JerseyJules

That looks sooooooo appetizing...lol What do you mean you tolerated 1 oz of turkey? No appetite or just wasnt good pureed?

Does anyone eat Baby food during the Puree phase?

food....Seriously post pictures of your foods!! Im considering the VSG surgery and really want to know what to expect and would appreciate of some of your recent or long time sleevers would share pictures of your meals and portion sizes so I can get an idea what to expect down the road following surgery. A big stress factor for me in deciding to do this or now is fearing the unknown after surgery. I want to have a good idea what to expect in the days, weeks and years to follow. If Im going to do something that cant be undone I want to know EXACTLY what Im getting myself into. Thank you in advance for your replies.

A big part of being overweight is eating with your head to compensate for emotional issues. If you already had clinical depression already, you really need to be careful with what you do. You will replace one harmful outlet for another harmful outlet, IE. drinking with friends or eating... You really need a hobby or a positive outlet to refocus yourself on something other than eating and being bored. I always turned to the gym for an outlet for stress and depression. Working out literally does make you feel better inside. But you have to find a workout you enjoy, may I suggest martial arts or boxing as a huge stress relief, or perhaps mountain biking to get out en enjoy nature? But you really need to divert your energy from harmful behaviors like overeating, to positive behaviors to be successful. Find a hobby, surely you have something you enjoy to do. But you can not be a prisoner in your own head, you need to mentally win this game also.. Im personally still struggling with the mental decisions leading up to my surgery and even backed out once already but i have to come to terms that I need to eliminate my destructive behaviors sooner rather than latter. I wish you the utmost luck on your journey.

It took me some deep soul searching to realize I absolutely need this. Do i wish I did it 2 years ago? Yes and no... Yes cause I would be well on my new life journey by now. No because I just wasnt fully ready at the time mentally. I had to know for myself this was my only and last resort. I have tried to drop the weight at least 3 more times since that day and my body just will not let me.. Drastic results require drastic changes, and I now know Im not capable on my own of making those drastic changes. The turning point was when I went to Great Adventure this fall with my kids and almost could not fit in one of the roller coasters. Another turning point was I was making love to my wife and happened to look at myself in the mirror and saw how big by belly actually is...Im finally at terms with what I NEED to do...When I asked my wife to give me an honest opinion of she would say Im just a big guy with some meat on my bones or if she would say Im a fat guy, she gave me the most honest and brutal answer I have ever heard... She supports me doing it so Im around for my kids in the years to come, and to make a change before I get sick. I want to be around for her, I want want to be healthy for her and my kids. Im going to go through with it this time and simply gonna tell my doctor "hold my beer and watch this" and git r done!!! Im tired of being the FAT GUY!!! f**k this ****!!! Im taking control of my life for once in 43 years!

Well I saw the surgeon today and Im leaning more towards the VSG rather than the band due to my level of activity and profession. I need to go through the whole process all over again prior to surgery including a sleep study. They remembered me and said to date Im the only one to back out that late in the game..lol They said if they have to hold me down this time they will get me through it this time..Im sure part of my stress was waiting there for like 4 hours in pre-op just thinking... 2 years have gone by, I have not changed for the better, and need to take control of my life NOW. I need to do this this time around and need to lose weight for my future.

Just got back from my doctor appointment and I have to schedule all the pre-op appointments all over again. Going through the check list now and hopefully I can knock them all out by the end of January and be under the knife by mid February. The funny thing is all of the staff remembered me and knew my story, they said to date Im the only patient that has backed out that far along into the process, literally last minute... The said they will hold me down if they have to this time.. Hahahahahah!!!

When I see pictures of my self sitting, It is where it is more obvious that I need this or something in my life..

2 years in between the backing out have made me realize several things. 1) having battled with my weight my whole life and having bad genes, Im never gonna lose the weight on my own. 2) adding 50 to 75 lbs is not that for off in my future as I age and become less active. This next one took me a while to come to terms with 3) Im fat...No, Obese.. I have been lying to myself for years thinking Im just a big guy. no Im a fat guy...I asked my wife honestly would you say Im carrying some extra weight or would you classify me as FAT...She said FAT.. Coming to terms with the truth sucks. 4) I want to live life longer and better 5) I want to be able to do things in life without being uncomfortable most of the time... 6) Im shaving years off my life being 290+lbs...Have you ever seen a 300lb 80 year old...Nope...Neither have I... I see my doctor tomorrow and Im telling him "hold my beer and watch this" lets do it!!!!! This time...

I'm a woman and I love lifting heavy. I am doing it now to build more muscle before my surgery. Intermittent fasting also helps. Not sure it works with WLS, but I think I read someone doing IF and weights too. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App The only way to build muscle requires the intake of carbohydrates with the Protein. And also try carb cycling. One day higher one day lower. it plays with the insulin levels on your blood and helps promote muscle growth.

Lift heavier weights and right after your work out you want to eat a meal of protein and a simple carbohydrate to help transfer the amino acids in the protein into the muscle cells. this is the most critical meal of an active person, directly after work outs as this is when your body is in its anabolic state.( within 30 mins)

Im just curious if there are any long term studies and results on these WLS procedures. Long term like 20 to 30 years? Anyone know how people in their old age fair with these procedures down the road?

Well, now you got me thinking again....grrrr.....lol

Well, Im back.....I tried it on my own for the past 2 years and good news is I have not put on any additional weight, but I also have not lost any weight. Im going in on Thursday for my consult to do the Lap Band. I feel it is a better tool for my particular situation. I'm very active, but I only slightly overeat to maintain my current level of fat, without allowing my body to lose it. I feel the band would be a very effective tool for me physically as well as mentally. Ill kep you guys posted!!!

Well almost 2 years to date and Im back here revisiting WLS. I havent gained any weight since my last post but I also have not lost any weight since it either. I tried a few things over the past 2 years and realize I do need the help that the WLS will give me. I am leaning heavily towards the Lap Band and have my consult this Thursday. I think the Lap Band will give me the little boost I need to get me going and reach my WLG of about 50lbs. I feel once Im there and beat the mental side of it, I will be ok. Im physically active and work out regularly, I only slightly overeat not allowing me to reduce my body fat. I like the idea of the adjust ability of the Lap Band and the ability to reverse it if I'm miserable. Wish me luck people!!

Well, long story short exactly 2 years ago today I backed out of Gastric sleeve surgery literally last minute. Like almost on the operating table last minute. To sum it up, I was not ready to make such a commitment as removing 80% of my stomach that god gave me.Sitting there waiting for someone to cut out parts of me I felt weak and helpless, the most helpless and scared I have ever felt in my life. I was not ready mentally. I went on a very low calorie diet for a few months and lost 30 lbs or so, but you know the rest of the story... I haven't gained any additional weight in the last 2 years, but I haven't lost any either and I'm right back a few lbs shy of where I was that day 2 years ago... After some hard thinking and soul searching the past 2 years I'm ready to get WLS. But I have decided to look into the Lap Band and I will explain why in a moment. I'm currently 288-290 lbs at 5-11. I have a decent muscular frame underneath and probably should be about 225 lbs. I'm very active and work out regularly with weights, cardio and martial arts. All of my blood work routinely comes back nearly perfect, I'm just cosmetically fat....For now...And the FOR NOW comment is what has made my decision, after watching a YouTube video by a guy named Fighting400 where he said the point to get WLS was when you were healthy so you can prevent all the sicknesses associated with being obese. And this to me makes better sense then waiting till your fighting for your life. I have been overweight my entire life and never was taught proper eating habits from a young age. I did my damage from 5 years old till about 16 years old where I was 250 lbs and a size 44 pants. I took control of my life and lost weight and was down to 210 lbs and a 34 pants by 18 years old. I maintained about 225-235 lbs most of my early 20's. In my early 30's following a few injuries and after we had a child, I gained a ton of weight and went up to 300 lbs. My wife stayed the same size, I put on all the baby weight lol.. The fact that I already work out fairly regularly and am able to maintain my wight relatively stable, made me decide the Lap Band would give me the perfect little boost I need to limit my food intake and get me to a good maintainable point in my life. I only slightly overeat with slightly larger portions than I should be eating. Im not subject to the massive binges associated with some people with hard to control eating disorders. I dont think Im that far gone where I need to subject myself to the more risk associated with the other surgeries, but I definitely need a tool to assist me a bit. I have my consultation on Thursday, wish me luck everyone!!

Glad to hear your doing great!!

Just wanted to update everyone, so far without surgery I have gone from 307 lbs a week before New Years Eve to 277 lbs this morning..Prior to NYE I was 42%BMI, and I am now around 39% BMI. I have been getting Vitamin B12-MIC injections and eating 1200-1600 calories a day with all Protein and very low carbs. I usually do 3 meals and 2 high protein Snacks. All I have been doing is walking my dog twice a day for a total of about 3-3.5 miles... I also got this test where you breath into a tube for 10 minutes and it tells you your resting metabolic rate. Its supposed to be very accurate and specific to your body, and the results said just getting up out of bed and sitting around all day my body burns 2650 calories a day. With intense exercise I will burn 3790 calories a day.. (they did not specify what intense exercise was..) I have been going to behavioral counseling and trying to figure out my feelings when I would over eat and the triggers to avoid. In fact I had my first cheat meal Superbowl Sunday, I consumed 3 slices of pizza and about a 6" Italian sub and a few beers over the course of the day from 4pm till about 12 AM. I felt like crap the next day and really have no urge to eat like that anymore for some reason... Cheat meals once and a while actually assist in releasing hormones in your body that assist in speeding your metabolism up. When you diet your body gets used to it and slows down thinking it is being starved, the occasional cheat meal, tricks your metabolism and helps you keep on track with your dieting!! When my shoulder heals enough for me to lift weights in the Gym I will add about 400-500 calories the days I work out.. I sincerely want to thank everyone who replied to my thread and wished me well, I too wish you all well in whatever your choices and journey takes you!!!

Thank you..I do honestly know that my decision was the right one "for now" as it gives me time to explore myself and see what really makes me tick. I have gained confidence in myself and feel as if I am beginning to take back control of my life all by myself. Im sure there will be hurdles and obstacles, but that would be there with surgery also. For me the timing was just not right and the mentality was just not there yet.. Maybe in the future it will be my only option, but as of now I honestly know having come so close to it, that WLS is not the answer for me at this time..

I hope your not doing the surgery for anyone else but YOU. Dont give a shit what others think of you, dont fall victim to society and how it fat shames us into thinking we all need to be super thin. Dont do it for acceptance and dont do it to look good...Fuck what people think of you or how you look...Who cares... Do it for YOU and only YOU..If your doing it, do it to feel better physically and be healthier down the road. Do it because you want to and have exhausted all options first. believe in yourself first, let yourself fail a few times to be sure its the right thing for you...Im telling you, its a really hard decision to make and go through with mentally, at least for me it was. I dont know if you read all the way through the thread, but I backed out of the surgery literally the last minute cause I was not 100% sure I was ready...Make sure you are 100% ready and don't feel you HAVE to do this for anyone other than yourself. Good luck in your journey whatever path you take.

This is exactly what I would do. I would be full in my gut, but my head would tell me to eat because it's what Im supposed to be doing, or what I was used to doing. As human beings we are creatures of habit it's just the way we are. I sat back back and looked at my routine/ritual of brewing a cup of coffee after dinner every night and sitting back with a sugar laden double portion of my favorite garbage, because "hey, there's always room for dessert right"?? And then looked at the fact that about 2 hours later I was eating a huge bowl of my favorite Cereal, frosted mini shredded wheats, with a big handful of raisins while watching TV, I realized 2 things... First- this right here is adding about 1000-1500 sugar laden calories to my day at the absolute worst possible time of the day to eat and Second- I was not even hungry when I was doing this, hell 90% of the time I was full and just eating to eat out of habit. I know now that my issue is 100% in my head and not a physical issue and until I conquer the mental aspect of it, no amount of surgery in the world will prevent me from attempting bad habits all over again down the road. I am in therapy trying to discover why I eat that way and what it means to me... There may have been a partial addiction caused by the added sugars I was eating, but the beginning of it all was 100% mental and the sugar just caused a physical reaction to my mental eating. I applaud everyone and anyone who has had the courage to do WLS and succeed, its a big choice to make and definitely a life altering experience. I will never use the term "the easy way out" cause having sat there ready to do it, it is the exact opposite of the easy way out. It actually was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and I am 100% happy that i backed out and didnt do it right now, because if and when I do decide to do it down the road, I will have at least explored ALL my options for sure and realized that it is definitely the only choice and the right choice for me at that time. Bottom line is, I wasnt ready and to tell you the truth, I dont know if I ever will be ready.

This was my attitude going into the process, this is where I failed myself. Since not getting the surgery I have realized it was not and is not the restriction that will help me in my particular situation. It was the AMOUNT of and TYPES of calories I was consuming, not the volume like most. No amount of restriction in the world will stop me from eating sugar laden foods and getting right back in trouble. I have realized my stomach may want food in it, and my mind may be telling me to eat, but here is the the thing I realized. My stomach is stupid, it want to be filled with food but doesn't know the difference in the types of foods I have been filling it with. I have been eating Protein and veggies, salads, all clean non processed foods and have eliminated all caffeine, sugars and starches..I have been eating 1200-1500 calories day of pure goodness and have been dropping weight at a pretty good rate. Since eliminating sugar and caffeine, I found my cravings have gone almost totally away.. Im eating good and feel totally nourished, have energy and my inflammation has gone away, I feel great... I was not doing any of this for a long time leading up to my surgery date, and sitting there waiting on the surgeon I realized I was not complying and probably would have a really hard transition after the surgery. So for me the point of having a permanent surgery when I had not changed my lifestyle permanently or at least made an attempt to.. Lifestyle change is the key, all the surgery in the world wont fix your mind and that is where it all starts. may I revisit the idea of surgery down the road, possibly. But at that point I will be ready for the change.

I agree it has to be a complete lifestyle change and you have to really educate yourself on the effects of foods on your body. What I really have been looking at is the effects of sugars on your body and metabolism...Its really impossible to metabolize fat while ingesting sugars in your diet. And it doesnt matter if its natural sugars from fruit, its what your body uses as a primary fuel source, you need to trick your body into using your fat storage for its supplemental fuel source. This combined with calorie restriction is the only way to do it, until you get to your goal weight. Once you achieve a healthy weight, you can increase caloric consumption to a maintenance level, and start adding back in different foods and some occasional sugars. For me sugars were my #1 downfall, hands down....

Just figured I would throw it out there but im down from 307 to 286 on my own with no surgery by simply eliminating Caffeine, sugar and starches ,bread and Pasta. Im not completely taking surgery off the table in the future, but as of right now Im gonna see how far I can get on my own. I have been filling up on Proteins and veggies and taking in less that 1500 calories a day. And let me tell you, Im not really hungry and have no cravings lately. Once I eliminated the sugars and hidden sugar, I feel so much better. The inflammation in my legs is gone and my energy level is more stable. I walk the dog twice a day totaling 4 miles, since I cant go to the gym yet due to my shoulder. I also started doing Vitamin B-12 MIC injections which is supposed to help your body metabolize fats within the liver..Wish me luck this time. I think being minutes from someone cutting half my stomach out was like a "scared straight" program for a fat dude..LOL... I never want to feel so helpless again in my life.

Im meeting with my surgeon on Thursday and putting myself on the schedule for the Lap Band, but for 2 months from now, this way I have time to think about it, but the insurance stuff is all approved If I decide I want to back out, I can do it within the 2 months. I honestly believe I just need a little help to get this going but dont think Im ready for the Sleeve, but i do need a little help..