MichiganChic

Yeah, we always have to fight those habits. For me, it's like some type of a switch goes off in my head at 9 pm. If there is a reason I'm up past 9, I start looking for food. I hate that. It's a real struggle to not eat. I think it's because I'm up early every day, and I'm tired, and my resistance and will power is down. I seriously just try to go to bed, if I can, otherwise, I can easily consume 200-300 calories I don't need.

@@proudgrammy Yay for you!! Three years is definitely an important milestone. We know that 2-3 year mark often is the time when people slide or lose control, and you are still an overwhelming success! You are such a good role model for those of us who have come after you. Thank you for all your positive words and encouragement. I'm so thrilled for you that you are living the wonderful life you wanted to. Wishing you a lifetime of continued success!

I used to notice when I was newly sleeved. I think it was more of a comparison for myself - that I would have been eating that much or more. As time went on and I became accustomed to my smaller portions, I started thinking in terms of smaller portions for everyone. I host a lot of family gatherings, and I always had an abundance of food choices and amounts when entertaining. For a long time I had a hard time judging what the right amount to prepare would be, because my old ways collided with the new. Now, at two years out, I do a better job. I still prepare too much, but much fewer choices and certainly not enough for 2 or 3 times the amount of people I have. I also notice that I don't watch what people eat anywhere any more. I don't care. I know what I need to do, and that's what I focus on. As a fat person, I didn't want to be judged for what I ate, and as a WLS person, I still don't want to be judged. I assume others don't either.

I also did my first yoga recently, too! I also really liked it, and I agree, it is harder than it looks. It's way more interesting and fun than the traditional type exercise I am used to, as well. I don't love the up and down on the floor part though....but I know that's what I really need to work on.

@@feedyoureye I have seen the video, but I'll watch it again. Thanks for posting the link. @@lsereno you are doing great. I don't know about you, but I am really struggling with my will power! I used to be able to resist temptation much better than now. And even though I can not eat anything like I used to before surgery, I can do some serious damage on a splurge. Around the holidays, it's really hard not be facing those temptations every where I go. Add to that the swelling I still have from my first round of plastics 4 months ago, and the impending swelling from this coming Friday's work, and the scale is just pissing me off. Because it IS the scales' fault, right?

Glad to hear you found someone who is a dream with a knife, lol! I used to work in surgery, and there is such a "thing"! Some surgeons just have a gift. And it sounds like he has a typical sugeon's ego, if he is also impressed with himself Sorry it hurts, and I can feel your pain....literally! What kind of repair did you have? For some reason, I was thinking you had something done to your knee? Sorry if it's in the original post, i can't see it right now. Good luck on your plastics consult. Now that you know this guy, and he knows you, I'm thinking you might end up with a better visit. I love the results of my plastics so far - it's truly amazing what a difference it can make!

Yeah, I was used to shopping for 6 people, then two of them moved out about the time I had my surgery. I remember the first time I after surgery when I went to costco, I had my hands on the 20 pound bag of potatoes, where each potato was at least a pound. Then I realized those would rot before could even eat 1 or 2 of them. It was really a little shocking to me and probably the first time it dawned on me how shopping needed to change. And then later in Costco, at about a year out, I loved how I could go there for lunch on a Saturday, and be filled up after a few Snacks

You sound like you got it goin' on, sister. You are right to have a low tolerance for that BS. It sounds to me like have hit the nail on the head with all of it. Doesn't it make you wonder why we ever put up with it before? Weight loss is a strange phenomenon in that way - make us feel more powerful and in control of ourselves. Maybe we like ourselves better, so we won't work so hard for other's approval. Maybe we have more self respect, and start to demand respect from others. I think that's hard for the people in our lives, when we change the rules we've always live by when dealing with them. The one's worth keeping will accept and support that change, and the others ones.....well, you know know what to do with them

You don't give any stats about your weight/height, your BMI, or the type of surgery you had. But when's the last time you lost 17 pounds in 6 weeks? I'd say you are doing fine. One thing for sure - time goes along either way, and as long as you continue to lose, you are going in the right direction. I sincerely wanted to wake up several pounds lighter every day, lol. It didn't work out like that for me, yet two years later, here I am, 140 pounds lighter. I know it's easy to get caught up in it because right after surgery, our world revolves around our weight, and we worry the surgery wont work for us, we fear failure, etc. I always felt like I could handle the "slow" loss if only I had a crystal ball and would know that I would eventually get there. I didn't realize I didn't need the crystal ball, I just needed to follow the program, and I would be fine. You will be too

That's why a lot of people don't tell others. I didn't tell many people to start with because I didn't want to constantly feel like my intake is up for discussion or under scrutiny. Even the extended family I did tell who are supportive do watch some. We had a Christmas party last night and they commented, surprised that I can eat bread. They are not malicious and I am not having to deal it the way you are, but once people know, they observe and some feel free to comment. Since your cat is out of the bag, I think I would just tell them to keep their comments to themselves. It's not their business, and you are not obligated to discuss it. Probably if you just tell them you don't want to hear it when you can be calm and respectful (probably not when they just said something), they'll keep their comments to themselves. You might even ask for their support and encouragement, if you want it. They probably love and want what's best for you. At the end of the day what they say or think is not going to influence your outcome - you have control over that. You are doing awesome, so keep up the good work. Incidentally, it took me about 60 pounds before it became evident I lost weight.

Thank you for posting this! Your wife is lovely, and I hope to look that good, too. It's good to see what 400 cc's look like on a real human, not provided by the physician doing the work.

That's wonderful that you are happy with them! I hope I'm as happy as you are. I don't think I want to be a DD, considering the fact that I've always been small busted. I bet they are perfect on you, since that what you had. I know what you mean about victoria secret, since I have a push up that's a D. I was never a D, even on my best day. I was a B or small C. However, I think that D is good on me (honestly, it does not look big at all). My doc is also recommending 400-425 cc, but said my breasts are wide, so I'm sure that's taking up a lot of the Fluid. I just don't want to end up bigger than I am in that bra because that's the maximum size I can be to have my clothes fit. I think I'm taking it into surgery for them to have a reminder. Not kidding. I think I'll give them a picture of me in it, too. I know they'll appreciate my helpfulness, lol. It's next Friday, so I'm getting a little nervous!

@RJ'S/beginning just wondering how you are doing, and hoping you've been treated better. How are you feeling?

Yes, it's protein, protein, protein (and some vitamin C) for tissue healing. Also. it's an increase in calories. Somewhere around 500 additional calories/day, according to most medical schools of thought. I had some delayed healing in a couple of spots from my LBL, and those have just barely healed at 4 months post plastics, so I'm leery of too much calorie restriction right now. I doubt I'll be eating an extra 500 calories a day, though. Here's how the calorie math works for me: eating an extra 2000 calories = 1 pound, but it takes a sustained restriction and about 5000 calories to lose one pound. So, with the 5:2 plan, I think the general decrease in calories those 2 days plus remaining pretty restricted the other 5 days should help get me to goal, eventually! Has anyone else identified their calorie math...or maybe I'm just nuts? Or do you think the 5:2 helps in other ways, because of the fast, based on your personal experience?

Yep, it's our worst nightmare. The first couple of pounds that creep on, and you know why, but feel a little helpless to stop it. You know you are out of control, either a little or a lot, and you know if you don't get your arms around it now, you are going to be in trouble. I remember how I got so heavy the first time - it was just like that for me. I wasn't lazy or stupid or slovenly or mentally ill, and I had plenty of will power, but seemed helpless against whatever it was prevented me from stopping it. The difference for all of us now is that we have a gastric sleeve that sort of levels the playing field. It doesn't have to be the way it was. By now, all of us vets who have been successful know what it takes to lose weight (and it's unique for each of us in many ways), so we are no longer helpless! What a liberating thought! I like knowing I actually DO have power over this now, and I'm in control. You have identified your issue, and now you are working on it. You are using your power. Others on here give good advice on how to do that, but I just wanted to say I can identify with your "terror". It's still what my nightmares are made of...until I remember I'm not a victim of obesity now. Good luck and keep us posted.

I think what @@feedyoureye and @@lsereno are describing are great ways to live. As I said, I am not doing 5:2 for the next couple of weeks (due to surgery next friday), but it makes such good sense to me. I think it's pretty hard to stay at a certain number of calories day in and day out because life gets in the way, and this allows you to keep your average calories, over time, at that number that keeps you from gaining.

Hi Lisa, I am so, so sorry to hear that you have other people in your lives with cancer. You are right, it is an evil, terrible disease. I've also lost family members to cancer, and there's just no other way to describe it. There is no good time for all of this happen, but when it just keep happening and it's so close together, it's even worse (if that's possible). I do hope that you have some support where you are. Lean on your church or friends, or support groups (like us, and grief/bereavement groups in person) to help get you through this. While it's happening, I think it's hard to see the light on the other side, but truthfully, there's hope for a happy life for you again someday when you make it through this. And it's what all of our loved ones who have passed want for us, we just have to figure out how to get there. You are in my prayers and thoughts.

I usually ignore this type of post, but I feel compelled to respond. This isn't for the OP, since they already have a plan. It's for new people reading this. Drinking alcohol at that stage isn't just "wrong", its a bad idea in general. There's no way to know if its safe and no evidence to suggest it is, and its totally unnecessary, so there is really no justification for it. At the very least, it's high in calories. It is counterproductive to what we are trying to accomplish. At 10 days post OP, I suggest extra caution with a new incision and a long, long staple line that could leak.

None of us can predict the outcome of this surgery as individuals down to pounds lost - that's why there are statistics.However, I'm willing to bet that you don't need to worry. I could EASILY gain weight - probably every pound I lost. I'm a size 8/10, (started at a 24/26) but would rather be in a 6. I could probably get there if I worked super, super hard. I think a lot of people work hard to get to those smaller sizes - it was not magic or mysterious in any way. As you lose weight, you'll start to learn what it takes to lose it, and then when you get to a weight you want, you'll figure out what it takes to stay there. Barring any unforeseen problems, you can choose your weight, especially when you want to weight more. It's pretty easy to get in a few high calorie things to accomplish that. Most of us struggle trying to get off a few more pounds, and that's when your body might refuse to drop more weight - not the other way around.

Hi Lisa, I think you are an awesome woman with a bright spirit and kind heart, based on the way you cared for your husband. The six month mark after a death is a tough one, and with holidays approaching, it's even tougher. You are doing the best you can. That's all any of us can do. First, I agree with @@CowgirlJane, the calorie math is crap. There is way more to it than that. However, having said that, it's one of the guides we do have to use to gauge our intake. You probably know what yours should be, otherwise you wouldn't have been so successful to start with. Use that knowledge to guide yourself now. I use myfitnesspal, and the best advice I can give you around that is weigh, measure, and be brutally honest with yourself. That's one of my key actions to keep on track. Second, sometimes during stress you actually can gain weight without an increase in calories, or you can gain in a disproportionate amount to intake. Do some research on stress and weight gain. Lack of sleep (which often accompanies stress and depression) can also lead to weight gain. You could try a counselor for that as you mentioned. However, I was a hospice nurse, so I do suggest you contact your local hospice and join the support group if you have not already done so. They have bereavement coordinators who can talk with you and visit, as well as spiritual care people. The support groups are wonderful. Another idea is to volunteer with them. We had the most wonderful volunteers who had been through losses with hospice, and they said it gave them purpose and the opportunity for social interaction, often with people who had similar experiences. Or maybe you have a church or other group that you'd like to help. It's a way to get out of the house, not strain your back, and have a purpose. As for how to manage your diet, I am with you on the coffee creamer!! When I was 300 pounds, I always had black coffee. Lately, I've been drawn to pumpkin spice coffee in the keurig, and pumpkin coffee creamer. That 35 calories does add up. I'm also going to have to give that up - and I really don't want to! But I know that it is contributing to me hanging on to the last few pounds. It is really hard to make that change, isn't it? I do have the chike coffee, and I love it! And keep coming here for support. We got your back

I fasted Monday and Wednesday last week, and low calories on Wednesday. I found it to be really helpful, in that my restriction was definitely stronger after that. However, I had too much food and temptation in the house for thanksgiving and over the weekend, and ate too much! I went back to my regular eating yesterday, around 1100 calories. I'm probably not going to fast to 500 calories for a few weeks, though, because I'm having plastic surgery again in 2 weeks, and I think I better get my nutritional status as optimal as possible for healing. If you guys don't mind, though, I'm going to stick with you, because I think as soon as that's over, the 5:2 might be the best plan to FINALLY get me to my goal! I think that it's easier to eat lower calories after a 500 calorie day, and I have to eat pretty low to just maintain above goal. Have a great day, ladies.

Mine will be implanted under the muscle, too. I agree, I don't want to look matronly or out of proportion for my age. And I don't want to be stuck with anything huge. Uggh. I wish I could try them on and decide while I'm in surgery, and decide for myself!

Girl, you look great! Not to discourage you from reaching your desired goal, but honestly, you look like you already hit the jackpot! Look at those guns What a remarkable transformation!

I agree, its almost incomprehensible to have so many complications! But then again, we know how one thing leads to another. Either way, I hope and pray you are at the end of that and will now heal and enjoy life and health again. I also will pray that you are well enough to go home tomorrow!

I don't have a word. It depends on the context for me. Sometimes it is a journey, sometimes its a change. Other adjectives I've used include diet, lifestyle, plan, transformation, process, life, path, choice, option, and probably others that escape me right now. I'll admit, I don't love the word journey either, but I do use it sometimes.