OKCPirate

@ - thanks for sharing. I have been trying to find a way to let people know that WLS is not the same as wiring your jaw shut. Too many think it succeeds by being a restrictive mechanism. This fact was new to me:
Dr. Kaplan reports that (weight loss) surgery immediately alters the activity of more than 5,000 of the 22,000 genes in the human body.

Yeah, what @@Babbs said. For those of us with long term weight issues, even the best supervised weight loss programs have a very low long-term success rate. Another round of yo-yo weight changes messes with body's weight set point at the hormonal level. If you take care of the emotional issues, along with this tool, your chances for long-term success jump from 5% to over 40%. @@pvechiola please take a look at this: http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/films/main-films/Choices And the younger the better as far as skin sag and less damage to our joints and organs.

You might find this article interesting, it explains why WLS is not like wiring your jaw shut...in other words its not just about restriction, but bigger changes in your hormones, hunger signals et.al. But if you have to take care of the emotional issues which got you into this place, or you will find yourself back at square one...http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/03/26/the-humble-heroes-of-weight-loss-surgery-stomach-acids-and-gut-microbes/#comment-3309413

dinner out? Three meals!!!

@ - thanks for sharing. I have been trying to find a way to let people know that WLS is not the same as wiring your jaw shut. Too many think it succeeds by being a restrictive mechanism. This fact was new to me:
Dr. Kaplan reports that (weight loss) surgery immediately alters the activity of more than 5,000 of the 22,000 genes in the human body.

@ - thanks for sharing. I have been trying to find a way to let people know that WLS is not the same as wiring your jaw shut. Too many think it succeeds by being a restrictive mechanism. This fact was new to me:
Dr. Kaplan reports that (weight loss) surgery immediately alters the activity of more than 5,000 of the 22,000 genes in the human body.

I am 5 weeks post op and still eating very little not tolerating Protein drinks as well as I had hoped. I may be lactose intolerant. Still mainly liquids and getting in under 300 calories per day. I researched this for years but NOTHING prepares you for the reality of this procedure. I am full of regret. When did you guys start appreciating your sleeve? Do you still have regrets? When does it get better?
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I did have a "funeral" for a few items before I started my liquid diet. Honestly, I shouldn't have. The funeral is a hoax because the food still exists!! Having it "one last time" does not make you want it any less.
I'm 7 weeks out from VSG and I'm concentrating so much on eating the right things and learning what my stomach is okay with that I don't worry too much about my old foods. Truly, I can imagine how sick I would feel if I ate junk that the idea completely turns me off. Once in a while I get down about the loss of freedom. I can never just eat something and not think about it. I've been a little sad about that.
No regrets, this has been the best thing I've done for myself. Good luck to you in your journey!

THIS. I had never used a Togo box in my life until after surgery!
Katy W- Louisburg, NC
Lapband revision to VSG with DS
HW- 297
Weight at Surgery-279
CW- will update at two week appt

@ - thanks for sharing. I have been trying to find a way to let people know that WLS is not the same as wiring your jaw shut. Too many think it succeeds by being a restrictive mechanism. This fact was new to me:
Dr. Kaplan reports that (weight loss) surgery immediately alters the activity of more than 5,000 of the 22,000 genes in the human body.

When you actually forget to eat.

omg....yes! this is a good one! I have tons of empty Water bottles...and there is a case of water in my trunk! --this is the best so far-- haha Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

When the wind catches your flabby skin and you hope you don't take off like a flying squirrel.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

When you butt is boney and your feet are cold!

A big part of this journey is re-defining your relationship with food. In my case, my goal was that food and drink were no longer the centerpiece of any part of my life. For others, especially those with less extreme relationships with food, life will go on. My advice is to work on not letting it bother you. What difference does it make if they eat pizza? You don't need it, so just enjoy the company and don't focus on the food. I understand that it is easier said that done in the beginning, but no one said that this journey was easy.
Good luck!

This was the choice we made. Why should anyone else feel guilty or alter their life because of a choice we made?
It sucks the first time it happens but you get used to it.

@@gowalking
I am with you on the cravings thing. I still crave some things that I did before surgery, that has never gone away. I would say in the first 10 months post op, i did not crave the bad stuff and there were instances where I tasted the Peanut Butter cup and it was gross.
Now 28 months post op, I do crave some of the sweet stuff and even some of the breads. But honestly if I eat them, they just are not that good. I would much rather have some pepperoni or cheese. That being said, i tried enough of it over the holidays that I gained 7lbs.....and now I need to take control again. Ugh.....
I do not like the idea of snapping back to a higher set point even though my body is leading me there. My goal was 165, I made it down to 158 and I was not comfortable there. To me, I felt almost boney in parts of my body but I loved being 165, now I am keep moving between 167 and 169. I DO NOT want to even see 170 or I might lose it. LOL.

It is an interesting article. Thank you for posting it, as I would never have found it myself. I found some similarities and some huge differences in the article compared to my own experiences.
I was born fat. I was a fat baby, a fat kid, etc. The other kids used to tease me mercilessly, until I started handing out beatings. It bought me a lot of trouble, but they learned it wasn't worth the teasing. Fast forward to high school, I slimmed down for a short time, mainly because I was athletically inclined. But once college started, I started putting the weight back on. Even the Army couldn't cure that.
Probably the biggest difference with me is that since I have been an adult, I have derived my self worth from my abilities to do what I do, my education, and personality. In other words, I do not - did not - see myself as a fat person who was not accepted by others. I have many acquaintances across the spectrum, from fat as me to rail thin. We have good relationships because I have chosen people in my circle who can and will look past the surface of others, including myself. People who are shallow are not worth the time or effort as far as I am concerned.
I will never be thin. I did not expect that coming into this. If I hit my goal, I will be ecstatic. At that weight, I will still be classified as just about morbidly obese, but knowing my body and looking at the other numbers beyond BMI, I know better, and that is all that matters to me.

As comprehensive as it was, it still only scratched the surface. Not that I'd expect anything more...it was just an article and not a book. But to give it it's due, the reporter actually touched on so many experiences we've faced such as not reaching goal, and interestingly, not seeing the changes we're going through to the point of not recognizing that we are not fat anymore.
What differs for me is that these folks in the article said they didn't crave certain foods anymore. Well I can tell you, I know I have them...and have always had them. I had them within a few months of being banded and nearly four years later, I have them as much as I did before the band. The only difference now is that the band helps me to make better choices and eat less, but I've never stopped wanting the cake and carbs. I just know that they're not going to do anything but make me put weight back on.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/27/health/bariatric-surgery.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share&referer=&pagewanted=all
Pretty good article that describes what a lot of us have gone through. I do think they are a little light on some of the downsides (weight regain, cross addiction, etc) but one of the more comprehensive mainstream articles I've seen.

Strangely, no. Not at all. But I fully embraced my new normal, I have really enjoyed my two-year ride.

You might find this article interesting, it explains why WLS is not like wiring your jaw shut...in other words its not just about restriction, but bigger changes in your hormones, hunger signals et.al. But if you have to take care of the emotional issues which got you into this place, or you will find yourself back at square one...http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/03/26/the-humble-heroes-of-weight-loss-surgery-stomach-acids-and-gut-microbes/#comment-3309413

Yeah, what @@Babbs said. For those of us with long term weight issues, even the best supervised weight loss programs have a very low long-term success rate. Another round of yo-yo weight changes messes with body's weight set point at the hormonal level. If you take care of the emotional issues, along with this tool, your chances for long-term success jump from 5% to over 40%. @@pvechiola please take a look at this: http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/films/main-films/Choices And the younger the better as far as skin sag and less damage to our joints and organs.

Uh, weight loss surgery isn't just for old people, you know. Sometimes it's the best option, no matter what your age.
What a silly thing to say?

I think we have to be wary of exceptions. If you are planning to get pregnant again, leave about a year after surgery just in case. No one plans for hernias or some complications that may arise as a result of surgery.
In addition, when Pregnant, you are eating for two; many people can't even get enough essential nutrients for themselves in the initial 2-3 months after surgeries like Bypass and sleeve, so you can imagine how risky it might be for a developing foetus.
In life, there are always exceptions, but better safe than sorry.