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I'm 3 years out, and over 2 years in maintenance. Like some above, I weigh myself every morning (to make sure i'm not leaning to far above or below my happy weight range); I track everything I eat (to keep eye on caloric intake), get some exercise in (run min 5K 2-3 times a week, plus other random activities here and there: dancing, hiking, swimming). I've figured out that at my current activity level, i can maintain my current weight at around 1800 cals a day. Other random things I do that I *think* contribute to MY maintenance (or could just be habit now and may not actually be making a lick of difference, lol): I try to keep bread, rice, pasta intake low. I don't completely avoid them, but they don't have main billing in my diet, or even supporting cast. More like nameless extras with non-speaking roles, lol I make it a point to never eat to full. I may not always succeed, but I try. I wear tight pants. Don't laugh, but having tight pants on when I go out for dinner helps to ensure that I won't overeat to over-fullness, when it's easier to do so cuz I'm just sitting around a table for hours with food, you know? I always share desserts (or get a mini/micro one) cuz I know dessert is my downfall. I don't eat before noon if I can help it. If my weight goes above my happy weight range, I cut some calories until I until I'm at the bottom of said range (luckily this hasn't happened in over a year...knock on wood) I do my running in the morning so its done and i don't get a chance to procrastinate throughout the day. That's all i can think of at the moment, but I'm sure there are a whole bunch of other things I do....

Just had my pre=op appointment, going into tomorrow for surgery. Super nervous and excited to move forward in life.

So, I am nearly 15 years (yes years) postop. I started at 315 and plummeted to 142 within 10 months of surgery. I was super happy but I was also sick. I didn't have energy, I looked sick...but I was SKINNY! For the first time in my adult life, I wore a SMALL! I loved and hated it at the same time. Then I was told to gain weight because due to all the excess skin, I was really underweight and it was NOT healthy for me. Well, long story short...I can eat pretty much anything and not dump. Then my portions started growing and my snacking came back. I gained, I lost, I gained, I lost...you all know how that goes. I got back up to 230 and was miserable again. I started doing VERY well earlier this year and lost nearly 25 pounds of regain, then COVID-19 struck and has me working from home. This led right back to horrible habits and not as much movement (I didn't even have to walk to my car!). The company I work for has wonderful programs to help get motion and nutrition back on track. Well, that is if you are able bodied (I have bad knees and am just trying to keep replacements at bay as long as I can) and can eat like a normal person. The PT and nutritionist had me doing things that just didn't work for me...not once but TWICE. I told them over and over I couldn't exercise on my knees nor could I eat the portions they were assigning to me. Frustrated, I started researching revisions. I found one I was seriously contemplating, regardless of insurance coverage (I was THAT desperate). I was on the verge of calling my GP for a referral when I thought, "What about going back to basics"? So, about two weeks ago, I found some sites (this is one of them!) with bariatric specific meal plans, food, vitamins, gadgets, etc. I took the plunge and ordered protein powders, protein snacks, meal replacements and changed my vitamin routine to the 1 A Day on here. I bought shaker bottles for my shakes, 15 minute increment water bottles to make me drink my water (if you knew me, you would know I HATE water), and I also cleared two shelves in my pantry for JUST ME. It's now been just over a week and I am down 4 pounds. I have so much more energy that my husband was like "who are you and where is my wife"! I have already noticed a difference in some of my clothes - no more dancing routine putting on my yoga pants! It's not easy, but I have to remember where I was and where I want to be once again! Sorry this was so long but I started typing and couldn't stop!

Has anyone have a bariatric mindset book and workbooks Sent from my U307AS using BariatricPal mobile app

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you are, say, 5'5", getting from a BMI of 60 to a non-obese BMI of 30 would mean an additional weight loss of 180 lbs. (on top of the other 80 lbs.) which even the most hardened insurance company would see requires surgery. But definitely ask your bariatric center for guidance and access to a nutritionist/dietitian to help you get those 80 lbs. down.

Most insurance companies require that your BMI be higher than 40, or 35 with co-morbidities like diabetes or sleep apnea ... and you often have to be able to show you can lose some weight, so losing weight to get to a BMI of 60 wouldn't disqualify you at all. Also, the surgery center probably has an insurance specialist who knows what your particular insurance company requires and can help you set up all the appointments and everything else. I had 4 months of nutrition classes required by insurance, so I decided to live a bit like I would live after surgery during that time. I did lower carb and higher protein and lost about 50 lbs prior to surgery. Of course, my problem was that I got to the point where my BMI was going to be too low for surgery, so I started eating junk again (throwing food funerals!) when I got closer to the pre-op "shrink the liver" diet. My BMI was about 40 or 41 day of surgery, down from 49 when I called the surgeon and started the program. Any weight you can lose now is weight you will not have to lose after surgery. I found that will higher protein, lower carbs, and low added sugars (I still ate fruit and occasionally small amounts of ice cream), I was less hungry and had fewer cravings. I'm actually more hungry now after surgery, which sucks because I can barely eat anything (although I'm only 3 weeks out and most people say they are not hungry).

Thank you all so much! I do feel better today and my follow-up appointment went very well. I was able to stomach some thinned down grits for lunch and that made my day. I've found several savory options and I have some unflavored protein powder to try some new options. My overall outlook is much better today!

I should add that I was not eating over 1200 calories per day, but I did not realize that my metabolism had slowed so much that 1200 is now maintenance for me.

Actually, the surgeon now was an original choice. So I’m very lucky! When my journey started, he didn’t accept Medicaid. Now he does.

Weird. When I was 350lbs and had big boobs no one helped me with the cat litter…. Joking aside sorry you’re dealing with that. My wife gets it too and she not only hates it but it affects her to the point of not wanting to go to certain places where it tends to happen more often (Home Depot). From a guys perspective I think most of the time we don’t know how creepy or unsettling it can make you feel. I say we because I’m a guy, not because I’ve ever done it. I’ve been too shy to say anything to anyone ever in that regard my whole life, and I’m ok with that. Hell I don’t even make eye contact with strangers in public.