DoOver

I'm starting month 9 out and I have no idea. And that's what I love about this surgery! I'm certain I get enough Protein because I major monitiored for the first 6 months so I just compute it automatically. But from about that point on I stopped paying attention to the whole "food" thing. And that's exactly what I was hoping for. When I look back over my old journals it's frightening how myopic my world was. How much did I eat that day, what was the calorie counts, what did the scales say that morning.....fighting tooth and nail to keep my weight under control was issue one in my life. Now it's not in the top 10. I eat as healthy as I can. Protein first, veggies second, anything else third. As stared in this thread, there's not a lot of room for third.
I eat when I get hungry. I eat slowly. I eat healthy. And I let it be.
I love this way of life with food. And from the date of my surgery I am down about 90 pounds now, about 144 from my highest point and about 106 from the day I joined my program for surgery. I'm about 20 away from my personal goal.
My point is that when you get this far out, you may find you are thinking more about eating healthy with very little interest or concern with capacity. It may seem hard to believe but it's my truth. And I love it. I love that food finally means so little to me. I never thought it was possible.

I'm starting month 9 out and I have no idea. And that's what I love about this surgery! I'm certain I get enough Protein because I major monitiored for the first 6 months so I just compute it automatically. But from about that point on I stopped paying attention to the whole "food" thing. And that's exactly what I was hoping for. When I look back over my old journals it's frightening how myopic my world was. How much did I eat that day, what was the calorie counts, what did the scales say that morning.....fighting tooth and nail to keep my weight under control was issue one in my life. Now it's not in the top 10. I eat as healthy as I can. Protein first, veggies second, anything else third. As stared in this thread, there's not a lot of room for third.
I eat when I get hungry. I eat slowly. I eat healthy. And I let it be.
I love this way of life with food. And from the date of my surgery I am down about 90 pounds now, about 144 from my highest point and about 106 from the day I joined my program for surgery. I'm about 20 away from my personal goal.
My point is that when you get this far out, you may find you are thinking more about eating healthy with very little interest or concern with capacity. It may seem hard to believe but it's my truth. And I love it. I love that food finally means so little to me. I never thought it was possible.

I'm starting month 9 out and I have no idea. And that's what I love about this surgery! I'm certain I get enough Protein because I major monitiored for the first 6 months so I just compute it automatically. But from about that point on I stopped paying attention to the whole "food" thing. And that's exactly what I was hoping for. When I look back over my old journals it's frightening how myopic my world was. How much did I eat that day, what was the calorie counts, what did the scales say that morning.....fighting tooth and nail to keep my weight under control was issue one in my life. Now it's not in the top 10. I eat as healthy as I can. Protein first, veggies second, anything else third. As stared in this thread, there's not a lot of room for third.
I eat when I get hungry. I eat slowly. I eat healthy. And I let it be.
I love this way of life with food. And from the date of my surgery I am down about 90 pounds now, about 144 from my highest point and about 106 from the day I joined my program for surgery. I'm about 20 away from my personal goal.
My point is that when you get this far out, you may find you are thinking more about eating healthy with very little interest or concern with capacity. It may seem hard to believe but it's my truth. And I love it. I love that food finally means so little to me. I never thought it was possible.

I didn't know until a few months ago that an acid reducer and a PPI were two different meds.
A PPI is a proton pump inhibitor which acts by blocking a vital step in the chemical formation of hydrochloric acid.
An acid reducer, an H-2 receptor blocker, acts by blocking the histamine-2 (H2) receptors, so histamine cannot bind to the sites that stimulate the acid production. H2-blockers also reduce gastric juice volume.
From everything I've read the acid reducers are the safer med. I didn't kow this when I started taking a PPI. I'd bought OTC acid reducers and was managing with those. But the PPI did a much better job so I switched. Now I wish I had stayed on the acid reducer as I do think there might be a rebound issue that's harsher with the PPI.
Just wanted to put this out there that they are different meds in how they work. The chemical acid reducers that are now OTC have been around much longer than the PPI's. I wish I'd have discussed this issue more with my surgeon but, as I said, I didn't know there was a significant difference in how they worked.

Sadly I looked 20 years young a year ago. Fat fills out the wrinkles. I wouldn't trade, but it's one of the reasons I tell people to make their decision early (younger) because the older you are, the less you bounce back. I've officially started my nip tuck savings account.
To the original question, I have several kinds I'm trying. There used to be a product called Neutrogena Copper Firming Lotion that was fantastic...so they stopped making it. I am looking around for another product that has active copper as that seemed to be the key for me.

I've been a very slow loser but a very consistent loser. I have honestly noticed that during the windows when I am not seeing the scales move my clothes become looser so I no longer pay much attention to any of it. I know I will get to goal. I know because I still have wonderful restriction so if I needed to I could actually still 'diet'. I'm just not opting for that because I'm so happy with the way things are going. I'm fine with slow. I've kept my hair and had decent strength after the first few weeks. So I'm a turtle. But a healthy turtle.

I just started dating. One of my motivations to have this surgery was to be able to do more with my ex. He threw me a curve by breaking up with me a few months after the surgery, telling me he was waiting for the "right time". He was serious.
Basically, I've only gone out with a couple of guys but neither of them cared. Frankly you will be amazed at how disinterested they are. It's not like you're telling them their fantasy NFL team was disbanded. : )

I'd "warn" him only because it would make me feel more comfortable. Odds are he isn't going to care. You can always dim the lights.

Wow! You look great!

You'll have that. I went through the "no turning back" window of thought. But I am soooo grateful I went through with it. Last year any physical activity was misery. Any. But this next spring I am signed up for horseback riding lessons. And I'm in my 50's.
No kidding, the first 3 months or so are hard. But now, it's just so normal and okay I find it amazing. And I had the occasion to binge eat so it's not like I went in w/ no real serious food issues. (As they explained to me, my idea of binge eating and true binge eating are two different things but that's not relevant if you think you have the issue and I did.)
My advice: Be brave this one time and it will save you many, many other times in the future where you will not have to be brave but will be able to be bold instead!
Good luck.

I've said before that I'm not great with numbers so if I'm a bit off from previous posts, please forgive me.
I'm not trying to revise history, just not that observant on numbers.
But I'm just now starting my 2nd year in this life and thought I'd share the markers.
In mid-October 2010 I started my pre-op diet. I think was was right about 326. Strict program requires loss prior to surgery.
In mid-April I started my pre-diet liquid fast. I was at 309. I was 100% faithful and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. 10 day fast and I ever skipped two packets. I think my mind was on the future by that time but I was also going a bit numb. I knew I had to do it so I sort of went into denial which worked for me. I was actually sleeved the last week of April 2011.
As of today, I am at 235. That's a loss of 92 pounds. It's not tearing up the track. I've seen others who have lost tons more but that's the main reason for this post and something I want people to understand.
You body, if you stay within reason and safety in eating, will lose. It just might pace itself differently than others so try not to judge yourself by others. I lost horribly when I was in the 400 calorie a day range. When I moved to the 800 calories, it wasn't much better. But now, in these past several months, with being able to take 1200 calories a day and having the energy and strenth to pick up more exercise (and with almost 100 pounds less stress on my knees) my weight loss has become steady and consistant. As I've added more calories, and 1200 is very reasonable to live with, I am not stopping weight loss. My surgeon preached that if you didn't lose in the first year in his program you were not going to lose with the sleeve. He was 100% wrong with me. This is now my new normal and the key to that is that I no longer fight it because I've accepted it as my normal. It's no longer something that was forced on me to save my health but something I'm thrilled to have done to have saved my life. It feels like I was born this way.
I stopped counting every bit of food about 3 weeks ago. I just got sick of it. I concentrate on Protein and take a good multi every day as well as my Calcium. In that 3 weeks I have become far less obcessed with food. I think of it so much less, eat only when I am really hungry (and I do still experience hunger). But now I'm just a human being who has a small stomach.
Most days I love it. It's a relief. I had had a bout of depression but I'm also going through menopause, lost 2 brothers (both under 60) and my Mom is now terminal and these things are the tip of the ice berg.. I have never turned to food in stress. My stomach actually gets tight and hard to eat so I don't think the sleeve contributed any to the depression. But I'm not being a hero and getting the depression treated so I'm thinking I'll be better by year end. And at least 10 pounds lighter.
Oh, and one more thing. One year ago rolling my trash can to the end of the drive was a challenge. The last several days I've walked a 1/2 mile trail behind my house. And I have very bad knees. So plan for the best. It's right around the corner for you.

I've said before that I'm not great with numbers so if I'm a bit off from previous posts, please forgive me.
I'm not trying to revise history, just not that observant on numbers.
But I'm just now starting my 2nd year in this life and thought I'd share the markers.
In mid-October 2010 I started my pre-op diet. I think was was right about 326. Strict program requires loss prior to surgery.
In mid-April I started my pre-diet liquid fast. I was at 309. I was 100% faithful and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. 10 day fast and I ever skipped two packets. I think my mind was on the future by that time but I was also going a bit numb. I knew I had to do it so I sort of went into denial which worked for me. I was actually sleeved the last week of April 2011.
As of today, I am at 235. That's a loss of 92 pounds. It's not tearing up the track. I've seen others who have lost tons more but that's the main reason for this post and something I want people to understand.
You body, if you stay within reason and safety in eating, will lose. It just might pace itself differently than others so try not to judge yourself by others. I lost horribly when I was in the 400 calorie a day range. When I moved to the 800 calories, it wasn't much better. But now, in these past several months, with being able to take 1200 calories a day and having the energy and strenth to pick up more exercise (and with almost 100 pounds less stress on my knees) my weight loss has become steady and consistant. As I've added more calories, and 1200 is very reasonable to live with, I am not stopping weight loss. My surgeon preached that if you didn't lose in the first year in his program you were not going to lose with the sleeve. He was 100% wrong with me. This is now my new normal and the key to that is that I no longer fight it because I've accepted it as my normal. It's no longer something that was forced on me to save my health but something I'm thrilled to have done to have saved my life. It feels like I was born this way.
I stopped counting every bit of food about 3 weeks ago. I just got sick of it. I concentrate on Protein and take a good multi every day as well as my Calcium. In that 3 weeks I have become far less obcessed with food. I think of it so much less, eat only when I am really hungry (and I do still experience hunger). But now I'm just a human being who has a small stomach.
Most days I love it. It's a relief. I had had a bout of depression but I'm also going through menopause, lost 2 brothers (both under 60) and my Mom is now terminal and these things are the tip of the ice berg.. I have never turned to food in stress. My stomach actually gets tight and hard to eat so I don't think the sleeve contributed any to the depression. But I'm not being a hero and getting the depression treated so I'm thinking I'll be better by year end. And at least 10 pounds lighter.
Oh, and one more thing. One year ago rolling my trash can to the end of the drive was a challenge. The last several days I've walked a 1/2 mile trail behind my house. And I have very bad knees. So plan for the best. It's right around the corner for you.

I've said before that I'm not great with numbers so if I'm a bit off from previous posts, please forgive me.
I'm not trying to revise history, just not that observant on numbers.
But I'm just now starting my 2nd year in this life and thought I'd share the markers.
In mid-October 2010 I started my pre-op diet. I think was was right about 326. Strict program requires loss prior to surgery.
In mid-April I started my pre-diet liquid fast. I was at 309. I was 100% faithful and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. 10 day fast and I ever skipped two packets. I think my mind was on the future by that time but I was also going a bit numb. I knew I had to do it so I sort of went into denial which worked for me. I was actually sleeved the last week of April 2011.
As of today, I am at 235. That's a loss of 92 pounds. It's not tearing up the track. I've seen others who have lost tons more but that's the main reason for this post and something I want people to understand.
You body, if you stay within reason and safety in eating, will lose. It just might pace itself differently than others so try not to judge yourself by others. I lost horribly when I was in the 400 calorie a day range. When I moved to the 800 calories, it wasn't much better. But now, in these past several months, with being able to take 1200 calories a day and having the energy and strenth to pick up more exercise (and with almost 100 pounds less stress on my knees) my weight loss has become steady and consistant. As I've added more calories, and 1200 is very reasonable to live with, I am not stopping weight loss. My surgeon preached that if you didn't lose in the first year in his program you were not going to lose with the sleeve. He was 100% wrong with me. This is now my new normal and the key to that is that I no longer fight it because I've accepted it as my normal. It's no longer something that was forced on me to save my health but something I'm thrilled to have done to have saved my life. It feels like I was born this way.
I stopped counting every bit of food about 3 weeks ago. I just got sick of it. I concentrate on Protein and take a good multi every day as well as my Calcium. In that 3 weeks I have become far less obcessed with food. I think of it so much less, eat only when I am really hungry (and I do still experience hunger). But now I'm just a human being who has a small stomach.
Most days I love it. It's a relief. I had had a bout of depression but I'm also going through menopause, lost 2 brothers (both under 60) and my Mom is now terminal and these things are the tip of the ice berg.. I have never turned to food in stress. My stomach actually gets tight and hard to eat so I don't think the sleeve contributed any to the depression. But I'm not being a hero and getting the depression treated so I'm thinking I'll be better by year end. And at least 10 pounds lighter.
Oh, and one more thing. One year ago rolling my trash can to the end of the drive was a challenge. The last several days I've walked a 1/2 mile trail behind my house. And I have very bad knees. So plan for the best. It's right around the corner for you.

My "medical" carbs are in my Calcium chews. I take about 1/2 of my daily reqs in chews just because I like them. And in spite of not needing supplement with the sleeve, I feel like all I do is take pills so I like the break from Calcium by taking it in a lemon chew.
I agree with most of what you said. I am going to start the cycle routine, ultra low carb 1 day, healthy high carb the next. My place has very few dietary restriction on carbs and encourages their consumption.
I think that for most folks carbs are needed for health. But the devil is in the details and I think that's where it's easier for some people to just think carbs are "bad" instead of sorting the healthy carbs from the bad one. Because 75% of the time when I crave carbs, it's the bad ones I'm craving. I rarely crave a green bean.

If a miracle skin suck machine is developed so I can sleep in it at night and wake up taut and back in my 25 year old body, I'll look at the BMI chart. But as long as I am hauling around 10 pounds of excess skin I'll shoot for my own goal.
Any brainiacs here? If so, get to work on that skin suck machine pronto.

I have given this thread a lot of thought. I have to say I now understand the "my body, my choice" argument a lot better than I did before.
My option is to remain private. I've very grateful I made that choice. I am losing very slowly. I lost as much in the 6 months before my surgery dieting as I have after being sleeved so no one has noticed anything remarkable. I've also lost large quantities of weight before to where this isn't any different to them.
I do not want to be responsbile for anyone else's decision. A friend came to me about 8 years ago and tried to talk me into gastric bypass. She'd had it 3 years earlier and lost 150 pounds.She may not have meant it that way, but I felt pressured. Remember what it's like being fat and having someone come and try to fix you? That choice didn't seem right to me and I didn't appreciate her "come to Jesus" moment of sharing with me. Now, I'm sleeved and she's easily gained 1/2 of what she lost back. She no longer offers solutions to people. And I know there's at least a possibiliy that in 5 years I'll be dealing with rebound weight gain. I see it every month in my support group.
Everyone should have a responsbile primary care doctor who should be talking to them about surgical options. If they are not, they need a new primary care. And if you are thinking about going into major surgery like this without having been medically cleared, that's also a bad decision. Everyone I know, and I'm not exaggerating this, has access to the internet and there are multiple WLS seminars advertised and offered in our area by 4 different medical facilities each month. I just don't think I need to be putting myself into anyone else's life as an advocate for gastric sleeve. I don't want that responsibiliy and I don't think it's my job.
As this thread starts out by saying, this is just my opinion.

Miralax has no taste???? I think it's horrid. To me, it makes everything taste like spoiled milk. I was reading this to see how people take it. I've decided to go for a full whammy tomorrow evening by putting miralax in prune juice. If that doesn't work, nothing will. I'll just chug it and hope I don't gag.
I am also going to try the pro-biotics but thought I'd wait until after my next doc appt. just to be sure.