former_vbg

Well, a couple things for you guys to consider. If you are starting out with a lower BMI (40'ish or lower), you will likely lose at a slower rate. Also, there different programs that you may consider logging what you eat like fitnesspal.com or others to see what the calorie/ carb breakdown of what you are eating. There are times when people may be eating things that they don't realize the effect it may be having on their weight loss. Things like sauces on meats, types of salad dressings, etc... Are you incorporating any exercise into your week? You may even consider posting a typical day/ week on here for others to provide suggestions of what you are eating along with your activity. Don't get discouraged, you are likely doing all the right things, and remember everyone is different.

Thank you for posting this Pasquini. You basically sum up many things I am dealing with right now as well. Although I still have 10# to goal, I can't help but still see myself as bigger than I want to be. Everyday when I go to work, I go in the elevator to my floor and it has tall mirrors lined on every side. Sometimes when I'm in the elevator by myself, I will turn and look at myself sideways, front, etc and think "wow, I look pretty good, my tummy is flat, my but doesn't stick out, I look ok". But, then I find myself when I'm at stores or around other people in public and I see other women who honestly must be wearing girl size jeans and go.... hmmm, I'm still kind of big. Plus, it doesn't help that every morning when I get dressed in the morning and I see all the excess skin and I think how much better I would feel if I didn't have all that. And, knowing financially that isn't something I will likely ever be able to afford short of raiding my 401k. When I first set out on this journey my original final goal was 135 and I actually just hit that today, but a couple months ago I changed it to 125. This was actually for 2 reasons. First, my Dr. thinks that is the appropriate weight for me so that I have a few pounds to "play" with and I agree. If I just get to the top of the goal weight I should be, those "play" pounds might be harder to work with. I do find myself wondering though if I get to 125, is that going to be good enough? Will I want to go another 10#? I have no interest in looking like Barbie... I've just been fat all my life and I'm sick of it. I'm finally at a point in my life where I feel "normal" for whatever that's worth. But, I have such a fear of being fat again that I know that even when I get to my final goal I will probably deal with the same feelings about thinking I need to stay in that mindset of "I need to keep loosing...". Sorry for the long post, but just wanted you to know you are not alone.

I have never counted calories since having the surgery, however I do watch my carbs. I understand not wanting to be "on a diet". You can look at this a couple of ways. You had this surgery so you could loose weight and so if you want to take advantage of the honeymoon period, then that is the time to focus on what foods will make the most of that timeframe. The sleeve is a tool, and its up to us to decide how to use that tool. I don't get the impression you want to just eat "anything", but at the same time, you will want to pay attention to the foods you are eating that slow or halt your weight loss or worst case cause weight gain. I'm sure you realize that you can gain weight even with having this surgery by eating foods high in sugar and bad carbs. So, to your comment about not wanting to be on a "diet", perhaps you want to look at this as a lifestyle change. Your sleeve will help keep you in check, but as you get further out you will be able to tolerate more foods and in some cases eat more. By that time, you want to have figured out what you need to be eating to sustain the goals you have set for yourself. It doesn't mean not allowing yourself little treats in moderation, but again, watching to see how that affects you during your weight loss journey and factor that in with where you want to be. We are human, we can't be perfect all the time. I don't deny myself something if I find myself just absolutely craving it, but then I know I am going to need to do some exercise to counter it- depending on what it was. So, maybe not looking at this as a diet, but as a lifestyle change.

I used to love all those things and my "head" still does, but if I eat them now my tummy revolts against me and I'm in the bathroom with diarrhea. It's because I have become lactose intolerant. Depending on the amount of sugar and milk product I can sometimes have 1 or 2 bites without too much affect. Sometimes I can't help it when my work has this stuff just out for people to eat. We do lots of training for our sales staff and they get catered food daily. It's a free for all on left overs most everyday, and let me say they always have a nice spread of food!!!

Thanks Sara! Considering I gained 9# with the blood clot practically overnight, I'm just thrilled to be in the 130's. I haven't seen that number EVER as an adult. I think being at this weight is going to make such a long flight so much more comfortable and I won't have to worry about crowding someone else in their seat. :-)

Well, just thought I would pop in briefly. It seems my blood clot is well under control now. Still going to have to take Cumadin for another 2 or 3 months I guess, but the swelling is nearly gone and I'm back into my routine. I leave next Friday for Europe and while I will taste things in moderation over there, I am going to allow myself to enjoy their food without obsessing about my goal while I'm on vacation. I know my sleeve will keep me in check and will try to get in what exercise while I can. Here are my current stats. We will see where I'm at when I return which will be after this challenge is finished. Surgery Weight: 271 Easter Challenge Start Weight: 148 Current weight: 136 Easter Goal Weight: 125 - also my final goal weight

NSV means non-scale victories. It's important to Celebrate things even when the scale doesn't move, whether its drops in inches, moving down pant sizes, having to move the car seat up closer to the steering wheel, etc. There are several places to get tickers, but most seem to use www.tickerfactory.com. Just go to their website and follow their instructions. Welcome!!

Are you hoping to get insurance to pay for your surgery? You may have an issue getting them to pay for it with such a low BMI. I truly understand your pains with the yo-yo diet thing, so I'm not questioning your feeling that it may be time to put this yo-yo cycle to a final end. You might just need to be prepared to realize that if the insurance won't pay for it due to a low BMI, that this may come out of your pocket. There is a difference between what the ideal weight is for men vs women. I'm not sure what your ideal weight should be. Just a suggestion and I know this might sound wrong, but several people have done this. Before you go in to meet the surgeon, you might consider getting some weight and ankle weights to increase your weight. Although, your insurance may require a 2 or 5 yr history of being over a certain BMI- so you will want to factor that into your decision making process. Just food for thought.

I am single and have been through the process. Honestly, I have felt fortunate in some ways to be single through the journey so that I didn't have to contend with others around me at home eating things that I shouldn't and tempting me with foods that are not good for me. Now, in your situation, it sounds like your spouse has been a good support and help you stay on track to avoid those dangerous areas. So, I'm just going to shoot from the hip here on a few things that come to mind. 1. If there are any foods that you keep in the house cuz its what the hubby eats, but you shouldn't- get them out of the house. You don't have to throw them away, just box them up and take them to a friends house until hubby gets back. 2. Call your friends and find some activities you can do that get you out of the house, and bonus if they are things that involve physical activity. Even if its going to the park, taking the dog for a walk or walking around town. Go shopping, window shopping, etc. 3. Use that time to go to the gym in the evening, even if you have to go by yourself. 4. Are there some long overdue projects around the house that you have been putting off that you can set a goal to complete while hubby is gone? This might help you refocus your thoughts from being bored at home to getting something accomplished. Those are just a few thoughts that come to mind. For me, I own a small farm with horses and such, so there is never a shortage of projects to get done. You can do this!

I don't think she is from the U.S. and so English may not be her first language.

Ditto to what ForensicChick said! :-) You ARE at goal! Way to go!!!

Well, I can only give you my opinion on this since I had the sleeve. If you read most of the posts on here, most people who stick to their Dr.'s guidelines loose weight at a pretty nice steady pace for the first few months, and maybe up to 6 months, with an occasional stall here or there. From what I understand, the plication does not remove the ghrelin matter which affects appetite and one of the reasons so many people report that they have a much reduced appetite from having the sleeve. You mention feeling more hungry and so that may be part of it. The other part I would wonder is what size bougie your Dr. used in sizing your new stomach. My Dr. used a size 30. The bougie is simply a tool somewhat like a ball point pen that is used as a guide for them when they are sizing your new stomach. Some Dr.'s will use as high as a 42 or 46, personally I would never agree to a Dr wanting to make my stomach that large- there is just no reason for it. I think you have reason to be concerned, but at this point, you are on your journey. Since you are experiencing hunger issues, I would do your best to focus on healthy protein and veggies, incorporate a regular exercise program and do your best to stay away from the slider foods and bad carbs. Last resort if down the road you are not seeing the results you want, you might consider having this revised to a regular sleeve. That's just my 2 cents.

Well, I can only give you my opinion on this since I had the sleeve. If you read most of the posts on here, most people who stick to their Dr.'s guidelines loose weight at a pretty nice steady pace for the first few months, and maybe up to 6 months, with an occasional stall here or there. From what I understand, the plication does not remove the ghrelin matter which affects appetite and one of the reasons so many people report that they have a much reduced appetite from having the sleeve. You mention feeling more hungry and so that may be part of it. The other part I would wonder is what size bougie your Dr. used in sizing your new stomach. My Dr. used a size 30. The bougie is simply a tool somewhat like a ball point pen that is used as a guide for them when they are sizing your new stomach. Some Dr.'s will use as high as a 42 or 46, personally I would never agree to a Dr wanting to make my stomach that large- there is just no reason for it. I think you have reason to be concerned, but at this point, you are on your journey. Since you are experiencing hunger issues, I would do your best to focus on healthy Protein and veggies, incorporate a regular exercise program and do your best to stay away from the slider foods and bad carbs. Last resort if down the road you are not seeing the results you want, you might consider having this revised to a regular sleeve. That's just my 2 cents.

I have always loved salad, maybe with too many of the wrong fixings- but nonetheless. I actually started eating salad about 3 to 4 wks out. My NUT didn't want us to start salad for 3 months, but I couldn't wait. I started out slow with just shredded cheese, romain lettuce, and tuna mixed with a little mayo and then just a weee bit of ranch dressing to stir it together. I honestly never had any issues with it, but I only did a couple bites at the start, then worked my way into more as my tummy allowed. Now, there are plenty of other things my sleeve completely rejects. I am now mostly lactose intolerant. Anything really rich/ sweet makes my stomach VERY upset, and stuff with lots of milk product also does the same thing. I can have a bite or two of say something depending on how potent the sugar content is, but that feeling of how upset my stomach gets is right there with me so I am always careful. The NUT says my lactose intolerance will likely go away over time, but that I have to expose my stomach back to these items slowly. I have mixed feelings on this. Sweets have been one of the huge things that have gotten me in trouble before, so in a way I kind of like not being able to eat them. Guess, I will just see what the journey brings.

Where did you have your surgery?

Congratulations, you are very lucky to have this covered by your insurance! Not as many people are so lucky. I had a drain w/my Sleeve, and it was more or less a pain than anything else and yes the pulling it out was quite weird. I figure I will wait until at least this fall or next Spring before I pursue plastics hoping I can try and get Aetna to pay for something- ha ha... They do have the CPT codes in there, but whether I will meet their criteria is another. I haven't had any rashes for several months now since getting closer to goal. So, will just have to see. It's interesting since I need arms, thighs, ta ta's, thighs, tummy.... I notice when I hold the girls up, it does naturally help the tummy area- not make it go away, but it does help. So, if I end up paying out of pocket, I will probably opt for the breast augmentation and then decide whether to do the arms or tummy. Ideally both of them, but just have to see where things end up at that point. Keep us posted on your journey!!

You are obviously in a great deal of emotional pain right now. Several have suggested that you find a therapist and SOON. Are you willing to do this? I think you need to be reviewing what you are eating with a nutritionist or at the very least your surgeon, what your exercise routine looks like, etc. You are comparing yourself to other people, and that is not going to work. Everyone is different for a multitude of reasons including metabolism, level of activity, genetics, etc. Please find help soon! This board is an excellent source of support, but I really think you need to reach out to someone who can work with you on a 1-1 level to find out what is really going on to get you back on track. Are you willing to do this?

Thank you so much! Yes, I honestly am not sure when I was at this weight- probably 6th or 7th grade??? No idea. Prior to surgery, I was wearing size 20 jeans, so it is quite sureal (sp?). I leave for Europe next Friday for 16 days. Will start out in Germany, then Portugal, then back to Germany, then Italy, maybe France, not exactly sure. I have never been outside the states and so this will be the trip of a lifetime for me. Sort of my reward for all my hard work. I do have a friend that moved over there a little over 3 yrs ago, and it was something we discussed well before I had the surgery- but I'm so looking forward to all the "little" big joys that go with being a normal weight. Everything from sliding into my airline seat, being able to cross my legs in such a tight spot, just walking around and "blending" in, etc. Again, thank you!! p.s. Looks like you are quite the traveler yourself! Does your job provide for this? Either way, how lucky for you to be able to travel like that!

I agree with Indymom. I would highly recommend you seek a therapist and soon. If you had a psych eval before your surgery, you might go back to that therapist. If not, I really think you are on a road to self sabotaging yourself. The last thing you need to do this early in the process is to be going back to habits that are only going to hurt your success and begin that cycle all over again. As others have already said, this is ONLY a tool. It is up to us to use the tool and to learn to change our attitude towards eating. I like that my stomach no longer tolerates anything really sweet (I used to dream about that because sweets have always been my huge downfall), anything really greasy makes my stomach ill, etc. My hunger level is so much less, I get full so much quicker and so then I try to focus on eating the foods that will support me in reaching my final goal. It is my hope and I think everyone else here that we continue to manage the maintenance aspect by having learned how to eat differently and view food as a way to live, not living to eat. I hope you can find some help soon.

I did as well and fortunately had thick hair before surgery. I think I lost a bit more than half my volume which was really tough. I felt like a shedding dog, all over my clothes constantly, after a shower, etc... I would say just now in the past month have I noticed that it is starting to come back and feels stronger. I have shoulder length hair. Some people say taking folic acid helps, you might talk to your Dr. to see what he might suggest.

As others have said, you are recognizing the problem- so that is an awesome start. Something that might help motivate you to stay on track is to remember there is a honeymoon period. You really want to take advantage of that time as much as possible. You can do it! p.s. Carbs are a huge demon for me as well. It's ok to give yourself a treat, otherwise you may end up obsessing about what you can't have. Something that has worked for me is tell myself that when I reach "x" goal, I can treat myself to this... It was different all the time. It might be like when I hit onderland, or when I reached a new BMI level, or maybe even just 10#. I don't overdo it, but I do the "planned" treats so that it acts as motivation for me to get to that goal and then I get right back to the plan. Like you, ketosis has been key in my weight loss. Not everyone does that, but everyone is different.

Well, I am finally no longer overweight. As of this morning I am now in the NORMAL range of the BMI scale. I don't live and breathe by it, but nonetheless it is nice. I still have a few more pounds to go, but I'm on the home stretch for sure!!! Most of my size 9's fall right off me now. Brands are so different, but I actually bought a couple size 4 jeans a couple days ago and they slid right on! :-)))

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. What are you going to do now?

Boy is this thread is timely for me. I'm at a point where people are really telling me how great I look and not to loose anymore weight. I don't tell them I still have a few # to go, it's not really any of their business. But, my point is that when I stand in front of my mirror in the morning after getting out of the shower and see all the abuse my body has taken, its hard not to let that detract from how hard I have worked to get where I am. In some ways, my mind starts playing head games with me that if I get down to "x", then maybe it will look better. Mind you, I know better. I do things like pulling up "the girls" to see how that would improve the sagging tummy thinking if I were able to afford a boob job how much that might help knowing I can't afford to do arms, thighs, arms, boobs and tummy. I will have to rob my 401k to do this even when I decide to, but plan to weight a year so my body has a chance to adjust to the large loss in weight. Anyways,just had to comment that you are not alone. We have our own skeletons to deal with, but I have always found this board to be a great place to come to and know I am not the only one struggling with something as I go through my journey.

I have always had that full feeling pretty quickly, so I can't quite relate. Just out of curiosity do either of you know what sizie bougie your Dr.'s used during your surgery? That's the tool they use to size your stomach when making your sleeve.