MichiganChic

Anyone is free to add me, as well. I'm tboosrn

I was going to suggest getting a job where you have to go in! I know it's much nicer to work from home, but that's a disadvantage to me. I used to think I wanted to work from home, but I'm starting to think otherwise for that very reason - too much access to food. I've even started to think I'm never going to retire....I'm not sure that I could maintain my weight if I was home more. I find that I struggle every evening and all weekend, and days I do work from home. I'd say try to set up a different routine, keep the junk out of the house, and drink a lot of Water.

There are always horror stories, some of them true, some less so. You are smart to realize the people you thought would be your support system are not supportive - or at least they aren't for the moment. That might change as you go through this and they see how well it works. They probably just don't really know what it is, and how it works, and that you are dedicated enough to take full advantage of it. Give them a little time. My family was supportive, but suspect, mostly because of worrying. After a while they began to see first hand what was possible, and they changed their minds. One thing for sure - it's not easy, and it requires 100% commitment from us in order to succeed. There is nothing magic about it, but I still feel it's nothing short of miraculous! For the first time in my life, as long as I do what I am supposed to, I get the desired result. Never had that before with weight loss/maintenance. It made the impossible finally possible.

I was a water drinker, too. Then after surgery I had a hard time drinking it. It didn't taste right, and it kind of hurt my stomach. I used flavoring drops to help. Now at almost 2 years out, I can drink it fine - and pretty darn fast, too.

That's frightening, to feel totally off track. We all know that it WILL catch up with us if we allow it. There is a reason we were obese, and for me, it's always lurking. Good for you that you are acknowledging it. It's the first step to turning things around. I agree, get rid of the things that are making your feel out of control. Change up your routine a little where old/bad habits are creeping in. I've found that I seem to want to settle into grazing in the evenings when I get home from work. If I just slightly change the routine, like take a walk, go shopping, or do housework, it prevents that. Find what it is that is causing your issue, and make a change n that area. You can do it!

Good luck on your next appointment! Be sure to let us know how it goes! One other thing - about "Barbie". I sought plastic surgery because I've read that there is a link between people who have plastics and long term success after WLS and massive weight loss. I also did it to feel "finished", though I can't quite put my finger on why. Vanity was a part of it for me, though it was low on the list. I didn't really think about it in terms of looks per se, so I was pleasantly surprised when I realized what a a difference it can make. I think I spent my life being obese, so I had very low expectation of ever looking great in my own skin. For me, it's just another example of how obesity beat me down in ways I didn't realize.

Sorry you had to go through that. We've all been there. The first time I flew since losing weight was a wildly different (positive) experience, and you have that to look forward to! I think the truth of the matter is that most airline seats do not accommodate many people who are overweight. I'm not a pilot, but it seems to me that flying a plane requires you to monitor and know the weight that's on the plane, and they certainly charge more for increased weight - think baggage fees. I think they make those plane seats that size on purpose - to restrict the weight on the plane, and to pack more people in to increase revenue. I think that policies that require obese people to purchase extra tickets, make them request seat belt extenders, or limit the locations they sit is born out of the physical issues associated with seat size, but it breeds the sort of mentality and behavior the OP described. I am certain any airline would not want their employees to treat patrons that way if asked or given a choice, but the truth is that they can't control everyone (not an excuse - the employer is still liable). The planes physical layout makes it easy for ignorant and insensitive people to behave this way in the name of doing their jobs. I think that the OP should complain bitterly, and that employee needs to feel some of the misery she breeds. Shame on her. Sadly, fat hating, discrimination, shaming, bullying, or whatever you want to call it, is alive and well, and this was an example of it made in the name of "safety".

I can also drink plenty and not feel it. Not that I do, but I was thinking a little bit would go a long way, but not for me.

I hate to say it, but I can't wear boots. My calves are still too big for even the wide calf boots. I'm seriously thinking about liposuction, or something. I really thought I would be able to find something, but even the biggest ones are still about an inch from zipping at the widest part of my calves. Hopefully I'm not the normal one, and the rest of you can wear cool boots!

@RJ'S/beginning Well, that was certainly unpleasant and he does sound like a rat bastard. Sorry you had to endure that. One thing I know from years of nursing, some spent in the OR, is that surgeons are the worst in thinking they are God, and Plastic surgeons are at the top of that heap (In my opinion, based on personal experience). They are the reason I don't work in surgery, lol, because they treat the nurses like that every day. Too hard to please, temperamental primadonnas. However, even I know they are not ALL that way. I just had plastics, and the first consult I went to was pretty similar to yours. They made me pay $150 out of pocket for the consult, and never even billed my insurance. He looked me over and told me what I needed, rather than considering what I wanted. He couldn't wait to get a hold of my abdomen, and told me I could wear a bikini when he was done with me. The biggest issue for me was my legs, though, and he just told me there was nothing he could do for me. Really?? Why do I need a bikini belly if I can't wear one because of my legs? I was really crushed and despondent after that. I really thought I just would forget it. But I kept seeing other people's pictures here, and figured I'd keep looking. I found a surgeon who said she could do my legs. She didn't even act like it was an issue. I think the first surgeon just didn't want to do anything that might not be a slam dunk perfect outcome. The second surgeon wanted to know what I thought I needed, and truly consulted about a plan. She never promised me a bikini body, (and I'm not asking for one - I'm a 52 year old woman who gave birth to three kids and was 150 pounds overweight for 25 years) and didn't discuss cost in the context of the consultation. Her office billed my insurance for the initial visit, which was paid. So, she was just a much better fit for me, and I decided to go for it. I just had abdominoplasty, butt lift, and brachioplasty six weeks ago, and I'll have my legs and breasts done in a few months. My insurance only covered a portion of it, but that's not the plastic surgeon's fault. So far, I'm thrilled! I do have a bikini worthy torso and arms! I can't wait to see how my legs and breasts turn out. I only wanted to fit into and look better in clothes, so she surpassed my expectations. I'm sure you will find someone who is a better fit for you, too! You've worked too hard and come too far to let someone like that bring you down. I'd say keep searching until you find someone who treats you right.

I toyed with idea for years, even considered seriously once (went to see a surgeon), and backed out. This time, I just thought I should do something about my weight as it was really affecting my life for the first time. I saw others succeed with WLS, and started to think it might actually work for me, too. I went to a seminar and had my surgery within 2 months. Once I made up my mind, I was good with it. Haven't regretted it.

I have neuropathy for no known reason. Never been diabetic, no back problems, no liver disease, none of the things that are known to cause it. I had hoped losing weight would help me, but it didn't. Might be different for others, depending on the cause.

Yep, it's our worst nightmare. I'm thankful everyday for the gift I've been given. I also worry every day that I can mess it up if I'm not diligent. And it doesn't take long for that to happen. We've all seen posts from our heroes who made it goal, seemed invincible, only to find that they've gain a few pounds, or even a significant amount of weight. We all know it's possible. I think HOW it happens is unique in many ways, but is always related to the habits that brought us to needing weight loss surgery to start with. I didn't suddenly develop a new habit that will make me overweight. Personally, for me, I'm a grazer. I know this about myself. I have to work really hard not to just put things in my mouth. I don't always succeed, so I have developed a coping strategy, or "rule" I've imposed on myself, that no matter what, I will log it. I WILL be aware of what I've consumed. A lot of the time this keeps me from totally derailing. It pays to know your own issues and weaknesses, and be honest with yourself about them. I think it also helps to have a bit of fear, knowing what can happen, because it keeps us on guard. Realizing that honeymoon phase is very short lived in the grand scheme of things can help us take advantage of that time, both for weight loss and for changing habits, getting our heads on straight, or whatever you call setting yourself up mentally for success.

You are right about it all being a lot to deal with. I also told very few people because I didn't need the supervision and observation people feel inclined to provide. However, I don't think of it like managing a medical condition at all. I think of it as a gift, and I'm simply managing my weight, like all normal thin people.

But what? No "buts" Your statement is so right - it takes time and you are doing great. Enjoy your success, focus on you, and look forward to your very bright future. I had a mother in law like that, and I do know how hard it is when they insert themselves into your life in a negative way. I felt trapped by it. So, take it from someone who's been there. It's better to separate your goals, objectives and accomplishments from someones else's opinion. There's probably not a lot you can do to change her or what she does and says, you can only change how you respond to her. Take the emotion out of it, and maybe distance yourself a little. Don't visit so often. Don't always answer the phone. Go ahead and accept the bagel, then don't eat it. She might get the message and change her behavior a little. Either way, you are doing great, and what someone else says does not change the facts!

I'm almost 2 years out, and I really like sweets. Cake, in particular. At first, I didn't want or think much about it. Now, I have to consciously avoid sweets. I always say cake is the gateway food! If I have some, I want more, and it can send me into a tailspin of eating other junk. As long as I avoid it, I'm OK. I will say that even though I want it, lots of the things I try just doesn't taste as good as I think I remember. So, I try to remember that as a way to help with self control. I don't know what's right for you. Sometimes I wish I had the RNY for this reason, but then I think about the advantages of the sleeve, and I'm glad I made this choice. Either way, whichever surgery you choose, it's going to be hard work. Neither of them will make you behave. (Oh, how I wish it could!) I know people who have RNY and just eat bad even though it makes them sick. Another thing, I made a conscious effort to change my habits. It takes me a lot longer to develop a new habit than they say in the literature, lol. Like, almost 2 years after VSG, and I know I could easily revert back to previous habits. But, slowly, my new lifestyle is starting to become so ingrained that I rarely reach for something "bad". I'm all about moderation in most things, so I do allow myself sweet treats once in a while. I usually try to plan it, but you can't always plan life, so I just roll with it and keep my eye on the prize - being thin! Good luck, whatever you decide.

LOL, what a jerk. Seriously - he's just not into you? I don't think so. One of two things - he's so self absorbed he can't get over himself, or he is into you but doesn't know what to do with it because maybe he's not physically able. Either way, you win - you can move on. But I still think it was a good idea to see it to the end, otherwise you might have always wondered. He did seem like a good prospect. Now you know.

Great job, congratulations!! That's gotta feel great!

I think that's pretty normal. You might have some months better, some worse. The further out you are, the less you weigh, the slower it gets. You didn't really give much information about how you are eating or your height/weight, but assuming you doing things right, then just keep doing that. 8-10 pounds a month is great! If you continue to lose at that rate, you'd be at goal in roughly another 7-8 months. Another thing though....I found the closer I got to goal, the harder I had to work, and would lose 4-5 pounds a month.