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Go to GENERAL WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY FORUM, FOOD AND NUTRITION, then click on Recipe Sharing

Do you have to wait until you start back to work to get back on the wagon? Could you think about hopping back on TODAY instead? Even just eating smaller amounts of our old, unhealthy food and keeping old eating habits can lead us into long-term trouble. These early months and up to that first year are the most ideal time to get those new good habits formed and be really practicing and enforcing them so they automatically become part of your lifetime eating style. And they WILL BECOME AUTOMATIC with practice. Then, there's plenty of time for the rest of your life to allow yourself to be more flexible with your eating choices. But the more you keep guilt in your head, the harder it's going to be to move forward and start training that brain of yours to make better choices for yourself. Love what Luvin_Life125 said--your wagon is waiting!!! Sometimes we just have to be gently reminded that our power is in us--we just have to pull it out and use it.

Congrats on your sleeve! Once you are back on a solid foods diet, you will begin to feel how much your sleeve restricts the amount of food you can eat. Your other issue is one big old habit that we don't change overnight. The emotional part of this pr ocess, in my opinion, is tougher than the operation. There's lots of tips and tricks you can try to get you started to change your thinking forever about not having to "clean your plate." You'll get lots of ideas here from others. For starters--ditch your big dinner plates. Eat meals from a salad plate and always anything you eat from the smallest dish possible--it tricks your head into thinking you're getting more to eat because the dish is so full. When you eat at restaurants--before you even begin your meal, ask your server to bring the "to go" container and place half (or more) of your meal into the container BEFORE you begin to eat your meal. It's always a good idea to seek help from a bariatric therapist to learn good strategies on how to set up your forever eating and lifestyle plan tailored to YOUR specific situation. There are also a lot of great self-help bariatric books published in the past few years that deal with the emotional stuff.

First--stay calm. Keep your self-talk positive. Celebrate your 52 lbs and tons of inches lost!!! This is a temporary setback. You REALLY do know what to do to get yourself back on track. Sometime we just get temporarily TIRED of our hard work and stumble a little. It doesn't mean disaster. It means we're human. Are you logging what you eat for the day so you know how many calories you're taking in? Are you getting in your right Protein amounts and Water amounts? Are you measuring your portions to be sure they haven't "accidently" gotten a little bigger than usual? I think one of the biggest things for a lot of us after we reach the one year mark is that we realize we have begun to eat more processed simple carbs than our bodies like and that is often the thing that is causing a weight gain (like a few too many chips, breads, muffins, candy, Cookies here and there, etc). The BEST thing is that you are here knowing you want and need to fix this and are asking for help for yourself. You will "regroup" and take charge again, and all will be well.

I wish I could understand all the scientific reasons behind it because I think it's all really interesting, but my pea brain just doesn't get it. My med team has said it is due to all the metabolic changes that occur in the body as a result of the weight loss procedure.

My pleasure! I am looking forward to meeting everyone too!

Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it as I will be on vacation. Please keep me in the loop. Thank you. Hi washda, Sorry we won't see you on the 19th, but have a great vacation! Stay tuned when you get back.

We're a bit of a drive for you, but would love to have you come on the 19th if you can!

Sounds oh so miserable--sure hope you're doing better now. But really want to say congrats for keeping yourself so healthy since your surgery that this is your FIRST bout with illness. THAT deserves a WELL DONE!!! Just when we think we've experienced all there is to experience around WLS, here comes something else new, right? I never really thought about it--but getting sick like that with how important Water & Protein are to us, can get pretty serious pretty fast. Are you ok with enough fluids in your system now do you think? Makes me think now what my first time with a stomach flu post-surgery will be like. I'm thinking maybe I'll just dodge it for the rest of my life. . . Feel better soon. Take care.

For those talking about the hair loss -- in 3 years of people in support groups I've been around, it varies a lot from person to person. But the good news is that most people have full regrowth by about one year. Generally the shedding spans about a 4-6 month period. Mine started at about month 6, stopped falling out about month 10, and was fully restored by a year. A lot of times, WE think it looks a lot worse than how OTHERS see us though. It's pretty traumatic to see what looks like ALL THAT HAIR in the shower, and in your hands, and everywhere! Bottom line, for MOST of us--it IS going to happen (not EVERYONE experiences it though--lucky ducks), and spending bunches of money trying to prevent it is really fruitless. Hang in there--it does grow back.

***Saturday, July 19, 9:30 - 11:00am FIRST MEET-UP*** Hi Ont/Chino & Nearby BariatricPal Local Chapter Pals: Since securing our meeting location has taken longer than I expected, let’s do a little meet-up at this temporary location on Saturday, July 19, 9:30 – 11:00am so meanwhile, we can get acquainted. We’ll have just a casual agenda—I’ll share my vision for our local group, and want to hear what is important to YOU that you hope to benefit from having a group you can come to. So, here’s the location details: Ontario Plaza Shopping Center 920-1070 N. Mountain Avenue Ontario 91762 Ontario Plaza is on N. Mountain Ave between W. 4th St on the north and W. I St. on the south (where the recently closed Albertsons was) More generally, on the east side of N. Mountain Ave between the 60 fwy and the 10 fwy. We will be meeting in the southern part of the center (closest to Mountain and I Street). In this part of the center, you'll see a Jack in the Box, there's a Avenue clothing store, an Aaron's rental place, and a Bank of America that sits at the NE corner of Mountain and I St. We’ll be in a little outdoor courtyard between Marinello School of Beauty and Subway sandwich shop. There’s a metal overhead arch between the two that says Ontario Plaza. This courtyard has about 6 concrete tables w/chairs and shade so we'll have a bit of privacy that restaurants just don't give us. If weather is uncooperative, we could go indoors right there at Subway as a Plan B. No one needs to feel obligated to buy a drink if we end up inside Subway. Unfortunatey none of this space can be advance-reserved for us, but I’ll be there super early to claim our spot. Hope you can plan to come. If so, could you please RSVP, either here or to our local chapter email at: OntChinoChapter@aol.com. Thanks everyone. See you on the 19th!

I really like what you have said here....did you establish these parameters before, during or after you hit your goal? I like the idea. Thx, Shel To answer your question, Shel, before surgery I had to take a long, brutally honest look at my habits that got me obese in the first place, and identify them (on paper). For me, it was 1) eating fast food for EVERY meal, 2) Ice cream, 3) any kind of baked goods (cupcakes, cakes, cinnamon rolls etc) from the fresh bakery at the grocery store or frozen stuff, 4) M&M & Snickers, and 5) Cookies (pkg kind or fresh baked). So my first step was to commit to removing these specific things from my life COLD TURKEY. Did I think I could ever possibly do it? Not in a million years, but my resolve was strong, and my sleeve certainly helped me keep my commitment. It makes me proud to say that none of these things have been in my home since surgery, and will not be ever--and the most amazing part--I do not miss them! (I do allow a small amount of more WLS-friendly treats in my home, just NOT these former JUNK FOODS that I associate with the reason I became OBESE. For year one, I was SUPER STRICT with myself because I am the kind of person if I allow myself to have "just a little" junk food, I am not in control, so I spent that year really learning nutrition and "cementing in" my new eating habits so they became routine and familiar. It wasn't until about the 18 month-2 year point that I started allowing myself "treats" in this measured weekly/monthly plan. It just has worked so well for me because I NEVER feel "different" from non-WLS people, and never feel deprived, because I can choose my favorite treats, as long as they fall into the pre-planned weekly/monthly schedule I have set up for myself. I made my monthly chart (I call it "My Contract with Me," laminated it, and have it on my refrigerator to keep track for the month. For instance, I list each treat and then put a square "check-off box" or boxes next to it. So, ice cream has two checkoff boxes next to it; Starbucks has two checkoff boxes, Quest Protein bars has three boxes, etc. I just use a dry-erase marker and check off the box each time I eat one and I can always see at-a-glance what I have left to treat myself for the month. Anyhow, that's kinda it in a nutshell. Hope this gives you some ideas that you and/or others can adapt for your own circumstances.

So, at 3 months on a holiday weekend you ate some junk food. It was not a "mistake" and you are not a "failure." It was a choice. Yeah, it probably wasn't a great choice, but you'll make a different choice tomorrow that fits better with what you want your nutritional goal to be for the day. (The biggest reason it wasn't a GREAT choice is not because you "failed," it's because your sleeve is a little too delicate yet to be feeding it what you fed it!) At 3 years, I am still "strict" with myself. But the difference now is that I don't look at food as "good" or "bad." Food is food. I allow myself junk foods, but I set weekly/monthly limits. For instance, once I've had fast food four times in the month, that's it until a new month. Or like ice cream because it was one of my hugest trigger foods. It is not allowed in my house ever again. But I can have it twice a month, as long as I have it out somewhere. I tell you this because there is no longer any "guilt" in eating these foods--guilt that I have carried my whole life over eating something that society calls bad--and it feels so good to be free of it. And you will be too. . .

Congratulations on 18 months Jenny 12! Keep on rockin' that sleeve . . .

Agree with lylabell. And you may have to ask yourself if you may be experiencing "head hunger." Are you getting any other protein besides the shakes? Can you maybe increase how much you're drinking? How often are you having it? Are you drinking your Water?

Even still at the 6 month point, we need to make the most important things getting in the Protein (60-90gm or whatever your surgeon recommends), and at least 64 oz of water/liquid every day. This makes a big difference in our weight loss. And I agree with other posters--starchy carbs this soon after surgery can really mess with our weight loss. The more fresh (or frozen) veggies and (limited) fruits you can get in, the happier your body will be to let go of those pounds. Sorry you're dealing with stressful stuff at work. It's one of the biggest life stressors that drives us to making unhealthy eating choices. The stress isn't likely to go away, but WE can learn ways to COPE with the stress so we don't end up sabotaging ourselves by choosing our old reliable, comforting food, like we always have before our surgery. It takes work, but there are a lot of self-help resources out there to begin taking charge. We owe it to ourselves. Celebrate the 40 pounds that you HAVE lost, and if there are some things that you need to do to get back to your original Bariatric Eating plan, it sounds like you are ready and committed to moving forward. That's the key--move forward from here--don't look back!

Way to go lilijo! Kudos to you on GOAL ACHIEVED!!!

VSGAnn2014--congratulations on your decision! Any feel for when your surgery date will be? Sometimes the waiting for "them" when we're ready "now" is challenging, to say the least . . .

losingsoon-- My pleasure-so glad to help in some small way. I love hanging out in sixties forum. We are an especially "gutsy" group to take this on at our age. Boomer power!!! And what sleeversue said about COMPLICATIONS is so, so true and cannot be emphasized enough--many, many complications are a result of patient non-compliance. A pretty large percentage of people go into this surgery not getting it that you must change your old habits, and follow directions -- and that takes serious, lifelong commitment. When you were talking about all the things you've tried over your lifetime to lose weight-- do you remember the Schick Centers (late '70's I think)? I don't know if it was just a CA thing or nationwide. Anyhow, you brought in your "trouble foods" and you'd take a bite and while you were chewing it, they would shock you. Along with some other gross details I'll spare you of. Just one of my MANY attempts!!!! You asked about loose skin--oh yes! I kept a measurements chart as I was losing my weight. My upper arms were 16.5" and are now 12" but most of that is batwings! The surgery to remove the excess skin leaves a huge scar down the length of the inside arm, so I'm not interested. I have excess skin on my abdomen, but not bad enough to qualify for the panni surgery. I'm not of the financial means to have it removed, so there it stays. And we won't even talk about the "upper" body! Thanks for asking--yep, total hip replacement is my only option. Just not ready to take that step. I'm not in debilitating pain and it is not affecting my quality of life (except limiting my exercise), so I'm just going to put it off as long as I can because recovery time for one hip at a time will be about a year. Who has TIME for that??? We're getting a good current group going here-love it!

losingsoon-- My pleasure-so glad to help in some small way. I love hanging out in sixties forum. We are an especially "gutsy" group to take this on at our age. Boomer power!!! And what sleeversue said about COMPLICATIONS is so, so true and cannot be emphasized enough--many, many complications are a result of patient non-compliance. A pretty large percentage of people go into this surgery not getting it that you must change your old habits, and follow directions -- and that takes serious, lifelong commitment. When you were talking about all the things you've tried over your lifetime to lose weight-- do you remember the Schick Centers (late '70's I think)? I don't know if it was just a CA thing or nationwide. Anyhow, you brought in your "trouble foods" and you'd take a bite and while you were chewing it, they would shock you. Along with some other gross details I'll spare you of. Just one of my MANY attempts!!!! You asked about loose skin--oh yes! I kept a measurements chart as I was losing my weight. My upper arms were 16.5" and are now 12" but most of that is batwings! The surgery to remove the excess skin leaves a huge scar down the length of the inside arm, so I'm not interested. I have excess skin on my abdomen, but not bad enough to qualify for the panni surgery. I'm not of the financial means to have it removed, so there it stays. And we won't even talk about the "upper" body! Thanks for asking--yep, total hip replacement is my only option. Just not ready to take that step. I'm not in debilitating pain and it is not affecting my quality of life (except limiting my exercise), so I'm just going to put it off as long as I can because recovery time for one hip at a time will be about a year. Who has TIME for that??? We're getting a good current group going here--love it!

Hi jols--thanks for posting to Ont/Chino chapter! I'll be providing an update here tomorrow, so be sure to check back.

Hi again losingsoon, I totally agree that we over 60ers' insights are quite different than many "younger" folks--mainly we've got a lot more life experience! YOUR REGAIN FEAR: A lot of this process is emotionally-based. I, from the beginning, have thought about it in two parts: 1) the operation; and 2) the emotional/eating/lifestyle changes I needed to make. For me, THIS TIME, weight regain was not going to be an option. That was and continues to be my mindset. This awesome tool helps you a lot to keep that resolve (but, as you know, it doesn't do the work FOR YOU--we have to be the ones to make it work). EXERCISE: I attend support groups 4 times a month, so I hear many others' stories. Some people exercise like crazy fools; others not so much. Exercise, of course, IS important (whether or not we have had WLS!). Just this past January, I received totally unexpected news that I have severe degenerative osteoarthritis in both hips. I was a power walker (5 miles/day) and loved this form of exercise. Now I have been forced to change my routine. I now have the limitation of just walking 30 minutes on soft carpet in my living room every day and do 30 minutes 2x/week water exercise. So, the point is--find something you love to do that isn't drudgery for you. Make sure you MOVE at least 30 minutes a day(it doesn't have to be all at one time). Of course, your surgeon may require more of you. Just try not to get caught up in thinking that you HAVE TO be this super exerciser to be successful at WLS. And re: SUPPORT GROUPS--For me, this has been a major contributor to my success, I believe. There are recent studies now confirming that. COMPLICATIONS: Try to remember--we always hear a lot more about the BAD things that happen in life than the GOOD things, right? Try to stay off the complications forum! Thousands of these procedures are performed daily with NO complications. Research your surgeon's history, have confidence in him/her. You will be rejected for the surgery if there is any question as to your sound health status to withstand this operation. I'm only one person, but--I was up walking within 3 hours of return to my hospital room, did not use my pain pump in hospital, nor did I take any pain meds at home. I followed my surgeon's instructions explicitly--I believe this to be a major key. (Some people tend to think they have a BETTER idea. . .). LIQUIDS: Getting in your Protein and water at first is hard. You're not going to have to do the 64 oz the DAY you get out of surgery--it's a gradual increase. Different programs vary--some say that 64 oz of liquid per day is ok (not just 64 oz water) so be sure you check with surgeon on this). LONG-TERM SUCCESS: Of course you are not trying to make excuses--I can so remember being where you are right now. There really is no way to "try to make sure you are going to be successful." For me, I finally just had to tell myself-- QUIT THINKING--JUST DO. I remind myself EVERY DAY that I am, and will forever be, a WLS patient. Obesity is a disease and therefore I am always subject to regaining my weight. But I am armed with all the tools I need to fight this disease for the rest of my life. When I am tempted to make unwise food choices it's never that "I CAN'T have it" it's always that "I CHOOSE not to have it." Oops--this has gotten kinda long, so I'll sign off for now. Keep asking those questions--there are never too many. . .

Hi losingsoon, Just wanted to give you a little perspective from someone 3 years out. My weight was 252 and height 4'11" -- close to yours; I was sleeved at 59 (now 62), but what's a couple years at our age, right??? I totally understand the being fearful--it's very normal though--and you'll probably feel the fear right up to the time they wheel you in to the operating room! Of course, everybody's experience is different, but generally more people than not have a smooth time with minimal pain post-op. If you are dedicated to following the bariatric program you are given, you will not fail. It's probably the toughest decision among all of this--whether to let your fear overtake your desire to take that giant leap to grab at that golden opportunity for that second chance at a super-quality life! I am so happy I pushed past the fear. I have maintained my 105-110 lb weight loss and never knew life could be so good. I was obese since puberty. All my health issues have resolved. No more Type 2 diabetes, or high BP, or cholesterol. I love eating healthfully now. I don't have the horrible cravings like I used to. food is not longer the enemy. It is just food. There is a lot of work involved to change old eating habits and adopt the new "forever" lifestyle, but it is all so worth it. The biggest thing that I just can't believe is how differently total strangers treat me now. I always knew there was weight prejudice in this world (I experienced it my whole life), but it's just so amazing now just walking around in my world how much different people treat me. Really, it's a sad statement on humanity, but nonetheless, it feels really good to feel "normal" in my world. Hope you decide to stick with it. I definitely know you'll find a lot of great support here. . .

What a great thread, matt1912! No, you are definitely not alone on this! After my surgery, one day I noticed an obese person shoveling in a 12" Subway sandwich so fast it looked like she wasn't even breathing, and I just saw my OLD SELF; then went to my car and cried--for me AND for her. It just gave me another reason to be so thankful for this second chance at health and happiness. I must say that I too was surprised at myself for my reaction and thought I was being "judgemental." I doubt that any of us are thinking "mean thoughts" toward these people that we are now noticing, we are just reacting to SEEING OUR old habits. That's really pretty powerful stuff for the ol' emotions to handle!

This may sound really simplistic, but it is a little tool I have developed in the past three years that has really helped me--thought I'd pass it on for what it's worth. For your "trigger foods" that you know (for now at least) cause you trouble, when I find myself tempted I simply say to myself these words: "I don't eat that any more." I NEVER say "I CANT eat that," because that sounds like I'm being deprived, and that sets me up to just eventually binge out. If I'm in a store and I see it and I'm tempted to put it in the grocery cart, I repeat those same words, and it really does help me STOP, think, and resist the temptation to buy it. Same if I'm out socially and want something that's a really bad choice. It makes me STOP and think and make a better choice. (This is really a trick I learned years ago in therapy called Affirmations. Continually repeating a phrase forces the subconscious mind to eventually adopt the suggestion/behavior. Not many people believe in this, but I believe it to really enhance positive thinking and form new habits.) I've read both books BeagleLover mentioned--they are super helpful in discussing our new relationships with food in that the more we work on that, the easier this all becomes (in my humble opinion). Keep up the battle! Our old habits definitely die hard, but we know it's all so worth it!