newbeing

Hello everyone! I am 10 days post op and I can tell you that my therapist and support group have been an integral part of recovery thus far. I used to say, "I will be ok as I don't think I have much of a food addiction " ... I was so wrong.
The first few days have been so rough bc all I am left is with...myself! As my therapist put it and it's a tough place to be at. Not being able to go to food, alcohol, or shopping has been something that has made me look into myself and listen to myself.
I have a long road ahead but I am so grateful to have a network of support and feel I am not alone. I don't know how people do this without support of a professional or some type of group.
Good luck all!
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Probably doesn't mean much to many of you, but the protruding collar bone that has recently make its presence to me... is a HUGE ordeal!
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I have not taken the time to share my story, as a matter of fact I have still not changed my Facebook pictures, or the ones of me at work. food. I believe I had an actual addiction to food, the same as an addict, I didn't see it as an issue... But now I realize that I had a problem.
I eat to live now, instead of living to eat. The surgery helped by taking away the cravings, but I worry that if I reintroduce things like breads, fried foods, and other crap, I will develop the addiction again, just as if an alcoholic was to just have " 1 drink". It is a disease, with horrible side effects including low self confidence, depression, and humiliation.
I have made it my mission to find healthy foods, and replace all of my old favs, with healthy... And what I call, feel good foods. An FG food is one that I can eat comfortably, and they just basically feel good. for me, my list of items that I probably have a little of everyday would include... Chobani Flips. (190-210 cal, 12 gram protein)... These are my go to, if I haven't eaten in a while and am hungry, I can put this down a bit faster, and the size is pretty perfect for a meal. Love them all! Pickles- (0-5 cals) I love the spicy pickles, but I can eat them all. Pickles have become a regular snack in my life. Spears, slices, whatever, they all rock! Soup, soup, and more soup!!! My souls have been a huge part of my success. I make a huge crock of soup and it lasts me weeks. You can freeze some, but always have some in the fridge ready to microwave. I make a few varieties, but the basis is always the same. chicken broth base, cut with Water. Chicken or Cod fish, yep... I said fish! My family hates the smell of my "fish soup" but I loved it! However if you are not a big fish can just go with chicken. Vegetables- carrots, onions, mushrooms, kale, spinach, and even Brussels sprouts... Whatever you like and then I would spice it up with Cayenne and red pepper flakes, I even used Sriracha at times. This soup has been a staple for me since the 3rd month post, and I still make a lot here and there now. It was just great for me to grab a coffee cup, fill it, microwave it, and enjoy it.
I pushed myself to walk, and then I started "1 TED" lol. That means 1 thing every day. If it was parking in the back of the parking lot when at a store, or walking down the street and back when going to pick up the mail, I would just push to do 1 thing, which then would keep except use in the front of my mind.
Get an Apple Watch or Fitbit, make goals and hit them! What I learned is that we are capable of so much! When you are used to walking around with an additional 100 plus, your body has been working out for a long time. Now when the weight is gone, you still have that strong frame. Put it to work! I made some new friends that are athletic, I try and play Pickleball ( the game kicks ass, combo of tennis, volleyball, & ping pong) instead of cardio... I want to transition to a healthy lifestyle, not a 30 minute gym session that I won't be looking forward to.
Think of your weight loss as a super power, but only if you stick to the guidelines. This works for me, and I believe it to be a super power... Let me explain.
Since the weight loss, the world has been easier for me. I can go to an amusement park and get on the rides. I can fly on a plane and not need an extension. I can walk into a crowded bar and not start sweating my ass off! I can buy clothes at a normal store, and with actual brand names on them. I can tie my damn shoes, and without holding my breathe! I can sit in any chair, and not just the ones without sides... I can even sit in the plastic ones.
Woman treat me so differently! I am no longer just the funny guy... Even though I haven't changed! Life has just become much easier, much better, and much healthier, and I never want to go back, so I will continue to treat it as an addiction and will not look to be able to re introduce "everything" back into my eating habits, but instead I will work to find better foods. The nice thing about eating less, is that you can afford to buy smaller portions allowing for better quality foods. Take advantage of that! I always have almonds in the house, and I love veggie chips, especially the jalepeno, but now I grab a handful and walk away... If I want another handful, I will go get it at 30 cals, per handful, but I am going to force myself to get up and walk to the kitchen to get a handful
I feel so lucky to have had this surgery, and if I can help you in anyway let me know! I hope you have found this helpful, I know that writing it has helped me... So thanks!
 


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I'm one month out today and down 18 lbs from my surgery on 12/21, down 38 lbs including my pre-op diet phase. I saw someone post that they'd lost 48 lbs(!) in the four weeks since surgery and I've heard from others that their weight didn't really start to fall off till a couple months post-op. My question is there a "normal" rate of weight loss for VGS, or is everyone truly different? I'm happy with my loss; just wondering if I'm on track and what to expect in the coming weeks and months on this journey.
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Hello everyone! I am 10 days post op and I can tell you that my therapist and support group have been an integral part of recovery thus far. I used to say, "I will be ok as I don't think I have much of a food addiction " ... I was so wrong.
The first few days have been so rough bc all I am left is with...myself! As my therapist put it and it's a tough place to be at. Not being able to go to food, alcohol, or shopping has been something that has made me look into myself and listen to myself.
I have a long road ahead but I am so grateful to have a network of support and feel I am not alone. I don't know how people do this without support of a professional or some type of group.
Good luck all!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hello everyone! I am 10 days post op and I can tell you that my therapist and support group have been an integral part of recovery thus far. I used to say, "I will be ok as I don't think I have much of a food addiction " ... I was so wrong.
The first few days have been so rough bc all I am left is with...myself! As my therapist put it and it's a tough place to be at. Not being able to go to food, alcohol, or shopping has been something that has made me look into myself and listen to myself.
I have a long road ahead but I am so grateful to have a network of support and feel I am not alone. I don't know how people do this without support of a professional or some type of group.
Good luck all!
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Working... I will however be wrapping my Christmas tree with my old clothes that I can't donate and torching it in the front yard while I dance around it like a lunatic.

Dec 22. I would like to join.
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Hi there! I am 3 days post op - 12/22 - and today was very nice to wake up and be able to drink/sip without discomfort. It took me abt 1/2 hr to drink a shake that yesterday took me abt 2.5 just bc the feeling was horrible. I feel each day getting better and better though.
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I honestly don't think it was one moment; but I used to be athletic and cute [emoji23]
I injured my ankle and the weight just packed on after that. I didn't want to go out with friends anymore. Had no interest in dating. No energy for activities with my son.
Summer of 2015, at 260 lbs, I could not get on a ride a Six Flags. I was embarrassed, and my son was pissed (not at me, but at the park for not making rides to accommodate fat people).
For the first time, earlier this year, I needed a seatbelt extender on a flight from Chicago to Boston.
I'm single, so I also noticed that men began to look right through me, or avoid eye contact altogether (not that I want attention like that, but in my cuter days I'd at least get eye contact and a smile lol). I just began to realize that I couldn't be myself in the body I was in. I hated looking around a room to realize I'm the fattest one in it.
The constant back and neck pain. I stopped having my period. Constant headaches. Brain fog. Honestly, the list is too long to drill it down to a single moment.
I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. And I became lonely. And I felt like I was letting son down. I'm still struggling with knowing that I can't eat 4 tacos in one sitting, because... well... duh, tacos are amazing, but I'm excited to begin learning how to love foods that will love me back [emoji7]

My wife had to go in for brain surgery in April and I couldn't stay with her because my blood pressure spiked while I was sick. The Dr made me promise to take a blood pressure pill before leaving the pharmacy and call him in the morning to let him know that I was still alive. My blood pressure was 222/111. I couldn't get my blood pressure under 160/110 without meds afterwards. Now it is 110-120/80-85.

I'm one year post op here are some pics...

I am a few days shy of the two month mark... i am down 76 pounds so far

Down 65 pounds at 12 weeks post op

I had surgery almost 10 months ago. Hubby is just eatting better

I remember being pre-op and my favorite thing to do was look at progress photos and dream
I am 6 months, 10 days post op and I am down 128 pounds total. This isnt a very great pic since I have been sick, but i still took it because anything is better than my before!!

Thank you all for your prayers. I am home had my surgery yesterday and everything went well. Just gas pain ad anticipated and eased with walking. I am sipping on a Protein shake now as I feel a little hungry.
Good luck everyone and remember to walk!
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So happy to hear this! Wishing you a speedy recovery and now it's almost my turn
Will keep you posted!
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Post A Funny Weight Loss Picture or Quote For Everyone To Enjoy

I am happy to report that my surgery was yesterday and all went without event. As if yesterday afternoon I was walking around and going to the bathroom by myself. Feeling pretty good except just uncomfortable from hard bed and dry mouth.
Feeling excited
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My picture didn't post in my response for some reason.

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I'm scheduled for the 22nd too but it's today for me (Australia)!! I'm all dressed and preped in the waiting room.. 50minutes to go till my new life begins! Good luck tomorrow! Thoughts are with you! I know it's going to be the best decision we have made!
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I will pray for you and hope all goe's well.
*sandy*

Good luck you will do great.
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