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Thanks for the words of encouragement Butter! It has been so frustrating and feeds into my fears that I will gain the weight back I have worked really hard to change my life and the weight piled on so quick when I was not eating anything different than before. As for sodium, I know what you are talking about. I know if I eat something more salty later in the day, the next day I will be up. I have weight fluctuations all the time and try not to let them derail me, but this one has been super tough on me. I just have to pick up my big girl panties and not let it get to me because that is what will lead down the wrong road. I appreciate your reply!

Anyone else that is sleeved for a while started any new medication and gained weight because if it? It was actually an antidepressant and I gained 7lbs in one month after starting it when I have been a stable weight for a year! I did quit taking the medication and am looking at other options. I only quit taking it a couple of weeks ago, so I am hoping the weight will come back off. Any other experiences would be appreciated? I am just feeling so frustrated when I have worked so hard, have been so stable, and BAM!

My doctor is very aware, and I do know that many antidepressants can cause weight gain. The one I actually started (the 4th I have tried, so I am not new to this game) is known to be weight neutral, but not in my case, of course. I am hoping to find people that can relate to the weight gain and how they handled it because right now the weight gain is making me feel worse than anything

I worry because people misconstrue what I am trying to say. They see that I didn't track and I didn't watch carbs (mainly because I believe in healthy carbs like fruit and quinoa), and they fail to read the part about that I made massive changes to how and what I ate, cut out the junk, and still follow certain rules to this day. I do not promote eating whatever you want, and I always say that you need to work with the sleeve to be successful. It doesn't mean you can't ever have anything that would be considered "junk", but it does mean you can only have it once in a while (meaning once a month, not a few times a week). Like I said in my post, you CAN NOT go into this surgery thinking you will make no changes and the sleeve will help me because I can eat less. Nope, sorry, you will fail and you will either never reach goal or start regaining.

There is actually a thread, I think under the Veterns forum called slow losers at or near goal, something like that, if you are needing inspiration!

It took me 18 months to reach goal with one stall that lasted 3 months! I actually thought I was done losing and I was ok with that. I have always really struggled with my weight, since Kindergarten, so I wasn't surprised it took me longer. In the back of my head, I really never expected to get to goal, so when I did there was a lot of happy dancing! Because it took me longer and I really forced me to make the changes that I needed to make to get there.

I am glad! It took me longer to get to goal than many, but I got there and have maintain now for a year! I knew that I couldn't do a restrictive diet that I would just end up losing it!

I posted on here long ago when it was first started, and wanted to add again. First of all, I will say I am 2.5 years post op, I have learned a lot along the way. When I had my surgery I never tracked, I never went low carb, I never exercised (and I still don't)...I did not want to have to do those things for the rest of my life and feel like I was on a diet. Now, that being said...I did change the way I ate. I limited the white stuff (flour, sugar, rice) and changed what I ate on a daily basis. I quit drinking with my meals (and still don't) and ate more protein rich foods (I quit drinking protein drinks fairly early out and still rarely drink them). I have taken a 80/20 approach, eat healthy most of the time (80%ish) but don't miss out on the foods I enjoy (20%ish). So I still eat ice cream, chocolate, chips, etc, but only occasionally. Now, the reality of this surgery. And you might hate me, I might get slammed, you can take it or leave it, but whatever you decide, it really is the truth...you can not go into this thinking you will make NO changes to your lifestyle and maintain forever. The losing is the easy part, just like diets of days gone by, it is the maintaining that is harder. There are so many foods that once you are past a year out, you can eat a lot of, I know from experience. From what I have seen, once some people hit around the 18 month mark, they start gaining. I have seen it a lot in my local support groups. Why? Because they start to fall into old habits, snacking on slider foods, and becoming complacent. It sounds a little depressing, but you will still have to be aware of what you are eating for a lifetime. Lots of it becomes habit and it is easier. The sleeve did not take away my desire to eat, I still enjoy food and I still like junk food. I have had to make the effort to set up my environment so that I can be successful, or else I would gain, probably every pound back. Does it mean you have to become obsessed, of course not. Everyone has to do what works for them. Some people take things to either extreme. My approach, make changes that you know you can live with for a lifetime.

I have seen it done plenty of times. I know a fellow sleeve patient that has lost 265lbs, and I have seen many on here as well, so it is possible! But don't set yourself thinking you will lose it all in the first year. Yes, the first 6 months to year is the "honeymoon" phase where you lose the quickest, but it doesn't mean your sleeve expires after a year! It took me 18 months to reach goal, and the person above that I mentioned is almost 3 years post op and still losing slowly here and there. The important thing is to stick to the plan and make permanent changes to your lifestyle. It is very easy to get caught up in the "honeymoon" phase when you can eat almost anything and still lose. I am 2.5 years post-op, and I can tell you, it does not last. If you keep making bad choices, eating lots of slider foods and drinking calories, it can not only stall your weight loss, but you can start gaining. The sleeve is not a cure and it is not magic. It is an amazing tool that you need to work with to help you achieve your goals, but it is for a lifetime, not just the first year. For me, I had around 80 lbs I wanted to lose. I lost the first 55lbs in the first 6 months, and it took me the next year to lose the next 25lbs. I made changes that I could live with for a lifetime and did not follow a specific diet. Maybe if I would have, I may have lost faster, but I knew it would have been something I could not maintain forever. I actually thought I was done losing about 5-10lbs from my original goal, and I was ok with that. Then, about 4 months later, I started losing again and actually dropped below my original goal. It is important to set a realistic goal for yourself. I see too many people get a specific number in their head that may not be the right number for them. Some achieve it, many don't. I set my goal just withing a normal BMI, but I never actually thought I would even reach it! As for stalls, I just learned to roll with it. If I wasn't gaining, I was happy! Stalls happen to everyone and it is a normal part of losing weight. The more stressed about it you get, the less the chance you will be able to break through it (not that I am perfect and have never freaked about anything, but I have and still am learning!) Good luck on your journey!

I buy almonds that are already sliced for me (you can usually buy slivered or sliced almonds in the baking aisle or bulk food store). The slivered ones tend to brown quickly, so I prefer the sliced. It does not slide for me, I find it very filling ( I also mix with yogurt as well). It keeps me full usually all morning!

I do 2 cups oats, 3/4 c almonds, 1 cup puffed rice, 1/2 cup hemp seeds, and then about 1/2 c syrup and 1tsp liquid vanilla stevia to hold it together and make it granola. I actually cook mine in my T-fal Actifry, no need to stir, so I am not sure what it would be in the oven, you would just have to experiment. If you search online or on pinterest, you can find lots of recipes, granola is fairly easy and you can make it almost anyway you want.

I do have to be careful around carbs, but this doesn't seem to bother me that much. Other things, like sweets especially, once I start, I can't stop and I crave them more and more. Bread and Pasta, meh. I enjoy it when I have it, but it doesn't turn me into a raving carb lunatic like chocolate does!

There is so many ways you can make it healthy, isn't it great! I was actually able to get my hands on a sample maple syrup from a company that makes Isomalto-Oligosaccharides syrup (it is what they use in Quest bars...it is a natural sweetener and prebiotic fibre and from what I have read, fairly healthy). It does have some calories but is ridiculously high in fiber! I hope some day they will be releasing it to the public, I think it is a great option for people trying to get away from artificial sweeteners.

I think this is the thing a lot of people think, and when it is not the reality, they struggle. I am 2.5 yrs post op. I get hungry (not the same feeling as before, and not as ravenous, but it is still there), I still enjoy food (nothing ever tasted weird), it was never a chore to eat, and I still get cravings. Learning to handle them is the key. The sleeve is a great jumps start, but the battle will always be there (for most people anyways!). I have been maintaining for almost a year, but still worry about gaining and watch what I eat. I am not a food fanatic, and will have treats, but if I don't watch, I start to gain. One thing I find very filling (if you are ok with healthy carbs) is homemade sugar free granola. I use thick-cut organic oats, almonds, puffed brown rice (like rice krispies, although I aim for the organic kind without anything added to them), sugar free maple syrup and vanilla stevia. I mix it greek yogurt and it keeps me for hours, even further out from surgery!

OK, I just need to rant a little because I am feeling frustrated. I am almost 2.5 years post op and have been pretty much maintaining for the last year. But I have to watch what I eat all the time. If I start to slip, I start to gain. I keep the junk out of the house, and my immediate family is either on board/ don't know any different (I have young children). Where I am struggling is my Mom. Now, don't get me wrong, she was one of my biggest supports when it came to getting the surgery. That being said, she always has food around. I have asked her nicely, begged, and have broken down crying, just trying to reason with her that not everything has to revolve around food. So with this Easter, we did not buy our children many treats, just a couple of chocolate eggs that I knew I wouldn't eat and got them present instead. My mom asked if she could get them some treats. I told her a little bit. Then they show up, and she has bags of candies and chocolates, along with the bag of chocolates and candies that my Grandma gives and refuses not too. Now I am good at limiting how much my children eat. But me, I am a food addict. I admit it. If it is sitting there in front of me, I cannot resist it. That is why I do not keep anything that I like in my home. I am trying to convey to her how hard it is for me to have all that food around, and she is getting better. But I just can't seem to get it across. I saw one person that they did a coin hunt instead of an Easter Egg hunt, maybe I will have to try that instead. I am not anti-treat. I made a homemade pumpkin pie and enjoyed a piece. I am anti-15 lbs of chocolate for everyone! Love to hear others experiences and how you have dealt with them.

I can eat almost anything now too, which makes it hard. And I am so glad to hear from you Butter! You seemed invincible, and to know that sometimes you struggle makes me feel not so alone. Not that you are not a superhero, you have done amazing and I look up to you!

Congratulations!!

I have been trying different things with my greek yogurt and came up with this! My husband even loves it, and every time I make myself a bowl, he is always commenting on how good it smells...maybe I will share one day....maybe... plain greek yogurt a few drops of lemon stevia liquid (I use Lemon Twist liquid stevia by Now foods) raspberries a few slivered almonds or granola a packet of French Vanilla powdered Stevia (I use Now brand) Mix the lemon stevia into the yogurt and blend well. Throw in your almonds. Wash your raspberries, place on top and then sprinkle with the French Vanilla Stevia (I do this because raspberries can be tart...sweetens everything up!) So delicious. I have also tried with strawberries. Good too! Any berry would probably work.

I had my local health food place bring it in...I live in Canada so it is sometimes harder to get my hands of stuff. This is what it is thought on Amazon... http://www.amazon.com/Foods-French-Vanilla-Stevia-Packets/dp/B001EO683Y/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&qid=1364873348&sr=8-31&keywords=now+stevia

Some of it has already gone in the garbage. The problem is we live 5 hours away from each other. My parents have been here for 4 days now, and when we go there it is a minimum of 3 days. If it was just a short social function/evening, it would be a lot easier. But when we are there, the food literally sits out on the counter for the entire visit. I am not asking my mom to change what she does with herself, I just don't want her really bringing it all to me. I am hoping it gets better as time goes on. I think next year I am going to have a no candy policy and see how that goes over!

First of all congratulations on your success! You should be so proud! When before would you have lost 115 lbs in 1 year! Second, I totally agree with CowgirlJane. It took me 18 months to reach my goal and studies are showing that sleeve patients can continue to lose for the first 2 years and even beyond!

I think sometimes we really have to sit down and be realistic with ourselves. You said it in your post. You have had 3 children, 3 sections, and you are not in college anymore. Your body has changed so much in the years, being what you weighed in college just might not happen. I don't want to sound negative, but so many people set goals that are very difficult to reach, let alone maintain. You only set yourself up for failure and disappointment by setting a very specific goal number in your head. Ask yourself, do you want to work harder and be stressed all the time trying to reach a number that you might never get to, or might have to be a slave to diet and exercise to maintain. Or are you happy where you are, maintaining easily, feeling good in your clothes, and healthy. It is not an easy thing to accept, I know. I set my goal at the highest end of normal BMI, and I have reached it, but there are days that I keep thinking it is not enough. But really, it is all in my head, and I know it is something I have to work on.

That would be so frustrating. Do they think it is related to the weight loss?? I can't say that health wise anything has changed for me. I had no health problems when I had the surgery (which was a big reason I wanted to have it done since there are many in my family). My brother has epilepsy and seems to develop tolerances to certain medications, and then has to switch new ones. Good luck with journey at trying to find something that works.

Greek yogurt is my go to food. I buy it plain and sweeten it with flavored stevia. I also will add some almonds and a few chocolate chips. Nuts are a great source of protein and healthy fats and are very filling. You could try roasted chickpeas...satisfies that crunch, high in fiber and protein and very filling. I find fruit very filling. I do not watch carbs in the sense of cutting out healthy carbs. For me, a banana or an apple really fill me up and keep me full for a long time. You could also use chia seeds or hemp hearts. Both are very high in protein and filling. I will add them to my yogurt or I have also made chia seed pudding. If all else fails, a protein shake is very filling and lasts me a long time!

Thank you for sharing your story. I know I have posted about this before as well, and I feel very similar to you. I really struggle seeing myself the way I am and I am not happy with my body. I never dreamed I would reach my goal. Then, when I did, I was so happy for the fist few months. Then, I started to feel like I should lose more. I keep thinking, if I could only lose another 10 lbs or so, then I would be happy. This was actually one of my fears going into it, even something I discussed with my therapist and my husband...would it never be enough for me. Now I keep feeling if only I can get plastic surgery, then I will be happy. Not sure if it will happen. So just know, you are not alone. I think many people struggle with this idea. You look beautiful and I know you hear it a lot and, like me, don't believe it, but you look amazing the way you are!