jjod

I can relate to boobs that are flat pancakes. In fact when I lie down, I only feel ribs. But I love having ribs and hip bones too.
My goal was to be the highest healthy BMI which is 25. For me that was 140 which is where I hope to stay. My 800 cal/day has been raised to 1200 now that I'm on maintenance. It does seem like a lot and I'm trying to stay calm and not go nuts.
I learned how to log my food from my support group. I would strongly recommend using MyFitnessPal otherwise you won't know why you're losing or gaining.
I don't have a prayer of maintaining without it.

I've hit my goal of 100 lbs and being under 25 BMI. Woohoo! Thank goodness for gastric sleeve, MyFitnessPal and low carb eating.
It was fun changing the settings to maintenance mode.
Before: calories 800, carbs 40, fat 30, Protein 80.
Now: calories 1200, carbs 80, fat 60, protein 90.
So much easier. The extra carbs are supposed to come from veggies.
I'll never feel like "I've got this". I'm addicted to simple carbs and will have to avoid or my hunger will return. Also I have to continue logging my food so that I don't mindlessly eat.
How are or will you all handle your maintenance???

I can relate to boobs that are flat pancakes. In fact when I lie down, I only feel ribs. But I love having ribs and hip bones too.
My goal was to be the highest healthy BMI which is 25. For me that was 140 which is where I hope to stay. My 800 cal/day has been raised to 1200 now that I'm on maintenance. It does seem like a lot and I'm trying to stay calm and not go nuts.
I learned how to log my food from my support group. I would strongly recommend using MyFitnessPal otherwise you won't know why you're losing or gaining.
I don't have a prayer of maintaining without it.

I've hit my goal of 100 lbs and being under 25 BMI. Woohoo! Thank goodness for gastric sleeve, MyFitnessPal and low carb eating.
It was fun changing the settings to maintenance mode.
Before: calories 800, carbs 40, fat 30, Protein 80.
Now: calories 1200, carbs 80, fat 60, protein 90.
So much easier. The extra carbs are supposed to come from veggies.
I'll never feel like "I've got this". I'm addicted to simple carbs and will have to avoid or my hunger will return. Also I have to continue logging my food so that I don't mindlessly eat.
How are or will you all handle your maintenance???

I've hit my goal of 100 lbs and being under 25 BMI. Woohoo! Thank goodness for gastric sleeve, MyFitnessPal and low carb eating.
It was fun changing the settings to maintenance mode.
Before: calories 800, carbs 40, fat 30, Protein 80.
Now: calories 1200, carbs 80, fat 60, protein 90.
So much easier. The extra carbs are supposed to come from veggies.
I'll never feel like "I've got this". I'm addicted to simple carbs and will have to avoid or my hunger will return. Also I have to continue logging my food so that I don't mindlessly eat.
How are or will you all handle your maintenance???

So........how are things going for you ???
By now.....we've probably all learned a lot about ourselves.....the good, the bad.....the ugly.
We've been thrown off the horse and then got back on that beast and rode 'em hard again.
How are you doing ?
I'm feeling very confident in the future life and having a tool to keep the weight in the desired ranges. It's been a process.....and when I keep it simple it stays that way.......simple.
When I've opened the door a crack.....the madness comes rushing back in. The old ways. But......but.....the sleeve is a beast of his own. He knocks down the madness like Bruce Lee thwarting would be attackers. He fights them off until I can rally and get back to my senses.
Still having a lack of hunger as long as I don't escalate head hunger by grazing on sugary hell.
Sticking to Proteins and vegetables and all is well.

You look great!

Hi October group. Great to read where you're all at.
I've learned so much and have loved this journey.
Stats. Highest weight 236 5'3" BMI 40+
Surgery weight: 200 10/27/15
Current wt: 146
Goal: 136?
Who knows about goal. Nut says 115 which sounds insane.
Maybe I can't judge so I've been hoping to be a healthy BMI 25. This would put me bw 136-140.
It's all such new territory, right.
So I'm down 90 and would like to reach a total of 100 lbs down.
The key lessons:
I'm a carb addict and not necessarily a food addict. Carbs are not worth it and i don't want my hunger back.
Must get my Water and Protein.
Must walk 10,000 steps.
Must get my Vitamins.
How would this be possible without MyFitnessPal?
In my support group, people that are trying to get back on track have to go back to these basics.
I never want to reintroduce carbs. To me it would disrespect my sleeve. NOT worth it.
I also get crazy reactions from people. Positive and negative. And I have weird emotions surfacing. That's the best part of support groups and forums. Few outsiders get our journey.
My mantra:
CARBS ARE NOT MY FRIEND!!!!
Protein is.
MyFitnessPal is.
Congrats to you all.

Hi October group. Great to read where you're all at.
I've learned so much and have loved this journey.
Stats. Highest weight 236 5'3" BMI 40+
Surgery weight: 200 10/27/15
Current wt: 146
Goal: 136?
Who knows about goal. Nut says 115 which sounds insane.
Maybe I can't judge so I've been hoping to be a healthy BMI 25. This would put me bw 136-140.
It's all such new territory, right.
So I'm down 90 and would like to reach a total of 100 lbs down.
The key lessons:
I'm a carb addict and not necessarily a food addict. Carbs are not worth it and i don't want my hunger back.
Must get my Water and Protein.
Must walk 10,000 steps.
Must get my Vitamins.
How would this be possible without MyFitnessPal?
In my support group, people that are trying to get back on track have to go back to these basics.
I never want to reintroduce carbs. To me it would disrespect my sleeve. NOT worth it.
I also get crazy reactions from people. Positive and negative. And I have weird emotions surfacing. That's the best part of support groups and forums. Few outsiders get our journey.
My mantra:
CARBS ARE NOT MY FRIEND!!!!
Protein is.
MyFitnessPal is.
Congrats to you all.

Hi October group. Great to read where you're all at.
I've learned so much and have loved this journey.
Stats. Highest weight 236 5'3" BMI 40+
Surgery weight: 200 10/27/15
Current wt: 146
Goal: 136?
Who knows about goal. Nut says 115 which sounds insane.
Maybe I can't judge so I've been hoping to be a healthy BMI 25. This would put me bw 136-140.
It's all such new territory, right.
So I'm down 90 and would like to reach a total of 100 lbs down.
The key lessons:
I'm a carb addict and not necessarily a food addict. Carbs are not worth it and i don't want my hunger back.
Must get my Water and Protein.
Must walk 10,000 steps.
Must get my Vitamins.
How would this be possible without MyFitnessPal?
In my support group, people that are trying to get back on track have to go back to these basics.
I never want to reintroduce carbs. To me it would disrespect my sleeve. NOT worth it.
I also get crazy reactions from people. Positive and negative. And I have weird emotions surfacing. That's the best part of support groups and forums. Few outsiders get our journey.
My mantra:
CARBS ARE NOT MY FRIEND!!!!
Protein is.
MyFitnessPal is.
Congrats to you all.

Hi October group. Great to read where you're all at.
I've learned so much and have loved this journey.
Stats. Highest weight 236 5'3" BMI 40+
Surgery weight: 200 10/27/15
Current wt: 146
Goal: 136?
Who knows about goal. Nut says 115 which sounds insane.
Maybe I can't judge so I've been hoping to be a healthy BMI 25. This would put me bw 136-140.
It's all such new territory, right.
So I'm down 90 and would like to reach a total of 100 lbs down.
The key lessons:
I'm a carb addict and not necessarily a food addict. Carbs are not worth it and i don't want my hunger back.
Must get my Water and Protein.
Must walk 10,000 steps.
Must get my Vitamins.
How would this be possible without MyFitnessPal?
In my support group, people that are trying to get back on track have to go back to these basics.
I never want to reintroduce carbs. To me it would disrespect my sleeve. NOT worth it.
I also get crazy reactions from people. Positive and negative. And I have weird emotions surfacing. That's the best part of support groups and forums. Few outsiders get our journey.
My mantra:
CARBS ARE NOT MY FRIEND!!!!
Protein is.
MyFitnessPal is.
Congrats to you all.

I was October 6, 2015.
HW 281,
SW 251,
Goal 190,
CW 186.
Hit my goal a month ago and have been attempting to find a maintenance regime since.
My wife yells at me to "stop losing weight".
I'm doing a combo of strict days and loose days. So far so good.

Well, here we are, for most of us almost to the 6 month mark! I never thought I would be under 180 again & here I'am. The last 2 months it has been a crawl for me getting here but its still coming off! I'am more active now, moving more, & feeling great!!!!! I haven't been walking like I should still!!!!! So probably why its slowed down so much. food does not control my life anymore, which sometimes I wish I enjoyed eating more than I do when we go out to eat but I just don't!!! I do get hungry when I haven't eaten in a while but is quickly remedied with a few bites of something. I still try to get my Protein in but is still a struggle. I usually don't eat much more than a cup of food at a time. My solid meats still fill me up quickly. And eating slow is still a struggle & I get that stuck feeling when I do eat too fast. I haven't had any problems with any kind of food, except things that give you gas. Gas seems to be my biggest problem so far with this surgery for me. I had refried Beans the other night & so glad I was at home. My stomach bloated out terribly. My body looks so much better in cloths now. I'm between a size 12 & 14 in pants & M & L in shirts. Out of cloths, well lets just say I won't be wearing a bathing suit. My arms are the worse, I think I could fly with these wings, inner thighs, thank-god for Spanx, & breasts, I think most women have the same problem after giving birth & age but thankful for good bras which are wonderful for this!!! So I haven't heard of a good surgery for underarms but when I do I may have something done to them, other than that it is what it is. My Hair loss has slowed down as with the weight loss. Feeling so much better now has made every sag, wrinkle & even the gas worth having the surgery. My self esteem is so much better & I feel like the old self is back!!! I hope you all are as happy with this surgery as I'am! I'm so thankful for each & every one of you! You have made it so much easier going through this! I wish you nothing but success & can't wait to hear from everyone, especially as we meet our goals!!!! Have a wonderful 6 month anniversary everyone!!

Skip the first bite. It's not worth it.
I'm having an identity crisis too. But I don't miss my fat blanket. I like being more normal (whatever that is) and shopping in regular stores. I focus on the lack of pain in my hips, knees and feet.
Emotionally I'm surprised that I'm the same person fat or thin.
You might be self-sabotaging but more likely you're reacting to the carb addiction.
No first bites.
Veterans in my support group seems to fight difficult moments with Protein, protein and more protein!!!!

Maybe it's the amount of exercise? I've noticed (and just personal observation I'm not a dr!) that people seem to stall who exercise excessively. 2 hours is maybe too much? It's also unlikely that that level of exercise is sustainable so you may be setting yourself up for failure later either way. Maybe try to cut back the exercise and see what happens.
And I suppose it's not exactly 'missing' my fat security blanket but I agree with your statement abt feeling the same emotionally fat or thin. Losing weight didn't make all my demons and insecurities disappear and while I'm definitely putting myself out there more, I'm still plagued by a feeling of being on the outside of things. It's weird. I thought that would go away.
And jpod, you are soooooo right. Skip the first bite. I think I need to approach it like I'm an alcoholic. Maybe some things (simple carbs) I just can't handle in moderation. An alcoholic doesn't say I'll just have a little drink and have it be ok. I think I need to change my mindset and address the carb addiction like it is- an addiction!!!!!

Skip the first bite. It's not worth it.
I'm having an identity crisis too. But I don't miss my fat blanket. I like being more normal (whatever that is) and shopping in regular stores. I focus on the lack of pain in my hips, knees and feet.
Emotionally I'm surprised that I'm the same person fat or thin.
You might be self-sabotaging but more likely you're reacting to the carb addiction.
No first bites.
Veterans in my support group seems to fight difficult moments with Protein, protein and more protein!!!!

Skip the first bite. It's not worth it.
I'm having an identity crisis too. But I don't miss my fat blanket. I like being more normal (whatever that is) and shopping in regular stores. I focus on the lack of pain in my hips, knees and feet.
Emotionally I'm surprised that I'm the same person fat or thin.
You might be self-sabotaging but more likely you're reacting to the carb addiction.
No first bites.
Veterans in my support group seems to fight difficult moments with Protein, protein and more protein!!!!

You are similar to me.
Starting weight. 240
Surgery weight. 210. Oct 27, 16
Current weight. 168. Height 5'3"
Goal. 140-145. BMI 25
We are getting close very quickly.
It's SURREAL!!!
I'm almost to my high school weight and people often don't recognize me.
Lessons.
CARBS ARE NOT MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!
I keep my carbs to 40 daily
Calories to 750-800
Walking to 1.5-2 miles
I really believe that I will stall, lose my honeymoon phase, and/or regain my hunger if I reintroduce bad carbs.
I look forward to maintenance when I can increase to 1200 cal so that I can have veggies.
I don't feel like an alcoholic who has to have a little alcohol to live. I feel like a CARB addict who can thoroughly enjoy food as long as it is Protein and veggies.
This is not a huge sacrifice bc it is such a BLESSING not to be hungry and to feel normal size for the first time ever.
I deal with body dysmorphia which is super common. I felt huge in high school at 150. And at 51, didn't see all the fat in the mirror at 240. Only saw it in pix.
We are so blessed. I genuinely don't fear regaining weight as long as I avoid carbs.
Any other carb addicts out there?????
PS. With all this Protein, I definitely have to take Benefiber and a little Miralax daily.

Skip the first bite. It's not worth it.
I'm having an identity crisis too. But I don't miss my fat blanket. I like being more normal (whatever that is) and shopping in regular stores. I focus on the lack of pain in my hips, knees and feet.
Emotionally I'm surprised that I'm the same person fat or thin.
You might be self-sabotaging but more likely you're reacting to the carb addiction.
No first bites.
Veterans in my support group seems to fight difficult moments with Protein, protein and more protein!!!!

More Protein and less carbs!
Go for walks including your stairs.
I've been walking around the mall where I work during my lunch breaks. So much easier to include exercise into my normal routine. Also it's free.

You are similar to me.
Starting weight. 240
Surgery weight. 210. Oct 27, 16
Current weight. 168. Height 5'3"
Goal. 140-145. BMI 25
We are getting close very quickly.
It's SURREAL!!!
I'm almost to my high school weight and people often don't recognize me.
Lessons.
CARBS ARE NOT MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!
I keep my carbs to 40 daily
Calories to 750-800
Walking to 1.5-2 miles
I really believe that I will stall, lose my honeymoon phase, and/or regain my hunger if I reintroduce bad carbs.
I look forward to maintenance when I can increase to 1200 cal so that I can have veggies.
I don't feel like an alcoholic who has to have a little alcohol to live. I feel like a CARB addict who can thoroughly enjoy food as long as it is Protein and veggies.
This is not a huge sacrifice bc it is such a BLESSING not to be hungry and to feel normal size for the first time ever.
I deal with body dysmorphia which is super common. I felt huge in high school at 150. And at 51, didn't see all the fat in the mirror at 240. Only saw it in pix.
We are so blessed. I genuinely don't fear regaining weight as long as I avoid carbs.
Any other carb addicts out there?????
PS. With all this Protein, I definitely have to take Benefiber and a little Miralax daily.

More Protein and less carbs!
Go for walks including your stairs.
I've been walking around the mall where I work during my lunch breaks. So much easier to include exercise into my normal routine. Also it's free.

You are similar to me.
Starting weight. 240
Surgery weight. 210. Oct 27, 16
Current weight. 168. Height 5'3"
Goal. 140-145. BMI 25
We are getting close very quickly.
It's SURREAL!!!
I'm almost to my high school weight and people often don't recognize me.
Lessons.
CARBS ARE NOT MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!
I keep my carbs to 40 daily
Calories to 750-800
Walking to 1.5-2 miles
I really believe that I will stall, lose my honeymoon phase, and/or regain my hunger if I reintroduce bad carbs.
I look forward to maintenance when I can increase to 1200 cal so that I can have veggies.
I don't feel like an alcoholic who has to have a little alcohol to live. I feel like a CARB addict who can thoroughly enjoy food as long as it is Protein and veggies.
This is not a huge sacrifice bc it is such a BLESSING not to be hungry and to feel normal size for the first time ever.
I deal with body dysmorphia which is super common. I felt huge in high school at 150. And at 51, didn't see all the fat in the mirror at 240. Only saw it in pix.
We are so blessed. I genuinely don't fear regaining weight as long as I avoid carbs.
Any other carb addicts out there?????
PS. With all this Protein, I definitely have to take Benefiber and a little Miralax daily.

More Protein and less carbs!
Go for walks including your stairs.
I've been walking around the mall where I work during my lunch breaks. So much easier to include exercise into my normal routine. Also it's free.

Good luck!!
I found the surgery ten times easier than my two cesareans. Plus I got to rest afterward and not take care of a newborn.
Remember the rewards are huge!!!!!!!