Yettid

I think you look healthy and fantastic! Sometimes people get used to seeing us a certain way. Even if it's an overweight and unhealthy way, that's is how they're used to seeing us. Just like our brains have to catch up to our eyes, theirs do too. And sadly, our faces lose more fat than we'd like . There are always dermal fillers if you felt that way!

Your post gives me positive affirmation that wls will help with my binge ing. Awesome work having a plan in place because as we know, wls doesn't change
our heads! Go girl!

Your post gives me positive affirmation that wls will help with my binge ing. Awesome work having a plan in place because as we know, wls doesn't change
our heads! Go girl!

I used to binge eat a lot before my bypass. I hadn't struggled with that since the surgery, but 5 months out it is rearing its ugly head. All afternoon I wanted a sheet cake, a whole sheet cake. For about 3 hours I was back and forth on whether I was going to resist the impulse to stop and get a cake on my way home. I got up from my computer, went for a walk and ran through a short meditation session. It helped, but urge was still there, just looking for the zoned out feeling I used to get when i binged.
I've been working with a therapist and i kept hearing her voice in my head. Do you really want it? Don't deprive, but listen to your body, not your mind.
I was hungry, but i also wanted the cake. One issue at a time. I went to the store and picked out an Atkins frozen shrimp scampi meal and 6 shrimp from the deli, because my mind still thinks I can eat that much. I got two peaches and a packet of thin slice dry salami. Then I went to every pastry in the bakery, and nothing looked good enough. On my way to check out I saw a bag of Cheetos and grabbed that too. All in all a ridiculous amount of food.
I came home and told myself I can have everything, just as long as I eat my shrimp first.
3 shrimp in, game over. I have no room for more of anything. And my cake craving is gone. I am so happy to have my pouch!!
At month 5 my hunger is back, so this month has been a struggle in general. The fear of stretching my pouch, backsliding into bad habits, gaining the 85lbs back, but if I follow Protein first, stop when I'm full, and the process seems to work.
Trust the process, this is going to work!
HW 310 SW 299 CW 224

Good to know. I'm very ready for wls, and want to realistic about expectations. Good to know 10+lbs a month isn't realistic .

Who are you calling short !? Lol[emoji8]

Thanks for your replies. Obviously, I can't keep any weight off long term without surgery. I can lose about 5lbs a month on my own, but can't maintain. I am going to choose the wls option that is safest for me. But, given the option, I think we all would take the option that loses fastest. I do have Gerd, but in the past, it goes away when I lose weight. I want success no matter which surgery I get. And I want to gather as much info as possible to avoid surprises:)

I'm leaning toward the sleeve because it's less invasive and less Vitamin deficiency. But I'm terrified to lose so slowly. I'd be pissed if I only lost 5-10 lbs
Month!! I know all loss is good but I'm afraid I'd be discouraged if I didn't see results faster. Thoughts? Cw 220
Gw 145

Thanks for your replies. Obviously, I can't keep any weight off long term without surgery. I can lose about 5lbs a month on my own, but can't maintain. I am going to choose the wls option that is safest for me. But, given the option, I think we all would take the option that loses fastest. I do have Gerd, but in the past, it goes away when I lose weight. I want success no matter which surgery I get. And I want to gather as much info as possible to avoid surprises:)

Thanks for your replies. Obviously, I can't keep any weight off long term without surgery. I can lose about 5lbs a month on my own, but can't maintain. I am going to choose the wls option that is safest for me. But, given the option, I think we all would take the option that loses fastest. I do have Gerd, but in the past, it goes away when I lose weight. I want success no matter which surgery I get. And I want to gather as much info as possible to avoid surprises:)

I have not had surgery yet, but I do know about antidepressants. If you stop them, esp cold turkey, it won't be pretty. Discontinuation syndrome is brutal. You will feel crazy, anxious, depressed ten fold. I'll bet your misery is exacerbated by not having your meds. I'd recommend contacting your doctor for liquid meds if you haven't already done that. Or talk to my surgeon or psychiatrist. There are other ways to absorb medications other than orally[emoji15]. Hang in there you feel better I!

I am in therapy and working on my eating issues. I do hope that this will help me be successful. I'm aware there are no guarantees. I want to gather as much info as possible before I decide. The unknown is terrifying and I'm hoping for a definitive answer where there isn't one .thank you for the info [emoji3]

For what it's worth, I think your posts are well written, well thought out, and provide excellent generalized information. Please don't stop posting because one person takes something you wrote personally. It was clear to me that you weren't singling anyone out, that you were simply trying to provide information the poster requested. Thanks for your posts. I found them very helpful.

Yettid,
I can't say yes physiological changes stopped my cravings. I also can't say 'no, they didn't. I don't believe anyone here can offer assurance that VSG or any other alphabet Soup is going to do the trick for ANYONE here. We can encourage you and say how it helps or didnt for ourselves but we have no clue how it will affect you and the choices you make pre and post surgery. I don't know where you are now on your journey but hope you will understand why I, at least, am unable to offer a definitive answer to your excellent question.
Good luck

If you're easily insulted or offended, I'd highly suggest you not address a range of different people, w/ different views. I hope your day has been a beautiful one, be well dear.

Wait... you're six weeks out? How do you know you can handle all the carbs and sugar? Why the heck did you try them?

That is exactly my sentiment. If I could stop eating with therapy or diet, why would I need surgery ? Thanks Jess, you get me. Lol

Here's a written article that covers some of the same stuff--

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/03/26/the-humble-heroes-of-weight-loss-surgery-stomach-acids-and-gut-microbes/

Google Dr Randy Seeley and read the research articles.

lol Ryan . That made me laugh[emoji6]

Hummmmm, it's hard to tell... My experience is that I stopped smoking after being banded and haven't started again since. As far as compulsive behavior goes: I spend more money on stuff but nothing I couldn't afford so I don't see this as a big deal. Alcohol I drink once in a while.
I feel that I'm more anxious about things. More nervous and restless in general. I guess that is my ADHD kicking in harder.

I've been eating Quest bars since surgery and I actually enjoy them. However, the sugar alcohol in them has me farting so frequently I can't stand to be in the same room as myself.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a bar with no sugar alcohol?
Thanks.

I have not had surgery yet, but I do know about antidepressants. If you stop them, esp cold turkey, it won't be pretty. Discontinuation syndrome is brutal. You will feel crazy, anxious, depressed ten fold. I'll bet your misery is exacerbated by not having your meds. I'd recommend contacting your doctor for liquid meds if you haven't already done that. Or talk to my surgeon or psychiatrist. There are other ways to absorb medications other than orally[emoji15]. Hang in there you feel better I!

I have not had surgery yet, but I do know about antidepressants. If you stop them, esp cold turkey, it won't be pretty. Discontinuation syndrome is brutal. You will feel crazy, anxious, depressed ten fold. I'll bet your misery is exacerbated by not having your meds. I'd recommend contacting your doctor for liquid meds if you haven't already done that. Or talk to my surgeon or psychiatrist. There are other ways to absorb medications other than orally[emoji15]. Hang in there you feel better I!

I hit goal in Feb 2013 after losing 150# (surgery was Dec 2011) I was morbidly obese or overweight most of my life. This morning I am 4# over goal...I have to work at this pretty constantly. I am very active and avoid fast food and crappy food generally but I do indulge too.
So, here is the scoop. The surgery is still there as a tool even years later BUT it's probably 80-90percent on YOU at that point. Given the decades of obesity, it's no wonder my body is always"wanting" to regain.
I am ever diligent that my 4# over doesn't turn into 40 or 140....right? I stay ON IT. I view obesity as a disease that I have in remission but will never be cured of. I have a level of determination that is sharee by quite a few die hards on these forums and frankly that FOCUS is one of the reasons I am still here on BP. I can't ever forget that I am not just a normal trim woman. I am someone who can easily regain. It is also one of the reasons I got skin removal...it is like tossing those 3X sweatpants cuz I ain't EVER going there again.

The answer to your question is a resounding "No."
In reality, most peoples' sleeves tolerate bad foods remarkably well. We can eat only 1 chicken breast before feeling stuffed, but crap such as chips, Cookies, pretzels, popcorn and other sliders can be eaten in nearly unlimited amounts because they don't activate the stomach's stretch receptors, so you never feel full.
So, the sleeve won't be enough to say "No" to junk foods. The surgeon operates on our stomachs, not our heads. Therefore, each sleeved person needs to have a strong enough psychological constitution and self-restraint to say no.
90 percent of success after bariatric surgery is psychological.