delta_girl

It is highly individual. There is no way to know for sure. It could be 6 lbs per month, or 15.

I have several GLBT friends and am socially liberal myself. But I don't think that being GLBT is a license for endorsement or entitlement for a different set of standards or expectations in a general public forum. I love that the OP is being really cool about it and handled it. That is classy.

2 pieces of salmon sushi, 4 grapes, 2T smoked salmon with fresh dill, 1 cracker, 5-7 pistachios Now having a 25 cal cup of diet hot chocolate and a cookie.

Most everything is fine, except for pho, because there is SO much of it. I try to limit the amount of noodles, too.

This is one of those topics that gets asked a few times a month. Do a search up top and you will find all types of answers.

It will grow back. I think I've lost at least 5 lbs of hair

It was a long day yesterday. The night before my boyfriend and I had a spat and separated. I'm not sure if we broke up or what. It was strange. Anyway. I had to get up early and drive several hours out of town yesterday morning. I didn't eat Breakfast since I had eaten some chicken around 4am when I couldn't go back to sleep. When I arrived at my meeting, all present had brought appetizers to share since it would be so long and we didn't know if we would have time to break for lunch. I ate anything and everything there and then some. On my way home I stopped and got a fat free latte and shopped in Whole Foods where I picked up some healthy things and some crunchy things. When I got home and had about 5 pieces of sushi for supper, then later I caught myself snacking again on oriental snack mix. This usually happens the day before my TOM, and I've become accustomed to that and am fine with it. But I did not like what I saw and acknowledged yesterday. I was not hungry at the time that I ate most of the food I consumed yesterday. I grazed. It wasn't until later in the evening that I realized what I had been doing because I was so caught up inside of my own head. I wasn't bored, I was anxious, confused and maybe sad. So I reverted to my old self and started eating my emotions. I think I have actually been doing this very gradually over a few weeks now. I've lost close to 70 lbs but still have around 25 lbs to go and it has been Slooooooow going and I wonder if I'll make it to anywhere near goal, though I'm almost 6 months out. I'm doing some serious reflecting today and addressing a few things with myself. Challenges with food are better, but may never completely go away for me, though I can work on it. I'm not sad or depressed or crying out for help or support. But I think its worth it to share that vsg does not solve everything for everyone (as has been said a billion+ times here). We are works in progress.

Fear of loss can really get to you. I felt the same way. I'm heading into 6 months out and I eat anything I want any time I want it. There are just some things that I don't like as much any more. I actually bought some Thin Mints and put them in the freezer last week. I opened them the other day, took one bite of one of them and threw it in the trash. My body didn't want it at all. It wanted real food. Today we had a appetizer potluck at work. I had M&Ms, some kind of chocolate square (about 1/2" of it), dip and crackers, dip and chips, little pimento cheese sandwiches, sausage balls, homemade salsa, mini chicken biscuits from Chick Fil A, mexican casserole, ...some things I don't even remember. I ate all of those things. Just not much. A bite here, a nibble there. I don't usually eat all of those things now and the consequences were that my tummy wasn't happy for about an hour. You are worrying about the unknown. Look back at this in a few months and let us know how you feel then.

I hadn't even thought of this. I had 4 sizes of clothing..20...18..16..14 in my closet when I started. I am now a 10. After going to Goodwill I suddenly acknowledged vanity sizing. A size 14 skirt from before was a size 12 now. I'm in a size 10 from current standards, which looks like a former size 12. I'm working through this concept. At 5'3" and 150 lbs, I am working on my goal. Before it was 115 lb. Now I am reconsidering.

I have never weighed food. Personally I don't see the point. Did you before? Nope? Don't worry about it after. Just create a new awareness.

I'm approaching 6 months out. Sugar is no longer a priority. But sometimes I enjoy it so I indulge. It is limited, though. Not due to extreme discipline, but because the cravings are gone.

I'm on my second month long stall. I WISH for a 2 week!

I had 4. 2 Mini Kit Kats, mini Heath, mini Snickers.

23.50 to be exact. All brand names, all from Goodwill. It took some hunting and dressing room time and 4 different trips in all. Pre vsg I had in 2 large closets sizes 20, 18, 16, and some 14. I had gotten to the point where even the 20s were tight and only a few items fit. That was in July of 2012. I was 5'3 218 lbs. mow I'm around 150 lbs and wearing a size 10. No way am I investing in a new wardrobe yet. I actually love my pants and capris from Goodwill. I selected carefully. They have no stains, tears or worn spots. Some even look and feel new. Don't be afraid to go to Goodwill, yard sales, the Salvation Army or consignment shops.

Not since the first two weeks and can't figure out why I was using one then.

Could be worse. You could not have had the option of vsg and eat all of the nice hot food you can hold.

I gave up a lot of things very willingly. The hardest was carbonated drinks. Especially diet Coke and beer. Sugar was easier. I had no coffee for about 4 weeks, then tried decaf for another 2-3 weeks. Now I'm enjoying 1-2 cups of regular coffee during weekdays. No issues. Love it.

I quit cold turkey. It really wasn't an issue. I haven't had one in 6 months. No cravings, no regrets. Before I drank them constantly.

Satisfied if I'm paying attention and chewing slowly, globby if not. Globby I am not sure how to describe. I often eat too fast so I get full very quickly then have a lot of gas. No complaining, though.

First, I hope you enjoyed the burritos! After surgery you won't be able eat two of those again ...ever. Second, those burritos are now in the past. You acknowledged that it was not the best choice and are reaching out for support. That's good. It signifies that you have a strong desire to be compliant, but had a moment of weakness. We all have so you are in good company. Third, take some time with yourself to reflect on your life, history and the reason you are seeking help with vsg. What do you ultimately want? Only you can help yourself get there by making specific, strategic choices. That doesn't mean you will have to be perfect forever. Nobody is. Self-awareness is a process and you are demonstrating that you are willing to analyze your actions. That is serious mental progress. (And a lot of mental goes on during the vsg journey.) Fourth, feel good that you are taking steps to improve your health. Just be very aware that after surgery you really need to follow your nutrition program because if you don't there are potentially life threatening complications. Be serious about this because it is no joke. No myth there. Fifth, be good to yourself. Love yourself and be your own best friend. Be patient and gentle with yourself. Stop any negative internal dialogue and replace it with positive thoughts and actions.

Breakthrough realization on one of my issues with food and eating. It may be one of yours, too. I have a naturally high stress level. It may be anxiety or pressure from work or pressure I place upon myself. I was watching something online about a woman who had lost a lot of weight and she said that she felt a relief from stress when she ate something crunchy that challenged her jaws. She had enjoyed chips, crackers, ..anything crunchy because those things provided a necessary relief from stress. Try rubbing your jaws with your fingertips. Do you feel tension there? She then described how she now always keeps very fresh crunchy things nearby such as celery, carrots, bell peppers, and other low calorie things that gave her that same sensation. I didn't thing much of it until the last week when I found myself slipping into some old habits with crackers. I tried substituting carrots and craisins. It was amazing how much I enjoyed them at a new level. A lightbulb went off in my mind that answered at least one of the questions I had about overeating and impulse eating. Hopefully this will be of value to someone else.

At 5 months out I eat mostly everything that I want, but I don't want many of the things that I have loved before. Previously I couldn't get enough chocolate, Pasta, beer, fried foods, cake, ice cream, bread, butter, rice, Cookies, candy, steak, potatoes, fries, pizza, chinese food, mac and cheese, fried chicken, casseroles, pie, pastries, muffins, rotel dip and chips, Cheetoes, waffles, pancakes, cupcakes, crab cakes, onion rings, cheese bread sticks, bar b q, milkshakes, dip, sausage, tacos, cheesecake, bacon, doughnuts, snow cones, rolls, corn dogs, Oreos, baked pretzels, gravy, holiday treats, stuffing, pina coladas, hamburgers, ......and on and on. Now my sleeve has taught me many lessons. Some came naturally and some were not fun to experience, though I have never thrown up. I can eat pretty much anything that I enjoyed before, just much smaller portions. The only things that really give me trouble are raw onions and citrus pulp if I try to eat a whole fruit and sugar if I eat too much. Now I do not crave sugar any more. I actually will pass it up without any cravings, with no feeling of denial or regret. If I want something sweet, I eat it. I also know if I eat more than a few bites I will feel extremely sick. And it is an especially no fun kind of sick. The same with fried foods and high fat foods. My weaknesses are cheese and crunchy carbs like crackers, so I try to keep better choices in my cabinet, such as Goldfish crackers or healthier versions of crackers that have whole grains and nuts. (Usually I get them from Whole Foods). I still eat a little bit of bread, rice and pasta upon occasion, but not much. And it is great because I don't really want to eat more than a little bit. I also regularly enjoy red wine, but I gave up beer, which I thought was going to be really difficult because I LOVED beer. Loved. I eat out a lot. Many, many times a week. But now I am smart about choices. I eat fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, salads, grilled fish, sashimi, edamame, roasted or steamed veggies, baked chicken, grilled seafood, etc. If I do indulge, my sleeve only allows just so much, so it requires little effort on my part. I just make sure to eat enough Protein with whatever else I am enjoying. I have explored some foods to see what happened. For example I got an ice cream sundae with hot fudge and nuts. After the third bite I knew I was done, but I ate two more and was very sorry. Now I opt for low fat or sugar free options at the self serve yogurt places. I eat more Soups, more fish, more vegetables, and I actually WANT to eat these things. For someone whose life was focused on foods, especially unhealthy ones, and who used food to reduce stress, to soothe, to ease boredom, for flavor, for control, it is almost unbelievable, a miracle...that I am no longer a slave to huge portions, fat and sugar. Don't get me wrong, I love food. I am a foodie. A food snob. But this life is so far beyond anything that I could have possibly imagined. I have 30 lbs+ to go and I hope to get to my goal. At only 5 months out, I am not feeling as if I'm in a race anymore.

No changes.

I still love these as a treat. The ones that I buy are 15 calories each and are fruit flavored. I never liked them before vsg but now I always keep them in the freezer. They are a perfect early evening treat.