reallyrosy

Determination is a big part of th 'game'. Rootin' for ya

Oy...I dread being able to eat more...losing the restriction will make me scavenge again. Please, no!

"Her lack of character and ability is almost completely disregarded in the light of her beauty. On the other hand, men are judged more on their abilities. Conversations about men rarely include their attractiveness or lack thereof but more about their strength, or sense of humor, or intelligence. " I dunno, Cleo, I'm an equal opportunity grunt. If a guy looks grungy or a gal does, I am quick to criticize either...but my friends don't usually talk @ people...we keep that to ourselves. I haven't participated or been invited to comment on a person's appearance except a cute baby or a person with a remarkable dog. I guess the undercurrent is running deep tho and others are thinking the same pejorative thoughts even tho they aren't brnging them to the surface. I agree that our actions towards another is mediated by looks first and character second. Probably why charles manson and other serial killers were successful: people think appearance reflects character. And yet...how often am I surprised to find my initial assessment of someone overridden when learning of their character....not too often! So maybe something to be said FOR these seemingly shallow assessments.

The choclateb(70% cocoa) and lower fat cheese are o.k. kill the carbs. And write off all simple carbs. They're the enemy.

I have gone back to NSAIDS as long as I take the nexium. Suspect you'll be able to do so as well. I didn't need it til 6 weeks post surgery tho.

Who said "no restrictions on carbs"? You mean u eat bread and spaghetti and foods with sugar? I'm 6 mos out and haven't touched a complex or simple carb yet. That seems to be the most consistent advice...

I haven't had a chip, cookie, piece of bread, Cereal or any simple carb in 6 months and cannot imagine having one. I have had blueberries and blackberries and consider that cheating. I can't eat more than 1/4 cup of them. I further have a very difficult time thinking that I ever will eat those simple carbs again and worry that I will miss the nutrients from fruits which have huge health benefits. When I eat out, I can eat a lot. I do find myself not feeling "gotta go back for a refil" or like I have to compete with other diners. I don't find it frustrating but I do find myself twisting straws and paper napkins and having a cup of coffee v e r y s l o w l y while the others are still on a main dish. I think we need to come up with something clever to keep us amused and unobtrussive while others dine. Kind of like an etch a sketch but something socially acceptable and not objectionable like a cell phone game. Knitting????

Sigh ...its a passive/aggressive thing with me: a need to be hidden and a desire to be recognized. Can't explain more articulately than that. It was subtle, too, in that the weight crept back on even as I pleaded with myself "don't do that." And it wasn't so much the people at the gym who threw me off but people who got copies of it outside the environment who mentioned it to me or even showed it to me. I threw it out. Didn't want it in the house. I'm working at the same gym now with a personal trnr 3x week. I do not trust myself even with the sleeve and a 90.2# loss in 6 months.

I had a problem with a gym publishing an article @ me when I lost 128# several years ago (waaaay before being sleeved). I thought id be ok with it but the attention brought out the worst in me. I didn't gain it all back, but enuf to bring me to the point of being sleeved 6 mos ago. Think it thru before you agree. Make sure you can take the attention...

Recumbent bike

Ok I'm quoting myself but just to give a reference point. Want to say in f/up 1. I survived. 2. I'm not grabing atavan for survival any more. 3. I'm going for my 6 mo check and am @ 80# down. Its a little easier now because I still have to lose over 100# more and I can stil see the old fat lady. I'm so fat that I really didn't need to worry @ losing the 50. And I'm adding this because someone liked my original post so if you're still reaading, I guess to say it does get a wee bit easier...the 30 more since feb is not that big a deal. Not sure if I'm expressing this right....

Probiotic helps and eat some prunes with your coffee.

LOL! Thanks, Emily. You -do- understand!

That makes sense. Thanks for sharing!

I think maybe I'm not expressing myself clearly. The emotional component involved in effecting a "lifestyle change" is so overwhelming (to me) that it makes me tell people not to have any sort of wls. One cannot predict if one will be able to make those emotional adjustments that make weight loss a life time achievment and maintaining it possible. The point is, if you don't understand or if u don't feel able to deal with the whole emotional component or you don't know if you can do that, then don't do the surgery. Surgery don't work unless you can accomplish the other. Ok forget it. I guess I'm the only nut in the group. Shrug.

When people ask me if they should have wls, I give a flat NO! I don't think the surgery can be adequately described. There are too many unknown consequences and the big decision should hinge on your mental health: how resilient are you? If u lose weight, will you have the courage to behave like a thinner person? If you can't imagine that, then don't do the surgery. Its not the answer. It is a very expensive, life altering, weight loss tool. What do u think Sent from my SGH-T839 using VST

I don't have enemy amunition in the house but I will over indulge in chicken, meat, cheese, fish, etc. I am nearly 6 mos out and 75 down but I have stalls lasting 3 to 4 weeks and then lose 2 lbs. Growl. I could eat less, I suppose, but I haven't mastered the emotional eating hunger cr@p yet. I give up on ever conquering that beast. Sent from my SGH-T839 using VST

Changes aren't happening fast enuf for me. No. I wouldn't do it again. (12/5 surgery date)

And I'm nearly 6 months out and STILL on "no liquids with calories...including Soup and fruit and tomato juice" am down @ 75#. I hate the dietary restrictions and the fact that no one from the surgeon's office is explaining how one changes from following this draconian diet after one can no longer be fat/sugar and carb "free" Ech.

The first doc office I visited also sold this stuff and as a matter of principle, I refused to buy it. I didn't care for the commercialism in a doc office. I don't use the powders that much anyway ...so whatever I can get from whole foods is great. Don't want to be annoyed with searching and online ordering etc.

Plus, u realize that many of the resultant zero calorie products from these artificially sweetened potions are carb heavy in comparison? No, 6 carbs won't break you but....you gotta wonder what these docs are peddling here when they actualy recommend crystal light. I've spent this past week on plain Water and find myself upping my coffee intake to avoid drinking flavorless h2o. Are we spoiled? I dunno. All I do know is they say "you can eat anything with the sleeve" except......and that's what they say after the fact...the except part is left out of the preop discussion. Prize grump ariseth here again. I'm #68 down and 5 months out. I'll admit to getting some pleasure from being a smaller person. But don't let's get carried away....

I'll vote for plant based rather than chemical based sweetener as "better for you".

You're right to worry @ what you state but the chances of those happening are small enough to "go with it." If you want something to worry @ big time, its the need for lifestyle change that remains after the surgery. I dunno who/what you are but if you're older and experienced with losing wt, you'll KNOW in your heart that the mind is what controls our habits and that isnext to impossible to accomplish. You will be fighting with yourself the rest of your life. It'll be just a trifle easier. I am 66. I had my surgery 12/5 and have lost @65#. The decision is mostly a choice between 'devils'...a lot like voting for president! Good luck whatever you do.

I wonder if this is why those whey protein supplements disagree with so many of us. ???do the products list these metals anywhere? I've been using organic drinks...wonder if that makes a difference

The calories don't count and not all flavors have the same amt of carbs. The 0 cal SoBe has carbs varying from 3 to 6 grams pr serving. We drink several bottles a day. The carbs do become an issue, imho.