Jen35

ok - that is crazy. If i could lose 100 pounds on my own, I wouldn't have needed the surgery. I agree with talking to the doctor and NUT together to get on the same page and find out exactly what is needed prior to surgery. If that doesn't work, there are other surgeons out there. Mine told me that dieting didn't work before - that's why I was there. So they didnt expect a diet or weight loss. My 3 month supervised "diet" was really implementing the habits I would need to be successful after surgery.

ok - that is crazy. If i could lose 100 pounds on my own, I wouldn't have needed the surgery. I agree with talking to the doctor and NUT together to get on the same page and find out exactly what is needed prior to surgery. If that doesn't work, there are other surgeons out there. Mine told me that dieting didn't work before - that's why I was there. So they didnt expect a diet or weight loss. My 3 month supervised "diet" was really implementing the habits I would need to be successful after surgery.

Great job staying on track on a cruise!!
I just got back from Florida on a week long vacation. I was on a 2 week stall when I went (at 4 months out I had avoided a stall up to that point). It was really hard not having a scale while I was out of town, but I survived! I didn't deprive myself at all, but I was eating small portions of mainly fresh seafood. I did drink too much alcohol but didn't really have any issues with it. I was walking on the beach and swimming a lot. I was able to move so much better and play with my kids! When I got back, my stall had broken and I was down 1 pound. Over the las few days, I've lost a couple more pounds. I'm happy with that!! I can't wait till Florida next year when I will be at goal

I just got back from Panama City Beach, FL and I'm proud to say I actually lost a couple pounds over vacation! That never would have happend pre-sleeve. The beach was such a different experience after losing 60 pounds. I could walk the beach without my thighs rubbing together (ladies, you know what I'm taking about). I had so much more energy to play with my kids and more confidence in a swimsuit. AND .... a guy hit on me at the bar! That has not happened in 15 years!! I'm married so I had to politely decline, but it made my day!
My brother does photography and I had him take some family pics at the beach that I will post when I get them. They turned out really nice. I can't wait until next year at the beach when I'm at my goal weight.

I just got back from Panama City Beach, FL and I'm proud to say I actually lost a couple pounds over vacation! That never would have happend pre-sleeve. The beach was such a different experience after losing 60 pounds. I could walk the beach without my thighs rubbing together (ladies, you know what I'm taking about). I had so much more energy to play with my kids and more confidence in a swimsuit. AND .... a guy hit on me at the bar! That has not happened in 15 years!! I'm married so I had to politely decline, but it made my day!
My brother does photography and I had him take some family pics at the beach that I will post when I get them. They turned out really nice. I can't wait until next year at the beach when I'm at my goal weight.

I just got back from Panama City Beach, FL and I'm proud to say I actually lost a couple pounds over vacation! That never would have happend pre-sleeve. The beach was such a different experience after losing 60 pounds. I could walk the beach without my thighs rubbing together (ladies, you know what I'm taking about). I had so much more energy to play with my kids and more confidence in a swimsuit. AND .... a guy hit on me at the bar! That has not happened in 15 years!! I'm married so I had to politely decline, but it made my day!
My brother does photography and I had him take some family pics at the beach that I will post when I get them. They turned out really nice. I can't wait until next year at the beach when I'm at my goal weight.

I just got back from Panama City Beach, FL and I'm proud to say I actually lost a couple pounds over vacation! That never would have happend pre-sleeve. The beach was such a different experience after losing 60 pounds. I could walk the beach without my thighs rubbing together (ladies, you know what I'm taking about). I had so much more energy to play with my kids and more confidence in a swimsuit. AND .... a guy hit on me at the bar! That has not happened in 15 years!! I'm married so I had to politely decline, but it made my day!
My brother does photography and I had him take some family pics at the beach that I will post when I get them. They turned out really nice. I can't wait until next year at the beach when I'm at my goal weight.

I just got back from Panama City Beach, FL and I'm proud to say I actually lost a couple pounds over vacation! That never would have happend pre-sleeve. The beach was such a different experience after losing 60 pounds. I could walk the beach without my thighs rubbing together (ladies, you know what I'm taking about). I had so much more energy to play with my kids and more confidence in a swimsuit. AND .... a guy hit on me at the bar! That has not happened in 15 years!! I'm married so I had to politely decline, but it made my day!
My brother does photography and I had him take some family pics at the beach that I will post when I get them. They turned out really nice. I can't wait until next year at the beach when I'm at my goal weight.

I just got back from Panama City Beach, FL and I'm proud to say I actually lost a couple pounds over vacation! That never would have happend pre-sleeve. The beach was such a different experience after losing 60 pounds. I could walk the beach without my thighs rubbing together (ladies, you know what I'm taking about). I had so much more energy to play with my kids and more confidence in a swimsuit. AND .... a guy hit on me at the bar! That has not happened in 15 years!! I'm married so I had to politely decline, but it made my day!
My brother does photography and I had him take some family pics at the beach that I will post when I get them. They turned out really nice. I can't wait until next year at the beach when I'm at my goal weight.

I agree that not everyone with weight issues has an eating disorder. But I think that many of us do and have never realized it. I took the screening and it says that I do have an eating disorder (I answered as I would have before surgery) and I have never binged, purged, etc. Disordered eating starts with how you view, think about and abuse food. An anorexic has a disorder even if they are eating normally because of the way they view food, obsess about calories, use food as a control mechanisim and have a distorted view of their body. Does this sound familiar to anyone out there? This is VERY familiar to me - the only difference is my unhealthy relationship with food makes me want to put food INTO my mouth rather than starve myself. Society is much more accepting of food disorders on one end of the spectrum. The disorders on this end of the spectrum are usually ignored and instead we are told our weight issues are all our fault, we are lazy, etc. So many people out there aren't getting the help they need because they are ashamed and feel like they are alone, when they really do have a disorder. Thank you for posting this information - I think more people need to see it to determine if they have an eating disorder and can get the help they need. I know that without therapy, I would gain my weight back after surgery. I have to fix my disordered thinking so that I don't end up right back were I was.

I agree that not everyone with weight issues has an eating disorder. But I think that many of us do and have never realized it. I took the screening and it says that I do have an eating disorder (I answered as I would have before surgery) and I have never binged, purged, etc. Disordered eating starts with how you view, think about and abuse food. An anorexic has a disorder even if they are eating normally because of the way they view food, obsess about calories, use food as a control mechanisim and have a distorted view of their body. Does this sound familiar to anyone out there? This is VERY familiar to me - the only difference is my unhealthy relationship with food makes me want to put food INTO my mouth rather than starve myself. Society is much more accepting of food disorders on one end of the spectrum. The disorders on this end of the spectrum are usually ignored and instead we are told our weight issues are all our fault, we are lazy, etc. So many people out there aren't getting the help they need because they are ashamed and feel like they are alone, when they really do have a disorder. Thank you for posting this information - I think more people need to see it to determine if they have an eating disorder and can get the help they need. I know that without therapy, I would gain my weight back after surgery. I have to fix my disordered thinking so that I don't end up right back were I was.

I agree that not everyone with weight issues has an eating disorder. But I think that many of us do and have never realized it. I took the screening and it says that I do have an eating disorder (I answered as I would have before surgery) and I have never binged, purged, etc. Disordered eating starts with how you view, think about and abuse food. An anorexic has a disorder even if they are eating normally because of the way they view food, obsess about calories, use food as a control mechanisim and have a distorted view of their body. Does this sound familiar to anyone out there? This is VERY familiar to me - the only difference is my unhealthy relationship with food makes me want to put food INTO my mouth rather than starve myself. Society is much more accepting of food disorders on one end of the spectrum. The disorders on this end of the spectrum are usually ignored and instead we are told our weight issues are all our fault, we are lazy, etc. So many people out there aren't getting the help they need because they are ashamed and feel like they are alone, when they really do have a disorder. Thank you for posting this information - I think more people need to see it to determine if they have an eating disorder and can get the help they need. I know that without therapy, I would gain my weight back after surgery. I have to fix my disordered thinking so that I don't end up right back were I was.

This made me smile, because I could have written it! I am at 4 months and just getting over my first stall too. It lasted over 2 weeks and I realized how scary they really are. I've been lucky that I had been dropping steadily, but I didn't realize how lucky until this stall hit me. I went on vacation last week and didn't have access to a scale (I was surpised that not weighing daily made me panic a bit!), but when I got back and could finally weigh myself, I was down again. I attribute this to how active I was on the beach. Walking in sand is a real workout!

I'm with you!!! I was never cold before and now I'm freezing all the time. I live in the midwest so I'm sure it's not as cold as Canada, but it's starting to get chilliy in the mornings. Even over the summer, I would get cold at night or in the AC. So odd to me! My husband is overweight and he always wants the windows open, ha:) My issue is that I have fibromyagia and when I get too cold, I get severe muscle aches. So I really have to watch that.

Part of the reason I chose to have the sleeve surgery was because of my obsession with food and the volume of food that I would eat. Food was constantly on my mind: What am I going to eat? When can I eat again? What can I eat that will make me feel better? Then feeling guilty for eating "bad" foods and so I would eat some more to feel better. And the cycle continued. Dieting for me is not a good thing as it just reinforces my food obsession and labelling foods as "bad". I want a healthy relationship with food and the sleeve (along with counseling) is helping me get there. I don't tell myself that I can't have a certain food, but I do limit how much/how often I have it. If I told myself that I can NEVER have a cookie again, I will obsess about Cookies until a binge on them. That is how I operate. If I tell myself that I can have a cookie if I really want one then I know that it's always an option and only if I eat them in moderation. It's all in the mindset for me.
This doesn't work for everyone, I know. And I am only 3 months post-op - I know that this is a life long journey. What works for me now may not work for me down the road. I am open to exploring new ways of doing things if this isn't working for me later. But I don't think that this mindset is unhealthy. My therapist certainly thinks it's healthy (and much healthier than my old mindset). The key is to make sure that I am consistently choosing healthy foods over less nutritious options.

You are so right. The surgery certainly didn't fix the reason I ate and got to be the weight I was. Which is where counseling has REALLY helped me. I started 5 months before surgery and I still go every week. Identifying why I eat has helped me address issues that may eventually have led me to gain the weight back down the road when I will be able to eat more. The mental part of this journey is so much harder than even the physical part (which is very hard as well).

It hasn't really changed my personality, but I am definitely more confident. I feel better about myself, not only because I look better now, but because I'm doing something for myself. I feel better physically so I'm happier and I'm able to do more. I'm more likely to put myself out there where before, I let my weight sheild me from life. So I'm the same person, but really living my life now.

It hasn't really changed my personality, but I am definitely more confident. I feel better about myself, not only because I look better now, but because I'm doing something for myself. I feel better physically so I'm happier and I'm able to do more. I'm more likely to put myself out there where before, I let my weight sheild me from life. So I'm the same person, but really living my life now.

I believe it has changed me, but not sure EXACTLY how. I thought I'd have more energy, but at times I feel just as lazy. I guess the big difference is that I can get through an entire 60 minute exercise class without dying. Other than that, mentally, I am still fat and the surgery certainly doesn't fix all of your personal issues.

Part of the reason I chose to have the sleeve surgery was because of my obsession with food and the volume of food that I would eat. Food was constantly on my mind: What am I going to eat? When can I eat again? What can I eat that will make me feel better? Then feeling guilty for eating "bad" foods and so I would eat some more to feel better. And the cycle continued. Dieting for me is not a good thing as it just reinforces my food obsession and labelling foods as "bad". I want a healthy relationship with food and the sleeve (along with counseling) is helping me get there. I don't tell myself that I can't have a certain food, but I do limit how much/how often I have it. If I told myself that I can NEVER have a cookie again, I will obsess about Cookies until a binge on them. That is how I operate. If I tell myself that I can have a cookie if I really want one then I know that it's always an option and only if I eat them in moderation. It's all in the mindset for me.
This doesn't work for everyone, I know. And I am only 3 months post-op - I know that this is a life long journey. What works for me now may not work for me down the road. I am open to exploring new ways of doing things if this isn't working for me later. But I don't think that this mindset is unhealthy. My therapist certainly thinks it's healthy (and much healthier than my old mindset). The key is to make sure that I am consistently choosing healthy foods over less nutritious options.

So I was shopping for new jeans this weekend and started in the Women's section of the store. Took a bunch of clothes into the dressing room (I think I have a shopping problem!) and realized as I tried on each item ... THEY WERE ALL TOO BIG!!! So I ventured over to the MISSES department (haven't shopped there in 10 years) and I fit into the L/XL shirts and a size 16 in Levi's. OMG - I am no longer in Plus sizes!! I was jumping up and down and giggling - I'm sure the other shoppers thought I was insane. But I was sooooo happy, I can't even begin to expain it Unfortunately the Levi's didn't fit me quite right, but I proceeded to New York & Co. and got my first ever pair of skinny jeans in a size ... wait for it... 14!!!! I started this journey at a size 22 so I'm just a little flippin excited

So I was shopping for new jeans this weekend and started in the Women's section of the store. Took a bunch of clothes into the dressing room (I think I have a shopping problem!) and realized as I tried on each item ... THEY WERE ALL TOO BIG!!! So I ventured over to the MISSES department (haven't shopped there in 10 years) and I fit into the L/XL shirts and a size 16 in Levi's. OMG - I am no longer in Plus sizes!! I was jumping up and down and giggling - I'm sure the other shoppers thought I was insane. But I was sooooo happy, I can't even begin to expain it Unfortunately the Levi's didn't fit me quite right, but I proceeded to New York & Co. and got my first ever pair of skinny jeans in a size ... wait for it... 14!!!! I started this journey at a size 22 so I'm just a little flippin excited

So I was shopping for new jeans this weekend and started in the Women's section of the store. Took a bunch of clothes into the dressing room (I think I have a shopping problem!) and realized as I tried on each item ... THEY WERE ALL TOO BIG!!! So I ventured over to the MISSES department (haven't shopped there in 10 years) and I fit into the L/XL shirts and a size 16 in Levi's. OMG - I am no longer in Plus sizes!! I was jumping up and down and giggling - I'm sure the other shoppers thought I was insane. But I was sooooo happy, I can't even begin to expain it Unfortunately the Levi's didn't fit me quite right, but I proceeded to New York & Co. and got my first ever pair of skinny jeans in a size ... wait for it... 14!!!! I started this journey at a size 22 so I'm just a little flippin excited

So I was shopping for new jeans this weekend and started in the Women's section of the store. Took a bunch of clothes into the dressing room (I think I have a shopping problem!) and realized as I tried on each item ... THEY WERE ALL TOO BIG!!! So I ventured over to the MISSES department (haven't shopped there in 10 years) and I fit into the L/XL shirts and a size 16 in Levi's. OMG - I am no longer in Plus sizes!! I was jumping up and down and giggling - I'm sure the other shoppers thought I was insane. But I was sooooo happy, I can't even begin to expain it Unfortunately the Levi's didn't fit me quite right, but I proceeded to New York & Co. and got my first ever pair of skinny jeans in a size ... wait for it... 14!!!! I started this journey at a size 22 so I'm just a little flippin excited

Hang in there! I can relate completely. I carry most of my weight in my belly and before surgery I had several people ask me if I was pregnant. I tried "hiding" my belly with cute empire waist type shirts - well THAT was a mistake. Apparently, people can't tell the difference between a stylish empire waist and maternity clothes.
I've noticed that men never asked me, it was always women. Even when I was pregnant with my 2 kids, when strangers would ask/mention my being pregnant, my husband would get annoyed. His motto is you NEVER ask a women if she is pregnant, even if it's obvious (or you think it is). Women seem to think that it's ok for some reason. It's so rude! How about this - if I'm really pregnant and I want you to know about it, I'll TELL YOU!