Georgia

ANY major surgery causes these mood/hormone swings and for women, well... (smile) I truly didn't have a great deal but I was also on Zoloft because of menapause! Ha! Hang in there, it does get better~

So sorry to hear of your loss! I've been through that season of grief so I can understand where you are. So glad to hear that you are "getting there" and pray for you and your family.

Beautiful!!! I know your feelings. Sometimes I stop and just look at my profile in the mirror as I walk by one. Not to gloat, but because it is so unbelievable to me, even now at 21 months out! And I am 58 YEARS OLD! So yes, I have wrinkles on my face and neck I didn't really have before and some "bat wings", but hey, those size 8-10 skirts sure make it all worthwhile!!.

My surgeon only required 2 mo, 6, then year. Nothing else. I did have my regular checkup with my Primary Care Dr. and had bloodwork done, which I was glad of because my Vitamin D, Potassium and something else were extremely low! Kinda wish my surgeon had more visits but remember, they are SURGEONS! LOL That's all they do - then they turn you over to someone else!. Good luch

Okay, I know they tell you not to BUT nothing changes and not a problem for anybody I have seen/heard. Try using a straw! Helped me tremendously.

I use the app on my iphone 4. If you are logged in, it will show you all the threads you are subscribed to currently, and clicking on the Forums tab on the bottom you can go to other areas. I have not found a way to view profiles except my own!!! If you find it, let me know! lol

You know, I just ate my lunch. A Michaeleno's 5 Cheese Ziti which has 200 calories. The restriction of the VSG allowed me to eat approximately 1/2 (maybe a bite more) of it. SOOOO, thankful that when we reach "full", you don't EVEN WANT to eat that last bite!. I'm so glad I chose VSG over Gastric Bypass. I realize that my "sliders" can be a downfall but if you go by restriction and STOP when you reach that limit, well, it's all good!!!!! Happy Day to all!

Yes, I used them in the beginning because I couldn't stomach any of the shakes, protein drinks, etc. Lactose intolerant. Pure Protein bars were the best for me. Wal-Mart carries them in "value packs". Also, Nature Valley just came out with a new Protein Bar which is high in protein and very good. Good Luck!

Sleeve4me, what kind of exercising do u do? You say u eat what u want. Can u elaborate? I am wondering (well, really know) if u think u would maintain w/o exercising.

okay, confession time! I am 21 mos out and been "maintaining" for about a year. I have gained about 10 lbs and was really doing well except I have REALLY gotten the sugar bug in the last few weeks. Again, got over it somewhat and was doing better - walking etc. Well, here's the confession (smile) I had to work a seminar with my company Wed night - great time with our clients - catfish dinner (which I ate little of) BUT they had FRIED PIES!! You will not believe this (well, maybe you will) I at TWO pies there (easily) took home more and ate THREE THE NEXT DAY! Now, THAT'S how you regain weight. I could hardly get down a few bites of the "normal" food but those pies went down VERY EASILY! Soooo. I WILL be bootcampintg this coming week! And LOSING my 10 lbs. Agreed, Diva, too much effort to lazily regain what I have accomplished in my life!!! Love the new me and want to keep her!!! WE CAN DO THIS!

What is the "Kim" version of Lildiva's boot camp?

You know, you are gonna fall out at this! I have never understood the "weeks" off. Was sleeved on a Wed. Went back to work half days the next Wed and then full time. Now, was I tired and dizzy some? YES! But no PHYSICAL issues to deal With other than losing losing Losing very quickly. I did pass out one morning and knock myself out and split my lip open! Okay, now don't get upset. It was cause my BP mess were immediately too strong and once off them I was some better. Byes, I was extremely weak and tired for several weeks if not months; but I WAS TIRED ALL THE TIME BEFORE VSG! Lol

Also, forgot to mention-malnutrition is not an issue as with Bypass. No replumbing!! You just have to make sure you eat protein first with tie small Amts and take your vitamins! You will do great! Also, I am VERY prone to nausea with a weak stomach. I did fine and still an 20 mos out. Best to you.

Dyezee, I had absolutely no complications and very very very little nausea after surgery. Only when drinking water at first. Your fears are real and until u t see dont do it, but it was life changing for me and many, many more who will agre with me. Talk it out with your surgeon, support people.

This might be replying to an older answer but I am now 20 mos out and about a year out from reaching goal ( lost 100lbs). I turned 58 in January and found that the wrinkles increased quickly after losing all I needed to lose. My face has many but the thing I hate the most is my neck "waddle". Yuk! And my upper arms. I never really had big arms so didn't really think about them but with so much weight loss I now, as Oprah says, have "flags" that wave quite freely! Lol. I would love to have work done but no $$ for that right now. Also, I've have found it way too easy to eat junk that slides than stick to protein and have regained about 15 lbs. trying to be on the "straight and narrow" now and up my exercise and cut carbs. It's MY choice if I don't This really is only a too, and ultimately, we will choose. I love my new look and sometimes really don't comprehend how much I accomplished so I don't want to sabotage myself.

I eat too much junk Eat too fast Don't exercise enough Procrastinate Don't weigh often enough now (used to weigh everyday). Think I am denying habits I am allowing myself to fall into!

Susan, what is fit bit?

In answer to sleeve 4 me: Nom I don't take any special meds now or drink any alcohol (never have), I do, however, drink with meals. Having been trying to stop that again and I think it does make a difference. Have lost 3-4 lbs in last week and half from no junk. Doing a "Daniel Fast" right now with my church so my diet includes more carbs but they are GOOD carbs (whole grain etc) and beginning the year by this plus the elimination of junk food has caused me to start losing. Going to try to follow more closely original guidelines and lose the pounds gained plus want to try to get off another 5-10 (so I will have a few to play with!). I'll let you all know how it goes. I have found that it does make a huge difference WHAT I eat and still have good restriction. I can eat little dense protein and things like beans fill me up very quickly. Gonna be HEALTHY! Love having all of you as sounding boards!

Been following this forum since the beginning and posted here also. Am at 18 mos out. Reached goal (150) around 9 mos out. Lost 100lbs. I'm wondering what you guys who are 16+ mos out are eating on a regular basis and not gaining/ or even dieting. I've gained 10-12 lbs and know I am eating too much "junk" at this stage. How many calories, etc are you able to eat and NOT gain? I feel pretty sure that I will quickly lose this if I cut back on carbs (which I intend to do starting next week!) but would still like to get a TRUE idea of how long-termers are maintaining. I have truly discovered that you can "take the stomach out of the girl" but the brain still tells her to eat junk! lol Also, seems that I have very good restriction still if it is dense protein but since cant eat but a few bites of it, I tend to want to eat every two hours or so. Suggestions? And no, I have not been exercising faithfully in the last few months either.

Whoop whoop! Isn't it awesome? I get all these "fattie" catalogs in the mail and sometimes forget that I CANT WEAR ANYTHING IN THEM ANYMORE! Awesome! Yep, now TJ MAXX is my best friend! You go, girl! My size 8 skirts (one six!) are simply divine!!!!!

Are we talking "chips" as in potato chips or as in baking chocolate chips? Either way, I like them both! lol And my bad habits are driniking with meals - (I have ALWAYS even as a child drank copious amounts of Fluid with meals and before and after! lol) I have also gotten into the habit of eating some junk - not logging food - not weighing everyday - yep, it's that season! Gotta shore up my habits! NOW! I've been at goal since last March. I have gained about 5 pounds. Going to try to lose that with another 10 or so.

Okay, iegal! You are RIGHT ON! I have got to be completely honest with myself and understand that the MIND over MATTER thing really does still apply! I, too, can sit at a meal and think of what I'd like to snack on in a few minutes! NEVER did that during losing. I really don't understand completely why that is happening now but I understand the "enough protein" thing too! BUT, I've tested it to see and for me, doesn't make much difference. If I have a protein rich snack instead of an empty carb/junk one such as nuts, etc. I don't feel hungry longer so I KNOW my head is screwing with me. I WILL NOT let this defeat me, though. Just got to wrap my head around the truth of "life ever after" and adhere to guidelines. Something that we all had problems with before! lol I love having all of you to talk to! How many of you go to any support group "in person?"

Thanks, Sleeve 4 me! I will start trying those. Have been doing nuts and found these nature valley nut crunch bars w only 160 cal and more protein but u have I also got in the habit of Pure junk stuff too! Gotta get back in line. SURE don't want to gain any more Nd really wOuld like to lose down to have about 5-10 to play with.

Btw. About how many crackers are in your snack 2-3 times a day? And that is on top of your 3 meals, right?