BABEwiththePOWER

I'm about 18 months post op, and loving my new life of health and smaller clothes for SURE. I got down to 180, from a max weight of 288, so 108lbs lost. That's been great, but now, the scale says 194. Yikes. I have been working out like crazy, finished a sprint triathlon and a few mud runs. I was getting SO hungry when I was working out, and I went ahead and ate whatever I wanted to, because it didn't seem to matter. That mostly resulted in afternoon carb loading (goldfish crackers, wheat thins, chips) when the kiddos were napping, and late night sweets. Well, I had an injury from training so hard, and couldn't work out for about 2 months. I kept eating the same way, and now I can see the weight that came back. I was almost into a size 8 pants, but now, my 10's are plenty snug. I started working out again, and that feels great. But, my hunger is out of control. I can't seem to stop eating during the hours of 2-6pm, and 9-11pm. BAD. I need something to suppress this hunger, especially since it keeps getting worse the more I work out. Any suggestions? I crave carbs and am hungry WAY more than I'd like to be. I'm also going to begin interviewing plastic surgeons for a tummy/breast/arm/thigh workover, and I'd like to be in the best shape with the least amount of excess fat when I do that. Does anyone have any suggestions? HELP!!! thanks =)

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response! A lot of those ideas will work. I've been thinking about the 5:2 diet, and doing some sort of "reset" for a while now. My slider foods are really anything light and crunchy in the carb world, which sucks. I need to cut that out. I work out all the time like crazy, so I think my body is craving the carbs to burn, but I'd rather trick it into thinking it's getting carbs, when it's not. I found some carb-free chips and bread recipes I'm going to try. My big problem is the mental challenge. I want to NOT feel like I'm on a diet and CANT have certain things. I'd rather not be hungry. I know that may sound like an obvious thing, but really, in the first 6-9mos after surgery, I was NEVER hungry. But, the more I worked out, the less that was true. I wish I just had less of an appetite.

Thanks Gamergirl. I wanted to do that, but I don't have enough posts to get access to that forum. Lame rule in my opinion. It shouldn't be about number of posts, but about how far out post-op you are. I only have like 20-something posts, and it says you need 100+. Guess I won't be getting access to that forum for a while =(

Thanks for the great ideas. I often forget about simple Snacks like pb on celery. I just found some great baked edamame recipes on pinterest too. On a similar note, has anyone tried supplements like green coffee bean extract, or garcinia camogia?

Hey April buddies! Just wanted to post my 9month pics. These are a good side-by-side comparison from day of surgery until now. It's been really helpful to see the progress this way. I've been in a stall for the last 6 weeks or so, but I'm still losing inches, so that's good. I'm training for a sprint triathlon on April 27th (1 year and 1 week from surgery date), so I've been working out a lot. It's a little frustrating that the cellulite is still so prevalent, but hopefully that will go away soon. There's also a lot of loose skin to work around, but hey, better than the fat it once covered, right? Is anyone else training for an athletic event? I'm having trouble keeping the carbs to a minimum when I'm working out so much. I'd love some sports nutrition ideas if anyone knows of any. Thanks! Hope everyone is well!!

I never thought I'd be posting these photos, but here I am! These past 6 months have been amazing. I'm down 76lbs since my surgery day, and 83lbs total. Ive gone from a size 22 to a size 12... and I'm still going strong! The only hard thing at this point, is that I'm working out so much, and weight lifting, etc. that the numbers on the scale dont move as fast as I'd like. For instance, I've only lost 4 lbs in the last 3 weeks. But, my clothes are fitting better, and I can see a change with my eyes, just not as much on the scale. I met with my dr on Friday for my 6 month post-op follow-up, and he told me to pull back on the carbs... I admit, I've been eating more breads, etc since increasing my workouts. But, I'll try and do my best to keep that under control. I'm trying not to enter into the "diet mentality" with this process, so I'm just eating in moderation and making good choices when I can. I'm not getting down on myself if I have something sweet or starchy, I just get up and MOVE. I have so much more energy since I started working out again, and I love it. It's ok with me if I lose lbs slowly, so long as my clothes are getting smaller and I am gaining energy and HAPPINESS! Hope everyone is well, just wanted to give an update

Ok April buddies... here are my 6 month before and afters! Holy moly, I never thought I'd be posting these! It's a little strange though, psychologically speaking, to look at these pictures. On the one hand, I feel like I look totally different, but on the other hand, I don't see much of a change. I know, I'm crazy, but seriously, the emotional/psychological side to this whole experience is really intense! Hope everyone is doing well!

Thanks for the tip! I can't imagine I'm not eating enough, because I feel like I am snacking, etc, but maybe. I'll track it tomorrow and see. I'm also doing a lot of weight lifting, etc, so maybe that's part of it? I really shouldn't be complaining though... even though the scale doesn't move often, I went from being a size 22, and can now fit in a 12! I guess that means I'm losing inches if nothing else... still, the quantifiable numbers on the scale are what keeps me motivated above all else.

Haven't been on the boards in a while, and thought I'd check in with my fellow April sleevers! I was sleeved on 4/19, at 281 lbs, and I'm fluctuating in weight between 216 and 212. It's so hard right now because I'm doing bootcamp and pilates and in better shape than I've been in since high school... but I can't seem to get the weight down in a consistent way. I feel like it's lose 2 gain 3 lose 4, and on and on. Admittedly, I'm not counting calories, but I'm certainly not eating much at all. I do get more hungry and tend to snack more when I'm working out, but the weight should still come off, right?!? I mean, I maintained my previous "big girl" weight without working out, and eating WAY more food, so why am I not losing more now? I'm nervous to see my doctor for my 6 month check up. I'm only down 11lbs since I saw him last, and his goal for my next appt was to be down another 40. There's no way I'll get there in 3 weeks for my appt. I suppose I could go back to all liquids, or no carbs, etc, but I really don't want that diet mentality to resurface. Nothing good came of it. I'm just trying to live a more moderate lifestyle. I'm ok if the weight comes off slower, but I feel like this is getting pretty ridiculous. Anyone else feel like that?

Seriously. Life is so good right now. Family is happy and healthy, husband and my relationship is great, friendships are good... I'm down almost 50 lbs in just under 3 months. So why can't I shake the blues? I'm predisposed to depression/anxiety, and I'm on Wellbutrin XL for that. But, even still, I can't shake the blahs. A few weeks ago, I was bursting with energy and happy happy happy. I even had a great increase in libido But now, it's like the opposite is true. I'm fighting the low-energy blahs with everything I've got. The two kids under 4 keep me really busy, but I'm still having a hard time. Is this just the hormones everyone was talking about? I know hormones are crazy strong, but I need some way to get through this slump. I want to be happy that the clothes are getting bigger and the number on the scale is getting smaller... but I can't seem to get there. Any ideas? Thanks

Just googled the "no XL anti-depressants with VSG" and found this info on Obesityhelp.com. Makes sense that the effectiveness is less when a portion of the intestine are bypassed with Rouen-Y and DS, but it doesn't seem to include the sleeve, because we still have our entire intestine intact. Reduced Medication Effectiveness The shorter intestinal length after gastric bypass or duodenal switch surgery can make extended-release drug preparations less effective. Some extended-release drugs include antidepressants (Wellbutrin XL), anxiolytics and sleep medications (Xanax XR), and anti-hypertensives (Toprol XL, Verapamil XL). Because these formulations are intended to be absorbed over 2-12 hours, the pills may pass through the gastrointestinal tract before absorption is complete.

Hmmm. I've cleared my meds with the Doc, and the NUT, so that's weird... I am coming up on my 3 month check-up, so I'll be sure to bring it all up with my Doc. Maybe I need a new Rx... although, the original Rx was not prescribed by a psych, it was my OB who started me on it during my last pregnancy, and I thought it best to stay on it through surgery, since I knew there would be serious emotional aftermath. I probably need to see a real psych (not just my therapist, not an MD) for an Rx evaluation... maybe my surgeon can give me a reco. Any more info on the "no XL antidepressants" from your doc?

Thanks for the great advice! I'll definitely be aware of the carbs and where they come from, and I'll work out a plan to have scheduled "me" time daily. My husband is amazing, he's super supportive, he's just also super busy with work, and his schedule isn't always consistent. But, if I can get my a#@ up early, maybe I can start doing yoga or the gym in the beginning of the day. I know I just need to shut up and do it. And I know I'll feel better when I do. I'm sure the endorphins will also help counteract the hormone issue

Exercise is DEFINITELY an issue. Between both my kids naps and class schedules, shuttling around, and having to be home at certain times, going to the gym during the day is super hard. Plus, walking outside with them in the double stroller is even worse when the temp is above 95 every day. The only time I can go is at night, but that's when I want to crash. It's a vicious cycle. And I'm making excuses. I have to find a way, because when I DO go, I feel amazing. As for carb consumption, I'm only getting some carbs from fruit. I don't eat much in the way of bread or starches, as it's too filling. But, I'll keep an eye on that, if it's an energy-suck.

I know we're not supposed to compare our weightloss to one another's, but I can't help but feel like a 35lb loss since my surgery on April 19th, isn't really stellar. I had hoped, based on what I'd seen others go through, to be down by about 50 by now. I know I'm losing inches, but silly me, I forgot to measure myself on the day of surgery... but I was a 20/22 the day of surgery, and I just bought a 14 dress on Friday that fits great. That's a big deal, I know, but for some reason, I can't Celebrate without that reaffirmation from the scale. I did hit a 3 week stall around week 4, and then it picked up again, slowly, but at least started losing again. I need to get to the gym more, but with 2 kiddos under 4 at home, it doesn't come too easily. I can probably also do better with the calorie counting. The last week or two I stopped tracking my calories, but I also really don't eat much. I make sure to take all my Vitamins, get my Water and Protein in, but after that, I just take a couple bites at each meal. Maybe I should start tracking again, but I read a post a while back that has really stuck in my brain - it talked about how the poster lost weight with VSG, but slowly- because they ate whatever they wanted, just less of it. This was to avoid the "diet mentality" and the aftermath of what happens when the dieting/deprivation phase ends. I really think all of my past failures with diets were for that reason exactly. I would be all crazy for a week or two, then quit because it was too drastic, and not just a simple lifestyle choice. I know we should take advantage of the first six months post op because we have the opportunity to lose the most weight then, and I don't want to fail, but I'm at a loss for how to feel right now. Sorry, long post, just needed to vent I guess.

Has anyone heard any new info on this? I've been on a few insurance websites researching, and can't find anything written in black and white about it...I guess the next step is to call someone directly. I'm just surprised no on this forum has tried to get life insurance post-op?

Before having the sleeve, I never even tried to get a life insurance policy on myself, because I knew that it would either be denied, or be too expensive at my previous weight. Luckily for me, my husband is the breadwinner, and he is covered. But, now that my health is on its way to being "average/normal," I'm thinking of looking into getting covered. My dad is a financial planner, and handles all our money. He arranged our policy for my husband, and when discussing this with him, he raised the question... "Can you get life insurance after being sleeved?" That thought had never occurred to me. I assume that, since you're healthier, etc, that you'd (I'd) be fine. But I'm curious if anyone else has had any experience with this? Has anyone opened a policy "post-sleeve?" Thanks for the info

Thanks everyone for your support and perspective. I know I need to stay positive and focus on the good...I think I just suffer from the "nothing's ever good enough" syndrome I am working on that, and on being grateful for my new found life. I think another part of it may be that I still feel the need to justify my decision to have VSG to my friends and family...and for some reason, I feel like that comes from the number on the scale. It's especially hard when my mom, who's very overweight, asks me whenever she sees me how much I've lost- like it's some proof one way or the other to whether I should have had the surgery. As I write this, I realize that I need to give myself a break. I did this for me, not my mom, not my husband, not my friends...so I should remember that. Thanks for letting me vent...again

Thanks for the encouragement VJslim- it's nice to know I'm not the only one with slow "scale loss" but steady inch loss. I know I'll get to goal someday, but I also still feel like this will be another failed diet attempt... And keeping the faith is hard when you don't have numbers to show you you're on the right track...maybe I'm just being sensitive and pms-ing

It's my understanding that a complete and thorough medical history is taken before a life insurance policy is granted. They not only do a current physical and bloodwork up, but review all your past history. One would think that having the sleeve to reduce weight and risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, etc would be a good thing, but I don't know... I hope there's someone on this forum that can shed some light.

I know how you feel. I just sent an email to my doc because the depression is kicking in from not losing more than a pound in 8 days. I'll be six weeks out on Thursday, and I've lost under 25lbs post-op. I thought by now I'd be at least 40lbs down. I'm sticking to 600 cals/day and get all my protein/water/etc. I'm pretty exhausted lately, and being a stay at home mom of 2 kids under 4 isn't helping =) I read another post that B-12 helps the exhaustion, but I'm not sure what to do about this stall. I stalled for a week at week 3 as well. I know it's not an overnight solution, but I'm getting pretty discouraged