I'm struggling. I've been eating things I shouldn't and until recently, couldn't. Bread used to be tough for me, but in past 2 weeks its fine (which is NOT a good thing). I've given in to too many snacks that aren't healthy. I'm exercising a lot more lately so I've been hungrier, but I need to reel in these bad habits. I'm about 60 lbs down, but things have definitely slowed down--probably due to my poor food choices. Help, encouragement, tips or even gentle reprimands welcome.

So uhmmmmm....

I bet everyone would get along if we start talking about the joys of skinny sex.

:ph34r:

I'm sorry that you are going through this, i think we have set in our minds that once we have the surgery we are set for smooth sailing, I'm having my surgery tomorrow and I hope and pray that I am one of the successful people, I think that the group supports that I will be required to go to will help me achieve my goals and I feel that if anyone has the ability to attend them they should, one thing we have to keep in mind is that this surgery is a "TOOL" for us, it is not a guarantee that we will reach our goals and keep the weight off that is up to us to make happen. I wish you the best of luck on your journey and hope you get back on the right path.

I've heard that the most amount of weight is lost during the first 8 months. Use your sleeve to its fullest so you can take advantage of the great tool you have. Best of luck!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

And let's leave it to those responding to posts to decide what support and advice they will give and then leave it up to the OP to decide what they will listen to. We do not need to leave it up to the self appointed forum police to dictate to the rest of us.

Poolguard - Keep taking the jabs at me. Baseless finger-pointing, name calling, blatant denials of your rude behavior. Go for it. I can be your punching bag forever. Especially if it keeps your poor attitude away from the others. Keep taking your best shots. I stand by my earlier comments.

I am the OP and I wish I could just close this thread now.

I joined a group on FB called Drama-Free WLS so I could avoid this kind of thing.

Thanks to those who have supported me and others in good times and in bad.

I won't leave VST totally because there is a lot of good to be found here ( and I don't just mean people who will "tell me what I want to hear"-- I appreciate all kinds of feedback as long as it's respectful).

However, I am leaving this thread. I encourage others to do the same--it's no longer productive for anyone.

I haven't posted much in a while, but your post deserves a reply.

That blasted wagon is a slippery one. And any who haven't fallen off of it either aren't on it yet, haven't been on it long, or have a level of self control that should allow most to lose without surgery.

So dear, first it is what it is.

Some things it isn't are..... The end of your weight loss, the drowning of puppies, punching a baby like the guy in that movie campaign, or abnormal.

You have already made an extremely difficult choice to have this surgery and take control of your life. The surgery is the easier of the two!

Taking control is what this tool is about. It is a tool that helps us in an area which we were obviously outta control.

At the same time as you well know it doesn't completely do it for you.

I aplaud the strength you have shown in facing your weight and making an extremely difficult, life altering, permanent choice to gain that control.

Let me encourage you in a few things.

Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin!!!!!

Let me say that again

Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin!!!!!

You made this choice to chase your dreams, to soar, to reach a new place of freedom in life. And Epic adventure if you will. So now the battle with old way rages.... And yes we slip, slide, fall, leap of the wagon sometimes. And, we can choose to get back on. Not only back on but climb right up there in front and take the reigns! Heck if we are gonna be on a old dusty stupid wagon anyway at least have the reigns and slap the ol horse on the butt and enjoy the ride.

So take some time tonight and imagine where you want to direct that ride.... What do you imagine for yourself when you are thin?

For me I wanted to be SEXY!!!! Not just thin, not just healthy but SEXY!!' (Come on we all want that I am just willing to admit it!)

So in the coming day while your walking along near that wagon you choose where you wanna be. :-)

I am hoping you choose sexy beast!

I am the OP and I wish I could just close this thread now.

I joined a group on FB called Drama-Free WLS so I could avoid this kind of thing.

Thanks to those who have supported me and others in good times and in bad.

I won't leave VST totally because there is a lot of good to be found here ( and I don't just mean people who will "tell me what I want to hear"-- I appreciate all kinds of feedback as long as it's respectful).

However, I am leaving this thread. I encourage others to do the same--it's no longer productive for anyone.

I'm sorry that a few people here have decided to gang up on you in this thread...

I will talk to Alex about the usual suspects,

You see it's not you, it's a particular group of people that like to hang out taking big and bad then run back to the chat room afterwards and talk even worse "behind" the backs of the ones they attack. Yes they have no fear of the "forum police" as they have voiced here and in the chat room. But perhaps one day the police will quit warning them and do what needs to be done.

I will send this to Alex now.

So uhmmmmm....

I bet everyone would get along if we start talking about the joys of skinny sex.

:ph34r:

I'm sorry Laura-ven... but isn't specifying a group of people calling them a "gang" against the policies on this forum? Maybe you need to report yourself as well?

I'm sorry Laura-ven... but isn't specifying a group of people calling them a "gang" against the policies on this forum? Maybe you need to report yourself as well?

So be it gooch, I reported the whole thread,

And it's nice to see you come out of the chat room for a few minutes also... I knew it was a matter of time for you to jump in too..

So be it gooch, I reported the whole thread,

And it's nice to see you come out of the chat room for a few minutes also... I knew it was a matter of time for you to jump in too..

and maybe you could act like an adult?

Just visualize yourself FAT again...I know you don't want that...

I look up to many of you because you've done so wonderfully.

Do whatever is necessary to get yourself on track..I know you can do it, you know you can do it.

Best wishes...and much love.

Okay, everyone, while one poster was kind enough to post our rules, many of you appear to have skipped that one. I suggest everyone take a refresher course on our rules by clicking on this link:

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules

Pay particular attention to where it mentions not attacking other members and being respectful. Bring it back to topic, which is a member asking for advice on how to handle cravings, etc. Remember, our stomachs were sleeved, not our minds or our mouths. Getting the sleeve does not automatically cure all our old demons. At four years out, I am in a serious battle with them right now, and reading some of the supportive (after all, we are a SUPPORT forum) posts on this thread have actually been just what I needed.

If you can't be compassionate and supportive, then move on to another thread. If you want to argue with someone, take it to PM, because really, none of us want to be put in the middle of your pettiness. If you want to be rude, argumentative, etc., feel free to do so, but don't send myself or Alex emails complaining when I ban you for violating our rules.

I did not post that looking for "permission" to eat junk. I was sharing my struggle and hoping for some encouragement to get back on track. And partly I was posting just to be accountable to myself by making it public. I was being honest.

I really find that there is a lot of negativity and judgement on this forum.

The best advice I've gotten so far was the suggestion about a therapist. The rest is just nasty and judgmental. And to the person who said "stop eating ****"... You are about 4 days out' date=' right? I hope for your sake you don't struggle like I am at 4 months, but at 4 days food made me sick. That changes over time and it does get harder. I'm not making excuses for my choices. Just being real and looking for some help.[/quote']

Hey I am so sorry that you are going through what you are going through. I am not going to judge you because I don't know what may happen to me as I travel on this journey.

What I want to say to you is, are there some things going on to make you feel like eating these foods that you know are bad for you? Sometime we use food as a getaway, so maybe make a list of things that are good and bad in your life right now. A therapist is going to ask you that same question. I know it's hard either way if you do right or fall off its still hard. I want you to know I support you and you can get through this. Don't give up!!!!!

I guess I don't understand "falling off the wagon"... your sleeve is designed to restrict what you eat' date=' meaning that whatever you eat you will eat less of. Just eat till your sleeve tells you that you're full and you're going to lose weight. I've seen plenty of people who just listen to their sleeves and eat what they want and lose plenty of weight. Obviously this is going to be an unpopular answer but everyone is different.[/quote']

-yeah I eat junk sometimes too and really just eat what I want I can never really overeat. I do understand the fear of falling back into the bad habits though, it's one thing our mind tells us. I go through times of eating potato chips because I can eat more of them than anything else and those calories will add up. I have loss about 25 lbs below my goal and trying to gain back a little and even with the junk I can't seem to gain any weight.