laughinglaurie1@yahoo.com

My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow 4/27 however today my Dr called me telling me I tested positive for Covid I laughed and said how can this be I had Covid in November and had my last moderna vaccine on March 27th. At this point I’m feeling so discouraged as I did everything I was suppose to and don’t understand how I tested positive actually the test came back “abnormal” but my dr stated they have to treat it as a positive test result 😞😢😢😢

Thank you Lauren for such a detailed and informative response. I've heard so many people say when they started eating plant-based diets they really lost the weight. I know I won't give up meat completely, but I am going to try to concentrate eating more plant based foods. Thank you again for your help!

I'm almost 13 years out and have faced my fair share of regains (including 2 pregnancies along the way) but have managed to nip them in the bud in the 10-15 lb range. I honestly think regains are just part of the process and we all face them to some extent and i'm sure i'll face them again in the future, so this post is a good reminder for me as well! So here are my go to moves to get rid of regain:
My go-to moves are:
Eat Meals (don't graze) - don't skip Breakfast, even if it's small Eat Real food, not processed slider foods like chips and sweets Stop eating after dinner - get away from the kitchen after dinner. Evenings have always been my toughest time and so i make myself a cup of Decaf coffee, take it upstairs with me, and don't go back to the kitchen under any circumstances. Focus on the food, not exercise - 80%+ of weight loss comes down to food Move for Mental Health - aiming for 10K steps works for me and calms my urge to stress eat Talk to someone about mental health - overeating for me is a sure sign that's i'm heading on a downward spiral and the weigh gain and guilt and shame associated just makes it worse...see a doctor, find a medication that works for you, find your way back to a good mental health state Things i that haven't worked for me:
liquids / Protein Shakes - it's not sustainable (and really hard for even a few days...how did we do it pre- and post-op?), it makes me unbearably grouchy, and the minute i stop the weight comes back on Counting Calories - that is a trigger for me after a LIFETIME of dieting and i don't want to go there! Excessive exercise - it's too hard to outrun a bad diet with exercise and getting hurt would be a sure way to halt my progress. One more change that has truly been life altering for me is something i did after my last regain in 2018. My weight creeped up to 161lbs. That was 20lbs over my usual set point of 140lbs, which i had maintained for 10 years post-op (i'm 5'2" and started my journey at 200 lbs). It was starting to scare me and i knew i needed to do something.
I went back to all the things I listed above but i also did something i never had done before, i started eating plants for Protein. I cut out the meat first and then the dairy (which seemed overwhelming until i found all my own plant based substitutions), and i started focusing on vegetables! I didn't think about portions (after all, i'm a WLS patient, how much could i really eat) and i found myself shedding weight effortlessly!
Not only did i lose the 20 lbs i had gained, but for the first time in 12+ years post-op, i hit a new set point of about 122lbs which i've been maintaining with ease for the past year! I didn't start a diet, i didn't ever go off a diet. I just focus on plants and i feel great and have never been lighter! And i know what you're thinking...where do you get your protein??? But there is more than enough protein in plants for anyone who's at least 6 months post op! The funny thing is, i eat more than i have in years, but i finally feel like i'm living the healthy life i wanted and it's easier than i ever though it would be.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, i'm just so happy with how this has been working and i know it can work for others too! Feel free to message me if you have questions. Keep fighting the good fight!!

Thank you all for these tips. I found through my weight loss I became very obsessive and would be self conscious anytime I ate something I wasn’t suppose to : which is good and bad, good bc I’m aware, bad because I beat myself up over it. The weight gain was fast and unexpected. I started today my do over diet, I didn’t realize how off track I. W.a.s because I found myself lost at what to pack for lunch. I appreciate all your support, I forget that this is a life long journey not just a quick fix and I really do need to work at it. I’m happy you guys responded to me and helped. Thanks so much.

Hell errrrbody!
When I was banded in 2009 I was on this platform daily and making some pretty awesome friends, pretty fast. LOL
It seems this time around I'm a lonely painter living in a box of paints. (bonus points for who knows where I got that from?)
I am active, been chatting and looking and responding but it seems pretty quiet for me.
Maybe it's just me but I sure do like talking to folk about their experiences, fears, achievements, disappointments, etc.
I am being sleeved Dec. 9th, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Metz in Denver Colorado

Stick to your teams plan. Its still early. The effort you put in now will pay off over the next few months. This surgery is 10%Physical and 90% mental. Hang in there.

This is probably the best benefit from this surgery ❤️

Sorry to hear about the passing of your father. On a good note...CONGRATULATIONS on losing the weight and continued success.

Hi everyone. I posted a few things yesterday but felt I needed to today since is one year for me today! I’m totally I've lost 85 pounds, 72 since the surgery. I’ve also lost 47 inches! I’m so happy with the loss but had wished for more. I just have to stay on track and not lose sight of my goals!

This past year has been an emotional roller coaster for me not because of the surgery but because my dad was very sick. I found myself traveling back and forth to Florida a lot to be with him and he passed away in August. The last thing he said to me was how great he thought I looked! I try to remember that as I move forward into year two.

Besides this sadness, so many great things happened for me this year. I fit comfortably into an airplane seat with lots of room left in the seatbelt! I went from a size 18/20 to a size 12/14 and size large tops! My feet don’t hurt anymore when I walk long distances and I’m no longer on blood pressure meds! Yay! I have so much more confidence in myself and I finally feel healthy!

The next year will be challenging to reach my goal but I’ve come this far and I’m not going to stop now!

I wish you all good health and continued success on your journey! You’re all doing fabulous!

Hey hey hey! We are quickly approaching 1 year! Can’t believe how quick it went. Wanted to follow up on my “slow loser” from a few months. What's new and what’s changed? @Hrsnjs hope you are well!! I’m at 61lbs and feeling good, my Nutritionist still thinks I’m 20lbs behind but I’m working through it. Some days I’m ok with my progress and other days I’m down about it...losing 10lbs in a 2-3 month period is a HARD PILL TO TAKE after letting someone cut and remove 80% of your stomach! Or I’m just hard on myself. Anyone else out there feels they are a slow loser but finding ways to overcome. Thanks! Rock on guys!

Thanks! I am still loosing a little. In the 180’s now. I had my DS 20 months ago. I will be having a 360 body lift, breast lift, and possible implants

Looking good. Aren't you proud of yourself? Congratulations!

Prolly need to list both good and bad things I did, after all as one of you has reminded me this is great inspiration for all my surgery buddies here on BariatricPal... so here goes...
The Good: I ate mostly veggies, and used tofu, chicken, seafood and occasional beef stir fry bits for my Protein. Kept protein at the top of my mind 365: protein went in first ahead of everything. Remembered to drink milk, at least every few days. I take the bari Vitamins religiously. Bought a scale and got on it daily: every morning just to check. Started walking as soon as my surgery permitted (for me it was one week which surprised me), eventually ramped this up to walking, squats, light short runs then bicycling, biking is the easiest and most fun. Absolutely stopped buying the bad things I used to eat before and did not allow them even into the house, this includes Baked Lays BBQ Potato chips, white Asian rice for steaming Chinese style, and cut back on sushi, my weakness. I also gave away my rice steamer. Smartest thing I ever did. When Pouch signals I'm full -- hiccups, tightening chest sensation, nausea -- I stop eating. Late at night when I crave a salty snack, I eat either a little kimchi or a couple pickle slices, instead of the potato chips that I used to. Does the trick.
The Bad (Naughty): I resumed red wine drinking after surgery and you are not supposed to. I retried beer and cocktails too. Eventually lost all taste for those. Cannot resist Reunite Lambrusco: it's fairly low in calories (but high in sugar). So far Pouch has taken to lambrusco fine but dislikes other alcohols. I enjoy it in extreme moderation, about two ounces an evening if that. No weight gained as a result. But other bad things, I do not exercise as much, as hard or as often as my surgeon wants. I also do not drink any Protein Shakes. Except for wine, I have always just kind of hated sugar and sweet things and all protein shakes taste gross to me, like a milkshake. So I have to get my protein in other ways and mine are tofu and cut up chicken thighs for the most part.
Stuff the Pouch did and I had nothing to do with I think: My appetite died after my RNY procedure. I maybe eat a cup of food a day and that's almost forcing it. I have no sweet tooth and prefer hot, salty and spicy, so I never eat ice cream, candy, cake or pie. I do eat an occasional small piece of cookie when drinking my weekly milk. I have way more energy now so I exercise more than I did pre-surgery, but I believe it's because of my weight loss.
I hope this is inspirational and helps!

Thanks so much!!!!! I CANNOT believe it. My surgeon wants me at 180 two weeks from now, hehe, but this right here 199 is enough to make me happy

Congratulations!!!! Please never be too shy to announce a success!! It's inspiring for us newbies and I bet you are darn proud of yourself!! I am!🧡🧡🧡

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@@marfar7
hey girlfriend
were you holding your right hand up while you said the above??
@@CowgirlJane said::::
"No shame, you did what you did, that is the past... now do what you need to do to get on track."
lift your head back up high
many of us have "slipped" off that slippery slope in the past (me)
after all, you know we're ALL sweet, nice, supportive, and perfect (especially me )
can you consider/ act like a newbie???
could/would you mind going back to Protein shakes for a week or two??
it would give you that jump start to loose some weight quickly for awhile
make you feel better to continue on you weight loss journey
my advice for what its worth .............
do EVERYTHING you are supposed to
no variations
learn to stay super strict
do everything by the book
substituting here or there, little variation, drinking problems
KNOCK IT OFF
wanting to eat sliders, Cookies, chips, dip, ice cream etc
GET OVER IT
i always consider the Water rules very very important
64 oz of liquids a day
stop drinking 30 minutes before you eat
never drink with your meals
don't eat for 45-60 minutes after you eat
you probably remembered the above
along with eating slowly
chewing thoroughly
using small plate and utensils
eat your Protein first
you know what to do
do you have access to a NUT still??
would insurance cover a couple of meetings with a NUT if your family doc gave you a referral
otherwise, could you hire someone once or twice to to talk to
have you gone to support groups in the past??
those are always great/helpful
looks like you've already started above
keep doing it
you lost a lot of weight already
you've shown you were a success before
you can do "it" again!!
your shopping list sounds good
do you like yogurt???
Fage greek has 20 gr of protein (luv it)
one sweet'n low, few fresh blueberries, top with teeny, teeny bit of granola
mix it all together, what does it taste like??????
delicious!!!!
quest double chocolate chunk Quest Protein Bars are yummy to my tummy
getting back on MFP is terrific
accounting for everything you eat, way to go!!!
in my opinion, 4 lbs a month is definitely doable
one month it might be a little less, another month more
following all the rules is key!!!
you might hit a stall, but of course don't let that discourage/upset you
take you measurements too
you have plenty time to show off how good you look at your reunion
nice to see you back in the neighborhood
don't buy anything that will fit your present weight
look forward to the day you will be able to wear those sexy jeans again
welcome back
you are a site for sore eyes!!!
good luck bud
your friend
kathy

You can do this Marfar7! You took the first step in sharing. Just take it one day at a time and go back to basics. Let us know how you are doing!

I am not quite to the one year mark, that will be May 10th of this year. My life has changed so much for the better that I wish I had done this years ago.

First, it is a lot of hard work. I log everything I eat. I light weighs 3-5 times a week religiously. I walk 5-10 miles a day religiously.

That said, I do occasionally eat foods I shouldn’t. I eat cake on my birthday. I eat ice cream once a week with my daughters. I still eat a bun with my hamburger and if I go watch a movie in theaters I will eat popcorn because life is too good to pass up and I want to experience it. I’m not perfect by any means but I’ve worked hard and 90% of the time I do exactly what I should be doing. I’ve dropped a ton of weight. Before I had the surgery I took 11 pills a day for various health issues. Today, I take zero prescribed medications and haven’t for the last three months. The only medicine I take now are Vitamins.< br />
I was super worried before the surgery — it is a massive surgery when you think about someone cutting out large chunks of a vital organ. I had two little kids, a 1 year old and a 3 year old at the time. All I could think of was what if it went wrong and I left them without a dad. That said, at the weight I was at, I was going to eventually eat myself into an early grave and leave them without a father anyway.

I’m glad I took the plunge. I lost the majority of my weight in the first six months. It started to slow down around the 9th month and the last three I’ve lost about 6 lbs a month. I’ve already hit my goal. I’m about 22lbs away from my vanity goal that I never thought I would hit before surgery. I tried to be realistic but I think I might surpass my vanity goal at this rate.

Here are pictures.

I agree. For me, losing 167lbs has completely changed my life. It's truly amazing. I had my surgery October 10th 2017. So, we are surgery sisters.  

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I can't believe i am almost 2 yrs out jus thought I would post since I haven't in a while. I am still down with my weight which is awesome I stay between 130-and 133lbs never felt better. I can wear shorts, dresses , finally anything I want to.     
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So thought I'd start this thread for those who are currently in maintenance (or are trying to be ), there are not as many active maintenance-ers on here, but I'm hoping for the ones that are, they can chime in and impart their wisdom for those are trying to achieve that coveted balance of weight stability.
...or we can just chat about whatever. LOL.

I echo what@greentealael said: "Your CEO scared about YOU... You must be really amazing." Put that in your confidence bank@arrivan!

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Congratulations your CEO cared so much about YOU he changed the entire policy. Don't dismiss this at all. You must be really amazing
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

Hello,

I just now found this place. Better late than never I guess. on July 9th 2018 I weighed 508lbs. I am a 38 year old male who is 6'1. At the end of my rope I didn't know where to turn next. It was during one frustrated exchange with the CEO at my work during lunch that he asked why I didn't consider a weight loss surgery. I quickly replied I had, but the companies insurance didn't cover it. He made a promise to me that if I gave it my best shot he would make sure it was covered. I began working with my primary on the referral while he began working with our health insurance. Our plan year rolled on January 1 and the Sleeve and Bypass were included. I started with the local weight and wellness center in November and in May I completed the 6 months of required program required by the insurance. I am scheduled for the Sleeve on Monday June 10th 2019. As of today I am 428 lbs. I have been doing the two weeks of 3 Protein Shakes with a small 300 calorie meal as ordered by my nutritionist and have stuck to it rigidly.

So Monday's the big day. I have been given 4 weeks off paid from my work for recovery and now my nerves are kicking up. In seek of actual stories about what the days after surgery were like I asked my trusted friend google which lead me here. I have been reading everything for the past two days and I kind of wish my program had pointed me in this direction sooner.

Hi there...You are under a lot of stress and my heart goes out to you, my one and only son had medical issues as well growing up which entailed a lot of ICU stays in many hospitals, some close to home and some far away from home, so I can relate just a little because your load is much larger.
This is just a thought because I am totally not in your shoes honey but you know when we get on airplanes and they go over the drill and tell us if an emergency happens, even if we have kids we are to put on our oxygen mask first before securing it on our kids because if we cannot take care of ourselves first then we are no good to our children...so try your best to take a little time for yourself and regroup, prepare some healthy Snacks and make food that you can get to quick and not make the worst choices, you went through a lot to have surgery and you deserve to be healthy and feel good too. Make a meatloaf, bake some chicken, (food that you can get to quick and heat in the microwave) buy Protein Bars, pre-made Protein Shakes etc. that you can just throw in your purse when on the go taking your daughter to the hospital...I know it's hard but take care of you so you can give the best care to your children.
Our children mean the world to us and we would rather endure their pain if we could switch places, but mommy please take care of you first (it may sound selfish, but it's really not) so that you can have the strength to care for your babies.
I think you did the right thing my reaching out on the site because we get you and understand...if you mess up and eat something bad it's ok, we are all imperfect humans and you are aware of it so you are to be commended considering what you are going through. You will get a lot of good advice here
Take care of you and your kids and we are here for you ((Hugs))