2ndSpring

Thanks for posting. Long term success stories like yours are such a morale boost. Your message really means a lot too - about now worrying about the rate of loss - thanks again.

I totally agree - being active here really helps keep me focused and on track. Its a daily reminder of what I need to do - and DAMN, it is very easy to get derailed it you stop paying attention.

@gwbicster - you are awesome! so many people post questions and then aren't open to the answers. You have an open mind and curiosity about what it takes to succeed. I predict that you are going to be very successful !! and in a few months, you'll be paying it forward to the next wave of people getting surgery.

Wow, I was going to say something about weight loss statistics and how averages don't predict individual success.... but I like the answer that @LittleLizzieLilliput gave so much better!! that is a great way to think and I am going to follow your example.....I'll just keep going until it feels right!! Love it.

Wow, I was going to say something about weight loss statistics and how averages don't predict individual success.... but I like the answer that @LittleLizzieLilliput gave so much better!! that is a great way to think and I am going to follow your example.....I'll just keep going until it feels right!! Love it.

I'm the opposite, I hate having leftovers in the fridge, have always froze them. I'd encourage you to start freezing your portions that are leftover...it'll be easier to say no too, having to get it out and defrost them, etc, then to just grab what's in the fridge and start eating. You can do all of these things...and the fact that you've reached out on here with your concerns is a step forward. I've noted that you've been reading people's experiences/questions, etc...but now that you came out with your own, try to keep it up here. I think the folks who tend to be more active here, with answering other's questions, etc...are all doing a great job in the success of their own journeys. I plan to be, that's why I'm here everyday myself. Let us see GWBICSTER all over the place!

I have to give you props! You are one of the few posters who really seems open to and want advice rather than justification for your actions!

I believe you will do well!

Wendy's chili is fine! I mean better to eat unprocessed, but so much better than the alternatives!!!! The nuggets not so much. As others have said next time do grilled chicken--snack wrap gives you less to throw out and some cashiers even know how to ring up a "side" of a grilled chicken breast! Always ask!!!!

I'm happy that you reached out and posted openly about what's been going on for you. We've all struggled with the same issues. I don't want to sound like I have it all figured out, because I still have to fight old habits and urges every day, but here is my best advice......... Use these short few months right after surgery to radically change your relationship with food. You can be moderate later on when you are at or near goal. The new habits you make now will be a lifesaver when you are further down the road and your body lets you eat a lot more.
Have a plan for each meal ahead of time - don't get caught in a situation where you have no good choices. It is ok to do whatever you need to do in any situation, like bringing food with you, or turning down food that others have made. LOL, even if it is your favorite aunt and she made it "just for you".
When you get to solids, always focus on Protein first. Stay away from bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes while you are losing - they trigger cravings, get digested way too fast and use up too much valuable real estate in your stomach.
Pay attention to the no drinking after eating rule. Not because of rumors that it can stretch out your stomach - that has been debunked. But rather because liquids will wash food out of your stomach and you want to keep that full and satisfied feeling as long as you can.
It is ok to be hungry in between meals. I used to be so afraid of being hungry and was amazed to learn that it goes away if you ignore it for like 10 minutes or so. I tell myself that it is ok and that I will eat again in X hours at my next meal.
Log and track your food and measure out your portions on a food scale. I use my tracker for today only, to see how I am doing towards my daily goals - and then I never look at it again. I get crazy in the head when I try to do long term tracking. Whatever works for you.
Best of luck on your journey!! I am rooting for you.

I'm happy that you reached out and posted openly about what's been going on for you. We've all struggled with the same issues. I don't want to sound like I have it all figured out, because I still have to fight old habits and urges every day, but here is my best advice......... Use these short few months right after surgery to radically change your relationship with food. You can be moderate later on when you are at or near goal. The new habits you make now will be a lifesaver when you are further down the road and your body lets you eat a lot more.
Have a plan for each meal ahead of time - don't get caught in a situation where you have no good choices. It is ok to do whatever you need to do in any situation, like bringing food with you, or turning down food that others have made. LOL, even if it is your favorite aunt and she made it "just for you".
When you get to solids, always focus on Protein first. Stay away from bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes while you are losing - they trigger cravings, get digested way too fast and use up too much valuable real estate in your stomach.
Pay attention to the no drinking after eating rule. Not because of rumors that it can stretch out your stomach - that has been debunked. But rather because liquids will wash food out of your stomach and you want to keep that full and satisfied feeling as long as you can.
It is ok to be hungry in between meals. I used to be so afraid of being hungry and was amazed to learn that it goes away if you ignore it for like 10 minutes or so. I tell myself that it is ok and that I will eat again in X hours at my next meal.
Log and track your food and measure out your portions on a food scale. I use my tracker for today only, to see how I am doing towards my daily goals - and then I never look at it again. I get crazy in the head when I try to do long term tracking. Whatever works for you.
Best of luck on your journey!! I am rooting for you.

I'm happy that you reached out and posted openly about what's been going on for you. We've all struggled with the same issues. I don't want to sound like I have it all figured out, because I still have to fight old habits and urges every day, but here is my best advice......... Use these short few months right after surgery to radically change your relationship with food. You can be moderate later on when you are at or near goal. The new habits you make now will be a lifesaver when you are further down the road and your body lets you eat a lot more.
Have a plan for each meal ahead of time - don't get caught in a situation where you have no good choices. It is ok to do whatever you need to do in any situation, like bringing food with you, or turning down food that others have made. LOL, even if it is your favorite aunt and she made it "just for you".
When you get to solids, always focus on Protein first. Stay away from bread, Pasta, rice, potatoes while you are losing - they trigger cravings, get digested way too fast and use up too much valuable real estate in your stomach.
Pay attention to the no drinking after eating rule. Not because of rumors that it can stretch out your stomach - that has been debunked. But rather because liquids will wash food out of your stomach and you want to keep that full and satisfied feeling as long as you can.
It is ok to be hungry in between meals. I used to be so afraid of being hungry and was amazed to learn that it goes away if you ignore it for like 10 minutes or so. I tell myself that it is ok and that I will eat again in X hours at my next meal.
Log and track your food and measure out your portions on a food scale. I use my tracker for today only, to see how I am doing towards my daily goals - and then I never look at it again. I get crazy in the head when I try to do long term tracking. Whatever works for you.
Best of luck on your journey!! I am rooting for you.

I'm so sorry - I just realized I didn't respond to the OP.

Grazing is a hard habit to break and is one we have to be careful about. But the rest of your post sounds like you're beating yourself up a bit. Refocus. Sometimes meals are unappealing, even now for me. But we need to eat. Even if you don't want to count calories, focusing on mainly Protein, then veg and getting carbs/starches last will lead to loss. Nip the grazing. Ask yourself why you do it. Boredom? Find something to do. Find a food you can eat if all else fails. Raw nuts, hardboiled eggs, cheese. I know, I know. But eventually, the habit will fade into something you control.

It's our heads that need work. Your head is tired after a year of work. But everything I said earlier applies.

You got this.

Cheri

I'm only 9 months post-op, so still have more to lose, but here is my experience to date.
Prior to surgery, my cravings were constant, my satiety was very low and I was always hungry. So I would eat a lot at one sitting to get full and satisfied and then want something else a short time after. I was constantly eating. If someone asked if I wanted to go out to dinner, but I had just eaten, I would have gone anyway and had a second meal. After surgery, my body no longer works against me. I am satisfied with my 5 ounce meal. I don't eat again until my next scheduled meal and can be on my merry way doing something else in between meals without food occupying my every thought.
But......Head hunger is still there and is a constant battle for me. those old behaviors are still there waiting for me to open the door just a crack. The surgery prevents us from eating too much at once, but enterprising individuals can quickly figure ways around that. For example, you can eat small meals every hour all through the day. Or you could eat ice cream for dinner. After the 6 month mark, it becomes easy to lose your way if you are not careful.
That is why the stats are the way they are. Everyone is successful at first. Those who put in the work at the beginning to make lasting changes about their relationship with food and create new habits to rely on later are more successful long term. Those who rely on the surgery to do all the work, lose the statistical 60-70% in the first year and then put a little back on.
You'll need to do some soul searching about your relationship with food and if you can let it go. there is no right or wrong, just be aware of yourself. If you think that you will not be able to change your relationship, and the surgery will be the main tool, then you may need to pay attention to the statistics. If you are open to behavior change and some really hard work , then the stats may be less important.
You are off to a great start by asking questions and doing research.
Best of luck with whatever surgery you choose. We are all here for you.

I'm only 9 months post-op, so still have more to lose, but here is my experience to date.
Prior to surgery, my cravings were constant, my satiety was very low and I was always hungry. So I would eat a lot at one sitting to get full and satisfied and then want something else a short time after. I was constantly eating. If someone asked if I wanted to go out to dinner, but I had just eaten, I would have gone anyway and had a second meal. After surgery, my body no longer works against me. I am satisfied with my 5 ounce meal. I don't eat again until my next scheduled meal and can be on my merry way doing something else in between meals without food occupying my every thought.
But......Head hunger is still there and is a constant battle for me. those old behaviors are still there waiting for me to open the door just a crack. The surgery prevents us from eating too much at once, but enterprising individuals can quickly figure ways around that. For example, you can eat small meals every hour all through the day. Or you could eat ice cream for dinner. After the 6 month mark, it becomes easy to lose your way if you are not careful.
That is why the stats are the way they are. Everyone is successful at first. Those who put in the work at the beginning to make lasting changes about their relationship with food and create new habits to rely on later are more successful long term. Those who rely on the surgery to do all the work, lose the statistical 60-70% in the first year and then put a little back on.
You'll need to do some soul searching about your relationship with food and if you can let it go. there is no right or wrong, just be aware of yourself. If you think that you will not be able to change your relationship, and the surgery will be the main tool, then you may need to pay attention to the statistics. If you are open to behavior change and some really hard work , then the stats may be less important.
You are off to a great start by asking questions and doing research.
Best of luck with whatever surgery you choose. We are all here for you.

Wow, the time is flying by. Your surgiversary! congrats
I'm up for the 22nd or the 5th. That coffee shop in babylon that we met at a while back was nice, unless if Jack is coming straight from work, then we should find somewhere in Nassau.

Jeez, what other clothes do I have at this point...lol

Yessss... thank you. That is what made the difference for me and I was like, I have to post this even though it's a little cheesy. I still get the sort of pinned-down feeling about how WLS is "cheating" or the "easy way out." Because yes, it is easier. But there's still so much work and planning and plain mental toughness involved in being successful. If I can add to the analogy again, I feel like people think WLS is having a helicopter come pick you & your boulder up and carry you to the top of the mountain, but it's not at all. The more I have researched and read the more serious I have become about making permanent changes because that is the only way it will work.

Hi Laney, I would love to get together. The 15th is no good for me, but I can make any other day work.

I'm so happy for you. good luck on the 25th!

Great analogy. What really resonated was that we still have to do the hard work of the climb, but without the boulder that was holding us back.
thanks for posting it. I am going to keep this visual in my mind today.

I look forward to the next meetup. Thanks for starting the group.

I am sorry you took it like that. I was definitely not trying to educate you on ways to fail. I was hoping to explain to you the difference between those who are statistically average and those who lose more than the average. You are correct that the statistical averages that are quoted include huge variability and are not predictive of any one individual's success. I had hoped to explain why and what you need to understand going into this so that you are not one of the statistically average.
What is predictive of an individual's long term success is less about what cohort you are in and more about the permanency of the lifestyle changes you undertake after surgery. It is hard work and not everyone is willing to take that path, hence the variability in loss rates.

Congrats! that is a huge victory!

The first few weeks after surgery are tough, physically and mentally.
it is a really big surgery for your body to recover from. Those little holes on the outside don't reflect the huge changes inside. Your insides are sore and inflamed right now. Fatigue, low energy and mild depression are common and will go away as the weeks pass.
Looking back, I remember starting to feel a little better every day right around the 3 week mark, so I think you are past the worst of it.
I promise you that it gets better, so much better

I over prepared and spent a lot of money on things I didn't use, such as a variety of ice cube trays to freeze broth.
Your tastes may change after surgery so don't stock up on Protein powders for the long haul because your favorite today may taste gross tomorrow. The first few days will be all about hydration so a good water bottle with ounce markings so you can keep track is important. For the Protein Shakes, I found a Blender Bottle worked well to mix up the powder (and you don't have to wash the blender!). I bought a 3-pack of the 20 ounce size. I found that getting the Protein Shake down was easier when I mixed it 50/50 with water/almond milk. it made it a little creamier and easier to tolerate. chewable or liquid vitamins. If you are on any medications, review sizes with your doctor ahead of time. I was sent home with a prescription painkiller and once that was done, I didn't need any over the counter pain relievers. You need to get up and walk, so make sure you can put your walking shoes on without bending over. A food scale for once you start solids

Yes! My Nalgene bottle is my best friend, it never leaves my side. Love being able to sip 2 oz. at a time throughout the day.

Congrats on getting clean! And your new family! Life has handed you a lot, and I'm proud of you for trying to get things straightened out.
Usually a bypass is a one-and-done type procedure. A skilled surgeon can evaluate you to see if there is any "tweaking" that can be done, but it's better for you to focus on non-surgical options.
Your stomach is still small, and your bypass is still in place. Those will continue being helpful (probably why you didn't gain ALL the weight back and more!). But at this point, it's time to get back to basics. Protein, Vitamins, Water, nonstarchy veggies, limited fruit and starchy veggies. No sugar or white flour.
Weight loss won't be as easy as it was the first year after surgery, but it IS possible! Good luck!