TheMoxieMama

There are income-based, and free counseling services in many communities, check them out.
Distractions. I created a list of distractions for myself, things to do instead of emotional eating.
Mine went:
Call mom, friend --to talk about what's bothering me Go for a walk Garden --do some angry raking Play with my snake Watch my favorite movie or TV show, cute animals on YouTube Go to the zoo, bowling, conservatory Getting out of the house for even a bit works great for me. Studies have also proven that watching kitty and puppy videos lowers stress and improves mood.

Check out Rachel Goodman. I’m doing her program while waiting for surgery. She’s awesome, so much better than the nutritionists I was required to see. She teaches you how to have a better relationship with food.

I definitely have experienced this. At first I found myself substituting shopping for eating (easy to do, having lost so much weight). Then I realized I was doing that and took a step back. Now when I feel that craving (whether for food or to buy something) I stop and ask myself why? What's going on that I am trying to assuage or pacify? Not long ago, I really wanted a cookie and when I stopped to ask myself why, I realized that I had just come out of a meeting that did not go as well as I had hoped. I felt disappointed, embarrassed, upset. And I wanted a cookie. Once I realized what was at the root of my craving, I was able to redirect those feelings. I got a cup of coffee instead. It was warm and sweet and about 200 fewer calories than the cookie. And I took it and went and sat around the backside of the building where it was quiet and peaceful (being an introvert, that was comforting to me). I thought through what had happened and what to do next as I drank my coffee. And 30 minutes later I was good to go. Every situation is different, but I'm getting better at asking myself "What's going on? Why do you want that?"

Hi y’all, I’m back for some support because I can feel mine waning so quickly it’s actually outpacing my weight loss. So today I got to see a friend for a second for the first time since November. (I’ve lost 48 lbs since then). She told me I looked “sickly” and “50 lbs is plenty” and that I was going to regret “butchering my body” in 10 years when I end up back where I started. She said all what I’ve done is undermined the hard work that people like her have put in to do it “the non cheaters way out.” I was actually stunned to hear those words uttered to me. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but I’m nice to a fault, like I get told by people all the time I have no mean bone in my body. I didn’t have the guts to stand up for myself in that moment. I would never dream of being unsupportive of ANYONE trying to better themselves. So seeing people I’ve confided in and spent so much time with in my adult life turn on me for something that was done for health reasons that would have eventually killed me, has absolutely demoralized me. I don’t need to be coddled, but a little bit of “yeah we’ve seen first hand, your health deteriorate in the last 2 years, this is definitely something that’s going to help you so we’re here” would just mean a lot. But alas, I guess my expectations are too high.
This is my 3rd friend in 3 weeks to completely rail on me and tell me how dumb I am or how big of a failure I’m going to be, and I don’t think this isn’t the kind of journey that I can do on my own. I don’t know what to do, I don’t know who to confide in, and I don’t know how to convince myself that people are gonna judge and I’m just going to have to be okay with it. But I’m struggling. Never thought doing something to save my life would rid me of all my 3 best friends. And these aren’t co-workers or acquaintances, these are hang out every weekend, talk daily, been doing it for 5 years, type of people. How do I get through this? Any advice is welcomed and appreciated.
Sorry for being so long winded. If you read this far, thank you. I just needed to vent.

Its been over a year since I bought a bra (eff you Covid)....I just took my measurements and according to those, I should be wearing a 30C. At my biggest, I was a 38DDD.
Collectively we all could have pooled our lost boob fat and opened up a soap store.

I can only imagine your frustration. Try not to be so harsh on yourself, we all know how a good poop can be the difference of that last pound. How Fluid retention can can push you up a few pounds....
You are there...you have come so far.....celebrate!!! crank your scale back a pound or two (old fashioned scales) or throw the scale out the front door and just Celebrate your success!!!

I lose a lb. I gain 2 lbs. I lose 3 lbs. I gain a lb. Up and down, over and over! I am so aggravated.
Just the other day I was only 2.5 lbs. to my goal, and I was so excited. Then today, I get on the scale, and I have gained 2.8 lbs.? WTH?
I just want to reach my goal so badly. Then after that, if I put on a few lbs. I don't care.
It's the actual wanting to just hit the goal weight. It keeps teasing me.
I haven't eaten anything I am not supposed to, or increased my portions.
I am more active now then I was before. It doesn't make sense.
I am so strict with myself, it isn't even funny. UGGGHHHH

you're within a normal BMI. Being at a normal BMI, or within 10 or 20 lbs of it, means losing weight is REALLY tough. I used to roll my eyes at normal weight or slightly overweight women who'd b*tch and scream about how hard it was to lose 10 lbs. Ha! Now I totally get it!
on top of that, what you're dealing with are normal weight fluctuations. Weight goes up and down a couple of lbs for lots of reasons - e.g., you had a lot of sodium the day before so you're retaining Water - or you have fuller intestines that usual (maybe you ate a lot of Fiber the day before - or you're constipated). Those two things can easily cause your weight to go up a couple of lbs. But when that's the cause, it's not true weight and it's usually gone in a day or two.

Don’t worry it will go great! Most people have a very smooth journey.

I started at 271lbs 3/2/2020 (day of surgery), today I am 148lbs

Congrats! I'm looking forward to experiencing the Shopping NSV. I'm still working my way through my old clothes, which are admittedly now huge. LOL I don't have one pair of jeans left to wear; they are all beyond ridiculously baggy.
I am holding out for a while longer.

I understand. My right side hurt more than anything, and the stitches did itch as they healed. But---this isa life-changing surgery. I am still happy I did it. I hope you feel better soon. Talk to your doctor about the pain. My doctor told me to use ice-packs on/off for up to 10 minutes each time. It helped.

You’re even smaller than you thought. I believe a 28 = size 6!

I went clothes shopping today at a store (with the pandemic haven't done much of that). Not sure if it is the pandemic or my weight loss, but my experience today was SO different then in the past. I had a number of sales people approach me right off the bat. Friendly, offering to help. In the past, I would wander the same store on my own without anyone offering to help. I've seen others post about being treated differently after losing weight and while i'm not positive that's what this was, it's certainly something I'll watch for.
The NSV --- I took one of the sales people up on their offer to help and mentioned after losing weight I'm not really sure what size I am. She knew immediately what options to pull and I am in a size 28 jeans! That's a size 8, as in single digits!!! I am also wearing a Small in a number of tops. Holy $(@*. 🤯

Yes, you can drink that. Lots of people who can't tolerate full protien shakes have better luck with the clear.
Try filling up a little one ounce medicine cup and drinking it in ten little sips spaced a minute or more apart. You have to take these tiny little sips all day....but you will get your fluids in this way. Just don't stop sipping. Little teenie sips all day.
If you don't get your fluids in, you will end up in the emergency room with dehydration. Many people do when they are not reading their instructions and following them to the letter after surgery. Even if you can't meet your Protein goals right away, make sure to get your fluid goals with Water or zero calorie sports drink or whatever you can tolerate. Don't do sugar drinks, you'll get sick.
If you're for real...it's stunning that you've been so poorly prepared by your provider...which is why I asked if you were trolling earlier. I can't imagine my provider giving me so little support and so little understanding of what your post surgical diet needs to be...as you are demonstrating.
If you truly have not been adequately prepared by your team, I apologize. The advice you are seeking...what to do right after your surgery...is advice best given by your provider. Read any papers they sent home immediately. If the information is not there, call their emergency line and ask why you were not prepared.
Wishing you the best.

I believe it was 5 months post-surgery when I craved pizza. I bought a frozen Marketplace pepperoni pizza from Sam's and cut it into 8 or 9 slices, threw each in a Zip lock bag and put it in the freezer. I could eat about 3 or 4 bites and then I was done. I still have the pizza slices in the freezer and now if I bake one, I just eat the topping. Maybe a bite of crust but mainly pepperoni and cheese. I also bought a Margherita pizza from Sam's but it's still in the box.

What a great idea! I never thought of that. I am going to do the same thing. I can only eat 1 pc of small cheese, and then feel so full after.

Sounds like a plan! Couldn't you use super lean ground beef as well?

About 6 months. I can eat one slice now at 2 years post-op but I really just stick to the toppings and no crust now.

No anger here. I think I first attempted pizza at about 4-5 months post op. I’ll still have half a slice from time to time. I’ve been delighted that I am completely satisfied after half a slice. Allowing this kind of “treat” from time to time has made this livable for me long term. I’ve met my first goal weight, so it hasn’t derailed my process overall. I think the key is just keeping these kind of foods (high carb/fat) an occasional thing rather than falling back in to old habits and having them daily.

Curious... How long before you could eat your first piece of pizza?
It seems as if each doctor has a different diet plan for before/after surgery.
For instance, my surgery was 1/29/2021. I am on 2 weeks liquids to include Protein Shakes, Protein Water, Water, Yogurt, Fat free/sugar free pudding and low fat ricotta.
then i go to 1 to 6 months of soft foods, to include ground meat, deli slices, non-fat cheeses, etc
then on to solids again.
My main thing is pizza. I just want to know realistically when I will be able to eat it again. I don't want any lectures on how i shouldn't. I'm only wanting one slice vs the 4 or 5 I used to eat. So spare me the anger.

I love your fitness pictures! What is your routine for getting toned? That is my biggest goal after surgery.

This is more of a before and during, as I am not quite to goal. First pics were right before starting my pre-op diet in late June and the last pic is two days ago. Size 20-22 down to an 8 in less than seven months. Loving all of the energy I have now!

Beautiful!

You look totally amazing! How much have you lost and in what time period?

first picture was me before I started my six-month supervised diet (2014). I think I was at my highest weight ever. Second picture (from 2017) is of me when I was two years out of surgery (this was before I had my skin removal surgery, though...I had that in Aug 2018 and March 2019). Last one was of me on my 60th birthday (last year). I've put on some weight since the 2017 picture - but excess skin is gone!