Used2b575lbs

Don't know what stage you are in but I found for the first several months I would have one of three things Beans (served at many restaurants as a side or on their salad bar), chicken wings (I know not the best option as they're fried but when you eat two or three and are full it's not too bad, or chicken breast with some light sauce whether it was light dressing, hot sauce, or something else to moisten the white meat. I found that once I started inviting the carbs back they came back tenfold and lead to 7 weeks of up and down with a total of a 2 lb gain and some old habits creeping in again. If you can control it to once and a while that's good. It's also important not to beat yourself up if you go in without a plan and order something that really isn't part of the plan. The way I look at it is I think if this was before my new healthy lifestyle and sleeve what would I have ordered and ate and in most cases appetizer, meal, dessert, and several dr. peppers was the norm... Pat yourself on the back for just having mashed potatoes or soup, you've come a far way!

I've spent most of my life heavy at 13 I was over 300 lbs, the lightest I've been was 245 lbs at the age of 16 years old... at my heaviest I was around 575 lbs... I tried to have a gastric bypass in 2003 but the company I worked for got bought out, my insurance changed and the new insurance wouldn't approve the surgery after going through all the pre surgery tests. I have lost and gained over and over again including 115 lbs in 2007 only to gain it back plus some. I moved back to my childhood home in 2009 and had one mission, get healthy, I also started my mission to get sleeved or bypassed. I was all set up to get a bypass in October 2009 but then was told I couldn't have the surgery because at 496 lbs I was too big. The CAT scan machines at 2 of the local hospitals only went up to 400 lbs and they couldn't risk operating on me. The third hospital in the area went up to 500 lbs but would accept my insurance. I pressed on and found a hospital 1 hour and 15 minutes away, and after 3 appeals with my insurance company I got approved two days after I started a new job March 2010. The company I work for has a strict 90 day no absence policy so I setup my Surgery for July 12th... That day I was sleeved and was fortunate not to have much pain and just a little discomfort. I lost 100 lbs quickly but then slipped back into some old carb habits, this week I recognized that I was eating slider foods and recommitted myself to working my sleeve, over the past seven weeks I actually gained 2 lbs but I think I've lost that and then some this week. Remember what I forgot Protein and Water are so important and if you're eating your protein properly you won't really have room for junk.

I just joined today myself I started at 575 lbs so I know what you mean when you say you can't believe you got yourself into this situation. Good luck on your journey, follow the doctors plan and you should see the weight come off.

You have to read the fine print also check out my intro to really understand. I came home in 2009 on a mission I lost the initial 200 lbs on my own with blood sweat tears and nutrition eating 5 small meals allowing myself one cheat meal a week whether it was chicken parm or $15 at taco bell. I cut out beer and soda for the most part as I knew I was headed toward a lifetime without it and really stayed away from the sweets. I ramped up my exercise when I was 575 lbs I couldn't hardly do 10 minutes on the treadmill at 2 mph and now today and yesterday I did over 3 miles on the elliptical in 30 minutes and did a full body workout upper one day/lower the next It really is easy when you think about it but we are our own worst enemies 3 things will keep you on track 1) Eat Protein 2) Drink Water 3) Exercise... of course Vitamins, support groups, and doctor follow ups are extremely important as well but those first three things are what really gets the sleeve working for you. I've lost 105 lbs in 7+ months post sleeve and after recommitting to working my sleeve this week I think i'm going to see another big drop on the scale tomorrow can't wait!!!

Everybody is different, the first week out of surgery I gained 7 lbs I was shocked because I was on liquid and only having like 400 calories a day but when I went for my second appoints and stepped on the scale I had lost 31 lbs or net loss of 24. I was so happy I teared up a bit. Now I realize men lose fast, i'm young, and I had a lot more to lose that's why I say everyone is different. Just stick with it follow the doctors plans, eat your Protein, drink your Water, and exercise and you too will probably have that WOW! moment...

I rely on coffee like a crutch, for energy to sooth me, to wind me down after a long day. I used to drink so much soda and beer before surgery so now I turn to coffee as the tiny bubbles in those two drinks are a definite no-no... At first I made sure I was getting in my Water at least 64 ozs then I added decaf, once I was able to get in 100 ozs of water I added the caffeine back. Here's the thing caffeine actually leaches water from your body and can dehydrate you if you're not drinking enough water so for every ounce of caffeinated coffee you should drink an extra ounce of water. Also beware of the calories the drink can add... I was going along fine and never really used sugar or sweetners then one day I had a caramel coffee at DD it was love at first sip and also is what I believe started a carb induced plateau because the sugar got in my head and I couldn't have enough. I've started doing more decaf the caff and i've laid off the sugar and now I believe it's fine. Coffee and chewing gum are two vices I just can't give up

Thank you all! I lurked around for a bit but decided to take the plunge I should be getting some photos up this weekend... I look forward to the motivation encouragement support and bond of the community and i'm also hoping that I can help others with my knowledge and experience.

I can only speak from my experience, I go to the gym and weight train about 4 times a week. First off I took the 6 weeks of no lifting after the surgery to heart. When I went back to the gym I was very weak and lost a lot of muscle. According to everything I've read you can't lose weight and gain muscle at the exact same time but I do think there's some hope. In the beginning no way as you can not eat enough but down the road I believe that if you cycle meaning two light days of eating and one heavier day you can. One of the greatest things about working out after surgery is you can tone and tighten and your physique (sp?) starts to show. I can see muscles I didn't no I had now... good luck!

Wow good for you keep working it!

Wow how inspirational simply amazing!!!

Thank You!!! I am here to inspire and encourage others as well as to ensure I continually stay motivated myself. I know I don't want to hijack this thread or any other, I created a thread called introduction you should check it out it's up in Tell your story

Thanks! It isn't a sprint it's a marathon and yes I do feel better and have made many positive changes but I know lurking inside is the old me and my real battle will be for life... Keeping it off and staying healthy, but I feel I have it in me and I have all the tools I need to do it!