livvsmum

I don't think that wls necessarily "gives" people anorexia or any other eating disorder. However, if you have struggled with eating disorders in the past (perhaps binge eating disorder) there is a point where this process can definitely swing it the other direction. I struggled with anorexia as a teenager, then binge eating/compulsive eating as an adult, and now with 140 pounds lost, I am finding myself in a constant battle with anorexia again. With that being said, I WILL beat this. I am in therapy with an eating disorder therapist every single week. I do not think that everyone who has weight loss surgery has an eating disorder, and some do fine without therapy. For me, I have always had disordered eating and surgery fixed the eating, but didn't fix my head. That is something I am actively working on. However, I also don't think that eating disorders should be an exclusion for surgery. If you are concerned about it, that is GREAT that you are aware of it and thinking about these things ahead of time. If any of this is ringing true for you, seek therapy early and be committed to being healthy above all else. Despite the fact that I struggle daily with anorexia, I would not change the fact that I had surgery and began living a healthier life for anything.

I agree with what the others said. You always have a choice. I struggle sometimes with the feeling of "inevitability"... Like I will inevitably make terrible choices and wake up back 140 pounds heavier. It just hit me this week that....wait a minute...I am in control of this. I get to choose my behaviors. I don't have to play victim to food. So choose to get back on track! Do a few days of liquids (shakes, etc) if that helps you. It usually helps me break the bad habits when I start to let the sneak back in. The big thing for me is not to wait for a "feeling" of being in control, but to TAKE control.

I went back to work at 2 weeks. I didn't have any complications during surgery or recovery. It was fine, but I was TOTALLY exhausted. I probably could have used 1 more week off. In reality it took probably 6 weeks until I felt 100% back to full strength.

I have Highmark blue cross blue shield and it took only a couple of days. Good luck to you!

Congrats on your progress! That is awesome! Not taking measurements was my only regret from surgery. I even asked my surgeon if they had them and they said no. Oh well. I think it's a great idea and a great way to remind yourself of progress!

Yes, definitely. The first couple of weeks I was extremely emotional. I think - in retrospect - it was really a grieving process for me. I was grieving the loss of food (my coping mechanism, my stress relief, my celebration go-to, my emotional release), etc.... plus your body is kind of freaking out because of what it has been through. It will get better, I promise!

Yes, eggs were hard for me at first. Now I don't have a problem with them.

I am around the same age (35) and had the sleeve 16 months ago. I have not regretted it for one single minute. You can read more about my journey in my blog (linked in my signature) if you want the details, which I'll spare you here. But I think it really added decades onto my life. It was the single best thing I have ever done for myself and my family. Good luck on your journey and in your decision making!

I agree that premier protein chocolate is better than chike chocolate. BUT the chike coffee flavor is my all-time favorite. I highly recommend it!

Can I add one to your list? "When food is Love" by Geneen Roth helped me immensely with the emotional side of things. I highly recommend it. :-)

You're doing great. You will have these little pauses along the way, but it's a good idea to double check what you're doing like you are. I try to stick to 40 or less g of carbs per day and that works for me.

That sucks! I got a tentative date, then they sent in for the approval, so it was a pretty seamless process for me. I hope that you get a date soon. That's gotta be frustrating!

I find that show fascinating, but it does bring up all of my emotional eating issues, so I probably shouldn't watch it. It is really sad. I wish that they got more help for the emotional/food addiction part of it rather than just advice on the diet.

I track everything in MFP. I pay the most attention to Protein, carbs, and Water. I shoot for 80g protein, less than 40g carbs, and 100 oz of water. If I get that in, the calories, fat, sugar, etc. seem to just kind of fall into place on their own. If you're asking for an avg of calories, though, I would say 700-800 at this point would be a safe average.

Thanks everyone! :-)

It has been an amazing 15 months and I decided for my new year's post for my blog I would make a video with all of my progress pictures to Celebrate the journey. 15 months past and I've been at (and beyond) my goal weight - 140 pounds lost - since about 11 months post op. So I can see that I can maintain it (so far so good!!) and that is super encouraging. Anyway, just thought I'd share here for anyone interested. Here's the VIDEO!!

Ok weight for first weigh in is 138.6. Goal will be 132

Finishing up at 138.6. Missed my goal of 135, but I'll take it over the holidays!!!

I'm in! I'll shoot for 130 this time. My current weight is 138, so that would be 8 pounds. It's a stretch, but I need to get there!

139 for this week :-)

My husband and I have been married 17 years and he has never had a weight problem, but like your hubby, you eats like total crap and could eat a ton of junk at one time and not gain an ounce. The weight loss has challenged our relationship in a couple of different ways, but I can honestly say that ultimately this process has made us much, much stronger together. First of all, since I am the one who does the grocery shopping and cooking primarily, it has changed the way my family eats to some extent. I don't buy the "junk" that he likes anymore. If he wants it he usually eats it at work, etc. He has also had to become a little more considerate in his eating habits. My biggest temptation is potato chips. So he tries to be really considerate and not sit there and eat a whole bag on the couch beside me. If he has them he will go in another room ro something. It wasn't an automatic thing, but he has started to be better with things liek that. He also had to make a lot of sacrifices in my time as I've trained for a 1/2 marathon and a marathon. He gave up time with me and took over some responsibilities that I dind't have time for during my heavy training times. Finally, it has raised some jealousy issues that were never there before. He sees how drastically I've changed on the outside and the confidence I've gained and he was from time to time I think afraid that I would change on the inside as well.It's taken me going out of my way sometimes to reassure him that I haven't changed who I am or the fact that I love him. It's definitely been a learning curve for us as a couple, but like I said I'm stronger individually, and we are stronger as a couple for sure. I sense a blog post coming on..... :-)

Wow! Thank you for reading! I actually get that a lot. I get told a lot that I look like their sister and not their mom. They are 16 and 13. I'll take it! I think it kind of annoys them, though. haha. I'm 38.

I think you will hear different surgeons say different things about caffeine, just like you will about alcohol and other "gray area" things. I have coffee every morning, and have since probably 1 month post op. My surgeon said the concern would be that it can be an appetite stimulant. I haven't had any issues though.

Good for you! I SO wish I would have discovered that book and started working on things before I had surgery. I think you are doing yourself a huge favor! :-)

I definitely ate off the plan the past couple of weeks. I've also noticed, as a result, my energy level has completely plummeted, I feel hungry all the time & just feel icky. I'm excited to get back on track. I start tomorrow back on 3 days of liquids to re-set & break those bad habits!