MichiganChic

I did not cheat. My diet was 800 calories of shakes for two weeks. It was hard and I didn't feel great. It was during the holidays, and there was an abundance of my favorite foods everywhere. I baked Christmas Cookies. I never had one bite of anything. I only say this because I had never been able to be so disciplined before, and for the first time, I was! It gave me a new found confidence that I still remember and draw on a year later. I needed to prove to myself that I could lose weight, that I had the determination to make a change, and that I have what it takes to be successful. This surgery doesn't do anything other than restrict the amount you can eat at one time. You still absorb every calorie you eat, and you can eat an awful lot of calories by grazing. In the immediate post op phase, you will likely have a very restrictive diet. There are people on here asking the same questions all the time - what will happen if I cheat? My advice to you now, and to also to that question, is to just do yourself a favor and prove to yourself that you have what it takes to succeed. You CAN do this, but it is all up to YOU! That's actually a great thought - you are in control. You are not a victim of a bad metabolism, bad genes, etc (that's what I always told myself ). This is a chance at a new life. For me, it's so much better than I could have even imagined. Dig your heels in and do it - I know you can!

Add me, too! tboosrn

Linda, I noticed the same thing. I am having to consciously walk differently. I find myself hunched over, and also walking like a man with my legs apart! The building I work in has floor to ceiling windows, and I can always see my reflection, so I get lots of practice walking more ladylike. It's shocking the way obesity alters our brains and bodies. I'm also surprised at the small places I can fit in, like behind chairs, in occupied aisles, small spaces in restaurants, in the chair with dog sitting NEXT to me instead of ON me. I recognize it and enjoy every time it happens, but it just seems like a dream

Lipstick, I could have written that. At my heaviest, there were days I saw myself as looking pretty good, and deluded myself into thinking others would see that I looked good with makeup/hair/clothes rather than my huge obese body. When I looked in the mirror, I saw myself 20 years younger and about 80 pounds lighter. I wore a 26 pants and 2X top. Now, I'm in a size 12 pants and M top, and while I don't see myself as big as I was before, I do see myself as fat.I think I still see myself as about 50 pounds heavier than I am....but not 20 years younger anymore, lol. I guess the truth is, I am still fat! My BMI puts me just barely in the overweight category. Others tell me I look like a "normal mom" and logically I know that's true, but I still don't have a good sense of my size. My clothes all look too small on the hanger, yet they fit. Sometimes when I put on those small clothes, I feel thin. Strange phenomenon, like I'm talking out both sides of my mouth!

I used to say the same thing. It was a chore, and often not worth the effort. That does pass, and at some point, you will enjoy eating again. Sometimes I wish I still had little of that "it's a chore" feeling.

I did the pre-op diet last year in early December, and it kept me from eating at holiday parties and from eating all the cookies I baked. It was hard, but I made up my mind, and knew I just had to do it. For me, there was no trick to it - just do it. I used EAS carb advantage shakes from the grocery store. I was hungry the entire time, but I wanted to show myself I could succeed, and that was my motivation. I figured if all these other people could do it, so could I, and I did. I had my surgery December 19, and while the timing wasn't planned, I'm glad it was during the holidays. It kept me from gaining an additional 10-15 pounds. Even though I didn't feel great, at least I knew it was a new start for me. I had lost 25 pounds by New Years - well ahead of my annual New Years resolution to lose weight. So, I don't have any great advice for you, just my story of resolve. If I can do it, so can you! Good luck

My plate was shockingly identical. LOL, so was mine, and I didn't eat it all, either.

Lookin' good, Lipstick!

At seven weeks, I had lost 38 pounds. I always thought each pound lost would be my last.....still do, lol.

I think you sound dehydrated. Can you drink more, or are you vomiting? I would call your doc or go to the emergency room if you can't or get in touch with him. Hope you feel better soon.

For me, it's neither moderation or abstain forever. It's a combination of both. Generally, I avoid refined carbs, bread, sweets, rice, and Pasta. I try to get in my Protein every day. I try very hard not to graze, though it's a struggle many days. I count calories, ALWAYS. Beyond that, I don't worry about fat grams, number of carbs or anything else. Once in a while, like at a party, I will have whatever is on the menu, even cake. But I can't have that stuff in my house, or I do find myself thinking about eating it, and grazing. Even when I do that, I force myself to count those calories, regardless of how awful it is. That's the one thing that keeps me in check. It also lets me know how much damage I can do in a short amount of time, when I think "it's only a few bites". Just a few bites can add up to a LOT of calories in a short time - even if they are "good" calories. Take nuts, for example. 1 oz of cashews is 160 calories, no carbs, and a healthy snack. I could easily eat 3-4 x that if I let myself, particularly, one nut at a time, all day. So, for me, I abstain most of the time from some things, but nothing is off limits totally. And when I do have them, I try to do so in moderation on that one occasion. I have made a lifestyle change, so it needs to be something I can live with. I think that's a personal balance for each of us, whatever it might be.

I am about 11 months out, and I also have a high pressure job where I manage people and projects, requiring a high degree of competent thought. I have been thinking lately that I think I'm a little sharper than I was a year ago. I think it might be because I feel better and have more energy, and my diet is much more consistent. Before, I might have been walking around in a "food coma" some times, and now that never happens.

My highest weight ever was 325 a few years before surgery. I lost about 10 pounds on the pre op diet, but I just roll that into my surgery weight loss because it was only 2 weeks before surgery. I was 305 then, and down 125 pounds now from that weight.

Shopping is my new sport. I do it every weekend! I needed everything new - clothes, underwear, bras, shoes. I also told my husband my purses were too big for me, lol!! But I love White house Black market, J Crew, Ann Taylor, Talbots, Macy's, Dillards, Old Navy, Target, Kohls, JJill.....pretty much everywhere. I'm a huge fan of outlet malls - there are several in my area. When I first had to shop for new clothes (I'm on my 4th wardrobe) I found myself always wandering back to the Womens section because I was overwhelmed with all the choices. I still am not sure where to go in department stores. This past weekend I took my older teen/early 20s kids with me to show me where I really should be looking! One thing for sure - it's got to be on sale, and I have to love it. It's such a LUXURY to be able to be picky because I can fit in normal size clothes, I no longer have to settle for what fits. I think that's why I shop so much (I don't really buy that much, just look) because I'm still trying to find my style and it's pure, unadulterated joy putting on size mediums and 12s.

I'm so sorry for your loss. It is evident how very much your beautiful sister was loved and will be missed. Thank you for sharing her story - it is so important for people to understand the risk they undertake.

Me too. Cute wins for me....I'm pretty excited that I can wear the stuff I can. But I'm always torn because that number matters too! nuts.

I had a post op infection, and I'm a nurse, too. Mine took about 7 weeks to heal, and I had to have it opened and drained a couple of times. What is your wound care routine, and how often is it being checked by a professional? Does it drain? Do you have a temperature? Your doc could be correct that it's fine, but a second opinion never hurt. Mine got a little red and uncomfortable at about 5 days postop, so I met the doc in the ER on Christmas eve. He couldn't believe it, but he had to open it up there. It closed in about two weeks, only to open back up and drain again, then I had to have it opened up a third time because my skin wanted to heal even though the inside wasn't. Long story just to say that it happened to me, too, and required a lot of treatment. It was a minor complication, and it didn't impede my progress, and I was fine after it finally healed. I was pretty fatiqued the first couple of months after my surgery, and I attribute it to the infection.

It just depends on your circumstances. My doc ordered some additional tests after I met with him, yours may not. No way to predict this one. It will largely depend on his/her availability and what's already scheduled. Like I said, being around Christmas worked in my favor - maybe it will for you, too.

Yay for you! Great job - you look great!

I think we all know we ate too much, but there are vast differences in what and how we ate to get to the point of obesity. Every one has their own unique story.

You said it. I am amazed at how little I can eat to lose weight. It sure does explain why I was so fat and why I couldn't lose weight. There was no way I could have survived on 900 calories before surgery.

Good luck to you, and congratulations on your surgery! Let me know how you are doing.

I've also come close to changing my goal. That "normal" number really does drive me....but not sure how accurate it really is. I like the chart you posted better, and I think it's probably more accurate. At my current weight, I look fairly "normal", though I know I would be better of with another 20 pounds gone. I'm having a hard time picturing myself at 145, which puts me just barely in the normal BMI category. Right now, I'm still "obese". I guess I'm just going to play it by ear.

I struggle with this, too. From the time I get home from work until I go to bed, food is frequently on my mind. I wish I could change that, but so far, all I've been able to do is try to deal with it. I do a combination of what others here have said. I try to plan for a snack near bed - it helps me to know I still have that to look forward to. (sad but true fact). I eat very little during the day because I'm not hungry, and I know I'll need the calories later. I usually average under 400 calories until 5 or 6 pm, then will have the remaining roughly 500 calories between 5 and 9. I have tried spacing calories out to see if that kept my hunger down, but it doesn't. I also will try a cup of coffee or a glass of water, because sometimes I can't tell the difference between hunger and thirst. And, sometimes I just go to bed hungry if need be. I would not have been able to do that before surgery. I would always try that, but inevitably, I would have to get out of bed and eat something. I would lay awake till 2 am fighting it, and finally give in. Now, even if I think I'm hungry, I go to bed and go to sleep. That's a HUGE benefit of the sleeve - even if I think I'm hungry, I'm not hungry that it drives me do something about it.

Such great news, Patty!! I am so happy for you You've done an incredible job in such a short time - you are an inspiration. I know you are doing a happy dance! You sure do look great.