Gonna sound crazy!!
Hi all, I cant stop worring that this too is not going to work I dont want to be a failure again
. Im eatting close to nothing and my protein drinks but I dont feel any different (its only 2 weeks yes )but I see how others have lost 20 lbs + Im glad that Im not gaining but who would with the amount of food I taking in. And I dont get full I still want to eat all the time Im cursted 
will this food battle ever end!! just ventting a bit.
Love Michele 
. Im eatting close to nothing and my protein drinks but I dont feel any different (its only 2 weeks yes )but I see how others have lost 20 lbs + Im glad that Im not gaining but who would with the amount of food I taking in. And I dont get full I still want to eat all the time Im cursted will this food battle ever end!! just ventting a bit.
Love Michele 
I am going to call you later. Hang in there, you are not cursed. Everyone is different, everyone looses at different rates. You had some problems in the beginning and your body is reacting to that. You have my phone number as well, use it whenever you need to!!!!
Also remember that the surgery was on your stomach not your brain. The reasons we eat are still there. Finding a therapist or someone who can relate{likeme} to talk to helps alot. Like i said i will call you later!
LisaMarie
Hey Michele....
I hear that...I am 7 days post op...and I am nervous too....am I eating way too much...am I losing 2 pounds a day...(well in my head I dont think thats unresonable).
Didnt you just go through a whole bunch of problems....now you are on the other side of that...and the pounds will shed...
Firstly, make sure you are having those 3 meals and 2 protein drinks and tons...(there goes that word again...) of water. Or...if your MD uses a differernt diet. Utilize the food...food is the fuel for our furnace...if you are not eating what does the body do...? You are right..shuts down stravtion mode...make sure you eat and drink....YOU HEAR GIRLFRIEND
Face the fear and do it...Just for today.....
Hugs Susan
Michele: *WARNING ANOTHER LONG RAMBLE FORM ME!* 
First it doesn't sound crazy, 
what you are feeling/thinking is SO common it is usually crazy if we DON'T think it! I have been going to in person support groups for over 4 years now (6mo pre-wls->currently), I have facilitated an in person support group since the summer of 2003 & been member to over 30 online wls groups, owning /moderating several of those, and from THOSE experiences I can say w/ 100% confidence is this is the #1 thing MOST EVERY post-ops feels somewhere along their journey....
"I will be the ONLY one WLS does not work for" is the 
statement ....People tend to compare themselves to others which although common is just not the thing to do. I always use my own example, I and a friend had WLS a month apart, we were both similar ht and pre-op wts, she was a little older than I but otherwise we were quite similar, so one would think we'd lose at similar rates...NOPE I lost all my wt in 7 months, and it took her 2 yrs to lose it! We both ate similarly, exercised similarly, went to support group etc...many weeks I lost 5#, and she lost NOTHING! How frustrating for her, but you know truth be told we ended in similar place by 2 yr mark!
WT LOSS DIFFERENCES POSTOP: There are so many factors to consider, heights, starting weights, men vs. Women, individual metabolisms *how may times have you yo-yo dieted?*, age, and most importantly if you have any other medical conditions or are on medications!!!
Remember the heavier people are the more they will lose (but the farther away one will be from an ideal body wt..) And the lighter one is the closer to an ideal body wt you will get, but the less they will loose overall!
EXAMPLE: After RNY surgery research states most people can/will loose 50-80% of their excess body wt...lets say both of these "hypothetical" people lose 75% of their excess bodyweight....
1. A 400lb person at 5'6'' (a BMI of 64) who has 250# of excess wt (ideal is 150#) will lose 187.5# and weigh 212.5# and have a BMI of 34.5, 1 1/2-2 years after surgery.
2. A 300# person of 5'6'' (a BMI of 48) who has 150# of excess body wt. (ideal also 150#) will loose 112.5# and weigh 187.5# and have a BMI of 30, 1 1/2-2 years after surgery.
This is an example just to show that you cannot compare your wt. Loss to anyone else's! Listen to your doctor; mine said a 2-7# loss a week. Some weeks I lost 5 others none! Plateaus are also individual, some people get them every other week, others once a month and some never! Go figure...we are each individuals and our bodies are stubborn and are going to do what they want Regardless of our plans! 
As long as you are following your recommendations for food, vitamins/minerals, fluid, and exercise everything should take care of itself! I recommend trying to stay positive and don't get overly focused on the scale and numbers! Get the scale out of the house I HAD TO and weigh once a week somewhere or only when you go to the MD...Do not give the scale all that power! 
Listen to your body, how you feel, your energy level, how your breathe, how your clothes fit...Measure yourself, many times we lose inches and not pounds! Exercise also adds muscle and this weighs more than fat, so initially you may see no loss or a small gain, 
muscle in the long run will help you burn more energy and be healthier...So hang in and don't worry! The loss will come; it is just different for everyone! Take photos also!!!
JOURNAL JOURNAL JOURNAL your food and feelings, everyone is correct they operate on our tummy not our brains and our food issues are there, sometimes worse than before because we can not soothe ourselves w/ food as we once had, this grief process is difficult, in addition the body is in HIBERNATION..Summarized from Weight Loss surgery: Finding the thin person hiding inside of you second edition by Barbra Thompson P. 198
"Hibernation syndrome can be experienced within 2-4 weeks after surgery, when the body realizes that it will not be getting the nourishment that it is used to receiving and reacts to that. Your body just wants to stay immobile until the old food supply returns, you will feel extremely tired, lethargic and often depressed. This comes at a time when you are beginning to recover from the traumatic effects of the surgery. The pain is usually gone and the energy was just starting to return....The best way to deal with this if it affects you (not everyone gets it) is to recognize the symptoms and know it is normal. Then start exercise so that the body "figures out" it has ample energy/fuel stored and does not have to be fed constantly. This will pass within a few weeks."
_________________________________________
I can not emphasize this point enough, WLS is for getting us healthy, a tool to develop healthy habits, don't get me wrong wt loss is a part of it but a bonus in my opinion, *IT I NOT A RACE!!!* 
the goal is health, the wt loss will come...focus on the healthy habits that will keep you successful long-term, that is your focus now, NOT the daily/weekly wt loss or scale! If you focus on the habits the stress of the scale is less and w/ les stress our body tends to release the wt easier!!!
As for the food battle ever ending, I guess it is individual but you know at 3.5 yrs I still have food issues, 
I battle my demons, but instead of seeing them as difficulties I see them as challenges, one that losing 157# and gaining so much more has allowed me to fight easier and more effectively! Fight the urge to eat al the time, that is one way to defeat the tool (grazing), fill the pouch w/ protein, liquids sip all day long, look to exercise to fill the void, hobbies, journaling, music etc.....this adventure is a challenge at times, I believe you are up to that challenge!
Sometimes we go into wls thinking we will wake up thin *I know I dreamed of this, I wanted it so bad!*, well it doesn't happen, it is a tough/rude awakening at times... this is the wls dream 
Most people who have wls look forward to all the 'wonderful' things they want to happen to them when they reach their goal weight...clothes, comfort with self, increased social activity, no more isolation/loneliness, improved health, enriched relationships...and much more. 
What we sometimes fail to consider is the long journey from where they are pre-op to where they want to be...no matter how informed/educated you are no one can prepare for the difficult adjustments. 
Many feel there is sort of a 'magic' to wls meaning 'magically' we will survive surgery, recover, make all the lifestyle adjustments necessary to live a new life. It is a rude awakening when we run into obstacles on this path....for many of us
Common obstacles 
#1 lost freedom of choice with food early post-op
This can be emotionally painful in direct contrast to pre-op when one could eat whatever, whenever in whatever amounts they wished...Necessitates grieving process.....Refusing to grieve leads to 'cheating' with food intake (wrong food, times, amounts)
#2 dealing with triggers: Places, time, emotions
#3 controlling cravings: Eating in response to a craving sets you up for self sabotage 
#4 weight plateau: 1st few months rapid wt loss..begins to slow..can stop completely for a few weeks...
We simply need to continue routine and not get 
discouraged/depressed.....These ideas are a collection of things I discuss at my group, we are all individuals, not all I have posted will apply to you, but I hope you realize your not crazy or alone! SUPPORT 
IS a huge key to success as well long term! You have come too far to give up now! BE WELL!!! 
Take Care,
Jamie
Lap RNY 10/9/02
Dr. Singh
320/163 5'9'' (lost 45 before Surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've
decided to see beyond the imperfections!"
First it doesn't sound crazy, what you are feeling/thinking is SO common it is usually crazy if we DON'T think it! I have been going to in person support groups for over 4 years now (6mo pre-wls->currently), I have facilitated an in person support group since the summer of 2003 & been member to over 30 online wls groups, owning /moderating several of those, and from THOSE experiences I can say w/ 100% confidence is this is the #1 thing MOST EVERY post-ops feels somewhere along their journey....
"I will be the ONLY one WLS does not work for" is the statement ....People tend to compare themselves to others which although common is just not the thing to do. I always use my own example, I and a friend had WLS a month apart, we were both similar ht and pre-op wts, she was a little older than I but otherwise we were quite similar, so one would think we'd lose at similar rates...NOPE I lost all my wt in 7 months, and it took her 2 yrs to lose it! We both ate similarly, exercised similarly, went to support group etc...many weeks I lost 5#, and she lost NOTHING! How frustrating for her, but you know truth be told we ended in similar place by 2 yr mark!
WT LOSS DIFFERENCES POSTOP: There are so many factors to consider, heights, starting weights, men vs. Women, individual metabolisms *how may times have you yo-yo dieted?*, age, and most importantly if you have any other medical conditions or are on medications!!!
Remember the heavier people are the more they will lose (but the farther away one will be from an ideal body wt..) And the lighter one is the closer to an ideal body wt you will get, but the less they will loose overall!
EXAMPLE: After RNY surgery research states most people can/will loose 50-80% of their excess body wt...lets say both of these "hypothetical" people lose 75% of their excess bodyweight....
1. A 400lb person at 5'6'' (a BMI of 64) who has 250# of excess wt (ideal is 150#) will lose 187.5# and weigh 212.5# and have a BMI of 34.5, 1 1/2-2 years after surgery.
2. A 300# person of 5'6'' (a BMI of 48) who has 150# of excess body wt. (ideal also 150#) will loose 112.5# and weigh 187.5# and have a BMI of 30, 1 1/2-2 years after surgery.
This is an example just to show that you cannot compare your wt. Loss to anyone else's! Listen to your doctor; mine said a 2-7# loss a week. Some weeks I lost 5 others none! Plateaus are also individual, some people get them every other week, others once a month and some never! Go figure...we are each individuals and our bodies are stubborn and are going to do what they want Regardless of our plans!
As long as you are following your recommendations for food, vitamins/minerals, fluid, and exercise everything should take care of itself! I recommend trying to stay positive and don't get overly focused on the scale and numbers! Get the scale out of the house I HAD TO and weigh once a week somewhere or only when you go to the MD...Do not give the scale all that power! Listen to your body, how you feel, your energy level, how your breathe, how your clothes fit...Measure yourself, many times we lose inches and not pounds! Exercise also adds muscle and this weighs more than fat, so initially you may see no loss or a small gain, muscle in the long run will help you burn more energy and be healthier...So hang in and don't worry! The loss will come; it is just different for everyone! Take photos also!!!
JOURNAL JOURNAL JOURNAL your food and feelings, everyone is correct they operate on our tummy not our brains and our food issues are there, sometimes worse than before because we can not soothe ourselves w/ food as we once had, this grief process is difficult, in addition the body is in HIBERNATION..Summarized from Weight Loss surgery: Finding the thin person hiding inside of you second edition by Barbra Thompson P. 198
"Hibernation syndrome can be experienced within 2-4 weeks after surgery, when the body realizes that it will not be getting the nourishment that it is used to receiving and reacts to that. Your body just wants to stay immobile until the old food supply returns, you will feel extremely tired, lethargic and often depressed. This comes at a time when you are beginning to recover from the traumatic effects of the surgery. The pain is usually gone and the energy was just starting to return....The best way to deal with this if it affects you (not everyone gets it) is to recognize the symptoms and know it is normal. Then start exercise so that the body "figures out" it has ample energy/fuel stored and does not have to be fed constantly. This will pass within a few weeks."
_________________________________________
I can not emphasize this point enough, WLS is for getting us healthy, a tool to develop healthy habits, don't get me wrong wt loss is a part of it but a bonus in my opinion, *IT I NOT A RACE!!!* the goal is health, the wt loss will come...focus on the healthy habits that will keep you successful long-term, that is your focus now, NOT the daily/weekly wt loss or scale! If you focus on the habits the stress of the scale is less and w/ les stress our body tends to release the wt easier!!!
As for the food battle ever ending, I guess it is individual but you know at 3.5 yrs I still have food issues, I battle my demons, but instead of seeing them as difficulties I see them as challenges, one that losing 157# and gaining so much more has allowed me to fight easier and more effectively! Fight the urge to eat al the time, that is one way to defeat the tool (grazing), fill the pouch w/ protein, liquids sip all day long, look to exercise to fill the void, hobbies, journaling, music etc.....this adventure is a challenge at times, I believe you are up to that challenge!
Sometimes we go into wls thinking we will wake up thin *I know I dreamed of this, I wanted it so bad!*, well it doesn't happen, it is a tough/rude awakening at times... this is the wls dream
Most people who have wls look forward to all the 'wonderful' things they want to happen to them when they reach their goal weight...clothes, comfort with self, increased social activity, no more isolation/loneliness, improved health, enriched relationships...and much more.
What we sometimes fail to consider is the long journey from where they are pre-op to where they want to be...no matter how informed/educated you are no one can prepare for the difficult adjustments.
Many feel there is sort of a 'magic' to wls meaning 'magically' we will survive surgery, recover, make all the lifestyle adjustments necessary to live a new life. It is a rude awakening when we run into obstacles on this path....for many of us
Common obstacles
#1 lost freedom of choice with food early post-op
This can be emotionally painful in direct contrast to pre-op when one could eat whatever, whenever in whatever amounts they wished...Necessitates grieving process.....Refusing to grieve leads to 'cheating' with food intake (wrong food, times, amounts)
#2 dealing with triggers: Places, time, emotions
#3 controlling cravings: Eating in response to a craving sets you up for self sabotage
#4 weight plateau: 1st few months rapid wt loss..begins to slow..can stop completely for a few weeks...
We simply need to continue routine and not get discouraged/depressed.....These ideas are a collection of things I discuss at my group, we are all individuals, not all I have posted will apply to you, but I hope you realize your not crazy or alone! SUPPORT IS a huge key to success as well long term! You have come too far to give up now! BE WELL!!!
Take Care,
Jamie
Lap RNY 10/9/02
Dr. Singh
320/163 5'9'' (lost 45 before Surgery)
Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King
"Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've
decided to see beyond the imperfections!" 
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