BigUtahMan

Amen Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Amen Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I weighed 355 (Nov '16) Surgery weight 338 Current weight 283 (I didn't track very often before so I would disregard previous data points.) But you can clearly see sudden drops, weight gains and stalls. Rarely matching my consistent dedication to my plan. I know as I change my relationship with food and make good choices in each moment and day, the rest will take care of itself. Just not in a perfect line. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

As I lose the weight, now down 70lbs, I expect more and more people to notice and make a positive comment about it. (The exact opposite thought when I was gaining my weight.) I was with family and friends last week and their reaction was minimal. I was a little bothered by the lack of reaction, and then realized how hypocritical it is of me to want reactions now, but a few short months ago I did not want any attention given to my physical condition. A- I am still 280, so it's not like I am skinny. B- I am wearing smaller size clothes, so my stomach (flat tire) is still visible. C- it's ok for now as I am only ½ way, and even if no one notices, I do and that is enough. During that same week we went as a family to Knotts berry farm, I was able to fit on all the rides and roller coasters with my daughters which was a big deal to me personally. I am currently not a slave to my cravings and feel a since of freedom I haven't felt for a very long time. Do I want people to still notice, yes. But it was a good lesson to learn, I don't need it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I know your pain, I just ended a 5 week stall. But I am still better now in a stall, then I was before surgery. I was miserable, out of control and without hope. Now, I have hope, and I know I have the rest of my life to lose. We are running marathons, not sprints. Stay strong! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Total of 70 pounds! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

March 17. - 285 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

One good decision and day at a time, glad to know you are in the path for the best you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

287- 3/10/17 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The best thing about this post is knowing that a 6 week stall exists- I am entering week 4 !! And while I keep telling myself all the right things, I question more and more what's going on inside! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am an addict as well, I have no secrets to share other than the same exact thing happened to me. I was eating hundreds of "exception" calories a day, and was wondering why I was in a stall!!! I have since made the decision to temporarily cut out carbs from my diet, and it has gotten much easier. Carbs influence my cravings the most. So what was 100% unmanageable has become quite manageable. You can do it, as I can do it! but I haven't found an easy way how to yet, but that is ok too. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Very inspirational Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You are welcome, I hope it helps. Something I learned about myself these past few weeks. 1 - my cravings were carb and sugar based. Once I stopped consuming those, the cravings disappeared. (Did not know it was possible, still in shock) 2 - Without cravings, why I eat, what I eat, how much I eat can now be analyzed. ( if I eat to solve cravings, it's like I am doing whatever I have to to get my next fix. which does not allow the state of mind open for learning or change.) 3- I know how much I NEED, so why am I tempted to eat more? What emotional payoff am I expecting. I still have bad days. (Learning opportunities) But I can say I have more hope. If you can get off carbs, I highly recommend it to see if that changes things for you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good luck! Very happy for you, expect to be down a couple weeks, but it gets better! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Short list of things that control ones weight loss in addition to calorie control. (Ultimately our surgeries only limit quantity of food or calorie intake when we let it.) Endocrine system, hormone balance, insulin resistance, base metabolism rate, exercise, sleep, genetics (on how well we convert food to fat), food choices (balance of macro nutrients, and does our eating create an insulin response. Body does not burn fat whe insulin is present.) Age in relation to metabolism and propensity for the systems in our body out of balance or damaged to return to normal. Muscle mass - also age related to gain, also effects metabolism and rate of resting fat burn. Stress - a stressed body secretes hormones which impedes weight loss. So for all of us comparing our weight loss to others based off of time from surgery, we are most certainly going to be disappointed and grossly inaccurate in our assumptions of why we are failing or even winning. For us to properly compare, we would need medical and genetic records with their daily activity, food, stress, and sleep. What I must repeatedly tell myself that always works, "if I stay on plan, the weight will come off, for the short term and long term. I must focus running my own race with my body, not their race with theirs." Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

3/3/17 288

If you are old enough to take control of your life, then you are old enough for the surgery. My parents hated the fact that I elected to have bariatric surgery to solve my obesity, and I did it twice. (They were very comfortable with the "diet" yo-yo, and if I merely had the self-disciple, I wouldn't be in the situation. They see it as a failure and weakness, even though I have had success with both procedures.) But usually, are family dynamics contribute to the way we are (fat and unhealthy) on many levels. You will quickly discover those issues as you go through surgery and will need to navigate through them for the surgery to work long term. Of course, you can do it, as you see countless people on this forum choose to make it happen each day as well. As you likely know, age does not determine success, your determination to work through your issues as you stick to the program does. You know if you are ready, and when you really are, the rest of the people in your life don't matter.

Sleeved Nov 25th, lost 65 so far from pre-liquid diet, 50 from surgery date.

Love the honest transparency Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This forum is a wonderful resource to see and experience the progress and journey of everyone on a similar journey as myself. Some stories show me all the things I could be doing better. Other stories, make me feel lucky my procedure went well and I am experiencing strong weight loss. The past few weeks I joined a love yourself valentines challenge which requires weekly weigh ins. I decided to participate to increase my commitment to myself and program. With the increased commitment, came an increase in weight loss expectations. While I enjoyed a quick drop in weight loss the first couple weeks, it was followed by a two week stall. Even though I know the right answer, stalls are always a mental challenge when you want your efforts to be rewarded. So today while getting ready for church I put in size 42 pants. It was at that moment I realized how lost in the stall my mental perspective had become. A year ago I was wearing size 54 inch pants. I have lost 10-12 inches around my waste, but yet allowed myself to have to much tunnel vision on my results of the moment. It was a great lesson for me to learn, so I feel compelled to share it to everyone else who would benefit from the same l insight as well. Thank you everyone for participating and sharing, you make my journey easier and more enjoyable. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Don't under estimate the weight of muscle gain. Muscle weighs more than fat, if you lost 10lbs of fat and 6 lbs of muscle are you still upset? The scale doesn't break down your body composition, but if you are sticking to the plan your body is changing. Your DR obviously knows this, thus shared no concern of you lack of short term loss. I am in a two week stall as well, so I know the underlying anxiety that builds evertime we step on the scale an don't see what we hope or expect. I do think you should hide the scale. I havent lost a pound in two weeks, but I lost an inch on my waste! Stay strong and stay on plan, and it all comes off in time. You are making wonderful life changes, the weight will come off. Thank you for sharing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Google can give a better answer, but your brain and body have two primary ways of processing food to energy. One is taking carbs and converting them to energy (you brain prefers this method as it is the easiest to take a carb and convert to energy) or having your body convert your fat into usable brain energy by your liver converting fat into ketones. Thus, your body runs off of your fat reserves instead of your food intake. But your body will only do this when carbs are not a viable option. So people who eat enough carbs to sustain their brain energy won't use their fat as a fuel resource. In lamens terms, you are changing your engine to run off of cooking oil instead of gasoline. By eating a higher fat diet, but low carb and moderate Protein. (Fats have to come from quality sources like coconut oil and avocado, not deep fried chicken and gravy) Atkins is basically a keto diet before they knew the science behind it. Here is a site that provides a lot of info from it- www.dietdoctor.com

I will check it out for sure! Thank you for sharing, best of luck with your surgery. If you can do keto before your surgery, you are going to nail this.

290 = 2/24 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Do not pay out of pocket, insurance will never reimburse you unless you are approved BEFORE the procedure Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App