Jack Fabulous

We all have buyers remorse at some point, but you will get through it. Once you see the weight melting off, you will feel better.

Hey everyone! I just wanted to start a thread to introduce myself, but also to hear from other members who might be new to VSG and updates on the progress of those "veteran sleevers". I'd love to hear from all of you! It's such great inspiration to hear your stories, especially since we're all in our twenties. I am 44 yrs old and had my surgery on February 16, 2011. It's been a whirlwind of emotions - as I'm sure you've all experienced. I love knowing that others have been in my exact shoes headed toward a healthier life! I weigh 270 lbs now and have a goal weight of 175. It's really hard to image I will ever get down to that size because I've been huge my whole life. Regardless, I'm hella excited for the possibility to finally have control over my biggest and most public problem: my weight. Looking forward to hearing for you

Keep walking. The gas-x didn't help me much

The original article can be found HERE A mouthful of chocolate candy, a sliver of cake, a chunk of cheese...give into those insistent urges, and before you know it, you've eaten everything but the kitchen sink. Even worse, those little urges can also add up to a large weight gain. For example, if you take in just 100 extra calories per day -- that's one ounce of rich cheese or a fistful of potato chips -- you can put on ten pounds in one year. So, when the urge to eat strikes, stop and ask yourself if you're really hungry. If not, then you're merely eating out of habit, and the urge will usually pass if you can wait it out. Overcoming the eating urge can be compared to riding a bucking bronco. You can fight the horse and be thrown or maintain your balance and "ride" the horse until it settles down. Being a good "urge rider" involves identifying your urges early and using skills to ride them through. One skill to "ride out" your urges is to distract yourself for at least ten minutes with an activity that is incompatible with eating. The goal is to "buy time" and choose an activity that meets several criteria: It must involve you, be readily available, and give you pleasure or fill you with a sense of accomplishment. Here are some activity suggestions to get you started, but it's important to create your own list of personalized options: Call a friend (don't use the phone in the kitchen) Chew a wad of sugarless gum Brush your teeth Take a shower Paint your nails Water your plants Ride your exercise bike Organize your closet Meditate, pray, or think pleasant thoughts (but not about food) File papers or balance your checkbook Grab your mate, not your plate Work on a crossword puzzle or a jigsaw puzzle Do not use television as your alternate activity. Studies show that obesity is almost twice as common in people who watch three to four hours of television daily as in those who watch less than one hour. This fatty connection may be due to the decrease in activity and the mindless snacking that tends to go hand in hand with watching television. If you watch four hours of television every day, that adds up to 1,460 hours each year. Just think of all the useful or enjoyable things you could do with those hours-or all the calories you could burn through more physical activities -- instead. Another way to ride out your urges is to change your environment. If you're alone, visit a friend (who won't offer you food.) If you're working overtime, take "seventh-inning stretches" in hallways. If you're in the kitchen, go to the bedroom or living room with a good book. Once you leave the environment, especially if it contained food, your desire to eat will eventually weaken. When you just can't resist an urge to eat, simply satisfy it with a low-calorie food or beverage. This is easy to do if you have an emergency stash of low-calorie items on hand, such as fresh vegetables, fruit, diet soda, and air-popped popcorn. Finally, ask yourself if your urges are simply a sign of fatigue. Many people feel like eating when they are tired, run-down, or sick. Once you recognize when you're tired, you can take a time-out and give your body what it really wants -- a little break. And don't feel guilty taking the extra time. If you ride out urges productively, you'll be surprised at the free time you have that once was filled with mindless eating. As your losing weight, or even before you begin, you should set up realistic goals for yourself to stay motivated. We will show you how in the next section. This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide ®, Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Even after surgery, I battle with the "hunger games". My mind wants to eat because it is bored or stressed, but I don't feel hungry.

After my six pound loss last week I managed to lose another three pounds this week. My total weight loss so far is 59 pounds. That’s not bad for two months’ worth of work. The surgeon said I would only … Continue reading →

I think you are doing just fine. My dr told me that I should expect to lose 1 or 2 pounds per week. I said WHAT!!?? My initial weight loss was dramatic, but then I went on a 3 week stall where I gained 2 lbs. I'm back to losing again. I don't think you will see the dramatic weight loss others have seen because you don't have as much to lose. But keep in mind that if you follow the program, you will continue to lose weight for 12 - 18 months.

I LOVE IT!!! Fatalance!!! Yea, that's what I have LOL

I bought my pureed food from a company called Blossom Foods. They are frozen 5 oz containers of meals like pot roast, chicken enchilada, chili, cheese ravioli, etc. Depending on the actual food they range between 15 - 20 g of protein and 150 - 200 calories. It worked out really well for me cause I could take it anywhere with me and pop it in the microwave for 3 min and eat. I like it so much that I still eat them even though I am on solids now. They help me control my calories and portion size. www.blossomfoods.com

I’m happy to report that the 260 or Die campaign is successful but I think I need to rename it because I want to continue to lose weight after I get to 260 pounds. This week I was able to … Continue reading →

I also write about a lot of these issues in my blog. I did not tell anyone until I was approved and had a date. Then I felt free to tell everyone. Some people tried to talk me out of it and others were supportive. I was strong in my convictions and knew why I was doing this. Yes, there was SOME shame in allowing myself to get to 330 lbs, but, now that I have lost 56 lbs, every one says how great I look and I FEEL great and have a lot more energy. Drop me a note if you need to talk, I'm around. I write about my journey at http://jfabulous43.wordpress.com/

A lot of my experiences are documented in my blog. What you are going through is very normal. I had those some questions. I am 2 months out and I feel great. The only issue you will have with your birthday bash is not inviting me! You will ENJOY your party. You will not focus on the food...you will focus on the friends and family gathered to celebrate with you...and THAT is what life is about. Life is about the people we love, not the food we love. In terms of your baby, I'd check with the doctor, but I felt great after the first month. I was also afraid of losing who I am, and had cold feet and second thoughts the week before surgery. All these emotional issues I write about in my blog. I encourage you to read it. You may also want to find a therapist that specializes in bariatric surgery. I was fortunate to find one and I have been dealing with these issues as well as my food addiction in therapy. Good luck. Drop me a note if you ever want to talk.

I am 2 months out and excited about my new life. I have no regrets!

That is horrible! This is a private matter. Plus your husband should be a lot more supportive of you. Is he on Team Mom or on Team Cissiesue? There is only ONE right answer to that question. Sorry, I take it personally when men act like jackasses.

I was sleeved on 2/16. I'd be happy to chat/email/text. Drop me a note.

Today’s essay is on how angry I am with myself because I have been unsuccessful in losing any weight for the past three weeks. I have been stuck at 280 pounds for the last three weeks. I blame myself for … Continue reading →

For the most part, I really enjoyed my trip to Chicago last week. This was my first trip after the surgery so I was very interested to see how I’d do. On Monday, I had a business lunch with some … Continue reading →

I have had terrible bad breath! It is good to know the reason for it now. At first I thought it was because of the protein shakes I was drinking, but the breath got worse after surgery and I thought maybe anesthesia had something to do with it. It's good to know the real reason.

I am 7 weeks out and I get head hunger all the time. I am a recreational eater. My mouth needs to constantly be doing something. I started buying sugar free popsicles. The ones from Edys/Dryers are great and only 25 calories. Also I check what time I am eating a meal and tell myself that I will not eat anything for another 4 hours. So even if I get head hunger, I try to tell myself that I can't eat until it is time. It is still a big struggle but I hope these ideas help. When you are further out, you might also try the 100 calorie popcorn bags. Eating one pop corn at a time could take a while.

Yea that show freaks me out but I love watching it. Maybe that show is my strange addiction. lol

Why not just drink pure juice not from concentrate? I know they say you are not supposed to drink juice because of the calories, but I think it is the same as eating a fruit if you don't drink more than 4 oz.

I forget and gulp water and then it all comes back up. My eyes have always been bigger than my tummy when it comes to food.

As I lose weight, I remember back to the last time I was at that weight. It brings up emotions and pain that I was experiencing during that time. My fear is, if I lose enough weight, I’ll go back … Continue reading →

I’m six weeks out and I’ve lost almost fifty pounds. I went to my surgeon yesterday. He was thrilled by my progress. I told him that my weight loss had slowed down considerably. He told me that it was normal, … Continue reading →

That's great! What kind of bike did you get? I have been thinking about buying a bike too now that the weather is getting nice and I'm losing weight.