former_vbg

Oh my gosh, 9 children. Adopted or not, that is a lot to take on. Sounds like your children are all doing well. Welcome to the losers bench!!

Yeah! Another KC sleeve buddy! Welcome!! What part of KC do you live in? Feel free to reach out if you need anything. What Dr. are you using?

I think its good that you came on here to post and ask for help. I think most if not all of us who are still on the weight loss journey will have the same challenges you report. You don't have to post answers to the questions here, but here is what comes to mind when I read your post. 1. What happened 5 weeks ago that you stopped exercising? 2. Can you think about what things or maybe people in your life might be getting in the way of you reaching your final goal? 3. Do you have access to a therapist? 4. If you don't have insurance to cover a therapist, contact your county services office and see if they can help you get services at a reduced cost. Some therapists will do a sliding scale if cost is an issue and the county doesn't offer any help. I know that for me if I happen to eat some "bad" carbs aka junk type food, it REALLY triggers the food demons in me as well. It has sent me on a cycle of having a hard time stopping for sometimes as long as a week to kick the carbs. If you can find a way to try to 2 or 3 days of liquids or just pure Protein with the idea being to get your body out of craving the carbs you have been eating, it might help. I don't know what the answer is, just offering up my thoughts. I'm sure you will hear from others as well. Don't give up!!

Ok, so it seems I can rarely do anything in moderation. Since being sleeved, I'm somewhat lactose intolerant which actually helps me stay away from what used to be my BFF (ok, maybe not - but awfully close)... meaning chocolate felt like my BFF. I have developed a taste for crunchy / salty things in the past several months. In the past month and a half or so, I have really started craving whole zesty dill pickles in a really bad way. I slice the whole dill pickle usually in 4 spears, then fold a piece of cheese in half and eat it like a little sandwich. I would add a cracker to that, but know that that's even MORE sodium. It's gotten worse, I went through a whole jar of of pickles in 2 days and then this morning I saw the impact. I'm up 2#. Yes, probably just Water weight, but still... There wasn't anything else I ate that could have caused that. I am gonna have to go cold turkey on the pickles for awhile. It's crazy!!!! Oh, and no I'm not preggers......

Well, for me and everyone has to choose what works best for them. I have NEVER monitored calories since surgery. I only monitor carbs. I don't look at fat content either..... So, for me as long as it is along the lines of dense Protein (except pickles I guess), I pay no reference to calories. For example, I stay away from sauces or most if not all processed food including sugar. It's worked well for me. Everyone has to do what works for them.

That's SOOO interesting you would say this. I had a blood clot this past spring totally out of the blue, totally unrelated to the sleeve. Anyhow, it was a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and I thought I had another one right before the 4th of July but after a scan it was found I was fine. My leg had swollen up again like a Water log, same kind of pains. Where I'm going with this is that I guess for the next year I am susceptible to edema swelling in that leg because of this. Consequently, they put me on a diuretic to help get rid of the edema. If I think back to when this craving really kicked in, I would say it was probably a week after I started taking the diuretic. Huh..... why would this be do you think? I mean pickles say something else salty? Very interesting perspective and very possibly true. I also go through phases of eating pepperoni slices, but it comes and goes. I eat them for Snacks, their good in protein, zero carbs, etc.

Too funny... Yeah, lots of things are absolutely fine if not GOOD for us, but like anything without moderation- it can go the other direction. I just have to be super vigilant about foods that trigger these addictive tendencies.... and sadly pickles is turning into one. I'm sure I will re-introduce them again, cuz I have loved pickles ALL my life!!! LOL

Yeah, I mentioned earlier, I can't have PB in the house- period. Once the jar is open, I can't control myself from not consuming way too much.

Thank you for the kind words. I keep bouncing up and down 3, sometimes 5# all within my final goal weight. You are right all that sodium is not good for many reasons. I just have to learn to stay away from things when it becomes that slippery slope. I am single so I can easily control what goes in the house/ what doesn't. I have an extremely hectic schedule nonetheless, and so I have to be careful about not defaulting to things I shouldn't eat and for the most part I do well. Other times I have had cravings for the pepperoni slices and that's not bad because it's solid Protein, but it also has a fair amount of sodium although I don't think as high as pickles. Thanks again!

I'm going COLD TURKEY. I also stay away from PB because it is equally addicting to me. I found that out way early after surgery. I can't stay away from PB once the jar is opened so it doesn't come in the house.

I really don't think its a calorie thing. I think its a Water retention issue from all the sodium. And, as I mentioned it seems I can't do much in moderation because the consumption of the dill pickles has steadily increased to the point where that's all I want to eat. So gonna have to go cold turkey for awhile I think.

That's awesome. I know exactly what you mean though. I've had some similar experiences. In fact I'm going to be seeing my little brother who just finished law school and taking the bar exam last week next weekend for the first time in 2 years. None of my family know that I had surgery much less lost this much weight. I live 8 hrs from family and we aren't really all that close. Anyhow, I'm meeting my little brother at some event he attends every year to Celebrate finishing law school. I know he won't recognize me. It's going to be hilarious and then it will be interesting to wait for the emails/ phone calls from the other family members as "word spreads".... Way to go!! Be happy for your success!

I personally don't like the taste of cucumbers but its been several years and maybe its time to give them another chance after reading this article someone emailed me today. Thought you guys might like this also. Cucumbers... I didn't know this! 1.. Cucumbers contain most of the Vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 2.. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. 3.. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. 4.. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. 5.. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! 6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!! 7.. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. 8.. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels Water. 9.. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone! 10.. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams. 11.. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. 12.. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean. 13.. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!! Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems ..

I've decided to get back out in the dating scene. I am struggling to get to final goal, keeping bouncing up and down a few #, but I will get there soon I'm sure of it. Anyhow, had a friend at work take some pics of me today and to my amazement I liked almost all of them. The one I didn't like you could see a bit of a pooch in my tummy area despite that I'm wearing a compression shirt in these photos but small price to pay for feeling so much better!

Thanks guys. I do dread the time when I have to tell someone about my loose skin and fearing their reaction. I know if they really like you for "you" it shouldn't matter but we all know how that goes in reality. Oh well, it is what it is and I like who I am. Plastics may be an option down the road, but not anytime soon. So they will have to take me as I am.

LOL I love it!!!! I've become a serious whole dill pickle and cheese addict the past month. No idea what gives on that, but morning, noon, night... I want me some dill pickles and cheese. I would add a cracker in that snack, but the pickles alone are high enough in sodium... Just saw the board edited my post, it thought I wrote one thing and I can tell you I didn't. Oh well.... Off to get my dill pick and cheese snack. Guess there could be worse choices.

So, I'm curious with as much weight as he has lost, does he still need to lose anymore? I'm not sure if it's in this thread somewhere if you posted what his starting weight was.

Congratulations!! That is awesome! I bet you will make your final goal weight by your 1 year surgiversary! You should be quite proud!! I keep bouncing up and down 2 or 3# right now, but should be at my final goal weight soon too!! Again way to go!

I don't think you are hijacking the thread. I think its good for people to see/ hear this kind of thing. You are still trying to see the positives despite feeling frustrated. I do as well. I don't know what SMO stands for, but I am single as well if it is tied to that in any way. I'll be sending you a PM.

I hear you. I do still find myself a bit self conscience though if I do buy something as a snack that isn't very healthy sort of looking out of the corner of my eye to see what (if anything) people might do... I'm so used to the reaction you mentioned as a heavy person that my head isn't always caught up with the present of my new body image. Then, I start feeling guilty that I should put it back.... I think that's why one of the major reasons overweight people eat in hiding or alone. We judge ourselves enough as it is, that dealing w/the looks and stares is sometimes just too much. I think about all the late nights through drive thru's at various fast food places. Most times I could have half or more of the food I bought eaten before I even got home. And, let's just say I would buy WAY more than what one person should consume for a normal meal. Sounds like you might be struggling a bit, but good for you for seeing a NSV. It seems this final stretch to goal is tougher than I expected and find myself getting into these funky moods where I get tired of "being good" which obviously doesn't help me in getting to my final goal as my weight bounces up and down like a Mexican jellybean.

I wasn't allowed to leave the hospital until I had some "sort" of BM. It was not solid but it was something. Probably TMI, but you asked. You might try muscle milk or maybe call your Dr.'s office and see if you can/ should take a laxative. There are other food products that are recommended but I can't remember anymore what those are.

It's a pretty well known fact that soda has some pretty corrosive ingredients in it. I remember years ago when it was standard procedure for State Patrol cars to carry a 6 pack of Coke in their trunk. They used it for many things, one of them to dissipate blood on the highways from accidents. There has been things where people put a penny in coke and it will dissolve, pouring it over battery cables to get the corrosion off, etc. That being said, there are LOTS of things that are being put into our food that are poisonous. Mercury in our fish, BCA in baby formula (supposedly FDA allowable limits), and all kinds of things that we are learning that cause things like cancer and other deadly diseases. The debate here has typically centered around whether it actually causes the sleeve to stretch. There is no medical evidence that anyone has been able to find that actually can prove this happens. So, for those that choose to drink soda, diet or otherwise, that is a personal decision. Personally, I have continued to drink DIET soda and have never stopped. I can't drink anything near what I used to.... typically 1 bottle per day that takes me most of the day to drink, but it has not interfered with my weight loss in anyway, does not trigger any hunger hormones and so for me it works.

I feel much the same way about this site being the reason for much of my success. While its still up to us individually to do what we know to do, being able to come here and read about other people at all different stages of their journey is helpful beyond words. Even though I'm nearly at goal, I find it helpful to read others who are still at different stages of their weight loss journey. It helps remind me of the different struggles I have experienced, and it is also sometimes a reality check for me that the struggle isn't over just because I reach goal. I have learned a lot about myself during this journey, particularly how carb sensitive my body is and how sugar triggers such horrible demons for me. I only hope that I stay in touch with the things I have learned over the coming years so that I can sustain this weight loss. It seems silly if not almost stupid to think "why would a person allow that to happen after working that hard....", but the sad fact is that when we get into those self destructive spirals sometimes they can become really difficult to stop. Here's to healthy living for all of us!

I think you said two key things. 1. "treats sometimes within moderation" 2. "you have to see what works with your body" There isn't really a "one size fits all" with some of these things. We have to be paying attention to what our body tells us. If doing something triggers a spiral of bad choices that seem hard to stop, then we know that food or drink is dangerous for us. If it doesn't create/ trigger cravings for more bad choices, then I call that a great opportunity for a once in awhile treat. We have to be realistic about this. Now, all this said, I don't really recommend this kind of experimenting within the few months of surgery as people should be focusing and establishing a new healthy lifestyle. Once you feel you have that fairly well under control, then do what feels right for you, monitor how it affects you and go from there. That's just my 2 cents....

My question is what's the point? There's not even any part of the burger worth calling it a burger anymore and who could even think about eating that much cheese. Just disgusting. I would have thought this way even before surgery... Yuck! http://www.delish.com/food/recalls-reviews/whopper-with-1000-cheese-slices