Hi everyone who is having surgery in October 2014. We can start a new topic for those of us who have had surgery already.

This is the spot were we will all end up, were we'll share our stories and recovery. It will be a new dawn for so many of us. Let's stay close as united we will conquer anything that comes our way!

BEST WISHES GLADIATORS

Breakfast P3 & cheese stick. I could eat more but I'm really trying to give my pouch time to tell my head I'm not hungry anymore.

OK. Back on track. We've got this!!!

Yes I want to be back on track and feel in control again. I know my body wants to workout I want to get my mind to agree.

We've got this!

Hello, gladiators,

It has been a while, sorry, life just got busy. But I think of you often and wonder how you are all doing. I am at 154lbs. Gained two pounds. I have read that it is pretty common for that to happen. To reach a low and then clim up to a more realistic weight. Of course any weight gain brings on the stress of thinking, I am going to gain it all back. It is very scary, I must say.

I can eat a lot more then I should. At times I am astonished. I think the pouch opening streaches and the food keeps pushing out. Also, if you take a little break during your meal, 10 minutes later I find I can eat some more. I never felt the full feeling. I always went from hungry to sick. It's still hard for me to tell. The only thing that works is to have a plate with a reasonable helping and not have seconds.

I can't do alcohol. I go from fine to roaring drunk to fast asleep in 5 minutes. I am exaggerating but it sure feels like it.

My biggest problem is snacking. I can't seem to stop the munchies. Every hour I feel like I need to have a little something. Sometimes a little something is a lot of something. I had a restaurant size salad (big) for lunch then of course I could only eat about 1/3. I had leftovers, an hour later I had another 1/3 and finished it off another hour later. Wow! It's like I completely bypassed the physical limitations of my surgery. Not doing that again.

However, if I do get a proper meal 3 times per day and a couple Snacks, I am fine. Why, why is it so hard to just do that? It's like I am ADD about eating. I can't focus on it.

Other then that, everything is great. I feel great and my hair is coming back. I am at about 17 months past surgery and my new hair is like 2 inches long. I can see there is lot of hair that length throughout. It's coming in nice and strong. My energy level is great and I feel positively great.

I'm frustrated, too. I gained about 5 back. But when I look in the mirror I see the person who was 120 pounds more. I really plateaued in Aug. And, I think it hindered my motivation.

I haven't even broken into Wonderland yet. Sure, I'm 5ft 11 in, but it is still 23 pounds away.

I've yet to hit wonderland. I get close then gain a bit. This has happened so many times.

Here is what I look like now. Still a work in progress.

I am only on chapter 2 but good so far.

Miss tvb you look awesome! Good job.

Lisaco... Thanks for the recommendation.

Hi everyone I've been M. I. A. For quite sometime. I hope everyone is doing well.

Hi Galdiators,

Good to hear from you layknee. Misstvb you look gorgeous. Nice work!

Question:

Is everyone feeling a lot hungrier lately?

Just wondering, and if so how do you cope? I don't think its real hunger but more like boredom hunger. But having said all that, I certainly can eat a lot more then I used to and it scares me.

@@amylynns

You look skinny my friend, good for you. I noticed your BMI is 23%. Well done! I'm around 25% which was my goal but I have been eating a bit more then I should lately. I am now at 155lbs. Can't wait to get out and about with good weather. I think winter has always been my biggest problem. I eat way more during the winter months.

We are all doing so well. I think we MUST always remember (even though its hard to ever be satisfied) where we were and were we are. a 100lbs lost is nothing to sneeze at. It takes true grit to do what we did. It still takes grit to keep going, right?

@@Beni

I'm not more hungry at meal times. Still eat small amounts but find myself wanting to snack between meals. I think it's boredom so I've started doing more during the day: scrapbooking, sewing whatever will keep me busy.

Winter has been horrible for my workout routine. I just can't make myself go out into the cold even if it's to go to the gym. I'm going this morning despite the rain. Then making it a habit again. My goal was to lose 50 more pounds this year and I'm nowhere near it.

Edited April 11, 201610 yr by misstvb

@@misstvb

I think you may be right, it's boredom. I could have 10 Snacks in a day. My lowest weight was 152 but this morning I was 168. That's 6 pounds. Well, to be fair I had been at 154/155 for at least two months. Moving all day is key for me. But I somehow can't bring myself to move the way I used to. I'm tired of moving, lol. Don't I sound like I'm 4 years old! Winter was hard, especially this last month. I am hopeful the nice weather will bring a more energetic outlook.

I also need to tone. My shoulders look like they are clothing hangers for my skin. Not the best look for sleeveless summer tops. I may have to wear sleeved shirts forever. I was looking through my closet this morning and surprise, surprise none of my summer stuff from last year (not the big stuff from before) fits. Everything is too big.

Now that 18 months have passed and what is regarded as the "honeymoon period" for our surgery, we will have to work harder at both losing weight and maintenance. This period is very challenging for some, I was told. I am so worried I will put all the weight back. I can't have that happen, not after all we have been through.

We can do this but we have to work at it.

I so feel like a snack right now but I am going to make some tea instead.