I get you can cheat and you sometimes gain a little after the Loss. But does it ever all go back on?!?

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I've said this several times on this forum so apologies to those that have to read it again.

My doctor told me that anyone eating absolute crap will lose weight in the first year or so. They can't eat as much, so just through the restriction alone, they'll lose weight. Even eating fast food, pizza, fried, cake Cookies... the weight will drop.

The problem is, their bodies and metabolism will eventually adjust to the amount of food they eat, and the fact that most of the stuff they are eating is nutrient deficient and loaded with sodium, fat, carbs and sugar means that they are starving their bodies of Vitamins, Protein. And once the body adjusts, the weight will start creeping back on. And they will blame the sleeve for "failing" when it is really because they were expecting to do none of the work themselves and didn't make any changes or effort to get healthy.

What works for me is to think of WLS (weight loss surgery) as one leg of a three legged stool:

1. WLS provides portion control/hunger reduction. WLS helps with reducing portions pretty much instantly and for the rest of your life, and removing (temporarily) the gnawing hunger and overwhelming cravings.

2. Relearn how to eat. With reduced portions and the ability to make better food choices due to the overwhelming hunger/cravings being controlled, you finally are able to start relearning HOW AND WHAT TO EAT. You can make smarter and healthier food choices and retrain your brain and body to eat high protein, lower carb and moderate fat - meaning healthy Proteins, veggies and complex carbs become your new way of eating. It's not a diet; it's a lifestyle change and throwing out everything you used to do and addressing your relationship with food.

You can also use this time to figure out better ways to deal with issues you used to medicate with food - using it as comfort, reward, whatever. You must deal with all that baggage during the honeymoon phase so it doesn't sabotage you later down the road.

3. Ramp up activity levels. Once you've gotten the hang of eating healthy and reduced portions, exercise is the third leg to master. You feel better and start getting your energy back once you're on solids. The weight you've lost over the first few months means your body is feeling less pain and are able to move easier, so you can start finding ways to get more active. Again, this is not "forcing yourself to exercise." This is about finding ways to enjoy yourself while also being active - go for a walk with a friend, take up a sport, swim, ride a bike, play catch with the kids... find things you enjoy doing that also involve you getting up and moving and you'll never dread getting your exercise in because it is FUN.

While WLS is an absolutely amazing tool, it isn't a cure all. You can't expect to balance on one leg and not fall over eventually. Without all three legs, you'll fail. Simple as that.

You got to have a make up mind and yes it is hard

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I was actually losing more BEFORE the surgery. I was a little discouraged when I went for my follow ups and everyone else seemed to be losing 5 or so pounds a week and I was lucky to have one. But...I have to work for every pound I lose. I never had the "option" of eating things that weren't good for me and still losing weight. Now am extremely happy that I was "different" than most. I can't take anything for granted. I love how I feel and am starting to love how I look. I don't want to mess up and go back to where I was before. My mind frame has changed. I don't really care if I never have a piece of chocolate again in my life. I get to move around without being in pain. I can breathe easily after walking up multiple flights of stairs, I get to dress in "normal" size areas at the store, I get to live a VIBRANT life! So, I guess I will concentrate on all the "I get to" rather than what I have to give up...which now seems pretty small.