IveGotThePower

25 months post op and NO Regrets at all. I work hard with my Registered Dietitian and I still see her every month or two to fine tune my diet. I am constantly reading and learning about nutrition. I love to eat and I spend more $ on food because I can eat more and I buy higher quality foods when I can find them, like pastured organic dairy and meat as well as some specialty items for smoothies, like chia seeds, probiotics, liquid b-complex and organic fruits. I also love fresh seafood. I have learned that a healthy diet is not necessarily the same thing as a weight loss diet. My diet is great, but haven't lost more since 10 months post op. I have gained 5/6 and stay there. My blood work numbers are very good and I consciously try to make my meals very nutrient rich with an emphasis on plant based and healthy fats with a good quality protein. No longer being addicted to sugar is a very freeing experience that makes me happy every time I see processed sugar and don't have the physical reaction I used to have. I can take it or leave it now. So 95% of the time I leave it. I love to cook including experimental dishes. Make no mistake, it takes work. Once the magic wears off, you will have to fall back on what you have learned about nutrition to keep the weight off or loose more, which is extremely difficult. But, better health, better quality of life, more choices in life. So, so, worth it.

I read an article recently where someone took a salad with them like xoxococojay said. I like that idea. May give it a try. Lots of items you can add to that. And the movie theater popcorn grosses me out, so I will make my own popcorn also. As I am thinking about this, if you go straight from home, you can probably bring almost anything since you aren't letting it sit out for long . Maybe even salmon and veggies...lol. Hey, we do what we gotta do.

One of my bigger challenges is eating healthy when I go to the movies. I do like to snack while watching a movie, so I'll usually bring a bag of nuts, roasted edamame and maybe a few pieces of dark chocolate in a zip top baggie to munch on. Another snack I take is berries. It annoys me that the snack choices at the movie theater are so poor. Would love to hear thoughts on what you do when going to the movie theater to stay on track.

Congratulations on your surgery! You did it! Now the journey of your life begins. Next step is to follow the instructions given to you by your bariatric program and you will loose. Going to share some things that helped me a LOT. I saw and still see the bariatric Registered Dietitian that I had to see in the beginning of my journey. WLS will definitely help you loose weight, but now is the time to use your spiffy new TOOL to form good eating habits. The surgery will do most of the work for the first 6 to 12 months. Then it's more you than the tool. So forming the new habits is absolutely essential to your success. Learn about good nutrition. This will be invaluable to you when you can eat more and the weight loss stops. Regain is a real thing. Give yourself all the help you can. Another tidbit that I like to share is to make a journal. Journal your journey Take before pictures in a certain location/outfit, front, side and back and note the date and your weight. Then do it again periodically as you loose the weight. I like to go back and read my journal to see where my thoughts were in the beginning. It really helps to gain perspective on how far you have come. You don't have to share it with anyone. Also, wish I had done some before videos, but I didn't do that. Something to consider. Wishing you much success!

Thank you so much for posting your experience with Intermittent Fasting. I read Jason Fung's book the Obesity Code and watched many of his you tube videos as well as Dr. Berg's IF / keto / Insulin resistant videos. They have been very informative. I am insulin resistant as well and carb sensitive. I am 26 months out and up 4 to 8 lbs, depending on the day. My diet is very good, but I believe insulin is my issue as well. I was eating all day long. Great stuff, but never letting my insulin levels drop enough to burn fat. Can't store and burn at the same time. I have experimented with IF and am on 8:16 right now. It does make a difference for me as well. Just started a few days ago for the 2nd time, so I need to give it more time, but please keep us posted on your progress. Not sure I will do the 24 hour fasting, but we'll see. I see a lot of people who have gained and want to take it off, but not many who haven't really gained, but are 2+ years and want to loose more. I still have a good 50-60 lbs before I would be at a normal weight, so I don't feel like I'm done yet, but at 10 months my weight loss stopped and there it has been for the past 15 months. Keep up the good work!!

I would so do it again in a heartbeat. How many other things have you tried? How many worked? How long do you want to stay on that hamster wheel doing the same thing over and over and getting the same result? It is work. You will have to change your diet. You do have to follow the rules. But this surgery makes it possible. I highly recommend doing more research. Get the statistics. Are the potential health benefits worth it? Is fitting into your life and the world more comfortably worth it? Oh yea! Read, read, read until the answer becomes clear and you are comfortable with YOUR decision. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

This is a question for those who are over a year out. Anyone tried adding complex carbs? I don't do them now, but I am considering experimenting. I'm wondering if anyone has been able to successfully incorporate them without gaining weight over a several month period of time. If I add healthy fat to my meal, I stay full longer, but I am concerned about the fat and the carbs together.

I'm almost 2 years out, so not sure if you can have this yet. But, I slice very ripe bananas thin and freeze one per zip top bag, then put them in the food processor and it is delicious, not to mention you can customize in many ways. Other fruit, peanut butter, small amount of nuts, small pieces of very dark chocolate. So much healthier than the store bought stuff. Right now it is so very important to work on your food choices. I highly recommend working with a bariatric nutritionist because there is so much to learn. I am at a place where I am 100% happy with what I eat and I don't count or measure anything. I had to be at a point that was sustainable for me. I do watch portions and I know I will always have to be mindful of my choices, but I have found substitutes and new foods that are absolutely as satisfying as what I ate before. Follow the rules and your tastes will change. I still see my nut almost monthly and have no plans to stop. The very best to you.

Thank you jenn1. Congratulations to you as well. You have done a fantastic job also. Your comment brings up another question. I am sure that we have improved our health and our potential for developing additional obesity related health issues in the future. However, it would be nice to see how much the statistics improve from where I am vs another 30 or 40 lbs. Sort of an answer to whether the "pain and suffering" if you will for that additional weigh is worth it. Not just a vanity thing.

I make these but I do a 2 egg to one banana ratio and coconut flour for a little thickness. I make small medallion pancakes and freeze them so I just grab one here and there for a snack. Yummy! Thanks for sharing.

I am 20 months out and have lost 93 lbs. I fluctuate 2 to 3 lbs above that. Today I was exactly 93 lbs again, but for the past 10 months I NEVER go below that. It feels like my brain controls my hunger to keep me at this set point. And maybe it does. Has anyone got to a stable point above their "goal weight" and just said, ok this is where my body seems to be happy. This seems to be a sustainable point where I am going to be. And just accept that and continue to make healthy choices and stop trying to loose more weight, cause it just doesn't seem to be in the stars. Don't get me wrong. I am thrilled with my weight loss and very thankful and comfortable where I am. But I am still obese on the BMI charts. When do we just accept obese?

Don't beat yourself up. Obesity is a multi factorial disease. It is caused by many things. Eating habits, activity level, genetics, gut microbes, hormones and who knows what else. The medical community can't even tell us exactly why weight loss surgery works. We just know that it is the most effective treatment that we have at the moment. Everyone is different. Don't compare yourself with anyone else. I also believe that stress is a big contributor as it affects our hormones and our genes. I still see my bariatric nutritionist at 20 months out and have no plans to stop because we have to be diligent and do everything we can to fight this disease. If you have access to one, I would highly recommend doing that because you are right, there is so much misinformation and information that does not pertain to us out there. Time and time again I have found her information to be spot on. She reels me in back to nutrition and away from the confusion. Also, I have said it before and I still believe that if we get to a point where we feel like we are loosing control, reaching out for psychological help is a good thing. It can't hurt and I've seen many people who said they were so glad they did. You can do this.

Love this question! I guess it depends on what plan you are following. One of my most recent favorites is a mixed green salad tossed in a lemony dressing sprinkled with quinoa or ancient grains with a nice piece of fresh grilled salmon on top. YUM!

Thank you Outsidematchinginside. You are always a good source of information. I'll check around to see if I can have my metabolism tested.

20 months out from VSG. I eat pretty much low carb meat and veggies. But I do include some fruit and dairy. No refined sugar. Very little Stevia here and there. No processed food. Omelets with lots of veggies and some cheese, Salad w/chicken or fish. salmon, mussels or shrimp. Spinach, onions, green peppers, brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus and sometimes some sweet potato. Cheese sticks, almond milk or Fairlife whole milk. Greek organic yogurt, cheese sticks. Still do shakes maybe a couple of times a week because Iike them. Sometimes berry and vanilla and sometimes chocolate coffee. Or even Fuzzy Navel (Syntrax). Grass fed beef burgers too. Some bean or lentil dishes. Nuts and roasted edamame and peanut butter. Fruit, frozen banana ice cream with dark chocolate. I really don't feel limited, there are so many good options.

I am 20 months out from VSG. Lost 93 total lbs in the first 10 months. I maintained very healthy eating habits, but the volume I can eat certainly increased. Maintained within 3 to 4 lbs over that 2nd 10 months, but never went past that 93 lb mark. I never measured or really counted anything. I do eat high quality protein and veggies at every meal and do very low sugar and carbs. Although after 20 months I started slowly adding Ezekial bread and cereal and oats and quinoa to see how that affects my body. No change after 2 to 3 weeks as of yet. I have read and was told by my NUT, who I still see, that a person who loses weight must then continue to eat fewer calories than they would have at their previous weight had they not gained. Meaning if you gained to 250 lbs, then lost 50 lbs, you would have to eat fewer calories at 200 than you could eat at 200 lbs prior to loosing weight. That being said, if we loose weight a year or two after wls, does that hold true for us? So if I loose another 30 lbs, will I have to continue to eat even fewer calories and even lower that amount as I get older and my metabolism slows even more? This is a bit of a depressing thought. Right now I am comfortable eating healthy and not counting or worrying about it. Anyone have personal experience with this?

Great post! Thank you for sharing. Hope you continue to post each year. Congratulations on your success. Agreed. The first year is the best and easiest. After that, you have to work. But so worth it!

Great Job Killian. Do you have a nuts who specializes in bariatrics in place to help when you are able to eat more? Never too soon to begin learning what your best food choices are to make your journey as successful as you want it to be. Hunger will return and you will need to rely on your new eating habits to keep you on track. You can do this.

Thank you for the tip. Took a look at the before and after for these and they look good. I too am considering having some work done after the 20-30 more pounds I hope to loose. Still struggling with that. But good to know our options.

Check out the obesity code or intermittent fasting. I do the 8/16 and it helps. Not easy, but another tool. Also my nut had me cut out the fruit that was slowly snaking back into my diet. And focusing on water more. 5 lbs in 5 days. I know it is fast at first then slows down, but these are some more tools. Good luck to you. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Find a nutritionist who specializes in bariatrics and learn from them. Our needs are different. Read and learn everything you can about eating a very healthy diet. I recommend paleo with few if any fruit, and I do include dairy. People are going to disagree with this, but exercise is great, just not for weight loss. It is almost all about diet. Your tastes will change. Mine did right after surgery, and continue to change even now as I continue to improve my diet. The honeymoon phase is a real thing. During that time weight will melt off. But get ready because one day it will stop and you need to have developed the skills necessary to either continue to loose if you want, or maintain. Learn, learn, learn. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

17 months out and 93 lbs down as of 10 months out. Maintained within 5 lbs since then. Don't measure, weigh or count anything. I do low carb, focus on protein and do Nothing low fat. But I do lots of healthy fats. I see my nut every few weeks. She specializes in bariatric and I think that makes a difference. Love the way I eat and the foods I eat and I think that makes all the difference. I agree that most store bought mayo has junk in it. Take a look at Primal Kitchen mayo. A bit pricey, but we're worth it. They have a chipotle lime flavor also, which I put in my chicken salad and am eating now. Hope that helps. Good fats are healthy. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

Weight loss is a very complicated thing. Scientists are still trying to figure it out. I have read that genetics, environment, gut microbes, bile acids and hormones all play a roll in how we gain/loose weight. And how insulin (even for non diabetics) can be controlled to help with weight loss. How grains, even whole grains can affect our weight and that they are not necessary. I have learned that tastes really can and do change over time and that you can truly enjoy a low carb high nutrient diet. I have learned to read labels and choose foods with fewer, simple ingredients. I have learned that even the most stubborn person can be positively influenced by seeing the results of someone who has lost a lot of weight and enjoys better health. I have learned some of the little tricks the food industry uses to try to make people think their products are healthy when they are not. Prime example is the low fat label that has lots of added sugar. I know how addictive sugar is and am thankful to be off the sugar rollercoaster. The more I learn, the better my choices because I understand the why of it more. What things have you learned that may help someone who is starting this journey. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

1. Buy new wardrobe that looks good - check 2. Feel more comfortable in the world - check 3. Wear heels and cross my legs - check 4. Retake lots of cruise pictures - check 5. World's longest zip line over water - check 6. Have more energy than my Husband - check 7. Be able to wear normal sized bracelets, rings and knee socks. And normal width shoes - check 8. Not have to worry about how I am going to loose weight - check 9. Feel in control of my eating habbits and my health - check 10. Feel like I am no longer restricted in life due to my weight - check Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app

My advice is to take pictures and make videos of your before self journaling what you are experiencing and what you learn along the way. I did some, but wish I did a video of my pre surgery self talking about what I hoped for and what I expected. Also, if you can see a nutritionist who specializes in bariatric, I would recommend that. I still see mine about once a month and have no plans to stop. There are always new products out there to learn about. Follow the rules, educate yourself and enjoy the ride. Sent from my SM-N920V using BariatricPal mobile app