M2G

My brother must weigh over +300lbs and I've been sleeved for 2.5 years now and I *wish* he would go and do something about his weight. I worry about him...but I also realize this is a journey of self-discovery. Even though he has seen me be successful I can't make him walk in my path.

You are welcome. He definitely stays on top of checking his BP at home. It runs in his family so we are *hopeful* that he won't ever have to be on meds again for high BP, but he is aware that it could change as he ages (he's 43). I was sleeved about 5 months before him but luckily didn't have any obesity-related health issues. The high BP was his only one, but since we were both morbidly obese it was the ticking time bomb for sure. Being sleeved was truly the best thing we have both ever done in regards to our health!

Wow, congratulations! That is a really big difference. I agree sometimes it's hard to see it in the mirror, but the pictures do help tell the story. That color on the new dress is a GREAT color on you!

Wow, not only did you lose -116lbs you lost at least -10 years also! CONGRATS!

Well aren't we all glad they don't ask us to STEP on a scale at the DMV?? For YEARS my weight on my license was from when I was 15. Finally when I was in my 20's somewhere along the way I felt that I could NOT in all honesty keep that weight on there. So I upped it by about 50lbs and it was still about 50lbs shy of what I REALLY weighed. lol. Now that I'm in my 40's I finally told my real weight.

You are welcome. I know most "vets" don't stick around but I'm trying to be here. I was my surgeon's 15th sleeve back in late 2010 and I know he's done a TON more but when I was first sleeved this place was a lifeline for me because I felt like I was breaking new ground. I'm guilty of "drifting" away when life gets busy but definitely trying to still be active around here.

Great PSA...my hubby is sleeved also and 10 days post-op passed out because he was still on BP meds and didn't need them anymore. He is now over 2 years post-op and hasn't had them since the day he passed out.

Woo hoo! Congrats on your loss! I just clicked on your profile HOPING to see your pics bigger, but alas they are not in your profile. -117 is freaking awesome, lets see those pics...

My hubby had that happen...he was sleeved March 7 (of 2011) and on March 17th we went to a St. Patricks day party that was hosted by some Irish friends of ours. He talked and talked, and put some broth from an Irish stew in a bowl with a few other things but only had the broth. Also I had surgery on Oct. 22 (2010) and had thanksgiving dinner with (some) people who DID NOT KNOW I had surgery and no one said boo. My plate looked fairly normal and I did not eat it all. What I have found is that MOST people are waaaaaaay more interested in THEIR OWN plate of food and don't really notice much about what's on YOUR plate of food. The best thing about going to parties post-sleeve is that finally the party isn't ALL about the food.

I think you need to get back into your surgeon, even though I understand the frustration, your surgeon's job is to help you. Are you seeing a counselor or a nutritionist? How about attending a support group? You can out-eat any type of WLS, so that is where you have to put in the hard work. Measure your food, track your intake, and work on sorting out head hunger vs. true hunger. I had lots of stalls along the way but I had to stick to my routine. I would tell myself I didn't have this surgery to just throw in the towel when things get tough. I think you can turn this around right now if you are willing...

Yep, truly the best thing I have ever done for myself health-wise! That is cute that she called you a "dare devil"...my girls were 8 and 10 when I was sleeved in 2010. Now they are almost 11 and 12 and the other day my youngest called me the "Protein monster" haha.(guess maybe I harp on the protein a bit much...) I like "dare devil" better.

I think just like when you lost weight, it took time to "adjust" the way you see yourself, the same is true for post-plastics. I think it's going to take time but eventually you will know what works and what doesn't. Life without extra skin....aaah! So HAPPY for you!

Mary, you might enjoy reading this: http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Overeating-Insatiable-American/dp/B004NSVE32/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367592678&sr=8-1&keywords=david+kessler It sounds like a similar book to what you described. It's eye-opening that is for sure!

My surgeon says yes. His rule was NO SHAKES AFTER 6 WEEKS post-op. But truthfully I never understood that. I have lots of theories and no concrete answers. A couple of theories include that drinking any calorie liquid is bad because it does not combat hunger (i.e. leaving you hungry because it was "liquid"...and my surgeon has rules about what to drink also, nothing with more than 15 calories per serving...I drink Water and plain unsweet tea occassionally...of yeah and coffee.) I think a lot of my surgeon's rules were modified from what they knew about the RNY. So with that in mind another thing I think that my surgeon doesn't want is people avoiding food because it hurts to eat. (i.e. liquid diet covering up for pain from stricture, ulcer, etc.) I have asked my NUT specifically about this rule and she still stands by the rule, except when it IS more convenient to have a shake vs. having to raid a vending machine, etc. Fiddle if what you are doing is working for you then I think keep doing it.

Great pictures! Congrats on your loss!

Oh I should mention that my sleeved hubby (2 years post-op) has almost NEVER tracked his calories or food, with exceptions being right after surgery and the times when I give him grief about not doing so. He has maintained his 65-70lb loss within a +/-5lb range since he was 9 months post-op. Ugh, men!

OMG I struggle with this quite a lot. The anger. HOW in the heck can I eat 1,200 OR less and only maintain my weight. I do not understand the science of the metabolically altered body after surgery and sometimes it just ticks me off. But then the little angel on my shoulder says "this is what you signed up for, deal with it, and deal with it gracefully." And then when I put 3.5 oz of chicken on my plate and FEEL FULL I'm eternally grateful. lol Such a push and pull. Just wanted to say that I struggle with this too.

I'm a tracker. When I'm NOT tracking, I'm eating MORE. So if I want to get the weight off I have to track. Occassionally I will do a test to see how good I am at guessing HOW much food I'm eating. I will put something in a bowl (like yogurt or meat) and then guesstimate how much is in there. Then I will weigh it and I'm usually amazingly close. So I know someday I won't have to track because of literally years of measuring has given me a good foundation. But for now, I track.

Is anyone on caloriecount.about.com? That is where I log. I tried MFP but I already had a few years of logging with cc and I like the way you can add the amount of food better. With few exceptions you can add ANY food by serving size, cups, oz, grams, tbsp. or even numbers (like 10 pretzel sticks, etc.) so I quit MFP and just keep going with cc.

Sorry GT, that sucks. My husband and I both go to exercise class roughly 3x a week and it's ALWAYS full of women with about 2-3 men total. lol. Now if you go downstairs to the "weights" area it's like 100% men. I had a really bad eating day this week (about 1,700 calories) but thankfully I did burn an extra 350 cals on the treadmill at home. Ugh! I just never intentionally eat back my cals. I'm always trying to keep them low.

Great job...love the tankini!

So interesting, thank you for posting. As I read this I kind of felt bad for the people BEING observed but that is probably the only way to get an accurate picture of what is going on and habits, because when you TELL someone you are watching them, they immediately try to do better. As for buffets I think I've only been to about 3 in the last 2.5 years they are just a waste of money IMO.

As I read your posts, I just have to say that I think while you are typing you are figuring this all out. The fact that you focused on shedding the weight as something you can claim control over, well that is a huge lightbulb moment. You already know that the weight won't disappear overnight and you are on the right track with knowing what you are eating. You will eventually get back to that place where you can visualize your plate and know if it is right or wrong without having to break out the scale, but until then, use the scale, and do what feels right for right now. Coops is right, cut yourself some slack. And enjoy that sweet baby.

"Chuffed to beans" OMG, I'm sitting here with the biggest smile on my face. I love you and your Brit-Speak. I'm going to have to try and remember that one. I'm soooooooo happy for you Coops. This journey has been a long one and when you are almost 3 years post-op it's hard to find a big NSV, and ta da, you DID IT! Love this and am so excited for you. The worst is over, bring on the BEST!

GT - I share the same frustration over gaining any amount of weight back, and I have nothing to blame except myself. I'm sorry you had such an awful year and when things like what you have had to deal with crop up, there definitely is the tendancy to "chuck" the rules out the window and go into survival mode. I think what you said about acting as if you were still obese, that is interesting. I wonder how many of us do that, and for how long? I struggling with a 15-19lb regain, and I've lost about -9lbs of my regain, but again have stalled. Somedays it feels like a constant guessing game, because the normal "try more water" I already drink a ton, "reduce carbs" I do between 30-100 on any given day, etc., just doesn't always work the further out you get. We are here for you, and I too have come to the realization that this is going to be a daily battle, and I will never be "done" and that I will never be THAT person that can just "eat whatever I want"... As for the amount left you have to lose. Even though 125 may be "ideal" you need to find out what works for YOU. I've already decided that I'm not going to have the "ideal" weight. My final goal will be about 30lbs heavier than "ideal" and I am perfectly ok with that. So I'm not telling you want you should weigh, but I'm telling you to figure out where your happy place is and go for that. Oh one last thing...congrats on rededicating yourself...I'm right there with you...not always an easy battle!