maggie409

First, I would say don't beat yourself up. You really do have it in you to do this.... We all do!
Second, stop drinking alcohol on the weekends. Especially 4-5 drinks. That is a lot of empty calories and heavy guilt.
I completely understand the stressful job. I started carrying a cooler with me that has P3 Protein Snacks, Greek yogurt, Water and Protein shakes. If I get stuck or have forgotten to eat I have something healthy to fall back on.
No matter the job, everyone is allowed breaks and meals. Is there a gym nearby you can join? Can you walk some steps or walk around the parking lot?
Definitely log your food. I am absolutely overwhelmed with learning to eat a balanced diet, but like I said above, we can do this! We have it in us.
The only other suggestion I can make is start over with a week of Clear liquids. Life is all about do-overs. I read somewhere once that we can't let failure define us, let getting back up and starting again and again and again and not giving up define us.

Well it's been a year and 154.9 pounds later I am a size 0 or 2, a small sometimes extra small. ME a small......unbelievable! This surgery is the best thing I ever did for myself. Not easy by any stretch of the imagination but well worth every second.

Well..
I was gonna Celebrate post 100 by suggesting that all the Southern Hemisphere folk get together and run amok while all the Northerners sleep.
However, I've decided to be a whole lot more self-indulgent..
Now, this is the first time I'm posting pics or numbers so I'm finding it VERY confronting
Anyway, here goes.
I'm a big dude..
Big!!
In the first pic (below) I was sitting at around 240kg (530 pounds)..
See...
BIG!!
This was in December last year.
Rock bottom came around the end of January.
At this stage I'll not give the gory details, but rest assured it involved, a breakdown, tears and thoughts of just letting go and disappearing...
I'd had my surgery postponed twice (finances first time and illness the second) and had had just about enough.
As it turned out, I didn't kill myself. Instead, I got my **** together and did the four weeks of pre-surgery liquid diet.
If I didn't want to kill myself before, I did then!!!
Anyway, I survived that as well..
Surgery day (Feb 25) came and the doc made no promises about being able to complete the sleeve..
However, six hours on the table and the man had performed a miracle..
I was sleeved..
More tears!!!
On the bright side tho...
No pain during recovery...
No hiccups along the way..
Apart from the whole not being able to break down meat Proteins (that SUX!!!) and here I am today...
Speaking of today, that's when the pic on the right was taken..
I've no idea how much I've lost.
I've only weighed in twice.
And I honestly can't remember the exact number (or the date) the last time I weighed.
My estimate is that I've lost around 60kg (130+ pounds)..
It might be more..
Still a long way to go..
But it's a great start..
Thank you for your time..
If anyone ever has any questions, just ask me..
Anything!!
And thank you for allowing me to feel comfortable enough to share my (personally) confronting details..
Kinda...

Hello! I'm 2 wks post op, my surgery was on Aug. 12th 2015. I had the gastric sleeve. I've just begun my journey, so I'm looking for others who had the this surgery. Every talks about food I can't eat and they can't identify how I feel. At this early stage I realize that Protein is best for me, it's if I wait too long to drink a shake when I crave food. It's a learning experience, everything is trial and error. I have allthis energy build up but can't really work out. I have questions about different Protein Shakes, vanilla & chocolate gets boring and now I can go to soft puree....any good suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I love fruit and it has many good Vitamins, but frankly, it is really just sugar in a healthy looking package. i eat very little - but do eat berries daily.
As much as i love yogurt, if you are trying to control carbs - most yogurts have way high sugars and carbs. Consider eating plain/unsweetened yogurt (use those berries as sweeteners!) or buy a brand like carbmaster that has a moderate carb count of 8-9. Many yogurts are over 20 carbs. Protein bars are another high carb surprise. I moderate both - even now in maintenance.
So, just a few suggestions, change the Breakfast to be more Protein and lower carbs and I bet you will see a difference. I like to make egg beater omelette with veggies and low fat sausage - lots of protein an I get veggies in.
Consider giving up ranch dressing and try something like a spritz of olive oil and balsamic vinegar (white is my favorite) - super low carb and olive oil is a very healthy fat.

Also the sugar fre Popsicle's have 4g carbs surprisingly. May not be a big deal in the scheme of things but I noticed it one day when I had 2 Popsicles and my carbs seemed high so I thought i would mention it. Otherwise yes the fruit is high carb

I can tell you where your carbs are coming from....too much fruit.< /p>
I didn't really start eating fruit until I was about 8 months out. And then I mostly stick to berries because they are the lowest in sugar. Bananas are carb city!

First, I would say don't beat yourself up. You really do have it in you to do this.... We all do!
Second, stop drinking alcohol on the weekends. Especially 4-5 drinks. That is a lot of empty calories and heavy guilt.
I completely understand the stressful job. I started carrying a cooler with me that has P3 Protein Snacks, Greek yogurt, Water and Protein shakes. If I get stuck or have forgotten to eat I have something healthy to fall back on.
No matter the job, everyone is allowed breaks and meals. Is there a gym nearby you can join? Can you walk some steps or walk around the parking lot?
Definitely log your food. I am absolutely overwhelmed with learning to eat a balanced diet, but like I said above, we can do this! We have it in us.
The only other suggestion I can make is start over with a week of Clear liquids. Life is all about do-overs. I read somewhere once that we can't let failure define us, let getting back up and starting again and again and again and not giving up define us.

Such a learning curve... Now the hard part begins
Who knew that eating a healthy balanced diet was soooo complicated?? Well not me. No wonder I've been overweight for 30 years. No wonder my children have no clue about nutrition. For some people, the surgery and recover may be the hardest part. Maybe even the low calorie count is the hardest part. As for me, the hard part begins now that I am eating a regular diet. I want to learn about balanced diets. I want to eat healthy. It's about so much more for me than just eating little portions. Trying to figure out how to get in the right amount of Protein, vegetables, fruits, starches, dairy, and fats. On top of that keeping an eye on calories, fat, carbs, Protein, and Water count.
Today I had nothing that I consider to be a high carb food, yet my carb count for the day was 110. I went back through each food to figure out where the carbs came in. I had a couple of salads today, fruits, healthy Proteins and fat free Greek yogurt, yet my fat count for the day was 43 gr. Way too high. I have been trying to get between 900-1000 calories and I was right at 920 so I decided to have a Greek yogurt after supper. Then I realize I forgot to log something snd my calories shot up to 1130 for the day.
Please don't take this as complaining. I'm so glad to be going through this. I am so glad to have made this choice. And I LOVE to learn new things. It's just amazing to me what goes into this. Being healthy is tough!! Lol I learned a lot ever day. but the most shocking thing I learned today was that a margarita chicken flatbread from Chili's that they tout as being healthy, has 1,450 calories!!! Wow, I used to eat that for an appetizer.
This was my meal for the day:
BREAKFAST: 1/2 cup strawberries; 1/2 banana; 1/8 cup cashes; danon light&fit vanilla Greek yogurt
LUNCH: 4 ounces mango grilled chicken breast; 1 cup fresco salad
SUPPER: 2 oz pouch salmon with picata sauce; 1 cup salad with 1 Tbl of ranch
Greek yogurt and 2 SF Popsicles through the day. I did take my supplements and got 64 ounces of Water.

I am so disappointed in myself. I have gone from 290 date of surgery, March 16 2015 down to 235 as of today.
The scale has not moved in 3-4 weeks.
I eat about 1,000 - 1,200 calories a day. I'm not consistent with Protein or Water. I am failing myself. My stressful job keeps me occupied about 9am - 7pm. I don't exercise much, but am active on the weekends.
I drink alcohol on the weekends, maybe 4-5 drinks a night, vodka and sugar free cranberry juice.
I had my appendix out in late June and was out of commission for a couple weeks.
My doctor already thinks I'm a failure, he said I'm not doing as good as other women have he has sleeved. I dread seeing him, it's always a lecture, statistics shoved down my throat and I end up feeling like a failure for getting sleeved and still being obese.
Anyway, I would like some suggestions. I am starting to log my intake into MyFitnessPal and be mindful of what I am consuming. I've set a limit if 1,000 calories.
Any motivating tips or encouragement would be appreciated. Anybody with similar stories who turned their ship around out there?
Any advice, feedback or even tough love will be invited.
I really want to hit my goal of 160 lbs, but doctor doesn't think I will based on statistics of my current weight loss and what I'm "trending".
Hugs!

Such a learning curve... Now the hard part begins
Who knew that eating a healthy balanced diet was soooo complicated?? Well not me. No wonder I've been overweight for 30 years. No wonder my children have no clue about nutrition. For some people, the surgery and recover may be the hardest part. Maybe even the low calorie count is the hardest part. As for me, the hard part begins now that I am eating a regular diet. I want to learn about balanced diets. I want to eat healthy. It's about so much more for me than just eating little portions. Trying to figure out how to get in the right amount of Protein, vegetables, fruits, starches, dairy, and fats. On top of that keeping an eye on calories, fat, carbs, Protein, and Water count.
Today I had nothing that I consider to be a high carb food, yet my carb count for the day was 110. I went back through each food to figure out where the carbs came in. I had a couple of salads today, fruits, healthy Proteins and fat free Greek yogurt, yet my fat count for the day was 43 gr. Way too high. I have been trying to get between 900-1000 calories and I was right at 920 so I decided to have a Greek yogurt after supper. Then I realize I forgot to log something snd my calories shot up to 1130 for the day.
Please don't take this as complaining. I'm so glad to be going through this. I am so glad to have made this choice. And I LOVE to learn new things. It's just amazing to me what goes into this. Being healthy is tough!! Lol I learned a lot ever day. but the most shocking thing I learned today was that a margarita chicken flatbread from Chili's that they tout as being healthy, has 1,450 calories!!! Wow, I used to eat that for an appetizer.
This was my meal for the day:
BREAKFAST: 1/2 cup strawberries; 1/2 banana; 1/8 cup cashes; danon light&fit vanilla Greek yogurt
LUNCH: 4 ounces mango grilled chicken breast; 1 cup fresco salad
SUPPER: 2 oz pouch salmon with picata sauce; 1 cup salad with 1 Tbl of ranch
Greek yogurt and 2 SF Popsicles through the day. I did take my supplements and got 64 ounces of Water.

Today was my son's birthday and of course the obligatory cake. I said none for me but then, as usual comes the also obligatory guilting. So after finally agreeing to the microscopic piece consisting if three small bites with the frosting scraped off, I ate my cake. I was shocked it was so bitter and nasty tasting. Pretty miraculous considering 2 months ago I consumed most of the cake on the eastern seabord. In fact you know that saying about loving something as much as a "fat kid loves cake"? Yep that was written for me. But anyway my point is it felt good to control my own body and mind and not give in to my addiction. And considering how it tasted going down I think it will be a long time before I take another bite. But more important than as anything I realize that I am not afraid of food any longer.
Thanks for listening to a crazy old lady rant

I also find myself thinking that also. I worry I'm not losing fast enough but then I stop and think "I have lost 40 pounds over the summer". I would have never been able to do that without surgery. I know I am doing what I need to do. I am eating heathy. I have started exercising. I drink my Water. I take my supplements. Heck, I even served homemade ice cream at a football social tonight and didn't even want any. I think we say those things to ourselves because we are so excited and anxious for this life change we have made. We are like race horses pushing to that finish line.

I also find myself thinking that also. I worry I'm not losing fast enough but then I stop and think "I have lost 40 pounds over the summer". I would have never been able to do that without surgery. I know I am doing what I need to do. I am eating heathy. I have started exercising. I drink my Water. I take my supplements. Heck, I even served homemade ice cream at a football social tonight and didn't even want any. I think we say those things to ourselves because we are so excited and anxious for this life change we have made. We are like race horses pushing to that finish line.

I also find myself thinking that also. I worry I'm not losing fast enough but then I stop and think "I have lost 40 pounds over the summer". I would have never been able to do that without surgery. I know I am doing what I need to do. I am eating heathy. I have started exercising. I drink my Water. I take my supplements. Heck, I even served homemade ice cream at a football social tonight and didn't even want any. I think we say those things to ourselves because we are so excited and anxious for this life change we have made. We are like race horses pushing to that finish line.

I also find myself thinking that also. I worry I'm not losing fast enough but then I stop and think "I have lost 40 pounds over the summer". I would have never been able to do that without surgery. I know I am doing what I need to do. I am eating heathy. I have started exercising. I drink my Water. I take my supplements. Heck, I even served homemade ice cream at a football social tonight and didn't even want any. I think we say those things to ourselves because we are so excited and anxious for this life change we have made. We are like race horses pushing to that finish line.

This time last summer I was sitting at the beach with my family and friends discussing the fears/doubts/hopes that we all felt about my decision to undergo VSG that coming September. I could never had imagined then what a wild ride id thrust myself upon and where id be now.
As my one year anniversary approaches (9-8-14) I think of how far I've come as a person, The self-esteem I feel now and the power within myself that I never knew I had is overwhelming. This time last year I had a few goals for myself going into surgery...
1. Don't Die-- I assure you now I didn't!
2. Don't Cheat, Not even once!--I'm human, and somehow then I guess I thought I'd come out perfect after surgery didn't happen.
3. Get To Your Goal Weight.-- My goal weight at the time was 170 and I thought that was good enough as I didn't have any high hopes for myself.
As of today I have lost 96lbs from the 255lb uncomfortable person I was to 159lb person who is comfortable with herself and willing to do more in life, Who puts herself out there and is thriving. It's Amazing to me that I could ever be where I am. And like a lot of others out there, I wish I had given myself this gift sooner!

I just wanted to update. I haven't been on here in a while. I've been trying not to get too excited so, I've avoided all PS message boards. Now that I am leaving in 10 days and having surgery in 13 I'm trying to learn as much as I can!
I decided on Dr. Sauceda, mostly because of the quality of his work, the aftercare and just genuinely feeling comfortable. Not to mention he has quite a group of supportive people!
Any suggestions about being in MX, or any other tips you guys might have is more than welcome!

I am 51, post-menopause with a starting BMI of 51. I have lost 39 pounds in 10 weeks. I have no idea what I expect to lose and as long as I lose I really don't care. I will admit that when I only lose 1 or 2 pounds a week it can be discouraging but I'm just so happy for my loss so far. One up side is that I have not had a stall. I have lose 1 to 2 pounds a weeks consistently.

229 this week

I am 51, post-menopause with a starting BMI of 51. I have lost 39 pounds in 10 weeks. I have no idea what I expect to lose and as long as I lose I really don't care. I will admit that when I only lose 1 or 2 pounds a week it can be discouraging but I'm just so happy for my loss so far. One up side is that I have not had a stall. I have lose 1 to 2 pounds a weeks consistently.

It's all about perception and your perception is definitely way better than mine!! Lol

I want to start by saying that the personal insults really are unnecessary. The young lady seems to have enough issues without everyone here beating her into the ground.
When I was in Mexico getting surgery there was a 16 year old there with her mom who probably only has 30 BMI and that young girl was getting surgery. I thought what a shame to be having such a life altering surgery at her age. She wanted the surgery but you could tell it was mostly at her mothers insistence. Her mother had never been overweight, her two sisters already had the procedure and the mom was saying "just think how beautiful you will look in your prom dress now." I wanted to tell the mom "your daughter is gorgeous, she would look good in a prom dress is she weighed 300 pounds!" But I didn't.
My point here is that some people are just too young for such a huge decision.
As for the original poster... Follow your own advise. Having the small stomach doesn't stop you from implementing a strong exercise routine, lifting weights, and eating healthy. Start those things now. Get back on track. Be healthy for you.
Mostly be happy NO MATTER WHAT! Don't let your ego control your thinking. I have faith that you can overcome what demons battle with you daily. Good luck!! And God Bless!!

I went shopping today and bought a few sale items for the same reason maggie409. I am off to Cuba in November and hope to be in them

I don’t get on the scale much when things are going well – when I know I’m maintaining my weight, I’m working out, my clothes fit, and I’m eating well. When things aren’t going as well, and I can tell the pounds are creeping back on, I’ll get more serious and weigh in every few days to hold myself more accountable.
I think the most common advice is to have an “official” weigh-in day once a week. You can weigh yourself on the days in between the weigh-in day, but only if you don’t take these measurements too seriously.
As to whether weighing yourself every day is bad or good: it’s only bad if you let it be bad. There’s no question that some days (and maybe multiple days in a row) the scale will not go down, and it may go up. If you let that get you down, then you’re setting yourself up for being discouraged and maybe for giving up on your hard efforts.
But you can let weighing yourself every day be a good thing if you use it for information about your body, like how it reacts after a high salt day. I have a friend who weighs herself more than once a day because she likes to know what her body is doing. For example, she’ll weigh herself before and after working out so she knows how much she sweated so she can be sure to replace the lost liquids by drinking enough fluids.