playlikeworldchamps

The ghrelin is reduced but not eliminated. Most people will not feel hunger at all for 1-2 months post surgery or even longer. But hunger will come back. However unlike losing significant weight without surgery the ghrelin won't increase back to higher than pre diet values. That's one of the main reasons people gain the weight back when doing a weight watchers type diet. Because the gherkin goes higher than it was before you dieted. Your body is fighting you to gain it back. With surgery ghrelin is much more stable and you have a fighting chance. You can go ogle ghrelin levels for the sleeve or bypass and find a lot of studies on this.
Another stat is that without surgery if you are vigilant you have about a 3-5% chance to keep significant weight off.
With surgery and if you are vigilant I believe you have a 80% chance to keep the weight off. I like those odds better.
Also you use the honeymoon period to build the habits you will need for a lifetime. Sure I could eat every 30 minutes and gain my weight back. But i spent 8-9 months during the easier phase building good habits that are now embedded. I also learned what worked and what did not. Now I also exercise to get off the rest of my weight.
This is a disease that needs constant vigilance. The difference is that now I have a fighting chance. I did not want to lose 100 lbs and gain it back again. The thought was just too depressing. When I had cancer I went all out and chose chemo and the most treatment I could. I wanted to do the same for this disease too. Obesity also kills. It just takes longer.

Congratulations on that 300 pound loss. May you never find those pounds again.

The ghrelin is reduced but not eliminated. Most people will not feel hunger at all for 1-2 months post surgery or even longer. But hunger will come back. However unlike losing significant weight without surgery the ghrelin won't increase back to higher than pre diet values. That's one of the main reasons people gain the weight back when doing a weight watchers type diet. Because the gherkin goes higher than it was before you dieted. Your body is fighting you to gain it back. With surgery ghrelin is much more stable and you have a fighting chance. You can go ogle ghrelin levels for the sleeve or bypass and find a lot of studies on this.
Another stat is that without surgery if you are vigilant you have about a 3-5% chance to keep significant weight off.
With surgery and if you are vigilant I believe you have a 80% chance to keep the weight off. I like those odds better.
Also you use the honeymoon period to build the habits you will need for a lifetime. Sure I could eat every 30 minutes and gain my weight back. But i spent 8-9 months during the easier phase building good habits that are now embedded. I also learned what worked and what did not. Now I also exercise to get off the rest of my weight.
This is a disease that needs constant vigilance. The difference is that now I have a fighting chance. I did not want to lose 100 lbs and gain it back again. The thought was just too depressing. When I had cancer I went all out and chose chemo and the most treatment I could. I wanted to do the same for this disease too. Obesity also kills. It just takes longer.

Congratulations on that 300 pound loss. May you never find those pounds again.

I went to 1300 cals a day at 8 weeks out. I lost most of my weight at that level. I am 5-10 so that helps. I also did not exercise more that a walk about 2-3 times a week. From 8 weeks to 6 months I averaged 2 lbs a week. At that point I averaged about a lb a week until 9 months. Then I added a lot of exercise and even personal training and lost about 0.8 a week for months 9-15. I am a believer that it is a good idea to get up to 1200 as soon as you can (and reduce sugar carbs as much as possible) so that you aren't stuck with a 800 cal a day diet for the long term. Sure less calories may make it come off faster but sometimes I wonder if it messes with the metabolism and also causes potential deficiencies. So go for 1200 healthy calories. You will still lose at that level and it is a lot easier than 800 if you can get 1200 in. Some people never can because they have so much restriction.
I am gradually adding 50 cals more a day a week at a time as I ease into maintenance. I am still losing though at 1400 a day but I am exercising 4 times a week. Also if my sugar grams stay low (< 25g added sugar) I lose. This morning I was at my lowest weight in over 23 years 185.6. I can't believe it. I am under my goal of 187.
So I am an example that you don't have to stay at 800 to lose or kill yourself exercising. But we are all different so see what works for you. And above all make whatever calories you consume quality calories. Protein first!

Congratulations on that 300 pound loss. May you never find those pounds again.

This was 1 week before surgery 280




This is today, 40lbs down @ 237, when I realized I can look down and see legs and not just stomach




at my highest 290lbs




Today at 237

7 Months out, over 120 lbs down.

The ghrelin is reduced but not eliminated. Most people will not feel hunger at all for 1-2 months post surgery or even longer. But hunger will come back. However unlike losing significant weight without surgery the ghrelin won't increase back to higher than pre diet values. That's one of the main reasons people gain the weight back when doing a weight watchers type diet. Because the gherkin goes higher than it was before you dieted. Your body is fighting you to gain it back. With surgery ghrelin is much more stable and you have a fighting chance. You can go ogle ghrelin levels for the sleeve or bypass and find a lot of studies on this.
Another stat is that without surgery if you are vigilant you have about a 3-5% chance to keep significant weight off.
With surgery and if you are vigilant I believe you have a 80% chance to keep the weight off. I like those odds better.
Also you use the honeymoon period to build the habits you will need for a lifetime. Sure I could eat every 30 minutes and gain my weight back. But i spent 8-9 months during the easier phase building good habits that are now embedded. I also learned what worked and what did not. Now I also exercise to get off the rest of my weight.
This is a disease that needs constant vigilance. The difference is that now I have a fighting chance. I did not want to lose 100 lbs and gain it back again. The thought was just too depressing. When I had cancer I went all out and chose chemo and the most treatment I could. I wanted to do the same for this disease too. Obesity also kills. It just takes longer.

The ghrelin is reduced but not eliminated. Most people will not feel hunger at all for 1-2 months post surgery or even longer. But hunger will come back. However unlike losing significant weight without surgery the ghrelin won't increase back to higher than pre diet values. That's one of the main reasons people gain the weight back when doing a weight watchers type diet. Because the gherkin goes higher than it was before you dieted. Your body is fighting you to gain it back. With surgery ghrelin is much more stable and you have a fighting chance. You can go ogle ghrelin levels for the sleeve or bypass and find a lot of studies on this.
Another stat is that without surgery if you are vigilant you have about a 3-5% chance to keep significant weight off.
With surgery and if you are vigilant I believe you have a 80% chance to keep the weight off. I like those odds better.
Also you use the honeymoon period to build the habits you will need for a lifetime. Sure I could eat every 30 minutes and gain my weight back. But i spent 8-9 months during the easier phase building good habits that are now embedded. I also learned what worked and what did not. Now I also exercise to get off the rest of my weight.
This is a disease that needs constant vigilance. The difference is that now I have a fighting chance. I did not want to lose 100 lbs and gain it back again. The thought was just too depressing. When I had cancer I went all out and chose chemo and the most treatment I could. I wanted to do the same for this disease too. Obesity also kills. It just takes longer.

Your life will change and so much for the better!
Yes the first months and year is the toughest. Restaurants are not so much "fun" during that time. You will mourn the ability to self medicate with vast quantities of food. But it will all be worth it...
I am now at a weight I have not seen in 23 years before I had 4 children. I never dreamed to see his again.
I am 15 months out and have enough room now to eat a petite filet mignon at a restaurant. I can drink a glass of wine. (Though not while eating it - couple sips maybe) I don't get the appetizers and Desserts anymore. I see others get that and though it's a treat for them it is really a waste of money and excess calories. I will have 1 stuffed mushroom or half slice of fresh bread as an appetizer (if it's worth it). I don't waste my stomach volume on crap food.
My goto indulgence is a handful of almonds, dark chocolate m&ms. On weekends I will have some sangria some times.
I went on a bike ride with my husband this weekend and kicked his butt though I still weigh 20 lbs more than him. He said it was his bike (I don't think so!)
I don't go to sleep at night with the mantra "I gotta do something about this weight. I got to lose weight" buzzing in my head. I have time and energy to think about other goals, about volunteering, about being active, about shopping for new clothes! I walk by stores at malls and think wow I could actually shop there and fit in the clothes. I bought clothes at the gap and a size L was loose (and I still weigh in the 180s!). I don't have to settle for what is available in he plus section. I bought bathing suits this year without trepidation. Yes it's still a takini and has a skirt but I'm 48 and I even got a compliment from my husband. It's a size 12! I am a size 12.
Yeah life has change dramatically. And this drama is awesome!

Your life will change and so much for the better!
Yes the first months and year is the toughest. Restaurants are not so much "fun" during that time. You will mourn the ability to self medicate with vast quantities of food. But it will all be worth it...
I am now at a weight I have not seen in 23 years before I had 4 children. I never dreamed to see his again.
I am 15 months out and have enough room now to eat a petite filet mignon at a restaurant. I can drink a glass of wine. (Though not while eating it - couple sips maybe) I don't get the appetizers and Desserts anymore. I see others get that and though it's a treat for them it is really a waste of money and excess calories. I will have 1 stuffed mushroom or half slice of fresh bread as an appetizer (if it's worth it). I don't waste my stomach volume on crap food.
My goto indulgence is a handful of almonds, dark chocolate m&ms. On weekends I will have some sangria some times.
I went on a bike ride with my husband this weekend and kicked his butt though I still weigh 20 lbs more than him. He said it was his bike (I don't think so!)
I don't go to sleep at night with the mantra "I gotta do something about this weight. I got to lose weight" buzzing in my head. I have time and energy to think about other goals, about volunteering, about being active, about shopping for new clothes! I walk by stores at malls and think wow I could actually shop there and fit in the clothes. I bought clothes at the gap and a size L was loose (and I still weigh in the 180s!). I don't have to settle for what is available in he plus section. I bought bathing suits this year without trepidation. Yes it's still a takini and has a skirt but I'm 48 and I even got a compliment from my husband. It's a size 12! I am a size 12.
Yeah life has change dramatically. And this drama is awesome!

Your life will change and so much for the better!
Yes the first months and year is the toughest. Restaurants are not so much "fun" during that time. You will mourn the ability to self medicate with vast quantities of food. But it will all be worth it...
I am now at a weight I have not seen in 23 years before I had 4 children. I never dreamed to see his again.
I am 15 months out and have enough room now to eat a petite filet mignon at a restaurant. I can drink a glass of wine. (Though not while eating it - couple sips maybe) I don't get the appetizers and Desserts anymore. I see others get that and though it's a treat for them it is really a waste of money and excess calories. I will have 1 stuffed mushroom or half slice of fresh bread as an appetizer (if it's worth it). I don't waste my stomach volume on crap food.
My goto indulgence is a handful of almonds, dark chocolate m&ms. On weekends I will have some sangria some times.
I went on a bike ride with my husband this weekend and kicked his butt though I still weigh 20 lbs more than him. He said it was his bike (I don't think so!)
I don't go to sleep at night with the mantra "I gotta do something about this weight. I got to lose weight" buzzing in my head. I have time and energy to think about other goals, about volunteering, about being active, about shopping for new clothes! I walk by stores at malls and think wow I could actually shop there and fit in the clothes. I bought clothes at the gap and a size L was loose (and I still weigh in the 180s!). I don't have to settle for what is available in he plus section. I bought bathing suits this year without trepidation. Yes it's still a takini and has a skirt but I'm 48 and I even got a compliment from my husband. It's a size 12! I am a size 12.
Yeah life has change dramatically. And this drama is awesome!

Your life will change and so much for the better!
Yes the first months and year is the toughest. Restaurants are not so much "fun" during that time. You will mourn the ability to self medicate with vast quantities of food. But it will all be worth it...
I am now at a weight I have not seen in 23 years before I had 4 children. I never dreamed to see his again.
I am 15 months out and have enough room now to eat a petite filet mignon at a restaurant. I can drink a glass of wine. (Though not while eating it - couple sips maybe) I don't get the appetizers and Desserts anymore. I see others get that and though it's a treat for them it is really a waste of money and excess calories. I will have 1 stuffed mushroom or half slice of fresh bread as an appetizer (if it's worth it). I don't waste my stomach volume on crap food.
My goto indulgence is a handful of almonds, dark chocolate m&ms. On weekends I will have some sangria some times.
I went on a bike ride with my husband this weekend and kicked his butt though I still weigh 20 lbs more than him. He said it was his bike (I don't think so!)
I don't go to sleep at night with the mantra "I gotta do something about this weight. I got to lose weight" buzzing in my head. I have time and energy to think about other goals, about volunteering, about being active, about shopping for new clothes! I walk by stores at malls and think wow I could actually shop there and fit in the clothes. I bought clothes at the gap and a size L was loose (and I still weigh in the 180s!). I don't have to settle for what is available in he plus section. I bought bathing suits this year without trepidation. Yes it's still a takini and has a skirt but I'm 48 and I even got a compliment from my husband. It's a size 12! I am a size 12.
Yeah life has change dramatically. And this drama is awesome!

Latest update. I am 16 months out. I was 307 when I started my pre op diet a week before surgery. I am 5-10 and went from size 20/22w to a 12/14 size. Or 3x to L tops. From 49% body fat to 25%. From 44 BMI to 26.8. I consider myself at goal now. The number on scale doesn't matter. I just want to stay fit.

Latest update. I am 16 months out. I was 307 when I started my pre op diet a week before surgery. I am 5-10 and went from size 20/22w to a 12/14 size. Or 3x to L tops. From 49% body fat to 25%. From 44 BMI to 26.8. I consider myself at goal now. The number on scale doesn't matter. I just want to stay fit.

Latest update. I am 16 months out. I was 307 when I started my pre op diet a week before surgery. I am 5-10 and went from size 20/22w to a 12/14 size. Or 3x to L tops. From 49% body fat to 25%. From 44 BMI to 26.8. I consider myself at goal now. The number on scale doesn't matter. I just want to stay fit.

Keeping the faith in sleeve. Finally a comparison shot that's not a selfie

Keeping the faith in sleeve. Finally a comparison shot that's not a selfie

My husband was against it also at first. He said the old eat less move more mantra. But he started doing some research and then saw how much Rex Ryan lost with the band (my first option but I got sleeve instead) And then an article came out about obesity and breast cancer reoccurrence and he came on board (I had BC 4 years ago) There are also studies that say if you are morbidly obese you have only 3% chance of keeping weight off even if you so lose it the "natural" way. The surgery improves the odds dramatically. I did not want to go thru the work of losing 100 lbs to have it come back (again). I wanted a chance at a permanent solution. It is scientific fact that when you lose weight without surgery your body produces more ghrelin to make you even more hungry and get you fat again. WLS neutralizes that effect. That's a big advantage over diet and exercise alone.
In any case with or without his backing, I was going ahead with the surgery. Now I am down almost 130lbs and he calls me skinny though I am far from that. He admitted to me that I was so right to do this. And having a husband admit a wife is right is rare indeed!

Keeping the faith in sleeve. Finally a comparison shot that's not a selfie

My husband was against it also at first. He said the old eat less move more mantra. But he started doing some research and then saw how much Rex Ryan lost with the band (my first option but I got sleeve instead) And then an article came out about obesity and breast cancer reoccurrence and he came on board (I had BC 4 years ago) There are also studies that say if you are morbidly obese you have only 3% chance of keeping weight off even if you so lose it the "natural" way. The surgery improves the odds dramatically. I did not want to go thru the work of losing 100 lbs to have it come back (again). I wanted a chance at a permanent solution. It is scientific fact that when you lose weight without surgery your body produces more ghrelin to make you even more hungry and get you fat again. WLS neutralizes that effect. That's a big advantage over diet and exercise alone.
In any case with or without his backing, I was going ahead with the surgery. Now I am down almost 130lbs and he calls me skinny though I am far from that. He admitted to me that I was so right to do this. And having a husband admit a wife is right is rare indeed!

My husband was against it also at first. He said the old eat less move more mantra. But he started doing some research and then saw how much Rex Ryan lost with the band (my first option but I got sleeve instead) And then an article came out about obesity and breast cancer reoccurrence and he came on board (I had BC 4 years ago) There are also studies that say if you are morbidly obese you have only 3% chance of keeping weight off even if you so lose it the "natural" way. The surgery improves the odds dramatically. I did not want to go thru the work of losing 100 lbs to have it come back (again). I wanted a chance at a permanent solution. It is scientific fact that when you lose weight without surgery your body produces more ghrelin to make you even more hungry and get you fat again. WLS neutralizes that effect. That's a big advantage over diet and exercise alone.
In any case with or without his backing, I was going ahead with the surgery. Now I am down almost 130lbs and he calls me skinny though I am far from that. He admitted to me that I was so right to do this. And having a husband admit a wife is right is rare indeed!

Latest update. I am 16 months out. I was 307 when I started my pre op diet a week before surgery. I am 5-10 and went from size 20/22w to a 12/14 size. Or 3x to L tops. From 49% body fat to 25%. From 44 BMI to 26.8. I consider myself at goal now. The number on scale doesn't matter. I just want to stay fit.

Some of the best advice I got maybe from his forum or some other place I read up on WLS was that it was important to spend the honeymoon phase building your new habits so that by the time you can fit more food in those habits will be well entrenched and seem very natural. Some of those most difficult choices come early on when no matter if you make a bad choice you still lose weight. It is important to build up the "no pop tarts" habit in the honey moon 6 months or however long so that when you can eat a bit more or when you have reached goal and have more choice that you are in the habit to make the right choice 90% of the time. And not beat yourself up about the 10% because by that time you are in tune with your body and you know what you need to do to fit that "pop tart" or party or wine or other treat into your lifestyle.