BigDog Bryan

I have gen through two surgeries, both I feel have been successful. (The first surgery, lapband was removed after causing other medical issues, 7 years later. But lost and kept off 120 -140 lbs)
Once it came out I gained almost all my weight back.
I am a food addict and binge eater, so my capacity to hurt myself through eating after a month of great choices is always there. Loose a couple pounds only to gain 10 over a weekend of binge eating.
My second surgery was the sleeve, and it is great! I've lost 55 pounds in 2 months. My appetite is no longer the major driver, but I gave 47 years of a food relationship that I need to continue to change. The smaller stomach gives me a wall I run into whenever I want to binge.
But it also only works if I am following the program the other 97% of the time.
I do not drink soda, I follow the plan, but I still have emotional triggers that she need to keep in check.
If you break all the rules, your mind will find ways to override the surgery. ( that is why success rates are not 100% and this forum is used by all of us still in the fight.
To be successful
- have a good dr
- commit to yourself, you will follow the plan
- stay committed long term.
Surgery has little to do with the last two bullets, but surgery assists you to accomplish them.
In many ways I failed my first surgery, because I didn't make enough changes to function without it. It was very humbling to realize that. But at the end of the day, I rather struggle to gain control of my eating at 225 instead of 375.
I did not want to become diabetic, heart disease and all the other issues I faced being so heavy. Surgery gives you a lot of momentum to make good choices, then it's up to ourselves to take advantage of that momentum or ignore it and return to our unhealthy relationship with food.
Hope this helps- best of luck
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My max weight was close to yours, but I am 5'9" - so I get the feelings at the start. The answer to your questions is "YES". VSG creates a physiological change in you that takes your "willpower" out of the drivers seat. The removal of the hunger hormone will show you very clearly what the difference is between head hungry and hungry. You will have all you need to overcome it, between this forum, your surgical team, and the changes in your body and mind.
One of my favorite stories goes like this. The NUT asks a group of pre-surgery clients how long it will take to drink a 4oz cup of Water. The answers vary from 5-30 seconds. The NUT then tells them that the day after the surgery, it will take 15-30 minutes - and it will feel like that's as fast as they can do it. NO ONE believes this. The days after my surgery, I am recovering and existing on Water and Italian Ice. As promised, it takes me 30 minutes to drink a cup of water, and the cup of Italian Ice (Lemon) takes about 5 hours to "finish".
This is NOT a diet as you know it. This is a BIG change to your capacity and desire for foods. This is a decision that you will be VERY HAPPY that you made. God Bless.

Tip #1 - STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF SO MUCH. This is a process, not an event. Your loss will be over time, not overnight. Know that your body will periodically stall for a time (usually a short time) while it adjusts to changes in your diet and caloric needs. Give yourself permission to live and enjoy each day. You need a new relationship with food, not a new fear of it.
Tip #2 - RELAX. In the early months after surgery, you will lose weight "on twinkies and chicken" as one VSG veteran told me last year. Your journey is at its beginning, enjoy the changes.
Tip #3 - Change is more than pounds. Even when you hit a stall, you might still lose inches. I hit a 3-week stall and lost 2 inches off my waist in the same timeframe. Victories are all around you, look for them and Celebrate them.

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

My max weight was close to yours, but I am 5'9" - so I get the feelings at the start. The answer to your questions is "YES". VSG creates a physiological change in you that takes your "willpower" out of the drivers seat. The removal of the hunger hormone will show you very clearly what the difference is between head hungry and hungry. You will have all you need to overcome it, between this forum, your surgical team, and the changes in your body and mind.
One of my favorite stories goes like this. The NUT asks a group of pre-surgery clients how long it will take to drink a 4oz cup of Water. The answers vary from 5-30 seconds. The NUT then tells them that the day after the surgery, it will take 15-30 minutes - and it will feel like that's as fast as they can do it. NO ONE believes this. The days after my surgery, I am recovering and existing on Water and Italian Ice. As promised, it takes me 30 minutes to drink a cup of water, and the cup of Italian Ice (Lemon) takes about 5 hours to "finish".
This is NOT a diet as you know it. This is a BIG change to your capacity and desire for foods. This is a decision that you will be VERY HAPPY that you made. God Bless.

I vividly remember telling my NUT that "I miss chewing" on many occasions during stage 1 & 2. Keep your eyes on the prize, buy yourself a pair of jeans in your new/next size, and remember that you CAN and WILL get to puree foods SOON. the Soft Foods stage will be exciting because it re-introduces texture and variety to your diet. Also, remember that rushing things can be painful (usually IMMEDIATELY), so take your time.
Remember that you are building a new relationship with food, and it needs to be a deliberate and intentional process. There is amazing freedom in being able to Taste and Enjoy without a fear of "running out" of anything. I still revel in being able to sit down in a Diner at any table! Embrace EVERY victory!

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

My max weight was close to yours, but I am 5'9" - so I get the feelings at the start. The answer to your questions is "YES". VSG creates a physiological change in you that takes your "willpower" out of the drivers seat. The removal of the hunger hormone will show you very clearly what the difference is between head hungry and hungry. You will have all you need to overcome it, between this forum, your surgical team, and the changes in your body and mind.
One of my favorite stories goes like this. The NUT asks a group of pre-surgery clients how long it will take to drink a 4oz cup of Water. The answers vary from 5-30 seconds. The NUT then tells them that the day after the surgery, it will take 15-30 minutes - and it will feel like that's as fast as they can do it. NO ONE believes this. The days after my surgery, I am recovering and existing on Water and Italian Ice. As promised, it takes me 30 minutes to drink a cup of water, and the cup of Italian Ice (Lemon) takes about 5 hours to "finish".
This is NOT a diet as you know it. This is a BIG change to your capacity and desire for foods. This is a decision that you will be VERY HAPPY that you made. God Bless.

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

Tip #1 - STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF SO MUCH. This is a process, not an event. Your loss will be over time, not overnight. Know that your body will periodically stall for a time (usually a short time) while it adjusts to changes in your diet and caloric needs. Give yourself permission to live and enjoy each day. You need a new relationship with food, not a new fear of it.
Tip #2 - RELAX. In the early months after surgery, you will lose weight "on twinkies and chicken" as one VSG veteran told me last year. Your journey is at its beginning, enjoy the changes.
Tip #3 - Change is more than pounds. Even when you hit a stall, you might still lose inches. I hit a 3-week stall and lost 2 inches off my waist in the same timeframe. Victories are all around you, look for them and Celebrate them.

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

Tip #1 - STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF SO MUCH. This is a process, not an event. Your loss will be over time, not overnight. Know that your body will periodically stall for a time (usually a short time) while it adjusts to changes in your diet and caloric needs. Give yourself permission to live and enjoy each day. You need a new relationship with food, not a new fear of it.
Tip #2 - RELAX. In the early months after surgery, you will lose weight "on twinkies and chicken" as one VSG veteran told me last year. Your journey is at its beginning, enjoy the changes.
Tip #3 - Change is more than pounds. Even when you hit a stall, you might still lose inches. I hit a 3-week stall and lost 2 inches off my waist in the same timeframe. Victories are all around you, look for them and Celebrate them.

Tip #1 - STOP WEIGHING YOURSELF SO MUCH. This is a process, not an event. Your loss will be over time, not overnight. Know that your body will periodically stall for a time (usually a short time) while it adjusts to changes in your diet and caloric needs. Give yourself permission to live and enjoy each day. You need a new relationship with food, not a new fear of it.
Tip #2 - RELAX. In the early months after surgery, you will lose weight "on twinkies and chicken" as one VSG veteran told me last year. Your journey is at its beginning, enjoy the changes.
Tip #3 - Change is more than pounds. Even when you hit a stall, you might still lose inches. I hit a 3-week stall and lost 2 inches off my waist in the same timeframe. Victories are all around you, look for them and Celebrate them.

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

I vividly remember telling my NUT that "I miss chewing" on many occasions during stage 1 & 2. Keep your eyes on the prize, buy yourself a pair of jeans in your new/next size, and remember that you CAN and WILL get to puree foods SOON. the Soft Foods stage will be exciting because it re-introduces texture and variety to your diet. Also, remember that rushing things can be painful (usually IMMEDIATELY), so take your time.
Remember that you are building a new relationship with food, and it needs to be a deliberate and intentional process. There is amazing freedom in being able to Taste and Enjoy without a fear of "running out" of anything. I still revel in being able to sit down in a Diner at any table! Embrace EVERY victory!

I vividly remember telling my NUT that "I miss chewing" on many occasions during stage 1 & 2. Keep your eyes on the prize, buy yourself a pair of jeans in your new/next size, and remember that you CAN and WILL get to puree foods SOON. the Soft Foods stage will be exciting because it re-introduces texture and variety to your diet. Also, remember that rushing things can be painful (usually IMMEDIATELY), so take your time.
Remember that you are building a new relationship with food, and it needs to be a deliberate and intentional process. There is amazing freedom in being able to Taste and Enjoy without a fear of "running out" of anything. I still revel in being able to sit down in a Diner at any table! Embrace EVERY victory!

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

I vividly remember telling my NUT that "I miss chewing" on many occasions during stage 1 & 2. Keep your eyes on the prize, buy yourself a pair of jeans in your new/next size, and remember that you CAN and WILL get to puree foods SOON. the Soft Foods stage will be exciting because it re-introduces texture and variety to your diet. Also, remember that rushing things can be painful (usually IMMEDIATELY), so take your time.
Remember that you are building a new relationship with food, and it needs to be a deliberate and intentional process. There is amazing freedom in being able to Taste and Enjoy without a fear of "running out" of anything. I still revel in being able to sit down in a Diner at any table! Embrace EVERY victory!

There are FAR More success stories than there are failures. People may not want to brag about hearing that someone lost 100+ pounds and are healthier than they have been in 25 years.
Generally speaking, you will find that MANY of your friends do NOT have the courage to make real and lasting changes in their own lives. When you talk about your surgery, you may be reminding them that they are unable to change their own lives, so they are MUCH more comfortable keeping you from showing your courage and changing their little world that you are a round and controllable part of.
Change scares people, whether they realize it of not, so don't let their fear change you! You have already been through a LOT in your life, and you DESERVE a chance at a healthier life going forward. The liberation of coming off of medications after surgery (went into the hospital on 4 medications, came out on 2 - and the remaining doses were reduced to their lowest levels) is an immediate boost to your psychology, so embrace it. When you tell anyone that you are having this surgery, do it to inform them, not to affirm you.
God Bless

It sounds like gas related pains. Are you taking a heartburn medication (Prilosec OTC or some Omeprasol product) daily? It is VERY important to get this first thing in the morning every day for at least the first year after surgery (I still take one - habit I guess). Also, check with your surgical team to see if there are other things you be doing or addressing.
It will get better for you, and your new life will begin again!

I advise ANYONE to look at percentages, not pounds! I lost 15% of my goal weight loss on the first month, then it slowed down a bit. I hit a stall after about 4 months, but it broke after 3+ weeks of Protein intake and walking. A second stall was broken by emergency hernia surgery in July. As of now (14+ months out), I have lost 60% of my goal, and the rate is still about 10-12 pounds per month.
Seeing huge numbers can be discouraging if you think you should have lost 100 pounds in 6 months because you read about someone else and their journey. I would not have lost 130 pounds so far if my goal was to lose 150 pounds total. I've had MY numbers because of where I started, not because there is a magic schedule that calls for 50 pounds in 6 the first weeks, regardless of where you start at where you want to go. Everyone is different, but ALL of us are healthier for the decision to have the surgery and commit to the Real Changes that it demands.

Begin by telling him that you are following his courageous example of making a life change for the better. Thank him for showing you how to be strong and committed to do what is necessary to be a healthier and better you. Also remind him that you are his child, and this is how the determination that he taught you has bloomed in your life.
Remind him that he didn't ask your permission to become sober, but you are SO PROUD of him. Also remember that you are his "little girl" and he may be dealing with the reality that you are now a grown woman (not always easy for us fathers of you twenty somethings). Don't forget to thank him again for the courage to change, and give him a kiss no matter what.
BTW, my story for you - I has the surgery 14 months ago and I am down about 130 pounds, and pants have shrunk by 14 inches, and I am off of all diabetic medications. My shirts (were a 5X) are no longer "Big and Tall", and I can sit in a booth at a diner. I call that a success story for you to use as you see fit