So my surgery was August 14th, 2013. I started at 222 lbs and as of today I am at 150. As happy as I am at my progress I am disappointed in myself that I did not reach my goal within the "Golden Year". Now I realize what my surgeon meant by the golden year. It truly is much much harder to loose after that first year goes by. I haven't lost a pound in over 4 months. My wedding is in 4 months and I still have 30 lbs to go. I am thinking of doing the 5:2 plan and I also ordered some of those organic garcinia pills that everyone is raving over (they supposedly burn fat, with no side effects and are all natural) I am a little worried about taking a diet pill after VSG..has anyone done that or the 5:2 plan and what were your results?

Also below is my most recent before and after..I went from a size 18 to a size 10

You look amazing! I can't imagine you not looking stunning in a wedding dress right now!

I'm early out (only over 2 months) but enlighten me. Do you think you didn't hit goal because you may have gotten complacent with the plan as time went on? In other words letting some of your old habits sneak up on you? Or does it just get harder to lose weight as time goes on (even in the Golden Year)? I've been wondering this lately as right now the weight is coming off fairly easily...

After about the 6 month mark you are pretty much able to eat anything...I was anyways. I had no issues with salad, chicken, red meat, carbs etc.. I think in my case I went wrong with the Protein aspect. I had a Personal Trainer for the first 8 mos after surgery so I know it wasn't due to lack of exercise. I have never been a huge meat eater. I cant roll up a piece of turkey and cheese and eat it like that, it grosses me out. I can do chicken, and I relied a lot on those rotisserie chickens you get at the grocery store. I stopped the Protein shakes also at 3 mos and that probably hurt my weight loss also. Once you can eat again, it is very hard not to. I went through the classes and psychological stuff to prepare for my surgery but let me tell you 30 years of bad habits do not disappear after this surgery or even with counseling- it is a daily struggle to make the right choices and this sleeve is merely a tool. It will only work so much for you. So now after a year I begin at the beginning...Protein shakes..chicken..no carbs..no sugar.

After about the 6 month mark you are pretty much able to eat anything...I was anyways. I had no issues with salad, chicken, red meat, carbs etc.. I think in my case I went wrong with the Protein aspect. I had a Personal Trainer for the first 8 mos after surgery so I know it wasn't due to lack of exercise. I have never been a huge meat eater. I cant roll up a piece of turkey and cheese and eat it like that, it grosses me out. I can do chicken, and I relied a lot on those rotisserie chickens you get at the grocery store. I stopped the protein shakes also at 3 mos and that probably hurt my weight loss also. Once you can eat again, it is very hard not to. I went through the classes and psychological stuff to prepare for my surgery but let me tell you 30 years of bad habits do not disappear after this surgery or even with counseling- it is a daily struggle to make the right choices and this sleeve is merely a tool. It will only work so much for you. So now after a year I begin at the beginning...Protein shakes..chicken..no carbs..no sugar.

I appreciate your answer! Good stuff to know for the future months I'm going to face. Good luck to you! I know you will get to your goal, you've done so well already!

@@Ashleyp24 you look beautiful! I can't wait until I'm a size 10. However, I totally respect each person's personal goal.

Obviously, since I've only been sleeved a few weeks, I don't have any suggestions other than to tell you that I did try the Garcinia pills (pre-sleeve) and didn't lose 1 ounce. Maybe it will work for you but I would strongly recommend checking with your surgeon.

Good luck in reaching your goal and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

You really look beautiful I agree with everyone else. What is the 5:2 plan? curing carbs and sugar is always a good plan to lose weight

You really look beautiful I agree with everyone else. What is the 5:2 plan? curing carbs and sugar is always a good plan to lose weight

I read about the 5:2 plan on here. It's a plan where you eat regularly for 5 days then fast for 2. The veterans on here swear by it but only after you've been sleeved for a year

thanks, long way to go but I will read more on it.

If one follows the rules most of the time, eats what their suppose to most of the time they will lose most of the weight.

My doctor said I could expect to lose 60 - 70% of my excess weight with the sleeve. I've losy nearly 80% and am thrilled - as long as I can maintain.