Delta_35

Thanks for sharing you story. I definitely need to share mines...I also suffered with a severe stricture. I am glad everything is working out for you now, you look Amazing!!

Hello! I am five years post op and I have gained about 17lbs back. This is really due to not following the meal plan, and eating carbs. You can talk to your surgeon, but this is pretty normal if you don't maintain the eating habits you first started with. I highly recommend cutting carbs, sweets, and other addictive foods..as well as adding exercise. I am recently going back to the basics, and I can tell you, its not easy. My biggest issue is head hunger...which a lot of us will battle for the rest of our lives. I exercise nonstop, but its what I am eating that is hurting me. One thing is for sure, we all have the tool to be succesfful, you just have to go back to the habits that you learned at the very beginning to make it work in your favor. Good luck and hopefully I can motivate you to push past this to loose the pounds!

It goes through all of our minds..LOL. I have a very loose mouth myself, but lately I have really prayed on being more silent to dumbass people. They are ignorant, and me flipping out on them and ruining my day isn't going to change that at all!!! So now if someone said I took the easy route, I would just smile and shrug my shoulders. Why? Because usually this is the same person who wish they were in our shoes. I don't have time for ignorance..from friends or family. Think and do what you want.

I experienced something similar but I was only about a month out...and it was due to a stricture in the front tubing of my pouch. I ended up having to have another surgery to remove it, and have it "opened up" I am not sure if that's what you have, but you definitely need to contact your surgeon and let him have a look ASAP.

As you start to lose weight, you will get reactions that you are not expecting. Some good, some bad. One of my friends asked me did I did I think I looked better than her now. She said it in a way that she tried to make it look like a joke, but it wasn't..lol. Funny thing is, we are very good friends and she is actually in my upcoming wedding. You have to realize that people are going to be shocked sooner rather than later about your transformation, and some of your friends and family will expect you to act different. What people found out about me, that I was the same person I was from the start. I didn't think I was anything I wasn't before. I always been the "shit" and losing 100lbs didn't do anything to change that..LOL. Don't let people take your joy..as I have said before, people will be jealous and even some will be nervous about how you are changing. Its our job to remain humble, but proud of OUR hard work. That's right, people can say this is the easy way out, but its the hardest thing I have EVER done! Keep up the good work!!

It is very good, I enjoyed the caramel flavor. However, I do not recommend eating this within the first few months after surgery. Focus should be on settling into your new eating habits...a spoonful here or there is not going to hurt, but don't let it become a habit.

We all been there. I am 5 years post op and I am up 17lbs from my original weight after. However, I work out a lot and weight train, so it might be unrealistic to think that can be 153 again but I am dedicated to going back to the basics this month to see what happens with my body. I highly recommend not doing the liquid diet. Not because it wont work, but because you wont be able to maintain that way of eating. As most have said, stick to a high protein diet. Control your portions and know when to stop eating..and you will see the scale shift and you will be able to keep it off.

congratulations!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I usually have a protein shake after lifting and it works wonders! Definitely gives me a boost and replenishes me!

This is a great topic...not sure how to respond though. I lift three days a week, and usually what I do is have a protein shake right after to help curb my hungry. However, I am a woman and may not be burning as much as you. However, I do feel the protein right after the workout has really helped me curb my appetite.

I am also 5 years post op. This has totally been a roll coaster, but worth the ride. When I first started surgery, I was 275lbs. In a year I was down to 153lbs. Now I am at 170lbs, and I am pretty content even though I know that I could shed down to the 160s if I tracked my food better. My goal at surgery was 180, but I think I felt my best at 160 so I am working to shed 10lbs this month. I think the surgery is worth it IF you are committed to the lifestyle change. I work out 5 days a week, no excuses. I do splurge with carbs here and there, but overall, my portions are about the same. I think the key to success is having a support group(this website), and following the instructions of your surgeon. You will stray, you will have ups and downs with your weight, but its your ability to make it a lifestyle change that will help you keep your weight in control. Remember, surgery does not cure "head hunger" or your mental cravings. Those will be your battles to fight, and they usually occur more frequently as the years progress after your first year of surgery .

Good Afternoon Late last night, I experienced a burning sensation in my pouch. I have never felt this before, and I am 5 years post op. I did have some lemonade and green team(half and half), so I am thinking its the acid from the lemonade...but since I have never felt this before, I figured it was worth a post. I have'nt taken any acid reflux medicine in years...so maybe I should pick some up and take that before I give my surgeon a call..thoughts? Any one else every experience this years after surgery?

I personally did not tell anyone but Mother and my best friend. Eventually I told two other friends, that it. People will ask, and that fine..but you are not obligated to tell them your personal life decision. I told people I was doing a liquid diet(which I was), and working out (which I do). It's up to you, but beware that people could be critical of your decision out of dumbness or pure jealous once you start to lose weight.

I haven’t posted in so long, or even on the site. Since my surgery back in May 2012, life has flown by and I have been happy to say I do NOT regret my decision to have this surgery. One thing I have learned is that with anything, nothing is a “quick fix”. You have to put in the work to get the results you want. Losing weight doesn’t change who you are, and neither does the demons you are fighting in your life every “go away.” I still struggle with some of the same issues I did before the surgery, such as food addiction. No matter how hard I try, I realize now that it will never go away. The reality is that even though I may not be “hungry” or even want to eat, I still have the urge to do so out of habit. Currently I am at 168lbs. My goal was 180, but I was around 155 for almost year (been as low as 153)..until this summer. That’s when the weight gain began to creep up on me. Currently I am back in the gym and tracking everything that goes in this mouth, so I am hoping to be back in the 150s sometime by the end of October/Beginning of November. I am very determined not carry this extra weight with me to Thanksgiving! I hope all of you are doing well, and I look forward to being active again on the site!

You are so right what you said about addiction! It's a never ending battle and something we all fight daily! And thank you, it feels soo good to be back!

Great job and you can do it!

Well all my pre-op testing is complete! I finished my last two today, which was a UGI and blood work! I also visited Potomac Sentara and the Bariatric Center Coordinator and staff who will be responsible for my care. Everyone was soo nice!! I am finally getting excited, and May 16th seems more real the ever!! Here is the downside: I have to start my OptiFast diet tomorrow, and it’s for two weeks. I knew that upfront so am not complaining but unfortunately my job decided to send me on business travel. So now I am starting the diet while on the road for a slew of meetings! This is going to be hard, especially when my fellow coworkers and colleagues will be eating lunch with me, and wondering why am not eating anything but a protein bar and a shake! I hate explaining myself and even if I tell them I’m on a diet, it’s just the temptation. Augghh...please keep me in prayer, am going to need it!

Beginning Weight: 224 CW: 213.8 GW: 199 14.8lbs to go!!!! Not sure if I will make it by labor day, but I will try my best!

Beginning Weight: 224 CW: 218.4 GW: 199 19.4lbs to go!!!! Hope I can do it, am working HARD!!!

As some may know, I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery on May 16th. A few weeks after surgery, I had some complications and was unable to keep anything down, and a scan revealed I had a stricture. On June 11th I had a second surgery to remove the stricture. The stricture occurred at the bottom of my stomach and had pretty much looked like a plug, letting nothing pass into my intestines. Let me say that this process has been hard. After the complication, I had to go back to the basics and was in a lot of pain, just as I was after the first surgery. I was in the hospital for 2 days after sleeve surgery and out for a week after surgery to remove the stricture. Still, I don't regret it. It was still one of the best decisions I have made for my health. As of my last weigh-in on July 11th, I am 50lbs down. I am thankful to my doctors at BluePoint and for the great care I received from Sentara Potomac Hospital. And more importantly, I am grateful to God for watching over me through two surgeries and keeping me here to tell you all about it! Delta

I know its late but I am in! CW: 224 GW: 199 Also I have been slacking on my vitamins and protein...so my goal is to to get back on track with both!!!

I wish I did! I take it, espically the unflavored protein!! I love it!!! lol

If you have read any of my previous post, most of you know I have been suffering with a stricture since my surgery on May 16th. They first tried fixing the issue with a Upper Endscopy but it didn't work. Now 2 weeks later, am headed into surgery to have it surgerical fixed. Please keep me in your prayers this morning!

Thanks you all! Surgery went okay...they made the revision. So far I am able todrink with no issues. I did have the swallow test and everything looked good. Please continue to pray for me as I try to "rock" my sleeve.