BestDayEver

Three years but I haven’t checked for a longggg time.

Three years but I haven’t checked for a longggg time.

I am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

This maintenance phase is a bit tricky. I met goal 4 months ago and had surgery 13 months ago. I keep losing and I'm starting to feel a bit concerned about it. My dad called me a scarecrow today (thanks dad). I can see my bones in my chest, shoulders and back. I don't want to lose any more weight but I struggle to get my calories above 1200.
I've started to add some foods I was really strict on not eating before like toasted bread or even the occasional bowl of Cereal. Part of the problem for me is that I stopped eating carby/sugary foods after surgery and now they don't really taste that good to me anymore. I literally traumatized myself last week by eating a really doughy donut and it sat in my stomach for about six hours. I was so grossed out it impacted my appetite for days. Blech.
I'm sure I'll figure this all out in time. I never thought I could lose this much weight. Now I have to figure out how to eat and maintain. Best wishes to you on this crazy VSG journey.

I'm 7 years out. I'm 116 pounds. My body picked my goal weight for me and really likes it here, so maintaining is easier than it could be. But I do have rules I live by.

I weigh at least weekly. I do not worry about tiny fluctuations but nip anything out of my maintenance window immediately. Complacency leads to larger regain. I don't avoid food groups, but I do put Protein first. I will usually choose a protein snack. I indulge when I want, because I believe forbidden foods lead to binges. I don't want the yo-yo. It works for me. I never graze. I either portion food out and eat it, or I don't, but no mindless or emotional eating.

I still have a ton of restriction, so maybe that's made my journey easier. And my tastes changed a lot. I don't care for potatoes, or sweets. I can't have milk or eat ice cream due to lactose intolerance. But just being mindful is what keeps me successful. I think before I eat. I don't have to track anymore, it's just second nature. The scale is my tracker. And it hardly moves.

I think this is the ideal. I'm happy, can't complain.

Cheri

hi all
i am proudly telling you that i'm 5 .5 year PO
4.5 years GOAL with my sleeve!!
It's a wonderful feeling i continue to use
the information i learned as a NEWBIE
especially drinking Water - and protein
i still "usually" use small utensils, small plate
eat slowly, and chew a little at a time.
don't like to go to restaurants any more -
but when i do, i also don't deprive myself.
i ALWAYS ask waiter/waitress for a take
home container when she brings my
food out. immediately put 1/2 away before
i eat. i continue to follow my plan "most" of the
time. i'm not perfect - then again
one thing that keeps me at GOAL (2-3) lb
fluctuate - is remembering my past weight,
how unhappy i was,. never will go back
there again!! keep up the good work
you are doing great - i know you will be
a continued success
congrats and good luck
kathy

hi @Julie norton my friend
i'm still hanging around 5+ years, seeing
and listening to great advice from VETS like you.
welcome newbies et al - you are the VETS of
tomorrow - we're waiting to hear from you!!!
we're not getting older,- we are YOUNGER, Better,
and thinner!!
kathy

There are a few of us in the woodwork that come out... it is difficult to keep the same level of interest and excitement as the years. And a decade ! Add on to the post op.
I still get lots of inspiration from here. Sad to not see many frequent posters tho ....

There are some of us further out. It is still work I think. For me! I encourage all of us to think of why we are here !!!
Ok. More Water and exercise for me today. All I can do is keep trying everyday to make good choices to support my lifestyle. Trying to put together a week of good choices....
all I know is to keep trying. I will not go back to 272 lbs... ever ... I will keep trying... sigh

Recovery was not bad . Pain/uncomfortable for first day or two then just tired . Pubic area wasn't that bad but it looks better now with the skin tightening during Tummy Tuck. Very happy with results. Had Lipo of flanks/love handles as well.

Maybe you could say, "Thanks for your concern. If I lose too much weight I'll ask to borrow some of yours."

Obviously you can't read the lines or between the lines.......nor recognize some sarcasm either.
Let me ask this......how many times have you gotten that shame based look when you take seconds, or people snickering when you are in a buffet line, or your mother, father, teacher, snotty cousin, says something to you that brings those feelings out - you know the ones - where you want to crawl into a hole and cry/hide, or punch a wall out? Well I don't need it from the person that is supposed to love me the most.
I will take every hug, every cup of tea he brings, every kiss, or errand to the store for more sf popsicles. But I don't need instructions or managing.
This no deal breaker, hence the joke about duct tape n rope - I just needed to vent. I assure you my husband is indeed a great man and husband, he just needs some schooling.
I think the bariatric group should have a spouse/SO class halfway through the process pre-op with the shrink and the surgeon on what to expect and what actually helps.

He needs to stop......I need to do this w/o all the 'I'm on board with this eating plan', blah blah blah. I appreciate your enthusiasm, really really I do but I need to master this my way, and you really can't do this for me, and you also can't be a food cop. Please don't say - uh you could save that piece of chicken for lunch tomorrow instead of picking at it. #1 I am in the 6 month thing and not really 'dieting' per se, making changes - yes, dieting - no. #2 I know dang well what I am eating cuz I write it down. #3 It isn't your business, it is mine I want/need to own it.
So curb it or I'm going to need duct tape and rope, and it isn't 50 shades of grey.......

@Elode
hey girlfriend
awwwwww, so nice to see you again
glad things are going well
woo hoo - teeth situation got "straightened" out!!
(don't remember the story, butttt....if you feel like sharing???.)
GOAL since last year - 125 lbs down!! WOW!!!
you rock!!!
what have you found to be your biggest change/challenge
(good and bad?) since WLS?
so many questions, so little time!!!
stay healthy and happy
you deserve the best
huggggggggs
kathy

Thank you everyone! It's been one heck of a journey. I don't regret any part of any of it. I guess if I had to chose one word it would be "Thankful". I hope you all get everything you're after. It takes time yet it goes by in a flash so enjoy it.

Hi Elode. I'm so happy to see you are doing well. You look fantastic. I just had my first consult with a plastic surgeon for a neck lift. We'll see what happens. It's all so mind boggling. You inspire me

I will be 7 years out in July and over the last year I have gained 10lbs - before then I was maintaining. Even though I never reached my target weight I was relatively happy with how I was feeling and looking. Now, no matter what I do; how I move or what I eat I am really struggling to lose those 10lbs! I feel frustrated but refuse to give up.
If I have a 'bad' day or eat the wrong foods, I don't beat myself up (I used to) I just get my head back in the game and get on with it. Whether I get to goal or not I am still fitter and healthier, more confident and focused on 'life' than I was 7 years ago. That has to be good, right?

I am five years out, and I know your pain. I gained about 15lbs of the weight back and now have started to get back on track with my eating. As previously stated, diet is more important than exercise. I work out on a regular basis but my eating was not on track as it should had been. Portion Control is key and you really have to kick carbs to the side. It goes back to eating to live, not living to eat mentality. It is very hard, and takes a lot willpower. Having a support group might help you, or another sleeve buddy may help. It really does come down to how bad you want to lose the weight you have regained. The first few weeks, you will fight head hunger and it will be a battle to get back to the basics of eating. Once you get your eating on track, start incorporating exercise. After so many years out, you will need to start working out and living a more active lifestyle. I am here if you need it, but a lot of this will really come down to willpower. Keep us posted, and I wish you the best of luck.

I stopped coming here a few months back, deleted the app and just gave up on BP for a bit. The nastiness was just too much to take and not at all helpful. I'm glad Alex cleaned house and the vibe here already seems much more relaxed. You may find that slowly, but surely others come back too after a little hiatus.

The Beck Diet Solution was a huge help to me as well. I got the book from the library so no cost. I took the cognitive tools I needed and with practice, practice you will gain so much will power. I tell myself "hunger is not an emergency, and in xx amount of time I will enjoy my planned snack or meal." Highly recommend this book.

The Beck Diet Solution book helped me with emotional eating. It doesn't have one scrap of information on dieting, which is nice because at this point, we know what to eat, we just aren't doing it. Instead it focuses on changing behaviors. I still use skills from this book and it's really helped me eliminate some bad habits. And finally, 2 1/2 years from surgery and I'm 2 pounds from goal.

Hello,
I'm about 2.5 years out of surgery. But, I still sometimes feel totally clueless about this Sleeve I got. I
Looked at pictures from a year or so ago yesterday,
I'm still the same size, believe me, 163 is better than 260. But, I can't seem to get a grip. I've posted on here my issues, bad moments and sometimes good moments. But, I still feel like I failed because my mind has a hold of me ALL THE TIME.
I spoke to my therapist ( I've been with her for 5 years) I want to know what's my reasoning for emotional eating, causes ya know? So far, nothing really.
I hear the Big Book on Gastric sleeve is a good one

I think it's safe to say my family was pretty scared to talk to me the first 3 months or so after surgery. Oh well. Two years out and I'm a whole lot happier!!!!

I eat 1400 to 1500 most days, and 1900-2000 when I am really active

My take is just to try fresh everyday. Some days are great. Some not so much. Hope the good days well outnumber the oops days
You just have to start sometime....
a short walk and lots of Water and a Protein Drink and bar can help me some days ....
I also do not keep bad foods in the house. I sure am not going out in the dark to get anything!!
But this is just me and we are all so different...
Banded 12/06