Teachamy

On second thought..I think I could do 600-700 calories a day, but I am not sure of the health benefits for me. First, my pancreas doesn't work. (Type I diabetic) and although it would mean taking less insulin, I am not sure cutting out my healthy carbs (fruit) is a good idea for my nutrition. It has taken me so long to get my fruit servings in again. I am losing those couple of winter pounds, and am VERY close to my goal weight, so for now, I'll stay where I am. Thanks for your help!

So here I am in my mid-winter/almost spring funk. Mired in it. Calories have been good of late, then yesterday I ate over 2000 calories and napped in lieu of exercise. Yup. I don't feel guilty, just feel like everything is a bit of a struggle this week. Work, kids, bills, etc. etc. Sooo, this may be a bad time to introduce a 5:2 plan. (Which I've never done.) I read up on it and think I am ready to give it a try. Any final words of advice? Thanks! Amy

I posted this in the veteran's forum looking for advice from fellow veterans. (1 year + post-op.) I gained a couple pounds recently, and am looking for strategies from veterans who have BTDT. I don't feel broken, per sé, but some people seem to like it. Just wondering... Thanks!

Tone doesn't come across in a forum. What Babbs and VSGAnn intended to say was misinterpreted, I think. They feel lucky that this wasn't their experience. A question like this one causes all of us to look back and reevaluate our relationships. For some of us, the pain and rejection was very real. For others of us, we lucked out and it wasn't our experience. I too thought the question was asking if I experienced my husband finding me unattractive now and I answered how my experience was different. It was a good and important question, and all of the answers had value.

My husband wasn't overly full of compliments when I lost weight. We live together, see each other every day, so I am not sure it was a dramatic change for him like it was for others. At any rate, I had my surgery in Dec. of 2013. It has taken him until now to adapt to a healthier lifestyle change himself. He is eating better, exercising, losing weight, and high-fiving me when I finish my cardio. (Which I really hate, btw) My point is, I find him more able to give compliments as his self-esteem and health improves. That is vital.

VSGAnn mentioned something important. I am too am a religious MFP user, but it's important for me to look at my weekly average calories. I have a 1300-1400 goal, but am trying to keep it in the 1100-1200 range of late, as I am 5 pounds up at the moment. That means some days I may need to eat a little more than 1000 or 1200, or a little less, but if my weekly average stays where I need it, I am fine. If the 5 pounds sticks around, I will ramp up my weekend cardio to an hour a day, and make sure I am working out 7 days a week. Then I'll drop major calories if need be. BTW--grapes are my new best friend. Who ever thought grapes could be filling? (I hadn't eaten them at all in 2014-2015.) A half cup keeps me filled up!

I had to finally give in recently, and agree to a 5 day blast of prednisone to knock out a nasty flair of hives. (I have chronic/auotimmune hives) Well, it worked. Going into it, I knew I would gain weight, even on just a 5 day dose. But I am pretty sure I gained a good 5 pounds, and I feel utterly defeated and saddened by it. I pride myself on post-sleeve weight control, but sometimes things are out of my control, and I have a hard time letting it go. I am much happier in maintaining than having to lose again. Ho hum. Just needed to vent. I know 5 pound fluctuations are not the end of the world, but I hope some of you will understand my frustration.

The recovery time probably makes this a no for me. As I mentioned, the hysterectomy quite literally knocked me on my ass. And I stayed that way for 6 weeks--although the fatigue lasted much longer. Ho hum.

So I can't seem to help myself, folks. I keep looking at local cosmetic surgery offices' online Tummy Tuck galleries. I would make a perfect "before" model. I've always had that nasty under- the- belly "pooch", no matter what size I am. It is a butt in the front! My clothes hide it fine, and if you didn't know it was there, well, you probably wouldn't see it. My mom says, I don't see a gut! (As I lovingly refer to it.) My response is always, "You haven't seen me naked lately!" And bathing suits don't hide it very well--even Miracle Suits. I dunno. I had a rough year with the matter of a hysterectomy that knocked me on my ass for a couple months. I don't know if I can justify another surgery. I am training at the gym again, and have decided to reassess if I get down to 5 pounds below goal. WLS was necessary, but I feel like a tummy tuck is just vanity. Any thoughts peanut gallery? Many thanks!

I'm glad you posted this! I'm at the point where no one mentions the loss anymore, and I like it here in slenderville. Your post reminds me to keep on my toes and beware of this type of comment. Lipstick, my love, I sense your inner-snark will come out. Remember you are "one hundred and sexy" and this guy (and probably his seething-with-jealousy-wife) notices it!

I guess I should have also explained that I have some sort of weird MS-like neurological illness. (A growing spinal lesion and many brain lesions.) So considering this "elective" surgery feels completely vain in light of the fact it is now going on 3 years and several neurologists with no clear diagnosis. WLS got rid of so many co-morbidities, and I am so thankful for that, but asthma got worse, as did this spinal mess. BUT it might be possible that looking better in a bathing suit and losing some weight in front might also relieve some pressure on my back? I AM SO CONFUSED!

Frozen organic fruit/berries, unsweetened almond milk, plain greek yogurt, a little sweetener. Blended in my Magic Bullet. Delicious!

Doesn't it suck that the restriction feels like it disappears after a while? I try to remember a word of advice from my surgeon...sit at the table, not in front of the TV. Eat a meal for 20 minutes. When time is up, you're done. I also have measuring cups everywhere--everywhere! My issue has been that my carbs creep up when I look the other way. So I've been logging in MFP religiously. It helps me be honest. I loved your post!

I only trust the scale at my doctor's office and the scale at my dietician's office. I will pop in either place occasionally to check my weight there. They are calibrated, so I trust them.

Yes, this happens to most people. Muscle apparently has more dense mass than fat does. Take your measurements and judge based on your clothes. The weight will continue to come off, but weight doesn't always go in a straight line downward. You will see it go down, plateau, creep up, go down, plateau. Eventually you will be able to see the trend. My best advice is to weigh no more than once a week. It is easier to see the tend (progress) that way, and you won't drive yourself crazy with daily weight-checks. Good luck!

Yay! Great news!

I haven't had a similar experience, but I guess if I were in your shoes I would cross that bridge when and if I came to it. It would be a pretty spiteful person who would attempt to demean you or your efforts to better yourself. I hope she remains the friend you've appreciated in your life for so long.

I have, but I have a spinal tumor which reared its ugly head a couple years before surgery, and a year after surgery. The little bugger decides if and when it wants to put pressure on my spine. Try not to be scared, seeing a neurologist was the perfect choice, and the MRI should diagnose any disc issues or lesions that may appear. Good luck!

Please don't throw in the towel yet! An average weight loss goal is 1-3 pounds a week. Contrary to our beliefs, we don't always lose weight in a straight line. There are minor ups and downs along the way as we trend downward. At this rate, you have lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks. You are above the average. So stick to the plan and have patience. (I drive myself nuts if I weigh more than once a week, btw. Weighing yourself every day can be counter-productive, in my opinion.) You can do this! Amy

I remember reading about it happening to people shortly after surgery. Maybe it's your body's way of reacting to the anesthesia or the trauma of WLS. Did you have the surgery recently?

Welcome and good luck!

Bravo to you for seeking counseling, I am sure that will give you a lot of strategies and help you turn your attention to what emotional holes you turned to food to fill. My dietician told me to remember that "food is not entertainment". I was at the right emotional place to truly hear that message, and you might not be there yet. I recognize that I used to "treat" myself to food for any reason, a reward for getting through the week, a night out with my husband, a treat to myself for a job well done, a treat when I was tired, a treat when I was bored. Now I have to be very cautious about my thinking. Is my body telling me I need to go to bed? (I used to misread that signal as hunger all the time.) You've recognized your weaknesses, now look at WHY you are getting the munchies. Are there emotional triggers or times of day that you want to eat more? Try using My Fitness Pal to track your calories, carbs, and Proteins throughout the day. Use it several times a day to write down everything you eat and drink. It helps me pace myself if I don't wait until the end of the day to record everything. Also, when I need something sweet, I eat Quest chocolate chip cookie dough Protein Bars. OMG! Soo good. (Especially heated for 10 seconds. YUM.) And they provide a Protein boost which seems to fill me up. Good luck! Amy

Big Opie-- There is no shame admitting that you have low self-esteem. As such, it may feel easier to focus on the scary, dare I say, superficial aspects of weight-loss. But as someone who had high blood pressure, high cholesterol and difficult-to-control Diabetes, (I have Type I--autoimmune diabetes. Mine can't be cured) I urge you put the physical appearance aspects aside for a minute. Your body is sending you strong signals that it is breaking down and will continue to break down at your current weight. Your very life is in jeopardy. Since my surgery my cholesterol is normal, my blood pressure is normal, my insulin levels have decreased drastically, I have no more sleep apnea, no more A-fib... the list goes on. And in terms of vanity, I love being a size 8-10. I don't care if my belly will always be flabby. You can't see the flab under my clothes, bathing suits, or lingerie. This is the best decision I have ever made and I hope you make it too!

Are you eating frequently enough and getting in enough water? When I feel hungry I find it is often my body communicating something to me other than hunger--usually I am tired and falling into an old habit of getting the munchies in front of the TV. Sometimes I am dehydrated, and sometimes I really haven't eaten frequently enough during the course of the day. It is OK and normal to be feeling hunger at this stage. Check with your NUT about your exercise routine and the number of calories you are consuming. They may be able to help. Best! Amy

Hi! I am Amy Age: 41 Sex: Yes, please. Err, I mean Female. Location:Maine Married: to an amazing man for 13 yrs. this July. Mom: of 2 amazing kiddos Happy to be a VIP!