purz59

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

From my experience, around 8-9 months post op was the exact time for me that the "honeymoon" phase kind of wore off. I was getting sick of eating the same foods (I stuck to the plan religiously), I have extremely rapid weight loss from sticking to the plan so closely and I was nearing goal so the novelty of that was wearing off, and my disordered eating voice was starting back up in my head. So, I completely understand. This is also the time I started going to weekly therapy to deal with the issues underlying my eating issues because it scared the crap out of me that I was starting to slip. I can happily say that since then I've lost a bit more weight and maintained for the last year and a half since then. You will be fine. Just make sure you get it in check now and do whatever you have to do to get back in the mindset you need to be in . I think that doing something similar to the 5-day pouch test can do wonders for breaking any sugar/carb habits you've re-developed, or just reinforce the importance of getting back to the basics (Water, Protein, etc). It also helps to return any level of restriction you might feel lke you're "losing" and to break the sugar/carb craving cycle. Good luck!!

I've finally figured out how to upload a photo. 8/25 I started my pre-op diet.

Success--I never look at anything and groan at it being "too far to walk"
Success--I don't get winded climbing stairs and choose them instead of the elevator
Success--I can buy cheap clothes off clearance racks and at goodwill and they fit
Success--I can borrow clothes from my slender teen daughter (though that also means she can borrow mine, and she's not so good at returning!)
Success--saving money sharing Entrees at restaurants
Success--being able to challenge my teen son to planking contests and sometimes winning!
Success--wearing a smaller size than I wore in HS even when adjusted for vanity sizing.
Success--running a full marathon
Success--inspiring more healthy eating in other members of my family who have never struggled with weight, just because it's healthier.
Success--MAINTAINING weight loss for a year (well as of this coming Wednesday!)

So far, my biggest feeling of "success" happens when I walk nearly 4 miles on my favorite "Map My Walk" route -- at 3.5 mph.
Two years ago I didn't know whether to have WLS or knee replacement surgery first. Now, my docs say, "Forget the knee surgery. You don't need it now."
Oh, and I haven't used Aleve or other nsaids daily for the past year and a half. Whoopee!
Oh, and I'm wearing size 4 jeans / slacks. BAM!
Oh, and I feel 30 years younger. That's a bloody miracle, given that I was agoraphobic and almost immobilized two years ago by my obesity!

Hey everyone I was sleeved 5/29 Sw: 298
Cw:240
58lbs down so far so I'm happy. It's been quite a journey but by far the best decision ever in my life.

I have a three month appointment on Friday! I was hoping to be down 40lbs by then but not going to make it. I am down 38 at least and hopefully a little more by Friday but I am happy with the loss. I was 204 at surgery time and now am 166.2 today! I am 26.2 lbs away from my goal and only had surgery three months ago tomorrow (may 26th). Hope you are all doing amazing! Let's keep this thread going!
I wanted to post a pic!

Sleeved 5/26, down 60 lbs today. Been struggling with emotional eating. Went in for a follow up today and got a lot of encouragement, so that was motivating and positive. Hope all my fellow may sleevers are hanging in there. It's tough! But worth it.

Thanks. I can't believe how much food I used to put on my plate at Thanksgiving and then go back for seconds and dessert. Getting my sleeve was the smartest thing I have ever done.

How was everyone's Thanksgiving? This was my first holiday since being sleeved in July, and I don't think I did too bad. As I am still learning how to eat (meaning when to stop) since WLS, it was simple enough to mix in Thanksgiving to my learning. In essence, I handled Thanksgiving like I do every other day; I ate the best bites first, and stopped when I was full. Actually, I think I did better than I do most days because I was so determined not to "over-do" it. I had a taste of a couple of items; eating the dish(es) I had been looking forward to the most first. I determined early on that I would likely not get to taste everything, and I was ok with that (go figure). As I said, I applied my daily habits to Thanksgiving, recognizing that things are different; which includes holidays and special occasions. I ate more carbs than usual, and even had some pecan pie, but it was all in moderation. I did not overeat, nor did I stuff myself into misery as in previous years. All in all, I feel really good about everything, and I am very proud of myself. This is how I intend to handle all holidays and special occasions. Now back to my regularly scheduled program; lean meats, low carbs (i.e. no cornbread dressing), and exercise. I pray everyone else had a blessed Thanksgiving! Happy Holidays to you and yours!

I'm only in my fourth month post-op and my calories range from 800 to 1400 a day. The key is the Protein, as others have said, and taking the supplements. I have never felt more energetic or healthy than I have since the surgery. I wouldn't have believed I could survive on this few calories, but I have all the energy I need and a better attitude about food.
Good luck in your research.

Sorry, Granny. I eat pretty much everything. I'm 15+ months post-op.
I also have never thrown up post-op.
I do eat pretty slowly and chew really, really well. That might be a cause of your problem ... ?

Best of luck to you. I'm 3 weeks out, and time has flown by very quickly. It will be done before you know it, and you'll be on your way to losing weight.

My psychiatrist is concerned this could happen to me too, so I did start therapy. I think it will really benefit me. I found someone who works on a sliding scale that sees me for $40 per session. Of course this group is great for support too. I'm on here as much as I can. A local support group like I am fortunate enough to have is also a great idea. Best wishes...

I'm right there with you....i'm 7 weeks out and have lost only 20 lbs....haven't noticed any looseness in my clothes or anything. My doc says i'm just going to be a "slow loser" lucky me. I have to keep reminding myself that without surgery i would have lost nothing by now.

(How cool this is. I didn't know we could edit the quotation beyond making deletions.)
Motivation is as simple as what you want. You know the latter, so you've got the former. The obstacle is losing faith in yourself and the process. You don't have to let go of your faith beyond today. Your intellect tells you that 40 lbs is amazing and your sister and friends, all who've told you how good you're looking, aren't stupid. Not seeing the downward change goes back to the first Inca who cultivated potatoes in Peru. It takes time and work for most who lose significant weight to see what really is in the mirror. Don't worry about it.
"Only?" You better smile when you say that. You've probably come across other WLS people who are so loopily happy with their progress that they record the figures to the right of the decimal point the way young children measure their ages in quarter, third and half years. If you wish to be goofy in either direction, be kind to yourself by crossing over to the loopy side.
You are terrific. Really, you are.

Today I hit the 100 pound loss !
Start weight 256
Day of surgery 236 (5/12/15)
Today 156 (11/21/15)
It has certainly been a Rollercoaster. I would 100% do it again... only I would have done it years ago!
I don't have complications, I deal with cravings rather well so far. I'm not worried about the holidays and food.
The Rollercoaster part is hormones and emotions. I'm up and down a lot now. (No I'm not bipolar) I do have a LOT of stress in my life right now..... but the awesome part is.....
My back rarely hurts, I sleep well, I have more energy, I enjoy clothing and getting ready in the morning. .. I feel on the outside how I feel in my mind for the first time.
Best wishes to all wherever you are on your journey!

Even if some are fine with it, it's completely not okay. Confidentiality is something you would think would be obvious.

My daughter and I both have had the sleeve done. I was Sept 1 and she was Oct 20. She still lives at home with me so it's a great support for both of us.

My wife and I just had sleeve surgery together 1 week ago. It's a little difficult getting anything done around the house but I'm glad we're going through the same thing together. Thankfully our parents were able to help out for the first week.

I admire you for what you are doing. So SMART! I was bouncing around and not doing well and stayed off the scale for a week and today was down four pounds. It is so motivating to eat right and do what is needed. The main thing is that I am feeling so much better already even though I still have 122 pounds to go. Life is good.

I posted a few day ago about how I'm pushing to get to my goal and lose these last 25 lbs. I was feeling discouraged because even though I was watching what I was eating and working out, I had gained "weight." Since then, I've stayed off the scale and stayed focused on my goal! I'm continuing to eat clean, Protein packed, meals and work out for at least 30 minutes every night after work. I'm feeling really good, and starting to enjoy my workouts. I can blast my music and burn off some steam. I always feel really good by the time I'm done! I will continue my weekly Friday weigh-ins and tracking my food and exercise on my fitness pal. I know come March, when we're taking a family trip to Hawaii and when I hope to reach my goal by, I'll be at 150lbs!!!

I agree with @@Inner Surfer Girl on clothing sizes. As they size goes up, there is a lot of size difference between two sizes. As they get smaller, that difference gets much smaller. And I remember having the same issue where it took forever to go down in sizes. And then my size would change so fast that I would only wear something once or twice before it was too big. (both of those are frustrating for different reasons)
Our brains take a while to catch up. I am at my lowest weight since like early high school and yet sometimes I can't see it and still feel fat. I think that's pretty normal.
Oh, and I remember feeling exactly like you do at 5 weeks. I was frustrated and felt like I wasn't progressing and couldn't see any difference. You will, just hang in there!

The weird feelings are, like others have said, competely normal. I sat in a hotel room after my surgery wondering if I made the right decsion. The flight home was hell and I am certain if anyone spoke to me I would have attempted to throw them out of the plane. Now, slightly more than one month in, I wish I could have done this a few years ago. I am very happy with the results.....and I just started. I know this was the right thing to do and regret none of it. I can hike again (already) I will be biking again soon (if the snow doesn;t fly first) and, fingers crossed, get back into rock climbing.
Support is vital. I am new here too but it seems that one can get a lot of support here (some tough love too it seems) and certainly a belly full of information. If you feel you have no one to talk to, post here. There are a bunch of folks who can and will listen.

I had these same fears, but did put my trust in God first, and prayed he would lay his hands over my surgeon's. If you are spiritual, I hope this helps...