Cindi_Augustine

I had the same issue with sugar and I want you to understand that it's NOT about willpower. Sugar has been proven to be as addictive as cocaine or tobacco. Don't feel like a failure if you're having trouble kicking it. I have just had to do a sugar cleanse in order to get control of my increasing sugar intake. You have to get it out of your system using behavioural and mental techniques. Reading David Kessler's book Sugar, Salt and Fat helped me a lot. The number one thing I learned is that you have a very small moment to in time to stop the urge from becoming overwhelming. The second you have the thought: I want a cookie, you MUST address it by following up with: "BUT I won't have one because it will make me want more, and I will feel horrible later. I would rather keep my weight down, and feel good..."
Kicking sugar can take up to 10 days before it becomes easier. I'm not going to lie. I was cranky and miserable. But now I'm back on track, feel great, and love that my clothes fit better. I've also stopped feeling constantly hungry. Yay!
Have a buddy to help you stay accountable. Shame and silence only makes it worse.
You can do it!
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Tell that sumbitch to grow a pair and support you.
If it's too hot by your standards then.....it's too hot.....period.
If it's too hot to walk by your standards then......it's too hot.....period.
Punkassmofo.

At 4'9" there isn't even a category on the BMI charts that fits me. Technically they consider that height adolescent and tell me I should be about 110!! I'm 143 right now and have been within 5 lbs of that for about 18 months. Last visit with my doctor she made an off-hand comment about my not being overweight anymore, so I took that as a positive sign. I mostly wear medium or occasionally large at this weight and feel great so whenever I'm tempted to struggle to lose more - which never works and makes me obsessive - I remind myself that numbers are not the most important thing. If I can remain here with relative ease and emotional comfort then that seems right for me. I think we're all different so the right number for one person may not be the same for another.
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Such wonderful news!! You should be so proud of yourself!
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I'm very open about having WLS, and don't hesitate to share my story. I think dispelling the myths and the shame that surrounds surgery can't help but allow others to seek help. Not everyone feels they can share but since I can I feel it's my responsibility to help spread the message. It's gratifying how open and supportive people can be when I tell them, and it makes me more determined than ever to keep the weight off. Obesity is seen as a self-control problem and so much shame has been attached, it makes me angry since the food industry is very much part of the problem. Conditioned hypereating is a social issue not a personal one and every bit as damaging as alcoholism. No one can heal alone. We all need help to move forward to happy healthier lives.
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At 4'9" there isn't even a category on the BMI charts that fits me. Technically they consider that height adolescent and tell me I should be about 110!! I'm 143 right now and have been within 5 lbs of that for about 18 months. Last visit with my doctor she made an off-hand comment about my not being overweight anymore, so I took that as a positive sign. I mostly wear medium or occasionally large at this weight and feel great so whenever I'm tempted to struggle to lose more - which never works and makes me obsessive - I remind myself that numbers are not the most important thing. If I can remain here with relative ease and emotional comfort then that seems right for me. I think we're all different so the right number for one person may not be the same for another.
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There's such a crazy discretion in clothing sizes. I have everything from a small to a large in my closet, sizes 10 - 14, as well. I no longer worry about those "markers". But, even 4 - 5 lbs either way seems to make quite a difference in how things fit. It's quite bizarre! LOL
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Willpower and moderation does not work for everyone. When you're brain is addicted to sugar, then it can be as hard to kick as cocaine. I found David Kessler's book, The End Of Overeating helped me a lot. We are conditioned to use sugar, fat and salt as a reward, and we must break that. I've been blogging about the tools I've learned, hoping to help others kick the addiction.
The important thing to remember is that you are NOT weak, or alone. You can read more on my blog or check out his book. You CAN do this!

I always keep Protein bars, and/or nuts like almonds or walnuts. Not many other choices that are quick, easy, and live well in a purse. lol At home I like frozen berries. Slow to eat and satisfying.
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Yes, it IS a small gain but a HUGE slippery slope. I've been battling it, too. It's pretty normal, but now we have the tools and a choice. I agree that a small bounce weight is perfectly fine, as long as you're ready to jump back into serious control when it reaches the high point. Easier to drop 5 lbs than 50! Enjoy the occasional treat, but follow a healthy routine 90% of the time and you'll do okay.
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@@muncheechee Carbs crave carbs - so once you add sugar, Pasta, etc into your diet - it is likely you will crave more. Healthy carbs from fruit, veggies and whole grains can be done in moderation.

I always keep Protein bars, and/or nuts like almonds or walnuts. Not many other choices that are quick, easy, and live well in a purse. lol At home I like frozen berries. Slow to eat and satisfying.
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I always keep Protein bars, and/or nuts like almonds or walnuts. Not many other choices that are quick, easy, and live well in a purse. lol At home I like frozen berries. Slow to eat and satisfying.
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I was a bit surprised to find that I was gaining weight if I ate over 1200 cals a day. But, I'm not an excerciser, and I'm only 4'10, so I guess it's not surprising. More important to my maintenance seems to be keeping a strict eye on salt and sugar. I tried working out but became very lightheaded, due to seizure and heart meds. So, I try to be as active as I can without actually working out.
I think weighing myself almost every day is necessary, and I'm not consistent with tracking meals unless I'm gaining, or feeling tired or lightheaded. That usually means I'm eating too much or too little.
I'm trying to walk a line between coming obsessed with it all, and feeling healthy. It'll be a lifetime thing, but I accepted that when I signed the papers for surgery. LOL
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I think considering couples therapy is a smart idea. Relationship issues are like icebergs, 90% below the surface. Many spouses worry that a slimmer, sexier mate might leave them because they have more options. Some people feel guilty or embarrassed when they stay overweight but their mate gets slim. Significant weight loss IS life-changing and it's not unusual for family members to worry that things will change, or they will get left behind.
Of course, I don't know you or your hubby but this is food for thought.

I think considering couples therapy is a smart idea. Relationship issues are like icebergs, 90% below the surface. Many spouses worry that a slimmer, sexier mate might leave them because they have more options. Some people feel guilty or embarrassed when they stay overweight but their mate gets slim. Significant weight loss IS life-changing and it's not unusual for family members to worry that things will change, or they will get left behind.
Of course, I don't know you or your hubby but this is food for thought.

It's really weird but in general I feel so darned good in my sexier, more fashionable wardrobe, that I don't mind that I'm not 'smooth'. I know my upper arms are deflated and wrinkly but I wear sleeveless stuff all the time, and love my sculptured shoulder blades. I do sometimes lament the new jowls and turkey neck but I focus now on having a great haircut and fashionable glasses. The moon face is GONE and I can live with the replacement! LOL

I was banded 3 1/2 years ago and at goal for more than two years. My younger son, who I am very close with, mistakenly believed that I can't overeat. I found out yesterday because we were talking about my possibly getting fat again and he said, well, you can't overeat so why would you get fat again? I had to let him know that it's easy to gain it back. Yes...even with surgery we can all get fat again.
What I have found in my experience, is that the band helps me to keep on track but that doesn't mean I haven't gone off track on occasion. Because I have. I'm not perfect...no one is.
So the message here is not so much how non surgical folks don't get our experience...I'm realizing there will always likely be a basic misunderstanding of WLS. And that's coming from family all the way to strangers. It still bothers me when they say that someone lost weight the natural way, or old fashioned way. People still and likely always will misunderstand this.
More importantly though...is my understanding that I will always till the day I die, have to make choices about what I put in my mouth. I think those of us with food issues don't always realize that most of the normal sized world makes these choices daily. For us though, it's not a normal way of looking at food...because we never saw or see food in a normal way. Especially if we are emotional eaters and the weight is a symptom of deeper issues.
Sorry that I'm sorta all over the place on this post but I really think that when I experience something and think about how I react to it, or how it impacts me, I figure I'm not alone and I post it. There's always someone out there who says, 'oh...me too'.

Clothes shopping! I'm no longer bulging at the seams but my closet is!
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Shopping, lol...my closet has become ridiculous.

Weight loss surgery is supposed to be the final answer to obesity. Ideally, you use your sleeve, band or pouch as a tool to help you lose weight, and that tool continues to keep you in check as you maintain goal weight.
But that’s not always the case. Many Weight Loss Surgery patients find that losing weight is easier than maintaining weight loss. You may already have some hint of that if you were a long-time yo-yo dieter before surgery.


So why is it so hard to keep the weight off, and what can you do about it? It can be harder to keep the weight off than lose it in the first place because:
You might gradually be less strict with your food choices as the occasional treat becomes more frequent and bigger.
Your restriction may not feel as, well, restrictive as it did right after surgery.
Your metabolism is slower and you don’t need as many calories as you did before.
You don’t have the motivation that comes from seeing the scale go down as a reward for your good eating habits.

But a little challenge doesn’t have to get you down! After all, you’re a WLS patient, and you’re in it for the long haul! Here are some things to think about as you are losing weight, approaching goal weight, or even working on maintaining your goal weight. This is just Part 1 of the two-part series, so stay tuned for Part 2!
I Hate Counting Calories!
Yes, logging your food can be tedious. Some people even find that counting calories makes them anxious or causes them to fixate on food. Maybe immediately post-op you could skip the calorie counting and still lose weight because you had so much restriction. Maybe, in the beginning, you forced yourself to log foods for a few weeks or months.
What if, when you’re at or near goal weight, you can’t face the thought of counting calories? You still have a few options that can work.
Go back to the meal plan you got from your surgeon or nutritionist and stick to it. If it says ½ cup of oatmeal, it doesn’t matter whether you know how many calories that half-cup contains. You can be certain that if you follow the plan, your total daily calories will add up to the amount in the plan.
Log once a week. This can help you stay on track as you make sure your portion sizes are still working out for you and you are choosing the low-calorie, high-protein foods you think you are.
Focus on another nutrient, such as Protein. If you hit your target grams of protein, stick to small portions, and make sure all of your protein and other foods are the nutritious ones you’re supposed to be eating – think lean Proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats, for starters – you have a good start towards eating the way you should.

Carbs Are the Devil!
Maybe it’s carbs, maybe it’s sugar, maybe it’s pizza, or tacos, or ice cream that you avoid in your weight loss efforts. Whatever it is, there’s a good chance you’re trying to avoid it as you lose weight. Weight loss surgery patients can be tempted to go low-carb, paleo, or sugar-free. That’s fine, as long as you can keep it up long-term.
If you can’t, you’re setting yourself up for a rough time. What happens when you hit goal weight and you flip a mental switch in your head? What if you go from low-carb to letting Cookies, bread, and Pasta back into your diet? What if you go off paleo and find all sorts of processed foods that are delicious and convenient? What happens next time you come face to face with an order of chicken wings and dipping sauce for the table?
You may be better off planning for a diet that will work long term. While you are still losing weight or while you are early in the maintenance phase, take inventory of your feelings. Be honest about what you can and cannot live without, and develop a plan to address it. Then practice!
These are some possible ways to approach your food fears.
Think “healthy, portion-controlled carb” instead of “low-carb.” Aim to get in healthy carbs such as oatmeal, lentils, fruit, sweet potatoes, and yogurt rather than avoiding all carbs.
Consider the good and bad of the paleo diet. While the guidelines to avoid processed foods and refined sugars can’t hurt, it really necessary to avoid nutrient powerhouses such as Beans (think: protein, Fiber, and potassium)? And is it really possible to avoid all processed foods for the rest of your life? What happens if you run short on time? A good strategy may be to get in the habit of reading labels so you develop your ability to choose healthy (or at least, “healthier”) packaged meal helpers.
Make up your mind about trigger foods. Are you the type who can be satisfied with one potato chip when you get a craving? Or are you best off avoiding the chips altogether? Is there a similar substitute, such as kale chips, that can work for you? If you’re not sure, experiment so you know how best to handle cravings.

Maintenance has its share of challenges, but you can overcome them to be able to experience all the joys of hitting that goal weight you dreamed about for so long. Just like you did when you were getting ready for weight loss surgery and losing weight, you can take a carefully planned approach to maintenance that considers your own preferences. Stay tuned to Part 2 of the two-part series!

I think it's just natural that we get cocky occasionally, and think: Oh, I can handle this, just this once. For awhile rice and Pasta starting sneaking back into my diet but after dealing with the after-effects a few times, I slapped myself on the forehead, called myself an idiot, and started saying no again. I'm sure I'll screw up again, sometime, only human, but it's no fun, for sure!!

I'm post-op from the Richmond Bariatric program, and had my sleeve done several years ago. I lost most of my excess weight the first year, and the next 2 - 3 years were relatively easy to stay on-track. Last fall, I began to get cocky and started letting the bad habits return. Slowly at first - a bit of bread here, some chocolate there, and sure, why not some chips while watching TV? I felt a bit invincible, as I was pretty sure I was staying under 1,500 calories everyday. Maintenance numbers, right?
Nope.
Luckily, I've never stopped weighing myself a few times a week and slowly found the scale moving up. It was only 8 lbs, but I'm 4'10! 8 lbs is closer to 14 on my frame. I laughed it off and began lowering my cals to 1,200. I figured the lbs would just melt back off.
Again, nope.
Over the last 6 months I've driven myself crazy trying to get back to my low weight. I lost 5 lbs eventually, but have discovered that 1,000 - 1,200 seems to be my maintenance. It leaves no room for error if I want to eat enough to feel healthy but not gain.
My point is that getting cocky and thinking I'd permanently won the battle was a learning lesson. I won't do it again.
I thought I didn't need post weight loss support. I was wrong. I'm considering getting involved in a local support group but not sure that any exists anymore. I'm a life coach, however, and would be happy to start one.
Just wanted to share and jump back in here. This forum has always been amazing.

I'll have to see what my doc says - never know, maybe we have something here in Calgary. I haven't researched enough about Canada and wait times, but I understand a person could wait up to 7+ years. A lot can happen in 7 years -

I've taken breaks in logging and found I can easily gain a few lbs if I rely on guessing. People are far more likely to underestimate their calorie intake if they don't measure and log. It can be annoying, even with the great apps, but it's necessary for short and long term success.