AnA92212

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.

Had my first baby at 38. Had WLS 6 weeks later. My surgeon recommended 18 months because OBs recommended 18 months between children anyway. Also, my body has went through a crazy transition. Being pregnant, surgery, and then rapid weight loss. Ideally, the 18 months to 2 years gives you 12 to 18 months to get to goal weight and then 6 months of maintaining goal weight. That helps your body stabilize. I met goal at 8 months. Doctor says we can start the 6 month of maintenance and then start trying for number 2. We didn't have to have IVF before so hopefully it will happen naturally again (but quicker) this time as I will be 39.

We were told no alcohol for at least a year. I am just staying away. I do not want to drink any calories except my Protein shake. I don't tend to have a lot of variety in my meals. I just don't have the room in my stomach. I am 9 months out and at goal weight (over 150 pounds lost). I work out 6 days a week. Just to get that out there. I typically eat around 800 to 1400 calories a day. It really depends on the day! For Breakfast it is usually a Protein Shake and a turkey sausage patty. Some days it is eggs and turkey sausage. Some days it is sugar free oatmeal. Those are my 3 to-gos for Breakfast. For lunch, I either have zoodles with sauce and turkey meatballs, chicken and a green vegetable, Soup. dinner...we do "dump meals" that I prepare ahead of time and then freeze and then heat in crockpot. So, salsa chicken, orange chicken, bbq chicken, etc. Also fish, shrimp, or whatever we what on the grill. We usually have a green veggie with it. Snacks are usually greek yogurt, turkey, cheese, etc. Since I am in maintenance, my surgeon and NUT says I can have whatever I want in limited portions. I stay away from any trigger foods from my past. I still limit sugar and fried foods.

I say all of that to say this: in losing mode, you have to be super strict. I see maintenance mode as just a modified version of that. Doc says to eat clean 5 to 6 days a week. That's pretty much how we operate. I do get carbs like brown rice, oatmeal, carrots. I eat air popped popcorn as a snack sometimes. Going out is hard. I can make wings at home that are baked without the skin so the calories are very minimal. I can only eat one wing though and some veggies.

I still portion out my food on regular basis. I know my stomach can handle a half cup of regular food or almost a full cup of Soup. If that is what it takes, then carry around measuring cups. I do!

I eat the light n fit by dannon Greek yogurt. 12 g Protein. Not sure on the carbs.

I met my husband on eHarmony about 5 years ago. This was pre-surgery for both of us. I previously used match, okcupid, christiansingles, plentyofish, etc. Some people were creepy and some were nice. You really just never know what you are going to get. My hubby is amazing and would never have met him without the internet. Good luck to you!

This surgery is LIFE CHANGING! Before surgery I never thought I would see "one" derland again. It just hasn't been possible in the past 15 years or so. I kept telling myself, "if you get below 225 you will feel so much better". My doctor said, You will be between 135 and 145. I did NOT believe him. Nine months later, here I am at 136 wearing a size 6! However, surgery is only a tool. It is up to you. I take my health very seriously now. People ask me how I can stay dedicated...well, every morning I look at 4 small scars. Those are my reminder. That's what I did to save my LIFE!!! I also keep a "fat" picture on my fridge. It's to remind me of what can happen if I start to be nonchalant about my eating and exercising. I also look into the beautiful eyes of my baby and remember that I will be her role model.

Weight loss patients tend to keep their weight off better than those that have lost with just diet and exercise. It is all up to you. You have to remember why you did this. You have to stay motivated. Some days, it is hard. I bought a t shirt that says, "excuses don't burn calories". It is a motivator for me.

Good luck in your journey!

Yay! We are going to Universal Studios and I am so excited to shop for summer clothes. Bring on the shorts and tees!

I used to think "how am I ever going to get all this in". Here's my eating routine: 8oz coffee on my ride into work. Protein shake and turkey sausage patty when I get to work (or sugar free oatmeal, eggs, etc) at 9 am. 10 am I start Water in take. I drink 16 oz of Water. Sometime between 11 and 12 I have a snack. usually a piece of turkey deli meat and a piece of cheese or greek yogurt, etc. Then more water. Around 2 or 3 I have my lunch. Then more water. Then at 4-ish I have a snack before I go work out at 5. During work out I drink water. When I get home I drink water. Then around 8 we eat dinner. So, yeah, it pretty much revolves around food and water.

It depends on what stage after surgery you are talking about. Two weeks after surgery was Mother's Day. All of the mothers and grandmothers were in town. It was my very FIRST mother's day. I could not eat anything because even the Soup where we went was not a good option. I sat at the table and cried. I sat there and drank Water. Then later that week two co workers invited me to lunch. There was nothing at the restaurant they selected that I could eat. I sat there and drank Water, but i was better. I am now 9 months out and going out can be awkward, but not for me. People in social situations tend to pace their eating/drinking with those around them. I eat extremely slowly and eat a small amount. People often try to match my pace. It can be humorous. I tell people to eat what they want and how much they want and to not go by me.

You will eat less and sometimes different foods. But after awhile it is just a way of life.

I've long since thought that being fat was the last great "taboo" in our society. We don't talk about it, but it is there. I used to be self conscious when I went to the grocery store or ate in restaurants. I thought people were probably judging me and because I was fat.

I don't think you should be ashamed to be overweight. Some people are very confident and overweight. I never was. I am still not confident. Oh yeah, and people still look at me crazy when I order at a restaurant, eat a few bites and ask for a to go box.

To me, fat acceptance is about being accepting of others. I think we should be.

food just doesn't hold the same comfort for me that it once did. I used food for all things before...happy, sad, up, down, and inbetween. I don't really have a to-go food, because I don't go to food any more. I eat food that tastes good, but it is merely fuel so I can do things I want to do. I stay extremely busy though. I work full time, I am in grad school, I have an 11 month old baby, family commitments, church, etc.

Do you have a friend or family member to talk to? To go shopping with? Get a pedicure?