CowgirlJane

I gained 10# due to all the IV fluids. I then went on to lose 150# from my starting weight. You are losing fine and will get to your goal. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

My experience was not that great on Match for the same reason OKCPirate mentioned - women out number men. I should also mention it was my very first foray into "dating" and I really didn't know very well how to filter, etc.

So painful. I did not have an affair so I can't exactly relate, but I think I relate to that feeling of an empty spot in your heart that you try to fill. In my past I have tried to fill it with food, even alcohol but those were short term fixes. I wonder if the tendency toward "flirting" is something similiar - trying to fill a painful, empty spot in your own heart. I am not a huge counseling advocate, but it seems to me that examining yourself right now, perhaps with a counselor can be super beneficial. I lost 150# and I call 2013 as my crazy year because I was so disoriented. If I was prone to using flirting/temptations/men to fill that emotional void - it would have been bad. It might be helpful to tackle this stuff BEFORE you lose weight because WLS, rapid weight loss, becoming thin is a head trip for some of us ... and you may go through some tough, and emotional times. So, I had a past relationship that I had just a hard time letting go of. It wasn't even the relationship, it was the IDEA of the relationship that was painful. So, there was a phrase that I found hurtful "move on let go" and I made it my password on something I logged onto daily. It stabbed me in the heart everytime I typed it, but in about 1-2 months it stopped doing that. I changed the password, and I no longer felt that wanting. If I were you, I would remove yourself (or him or whatever) from any contact, any social media, delete his number. There is no reason you should even know who he is dating... Good luck in working this out. I am single after being in 2 long term relationships basically my whole adult life... and although there are things about singledom I love; having a loving supportive husband is a lot better.

To the best of my knowledge I do not have a history of "calling out" people in an unkind way. It is also clear to me that people new to the process TEND to be a bit more vulnerable (frightened, unsure etc) and I try to keep that in mind when interpting posts. I actually don't even know why these posts keep getting started, telling all us vets to behave so I guess my points are not relevant.

My local costco only carries chocolate strawberry and vanilla Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

And it's possible that some of us "Old experienced people" need support too. My personal experience is that maintenance became more difficult at 3 plus years post op. It's hard to imagine (well it was for me anyway!) that I would be so hungry and need to eat so little years down the road. Anecdotally, I have seen many come back after regain, and there are some who use this support as a way to stay focused even as time goes on.... That is what I try to do. Of course, not everyone was high BMI and spent many years overweight or obese like I did so I wouldn't presume that everyone seeks support long term. This. IMO a lot of the "old, experienced ones" don't leave because this is such an awful place for them but because they don't feel the need to be here. Just guessing of course, but almost everything feels just old in the end and this includes hanging around online boards.

@@Crochet Queen I am so sorry ! Just reading your story gave me a feeling of trauma! I hope you are able to move on and enjoy the success of weight loss. What a nightmare scenario, thinking you are getting a safer procedure only to realize that may not be true. I have never even heard of this - I am curious why this is even called sleeve? I don't know thelesson to be learned, since we trust the experts, but I feel strongly about finding surgeons with proven track records of both safety and results and then following their program.

It has been warm, so I ahve been grilling lately, but cant wait to try the instant pot! Thanks for the tips... I am pissed at the latest slam on vets. Getting sick of this.

So... the report back???

I agree there is never a reason to be hurtful, but this post goes way beyond that. So now it is clarified that veterans are allowed to request input from other vets on the veterans forum, that is good. Does it mean that non veterans can or cannot "discriminate" and request input from people of a specific category such as the classic " I want to hear from people who are 5 or more years post op"? The underlying premise to this post, and the one that was made a couple of months ago is that the veteran community are the meanies and therefore need specific additional rules. I just don't see this in practice. I do realize that people new to the process are often emotionally more vulnerable (frightened, insecure etc) and I try to always remember that, but I completely reject the concept that the successful experienced WLS are the problem on this forum. When I first joined, I looked around for a handful of people who were similar age, similar amount of starting overweight , also female who had met their goals and were maintaining....and I listened to them! I wanted success not to be patted on the head. It worked, I am still half my former size years later and those ladies I "followed" helped me believe in myself. I realize veterans don't tend to buy stuff at the store, but, perhaps there is some value to our participation here. Many of the experienced and successful longer term WLS peeps have left, and this sort of general statement implying we are anti-support is one of the many reasons for that. It gets old.

Thanks for the heads up. Warning, the vanilla and strawberry flavors do not keep well. They curdle very quickly - but I stock up on the chocolate!

Clarifying question - a person such as myself who are many years post op, maintaining but have my struggles am no longer permitted to ask for support from people who might have similar experiences and information to share? Does this mean the veterans forum is now contrary to the rules? Isn't just having that forum "discriminating" based on the examples laid out in your post? It's your forum, you can make your own rules but I really cannot fathom how making a request for support/info/feedback from a person who has gone through your same experience can be construed as rude or discriminatory to people who are earlier in the process. Please, educate me because I never intend to hurt a person's feelings. The thought going through my mind is you simply don't want longer term WLS patients posting here anymore, but I am trying to give the benefit of the doubt.

I am in Seattle area, 52, nearly 5 years post sleeve and nearly 15 years from when I got the lapband. I would like to understand more clearly the purpose of the study, but I would likely be willing to participate.

Salmon. This time of year, fresh wild caught is delish. All year around the frozen fillets are great. The salmon patties (also frozen) are a staple. They have a really low calories high Protein chicken patty in fridge section. They have turkey sausages that are delish and healthy. If you do a search for costco on BP, you will find threads where many people have shared whole shopping lists.

What a great resource this group is! I am looking forward to trying it!

I am in WA state, not pot shortages here....but I was talking about the new fangled pressure cooker. I used to cook with one ages ago....I think results are tastier than crock pot. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using the BariatricPal App

Sleeved Dec 11 2011 and in most ways I strongly identify as a WLS patient. Many people in my life either aren't aware or it was so long ago it isn't really important to them, but I feel different. Again, I felt "different" as a high BMI woman too, this is just a different kind of different.

Well, it was my experience that things got really real after about 3 years. I suppose there are lots of reasons, but it is harder, I am hungrier, I am tired of mindfulness/diligence. All I know to do is keep at it. People who are within the first year or two sometimes struggle as well, but MOST of them find it relatively easy once they get over how little they need to eat. Since most don't WANT to eat that much it is pretty good deal. Anyway, I understand your weariness but I would turn it around - the problem isn't all the posts from people who are preop or recent WLS patients, the problem is the lack of participation from long timers. Honestly, there are plenty of long timers around here, it is just... what else is there to say? sigh. Having said that - I am still normal sized, still happy as hell with my weight loss and maintenance, just wish it were easier. - much like I wish life were easier.

I don't have anything new to add, except to say I can relate. I was banded in 2001 at about 272 pounds. I lost 30# in the first month, another 40 by dieting over the next 11 months, never got under 200# at 5'5".... and then I couldnt take the reflux so had to get unfilled and gained gained. I revised to sleeve in 2011 when I weighed 308#. I lost pretty well with the sleeve; hit goal of losing 150# in 14 months. Now, nearly 5 years post sleeve, I have a good appetite, it is easy for me to graze and drink too many calories. Sadly, it's real life. I need to eat less than many people around me. I don't feel like my sleeve is broken, doesn't work, what i feel like is I am living the battle that many many many middle aged women are fighting. I don't have scientific proof, but I genuinely believe that even though I am no longer fat, I still have the disease of obesity and that weight ALWAYS wants to come back, so maybe my struggle is worse than a typical middle aged woman. I am very active, and I agree with everyone that 90% is the consumption, exercise helps in many ways, but I can't lose weight through exercise alone. My hunger is best controlled by going low carb. Intermittant fasting such as 5:2 (google it, or search these forums as it has been discussed many times). right now, I am having too much summer fun and need to lose about 15# to get back down to my "hot" weight and am making zero progress toward it, but i know it is because the consumption...

It was my experience that I lost weight really fast the first 3 months. I started much heavier than you, but to give you a rough idea - I had lost nearly 100# in 6 months. It took me an additional 8 months to lose the last 50! I am one of those that advocates strict adherence to the "plan" during the honeymoon period (usually first 6-18 months post op), get to goal, and then adjust as needed for maintaining. If you are committed and focused, you have a good chance of hitting (exceeding) that goal. I would like to share a thought though... time boxing weight loss is part of my old bad ways of thinking. I don't time box it anymore, I view it more like I view fitness - an ongoing work in process. I hit goal in Feb 2013 and since then swing under goal, swing back a few over, relose it etc. I think that is my new normal and I just try to keep those swings in the realm of reason.

Hi everyone! I was in a training class all last week, busy busy busy. Things are going good, but I haven't been losing weight.

I admire the frankness. It is pretty disappointing to get this news 2-3 months into things....

@@UK Cathy good idea. I will do some tomorrow.

I am with @@AvaFern I went through a period of time when I treated food like medicine. I met Protein goals, took Vitamins, lost weight. My appetitie returned soon enough!!!