Re: Back to work and WHIPPED!

[Guest guest]

Glad to hear from you. We did miss you but I remember that first day

back to work. It was work and bed. Glad to hear all is going great

for you. I haven't gone to the Fair Oaks group. Give me some

information and maybe I can make it. Are the pictures great. I love

seeing who we all are and how we have changed. Hope to see you next

month.

PEGGY

>

> Peggy- Sorry I missed the group this evening. Today was my first

day

> back to work and I am whipped! (not to mention the weather really

> sucks) Anyway, I missed you guys and look forward to next month. Do

> you go to the Fair Oaks group as well?

>

> To the group- Brief check in - life is great! I felt like a

productive

> citizen being back at work. It felt wonderful! No complaints, no

> regrets!! I still have a bit of insomnia but hopefully that will

> disappear after getting myself back on schedule. BTW - I posted a

> really awful picture of me... I'll find a better one and try that!

>

> Beth - are you still out there? How are you?

>

>

>

> Patti

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti--

Thanks for your persistence!

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. So I begin week 5

of my new lifestyle. I've just finished my second week back at

work - it hasn't been so bad. Lunches are interesting though

because I've only told one person what kind of surgery I had - I

tend to dump out my 2 oz. serving of whatever I'm having for lunch,

on to my plate and then I spread it all around to make it look like

more than it is. I feel like an anorexic playing with my food!

I am tired, but that could be due to any number of reasons: All of

this rain, the time change, or the fact that my best friend's two

kids have been staying with us for the past week while she is in

Paris with her husband (that makes 5 kids in my house!) That's

involved lots of food preparation - and one of the kids is always

asking for dessert! As if I don't have a sweets issue! I haven't

been able to get to the gym as often as I'd like because of the

sheer number of bodies and schedules to consider.

I have been so true to this plan - not eating anything off plan at

all and following all of the dietary requirements. I am having a

devil of a time getting in all of my fluids - I used to drink 72 oz.

of fluid everyday pre-op, so it's not like I don't know what it is

to push fluids. I think I am going into mourning for food though-

we went to Costco today and nothing looked very good; I'm pretty

bored with what I have been eating. I'm certain that my cholesterol

must now be sky high because of all of the eggs that I'm eating! I

miss going out to eat, the social aspect of having Starbucks and not

sharing French Fries from Mcs with my kids! I'm finding it

hard to know how to treat myself. Tonight I was so antsy that I

grabbed my dog and went for my second hour long walk today - that

didn't feel like such a treat though - just something to pass the

time and get over the emotions.

My scale hasn't budged at all for an entire week - I find that

pretty damn depressing considering I am totally on plan. When I

haven't been able to get to the gym, I go for walks in the

neighborhood - my husband and I actually climbed the hills at the

top of our street for over an hour on Saturday and that didn't even

shift any weight. I'm trying to mix up my workout and will get back

to weight training just as soon as we are back from our Tahoe Spring

Break trip. I expect plateaus - just not so soon. I am one month

out and that seems a bit soon to be going into such a plateau. I'm

down 24 pounds since surgery on March 6th, plus another 43 pre-op.

I find entertaining to be a challenge. We had my in-laws for a pre-

Easter lunch on Sunday and I found it very hard to be excited about

the meal, knowing I couldn't each much besides the ham. Maybe it

was the company? Ha! Spring Break in Tahoe should be interesting my

parents and one of my sisters are flying in from Tennessee to meet

us there for the week. Food & drink have always been such a HUGE

focus of our family gatherings - My dad was clamoring for a menu

three weeks in advance! I'll just have to keep my eggs close by! ha!

I am feeling good and very positive about the surgery though. Sorry

this note is kind of a downer - I guess I've just hit a

wall. ...and this too shall pass. You know what reality is going

to be - and I'm not surprised by any of it - but I guess it's just

different when you stare it straight in the face. On a positive

note, I was able to clean out 3 trash bags of clothing from my

closet - there's not much left there that I'm interested in wearing

now! It's interesting, I must have really given up hope and gotten

rid of my small clothes when I hit my top weight, because I don't

have much to work my way into.

Sorry this has really rambled. I'm also still walking up a night,

though I think this is due to the fact that I get worried about my

total fluid intake at the end of the day and drink too much close to

bed and then I have to get up to get rid of it!

How are you doing - are you enjoying being back to work? Are you

pleased with your weight loss so far? Are you having any stumbling

blocks?

I promise not to be so reclusive from now on!

Beth

>

> Peggy- Sorry I missed the group this evening. Today was my first

day

> back to work and I am whipped! (not to mention the weather really

> sucks) Anyway, I missed you guys and look forward to next month.

Do

> you go to the Fair Oaks group as well?

>

> To the group- Brief check in - life is great! I felt like a

productive

> citizen being back at work. It felt wonderful! No complaints, no

> regrets!! I still have a bit of insomnia but hopefully that will

> disappear after getting myself back on schedule. BTW - I posted a

> really awful picture of me... I'll find a better one and try that!

>

> Beth - are you still out there? How are you?

>

>

>

> Patti

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Beth. I'm Cindy Railing and haven't posted for months and months,

but just had to commiserate with you, Beth. (For those who have been

around awhile, I'm Musil's aunt.) Sounds like we're surgery twins

as I had my surgery at SSF on March 1 and I'm experiencing the same

frustrations you are with the slow weight loss.

In fact, my experience was the same as yours last week and I exercised

everyday - either a 3-mile walk or an hour of water aerobics. How can

we eat so little, exercise so religiously and still lose so little.

Other than the first two weeks when I was basically on liquids, my

weight loss has been averaging 2-2.5 pounds a week. Heck, I did that

well on Weight Watchers with a heck of a lot more food.

I'm going to the Kaiser SSF meeting today at 12:30, but I doubt I'll

get much there. Gitty seems to want to lecture more than listen and

help. I know she really cares about all of us, but she doesn't

understand that " she doesn't understand " us and what we go through.

Beth, I've just been trying to tell myself that it will come off

eventually, but at this rate I'm really losing heart about the whole

thing. I've had thoughts like, " While they certainly made the pouch

smaller, did they really do any bypass for malabsorption? "

Just sign me, dejected in Hayward.

Cindy Railing

Weight at Orientation - 245

Weight at Surgery (3/1/06)- 212

Current Weight - 189

Goal 125-135 (5'2 " )

I just can't imagine

> >

> > Peggy- Sorry I missed the group this evening. Today was my first

> day

> > back to work and I am whipped! (not to mention the weather really

> > sucks) Anyway, I missed you guys and look forward to next month.

> Do

> > you go to the Fair Oaks group as well?

> >

> > To the group- Brief check in - life is great! I felt like a

> productive

> > citizen being back at work. It felt wonderful! No complaints, no

> > regrets!! I still have a bit of insomnia but hopefully that will

> > disappear after getting myself back on schedule. BTW - I posted a

> > really awful picture of me... I'll find a better one and try that!

> >

> > Beth - are you still out there? How are you?

> >

> >

> >

> > Patti

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Beth-

Great to hear from you. I was getting worried! I can totally relate

to you, and I wonder if you are being to hard on yourself. I weighed

myself on a Mon and weighed 248. I drove to oregon for a week than

drove straight to Richmond for my post op appt. The damn scale read

253. I couldn't believe it. Was it possible to gain. I was so

frustrated and actually didn't kjnow what the heck happened.

Anyway.... over the next week I ended up dropping the weight. I now

stand at 238. Dr Park told me it was going to come off slower since

I was on the smaller size. I still get a little frustrated when I

see a plateau, but it all seems to average itself out. I feel great.

My energy has returned! Though I love my afternoon naps on my days

off. I can eat (or do eat) just about anything. I choose to make my

protein first, though lately have been really pushing the fiber into

me. I have taken a few bites of mcdonalds fries as well. I don't

feel deprived, I am just trying to live in gratitude. This surgery

has given me a new life! I look forward to the future of what I get

to do. This weekend, I actually get to go horseback riding. Before,

the horses ran at the sight of me. I wonder how much of our

psyche is affected by this damn weather? It's getting me depressed

and I am ready for some sun!

As far as the fluid thing... I am struggling too. I can't seem to

get enough in. I spoke with a friend of mine who is a body builder.

She recommended that I eat oatmeal in the morning. Not only for the

fiber AND protein, but it has a high water index. I am getting in

approx 40ounces of water, but that doesn't seem to be enough.

Hang in there... it get's better. Just think oof your future and

spending time as a " skinny, healthy " woman with your children.

Ahhh... the possibilities ahead!! Just remember to take one day at a

time and put those " fat " pants on once in awhile!

In Gratitude!

Patti

lapRNY 3/1/06

6'1 "

orientation 306

surgery 267

now 238

goal 175

> > >

> > > Peggy- Sorry I missed the group this evening. Today was my

first

> > day

> > > back to work and I am whipped! (not to mention the weather

really

> > > sucks) Anyway, I missed you guys and look forward to next

month.

> > Do

> > > you go to the Fair Oaks group as well?

> > >

> > > To the group- Brief check in - life is great! I felt like a

> > productive

> > > citizen being back at work. It felt wonderful! No complaints,

no

> > > regrets!! I still have a bit of insomnia but hopefully that

will

> > > disappear after getting myself back on schedule. BTW - I

posted a

> > > really awful picture of me... I'll find a better one and try

that!

> > >

> > > Beth - are you still out there? How are you?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Patti

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

--

I don't for one second regret this surgery and on the whole

everything is very positive. I spent nearly 9 months preparing for

my surgery and went in with my eyes wide open expecting difficulties

and struggles - I don't think it would be realistic to expect

anything else. Some of the struggles are temporary - weight loss

plateaus, learning to deal with new social situations, learning new

ways to reward and treat myself. All of these things will

eventually work out as I learn my new lifestyle.

The weight loss does seem to have slowed drastically. I did take

measurements right after I got home from the hospital - I need to

get out the measuring tape and take them again. There is more than

one way to measure success! I think we also have to remember that

this weight loss journey is not a steady curve downward, but a set

of stairsteps that is taking us down to a healthier lifestyle.

This surgery will work, and we will get there, we just have to be

true to the course that Kaiser has set for us - no deviations! I

also like to keep in mind that, though during these early days there

will be struggles, I had best save my griping for much further down

the road!

I am so grateful for this surgery and the changes that are taking

place in my body and my life. It is so worth it!

Beth

> > >

> > > Peggy- Sorry I missed the group this evening. Today was my

first

> > day

> > > back to work and I am whipped! (not to mention the weather

really

> > > sucks) Anyway, I missed you guys and look forward to next

month.

> > Do

> > > you go to the Fair Oaks group as well?

> > >

> > > To the group- Brief check in - life is great! I felt like a

> > productive

> > > citizen being back at work. It felt wonderful! No complaints,

no

> > > regrets!! I still have a bit of insomnia but hopefully that

will

> > > disappear after getting myself back on schedule. BTW - I

posted a

> > > really awful picture of me... I'll find a better one and try

that!

> > >

> > > Beth - are you still out there? How are you?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Patti

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

" While they certainly made the pouch

smaller, did they really do any bypass for malabsorption? "

I wonder this all of the time! You know - we really are not very

far out from our surgery - it will work for us!! We have no choice

but to stay the course - there is no turning back. You talk about

not being able to eat as much food as you can on WW - I feel pretty

fortunate that I'm not craving many foods and have found it pretty

easy so far to stick to the jsut 3 meals. I tend to want more than

2 oz. though!

We can do this Cindy! It's still so new!

Beth

> > >

> > > Peggy- Sorry I missed the group this evening. Today was my

first

> > day

> > > back to work and I am whipped! (not to mention the weather

really

> > > sucks) Anyway, I missed you guys and look forward to next

month.

> > Do

> > > you go to the Fair Oaks group as well?

> > >

> > > To the group- Brief check in - life is great! I felt like a

> > productive

> > > citizen being back at work. It felt wonderful! No complaints,

no

> > > regrets!! I still have a bit of insomnia but hopefully that

will

> > > disappear after getting myself back on schedule. BTW - I

posted a

> > > really awful picture of me... I'll find a better one and try

that!

> > >

> > > Beth - are you still out there? How are you?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Patti

> > >

> >

>