BKLYNgal87

Have you had a new sleep study done recently? You may very well not need it anymore. I need a lot less pressure these days so my sleep doc switched me to an autopap. That may be a good solution for you to wean yourself off. Congrats on your weight loss success!

Your honesty is refreshing. A lot of people find denial easier than looking at themselves truthfully. Look, This journey isn't easy for anyone. It gets harder the further out you get from surgery. I am 5 months postop and in a stall. Last week I ate poorly (ate trigger foods that I just plain need to stay away from) and so far this week I've turned a new leaf. It isn't easy, but I really want to overcome my personal road blocks so I can succeed. I know you want to, too. Take it one day at a time. Focus on putting one foot in front of the other and logging every bite of your food intake. You know you need to continue to take your Vitamins because you'll find the next time you get blood work done you'll probably be deficient. Look into different types of exercise if you don't like running. How about dancing? Or group fitness classes? I could say well hey either do it or don't, either be successful or don't, totally up to you. But I know you are reaching out because you want support and you want to succeed. You can absolutely do this!

Everyone seems to like Quest bars. I am particular to Think Thin creamy peanut butter bars. Almost like a Reeses!

I wanted to share what I did at work yesterday. Can't seem to post pictures right now, what with the website maintenance, but here goes. A post-it note taped to my computer monitor at work. It reads: "Not Even One Bite!" It was my fiance's suggestion He's a keeper for sure.

Make sure your meat and fish are cooked well and you have nothing to worry about.

If you want to be successful at weight loss in the long term you're going to want to start changing your conception of "reward" to non-food options. Why not start now?

I'm 5 months postop and my weight loss has slowed to a stall. I totally feel your frustration - many, many people on this forum do. The sleeve isn't a miracle, and it's a constant fight every single day even in maintenance, heck, especially in maintenance. If you are being totally honest about your food intake and it's well within the guidelines of your WLS team, I second the exercise advice, if you aren't on a regiment already. You can also try the 5:2 diet, I think you are far enough out post-op that you could benefit from it. http://thefastdiet.co.uk/ Wishing you continued success! You can get yourself out of this funk!!

Looking great! Love the hair

The World according to Eggface blog has a zillion bento box lunch ideas. http://www.google.com/cse?cx=010161925482818458409%3Avag5alwlnvy&q=a+day+in+my+pouch&sa=Search#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=a%20day%20in%20my%20pouch&gsc.page=1

Awesome girl! Congrats on your success!

I'm glad to know I'm not alone, Laura. I get so dismayed seeing the posts of people who are about as far out as me talking about how they still struggle to eat enough or how they never feel like eating. I'd think to myself - are they lying to themselves or am I the one who's failing? I can probably eat 1000 calories a day at almost 5 months post op. Maybe a tad more. My surgeon only wants me eating 800. Most days I am good and stay within bounds and work out at the gym like a beast but last week I kinda fell off the wagon and landed flat on my butt. There have been times where I know I have eaten more than I should. Way more. But never once did I vomit. I had hoped this would happen to me, to keep me on track, but perhaps years of stuffing my bigger stomach full of food has made my esophageal sphincter weak, who knows. I'm scared I will be one of the ones who fails to lose the weight I need to or puts it back on over time. I've come so far damnit!! For a couple months I wouldn't go near a baked good or candy and then suddenly last week I had one bite and it was like all my hard work went flying out the window. I cannot do moderation yet. I don't know if I ever will. I want my honeymoon phase back . But since I can't go backwards in time, I am going back to group support and turning back to the protein shakes because forcing their fake sweet, splenda-fied taste into my mouth put me off of chocolate and sweets for weeks. My name is Rachel and I'm a food addict.

I have been reading this thread the last few days, and I want to thank all of you who contributed from the bottom of my heart. It's made me realize (yet again - we all need reminders sometimes) that I need to stop kidding myself. I'm yet another food addict. I always have been, and sleeve or no sleeve, fat or thin, I always will be. There's definitely a lot of enabling that goes on on these forums. A lot of judgment too, and I'm certainly no exception. Me going on about binge drinking as a bad life decision last week is really rather hypocritical now that I think about it, being that right around the same time I was sneaking trips to the office kitchen for halloween candy my co-workers brought in. Blech. I feel disgusted with myself on so many levels. He/she who is without sin, cast the first stone. It doesn't have to be a cliche. My coworkers are horrible enablers. They are always bringing baked goods and candy into the office (especially around the holidays) and plopping them in the office kitchen (RIGHT NEXT TO MY DESK). Not a soul can see me walk into the kitchen. I hate it. I hate them. I hate my boss for saying I couldn't move to the other bank of offices down the hall. I hate myself for not being able to resist. Grr. But I'm going to do something productive about it this time, rather than give in again this week. Heading out to an OA meeting tonight for the first time in forever. It's not ideal because I'm not a religious person and the OA meetings near me seem to stress certain steps over others, but I can't afford private therapy right now. I'm an addict, and I need help. I really want to and need to succeed this time, at more than just weight loss. So time for me to take responsibility. I am not going to fail at this, unless I let myself.

Best advice I can give is - get as much good use out of this stage as you can. A few months down the line you will be able to eat nearly anything. There comes the hard part. I am back to being hungry somewhat and desiring some of the same things I used to. I can't eat nearly as much (sweets in particular) as I used to eat, but I shouldn't be eating such "trigger foods" at all! It does get better, but it becomes more challenging.

OMG You look incredible!! Congratulations on your major success

Any fatigue? Dizziness? Fever? These are signs to go to the doctor, stat. But when in doubt, it never hurts to call the doctor's office and see what they say. I suggest you take it easy for a few more weeks before going back to the gym hardcore.

I try very hard to eat alone these days, or at the very least, suggest crowded restaurants when I'm out with family or friends. My stomach makes a cringe-inducing gurgle circus at every meal. Good thing I'm already engaged to my fiancé because if I was stuck on the dating circuit I'd be SOL. Lol. #sleeveproblems

Yes!! The ring around my neck is noticeably lighter. Unfortunately my armpits are still rather dark. Hoping they fade with more time and weight loss.

Were you honest with your surgeon's office about your drinking? If so, shame on them for being greedy. It doesn't sound like you were a good candidate for WLS. VSG was an intervention to help you make your life better, but it's totally up to you if you want to succeed. Alcohol alone is not going to stretch your sleeve, though it will make you incredibly sick and cause you to further progress your clearly budding addiction. Are you following the nutritionist plan at all in terms of food? Small meals, high Protein, low carb? Separating eating and drinking? Are you only spending 20 minutes eating at each meal and chewing slowly? These are the most basic requirements postop. If you aren't following the guidelines and you are depressed and drinking heavily, then it's easy to see why you are struggling. I think you need to seek help if you want to make this work. It's NOT too late to make real change for yourself.

I'm going to try really hard to not sound judgemental, but what makes you think binge drinking is a good life decision? Surgery or no surgery it's irresponsible and unhealthy. You had VSG surgery to help you lose weight, thereby making you healthier. Why would you throw it all away for college parties? If you want to be successful at the weight loss, and at life in general, you will stop going overboard with the alcohol. This whole "I'm not an alcoholic until I graduate" thing is complete and total bullsh*t. I hope you know that. Buckle up, eat right (high Protein, low carb), don't drink, and you will see the sleeve still works for you. You will get out of it what you put into it.

Who did you hear that from? The answer is NO. You are not likely to develop gallstones if you take the preventative meds for the prescribed time period. Even if you get gallstones, unless you have a serious attack, you probably don't need your gallbladder removed. Remember surgeons are always quick to suggest surgery, even when it's not needed.

You look SO Amazing and Happy!!! Congrats! Love your style, too

Awesome! Keep up the great work

You can do it!!

Was he a heavy drinker before surgery? I'd find it hard to believe he recently picked this up and is already able to drink so much at a time. His behavior sounds like the cornerstone of addiction, I'm afraid. Drinking that much sleeve or no sleeve is dangerous and irresponsible. He's setting himself up for so many problems down the road. It sounds like you and others in his life care about him. Try and confront him about it from a caring and constructive point of view. He may not be ready to hear it, but he needs to.

That depends on who you ask, but my surgeon team directs patients to not drink for 15 minutes before or 30 minutes after eating.