tinydancer

yes, yes, yes!!

Most of us have a lifetime of habits that we are dealing with. I will be 3 years post op in November and still have habits rear their ugly head, including binging behaviors. Many times it is either related to my emotions or my hormones. There are 2 difference now: 1) I know it is happening when it is happening...sometimes I stop it, sometimes I don't 2) I don't let one bad day or one bad moment send me on a downward spiral. I have fallen off the wagon more than once in this journey, but it never lasts long and I always have climbed right back on.
I think it is something that many of us will battle for a long time, maybe even a lifetime. Many times it is not only old habits we are dealing with, but just plain old human nature. I have seen my husband (who has NEVER had a weight problem) engage in the same behavior on occasion. I think the key for him is that is exactly it, on occasion, not all the time.
Just like Georgia said about her friend that still thinks about a cigarette every once in a while, even after 20 years, I don't think our habits will disappear after a year or 2 years. They might not ever disappear. But knowing ourselves, our habits, and our triggers is what will help us be successful in the long run!

Definitely tell him about the surgery before any nekkie times. To help with any body image nerves, have a glass of wine (or two).

I still get hungry, but less than before the sleeve. I thought hunger would totally go away, but it didn't. I am in the 10% that keep the hunger. Everyone is different I suppose.

Don't get a draws in a bunch gals lol. I swear sometimes all the cattiness on this forum makes me wanna eat. Everyone on this forum has a weight problem. If you didn't you wouldn't be getting or have gotten sleeved. Just because you lose weight doesn't mean you don't have a weight problem, just means that you're not a heavy as before. I would stick my neck out on a chopping block that if anyone that's post-op eats unhealthy like some naturally genetically skinny people that they'd gain all the weight back plus some.
In addition I would like to say, I started this thread as a light hearted place to vent about societies nuances or skinny people's non-issues! If you don't have anything sweet or salty to add to the pot, there's like a cazillion other threads here, keep the sourness to yourself.
Obviously....no one hates all skinny people, that'll take a lot of energy and in the words on sweet brown "AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT" so lets just all unbundle our panties and carry on please. Thanks in advance.

I'm so glad I found you all! I hit my year mark and have only lost 64lbs. I know 64lbs is a lot, but I wanted to lose a lot less. The case manager at my doctor said I should only lose about 60% of my goal and my goal was 100lbs, so I guess I'm on track. I have weighed 180lbs for the last 3 months. Thank you for all your inspiring stories. They are motivating me to do more!

Wow! Thank you all for your support! I fell off the 'healthy' wagon when the kids got out of school for the summer. With 4 kids we eat whatever is easy on busy days. It doesn't help that my husband is a junk-food-aholic! LOL! I have re-evaluated and I am trying to eat healthy again & I'm working out everyday again (sat up an in home gym).
I have lost lots of inches but I agree that I'm looking at pounds. I cried the day I weighed in and was no longer considered Morbidly Obese. I will cry when I get under 200 lbs for the first time since high school. I have a closet full of size 16 jeans that I am dying to wear but I'm stuck at an 18.
It's just so frustrating, and then I discovered this app for this support group. I can't tell ya'll how excited I am to have this kind of support. I don't really have a lot in my personal life! Thank ya'll again SO MUCH for all the support!

Hi,we were sleeved 3 days apart.
2 months ago my weight loss stopped.I was eating good and exercising.But the weight wasnt coming off.I sulked and complained about it for a good 7 weeks weeks.
When my rebellion about this surgery that wasnt working (lol) subsided I gave myself a good talking to and realized
1.I wasnt really tracking carefully.(the little bits and bops that went with the food,or the quick bite before dinner,or the extra milk in my tea,they all added a good few calories every day that I wasnt counting)
2.I had to drop my carbs and up my Protein.
3.i had to eat different foods.Was repeating the same foods all the time.
4.The choice was to do these things and work hard or stay at that weight,but I had a choice.
5.That I really was the only one to help me and being so mad about it want going to change it.I had to take responsibility.
Since then I have lost about 15 pounds fast.It may be my plan,I want to believe or It might have been a mighty stall, which would mean your weight loss will start up again.
In the mean time,maybe you should just work out your own plan.It does make us feel much better to be proactive about things.That way the weight will start coming off sooner rather than later again.
Good luck and if sulky me can do this,so can you.You are getting closer and closer to that elusive onederland and it does feel great.Hope you join us there soon!

Heads up people, GIANT post!
I have not been a "sporty" person most of my life. I had periods where I went out dancing, or swim laps at a local gym. About 2 1/2 years before I got surgery, I noticed a slow decline in my health. I could hardly get off the couch without making old man noises. I could see my future, and It wasn't pretty.I was 55 years old. So I thought about what kind of movement I might actually like, because I knew from being alive for years already, I don't move unless I like it. I have a gym close by that is a rock climbing gym. I did this for a short time because my boyfriend/husband did, and it looks cool to see others do it. I thought, I'm going to that gym, and take a yoga class to start things out. Flexibility was attractive to me. I went into the gym with a friend, took a yoga class (sorry all), HATED IT, because it was too hard for me. I loved the gym though, all giant fake rock walls and cool townies climbing. I looked at the list of classes, and saw Bellydance. You heard it... they had a weekly bellydance class. I had taken bellydance in the 70s, for a few months, and I had always thought, "If I hadn't quite that class as soon as I did, I would know how to bellydance now! And I decided to go to the class and try it out. OK. I loved it. It was HARD, but I loved it. There was cool music, you could wear a skirt and jewelry while you exercised, and no shoes. The ladies were super nice. I made a committment then and there to go to class for 5 years and do at least one public performance. This last friday was my 5th year at bellydance, and I STILL love it. I even took some Tango lessons at the gym, and lately started weights. Around the same time I also started "co-teaching" a walking class at the day program I work at... so I get paid to walk 45-60 minutes twice a week with a group. Heres the thing, I don't feel like I can't get off the couch anymore. I butt-dance in my car when I drive if good music comes on....my body shape has changed s-l-o-w-l-y over the years, and when I lost the (now 71 pounds)weight you could actually see some muscles and shape underneath. I don't think the exercise was a huge factor in my weight loss, but it was a huge factor in feeling great and sexy and connected with my body.I found some things I like to do, I don't have to be good, just committed... and in the last couple of months I have added walking in nature, birdwatching, and taking photos as well. I go out to take photos and birdwatch, and I just happen to be walking at the same time and don't even realize I am exercising until I check my fitbit and see I have gone 2 miles and totally enjoyed myself AND got some practice with my new camera. Just saying, moving is a lovely part of life. I also like to move more because I can eat more when I do. I use my fitbit to track my output, and can eat a little more when I exercise a little more.... its even enough so Im not hungry, which happens to some of us after a few years(or even earlier than that) That is a motivator for me too. LONG POST, sorry if its tooooo long, but thats my story. 2 1/2 years out, lost 87- gained 22, lost 7.... still going to get to goal if possible. I have not gotten to goal yet... but happy and looking good!
Here is a pic of me and my little dog going out for a day of birdwatching on my 60th birthday last saturday... walked 3 miles and saw some fantastic nature! Find something you love to do that involves moving, and do it! Best of luck to you all!

yes, yes, yes!!

Gradually work your way up to the TDEE number. It may take you 2 or 3 months. Please do not try and rush the caloric increase or you may find your body storing the calories instead of burning them. A gradual increase will be more natural for your body and allow you to retrain the BMR.
For the average adult, it is usually .8 gram protein per kg of body weight and there are 2.2 kg in a pound. Take your body weight and divide it by 2.2 to get your body weight in kilograms. Then multiply that number by .8 to get the amount of protein you should eat daily. For example, I weigh currently 188 lb. That is 85.45 kg. Now multiply that number by .8 to get 68.36. This is the minimum amount of daily protein I should eat as an adult that weighs 188. However, I am not the average adult. We have had WLS.
As WLS post op, we should be consuming at least 80 G protein a day. Everyone should definitely meet these protein goals, no questions asked. That is what the doctor recommends as the minimum, even without being active. I think you get this now.
Athletes need much more. If you are physically active like an athlete, you should consume at least 1.8 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram. This is to. Support a healthy BMR for the high levels of fitness. i am sure a lot of VST members who are far enough out can see themselves as athletes and should try and eat this much protein to keep the BMR running efficiently.
For example, I workout intensely daily so should consider the athlete protein levels. Taking the 85.45 kg body weight and multiplying it by 2 gives 170.9 grams of protein daily, on the higher recommendation side. I eat around 170 G lean protein now by focusing on lean protein every 2-3 hours and also drinking Protein shakes when waking up and going to sleep.
Lean protein is good for regulating your hunger, so do the best you can to gradually increase the number depending on how active you are.

So its been one year. I'm so thankful that I was able to have this surgery! I'm almost in tears thinking about the difference it has made in my life. I am not that woman that lived life and then gained weight. I was the teenager and adult that felt like she was always working backwards. I didn't gain weight... I always had the weight. This surgery gave me a fighting chance. I have a normal size body that I can maintain or destroy.... and I am worki g on the former. I have so much energy and I can get out and live life without my weight holding me back. Losing weight was something I prayed for. My entire teenage years and adult years I was stuck in this body that was unhealthy and at its highest 272 pounds. I walked into surgery a year ago 244 pounds. I never hated my body... in fact I was probably overly confident in my looks. However I knew that I needed this surgery because of vanity, because of health, because I was tired, and because I wanted to live a healthy life. It was a long HARD journey and I am still in a constant battle with food but here I am 158 pounds (everybody thinks I weigh less.) I know some of you are aiming towards 120 pounds at my height of 5'6" but hey, i'm a bodacious, curvaceous, black island girl and besides the extra skin on my belly I'm a goddess!

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I know just how you feel. I was gaining as well as snacking. I recentley started using my fitness pal.com and that has helped. Also i gave myself permission to eat Atkins Protein Bars when i want something sweet. I eat those in place of "real candy". At least i'm getting some Protein in when i have one, and some of them taste really good and that satisfies my sweet tooth. I'm losing again and confidence is up. Hang in there and never give up!!

I know just how you feel. I was gaining as well as snacking. I recentley started using my fitness pal.com and that has helped. Also i gave myself permission to eat Atkins Protein Bars when i want something sweet. I eat those in place of "real candy". At least i'm getting some Protein in when i have one, and some of them taste really good and that satisfies my sweet tooth. I'm losing again and confidence is up. Hang in there and never give up!!

Instantly! If it drops Its mine. Lol

shuckybucky, that is so true. The mindset is the hardest thing to change. Since i first posted, I have already had a few really good days. eating my Protein and taking time for me that means cooking and thinking about what i put in my mouth. I had salmon and made a dill sauce W/ yogurt, garlic dill and lemon. so good!! walking too, and feeling better. thanks again for the help guys. hope is rising!!

that's awesome neek41. I'm really glad i'm not alone on this journey. I think you have all given me some hope. i think i will go to a new store and focus on getting interesting Protein choices. i sincerely thank you all for the input. please keep it coming:) my hope is rising.

I really appreciate the input. it"s good to know I am not alone. I think I would rather eat crackers or something than eat a meal, this is true. My goal now is to refocus and care for me enough to take care of me

Pardon my karma sutra, but sex is a million times better. Shopping for smaller clothes is exhausting because "everyone wears that size" but it still feels like a victory! Even your shoe size shrinks! You dont worry "omg, am I going to break this" or "will my butt fit on this". You dont think people judge you on your size anymore, but on how sexy you knew you were before "Why yes, I'd like to try a sample of [food]" doesnt make you double think errrr will people stare at me funny? (++, it serves as a meal early on haha hellooooooo Sams Club Buffet!) That meal at Applebees people scorf down in 1 sitting and are still hungry? Nope.. serves as 3 meals for me! And no more awkward "quarterpounder with cheese, 6 piece nugget, large fry, 2 apple pies, and a large diet coke" orders. (although they will look at you silly when you order a kids meal. Oh well its half the price of a regular meal you wouldnt eat all of!) Oh. And "crap theres a weight restriction!" no more of that! And "does this make my butt look big?" turns into a whooooole nother reason to ask!
Although I would like to say, I thought clothes and accessories would be cheaper. NOPE! Just means I buy more because I CAN buy more variety at those stores I couldnt shop in before HELLOOOOOO Victorias Secret!

I will def cut out the clowning & thanks for your advice!! That helps
neek41

I had a personal trainer once that said the reason most women fail at weight loss is because they believe 2 things.
#1. If we eat something we have deemed off limits then we reason that we blew our "diet" so we might as well eat what we want that day and start over tomorrow.
#2. We lose some weight or get to our goal and feel we can now go back to eating what we want (we earned it or our job is done mentality) when what we want to eat is what got us in this trouble.
He was right! That was exactly the roller coaster I was on. You have to change your way of thinking to change your outcome.

You can do this! You have come so far. Seeing a therapist helped me deal with my food issues/addiction. I don't think I would be successful without her help. You might want to consider getting some help to deal with food issues. Good luck on getting back on track!

Thank you for this, I feel like there's no hope. But we all know that's not true!! I'm down 82 pounds. I was sleeved May 24 , 2012 I should be down at least 110 pounds. I started at 341 now I'm 259 struggling to move I've been here since Jan. & I feel like I earned the right to eat junk. That's absurd. I still have a goal of 67 more to loose. I NEVER work out. I'm gonna get started ASAP working out now!!
neek41

I don't think it is ever to late but it seems the key is keeping up with your Protein, journal your food and being prepared. Focus on your nutrition just like you did in the beginning. Get out if the "diet" mentality. So many people feel "I cheated on my diet so I might as well eat what I want today and start over tomorrow". Start over the minute you realized you made a poor choice. Good luck

It sounds as though you may be beating yourself up over non-issues. You said that you feel like you could have lost 50 pounds on any diet by now and guess what....? You could have. We ALL could have, and most of us have, more than once and for whatever the reasons it doesn't stick, and we continue to do what we do and gain it back plus some. The reason we got surgery is to jump off that crazy train and do something more permanent Permanent doesn't mean quick and easy though, unfortunately.
Sometimes I wonder about what goes on or what gets said pre-op to people because I knew right from the get-go that regular food would be back on the menu at some point. The fact is that we can eat most things so we have to be careful.
On a regular basis your diet should not consist of soft (mash it with a fork) type of stuff. You also shouldn't be having meats that are swimming in sauces, broths, gravies or cheese either. All of these things cause you to be able to consume more than is ideal for someone like us.
If you are in a rut I suggest getting a costco membership or something like that - go shop somewhere different and look at other options besides whatever you've been having.