Healthy_life2

@Creekimp13

I guess nothing has changed on this site. People judge food choices, goal weight, current weight, weight regain or revision. They judge how you work your own plan.

I've been judged here because I enjoy sports (running, biking and hiking) If I never had surgery and enjoyed sports would I still get the same negative judgment?

It's weird how judgmental some people can be.

I don't have experience with hypothyroidism.

55 pounds is fantastic. Try not to compare your weight loss with other people. I know it hard, but it will drive you crazy. Many of us are slow losers'. Its no how fast you lose its the fact you are losing weight.

I hope someone can share their experience. Hang in there😊

when was your surgery?

@JazzyJess20

Take things one food stage at a time.

When you get to maintenance phase, your dietician will give you a new plan. You will be surprised that many things are not off-limits.

Wow, you had surgery on 3/22 ? How are you doing?

It's ok to distance relationships if they are not supportive.

You had a lap band years ago, right? Were people supportive then? Did you get your surgery date for the sleeve yet?

The only person that has to be happy with your medical decision is you. Don't waste you time or energy trying to educate someone who is against bariatrics.

I hope you don't feel ignored on this site. You have 26 posts. Give it time, post more and ask questions.

You look so great in the dresses. Congratulations.

I weigh in the morning out of habit. It's a quick check to stay within my maintenance range. I have no need to log my weight. Life is normal the thrill is gone.

@creekimp13 I must be missing something. I've seen many food confessions. Most of us have been honest about bad days and food choices.

Some people have a fabulous metabolism. They can work a more moderate or slack program and still lose or maintain weight. Some have more risk factors for weight gain, They may have to follow a strict program.

Years out, I don't think anyone cares how I eat.

I hope you get your date in June.

One of the best gifts out of surgery was overcoming my stress eating. I now think of food as health and fuel. I was surprised that nutrition is still flavorful and delicious.😁

Energy, health, confidence, keeping up with the family, doing many things that my body could not do.

@Keatsy

When was your surgery?

I had the sleeve. It took time to figure out my sensation of full. I don't think my experience was much different than any other types of surgery. I still have times of hunger and cravings. I had to find ways to manage them and lose weight.

@meggie 111

You are not alone in having a gain. Your team is there to help. Give them a call. They will decide if a revision is right for you.

A weight gain can be worked back down. I agree with @catwoman7 Get temptation food out of the house. Buy groceries that fit your eating plan, Log your food (stay within your weight loss calories, Protein, carb, and fat goals) Find a way to manage stress/emotions without food. Keep healthy options for sweet and salty cravings on hand.

Years out, I miss tight stomach restriction.

Some things that help manage my hunger. I fill my extra sleeve space with low calories foods at each meal. I detox off real sugar and extra carbs. ( I'm not a carb aphobic) For my body to drop weight I stay in a carb range. low glycemic carbs work for me.

Be consistent not perfect. Healthy is the goal, right? Many people on this site will help you get back on track.😀

Happy anniversary!

@anniedebbie

Congratulations on your surgery date.

SIx years out, living healthy has become habit.😁 . There is no weight loss surgery secret. Follow your surgeon and dietitians plan. Be consistent not perfect.

This can be done long term

@BayougirlMrsS

It's not just you making post's like this. We are are all entitled to an opinion or rant. It's ok to disagree.

We had weight loss surgery because of after own struggles with weight, RIght? We are here for support. I hope anyone struggling with weight gain stays on the site.

14 hours ago, TreeTrunks said:

Hi everyone! This is my first post, but I have been lurking for a while. After months of new research and years and years of thinking I should go through with WLS, I *believe* I have finally made the decision to do it. My first appointment is Monday, (Gulp). Over the past couple weeks as this appointment has gotten closer, I have strapped myself into an emotional roller coaster... one day I am raring to go and impatient for it to be done already then the next day I am uncertain and have doubts about long term success. Today happens to be the latter. I am stressing about maintenance as I am a self proclaimed EXPERT Yo-Yo dieter. If there were an award for yo-yo dieting, I’d have a trophy case full of awards. I can loose weight, I just have never been able to maintain the loss and typically gain more back than what I lost. So....my question is for those of you out there in maintenance-land, do you find it easier (not the right word, maybe doable or achievable are better choices) to maintain with your WLS than you did prior to your surgery? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Many of us had pre surgery anxiety. It made me question if this would work. I don't regret my decision to have WLS.

My experience six years out, maintaining has been easier after surgery. It's work to change old behaviors and making healthy choices a long term habit. I maintain a ten pound weight fluctuation up and down the scale. Years out, working off a gain is painfully slow.

I'm a bit late - June 2020.

Today is my 6th year out from surgery. I eat mainly healthy, indulge within reason and exercise. I maintain a ten bound bounce range up and down the scale. It works for me. Life is normal😁

It's not up to anyone here to say you are at a healthy weight or underweight. You know your body best. Advocate for your medical needs. Annoy them with phone calls. Get second opinions.

Some things to try:

Weight gainer shakes add whole milk - available on Amazon or GNC.

powdered carbs (mix in water) available on amazon or GNC.

Nut butters are high in calories.

If your surgery restriction is still tight, Eat several meals all day long to get your calories in.

Best of luck, Keep us updated.

All plans are different. When in doubt, contact your dietician or look at your bariatric food stage paperwork.

Congratulations on all your hard work.

Some of my favorites are at albertsons. Fresh meat case has seafood, poultry, beef pork. Items in the meat case are already seasoned You can buy in single servings and cook at home. Beautiful chicken parmesan. Asparagus stuffed chicken breast. Swordfish, ceviche, great cuts of beef.

My quick Proteins - Low to no cook days photos below

Lots of meal combinations - Be creative.

Cubed Turkey salad with sliced strawberries, pecans and skinny girl raspberry vinaigrette

Beef fajitas no tortilla or if allowed on your plan

rotisserie chicken wrapped in sliced zucchini add enchilada sauce. Serve with a side of riced cauliflower

Sliced Turkey, steamed veggies

Smoked salmon salad

Happy Sunday!

6 year sleeve anniversary. Quick photo before my morning run. Still keeping the weight off.

Talk with your surgeon. Ask about gerd. tell him/her about your history of heart burn.

see link below

https://www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/gastric-sleeve-vs-bypass.html

I am a sleeve almost 6 years out and maintaining. Less invasive and less chance of dumping syndrome. No complications.

Thank you for these responses. Truly. I’m asking myself (and others like you who have been through this) these tough questions because like most, I assume, I have doubts about maintaining. I’m not sure I have the will to eat so little... forever. I absolutely admire those who do. But I find myself wondering if they are simply more disciplined than I am. I’m going to do some more reading about how the surgery “resets” metabolism. Easy to say but what does it really mean and how does this happen? While I understand the removal of the part of the stomach that creates a hunger hormone I’m not sure how it’s all reset for the better since you immediately move forward by eating so little and it seems hunger does eventually return. Yes, I will be talking to my surgeon and dietician. As a matter of fact my husband is an excellent internal medicine doc so I have the “ medical” resources handy. I also know their insight can’t compare to those who have lived it. So thank you so much.

incidentally, on the HCG diet forum 10 years ago everyone thought it all worked so well and was a huge gift, reset etc too. Now it’s been recognized as a significant detriment to long term heath. So I’m determined to make sure long term living in the real world is possible.

__________________________________________________

Is anyone here 10 years out and successful? Again, thank you greatly! Most long term surgery patients have no need for site. They have moved on and life is normal. I hope one is around to answer your question.

Surgery isn't for everyone. enjoy researching and do whats best for you, Long term can be done. I will be 6 years out in June, 254 lbs to 130 lbs I've been maintaining in the 130's years out.

Pre surgery: My past diets attempt's were not realistic or sustainable long term. I would regain with extra weight each time. I questioned if surgery would work, will i feel deprived/starving, would I regain, would I regret this? Surgery is nothing like my past diet attempts. (I've tried them all)

My experience I have no regrets in my decision to have surgery.

Hunger feels nothing like before surgery. Post-op It's manageable. I now have a sensation of full and I'm satisfied on the amount of food I can eat with the sleeve.

First stages: Your stomach restriction is tight after surgery, Your stomach is healing and calories are low,

Real food stage: Surgery restriction will slowly relax. You will be able to eat more food and calories. Food is still flavorful and I don't feel deprived.( I eat healthy versions of pizza, hamburgers etc ) My tasted buds have changed. I now love food that I didn't like in the past.

Maintenance phase food plan: After you reach your goal weight, You increase calories, fats and carbohydrates to stop your weight loss. I indulge within reason. When I have a slight gain, I go back to weight loss phase calories to stay in my weight range.

On 2/9/2020 at 5:17 PM, Mbeasley said:

Great question, my response...

1. Remember why you had the surgery every day.

2. Stick to the plan

3. If you don't see the weight falling off, don’t sweat it because it will...soon

4. Be discipline and avoid an abundance of sugar and carbs.

5. Read labels if the card and sugar count is high push away from it. Again remember why you had the surgery it will help.

6. Remember, you can lose all the weight and get healthy and go right back to where you started. There are many people who have gained the weight back.

7. Remember, the surgery is just a tool, not a quick fix. You have to put in the work daily.

8. Drink your water!!!

I hope this helps and if you need to call me you are welcome yo do so.

2/20/2020

2/20/2019

Best advice ever. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience,

1 hour ago, MaybeMeow said:

I'm really struggling with the decision to move ahead with surgery or not. Here's what I don't understand. How are you not destroying your metabolism by only eating 750 calories a day? Will you never be able to eat regularly again for risk of packing on the pounds? I did the HCG diet years ago (it's terrible. Never ever do it) In a nutshell... you gave yourself a shot every day that kept your body from realizing that it was being starved and then ate about 750 calories a day while your body worked hard to function as usual. The weight dropped off. I lost quickly over about 3 months and then stopped the injections and slowly eased back into a regular diet of about 1500-1800 calories a day. AND THE WEIGHT JUMPED BACK ON so fast I was floored. I was eating a healthy, well balanced diet on the low end of daily intake for my height and weight and activity. But I gained a pound a day until I was 20 pounds heavier than I was before the diet. Explain to me how this forced starvation doesn't do the same thing? My stomach will stretch. We know it does because we are told we can slowly eat more over time. Won't my metabolism think I've starving and halt? Am I really expected to only eat 800 calories a day for the rest of my life or expect to gain?? Thank you for sharing facts and experience.

Call your bariatric office. They are better qualified to answer your questions about metabolism Ask if they have an information seminar. It will help you decide on surgery.

All I can offer is my experience five years out from sleeve surgery. (maintaining my weight in the 130's)

Surgery is nothing like my other diet attempts. (I've done every diet and pill) I needed a long term solution. My weight loss/maintenance diet is very livable. I'm not deprived, My hunger is manageable.

It's normal for your surgery restriction to relax after a year. My stomach is NOT back to full size. I still eat within my calorie range,

Maintenance diet and calories are different for each of us. It depends on your surgeons/dietitians plan, activity level, metabolism, healthy issues, medications......The list goes on. I maintain my weight between 1200 and 1300. I do have days that are higher. I take vacations and indulge within reason. If I have a slight gain I eat weight loss calories (My weight loss calories are 1100)

Take your time and research all of this. Do whats best for you and your health.

Jenn