belladona

This is a great thread.. Here in the UK, people seem so reserved to just say.. Wow you've lost weight so what they say is 'wow, you look well!!' At first it annoyed me they couldn't just acknowledge my weightloss.. Hey I know I was super fat before.. But now I'm getting used to it, and take it as the compliment it was meant to be! I'm far from skinny and still have at least 100lbs to loose but one of my friends called me 'skinny mini' that was a massive compliment. Other compliments that spur me on are just generally how I'm looking healthier, smaller, half my size.. And then the encouragement to keep going!! Weirdest comment was my dad.. Cringe.. You've lost your boobs!! Yes dad, I know they were enormous but just keep the thought to yourself!! Happy Monday all

I got called a skinny b***h last week. I took it as a compliment!

humph! I think you're looking like a HOT MAMA!! SOOOO there! :-P

Thankya ma'am. I hope next Thanksgiving I will be runway hot :-P

An the old photo "reality". What I've learned is that photos don't represent reality. Think of how many photos a professional takes before he has ONE he feels like he can use? Hundreds. Hundreds a and THEN they photoshop the crap out of it.
if you've ever taken pictures at a party, you know it's really hard to get good pics of even thin people. For every bad pix you show me of yourself, a professional can show you one that makes you look fabulous.
Look in the mirror, look into the eyes if your husband and your friends who look at you with love, and know that you're doing a great job my friend.

I totally agree with Indigo. There is no way you can have lost all that weight and not look better. We are so often our own worst critics. We do not see ourselves the way others see us. You are doing so well and I know you are seeing changes in other parts of your life. Don't self sabotage by dwelling on that one photo. Instead use it as an inspiration to keep working hard and think about the photo for New Years Eve and Valentines Day and ongoing.

Have a big hug from me!!!
You look better and feel thinner because you are both having lost all that weight. While the picture has knocked your confidence, it really isn't worth dwelling on- it is just something that captures a moment in time. It could so easily have got you a second before or after looking gorgeous and thinner, lol.
Contrary to the old saying, cameras do lie. So don't let this blip set you back, chin up, you are more than half way there. In life, you are going to hit the highs and the lows, it's how you respond to them that matters. New you, time for a new response.
So, step away from the food and look at what you have achieved to date - you are doing great, you are a success and if it helps, get your sis to take the pic down so you don't get pulled back. Please, don't beat yourself up any more, today is a new day so a chance to get back on track.
You can do this.... x

Yesterday I made a Wheat berry, Kale & Cranberry salad...it was to die for so i made it again today....If I had added some seeds or chicken or any Protein it would be a complete protein...I ate it with broiled salmon.....It was wonderful!

What you should hope, is that Mr. Gamergirl gets tired of ME and wants to come over. He's a much better cook
He wants to know if maybe you're in Hawaii or something...

oh wow, yum! You know, if you ever get tired of Mr. Gamergirl, or Texas, or whatever, and need an extended break, I've got a couple of spare bedrooms and lots of cooking equipment. Just saying.

My Nut insists that the "window" for weight loss is extended for Sleevers up to two years, vs 6 mos to one year for GSB. This doesn't mean you CAN'T continue to lose weight, but statistics indicate many don't. The regain statistics are also quite depressing, unless you start out on program with diet, exercise, and developing new behaviors around food.
I lost weight before my surgery and have continued to five months out with one plateau. A total of 100 lbs since Jan 2010, and I have already started on the second 100! Make your own progress and determine your own future!

I am 13 months out from my VSG almost to the day. I have lost OVER 150lbs. I weighed 319 and now I am at about 165. Your doctor will tell you that because statistically that is true. Problem is many people have this surgery and do not change their life style that much. My recomendation is that at about 4 or 5 months if you really want to lose you need to start increasing your physical activity. I would not worry about stopping losing weight...I was panicked about that all year but i am STILL losing weight (another issue for another thread). The point is, dont worry...usually people lose for about a year. I would be shocked if you did not lose way more than what your doc said. ...I did.
Good luck!

It seems a lot of people lose all their excess weight, and then some (my hope for myself). The stats are for five years out from surgery and probably include bounce-back weight, the 10-30% that people regain, which seems to be a factor at about the three-year mark. I think a lot of the bounce-back occurs in the RNY community, but is reported among sleevers too. Some people have even said they want to get under goal so that when/if the bounce-back occurs they'll still be at goal. It worries me a lot, but there are many, many long-timers on this board and OH who have NOT experienced bounce-back. I think we have to be vigilant, aware of what we're eating, avoid allowing old eating habits (refined carbs, anyone?) from creeping back in, and remember where we came from and why we did this in the first place.

I lost all m weight. If you stick to Protein first and a little veggies when you have room, you can't help but lose.
Try not to worry. Of course if you cheat and eat candy which goes down very easily. that will change everything.
You can do it if you are dedicated to following the rules and adding some exercise in.

I am almost at 'normal', or at least the version of 'normal' I have been striving towards. I consider that to be a balanced and varied diet where the energy I consume is equal to the energy I exert in the business of living 'normally'.
I know I am one of the lucky ones. I have limited hunger, sometimes I forget to eat if I am busy (this is not a good thing) and I reach satiation really quickly. My weight loss, while almost at 100% of my excess weight! has not been dramatic. It has taken 19 months since surgery and I do work out and count my intake religiously. I will need to continue to do this but this is what I now consider the new 'normal'.
Last night I was at a work event and there was a buffet. Ugh. I hate buffet these days, all that food just looks disgusting to me and I can have quite a strong reaction to seeing people load up their plates like they won't eat again for a week. To me, that isn't 'normal'. Yet it used to be and I know that for most people they don't even realise they are doing it. I had a small plate, a bit of ham, a bit of salmon and some new season asparagus with a side salad. A woman next to me who does not know me or the journey I have been on asked me if I was being 'good'. So I guess to her, what I now see as 'normal' is what others see as 'good'.
So perhaps this 'normal' really is down to individual perspective?
I haven't had a french fry in 20 months. Nor do I want one. Actually, I have had one and I threw it up. My sleeve doesn't tolerate deep fried food. As I said, I think I am one of the lucky ones! I never drank soda so I feel no loss now. To me, it isn't normal to guzzle so much sugar and chemicals. I drink alcohol in moderation and I enjoy sweets on occasion. I eat good carbs.
Life is good and feels pretty damn close to my version of 'normal'.

okay that man has a tapeworm. Seriously, a whole can of peanuts? he has a tapeworm!

Yeah not loving this, hard to follow people, I have seen a few people but not all. Its alot harder now to navigate. Whatever, we are stuck with it might as well make the best of it.

It's not you. I'm not seeing much of anyone. Navigating around is more work and it most certainly is not as user friendly.
I think the same people designed the Obamacare website.

Being around other people triggers my impulse to eat.. And sometimes I still find myself mindlessly picking up chips or a snack food just because that was my whole life in social settings.
I will forever be a recovering food addict and this site's more or less my personal support sponsor
*sits back down*

I am a food addict and I only ate in private!
I would eat very little around people.
I would wait until I was alone.... Then I would relax and sooth myself by stuffing food.

This Friday will be exactly 3 months since my surgery. View my profile to read my story leading up to surgery.
Results have been really good. Before meeting Dr. Volckmann, I weighed around 340 pounds. Through the pre-op diet, I lost about 19 pounds. The morning of the surgery I weighed 321 pounds. I am proud to say that 3 days shy of the 3 month mark, that I now weigh 270 pounds. I will get a Bod Pod assessment this Friday so I can finally have an accurate number to aim towards as my end goal.
I wish that I took body measurements, because that is where the real story is. Before surgery, I was wearing size 3xl and some 4xl shirts. I am now comfortably wearing size 2xl shirts. Before surgery, I was wearing size 44 pants that had adjustable waist bands. I am now comfortably wearing size 40 pants and thinking that size 38 is just around the corner.
Medically, my latest A1C number (taken about 4 weeks ago) is 5.4. My blood sugar is hovering around 100-105. My cholesterol looks good and I am going to ask for permission to go off simvastatin. I am on my last high blood pressure medication and I am hoping to drop that in the next month or so.
I follow my post-op diet rigorously. In fact, I may be a little too strict. I see the results and that keeps me motivated. I work out every morning and night. That includes attending cross fit. I haven't been healthier in the past 20 years.
My work has greatly improved. I am in a job where I have to think on my feet. My confidence has skyrocketed. In fact, I recently ran into a woman that I went to high school with over 20 years ago. Age has been very gentle to her beauty. I took a gamble and asked her out. We have been dating ever since that day. She cannot believe my weight loss, but has been very supportive of my workout and eating manners/schedule.
A couple of pieces. From my original story, I talked about going to the surgery alone. I strongly advise against that. Take a friend or family member. That was a mistake on my part. It appears that all of my insurance details have finally been taken care of. My out of pocket is $5K plus a lot of travel and hotels (Dr. Volckmann is a 5 hour drive from where I live).
Bottom line. I am happy to have had the surgery and I consider myself lucky in finding Dr. Volckmann and his terrific staff for this journey.

Those of us who don't take ourselves too seriously will not mind posting on a thread containing a question that has been asked many times. I tried taking myself seriously once but looked into a mirror and ruined the whole thing.
WildChickie, sounds like you are doing what you can do. Your complex body has a schedule for weight loss. Unfortunately, your brain does not have the security clearance to see it. You apply science and discipline..the body must comply. It really is that simple. We also need patience which is giving time a chance.
If you are like me most of my overweight was put on over a long period. It came off in a much shorter period comparitively but at the time it was coming off I wanted it to hurry up. That is human nature. Your body doesn't care about human nature.
I occupied my waiting time looking at sharp skinny clothes and studying exercise regimes. I told my body, "Resistance is futile!" I am now a skinny Borg. :ph34r:

Hi I think your doing great yes we all wish for big numbers but im just over 4 months and it has s l o w e d down considerably. I was told no carbs as well but if i eat them I use sprouted grain ezikiel bread its low glycemic doesnt spike the insulin im not avertising them but ive done my homework so it comes in Pasta and bread if i want carbs i have healthy ones. Its not a perfect science but you have to see what works for you. Dont be afraid to experiment try new things its a blank canvas try a different work out walk 5 minutes run 5 minutes try you will be surprised at what you find. Good luck!

I think your husband didn't make the decision to get sleeved you did. So expecting him to change is not fair, IMHO. however, I wouldn't see his eating as not supportive. Not supportive would be if he were trying io make YOU eat, tempting you, offering you things you love etc. That would be not supportive. Maybe it would help to see the ways in which he is supporting you? (E.g., agreeing to use family finances toward the surgery, Protein Shakes etc., agreeing it do more of your chores when you are recovering, being with you through the surgery, and other things like that?)

My partner is overweight as well and he has, for the most part, started eating better and losing weight with me. Yesterday, I checked the bank account and he totally pigged out at a local Gyro place on the fly. I was kind of miffed about it but hey, he didn't have this surgery. I did. His journey is not mine and though I cannot force him, I can influence what comes into our house food wise and he respects that.
I like to think that my partner and I are two individual pillars and the relationship is the Colosseum that we're both holding up, together. I don't feel the need to control him into doing what I do and vice versa. However, he knows better than to bring McDonalds into this house. lol