Teachamy

Understood, RJ!

I so want a fitbit! I should order one right now! Also love the idea of a desk for my ellitptical machine. Otherwise, I use a food scale daily and many, many measuring cups. But most of all, I would never be where I am without My Fitness Pal.

Yes. A definite NSV. And I would share a picture with her from a year and a half ago. It might help her to know that we're all in this together. Fighting our wars against society's expectations and our own inner battles.

I never really got the stuck food feeling without sliming shortly thereafter. Yes, it does get better, but be careful about what is causing it. For me it is 1 of 3 things. Either I: 1. Ate a bite or 2 too much 2. Drank too soon after I ate 3. or Ate too fast Hope it is improving for you!

Me too! Me too! I love being overweight! Happy dancing around the room for you! (Which makes it really hard to type...) LOL!

Ya hoo! Way to go!

I know you asked for 6 mos. out and beyond, but I am now 3 months out and can echo the above posts. I can eat just about anything, but I am choosing the better options. Portion control was always my problem, but it certainly isn't anymore. I only notice that PMS brings about strong cravings and a desire to eat a lot. (And sometimes the ability to eat more than usual. Still trying to figure that one out!) I do remember your stage and I often said I felt like being sleeved was like forced anorexia. It was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but soon you'll be eating again--the same way all those skinny people around you eat. Good luck!

I am SLOWLY proceeding in the husband arena too. My DH has some serious weight to lose, and as I lose more I hear him complaining more and more about his own weight. His eating is out of control, much as mine once was. Serving size is my major challenge with him. A box of triscuits, Snacks for the kiddos, everything is gone in 1 day.

Are you doing your drive-thru trips and drive-thru eating alone? Are you feeling stressed? Rewarding yourself? Stuffing down emotions? Would you make the same trips if you had company with you? I know my pre-op binges were private ways of dealing with emotion and denying it to myself later. It wasn't the food as much as the addiction rearing its head. You are an addict. You may want to start looking at it there. Best of luck!

Also important to note that MOST people GAIN weight immediately after surgery. It will go away.

Look up local bariatric centers and give them a call. I am sure you will learn a lot about after-care from them. They are most likely biased against care in Mexico, but you won't know until you give it the 'ole college try! BTW--Is WLS not covered in Canada?

RJ, I want you to write a book--your life story. I love your posts! It is strange how relationships change over time. I have lost 3 people that I supported for years too. I don't always recognize selfishness until it is too late. I have learned to get over it, I guess. But I too will listen to Revs, "Head up, shoulders back and carry on, darlin'"

Get off the scale for a while. Focus on the process. It sounds like you've got it all under control. Don't let the scale dictate what you are doing right. In a few weeks, you will be pleasantly surprised!

I use my bariatric center's scale because it is calibrated and I know it will always be accurate. Have you considered going to a doctor's office to weigh yourself?

Yes, they have herbal teas. Ask for their decaf. selections.

I feel compelled to express my concern. At my 3 month post-op yesterday, I was told my healing period was now over and I can feel free to try other foods. At only a few weeks out, you are risking a leak or a rupture of your internal stitches. This is very serious. I know it hasn't caused pain, but you are walking a tight rope here. Being food addicts is what got us here--we need to fess up and talk to our nutritionists and psychologists sometimes. It doesn't mean you are weak, but this post does tell me you need some help. Best of Luck!

Can't wait to feel warmth again! At my 3 month psych visit yesterday, the psychologist asked how I would feel this summer. I said, "I'm not worried about it. I never worried before." Then I saw the picture of me from last summer that they keep in my file at the bariatric center and couldn't believe it! I need to get a copy of it to post here as my "before" picture. The changes are already amazing!

I weigh no more than once a week. I don't judge accountability by a scale. I use My Fitness Pal to hold me accountable to food, Water and exercise. It helps me know exactly where I need improvements. Right now, all is going well, so I think I will stick to this system. Owning a scale would make me crazy, and since my bariatric center calibrates their scale daily, I know it is always reliable.

You are my inspiration. I had some iced coffee through a straw with no problems. I am pretty sure I need a straw for maximum Water intake too! Gonna go for it.

It's weird that I am overjoyed to be over-weight, but today I found out that I have lost 33 pounds and my BMI fell into the overweight range. No longer obese! The sleeve has helped me beyond words. Looking so forward to being a normal weight! Yay!

Amazing and beautiful!

I looked at both surgeries initially until I found out my bariatric center stopped performing lap-band surgeries due to various complications and a lower success rate. So I can't say much about lap-band either way. I had the gastric sleeve and have been very successful, despite a lower BMI to start. I am a Type I diabetic, and my blood sugars are amazing now!!! Good luck in making your decision.

Depends where their starting point was Hun. That's right. Don't forget we all come from different places! If you start at 400 pounds, I am sure 200 feels pretty fantastic!

I have to say the chocolate chip cookie dough Quest bars are amazing. I have also tried the cookies and cream and the strawberry cheesecake. (I didn't enjoy those 2--they were too sweet for me! But I've read good reviews of both of them.) I have placed an order for trials of banana nut, lemon, brownie, and peanutbutter Quest bars. I agree with Proudgrammy that they can be sliders--even if you can't eat much right now. Good luck!

Wonderslim http://www.wonderslim.com/ makes great mint hot cocoa, regular hot cocoa, and fruit drinks like Crystal Light. (I love the tangy orange) Also many of their shake mixes can also be prepared as pudding. Good source of protein and a saving grace for me. All doctors are different in terms of their pre-op requirements, so you should check with you bariatric team to see if protein bars would be acceptable right now.