KathyLev

Congrats !!!! It's funny how much a pound can mean to us. I couldn't get below 200 and when I got down to 199 ..... I was SO happy I was in ONEderland LOL

Congrats !!!! It's funny how much a pound can mean to us. I couldn't get below 200 and when I got down to 199 ..... I was SO happy I was in ONEderland LOL

Well Ms.sss .......you made me smile more than I have in a month !!!!! I even LOL a couple times I'm so happy for you !! Happy anniversary and may you always remain HAWT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Ms.sss .......you made me smile more than I have in a month !!!!! I even LOL a couple times I'm so happy for you !! Happy anniversary and may you always remain HAWT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have one thing we all share ............ fear of the unknown. The "what if's " can kill us if we let it. As I was told ( because I'm a worrier) to just take it one day at a time . It's working Best of luck to you - I'm glad you found this forum !!!

You can do what you can do but do remember those cut nerves are still healing (about 8 weeks to be fully healed) so messages may nit be getting through as well or quickly. Probably best to tread more carefully for a few more weeks.
Personally I still can’t chug. Any more than two mouthfuls & groan. But I drink slowly all day & night rarely feel really thirsty. I keep at a good hydration level all day I think.

I agree with everything Arabesque said (as usual!). Get back on your plan. Soon enough you'll be able to enjoy everything you did pre-surgery (but in smaller amounts). Right now it's very important to let your insides heal - and then to work on eating a healthier diet (if you weren't prior to surgery). If you want to succeed with this (and early on, if you want to heal), you really need to follow the plan.

I’m going to jump on the going off plan issue first. Your tummy is being held together by sutures & staples (can be 12inches of them - imagine that on your arm or leg)). The staged return to eating solid food is in place to protect your healing tummy & not strain or stress your digestive system. Your tummy is a muscle. Would you start exerting your arm or leg muscles if the wounds were there or would you tread carefully & follow the plan to aid healing? Nerves are also cut during surgery so signals that you are doing harm may not be getting through. Please, please return to your plan.
As for hunger, yes there are some who do continue to experience hunger after surgery but it’s not common. It’s more likely you are experiencing head hunger not real hunger. (A easy way to differentiate the two is with head hunger you tend to crave a specific food, flavour or texture. You don’t with real hunger.) Most of the area that produces your hunger hormone is removed during surgery. For many, we ate as a comfort & to soothe ourselves when stressed or emotional. The surgery is stressful on your body & you psychologically & emotionally (consciously or subconsciously). This is a time you would turn to food but you can’t which makes you want food more. Plus the psychological issue of how can this small amount of food be enough can start to kick in & you consequently feel hungry because you think you need more food.
There are a few strategies you can try to help with head hunger. Distraction is very useful. Read, play a game, phone a friend or family member, check social media, go for a short walk, etc. Sipping a warm drink can be helpful. These diversions are helpful in the long term too. As we progressed many of us distracted ourselves by cleaning out a wardrobe or drawers or the pantry or learn a craft. I found setting routines for eating good too: didn’t eat between my set eating times. I still do this nearing 5 years out.
All the best.

You have one thing we all share ............ fear of the unknown. The "what if's " can kill us if we let it. As I was told ( because I'm a worrier) to just take it one day at a time . It's working Best of luck to you - I'm glad you found this forum !!!

You have one thing we all share ............ fear of the unknown. The "what if's " can kill us if we let it. As I was told ( because I'm a worrier) to just take it one day at a time . It's working Best of luck to you - I'm glad you found this forum !!!

You guys have been so great and welcoming and I so appreciate every single reply

I had my surgery in May ........... I looked in the mirror yesterday and noticed I HAD CHEEKBONES !!!! Holy cow - I don't remember ever seeing that !

I had my surgery in May ........... I looked in the mirror yesterday and noticed I HAD CHEEKBONES !!!! Holy cow - I don't remember ever seeing that !

I had my surgery in May ........... I looked in the mirror yesterday and noticed I HAD CHEEKBONES !!!! Holy cow - I don't remember ever seeing that !

Arabesque - you have great looking arms ! ( Thanks for the pic ! ) My arms are like flabby noodles - no strength at all. I keep telling myself I'll build up muscle this winter when I shovel snow ( ugh ) but I'd much rather be in a warm house with some music on and doing stretches ! I think I'll do some digging around in U tube and get myself set up with some beginner yoga/stretches now that I know what it's all about. I don't expect to lose weight doing it,but it'll keep my mind off of eating Thanks again ,Ladies - this is sure going to confuse my dogs !!!! LOL

Since I'm having such a hard time losing weight, my PA suggested I try yoga. I've never done yoga . I always laughed at it saying people like tying themselves in knots ..LOL. Now I might have to look into it seriously. I would have to do gentle chair yoga as my 69 year old joints are pretty stiff. I looked at some U Tube videos, and it seems like easy stretches. Can you tell me what yoga can actually do for me? Does it help with weight loss? She also suggested strength training . In all honesty ,I've never been one to do "formal" exercises ... but I'm willing to try different things at this point .

This is crazy .... I've taken my dog to the dog park every day for the last 2 months. We walk around the edge of the 4 acre park. (Some days I'm panting harder than the dogs when I'm done walking .LOL) Took the dog to the vet -- he lost 2 pounds !!! I stepped on my scale - haven't lost an ounce in the 2 months we've been going there !!!! It's not fair !!!!! LOL
Okay - I just had to rant about it in this forum

Everything is better with cheese. Extra cheese.
Full fat, since I can't eat much of it anyhow.
Also from, well, day 10. I couldn't eat much of anything before that. The dairy industry's stocks went down as a result.
All things in moderation, including moderation.
Good luck,
Tek

This is really lovely to read - congratulations and well done for putting yourself first

I am outwardly fierce and confident. No one but my doctor, since high school has ever dared to mention my weight. I would deck them.
Now they just say wow you look good, your new hair style suits you or think my husband has a mistress. There is loads of Exorcist head turning going on when we go out together. What they are saying behind my back has not as yet been heard by me.
I am a big believer in Karma. What goes around always comes around with a heavy hammer.

Women tend to do so much stuff for other people...isn't it nice when we can do something great for ourselves ? I hope you have many more years of happiness from your surgery !

Women tend to do so much stuff for other people...isn't it nice when we can do something great for ourselves ? I hope you have many more years of happiness from your surgery !

Women tend to do so much stuff for other people...isn't it nice when we can do something great for ourselves ? I hope you have many more years of happiness from your surgery !

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a successful journey to better health.
On March 1, 2023 before heading to the airport traveling to Piedras Negras, Mexico for my scheduled March 3rd VSG with Dr. Alvarez at Endobariatric; I logged my weight and recorded my measurements. I have kept a running spreadsheet, updating the stats the 1st of every month. Ten months later, I am down 75 pounds and fitting comfortably in a size 6. I am not finished. I had set my goal at 112 which in reality is too thin for me but I wanted to allow for the common 5 to 7 pound regain from the lowest weight, hopefully settling in the 117 to 118 range.
I have not had one moment's regret. This is the greatest gift I have given myself and look forward to a healthier and more active 2024.

You didn't stretch anything out, but you definitely want to stop with the carbs, especially this early out. The 2 big things to pay attention to, and limit, are sugar and carbs. Very, very important to stick to the diet.