gl12282

Thank you for posting these. I hope you continue to have a smooth recovery.

I'm 2+ years out (26 months since surgery), so take my words and utilize them as you wish. My weight loss phase was painfully slow. It took me 18 months to lose 100 pounds.
Nonetheless, I maintain my weight loss without tracking, dieting, counting, measuring, or restricting. I weigh 118 pounds and maintain on 2000+ calories daily, although I don't really track it. I'm also hypothyroid and insulin-resistant, but daily exercise has kept my metabolic rate boosted.
Here's the real deal...most of us weren't able to adhere to diets for the long haul prior to surgery, so why live like that after bariatric surgery? Dieting, counting calories, measuring food, tracking, and restricting intake are all aspects of the dieters' mentality that I refuse to partake in.
I am not on a diet. I eat freely, but stick mainly to lean Protein because it is difficult to overeat protein regardless of your lack of restriction. We can eat 25 slices of toast (2500 calories) and never feel any restriction, or eat 2 chicken breasts (275 calories) and feel stuffed. It's all about wise choices at this point in the game.
My restriction has also lessened with the passage of time. I can eat 2 fast food double cheeseburgers in one sitting even though I choose not to. I can eat 2 extra large slices of pizza in one sitting even though I choose not to. The type of food we place in our mouths matters far more than the size of our sleeves or pouches.
Sliders, a.k.a. slurry foods (crackers, pretzels, popcorn, chips, bread, cookies) are the root of most peoples' regain problems. These foods turn into a liquid slurry in our digestive systems and you'll never feel full, so you can eat unlimited quantities of them. If you eat sliders, tread carefully and don't fall off the cliff.
You'll notice nobody ever says, "I am regaining after eating 100 grams of protein each day. I eat chicken thighs, steak, ground turkey, and hard-boiled eggs, but the weight gain won't stop." Protein has a high thermic effect; our bodies burn considerable calories digesting animal-based Proteins.
Many of those who regain started incorporating slider foods into their diets. Unfortunately, sliders promote rapid weight gain since they 'slide' past the stomach into the intestines where the calories are stored as fat.
Good luck to you. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

My BMI was about 32 when I was sleeved (although it was 42 at its maximum several years ago). Apart from the first 2 weeks when I lost very fast, my weight loss averaged out at 1lb per week for the first 6 months (including my stall at 2 weeks) which I think many people would be horrified by. However I am now at BMI 25.5 and feeling great. Weight loss has slowed right down but I think that's not really surprising.
So if you don't lose fast, don't panic. Just stick to the plan, eat sensibly and it will come off. I didn't really know what to expect so I just did what I was asked as much as I could and feel amazing now.
Best of luck.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My BMI was about 32 when I was sleeved (although it was 42 at its maximum several years ago). Apart from the first 2 weeks when I lost very fast, my weight loss averaged out at 1lb per week for the first 6 months (including my stall at 2 weeks) which I think many people would be horrified by. However I am now at BMI 25.5 and feeling great. Weight loss has slowed right down but I think that's not really surprising.
So if you don't lose fast, don't panic. Just stick to the plan, eat sensibly and it will come off. I didn't really know what to expect so I just did what I was asked as much as I could and feel amazing now.
Best of luck.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

My wardrobe over the past many years has been varying shades of black or gray (see last pic). I have been shopping thrift stores mainly until I get to a place where my weight stabilizes, but decided I could use a couple of new items, so I decided to splurge. I bought WHITE pants!!! LOL. I know it may not seem like a big deal, but let me tell you, it really is. I've always carried so much of my weight in my butt and thighs and always chose dark colors for skirts and pants. It felt so good to buy a nice pair of white pants for spring, lol. In a size 10 no less. Squeeee!!!! 5 months out and gone from a size 18/20 in pants to a size 10!!! I am doing a celebration dance over here! No regrets!

You'll be able to do the same in the future, you'll just be taking leftovers home...

I think there is a healthy, reasonable medium between eating hostess cupcakes as a meal (no judgment from me on that one man, been there done that!) and never even looking at a carb again LOL. I think everyone in this thread is right that you would do well to see your dietician and your psych, too. you don't have to go this alone. this is for life and you need to find something you can live with, and pinballing between extremes won't serve you in the long run. I'm all for having some dark chocolate after dinner or sweet crepes for Breakfast once a month, but it sounds like the concept of moderation is giving you a hard time here. that's okay. it's not a moral failing, it just... is. you've gone through a major life change and you're trying to find your new equilibrium. you know you have a history of abusing alcohol, and it sounds like after depriving yourself, some part of you wants to move on to abusing food instead. even if you don't gain back all the weight you've lost, it doesn't mean that's healthy for you physically or mentally.
real talk? you may have lost some weight after overdoing it on the empty carbs... so far. but that doesn't mean empty carbs are the key to weight loss or health. don't take this as a sign that you have miraculously become one of those people who eats junk all day and still gets to maintain a normal BMI. the surgery does a lot of things, but I don't think it's quite THAT powerful LOL. although I imagine a lot of us wish it was. and even then... the scale is not the only measure of health. plenty of people with normal BMIs can be unhealthy if they're not adequately nourishing themselves.
you know being extreme low carb doesn't work for you. that's fine, it doesn't work for a LOT of people. this is where some sensible guidance from a professional dietician becomes of use, because they can help you re-introduce carbs into your diet in a reasonable way that satisfies and nourishes you, but doesn't go overboard in the complete opposite direction. you know?

My BMI was about 32 when I was sleeved (although it was 42 at its maximum several years ago). Apart from the first 2 weeks when I lost very fast, my weight loss averaged out at 1lb per week for the first 6 months (including my stall at 2 weeks) which I think many people would be horrified by. However I am now at BMI 25.5 and feeling great. Weight loss has slowed right down but I think that's not really surprising.
So if you don't lose fast, don't panic. Just stick to the plan, eat sensibly and it will come off. I didn't really know what to expect so I just did what I was asked as much as I could and feel amazing now.
Best of luck.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

It's been one year today since I had my sleeve done. My life has changed in every aspect.
My start weight was 333.1lbs
My weight this morning was 137.8lbs
That's a total loss of 195.3lbs!!
I've also lost a total of 95 inches...I'm a size 6 now...used to be a size 30.
I have accomplished this by being very focused and strict with my eating and exercise.
I eat very low carb, and always get in my Protein, Vitamins and Water every day.
For all of you just starting out, just know that anything is possible, and if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything!! 
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My BMI was about 32 when I was sleeved (although it was 42 at its maximum several years ago). Apart from the first 2 weeks when I lost very fast, my weight loss averaged out at 1lb per week for the first 6 months (including my stall at 2 weeks) which I think many people would be horrified by. However I am now at BMI 25.5 and feeling great. Weight loss has slowed right down but I think that's not really surprising.
So if you don't lose fast, don't panic. Just stick to the plan, eat sensibly and it will come off. I didn't really know what to expect so I just did what I was asked as much as I could and feel amazing now.
Best of luck.
Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I was at a 34 bmi I think. I am 6 months out and 15 pounds away from begin in the normal bmi range! It has slowed down a lot now - I only lost three pounds last month- but it's my fault- haven't done Water Protein etc- great lucj
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

People just care, they don't realize it's intrusive. I guess that's one thing we have to deal with, that our weight-loss journey/ struggle can't exactly be hidden like other struggles people have. I would let it just roll right off. I think it's always better to see the good in people.
Sent from my SM-G930V using the BariatricPal App

Maybe try "thank you for saying that" "I've been working really hard to be at the healthy wait my doctor has suggested for me" " When I reach my healthy goal weight. I will maintain then." These are going to be my lines
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T337A using the BariatricPal App

They are probably concerned about anorexia and the like. Maybe tell them that you agree you look thin, but the doctor assures you that everything is fine. People really aren't always trying to be rude. They care! I would let the fact that you want to lose a bit more go unsaid in these instances.
Sent from my SM-N920R4 using the BariatricPal App

How do many of you deal with invasive comments such as "Aren't you getting too thin?" and "You don't plan to lose much more weight, do you?"
I am still overweight! I am 5'9" and currently weigh 178, so still at least 13 more lbs until I am at the high end of normal BMI. I think people just have it in their head that I am "supposed" to look one way, and can't seem to wrap their heads around the change. This comment is happening (in some variation) on a nearly daily basis. The other possibility is that I have lost a lot of mid-face volume as I am middle-aged. I have really high cheekbones, so I think that this makes it seem that I am much thinner (just from looking at my face) than I actually am, and that I may appear a bit...gaunt, when I am actually still overweight. Did this resolve for others over time? I've just been saying that my goal is a healthy BMI that meets my doctor's goals, but the comments are getting old. I've made myself a promise to remove toxic people from my life, but those commenting seem genuinely concerned, not malicious or jealous.

Are you getting better about your liquids? I think in the beginning some of the weightloss is mostly Water. You are probably losing fat and replenishing your Water loss making it look like a net of zero.
Also, I've never heard of anyone who stopped losing weight permanently at week 2. It'll probably fall off next week.
Sent from my XT1585 using the BariatricPal App

Keep it simple if you do start logging. I did a stir fry last night. Instead of listing each ingredient, I will list "mixed veggies" or "stir fry veggies". Or "mixed salad" and list the high calorie ingredients if I'm doing salads. Don't make it any more painful than it has to be. I personally enjoy it, and found out around month 5 that I was nearly 400 calories above target due to calorie creep...That was my biggest stall. Have logged religiously since then and it's done wonders for me.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

I'm at a similar point and am finding my calories creep upwards. Excited to hear what others say.
Things I'm trying
Planning out my meals ahead of time. Make a calorie/protein target and meal plan for each day. Have a rule that if it isn't on the plan, don't eat it. Just put it down. You can always adjust the plan on another day.
Just came across this tip and it is helping. I am planning things out the night before and it doesn't take long. It has helped me stay on target but I haven't been trying it long.
Mindful eating. Making sure I chew everything 20/30 times or until something like applesauce.
Keep reminding myself about something my surgeon wants me to remember. If a person drives a car hauling 2000 lbs of stuff to Florida they are going to use less gas than if they haul 100 lbs of stuff. As we loose weight our bodies use less calories to do the same activity.
Our weight-loss is going to slow down. This is a normal part of the process. Frustrating though it may be. I feel like I have to remind myself of this all of the time!
Shifting focus. I'm focusing more on being consistent in my healthy habits than on the scale. Things like being consistent in my workouts, meditating and focusing on my eating. Setting up a reward system for myself on getting my exercise consistent.
Good luck and I hope you find what works for you!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using the BariatricPal App

Here's the thing....You are an adult. You have no responsibility to tell him. You can tell only the people you want to. Also, it is really NO ONE'S business!! I understand family is important but if you do this surgery you do this for YOU not anyone else and you need NO ONE else's approval. Even if they notice the rapid weight loss you don't need to tell them you had surgery. That is a personal decision you made. If someone asks how you are losing weight so fast (which they really shouldn't but everyone feels they have a right to comment on other's looks) you don't have to tell them. You can just say you have been working out and watching what you eat. You owe them nothing. You owe it to yourself to only give out that information to those you want to if you feel someone will break you down mentally if they knew. This si the time to focus on yourself and buckle down! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

So I started my journey on October 30th 2015 at 540 pounds. This is the highest I've ever been. I had to be on oxygen because I was so overweight it was pressing against my lungs.
I had to do 6 months of a supervised diet and lost 60 pounds before my surgery and had my surgery weighing 480 pounds.
I had a horrible time after surgery as some on here may remember. I was in extreme pain for 3 weeks then extreme nausea for 5 months. The nausea was so bad I didn't eat or drink for over a month and had to get a picc line and give myself infusions overnight to get my fluids and nutrients.
They removed my gallbladder in October of this year and I started to feel much better.
I now feel great and am finally starting to be able to enjoy my smaller size! I'm having fun working out at the gym and I'm starting to feel pretty and trying to date.
I now weigh 336 pounds! That's 204 pounds down from my first weigh in and 144 pounds down since my surgery May 29th 2015!
I'm so excited to be going in the right direction! I just turned 30 in November and I can't wait to finally start living my life!
Here are some before and after pictures!

This is me July 2014

March 2015

March 2015

November 2016

November 2016

January 2017
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Begin by telling him that you are following his courageous example of making a life change for the better. Thank him for showing you how to be strong and committed to do what is necessary to be a healthier and better you. Also remind him that you are his child, and this is how the determination that he taught you has bloomed in your life.
Remind him that he didn't ask your permission to become sober, but you are SO PROUD of him. Also remember that you are his "little girl" and he may be dealing with the reality that you are now a grown woman (not always easy for us fathers of you twenty somethings). Don't forget to thank him again for the courage to change, and give him a kiss no matter what.
BTW, my story for you - I has the surgery 14 months ago and I am down about 130 pounds, and pants have shrunk by 14 inches, and I am off of all diabetic medications. My shirts (were a 5X) are no longer "Big and Tall", and I can sit in a booth at a diner. I call that a success story for you to use as you see fit

I certainly did not expect this, but keep the dog pics coming! I love it!

Bailey was feeling left out

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App
She is the love of my life....

I do (did) the same thing!! Why is that?