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My shoulder surgery cost me 25 lbs! I don’t know how to help you but please be proactive so this doesn’t happen to you! It’s tough getting back on track. Best of luck!!!

I've gained 20 lbs. it's been about 2 1/2 years since my sleeve surgery. I was too thin, dizzy a lot, so I only want to lose 15 of that. It's crazy to me after spending my whole life literally needing to lose 50 pounds or more, that I can say I only need to lose 15 pounds. But man, this is tough. I am able to eat such large quantities and emotionally something isn't clicking. I am a distance trail runner but this extra weight has made me stop enjoying my running, as I feel heavy when I do run. Ok, universe and bariatric community, I've said it out loud and I want to be ready to change.

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This was/is the hardest challenge for me. I became quieter. I was scared I was losing me and I liked myself. It gets better. The looking drawn thing eases over time once you get used to it and your nutrition is under control. I am a distance runner so sometimes if I get dehydrated I still look drawn. I'm still confused about what I look like and who I am and it's been almost 2 years. Just have to keep going though. I have no regrets good luck! This is not easy stuff.

Well, I have to admit I'm mostly up to no good when I go to TJs, which is too often by the way. Thanks for sharing this do I could be reminded what I should be doing :-)

BRAVO! From one perfectionist to another.

Magnesium. Try a powder called Calm. I still have it after 1 year. I think it'll always be something to be mi full of. Also daily stool softener.

Just keep going and trust it'll happen. No one noticed mine for 50lbs!!! All of a sudden your clothes will hang off and people won't recognize you and you'll be excited about your success.

Gum.

I hope this comes off as inspirational and not bragging I had sleeve surgery March 31, 2015. So almost a year already! I started at 232 and today was 131.6!!!!! My goal was 150. I'm 5'3" and 45 yrs old. I was an athlete at 200 so that plays a big role in my success I think. But mainly, I just follow the rules. I still struggle with hydration. Had my first blood work since surgery and everything was perfect! So proud of that because it shows I'm doing things right as far as my Vitamin routine and Protein goals go. You can do it, too! It isn't always easy but I like being thin. I do struggle A LOT with body image issues, confusion about my size and feeling like I'm disappearing, but it's just another part of the process. Thanks for listening and your support!!! It's a whole new world. My dreams are all coming true. Rachel

@@Kathy812 I am mostly a size 4-6.

I was sleeved March 31,2015 and am down 94 lbs. Everything went perfectly from the beginning. But now that I'm a size small I am struggling with my body image. I feel confused about my size and this new body. I knew how to live/feel in my fat body. It's a very bizarre feeling. I actually cried in a Target dressing room because all the size smalls were fitting me but I can't wrap my head around being a small. Thoughts?

One day, ugh one meal, at a time. You can do this. Thanks for sharing.

Wearing heels was one of my dream list items. I've lost 72 pounds, weigh 153, and I wear heels every day now! Walking may not be that easy in them but I can certainly fit in them and be comfortable. Good luck, it's great!

Hi there, I had surgery on the same day. Sometimes I start crying because I am so happy but it is just so surreal. I want to yell to people that the old me is still in here in this new skinny body. It's like I've lost someone. The emotional stuff is definitely getting hard right about now for me as well. It is real. But you are not alone. I try to think of it as an opportunity to improve my mental health and just another part of working on me. Take your new improved self and put yourself in some different, and comfortable and new situations and see what happens. Sometimes when you do things alone you actually feel less lonely. Keep your chin up, this too shall pass!

I say be the you you always dreamed of being. This means act like that person. Did she smile more, be more outgoing, wear heels? Fake it till you make it. She's in there.

I'm addicted to gum. It's bad. Orbit bubblegum flavor. I have major gas issues from excessive chewing. I know it's a leftover part of my bad habits that led to needing surgery. Be careful.

I have never been able to shop at LULULEMON. Tonight I wandered in just to check it out. A nice guy helped me pick out a pair of capris to try on. He suggested I try a size 8. What?!?! I mentioned I just lost a bunch of weight. The ten fit and I decided to go for it. He then proceeded to tell me as a congrats, we are proud of you gesture, he was giving me the $99 capris for free!!! I started crying. Great moment. Great feeling. And now a store I will definitely shop at again!!!

Calm, which is magnesium citrate, every couple days and stool softener daily.

I am 5 1/2 months out and I am down 63 pounds. Everything is going really well but I've noticed I'm getting a little loose on the rules. For example I am eating too fast. Or not really wanting to wait a full 20 minutes before eating to stop drinking. Or thinking about the next meal the minute I am done the one one I am eating. So, I have decided go back to basics. My thinking is that this will be an ongoing life change and struggle and along the way there will be times to adjust and reevaluate. And this is my first one. Thanks for listening and providing any positive feedback.

Start by walking. A lot. Then you can do a run/walk combo such as run 2 minutes, walk 2. Or whatever you're able to do to start with. The trick is to not run so fast you are over winded and can only do a couple minutes. Better to go slow more often and walk when you can't run. Time on your feet. Good luck. There are tons of training plans online

CALM saves my constipated life!

Hi, I don't eat the 1,000 minimum calorie requirements and it doesn't let you add an entry if you don't. Any tips for this? Do you use the exercise part to log even though it adds an excessive amount of calories? Any other helpful hints? Thanks!

I'm 4 months post-op and athletic and have rarely made my hydration goal. I find the 15 before/30 after rule annoying but at the risk of stretching my sleeve, I stick to it! You have to really time eating/drinking to work on getting hydrated but it gets way easier as time passes.

I went at 6 pm and was worried he'd be too tired after 5 other surgeries. But I was in and out in 45 minutes, no complications, didn't need pain meds and was walking around the hospital next morning! Good luck with everything. I'm 4 months out, down 52 lbs. Best thing I've ever done.