Leaderboard

Hello All, You may have heard that superpowers are all the rage these days. It seems you cannot turn a corner without running into someone bitten by a spider or someone who possesses tremendous strength when angry even if they turn green. But I have a superpower of my own. I can resist my archenemy. "Food." During my 54 years here on Earth, I have not won many battles against "Food." I know many people that can defeat the powers of "Food" easily. They can resist "Food's" charm. They can limit "Food's" evil ways. I have envied them. However, this year is different for me. I have spent the last seven days locked in a battle with my nemesis and I have emerged victorious. Ring the freaking victory bell! Perhaps many of you can relate, this battle hasn't been just any "run of the mill" battle. This was the ultimate showdown of good versus evil which occurred during Christmas Week. Many of you probably already know the methods of my foe. Perhaps "Food" is your nemesis too. Hence, you are familiar with the trouble maker and the reign of terror that "Food" can bring. "Food" launched a furious attack against me with: Cheese Dips Crackers Pretzels Gourmet sliced cheeses topped with pepperoni Cheesy pizza loaded with toppings Homemade Christmas cookies Chocolate Fudge - like all mothers make Crispy bacon Cinnamon French Toast Fresh, warm bread But I countered with my new superpower...my VSG. This power was given to me on 12/15/21, just before the epic showdown. I was able to duck, dodge and perry my foe's attacks with some carefully timed protein and plenty of fluids. I am not going to say it was easy, because part of me wanted to succumb to temptation. But I adapted and overcame the demon. In the end, I stood tall and victorious. I hope that you, the people who truly understand this daily struggle, are able to emerge victorious also. The feeling is almost indescribable. My most sincere wishes of success, health and happiness to you. The struggle is real.

I just wanted to share since this is a safe place.

I really need some advice for the last three months I’ve really fell off the wagon how do I get that mindset back I’m only 8 months post op 90 pounds down I’m not sure if I should go with a meal plan or what please no judgment

I can't stop touching my collar bones and my hips!!!! Also, I made a Santa suit in 2003. I sewed it by hand. It's red sequin fabric with white fake fur trim. Think "Liberace goes to the North Pole". I wore it at my heaviest (293lb) and now I'm 192! I know it will be falling off, but I have worn it every year and I will "make it work" at Tim Gunn would say. Happy Holidays Everyone!

I have a distinct memory of looking at myself in the mirror the week before surgery and saying “ what the heck are you doing?” Just suddenly hitting me that after all the work I was going to remove a healthy organ. But I just kept on trucking ahead and before I knew it the surgery was over. One of my friends asked me recently if I wish I could be “back to normal” now that I lost the excess weight. Not in a million years! I still love my sleeve, and over a year later the novelty of being able to be “full” so easy hasn’t worn off. Change is hard and scary, but it becomes normal over time. This surgery is pretty darn low risk comparatively. And staying morbidly obese is a high risk activity every day!

I'm so, so sorry you're struggling. Please know we are rooting for you and want to see you healthy and well. I think first and foremost, you should stick to what you know you tolerate well and do not feel aversions to. Eat as much and as often as you can to help stabilize your caloric intake. Try focusing on what you CAN eat and try to enjoy it as much as possible. Secondly, I would definitely suggest getting in to see a therapist who specializes in disordered eating. Yes, VSG changed your anatomy, your bodily needs, and maybe even your tastes, but this is not normative and getting support will likely be a game changer for you. The sadness, depression, and frustration are all completely valid given what you're going through, but you don't have to stay in this place and there can be improvement. Lastly, I'd say you might want to get in to see a GI or bariatric surgeon to discuss. I also had surgery in Mx and had a wonderful experience and have a very supportive PCP at home, but something this severe might warrant a face to face visit with a specialist. If there are any physical factors they should be addressed along with the mental/emotional pieces. Wish you the very best of luck!

Hi Sunny, thank you for the advice and I'm glad that it is working out for you! I will absolutely be taking a look at Dr. Weiner's books and videos! That being said, there are some things that I don't completely agree with you about. Yes, I think focusing on the high protein, low carb diet is important, and limiting snacking is also important. But here are my two hold-ups. 1) We all snack. With the gastric sleeve, we are told to have 4-6 small "meals" a day to meet a minimum caloric intake. I, and many others, are not going to cook 4-6 "meals" a day, it takes too much time. So, I would rather have a healthy snack like yogurt and berries than an unhealthy one like a sleeve of cookies. Eating sliced deli meat and nuts can get very boring very quickly. That is why I'm trying to build a list of healthy snacks and alternative/substitute foods. This brings me to my second point. 2) Most of us live with other people. This means we are constantly exposed to the snacks and unhealthy food they are eating. If I can replace these foods with sugar-free or healthy alternatives, I won't be as tempted by them and even if I do indulge a little, they aren't as unhealthy as having a slice of cake or a handful of Doritos or potato chips. That is also why I asked about substitute or alternative foods. Again, I appreciate your comment, suggestion of Dr. Weiner, and your encouragement, but it is a pipe dream to think that a person can stick to the pre-op or post-op diets everyday all-day for the rest of their lives. I'm just trying to limit my bad choices, especially while I'm at home surrounded by other people's food.

Me, too. Again, I might be rehashing old injuries. People here seem very live and let live, now...and WOW is that nice. A few years ago when I was starting out there was a huge judgey vibe that I'm surprised and delighted to see doesn't really exist much here now. I fear in trying to retroactively combat it...I've created a whole new version of it. Which was not my intent....and is regretable. If no one gives me **** about my diet soda and eating a good carb heavy diet....I will never, I promise, piss on anyone's enjoyment of children's vitamins. (I still think that's whackadoo personally......but I'm sure that **** I do is totally whackadoo, too. To each, their own) Peace to all paths and best wishes to all of us.

Before I support or condemn, I must know one thing: What genre of TV do you binge?

Well the results are in and they are fabulous!!! Perfect cake! Thanks to the op for this recipe! Here is how I did it. 1 tbs chocolate protein powder ( I used chike) 1 tbs self rising flour 1 packet Splenda with fiber 2 tbs skim milk I didn't have sugar free chocolate so I used about 5 unsweetened chocolate chips and barely a pinch of salt. 45 seconds in the microwave! I haven't figured out nutrtional stats yet though I will let you know when I do.