BrownDoesAll

I'm back!. I was sleeved in Nov 2011, so I will Celebrate two years being sleeved. I started my journey at 330 pounds. When I found out I was going to be a first time grandma, I knew I couldn't keep up with a two year old at 330 pounds. Having tried to lose weight for years to very little avail, I decided WLS was the way for me. Of course it was initially tough. The mandatory 6 months pre op, was tough cause I wanted to get started. Then the surgery was actually a breeze. The few months afterwards was really tough. Was so terribly weak for a while, thought I had made a mistake. However, once my body got used to the situation, I started losing and it was great. Eventually lost 75 pounds. Went from a size 24 pant (some times a 26) down to a size 18. Oh. I really thought I was cute!!. My hubby was really happy with me before and didn't want me to lose any more weight. I maintained at that size 255 for two years. Glad to have the tool that helped me eat smaller portions. Glad to have the control to follow the high Protein, low carb lifestyle for eating. During the past two years, I find that I can eat anything I want, I can sometimes eat larger portions (though still smaller than normal). During the past two years I've often had periods of tracking my food and not tracking my food. During the past two years I've not gained any weight (beyond the occasional 3 - 5 pound swing). During the past two years I've been very happy with myself, my weight lose and life in general. Now.. not sure why.. I want to move on down. I want to continue my general to a better goal. Most recently I've started the 5:2 method for eating. That is eating regular for 5 days and 2 days to decrease the calories. Theory is by reducing calories for two days will overall reduce your calorie intake and thereby cause weight loss. Theory for this life style is other science that I'm not clear on or actually sold on.. that giving your body a resting period from eating is supposed to be good for you. Let me say right up front.. THIS IS NOT FOR FIRST TIME WLS PATIENTS. you MUST MUST MUST MUST follow the directions for eating from your surgeon. You MUST MUST MUST MUST.. follow the advice from others in your same situation. A 2 year sleeve is much different from a new sleeve. My 2 year journey is mine and its different for everyone. Over the past two years I've been reading the posts and blogs from this forum and it has helped to keep me focused and on track. I use this forum to get good tips on staying motivated, good food tips, reciepes, protein advice etc. This is an awesome forum. At this point I want to begin posting and replying in the Vet forum, and to do that I must post at least 100 times. I consider myself a sleeve VET, because I've lived this life for 2 years, especially if you include the pre-op time. I'm looking forward to now actally joining the discussions instead of simply reading about them. Now that I want to use my tool to continue my journey its time to get back in the game.

salty crackers coulud be a trigger food, so be careful. Put the tuna on a slice of cucumber. Crackers get really liquidy when going down and may trigger you to eat more. they have carbs.. be careful

I gotta watch the carb count, but I eat sugar free puddings. I add unflavored Protein in sugar free pudding I make at home or simply eat the prepackaged ones from the store. I've also made sweet things from eggface.com. I've also made brownie recepie and put them in mini muffins.. with my family helping I only get a small protion and its fine.

I don't think the sleeve gives you discipline. Its a tool you use to help gain your own discipline. I find I still have to have will power to stay away from foods I KNOW I shouldn't eat, will power to limit the amount of carbs I take in, will power to limit snacking and when I do the discipline to make the right choices.
The sleeve is not a magic bullet. I find it does help me limit the amount of food I take in , and for that reason it works for me. I guess you must ask yourself.. why did all the other diets fail?

What you've done so far is amazing. We all fall short!! I too work in a place with mostly men and they love to bring in cakes, muffins and donuts. Luckily I can lock myself in my office and forget about it. I have not lost much yet so its easier for me to ignore that stuff cause I don't wanna derail. It must be harder to get back on track.
Take a day at a time. Decide today I'm going to stick to my eating plan. Plan for a treat and look forward to that planned treat. When you eat a planned treat you don't feel like a failure and its easier to stay on track when you feel in control.
Your human. stop beating yourself up. Hang in there!!

I was getting strange reactions to nothing to drink with meal. They would say " Really nothing " looking at me like I was crazy. They would ask me several times, as if I would change my mind. So I started asking for Water and I would simply push it aside. I've been ordering appetizers as my meal and that doesn't seem to be a problem. Most servers want to make you happy to improve their tip, so know they don't mean any harm.. I agree, no need to explain about your surgery.. Simple, "I'm full" will do. Asking for the box after you've ordered the big meal should stop the discussion with the servers.

Everyone's tummy is different and everyone will react to food in different ways.. The one thing I've found consistent is the reaction to too much sugar.
You may already know, but go to the Eggface website.. GREAT recipes and ideas for food

7 weeks out and down 42 pounds.. Your doing great

Great Job!! good to hear positive effects

I found Cream Soups the best during this time. they are hot,soothing and filling. Also if you can tolerate pudding with protien. I'm still in the puree phase and my tummy seems to be made of Iron. I can take it all.