For newbies and newly Post-OPs ... (sorry rather long)

The way I see things is that each of us who is postop has a responsibility to the others who are new to our forum and/or newly postop to share information that's worked for us. I'm sure lots of what I can offer has been thought of already, but it doesn't hurt to put the info out there every so often as good things to remember to do. For me it's a bit like "paying it forward" (like the movie) ... I've had absolutely wonderful support here, and I'd like to return that to others. So here are my few tidbits: Be sure and set aside one "fat outfit" for keeps. Getting rid of fat clothes can be a great experience, but keep something that's been your *staple* piece of clothing, that you've worn alot, depended on a lot as an obese person, and let that be your "for keeps" outfit. It will help you as time passes post-op, because changes at first will be dramatic, but then after a few months they will become subtle. WLS works a real head game, and no matter how much others say we're losing, our heads will deny that to us. We see it but just don't believe it somehow. Having a "fat outfit" to put on periodically will truly PROVE to you how you're progressing. For me, obviously, it's that black and orange shirt and pants in my photos That's my saved set of "fat" clothes. Also each November, my support group has a "fashion show" of post-op "fat outfits" designed to encourage us all and show pre-ops how WLS can benefit a person. Anyone who wants to participate dons their fat outfit (over their current clothes), stuffs the outfit up, and does a walk across the room, then sheds the fat outfit, revealing how much weight they've been able to lose. Last year I didn't do it because (1) I didn't have had the nerve and (2) hadn't lost enough yet. This year, I'm there for sure ... depending on the person's presentation, it can be hilarious and yet uplifting!! So save yourself at least one outfit for *head therapy* every so often. Take your picture in the same poses, in the same location, every three months, and post a notice to us here when you've got them uploaded. We *LOVE* to see everyone's progress and it's helpful to the next newbie and/or newly postop behind you to see how you're doing. Don't think of the total amount of lbs you have to lose. Most of us here have so much weight to lose it can be absolutely demoralizing and truly daunting. Thinking about the total to lose as a whole can be so overwhelming it can gridlock your hopes at success. Try to concentrate on small goals. I concentrate on 25 lbs at a time, others use slightly larger goals, some slightly smaller. Doing it this way has helped me so much, especially in the last 6 months because my weight loss has slowed to a crawl. I still have so much weight to lose ... if I concentrated on that, I'd be sunk. So I simply ignore (to the best of my ability) the total still to go and work toward the next 25 lbs off. You'd be surprised how it can ease the strain doing things this way. Don't compare your weight loss to others. That's been one of the themes I've seen here that frustrates the most. Someone will say they've lost xx pounds in xx months, and it will be a great amount, then someone else, at the same post-op stage will post how depressed they are because they haven't lost that much. We all have different bodies, our fat is distributed and *packed* on our bodies in different ways, and our lifestyles and/or abilities to work out or exercise are all different. As long as we work our individual programs to the best of our abilities, our bodies will lose as they're supposed to, and we have to just have faith in that. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to "live totally today, don't try to dwell in tomorrow". Don't weigh every day. Some here only weigh once a month, some only when they see their BS, some weigh once a week (me). Weighing everyday can truly work a head game on you because there's so much room for fluctuation. Set a weighing schedule and stick to it. Your mind will thank you for that in the long run. Don't take everything *we* have to say here as the gospel on WLS. Do your own homework and research, and if you find something that might benefit everyone or someone, post it. One of the reasons I stay almost exclusively in this forum is because it's full of wonderful, supportive "been there, done that, too" friends ... *****ally have* been there and done that. Being SMO is a truly different place to be than being simply obese ... and the people here understand that and have some wonderful answers and great support. Ok ... sorry to have "windbagged" on so long. I'm sure others have good things to add ... anyone else have pointers to share? ing from Missouri and (((hugs))) to all Myra G HW/SW/CW/GW 442/430/238/175 Open RNY March 30, 2005

Myra- Thanks so much for the tips for newbies and newly post-ops. This whole group has so many words of wisdom to share with us. You have been there and are doing it, so that gives us encouragement. I am looking forward to hearing from other loosers on this site. Can't wait to join you all. Karen

Morning Sandra ... wow, you gave us some really important tidbits ... !!! Supplements and WATER, WATER, WATER! I didn't take my measurements either and regret it now too. (((hugs))) Myra G

Hey Myra, You got me started now. You hit the nail on the head with your post. Now on to something else thats really really important. When you see newbies just out of surgery some feel great and some feel lousy. It is very important to know that you will have good days and bad days. So never overdue it when you feel great. Just do what your body says. And also know when you are feeling so tired and weak that this to will pass with time. You will have more energy as time goes by. Also when it comes to the all dreaded nausea.... Ugh I personally had it with a wrath. But then theres others that couldnt even tell you what thats like. So...... That to does pass.. You surely dont think so and you also think you have lost your mind. You get sick of just looking at things that you loved in the pass. So go figure. Just remember this.... As the days turn into weeks and the weeks turn into months , it gets better. Ok my two cents worth. Getting down off of soap box now. Come on now... Someone come on and get up on it with different things to tell newbies... Hugs Marge

Another thing that's worked for me is to keep a "kit bag" in the car for when I might get caught out and not be able to find or buy what I need to eat or drin****ep a case of bottled water (yeah, it will be warm to drink, but it's liquid!), and I have an insulated satchel that holds two packs of AdvantEdge non-refrigerated protein drink, power bars, de-caf tea and coffee bags, crystal light, V-8, sweetener, dry-soup packets, and a plastic pill bottle for various supplements and meds. By keeping it all in the insulated bag, it stays "somewhat" protected from the heat, but periodically I have to check everything that's not used up and rotate it out. This has worked wonders for me when I've found myself unable to leave whereever I am at the time. Myra G

Myra, You've done an excellent job here with this post. In addition to the vitamins and water comment you got, I would like to add the value of exercise. My WLS Support group leader says that you get "magic dust" with a gastric bypass. You lose a whole lot of weight without much effort for the first 6 months to a year. Some folks get 18 months. But, if you don't incorporate exercise into your lifestyle, it will be difficult to maintain. I know not everyone has good mobility, especially when they are SMO. I sure didn't when I was at my heaviest, but, like Kix, we do what we can until we can do more! Please don't skip exercising! 384/237/199 Lori

I printed this out and I'm putting it on my frig - thanks for the great advice!