MINI-Me

I was a BMI of 32.9 and te sleeve has really helped me. Why do you consider it a "cosmetic" sleeve?

LOVE it! With that kind of attitude, you will be a success! :aureola:

I wish the weight was from "having" a baby. I adopted him so pregnancy isn't to blame. Late nights, grab-n-go food? Now, I can blame that. I'm down another pound so 6 to go. I know if I really focused, it would be gone MUCH faster, but I'm just watching what I eat, but not being too stringent about it. As long as it is going down, I am happy about it. I'm still allowing myself to enjoy wine and a sweet or two, but focused on Protein first and then a bite or two of something else. More to come with the next pound down! Thanks to everyone for your encouragement!

Those last pounds to goal are VERY frustrating!!!!!! Have you taken measurements each month? If so, have you taken them recently? I bet with the ZUMBA you have lost inches more so than pounds. How are your clothes fitting? YOU WILL GET THERE!

It's called "Last Meal Syndrome" ... and for some of us, it was LOTS of "last meals". For me, it was saying goodbye to the only relationship I knew with food. Eat it, enjoy it, and eat again. I wanted to have all those "last" tastes before I ate like a bird. Silly and makes no sense, but it was my food funeral. The good thing is that I still enjoy food. I only eat the things I like. If I take a bite and don't like it, I don't eat anymore. I only have so much space & it darn well bbetter taste good! So, if you gain between your approval and surgery, will they go back and deny you? Do you have another pre-surgery weigh-in that is sent to your insurance? Your pre-op diet will help take a few pounds off. Keep your chin up. Just stop the food funerals. Enjoy some things you know are off the table (literally) for the next few months, but remind yourself that one day, you will be able to have some again - just less at one time. And, isn't that the point of this whole thing?

I drink diet sodas and have since about 3 months post-op. Everyone has their opinions and thoughts on sleeve stretching. I may find in a few years that I have "stretched it" ... but at 2 years out, I have the same restriction I did at say 9+ months out. (Of course, silder foods are not part of the restriction equation - they go down just fine & have for a long time.)

DITTO, DITTO, DITTO ... up until the point of surgery, I kept reading that the pain was minimal ... people were up and about in a day or two. (<-- Maybe I was only reading what I wanted to hear!) ... BUT, the pain was VERY bad when I woke up. Felt like a train had hit me for several days. Around Day 4 I started feeling human again and each day from there got better and better. BUT OUCH! those first days. The emotional roller coaster is also another one. I felt all alone & like I was the only one having issues. But, this board helped a lot.

I know several people with bands. I know you stated that this band is different, but it is still a foreign object. Two of the 3 close friends I have with bands have had issues with swelling and stomach growth around the band. Definitely talk to your doctor about these possible complications. Did he say why he thought you needed the "extra protection"?

LOL ... It's a rough life isn't it. I know that for me, if something doesn't taste good, I don't waste my time. It is on to something that does. Before, I would eat the "bad" thing and eat something else later. No wonder I had a weight problem. Enjoy your high dollar eating plan .... Instead of "let them eat cake" maybe it should be "let them eat only the best"! :0)

Gosh ... I'm in my 40's and the loose skin is TERRIBLE. I've found nothing to help, but will follow this topic carefully. I'm up for trying anything since TT seems to be a fading dream.

Not silly at all. Believe me, we all had TONS of eating questions at the beginning! Treat the soup (liquid & contents) as your meal. Follow the before and after "no liquids" rules set by your surgeon. I assume you are newly sleeved, but you should be fine. Just take it nice and slow.

Hmmmm ... interesting. I'm bias & I know that. Surgery was the only option for me & it gave me back my life. But, reading this with my bias, I only see bias for WLS bashing. No real facts, only one or two stories of complications. Which, we all knew about before going down this path - there was a small chance we would end up being one of those statistics. Yes, there may be some unknown complications in the future. (I bashed my knee when I was a little girl - healed just fine but in my late 30's and now 40's, gives me a heck of a time!) But, I know I would have died eventually from the weight. My side of the family is very obese - it was just a matter of time for me. Losing my dad before he was 65 was a wake-up call.

WOW! Maybe a bit harsh?!?!?!? Congratulations for losing so much so quickly, but some people's bodies do everything they can to hold onto the weight. Good advice if they aren't adhering, but if they are - this could have felt like a kick in the teeth. As for the topic and orginal question ... For me, I was lucky. I continually lost on 1200 or so calories a day & didn't watch carbs very closely. I figured if I got protein in first, there wasn't really a lot of room left for carbs. It doesn't hurt to try your NUTS plan & see if it works. He/she has seen a lot of people & presumably knows you well. If it doesn't work, then try another path. We are all different & nothing is "cookie cutter" about weightloss.

I definitely agree ... However, I'm in maintenance mode & allow myself some pizza and similiar foods on occaision. (It's one of our family traditions to order pizza and watch America's Funniest Home Videos on Sunday night together as a family. :aureola: )

Is there anyone else in your area that you can consult with? Would you insurance pay for you to go to a surgeon in another state? If so, I'm sure this group could come up with some suggestions for you.

What forum did you read that on? I'd be curious to check it out. Thanks.

Your volume seems simliar to mine. Except for the first month or so, I was always able to eat my 1/2 cup volume. At 2 years out, I can eat 1.5 slices of thin crust pizza. I'll take that any day over the 5 or 6 slices I used to be able to put down. (OK - honestly, I could have eaten more back then, but I didn't let myself be "that big of a pig"). Personally, I think you are fine. Eat the volume your doctor recommends. It's definitely smaller than what you had pre-surgery. Also - follow your cues for full. If you haven't eaten everything on your plate, just adjust Protein levels later.

Welcome to VST! I'm just over 2 years out & experienced my first gain since surgery over the holidays. I've never had a gastric bypass, but I know people who have. Of the three I know, all have gained back a substantial amount of weight. Mine was only 10 pounds, but it could easily have been more if I didn't recognize the issue and refuse to continue to eat junk. My best advice is to use the first year or so to really retrain yourself to eat "right". Allow yourself some small treats, but don't make them a habit. Learn to cook meat and protein in ways that are very healthy and satisfying. I am a HUGE chocolate freak & have virtually no ability to say no. Unfortunately, I feel very little restriction with candy & I can go through a lot before I feel "satisfied". I'm not saying this to discourage you. Just take advantage of your tool and learn how to eat the right way. We've spent so many years doing it wrong, it takes a while to get it right. And yes, I heard a lot of the same commnents. I reminded people that obese was obese and that I had failed on years of dieting. This was the best thing I've ever done for myself. My signature says that it saved my life - I really mean that. Again, welcome!

Awesome! Great job!

LOL ... I know it's vanity sizing, but .... well, it appeals to my sense of vanity! :blush5:

Congrats ... Very jealous!!! ;0)

wThe WIi Fit was such a horrible thing for me. It has attitude and constantly puts you down when, like you say, you are doing your best. I have horrible knees as well. Walking for me is the best exercise. I bought a second hand treadmill (for $75 on Craigslist) and a shelf to hold my Kindle. I've started before, but I made a promise to my husband (and myself) that I would start again. He is helping me to set it up tonight. Right now, I have committed to 3 times per week for a minimum of 20 minutes. Not a lot, but it's a start. Want to set up a "Schedule" with me & we can be accountable to each other? I have 7 pounds to get off from slipping the last 3 months. WE CAN DO THIS!

I had 3 surgeons in the US willing to do surgery on me (BMI of 32.8) ... Insurance usually requires 35 with comorbidities or 40+ without. Most surgeons just require you to be considered obese by BMI and discuss dieting/maintenance history, etc. Not all are just interested in the $$$ - mine really seemed to care about my dieting failures, my family history, etc. I really appreciated his listening and caring.

I've heard that a lot of people do this ... they chew, but don't swallow (sorta like "not inhaling"?) ... No, you shouldn't make this a habit, but you are DEFINITELY normal. Those first few weeks are hard. You spend a lot of time resting and relaxing which leaves a lot of time to obsess about food. Just take it day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. It will get better and MUCH easier once you move to solids. Good luck!