat a little every day until it is gone. I am on the way to my first Sugar Anonymous program if I don't smarten up soon.
On another note... into two years' post-op, I am discovering that I have very weak and brittle ligaments... and this I have found out from some Internet research is probably due to potassium, magnesium shortage in my diet. I have been religious with my daily vitamin intake but obviously I am not getting enough of some of them. So everyone, those vitamins are really important as well as a diet with lots of vegetables and bananas.
Other than that... life is grand. Have a great summer. Where did I leave my new thong swimsuit? Just kidding.

I think the worst part for me was the failure of my marriage. Before the operation, I had told him that I was wanting surgery and there was no way he was going to help me finance the Lap-band. I did not give up. I got my surgery and the lack of help afterwards was hard. To be left at home on day five with a five year old because he would not take a day off of work really hurt. Thank goodness for my family, they saved me.
I am 70 pounds down, half-way there, and I feel so great. I forgive him and we live together as roommates, but we do things together as a family. I am the happiest I have been in years. I deserve this! But it was hard.

For me personally, even though I'm just out of the gate with this journey, I would have to say it was finally facing myself and breaking the denial. Admitting that I'm in serious trouble and will die if I keep this up.
only took 20 years to admit to it...

Excellent topic. For me, the hardest part was learning how to eat- S L O W L Y and maybe because I didn't try hard enough and therefore got severe pain, I sort of stopped eating other than what was easy for me - crackers, a little cheese and not much else, so I lived on protein shakes and my vitamins. At 81/2 months out I still don't/can't eat any meat, poultry, fish-the things I need the most. I also did not have a problem with candy/chocolates and as my intake is so limited and not enjoyable, I am over indulging in chocolates-which I do love and crave.
I am sorry now that I tried chocolate/candy. I would be better off if I believed that it would make me sick.

 

Foamies! I really struggled with them for about two weeks and they were awful! I am sure I will have a bout again one day, but for now they have subsided, Thank God!