playlikeworldchamps

Great news that there is another option to help people I this struggle. Because of its less invasive nature perhaps someday the threshold will get lowered to BMI of 30 and the comorbidity at 35 (and then 30) taken away. 8.5% difference is much better but once 35-45 BMI may need actual WLS to get more significant results. I am not sure if this would have been enough for me as I never needed to be hungry to eat. But perhaps it makes people like I was just after sleeve when I never thought about food at all not just the lack of hunger. (Unfortunate that was temporary for me!) In any case glad there's another option and it will be out there for those struggling.

You have already identified the issue. Now you need to address it by cutting back on the alcohol and the situations were it is tempting. Can you do social events that are not about drinking? And if drinking is going on cut the consumption. I drink coffee daily and have wine on occasion. I do not use carbonated beverages. It is possible to lose weight with coffee and very limited alcohol but you need to plan it in to the overall calorie consumption. 2-7 drinks 4-5 times a week is probably 600 to 5000 calories a week at least. It also usually lowers resistant to the bad Snacks usually available at social occasions. It will make weight loss slower and impede progress. Are you ok with slow or almost non existent weight loss? Alcohol will be used as fuel in your body and so real food may get stored if you consume too many alcohol calories. Also alcohol goes to the liver so you will get the abdominal fat there. And of course it is empty calories with no nutrition in it so you will still be hungry for nutritional food. You also have to decide how much do you want to lose the 40 more pounds? More than you want to drink or go to those social occasions? It's up to you to decide. When I do drink socially I have to choose if I want a drink or 2 of if I want to eat my calories. I say to myself "I can eat or I can drink and I choose to drink" I also learned the hard way to drink a glass of Water between each drink. I am a woman and in maintenance so I have a little more flexibility than you do right now. I still drink less than once per month and always plan the calories in. I did that in Weight loss mode too but I had to eat less in those days. You have to ask yourself - what is more important, keeping off the 80 pounds or gaining it back? Losing 40 more or choosing the status quo and hopefully keep the 80 off. It's all up to you.

My very own 15 year old jersey girl is 5-8 and wraithlike at 140. I think 160s would be great for 5-8. I am around 180 at 5-10 and most people think I'm 150-160. It's good to be tall!

That person sounds so stupid she probably doesn't even know how offensive that statement was. I don't use the stupid term much but I really can't think of any other term for her. I also think she probably didn't even understand your comeback. Probably went right over her head.

I don't mourn food anymore. Mostly because I can eat pretty much everything except super sweet things like ice cream or cheesecake. Only one bite cause it will make me feel yucky. I don't mind being kept in check this way. There were Christmases where I'd eat dozens of Cookies or chocolates and now I know to stop at 2 or pay the consequences. In the early months it was hard because two bites of any meal and I was done no matter how yummy it was. Now 21 months out my portions are what they should probably be if we all followed what is really a portion size. So what if no room for multiple courses or dessert. Not supposed to be eating all that volume even if no weight problem! Do I sigh because at restaurants I wish I could get surf and turf but know there is no way I could fit all of that? Yeah I do but only for a second. Then I pick either surf or turf, hold the potato, and bring any leftovers home to the delight of my daughter! It definitely takes time to come to grips with the new way of thinking but it will over time as you realize that just because you can't have something doesn't mean the end of the world. In fact at some point you can enjoy some treats on special occasions. And that's how it should be. Our bodies didn't evolve to eat 24x7 nor to indulge in high caloric treats just because they are yummy.

I am 5'10" and my highest weight was 315. I am 20 months out and maintaining in the upper 170s now and I think that is where I'll try to stay. Ideally I'd like to get to 173 to have a normal BMI but my body FAT is now 24% and for women my age it is supposed to be 19-28%. So I really do not need to lose anymore. I am 49 and when I turn 50 I think the body fat % recommended is 22-31% or something like that. As you get older you can have a higher percent. So I recommend getting body fat percentage done at your gym before going to too low a weight. You don't want to lose lean tissue. At defeats the purpose of getting healthly. At my last gym checkup I felt bummed at first because I only lost 2 pounds in 4 months. But I actually gained 2 in muscle so that means I lost 4 fat! So don't be ruled by the scale or a BMI chart. Go by clothes size and muscle! Attached are some side by side before and afters. I am now a size 12 jeans (I have some 10s and even 8 in work suit pants) I wear a L or even a M on top. My doctor never specifies a goal. It's upto the patient. The BMI is an average over a large population. Not really meant for individuals but for statistical purposes. Use body fat percent instead.

It's a little like childbirth. Yes there is pain and the first few days and even weeks are tough and you may wonder "what did I do? I can't eat more than a thimbleful. It hurts to drink water." Eating actually can hurt and you just wish it wouldn't. I do remember wondering if I'd ever get to eat without feeling uncomfortably full or have a stuck feeling. But that was early early on in The first couple weeks or so. Gradually over time I can now eat almost normal just smaller quantities. I can now gulp water if I want (just not right after eating). It is hard to even remember the early days of pain or frustration with food. So now 20 months out life is very very good at almost 140 pounds down. Just like I can't remember childbirth pain or sleepless nights feeding babies, I can't remember the tough early days of WLS. All I remember now is that I fit in size 12 and am in maintenance! Best decision ever for me.

After all you have been thru and how you jump over every obstacle you are the definition of a success story. A success story is only possible for people who don't give up. In fact I think I see your picture next to success in the dictionary. Don't let other people label or define you. He may be a good doctor and hopefully help you with this issue but he doesn't know YOU! He only knows the words on the medical records. So don't hold his ignorance against him. He's never been fat, never faced the hurdles you have. He knows nothing about YOU!

I thought post op was pretty easy. Went back to work in 5 days. Surgery on Wednesday back to work Monday. Pain pretty tolerable. As usual on the Internet you may read more negative stories because the people who didn't have any issues don't post as much as those who do.

Try not to worry and keep following your plan. Your body is still adjusting. I also lost 22 pounds in the first 6 weeks. I am now 20+ months out from surgery and maintaining at a total of 120 pounds down since surgery. It's not a race and there is no end anyway. Notice I don't call it goal because that assumes I'm done. I'll never be done. It's a journey and will last my whole, much longer life. It doesn't matter how long the losing phase was. What matters is how long the maintaining phase is. Very very long hopefully!

Track every single bite. I am 20 months out and I have tracked the good, bad, ugly for all that time. chips are sliders for some and go right down with no restriction. You just need to pick a different, more dense snack. There will be plenty of time to have chips again when you start losing again and when there is room in your calorie limit. Because I track everything I can easily tell why a gain occurred (I am in maintaining mode. I don't say at goal since that sounds like there is an end and there really isn't ) Usually the scale goes up if I have indulged in too much sugar. Or i see that most of my calories by far were Snacks then I know too much grazing. But the trick is absolute honest tracking of every single bite. I tell myself that as long as I track it I can eat it with no guilt. That is my safe guard to not only lose weight before but now also to maintain.

I am 20 months out and can pretty much eat anything but of course smaller amounts. I never gave up sweets very long so I learned by about 2-3 months out when I first tried something sweet that high sugary stuff does cause me to dump even with a sleeve. So I can only ever have a bite or 2 of cake or ice cream or pie and if I have more than that I pay for it by having palpitations, flushing, sick stomach feeling, fatigue, etc. So you may want to try something small and sweet before you go or as someone suggested take home a doggie bag or save for when you are alone. I am actually glad I dump because then I can decide if something will be worth it and I don't waste it on calories they aren't. For example, it's worth it for home made pie but not for mass produced and even then no ice cream!

That is very rude of the person who kept annoying you with their opinion. Unfortunately some people are not well informed about WLS but think they are. I kept my surgery to myself before I had it because I didn't want to deal with the misinformed nor the well intention who THOUGHt they were informed. But since you are taking another approach, one thing I would suggest is just to say "thanks, but my medical situation is personal and I am working with a full medical team, and have done my research. But thanks for your concern. Now, how 'bout those blah blah blah " change the subject and if they don't get the hint this time drop 'em) ????

My sleeve with 1 overnight was about $33k for the hospital, surgeon bills, anesthesiologist etc. I don't recall what ins paid. Probably about half of that. I paid about $2k out of pocket. So worth it.

I am 20 months out from VSG and can eat anything pretty much but a lot less. Went to Carrabbas monday night and got the small portion of the rose chicken. It was so delicious and even the broccoli was great. And the warm bread first. Wow! The good and bad news was that I could only fit one small piece of warm bread, 2 bites of my daughters Soup, half the small piece of chicken and 2 pieces of broccoli. I wanted it all! If I wasn't staying in a hotel I would have kept the rest for leftovers. Considering the small portion is under 600 calories and I ate half, I was very very full for less than 400 calories. In fact I rarely have that much in one meal because it makes me too full and I can't drink for a couple hours. So bottom line. Yes normal food in small portions is enjoyable. Do I eat like that normally. No I don't. I was on vacation. Today I was back to greek yogurt, cheese and crackers, and dense Protein as first food choice. Also I am one of the rare sleevers that have dumping syndrome if too much sweet stuff I can't tolerate more that 2 bites of ice cream. And dumping limits my addiction to sweets. Sometimes makes me sad but then I remember the 140 pounds I lost and can live with less sugar.

not surprised people were heatedly opposed to being told they were liars and dishonest when they simply didn't feel like discussing their personal business in the workplace.

not surprised people were heatedly opposed to being told they were liars and dishonest when they simply didn't feel like discussing their personal business in the workplace.

looking great!!!

Sleeved March 13 HW: 315 SW: 295 CW: 210 Height 5'10" helps but I have 30-40 more to go... How is everyone else doing?

Again it's a personal choice to tell or not to tell and choosing not to tell does not mean people are lying to themselves or that they are ashamed. They have every right to answer "eating better and exercising more" if they want. Some people they may choose to tell and other people the fib is just plain easier. It's like the nosy people asking single people when they are getting married or when couples plan to have kids or even worse when hearing about a new pregnancy they ask if it was planned! A fib or deflection is the polite way of saying "it's none of your f-ing business" And I like the people I work with but they just don't have a need to know the particulars of my life choices or healthcare specifics. Shame has nothing to do with it.

The OP made a lot of assumptions about others motivations that I did find offensive. I don't criticize or judge anyones choice on if, when, or how to share their medical procedures and I would appreciate the same. I kept it private at first. I did not need uneducated feedback or to hear about somebody's cousins uncle best friends brother who either died or gained it all back. I also don't want to think I should have to be a poster child for weight loss surgery. I have no obligation to the world on making WLS go mainstream. Did I miss this section in the medical forms? Don't remember seeing that next to all the other things I signed off on. Believe it or not some people don't discuss all their medical issues with others whether strangers, family or friends. I don't tell them about my hemorrhoids, varicose veins, heart arrhythmia or breast cancer treatment either. Because it's PRIVATE. And that's not BS.

I told my work I would be off 3 days for surgery then work from home a week (I have office job). I did not say what type of surgery as I am a private person. I had already been on a "diet/healthy eating program" before the surgery so no one commented too much about my weight. starting at 300+ pounds even 25 lbs in a month was hard for them to notice as I had never worn fitted clothes. and after that the weight loss slowed down to 2 then 1 lbs a week. so not dramatic fast loss. just steady. eventually I did tell people when they complimented me after some significant weight loss. (100lbs). but you are not obligated to tell anyone what type of surgery you are having. if people get concerned just say it's low risk but something you need to take care of. they may think it's on a very personal reproductive or bowel issue!

My surgeon gives a very honest info about leaks in this webcast. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/44477278 Usually a leak would occur in The first few weeks. Especially if you are compliant. It's also why they check for reflux or ulcers prior to sleeve because it could exacerbate those conditions and an ulcerative gastrointestinal tract more likely to get leak. Risks of leak are low and rare to happen later once healed if you comply and use your PPI if you tend to be acidy. Leaks can be tough to manage with the sleeve though. My surgeon only does leak test during surgery and not after unless here are symptoms. He also likes to use 40fr boogie which is tiny bit bigger than some doctors who use smaller. He thinks it less chance for leaks.

I had a similar experience in high school. Scheduling classes I noticed I would not have a lunch period. The guidance counselor said " well you look like you can make it without a lunch" I was 16 years old and what would be about a 26 BMI and she fat shamed me. I already thought I was huge compared to my petite friends now she backed up my beliefs. There is a warm place in hell reserved for people who are supposed to help us who instead knock us down. And they do it because they need to bring others down to keep themselves feeling superior most of the time. 32 years ago and I still remember that. b***h.

Remember "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt Don't give that asswipe the power to upset you. You find someone who you can feel comfortable with. Find someone who will advocate for you. And alternatively many people on here have had great success in Mexico. Don't give up!