Lolo 2020

I am very active , spin and yoga , and ride my horse in 3 day events which include cross country jumping . At 238lbs my poor mare and I could not make the time and my fiancé told me last May I was the fattest person riding . I said enough and headed to the doctor . Sleeved in December , in 190’s and floating down to hopefully the 160’s as goal . Best thing I ever did !

For the purée stage, I had lots of dairy like low fat yoghurt (no fruit bits) and custard, and puréed fruit and veg.

With the meat issue, it’s best to follow what your doctor says.

Can I just say those Protein bars are crap and why not just eat a snickers bar ? If it am on the run I go for a muscle milk drink in the airport ornideally I have pure Protein Drink in the car . I too carry cheese sticks or a wedge of laughing cow light Swiss cheese and celery sticks . The light and fit yogurts are great and pack 12 g ofnprotein for 80 calories . Even a banana is better than that processed garbage . Think about nutrition , liquid and more veggies and lean protein . I wanted something sweet on a cold night and could have done sugar free hot cocoa for 90 calories but no nutritional value or heated up my chocolate protein drink . I did the latter and my surgeon said “right choice “ feed your body and focus on health . Good luck and congratulations on your loss ! U got this !💪

If you are in the US go to Dr. Shillingford in boca Raton. Flat fee of $10,500 covers everything and he and the nurses/hospital were awesome. He is trying to keep people from going to Mexico because of complications and got this special discount rate. Very highly recommended and rated

It sounds to me like you know exactly what to do and exactly where you're going wrong, but you haven't gotten up the will power yet to put words to action. FluffyChix gave a very good pep talk though!!! I think when you're ready to get back on the healthy eating train, you just have to do it--then and there. It can't an "I'll start tomorrow or next monday" sort of thing. Get the crap food that is sabotaging you out of the house so it won't tempt you. As for the kids, why do they need to have a sugary desert with every dinner? That can't good for them either. Why not substitute strawberries, blueberries etc. instead. None of us needs to be eating processed foods and sugar. Ultimately, it comes down to the choices you are making. It sounds like you have been doing really well, but just have been backsliding a little--and are afraid that a little could become a lot. If you feel that way, now is the time to put the brakes on this behavior and start treating your body the way you did in the months after your surgery.

First 3 weeks I was 500-600 calories , then 600-800z. Now at almost 8 weeks i am 800-900, but am spinning an hour a day and weight training 3x a week

Can I just say those Protein bars are crap and why not just eat a snickers bar ? If it am on the run I go for a muscle milk drink in the airport ornideally I have pure Protein Drink in the car . I too carry cheese sticks or a wedge of laughing cow light Swiss cheese and celery sticks . The light and fit yogurts are great and pack 12 g ofnprotein for 80 calories . Even a banana is better than that processed garbage . Think about nutrition , liquid and more veggies and lean protein . I wanted something sweet on a cold night and could have done sugar free hot cocoa for 90 calories but no nutritional value or heated up my chocolate protein drink . I did the latter and my surgeon said “right choice “ feed your body and focus on health . Good luck and congratulations on your loss ! U got this !💪

You know there is a difference between "ideal" and goal weight right?
Just to nerd out on you, "ideal" weight is a very specific metric based on pretty archaic insurance charts. And for women (don't know for men), you use this formula to calculate it:
100lbs for the first 5 feet.
5lbs for every inch over 5 feet.
So for me, a 5'4" woman of average build, I have a theoretical "ideal" weight of ABOUT 120lbs give or take.
I asked my cardiologist if 120lbs was a reasonable goal. He said, he doubted very seriously if I could get there and that he didn't really think it is do-able for most people, not just me.
But the wls peeps use ideal weight to calculate your theoretical expected weight loss for your type of surgery and they also compute a theoretical "goal range" for most of us--whether or not they are willing to disclose that information, they still calculate and track it for each of us.
My theoretical goal based on my ideal weight and based on my surgery was 156lbs. My 1st goal for myself was 150lbs. Now I'm going for goal #2 140lbs which puts me slightly under the mark on a weight chart where I'm in "normal weight range". My goal #3 is to get to 130lbs. My doctors think I should be able to do that if I really apply myself. So even at 130lbs as a goal, and even though I'm a "normal weight" for a woman my size, and even though I will have met and exceeded the expected/targeted % of expected weight loss...I will still be 10lbs heavier than my "ideal weight."
This morning I am 32% fat (different than BMI) by Tanita and that fluctuates wildly with hydration. I go from 26% fat in the afternoons to 32% fat in the mornings. So by that metric, I have about 47lbs of fat sitting on my frame. Of that 47lbs of fat, I have what "they" figure is 13-14lbs of ESSENTIAL fat. That's the fat I must have on my body to continue to live. We all have something like that amount of essential fat. So accordingly, I have about 47-14=33lbs of excess fat left to lose. I think I can lose about 20lbs, but the rest of that seems impossible. And losing 20lbs still doesn't get me down to my ideal weight.
Can I maintain it? I believe I can as long as I take each day as a new chance to live healthy and eat my best and exercise. I too am low carb/defacto Keto, and get only "adequate protein". I also eat very low glycemic foods and try to get my daily 20g of Fiber into the mix.
Sorry for the book. (Oh I'm nearly 12months out and have lost 140lbs from my recent high weight.)

Healthy_Life2 is giving some really solid advice and feedback. I appreciate her comments. I am only 2 months out so can't comment on weight regain. I can say that I have made a complete 180 in my lifestyle choices. I am extremely diligent in following my post-op dietary plan. I track daily caloric intake using the MyFitnessPal App and then go over my macros in the evening to make sure I am on target. I wouldn't even call it a diet--because that's such a temporary thing. I am looking at this as a new lifestyle. I have deviated from the standard plan provided by my doctor (I did discuss it with him and my nutritionist) and I am following a very low carb Keto style plan (although too high in Protein intake to be a true keto diet). This type of lifestyle provides me with very clear guidelines of what I can and cannot eat--which makes choosing foods easy, I do track calories too and set a limit to how many calories I can consume in a day, but this isn't hard since I am usually very satisfied sticking to my plan. Even if my ability to eat more increases, I feel like I can make good choices that may increase the volume of food that I eat without causing me to over-consume.
When they say the sleeve is only a tool, they do mean it. Losing weight post-op is still a lot of work and requires a lot of discipline. The big difference is you are no longer fighting against your high set point, so instead of heating a plateau and suffering terrible hunger and cravings, you don't have that set point fight against you. The volume restriction is also helpful, but as Healthy_Life2 said, you can eat more frequently and undermine this process. I also now get up early in the morning to hit the gym before work and I love that "me" time. Even though this new and still "exciting" for me, it's a lifestyle that I can be happy with for the long term. I do not miss sleeping in late or eating carb heavy foods. I hope I still feel this way 2 or 5 or 10 years from now, but I am definitely happy right now.
I can say that you need to be mentally prepared to make major lifestyle changes after you have the surgery (before as well!!). You need to have a healthy lifestyle plan in place and be 100% committed to following it through after surgery. I think the people that commit to following a healthy lifestyle plan will be successful long term. The people that only follow the post-op plan "most of the time" and "only cheat a little" are probably not following the plan very much at all and are cheating a lot!! I have gone to a few support group meetings and there are so many people that show up that can't understand why the weight isn't coming off them, while their friends lost so much. After talking more, it turns out that, as a result of surgery, they cut down their portions of crappy processed fast foods and other junk foods, but they continue to eat the same crap they ate before surgery (just less of it). That's not how you get down to a 25 BMI!!! You have to use this opportunity not only to cut down on your portions, but change your food and lifestyle choices. The people that make these changes and stick to it don't seem to have issues with regain (other than the normal 5-10 pound fluctuations that should be expected).

I'm a sleeve. four1/2 year’s out. I maintain in the 130's. I give myself a ten-pound bounce range. when the scale moves up, I go back eating my bariatric food plan to stay in range.
I'm in maintenance phase. I eat mainly clean, I do indulge occasionally. My third year, my weight got up to 147. (still a BMI 24.5 normal range) had to dial in my diet to lose the weight. I'm back in the 130's
My two cents on regains. Weight gain can happen with any type of bariatric surgery.
Some factors in regain:
Complications from surgery Medical issues and medications pregnancy/menopause Not weighing yourself regularly Getting complaisant as the years pass You will reach a point that you noticeably can feel less restriction with the sleeve (it has not stretched) Just because you can consume more food, does not mean you should. Its important not to go over your calories and macros for the day. Stretching is rare. Get it diagnosed by your surgeon for a revision Eating around your surgery. Grazing is consistently eating sever small meals of healthy and unhealthy foods. The total will be over your calories and macros. It’s as if you never had surgery. You can eat 3000+calories. YOU WILL GAIN WEIGHT Ask for help if you have a gain (surgeons office, dietician and counselling) - Easier to lose a 20 pound gain than a 40, 60, 80, 100+

Congrats on so many things!
You're weight loss from 300lbs Maintaining in a 10lb window for the last year following your honeymoon period Raising a family Working Going to school to provide a better future for yourself and your family. Recognizing you have an issue and need practical suggestions for change, rather than ignoring the situation. That's amazing and sure doesn't sound like someone who is failing WLS. Make sure to give yourself credit, cuz the morale very rarely improves with beatings.
You know in your heart of hearts that you have a decision to make. It lands solely on your shoulders. And you already know the answer. The answer is you HAVE to want to choose to go back to the old rules from your surgeon that actually worked. Or if they don't work, then you have to find new rules. But at the heart of it, you must take action, quit rationalizing, have a game plan, and implement the plan.
No one likes going "BACK" on a diet. No one. Cuz it's like 2-3 weeks of PIA and pain.
You're not feeling satiety cuz frankly, you are rationalizing bad behaviors that contribute to the problem. Maybe you are:
Eating too many carbs which cause blood sugar and insulin spikes which drive hunger. Eating too quickly of the wrong things Eating too much "comfort food that is sliderish" and lacks density Not eating Protein first Eating the wrong kind of protein Not eating things that are low calorie and low carb that will help fill you up (ie al dente and raw veggies along with dense lean protein and a bit of healthy fats) Not following the rules about drinking and eating at the same time or in close proximity of each other Not fully hydrating Not taking time for you and not exercising etc. etc. etc. But these are all fixable things! The rules exist for a reason. They work! They get results!
Honestly, sugary foods, and sugar alcohol sweetened waters make me MORE hungry! They wake up my cravings! Same with candy bars Protein Bars. To me those things have no place during active weight loss. All they are is crack cocaine that helps sabotage your diet and plays mind games with your resolve. Maybe some of you can eat them as a snack during maintenance in order to drive calories up to maintain? But they wake up cravings in most of us.
I'm much better off eating a cheese stick and a hard boiled egg than eating a protein bar! Even beef Jerky and cheese sticks are better than protein bars! They have P3 packs (cheese, meat, nuts or boiled egg, cheese, nuts) that can be stuck into a back pack! Easy meal on the go! Etc. There ARE solutions. They just may not be as "nummy" as a candy bar! But they ARE more feeling and won't drive cravings!
Go back to the basics. Kick the taste of sweet to the curb. Meal prep on days off! Go back to eating "boring" easy button meals for 2 of 3 meals. You can turn this around and finish what you started without more surgery or diet pills...just sayin'!!

Oh happy day ..!
Was shooting for a feb 1 date but pretty close , feb 9. Still a ways to go but haven’t been this weight in 20 years at least ...

Oh happy day ..!
Was shooting for a feb 1 date but pretty close , feb 9. Still a ways to go but haven’t been this weight in 20 years at least ...

Oh happy day ..!
Was shooting for a feb 1 date but pretty close , feb 9. Still a ways to go but haven’t been this weight in 20 years at least ...

Keep ur eye on the prize , it will come . I started drinking a large glass of Water with fresh lemon at night after dinner and a big glass of water upon rising and I think it’s acting as a diuretic. Nut suggested it cuz scale wasn’t moving and now I’ve lost almost 4 lbs this week

So exciting! So jealous! I was hoping to be there by March 1st but now it's looking more like mid-March, but by golly I'm going to get there!

@Lolo 2020
hey bud
ahhhhh onderland - i've been waiting for you - keep up the good
work - you are on the road to success☺️
good luck
kathy

Keep ur eye on the prize , it will come . I started drinking a large glass of Water with fresh lemon at night after dinner and a big glass of water upon rising and I think it’s acting as a diuretic. Nut suggested it cuz scale wasn’t moving and now I’ve lost almost 4 lbs this week

Oh happy day ..!
Was shooting for a feb 1 date but pretty close , feb 9. Still a ways to go but haven’t been this weight in 20 years at least ...

Oh happy day ..!
Was shooting for a feb 1 date but pretty close , feb 9. Still a ways to go but haven’t been this weight in 20 years at least ...

Everyone’s journey is different but rest assured of and when u can do all the steps it will come off . I had the dreaded 3 week stall and then week 6 stall and finally at the end of week 7 the scale is moving again . I think our bodies sometimes need time to catch up . I also have started drinking lemon Water as a diuretic and maybe I’m imagining it but the weight is coming off quicker . My nut told me that sometimes the fat leaves but the cells fills with water so the diuretic flushed it out .

Omg steve-o u threw up ? I didn’t think u ever did that ! I ate leftover broccoli with an egg and cheese this am- could only eat half so saved half for lunch . Ate it too fast and it was cold and whoops a daisy , it all came back up 🙄😬🤢. Kicked Butt in spin this am though and am now 1.5 lbs from onederland - but this is after up 1.5 yesterday so who even knows ! I am trying to distance myself from this damn goal. And yes I agree that one week is not a trend . I was flat for a week and then dropped this am ..oh happy day !

I don’t seem to be a particularly fast loser either , 231 on surgery date of 12/20 and 202 yesterday . But I Feel great and my BMI is about 31 so I figure it will get harder as I get closer to goal , I am about 35lbs from goal . My nut suggested drinking cucumber war to try to flush the fat

so it has been 10 months since my surgery & i started out 254lbs & now weigh 170lbs & wear a size 10.i have had treat days all along & have lost weight all along.i work out 5 days a wk anywhere from a half hour to an hour and 15 mins on avg. i do cardio on one day & strength training on the next.i go out to eat about 2-6 times a month,i order whatever i want but can only eat a small amount.the rest of the time i eat pretty healthy & avg about 1,000 calories a day.i have personally learned to balance out my treat days & did not gain during the holidays despite all the baking & parties.im sure after the one yr mark i will have to always adjust my calories & workouts as it will get harder to maintain.i will never b hardcore & not allow myself treat days,for me its about living & balancing everything out & choosing a lifestyle that works for me & for longterm.everyone has to find what works for them.its great to read everyones experiences & advice & take pieces away that work for u & devise ur own plan.

So I am five days post-op and walked for an hour straight and was able to do 3 miles!!!!!!!! Feeling great, and excited for this new change in my healthier lifestyle!!!