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Thank you both. I remember at my one or two month follow up telling my surgeon I'd not tested any boundaries and that I couldn't imagine doing so. It's interesting how that's changed a bit.
Going back to shakes and limiting carbs both are things that I think would help for sure. And I think in learning my "boundaries" with certain foods. Meaning, I'm the type of person that cannot just have ONE chip and be okay. I think I need to go back to the "not even one bite" rule with some of these trigger foods.
Again, thank you both for encouragement!

I've let myself indulge in some unhealthy Snacks. I've not gone back to eating fast food, which I struggled badly with before VSG.
I'm 6 months out. Down 144 lbs since March 22, 2013.
Any tips on how to get back on track? I've scheduled to see a psych to talk thru some of the addictive issues I've been working on for the last two years.
Thank you!

I'm with ya! It's even worse because I had breast reduction surgery dec 10, 2013 and now I can really see my stomach! So gross! I wear Spanx etc too and once I get to goal will most def have to have plastic surgery. I look like a melted candle...ew.

Well Erwin,
You're not alone as this is a burden much like all of ours and here you can find the support that may help you through. I gained weight up to my surgery date as well. I think it was part anxiety, part usual stress coping. Think of this as a lifestyle and each day as new beginning. You won't be perfect, so don't expect that of yourself. However, no excuses.
If you log your food, you take ownership of your actions. You are responsible for what goes in the machine. Some days it will be healthy choices and some not so much. One interesting thing as you progress, as least for me, is cross-referencing my moods, energy level, weight loss, etcetera with my diet logs. Sure does make a difference.
Take time for you, be good to yourself, spoil yourself with things other than food as practice. Get a massage, or something that is just for you. I think we are all so hard on ourselves, so critical with all these expectations of perfection. You are worth all of what you're doing for yourself right now. You will have more energy and you'll be inspired. You're already making healthy choices, this will work.

We are answering the questions based on our knowledge and from what we may have experienced or heard from our doctors, just as every other forum.

I had Sleeve December 17, 2013.
I've been on anti depressants on and off since high school, Wellbrution (300 mg) for 7 years & Celxa (20 mg) for about 2 years now.
The past few weeks, my anixety has been through the roof. I have cold, tingling feelings all over my body. Heart palpations, racing thoughts. I do feel like I am losing control. I'm even having dreams about checking myself in to a mental institution. I am relying much more on my Xanax. Which I can feel the effects just within a few minutes of taking it. It feels like I'm in a dazed/ in a trans. I'm exercising every day, I am following the diet, drinking my Water. Almost got my Protein intake to a decent level.
I don't know what to do. HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Effexor XR is a capsule if you shake it you can hear the meds inside those lil balls are suppose to break down and release slowly I could see where you wouldn't get the full benfit from it after surgery I feel like I need to be on something since I've had surgery I am very easily aggregated 90% of the time I never knew how much I used food to calm me down esp at work when its stressful guess that's how I got a 100lbs over weight!

RickyDee,
Not true. Absorption of medications is a HUGE issue with the gastric sleeve. Your stomach does not have nearly as much stomach acid to break down medication for absorption. Research "gastric sleeve medication absorption".

Hi everyone...sleeved 6/18/13 hw 349 sw 301 cw 206...was in 26/28 now in 16....been in a stall again and added stressors recently that got me off track some...but back on track and feeling great...my goal is 180 so im getting closer and so close to onederland I can taste it....its been an amazing journey and once to goal my reward for self is a motorcycle and I cant wait...

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Hi everyone...sleeved 6/18/13 hw 349 sw 301 cw 206...was in 26/28 now in 16....been in a stall again and added stressors recently that got me off track some...but back on track and feeling great...my goal is 180 so im getting closer and so close to onederland I can taste it....its been an amazing journey and once to goal my reward for self is a motorcycle and I cant wait...

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you all are doing so great, congrats!!!! I too was sleeved in June 2013, June 3rd. I have lost 71lbs so far. I am going to toot my own horn...
TOOT! TOOT! L0L!! IM SORRY, IM RALLY NOT A BRAGGING TYPE OF PERSON, IM JUST VERY EXCITED. I was 243 when I started and was about to bust out of my size 20 jeans and im 172 and wear like a 11/12 or 13!!! yee haw. =) I just hope and pray that God will continue to bless me down this road as he has. =) I will go on Nov. 19th for my "6mth" ck up. a little scared, only bc I have been a bad girl and haven't taken my Vitamins as im suppose to. it was very hard in the beginning, but ive started back. I also need to have more Protein in my diet, sadly enough my hair is falling out, somewhat by the handfuls and I had thick curly hair... =( I want my hair back, its shorter b thinner. =( so sweet ladies, please make sure that you get enough protein! you all take care. =)

I was sleeved June 10th! 9 months and loving it!

I was sleeved 6/25. My starting weight was 247 and 5'11 , day of the surgery it was 211 and I am now 150. I feel happy

Surgery date was 6/25, starting weight was 282. I am currently 172. I am lighter then my hubby for once. He has always been the trim one so i am loving it. We are same height and frame size. I am hoping to reach 135-140, with a little luck. I have been fighting plateaus more then before this month though. I am working out on my lunch bark when ever possible. Hopefully that will jump start me. Plus I am hopefully rebuilding the muscle mass I lost from this. How are my other fellow June sleevers doing?

Down 104 lbs, from 371 - 267 since my surgery on June 4th, 2013. Total loss since starting the approval process in 11/2012 - 186 lbs.

All progressing well.........surgery was June 24. I started 2 weeks prior to surgery at 418, day of Surgery I was 399. Today I weighed in at 292

Just do what you should be doing. Get your Protein in, drink your Water, go to the gym (or do whatever exercises). I did the C25K app and finished the 8 weeks today. Like I said, due to the special project at work and working 12-15 hour shifts, I can only go to gym on weekend, so it took me a little over the 8 weeks to do it, but I stuck to it. If you can't run all of it, walk some, then run some. Pace yourself and do what you can and know it is okay to repeat some of the days until you think you can do more. I love the app and it is free!

Hi everyone!
How are u all doing? Well it's been 9 months and I'm feeling fantastic! I've lost 107lb and 140.5cms over all. This was the best thing I have ever done for myself

Awesome! Keep up the great work! I didn't take any measurements, but I just hit my 7 months on 2/17 and I am down 113lbs and am in a size 9/10 from a 24! I am with you with it being the best thing ever!

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What a journey this is. Starting weight was 282. I am now at 168.... about 30 lbs to my goal.

Bipolar here. While its a wild ride while your chemistry and your brain adjust to this massive shift of habits, it is eventually a force for positive change! Much happier, much more even tempered and socially confident. Preparation, full self awareness and strategy planning.

I sometimes drink right before eating, but I always wait at least 30 minutes after.
Lynda

Did the same thing! Lost 100 since 2010. At year 3 gradually added back about 27 lbs. used 5:2, MFP and discipline to get it off and another 10! Now, I've gotten in the carbs for the last couple weeks! Lol. Still doing 5:2, though, so I'm holding but want to lose another 5 pounds!
We can do it!!! Good luck. You know what to do.

I've managed to get off track. I've gained 15-20 pounds back after reaching my goal (lost 100 lbs) because of stress and boredom eating - eating tons of simple carbs and drinking calories.
So today, I'm publicly recommitting to going back to the basics. This week, I've already given up the caloric drinks and started back exercising. The last step is getting back to smaller meals consisting primarily of Protein and dealing with stress in other ways.
I'm proud of myself for catching it before gaining too much weight. If anyone else is in the same boat, join me in recommitting to looking and feeling fabulous.
Pamela

Bariatric patients should embrace both of these powerful tools to enjoy long term post surgery success, with food and lifestyle choices, that are faced with well into the future.



The Importance of Behavior Modification and the Role of Personal Accountability


As a bariatric patient care professional, I encourage the following mindset with patients from all surgery time frames and life situations:
Lifelong commitment to pursuing a healthier lifestyle,
Compliance to the recommendations of behavior modification, and
Addressing and grappling with the challenges that are life long

Self-awareness and personal accountability are two areas that are not so obvious when assessing one’s own role in the struggle with obesity. We are aware of genetics, family history, medical co-morbid conditions and life stress that impact each patient’s history of their own struggle with being obese. So how do patients obtain the necessary tools to support the physical presence of bariatric surgery? Through engaging in a solution to the past disappointments of weight loss efforts that are already so familiar.
Many patients report the path to insight and reflection often reveals mental justifications, old bargaining behaviors and frustrations that fuel negativity and inappropriate attachments to and uses of food. Although it is easy to lay blame for many things in life, self-deception only facilitates the repetitive cycle of anger and disappointment. In the professional arena, we often discuss the addictive quality of food and how food has a parallel function in the same manner that other behaviors do, i.e. shopping, drugs and alcohol, sex, gambling and the like. The need for emotional escape and mental distance can encourage us to use food as “anesthesia”, a way of shutting down and shutting out the world around us. We are careful to watch for those cross-addictive behaviors following bariatric surgery and recommend supportive resources across the board. These services provide a safe and secure way to investigate and discuss personal issues that are relevant and central to the patient’s path to success following surgery.
The role of a supportive aftercare program or community of patients, even individual therapy, is a vital component to future success and and be a valuable tool on the road to recovery, helping to smooth the transition and adaptation to new food related behaviors and lifestyle choices. The ability for patient’s to share a parallel experience and be able to “relate” to a certain stage of recovery, or a certain type of struggle with others, will provide an opportunity for engagement and bonding with others. On a therapeutic level, individual counseling can expand one’s degree of awareness and promote a greater sense of personal accountability, once the roots of old behaviors and attitudes have been identified and deciphered. A patient can then restructure their responses to daily challenges that may have been inadequate prior to surgery.
As patients walk the road of recovery from obesity, while engaging in physical as well as emotional healing, the element of discovery and pride is tangible and even contagious. Patients will enjoy improved health, greater energy and a strong positive attitude of self worth; what follows can be a heightened sense of calm, balance and overall peace of mind. Once personal discoveries have been made, individually or in a group setting, bariatric patients can feel a greater sense of control in planning the path in front of them. Commitment and compliance are two key elements that promote post surgery success. As patients employ newfound tools and wisdom on a consistent basis, quality of life can be infinitely better as well as profoundly rewarding.