Ravensgrl

Thank you. I completely agree. I had this app when I get my surgery and then I erased it once I lost the weight. But I realize I need it now more then ever.

I'm 18 months post-surgery, at my goal weight, working out regularly, generally feeling good. But I realized during this holiday season that I'm leaving the honeymoon phase of post-surgery eating. I can eat more variety, and a little more at a time so I have to be more mindful. The hardest part is that I see some of my old, bad eating habits creeping back in: snacking at night, thinking about what I'll eat next even as I'm still eating something, justifying eating a little too much (or a lot). Even though I still can't really seriously overeat, I'm starting to worry about this slippery slope. I just keep waiting for the weight to come flooding back on as I lose more and more control over my food intake.
I'd love to hear any words of support, encouragement, or wisdom from people who've been through this, or are going through it now!
Thank you, and happy New Year.

Hi,
I am 22 months out and my cravings and bad habits came back at around 15 months out. I slowly started trying different foods and adding in bad food. I stopped logging my food, drinking my Water, got lazy taking my Vitamins and medication. By November first I realized how far off track I had gotten and I stepped on the scale for the first time in months. I had a 30lb regain, which crushed me. I changed some things and got rid of the bad food in the house and went back to basics. I struggle a bit through Thanksgiving and vacation after that but I managed to drop 14lbs. While I was happy about this, I knew I needed to really deal with my emotional eating habits. The first year was easy because I had no cravings. I really believed that I had it under control but I did not. I now realized that this is where the hard work starts. I started reading a book called Never Binge again which has helped me immensely...enough that I now know that I can hit my goal weight this year and that I have a plan and processes in place to help me when I am tempted. I purchased an inspirational food journal that helps me in the sense that it not just focused on food intake and macros. It's more about having a healthy outlook, mind and body. I had joined several bariatric groups on FB but I did not participate much. Now I spend a part of my morning in those groups communicating with various people. I also started a blog, which is terrifying, to be as transparent to myself as possible and also hold myself accountable for my food decisions, good or bad. We can do this...we just never give up and keep going when we have a set back. You can never fail unless you quit.

I was debating whether or not to post about this, as I haven't seen a lot of screw-ups on these pages, but I've got a doozy. I'm five and a half weeks out. I've been following my (very restrictive) diet to the letter almost all the time. My only deviations were a little Thanksgiving stuffing and some regular cheese at a party, where I'd brought deviled eggs for myself but didn't plan on being there so long and DO YOU KNOW THERE'S A LIMIT TO HOW MANY FREAKING DEVILED EGGS A PERSON CAN EAT IN FIVE HOURS? Lesson learned on that one. Next party I brought something I could live off for a year. Holiday parties everywhere. Anyway, the Cookies. So, yesterday was a crap-tastic day. A member of my immediate family is struggling with mental health issues and let's just say everything came to a nice sharp point yesterday morning. I was wound up tight, and it just so happened I had "make cookies" on my calendar for a cookie exchange this weekend. In hindsight this is laughable, but in the moment I truly thought I was being proactive and getting those cookies made a day or two early, and wow, am I rocking this mom thing. Fast forward several hours and I can provide you with the following truths. One, I was making those cookies to eat because I was emotionally devastated. Two, my sleeve can hold far more cookies than I would have thought possible from the meager amounts of chicken that manage to fill me up. Three, there IS such a thing as dumping syndrome for sleevers, and it's a horrible experience. And four, it's amazing how quick your brain can be to jump from "really bad day and a subsequent bad choice" to "I'm a complete failure and I'm never going to be able to do this." So there. Those are the highlights of the cookie incident. I went to bed early, feeling so sick and so darn sorry for myself. What a loser! I almost deleted that sentence. I'm feeling some compassion toward the me of yesterday, and I know I'm not a loser. I know one mistake does not the future make, and I also know there will be others. But man, that was hard. It was hard to live with in the moment, and afterwards. It makes me think twice about even going to the stupid cookie exchange. The situation at home is ongoing and my stress level has been hard to manage. I'll meet the mom for coffee instead, explain I just wasn't able to make that particular holiday party, or just not take any cookies home with me and ignore the whining of my children. Ugh. I hate all of these options. I think to really be successful through this holiday season, I have to control WHAT'S IN MY HOUSE. I can go to a party or a family gathering and eat something that's not "on the list", but I can't bring it home. That's me. That's where I am, and what I have to do. Here's hoping the kids will understand.

Only my husband and mom know and I don't plan on telling anyone else. People are ignorant about the surgery and are judgemental about it, and I don't need negativity, nor do I need anyone asking a million questions. I don't like discussing my personal health issues with anyone.

This has been widely discussed on this site, and you'll find that people have strong opinions for either keeping it a secret or telling all. I personally have kept my surgery private. Only my husband and children know. I don't feel obligated to tell anyone my personal medical history. I wouldn't expect someone to tell me they had a vasectomy. It's none of my business. I've changed my eating habits, so I tell them what my diet consists of but leave it at that. Too many people want to criticize another person for his/her life decisions, and I don't have time for that. I'm focusing on being positive and healthy and don't need the drama, especially at work.

I love all the comparison pics!! Everyone looks fantastic!!

I had my gastric bypass 11/9/16 I was 237 I am 5'3' and have gone from a size 22 or 3X to a size 10 in 5 months down 88 pounds. Is it easy NO. It has been a re-learning experience everyday since the surgery. I am so glad I had the surgery and only wish I did it when I was younger like you. I also was diabetic and was off all meds 2 days after surgery. My joints no longer hurt, my muscle spasms at night are gone and not bones spurs in my heels no longer are an issue. Wishing you the best.

Surgery is scary. That's ok. So are major life changes, which is what this is. I'm 8 months post-op. I've lost 72% of my excess body weight and have about 30 pounds to go to my goal - which will be 120 pounds from my high weight this time last year. I had no complications. I was in the hospital over night and home by 1 the next day. I was back at work (I'm a desk jockey) in 6 days. I was in the gym 4 days after surgery on a recumbent bike for an hour. You have to get your head in the right place because 99% of your success will be your attitude.
I decided I wasn't going to be the fat mama at my daughter's high school graduation - and I'm not. I went from a size 22 pants (barely closing the button) to a size 10 today.
Best decision I ever made. Follow your team's plan and you will be fine!

You do not have to disclose the type of surgery you're having and you are under no obligation to tell your boss anything specific. I told very few people what I was having done when I went out for my surgery, and just said I was having a procedure and it was personal. You only need to share what you're comfortable with. I also had no problem with using my short term disability and fmla. Good luck!

You do not have to disclose the type of surgery you're having and you are under no obligation to tell your boss anything specific. I told very few people what I was having done when I went out for my surgery, and just said I was having a procedure and it was personal. You only need to share what you're comfortable with. I also had no problem with using my short term disability and fmla. Good luck!

You do not have to disclose the type of surgery you're having and you are under no obligation to tell your boss anything specific. I told very few people what I was having done when I went out for my surgery, and just said I was having a procedure and it was personal. You only need to share what you're comfortable with. I also had no problem with using my short term disability and fmla. Good luck!

You do not have to disclose the type of surgery you're having and you are under no obligation to tell your boss anything specific. I told very few people what I was having done when I went out for my surgery, and just said I was having a procedure and it was personal. You only need to share what you're comfortable with. I also had no problem with using my short term disability and fmla. Good luck!

Thank you everyone for the responses. I have gotten past the major depression episode. I still have cravings but it has gotten better. I am at my first post op appointment. I will post picture and lbs lost later. Thank you again everyone. God bless

Just had my one year post-RNY followup with surgeon. Was disappointed to see I gained a few pounds after having a stall for 6 months. After reviewing labs we discussed what was different in my diet and routine. I recently had difficulty with arthritis and loose matter behind my kneecap preventing me from my exercise of walking. Surgeon recommended I eliminate all bad carbs (breads, Pasta, rice, etc) while I am not able to walk (start PT tomorrow after Fluid drained from knee and a cortisone shot). I am pleased to report that I've lost about 4lbs already. I am motivated to stay away from the bad carbs and eager to begin my PT.

I haven't updated pics in awhile so....gonna do that now.
To answer the question when will you feel better, it's hard to say. For me, I had the foaming thing once and it was because I was not sipping my Water constantly like I was told to, and when I got to carrying around my water bottle everywhere and sipping as I went, that went away. I still carry my water bottle everywhere I go. I'd be useless without it.

Before and after (so far!)

Yup!! Still looking fly!! Jk jk..,but I do LOVE my comparison pics!!!!

. Hi al... surgery 11/1... hw/309 ... sw/292... cw/213....

Well, I have friends that don't know I had surgery, and sort of show some contempt anytime they're eating sizeable food portions but I'm having just 2oz of fish and 2 spoons of rice.
Someone once said I'm acting as if I'm the first person to diet..
I don't really care. I can now shop at regular stores and I'm still losing..
You just have to ignore them and keep doing what you're doing.

So I am two weeks post op following gastric bypass and I started with pain around my sternum two days ago.. I passed it off as "doing too much" around the house. I also felt super tired and started having breathing issues. Of course my bf and mom passed it off as "doing too much". I was adamant about going to the hospital. Turns out my hemoglobin was 74 and then down to 68 and my little pain might be an ulcer. After the 7 hour wait in emerg I was finally admitted and a blood transfusion is currently being done and will have a scope tomorrow.
I wanted to post this topic because it is important to keep on top of how YOU feel-keep an eye out for red flags. If you aren't feeling right have it looked at asap. It could be nothing.. but don't let those around you decide if you should see a doctor or go to the hospital. If I had done the "wait and see" thing I might be worse off than I am today.
I hate hospitals and hate to put people out. (ie my poor bf who waited all night with me) BUT I should have come to the hospital two days ago. I guess I just wanted to say/don't put it off thinking its nothing or gas thinking it will just go away. Everyone has busy lives, but at this time your health is a priority.

I love Unjury chicken flavored Protein Powder. Order online. Important to check the temperature of your Water to have 140 or a little less. Too high and the powder lumps.

Lap-banded and love it!

They don't understand.
No one knows what it's like to live in your body.
Personally, if I could do it without surgery I would.
The surgery is only a tool, you still have to make healthy choices and exercise.
The surgery is not a shortcut or a quick fix, it is merely a tool.
Do what is best for you.