BABEwiththePOWER

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response! A lot of those ideas will work. I've been thinking about the 5:2 diet, and doing some sort of "reset" for a while now. My slider foods are really anything light and crunchy in the carb world, which sucks. I need to cut that out. I work out all the time like crazy, so I think my body is craving the carbs to burn, but I'd rather trick it into thinking it's getting carbs, when it's not. I found some carb-free chips and bread recipes I'm going to try. My big problem is the mental challenge. I want to NOT feel like I'm on a diet and CANT have certain things. I'd rather not be hungry. I know that may sound like an obvious thing, but really, in the first 6-9mos after surgery, I was NEVER hungry. But, the more I worked out, the less that was true. I wish I just had less of an appetite.

Thanks Gamergirl. I wanted to do that, but I don't have enough posts to get access to that forum. Lame rule in my opinion. It shouldn't be about number of posts, but about how far out post-op you are. I only have like 20-something posts, and it says you need 100+. Guess I won't be getting access to that forum for a while =(

Thanks for the great ideas. I often forget about simple Snacks like pb on celery. I just found some great baked edamame recipes on pinterest too. On a similar note, has anyone tried supplements like green coffee bean extract, or garcinia camogia?

I'm about 18 months post op, and loving my new life of health and smaller clothes for SURE. I got down to 180, from a max weight of 288, so 108lbs lost. That's been great, but now, the scale says 194. Yikes. I have been working out like crazy, finished a sprint triathlon and a few mud runs. I was getting SO hungry when I was working out, and I went ahead and ate whatever I wanted to, because it didn't seem to matter. That mostly resulted in afternoon carb loading (goldfish crackers, wheat thins, chips) when the kiddos were napping, and late night sweets. Well, I had an injury from training so hard, and couldn't work out for about 2 months. I kept eating the same way, and now I can see the weight that came back. I was almost into a size 8 pants, but now, my 10's are plenty snug. I started working out again, and that feels great. But, my hunger is out of control. I can't seem to stop eating during the hours of 2-6pm, and 9-11pm. BAD. I need something to suppress this hunger, especially since it keeps getting worse the more I work out. Any suggestions? I crave carbs and am hungry WAY more than I'd like to be. I'm also going to begin interviewing plastic surgeons for a tummy/breast/arm/thigh workover, and I'd like to be in the best shape with the least amount of excess fat when I do that. Does anyone have any suggestions? HELP!!! thanks =)

Hey April buddies! Just wanted to post my 9month pics. These are a good side-by-side comparison from day of surgery until now. It's been really helpful to see the progress this way. I've been in a stall for the last 6 weeks or so, but I'm still losing inches, so that's good. I'm training for a sprint triathlon on April 27th (1 year and 1 week from surgery date), so I've been working out a lot. It's a little frustrating that the cellulite is still so prevalent, but hopefully that will go away soon. There's also a lot of loose skin to work around, but hey, better than the fat it once covered, right? Is anyone else training for an athletic event? I'm having trouble keeping the carbs to a minimum when I'm working out so much. I'd love some sports nutrition ideas if anyone knows of any. Thanks! Hope everyone is well!!

I never thought I'd be posting these photos, but here I am! These past 6 months have been amazing. I'm down 76lbs since my surgery day, and 83lbs total. Ive gone from a size 22 to a size 12... and I'm still going strong! The only hard thing at this point, is that I'm working out so much, and weight lifting, etc. that the numbers on the scale dont move as fast as I'd like. For instance, I've only lost 4 lbs in the last 3 weeks. But, my clothes are fitting better, and I can see a change with my eyes, just not as much on the scale. I met with my dr on Friday for my 6 month post-op follow-up, and he told me to pull back on the carbs... I admit, I've been eating more breads, etc since increasing my workouts. But, I'll try and do my best to keep that under control. I'm trying not to enter into the "diet mentality" with this process, so I'm just eating in moderation and making good choices when I can. I'm not getting down on myself if I have something sweet or starchy, I just get up and MOVE. I have so much more energy since I started working out again, and I love it. It's ok with me if I lose lbs slowly, so long as my clothes are getting smaller and I am gaining energy and HAPPINESS! Hope everyone is well, just wanted to give an update

Ok April buddies... here are my 6 month before and afters! Holy moly, I never thought I'd be posting these! It's a little strange though, psychologically speaking, to look at these pictures. On the one hand, I feel like I look totally different, but on the other hand, I don't see much of a change. I know, I'm crazy, but seriously, the emotional/psychological side to this whole experience is really intense! Hope everyone is doing well!

Thanks for the tip! I can't imagine I'm not eating enough, because I feel like I am snacking, etc, but maybe. I'll track it tomorrow and see. I'm also doing a lot of weight lifting, etc, so maybe that's part of it? I really shouldn't be complaining though... even though the scale doesn't move often, I went from being a size 22, and can now fit in a 12! I guess that means I'm losing inches if nothing else... still, the quantifiable numbers on the scale are what keeps me motivated above all else.

Haven't been on the boards in a while, and thought I'd check in with my fellow April sleevers! I was sleeved on 4/19, at 281 lbs, and I'm fluctuating in weight between 216 and 212. It's so hard right now because I'm doing bootcamp and pilates and in better shape than I've been in since high school... but I can't seem to get the weight down in a consistent way. I feel like it's lose 2 gain 3 lose 4, and on and on. Admittedly, I'm not counting calories, but I'm certainly not eating much at all. I do get more hungry and tend to snack more when I'm working out, but the weight should still come off, right?!? I mean, I maintained my previous "big girl" weight without working out, and eating WAY more food, so why am I not losing more now? I'm nervous to see my doctor for my 6 month check up. I'm only down 11lbs since I saw him last, and his goal for my next appt was to be down another 40. There's no way I'll get there in 3 weeks for my appt. I suppose I could go back to all liquids, or no carbs, etc, but I really don't want that diet mentality to resurface. Nothing good came of it. I'm just trying to live a more moderate lifestyle. I'm ok if the weight comes off slower, but I feel like this is getting pretty ridiculous. Anyone else feel like that?

Just googled the "no XL anti-depressants with VSG" and found this info on Obesityhelp.com. Makes sense that the effectiveness is less when a portion of the intestine are bypassed with Rouen-Y and DS, but it doesn't seem to include the sleeve, because we still have our entire intestine intact. Reduced Medication Effectiveness The shorter intestinal length after gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery can make extended-release drug preparations less effective. Some extended-release drugs include antidepressants (Wellbutrin XL), anxiolytics and sleep medications (Xanax XR), and anti-hypertensives (Toprol XL, Verapamil XL). Because these formulations are intended to be absorbed over 2-12 hours, the pills may pass through the gastrointestinal tract before absorption is complete.

Hmmm. I've cleared my meds with the Doc, and the NUT, so that's weird... I am coming up on my 3 month check-up, so I'll be sure to bring it all up with my Doc. Maybe I need a new Rx... although, the original Rx was not prescribed by a psych, it was my OB who started me on it during my last pregnancy, and I thought it best to stay on it through surgery, since I knew there would be serious emotional aftermath. I probably need to see a real psych (not just my therapist, not an MD) for an Rx evaluation... maybe my surgeon can give me a reco. Any more info on the "no XL antidepressants" from your doc?

Thanks for the great advice! I'll definitely be aware of the carbs and where they come from, and I'll work out a plan to have scheduled "me" time daily. My husband is amazing, he's super supportive, he's just also super busy with work, and his schedule isn't always consistent. But, if I can get my a#@ up early, maybe I can start doing yoga or the gym in the beginning of the day. I know I just need to shut up and do it. And I know I'll feel better when I do. I'm sure the endorphins will also help counteract the hormone issue

Exercise is DEFINITELY an issue. Between both my kids naps and class schedules, shuttling around, and having to be home at certain times, going to the gym during the day is super hard. Plus, walking outside with them in the double stroller is even worse when the temp is above 95 every day. The only time I can go is at night, but that's when I want to crash. It's a vicious cycle. And I'm making excuses. I have to find a way, because when I DO go, I feel amazing. As for carb consumption, I'm only getting some carbs from fruit. I don't eat much in the way of bread or starches, as it's too filling. But, I'll keep an eye on that, if it's an energy-suck.