jensjoy28

I think there are many of us that had that same fear...it is understandable given the countless times we have "failed" in the past. You can do it...you will do it...and you will love it.

My VGS was done 5/09/2012, I have maintained my goal weight since April. I workout with weights and trainer 3 days a week along with a 30 minute cardio workout on stationary bike doing the mountain riding programs all out. I do Water aerobics, swim laps 2-3 days a week. Lets just say I'm very active. To the point I don't even consider exercise as exercise, but just fun!!
To the point....we did a body fat analysis today at the gym and I went from 41% to 28% in the last 6 months!!!!

I love the dress and I don't leave the house without my Spanx.< /p>

I have a new bra size...36 long

I went to my first party since I have been sleeved on July 8 2013 lastnite ,and I had a great time ,I ate dinner at home becuz I knew they would not have a healthy choices there oh and I was right lol but I was proud of myself I didn't care to even have a drink ,we people offer I just said I don't drink thank u wow me a party girl saying I don't drink lol what a change of life style for me ,loving my sleeve

Look Texas Bell let me say I see the pic a little differently from you and maybe that's because I'm 56 years old. You have everything going for you. You are strong and courageous. You took hold of your weight problem at a young age, how I wish I had done that. You are educating yourself and completing a degree, education is by far the greatest gift you can give yourself. Before you know it you will have degree and fiancial independence and your health!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't get discouaged, I Ilved with a mom who had depression her whole life, it's difficult but it shouldn't define you. You can overcome it all, you are already more successful then most people dream of being. Keep your head, know who you are and just keep moving forward. Don't underestimate yourself and the power of prayer. God Speed.

It seems you need to be more surrounded by positive & supportive people. If your surgeon is near you, maybe his program offers a support group that is free. Or, maybe there is a local meeting of overeaters anonymous, also free. You mentioned that you pray to God...so I also suggest getting involved in a church. Create your own, new family. You cut loose the bad boyfriend, it is time to realize your parents are damaging to you as well. Dont let ANYONE stand in the way of what you really want!!!

I also moved back home when I decided to go back to school. I am 10 weeks out from my surgery. My family has not changed their eating habits or stopped bringing snack food in the house, and honestly, why should they? I am the one who wanted this surgery and to change my life, not them. I buy my own food, prepare it myself, and usually eat by myself. They are supportive in that they tell me I'm doing a good job and they can see the difference, but I don't expect them to change their eating habits. Hell, I went out with a close friend a couple of weeks ago to see a band and as I was sitting sipping on my ice tea, she ordered a chocolate Peanut Butter cup dessert thing!
We can't change those around us, we just need to do what we have to do take care of ourselves. You can do it!

Honey, moving back home is a bad step. I bet if you change your environment for the better, the weight will come off again. First, stop expecting help from your parents. It sounds like they've pretty much shown you none is coming from that direction. Move on emotionally and that will help you while you are living at home. Second, spend as little time at home as possible. Just sleep and bathe there. Never eat there, take your food with you to school. Get a cooler for your car. You can do this. You've come this far, and you can finish the journey and stay healthy. Good luck and prayers for you.

Why not bring your own food. You can tell the server you just had surgery, and I'm sure they'll warm your food for you. If you've been keeping your surgery a secret, then you could certainly order some tea, and say you're not feeling well... or whatever.... I've chosen not to keep my surgery a secret. People that know and love me understand the battle I've had with food my whole life. They've seen me lose and gain >100 pounds in the past. I need their support now. The people that don't understand, or don't want to... that's their issue, not mine. This was my last resort. I'm saving my own life.

While I agree with this sentiment generally, I think it is interesting that you used it in response to that specific post...since LipstickLady's comments echoed mine, I will expound a bit on why I thought the OP could benefit from being open to adjusting her M.O.
I think often times the "go along to get along" and "don't do anything that stands out" mentality is so engrained with people that they don't even realize the damage it can do...as has been said on this forum countless times, the sleeve is a tool, but equally important to long-term success is addressing the mental side of our relationship with food...and if we continue to ignore or avoid the uncomfortable feelings that we have that surround food, there is an excellent chance of staying on the merry-go-round that we have just taken surgical steps to get off of.

It is a great dress and you can wear it. I do think a slip or some kind of support under clothes are in order but who besides 11-14year Olds could wear that style of dress without support wear??

I don't have any specific suggestions about food options, but I wanted to (respectfully) challenge you a bit in your assertion that "you can't sit there and not eat"...why not? I think it would be am excellent opportunity to embrace a new way of thinking that allows the occasion to rank higher in importance than the venue. It is a special occasion celebrating your grandmother's birthday..enjoy the social aspect w/o the food...eat some of the food on your puréed plan before heading out and then just have some non-caloric drink at dinner. I promise that in a year's time, the memories you will have are of the special time with family and friends and not about what you did or did not eat at the meal.
I, personally, went out for a number of meals in the first weeks post-op and didn't have a problem not eating along with everyone else...however, people in my life knew I had WLS...if you aren't "out" with this group about your recent surgery, then I say follow my suggestion above and if asked by anyone why you aren't eating say that you're stomach doesn't feel quite right, but you didn't want to miss the festivities, smile and raise a glass to the guest of honor. :-)

Trying to eat slowly and really chew. I guess I need to cut back on the serving size and be careful.

This is a favorite for me...good combo of sweet, heat and savory deliciousness. I don't use the cedar planks...and have used orange marmalade as sub for apricot with equal success. If you were concerned about the sugar in the preserves, you could buy a low-sugar preserve or use less than recipe calls for.
http://m.foodnetwork.com/recipes/37215

I find having goal clothes very inspirational. I have a few items I try on weekly and I Celebrate as they get closer and closer to fitting. I will say, I've wasted a few bucks this way, though. I've had a few pairs of pants that went from tight to weirdly baggy as they weren't the right cut and a dress that hung weird once it fit.
I am extremely goal oriented and competitive so "rewarding future me" is something that works for me. I am not one that gets down on myself and when I am having a blue moment, I shake it off quickly. I no longer reward myself with food, so buying a few pretty things is going to have to do. I do leave the tags on now, though!

I absolutely love it and think you look fab.

I think it looks awesome now too!

JensJoy - as a vet (3 yrs July), let me give you a little free advice: don't let yourself fall into the trap of rewarding Future You, it sets you up to feel like what you have accomplished is never good enough, which will lead to the boomerang effect of giving up before you reach goal, because you are never rewarding Present You and so you feel like you aren't accomplishing anything. Trust me, it's a real thing. Don't hide that dress away, wear it now with a Spanx bodysuit underneath like Lipstick said. I would also recommend some really bright red flat sandals and a BIG sunhat and sunglasses, for the total glamourpuss look

I was out shopping at HomeGoods today looking for some home decor and stumbled past this dress that I looked looked cute on the hanger...but they only had a size 12, but I thought "what the hell, try it on"...I thought it looked cute and I bought it...but now I'm thinking I might have been a little heady about the size and it might not be a keeper...asking for honest feedback :-)

Thanks, all!!...considering that I am 40 pounds away from where I would expect to wear a size 12, I'll keep it and hope that in another month I'll rock it!

Looks good to me, you look like a curvy girl, fits well, keep it, it will look even better later on.

Don't take it back. I think it looks good right now but a few more pounds down and you will rock it even more.

In my honest opinion, the style of the dress is cute on you. But for me I hate stripes so no, I wouldn't wear it. If you like it, rock those stripes!

Throw on a pair of Spanx (if you don't have them on now) and it's great! It's a perfect style for your curves. I am spanx obsessed with every dress. Eliminates the bumpies and the chub rub.