Wags

I am a teacher too! I teach 3 & 4 year old children with special needs. I love my Pre-K students!!
I was sleeved on 5/31 and have lost 30 pounds so far. I was sleeved in Cancun, Mexico.
It's great to have a teacher's group. Thanks for starting it!

I've read both your posts now and your honesty, clarity and sincerity are inspiring. Thank you for putting your "nekked" self out there for all to see. You have triumphed over much adversity. You have reparented your little girl self and made her feel safe. Your name should now be writer woman instead of writer girl. Many blessings to you as you continue your journey to the healthy self you deserve.

For real?!

Me too! I am 8 pounds from goal. I also have the "what then?" question running through my mind. Please help vets - I feel like I don't want to stop the 700 - 800 calorie plan because then I will gain.

Happy Birthday Diva! Thanks for all of the wonderful tips. I plan to use these tools when I heal more. I will be 4 wks out in 2 days.

I know!!! And pizza dip! Sounds heavenly :-)

Today is my FOUR YEAR SURGIVERSARY! It's hard to believe how fast these years have gone by! I'm very thankful and grateful that I was able to have VSG and it completely resolved my weight and health issues including High Blood Pressure, sleep apnea and knee/joint pain.
I'm at my original goal 148-150 and even though I've hit a few "bumps" along the way (regain of 27 pounds in year 3), I've managed to get back up, figure out a way to succeed and continue on!
I'm at a stage now where, knowing me, I've got to continue to make wise food choices. I tend to do really well for a while and then slowly allow junk to sidetrack me. I know by the way I feel now (tired) I am eating too many carbs and sugar!
BUT - I am four years out, completely a new woman in MOST WAYS and so very thankful for this day!!!!!

Pics!! We want to see your loveliness too! :-)

You know what the kicker is @@gamergirl That yes sure you reach goal and life goes on. But you are 70+ lbs lighter. What we make of our new selves belongs to us. How we grow, change, give and receive is entirely our call.
No more standing out in a bad way. No one looking at you as if you have no place on this globe. Healthier, able to do more, energy etc....
Rebuilding yourself can be a huge deal.....14 years ago I suffered a severe nervous breakdown. This led to Chronic depression. Which by the way the drugs only take the edge off for me....
When I had counseling I waited with baited breath for the moment when she would tell me that I was going to get better. That I would not hurt so much and carry a load I could not carry anymore. She said " You have to rebuild yourself and find the person you can be now. Learn your limits and except the fact that this is your new life and make what you can of it." What! I went home and tore up all the information that I had regarding depression and started inch by inch putting myself together..Now that is rebuilding yourself...I can never feel true joy or happiness again. I am no longer able. The drugs keep me at an even keel so that I don't tumble back into a nervous breakdown.
Losing this weight has been the next biggest struggle of my life and let me tell you I have had some dandy things to deal with in my life that others may have found themselves in a box somewhere drooling. Or worse on the end of a rope....
To me this is all good stuff. Every inch. Every pound. Every experience that brings me that much closer to who I am supposed to be brings a light to my step....A journey it is called because we travel the unknown and can only get to the end when we breath our last.
I am not saying this to make light of your above comments. Lord knows we have all been there...But there are some real big changes a head in all our lives and we have to improve more then the lbs. We have to live!!!!! And live some more and pay it forward and help others.......

Thank you Wags :-)

Sliders are foods that go down easy and don't fill you up. Some people also think of them as trigger foods because you can eat a whole lot of them and not get full.

Thank you for the compliment JanetPRN!
You know sleevexcited, I remember joining this sight around this time last year and looking through all the post-op pics and imaging what I would look like, if I would look like that, or if I would have that much success. It was hard to believe, but it's a reality now. It so surreal. It's exciting and it'll happen for you too! Good luck!!!

Hey you! I've been watching you on MFP, getting skinnier and skinnier

five months after my leak was diagnosed i was declared leak free today!
I CAN NOW EAT AFTER FIVE MONTHS OF TUBE FEED ALLELUJAH! AMEN

First day of full liquids
Milk here we go!

Hi Jewel, oh dear you have so much on your plate. You have received some wonderful advice from others! The only thing I can add (actually reiterate) is to take care of yourself first. It's like they say on an airplane - put on your own oxygen mask before you help others because if you can't breathe you won't be there to help the others.
Please, please, please make your own health a priority. As Tamosy said, always eat your Protein first. It's the only thing that can give you the strength you need to make it through.
Take care of yourself friend.

Hi Lisa. I have been following your posts on your website. I am so sorry for what you, your husband and your family are going through. I am also a Christian and will continue to pray for you all.
Maybe you could post your link again here so others can follow your posts.
God bless you.
Linda

This has been a roller coaster ride so far and I know it's still going to continue. But for the first time in a long time I am finally finding myself and becoming happy. I was the girl who would always go out of my way to please everyone but now I'm finally do things to please me. I have found out who the true friends are and who are the fake ones. I've learned not to be so hard on my self and things take time. I didn't gain it in a day, I won't be losing it in a day either. It's been 3 1/2 months since my surgery and I've lost 60lbs. That's more then I have ever lost before. I weigh less now then I did in the 8th grade (btw I'm 24 now). I put 3 pictures together today and I can't stop staring at it. I seriously can't believe this is me now. I have never been happier! Can't wait to see what else is in store for the new me!!

HI, I WAS SLEEVED ON.APRIL.9th and I SWEAR I THOUGHT I HAD THE WRONG SJRGERY FROM ALL THE PATIENT REVIEWS...LOL. FOR EXAMPLE: "I WAS SLEEVED A WEEK AGO, NO.PAIN! WALKED IN THE HOSPITAL SO.MUCH NOBODY COULD BELIEVE I HAD SURGERY, CAME HOME, WASHED 4 LOADS OF CLOTHES, MADE dinner, NOW HUBBY AND I ARE GOING TO A CARNIVAL WITH THE KIDS...I FEEL.GREAT!!!" LMBOOOOOO, NOW IM NOT MAKING FUN OF ANYONE WHO DID WELL, AND I.FULLY UNDERSTAND EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, BUT IM LIKE YOU GUYS!! I STILL HOLD MY RIGHT SIDE GETTING IN THE BED. THE PAIN AND BLOATING SEEMED TO LAST FOREVER, I WALKED BENT OVER UNABLE TO.WALK.UPRIGHT DUE To PAIN. TRUST ME, THE WAY YOUR FEELING IS NORMAL!! I TRY Protein Shakes, BUT I ONLY GET 2 SIPS IN. I WILL SAY THIS, WHEN YOU HEAR IT WILL.GET BETTER, IT REALLY DOES!!!! I WOKE UP ONE DAY AND I FELT SOOOOOO MUCH BETTER. PRAYING FOR YOU, HANG IN THERE!!

Dear Tamosy, i THANK YOU for such kind words and Understanding... Where would I find your email? You have Great Ideas...... I woke up sick this morning with very bad Cough... Slept till 12 noon, Had some lemon Tea and Protein.. Now I have to shower, take college age son to a Dr visit, than return him to College in Pa... It will be a Late night.. This is prob. why i'm Sick, too much running..... thanks Jewelj.....my email is
biddiemom12@verizon.net Take care my Friend....

Wow, Jewell, you are an amazingly strong and determined caregiver. I was also sleeved on 2/4.
I just want to encourage you to stay where you are in prioritizing time for yourself in your current life that requires so much from you for everyone else. You are right, you need to take care of you first in order to care for everyone else. It sounds like a very sad and challenging time for your family with your husband's illness. I appreciate your need to do all you can to be there for him and see him through as long as you can...what a lucky man to have such a dedicated wife.
I also believe that our psychology effects our weight loss and body's response to the physical changes. I noticed you said you felt full from the salad, are you still eating your Protein first? I am a slow loser as well, I've lost about 20 pounds since surgery and this is with regular workouts, strict adherence to dietary requirements, and even logging everything into a food journal. I've reached a point that I really honestly don't care anymore about the numbers. I see lots of evidence of a healthier and better lifestyle emerging. I encourage you to keep things simple in all ways possible as your life is pretty demanding right now in ways you can't control.
I do these things, they work for me... if it sounds like bits and pieces that might work for you great... if not, no harm sharing.
I always start my day with a Protein shake (I use zero carb from GNC/Vitamin store), I mix with with vanilla almond milk and thus start my day with 20 oz of fluids, 50 grams of Protein, and a good nutritional boost. I just won't let myself have anything else until I am done with the shake. I don't love it or hate it, so it takes me a good while to finish it and I feel full all morning long. When my shake is done, I pour a glass of Water (calorie free fluids) and focus on finishing before moving on to any real food.< /p>
Lunch(ish) is always 2-3 ounces of some protein and a vegetable (I will make turkey meatballs/meatloaf on sunday and portion freeze for week, or sometimes a turkey chili things that make the rest of my busy week easier). I always finish my protein and just barely get to the vegetable.
I think the key for you is going to be planning out your week so you don't just eat throughout the day in a reactive way to how your day goes. Here are some ideas of things you can make ahead and then have ready for quick healthy meals during the week:
hard boiled eggs (I've done deviled too just to keep it yummy and fun)
meatballs (I make them with ground chx/turkey...email me if you want some of my recipes)
chicken breast/strips (easy to prepare ahead and portion out keeps well for days, and can freeze for later)
seasoned hamburger patties (I make them about 4oz before cooking, they cook down perfect for me)
lean pork chops
Quick to cook Proteins (but don't keep as well): shrimp and fish
I buy the small vegetable portions, frozen steamables as side dishes that are quick and easy for myself. I usually serve half and save half for next meal (I never even finish the half because I eat the protein first.
As for dinner, well I cook for my family and plan those meals for the week too. I have noticed I sabotage myself "tasting" things and enjoying the cooking process and often can't eat cause I feel full and mostly, i didn't focus on protein! What I noticed is it leads to me eating as soon as the fullness goes away (more like snacking). I just don't do that when I force myself to eat protein first! By eating protein first I seem just full and satisfied for much longer. I always pour a drink when I am done eating. I force myself to drink a full glass between meals. Yes, I will wait 30 minutes typically, but mostly I just naturally wait because I am too full to want to drink. By pouring it though, I know I have to have it before food is even a thought.
I agree... Water, water, water! Or whatever fluids work for you.
Lastly, move around... exercise is important for your psychological health and feeling good. I HIGHLY recommend you do what feels good and you enjoy whatever that is. Put music on and clean/dance have fun everyday. Do whatever you need to do to make sure it isn't a chore! I even turn the music on in my car and do a lot of dancing in my seat . Just tensing and flexing, and using your body even in the car is fun, feels good, and get your blood pumping. You need some feel good outlets in your world right now!
I wish you the best and hope that you are able to carve out some time for yourself to just feel good and enjoy this process of transformation regardless of how fast or slow it passes.
Take care of yourself and please keep us posted. I would love to Celebrate your successes with you. Keep coming back here for support and know that you are not alone in this. HUGS

I don't think the rational behind the MDR for Water is weight loss necessarily. I think it's that you're body simply functions better when you're hydrated, and the MDR helps everyone keep in mind what it takes to stay that way, especially since getting fluids in becomes more difficult after surgery.

I love this discussion - just finished every post. I think I'm somewhere in the middle, but all I can really know is where I am, right? Because this truly is about knowing myself. I know where I've come from, I know how I feel when I eat certain foods, I know how I tend to eat on most days and I see the success my choices have resulted in. I know how exercise makes me feel, and how much easier it is to lift up my disabled son when I stay close to the gym. I know when I chase my head hunger with real food I can never get full. I know my partner from work and her best girlfriend eat everything they want with their sleeves but work out like crazy and are forever working not to go underweight. I know getting back on track is much harder for me than staying on track. I know all the bariatric "rules" are based on scientific studies, which publish data based on how the majority of patient behaved and responded. I know that sometimes I am in in the majority but that very few people can be in the majority 100% of the time. Yes, there are generalizations & rules that have to be made for the sake of effective communication, but I can choose to follow all, most, many or few depending on how my mind & body react.
So, take the information you gain here, and from your own experiences, and learn from it. Learn about yourself, and you will succeed.

Thanks to the wonderful program at Kaiser I have been told countless times that the surgery is a tool, not a fix. If I don't use the tool correctly, it will fail. I have been "near perfect" on my Pre Op diet since November and "perfect" on my liquid diet, leading to surgery in 10 days. I'm not having major surgery just to misuse the tool I've been given, therefore, I will do my best to live a near "perfect" post op life, as well.
Here's my analogy: I can use my tool to hammer a board to a wall ( a proper use for a hammer) and it will stay in place, or I can use my new tool to hammer Jello to a wall. It may stick and look pretty for awhile, but eventually it will slip.

If the surgery were enough, no one would ever gain their weight back. But many do. It is very possible to stretch your pouch or sleeve, it is very possible to graze all day, to eat too many slider foods.
I hope your strategy works for you but obviously it doesn't work for a lot of people who end up gaining their weight back.
I don't think people are trying to be perfect, they are trying to be healthy, to get past food addiction, to be sure they take advantage of the honeymoon period, and be sure they get in enough Protein and liquid every day.
I would hope that you discussed your mindset with your nutritionist and your surgeon when you were pre op?