DropWt4Life

If you are constantly getting some type of Protein in, and Fiber as well, you should not experience hunger. I made sure that every 2 hours or so, I was eating or drinking something. I never got hungry. Before cooking meals, I had a Protein Shake. I then would not be hungry when dinner or breakfast (on weekends) was ready.
I did a 2 week liquid diet even though I only had to do 1 week. I lost 25 pounds during this time, because I was determined to make it work. My advice would be to get your mind right. This is for you, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You've just got to look for it. We've tried and failed at every diet we've ever tried our entire lives. This tool is worth the trouble and hardships, because it tips the balance in our favor.
It may sound crazy, but self-talk works wonders. Everyday, wake up and look into the mirror. Tell yourself that you are beautiful...That you will work hard to achieve your goals that day.....That you are worth happiness.....That you are going to SUCCEED!
It will happen for you. Good luck on your journey!!

I had 2 stalls...One at 3 weeks, and one at 6 weeks. Each time, I slowly increased my calorie count, and the stall broke. I am at 850-1,000 calories now and losing about 2-3 pounds per week on average. Stalls suck, I know. However, this is a chance for your body to catch up with all of the physical and hormonal changes you have gone through.
Keep doing what you are doing and the stall will eventually break. In the meantime, you should still be losing inches. Also, stay off of the scale if it helps. That evil thing has caused me to binge on many occasions pre-surgery. Two or three weeks of staying the same weight or gaining weight can reek havoc on your mindset.
Stay strong my friends.

I am wondering why they would want to re-sleeve you instead of possibly doing a GB conversion. That seems to be the next logical step. I have read that you shouldn't re-sleeve as your stomach has already been cut open and there is a lot greater chance of complications from staple line leaks. I am sure there is literature out there that supports both sides though.
Have you tried to go back to basics? Protein, veggies, grains and fruit only with 0 processed foods? I think the hardest thing is getting rid of processed and junk foods once you have started eating a lot of them again. If you fell off of the wagon, get back on track. You have gained 61 pounds overall, and I think you can lose it without having another surgery. You should still have some restriction there.
Incidentally, your profile says that you had Lap-Band and not VSG. Did you change surgery types at the last minute, or did you actually have Lap-Band?
I am sorry that you are once again having to weigh options.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

I am wondering why they would want to re-sleeve you instead of possibly doing a GB conversion. That seems to be the next logical step. I have read that you shouldn't re-sleeve as your stomach has already been cut open and there is a lot greater chance of complications from staple line leaks. I am sure there is literature out there that supports both sides though.
Have you tried to go back to basics? Protein, veggies, grains and fruit only with 0 processed foods? I think the hardest thing is getting rid of processed and junk foods once you have started eating a lot of them again. If you fell off of the wagon, get back on track. You have gained 61 pounds overall, and I think you can lose it without having another surgery. You should still have some restriction there.
Incidentally, your profile says that you had Lap-Band and not VSG. Did you change surgery types at the last minute, or did you actually have Lap-Band?
I am sorry that you are once again having to weigh options.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck!

Start eating clean again. Avoid processed foods, junk foods and fast foods except for every once in a while (once every 2-3 weeks). If you don't currently exercise, start a routine. You should be getting several hours of physical activity per week. Track your diet, so you know where you are going wrong. If you are eating clean, watching your calorie intake, and getting in a reasonable amount of exercise, you should be able to rev up your metabolism.
At 6 months out, I have pretty much stopped losing weight. However, I am still losing inches as I continue to work out. My body fat percentage is right around 15% now, where I was at 40% before surgery. A month and a half ago, when my stall began, I was at 17%, so I definitely have continued to progress.
I know exercise, and weight training in particular is not for everyone, but it is awesome for changing the way that your body looks as well as helping to rev up your metabolism. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn 24 hours per day.
Good luck to you.

My surgery was 6 months ago today. I am sitting at 228 pounds, which is 8 pounds from my goal. I have not eaten low carb. I have incorporated tons of weight lifting into my exercise routine, and have eaten 85% clean over the past 6 months. I am just BARELY under what is considered obese by medical standards even though I have a 34" waist at 6'3" tall.
My takeaway from all of this is.....Don't base your progress on anyone else's. I am 98 pounds from my high weight (shown on left). I have lost only 61 pounds since surgery. However, you can see a definite difference in how I carry my weight. I am very happy with my progress. I am not at goal, but am no longer actively trying to get there. I am just focusing on my health.
My diet consists of tons of vegetables, Protein Shakes and lean Protein, super grains and fruit 6 days per week with 1 day of indulgence. Whatever I crave, gets eaten that day. I consulted with a bodybuilder friend of mine a few months ago, and he told me that the best way to lean up is to give yourself a day every week or so to calorie and carb load. This helps your body avoid thinking your are in starvation mode. Ever since I adopted that method, I have leaned up and increased my muscle percentage.
Anyway, I do track my meals with MyfitnessPal. I do weigh my food to ensure that I don't overeat. I don't deny myself anything. I just wait for whatever I want that week, and prioritize.
I am glad that mostly everyone is doing well. Just keep fighting for the life you want to have.

This is a menu option that I posted in another thread. I was eating this way at 7 weeks out. I made substitutions, but tried to eat 6X daily so that I didn't get hungry. I was told to up my calorie count to 800-1,000 per day since 6 weeks out.
Breakfast: 2 egg whites, 1/4 cup of spinach, 1veggie sausage (116 cals, 3g fat, 2g Net Carbs, 16g Protein)
AM Snack: 1 Premier Protein Shake (160 cals, 3g fat, 3g Net Carbs, 30g Protein)
Lunch: kale salad with cubed turkey (195 cals, 15g fat, 1g Net Carbs, 12g Protein)
Early PM Snack: 1 oz. raw almonds (160 cals, 14g fat, 3g Net Carbs, 6g Protein)
Dinner: 3 oz. grilled salmon with 1/4 cup chopped broccoli (185 cals, 11g fat, 1g Net Carbs, 19g Protein)
PM Snack: 2 celery sticks with 2 triangles of laughing cow cheese (85 cals, 3g fat, 1g Net Carbs, 4g Protein)
Macros: 901 calories, 49g fat, 11g Net Carbs, 87g Protein
I now eat more carbs then I did then, but still keep them under 70g on most days. I also keep my fat under 60g. I try to hit the 80g mark for protein each day.
A few times per week, I drink green protein smoothies. They are around 36 ounces, and that is all I will have until dinner as they are pretty filling. I normally divide it up into 3 drinks and have one every 3 hours or so. I will then have a dinner and PM snack as above. I really do believe that this helps to keep me pretty regular.
I play with a lot of different ingredients, but my favorite (right now) is...
1 cup frozen spinach, 1/2 cup frozen kale, 1/2 banana, 1 cup mean green juice, 1 Premier Protein shake (bananas and cream), 1 scoop Premier Protein Powder (vanilla), 1 Tbsp PB Fit Peanut Butter powder, 1Tbsp hemp seeds, 1Tbsp chia seeds, 2/3 cup Water, ice
(625 cals, 16g fat, 39g Net Carbs, 73g Protein)
I will use some stevia or splenda if I need to for sweetness, but just a bit. You can find a recipe for mean green juice online or purchase a green juice (raw) in many stores.

No loss on week 2 was just your body catching up to the drastic changes that you have endured. Keep following your plan. Everyone will lose at a different pace, and everyone experiences stalls from time to time. You are fine.

Two weeks should be fine. I also have a desk job, and realistically could have returned to work after a week. I was tired for a few days after surgery, but that went away at around day four.
At six months out, I can eat anything that I want. I try to eat clean for the most part, but do have "bad for you" foods on occasion.
I had a few alcoholic drinks at 4 1/2 months out (New Years Eve). I was fine, and didn't overdo it. I haven't had drinks since, because I just haven't felt like it.
I did make myself throw up once a few months ago. I normally weigh and measure my food, and on that particular occasion, I was out to eat with friends. I either overate, or ate too fast (or a combination of the two). Long story short, I ended up vomiting. I was really pissed at myself, because I tried hard to keep this from happening. Since then, I have practiced asking for a to-go box when my food arrives. I then pack away everything except for what looks like a handful. I eat that, and take the rest home.
It is all trial and error, and you learn from your mistakes.

Start eating clean again. Avoid processed foods, junk foods and fast foods except for every once in a while (once every 2-3 weeks). If you don't currently exercise, start a routine. You should be getting several hours of physical activity per week. Track your diet, so you know where you are going wrong. If you are eating clean, watching your calorie intake, and getting in a reasonable amount of exercise, you should be able to rev up your metabolism.
At 6 months out, I have pretty much stopped losing weight. However, I am still losing inches as I continue to work out. My body fat percentage is right around 15% now, where I was at 40% before surgery. A month and a half ago, when my stall began, I was at 17%, so I definitely have continued to progress.
I know exercise, and weight training in particular is not for everyone, but it is awesome for changing the way that your body looks as well as helping to rev up your metabolism. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn 24 hours per day.
Good luck to you.

Start eating clean again. Avoid processed foods, junk foods and fast foods except for every once in a while (once every 2-3 weeks). If you don't currently exercise, start a routine. You should be getting several hours of physical activity per week. Track your diet, so you know where you are going wrong. If you are eating clean, watching your calorie intake, and getting in a reasonable amount of exercise, you should be able to rev up your metabolism.
At 6 months out, I have pretty much stopped losing weight. However, I am still losing inches as I continue to work out. My body fat percentage is right around 15% now, where I was at 40% before surgery. A month and a half ago, when my stall began, I was at 17%, so I definitely have continued to progress.
I know exercise, and weight training in particular is not for everyone, but it is awesome for changing the way that your body looks as well as helping to rev up your metabolism. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn 24 hours per day.
Good luck to you.

People will definitely notice, and many will comment and ask questions. Eventually, it dies down, and things get more back to normal. I still get comments from time to time, and every long once in a while, someone will tell me to stop losing weight. I just smile, and go on about my day.
On a good note, my health insurance company gave me $700 yesterday for losing the weight, and staying active last year. What a wonderful surprise! It was announced in an insurance renewal meeting, and a few comments were made, but positive ones, which is all good.

Man, that dude is sad. He really doesn't have your back. How can someone who loves you actually talk like that? Easy way out....You know what is the easy way out?
Having a friggin metabolism that allows you to stay thin while eating burgers, fries, pizza, candy, etc.
Never having to look at the scale and decide, I'm only going to have Water instead of the friggin beer that everyone else will be drinking at the party.
As a matter of fact, the easy way out would be to say, "f** it! I don't care about my health. I don't care about my looks. I am just going to eat what I want, and drink what I want, and everyone can just Kiss My a**!"
Tell him that the next time he wants to be intimate, you already took the easy way out, and took care of yourself. Then tell him to do the same.
I'm a guy, and probably breaking man code, but damn!

No loss on week 2 was just your body catching up to the drastic changes that you have endured. Keep following your plan. Everyone will lose at a different pace, and everyone experiences stalls from time to time. You are fine.

I was vegetarian for 3 years, and always made my own Protein Shakes with Orgain Organic Protein Powder.
2 scoops of Orgain chocolate Protein powder (150 cals, 21g protein, 5g Fiber, 5g net carbs)
1Tbsp of PBFit Peanut Butter Powder (25 cals, 3g protein, 2g fiber, 2g net carbs)
2Tbsp Hemp Seeds (114 cals, 7g protein, 2g fiber, 0g net carbs)
1Tbsp ground Flax Seeds (37 cals, 1g protein, 2g fiber, 0g net carbs)
2 cups of Unsweetened Almond Milk (60 cals, 2g protein, 0g fiber, 2g net carbs)
1 medium frozen banana (105 cals, 1g protein, 3g fiber, 24g net carbs)
1 cup frozen spinach (45 cals, 6g protein, 4g fiber, 2g net carbs)
Ice and Water to desired consistency
Macros: (536 cals, 41g protein, 18g fiber, 35g net carbs)
This makes approximately 32-40 ounces depending on amount of ice and water added, so if you broke this up to 2 shakes, 268 cals, 20.5g protein, 9g fiber, 17.5g net carbs.

Good job. Working out is great for you over the long term. Yes, take your time, and ease into it. Before you know it, you will start developing muscle definition everywhere.
Good luck!

I am officially three months out as of yesterday, 11/7/2017. I feel great. I never thought that I would realize this rate of success so quickly. May of this year, I was sitting at 326 pounds. I was unhappy. I was just existing. I had been overweight for the majority of my life even though I was always active. I was the most in shape fat guy around. I worked out 5-7X per week for years. I tried every diet known to man. I would lose 30-50 pounds, and then gain it back. It was then hard to start up again. I tended to eat well during the week, only to destroy my progress over the weekend.
I had surgery on August 7, 2017. It was truly a life-changing experience. Shot out to Dr. Illan in Mexico, and Bariatric Pal for giving me this opportunity to change my life for the better. I am 19 pounds from my goal as of today. I have gone from a 44" pant size to a 36" pant size. The most miraculous thing that I noticed today is that I am no longer 6'2.5" tall. I am 6'3" today. I actually grew a half inch! I found out at a doctor's appointment two years ago that I had shrunk a half inch. I though that it was because of age. Well, look at the pictures below.
The left grouping was taken in May at my high weight of 326 pounds. The middle grouping was taken on 8/7 and 8/8 (before and after surgery) at 289 pounds. The right grouping was taken yesterday at 239 pounds. If you compare the middle and last grouping, you can tell that my posture has straightened out. I am actually taller by a half inch. Crazy!
Anyway, I didn't do this in SUCCESS STORIES, because I don't feel that I am there just yet. Who knows what the next three months have in store for me!
Has anyone else noticed a height change after weight loss?

Man, that dude is sad. He really doesn't have your back. How can someone who loves you actually talk like that? Easy way out....You know what is the easy way out?
Having a friggin metabolism that allows you to stay thin while eating burgers, fries, pizza, candy, etc.
Never having to look at the scale and decide, I'm only going to have Water instead of the friggin beer that everyone else will be drinking at the party.
As a matter of fact, the easy way out would be to say, "f** it! I don't care about my health. I don't care about my looks. I am just going to eat what I want, and drink what I want, and everyone can just Kiss My a**!"
Tell him that the next time he wants to be intimate, you already took the easy way out, and took care of yourself. Then tell him to do the same.
I'm a guy, and probably breaking man code, but damn!

People will definitely notice, and many will comment and ask questions. Eventually, it dies down, and things get more back to normal. I still get comments from time to time, and every long once in a while, someone will tell me to stop losing weight. I just smile, and go on about my day.
On a good note, my health insurance company gave me $700 yesterday for losing the weight, and staying active last year. What a wonderful surprise! It was announced in an insurance renewal meeting, and a few comments were made, but positive ones, which is all good.

Man, that dude is sad. He really doesn't have your back. How can someone who loves you actually talk like that? Easy way out....You know what is the easy way out?
Having a friggin metabolism that allows you to stay thin while eating burgers, fries, pizza, candy, etc.
Never having to look at the scale and decide, I'm only going to have Water instead of the friggin beer that everyone else will be drinking at the party.
As a matter of fact, the easy way out would be to say, "f** it! I don't care about my health. I don't care about my looks. I am just going to eat what I want, and drink what I want, and everyone can just Kiss My a**!"
Tell him that the next time he wants to be intimate, you already took the easy way out, and took care of yourself. Then tell him to do the same.
I'm a guy, and probably breaking man code, but damn!

My surgery was 6 months ago today. I am sitting at 228 pounds, which is 8 pounds from my goal. I have not eaten low carb. I have incorporated tons of weight lifting into my exercise routine, and have eaten 85% clean over the past 6 months. I am just BARELY under what is considered obese by medical standards even though I have a 34" waist at 6'3" tall.
My takeaway from all of this is.....Don't base your progress on anyone else's. I am 98 pounds from my high weight (shown on left). I have lost only 61 pounds since surgery. However, you can see a definite difference in how I carry my weight. I am very happy with my progress. I am not at goal, but am no longer actively trying to get there. I am just focusing on my health.
My diet consists of tons of vegetables, Protein Shakes and lean Protein, super grains and fruit 6 days per week with 1 day of indulgence. Whatever I crave, gets eaten that day. I consulted with a bodybuilder friend of mine a few months ago, and he told me that the best way to lean up is to give yourself a day every week or so to calorie and carb load. This helps your body avoid thinking your are in starvation mode. Ever since I adopted that method, I have leaned up and increased my muscle percentage.
Anyway, I do track my meals with MyfitnessPal. I do weigh my food to ensure that I don't overeat. I don't deny myself anything. I just wait for whatever I want that week, and prioritize.
I am glad that mostly everyone is doing well. Just keep fighting for the life you want to have.

My surgery was 6 months ago today. I am sitting at 228 pounds, which is 8 pounds from my goal. I have not eaten low carb. I have incorporated tons of weight lifting into my exercise routine, and have eaten 85% clean over the past 6 months. I am just BARELY under what is considered obese by medical standards even though I have a 34" waist at 6'3" tall.
My takeaway from all of this is.....Don't base your progress on anyone else's. I am 98 pounds from my high weight (shown on left). I have lost only 61 pounds since surgery. However, you can see a definite difference in how I carry my weight. I am very happy with my progress. I am not at goal, but am no longer actively trying to get there. I am just focusing on my health.
My diet consists of tons of vegetables, Protein Shakes and lean Protein, super grains and fruit 6 days per week with 1 day of indulgence. Whatever I crave, gets eaten that day. I consulted with a bodybuilder friend of mine a few months ago, and he told me that the best way to lean up is to give yourself a day every week or so to calorie and carb load. This helps your body avoid thinking your are in starvation mode. Ever since I adopted that method, I have leaned up and increased my muscle percentage.
Anyway, I do track my meals with MyfitnessPal. I do weigh my food to ensure that I don't overeat. I don't deny myself anything. I just wait for whatever I want that week, and prioritize.
I am glad that mostly everyone is doing well. Just keep fighting for the life you want to have.

My wife was fully supportive of me having wls, but this is my mindset on the issue...
Life is short. Time is the most valuable asset known to man...or woman. You are not promised anything tomorrow. All you can do is to do the best you can every day. When I die, I would hope that I was able to live my best life...That I made lasting memories with others...That I made a difference in the lives of others. It is a real drop the mic situation.
Marriage is not guaranteed to last either. We try to suppress the things that make us happy sometimes to keep our marriages strong as it is all about compromise. I will not compromise my health for a marriage or relationship though. Let me tell a story about my wife's best friend...
She was obese, pre-diabetic, in pain, and unhappy for years. Her husband loved her at over 250 pounds, and refused to support her having surgery. She stayed in the marriage for another 9 years. The marriage then ended up dissolving after an affair was discovered. She was destroyed. After the divorce, she had Gastric band surgery, and lost the weight.
She is now happy and healthy in a committed relationship with a great, supportive guy. Her takeaway is that she gave up a chance at happiness and good health in her twenties for a guy that ended up not being there in her thirties. If she could change one thing, she would have had the surgery 9 or 10 years earlier.
Do you. Don't let a husband keep you from being your best you. He isn't in pain. He isn't going through what you are going through. You can't worry about threats. Live your life. If he leaves, you will find another. Someone who believes in you. Someone who truly has your back.
I wish you the best of luck.

Thanks! I do hit the gym about 6-8 times per week. Huge stress reliever!

I just can't get over your photos. That's not the surgery. You must have worked your butt off in the gym! Congratulations on your awesome success. You look like Luke Cage!