AnA92212

I've had some discussions with my NUT, surgeon, and primary care physician about this. What they consider "grazing" is mindless eating. So, having a packet of crackers on your desk and work and eating when not hungry. I have dedicated Snacks and meals. I don't eat outside of these. The times may differ from day to day depending on my schedule, but I could not get enough in without the snacks. Typical day: coffee with stevia on the way into work (I have a 30 minute drive) 9:00 am breakfast (usually greek yogurt and turkey sausage or eggs and a Protein, or SF oatmeal and a protein, etc) 11:00 am snack (turkey, yogurt, cheese, just something) 1:00 or 2:00 pm lunch (zoodles with turkey meatballs or chicken and veggies--some type of protein and veggies) 4:00 snack (usually a protein before I go work out) 7:00 pm-ish dinner (protein and veggie or Soup or something) I get about 800 to 1100 calories a day. I run 3-5 miles 3 days a week. Walk 3-5 miles a week 3 days a week. Zumba once a week and weight training 2 times a week. I get between 60 and 80 g protein a day. Protein shake is up to you. There is NO way to get that much protein without shakes immediately after surgery. By a year out my doctor wants you to get 90% or more of your protein from food. It is good practice to have one available just in case you are stuck without a healthy food option or sometimes it is just impossible to get your protein in that day.

Oh my. I feel as if we share a very similar story. My mom told me in 8th grade that I need to lose weight because no boy wanted to go out with a fat girl. She told me when I was 30 that no man would marry a fat woman. (showed her, I got married to a wonderful man at age 35). My mom had me on a diet since the age of 10. In high school I became anorexic (got down to 83 pounds) and then when I went in for a check up the doctor put me in counseling and a "diet". Gained 40 pounds and my mom called me fat. I just went downhill from there. Ended up weighing almost 300 pounds. My mom was not really on board with me getting the surgery. I am now 9 months out and down 158 pounds. She has yet to say that I look good, or that I look better, etc. She has hurt me in many ways so it is just a way of life now. I am cordial to her, but i can't let her "in" anymore. It is just too much. I think the only reason she is nice to me is so she can see my daughter. I hope you can salvage your relationship with your mom. It is one of my biggest fears that my daughter will grow up and not want to be around me. My husband and others tell me that I am completely different than my mom. I hope so.

My surgeon said 800 to 1400. I am 5'4" and around 136 pounds. My hubby is 6' and weighs 190. Doctor told him 1400 to 1800.

Also remember that you typically have to work somewhere for at least a year before you get FMLA.

First, congrats on the loss! I think for for those who only see us occasionally, our loss is so dramatic that they don't know what to say. I will say that at least she said something to you. My own mother (who has berated me about my weight my entire life) did not say a word to me. I saw her for the first time since I had my baby (and the surgery) and said nothing. When I last saw her I weighed 290 pounds. When I saw her at Christmas I weighed 155. Not one word did she say. My own mother!! Keep up the good work. Ultimately, we are doing this to better ourselves.

I hate embracing the stall!! I am currently in the midst of a 5+ week stall. I think it gets even worse the closer to my "goal" weight. 5 more freaking pounds!!!! The scale will not budge.

I am still struggling with this. I am 9 months out from surgery and reached goal last month. Things still a bit new to me. In many ways, I am still very self conscious. I don't yet think of myself as a thin person. I still see that almost 300 pound person in the mirror. I was shopping the other day and I know in my mind that I am a size 6. I picked up my size to go try on and help up the pair of shorts. In my mind, I was thinking that there is no way these would fit me. Then I had to remember, oh, yes, they will! Also, I used to not like to eat in restaurants because I thought everyone would judge the fat girl eating. Well, now, it's almost the same because of how little I eat. Trying to see the "thin" woman.

I have never, ever in my life slept 12 or 13 hours. lol. Before surgery I slept about 5 to 6 and after surgery I sleep about the same amount. I sleep better though.

I am the opposite. I am glad that people notice and recognize my hard work. I have lost over 150 pounds. That's a person!! Yes, I was obese....I own it! I am not anymore. I am considered in a healthy weight range for the first time since freshman year of college. I am pretty much at goal so all of that will stop. The only time I get embarrassed is when people just keep going about how tiny I am. I am NOT tiny. I am definitely a lot smaller than I used to be. I always tell people I have had the surgery. I feel as if I am an advocate.

I think re-gaining is one of my biggest fears for the future. I am at the weight I said was my goal, but 5 pounds from that of my doctor. I've been stalled for over a month now and it is frustrating trying to find the right combo between working out, calories, and rest. Right now, my fear is that i will never be satisfied. Everyone tells me how great I look and that "I will get blown away" and that "there is a limit to how skinny a person can be". I just don't see it. I am not confident in my own skin yet. My husband (who also had surgery) and had a heart to heart with me. He told me that he needs me to be satisfied. He is concerned that I will become obsessive about losing these 5 pounds and then I still won't be happy and I will continue to obsess which can dictate my moods somewhat. I think this stall has been the hardest outside of the initial 3 week stall. I guess because I am so close to my doctor's goal.

My official pre-op weight was 290. That is what I weighed a week after I delivered my baby. I had my surgery 6 weeks after I had her. Four weeks after delivery I was 270. I then started my pre-op diet (2 Protein shakes and then lean protein and non starchy veggies for dinner) and was 260 on the day of surgery. The month before the pre-op diet I was going all the time...I mean, I had just had a baby! Plus I was a nervous wreck because she had to go back to the hospital right after we were released and we were there a week. I survived on hospital Jello and whatever they brought me.

I am 38...had surgery in April of 2015. Made goal within 8 months (over 150 pounds lost). I went on birth control (ortho-tricyclen) 3 months after surgery. My doctors and nurses assure me that BC does not cause weight gain. Literally ever since I have been on it, I ONLY lose weight during the week of my cycle. The day I take that first white pill I gain 2 pounds and it stays until the day before my cycle starts and then it's gone. Before I was losing 10 to 15 pounds that week. This past month I only lost 4 and have already gained that 2 back. What's even crazier is that I go crazy on carbs during my period usually. This past time I didn't because I had a stomach virus and ate NOTHING. I like the BC because I have PCOS and my cycles were crazy before I had surgery. Since you don't have to be careful about getting pregnant (due to BF) then I would probably go off of them or get a different kind.

I am with you. I am 5'4" and 136. My BMI considers me in a healthy range, but not my much. My doctor is satisfied, but I don't necessarily see what everyone else sees. I have stalled for over a month and it is stressful. I battle between eating more because my nutritionist says to eat more and eating less because I am not losing. It is definitely a battle.

I had the surgery at 38 and I wish I would have done it sooner. In 9 months my life has changed. I am off my Metformin, I am in normal clothes, and I am physically fit. I have energy to work full time, pursue a Master's degree, take care of my 11 month of baby, and activities with friends and family. Before, I could barely get my butt off the couch on weekends. Now I am up early to go for a run and then all day shopping and errands and then family time. I can offer my daughter so much more now that I am healthy.

3 week stall is unavoidable for most. Just stick with it.

I hate Vitamins too, but you have to take them. I can only use certain kinds and I ALWAYS have to take them with food. I haven't tried the Patches, but I have heard people like them.

I was sleeved in April of 2015. I took them for the first month after surgery. I have not taken them since.

I have an office job with periods of walking, lifting, standing, etc. I was back to work in 3 days. I had the surgery on Monday afternoon and was back to work on Friday. I never took any of the pain meds. My husband has a desk job and was back to work in 2 days...well, he worked from home the first day and then was back to work.

food used to be my to-go for everything..if I was happy, sad, upset, you name it. Right after surgery I was obsessed with calories, Protein, carbs, etc. I am just over 9 months out and at goal weight. I learned early on the more I obsess about it, the fewer pounds I lost. I don't even track any more. I am contentious about what I eat but not crazed. I do look at labels and decide if I want to purchase something. I pretty much eat whatever I want just in very limited quantities. My choices are definitely better post surgery. My relationship with food is different. It is not an emotional band-aid anymore. Food is merely fuel to do what I want and need to do. I still enjoy yummy food, but it is not the be all end all.

Ok, you have gained some weight. Not super good news, but at least it is not terrible either. You already know what you need to do...look at your portion sizes, what kinds of things are you eating, limit carbs and sugar. It is hard, but this is a journey and it is never ending for most of us.

I just had my first at 38. Will be 39 almost 40 when we start trying again. I don't think it is crazy.