Keeper

So true! And like others I despised seeing pictures of myself. Now I have one up on the wall beside my desk as a reminder of how happy I am to have collar bones again.

I have spent soooo many years avoiding pictures, that I never considered taking more pictures to show how I'm changing. I feel very odd looking in the mirror now. I tend to notice the flaws first. Thank you for this powerful reminder!

When I met with my nutritionist pre-op, she told me that I would basically be doing (should do) Atkins for the rest of my life because of its emphasis on high protein/low carb. I've never done Atkins before so that was a bit scary to hear!
Fast forward 3 months post-op and for the month of February, my sister and I have committed to doing Whole 30. It is stricter than paleo but it isn't meant to be forever - just a 30 day system reboot. I am doing this because you have to give up ALL sugar, in any form including sweetners. fruit is the exception but I am limiting my fruit intake as well since I do not want to encourage my sweet tooth. I am so tired of having a sugar addiction and I think if I am going to be successful long term then I need to be done with this. Today is only day 2, so of course I feel optimistic, but I really am excited to be doing this. I would love to know if anyone else has done this.

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

I am the kind of person that likes to weigh every day (for good or for bad) and am very results-oriented. So sometimes it is hard to look at the scale and not see a change and yet think in terms of NSV's.
Taking some before and 'after' pictures for me has been very rewarding! I couldn't believe what a difference just 20 pounds made.
Also, my mother-in-law called me quite some time back and asked what bra size I wore because she was at a department store and they were having a mad sale. I was so embarrassed to tell her the truth (band size, not cup) that I told her 2 sizes down. and of course I couldn't wear them. That was probably over a year ago. But guess what?! I can fit into them!

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

I've been leaving food on my plate or boxing it up to go almost every time I've eaten in a restaurant for the last few weeks. Although it's not radical or brand new behavior, doing it effortlessly and without mulling it over certainly is.
Stopping at "enough". What a concept.
A year ago I couldn't imagine that I'd be able to stop at "enough" without anxiety. This is amazing.

Just lost my post -- so irritating to tap it out again. I am happy to report that I still love food. I am so much less eating-disordered now that I know what hunger and satiety feel like -- having the band gives me the ability to make good choices because I'm not in a place of desperation. My appetite is not controlling me. Tonight as we anticipate yet another storm I felt like baking. I turned out three little gluten free beauties -- small vanilla loaves with cacao nibs. They are cooling and I honestly have no desire for a piece (if I do, I'll have a little!). It was enough for me to make them. And I am a sucker for presentation so serving them will be a pleasure as well. Here's to a healthy relationship with food!

You sound like you're getting it figured out. That's great. My tastes have changed over the last eleven months but here's what I like now:
chicken thighs
Kale and generally any salad
Croutons
cheese
eggs
Egg salad
chicken salad
Canned chicken
Ground meat of any kind
Steak, broiled and tender
Seafood like scallops or shrimp or lobster
Most white fish like cod
Greek yogurt with granola
Roasted vegetables
Hummus
I can't tolerate:
Dry stringy beef
Dry white meat chicken
Pork chops (exception is breaded pork tenderloin chewed well)
I can eat but try to limit these for weight loss:
popcorn
Pasta
bread
Potatoes
Sweets
As I said, it has changed. I really desire healthier foods now. Good luck to you !!!

Hi there, I would follow up with my surgeon. I have no idea how much is in my band but it took me several fills to get to the green zone. In retrospect the time was good because I needed to modify behaviors. Having my appetite dimmed allowed me to do that. Maybe the links in my signature below will help you -- I learned a lot from both of these sources. Best wishes and keep us posted!

@@RWM why are you having it removed? I am curious because it looks like you just got it?
The road isn't easy......I have good days and bad days.
What I can eat changes on a daily basis....sometimes everything goes down well, sometimes it doesn't go down easy at all....
This is a journey...I am listening to my body more than I ever have. I also for the first time in a long time feel in control of my body.
I think if you throw the towel in already you may regret it. I don't know...maybe not.
I love my band....is it hard? At times yes! Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Good luck to you!

Wow! You are doing beautifully. So happy for you!

Congrats!

Keeper you have done great in 3 months. I know in a year you will feel wonderful and look awesome. I had my surgery 2 years ago and much of the same issues that you had are gone. no more heartburn (I took Prilosec everyday) . No more diabetes, no more high blood pressure, no more high cholesterol and finally no more knee and foot pain. I was almost immobile. Only regret is taking too long to make the change. Keep up the good work I will look forward to seeing more of those positive reports.

Congrats! That's awesome. I know what you mean about taking another look at who you eat. I have had only 2 stuck episodes. The first wasn't so bad, just very uncomfortable and hard to breath for a minute. the second one, just a few days ago, was so painful! So not fun, but in a weird way I am grateful for it, too. It is a reminder that I really do have this tool inside my body now, and it really is working. But I definitely want to take it to heart and not do that again if I can help it!!!

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this." 

Thank you so much, everyone, for your comments! It's hard to put yourself out there sometimes, but this is worth it. @MissMeg, you look great! When you take your measurements, you will be so surprised! It's one thing to see a number on a scale or the difference in a photo, but seeing that you lost 5 inches off your waist is really something! @@GingerLeAnna, you made me smile ear to ear! Hubby loves me as I am and has supported me and my efforts for many years, but he says he can't wait to see my true figure come alive - perfect hour glass.
Thanks again!!

Good for you, it's a great feeling when you can actually see your work start to take shape. You've inspired me to share my before and current photos too. I haven't measured myself again since I started the pre-op diet so will get to that at some stage too.

Look at that perfect hourglass shape you have. You go girl!

Great job…it is amazing the transformation in even just a few months….
I am 18 months out and am still learning things about this whole process…..there is a huge learning curve in my opinion. And I agree with you….hard to go day by day sometimes…..
You are on a great path….keep it up!