No game

Well, forgive me for explaining the obvious to you then...

Not sure if you are talking to me or butter?? But It depends on how long before the surgery you are asking about.. Years? I thought like most people that it was a cure and end all be all.. But the months leading up to it?? 1. If I thought it's a magic bullet? No I went through years of therapy leading up to this and had to meet certain criteria and be evaluated by an outside therapist. 2. Did I think it would be easy? Hell no! I'm an expert at dieting I've lost this weight so many times. I've always "finished" my diets and then ate like a "normal" person. The thing that I learned going into this from my surgeon, therapist and nut is this is for the long haul. There is now "end" if I truly want to succeed this time.. Also I can never eat (sleeve or no sleeve) like a naturally skinny person. The surgeon let me know that the smaller stomach was only one part of the equation. I, me, Laura was the other part. 3. Is it in the back of my mind that if it doesn’t work I will just try it again? No! This is my last stop, this is by far the most radical thing that I have done. If I don't succeed after this? short of a lobotomy nothing will help. It's in my head not my stomach 4. Have I Truly Made Committed Attempts to Lose Weight? Yes so many times.... I still meet with my surgeon I will continue my relationship with him. And I learn more and more every time...

That was a painful day.. Emotionally and physically. I'm so glad I chose to do something about it instead of settling for that misery... But I tell you fluff, looking at that photo made me down right giddy today! I was snickering like a school girl I wanna go back and kick that kayaks azz next time! It's a good day at vertical sleeve land

Beautiful!!! That is definitely a worthy NSV!

Good job!!

Not much variety in that stage.. But I made homemade chicken broth. So much better than canned! Or for a treat go to a Chinese (or better yet send someone ) food take out and order a soup (egg drop or wonton) ask for mostly broth. And strain all the stuff out (yes strain everything) and drink the broth

One thing I never say is "88 pounds gone forever" Lol I don't want to jinx myself But I'm also aware that it's not an guarantee that it will stay gone.. As for common sense and listening to our bodies? Yep tried that.. Now I surrender myself to the process, and my surgeons guidelines. Well expect for coffee.. But I waited 4 months I think a bit of hard scary reality is vital to being successful on this journey. We need to work on our heads! And our relationship to food!! Priority number one! Our heads, not the surgery I know some here think that certain people here are meanies (like me sometimes) when they rain on their food parades. And well sorry but I'm only trying to help people be armed with facts so that they have every chance there is to be successful I,like you read what those crusty old vets had to say when I was a newbie. It scared me yes, but my eyes were wide open going into this. And for that I am thankful.

Yes you need to come to the elkhorn! We can flop on the dock together

Ok I didn't want to start a new thread but my husband found this picture today.. This was me in July of 2012 a couple of months before surgery.. All the way to the kayak place I worried that I wouldn't even fit into a kayak anymore I fit (barely) but after a couple of hours of kayaking when I pulled up to the dock I couldn't physically get myself out! I had to rest for awhile then when I finally was able to hoist myself out and roll onto the dock I had to sit there for about five minutes because I could not stand up on my own...

The throwing up is your body telling you you are eating to fast, too much or it is not ready for these foods. Just because your surgeon tells you it's ok doesn't necessarily mean your body is ready. 17 days is really early out. And it is impossible to get your nutrition through real food. Find a protein shake you like. Premier from Costco is good. Also plain Greek yogurt. As far as food if you must, try one new approved thing a day and only one small bite or two..

Easy fix... Go to the new content then on the right hand side at the bottom click filter by forum and scroll down the deselect it. Voila no more showing up for the ones that don't want it

I've got pie and kids stockings laying around!! Ok but my husband was just looking at old pictures and my resolve just kicked in after seeing this one... Remember my kayaking trip last year? The one that I couldn't get out afterwards??

Just caught up with the overnight posts Yes here we are! I'm glad you all found moments of joy in the last couple of days... Wow life doesn't stand still does it? Ok I'm fasting today and holy shit it's hard!! but I must.. I blew Tuesdays fast and I just found out I have one more holiday thing on Saturday. 10:25 am and my stomach is growling for food carbs in particular..

Happy dance!! (¤¿¤) <)__)/ / \ ( ¤¿¤) \(__(> / \ (¤¿¤) <)__)/ / \

I have a really good friend here. Long story short she and I really like each other but had different philosophies on the sleeve journey. Mine is a little strict hers was not.. She is past the three year mark and looking to get re-sleeved. Moral of this story? Please don't rely on the sleeve to stop you. Failure or success is still very much in your hands.

I'm a food addict.. So my surgeon doesn't encourage me to eat just a cookie or two. But perhaps you don't have these issues? I've been reading here a lot lately that many people don't have the issues with food (disordered eating) like I do. Some just have 50 pounds they need to lose and this is the newest cutest way to lose very trendy. They still eat the same way "just tiny amounts, lol" Not all of us are like that. This is a radical surgery that was the last stop before death for me. I have had a cookie, shit last night I had a piece of see's candy..but eating one makes me want two or more.. So I ate it with caution not bravado. As I said I'm a year out and not quite at goal yet. So these things are not really conducive to my weight loss.

"Probably gonna tick some people off.......lol" Lol..not a provocative confrontational title at all!! . (was that passive aggressive?) Anyway.. Not pissed but I can eat a whole bag of chips. When I was as new as you I wouldn't dare. Because I was following my surgeons orders. But now that I'm over a year out and long past the honeymoon stage? It's on me to pass up that bag of Oreos. Yes that whole bag that I could eat. This surgery is not a cure. It's not a magic bullet.

It is extreme.. My doctor let me get away with small amounts like that when I was newly sleeved.... But wanted me up to 1000 to 1200 for the long term weight loss phase. Granted it took some months to get to that point if you are eating right. But don't tank you metabolism. And mix it up don't eat the same exact calories everyday keep that body guessing.

Hi One more thing.... Some days I'm completely fine and don't mind my family eating anything and everything around me (and trust me they eat) but other days for many different reasons I can't handle it. And when I'm feeling that way I just let them know how I'm feeling. And excuse myself until they are done. This may not work for everyone. But sometimes I just don't feel like watching everyone eat pie so I don't

Lol coops, the face on that deer looks like me when I stepped on the scale today!!! I'm going to chalk it off to salty pork dumplings yesterday I'm thinking if all of you today. I know this has been a rough holiday season for some of us.. But we did it! It's Christmas night and whatever will be will be. And in a few days we will start a new year and that new year will be full of wonderful possibilities! And no... I haven't been drinking

The best advice I can give you is reflect on why you did this surgery. And remember that even through we had this surgery success is still completely in our hands. This is a tool that we need to work, we still have to come up with the discipline to make smart choices for the rest of our lives. This early out, I would stay as strict as you can. This is the time to try and build new habits. As time goes on, and I mean after the honeymoon stage (the first six months) you will have to make choices as to what you can and can't handle. Some can do a little moderation, but most of us with an addiction to food need to stay clear. Because those bites are never just bites.. They are the opening of the door to old behaviors. I know it is hard.. I had surgery last year a week before thanksgiving so I wasn't on "real" food for Christmas yet. But this year I am, and it is a challenge not to give in to the temptations, especially when those around you are eating with sweet abandon.

I will move this to the Lap band forum

I think my thread "life got in the way of the sleeve" touched on it a bit.. I was definitely going through some growing pains with my family. I was getting some push back that week of wanting the old mom and wife back from my family. You know, the door mat, yep they missed the old me. "Your not the same" "we want you bank to the way you were" they said. The only problem is that I became a non person that got no respect and didn't even respect myself. I can see how they miss that person though. I was easy, easy to ignore easy to push around. My care went into anything but me.. Now I'm not easy, if you disrespect me slight me or expect unreasonable things from me I will speak out. I can no longer soothe myself with food. So I talk. I love my family and they love me so we will grow and get through this, but like everything else we are doing its a work in progress

The best advice I've read is to do squats and lunges to build up the muscles there. Or as my husband says just get up off your lazy (skinny) azz..

Well whatever you do, don't chew and spit that just sets you up for all sorts of other problems or disorders! I know this is a hard time of year to just of had surgery but know that this time next year you will be a much healthier happier person. Get away from the food. That's what I did last year, I just told my family I couldn't be around on thanksgiving because I was still in the throws of withdraw from food.