Georgia

okay, confession time! I am 21 mos out and been "maintaining" for about a year. I have gained about 10 lbs and was really doing well except I have REALLY gotten the sugar bug in the last few weeks. Again, got over it somewhat and was doing better - walking etc. Well, here's the confession (smile) I had to work a seminar with my company Wed night - great time with our clients - catfish dinner (which I ate little of) BUT they had FRIED PIES!! You will not believe this (well, maybe you will) I at TWO pies there (easily) took home more and ate THREE THE NEXT DAY! Now, THAT'S how you regain weight. I could hardly get down a few bites of the "normal" food but those pies went down VERY EASILY! Soooo. I WILL be bootcampintg this coming week! And LOSING my 10 lbs. Agreed, Diva, too much effort to lazily regain what I have accomplished in my life!!! Love the new me and want to keep her!!! WE CAN DO THIS!

What is the "Kim" version of Lildiva's boot camp?

You know, you are gonna fall out at this! I have never understood the "weeks" off. Was sleeved on a Wed. Went back to work half days the next Wed and then full time. Now, was I tired and dizzy some? YES! But no PHYSICAL issues to deal With other than losing losing Losing very quickly. I did pass out one morning and knock myself out and split my lip open! Okay, now don't get upset. It was cause my BP mess were immediately too strong and once off them I was some better. Byes, I was extremely weak and tired for several weeks if not months; but I WAS TIRED ALL THE TIME BEFORE VSG! Lol

Also, forgot to mention-malnutrition is not an issue as with Bypass. No replumbing!! You just have to make sure you eat protein first with tie small Amts and take your vitamins! You will do great! Also, I am VERY prone to nausea with a weak stomach. I did fine and still an 20 mos out. Best to you.

Dyezee, I had absolutely no complications and very very very little nausea after surgery. Only when drinking water at first. Your fears are real and until u t see dont do it, but it was life changing for me and many, many more who will agre with me. Talk it out with your surgeon, support people.

This might be replying to an older answer but I am now 20 mos out and about a year out from reaching goal ( lost 100lbs). I turned 58 in January and found that the wrinkles increased quickly after losing all I needed to lose. My face has many but the thing I hate the most is my neck "waddle". Yuk! And my upper arms. I never really had big arms so didn't really think about them but with so much weight loss I now, as Oprah says, have "flags" that wave quite freely! Lol. I would love to have work done but no $$ for that right now. Also, I've have found it way too easy to eat junk that slides than stick to protein and have regained about 15 lbs. trying to be on the "straight and narrow" now and up my exercise and cut carbs. It's MY choice if I don't This really is only a too, and ultimately, we will choose. I love my new look and sometimes really don't comprehend how much I accomplished so I don't want to sabotage myself.

I eat too much junk Eat too fast Don't exercise enough Procrastinate Don't weigh often enough now (used to weigh everyday). Think I am denying habits I am allowing myself to fall into!

Susan, what is fit bit?

In answer to sleeve 4 me: Nom I don't take any special meds now or drink any alcohol (never have), I do, however, drink with meals. Having been trying to stop that again and I think it does make a difference. Have lost 3-4 lbs in last week and half from no junk. Doing a "Daniel Fast" right now with my church so my diet includes more carbs but they are GOOD carbs (whole grain etc) and beginning the year by this plus the elimination of junk food has caused me to start losing. Going to try to follow more closely original guidelines and lose the pounds gained plus want to try to get off another 5-10 (so I will have a few to play with!). I'll let you all know how it goes. I have found that it does make a huge difference WHAT I eat and still have good restriction. I can eat little dense protein and things like beans fill me up very quickly. Gonna be HEALTHY! Love having all of you as sounding boards!

Been following this forum since the beginning and posted here also. Am at 18 mos out. Reached goal (150) around 9 mos out. Lost 100lbs. I'm wondering what you guys who are 16+ mos out are eating on a regular basis and not gaining/ or even dieting. I've gained 10-12 lbs and know I am eating too much "junk" at this stage. How many calories, etc are you able to eat and NOT gain? I feel pretty sure that I will quickly lose this if I cut back on carbs (which I intend to do starting next week!) but would still like to get a TRUE idea of how long-termers are maintaining. I have truly discovered that you can "take the stomach out of the girl" but the brain still tells her to eat junk! lol Also, seems that I have very good restriction still if it is dense protein but since cant eat but a few bites of it, I tend to want to eat every two hours or so. Suggestions? And no, I have not been exercising faithfully in the last few months either.

Whoop whoop! Isn't it awesome? I get all these "fattie" catalogs in the mail and sometimes forget that I CANT WEAR ANYTHING IN THEM ANYMORE! Awesome! Yep, now TJ MAXX is my best friend! You go, girl! My size 8 skirts (one six!) are simply divine!!!!!

Are we talking "chips" as in potato chips or as in baking chocolate chips? Either way, I like them both! lol And my bad habits are driniking with meals - (I have ALWAYS even as a child drank copious amounts of Fluid with meals and before and after! lol) I have also gotten into the habit of eating some junk - not logging food - not weighing everyday - yep, it's that season! Gotta shore up my habits! NOW! I've been at goal since last March. I have gained about 5 pounds. Going to try to lose that with another 10 or so.

Okay, iegal! You are RIGHT ON! I have got to be completely honest with myself and understand that the MIND over MATTER thing really does still apply! I, too, can sit at a meal and think of what I'd like to snack on in a few minutes! NEVER did that during losing. I really don't understand completely why that is happening now but I understand the "enough protein" thing too! BUT, I've tested it to see and for me, doesn't make much difference. If I have a protein rich snack instead of an empty carb/junk one such as nuts, etc. I don't feel hungry longer so I KNOW my head is screwing with me. I WILL NOT let this defeat me, though. Just got to wrap my head around the truth of "life ever after" and adhere to guidelines. Something that we all had problems with before! lol I love having all of you to talk to! How many of you go to any support group "in person?"

Thanks, Sleeve 4 me! I will start trying those. Have been doing nuts and found these nature valley nut crunch bars w only 160 cal and more protein but u have I also got in the habit of Pure junk stuff too! Gotta get back in line. SURE don't want to gain any more Nd really wOuld like to lose down to have about 5-10 to play with.

Btw. About how many crackers are in your snack 2-3 times a day? And that is on top of your 3 meals, right?

Thanks for the advice. I was weighing everyday and then slacked off. I need to just get back in the habit and I agree- 1-5 is much easier than 10 and easier on the mindset too!

Well, I'm going for confessional! 16 months out - hit goal around March 2011 (101 lbs down) I did pretty well maintaining until somewhere around July or so, It seems that I started getting really hungry again. Every two-three hours or so. And re-acquired the taste for junk food - and have given in to it at times!! (a lot!) I have gained about 10 lbs. I've got to get myself back in line quickly! I like my size 8 skirts too much to gain back up! Have any of you had the resting metabolic test done that lets you know how many calories are average for you to eat without gaining? I would REALLY like to make sure of this. I was typically having 2 scrambled eggs with a slice of 2% cheese added with a couple slices of bacon for Breakfast. No bread. A Smart One or low cal dinner or a couple fat free turkey or beef franks with another slice of 2% cheese melted on them. Nuts for Snacks and some fruit. Then i my grandkids and daughter moved in and I had to start buying more "stuff" to have in the house. I found that I could easily eat granola bars, chips, frozen pizza!!! I am really trying to get back on track and had started really exercising more (jog/walk 2 - 2.5 miles 4 times a week) then my knees started really bothering me. (I'm almost 58!) So going back to just walking - no jogging. HELP! Any tips you can give I'll take them. I KNOW what to do - just need to get motivated to do it. I've quickly realized that the "head" games STILL can control and I am definitely an emotional eater. Good to have a group to whine to! lol I think it was just so EASY for me to lose the weight I thought i would just be able to sail through life with no effort at all. Dumb!

Yes. My problem is that I am snacking toomuch because I seem to get hungry every 2-3 hours. Weird too ecause until a few months ago I never thought of food and lost so quickly and easily. Just got to get my mind straightened out now.

What are and how much do you guys eat each day and how often?

I also think About food all the time and can't seem to keep myself from snacking. I am seriously realizing that getting thin was the easy part. What do most of you eat and snack on at maintenance? I have allowed myself to gain 10 pounds!

I've never heard that on any plan

What's some updates on maintenance from you fellow VSGers who have gotten to goal? I'm 15 mo out, reached goal and trying to hang on. REALLY , REALLY experiencing so much more hunger right now, I can't figure out what has happened. I did let myself fall into the habit of snacking on some empty calories for a while. Been trying for the last couple weeks to switch to nuts, fruit, etc with lowered carbs (not completed low carb because I get too jumpy). Any ideas on why this is happening? I can eat breakfast (was egg/bacon/cheese now SF oatmeal) and within an hour want to eat something else. Same with other meals. HELP!

You are darling!!!!!! Can't wait to see that baby girl!

Well, I'm 15 mos out and I DEFINITELY have the turkey neck! AND face wrinkles! (sigh) BUT, I'm a 100 lbs lighter and can wear a size 8 skirt and 10-12 top so I guess that's okay! Lol . I'm with the rest - I'd love to have a lifestyle lift!

Well, I joined thinking I had read "<30 OR goal"! I am Georgia, 57 years old, started at 250, 5'8" and now 15 months later at 150-55. (goal was 150) Really wanted a smaller group to "stick to" for encouragement and sharing of similar experiences, goals and issues. Hopefully, ya'll will let me stay! I want to be ACCOUNTABLE, too, Dawn! Finding it much easier and easier to snack and put on a few pounds (and then back off and re-lose them). So hopefully, this will help me stay true to myself and my lifetime goal. Even though we can eat a whole lot less than we did before VSG, it is very true that you can REGAIN quickly if you eat the wrong things! Thanks !