Sullie06

The past 6 months have been hard and I've completely gotten off track. I hit maintenance at about 15 months post op and was maintaining at 180-182 pounds. I was happy with that and my doctor was to since I was within 5 pounds of my goal. Well I got complacent and allowed old habits back in and I've gained 10 pounds in the last 6 months. I decided part of getting back on track is getting my support system back so I'm logging back in here and going to meetings again locally. I've started tracking food again and I'm back exercising. The hardest part has been snacking. I tracked my daily log a few weeks ago and I was eating so much because I was just snacking way to much. I'm back down to 1,000-1200 calories a day per my NUT suggestion. Its so hard but I know I can do it. I'm hoping to get plastic surgery in the near future so that is my goal.

Thank You

September 2015 at 290 or so vs last weekend at 186. I’m currently 11 pounds from goal but I’ve been stalled since February

I agree that seeing a therapist would be a good step for you. It sounds like your eating out of boredom or habit instead of actually hunger and that's where the issue lies. A therapist can help you approach your relationship with food in a healthy light. I eat frequently throughout the day (every 2-3 hours) because that's what works best for me but I think if I ate every hour I would just feel sick. So when you get the urge to eat, ask yourself why you want to eat. Are you bored, are your craving something, just because? Then find another outlet. Go for a walk, join a gym, take up a hobby, drink a glass of water. Also make healthier choices when you do chose to eat, go for items high in protein and low in carbs. Things like a hard boiled egg can satisfy the hunger and it's better for your than a cheese sandwich. You can turn this around but you have to want to do it. No excuses.

Water intake and protein seem to be the biggest factors for me, if I'm stalled or gain a few pounds I start by increasing both my water intake and protein as well as hitting the gym and it usually works for me.

You look amazing congrats. We had surgery about the same time (I'm 12/30/16) and the struggle is real after you pass that one year mark. I've been stuck since January bouncing the same 3 pounds then I had my gallbladder out in Feburary, got off track with the gym (wasn't allowed to work out for a month and got lazy) and the snacking and gained 5 pounds. I legit freaked out but I've gotten 3 off in the past week so I'm back on track. I am so close to that goal I can see it but I just can't get over this bump so far.

I'm 15 months post op and you can barely see my scars. I feel like with my skin as loose as it is now any tattoo on my abdomen would look a mess.

My NUT wanted me up to 1200 by 6 months so I started around 600 calories when I started solids and slowly increased my intake. I now take in between 1100-1400 depending on my activity level and time of the month to be honest. I'm 15 months post op.

I love being able to cross my legs, shop in any store and find clothing in my size that really speaks to me instead of having to wear what fits, not having to pay an upcharge on clothing for being plus sized, weighing less than my hubby for the first time in our relationship (16 years), fitting comfortably in seats at public functions, calf boots (I bought a pair last September and they are to big in the calf), being able to wear my Grandmothers wedding set again that I inherited (my fingers have gone from a size 8.5 to a 5.25) and finally feeling comfortable in my own skin especially around my thin girlfriends. I'm still bigger than most tof them but not by much.

I have large feet at well so I was so excited to go from an 11W to a 10R, even going down one size, I have so many shoe options and shoes are more comfortable. I hope you have the same success.

I unfortunately have a B shaped belly and I was hoping as the weight came off that would change but it hasn't. I still carry a lot of weight in my upper abdomen and my belly button is more hidden then when I was 300 pounds. I don't think I will every get rid of this without some sort of plastic surgery. I'm down 120 pounds and my stomach looks like a smaller version of what it did 120 pounds ago

I'm not on any birth control and my period still went wacky directly after surgery. My cycle came two weeks early (just days after surgery) and was heavy for about a week only for it to come back at it's normally scheduled time a week later. It took about 6 months for me to completely regulate but now 15 months post op my periods are the best they have ever been. I always suffered from long heavy erratic periods but now they are regular. My OBGYN said that it is 100% from the weight loss effecting hormones.

I'm 15 months post op and had been stalled at the same weight, within 2 pounds, for 2 months and then I bounced up 6 pounds over the last month. I know it's my own bad habits; snacking to much, eating to late in the evening and not hitting the gym like I should be. I had my Gallbladder out 2/16/18 and I let myself go a bit after that so I have to refocus myself. It's good to recognize it and grab back a hold of your journey though. My NUT and Surgeon both said the scales will fluctuate but anything over 5 pounds they consider a gain. I started back at the gym this week after almost a month hiatus and have been trying to make better food choices. I've lost 2 pounds this week so I'm still up 4 pounds from my lowest weight but at least I'm moving in the right direction again. I'm also going back to support groups because I realize I really need the encouragement of people in the same position I am.

Had my sleeve 12/2016, started having issues with mild gallbladder pain 6/2017. My surgeon did an ultrasound and I had no stones so he did a follow up HIDA scan and my EJ was really high which shows the gallbladder was not functioning properly. Opted not to have surgery right away but did end up having it out 2/16/18. Easy recovery, back to work within 4 days.

My programs is 50g or less during the prior to 9 months post op and then 50-100 grams post 9 months and right around 100-120 grams in maintenance.

When you get further out and are on solid foods you can have snacks. I actually eat 6 small meals a day because that works better for me. When it comes to snacks just make good choices, some of my go to snacks are beef or turkey jerky, cheese sticks, fresh cut deli meat, nuts, parm crisps, peanut or nut butter and sometimes I will eat a protein bar or shake if I'm feeling I'm below my protein goals. Also in the summer I might have some fresh veggies like snap peas, raw green beans, edimame, etc.

Completely normal. Your restriction will come as you eat more solid foods and dense proteins.

You're welcome. Eating out in this new body can be very intimidating for sure and unfortunately eating is a huge part of most social functions. But it gets easier over time! This weekend we were at Ground Round for my mother's birthday and they have a few new menu options that were pretty good choices. I ordered their Angus Sliders off the appetizer menu. It was perfect size for me, two sliders minus the buns with grilled onion and pepper jack cheese on them (I eat full fat dairy so that was no issue for me). It came with onion rings (3- since it's an appetizer) but I let my son eat them and ate a few pieces of my husbands Broccoli. Just wanted to share.

I drink out of a straw everyday, I also can drink more water/tea if I'm using a straw. My doctor told me that if it doesn't bother me then go right ahead. I have no issue burping if I need to burp so I don't see any issue with it personally. If it doesn't bother you and it's helping you meet your fluid goals, I say you do you!

I was told I could sleep on my stomach as soon as it was comfortable for me to do so. I started sleeping on my side in the hospital because I cannot sleep on my back.

I'm currently 14 months post op and we eat out about once a week with our kids and a couple times a month with our friends in a social situation. When I'm with the hubby and kids, I don't really care to much about my small portions but when I'm with friends I'm more conscious about what I'm eating and have tricks to take attention away from my small portion size. To answer your questions: When were you able to start eating out? I went to a work event at 3 weeks post op that was a sit down dinner, That was my first time out after surgery. I was still on pureed so I drank a protein shake prior to going and just ate the mashed potatoes. I was 3 months out when I went to a restaurant for the first time, as we were traveling. What kinds of restaurants did you find it easiest to be successful in? I've eaten pretty much every where since surgery. Fast food is hard because you really have to dig for a good option, Wendy's is usually my go to or Subway for a salad. Many national chains have lighter fare menus now but it's pretty generic food but good in a pinch (Core Life, Red Robin, Ground Round and Ruby Tuesdays are usually good options I've found) . We mostly like to patronize local establishments. The food is better quality and I've found the portion sizes are more manageable. It's not just a huge plate of food. We have a big Farm to Table movement going on here so I'm totally loving all the fresh options, even dairy and meat seem to be of better quality. Did you have a "strategy" in approaching eating out? I order a lot of appetizers as entree's if they have good choices. Order burgers without buns, chose a vegetable side instead of fries or onion rings. I usually don't get soup or salad if it comes with a meal if possible because I can't eat both. Avoid bread. I move my food around my plate a lot so it looks like I'm eating more than I am. I've only had 2 waitress' question if my meal was okay since I've started going out again. While I understand the diet requirements going forward when were you able to eat a normal meal at home? Meaning a meal that would have a Protein, vegetable and maybe a starch at one sitting. Smaller servings certainly. Yes, I can and do. Starting at 9 months post op my NUT wanted me adding more veggies and starch to my diet as they are important. My NUT wants me eating a small version of a normally portioned meal now. Prior to that it was all about protein. I guess maybe the real question is when could I expect to eat some of the same things for dinner my wife could or would eat? Post 12 weeks you can start eating a normal diet again, or at least in my program you could. Now I eat everything my hubby can eat but in moderation. Of course there are things I avoid but I could eat if I chose. Also I still treat myself on occasion (like yesterday was by birthday so I had 3 boneless wings from BWW and it was delish) but not regularly and know your triggers and limits.

I would like to have a tummy tuck in the very least. I have a weird B shaped belly so it's never going to get better and I would love to be able to wear a bikini or even tuck my shirts in without my belly eating them. I doubt I will ever be able to afford a tummy tuck though so I just dream.

60% is for sure a good guide but there are other factors as well. Activity level, age, gender, strictness with the program, genetics all weigh in according to my NUT. I'm currently 14 months post op and I've lost about 71% of my excess weight and I'm about 7 pounds from goal which will put me in the high end of normal BMI. Don't get to hung up on the numbers, just work your program.

Don't worry about the weight. Your body is just getting used to it's new normal. Stalls and plateaus are a normal part of the process, you will start losing again. As for the Protein Shakes try the GNC Lean 25 shakes. I could not tolerate most shakes after surgery but these ones were tolerable and they come in so many flavors. They are also thinner consistence than the Premier which is what I drank pre surgery.

My surgeon said it's normal to bounce up and down in about a 5 pound range. That being said he also said to take control and pay attention if the weight is trending up (more than 5 pounds from your lowest with no downward trend) then to go back to basics and get back on track. I'm 14 months post op and the past month I've been completely off track. Between having my Gallbladder out, being away from the gym for 3 weeks due to recovery, my birthday as well as 4 other family birthdays that all resulted in celebrations I've been eating so bad. You are not alone. Just get back on track. The fact that you can acknowledge it means you are aware and can take control back. Also I don't know if you have them available but if you have a support group you can attend do! I've found that when I am feeling off track if I go to support group (offered twice a month at my clinic) and it helps.