fernandfj

I enjoy going out for meals, although I make sure that it's to a place that has something on the menu I can eat. I usually order an appetizer and have it brought out with everyone's main course and usually take as long with my plate as most do with their's. I enjoy the social aspect of dining out and find that the conversation allows me to pace myself. Yeah, I eat less than many people my wife and I dine with, but they all know about my WLS. As far as eating choices of others, that's on them. When I quit smoking I didn't stop socializing with smokers, and I see this the same way. As far as drinking, maybe a glass of wine to accompany, but normally I don't drink, so it's not that big a deal.

OK, so today is seven months since my surgery and I have lost a small person (about 125 lbs). It's hard to wrap my head around that. I am still having serious issues with exercise (or the lack thereof) and finding motivation for working out. My eating is going better, and I am tolerating a lot more foods. Even when they don't go down right, they at least stay down. I am also not understanding calories. I upped my calories from 1000 to about 1100 and my weight loss has picked up. I am also focusing on protein (125+ gms per day) and I am feeling better. I am very close now (8 lbs) from my goal, but my Doc is urging me to go 15 lbs beyond that so that when I bounce back it my weight will still be within goal. I have also discovered lots of snacks at the bariatric pal store and I have been integrating them into my diet. I'm happy where I am right now and looking forward to keeping the positive momentum going!

Our grocery bill has gone down some, but not as much as I had expected. We are now buying higher quality meats and grocery items although the quantities are smaller. Also, some of the specialized things I am purchasing, such a high Protein Snacks, are more expensive. I am eating healthier and more natural, however, and really enjoying it!

Ron, Just keep at the company. I was initially denied by BCBS Fed and I contacted customer service to appeal. They requested a bunch of additional documents, but as I was about to submit those, the initial call had generated an appeal that overturned the initial decision. Just keep pressing them and hopefully you will have a positive outcome. Good luck!

Everyone has moments of weakness, but you shouldn't let them derail you. Please remember that you are modifying years of behavior and that will not be a perfect, linear process. You have to cut yourself some slack and realize its not the fact that you slip up that matters, but how you get back on track. Just start up your diet today and next time you want to binge, remember how you felt.

If anyone needs inspiration, they only need to look at the pics here!! AMAZING!!!! Way to go @@ABTexas1984, @@3bzmom and @@Dub!

I was 51 when I had surgery and had limited mobility because of the damage excess weight had done to my knees and back. Seven months later, I am down 120 lbs and feel better than I ever have. If I could have done the surgery at your age, and avoided all the damage, I would have. I lost large amounts of weight over the years, only to gain it back with a vengeance. The restriction that VSG brings hopefully will mitigate that, as will my desire to keep feeling as healthy and alive as I do now. This is a great opportunity to be there for your child, not just in the future, but mobile and energetic in the present.

Congrats on the awesome progress! Fantastic job! That picture really says it all!

Part of the process, whether we like it or not, is re-educating ourselves on how to eat. Smaller meals, protein first, complex vs simple carbs, etc. it isn't really a diet because diets are by their nature temporary. This is a lifestyle change to eat and be healthier. Increased physical activity is also part of the program. I find that when I eat my meals and get my protein in I have energy for the day, but if I go too long without food, I get exhausted. Keeping to a regimen has worked for me so far and I intend to keep it going.

Retired Fed/gov't contractor

Congratulations! What great results!

I had my surgery in late July and I am paying more attention to how I look. Since I am still in the losing stage I haven't gone crazy on clothes - just enough to maintain a work wardrobe. This isn't a mid-life crisis, it's wanting to look my best and live life fully after years of neglect. I am looking froward to doing a lot more traveling and being more active with my my family. I feel like this whole process has opened up the future for me and I want to be ready for it!.

I am about 6 1/2 months out and am at 1000 calories per day and over 100 gms Protein a day. My weight loss has slowed down the past couple of months and I stall for about half of the month, but the trend is still downward. I expect to stay at 1000 calories for another few months until I reach goal.

Thanks for posting this. It really hit home. Funny how the biggest regrets were for actions not taken!.

To answer the OP's question, it can happen in a very short time and you just know it in your gut. My wife and I met overseas six weeks before I had to leave the country. We spent every moment together and were engaged after knowing each other for such a short time. That was 14 years ago and we still act like newlyweds. Neither of us were expecting to meet someone and it just happened - but we both knew right away. I was going through a divorce and she swore never to date someone who was separating; our families were not pleased with the idea; yet we just knew and we persevered. We were right.

I was sleeved July 29 and am down 117 lbs including preop diet. Along the way I've shed many clothing sizes (50 to 36 in pants; and XXL to L in general) My co-morbidites have disappeared and I'm off all meds but my daily Vitamin supplement and nexium, I feel great and more alive than I have in many years. Still finding my way about what I can and can not eat, but all in all I am really happy I did this!

I'm at about 1000 calories per day right now with over 100 gms of Protein a day. I tend to hold at a weight for a week, drop a pound or two and then hold again. The trend is still going the right way, so it's good! I'm also fighting head hunger especially at night and I can eat about 3 oz of meat or fish at a time, but still have a hard time getting in anything else. Haven't tried salad yet as it seems like I will fill up really fast and I'm having much better luck with things like sashimi and tartare than cooked Proteins.

Congratulations!!! Your dedication is inspiring!

I waited until my early 50s to do this surgery and I wish I had much earlier. i waited until the extra 150 lbs I carried ruined my knees and created four lumbar hernias in my back. Congrats to all of you who made this decision in time to maximize its benefits. Great for all those who lost weight without WLS - i did too and gained it and quite a bit more back. This sleeve is a great tool exactly because the restriction is permanent. Some of us need that extra help - and that is no cause for shame.

Like many here, I am trying to overcome my fixation with a number - current weight, weight lost, loss per week, etc. Whenever I start looking at the fact that I can go a week at a time where my weight stalls, i get frustrated. Then I force myself to take a step back and realize all I have accomplished. Over the past several months I have lost more than I ever have (a small person's worth). I went from always looking around a room to see if I was the biggest one there (and always ending in the top two or three) to not even checking anymore. I no longer take meds for the dreaded co-morbidities. I no longer have sleep apnea. I have to change clothes because they are too loose, not too tight. I can run up a flight of stairs and not feel like a coronary is coming. I feel alive and healthy. Stacked up against all that, what's a number?

I'm just over 6 months out and it still takes me a good twenty-thirty minutes to finish my breakfast protein shake/smoothie. I've just learned to factor it into my schedule.

Like @@Stevehud my wife has been my biggest support. Being able to live longer and better and enjoy life with her is my biggest motivator. She has loved me heavy, thinner, heavier and now thinner. Luckily she has adopted a healthier lifestyle and we're in this together. We've both pledged to be in our best shape ever by our next birthday and are well on our way to achieving it! It;s important to have someone who supports you during this transition. Even more important is clear communication. We have been able to avoid problems and resolve strains that my WLS caused by talking about them and working out solutions. Many times, you can do things that cause tension without knowing, If the lines of communication are open, you can discuss and resolve the issues. If you say nothing, they can fester and become a real problem. This transition is not easy and takes lots of hard work. It can strain even the strongest relationship. Yes, we did this for ourselves, but when you are in a relationship you are not acting in a vacuum. Keep talking and you can reach solutions. Good luck!

Congratulations! ll that hard work and effort has paid off! You must be sooo proud of what you have achieved!

As many have stated, there is no right or wrong way here. It has to do with your personality and situation. I told my immediate family and coworkers and also have told people if they inquire what I'm doing. So far everyone has been very supportive. I am not an evangelist, but I don't hide it. This has worked for me, but I fully understand those who want to keep it to themselves.