UTGal99

I am 21 months out from surgery and have gotten pretty comfortable. I have fallen back into old habits and have gained about 10 pounds back. I know it is not much but I am scared it will spiral out of control if I don't get it under control. BUT, I am struggling with getting back to basics and getting the weight loss rolling again.

Any advice on how to get back to basics and restart is appreciated. The bad thing about being almost 2 years out from surgery is that you can eat more than right after surgery and you are not as diligent and focused. I know I just need to do it but don't even remember where to begin, what to eat, what to do, etc. It feels so foreign to me...

Please help!!!

Sams Club/Costco does have them for about $18/12 pack. Keep on eye on Amazon.com though b/c often times you can add them as an "add-on" to your order for $7/12 pack! Great deal! I have done it several times and you get FREE shipping - can't beat that. For some reason if you order like that it does take about 4-5 weeks to arrive but hey for that price you can stock up. I bought 48 shakes for $28!

^{My husband complains about the same thing. Both he and I have had the sleeve surgery. He is mid 40's now and states that although he is thrilled with his 100+ pound weight loss he feels like he is falling apart now. Body parts that never hurt before do now and he aches in new places. Fortunately for me, I feel GREAT even better than I did before surgery...no complaints here but I only give it time before age starts kicking in too!}

They will probably put you on a liquid diet for a while. After you heal up they will tell you to mind getting enough fiber. It is a challenge for us Protein first folks but fiber is a must for us divertic prone people. I am doing well with fiber one cereal and an occasional slice of high fiber whole grain bread and salads. Don't get the trashy white bread. Benefiber, metamucel, are also good.

You crack me up, gmanbat! "Don't get the trashy white bread!" LOL Love that definition. Thanks for the chuckle.

when are you released to eat regular food? 11 weeks - wow! My doctor had us on regular foods at start of 9 weeks.

You will do great! I know it is nerve-racking getting to the operating table but I assure you it will the best decision you ever made for yourself. The benefits FAR out weigh the cons. Surprisingly I was a ball of nerves right up until I walked into the hospital on the day of surgery. I was psyched up to get this done and never look back. That was almost 100 pounds ago. I have had such great results that my husband had it done too and is down 100 pounds now too. We have a new lease on life and you will too! Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress!

Not a man BUT my husband had the sleeve surgery too! We both had it. He started the journey on 12/19/12 at 330 pounds and is down to 230 and has been stuck there for a month or so. So, basically it took him about 9 months to lose 100 pounds. He still would like to lose another 30 or so but is very happy with his progress. You will do great!

^{You look great! I love having collar bones now. I actually didn't believe I had any before... LOL}

You look beautiful! Great transformation and remember...it is a marathon not a sprint! Keep up the great work.

You got this - you can do it! AND, don't be afraid of extra skin, be afraid of dying if you don't lose the weight.

Get you some Premier Protein premade shakes (they have 30g of Protein, low carb, low sugar) - focus on staying hydrated but try to get those Protein Shakes in. The protein will help you heal quicker. I know it is a challenge but it is temporary and before you know it you will be loving your sleeve! P.S. You can buy the Premier Protein shakes at Sam's Club, costco or Amazon

Hard boiled egg, string cheese, cottage cheese - something with protein...

Absolutely white coat syndrome. I have it and it is VERY normal. The doctor doing your physical should know all about it. Ask if they will hook you up to the BP machine that takes it at random and just let you sit and relax for a few. Goodness....

You will do great! I was terrified the night before thinking I would back out but surprisingly as I walked into the hospital that morning I was excited and ready to start my new life. I am loving life these days. I am one year post op, down almost 100 pounds and I do things I never imagined I would do (i.e., run a 5k, chase after my kid, go hiking, etc.) Good luck and keep us all posted on your progress! I assure you it is the BEST decision you will ever make for yourself!

Congrats - awesome work! You don't even look like the same man. Keep up the great work!

That will get better. LOTS of green tea, my friends, LOTS of green tea!

Each person has to decide for themselves what is right. Personally, for me, I felt that the bypass was way to aggressive for me. The malnutrition issue was a big concern for me. I was not comfortable having my plumbing rerouted and risking other serious complications from messing with things that didn't need to be messed with after all. I tend to be a grazer too, but I have worked very hard to keep those kind of habits in check. Really, bariatric surgery is just a tool to help you achieve success it is not a permanent fix. What you do with your tool determines your success. Just know this, whether you choose a sleeve or bypass, you must work to be successful at the weight loss and maintenance. One doesn't come easier than the other. Just my 2 cents---

^{Great job! Looking fantastic!}

I struggle too! I am a year out on Thursday, October 3rd and stalled out at 84 pounds down. I have been here for almost 4 months - ridiculous! I am not sure what I am doing wrong either; however, I am taking JerseyGirl68's advice and rebooting today. Protein Shakes, high Water intake, very low carb, etc. I need to do something to get the weight loss moving again. I refuse to be the person that loses 80 pounds and then gains all her weight back - NO WAY - not going to be me. Good Luck!

Downton Abby = awesome!

One year seems like a long time but it has come and gone so quickly! I am celebrating my one year surgiversary on Thursday, October 3rd. I am grateful for the 84 pounds I have lost but somehow feel like I should be further along in my weight loss journey. That is only an average weight loss of 7 pounds per month. I don't want to diminish my accomplishments thus far but feel like I should be further along. I have REALLY struggled with getting the weight off in the past 5 months. It seems like it came to a screeching hault around 8 months and I have struggled to get that scale to move hardly at all in the past 4 months. I am very discouraged and frustrated! I don't know if I am grazing, eating items I shouldn't, etc. I feel like I have a very clean diet and don't eat the junk but just can't get that scale moving in the right direction again. I haven't gained any weight back (thank God) but everyday is a HARD struggle. Any suggestions to get the party moving along just like the good 'ol days in the beginning??? I'm attaching my Before/After pictures 

Looking great! Keep up the great work!

There is a list somewhere on here of the things you could take to the hospital with you, but honestly you won't use most of it. Hospitals these days get you in and out pretty quick. You will probably stay 2 days at most. Here are some of the things I recommend: lip balm (lips are very dry after surgery and you can't have Fluid or ice for quite sometime), magazines/book to read, pillow for added comfort for you, blanket (makes it feel more comfy than stiff medical grade blankets, toothbrush/toothpaste, hair brush, dry Shampoo (this one was a BIG one for me!), deodorant. Good luck!

^{I drink regular caffeinated coffee everyday - now granted I only have one cup but I still need that pick me up in the morning. Water, crystal light, etc throughout the day - no soda.}

I have not read the 5:2 book and am new to this concept but very intrigued. I am getting the book today and will read up, but my question is: "How can this possibly work?" Isn't weight loss really calories in (minus) calories out? If you follow this program you are really only cutting 1400 calories weekly off what you would normally take in. That isn't even a pound of weight loss! I don't want to sound ignorant just trying to get some further information from those of you that have been on and had success with this plan. I am almost 1 year out and really struggling. I have only lost 84 pounds in the year and feel like I should be further along. I NEED something to kick start my weight loss again and get this party moving. Like many, many folks on here....I am terrified of gaining weight and/or not being successful. Any advice is much appreciated!