MichiganChic

I think my method is similar the Cheri's - quitting is not an option. I just know I can never return being that person or living that life again. This wasn't a temporary fix for me to return to that person, though I don't think it started like that for me. I've learned a lot as the pounds have come off. It's a subtle difference I'm describing here between motivation and determination.....because some days I don't fee motivated. Even on the days I don't feel motivated, I do feel grateful for the gift I've been given, and I think that helps support my determination to follow through on what I know I need to do.

Lookin' hot, Butter, my friend! What a marvelous accomplishment. I do think once you've been heavy, the BMI charts do not apply so much. As our bodies grew, so did all of our organs and supporting infrastructure. We can see that our skin did, but what you can't see are all the inside organs, but I imagine that contributes a few pounds, too. Either way, you are a total success, and I'm thrilled for you! Thanks for sharing those pics!

Congratulations Lipstick. I know what you mean - I feel like I've been at this forever sometimes, and other times I feel like I'm still figuring it out. Nice job on your awesome success so far

Depends on where you are in the process. There are a lot of boxes to check before having surgery. I started the process in early October, and I had my surgery December 19. I was able to move it faster than usual because it was close to the holidays. Most people don't want surgery around that time. But I really had to hustle to get all the pre-op testing completed - you'll need a fairly clean bill of health in most cases.

At 11 months out, I'm eating 800-1100 calories a day, but I try to stay closer to 900. I've learned that's where I need to be to lose. Some days I go much higher, but I don't like to because it slows my loss. I've learned to accept that this is life, and every day I get up with the intention of doing it right, and most of the time I do. I still use a Protein shake every day, and try to get at least 75 gm a day. I avoid bread, rice, and Pasta, and other than that, I don't think about counting carbs. If I do eat something sweet, or even bread, I have to fight it for the next day or so. I definitely could slide down that slippery carb slope and start regaining! I don't count fat grams, and I don't eat very many things that are low fat, but I do avoid butter and high fat foods. I figure I can only focus on so much, so for me, it's calories and protein. I usually eat about 5 times a day, saving most of my calories for after work when I struggle the most. I track every single thing I eat, and it usually works out to about an even split between protein, carbs, and fat. Probably not what a dietitian would suggest, but it seems to work for me. I understand your concern about grazing - I was a grazer before surgery. I have to really fight not to be now, but in some ways, I am. I don't worry as much about it as I did - I just make sure nothing gets in my mouth that isn't logged. That's been the key for me. Once I see it in print, I'm much more likely to stop putting things in my mouth. As for the hunger, I do have some, but mostly not too bad. I gt head hunger. I'm a stress eater, and I agree with BTB, it's pretty hard to tell the difference. I've learned that sometimes it's just thirst.

Yay for you!! I'll never be a size 2, but I do love WHBM! I got some things on sale there this weekend in size 12. I was just excited to be able to shop there, and it's NOT the biggest size they carry! I wore it to work today, and I was prancing in my size 12s like it was a 2

pretty hard to navigate around here...

At this stage, what you are experiencing is pretty normal. I can remember thinking what a chore eating was! Now, at 11 months out, I can eat anything and everything, and I can enjoy it. Now I have to really watch what I eat, and kind of miss the days when I couldn't eat more than a few bites. Just make sure to get your protein and fluids in, and you will gradually be able to take in more.

I am shorter! I started at 5'4", and now I'm 5'3". I'm sticking with 5'4", lol. Otherwise I have even more to lose. I thought maybe it age related, but it wouldn't be typical to lose that much in that short of a time at 51. I don't know where it's from though!

I noticed some fine lines around my eyes...so I had a little botox. Can't tell if it's doing anything or not, lol. Otherwise, my face looks pretty good, though I am considering some fillers for the nasal labial lines and marionnette lines around my mouth. They are really pretty faint, but i don't want to look like what I'm calling a "weight loss victim". When I try to figure out what my goal weight should be, it will be in part how my face looks. My neck looks so bad - I think it does make me look old. I''ll be seeing a plastic surgeon about that! Still, this is WAY better than 125 pounds ago!

I'm just under 11 months out, and I can eat anything I want. I have to be really careful. For me, that means weighing and measuring food, counting and tracking calories, and following the general rules for gastric sleeve patients. I don't think of it as dieting. I think of it as doing what I need to do for success. I usually have a Protein shake for breakfast, greek yogurt and string cheese for lunch with a few grapes, nuts for an afternoon snack, and meat/vegetable for dinner. Some days I have a snack at bed time, depending on how many calories I've eaten and if I'm hungry. I could easily eat a lot more than I do. I try to keep it close to 900 calories, but lately I'm having a hard time staying below 1100. I, too, am surprised at how few calories and carbs it takes me to lose weight. No wonder i was so fat!

I also asked myself the same questions. The difference for me is that the sleeve gave me a jump start. It allowed rapid weight loss at first with minimal pain/misery of hunger, while showing me that in fact, I can lose weight. It allowed me to see what it will take for my body to actually lose. It allowed me the time to begin to establish new habits. It provided me with enough success that I gained more motivation, because losing the remaining 30-40 pounds is not so overwhelming. It's so fun to shop now, something I really didn't even consider in my decision to have surgery. Now, at about 11 months out, I am losing slowly. I still don't know if I'll ever get to goal, but I'm SO much better off than I was a year ago. Now I have to put all the things I learned into action, because I could easily slide back into bad habits and gain. I have to watch everything I put in my mouth, I have to count every calorie, and I have to be honest with myself about it. I know that I need to eat around 900 calories a day to lose. Before surgery, I would not have been able to eat that little. So, in short, it is a tool, but in the end, it's still up to us to succeed. And if I can do it, I think most people can, and so can you:)

It's my personal health information, and I don't feel obligated to provide to anyone who asks. I told a few close friends and family. I'm not ashamed of the surgery, and honestly, I don't think people think it's the easy way out, in general. Even if they did, I wouldn't care what they think. I wish it was easy I just don't want to talk to people about it, I don't want to be the topic of conversation, and I don't want people watching what I eat and do. When people ask how much I've lost and how, I tell them "a lot but not enough" and I lost it through diet and exercise. that usually shuts them up, because it's boring. People all want a magic bullet, and there is no such thing.

It sure can be frustrating, but it helps to know we all go through it. Some people lose faster, some slower, some steady, some not. Our bodies are unique and can only turn loose of so much weight. My advice is to get used to it I've been at the same weight for about 2-3 weeks. I hate it too, but I don't let it ruin my day. One thing I did that really helped me is to track and graph my weight weekly. I do weigh daily, but I only "count" my weight once a week. I log it in excel and graph it. I've learned that in the last 10 months, I've actually stayed the same or gained only 6 times. I have it in writing, otherwise I think I'd believe I was not a steady loser. Seeing it like that really helps me to see progress over time, and it gets me through these times of slow/no loss. It's about the long haul - not the day to day scale reading. Just keep doing what you need to do, and you'll see that the weight does come off over time.

Beautiful! So happy for your fabulous success!

You look wonderful! Congratulations on your success!

This is an issue I'm struggling with right now, too. I feel like I look pretty good for my age, and even if I never lost another pound, I'd be ok. However, on the other hand, I'd like to get to goal. My head is just not in it all of the sudden, and it's scaring me. I've been here before surgery but not since, and I'm afraid this is going to get away from me. I do think it's partly behavior fatigue for me. I'm just tired of watching everything I put in my mouth. I am tracking every bite, but I am eating too much. I'm also traveling for work this week, and that adds a whole other layer of issues to deal with. The office I'm in this week is preparing for a computer go live next week and there is a ton of food everywhere. I've resisted, but I think it's wearing me down. Just too much stress and too many temptations, and not my routine food available. Only restaurant food available and lack of desire to make good choices. Uggh. So, I'm counting every calorie and not doing too bad, but I'm not at my usual 800 calories. I feel so guilty for eating 1300 calories, it's crazy. I think it's because I know what a slippery slope I'm on..... So - I don't have an answer for you, but I can commiserate with you. Your original post was about 6 weeks ago. Did you get past it and on track? If so, how did you do it? I just can't stay on this path. I'm only about 1 foot on it, but I've been down this road before and I recognize it. Maybe that's the first step. Saying it (typing) out loud actually gave me some perspective around my thoughts and behavior. Thanks for the thread.

I can soooo totally relate. I have sister in law who sounds similar. So, I saw her this past weekend, and I loved, loved, loved it. I've always been so much heavier, and now I'm not! I just got into size 12s, and it felt great. I didn't have to say a word or do anything, but i still felt a little guilty for gloating inside, lol! Funny, she made a point of telling me she lost 10 pounds and her pants were a size 12. Um, maybe they were, but her shirt had to a 1-2x. Mine was a medium I didn't bother to tell her the size of my clothes. I figure I didn't tell people what size they were when I was in a 26 pants, so why now? (Except for you guys, of course.) I also never told them about my surgery. Yes, you will greatly enjoy that moment. Savor it

I also pay $24 for 18 in my area at costco. That's about $1.34 each. That's cheaper than a fast food drive-through, so I figure I'm worth it They store well and travel well, and they really pack a lot of nutrition for 160 calories. Aside from that, I love Costco. They have lots of other things that are good sources of Protein and low calorie. I always get a big tub of Fage 0% greek yogurt, chicken burgers, and a few other items that are staples for me. However.....you gotta watch out because they have plenty of other things I need to avoid! When I go there, I will actually make it my lunch I try all their Snacks, which gives me a big variety of things I would never eat otherwise, and it's quite satisfying. Of course, I count all the calories. It's a guilty pleasure that's within reason for my diet, and I don't have to buy it and have it in the house. I'm still so amazed that a few samples will fill me up. I do so love my sleeve

At 18 days out, I was around 300-400 calories, too. My doc's plan was 600 calories a day, once we could tolerate it. We were to get in 55-65 gm protein a day, at that point. Staying hydrated as you are healing will help.

Well........the jiggles decrease some, but the wrinkles get worse. Talk about a SHOCK!! There is nothing I can think of to adequately describe it. Maybe a balloon that was blown up really big and then the air leaked out. You know, that stretched rubber look. Yeah, I'm sure that's a turn on, lol!!

I think this conversation is one of many considerations for why so many of us end up with weight issues. Even though I am a Yankee ,my grandparents migrated from the hills of Kentucky to Michigan, and I was very close to them. They had a typical southern diet as you mentioned, and the more I ate, the more they loved it. My Granny taught me to cook, and had an apron on me from the time I was 2. I spent so many wonderful days with her, and I still cherish those memories. As I got married and had kids, I carried on the tradition. My family applauded me for my cooking and wonderful family gatherings - it was part of who I was. I spent so much time focuing on food and preparing it, I was missing my life!!!! I would vaguely recognize this as I was doing it, but didn't know how to stop. Now fast forward almost a year, and things have changed. I had my family over for my daughter's 18th birthday last weekend, and I barely thought about the menu. I had enough food, but not an overwhelming abundance. And guess what, we all had a good time anyway. It made me think about how much time I've wasted over the years. As for my kids, I "tried" to give them the best opportunity to be healthy and thin. I spent lots of time dieting and preparing healthy meals (in between all those parties) trying to set a good examle for them. But I could never let go of the way I was raised and the need to feed them. I baked all the time, took treats to school, and did all the things I thought "good" moms did. So, two of the three grils have weight issues, and the third one will just as soon as she stops playing sports. I wish I had not done that to my kids. Also, we lived next door to my parents who spoiled my kids in much the same way as I had been - only with fast food and junk becasue my mom doesn't cook So, I will be a grandmother in a few weeks. I'm going to try to get it right this time. While I would not trade or change one thing about the way my grandparents were with me, I'm hoping to make the same impact on my grandson, but not with food or stuff. I don't want to be the enabler. This is new and unchartered territory for me....hope I can do it!

Jane, thanks for sharing your pics and your plans. Our stats are similar - at least pre-op - I've still got a way to go. I have really bad, saggy skin already, and I know I'm going to need all of that surgery, in addition to something done with my neck. I'll be anxious to see your post op pics for comparison. Congrats to you on so many levels - the weight loss, the muscle definition, and the surgery. You are an inspiration!

I've never had that blocked feeling or slimes, but I've not been able to eat eggs since surgery. One bite feels like it hits my stomach like a rock. Other than that, I seem to tolerate pretty much every thing fine....though I have to admit my diet is somewhat limited. I tend to eat the same thing day in and day out, and due to the calorie restriction, there isn't room to venture into new territory much.

I'd go with the Dr. scale reading. There is no way to know for sure, because there is variation from one to the other in most home scales. The important thing is that you use the same one over time. Incidentally, one thing I found is that there was more variability in my scale when I weighed more. I could step on it and get a different reading 5 times in a row. Now when I get on and off, it's usually the same reading.