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I remember once when Oprah had lost a lot of weight...she heard that people were saying things like "Well, she's rich, it's easy to lose weight when someone cooks all of your food and does everything for you." She was talking about it on her show and basically said...she was the one who had to make healthful dietary choices every day and refuse her beloved Ruffles potato chips. Her wealth didn't do that for her. And she is the one who had to get her butt on the track and walk every day. She couldn't pay someone to do that for her.
I think it is so similar when people say that VSG is "the easy way out." We are the ones who have make sure that every morsel we put in our mouths is good fuel for our bodies and resist head hunger. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who make special holiday meals for our families and then don't partake in most of it. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who go to the gym even when the weather isn't good or we feel like going to bed early instead. The surgery doesn't do that for us. We're the ones who keep drinking (and drinking and drinking) Water when part of us would rather hang out with our old friend Diet Coke or Frozen Margarita. The surgery doesn't do that for us.
And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes, the surgery is a tool, but I still feel that we own and deserve every hard-earned victory we see on the scale and every NSV. If others don't understand that, it's okay. I know that I haven't taken the easy way out, but I also know that what I'm doing is an investment in something very important--me. And that's something that money definitely can't buy.

I'm over 3 months out and still have to supplement frequently.

I am 3 months, 2 days out and I eat between 600-800 per day. I haven't actually hit 800 yet. I'm usually around 600 and on some days even that is a struggle. I eat 60 grams of carbs or less per day, but I am getting my 75 g of Protein pretty consistently. I am averaging about 3 lb. loss per week and I am HAPPY with my results!

Thanks for posting Macman...lots of great info. We were sleeved about the same time and I think it's important for everyone to see that there's more than one way to be successful. Everyone has to find their own, personal "make it work" plan.
I was always very intimidated before surgery by reading all the posts from the trackers and fitbit folks that were so successful because I knew I wouldn't be able to do that. I just like to include my version so other newbies can see that they can be successful with "alternative plans"
Great job!

First off, 25 pounds in six weeks is not slow! I don't know where some people are getting these unrealistic expectations of how fast they should be dropping weight post-sleeve. I haven't had mine yet (scheduled for Sept. 1), but I've done a TON of research and watched a lot of youtube videos and read a lot of blogs from post-op sleevers and I am hoping to be able to lose about 10 pounds per month post-op. If you've lost 25 pounds in 6 weeks, that means you're already 20 pounds ahead of my 6 week goal!
Secondly, I think 300-500 calories a day is too little 6 weeks out. You should be aiming for 600 I would guess. Have you talked to your nutritionist?

If you are putting yourself thru WLS why would you be worried about drinking? Are you having this surgery for the right reasons? If you can't give up alcohol then maybe you should reconsider the surgery. Having a drink once in awhile is one thing but several drinks several times a week is another matter. You don't have to drink to have a good time.
Good luck on your WLS journey. It will be worth it. It is also a lifetime commitment.

I LOVE chia seeds and eat them almost every day. A simple idea is to add a tablespoon to yogurt or your Protein Shake. Both are yummy! There are tons of Chia recipes online, too!

I haven't kept it a secret at all, and I also update on FB (occasionally) with weight loss updates. I really don't have the time or energy to waste on what people think, and for the record, I've had such positive feedback and support, it helps me stay motivated! I'm proud of my accomplishments and I want to share that with others, not hide it like I'm ashamed of what I've done! While I'm doing all the hard work, my sleeve deserves some credit, too! LOL

I haven't kept it a secret at all, and I also update on FB (occasionally) with weight loss updates. I really don't have the time or energy to waste on what people think, and for the record, I've had such positive feedback and support, it helps me stay motivated! I'm proud of my accomplishments and I want to share that with others, not hide it like I'm ashamed of what I've done! While I'm doing all the hard work, my sleeve deserves some credit, too! LOL

I want to strongly encourage you to use this time wisely. You are setting yourself up for bariatric surgery failure. If you don't make those healthy choices now while it's "easy," you won't do it later when it's harder. You've got one shot to do this right. Make healthy eating a habit and you won't struggle with it later.
You don't have to be "super-healthy"all the time. Just make smarter choices. Once a week allow yourself a SMALL indulgence, without guilt, and the rest of the time make good choices. Fill up on quality Protein FIRST and there won't be room for the bad choices--easy!
The sleeve doesn't give us license to eat whatever we want. It's a tool that makes it easier for us to make smart choices. Use your tool!

I haven't kept it a secret at all, and I also update on FB (occasionally) with weight loss updates. I really don't have the time or energy to waste on what people think, and for the record, I've had such positive feedback and support, it helps me stay motivated! I'm proud of my accomplishments and I want to share that with others, not hide it like I'm ashamed of what I've done! While I'm doing all the hard work, my sleeve deserves some credit, too! LOL

I'm a week away from being 6 months out. Lately I've been eating nothing but chicken, turkey, fruits and vegetables! Been trying not to snack or eat any kind of breads/pastas. So far it's working out!

I can so relate to your story, feelings and experiences. I just said to my husband yesterday how much I enjoy feeling like a normal person and not some freak of nature. I too was on the receiving end of many cruel remarks which created a defensiveness. There are a lot of ignorant ass holes in the world. My decision to have bariatric surgery was based on my own well being though and not on what others may have thought. You are so strong and brave to be so open. Big cyber hug and keep going forward!

Well, I got tired of walking and exercising in front of my TV, so I joined 24 Hour Fitness yesterday and went for my first workout today! I was so nervous going in, but quickly saw all the different body shapes and ages. Yes, there were some buffed out guys lifting weights, but they paid no attention to me. Tomorrow I'm going to take the aqua class (it's one of the Super Sports Centers, so they have everything) and next Tuesday I get my free orientation so I can learn all about the big, scary machines, LOL!
Anyway, I'm excited for this next new phase in my weight loss journey!

I joined LifeTime fitness a few years ago and have gotten a lot out of it. If the budget can stretch, it helps to work out with a personal trainer for a few sessions.

Well, I got tired of walking and exercising in front of my TV, so I joined 24 Hour Fitness yesterday and went for my first workout today! I was so nervous going in, but quickly saw all the different body shapes and ages. Yes, there were some buffed out guys lifting weights, but they paid no attention to me. Tomorrow I'm going to take the aqua class (it's one of the Super Sports Centers, so they have everything) and next Tuesday I get my free orientation so I can learn all about the big, scary machines, LOL!
Anyway, I'm excited for this next new phase in my weight loss journey!

Well, I got tired of walking and exercising in front of my TV, so I joined 24 Hour Fitness yesterday and went for my first workout today! I was so nervous going in, but quickly saw all the different body shapes and ages. Yes, there were some buffed out guys lifting weights, but they paid no attention to me. Tomorrow I'm going to take the aqua class (it's one of the Super Sports Centers, so they have everything) and next Tuesday I get my free orientation so I can learn all about the big, scary machines, LOL!
Anyway, I'm excited for this next new phase in my weight loss journey!

Hi!
I'm doing good! The first few days were very rough and I was wondering if I'd ruined my life, LOL, but I'm feeling a whole lot better! I even left the house today! . I'm now getting down liquids easily. Can get in 4 oz broth at lunch and dinner and about another 4 oz of Protein shake at each of my two Snacks. I got about 32 grams of Protein down today and once I finish all my Water, will have gotten in about 34 oz of liquid! The only thing my new tummy doesn't like yet is creamed Soup. I really miss chewing, and I am CRAVING meat, cheese, and eggs! So weird!
Glad to hear you are doing well, too! This is quite the adventure, huh?

I just got my date today! Soooooo excited and ready for this!!!

Congratulations! I love going to fairs and we have quite a few county fairs in the area as well as our State Fair. I'm a sucker for an eggroll on a stick, but will have to pass this year. I know there are alternatives (chicken, turkey leg) and will have to search out those.
I'm so happy you were successful and had fun! Who knew there were other things to do at the fair besides eat!!!

I went to the County Fair today and did not sample ANY fair food! Not a deep fried Oreo, funnel cake, or hand dipped corn dog passed these lips! I brought my own lunch, as did my 20 month old grandson, and we ate together while his mom and dad ordered their lunch, then we went exploring while they ate. Not only am I proud, my wallet is SO happy with me!
I'm counting this as a big NSV!!

GREAT JOB!!!!

I went to the Los Angeles County fair last Sep. I made a collage of pics of all of the deep fried food. I did sample (cpl bites) of a huge corndog and a few bites of funnel cake. First time at a fair that big. Now that we live in LA County, I plan on sampling fair food again this year. The corn dogs and funnel cake ARE the reason I even go to the fair.
Good job on the restraint!

Wow! Good job! Funnel cake...mmmm...droooool.....

awesome!!!!! in my neck of the woods the big fair food is this local hot dog and handcut french fry stand that goes from festival to festival and fair to fair. it's absolutely everyone's favorite. people stand in line for up to an hour to place their orders! i'm drooling, literally, just thinking of it.
because i seriously doubt my ability to walk away from it, i am skipping the fair this year but i know that the stand will be at a big fall festival nearby in october and i'm sure i will have a bite or two just to fulfill my annual fix!
the best part though, is knowing that i won't have to act like i'm ordering two footlongs and two cheese fries for TWO people (when really it was all for me) and just ordering a 'junior' size will be plenty, with most of it being tossed out.