Daydra

I like Weight Watchers. The meeting that I've attended for years has a leader that I really like, and I've got a lot of friends there. I've done Weight Watchers, many times, with varying degrees of success. My most successful stint, I followed more Clean Eating principles and used a Bodybugg to track calories eaten and burned as well as exercise. I hit a stall and switched to the HCG diet and lost a total of 115 pounds. The problem was, I was only successful as long as I was obsessive. Once I no longer had the motivation and energy to continue obsessing over what I should eat, how much I should eat, and how much longer I had to wait until I could eat during all my waking hours, I began to gain it back. The bottom line is: 95% of all diet attempts fail. (I don't think I got that stat wrong, but feel free to double check me) That is why it is so critical that weight loss surgery is a viable option. Those of us that get this far down the road have usually tried a multitude of diet plans, particularly Weight Watchers since they're the biggest game in town. For someone that has already run the gauntlet of diet plans and attempts at weight loss, I feel that suggesting they go back and give it the old college try only encourages them to prolong their misery and increase their feelings of failure. If someone presented a solution on any topic to me that only had a 5% long term success rate, I would give them the blank stare like they were a complete idiot for even suggesting it to me.

Although, if you signed up, you'd probably hit lifetime pretty quick and be able to go to meetings for free, so it would be a lot less money in the long run...

No, but my nutritionist told me the points method is not really compatible. I haven't really reasoned that out, because I hope to never have to pay monthly dues again! I'm sure if I thought about it, I could devise a way to adjust it to a post-sleeve diet. Nothing is stopping you from using the meetings for support and following a calorie and macronutrient tracking based diet. I did that for a long time a few years ago. It's really the support that makes the difference, I think. Most of us (particularly here) probably know as much or more about diet and nutrition as the meeting leaders. But, you can probably attend a support program for less money if you were to pick a different program. Also, if you had your surgery locally, your clinic or hospital may have a support group already set up.

That is so awesome! I'm sooo glad that you got such great customer service!!!

You are not a slave. You are entitled to recover from surgery with support from your spouse. You are entitled to pursuit of health and happiness. You are entitled to support from your spouse in your pursuit of health and happiness. What you describe sounds like abusive behavior to me. Best of luck to you.

Welcome and good luck!

Thanks! And most definitely! I started today. 870 cal/day. Basically shakes during the day and a 330 cal or less tv dinner for evening meal. I was pretty miserable at the office today, being hungry. I had 2 Protein shakes and a few raw vegetables while at work, had a Healthy Choice tv dinner, 2 pieces of light babybel cheese, and about 1.5 c of watermelon at dinner. Came in at 879. I figure that's pretty darn close to what I was supposed to do. I started my pre-op diet a day early because I was about 1.5 pounds up from my weight at my consult, so it wasn't critical that I was perfectly compliant today. I'm going to try to go to bed early, so I'm not tempted to try to snack... Good times... How about you?

Good luck all! Looking forward to hearing how it all went once you're on the Loser's Bench!

Agreed. My favorite so far is the Roadside Lemonade. I mix it with 16oz of Water and it reminds me of lemon-flavored Pez candy. I have tried the Grape Frost Isopure so far. I don't like it, but I can get it down so far (pre-op). It really throws me off to have a "cheesy" flavored background in a grape-flavored drink. I bought some artificially flavored water enhancers to see if I can increase the grape flavor and masque the cheesy background. Good luck!

I'd like to echo a lot of what has already been said here. 1 - Your medical team wants to help you, please go in and ask for help. You are not the first one this has happened to and they can help you make some adjustments to get you back on track, though I expect you already know what some of those are going to be. 2 - There are a ton of emotional issues associated with being overweight. Please find a therapist to help you strategize, provide support, and help you talk through whatever issues you may have surrounding weight. Being able to benefit from therapy DOES NOT mean there is anything wrong with you. It simply means that there are some issues that you need to work through. We all struggle with things and you're no different. 3 - My surgeon told me that the definition of a "successful" bariatric surgery patient is one that loses 100 pounds or some (50% maybe? cant remember...) percentage of their excess weight. You've lost over 100 lbs according to your ticker, so by definition, you are successful. Hold on to that. Remind yourself of how far you have come, and get back to some of those strategies that have allowed you to lose that 108 pounds. Call your clinic and make a new start Monday morning. Think back on all those reasons that you had this surgery and remind yourself of each and every one. Write them down and read them everyday if you need a reminder. You can do this! You already proven you can be successful! Good luck

Aside from the likely stall, if you've been working out with significant intensity for 6 weeks, your body might need a taper week. Athletes will train hard for a number of weeks and then dial back to a rest week, where they do shorter, lighter intensity workouts to allow their body to do some rest and repair.

Don't be embarrassed! It happens, and you're definitely not the only one. The only thing that matters is that you get back on track to maintain all of your successes. It's going to be hard work, but your medical staff wants to support you! Good luck!

I'm planning to wait until after I make goal. I don't want it to interfere with my weight loss.

Welcome! Good luck!

I did my first triathlon weighing about 315. You will do it again and you don't have to wait! Just start with small incremental training increases. Here's to doing all the things we want to!!!

Awesome! Congrats! Piece of cake, right? Best of luck. It will be here before we know it, I'm sure! Do you have a pre op diet to follow? I have an 870cal/day for 1 week. Starting on Monday.

OMG! I'm sorry about that las post... I assumed only the links would show. I never would have put in a list of Youtube videos if I had known the whole screenshot would post. Yikes! I usually don't have such bad posting manners...

I am going to be an Ironman... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6derUz9_k0 Just for fun!

Congratulations! I'm sure you will do great!

Thank you for the update! I hope that each day gets easier for both of you! Glad to hear that the nursing staff was great and that they only have 2 patients at night. Knowing that your idea of a small sip is 3 times what it should be will be helpful as well. I'll hopefully remember to adjust my perspective. Keep up the good work on fluids. There are tons of stories of people ending up in the emergency room with dehydration. I expect it will get a little easier every day as the swelling decreases. Hope to hear updates as you recover! I'm only about 12 days out now, myself. Starting my pre op diet on Monday. I can do anything for a week, right?

That is awesome!!! Congratulations! Keep doing things like that whenever you feel same-old!

Congratulations on your success! I'm certain you will get there soon, but regardless, you are a success!