Pattyhdz

Hi everyone! I don't come around as much as I used to (Or should!!!), but I wanted to pop in and post an update on how I am doing. I am about 18 months post op. My highest weight was 206, and my lowest weight was 112. I reached goal of 125 lbs about 10 months after surgery, but I continued to lose. I have regained a little (I needed to, my butt disappeared). I'm at about 118-119 lbs right now. I'm wearing a size 2 in most brands. I wish I could say that I know the road ahead looks easy, but it doesn't at all. I will have to kick and fight my way ahead if I want to maintain this weight. I don't really rely on "restriction" much anymore. I can't eat as much as I could before surgery, but believe me, I can still put the food away! Just takes a little longer. since I was trying to regain a little, I wasn't watching my intake as much, and am pretty shocked sometimes at the amount I can eat. I did recently (two months ago) come off of my birth control (May get back on it), but I notice my appetite is pretty intense right before my period and I'm also able to eat more during this time (less restriction). Not sure why, but it is noticeable. Junk food is so easy to eat. So easy. And actually all food is pretty easy for me...I never had any issues eating anything. To this day I can eat bread and Pasta without a second thought. Nothing makes me sick. I haven't weighed my portions in a while, I'm at a point where I can eyeball things. If I were to guess, I'd say I can eat 8 ounces Protein and a side. But I get hungry very quickly. Usually within an hour I am hungry again, regardless of what I eat. It must go through my system so much faster than before surgery. Because even before surgery, my last meal stayed with me longer than it does now. The full feeling I have now isn't the same feeling as it was right after surgery or even at a year post op. Instead of a really painful pressure, like not a single bite more will fit, it's now kind of like just a normal full feeling similar to before surgery (but of course I reach that feeling sooner now). I'm not sure if it's because I've learned to stop eating at the right time, but I think it's more that my stomach has relaxed a lot and this is just how it is now. I do miss the painful restriction feeling. I'm still glad I chose to have the surgery. It wasn't easy but it's been rewarding and at the end of the day I can't sit down and eat an entire large pizza anymore, and I think that's a very great thing. I hope you all are doing well!! - jenny

Good luck, @@4me4them ! You are making the first steps to a new you! The first steps can be frustrating....a lot of appointments, but it's worth it :-).

Trying to wrap my mind around this. You eat 1100 calories of good food (not carby or starchy), exercise and still regain 50#? What kind of exercise plan do you have going? Is your sleep good? Do you drink lots of Water and keep alcohol to a min? Is it true you are eating smaller meals over that 1100 calories or not? I did not get that out of the thread unless I overlooked it. Small to me means 200-300 calories at a time which means 4-5 oz Protein and perhaps 1-2 oz of veggie. What are your overall macros? Something like 50/30/20 (protein, carb, fat) or 40/30/30 or something else? If you are doing these things then Yikes. That is a scary scenario. Have you considered increasing calories? 500 below your targeted tdee will mean weight loss, but 1000 (or more) below will mean "starvation mode" and metabolic issues long term. Most of the time metabolic issues can be fixed by making calculated changes to diet, exercise and lifestyle - without something like a revision. Hormones need to be brought back into balance for proper metabolic response. I do hope you can find resolution.

Today is my FOUR YEAR SURGIVERSARY! It's hard to believe how fast these years have gone by! I'm very thankful and grateful that I was able to have VSG and it completely resolved my weight and health issues including High Blood Pressure, sleep apnea and knee/joint pain.
I'm at my original goal 148-150 and even though I've hit a few "bumps" along the way (regain of 27 pounds in year 3), I've managed to get back up, figure out a way to succeed and continue on!
I'm at a stage now where, knowing me, I've got to continue to make wise food choices. I tend to do really well for a while and then slowly allow junk to sidetrack me. I know by the way I feel now (tired) I am eating too many carbs and sugar!
BUT - I am four years out, completely a new woman in MOST WAYS and so very thankful for this day!!!!!

I just tried it and it worked for me... here are the first few links from that page....
Just going to get this rolling. Here is an "official" 5:2 fourm.
Not all links are equal, just some reading if your interested...

This is where I linked to the 5:2 FAQs page:
FAQ: http://www.52fastdie...c.php?f=1&t=246
Home Page: http://www.52fastdie...7ab7bbb545beb71

Intermittent Fasting May Help Those With Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, Study Suggests
http://www.scienceda...30426115456.htm

Effect of intermittent fasting on lipid profile and hematological parameters in healthy volunteers in Jordan
http://universalrese...rjeh et al.pdf


The Power of Intermittent Fasting

http://healthdivas.b...nt-fasting.html
some recipes:
http://www.lavendera...e-52-diet.html�

I found a copy of the original 5:2 docu that started this particular movement:
http://leangainsguid...-1-and-fasting/

it is 57 minutes long, take time to watch it, its very interesting.

When it comes to weight loss, there's no lack of diets promising fast results. There are low-carb diets, high-carb diets, low-fat diets, grapefruit diets, cabbage Soup diets, and blood type diets, to name a few. But no matter what diet you may try, to lose weight, you must take in fewer calories than your body uses. Most people try to reduce their calorie intake by focusing on food, but another way to cut calories may be to think about what you drink.
What Do You Drink? It Makes More Difference Than You Think!
Calories in drinks are not hidden (they're listed right on the Nutrition Facts label), but many people don't realize just how many calories beverages can contribute to their daily intake. As you can see in the example below, calories from drinks can really add up. But there is good news: you have plenty of options for reducing the number of calories in what you drink.
Attached is my sons 4th grade science project. Makes me so proud!

At 19 months out, healthy habits weighs in probably 80%. It's really easy to eat around the sleeve. Yea, I still have great restriction at one sitting but if i ate a cheeseburger and fries over 4 hours instead of 30 minutes. ....it really doesn't make a difference.

The intermittent fasting seems to be the ticket for vets in a rut like myself. I gained 7-8 pounds back from my all time low over the last year. (I am 2.5 years out)
Unfortunately I am not able to only consume 500 calories or less per day. I wish I had the will power to do it!!!!
BUT I started a similar idea at the first of the year and I am down 3.5lbs!!!
It’s called the 8 hour diet. It’s simple. You eat 8 hours of the day only, the other 16 you fast. (you drink Water or other beverages with no calories.) Basically you can eat whatever in the 8 hours with in moderation, but no need to restrict calories significantly.
So far so good!!! It is surprisingly easy for me to follow. I have also been shooting for high Protein, lowerish carb, (but I am reasonable, I have still been getting my white chocolate iced espresso daily from Caribou coffee!!) and I have been at the gym which also helps.
I haven’t seen the scale move DOWN in more than a year I’d say!
I work 2nd shift as a nurse, so I have slightly different hours to eat then some of you might… but this is what I do:
I eat Breakfast at about 11:30am, and then I can eat a snack around 2 or 3 and have dinner at 7-7:30 then I don’t eat again until 11:30am the next day. I thought it would be hard but it’s not! Also the book I read regarding the plan does say even if you follow this 4-5 days a week you will still see results. (google 8 hour diet for more info)
This plan seems to give your body a chance to use stored fat for energy. I feel great! Also the plan recommends a brief 8 min “workout” just before you break the fast in the morning. (I will lift my 5 pound dumb bells and push-ups and go up and down the stairs a few times.
I am very optimistic, I know I have only been following the plan for 10 days but I am excited to be on the loser’s bench again. I will keep everyone posted, I can’t wait to weigh myself tomorrow!!

Lisa,
I'm sorry for everything you're suffering with right now. I know your focus and energy need to be spent on your husband at the moment, but I thought I'd mention one possibility for your esophageal spasms. When I was investigating sleeve surgery, I spoke with a local surgeon who handles some of the more challenging bariatric cases. He was concerned about VSG in my case because of my history with GERD, and in that context mentioned a patient he was treating who had developed very severe GERD post-sleeve surgery. I remember he indicated she was receiving regular botox injections (esophageal, presumably) to manage symptoms. He made it clear this was treating symptoms, not the cause, and was not a workable long-term solution. But, I thought it was worth mentioning as a possibility for treating your symptoms short-term.

I am glad that I am not alone but still very frustrated about it I didn't do the surgery to lose only 15 lbs
I am doing the dukan diet now.I started this diet in March of 2013 I went from 220 lbs to 195 lbs in 16 week and then I got stuck and in October 2013 I had the sleeve to help with the weight loss I lost another 10 lbs before the surgery on liquid diet and since my surgery another 15 lbs only and I am stuck at 170 lbs I need to loose another 20 lbs.

Well for your information that story is about me. I've lost 220 pounds and had skin reduction surgery from the weight loss. You can weep all ya want but I definitely turned my life around. I was 21 at 440 pounds. Now i'm 215 pounds
For reference - This was me at 440
https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/3602_295475100570295_666720491_n.jpg
This is me recently
https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/155742_10153319999165104_170990462_n.jpg
I teach cardio kickboxing and Zumba on the side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH0DxaQxvZc
Here is an example.

What insurance do you have kpatnade90? Andwhere are you? I have never even heard of such coverage! Wonderful! I am going to have to self pay and am looking for legitimae lenders in case my bank turns me down.

Thanks for ALL the Kind words, I am getting More and More Nervous as Thursday is getting closer. It is so strange to be going into WLS, and Needing to Gain weight. It is strange, I just have to keep in Mind I am going to get healthy and Strong....I am so Weak Now.....

I confess that I too would like to find a mate. My hubby died in 2005. Hoping that I will get skinny enough to feel attractive enough to actually find a new soul mate.

Ok confession time...
I have gotten completely obsessed with the gym and weighing mySelf. (I've lost 130 btw)
I eat whatever I want in moderation. I'm in the gym so much that it burns off right Away
I love the attention I get. Reminds me of when I played football in college.
I hated throwing out all my old jeans. It's like burning money. I'm so upset
I feel constipated a lot. I started taking Metamucil to regulate myself, but Jesus. I go to th washroom like 3 times a week.
At my heaviest April 2013. 320
November 2nd 2013 195

Hubby has it as well. We alway knew she was just like him until she got dx we realized so does he so in our home we call it cheeseburgers . And come to think of it I stopped going. To church when I married him 20 some years ago lol. Thank you all for sharing especially those outed. !! U guys are great!

This my Hercules. He is 4 years old today. We just got back from a trip to Petsmart for some birthday toys.

I love my pups! First you have Ares: he is a full bred pitbull. I picked him out at 24 hours old and he is now 8. He is spoiled rotten. The pictures I'm posting are his norm. Sitting in a chair, because his precious bottom doesn't sit on anything other than soft and fluff. Pimped out for a car ride, curled up in a blanket, cuddling with me, checking out my friends baby and a picture with his favorite boy, my son. Than my favorite girl Maggie: she is a pug rat terrier mix and rotten.

Behold the most beautiful dog in the world!
Well in my world anyway, her name is apple she is 7 years old

So yeah I'm obsessed with taking pics of my dog Harley...he is a little older than 2 (we adopted him at 9-10 months ish)..he is a lab mix but they are all called that...we think he has ridgeback and some type of hound as well...sorry there are so many pics, I couldn't choose :-)
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Surgery date 5/10/12
Preop 401
Now 220-225 depending on the day.

Awe! So happy for u rest and get well soon !

You mentioned that you have a new job... is something about it bothering you? Or is there a trigger there? Could be nothing. You could just have had an "off" day. You are allowed to have those you know! Just do not "catastrophize" a slip. We all have slips (i.e. dammit I ate x amount over calories, had an extra cookie, whatever). But it's about perspective. Don't let a slip become a lapse, collapse or a relapse. Know with every minute, it's a chance to undo that slip - don't look at it as a chance to say screw it and snow ball into a twinkie over dose. Or dang, was that only me in the old days? Hang in there hon! This too shall pass!

thanks DB I pray & thank God everyday for anything I am able to eat or drink & the many blessings I receive everyday. Thanks & God bless