Youngun

I can't stop thinking about food! I'm not even hungry! I'm finding I'm really unproductive at school because all I think about is when lunch is! And when I think about food I come on here for encouragement but it's really distracting me from my responsibilities anyone else? I posted in the twenties forum because I want to know if other people my age are being distracted from their school work? And I didn't realize my attachment to food was as deep as it is! Is your addiction stronger than you thought it was? Does the obsession go away or get better? Don't worry! So far I've been quite good at following my plan despite the psychological hurdles! The pain of overeating trumps my food addiction!

I started out weighing every two-three weeks and then went down to every couple months. It's so awesome that way! I never get discouraged by gains or stalls! I've been pleasantly surprised every time I've stepped on the scale! I had no idea I was only 12 pounds from goal until I weighed today! I had been telling people I still wanted to lose 20 and they all said I was crazy! Lol! I just try to focus on how happy I am with how I look and how much my health has improved! The numbers are just kind of a fun little milestone-marker I guess, but they're secondary to me! I'm actually kind of hoping to gain a bit in the next month because I want to build some more muscle before tackling my last 12 pounds!

I am 6 months out and haven't had any hair loss! Am I the only one?! I don't always get enough Protein in and I forget to take my Biotin quite often :S I think maybe I lost weight a bit slower than most, so perhaps that's why I didn't lose a noticeable amount of hair. My hair is au natural right now - it's usually blonde, but I didn't want to keep doing it blonde after surgery because I was paranoid about the hair loss! But! When it was blonde and damaged I took "biosil" it's a modified version of silica (horsetail supplement) that is absorbed and used much easier than the silica from horsetail supplements. I doubt it stops hair loss, but it made my hair WAY healthier and shinier! Can't hurt!

So I had surgery December 18 2012. I wish I had done it sooner! I've never been happier or more energetic! In the beginning: 190lbs (185 pre-surgery) Size 14 (tight) Blood pressure 155/125 Now: 152lbs Size 6-8 Blood pressure 130/80 I've lost 38 lbs and only have 27 more to go! The best part there is the blood pressure! I celebrated like crazy at the dr when I weighed in and even crazier when she told me my BP! There is hope I won't die young! I don't have much problems with sagging skin as I'm only 25. In fact - my stretch marks on my stomach have all but disappeared after using the scar treatment for my scars on my stretch marks as well. I haven't been eating perfectly the whole time, so the weight has come off slowly but surely. I work on a farm, so I don't have to work out (although I do push ups, planks and leg lifts when I have the time) and I think the manual labor has helped considerably. Anyways! I've attached before and after pictures! Because I know we all like those! The before pic was December 2nd and the after was a few weeks ago at ~155 in a size 6 fendi dress I bought with no hope that it would ever fit me... It's a little loose! Hopefully some people find this post encouraging

Thought I'd add another before and after for direct comparison... 2 different bridesmaids dresses and a hugeeeee difference! I've never been so happy in my life! Down to single-digit sizes! Just a couple sizes to go! I'm aiming for a 4 or a 6

Who did you tell about your surgery and why? How did you explain your recovery/eating to those you didn't tell? Ill start... I'm 25 started out 31-ish BMI 5'4" close to 195 starting weight, 185 by surgery time. Now 175 Sleeved on December 18 2012 I told my best friend. That's it. I went alone. She was very concerned (more concerned than judge-y, but I think it's hard for a 5'5" 115 pound waif not to judge). I gave her my just-in-case letters. She couldn't afford the flight to Mexico. I didn't tell my parents or any family members. My parents wouldn't have approved (mentioned it to my mom who forbade it, and with a much stricter father I didn't even mention it to him). Some family members would have been understanding, but they've been known to tattle on me when they were concerned about something, so I didn't want to risk it! During my recovery (holidays at home) I told everyone I had been in a horseback riding accident where the horse crushed me and they had to repair some internal organs (mainly the stomach - hence the diet restrictions). Why did I keep it a secret? Aside from the fact that my parents would have murdered me, I also won't tell strangers because people have an easy-way-out mentality when it comes to wls, and I want the credit for my weight loss! I don't want people to have the attitude that I got surgery and a year later I was a lot skinner (fingers crossed!)... People don't understand that it's not like that. Especially thin people who have never had weight problems which bothers me because they obviously don't understand what we go through. As a completely unrelated tangent: I have an MSc and plan on getting a PhD on obesity work and I'd love for it to make a difference in the perceptions of the general population about the PHYSIOLOGICAL causes of obesity. I find too much media (biggest loser, dr. Phil, dr. Oz, etc) focus on the PSYCHOLOGICAL... "It's all in your head" kinda perception. Which is why 98% of those people gain their weight back and those who don't gain back need to maintain abnormally active lifestyles with uncomfortably limited portions because they treated their symptoms (the fat) not the cause (the physiological problem; hormones, etc).

Thanks for the support guys! The dress is flattering for sure - I still need to lose my lower belly (although my upper abs are showing through!), a teeny bit more in the arms, and a bit more in my legs. If I got down to 140 and couldn't lose anymore I'd probably be satisfied! I have pretty big bones lol! And yeah it had to be on the toilet because I have a psychological problem with full length mirrors - I've never owned one. Lol super classy! I used 2 things actually! I'm not sure which has made the difference, so I keep using both... Bio-oil (orange oil "cellin oil" I think) and a silicon scar therapy treatment. I started the scars with just the scar therapy in the beginning but now I put bio oil on them too... They're still pretty raised and purple but the stretch marks have been doing amazing! Hope that helps!

I pick the rice off my sushi! You can eat more, it's more delicious and healthier! I love sushi!

I was always in denial about my weight unfortunately and all my friends were too which didn't help! I had always been a *little* bigger/heavier than everybody else my age (I'm 25 now). But because it was only a little I never worried about it. I stayed below 165 throughout my undergrad (although I went in at 130!). It also didn't help that I've always been the smallest in my family - most of my cousins were 200-400. It wasn't until I gained almost 30 pounds in my first year of grad school resulting in stretch marks on my belly that I realized I was farther gone than I'd wanted to be! I've never been able to lose weight (even after a 4-month long summer veggie/protein kick where I ran 7-10km a day 5-6 days a week, rode horses, worked a physically demanding job and did resistance training.. I was 165 at the beginning of the summer and 165 at the end). Anyways! When I gained what I call my "grad school belly" I started eating healthier to slow the gain and exercised more, but I know I'd need more help than that! I booked a self pay surgery as fast as I could from the day I discovered my stretch marks. I was sleeved about a month later on December 18 2012! I weighed in 2 weeks later and was down 10.2 pounds from my pre-OP of 185.6 pounds and feeling so much better about how I looked! I was surprised at how much I lost in my face (my face fat is my least favourite!). I'm trying not to jump on the scale too much for fear of discouragement so I'm weighing in every 2 weeks. I'm a little sick (sore throat) and nauseous today which is my first hiccup since 2 days post OP... I really can't keep anything down so I'm not getting Protein and feeling really tired! My goal weight is 130 although I'd love to get down to 125. I'm 5'4. For exercise, I start work at the horse farm where I now live tomorrow! Mucking stalls is great for the core, although ill be taking it easy because I'm still in recovery! I will also be riding their horses which is great cardio. I predict ill be doing both mucking (1.5 hours/day) and riding (1-2 hours/day) about 4-7 days a week averaging 5. I also have a very energetic dog I need to keep busy with walks! I'm most excited to fit into my jeans! (I never bought fat clothes - just wore track pants all the time!) ... I'm getting close to fitting into my 31 inch jeans... And then I want them to be baggy! I'm also excited to look good on a horse again! I used to be the average rider and now I'm a "bigger" rider and that bothers me. And I'm excited to run again! I've been so unfit since the start of the summer I couldn't run 1km let alone my usual 7-10! I'm so glad I found this resource! I have found some great tips about getting enough protein (which I'm having troubles with... In fact I'm having troubles drinking enough period. I am only taking in 160-300 calories a day of rote in shakes and it's not enough I don't think!) I'm excited to be able to eat solid foods! I think my first day ill be going out for one sushi roll! No more all you can eat for me! Oh! And I don't have a date that I want to reach my goal, because it's a lot of pressure and I really have no idea what to expect (I'm even leery of reaching my goal ever; since I've never lost weight before!) what do you guys think? Within a year for 45-50 more pounds sound realistic? I'm hoping to be down 30 total by springtime! I can't believe there's a possibility of me being down to 150 - let alone 130!!!! I just can't wait! Sorry for the novel! Ps I was self pay in Mexico!

I am 5 weeks post-OP - will be 6 weeks when I go to the movies next week. My question is what about popcorn? I know it goes against the Protein first rule, but I'd love to have some movie theatre popcorn next week (hooray for the fact that ill save money since I wont even be able to finish a small!). What about the one hard/sharp part in the middle (not sure what its called?) is that a danger or can I just chew really well? Also! So far 2 people have noticed my weight loss I've never been able to lose weight before so the comments/compliments are a new thing to me and feel so great!! Thanks for any advice!

Hey! So I came up with this with the help of my mom. I'm sure there are probably other people who thought of it before, but I wanted to share just in case there wasn't! I took lean ground angus beef (I looked for bison - which would be better because it has less fat, but couldn't find any) and put it on top of multigrain tostitos and cheese on top of that, then I broiled it for a minute in my toaster oven and dipped those chips into fat free Greek yogurt in place of sour cream (it tastes exactly the same!!!) It's a great way to get Greek yogurt in which is high Protein and absolutely delicious alternative to real nachos. I had to make it tonight because I was craving nachos like no tomorrow! I attached a picture! I hope others try it and love it as much as I do! Oh! And I know it looks like a lot in the picture - don't worry I didn't eat it all! I could only fit in 3-4 chips and the rest I'm saving for lunch even then I probably won't finish! And I even used a small side plate! :S

Well that's not very nice :S so much for accepting advice graciously. So people can't call you names, but you can insult me? You can dish it out but you really can't take it can you? And my point is you said you followed your dr's advice but you didnt... Just pointing out an incorrect statement. You might make people think your doc said 2 weeks if they don't read all the replies.

Yeah heart palpitations may also be a symptom. When you're at risk of being low in potassium it would be a good idea to cut down on salt. You'll restore a little balance if you lower your salt intake when you're low on potassium. So try to stay away from salty foods for at least a week

Potassium is a valid possibility. So is dehydration or Iron. Because we're trying to keep our stomachs less acidic than usual it makes it really hard for your body to absorb iron. If potassium, you may also notice twitching of the skin just underneath your eye. Potassium affects charge gradients across your cell membrane and, so is especially important for heart function so definitely get checked out. My fingers are crossed that its dehydration!

Hahahaha! The Darwin awards! Did nobody else notice the OP said she followed her dr's directions of 3 weeks, but the title of the thread is something to the effect of alcohol TWO weeks out. I say do whatever you want, but I really don't see the point of posting this after the fact. Were you planning on having more drinks and the warning replies made you stop? Because that would be pretty legit I guess. If I could give you advice that you would accept graciously I'd tell you to probably call your surgeon BEFORE you do something you're unsure of. Good luck with the rest of your journey

I never used to like nachos either, but now I've been craving them like crazy! If you want to suck on them you may be craving salt and so you could be dehydrated...

I used to love water plain before surgery too! Like I binged on water almost as much as food!!! I'm drinking crystal light as I type and it makes me so sad to be going against everything I've learned :S I know I'm going to want an early dinner when I finish this water which means a late night snack that I don't usually have. Sigh...

I didn't read all the replies, but I do have some advice. Artificial sweeteners tell the brain that there is an influx of sugar, so the brain tells the pancreas to secrete insulin, which lowers your blood sugar. The lowered blood sugar makes you feel like you have to eat and "settles your stomach". They use artificially sweetened gum in anorexia clinics to give the patients an appetite. Anyways. This may work for you! Before you eat, chew some gum with artificial sweetener and eat one bite, chew some more gum, and continue. The gum should keep your stomach settled. Key is to go slow! For fluids, it will help if you flavour them with something that has artificial sweetener like crystal light, or pretty much anything that is a powdered drink flavour. I am super against artificial sweeteners for the reasons I said before, but when water was making me sick I just flavored it with crystal light and voila! Stomach settled... Only thing is... I can eat way more after a bottle of crystal light water

Lots of little signs... You'll get better at recognizing them. When I get full I feel a little heavy and burpy and I get the hiccups. If you over eat you'll feel tight in the chest and if you wayyy overdo it you'll feel pain in the lower part of your esophagus. Just try to eat portions you know are comfortable and don't push it! No need to eat a ton if you don't have to!

I'm jealous of all the support you guys have!! Be thankful for that! I wish I had support - if I had support I would have told people!

I was sleeved while in school - on my Christmas break! I just make sure I have lots of small protein-packed snacks in my fridge (ie ham slices). When everyone else is gaining their freshman 15 you'll be losing! How awesome!

Be careful with concerta after surgery! Definitely talk to your surgeon about it and say it already reduces your appetite! 4 weeks post-op I took mine and it hit me SO much harder and I couldn't eat all day or Breakfast the next day! I just couldn't get anything down! It was even hard to drink water! So make sure you have an open dialogue with your doctor about concerta because you need your nutrition! Best of luck with your sleeves ladies! I was sleeved on dec 18 2012 and I'd never go back! It's been amazing!