Leleboo

All I can say is wow! I am pre sleeve and I do like to hear it all from people who have actually had the surgery. I want to be sure that I know all possible complications. Some of the things that you learn on this forum your surgeon is not going to tell you.

I'm 5'11" and built like a linebacker (a true apple). My surgeon never set a goal weight. Started at 258, down to 204. Normal BMI is 180. My PCP is happy where I am now, since my diabetes and high blood pressure are under control.
But I see another 30 lbs sitting on my abdomen that I would like to see gone. Following my plan, exercising like a fiend -- it will happen!

SW 187 GW 177 weight today 184

SW 187 GW 177 weight today 184

... I've licked a chip... In fact.. I'd lick anything right now if it had any flavour... Work surfaces.. windows...

Thank you for the compliments, but I have long suspected that Target dressing rooms have magical mirros - how else can you explain those terrible pants I bought last summer...lol.
In all seriousness, plastics is SERIOUS business and I wouldn't do it if i didn't need it. What those pics dont really show is that when I sit down, my tummy lays on top of my thighs. My thighs and arms are wrinkled like an elephant legs. I can go on.
Most of my "close up and horribly real" photos are not edited for modesty but, I have a couple that will give a more accurate representation of the situation. What my photos DO SHOW is that working out pays off and I believe I have a good chance of having good results from plastics because the frame underneath is in decent shape.

Count me in CW 187 GW 177

Count me in CW 187 GW 177

Count me in CW 187 GW 177

Wow what a dramatic difference you look great!

We all have evil brains. MY evil brain is called "Skippy" I do not let him decide ANYTHING about eating. He is twisted and sick.

I am big. I am fat. But I won't lecture you.
Try this. Get on a schedule. Practice eating because you NEED to not because you WANT to. It's a way to get your head out of temptations!!! And I always start the day with a Protein shake whether I want to or not...
Good luck!

Yeah there are some crazy hungry folks on MFP apparently.
Right now I've got a belly binder on that I'm pretty sure was used to get witches to confess back in the dark ages. Not to mention 3 funtastic drains that are grossing me out. But I just got home from the hospital and all is well. Not much pain at the moment, but that could be due to the same pills that are making me see 3 computer keyboards at the moment. I keep telling myself....it's the one in the middle Butter.

How many of you vets still encounter the old binge behavior of pre sleeve?
Here I am at 13 months post op and have been maintaining now for 6 months. Yet yesterday, the old binge behavior of eating senseless until discomfort hit me. I had gone on a hike yesterday and that may have triggered a need for carb inhalation combined with some stress from another part of life. And I did carb up before the hike with Protein infused steel cut oats and a couple energy squares. Hike was a joy. I was able to hike to the top without any fatigue. No soreness or out of breath. It felt like the end up a cross fit warm up.
I ate about 12 energy squares which would be about 720 calories around dinner time. Fortunately, an energy square is not really that bad for you because it is mostly good carb and good fat. Needless to say that became my dinner. scale did not move too much this morning, but I do feel a little more bloated then usual.
I am a little concerned about this behavior because I thought it had been checked at the door even 15 months ago when I started to prepare for surgery by changing my eating habits. My nutritional plan has been really a model of excellence over the last 6 months sticking to modified Paleo, focusing heavily on large amounts of lean Protein and veggies to fuel a high level of fitness. I eat healthy day in and day out without to much of a struggle. I like eating this way because of the energy it gives me to take on fitness and other activities in daily life.
Fortunately, my wife reminded me tomorrow is another day and I am human. It still depresses me a little that there is still a bridge that can be crossed to old undesirable eating behaviors. The bridge may be old, rickety and falling apart, but it can still be crossed.
That concerns me as a vet.

Fiddle I almost don't need to answer this thread because you know I still fight binge behaviors..
I too went for a hike yesterday it was awesome! We hiked up to an art and wine festival being held high up in the redwoods! I indulged in carb laden foods during the hike and wine at the festival. Afterwards at dinner in addition to my regular sashimi I ate a piece of regular sushi (rice) and then several bites of green tea ice cream! Later in the evening I just wanted to stuff! I wasn't hungry but "needed" the tastes..
Not proud, and upon waking today, I feel the "hunger" stronger than yesterday. But I will get my self straight today.
I thought about bingeing last night. I would binge to stuff bad feelings yes, and I've worked on changing that,
But I binged in the past too after good days or good things that happened to me. I had a very handsome man ask me out several years ago after he gave a speech at a class I was taking.
All the young girls thought he was hot. And he talked to me! Asked me out!!!
I was so giddy all the home! And when I got home? I binged, binged for the rest of the day.
This week I pleased my bariatric surgeon with my weigh in and progress, I went home and did a mini binge. So today I realized I need to know how to handle my "good" feelings too without turning to food.
Sorry for the long post

I am 5 months out and 80 lbs. down stick to what you are suppose to eat and you will have greater success. Once you get to goal then you can try to add some of your favorite things back into you diet in moderation.

Wow! Yes I see a difference and you look marvelous!

Because when people know about it, my weight becomes the sole focus. Every time we meet, "how much weight have you lost?", "you look great!", "have you heard about the new tapeworm diet??". Im a very private person, and with telling people I feel like I'm under a microscope that's focused solely on the size of my ass. My weight is the least interesting thing about me and I find the topic both boring and uncomfortable. I'm not at all ashamed of the surgery, but I went through it so that my weight would no longer be an issue. If I tell people, it becomes THE issue.

People can be mean, intentionally & unintentionally. I told no one. My health is my business. I didn't want to worry family & friends. I didn't want coworkers and others in my life gossiping about me anymore than what they probably already do! I don't look at it as 'hiding' it ...it is my choice not to tell just the same as someone has the choice to tell... everybody is different about it. I think we need to be respectful of everyone's choices on such matters. It is their journey, you know what I mean.

When my sister had her surgery years ago, I was excited for her, overwhelmed with the speed of weight loss, and would constantly ask "how much did you lose this week?" I'm sure it was a pain in the rump, but she never complained, and everyone and their brother would ask her nonstop about her weightloss and question what she put on her plate.
Four years ago my only child died.....and well meaning people concentrated on it..... 2 and 3 years later people still focused on it....and it was so hard to heal and continue on........I do not want people to focus on me, how much weight I lose, nor what I'm eating......it's no one's business.....and where I work, I'd get nothing done......so my hubby and above mentioned sister know, and that's it.

I was open about my surgery, I wish I wouldn't have told anyone. I received a lot of negative feed back. At work I can't even enjoy my lunch with out being asked; how may calories is that, how many grams of Protein is that, that doesn't look healthy and the list goes on.