bean406

I can relate also! I had surgery May 2012...I just passed my 1-1/2 year mark and I've somehow gained 20 lbs back in 3 months. I am no where close to my goal and just really....disappointed in myself. I still have 70 pounds to go and I'm wondering if my VSG-surgery is still going to help me get there. I'm terrified of gaining more back. Guess I'll go cruise the "veteran forums" for tips on what to do....

I'm still fighting the sugar battle. I wish I would have never let myself slide so many days in a row and get my body re-addicted to it! My actions have caused an almost 2-month stall so that's been very discouraging and I totally let myself down. I didn't have any cravings really before I let sugar creep back in my diet...evil EVIL sugar. I know this journey isn't meant to be an easy fix and this goes to show we still have to make good choices and use our sleeve as a tool to help us lose the weight.

Man, getting back on track is hard! Once you get that sugar back into your system it causes the "cravings" ...doesn't seem to matter if they're legit physical cravings or if it's a mental thing it still makes it tough! Is there anyone else out there that has gotten way off track with going back to bad eating habits? I am feeling really down about it and feeling like I'm alone in having made all these bad choices. Need to go peruse the recipe section and get some new food ideas as well!

I licked Doritos during my 2nd week post op but didn't chew them. I needed the taste of something that wasn't a Protein shake.

Glad to know there are fellow Dorito lickers out there! I have so been there done that!

sugar free popsicles actually taste a little better, IMO. That's any easy fix to this easy problem.

I have a fat girl picture of me on the fridge. It's a nice reminder of how far I've come when the idiot cycles start (been there, done that).

Oooh! I've been meaning to put a "fat pic" on the fridge---great reminder!!

Thanks everyone else for the encouragement. I talked to someone who told me it takes about 30 days to get something completely out of your system...so I will likely struggle with the sugar "cravings" but I do need to refocus on the goal and stay strong! Going back to a pre-op type diet might not be a bad idea for a while...I was thinking of adding my Protein shakes back in during the day as well. sugar-free popsicles are a good idea as well. I try to stay away from things with Aspartame (just personal preference) but I'm sure I can find something with an alternative. What about making my own by freezing a no-sugar added juice? Just a thought...

Ok, not starting this thread to have a "pity party" or anything like that but I couldn't find the type of threads I was looking for so here it is, I'm starting one. I have "fallen off the wagon" in terms of letting sugar creep back into my diet. I have been stalled for a month and a half and I know it's my own doing. I didn't mean to let old habits creep back in but they sure have a way of doing so! I didn't expect it to be easy and the problem started with me justifying eating something "bad" because I could only eat such a little amount that it wouldn't matter...right?! WRONG! I should have known better. The self-confidence that I was exuding the first few months left-the-building during this stall and my "fat girl" mentality is trying to creep back in...didn't realize how much of a mind-game this could all be!

Also, running out of ideas for healthy Snacks as I find myself in a rut with the same types of items. I also find that I have citrus "cravings" a lot. That's where I got myself into trouble with buying popsicles ...epic fail I know! Also, living with someone that's not the greatest support system and who could live on fast food isn't exactly making it any easier. Need a to up the ante in the will-power department for sure.

Anyways, just wondering if anyone else has fallen off-course and what you did to reel yourself back in and get back on track.

Thanks all!!

I'm hitting my 5 month mark on sept 27 and I've lost total of 48 pounds I know right not much.. I just realized what I've been doing wrong. I had a hard time finding a good Protein shake so I found one I loved it has no flavor it's Soy Protein and it has 110 calories I believe. So I make my shake with scoop of protein, and scoop Peanut Butter, 1/2 bananna, and soy milk and its very delicious but I just realized its a weight gainer. Smh no wonder I'm stuck.. I knew it was high calories but I figured that's all I was really able to enjoy it was ok but now I realize its not.. So please help any one know some good low calorie Protein Shake that are delicious ? I don't care for chocolate. Any suggestions will help thank you

I tried MANY kinds of shakes and finally found one I like...it's called Chike. http://www.chikenutrition.com/. I understand your frustration with feeling like it's coming off slow--I'm in the same boat. Tomorrow is my 5 month mark as well and I have been stalled for the past 5 weeks. I have definitely let sugar and other bad things creep back into my diet...not on purpose of course but--well, old habits are really tough to break.

On a positive note, our weight is going in the right direction. Keep on truckin' and doing your best and good things are bound to happen.

Sleeved May 9th. Been on a month-long stall...hoping things pick back up again soon!!

I am now 13 weeks post op and it's been a pretty good journey so far. I have been stalled again for the past week-ish. I have lost just under 60 pounds and though that's a lot of weight still feel like I'm "missing the mark". I think I need to pay more attention to sugar content. Also my hair has been coming out A LOT, which I know they said it could but at the rate I'm going I'm surprised I'm not bald! Going to add back in two Protein Shakes a day and be more consistent with my Vitamins and see if that makes a difference. Hoping the weight keeps coming off and that eventually my hair will be healthier than ever!

Fabulous transformation!! Congrats

mine came out in huge chunks! it was shocking!!!

im not sure whats helping me but its a combo

of hair grease called hair gro, biosil, Biotin & protein! hair still falls out but atleast its growing back in. eventually, i will have to cut my hair short because my hair is down to my butt and ive lost so much that im sure its really uneven.

Thanks for the reply!! Yeah, I have been losing a LOT for the past 3 weeks. I am thinking of going with a really short cut so at least I won't notice as much!! I used to do Biotin but can't take the same stuff I used too because the pill is bigger than I'm allowed to swallow. I am pretty sure I'm not getting enough Protein so that's one thing I can do to help...also, I am just now getting going on bariatric Multivitamin and Iron supplement. Guess I'll give it a few weeks and see if it helps. I expected Hair loss but not this much this soon!!

Glad your hair is growing back!! I was actually thinking about this today. I know my surgeon warned that this could happen but said it would be around the 6-9 month mark for most people. Today I am 3 months out of surgery and my hair is coming out in gobs when I comb and in the shower! It seems too soon so now I'm wondering if this could be happening because I'm not getting enough Protein? ? Any insight is appreciated.

Purchased the Celebrate Vitamins. The Calcium plus is the size of a quarter. 3 r to be taken. I also r taking the multi-Vit & Iron. That's a total of 6 chewable tablets. I know not to take the Calcium seperate. The problem I am having I am 14 days post opt. The Vitamins taste like a sweet tart, not bad but they made me nausea. I even take them seperate. Does any one have a chewable Vit smaller than these or any idea. Maybe as I become more post opt it will get better.

I too got nauseous and actually sick once when I started taking a multi a few weeks after surgery. I used Bariatric Advantage and the pills are about the same size as Celebrate. I ended up trying to eat half the Vitamin at a time and it helped with the nausea but even now if I take those vitamins whole it can make me feel queasy. I switched to Celebrate multi and Iron tablets and I do better with those. So, the vitamins could go down easier as you get more post-op weeks under-your-belt or maybe they will continue not to agree with you as in my case. You may want to try other flavors too as that may make a difference in how they go down.

I hear ya, stalls are VERY frustrating. I have been on a week-long stall and it definitely has dampened my spirits a bit. I guess we just need to keep our eyes on the end-goal and do the best we can!! Hang in there.

I'm 10 weeks out and still trying to figure this out!! I know for the first month or so I barely ate anything and still did my Protein Shakes as much as I could remember to do. I took the advised 20-30 min to eat a meal and basically just stopped before I felt full because I wanted to make sure NOT to overdue it. Within 15 minutes or so after a meal I would have a sense of being satisfied but never had that "oh crap I ate too much" stuffed feeling. I think everyone is probably a little different in this area. Not sure how helpful any of that was, lol.

Thanks for sharing .

Stress can definitely wreak havoc on your body! I would say it could definitely be a contributing factor to your stall. Also, short stalls are fairly normal from what I understand and of course it depends on what you're eating as well. Sometimes I don't lose for a few days and then one day it will be a bigger loss. Good luck with everything!

Have you tried Weight Watchers Fudgecycles? Their the bomb!

I haven't but I will definitely have to check them out!! Thanks for the heads up

I have had some sugar cravings as well but normally I can just eat some fruit and that satisfies the sweet-craving pretty well. I have craved chocolate and haven't really figured out a good fix for that. I had SF fudgecicles when I was on the liquid portion and I thought they were nasty so that's not an option...what I still struggle with missing is soda! I swear they put a secret ingredient in it that makes you addicted to it! I guess I'll get over that one though since I was told carbonated beverages are a no-no forever! . All of the sacrifices are worth it and I will just find healthier choices that shut my brain up!

I'm another "weigh-every-morning-after-I-go-to-the-bathroom-person" ...I initially planned on doing once a week but I can't stay away from the scale and I agree with what someone else said about it helping me keep on track.

I agree with everyone in that it gets easier. My pre-op liquid diet and then 4 weeks following surgery were the hardest. We always seem to want what we can't have! Starting week 5 when I was allowed soft foods something triggered in my brain and it definitely got easier. I agree that the mental part can be a challenge as we all need to learn what triggers us. I had my surgery in Houston and I've been back home for a little over a week and I already noticed that I definitely tend to eat when I'm bored. Also, old food choices are taunting me so dealing with that as well. It's not easy but having the surgery is definitely a HUGE tool for success. I would just say hang in there and get any help you may need with the mental aspect of the life-changing journey you're on.

I personally wouldn't self-medicate or take anything that your surgeon isn't ok with. Prior to surgery they don't want you taking anything that will thin out your blood. After surgery they will encourage you to walk. I also had cuffs around my calves that would squeeze every so often; they actually put those on when I was getting prepped for surgery. I was also given medicine for blood clots during my 2-day stay in the hospital. It is a valid concern that I would suggest talking with your surgeon about .

I can totally understand how you feel. I too have been on so many failed diets that it's always in the back of my mind that this might not work. I actually expressed my concern to my doctor who told me I would pretty much be the first person ever it didn't work for! Just keep the faith and keep your eye on your goal. Positive thinking and good eating choices is the way to go.

Wahoo for regular sizes!! I think this is something we ALL look forward to. Great job!

I think all of us fall "victim" to the dreaded stalls at one or more points in our weight loss journey. I go a few days without loss sometimes and then the next thing I know the scale drops down a bigger chunk. My nutritionist said a good visual for the weight loss is that we shouldn't expect a nice continuous descending line but more like something that looks like stairs going down in that there will be plateaus but followed by a larger drop (at some point). Anyways, as to how much you're eating I can't really say because our bodies are all different and I'm sure our pouches vary in size to a small degree. I can drink a 4 oz shake in 20 minutes but solids are definitely less. My doctor said to eat solid meals over the course of 30 minutes but I have a really hard time stretching meals out that far. I am only a little past 5 weeks post-op so still a lot to learn also!