Georgia

Okay, I SOOO needed to read this! Thanks, TSB, for being honest. I am 15 months out and reached goal (150) about last March or so. I've been able to keep most of it off but have gained about 7-8 lbs (depending on day!) And I KNOW it's because I have been snacking, snacking, snacking! I really seem to get hungry now almost immediately after eating but I know also that I am drinking during meals, and not following all the rules I once did. I truly thought (like someone else said) that I had this down and would never gain again! Yeah, right! I got on here today to research HUNGER since I am concerned about my seeminly never ending hunger. Now, I think maybe it's because I am not getting FULL enough at meals with drinking liquids also. I am also an emotional eater/snacker and boy, have I had the stress in my family life in the last 6 months or so! Thanks everyone for the encouragement I get from this site and having the ability to "bond" with other VSGers. I really want to lose down to about 140 (now at 158) so that I would have 5-10 pounds to "play" with and still feel good about myself. Doesn't it seem unreal that now that we are SOOO much lighter that our minds have adjusted to the fact and we start feeling bad about ourselves when we are up a FEW pounds?? Sure proves the point of what got us into this in the first place - MIND - not just FOOD!

Just informational I am 15 months out and at goal (lost 100lbs and trying to keep it off! lol) As for me, the taste of SOME foods returned after a few months (I've eaten fruit from the beginning) but your taste buds DEFINITELY change and some foods you dearly adored prior to VSG, don't EVER taste the same. In some instances, that's a BLESSING, in others, not so much! lol

Do u have a before and after pic of your facelift? Very interested. 

Great, great great post!!! So true. I realized after losing to goal that in reality that unless I take control of my MIND and my mouth, I will regain weight! Feels so good to reach that goal that you NEVER thought you could reach and then you relax a bit! Becomes very easy to just relax and "let it slide!" lol It is NOT a magic bullet and I was one of the lucky ones who lost weight quickly and without much effort on my part AND I was 56 years old!!!! NOW, I just want to remain where I am - enjoy my life and be NORMAL! (If you know what I mean! ha!) Good luck to all!!

Way to go!!!! I totally agree with you -one year and 2 months out - total loss of 101 lbs and no meds, no c pap machine, no high blood pressure! As you, I have gained about 5 lbs over last month from vacation etc but am losing that now!!!! I have to watch my "snacks" now because I have a tendency to want to snack on "sliders" more than when losing for some reason. Good luck in the future!

It will be. Worth it! I haven't regretted it once!

How do you have your resting calorie tested? I would lobe to know what mine is now that I am at goal.

Lots of suggestions out there (different threads) but mainly, I am told, any major surgery you experience results in hair loss. I can attest to this. My hair loss has been BIG and I am 13 months out and at goal. I THINK, hopefully, it has slowed down but my hair is probably 1/2 the volume it was pre-surgery. Really! BUT 101 pounds lighter and that's okay with me!

Way to go Friends! We "50s" can do it ad do it well!

MLD, that is a VERY good point! lol I, myself, can see the "never" from some people's standpoint and really, if we are honest with ourselves, it should most likely be the same with all of us. NEVER! I'm just not sure I'm that strong! ha!

I admit I have caved to the diet coke cravings on occasion. The only thing I can tell is that I seem to burp more but there are days its just a Diet Coke day! Like Tiffykins, never is a long time. I don't make a habit but I do allow myself some sugar and am at maintenance. Just figuring out now calories I can have per day to maintain without falling into bad habits again.

No I don't take a ppi. Should I?

Are we sisters from the same mother? Lol. I think exactly the same way and then wind up grazing on wrong snacks

I have had the same episodes. In the first 6 months or so after surgery I would literally hold on to the walls as I walked until my "blackout" would pass. Come to find out I was EXTREMELY low in potassium! So low, my doctor wanted to hospitalize me to run it in through IV. I convinced him otherwise and immediately started on liquid potassium by prescription. I was truly amazed at the difference in energy, etc I had after taking it. Might check this out.

Yep, I get hiccups. But here's my weirdo thing - I start sneezing!!! Seriously!!!! When I reach the "magic bite" I will start sneezing and sneeze 7 or 8 times! It drives my daughter (grown daughter!!) and husband crazy! Ha! As if I can keep from doing it! But, yes, I also get hiccups on occassion right AFTER I eat.

I'm with you girls! I'm 57 and gravity had ALREADY begun the "down hill drag!" lol I found some really great bras at TJ Maxx and must have hit it on a delivery day because there were 4 or 5 in my new size. (36C-D down from 42 D). They are great and were not expensive at all. I had been paying around $30 a pop at Dillads so I was quite thrilled and REALLY thrilled to not have to be the double padded shoulder strap kind! (If you know what I mean! No more grooves! ha!) These are lilyette

I'm with y'all. I never could get the protein shakes, protein stuff down without gagging AND I'm lactose intolerant. But I found Pure Protein which has like 27 grams of protein with only 2 grams sugar I believe. Chocolate Peanut Butter my fave but chocolate fudge is good too.

yummy! Makes me want some right now!

Hey, Pauline! First, Congrats!!!! I can pretty much agree with you. It becomes easy to undo the good habits we have learned and committed to. I am battling the wanting to graze all day long right now myself. I DO know that if I am truly eating dense Protein my pouch will only hold small amounts but other stuff... well... I agree with you about thinking like a "fat person". Our minds play tricks on us and even though we have a great tool to help, ultimately, it is going to be up to us to change our thought patterns and eating habits. I am reading a good book right now called, "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst who is battling the same things and gives her perspective and God's perspective. Really good.

Okay, I took "surgiversary" pics! lol

Today is my one year Surgiversary!!!!! Amazing how fast this year has flown by! I cannot really even begin to realize YET just how amazing this journey has been and continues to be! I know I am using a lot of exclamation points but that's the way I feel today. Amazed! Humbled! Joyous!!! Somewhat Scared!!! And most of all thankful! Thankful, for the amazingly simple approach I had with the surgery. How within one month, I was approved, scheduled and received my VSG with an amazing doctor, Dr. Mark Gibbs. From day one started losing quickly and easily. That doesn't mean I haven't had some minor bumps along the road but again, they are so minor, they don't really figure in. Overall, I've lost 101 lbs - gone from a size 20 to a size 8 - lost my C-Pap machine, no blood pressure medicine and feel great!!!! The "somewhat scared" part - just making sure that I can maintain and continue this journey. It is very easy to "snack" now because sliders are so good! lol BUT, I intend to "stay the course", "fight the good fight" and "win the race!" Hopefully, this encourages someone who is contemplating, has had and is experiencing problems, or who is discouraged. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future!" Thanks, God, for my future!! me beginning.bmp me beginning 2.bmp

Welcome to the club! Made it to goal in in March or so with 101lbs gone! Truly happy for you!

Gorgeous! Congrats!

Great job!!!!! Love the dogs too!!!