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I call BS on many of the statements as well... however, i for sure have had to deal with some emotional issues post weight loss. I was pretty okay during the weight loss phase, it was as I got closer to goal, and then maintenance. It is my opinion that for me personally the primary issue was that food was sort of an emotional ballast, a crutch, a way of numbing feelings. When you spend DECADES leaning on something like that it is really hard to adapt. They tell you to replace it with physical activity (I did), friends, family and new hobbies and interests (I did) and at times I still felt like I had a hole in my heart. Honestly, I think for the most part, I just wasn't used to REALLY feeling my feelings. I was used to being numb. It was a wild ride to get to the point where I was comfortable with that. also, your looks change ALOT. It's a good happy change, but when you go from being invisible to being quite noticed, it is shocking. Again, I am over it and it doesn't impact me much these days, but it was a bit of a head trip. Then, there are expectations. I NEVER expected weight loss to solve my problems in life. However, once that central issue, monkey on my back obesity was in check... I started looking around thinking "hey, i want more out of life". My expectations now in terms of what I want in life are much much higher. Example, I was planning to go to Hawaii in December with a friend - I have never been there in my whole life. She couldn't make it happen, so that was a little disappointing. When I was obese, I wouldn't have even wanted to go to Hawaii. That isn't depressing for me, but it surely has an emotional impact.

I also had steristrips and a 1 day hospital stay bc I felt good and didn't need pain meds. My incisions are healed and look pretty good you lost 35 lbs in 1 week?

I've told very few people because it's no one's business but mine. When people ask how I've lost weight, I tell them I am eating smaller healthier portions under the guidance of my doctor and I am moving my body a lot more than I was before. What you choose to tell people is completely up to you. You don't owe ANYONE any information on your medical history or weight loss efforts. If you feel someone is crossing a line with you, you have every right to politely say so. Your body, your choice. I totally support those who want to tell the world about their surgery as well as those who don't. This is a HUGE topic for debate on these boards and I truly hope those who think we should all be an open book don't come into this thread with the usual name calling and judgmental BS that typically happens.

Hope everyone had a gr8 Thanksgiving! It's ironic bc im still not able to swallow that well so i still don't get all My nutrients, esp protein n liquids. But I'm forcing myself to eat much more since thanksgiving, love leftovers, and since then, I've started bck losing weight. I've reached the 140's, omgsh!! Been taking forever. Newhooo here's my stats: Hw 236.8 Sw 227 (12~30~13) Cw 149.4!! Tpl 87ish Tpg 100 Congrats all, gtg eat????

You do get really fed up with the sweet stuff. I have been having fat free Soups (no lumps, chunks, etc.) with Protein powder in them at least once a day to break it up so it's not so monotonous. I don't get soft food until the middle of next week. I bought GENEPRO Genetic Tri-Protein Peptide Powder online from Amazon and it came the next day. I saw a post on this site where someone recommended it. It only takes 1 tablespoon and it mixes well with my soups. What I do is put the powder in a glass and add a few teaspoons of hot soup and stir it to make a paste and then slowly add more soup and stir, repeat. It blends really well this way. Other people say they mix it in their beverages, including Water, and can't tell it's there. This Protein Powder has been a blessing for me!!!

I have had my breasts done THREE TIMES! I was a very thin size 4 when I had them done initially and they were D's. I looked good, I guess, if you want to look like a stripper. I made a double breasted blazer look sexy.:-). First go round - over the muscle. Big mistake. Looked amazing for 6 months and then started to fall. Had to have them redone and placed under the muscle after 12 months. Very expensive. Then - a few years go by and a few pounds go on and they just make you look FAT, not sexy. So, back for third time for smaller, narrower implants. Now, I wish they were even smaller because it is not in style to have big breasts at ALL, they ruin the line in clothes and as the years go by I just find them to look more and more matronly. I can't face doing them again or I would. Nothing bigger than a small C. That's a sexy size but "wearable." Victoria's Secret models are Bs, by the way. You can always choose bras that take your nice tight B or C and bring them up a size if you like - but you don't need to be stuck carrying these overly large things around all the time.:-)

I'm 11 days post op, and I struggle with my Protein daily! I used the EAS chocolate before, and never had a problem with it. Now it makes me feel nauseous. I also bought some off Amazon that is "unflavored", it stinks so bad I can't even attempt to taste it for fear of gagging. I also bought some vanilla protein and it does the same as the chocolate. If ou run across something that works, let me know please, bc I'm averaging about 40 g of protein a day.

I'm on the 3rd and am feeling the same jitters. I guess it's normal but doesn't make it any easier. When I saw my nut the last time I asked her if there was anyone she saw who regretted doing the surgery and she said not one, that she would've found a different job if that were the case bc she likes to help people. I think about her statement all the time. Best wishes to you!

Aspirin is on my list of medications to avoid after gastric sleeve surgery as well as ibuprofen,Advil, anacin, bc powder and several others. Tylenol is acceptable.

Hi All. First off, I've been lurking for quite some time and I just wanted to say thank you SO MUCH to the caring people who take the time to respond to questions and encourage others. U guys rock. Some info: I am 38yo married mom of two precious young men, ages 9 & 6. I weigh 195 and am 5'4". So on the lower end for WLS. If I decide to do the VSG, I will b self pay. I have a few questions, but let me say this.... I will absolutely ask the dr (of course), but sometimes MDs give u statistics which r good, but I am also interested in actual WLS patients' personal experiences. Here goes..1) I have reflux since the birth of my first son, I've taken Prozac for 19 years, and I've consumed a lot of Diet Coke and BC powders over the years so I'm concerned about the overall condition of my stomach. Is there anyone else who has taken SSRIs for an extended period and done well with VSG? I'm concerned about ulcers. 2) I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder with a history of panic attacks. This has led to a lot of health anxiety. (I don't like the word, hypochondriac). My husbands biggest fear is that I'll have WLS and then keep running to the ER/drs office thinking I'm having complications. Is there anyone else with GAD that has faired well? Thanks in advance for any replies ????

You have what is essential if you want to tackle any problem - you have a good mind. You have realistically and dispassionately evaluated yourself, and you know your weak points and your triggers. You know the origins of your tendency toward putting on weight. You should be commended for putting so much thought into your situation. You seem to have what many people have and that is a portion control problem and are an emotional eater: food equals LOVE. BUT you seem to have a spouse who will be supportive, since she is careful with what she feeds the kids. She will support whatever you need to accomplish your goal. These are all good things. Did anyone mention that in getting a sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon cuts away a large part of the stomach which secretes a hormone which causes cravings? Ask him about it. I have experienced a drastic reduction in cravings. I no longer crave bread and wheat paroducts. It is good because wheat contains gluten and gluten can cause inflamation and aches and pains. This part of the stomach might grow back in time (years) and you ought to be cognizant of that. After surgery, things which you liked the taste of, you suddenly might not like the taste of. It sounds strange, but I was a sugar addict but after the surgery, a lot less so. The Protein drinks I had to drink at first tasted good, but now are too sweet for me. I hope you get a nutritionist counselor with your surgery. He/she will tell you that there are many Protein Drinks available and tell you which ones to try. As to getting too skinny and looking weak - You will be taking protein and Vitamin supplements to make sure you will not lose muscle. Follow your nutritionist's rules. There are a million ways to cheat the weight loss and put back the weight (unfortunately). The sleeve is only a tool. You can restretch your stomach back to its original big size over time, but do not do that! Another thing: Most of your weight will come off in the first year. That is your "Honeymoon Period" when the weight will fall off the easiest. Take advantage of that fact. What you will enjoy the most, I think, is the freedom you will get from not being a slave to food. I can walk by the bakery and not go nuts! I do not crave sweet, greasy, gooy-goop any longer. Food does not mean what it used to! You will understand that the refrigerator is NOT your friend. It has always been your enemy! HA! This is another benefit: Since you will not be as tempted as you have been by food, it will not be a strain NOT to buy stuff that your entire family should not be eating. You will go by the cookie aisle without suffering. This will be good for the kids and everyone. My husband lost 5 pounds in the last 2 months only because we were simply not buying the things I craved. Your weightloss will have beneficial effects all around. There was a story in the Wall Street Journal a week or so ago about intestinal bacteria, which said that some of our rising obesity problems might be related to the "bad" bacteria living in our gut, because the "good" bacteria has been killed off by antibiotics (both what we have taken as drugs and the antibiotics fed to animals). You might want to Google that. I found it interesting. I think the surgery stops some cravings, and changes the intestinal bacteria as well. That's all I can think of now. I commend you on your clearheaded thinking. You will be all right.

I have BCBS FED And I love them!

It's funny... When I did that test almost 100 pounds ago, I was lead to believe I was "large framed". Makes sense, right, I wear an 11 shoe and have large hands, 5'6" so height is pretty average. BUT, try it now, (90+ pounds off and at a healthy weight) and I'm "small framed" by that test. At 140-145 pounds I wear a size 4 comfortably. Personally, I think it's BS. I was FAT before. That is all.

Hi Ladies, Sorry I have been MIA - it wouldn't be normal if I didn't start my post with an apology for not being around more I haven't had a decent 5:2 fast in a long time - the scale is up and I am afraid to get on it. Need to hit the reset button with all my behaviors with food! Heck I need to get serious - should just consume water, meat and eggs. Currently pissy with my GP - my old doc who referred me to WL office retired, and the guy who took her place is a bit of a tool. Found someone who looks awesome who is still affiliated with the hospital/provider network - i booked an appointment for her first opening - which isn't until early March. My current doctor has been doing this runaround BS with one of my prescriptions (an anti-anxiety benzo) which I haven't refilled since July, and used specifically for PTSD (I freak out in the car if I am not driving - very bad accident a few years back that put me on the operating table and out of work for a year) - get this, my pharmacy faxed them 4 times, and I emailed him this morning and finally my husband called and found out that he wasn't going to refill it because I haven't been in recently - meanwhile all the others just get refilled an auto. Looks like I am going to have to deal with him at some point for my meds anyway - I am so infuriated I feel like going off all of it (though the omeprazole would be rough, I have terrible reflux). This doc says he wants his patients off meds....well hell some of them I need. He also seemed pretty dismissive of WL surgery in general - no clue about what it is like for those of us who have had the surgery or have struggled with obesity our whole lives. I am fine with adding new folks - might help invigorate the group I am sorry to hear about family passings and struggles with illness. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi Michelle - you sound EXACTLY like me! My start was around same weight - BUT so far I have only lost 40lbs. I had surgery on Aug 5th so I am just under 4 month mark. I figure 10lbs per month is better than what I was doing before! Though I often also kick myself because that is something that is also obtainable without the surgery. One thing I have learned from being on this site is the word STALL. Seems as though almost everyone has hit one or sometimes several so I don't even worry when the scale doesn't move. Your body is just starting to adapt and your weight loss is just slowing down. I have seen people suggest taking in more Water, or changing your diet up a little. I by no means have any real decent advise as I am trying to figure this all out myself! lol. I just take each day and do my best. I have fallen short on a lot of the things I am supposed to do though. I have never been a drinker so I might get in 20-30oz of water a day if I really push myself. I don't eat as mush Protein as I am supposed to either. It is hard to try to eat what you need to when you are never really hungry! And exercise - while me and my best friend who I also work with, walk up and back down the 9 story parking garage twice a day - that is really the only exercise I am getting. I leave my house at 6am and don't usually get home til 6-6:30. Have a 3 year old so he takes up the next few hours trying to get him and my other teenage boys fed - laundry done - chores completed and so on...by the time I finish everything and get the baby down for the night it is 10-10:30 and I am exhausted. so when do I find time to go to a gym? Which by the way I pay 30.00 a month for membership I don't use! And who really has the energy? I am still always sooooo tired! I often feel like it takes everything I have just to get through the day without falling over! lol Well I hope your scale moves and you get back that great feeling of success. Just know this is a journey and you can do this!

I understand this is why it happens and its temporary, but do you know how long it lasts? I am almost a year out and still shedding though a lot less. And the new hair is coming back. So I have funky hair at all stages ????. Talked to my stylist the other day and we are considering layers (which I hate bc it's hard to put my hair up when I run!) but want to time it appropriately!

i eat when i watch TV to me (and this is my 3 cents and my opinion only) if i am standing or watching tv or swimming the river(or watching basketball on tv..just recently my hub fed me while i was up yelling at my tarheels as i was too obsessed with ESPN--true story)...it makes no never mind to the calories..it is true, you can eat more while grazing with the TV on but if we let the WLS work and us be mindful of what we (eat), i see nothing wrong with where you eat...(eating out in public, those places have big tv screens)..do what works for YOU

I read a lot of studies... in a rat study I read studying the long term effects of VSG, the rats fed LCHF had the greatest energy intake and the highest body mass compared to the LC LF and the LCMF rats... both of whom had no significant difference in their body mass. So no LCHF for me after this, I think. LCMF should be sufficient to induce ketosis, and then I have plenty of my *own* fat to break down for the remainder... The biggest issue is to not go so low in fat that you eat more Protein than your body needs, because protein is broken down into the various amino acids - and about 18 of those can be used to build glucose on, thereby throwing you out of ketosis... But given how little we can eat after sleeve anyway, I'm not worried about getting 'too much' protein after surgery, and I'm working on getting half my body weight in grams of protein for the two weeks leading up to it, to speed up healing.

I would hate to delete them all too. It's like they are a part of us. I know that might sound funny but that's how I feel. I read recently that Denise wasn't comfortable with Queen joining. Not sure how she felt about Lynda. I'm fine with Lynda joining and I don't have an opinion on Queen bc i don't really know her or remember reading too many of her posts to get a feel. If it is decided that we add a few,it's probably a good idea to let them know we have a past in this group and its more than 5:2. I think someone else may have mentioned that. I would also hate for them to be reading about us "talking" about them. Not sure of what can be done about that. I hope everyone who hasn't checked in for a while is doing ok. I think my only 5:2 day I am getting in this week will be Wednesday. My SIL is in town visiting for a few days and then my daughter is coming for Thanksgiving. I can't wait! I miss having her close by. Next week my husband and I are headed to Mexico (Cabo) for a few days without kids!!! It's a "work" trip but there is mostly just one meeting he has to attend for a couple hours and the rest of the things planned for us are all fun and relaxing. I'm looking forward to getting away from this crazy thing called life! Once we get back from our trip I will get back into my regular 2 days of fasting.

CFGirl, I feel like you; I could've written your post (with some minor changes). I am 45 yrs old, 5'4", 192... which equals a 33 BMI, which is OBESE. I have a myriad of issues: hypothyroid, yoyo dieting, high cholesterol, back/knee/foot pain, pre-diabetic. I'm just so DONE with feeling horrible. I really enjoy exercise and in the past have run multiple half marathons. But now I wake with a headache every morning, zero energy, joints hurt, back hurts. And have been told NOT to run because of further joint damage. I miss running. And I don't want to wait any longer to just get MORE UNHEALTHY. I have been researching for some time and my husband is supportive. I have an appointment scheduled for a consult with a reputable surgeon. I am determined. I assume I will be a self-pay patient, unless during the pre-op findings we find that insurance may step up to the plate. Nonetheless, I am determined to get off this yoyo / rollercoaster and get on with healthy living. I just want to say "thank you" to those other low BMI people out there. I have been reading this board for about six months and sometimes I am fearful of posting bc I may not be received well since "I'm not fat enough" and shouldn't even be considering this option. Sad.

11/18 - The Day! We showed up to the pre-op area before they opened. Eager, ya think? Everything went great in the pre-op area. My surgeon and the anaesthesiologist both came to see me, the last blood work from Quest was received, and I went into the OR on schedule at 7:45 am. The surgery went well, and by 2:45 I was in my room, catheter removed and sitting up in a chair. I urinated on my own. MY PEE WAS GREEN! lol. Didn't expect this. thought I'd mention it so you don't freak if you're the freaking type. Some kind of dye they used. My pain was well managed by the nurses. I was getting Toradol every 6 hrs, and only once did I ask for morphine. I walked a couple of times around the floor, but that is a lot of walking for me bc of my legs and back, so I was pleased. Ice chips only until tomorrow after the leak test. My biggest concern was that my surgeon didn't allow me to wear my insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring system during surgery, and the nurses wouldn't allow me to put it back in and take over my diabetes management. I had them call my endocrinologist, and they told me she would be coming by to see me after her office hours. Meanwhile, my blood sugar has reached 285 and I was pissed as well as not feeling well. Healing and preventing infections are difficult enough for people with diabetes. Having my blood sugar controlled was, to me, a medical necessity and I just couldn't wrap my head around why they just wouldn't give me more insulin! "We have a protocol that tells us how much to give based on your blood sugar". I have my OWN protocol written out by my endocrinologist!!! You can't treat every diabetic the same. OMG I could rant about this for hours, but I won't. Just want to say to my fellow Type 1s, get your endocrinologist on board early and don't expect the floor nurses to get Type 1 stuff at all... they are used to Type 2s and I practically ran a class today. They thought my CGM was magic. sigh. My endo came finally at 5:30 pm and gave them a stern talking to, because they didn't ask her if I could use the pump, they just asked for a consult. She would have answered immediately YES. Feeling vindicated but still yukky due to high blood sugar.

I have BC of Texas. Surgery center submitted everything 10/31/14. And was approved 11/14/14. Scheduled for surgery 12/10/14.

It's approved by my team and I use it (not frequently bc of the carbs) but along with almond flour and flax and oats. Coconut flour + protein powder + ricotta cheese makes a darn good pancake! I spread it with peanut or almond butter (no sugar added) and it's great pre race fuel when I run!

​I have lost 36lbs total and 23lbs since surgery. -Surgery recovery is such a small part of the process. Before surgery, my focus was on the surgery and the few weeks after but now I realize that period of time is very brief. In retrospect, recovery was very easy and fast. -I lost weight a lot slower than I expected. That fed into my obsessive behavior. I really wanted to fall back into old thinking and try dieting versus following my doctor's instructions and trusting the process. As soon as I calmed down and started following doctor's orders, the weight slowly started coming off again. I am still frustrated by slow weight loss but on the bright side, I haven't gained more than a few ounces since surgery so it's nice not to worry about gaining. The other benefit of losing slowly is that I don't have to explain rapid weight loss to all those people that don't know I had surgery. -I already feel better. My knees don't hurt anymore. When I first started working out, I really didn't have the energy to do much more than go for a walk. Now I'm taking some classes like Zumba. Zumba is serious business, they are constantly jumping and running in my Zumba class and they are cheerful about it. I hope to be one of those crazy Zumba enthusiasts one day. -Bread is the devil. It causes pain in my chest and in my back for about 2 hours. It's amazing how a negative experience makes it incredibly easy to resist my once favorite food. I sort of wish some other bad foods had the same effect so they'd be easy to resist. -I am one of the lucky people that only needed to take tiny bites and chew a lot for about a week. I can gulp Water and chew like a normal person without any negative effect. I just need to make sure I've measured out my food and don't take one bite too many or else I'm going to be uncomfortable. -I totally get why everyone kept harping on surgery being a "tool". I wish I was one of those lucky people that had surgery and just lost weight no matter what I did or ate. I think that happens to a lucky few. For the rest of us, rules must be followed, food weighed and tracked, no drinking during meals, resist snacking/grazing and of course exercising like crazy. -It rarely bothers me that I can't eat very much. I thought this would really be the difficult part of surgery but it's amazing what you can get used to. I am really excited that I will be one of the few people that will lose weight this holiday season instead of gaining.

Oh no! I kind of wish I had done the lower body lift so it would have lift my booty and thighs. But I think I will just do it in another procedure which is what he recommended. I had one drain for a week and the second one for 4-5 weeks bc I still had plenty of swelling and putting out more than 30cc a day. Some days are worse than others. The pain went away pretty quickly but it was the soreness,stiffness and swelling that would fluctuate for weeks.