Sherri297

I used to be on here all the time - back when I first had my surgery and a few months post op. I've slowly started coming back due to the realization that I haven't lost anything for at least 5 months and it's because I haven't been in the game at all. I am seeing posts from people that had surgery around the same time as me or much later, that weighed more than me at date of surgery, and they have reached far and beyond my wildest expectations for myself. I just wanted to get below 200 and if I had stayed on plan, I would've accomplished this. The thing is, I can eat almost exactly like I used to and I do feel hunger and I am addicted to sugar/carbs. It is nothing for me to put away a donut and not have a single feeling of fullness. This has been the case for a while now and I know that the same obstacles that prevented weight loss for me prior to surgery still exist post surgery - mostly head hunger and telling myself that I will "get back on it" tomorrow. It's a terrible cycle that perpetuates itself over and over as I give in to a craving or deceive myself into thinking that it's ok because I did lose "some of the weight". I just realized that the only goal I set for myself was to get below 200 but maybe breaking it down might make things a little more doable and I will feel less like a failure. To those who have accomplished their goals, great work and let me know if you have any tricks or tips that you could share. For those who might be in the same boat as me, I feel your pain and maybe it's time today to do something about it. Yesterday was yesterday and tomorrow is a long way off so for now, I am focusing on my actions today.

You can do this! Like everyone else said, go back and start eating clean. Protein first, then veggies. Stay away from the sliders.
Getting hooked on sugar is the worst. A couple weekends ago I went on a long girls' weekend. We packed lots of Snacks to eat. I decided since it was a girls' weekend I was going to not worry about what I ate. I still made sure to get in my Protein but in between I snacked a lot. Well, I came home and that sugar addiction was rearing it's ugly head. I hadn't had this strong of an urge to eat sugar and keep eating the junk since before surgery almost 2.5 years ago! Finally a couple of days ago I told myself I had to stop. I gained 3 pounds and I don't want to end up where I was before and I hated how I felt. Now I'm going through the withdrawals from the sugar but they should be gone in a couple of days.
Having this surgery only works if we make the changes for life. We can't lose some weight and go right back to what how we were eating before. Hang in there, we are here to support you!

I forgot what an awesome forum this is and how helpful it can be. Laura, you look fabulous and your words are so kind and helpful - ringing so true. CowgirlJane - Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a well thought out and inspiring response. Georgia - it is so good to be validated as normal. So, yes, back to the drawing board here - Proteins, veggies, Water. I am not looking forward to the headaches, the cravings, the frustration, etc... but I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So, here is the deal. My birthday is Thursday (38 going on 25) and I am shooting to be over that initial 3 day no sugar hell by then as a present to myself. It's a short goal but doable. I am planning to stay much more active in here. You guys are awesome.

I recently put this quote in my siggy because as a person in maintenance - which I have failed at 100% of the time in the past - it is easy to think we are done... as others have said...we are never DONE. Normal weight people don't see their health as something they work on for a little while and then move on - we are in this for life!
I have changed, am changing and will change the very person I am because although there are many wonderful things about me (I am not modest..haha) there are also some really sucky things. I want to permanently change how I deal with things about my health, about my relationship with food and taking care of myself, it is about my relationships with other people. It is about how i want to live the remaining time I have on this Earth.
“Transformation is not a future event. It is a present activity…That is why you must bring everything that you have to give in every moment…And it doesn’t have to be perfect, it’s not about perfect, it’s about effort. When you bring that effort every single day, that’s where transformation happens, that’s how change occurs.” – Jillian Michaels

I'm so glad I found the veteran forum. I've been reading the newbie posts but needed to hear from people like me. I will be one year post UOP in Oct and my bad habits have crept back in - stress eating and carbs. I made it to goal but I've gained six pounds, which may not seem like much but I know that I'm headed the wrong direction. Honestly I'm surprised it's not more with the amount is junky food I've been eating.
I got back to taking my Vitamins. I added exercise back and now I'm working on drinking more Water, eating smaller amounts and cutting back on slider foods.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I'm looking at starting a weekly conf calling Sunday afternoons as well. If anyone is interested please let me know.
Pamela

Hi stromlin,
Nice to see you back
It's never to late to get back in the game. It's all about saying ok today I'm working towards health and happiness. And realizing this is a lifetime change.
I've had points where I get sad knowing that I will have to deal with this for life.
But then again, I now know that I have to deal with this for life!
That was the problem with diets I started them, lost the weight and I was "done"
Hello weight gain.
So we have this... For lack of a better word "tool"
It's great but not a miracle worker.
But it's built in and still there!
So when I fall off the rails I know it's within my power to pick myself up again and use it to its full potential.
The fact of the matter is I can eat unlimited amounts of **** foods. But I still have my restriction for dense Proteins.
So what do we do? Yep, get rid of the crap from our house and our diets and go back to the basics protien and veggies.
Simple huh?
No not really because of the whole detoxing from carbs is hard I know. But start today and take it day by day. Hell sometimes I take it minute by minute. But if you hang tough long enough you will get through a day then tomorrow is a little easier.
Come here stay here and talk it out.
It helps me so much that others will listen if I'm struggling

The vets forum is JAM PACKED with ideas, tips and support!
What I want to say first isn't advice about losing weight, but it is more about the mental part of this. I think that surgical technique has helped some of us more then others. I discussed this with my surgeon at my 18 month. He was giving me all the credit BUT also mentioned that with band to sleeve revisions like me they sometimes cannot get a good tight pouch (that is still safe and not so small you have constant reflux) and he felt that in my case, we got a little lucky there.
I also want to say that losing and maintaining weight loss for women over 40, especially post menopause is a whole different ballgame then for some others.
Finally, there is this other... sort of wildcard... like that right combination of everything coming together. I was so determined to make goal, but, I also won the getting an amazing NUT to work with lottery, supportive friends, finding this bulletin board... really a bunch of things. I more or less turned a year of my life over to losing weight and now that I am maintaining, I am making my weight and health a very very high priority. I wasn't able to do that when I was banded. i can bash the lapband as being the medival torture device that it was, but, in truth, I also didn't do as well with "my part of the bargain".
So, don't kick yourself too hard, you can STILL do this. Realize that we all have our own journey and any one of us could have better or worse results. Even though I feel AMAZINGLY successful, I still sometimes wonder why i didn't get to a 23 BMI... you know what I mean? It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that someone else has it better, did it better or whatever... truth is ... this is our own journey and we all just do the best we can.
Having said all that, I did a bunch of different things over the course of the journey that got me to success beyond my widest dreams. I changed things up, tuned them, listened to myself and others to figure out what is needed at that particular time.
Should i find myself in your situation, I would basically start over. Eating just like a post op - high Protein, low carbs, small quantities (use small plates!) , get fluids in - all the tricks for newbies is also the best way to start over. Do NOT EAT SLIDERS. A donut is a classic example of a slider. I bet if I ate them i could eat a whole one and be hungry in an hour... I just.don't.do.it. It is like a physical addiction - I hate crappy food, don't even enjoy it, but once I start on it, the siren call is strong... very strong. i eat as clean of food as possible - Protein, veggies, some limited fruit and very low on healthy carb sources and the occasional "treat" like when I go out.
If I have the "munchies" like I just have to eat even when it isnt really time I have a piece of turkey, maybe with some cheese! If I am still hungry, maybe I have some salad greens or another piece of turkey meat.
As far as exercise, alot depends on your fitness level and your level of "wanting it". High intensity interval training is how I got from the 170s to the 150s - I don't think i could have done it without it. However, that is HARD and just getting out and moving more might be a better option until you are really fit enough to do it.

I love this post. I am 1 year and two months post-op. My doctor told me I have lost the expected amount from the sleeve (125lbs) the rest if up to me. My goal is 200lbs so I have 75 more pounds, I find myself strying. I bounce between the same 5 pounds.
Basically I will always be a work in progress and I'm okay with that.

I'm 51 years old, had a heart attack at age 46 - at that time I weighed 213. Quit smoking and gained another 50 pounds. Found my self with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and didn't think would live to see 60. Now post surgery, I'm off all diabetic meds, no more high blood pressure, was able to reduce the amounts of acid reflux med and cholesterol meds. I'm so much healthier, and feel so much better. I can even run for short spurts . Was the best decision for me, I know it has increased my quality of life and most likely longevity. Best wishes.

I never thought I'd say this but these frozen dinners are great! I have been having the hardest time eating any meat except for hamburger, I am not quite 3 mos out and most real food eating experiences have been disappointing and have left me wishing I hadn't tried to eat. Soft things are great but beef, chicken, etc difficult. I tried tender cuts, moist cuts... Anyway tonight I had the Atkins Turkey dinner and it was wonderful . Low carbs, low fat and low calories. Just the right amount of Protein. Just thought I'd share for anyone else struggling.

Well said Gamergirl.

I am a believer in something else apart from organized religion. I have a hard time verbalizing what it is other than the golden rule,and potentially a larger plan and that the Universe unfolds the way it should, but that's good enough to start with.
At the risk of angering some fundamentalists, I have to say in my case, lack of faith in a conventional God is not a choice. I kinda see it like being gay. Either you are, or you aren't. Either you are able to believe in God in the conventional way, or you can't. I've never succeeded in forcing it.

I'm 51 years old, had a heart attack at age 46 - at that time I weighed 213. Quit smoking and gained another 50 pounds. Found my self with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and didn't think would live to see 60. Now post surgery, I'm off all diabetic meds, no more high blood pressure, was able to reduce the amounts of acid reflux med and cholesterol meds. I'm so much healthier, and feel so much better. I can even run for short spurts . Was the best decision for me, I know it has increased my quality of life and most likely longevity. Best wishes.

I would encourage you to talk to your Dr. as soon as possible. Cigarette smoking puts you at so much risk especially during the healing process...blood clots & the like. See if you can survive on Nicorette or the patch for awhile if the Dr. Okays it. This is something I struggled & continue to struggle with. I quit the appropriate time before surgery & picked my cigs back up, but not until a FULL 12 weeks post-op. I AM trying to quit, though. Weaning myself down & am down to 4 cigs per day. Not everyone can give up "everything" all at once, but you need to be so careful. You just had MAJOR surgery. Eating & smoking (nicotine or herb) are addictions. I've found that it can help to talk to a professional & seek out medication when needed to address these issues. I know my surgeon's office has a psychiatrist on staff for post-sleeve issues & counseling.
As far as the marijuana, if it is medically necessary, have you thought about a vaporizer? You will get a concentrated amount of THC without the smoke. Unless you are using the marijuana for a medical reason I would also be careful with any intake. Learning how to eat, drink & judge when you are full is a huge learning process with the sleeve. If you are stoned & having the munchies you will not be able to properly gauge this new feeling. You could risk some serious damage to your new sleeve.
I am not a Dr. or health professional of any kind. They are best suited to give you the answer you need. Please be kind to yourself & take care of yourself. I wish you the best of luck.

I definitely won't be popular with this response..but why the hell would you cut 85% of your stomach out to be healthy only to die of Lung Cancer because you can't quit smoking..
And yes I am a reformed smoker so I can say that. I quit smoking on December 3rd, 2012 at 6pm and have NEVER looked back. I wish you luck in not continuing to smoking but if you are looking for validation to continue from this gal..you aren't gonna get it. I am sure there will be others who will say they continued to smoke etc., but to me it just makes no sense.

I loved reading your post. I read bits of it out to my husband. One of the strange and unexpected benefits of this forum for me, has been the support and stories about things that don't even really concern surgery, but just life challenges. Pretty much everything I'm going through, someone else on here can relate to and share their own experiences about, and that is a pretty powerful experience.
I used to be on a dating site's side forum that met the same need for me, but once I met my husband, I stopped going there. I still have many virtual friends, but we're not on the forum anymore.
I was struck by what you said re similarities in weight loss stalls, and rainmaking stalls. You get through both the same way don't you? Ensure you scrutinize what you're doing, tighten up areas, you're screwing up in, keep the faith, and keep at it. In life as in business, what other way is there to win?
Thank you for that insight. ((hugs))

A heating pad saved me from gas pain. I highly recommend one.

Love this!!!! (My husband did also). Thanks for starting my day off with a laugh.

I'm 51 years old, had a heart attack at age 46 - at that time I weighed 213. Quit smoking and gained another 50 pounds. Found my self with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and didn't think would live to see 60. Now post surgery, I'm off all diabetic meds, no more high blood pressure, was able to reduce the amounts of acid reflux med and cholesterol meds. I'm so much healthier, and feel so much better. I can even run for short spurts . Was the best decision for me, I know it has increased my quality of life and most likely longevity. Best wishes.

Jouselle as others have said......
after 20 years, i am now off diabetes meds/insulin - no more high blood pressure meds or CPAP
my unexpected NSV - my epilepsy dosage was cut in 1/2!!!!
all co-morbities might not disappear - but they will definitely improve
energy, happiness and confidence/self-esteem have shot through the roof
good luck with WLS
speedy recovery
kathy

Love this!!!! (My husband did also). Thanks for starting my day off with a laugh.

How Common is food Addiction?
Although there is little doubt that food addiction exists, the question of how common this may be remains a matter of debate.
Now a study by Pardis Pedram and colleagues from Memorial University, Newfoundland, examine this issue in a paper just published in PLoS One.
I am a food addict. I found this to be confirming....
The study looks at 652 adult volunteers (415 women, 237 men) recruited from the general population.
‘Food addiction’ was assessed using the Yale Food Addiction scale (YFAS), a questionnaire consists of 27 items that assess eating patterns over the past 12 months. The YFAS translates the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV TR(DSM-IV TR) substance dependence criteria in relation to eating behavior (including tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, vulnerability in social activities, difficulties cutting down or controlling use, etc.). The criteria for ‘food addiction’ are met when three or more symptoms are present within the past 12 months together with clinically significant impairment or distress.
Based on these criteria, ‘food addiction’ was present in 5.4% of participants (6.7% in females and 3.0% in males) and increased with obesity status.
Interestingly enough, the clinical symptom counts of ‘food addiction’ were positively correlated with all body composition measurements across the entire sample (p<0.001) – not just in those with higher BMI.
Nevertheless, “food addicts” substantially heavier (11.7 kg), had 4.6 units higher BMI, and had 8.2% more body fat than “non-addicts”. Furthermore, food addicts consumed more calories from fat and Protein than controls.
Thus, this study shows that as many as 1 in 20 (or 5%) of the general population may have a diagnosis of “food addiction”. Those who do are substantially heavier than individuals who do not meet these criteria.
Furthermore, individual symptoms of “food addiction” are associated with higher body weight across the entire range of BMI suggesting that even mild to moderate signs of “addiction” (below the threshold of a formal diagnosis) may contribute to weight gain in the general population.
As with all addictions, simply warning about the “evils” or making consumption more difficult (taxing, banning, punishing) is of limited help in addressing the problem. In addition, given that total “food-abstinence” is not an option, the best you can hope for is “harm-reduction” – a rather conservative goal for any addiction.
Clearly, not recognizing the potential role of food addiction as a contributor to the obesity epidemic means missing the boat on providing appropriate care to individuals with this condition.
As with other addictions, “Simply say no” approaches are naive at best in addressing the problem.
@DrSharma
Edmonton, Alberta

That's just not right. You should rethink your money saving strategies. Not cool.

:faint:
I am not sure that advocating fraudulant activity is a a "helpful" hint. I personally think you are toeing the line of theft because those clothes can no longer be sold as new, you are using them for FREE and then the retailer is losing out because they have dispose of them.
Are you telling the retailer WHY you are returning them? If not, do you think they would approve of your actions?
A helpful hint would be going to a consignment shop to buy clothes and then selling them back.

Isn't this fraud?