sleeved2win

Had my surgery right after the holidays, so thanksgiving and Christmas were my final "bad" meals. I skipped dessert but didn't skip the gravy, potatoes and stuffing!!

This journey is HARD. Pre-op diet and post-op diet especially are difficult, plus if (God forbid) you experience a complication, you are going to need support. My psych eval included ensuring I have plenty of support at home to help me with my recovery from surgery and help me stay on track. As much as it would be awesome to say "Piss off!" and just do what you want anyway (LOL) you have to live with this guy and let's be honest, that ain't gonna work.
Your hubby is very wrong that this is the "easy" way out. As someone who's done WW, and lost and regained the weight a few times, I can tell you this is just as difficult. It's a hard decision, it takes will power and dedication, just like any other lifestyle change you make. He needs to be educated. Suggestions:
Would he respond better if you wrote him a letter explaining why you feel the way you do? Sometimes if people see it in writing, it resonates better.
Do you have a support group through your surgeon's office that you can take him to? Would he go to a meeting?
Don't take this the wrong way, but a mediator or therapist could help, too. There is NO shame in it-- sometimes having someone in the room to push the conversation in the right direction (meaning, understanding each other on a deeper level) would be helpful. Just throwing ideas out there.
I would also provide him information on how safe the surgery is. I'd be willing to bet he's afraid to see you go under the knife! Completely reasonable to be afraid, but the surgery is very safe, generally. Especially if you're young (you look it) and have few health issues. If he wants to keep you around for a long time-- prevention of health issues is best!! That's why I did it.

Had my surgery right after the holidays, so thanksgiving and Christmas were my final "bad" meals. I skipped dessert but didn't skip the gravy, potatoes and stuffing!!

I'm usually not a big fan of frozen, processed food, but when the family is ordering take out or pizza, or if you're in a pinch for lunch, it's nice to have a quick easy option.
I recently found Healthy Choice Simply Steamers without rice or Pasta, and they had way less carbs and reasonable amounts of sodium compared to other packaged foods.
These also taste really good. High Protein, low carb, packed with protein and veggies. And I can only eat half (sometimes less) per sitting so they are good for two meals!

Genius.

French fries, grilled chicken sandwiches, buffalo wings, basically any pub food. And salads with way too much dressing.

I work in a large office which is usually bustling with people on the phone and in meetings, and chit chat... today's its so quiet you can hear a pin drop.
Except you can't hear a pin drop-- all you can hear is my stomach making crazy noises while I'm eating lunch LOL.... I have never been so self-conscious about my stomach digesting food before. I swear the guy next to me keeps giving me the side eye.... I'm so embarrassed-- but not enough to forget my lunch. It's too good. Sorry buddy!
Just another day in this WLS adventure hahaha!!

@sleeved2win
that was YOU?!!!
i thought it was coming from EVERYONE at the super bowl
hope you enjoyed your lunch.< /strong>
kathy

@fulamuso and @cabookie11 everyone loses at different rates. I lost 2lbs this week and I'm happy with that cos it's in the right direction. If weightloss is slower, the less chance we have of loose skin and looking like a burst balloon. Don't be down or disheartened. Look at how far you've come. Fulamuso, if you're starting weight was 257 and you've lost 16lbs, that's like 6.3% of your TOTAL body weight OR 16.7% of your EXCESS weight!!! You're doing well. xxx

Since week three after surgery, I've eaten 1000-1200 calories per day, including lots of carbs....per my doctor's orders.
Losing slow and steady, giving my skin a chance to recover (not expecting miracles, but a good fighting chance never hurts)
Loving my new Forever Diet:) Future looks extremely livable and enjoyable. Moderation is the key.
Someone else said....you can't kill the craving dragon, so you'd better learn to ride it. Feel like I'm doing that.
I do expect to hit my goal within a year, making great progress:)

Long story but i originally lost 140 lbs in about 2 years overall. Sleeve did 100 of it and lots of cardio etc did the rest.
then gradually weight crept back, very slowly at first, grazing, life happened, stopped the extreme exercise, let carbs back in. So 3 months shy of my 5 year surgiversary I had gained 65 back.
I knew I had to fix this or i’d be right back to 315 in no time.
I used the concepts in “Never Binge Again” book (free on kindle) and also Jason Fungs 2016 Obesity Code starting on Jan 1, 2018.
I am now down 22 lbs and know I can get the rest off.
I never “fixed” my insulin problem. I ate too much Protein. and so when the extreme exercise ended the weight crept back, the protein and “healthy carbs” encouraged the insulin and thus the cravings that the normal exercise couldn’t burn off.
I am back on track. My sleeve is bigger now but still gets fuller than a regular stomach so it hurts if I eat too much. Reduced ghrelin only helped me for 3 months after surgery.
I am thankful to the sleeve for the first 100 lbs but now it’s all on me and the right choices i make.
I recommend those books if you need to get back on track or even if you are in the euphoric losing stages because eventually you will need to make the right choices without all the early benefits of the surgery.

#parenthood LOL @MsTipps

I saw these on one of my followers page. They are sold in Sam’s Club only right now. I can’t wait to see if my local club has them. I would love to do a review on VSG journey YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoDS8UYKi9Wu1__0j9qJ8rA Especially the Cookies and cream The little things that bring joy lol

This journey is HARD. Pre-op diet and post-op diet especially are difficult, plus if (God forbid) you experience a complication, you are going to need support. My psych eval included ensuring I have plenty of support at home to help me with my recovery from surgery and help me stay on track. As much as it would be awesome to say "Piss off!" and just do what you want anyway (LOL) you have to live with this guy and let's be honest, that ain't gonna work.
Your hubby is very wrong that this is the "easy" way out. As someone who's done WW, and lost and regained the weight a few times, I can tell you this is just as difficult. It's a hard decision, it takes will power and dedication, just like any other lifestyle change you make. He needs to be educated. Suggestions:
Would he respond better if you wrote him a letter explaining why you feel the way you do? Sometimes if people see it in writing, it resonates better.
Do you have a support group through your surgeon's office that you can take him to? Would he go to a meeting?
Don't take this the wrong way, but a mediator or therapist could help, too. There is NO shame in it-- sometimes having someone in the room to push the conversation in the right direction (meaning, understanding each other on a deeper level) would be helpful. Just throwing ideas out there.
I would also provide him information on how safe the surgery is. I'd be willing to bet he's afraid to see you go under the knife! Completely reasonable to be afraid, but the surgery is very safe, generally. Especially if you're young (you look it) and have few health issues. If he wants to keep you around for a long time-- prevention of health issues is best!! That's why I did it.

Haha @mstipps this most definitely happened to me about 2 weeks after surgery. My 2 year old climbed on top of me while I was lying down and kneed me in the gut, in my incisions. It happened so fast!!
I called my doctor and the on-call PA said not to worry as long as my incisions looked okay. There's a lot of protection between that tiny knee and my stomach, and he's 25 lbs, so it's not enough force to do anything. For your 4 year old you can probably explain, mommy is ouchie here! Be gentle...

I travel extensively for work and pleasure, so I deal with this a lot. I just order what I want (within the parameters of how I eat, of course), and eat what I can. I take a to-go box when it is practical, and if it isn't, I just leave it. I don't worry about the money. I would have spent it anyway.

I use collagen and Biotin and been taking Vitamins for years. I haven't noticed a difference in my hair since starting collagen but my skin looks great.

First picture 10/25/17- Starting weight
Second Picture 2/17/18
Surgery 12/29/17
7 weeks post op.
I can definitely see and feel a difference.

I'm usually not a big fan of frozen, processed food, but when the family is ordering take out or pizza, or if you're in a pinch for lunch, it's nice to have a quick easy option.
I recently found Healthy Choice Simply Steamers without rice or Pasta, and they had way less carbs and reasonable amounts of sodium compared to other packaged foods.
These also taste really good. High Protein, low carb, packed with protein and veggies. And I can only eat half (sometimes less) per sitting so they are good for two meals!

Thank you all for your input! This forum has been a source of inspiration and support for me.

As for my husband, I dropped the subject of WLS surgery temporarily so that we could enjoy Valentine’s Day and his birthday this past weekend without conflict. We have both put in a lot of work on our marriage in the past few years, and I’m not willing to throw all of that away. I have decided to write him a letter outlining how important this is to me and the reasons I want to do it. I sometimes have a difficult time articulating my point when we’re in a heated discussion. I have also discussed this issue with our best friends who are a couple that we spend a lot of time with. They are excited for me, and are prepared to back me up and help him see that he’s being selfish by withholding his support on this. If he’s still not on board by the time of my appointment with the surgeon in March, I may schedule an appointment with our pastor who is a licensed counselor that my husband has the utmost respect for.

I’m feeling hopeful again about the possibility of changing my life for the better! [emoji4]

I'm usually not a big fan of frozen, processed food, but when the family is ordering take out or pizza, or if you're in a pinch for lunch, it's nice to have a quick easy option.
I recently found Healthy Choice Simply Steamers without rice or Pasta, and they had way less carbs and reasonable amounts of sodium compared to other packaged foods.
These also taste really good. High Protein, low carb, packed with protein and veggies. And I can only eat half (sometimes less) per sitting so they are good for two meals!

I am not having the surgery but my wife is and I was hoping to get some tips on how best to support her. Both pre and post op. She is getting the gastric sleeve.

Lol, I usually drink the kind in front of me!
Prior to surgery I liked a sauvignon blanc, but now I've switched to red wine, specifically pinot noir - which apparently has the highest level of antioxidants which may help body processes and heart health. There are a wide range of dubious studies saying that red wine can help with diabetes, obesity, cholesterol but I would certainly not use that as an excuse to increase your consumption. That said, there are some health benefits to the odd glass of wine.
In my opinion, wine is OK as an occasional treat, pick out something delicious that you will enjoy, make sure you have lovely company with you and savour every sip. Life is short, having some wine is one of life's great pleasures.

I always go for a full-bodied red. (Usually an American cabernet...)

I use Vital Proteins and I order it from their website but Walmart and Amazon sells it. It's animal or plant proteins that have been (loosely) shown to help strengthen skin, hair and nails. Some are skeptical but I honestly love it and see a difference. It's also a source of Protein, and can help your body break down protein supplements more effectively. It's not a substitute for your other protein sources but it's a great supplement.