wishes

You look awesome, lady. You are someone I really admire on this forum. I am so glad to see you doing so well.

I am also 7 months out and recently I did a reevaluation of what I was eating looking back at myfitnesspal reports. I was wondering why I was retaining so much Water and why I was feeling so crappy. You know what I was doing? At least twice a week I was overeating my calories and carbs. I was skipping my Vitamins more days than not. About 5 days ago, I reaffirmed that I was to get the last 35 lbs off and get back to a healthy lifestyle. I definitely recommend food logging if you haven't started already. You have to know what you are putting in your body before you can make changes, and it is especially important after surgery to know what nutrients your getting. But don't forget you have already lost 92 lbs!!! That is amazing. Look how far you have come! I know we can get the rest of the weight off and hit goal. I know it gets harder the further out we are, but no one said you stop losing weight after the first year. This is a change for life. To be healthier and happier. We can do this!

Heck yeah, I have never weighed 120 lbs except when I was about 7 or 8. I will get there though. I am only 35 lbs now, and 7 months out from surgery. I totally think I can lose that before my 1 year.

SW: 157.6 CW: 155.0 GW: 140 Lost 2.6 lbs this last week. Yay! 15 lbs to go, gotta keep pushing. I am back to keeping my Protein high and carbs low. Love when my body drops the Water weight from high carb weeks. Feeling good. Just need to start exercising again.

That's awesome. Congrats on a great year. Hope you get to onederland soon!

That's awesome. You are truly an inspiration. You're making me feel guilty though, lol. I know I should definitely go in and get my labs done. I want to make sure everything is good.

AAAAaaaHhhh! So glad to see this post. You look amazing. I am so happy for you, lady. Congrats on the your 1 year!

Well, I've been challenging myself since about a week ago. I met my Easter goal early. I know this is a stretch, but I want to lose 17 lbs in 7 weeks. Normal or bust! SW: 159 CW: 157 GW: 140 We can totally do this. I am starting the C25k again this week, hoping the cardio will help ramp up my weight loss.

Exactly, it isn't losing the weight... it is keeping it off. Congrats on your sleeves! I am really glad to have this forum to share my worries with. Sometimes, self-doubt can be a mean beast. Thank you.

Oh yeah, I definitely had dizzy spells. Low calories and a lot less fluids than my system was used to? My body was not happy with me. I never go without a water bottle now. It does get better. I just had to make sure I was drinking my shakes closer together, and never, ever taking a multi without food. That caused the worst dizziness ever.

How are things going with the sleeve? Things are great now. Some days I don't even think about my smaller portions. I just made sloppy joes two nights ago, portioned out my 2.5 oz and topped with a serving of mexican blend cheese. The day before that? I made crockpot honey garlic chicken. I ate one thigh. It really isn't anything special. I just make my boyfriend's plate right along side mine, but I get the cuter plate, lol. It is just a way of life now making sure I get enough Protein and keep my carbs down. I use myfitnesspal religiously to make sure I am getting the nutrients I need. How long ago were u sleeved? I was sleeved 7 months ago. Has the adjustment gone well? Yeah, I was doing low carb six months prior to being sleeved. Soon as you get past the Fluid and mushy stages, I really think life perks up. Before that though, you gotta remember you are healing and relearning to eat with a totally new stomach. And sometimes there are hiccups, I didn't get any protein in my first two weeks. I had a really hard time with anything not a vitaminwater, but it gets better. Don't rush the stages, sometimes you have to linger a little. How has adjusting to so little food been? It was a mind trip at first. I really liked my big portions. Before VSG, I could eat an entire hot-and-ready pizza by myself in about 15 minutes. Now? I eat about 3/4 of a slice. I just tear off the crust. You get used to it. You sigh, you cry, you have a little fit where your SO laughs at you, and you move on. This is life. Side note, I really hate leftovers now though. I didn't before surgery, but post-op I really can't stand dried out chicken or even one of my favorite foods ever, pulled pork. I loathe eating reheated stuff. My boyfriend laughs and says, I got picky post-op. It is okay though. I just make a smaller meal that night and remake it in a couple of days so the meal is hot and fresh. Have you engaged socially yet? Haha, yes, and that is where I go a little carb happy. I may not be able to eat like I used to, but I sure can still get down my fluids. I am really only limited by how much I feel like. I can drink 2 large unsweet iced teas from McDonald's in about an hour if I tried, and 3 or 4 of my low carb daiquiris like it is nobody's business. I have no problems getting down fluids. I like to keep a decaffeinated beverage in my hand now because I almost passed out on campus once when I forgot a Water bottle all day. I definitely learned that lesson well. When I go out with my friends, I order things without bread, and I just don't eat Pasta. At Chipotle? I get my burrito bowl without rice and Beans, lots of veggies, double meat, and pile on that cheese and sour cream please! I eat about a third of the meat, cover it and bring it home. Okay, I will always eat Chipotle leftovers. I lied, lol. If I go to Buffalo Wild Wings or an Ale House? I get wings. If I go to my favorite Mediterranean place? I get the fried jibneh or kabobs. Indian? Paneer or Tandoori chicken. Vietnamese? Pho with extra beef. If I go for BBQ, I always get my ribs and just refrain from smothering everything in the sauce. I get the things I want, try to stay on plan, and just try to keep my protein up and be happy. I can eat whatever I want, but I feel better when I am not eating bready things. They just don't sit well for me. I get really uncomfortable. At parties, I take a beer and chat. Carbonation doesn't bother me too much anymore. Have you had a glass of vino yet? Err... lol, I guess I got ahead of this one. I will have to say yes. I have had wine, beer, vodka, tequila, bourbon, rum... Can I use my college student excuse? I admit I like going to parties and the club. What can I say? Just talk to your surgeon about when it is right for you, and definitely wait until your stomach is healed. Did your body respond differently than previously? At first, yes. I definitely could get tipsy off of a few sips of Riesling. Now? Tequila shot, you say? Don't mind if I do. Alcohol hit me hard and fast at first and it tapered off just as quickly. Eventually, you will definitely be able to hit the tapas and restaurants with your hubby again, but it might take two or three months. Again, talk to your surgeon about his or her recommendations. Don't worry, life goes back to normal. Just follow your plan though for the most part and the weight will come off. How will I stay engaged at social or family events that ,as always, revolve around cooking, eating and appreciating copious amounts of food? Well, for me, I just do what I normally do, chat up a storm. I carry my unsweet iced tea (blashphemy in the south, I know), grab a deviled egg, and play with my cousins. Same old, same old. I am just not carrying a huge plate anymore. When I have friends over for a meal, everyone knows I eat low carb, so I just grab a little meat and a couple of veggies and do the same song and dance. I eat slower. I enjoy my company more. If I go out, I like not having to worry about eating an appetizer, entree, and dessert all by myself. I enjoy a little of everything in moderation and take the rest home along with my shrinking waist line. Hope I answered all your questions and didn't come off as an alcoholic, lol. I really don't drink that often. VSG is just life now, and I really am happy with my decision. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

I am having a day of self-doubt, and I am really hoping Carnie will do well with the band. I am actually a little fearful for her since I have not read good things about the band for the long term and weight loss in general. It is so hard to go through gain, lose, gain, lose cycle and have to admit defeat again when WLS was supposed to be the last stop.

You look like you are having so much fun! I definitely agree the VSG is a great decision. It amazing how much can change in a year. I really hope I have a post like this in the next few months.

That is what I was thinking also. I already have the VSG, can I beat the odds? It might just be I am feeling a down today, but regain statistics are at least helping me keep a logical positive note. The average weight loss for VSG is at least 60% of excess weight, and I will always be better off for that. With wiring the jaw shut, I think it is because as soon as you remove that contraption you start eating and putting the weight back on.

Protein, calories, carbs and maintaining an active lifestyle for the rest of my life? I don't want to fail.

Wow, you are really inspiring. I really hope I can have a post like this nearing my 1 year mark. Congrats! You look amazing.

I like the Premier Protein Chocolate Shakes from Sam's Club/Costco. They are about 1.33-1.57 per shake in my area and have 30g of protein, 5gr of carbs, and 16 0 calories. They taste really good to me, but my mom doesn't like them anymore. Protein shakes are really hit or miss sometimes. Individual preference comes to play a lot.

I had a mirena in before surgery and for the first 3 months post-op. The implanon uses the same hormones, and should be okay. But definitely check with your surgeon.

We all plateau for abit. I am in week 2 of my current one. I normally only lose the week before my period. You are not alone. I know sometimes it is hard to see past the disappointment, but the scale will move again.

I totally understand. I was staying with my mom for two weeks and on day 2 of no scale.... I broke down and bought her one.

You've always inspired me with your positive attitude and hard work. I am so happy for you. You are doing amazing things while looking fabulous! Congrats on doing that hike!

YOU LOOK AMAZING! I am so glad to see this post. You have been through so much and I remember when I first joined the forum looking for someone else going through that silly supervised diet. You were so supportive. I am so happy to see you doing so well. And lol, I know what you mean I have about 37 lbs to go and I want it to go all from my arms and legs.

Proud. I experience more days where I am just embarrassed, but every time I have an NSV I know that I am proud of my decision to make my life and health better one day at a time. I wouldn't appreciate what I have if I didn't see the rock bottom first.

That's soooooo great! I am so happy for you.

Woohoo! So glad to hear from you! You are doing awesome!