feedyoureye

I had the sleeve don in 2010. I was lacto ovo vegetarian the whole time. I lost slowly for the first two rears, then started to gain. I employed 5-2 semi fasting program and lost to goal (90lbs) by year three. I maintained for less than a year, then slowly started to gain until around 2019 when i platoued at 20 lbs under my initial weight. Around that time i was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went to a “surviver clinic” run by my medical plan(Kaiser). They recommended i go whole food plant based to reduce most causes of premature death. I was motivated. That was 4 years ago. I am currently down 35 pounds from my high. I wish i had done this insted of surgery, because whole food plant based relies on eating a lot of food to work. I can eat quite abit now… i guess my stomach has stretched out quite a bit, but i still cant eat as much as i could before surgery. Check out nutritionfacts.org for lots of current research on nutrition, weight loss and health.

Hello you all! I see a few faces out there that I knew many years ago here. I used to be a host, and even got an award for most followed post! Its been a while. I first joined this forum in 2010. My pic shows me with red hair… its white now! I had a VSG in January of 2011. I entered this plan as a vegetarian, and maintained that status until about a year ago when I upped my game to Vegan eating (Did you know you can drink Coke and eat Oreos and still be vegan?). 7 weeks ago I upped it again and I follow a Whole Food Plant Based diet. It is also vegan eating, but cuts out not only meat and dairy, but any highly refined product including oils, refined sugar, white flour and rice, you get the picture. It is high Carb and low fat. It took me about two years after surgery to get about 65 pounds off (I only had 80-90 to lose) and then started to gain. I gained about 20, trying different diet changes along the way… then started using the 5/2 semi fasting method, and lost the rest in the following year eating an average of 1000 cal a day. So it took me three years to get to goal. Loved it. At last, I felt like the person in the mirror was me. That didn't last long. Slowly,over years, I gained much of the weight back. Eating less didn’t work like it had. I did eat more crap, but much of the time was on calorie counting staying under 1200 cals without much success. I got up to between 20-30 pounds under my highest weight, and managed to keep that much off for the last 8 years. This is a success. I have never been able to do that before. I can eat less, my stomach allows for much more food than it did the two years after surgery, but it still can give me a full signal faster than before surgery. This is a win. I am not sorry I got the surgery. In April of this year (2019) I found out I had breast cancer. In a whirlwind, I went to a ton of appointments and ended up quickly in surgery for a lumpectomy with 2 nodes removed, then a month of daily radiation. I am lucky to have caught it early, and my prognosis is good. Nothing like a kick in the ass to get you back on board a more healthy lifestyle. I was recommended to go to a “survival coach” appointment with Kaiser. I was told they would talk to me about lifestyle changes that would amend my other treatments. So, I found myself in the office at the appointment.(July 19th 2019). I met one on one with Dr. Earnie Bodai and a Nutritionist. He went through my prognosis, not just for Cancer but heart disease, stroke and diabetes. He gave me statistics, and suggestions, and told me I was much more likely to die from other things before I died from breast cancer. He said I would most benefit from eating a Whole Food Plant Based diet. He gave me the research to support it. He handed me over to the nutritionist who filled me in on the details. I had heard about this type of lifestyle before, but didn’t think I could follow it. Nothing like Cancer and a convincing bunch of information to make change easier! I switched to the WFPB diet imdeiately. Thats been just 2 months now. I have done a ton of research to back up what he told me. I ate a ton of food. I didn’t count calories. I traveled for two weeks over seas and managed to stay on plan. I watched ‘forks over knifes’ and ‘What the health’, I went and had labs done after following the plan for a month. My labs came back drastically better… in just one month. I had been a vegan before the labs, but the new small changes in my diet made a HUGE difference. My glucose dropped from 123 to 108… and should continue to drop as time goes by. My total cholesterol dropped 47 points. In one month of eating this way. I have been trying to control my cholesterol for years by other dietary changes. My LDL dropped from 175 to 139…. And yes, at almost two months on plan, eating so much delicious food, I have lost 15 pounds. Just saying. Im doing this with my older sleeve. Its working well. I don’t think I could have done this when my sleeve was newer, as you have to really EAT to have this plan work. I told my nutritionist that I had the sleeve and wondered if I could eat the TWO pounds of veg a day the plan recommended… She said “Start Eating, Eat often if necessary, Don’t worry about protein, your health will improve.” Thats what I have been doing and it works. If any of you out there are at the point where you can eat a lot more than early on in the sleeve process, this plan may work for you too. I am not a DR.. Do your research. I looked up my Survival Dr, Earnie Bodai on line, he said he had some medical papers published on breast cancer and diet, almong other topics, and found out the man is more than just a Dr. He is the Dr. that single handedly got the Breast Cancer stamp approved in the United States and now its being approved by other countries as well. He may well have saved hundreds of thousands of peoples lives through his many good works. I trust his research and recommendations to me. Here is his story if you are interested. https://youtu.be/KlToZUJg4kg Here is the plan I am following now. There are many others that are similar out there. Just look up Whole Food Plant Based diet. The success stories are legion. http://www.kphealthyme.com/Healthy-Eating-Active-Living-Programs/Education-libraries/Plant-Based-Diet.aspx

How sweet! Thanks so much!

I know I always wanted to hear from people with a few years under their belt! The procedure was fairly new then.

How about you? I go to the thrift store at least once a week, maybe three.... I did need to toss/give away 95 percent of my clothing....and now Im sure I have replaced that... but JUST have to check out that thrift store one more time...just in case there is something I have missed. I have always liked cloths... have cultivated a style for myself...but when I was heavy (for most of 20years) I would feel like buying something else, because I never felt like I looked very good in anything. Clothing can only do so much for covering up the fact that you are fat. As I have lost weight, I feel like I do look good, better than before for sure. I can buy cloths that are not from the Womens dept. The thrift store is fine with me... we have a Goodwill close to work that carries fabulous things, designer, vintage and other... for a song. I don't make much money, and the thrift store prices are not breaking the bank... I just sort of hope I STOP the habit pretty soon or I will be drowning in cloths. I don't have great storage and do not want to live on a pile of cloths! I think part of what I am doing is finding my look.... I keep trying stuff on and looking in the mirror... to try and "see" myself... the new me. I am also scanning fashion blogs. I used to work in fashion display, and dressed windows and such, used to get paid for my fashion sense... after I got heavier and heavier, it was so hard for me to see myself in that context...very hard. What do you think? I do put some of the new cloths back in the recycle pile when I don't think I will end up wearing them... this helps...but I do feel a little frenzied. ...oh yes, I also am finding ways to "go out" more, see people I haven't seen in a while, hang out, and reintroduce my new self to the town again... Got to have something to do so I have an excuse to dress up! I even dress up to go to work, which does not care one way or the other... just part of the reinvention...

Benefits of Sleeve Gastrectomy Wane at 5 Years http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/849141

I'm so happy for you that you have met a nice man to spend time with. Is it the same guy you were with a couple months ago? I have Arthritis too, creeping in here and there.... Not as bad as you... I think at least part of it is the weight ... but don't kick yourself about it.... skinny people get it too!

Sorry I wasn't here for you Cathy, Ill try to be better about that! On June 26th I was in Scotland! We drove all over, Stayed in Mull, and Louis and Harris... wild and wonderful. Also went many other places, stayed in castles, visited standing stones and wishing wells... Neolithic sites and saw lots of art too. We would stop for tea everyday... In farmhouses, castles and small towns... it was lovely, and fattening!I I have to say, you live in a lovely part of the world... Did not get too close to Wales.. perhaps some day. Also spent some time learning how to drink Scotch! We had a blast, Thank goodness I did a good bit of walking as well.... Thought of you and Coop while I was there...

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Thanks, sorry I was gone for so long. Has Sheryl been out for a while?

Back from the dead! Not really dead, but piled up with stuff to do, stressful stuff and an amazing trip to Scotland. Sorry I didn't check in, I was too busy eating junk and gaining weight. sad face here.... Im back on track, and my hubby is actually joining in... never been on a diet or watched his weight, but a BIG know it all! of course. Its good though, helps having a buddy in the kitchen. I am still down 40 pounds, but gained the rest back. In giant pants again.... Still way better off than before surgery, but trying to make a new start of it. Have a show coming up, working hard on getting paintings done, house still in mediation limbo.... the contracting engineer said in a deposition the other day that there is a 50/50 chance that our roofs might actually cave in! While I was in Scotland, I found out that my job was going to be over by January 2017... at this time it looks like that is not true, but administration has not sent an official letter yet. At the same time found out a co worker of 15 years was killed in a hit and run... lots of horrible drama here for a spell. Still dancing, and walking... curbing the sugar monster that has been ruling my life for a few months.... It may take me some time to catch up on your posts... just wanted to let you know I am here.

Hi guys, No one has posted here in a while, but I am still -30 pounds to goal.... 24 to be exact. I have gained some wieght, it is a struggle, but have not given up hope. I can see most of my problem... what and how much I eat! The holidays are the devil for me.... I see grazing is probably my biggest problem. Always sticking some little snack in the pie hole...(they don't call it that for nothing!) My mom in law is taking off back to NZ in a few days, and I am back in shape to increase exercise, so back on track I go. Posting here is part of the plan. Regular fitday use too.... Best of luck to you all over the holdiays!

Just going to get this rolling. Here is an "official" 5:2 fourm. Not all links are equal, just some reading if your interested... This is where I linked to the 5:2 FAQs page: FAQ: meat consumption. From the original fast diet site. That second paragraph says it all! Vive the Veg-olution! Lots of buzz about at the moment around ‘demi-veg’ and part-time vegetarians (or ‘flexitarians’ – one of those clunky words that may well never take off, even if the activity does). Last week, the International Development Committee pointed to increased meat consumption as a catalyst for recent global food crises. And we all know that too much meat (particularly of the processed variety) is linked to all kinds of health issues. One recent European study found that the biggest consumers of processed meat increased their risk of death from heart disease by 72% and cancer by 11%. The World Cancer Research Fund advises limiting intake of red meat because of its links to bowel cancer. By contrast, a six-year study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association and reported in the London Evening Standard found that ‘the mortality rate among vegetarians was 12 per cent lower than in omnivores, while demi-veggies had an 8 per cent lower death rate than meat eaters’. This really is food for thought – and it fits in neatly with The Fast Diet mantra of ‘mostly Plants and Protein’. Filling your plate with veg at the expense of meat, even for two days a week, could have a significant effect on your health, your waistline, your pocket and – yes – the planet. As Einstein once said, ‘Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.’ Perhaps full-time vegetarianism is too seismic a shift for some of us, but we could all do with moving towards more plant Proteins, legumes, herbs, veggies. And, really, there’s no sacrifice. A veg-based meal relies on spicing, texture, colour, crunch – and once you’re in the zone, it’s not so hard to come up with great meatless meals (there are tons of ideas in The Fast Diet Recipe Book of course). I had lunch at Ottolenghi in Notting Hill a fortnight ago: bliss on a plate, and no meat, not a sausage. As the Standard says, maybe it’s time to join the vegolution? how many meals on a fast day? and other questions. http://feedfastfeast...t-by-the-horns/ http://www.52fastdie...ting-t7857.html a little 5:2 research-what is the dif between slow and fast losers on 5:2 If you have the time, read it, 12 page article on fasting, fun, fact filled and a little heady....inspirational, confirms the real reason we are all doing it, longevity and health. http://www.scribd.co...ur-Way-to-Vigor Have not read yet (will tonight), but by same author, on the fast diet... http://www.scribd.co...n-the-Fast-Diet This was posted else ware, but I thought it would be good to have it in our "bag of tricks" here as well... http://www.obesityhe...an-fail-part-2/

Happy birthday coops! Im back to where I started (only one day off!).... the stall is alive and kicking! Back on the 5 day test then 5:2 again.....

Oh Sarah, how awful for you and your family! I am glad to hear you all got to spend time with him, and say your piece... and that you got to give it your all for the past few months. I understand about learning how to grieve.... I finally went on a light anti depressant... I just couldn't beat the sadness at one point... and that has really helped so much. I can still feel, just not so hopeless. Much love to you.... the human experience is really a bumpy ride some times. Spring is waiting for you when your ready!

Ok, fast going fine so far. Drinking lots of liquids. planning nice dinner. Down 3 pounds from last monday. Cheers all!

I'm up for it, mondays? And it was a LOOOOOONG one too! It is complicated for sure. We have spent up to a year apart and kept the connection in the past... He takes off for NZ once or twice a year for a month or more. I have taken off through the years, but not as much as him... I am looking forward and planning for my own adventure time with or without him depending on the circumstances. At this time he has more money than I, and he is a cheapskate... but he has in the past paid for one or two of my adventures, after I had supported him in some activity. For instance, he has paid for my bike and done all the repairs on his dime... I do think it is a risk, but really, I want him to be happy, and I want me to be happy also... We have been through a lot of crazy adventures together, only a couple of points did it involve motorcycles... I asked him the other day what his top of the desire list was (I already knew...) and it the around the world motorcycle trip. If he waits much longer, he may be too old to do it. I gave it a try to see if I was able to join on a bike, at least for part of it, and I'm just not suited. So thats it. If we rent the house and I live in the studio, I will be getting half the monetary benefit from that... and will use it to travel most likely. If we can come up with a plan, it will be with Craig. This trip to Scotland is killing my savings... I need to make some more money to do what I want.... The moving into the studio will cost money too... needs a bathroom, separate meter, hot water.... and we have to do the work to move a bunch of stuff somewhere to make room to iive in a smaller place. He would just as soon get rid of everything and hit the road. I like having a home base, however small. We are at 20 years of marriage, and 3 before that.... it has had its ups and downs, but seems better than ever now. Craigs name: Craig means "Rocky Outcropping" and the Maclaines motto is "Conquer or Die" My name Kim means "Noble or brave" and my last name Scotts family moto is "Love". Which fits us pretty well.... and makes for some spectacular fights and passion.

AT 5+ years, I am still a work in progress. I still maintain at 55% EWL. I gained over 35 pounds in the last year+. Easy as pie. Literally. I can eat anything, and in large amounts if spread over time. I still do not drink with meals unless I have breakfast out which is not often. I reach for food when emotional or stressful situations come up. I know it... I watch it, I work on it. I mostly write down what I eat, and watch Protein, but those weeks that I don't, I gain. It is not easy to get off. Yes the sleeve still works. I eat less at any sitting... protein first really makes me feel full faster. I continue exercise, and recommitted again.... just finished the 5 day "pouch" test with a 5 pound loss and a lowering of the Carb addiction. One step at a time. The head has to be in the game, just like before weight loss surgery. The sleeve helps... it is a tool, just like they say, and has helped me to maintain at least 50 pound loss for 5 years. I had a weight gain at 2+ years and worked to get to goal after that... so I know I can do it. I think for me, this is something I need to watch and plan every day.... when I don't I gain. I am very happy I got the sleeve though.... VERY HAPPY. Kindle, so true! I didn't see that. @@feedyoureye - Is putting on the weight post-op much easier than it was pre-op? During the week I'm pretty structured but on the weekends I tend to be a little more relax. I normally eat whatever I want, but I still have been losing weight. I think it's because I walk an hour each day. I'm still in the pre-op stage but I was recently approved for the Bypass. I'm thinking of having the approval changed to the VSG because the RNY scares me. I can gain weight like I did before surgery at the same rate as I did after losing weight after dieting. It is easier to eat less now though... when I set my mind to it.

AT 5+ years, I am still a work in progress. I still maintain at 55% EWL. I gained over 35 pounds in the last year+. Easy as pie. Literally. I can eat anything, and in large amounts if spread over time. I still do not drink with meals unless I have Breakfast out which is not often. I reach for food when emotional or stressful situations come up. I know it... I watch it, I work on it. I mostly write down what I eat, and watch Protein, but those weeks that I don't, I gain. It is not easy to get off. Yes the sleeve still works. I eat less at any sitting... protein first really makes me feel full faster. I continue exercise, and recommitted again.... just finished the 5 day "pouch" test with a 5 pound loss and a lowering of the Carb addiction. One step at a time. The head has to be in the game, just like before weight loss surgery. The sleeve helps... it is a tool, just like they say, and has helped me to maintain at least 50 pound loss for 5 years. I had a weight gain at 2+ years and worked to get to goal after that... so I know I can do it. I think for me, this is something I need to watch and plan every day.... when I don't I gain. I am very happy I got the sleeve though.... VERY HAPPY. Kindle, so true! I didn't see that.

Yep. I am so proud of myself that I got over the "hump" and learned to ride, even my no compliment husband says I am a good rider. It has been a kick in the ass for me. I do think most of the anxiety is the bike. I don't LOVE it enough to make up for the injury downside. It also doesnt go well with my other activities.... except adventure and hanging with the hubby... which are also important to me. I still don't want to sell the bike, or think of never getting on it again, but really... I need to draw a harder line about that. I support Craig in going after his dreams, even if they are not with me... but I am making lists of things we might do together that are fun and adventurous.... I don't want to stop having fun and adventure!. He has a lady friend I like very much, a motorcycle nut to the end... who he is tentatively planning on traveling with on a couple of trips....he is even talking about her using "my" bike. She doesn't want to do it unless its ok with me....and they both have said they are not interested in each other "that way". I know I run the chance of losing him in such a situation, but think these trips are better and safer in a pair of riders. (Alaska to South America...and perhaps beyond) I would have to rent the house and move into the studio, so we have some income to support such a trip. I hate to move, even just into the back yard , but would be willing to do it with the idea that I would also have the option of taking off and traveling at some point... I won't make enough with Social Security to pay my bills, so have to have a second income of some kind.... I might set up a studio someplace along their way, and have a visit for a while on their trip or something like that... or just go out with my car and see America. This is all stressful, but so goes Adventure! I lived in India by myself several times, and know I can do it. I have found that when you Adventure travel it changes you. If you don't keep in contact with loved ones... and fill them in on your activities, and they do the same for you... you meet up later and have little in common. I don't want this to happen with Craig. On the other hand, he is a self centered wild man, which is part of his charm...and part of the deal is to let him go and be who he is.... We both are attracted to adventuresome people, we met in India, both on adventures, and it is our stated goal as a couple. We have our tickets to go to London in June, then pick up his mom and sis at the airport, pick up a car and do a 3 week road trip through Scotland. We will visit the Isle of Mull, where he has relatives and can access the families historical property. That should be a blast. I just had to scratch up the money to make it happen. Its the first trip out of the country in years.... right before my surgery I went to New Zealand for a few weeks. 5 Years! I had to take care of my little dog in her senior years, and really could not in good conscious leave her here with a sitter at that time. She was my girl through thick and thin. And my moms final days...But now, I am free to make some moves again. I have tentatively gotten back on the wagon, have lost 5 pounds. Truth time. I was up to 210. (ouch!!!) It was easy as pie to do so.... and even with several weight loss starts, I just couldn't do it. Up Up Up. I am going to try to lose 10 by Scotland... and make the slow crawl down the scale again. I did it twice, I can do it again. I used the 5 day pouch test, am on the 6th day now, and the carb cravings are way down. I am going to go back into the 5:2 now... and watch myself closely. I have one co worker who has shadowed my many weight loss trips... When I lost the weight with surgery the first time, she started walking to lose weight. For her, eating everything she wants and not saying no was what she wanted. She gets up at 1:30 in the morning and walks for 5 hours 6 days a week. Goes to bed at 7:30 at night. She loves it. Personally, I would rather be fat! But it works for her so far. She lost 130 pounds doing it. (she did diet at first to lose the weight and the walking is more her maintenance) Her body is a mess, and I hate to think what will happen to her if she loses her ability to walk. She can't even stand still, and walks in place at meetings, during breaks and class.... I am continuing to do dance twice a week, and walk twice a week, but my knee is worse and worse... I am wearing a brace... which helps a bit. Getting old sucks! Anyway, thats where I am. Getting along with Craig pretty well, work has its ups and downs... if I had the money I would probably quit.... but its not horrible by any means. Looking forward to Scotland... Family doing well. All the flowers are blooming in the yard. Always nice to hear from you all. Coop, hope you work out your situation soon... hugs to you.... Sheryl, A new man... a new NICE man.... how exciting! Enjoy! Georgia, you are a touch stone for me... inspiration! Cathy always a rock. I will be so close to you guys, if I was on my own I would drop by for sure! That would be a blast to meet you guys in person! Denise, chin up.... I know about eating like a bird... I have lost this first 5 pounds eating between 450-800 cals a day. That is CRAY CRAY! I will be upping it starting today, but have to really watch the carbs and such. fingers crossed and thank MFP every morning. You would think you could eat anything you want and stay at 210.... but NOOOO.

Hi all. Nice to see some "old" lovely faces. I'm back on the wagon here. It took me 3 years to get to goal, and about one to get back in the red.... but at 5+ years I still see myself as a work in progress with lots of success under my belt. I'm working at getting back to goal.... and if I could do it before, I can do it again... even if it takes three more years! I'll be checking back in here with updates.

OK! Hello all, I finally got through the posts I missed... I can't believe its been a month! Where did it go? I have stopped riding my moto.... have very mixed feelings about it... don't want to sell it... but my anxiety has gone down some. I am planning how to follow the call to adventure without it... looks like car trips, camping and the flight/train/bus route I have used for years. I still imagine riding the bike places... but not sure its worth the thought. My knee is gone bad again... the steroids are worn off I guess. Trying a brace... Gaining weight is not helping. Really working on losing, but gain two, lose two... you know what I mean. Up side, Hubby is grabbing my ass constantly... he likes it that way. I'm still down 50 pounds, which is what my Doc expected me to lose in the first place.. but feel fat. No fun. I will be going on a hike tomorrow with Craig to the Sutter Buttes... The Sutter Buttes are sometimes referred to as the world's smallest mountain range. They rise up in the middle of the huge Saramento Valley, are privately owned land, and so tours are rare. We will be lead by a University professor with an emphasis on culture, geology, flaura and fauna. The Natives used to winter there when flooding hit the valley. I have this bum knee and just getting over a cold... so I hope I can stick with the group and not fall out! Wearing a brace and using my camera tripod as a walking stick... hoping for some cool photos. Its been on my bucket list for years, so no time like the present. Those doggies are dolls! Little rescue does look yorkish for sure. They are troopers, and very sporty. Glad they are getting along so well. Happy Birthday Lady! Sorry I'm so late, but if your anything like me, celebration can go on for as long as anyone wants to do it!

Coop! So sorry you are feeling bad, the flu has swept through our school, and when it catches you, you are down for the count until it lets you go. Sheryl, the kidney stone was recent? I have never had them but know those that have and it sounds like living hell! My right knee and left arch are doing an "old lady" on me. I just got braces for them both because I just cant stand limping around and the thought of having to give up dance. That would be hell! I wore them both to class tonight, and maybe it helped some. I will have to use them for a while and see if the pain changes. They sure are UGLY. I havent been on the bike for 3 weeks..... I was going to go out last sunday, but the knee and arch were acting up... I probably could have ridden ok, but if I dropped the bike, no way I could have gotten it back up alone. Craig and his mom are going to fly in on Sunday pm, so probably go out with him soon if the weather holds out. Thanks for asking. My anxiety was so loud and crumby, mostly noticeable when I wake up in the morning.... I have been using more magnesium, oiling myself with sesame oil ( Tibetan medicine) and a list of other little things... when I went to the Tibetan Drs when I was living in India, they told me I had a "Wind disorder" One of the recommendations to avoid the problems that come with that (anxiety) is to avoid standing on cliffs in the wind! Well one morning I was feeling like crap, and I remembered that warning... and had to laugh.... being on a motorcycle is more than a little like standing on a cliff in the wind. I'm working on it.... felt better this morning.

If I don't take an aspirin, I will have to move to blood thinners... also a risk there.... Whats a girl to do. I was told that the sleeve is the least problematic surgery if you take NSAIDS, although not great...