Andrew0929

I'm 21 months out and lost 145 pounds (after 10 months) and have very little sagging skin. My doctors have attributed this to lots of exercising and drinking 6-8 glasses of Water each day.

I, too, wanted the band when meeting with my doctor initially. He was willing to go with that, but strongly recommended the sleeve for my situation. I'm so glad I followed his lead, as this experience has been life-changing for me. Met my goal in 10 months (down 145 pounds) and am still very close to goal at 21 months out.

I reached goal 1 year ago and did see my NUT to figure out maintenance. I actually needed to figure out how to stop losing. Now, I'm about 10 pounds above goal and it's scaring me. I know what to do and know what I'm doing wrong. Just need to follow through and do it. My snacking on Cereal has been ever increasing although total calories reasonable. My levels of exercise have steadily increased but not enough to offset the cereal snacking. See your nut and follow their instructions.

Perhaps this is a normal stage of the process for us, but I am having trouble dealing with even the small weight gain. My workouts are more stringent than ever, but my snacking has definitely increased. I'm snacking on Cereal, but still logging/counting calories. Carbs definitely higher, but still not too bad. I'm thinking of just stopping the cereal, though, as that seems to be a trigger for more eating ....

Thanks, Andrew! These are the things we need to keep hearing. Oddly, other peoples struggles help us remember that we need to continue putting in the effort, even/especially in maintenance. Hope you get your arms around the beast soon! Try a few days of ketosis by eating only Protein. That might give you a quick start. I have to avoid high protein diets as that lead to my getting kidney stones a while back. Lowering my calories/carbs and increasing exercise is making a difference, but of course that's always easier said than done.

I'm 21 months out and have been at (or near) goal for 1 year. My appetite has definitely increased and its a constant battle to maintain. I am about 10 pounds higher than my lowest weight and have been fighting hard lately to lose 2 pounds. Increased my workouts (still 6 days per week but increased intensity) and decreased calories but it just wouldn't come off. Finally lost 2 but I really miss the days when the weight was flying off ...

I have come to believe that tracking is the real key to long term success. The people who track are able to spot problems and patterns right away and adjust accordingly. If you don't know what you've been doing, you can't easily correct it. In the past, I would put my head in the sand and just hope for the magic fairies to take care of everything for me. That didn't work so well. Tracking is a requirement for me. Takes a little time but works well to always know where I stand. Sometimes I'm actually lower in calories during a day which leaves room for a small treat, like an extra Protein bar.

I had the same problem at about 10 months out and went back to my nut for guidance. She calculated the calories and carbs levels, based on my characteristics, to halt my weight loss and it worked. She recommended getting the extra calories and carbs with Protein bars.

At 1.5 years out, I'm still only able to consume about 4 ounces of meat. No complaints here ...

Taken off diabetes meds while still in the hospital post-op. They stopped my BP and cholesterol meds before surgery and resumed reduced dosage of BP shortly afterward but monitored me closely. Cholesterol meds never resumed.

I've been at goal for about 8 months and holding steady. However, I'm snacking more and taking in more carbs yet I'm not gaining. I work out 6 days/week and log all food. At 2200/2300 calories I'm still not gaining. Don't want to push my luck on this but it seems like my metabolism has changed since the surgery, in addition to the much-needed restriction.

I am grateful to have been sleeved and to have remained at goal for 8 months. However, as of late I've noticed old habits coming back. I'm doing much more snacking primarily and carb-related foods like Cereal, granola bars, and 70-calorie ice cream bars. Somehow, my weight has remained unchanged and possibly due to my rigorous 6-days/week workout regimen. I'm still logging food and calories are up to about 2200/2300 a day. I'm concerned that my intake is increasing and appetite increasing as well. I want to control this before the gaining starts, as I'm noticing gradual increases in snacking and it's scaring me.

I was in the same position after reaching my goal. I went back to my nut and she calculated the right number of calories and carbs to stop losing. She took into account my level of exercise, height, weight and age. She recommended adding calories, if needed, with Kind bars. I've been maintaining for 8 months and so far it's gone well.

Having this surgery was possibly the best decision I've ever made. I had all of the typical health problems beforehand and all are cured now. Additionally, I'm physically fit and considered extremely healthy by my doctors. I didn't expect the transition to be as great as it's been.

I had the same problem pre and post op. The shakes made me gag. Post op my surgeon said just don't drink them if I'm that much difficulty. I know that my levels of protein were lower than normal for 3 weeks post op but then scrambled eggs and other good options opened up soon enough.

I'm out 1 year 4 months and have been at goal (down 145 pounds) since 10 months out. What has worked for me and will hopefully continue to work is measuring and logging all food consumed. Yes, I work out 6 days/week but I think the logging has helped the most. Helps to ensure proper levels of nutrition and keep me in check with portions.

I'm 15 months out and have continued attending my WLS support group meetings every month or so. Our meetings typically include 150+ people. After all this time, it seems like I'm hearing the same stuff over and over. It was very helpful pre-surgery and for the first 6 months post-op, but I think I'm ready to stop attending. Anyone else still attend the meetings as a Vet?

Good point about "paying it forward". Our meetings begin with all attendees together and of course the majority of people are newbies. They are usually blown away when I tell them how much I've lost and they always have lots of questions and ask for pictures. I do remember being in their position and how helpful it was to hear from others that had actually gone through this. Maybe I'll volunteer as a speaker, at some point, but still questioning regular monthly attendance.

That's exactly what I've experienced. A small group of vets attend every meeting and love to lecture the rest of us. I've gotten much more real support from this forum ...

Have you added anything back into your diet to stabilize your weight, or has it found its own equilibrium? Are you eating exactly the same? Bigger portions? Did you reintroduce some carbs, or are you keeping that door tightly closed to avoid the slippery slope? I recently got to goal and am working on figuring out what works to stop losing, but not gain. Thanks! I went back to my nut and she identified an appropriate level of calories and carbs to stop losing and that has worked well. She took into account my level of exercise along with my height and goal weight. I've expanded my selection of foods, but in general, stick to healthy things. I still monitor my nutrition levels daily and supplement as needed.

At 15 months out I continue to follow the program. I've been at goal for 6 months and fully-realize that successful maintenance (for me) includes ongoing exercise, logging/measuring food, and making healthy food choices.

For the past 5 months my weekly routine has been: - 2 days spin class - 2 days running/elliptical - 2 days weight training My standing heart rate is 48 and I feel like I'm in better physical condition than any time in my life. So I decided to mix things up and take a lesson in cross-country skiing Sunday. Wow, what a workout!! Did a 1.5 hour lesson and then skied 3 miles afterward. I think I found my new favorite form of exercise. Highly recommended. Any cross-country skiers out there?

Saturday, I did a spin class in the morning and then xc skied 3 miles in the afternoon. Really felt that on Sunday morning. It's -7 this morning and I'm planning to go skiing this afternoon. Scheduled for spin class tonight. CGJ, I've been looking around for xc ski clubs but can't find any in my area. Plenty of downhill ski clubs and several friends are into that. I also want to get into mountain-biking this Summer, but my friends that are into cycling stay on the roads. I have 15 miles of mountain-top bike trails near my house, but have been warned to not go up there alone as the conditions are rough. I biked up there 35 years and it was rough. I'm told it's now 10 times worse.

Wow, zip lining? That's adventurous!! I'm venturing into many new activities too and reviving many from my younger days. However, I'm having difficulty finding friends that want to cross country ski and/or play hockey. While most of my friends are in descent shape, it seems like they're all either injured, too lazy, or avoiding the colder weather. I guess we're getting older and that comes with the territory, but I have more energy than I've had in 30 years. It's much easier to get them out golfing and fishing in the summer months.

Yes, CGJ, it is wonderful to be able to do activities like this. One-by-one, I'm trying sports that I'd not done since childhood and it never ceases to amaze me when I do it with ease. I've not reconnected with downhill skiing yet, but have done quite a bit of that in my younger days. I'm in the Boston area and have a downhill ski resort nearby, so perhaps that will be next. Also, plenty of snow up here this year ...