Weight gain

February 8, 2000

In a message dated 2/7/00 8:59:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

KathleenLS@... writes:

<< < I read your message about neurontin but I can't unterstand what you mean

about : < > or < >. You see, I don't speak

english

very well! >>

It means get big.

weight = baros, barytita, spoudaiotita, simasia

Hope this helps.

Kat

>>

It means get FAT!

February 8, 2000

In a message dated 2/7/00 8:59:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

KathleenLS@... writes:

<< < I read your message about neurontin but I can't unterstand what you mean

about : < > or < >. You see, I don't speak

english

very well! >>

It means get big.

weight = baros, barytita, spoudaiotita, simasia

Hope this helps.

Kat

>>

It means get FAT!

February 8, 2000

In a message dated 2/7/00 8:59:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

KathleenLS@... writes:

<< < I read your message about neurontin but I can't unterstand what you mean

about : < > or < >. You see, I don't speak

english

very well! >>

It means get big.

weight = baros, barytita, spoudaiotita, simasia

Hope this helps.

Kat

>>

It means get FAT!

February 8, 2000

THANKS JENNY

DIMITRIOS

GREECE

JACEE17@... wrote:

> From: JACEE17@...

>

> In a message dated 2/7/00 8:59:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> KathleenLS@... writes:

>

> << < I read your message about neurontin but I can't unterstand what you mean

> about : < > or < >. You see, I don't speak

> english

> very well! >>

>

> It means get big.

>

> weight = baros, barytita, spoudaiotita, simasia

>

> Hope this helps.

> Kat

> >>

> It means get FAT!

>

> ---------------------------

February 8, 2000

THANKS JENNY

DIMITRIOS

GREECE

JACEE17@... wrote:

> From: JACEE17@...

>

> In a message dated 2/7/00 8:59:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> KathleenLS@... writes:

>

> << < I read your message about neurontin but I can't unterstand what you mean

> about : < > or < >. You see, I don't speak

> english

> very well! >>

>

> It means get big.

>

> weight = baros, barytita, spoudaiotita, simasia

>

> Hope this helps.

> Kat

> >>

> It means get FAT!

>

> ---------------------------

June 18, 2002

I've noticed that several members have mentioned that they have gained

weight, especially after the initial diagnosis & the use of enzymes. I lost

over 30 pounds when I first became ill 4 years ago. I've since gained most

of it back. Though I'm not overweight, I truly dislike how my body looks.

I used to be quite active--worked out, walked, etc. I haven't had the

energy nor the strength to do much of this anymore. After giving it a great

deal of thought, I came to the following conclusions:

1. My eating habits have definitely changed. I eat no meats, poultry,

& just this week ate some orange roughy. My diet consists of mostly carbs &

starches. I have to eat something! I've been working on trying to balance

the carbs out with a little protein (like apple slices with a little peanut

butter or no-fat cottage cheese with rice or baked potatoes). When you cut

back on your calorie intake, your body's metabolism slows down. That's why

nutritionists tell you NOT to skip meals, you defeat the purpose. However,

most of us are just grateful to get ANY food down & keep it down.

2. I think the other reason we tend to gain some weight back is because

we're just too darn sick to exercise and, of course, we don't burn any

calories unless we count the running from bed to bathroom!

I've been working really hard at taking a walk (30 minutes) several days

a week. Recently, my sister-in-law (who just happens to be a certified yoga

instructor) spent a weekend teaching me some yoga positions and breathing

methods. Though she lives 3 1/2 hours away, I will get to see her the next

2 weekends and we plan to work on some more yoga.

I haven't posted for awhile--and I don't very often anyway--but I'm just

coming out of a serious depression. I had an appt. with a specialist at

Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. I actually saw 2 drs. & they were

very patient with my questions, etc. However, as they have tried everything

(stenting, cutting, block) & nothing has helped, he felt there was nothing

that could be done. My options were to wait for the pancreas to burn out or

to have it removed--eventually. I asked him about the transplants being

done at Mayo & his opinion was that it is still considered to be

experimental--meaning the insurance would not pay for it, I'm guessing!

Needless to say, I was in tears. Thank God my wonderful husband was there

to lend his shoulder & give me some badly needed hugs. It's taken me about

a month to come from the " darkside " back into the light. My PCP changed my

pain meds from Vicodin to Percocet--I went through 90 Vicodin in less than 2

weeks! The Percocet seems to be helping with the pain. I also think that

the yoga & the fact that I am & can do it has helped me as well. I'm trying

really, really hard to stay focused & not dwelling on what can or can't be

done. I read all the posts daily & realize that some suffer so much more

than I do. My heart goes out to each & everyone of you. It's hard to be

strong & brave every day when you feel so sick. I don't want my kids to

know how bad I feel nor do I want to stress my husband anymore than he is.

He can tell by looking at me just how good/bad I feel.

I didn't mean to go on & on. I just wanted to share my thoughts about

the weight gain issue. I think it makes sense.

Cheryl in Illinois

July 9, 2002

From the bottom.......

Staple line disruption. I had pain, burning, reflux again, rather suddenly.

Developed marginal ulcer right away (of course, I can make a new ulcer while

I brush my teeth! LOL!), but mostly felt like a mule kicked me in the

sternum, along with the burning. Felt like I was breathing fire. Burping.

Lots of burping. Reminded me of " real ulcers " from the olden days when I had

a full stomach (perpetually ulcer ridden). My original stomach acted hungry

and always felt better with food in there (for awhile, til the digestive

juiced would kick in & overwhelm the food & start the cycle over again).

I could not eat appreciably more, nor did I gain quickly. Over the 4 months

the doc's office lost the paperwork, submitted to a wrong address, etc, I

only gained 12#. BUT I was taking 180g+ in protein supps per day. It

helped make my tummy lay down and be quiet, as well as keeping me from

eating more volume or more often. Others feel NOTHING but the wt comes back

on without any explanation. Or they can suddenly eat more.

Your protein intake would be monitored by your blood levels. Start with

your pre-op labs and watch the progress of your total protein & albumin.

Did it go up over time? Down? Stay the same? Many of us who use protein

supps have other reasons besides just to maintain good health. I use 'em to

calm a raging pouch or for appetite & craving control.

Thanks,

http://www.vitalady.com

For info on PayPal, click this link:

https://secure.paypal.com/affil/pal=vitalady%40bigfoot.com

WEIGHT GAIN

> Hi,

>

> My name is Gayle and I am new to this group. I had open RNY March 2,

> 2000. I had lost a total of 125 pounds, was at my goal and happy.

> Now I have gained 25-30 pounds (went from a 12 back up to a 16), I

> only have a BM once a week, I burp constantly, even when I have not

> eaten or drinken anything, I have to take Prevacid everyday or I feel

> like my chest is on fire and I'm basically just really depressed. I

> did really good losing the weight, hit goal in a little over a year,

> I guess. I haven't really changed my eating habits, I still eat only

> a little at a time, but an hour later my stomach is growling again.

> I'm still eating protein bars 2-3 times a day, I haven't had anything

> to eat or drink with sugar in it since the day before my surgery.

> This my usual day: Breakfast: a protein bar, snack: crackers and

> peanut butter, lunch: sandwich or salad, snack: protein bar, dinner:

> a little of what ever I fix for the family. In between all of this

> when my stomach starts growling I usually have a hand full of nuts.

> Am I eating too much now? Do we have to DIET for the rest of our

> lives? I weigh around 174 now, how much protein should I be getting

> in everyday? How many calories should I be eating to weigh 145? My

> PCP told me to be careful and not get too much protein because it's

> bad for the liver. I'm going on Friday to get an Endoscopy done and

> hoping that they will find something wrong. He's going to see if my

> Stoma has stretched, if I have adhesions or basically if everything

> looks the way it should. What happens if your staple line has

> disrupted and how can you tell? Does anybody have any suggestions as

> to what I should tell this doctor look for? He's not my surgeon,

> just a local Gastro doctor, who by the way told me that he does not

> approve of this surgery, but he was the one on my insurance now. Any

> advice would be welcomed and appreciated. I really need a friend

> right now.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Gayle

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

July 30, 2002

Thanks for responding. Yesterday I went off the HRT and ended up with night

sweats GRRRRRR I'm gonna suffer through them for a week to see if it makes

any difference. If it does, and I start losing again, I'm going to talk to

my GYN about it. I can not and WILL not gain weight again...I REFUSE! lol

I've gotten so used to the protein shakes, I don't think I could stop them.

I've also started a food journal...it did open my eyes a little bit. Today

has been very good. We'll see. I'm just not so hungry today, and I'm

wondering if it's cause I didnt take my pill for 2 days now.

Dianne

August 7, 2002

Yep, these guys are often a day late and a dollar short. Sorta gets to you

doesn't it? Probably the weakest area of a docs education is nutrition, and

it shows.

Jerry/NC

*********************************

Weight Gain

> Well, I apologize for the rambling, but this really gets to me

> sometimes. If the liver and panc are all related to these levels,

> then why wasn't the doc checking them each month like he does my

> amylase and lipase??!?!?!?! Who knows. Just a kind word of caution.

> PCP said, 'maybe once we get these numbers down to where they should

> be you'll have less pain with your pancreas. " duh!

>

> Hope you all have a great evening!! Hugs from Ohio, Elicia

August 7, 2002

Yep, these guys are often a day late and a dollar short. Sorta gets to you

doesn't it? Probably the weakest area of a docs education is nutrition, and

it shows.

Jerry/NC

*********************************

Weight Gain

> Well, I apologize for the rambling, but this really gets to me

> sometimes. If the liver and panc are all related to these levels,

> then why wasn't the doc checking them each month like he does my

> amylase and lipase??!?!?!?! Who knows. Just a kind word of caution.

> PCP said, 'maybe once we get these numbers down to where they should

> be you'll have less pain with your pancreas. " duh!

>

> Hope you all have a great evening!! Hugs from Ohio, Elicia

August 7, 2002

Yep, these guys are often a day late and a dollar short. Sorta gets to you

doesn't it? Probably the weakest area of a docs education is nutrition, and

it shows.

Jerry/NC

*********************************

Weight Gain

> Well, I apologize for the rambling, but this really gets to me

> sometimes. If the liver and panc are all related to these levels,

> then why wasn't the doc checking them each month like he does my

> amylase and lipase??!?!?!?! Who knows. Just a kind word of caution.

> PCP said, 'maybe once we get these numbers down to where they should

> be you'll have less pain with your pancreas. " duh!

>

> Hope you all have a great evening!! Hugs from Ohio, Elicia

August 7, 2002

Yep, these guys are often a day late and a dollar short. Sorta gets to you

doesn't it? Probably the weakest area of a docs education is nutrition, and

it shows.

Jerry/NC

*********************************

Weight Gain

> Well, I apologize for the rambling, but this really gets to me

> sometimes. If the liver and panc are all related to these levels,

> then why wasn't the doc checking them each month like he does my

> amylase and lipase??!?!?!?! Who knows. Just a kind word of caution.

> PCP said, 'maybe once we get these numbers down to where they should

> be you'll have less pain with your pancreas. " duh!

>

> Hope you all have a great evening!! Hugs from Ohio, Elicia

August 7, 2002

Yep, these guys are often a day late and a dollar short. Sorta gets to you

doesn't it? Probably the weakest area of a docs education is nutrition, and

it shows.

Jerry/NC

*********************************

Weight Gain

> Well, I apologize for the rambling, but this really gets to me

> sometimes. If the liver and panc are all related to these levels,

> then why wasn't the doc checking them each month like he does my

> amylase and lipase??!?!?!?! Who knows. Just a kind word of caution.

> PCP said, 'maybe once we get these numbers down to where they should

> be you'll have less pain with your pancreas. " duh!

>

> Hope you all have a great evening!! Hugs from Ohio, Elicia

August 7, 2002

Elicia,

I'm glad to see you back, I was wondering about you the other day... (thinking

about your grocery store story and wishing I could tell you that you inspired

me! I'll explain that a little more later!)

Well, I hope to see you in chat and I hope that everything continues to get

better for you... {{{HUGZ and Prayers}}}

PS... I just had my Cholesterol and stuff done last week... Tris were 232 and

everything else was pretty close to normal. The nurse told me to try Niacin to

lower the levels...we'll see. Anyway... Take care!

---------------------------------

August 7, 2002

Elicia,

I'm glad to see you back, I was wondering about you the other day... (thinking

about your grocery store story and wishing I could tell you that you inspired

me! I'll explain that a little more later!)

Well, I hope to see you in chat and I hope that everything continues to get

better for you... {{{HUGZ and Prayers}}}

PS... I just had my Cholesterol and stuff done last week... Tris were 232 and

everything else was pretty close to normal. The nurse told me to try Niacin to

lower the levels...we'll see. Anyway... Take care!

---------------------------------

August 7, 2002

Elicia,

I'm glad to see you back, I was wondering about you the other day... (thinking

about your grocery store story and wishing I could tell you that you inspired

me! I'll explain that a little more later!)

Well, I hope to see you in chat and I hope that everything continues to get

better for you... {{{HUGZ and Prayers}}}

PS... I just had my Cholesterol and stuff done last week... Tris were 232 and

everything else was pretty close to normal. The nurse told me to try Niacin to

lower the levels...we'll see. Anyway... Take care!

---------------------------------

August 20, 2002

Yes it is totally " normal " to gain back 10 lbs from your all time low. At

least that is what my surgeon at Mayo told me his experience with WLS

patients has been. Same thing happened to me, but we have also discussed how

greedy we get! I'm sure you look great and are healthy where you are!

Jan C. RNY 3-11-98

Mayo Rochester MN

Weight gain

> My gastric bypass was Sept/2000...I started at 265 and got down to

> 155 at 11 months out...my lowest weight. I'm now bouncing between

> 165-170 and it's driving my crazy! Is this normal for us to gain

> some of the weight back? I admit that I'm not exercising much and

> although I'm eating more than in the beginning but certainly not

> like before the surgery. Any suggestions are appreciated!!

> Joyce/Orlando

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

August 20, 2002

I went my my all time low of 178 back up to 190, but it was at the

direction of my surgeon. It does seem quite common for there to be a

10-15 lb regain from the low point though. Some excellent thoughts on

maintaining weight loss after WLS can be found in the Pouch Rules for

Dummies at http://www.shelby.net/wizards/larger.htm

Ray Hooks

For WLS nutrition info, visit

http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com

jenbobros wrote:

>

> My gastric bypass was Sept/2000...I started at 265 and got down to

> 155 at 11 months out...my lowest weight. I'm now bouncing between

> 165-170 and it's driving my crazy! Is this normal for us to gain

> some of the weight back? I admit that I'm not exercising much and

> although I'm eating more than in the beginning but certainly not

> like before the surgery. Any suggestions are appreciated!!

> Joyce/Orlando

>

August 20, 2002

Thanks for the link.Pam MacVittie

At 01:31 PM 8/20/2002 -0500, Ray Hooks wrote:

>I went my my all time low of 178 back up to 190, but it was at the

>direction of my surgeon. It does seem quite common for there to be a

>10-15 lb regain from the low point though. Some excellent thoughts on

>maintaining weight loss after WLS can be found in the Pouch Rules for

>Dummies at http://www.shelby.net/wizards/larger.htm

>

>Ray Hooks

>For WLS nutrition info, visit

>http://www.bariatricsupplementsystem.com

>

>jenbobros wrote:

> >

> > My gastric bypass was Sept/2000...I started at 265 and got down to

> > 155 at 11 months out...my lowest weight. I'm now bouncing between

> > 165-170 and it's driving my crazy! Is this normal for us to gain

> > some of the weight back? I admit that I'm not exercising much and

> > although I'm eating more than in the beginning but certainly not

> > like before the surgery. Any suggestions are appreciated!!

> > Joyce/Orlando

> >

>

>Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

>Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

September 21, 2002

Dear Helene,

Tell yourself I can have that .. whatever you are yearning at that

particular moment.. after I drink a protein, and a glass of water, and do

some form of exercise. If after doing the above, you still want that

whatever, have a small portion.. but I seriously doubt that you will still

want it..

When I see myself getting out of control.. wanting sugars, carbs, etc.. I

tell myself, .. you can have that " cookie " , but first, you have to drink

a protein shake, take your vites, minerals.. do some form of exercise, maybe

take a long walk, or go for a swim if possible, and have at least 8 oz

water.. I usually am way past the point of wanting what is not good for me.

Try to get involved in some other activity .. reading, walking,

meditating, taking a long , hot relaxing soak in a bubble bath, etc.. get

your mind off the food issues..

Good luck to you getting back on track.. and also, try going cold turkey

without carbs and sugars for a few days.. see if that gets you restarted

losing.

Hugs,

from GA

open RNY 12/12/00

Revision 04/18/01

Revision 02/07/02

St wt.... 392

Cw.......187

Wt loss..-205

September 21, 2002

Hi Helene,

I don't know what to tell you as you know all the answers...however please feel

free to vent here...that is what we are here for. I intend that you will get

through today - I have to do it one minute at a time...

Marjie

hwd112 hwd.hwd@...> wrote:

>I need to vent to people who will understand (I hope). I got on the

>scale this week, and I have gained more weight. One year ago, I weighed

>22 pounds less than I do today. I weight exactly what I weighed one year

>post op - all the weight I worked so hard at losing during year two is

>re-gained. I am depressed, upset, and eating out-of-control. I've gone

>from 174 to 174 (there, I've said it). It's my secret shame - the irony

>is, I've had several people tell me, over the past few weeks.

>

>I'm so scared - regaining at the rate of 4 pounds a month, and don't

>know when I will stop. Each day, I wake up a say, " this is it, today I

>get my life back. " Yesterday I lasted until 5:30pm.

>

>I know the solutions - protein, exercise, water, low carbs. I will

>fight every day, but since I can't talk about this to anyone [i am my

>surgeon's poster girl, and still get people calling me to talk about the

>surgery.} I needed to be honest with you all, my friends...... I'm off

>to the park with the dog, and then the gym. I pray today will be

>better.

>

>Helene

>RNY 12/22/99

>350/174 (up from 150)

>

>Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

>Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

September 21, 2002

Helene and others,

Let me share my first RNY story with you a bit to hopefully give you the

courage to keep plugging away and seeking help when you need it.

I had a very proximal (5 " ) RNY in 1983 and was thrilled with the

results...lost 180 pounds in the first year from 320 to 140. But unlike this

time, I had no support group, wasn't told about proteins, vitamins or

exercise or how to eat. I saw the surgeon one time after surgery and he said

I was fine no need to come back. I never had labs done. When I hit goal that

first year, I thought I was invincible. But I had also spent that year and

the next 18 years puking just about every time I ate proteins and raw

vegetables. At 18 months out, I hit a brick wall and started gaining ever so

slowly at first. I believe now it was because all I could eat was refined

carbs and I had low thyroid that was never treated until current PCP.

I was very depressed and angry for years that I had done the surgery and it

wasn't successful and thought it was the worst decision I had ever made.

Over the years my weight went back up and down as I did things like Optifast

2 or 3 times. I would lose 80 pounds and then gain it back. My body was

extremely efficient. I never ate big portions after surgery, I just had all

the wrong things and couldn't have kept the right things down if I had

tried.

A year ago I was so devastated at my physical state...high blood pressure,

knees giving out, heel spurs requiring surgery...that I decided to talk to

another surgeon about the surgery again. I had never even heard of a

revision. I just assumed I had blown it the first time and would have to

live with my failure. So I went to a local Doctor in California who did some

tests, etc and declined surgery telling me I was just a compulsive overeater

and should get head help. I left her office feeling suicidal and for those

who know me would realize that is not my typical reaction to bad news.

Fortunately, the dietician had given me Vitalady's website and I decided I

would order proteins and live on just that the rest of my life...no more

food for me as it was my enemy. I called to find out which ones to order and

a whole new world opened up for me after talking to for an hour. I

didn't know until then that my problem could be fixed, that it was more

mechanical than emotional. She introduced me to Dr. Oh. in Seattle who

indicated I was just too proximal. I had a distal revision and in the last

9-10 months have taken off 135 pounds. The difference this time is that I

can eat anything even meat and raw vegetables. And now I have training on

what will work and what won't work for the long-term. I haven't reached goal

yet and everytime I hit a plateau, I get nuts thinking that's it...I screwed

up again.

But I have come to understand if I do the program, my body will be healthy

and it will find its most desirable weight. Needless to say that may not be

the size 4 that I want it to be. But as my PCP who is an endocrinologist

(and extremely supportive of this surgery) says, if I don't lose another

pound he will be thrilled because I am so much more healthy now and that

should be my goal...not a dress size or a number on the scale. Now I am not

naive enough to say I totally agree with him because I have lived in my

oversized body most of my life and just once want to feel what its like to

be normal. But I have to be smart enough to accept what ever is normal and

healthy for me and not beat myself up if I don't end up being someone else's

ideal.

Now with that story told, Helene, all I can offer in addition is to not let

fear and panic drive you to emotional eating. Take a deep breath and take it

one hour at a time. You know the right way to manage your eating and

vitamins and exercise so you don't need any of us to tell you what to do.

Personally I practice a little meditation to calm my mind and I have my

mantras plastered on the front of the fridge... " WLS is only a tool; don't

feed head hunger. " " No milk, no sugar = no weight gain. " and " Protein,

vitamins, water, exercise. " I live and breathe those words to get me through

every day. And like others have said drink a protein before making any other

eating decisions.

What I love about this group is the support it gives me even when I don't

personally ask for it by helping others with things that are on my mind too.

Good luck and God Bless. You can do it! Do keep us posted as you overcome

your struggles and what works and doesn't as that helps us all. We are all

right there with you.

LOL,

Martha H in Ca

RNY Proximal 1983

320/140

RNY Distal (Revision) 11/29/01

327/192/goal?

5'4 " and not pukin' anymore! That alone was worth the revision.

size 32 to current at 16/18

Re: Weight Gain

> In a message dated 9/21/2002 8:56:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> hwd.hwd@... writes:

> << I know the solutions - protein, exercise, water, low carbs. I will

> fight every day, but since I can't talk about this to anyone [i am my

> surgeon's poster girl, and still get people calling me to talk about the

> surgery.} I needed to be honest with you all, my friends...... I'm off

> to the park with the dog, and then the gym. I pray today will be

> better. >>

> Well Helene, if you are his poster girl, maybe this is a way for you to

stop

> perpetrating a fraud upon other morbidly obese people.

> Be open, be honest, talk about the fact that this is a life long struggle,

> not a Get Out of Jail Free card. If your surgeon is selling WLS as an

easy

> permanent solution, they need to know better. If he is being honest about

> the bounce back, the need for low carb eating and dealing with emotional

> issues, then you can be a guiding light to the ones who have it very easy

the

> first year and think they are bullet proof. I spent an awful lot of time

the

> first six months post op feeling angry, depressed and cheated cause I

never

> heard the truth of what a less than perfect post op scenario was outside

of

> medical problems. Sure I heard about folk who got leaks, blood clots or

even

> died. But I never heard about the people who craved sweets and food just

as

> much as ever, never heard about people losing 50 or 60 pounds then that

was

> it for them. My expectations were not reasonable because the

representation

> of the support group was terribly skewed. I realize now it was because

the

> struggling post ops stayed away and stayed quiet....a terrible group

dynamic

> I still don't understand...how does that develop? Is it a fostered

attitude

> or a natural tendency of human nature? I struggled terribly and wasted a

lot

> of valuable time during the first six months cause I just did not know how

to

> deal with the puking, depression, inability to sleep, inability to eat

> protein foods. You have nothing to be ashamed of, in fact you have an

> opportunity to change lives in a major way by sharing your experiences and

> truth.

> B

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

September 21, 2002

In a message dated 9/21/2002 8:56:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

hwd.hwd@... writes:

<< I know the solutions - protein, exercise, water, low carbs. I will

fight every day, but since I can't talk about this to anyone [i am my

surgeon's poster girl, and still get people calling me to talk about the

surgery.} I needed to be honest with you all, my friends...... I'm off

to the park with the dog, and then the gym. I pray today will be

better. >>

Well Helene, if you are his poster girl, maybe this is a way for you to stop

perpetrating a fraud upon other morbidly obese people.

Be open, be honest, talk about the fact that this is a life long struggle,

not a Get Out of Jail Free card. If your surgeon is selling WLS as an easy

permanent solution, they need to know better. If he is being honest about

the bounce back, the need for low carb eating and dealing with emotional

issues, then you can be a guiding light to the ones who have it very easy the

first year and think they are bullet proof. I spent an awful lot of time the

first six months post op feeling angry, depressed and cheated cause I never

heard the truth of what a less than perfect post op scenario was outside of

medical problems. Sure I heard about folk who got leaks, blood clots or even

died. But I never heard about the people who craved sweets and food just as

much as ever, never heard about people losing 50 or 60 pounds then that was

it for them. My expectations were not reasonable because the representation

of the support group was terribly skewed. I realize now it was because the

struggling post ops stayed away and stayed quiet....a terrible group dynamic

I still don't understand...how does that develop? Is it a fostered attitude

or a natural tendency of human nature? I struggled terribly and wasted a lot

of valuable time during the first six months cause I just did not know how to

deal with the puking, depression, inability to sleep, inability to eat

protein foods. You have nothing to be ashamed of, in fact you have an

opportunity to change lives in a major way by sharing your experiences and

truth.

B

September 21, 2002