JudgeJudy56
I am 56 years old and had gastric bypass surgery on August 11th, 2008. I have lost about 76 pounds so far. I thought I did quite a bit of research on the surgery, but I think I was looking at it through rose coloured glasses. I have healed nicely, since my incision is so long. I had open surgery and have an incision from my breast bone to my belly button, and had two hernias repaired at the same time too. I was told by professionals, as well as others, that I wouldn't crave my old foods, but I craved them a week after I got home from the hospital. I am okay not to act on those cravings though, and watch my husband eat all kinds of foods I used to love. You have to remember this operation is only a tool, and you still need to diet all the time, in spite of the operation. l believed my pouch would be way smaller, the size of a walnut and my opening the size of a smartie, which is true, but I was thinking pre surgery that I would just eat 1/2 cheeseburger and two fries, instead of the large quantity I ate before. That isn't the case. You have to follow a strict diet with no pasta, rice, potatoes, pizza, no sweets at all, and there are all kinds of good things I used to enjoy, that I can't now. I can't even have any bread for 4 months. Those are all the foods I really crave, with the exception of sweets. I prefer my salts. I wouldn't mind if I was losing weight rapidly, like I was led to believe I would, but one week I stayed the same, lost two pounds the next week, and stayed the same the next week again. I knew I would experience plateaus, but I think it is a bit soon for that, and to think of all the food I ate before, and the little amounts I am putting into my body now, it is unbelievable, and they are the right foods. I seldom cheat, even one or two bites. I lost 36 pounds on my own before my surgery, to prove to myself I did have a little willpower and dignity. I walk a lot and use the elliptical too. I am always constipated on this diet though, and that is a major problem with me right now. I have lost my huge ankles and "elephant feet" I used to get once in awhile from terrible swelling. My face has lost weight and my legs for sure. I will keep at it, and read the members' feedback because I believe that is the best therapy and aid there is to a long road of weight loss ahead of me. I really do believe some people really do have a fat gene and slow metabolism, and that must be me.
