SlimDreams

Good topic, since my WLS was December 2011, my years fit calendar years pretty well!
2012 - I almost got to goal but not quite. It was also surreal, I felt a bit awful at times in the early months and it was so strange to have to eat like taking a medication, not because I was hungry. I also had to start facing some of the vulernerability revealed by my disappearing fat suit. I remember the summer of that year I felt so wonderful...I went hiking with my kiddo, wore shorts to the state fair. I was so proud, but when I look at those photos, I was still fat. By the end of the year, i was very close to goal and was starting to deal with "attention" and other strange events.
My theme for 2012 was single minded focus to losing weight during the honeymoon period - the year of committment.
2013 - hit goal in February - happy happy!!! That year was filled with so many new adventures, more hiking, starting dating and finding maintenance pretty easy....in fact I started getting careless. I was however FIT - workouts were intense and I was feeling like an athlete! Come about August I realized too many dates had added about 3 pounds so I started 5:2 and got down well under my goal! 2013 was filled with highs and lows...I decided to get plastics, got a new horse, but was in some ways a bit of emotional rollercoaster.
My 2013 theme felt a little crazy - so much changed in my life!
2014 - I was still maintaining quite easily under goal, but had a bit of a life upset and and lost my appetite. I lost 10 pounds (unintended) in about 3 weeks and at least i had the sense to get help. I spent a few months getting my feet back under me. By summer, I was feeling good, looking good, happy! I maintained at my new lower weight pretty well - but at the end of year I let myself get off track and by year end i was back to goal
2014 overall was a year of stability for me - no big changes, no surgeries, lots of fun but no important decisions.
2015 - so far... I am finding it surprisingly difficult to get back under my goal compared to experiences from previous years. My current weight is fine, but like most people I want a little cushion...What I notice is that "buckling down" is not really causing the pounds to drop but I am maintaining my goal easily. I am much happier with life as a healthy thin person, but it isn't always easy. Physical problems caused by a lifetime of obesity are starting to show up - joint issues in particular.
I am still working on my theme for 2015 ....

I am 3 years out and maintaining a major weight loss (I went from 308, got as low as 140 and am hanging out in the mid 150s right now).
Anyway, I have been having more trouble with hunger, cravings etc and I think it has alot to do with my boys living at home again so I have food in the house that calls my name (bread, potatoes, sometimes junk food) again. Also, I am steady dating someone and for reasons i cannot grasp, that seems to be fattening - well, I am not going out dancing and stuff as much as I used to. Final issue is that I am suffering some physical issues that have interferred with my working out so i thought it would be good to get a tune up with a good NUT.
I think we talked through a couple of areas of improvement - you guessed it going back to basics! I have gotten out of the habit of focusing on hydration for example. They are now saying 64-100 oz of Fluid consumed at least 30 minutes post meal.
She said i eat more quantity than she thinks a typical sleever should be able to eat. I don't measure, but I eat from a small side plate so i am not sure about that, but it is true i can eat a good sized salad etc.
Anyway, the thing I learned that i thought was very interesting is she had a model of the sleeve tummy which is shaped like a banana. the "stretch" receptors are at the bottom and the top of the sleeve. So, I always eat Protein first, but I don't always LITERALLY eat protein first. Example, a salad with salmon on it - i have the salmon chopped up into the salad. She has suggested that I eat at least half the salmon first, before any lettuce because that "dense protein" will hit that receptor much firmer and I will feel more satiated. So, LITERALLY eat protein first and then eat the veggies, greens etc. I think I used to do that quite carefully, but i eat a lot of mixed foods now (salad with meat in it, egg dish with veggies and low fat turkey sausage mixed in it etc). I will try this.
She also really recommends the mini meals every 3 hours - so 5 mini meals. She said that if you get overly hungry, you can often eat and then maybe 1-2 hours later you are hungry again (and repeat) - referred to it as the boomerang effect. I am not sure about this one, during the weight loss phase I ate 4 mini meals. I have done 5:2 and found that the fasting can reduce appetite (as well as other health benefits of fasting). I am skeptical on this one.
Since I am struggling a bit through the holidays, and no way am I successful at 5:2 right now, I am going to try following her advice.
So, 3 years out as of Dec 11 - and so very pleased with my results and life with a sleeve!

It's good that you're scared. People are under the impression that once you get to goal, the fight is over. The truth is, it's just begun. Keeping the weight off is a challenge you will continue to face from here on out.
Maintenance is very tricky and you must just keep doing what you've done to lose the weight. 3 small meals and at the most 2 small Snacks. Protein first.
There are a lot of us who are fighting regain, but we're doing it together here. This place is your best place for support and encouragement.
I'm 5 years out now, and I am still at goal, but I did gain 15 lbs back when I started grazing too much, and snacking too much while socializing. It was not nearly as easy to lose it again as it was when I was first sleeved. Now I am a lot more vigilant about watching what I eat and weighing regularly.

Hi Everyone :-)
Today is my 4 year anniversary. I was the one that originally asked the question about weight gain after surgery. Well I'm here to tell you that you can definitely GAIN WEIGHT BACK and not just a few pounds.
Although I'm very content and blessed to be wearing a size 8 today I was actually wearing some size 4's years ago. And was a perfect size 6 for over 3 years.
My goal weight was to reach 150 lbs. (a normal BMI weight for me). I got as low as 144 lbs. Today 4 years out I weigh 165 lbs. I have reached as high as 170 lbs. during my period.
The sleeve is a PHENOMENAL tool and 4 years out I STILL have amazing restriction. The weight gain is from not eating properly, PERIOD. For the MOST part I'm still making pretty good choices, but obviously there are choices that haven't been all that great to gain all this weight back.
I know age has something to do with it as well. I am 46 going on 47 and lots of changes going on lol. BUT NO EXCUSES for sure.
Again I'm content and watching my weight pretty closely now to make sure I don't gain any more weight and would love to be back to 150-155 lbs. I know it's possible for sure.
I'm so thankful for my sleevie.

So good to see you! Pleas don't wait a year to come and visit....Hang out with us vets at least. Glad you are happy. My goal was not that tiny, I wear a 12 and goal weight is 170-173 bounce range. I am at 174 this morning, fighting getting down into the range... lots on my plate now, and eating more of what I want than usual. I feel good too, and after gaining 22 a couple of years ago, REALLY do not want to do that again. I never wanted to count calories or pay attention to my "diet" again at one point, but know for sure I HAVE TO to stay on track. I stop paying attention, and I gain. Thats it. I decided to drop the "boring, aggravated, bad feelings" about tracking, and just do it. That goes for other lifestyle changes as well, I walk, Kayak, dance regularly, and enjoy it... don't think of it as exercise, but as a way to enjoy life. I cultivated this feeling, it did not come naturally. I am a success, mistakes and all. I hope to keep my success into the future, but know that weight gain is not that far from me at any time.
The link worked fine for me on my laptop.... perhaps you are on a phone or iPad?

There are so many things I want to say to you but I will try to keep it as minimal as I can hun....First of all. You were never on a race. Whether you lost 1 lb or 2 oz's you were still losing. You were using your tool as it should be used to learn how to control your brain and how you see food. Second just because you can eat a plate like you used to doesn't mean you should. retaining the old habits are the worst thing you can do with any of the wLS's. your sleeve relaxes,but it does not stretch much. It is still there...
What you have done is formed a pocket under or above your sleeve that is allowing you to eat a lot again.
Basics. back to basics. Measure your food. 1 cup or 4 oz. no more no less. Learn to read your sleeve. Take the time to really examine your different sleeve behaviors and use them as a guide line. You body gives you signals that you have eaten enough to sustain you. But unless we change how we see food or why we use food as a comfort. You have the constant fear of gaining it all back.
The surgeries are the easy part of this entire journey. The rest is work and diligence to succeed and keep it up forever.
You most likely have reverted back to old eating habits and are not drinking 64 oz of Water each day. You are not putting dense Proteins in first. Followed by veggies, fruit and last carbs. You must start at the very beginning.
Giving up is not an option. Your options are get it together or let the weight engulf you for the rest of your life. You have to use tough love on yourself and believe me you are worth it....
Mind set and relearning to eat to live not live to eat is a whole difference in success of your sleeve. Keep us up to date and ask whatever you need to ask to become successful. It won't matter what surgery you have if you don't treat it like a tool and learn to fix your brain....

Look, when we reach another diet stage we begin to test the waters. I remember trying pretzel chips and beef Jerky bites. Ok, not trying them, but it was a love for weeks. I could eat 'real foods!' I couldn't understand why the scale wasn't moving anymore and I was gaining 2-3 pounds. So, I stopped buying that stuff and went back to the original plan and slowly the weight started coming back off. Your weight gain could easily be from salt intake or adding crackers and stuff like that. Go back and read what they say about other food types and make sure you are drinking your Water.
Good luck you can do this!

Screw him!!! I'm so proud of you!!! Way to go for standing up for yourself! The road you travel its yours and yours alone, if you traveled it skinny/ fat or as a 3 legged people eater all those happy moments and all those hurts are yours.. and yours alone to OWN...I'm so glad you didn't delete your memories because some butt head couldn't get over HIS body issues and get to know the person in front of him today...
You just proved you are super strong!! :-) proud of you!
Leave him in the dust girl there are waaay better men out there!!!!

Hi guys...with these foods that everyone's eating, who's been able to reach the Protein goal of 60-80grams? How many calories are you getting in?

I don't know how much of this is happening with you, but throughout the years of changing weight, one thing has been constant for me.
Men are attracted to me when I feel sexy and confident. They are less attracted to me when I hate my own body.
My actual weight at these points has varied, what matters in my case, is how I see myself, and how I project myself. Is it possible that the main attractant now is your more positive view of yourself?

It's weird when you realize a person isn't looking at you and giving you full on attention because you are smart and funny. I'm finally starting to make the connection but the first few times it happened I thought my fly was unzipped or I had spinach in my teeth. I'm starting to realize when it happens I'm being checked out.

Screw him!!! I'm so proud of you!!! Way to go for standing up for yourself! The road you travel its yours and yours alone, if you traveled it skinny/ fat or as a 3 legged people eater all those happy moments and all those hurts are yours.. and yours alone to OWN...I'm so glad you didn't delete your memories because some butt head couldn't get over HIS body issues and get to know the person in front of him today...
You just proved you are super strong!! :-) proud of you!
Leave him in the dust girl there are waaay better men out there!!!!

Yeah well that's been my experience. Lol. I'm always too tall. Or the really short guys chase me. I'm not a tree to climb. Lol.

Hey I thought that was only for bypass people not us sleevers?

I've been eating cherries since a couple weeks out no problems...and refreshing ..also carrots spinach..cherry tomatoes... test small amounts chew well ..good luck!

I love those pictures!!! I wish I could download them so I could stick them on my mirror at home as inspiration and reminder...great post!!

I'm almost 3 weeks post op and 3 days broken up with the boyfriend. That didn't take long:). I'm not even sad. I am 43 and I've had more personal growth in my forties than in the 2 decades prior. I stayed 18 years with my ex husband. This has only been less than stellar for a few months. I'm learning faster and raising my standards. I've realized I can feel sorry for myself, but ultimately, no one can treat you poorly if you don't let them.
I'm feeling empowered and feisty. I guess I will be single indefinitely. . I love this thread, by the way.

Well I don't know how opposed I would be to butt sniffing...guess it just depends on the cuteness of the butt in question... lmao

Yes, I have noticed instances where I have been treated differently. I think it's a two pronged issue. One is that as I lose weight and become more 'normal' looking I think people are more comfortable talking to me and people working in service industries are generally more helpful. The second prong is that I am more confident in myself and am probably projecting a more approachable attitude.

Still pre-op but I've given this lots of thought. I'm going to say ... I eat like a bird and run like a deer.

I hear ya...you are not alone. And you are very right, your opinions matter just as much as anybody else's on here. Don't let people on here get to you...people are just mean, sometimes intentionally & sometimes unintentionally. Just learn their usernames & ignore their posts. I scroll on past certain people & don't read anything that they post.

I love those pictures!!! I wish I could download them so I could stick them on my mirror at home as inspiration and reminder...great post!!

Hi everyone!
I've been single for a very long time (we're talking over 10 years), and not by choice. I would recommend to you, isajck, just to be cautious with online dating. I know some friends that have had great success, but I have also experienced a lot of guys who just seem to expect sex even when you make it clear in your profile that you are looking for a long-term relationship.
I am going to get sleeved on August 19th, and I KNOW that I have a bunch of issues around men & dating (working on this in therapy!) but when I do plan on starting to date again, I'm hoping to do it through meeting new people in person at new activities & social events that I've been too self-conscious to attend!
Good luck to you (and all of us!)

Wow! You have done so fantastic!! It looks like you have new ink! Very nice!
One thing. Why don't YOU approach the ladies at your gym? I'm sure they want you too but are too shy...
You look phenomenal, I love the boudoir pics! It's nice to see men do them as we'll.
Great Job,
Sheena :-)