Pam_2-06-2017

One more pound to go...weighed in today at 200!

I can't believe it! I've reached my goal of 125lbs lost and feel like a new person! This was by far the best decision I ever made!
Sleeved on 8/14/16
Starting weight: 295lbs
Goal weight: 170lbs
Current weight: 170lbs
Left photo: pre-sleeve taken in July 2016
Middle photo: 4 months post op
Right photo: 11 months post op taken today

7/7 no change :-/

I'd take two pounds and 4 days in Rome anyday!

6/30 - 175.4. Still moving in the right direction. Thanks!!!

No.
If you saw me eat you would never know I had WLS. At all.

I never cut dime size pieces, I don't even have the patience for that at all.

It is completely normal to have mood changes during the early stages of recovery. Every body is different and I believe how we handle the changes has to do with our nature as well. Not a bad thing, just reality. After surgery your hormones are sent into a tailspin. Lots of stuff going on inside that causes your exact symptoms. Your doctor should have talked to you about the good and the bad of these hormone changes.
The good is that when our bodies are sent into this tailspin it needs time to adjust. During that adjustment period it is important to stay very close to your eating plan and Water intake. Your body is creating new set points, new places where it is content. We want that set point to be thinner, healthier and happier. So work hard to lose, relax and just feel good about all these changes.
The bad is after surgery we are very good at getting our Protein, drinking our water and doing light exercise. All of these things release toxins and stored hormones from our fat, like estrogen. So if you find yourself crying at the drop of a hat, thinking about strangling your significant other, or locking yours or someone elses children in the closet, be happy, your burning fat:-) and all is as it should be.
Everyone is a bit scared after surgery of the possibilities for complication. Feel free to call your surgeon's office every time you are unsure and someone there should be able to assure you that all is well or call you in if there are really issues. Don't be shy, that's why they are there.
Also, prepare for feelings of regret, remorse, and anger at what you've done to yourself. I have described this phase as a really bad break up with our greatest love...the abuse of food. You will mourn not being able to eat like you did before. Be assured that all those feelings pass and when you are a couple months out and a few pounds down you feel so good and you will be happy that love is over. Life is different and oh, so, much better.
Take care

Head hunger is powerful. I have zero physical hunger. I eat because I'm supposed to but I never feel the sensation of hunger. Early on I had crazy head hunger. I couldn't tell if my body was truly hungry or just craving crap, so each time I felt hungry I ate. I only ate what I was allowed on the phase I was in. So hungry?, drink some Protein Shake. Hungry? Have some yogurt. Now, hungry? Find some dense Protein.
I still have occasional cravings for bad food. I am now in the habit of feeding that craving protein.
It gets easier to resist that pull.

I never really cut my food into tiny pieces but then I haven't tried steak yet and I'm 5 months post op. I really just practiced chewing my food thoroughly. I started doing that pre op when I learned my surgery date. I was surprised how little I chewed before surgery. Crazy.

I never really cut my food into tiny pieces but then I haven't tried steak yet and I'm 5 months post op. I really just practiced chewing my food thoroughly. I started doing that pre op when I learned my surgery date. I was surprised how little I chewed before surgery. Crazy.

Head hunger is powerful. I have zero physical hunger. I eat because I'm supposed to but I never feel the sensation of hunger. Early on I had crazy head hunger. I couldn't tell if my body was truly hungry or just craving crap, so each time I felt hungry I ate. I only ate what I was allowed on the phase I was in. So hungry?, drink some Protein Shake. Hungry? Have some yogurt. Now, hungry? Find some dense Protein.
I still have occasional cravings for bad food. I am now in the habit of feeding that craving protein.
It gets easier to resist that pull.

Hang in there! It can be an emotional time. Hormones are off the charts. I dreamed so hardcore about nachos after my surgery I thought I had eaten them (I've never really eaten nachos), I cried. My hubby had to prove to me that I hadn't eaten them, it was just so real. Then I laughed so hard about being upset about nachos I hadn't eaten, followed by hysterical tears about why I found it so funny.
Good news is that it all evened out. I don't laugh or cry about nachos anymore...lol

Thanks so much for the reply I'm very much happy when I'm with my family (partner, brother and mother) but I find when I'm alone I'm in hysterics haha but then I'm happy I know it's just a phase I'll get through it and my mum reminds me why I did this because I had problems and needed to fix it so I made the right decision for myself and for my future with kids to come and a wedding. I do miss the food but I know I'll be okay without it and I'll be able to enjoy new foods and explore different recipes I should be excited and I am very much so. I just have to get past this *bump* and I'll be okay

Sent from my A1601 using BariatricPal mobile app

Cw: 163
Gw:150
Stupid "tom" is killing my willpower. Been eating everything. Getting back on track tomorrow.

Sent from my SM-G925T using BariatricPal mobile app

June 30th
Current Weight: 275.8
Goal Weight: 250

Surgery in 6 days, very excited and slightly nervous about a bunch of people poking around inside of me with sharp tools haha

It was a hard concept for me to get until I was post op a couple of months. WLS does not keep you from eating anything. After you heal you will, for the most part, be able to eat anything you want but in smaller quantities. I have absolutely no problem eating anything at all. With the exception of fried potatoes, which is ok with me.

You've probably heard it before but this surgery is a tool to help you learn the self control needed to maintain a healthy weight. Consequently, you will not succeed if you do not change your relationship with food. I still enjoy a good meal but it is a rare treat to indulge myself. I stick with my plan of 60-100g of Protein and less than 25g of carbs and ensuring I drink 64 oz Water a day. Staying within that guideline has worked for me. Occasionally I slip when I'm with family or friends but my new tool helps me to get back at it the next day.

I encourage you to use pre op and post op restrictions to evaluate your relationship with food. You will mourn the loss, regret your decision, and get angry because you did this to yourself. You experience the toughest breakup you have ever known. Your very emotional relationship with food must come to an end and it hurts like hell. But!!!! There is so much joy on the other side of that.

I drive through town and never think of running through a drive thru. I can prepare a meal for my family without "tasting" a full meals worth of calories. I can go to a movie and skip the buttered popcorn. These are concepts that I did not know existed.

You will get it. You will know exactly what I mean and it will be so freeing. I am amazed what I missed because eating was so important to me.

Good luck! And take care.

It was a hard concept for me to get until I was post op a couple of months. WLS does not keep you from eating anything. After you heal you will, for the most part, be able to eat anything you want but in smaller quantities. I have absolutely no problem eating anything at all. With the exception of fried potatoes, which is ok with me.

You've probably heard it before but this surgery is a tool to help you learn the self control needed to maintain a healthy weight. Consequently, you will not succeed if you do not change your relationship with food. I still enjoy a good meal but it is a rare treat to indulge myself. I stick with my plan of 60-100g of Protein and less than 25g of carbs and ensuring I drink 64 oz Water a day. Staying within that guideline has worked for me. Occasionally I slip when I'm with family or friends but my new tool helps me to get back at it the next day.

I encourage you to use pre op and post op restrictions to evaluate your relationship with food. You will mourn the loss, regret your decision, and get angry because you did this to yourself. You experience the toughest breakup you have ever known. Your very emotional relationship with food must come to an end and it hurts like hell. But!!!! There is so much joy on the other side of that.

I drive through town and never think of running through a drive thru. I can prepare a meal for my family without "tasting" a full meals worth of calories. I can go to a movie and skip the buttered popcorn. These are concepts that I did not know existed.

You will get it. You will know exactly what I mean and it will be so freeing. I am amazed what I missed because eating was so important to me.

Good luck! And take care.

It was a hard concept for me to get until I was post op a couple of months. WLS does not keep you from eating anything. After you heal you will, for the most part, be able to eat anything you want but in smaller quantities. I have absolutely no problem eating anything at all. With the exception of fried potatoes, which is ok with me.

You've probably heard it before but this surgery is a tool to help you learn the self control needed to maintain a healthy weight. Consequently, you will not succeed if you do not change your relationship with food. I still enjoy a good meal but it is a rare treat to indulge myself. I stick with my plan of 60-100g of Protein and less than 25g of carbs and ensuring I drink 64 oz Water a day. Staying within that guideline has worked for me. Occasionally I slip when I'm with family or friends but my new tool helps me to get back at it the next day.

I encourage you to use pre op and post op restrictions to evaluate your relationship with food. You will mourn the loss, regret your decision, and get angry because you did this to yourself. You experience the toughest breakup you have ever known. Your very emotional relationship with food must come to an end and it hurts like hell. But!!!! There is so much joy on the other side of that.

I drive through town and never think of running through a drive thru. I can prepare a meal for my family without "tasting" a full meals worth of calories. I can go to a movie and skip the buttered popcorn. These are concepts that I did not know existed.

You will get it. You will know exactly what I mean and it will be so freeing. I am amazed what I missed because eating was so important to me.

Good luck! And take care.

It was a hard concept for me to get until I was post op a couple of months. WLS does not keep you from eating anything. After you heal you will, for the most part, be able to eat anything you want but in smaller quantities. I have absolutely no problem eating anything at all. With the exception of fried potatoes, which is ok with me.

You've probably heard it before but this surgery is a tool to help you learn the self control needed to maintain a healthy weight. Consequently, you will not succeed if you do not change your relationship with food. I still enjoy a good meal but it is a rare treat to indulge myself. I stick with my plan of 60-100g of Protein and less than 25g of carbs and ensuring I drink 64 oz Water a day. Staying within that guideline has worked for me. Occasionally I slip when I'm with family or friends but my new tool helps me to get back at it the next day.

I encourage you to use pre op and post op restrictions to evaluate your relationship with food. You will mourn the loss, regret your decision, and get angry because you did this to yourself. You experience the toughest breakup you have ever known. Your very emotional relationship with food must come to an end and it hurts like hell. But!!!! There is so much joy on the other side of that.

I drive through town and never think of running through a drive thru. I can prepare a meal for my family without "tasting" a full meals worth of calories. I can go to a movie and skip the buttered popcorn. These are concepts that I did not know existed.

You will get it. You will know exactly what I mean and it will be so freeing. I am amazed what I missed because eating was so important to me.

Good luck! And take care.

It comes, it goes, it comes, it goes:-) Totally normal. Surprised your Dr didn't discuss the effect WLS has on your hormones. It is key to changing your weight set point. All those hormones are a good thing right now. I'm still waiting for mine to level but since I am only 3 months out it will be a while. Take advantage of this time to lose as much weight as you can by sticking to the plan and exercising.
Good luck

I think you are a different person! You look so amazing ! Congratulations!

I am so glad I re-read this wonderful post again today. When I first read it, I was still choosing doctors, getting the list of tests, worried about other stuff. Now that I'm being sleeved in 2.5 weeks, and I have my date as well as getting ready for pre op diet, it's a whole new perspective. I have only DAYS to eat how I have been eating. I eat very healthily, but in generous portions. And last night I was almost crying at dinner. I made beautiful roast chicken, a salad and rice. I put 1/2 c or so of rice on my plate. I may never do that again. I am starting to mourn food the way I know it.

It's sad, it's a huge change, but I'm also excited for new health, being able to do more things, looking better.
But just now I am really feeling the feels, because I know that accepting the emotions helps you get through them.
I have absolutely no desire to "pig out" but I am making corn on the cob for my family tonight and I plan on eating a whole ear. And my last day of eating will be July 4 and I might make a cherry pie.
My goal is still to cook well for my big family and just not eat it or very tiny bit. Your post made me see my goal as possible. Thanks
(I cry over hockey so why shouldn't I cry over dinner? LOL)

It was a hard concept for me to get until I was post op a couple of months. WLS does not keep you from eating anything. After you heal you will, for the most part, be able to eat anything you want but in smaller quantities. I have absolutely no problem eating anything at all. With the exception of fried potatoes, which is ok with me.

You've probably heard it before but this surgery is a tool to help you learn the self control needed to maintain a healthy weight. Consequently, you will not succeed if you do not change your relationship with food. I still enjoy a good meal but it is a rare treat to indulge myself. I stick with my plan of 60-100g of Protein and less than 25g of carbs and ensuring I drink 64 oz Water a day. Staying within that guideline has worked for me. Occasionally I slip when I'm with family or friends but my new tool helps me to get back at it the next day.

I encourage you to use pre op and post op restrictions to evaluate your relationship with food. You will mourn the loss, regret your decision, and get angry because you did this to yourself. You experience the toughest breakup you have ever known. Your very emotional relationship with food must come to an end and it hurts like hell. But!!!! There is so much joy on the other side of that.

I drive through town and never think of running through a drive thru. I can prepare a meal for my family without "tasting" a full meals worth of calories. I can go to a movie and skip the buttered popcorn. These are concepts that I did not know existed.

You will get it. You will know exactly what I mean and it will be so freeing. I am amazed what I missed because eating was so important to me.

Good luck! And take care.

It was a hard concept for me to get until I was post op a couple of months. WLS does not keep you from eating anything. After you heal you will, for the most part, be able to eat anything you want but in smaller quantities. I have absolutely no problem eating anything at all. With the exception of fried potatoes, which is ok with me.

You've probably heard it before but this surgery is a tool to help you learn the self control needed to maintain a healthy weight. Consequently, you will not succeed if you do not change your relationship with food. I still enjoy a good meal but it is a rare treat to indulge myself. I stick with my plan of 60-100g of Protein and less than 25g of carbs and ensuring I drink 64 oz Water a day. Staying within that guideline has worked for me. Occasionally I slip when I'm with family or friends but my new tool helps me to get back at it the next day.

I encourage you to use pre op and post op restrictions to evaluate your relationship with food. You will mourn the loss, regret your decision, and get angry because you did this to yourself. You experience the toughest breakup you have ever known. Your very emotional relationship with food must come to an end and it hurts like hell. But!!!! There is so much joy on the other side of that.

I drive through town and never think of running through a drive thru. I can prepare a meal for my family without "tasting" a full meals worth of calories. I can go to a movie and skip the buttered popcorn. These are concepts that I did not know existed.

You will get it. You will know exactly what I mean and it will be so freeing. I am amazed what I missed because eating was so important to me.

Good luck! And take care.

I'm losing lots of hair. I have a lot to lose so nobody really notices. I sure notice it. I started losing it at 2.5 months but have been losing it much faster lately at nearly 4 months out. Ive taken all the Vitamins etc. I went through this when I lost lots of weight on the HCG diet years ago. It grows back but dang it's scary!!!