Livinglifeout

I would stick to your doctors instructions, there is a reason they issue them. If you are serious about this journey, than stick to the plan:)

I would stick to your doctors instructions, there is a reason they issue them. If you are serious about this journey, than stick to the plan:)

I would stick to your doctors instructions, there is a reason they issue them. If you are serious about this journey, than stick to the plan:)

I'm going to up everything and give this a try. Do you worry about cholesterol with all the eggs? Mine was always high before, not sure about now. Labs in two weeks.

You look fab!! Enjoy your new sexy self.

Can't wait to not panic when at a restaraunt they are about to seat us at a booth, and I'm wondering if I can fit!
Can't wait to not have to worry if my shirt is pulled down all the way in the back, so my big b---- is not showing:)

Thank you all for sharing. I have been a "slow" loser from the beginning. However, I am pretty happy with my body right now. I am 16 months out and was wondering what on earth I am going to have to do to shed this last 20 lbs! I have been stuck at the same weight for about 6 months and it hurts my feelings! It does not help that I got in a car accident right before the holidays and have been unable to workout outside of just walkng my two pups 20 mins 2x/day. I had really moved away from the Protein shakes as I felt confident to be able to consume enough Protein through foods. Obviously that is not working. I am probably only getting around 40 - 60 grams per day and have really eased up on the Water focus as well. am going to go in hard with increasing my protein and Water intake and see what happens! Thank you so much for sharing!
Ducker

Thank you ladies!! It really does work GodsGrace, I was shocked when I stepped on the scale this morning ! You can do it too!!

There's always someone up on their box, or in this case, horse, looking for a verbal fight. Whether you agree with a few sentences of this thread or not, please get off your horse Cowgirl and appreciate what Scott has tried to do here; give all of us a first hand account of a major surgery. He has taken the time to research, experience and document with incredible detail his personal surgery for all for us. It takes a lot of courage, strength and dedication to post as much detail as he has, answer all of our questions honestly and be as open as possible. I'm not saying all of us are not allowed to speak our minds but you would rather continue with your verbal negativity, I think I speak for many people by saying, please take it to another thread. We would all like to get back to the positive work that is being shared here.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE:
It has now been a few days over 6 weeks since my LBL. If you want you can go back an read some of the highs and lows but todays notes are to let you know about getting moving again.
Almost 2 weeks ago which would have been a few days prior to 5 weeks post op I met with my surgeon and he asked….."what are you not doing that you want to do?" Obviously my answer was…."I want to start my workouts again". He said that he was clearing me to do whatever I wanted to do but realize that my body could fight back with another round of swelling OR it just might be fine. There was only one way to know, and that was to workout and see what happened. My thoughts was……..screw that!! I didn't want to risk swelling again so I just tried to keep my weight in check by keeping the diet clean. Well I did that for a week and a half and I continued not to experience any swelling!! Yesterday, 1 day beyond my 6 week anniversary, I hit the treadmill. 30 mins @ 3.5mph and a 1% incline. Obviously nothing like my workouts prior to surgery but I wanted to see how my body would react…..drumroll please……I was fine. No swelling! Woke up today and hit the Concept 2 rowing machine for 30 mins and almost 6000 kilometers and then some strength training (Chest, Biceps, and Legs). That was almost 6 hours ago and fortunately no swelling. I am hoping, cautiously, that my issue is behind me.
Moving on….
At my last appointment the doctor also said that I could begin to treat the scar in an effort to begin the visually healing process. His recommendation was to use the silicone strips, he felt in his experience they provided the best results behind laser treatments. I am using the Oleeva brand by Bio Med Sciences. I bought the shapes product, one was the abdominoplasty and one was for brachioplasty. The second was just a straight piece to bridge the gap on my back where the abdominoplasty piece did not go all the way around. I have been using them for a week, and it does appear to me as though they are working. The scar does seem to be lightening. I did buy 2 sets, that should last me around 12 weeks. Regardless of how the scar looks at 12 weeks I will be done, meaning, I will not continue to treat it beyond that. The process is kind of a pain in the a$$.
Binder:
The doctor said the more you wear it the better. I continue to wear it essentially 24 hours per day. I will be seeing my surgeon again in 5 weeks and at that time I think I will ditch it. The binder has never bothered me. I have been wearing Spanx for men for so long that the snug feeling of the binder was no issue. I continue to wear the spanx as well. I really feel as though compression garments (top and bottom) have really controlled all facets of the swelling.
Leg Compression Garments:
Still wearing them and probably will continue while working out is new…..
Workouts (part 2)
I plan on taking it easy the next 2 weeks. My plan is to only walk for the next 2 weeks and then I am starting a 15 week Half Marathon Training routine. The race is the weekend of 5/17/14 so I think that will give me plenty of time to get ready.
MY PERSONAL OPINION:
A few people have mentioned that they were thinking of doing Mexico for plastics to save money. I obviously did not do that, I paid for both my VSG and LBL out of pocket. I saved for my VSG (18k ) and paid 4.5k out of pocket for the hospital portion of my plastics and put the balance on CareCredit (using their 18 month 0 interest plan) which is GE Bank.
In hindsight, I see no problem with the VSG in Mexico but with everything I have experienced and pictures I have seen of patients that have had plastics done in Mexico I would NEVER go there for that part. I am not passing judgement and if that is your decision, I wish you nothing but the best. I compare what I look like versus others and there is no comparison, not even by a long shot. In addition, if you do have complications, getting the right care at home may be difficult. At that point you might be wishing you had paid more!!!
Please feel free to reach out or post any questions, I would be happy answer any questions!!

Scout thank you for all the information you have shared with us on your plastics journey it has really given me a lot to think about. Thank goodness your swelling is finally gone down. I've been thinking of maybe doing plastics in Mexico to save on money. I had my sleeve done there. But now you have opened my eyes that complications can occur and what would I do with my doctor in Mexico. So many doctors do not want to treat you after someone else has done surgery. I am going to continue on my weight loss, save more money and have my surgery done closer to home. I am also going to continue to watch your journey as long as you continue to share with us. Thank you.

Scout thank you for all the information you have shared with us on your plastics journey it has really given me a lot to think about. Thank goodness your swelling is finally gone down. I've been thinking of maybe doing plastics in Mexico to save on money. I had my sleeve done there. But now you have opened my eyes that complications can occur and what would I do with my doctor in Mexico. So many doctors do not want to treat you after someone else has done surgery. I am going to continue on my weight loss, save more money and have my surgery done closer to home. I am also going to continue to watch your journey as long as you continue to share with us. Thank you.

Hi Deedee
Here's how you get off the depression train. Jump off!! Don't let yourself continue to slip down that slope because the farther you fall, the longer the climb is back up. You say you've given yourself a second chance. Well now it's time for your third chance, fourth or fifth... whatever! The important rule here is to never EVER give up. The day you give up is the day you fail. Until you do that, keep it moving.
I can't really give any vegetarian idea advice but anything you have to do to kick start your new day is what you should do. Anything short of something unhealthy.
Best wishes on your upcoming nuptials!! Use that as your motivator to get back to it. I don't think there is anything wrong with having that proverbial carrot leading you in the right direction. Take care!

Well, I'm almost 2 weeks out from my original post & only down 3.2 lbs. At least it's in the right direction.
The trip to the bridal expo didn't do so much for my motivation. The wedding dress models looked like they were 16 & had bones jutting out. How sad. I don't want to have my bones jutting out, but it was discouraging nonetheless. I thought, "I will never find a dress that looks good on my monstrous, fat body". I am not very nice to myself sometimes.
Two days ago I actually went dress shopping. It was as insane as I imagined it to be. I actually did find a dress,though. I cried too. I felt beautiful, even at the size that I am now. I didn't expect to have that experience. The shop owner is wonderful & I know another sleever who went to the same shop & lost 90 lbs from dress purchase to wedding ate & they were able to alter it perfectly. I let them know my situation & made sure my dress could be taken in significantly.
So, now I have about 9 months until our wedding day. The past 2 weeks has been a jumble of efforts. Buying all healthy food & then feeling anxiety about having nothing to "snack on". Starting out the day well, but crashing & burning by the end of the day, That just leads to me beating myself up & more very mean self-talk.
I did join the Valentines Challenge. I think that my approach for now is going to be a little more simple. I was looking to just get back on track hard core & that's leading to failure & more negativity. For now I am going to concentrate on one thing at a time. Starting with Water. For a week I will get in ALL of my Water every day starting today. (of course I will continue to try to incorporate healthy eating). Next week I will start tracking every bite I put in my mouth on My Fitness Pal & making sure my Protein intake is where it needs to be. The week after that I will add in activity. I see this approach working for me. Within a month I should be right on track.
Any thoughts on this approach or suggestions of what might be helpful in this slow & steady approach? Healthy snack ideas are always welcome. I still struggle with major carb/sugar cravings.
I feel like I'm heading down the right path. The scale is going down again. Even if it's in small increments. So, I'm just trying to keep calm & carry on!

I went off track, crashed and burned. I'm 2 years post op and up 25 lbs. Trying to get back on track. Its a process for sure. Just taking it a day at a time and trying to get back to the basics, which for some reason, are so easy the second time around. But I still persevere...

I did gain 4 pounds but Im almost a year out and I WAS only 5 pounds to goal but happened to gain 4 during holidays. Now is the time Im getting scared because to be perfectly honest I can eat whatever I want only small amounts but I went all Ozzy Osbourne ( off the rails in a crazy train) at Christmas. I know I need to amp up my healthy eating and walking cuz now the hard part begins. Keeping it off. I was cocky thinking it was so easy but now its 4 lbs and that can turn into 40.

All great advice & encouragement. Thank you. I told my fiancé what I needed to do to get back on track, cleaned out anything that is a stumbling block for me from the fridge & cupboards and stocked up on healthy foods. These first couple days have been hard. My first day with my "dessert" of plain ff greek yogurt with PB2 & stevia I felt down right depressed. Today I am going to a bridal show & Wednesday I have my first 2 appointments to try on wedding dresses. That should kick my butt into high gear!

Valentines Chalange:
http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/291848-valentines-challenge/
I am a vegetarian too, and managed to lose to goal on veggies, dairy and eggs(a few). It can be done. I also went through a period of time where I was gaining... and it took a while to really turn it around, but I did, and am now at goal after 3 years.
I find I really have to cook to get the best quality vegetarian food, with the occasional meal out. So many restaurants serve Pasta or french fries and such for vegetarians, really junk food. I had to really get creative to get enough Protein in, but it can be done. Pasta does have some Protein, but really most of it is not that great for you. I pick out Dreamfields or whole wheat pasta and measure out 1 oz if I want pasta.
how about:
low fat cheese sticks, soy and regular milk, yogurt, seitan products, TVP, tofu, Dried tofu sheets (yuba) Beans, nuts, nut butters, seeds, tempi, eggs, egg whites... there are so many veggitarian sources of protein to choose from, morning star has some great products. I make my own "turkey", meat loaf and beef steaks from great recipes I have found along the way. It does take work, but you can make and freeze in individual servings. I cook on sunday for the week. Really use those veggies too, most of them are low calorie and so delicious, raw or cooked. I make a pot of veggie Soup sometimes every night of the week (then its on to stir fries and casseroles...) You can do it! Just stay away from sugar, white flour and the like... dump it out or give it away! Set yourself up for success by planing ahead, shopping for success, figure out your favorite foods and modify them to fit your protein and lower carb needs. I like mexican food, but could not eat that every day or fat fat fat!!!! I do make pots of Tomato veggie Soup, with chili and cumin, sliced onions,"groun round" and a tiny bit of sweet corn... really so good, and leaves me feeling like I just ate a big mexican meal. My husband likes it too. You can do this! Use Myfitnesspal, measure or weigh the food for a while, then test again now and then... weight yourself, and measure yourself too! Its a new start. Get out there and move, find something you have always wanted to try, or learn... I started birdwatching, and go out the the local "wilds" 2-3 times a week for a walk and a look. I don't even know I am exercising, its just so fun and beautiful! And last by not least, hang out here, the support is great!

Love the picture board idea. I haven't seen that posted here before but I have used them in the past. Made my last one pre-op with a picture of a happy healthy woman wearing a sundress and sandals standing by a beach cruiser. Check! Picture boards are really powerful tools.
Lynda

Hi Dede u are not a failure! U have lost 100 pounds u are on a journey. I had my surgery in 2011 and never reached goal or even come close. I am a vet that now needs to use the sleeve tool to lose weight after surgery. Isereno gave excellent stratgies. One I wanted to add is a picture board. Visualization of your end self. Keep a pic oof what u lool like now and a pic of your fav gown. That may give u strength to stay on track. And my last suggestion plan a treat. Clean eating is good but feels like denial and dieting. We have to make this. Eating a lifestyle. I haven't mastered this but must find a way to satisfy the sweet tooth without giving in to the carb monster or the trigger foods that take us all down a dark road. Congrats on the engagement!

Now you are saying that "yes" you want all those things....................get up and do something about it. Pasta has no nutritional value and certainly has no Protein. If you are a vegetarian what are your other protein foods? Yogurt, Beans, veggies shouldn't these be your mainstay. You have done a terrific job so far.............you can make it to your goal. You can accomplish any goal you set your mind to; one day or meal at a time!!

I think I definitely need veteran advice & ideas of how to restart weight loss. I was sleeved 11/27/12. So, I am now a little over a year out. The first 6 months I did awesome. Lost weight like gang busters. 101 lbs. in 6 months. Then the next 6 months I lost 19 & then gained 10. So, I'm 13 months out, now 110 down with 130 or so MORE to go. *SIGH*
I know this surgery was not a magic cure. I know that there are things that I should be doing that I'm not (counting my grams of Protein, drinking Water, exercising). It's like I totally lost momentum & I am so depressed about it. I am a vegetarian so the Protein part has always been hard for me. I think it was at about the 6 month mark that my sleeve was able to handle about anything. It's easier & tastier to eat Pasta than tofu over & over.
Has anyone else gone through something similar or know someone who has? I feel like I probably need to go back to Water & Protein shakes for a couple of weeks (as much as I loathe the thought of protein shakes) & try to "reset" my body. It is definitely used to simple carbs & sugar again. I dread going through the withdrawal.
I am also struggling with my self-esteem. How could I screw this up? I was given a second chance to live a healthy life & I'm not doing it right. I was feeling resentful that my diet has to be so different. I think that I thought that I would be able to eat "normal" food, but in smaller portions. It really looks like I will always have to eat fairly "clean" & the sleeve helps with portion sizes of those foods.
Yes, I want to be a healthy weight. Yes, I want to feel better. Yes, I want a lot of things. I am just having a REALLY hard time getting back on track. I just got engaged on New Year's Eve. We are going to get married in the Fall. I can't help but thinking that if I had been on track this whole time that I would have been healthy on my wedding day. Now I'll be fighting the world of plus size bridal gowns. I'm not giving up. I just don't know how to pick myself up & move on.

Of my clients who struggle with compulsive eating those who have a strong desire to live a joyful, healthy, peaceful life are the most successful in moving from living in the insanity of food obsession to the serenity of a healthy relationship with food and weight. This is because a highly respected and well-nourished body is the foundation upon which such a life must be built. When a person who is overweight and/or a compulsive eater desires to feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually her motivation to make peace with her body and food is multidimensional; it is not simply wanting to see a particular number when she steps on the scale. It ‘carries with it more weight’ (pun intended!). However many people do not understand that what they eat directly affects their every experience. Do You? Take some time to think about how your weight and relationship with food affect the following areas of your life:



Soulful Living



Food Addiction Part 1



​(Part 1 of this article originally appeared in the WLS Lifestyles Magazine in my Soulful Living Column)



Louisa Latela, LCSW, LCADC


Of my clients who struggle with compulsive eating those who have a strong desire to live a joyful, healthy, peaceful life are the most successful in moving from living in the insanity of food obsession to the serenity of a healthy relationship with food and weight. This is because a highly respected and well-nourished body is the foundation upon which such a life must be built. When a person who is overweight and/or a compulsive eater desires to feel good physically, emotionally, and spiritually her motivation to make peace with her body and food is multidimensional; it is not simply wanting to see a particular number when she steps on the scale. It ‘carries with it more weight’ (pun intended!). However many people do not understand that what they eat directly affects their every experience. Do You? Take some time to think about how your weight and relationship with food affect the following areas of your life:
Physical Health: Are you overweight? Do you have heart disease, diabetes, shortness of breath, sleep apnea, decreased energy, or chronic joint pain? Are there other ways that your weight and food consumption affect you physically?
Emotional Health: Do you harshly judge yourself; feel shame, guilt, anger or self-hatred in relation to your weight or what you eat? Do you experience periods of depression because of your inability to control your eating behavior? Do you ever feel anxious if you do not have certain foods available to you?
Finances: How much money do you spend on food that you use for bingeing, overeating, or avoiding uncomfortable feelings? How much money have you spent on diet books, diet supplements, diet foods, consultations with weight loss professionals, and seldom used exercise equipment and gym memberships? Do you miss time at work because of health problems related to how you eat? Do you believe your weight prevents you from getting a promotion or new job? Are there times that you are not as productive at your job because of how you feel (emotionally or physically) in relation to what you did or did not eat?
Relationships: Do you use your weight as an excuse to avoid relationships? Or, conversely, have you ever stayed in an unhealthy relationship because you believed no one else would want someone your size? Are people in your life inconvenienced by your food related emotional or physical problems? When you eat foods that zap your energy or make you feel ill, are you sometimes nasty, short, or cranky with family, friends, or co-workers?
Sexual Experiences: Does your weight physically or emotionally prevent you from having a satisfying sex life?
Mental Clarity: Do you ever feel a bit dull or foggy in the brain because of the quantity or quality of food you eat?
Activities: Does your weight physically or emotionally prevent you from engaging in healthy, fun activities like hiking, bike riding, swimming, dancing, or playing with your children? Are simple activities of daily living like putting on your socks and shoes becoming increasingly difficult? Do you avoid certain social situations because you don’t want to be seen at your current weight or because you are afraid you will overeat?
Time: How much time do you spend thinking about food or weight issues? How old were you when you first thought you had a problem with food or weight? How many years have you been dealing with this? How many precious moments of your life have you lost to your preoccupation with food and weight?
The purpose of answering the preceding questions is to not elicit feelings of self-blame or harsh self-judgment but rather to increase your awareness of how your current weight and eating behaviors may be preventing you from living a normal, productive life. Understanding that what you eat affects your every physical, emotional, and mental experience can serve to increase your motivation to cultivate a healthy relationship with food.
If you are still riding the yo-yo dieting roller coaster you may have an addictive relationship with food.
Addiction, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary, is “the persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be physically, psychologically, or socially harmful”. Sound familiar? Studies have shown that compulsive overeating and drug addiction share many of the same biological characteristics. For instance, when people eat large quantities of sugar and fat they develop a tolerance for these substances and need more sugar and fat to satisfy them, much like alcoholics and drug addicts who, over time, require increased amounts of alcohol and drugs to get high. Other research has revealed that many obese people and drug addicts have a lower number of dopamine receptors (the feel good receptors) in their brains which make them more likely to crave things that boost dopamine like sugar, alcohol, cocaine or heroin. Also when some people are suddenly cut off from sugar and certain carbohydrates they experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, irritability and strong cravings for the substance from which they are cut off, just like alcoholics and drug addicts do when they are detoxifying from alcohol or drugs.
However; neither acknowledging the depth to which your relationship with food is negatively affecting your life nor understanding the biology of addiction will in and of itself cure your obsession or right your relationship with food.
You may be thinking “Well I know how to eat well and what I need to do to lose weight.” Do you really? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. How many times have you gone on a diet proclaiming “This is it! I will never again be overweight! My eating behaviors have forever changed!!” only to find yourself starting a new diet the following Monday morning? Three, four, five or more times? Sounds like insanity to me! You may know how to diet and temporarily lose weight, but you have not made the internal psychological and emotional shifts necessary to sustain a healthy relationship with food and permanent weight loss. Moving from the insanity of a food and weight obsessed life to the serenity that a loving and respectful relationship with food affords you requires the willingness to consider a new way of thinking and being in the world.
For many it requires learning to live a spiritual life.
Cultivating a relationship with your Authentic Self, looking at yourself through kind and compassionate eyes, being willing to listen to and act on the guidance you receive from your Inner Knowing, and understanding that your true essence is pure love are all part of nurturing your spiritual self. As you mature spiritually, behaviors that no longer serve you will fall by the way side.
On page 15 of “A Course in Weight Loss” Marianne Williamson writes:
“Spiritual growth is a fascinating process if you allow it to be. It is an inner journey from one insight to another, in which helpful realizations fall into place as you are ready to receive them. Twisted thoughts become untwisted once you see them for what they are. Your journey from blindness to spiritual vision precedes your journey from dysfunctional eating to a healthy and wholesome relationship to food; in fact it is a necessary prerequisite for it. As you understand more deeply the roots of your weakness you lay the foundation for the cultivation of new strengths.”
To be continued.....

I am trying this Daisy, I've gone seriously off the rails recently. My Dad died and wine and chocolate have become staple foods for the last 2 months I'm ashamed to say. I need a kick in the rear and hope this will help me get back on track.

Well I weighted and it is as bad as I thought it would be. Gained 10 pounds since I last weighted in October. Gained 20 from my lowest weight. Am now 25 -30 from goal. I have pretty much partied all Holiday season with no effort what so ever!! I am SOOOOO pissed at myself but I learned many lessons:
1. I HAVE to weigh at least once a week. Maybe I would have caught this sooner if I had
2. This will take attention and diligence the rest of my life. I can’t just pretend I am a normal person when it comes to food cause I am not.
3. Sugar/carbs have to be rareish treats not every day indulgences.
4. I need support from my fellow sleeve brothers and sisters. I need to get on Bariatric pal daily.
5. Exercise is necessary not only for my weight loss but also for my mental well being. I am a stress eater and the exercise helps with the stress.
I restarted a ticker and set some new goals for myself. Joined the Valentines Day challenge and set that goal at 10 pounds.
Really trying hard right now not to beat myself up but it is so hard!