JupiterinVirgo

The real issue with carbonated beverages is how toxic soda and diet sodas are. Some people are bothered by the bubbles, but there is research to support the fact that ingredients in diet soda actually cause weight gain. So the real question is, if you know that that particular had that works against your primary goal of getting leaner and healthier, do you really want to re-introduce it into your life at this time? For the record, I drink carbonated beverages whenever I want but I don't drink them very often. I'm more of a coffee drinker anyway. And the bubbles and carbonated beverages don't bother me at all. I am over a year out of surgery. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am down 130 pounds. From a size 28/30 to a size 16. Not in one single day since surgery have I counted my calories. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The cognitive dissonance you experience because of so much weight lost so fast. The mind it doesn't keep up in real time with the physical changes. It's like, it thinks the edges of your body are in the same place it was a few months ago when in fact you're down 50 or 60 pounds. It can be quite disorienting. That said, despite all the symptoms others have listed, I also wish somebody told me how quick and easy this surgery can be. How beautiful it is, to see yourself read emerging from under 100 pounds of fat. How are more active lifestyle means more happiness. More friends. More activity. More joy. I wish somebody told me how proud of myself I was going to be. How much better I was going to feel, every day. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It's pretty normal to be dizzy periodically postop for months to come, particularly when going from a seated to standing position. It is not normal to be dizzy to the point where you can't walk or function or be dizzy in an ongoing way. I come from a family of nurses and they told me having a little salty broth when I feel dizzy will help. they said this has to do with blood pressure. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You were gorgeous before and gorgeous now! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What an amazing story you have! Thank you so much for sharing it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am a big fan of the plant-based diet approach. The bariatric gospel on the other hand, tends to condemn that but I think it is a very doable thing. In fact, there is a bariatric surgeon on YouTube who has a video called "eat your veggies first" where in he makes the argument that we have always eaten the Protein first, and if we can get in the habit of eating my vegetables for us we will be healthier and be more likely to keep the weight off. I think in the very beginning, vegetarian diet could be very challenging because the restriction is so significant due to swelling. But I would say 6 to 9 months out, it's quite feasible. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

What a great question! I am fascinated by how many people can identify the moment they decided to change their lives! It brings a tear to my eye. I remember the day that I nonchalantly decided to suspend all my judgment, all my fear, and "feel "how it would be if I got the surgery. To my shock, I experienced a sensation of this great opening of space inside of me. It was expensive and it was light. That was the moment when I knew I needed to look into this more seriously. Following this catalyst was a series of inner events in which my subconscious kept producing beautiful images of how happy and free life could feel if I were thinner and able to engage with it. This quickly tipped me over the edge and I made my surgical appointment. It's now a bit over a year later and I'm down 130 pounds, living a completely new lifestyle that would have been impossible before, and finding myself much more outgoing and social and I was able to be at 320+ pounds. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

First of all, averages mean little to the individual. I have been on this form for almost 2 years, and I would say that it seems to me that most of the people on here who have had their surgery 9 to 12 months ago have already lost well over 100 pounds. Including me. We all have the fears that you expressed, but in the end I think most of us came to the conclusion that when we were honest with ourselves, we knew we needed this more than we were afraid of changing. I know in my own personal case, my body had gotten so big in my life had gotten so small. I was terrified- but it was even scarier to imagine that I was going to soon be so big I was going to need a wheelie cart to buy groceries. And I have seen many people on this forum expressing their joy in meeting their goals. I only have 30 more pounds to lose! Like you, my initial goal was to lose 150. And I'm almost there! And if it takes another six months who cares? My life is so much better now! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I need some fit bit friends! Does anyone know how to get them? It seems like it would be more motivated and fun Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

All of your comments have been so helpful! Close friends who knew I had the surgery keep asking if I'm still losing weight and that makes me feel bad. And of course, I have this fear that I won't make it all the way and/or will put weight back on. It is so encouraging for me to read your stories, and know that this is normal for the sleeve. I will just keep on keeping on! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You look amazing! Honestly I would never think you were ever overweight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think our culture tells us what we "should "want. This is especially true for women and sex. And if we don't actually want what we are told to want to, we tend to go through a whole lot of cognitive dissonance and guilt. Even though you don't seem to feel emotionally guilty, the fact that you are even asking this question indicates that something doesn't feel quite right to you. But probably it is not the fact that you enjoy attention of many partners. It is probably because, not all partners are fully informed willing participants, specifically the husband. I don't think we should be afraid about wanting what we want, but I think we should be honest about what that is to those who are affected by our desire, so that they have the same free choice we have. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Your strength and courage makes you a kind of pioneer! As a culture, we outsource everything. Including the most important initiatory experiences of our lives: birth and death. Both of these things change everything, and people become very afraid. But you are showing them, leading by example! Congratulations! Vanquishing of fear is expansion of aliveness! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@JupiterinVirgo you have no idea how much I needed to hear your words. I too have struggled with trust issues in med field along with self doubt and fear of complications. As I get closer to my surgery date (12/21/16) my addiction is trying everything to win. I know this isn't a cure all, and I know there is lots of work to be done, but fear has held me back for so long, that I have listened as if it is a trusted friend! Your words were exactly what I needed to hear to tell fear, once and for all, to take a hike! I will not let fear rule my life any longer! This is a Weightloss adventure, but the journey is in finding out what we are made of, what we have been missing, and what we are meant to be! Thank you again!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I am so honored, if in some small way my story gives you strength or courage. I know it's really close now-really just stays away for you. The doorway to a new life! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So much gratitude for the Sharing of your journey. At least I know it's not because I'm doing something wrong. That it's normal. I knew it was going to slow down, I just wanted to make sure that it isn't stopping. The last time I lost over hundred pounds, I was younger, and I still couldn't get under 180. Not only was I younger, but I was in better shape, and had a more active lifestyle than I am able to have now. So I started freaking out LOL Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for sharing your experience! Yeah that's kind of how it's going and I'm glad to hear it's normal and that they'll keep coming off. Even though I'm "thin" for me, I'm still overweight and I want to get down to 160. Currently at 190. It's taking me like 6-8 weeks to lose 4-5 pounds. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you for this! Things have slowed down so much that I was afraid that I wouldn't make it. This is so helpful. I didn't know about any of this. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me and anyone else on this thread! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had my surgery just over a year ago and I've lost 130 pounds. I am now only 10 pounds above my lowest adult weight. However I would like to lose another 30 pounds. I have read that the last pounds are the hardest to get rid of, and so far it seems like that's probably true. I cannot eat much less than I do. And I exercise. But if I could just get this last 30 pounds off I would be very very happy! Who made it all the way to goal, and how did you deal with those last 20 to 30 pounds? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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Thank you all so much for your replies. It's very helpful to know that it is normal. I am a year postop so I really don't have any problem getting in enough calories. But I do sometimes exhaust myself mentally, and my work can be very taxing. Sometimes I think I just need extra rest depending on my stress levels. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I could not imagine what you must of been feeling. What you are feeling now. But sister, let me tell you something: sometimes the best thing someone can do for us is get out-of-the-way/make space and it is always a sign of imminent expansion. That is, life is about to change/is changing. You are about to change/are changing. Life is about to get bigger/is getting bigger, even though in this particular case your body is actually getting smaller! A whole new world is opening up to you. He wants to stay in the world he is used to. Let him. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Great idea! Thank you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I think the preop liquid diet was the worst part. Those two weeks I was so weak I thought I was going to pass out on a daily basis. There were times when I didn't have the physical strength to walk across the room. At over 300 pounds, simply drinking three Protein shakes a day and cutting my caloric intake down the 600 cal was absolutely irresponsible in my opinion but required by my surgeons office. Every three or four days I had to eat a salad with chicken on it even though it was against the rules. It was not about head hunger, it was about physically staying upright. And yeah, you feel like **** during that time. The first four days were headaches for me. Then after that I just kept getting weaker. Then I would eat a salad with chicken on it and I would feel much better for a couple of days. And I just went on like that until surgery. I made a point to stick to liquids those last couple of days before surgery no matter what. This is supposedly to shrink the liver so that it is not in the way of the surgeon. However I have read that the truth is that the shrinkage is extremely small-almost irrelevantly small- but you know Western medicine: once they decide on a policy they do not update it despite evidence that disproves it for at least 30 years. One more thing: postop it's much easier. And no matter how miserable you are during the preop phase remember that it's only two weeks of your life. And then exchange, you get the opportunity for a completely new life experience with a healthier slimmer body that allows you to live the way that you want to. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Judgments about drinking and weight loss aside, I was not able to drink for a while. My first couple attempts to enjoy an adult beverage or met with a burning sensation in my belly. I am now a year out and have no problem having a drink or a beer, but I would say that if the alcohol burns your stomach then it's probably too soon. After all, basically one whole side of your stomach has been cut and resealed. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App