Yesterday made me 9 months post - op here's what I've learned about myself, the sleeve and life in general

NEVER go without taking your vitamins!!!!

Drink as much Water as you can

I don't have to diet, I just need to eat good food (good for you) and I'll lose

Stalls are natural, normal and necessary for proper, longterm weight loss

I cannot keep a scale in my house (so I keep it in the trunk of my car and take it out on Fridays ONLY)

Restriction can decrease over time if you eat too much, too often

To increase my restriction I intermitten fast 5 days a week and this has kick started my weight loss agaiin

DON'T GRAZE or SNACK. It's so easy for VSGers to do this because we eat so little in a sitting.

I won't make it to goal 1 year post op...AND THAT'S OKAY

I will not lose weight EVERYDAY, EVERY WEEK or even EVERY MONTH... and that's NORMAL and OKAY

I'll probably have sagging skin and that's waaaay better than a plumpy, fat body

Not telling people about my surgery doesn't mean I am ashamed it just means I like keeping my business to myself

Those whom I decide to tell and react negatively I will not scold them or respond in defense, or even "unfriend" them I will simply live my life and let my happiness and health be proof of my good decision

I can drink coffee

I can drink pop

I can eat sweets

I just choose not to (95% of the time) because that's counter productive

Lastly, I will enjoy this entire process and learn to love myself inside and out, learn to "eat to live, not live to eat", learn to value those who care for and support me no matter my size, and slowly allow the fears I carried on my 350+ pound frame to fall off with every drop of sweat I burn for the sake of my good health, in shaa Allah ( = By the Grace of God)

Thank you for sharing.

I appreciate your tips.

So glad you shared these tips! very helpful for those of us not as far out as you Glad to hear of your success.

I agree thanks you for your tips: )

Insh'Allah ameen, Rose.

For all of us x

Wonderful post. I applaud your journey and sharing.

Thank you so much for sharing...it answered a lot of ?'s that I had been thinking about. Tomorrow i w be 13 weeks post-op,I've last 33#'s, but I have ms and unable to exercise or walk to make it come off quicker.

Congrats on ur journey:). Ty for the post, Lord willing, my surgery is tomorrow so thx for the tips as well. I loved the one about the scale, I told my hubby that b4 I'm discharged from hospital, hide the scale until my 2 wk postop, n then hide it until every Sunday. At least until I have control about weighing too much;). Anyways, God bless ur continued success.

Thx everyone for the kind words and support, I'm always happy to share and would love to hear any other "what I've learned so far " from you guys as well!