livvsmum

152.6!! Finally moving again! I am still 7.6 pounds away from my 4th of July goal, but I'm still hoping I can push through!

Hi all - Just thought I would share my 9 month post op pics. I've lost 126 pounds so far with about 8 to go until goal. While the weight is still coming off, one of the most significant things I've started to do this month is begin to work through the emotional and compulsive eating issues that got me to nearly 300 pounds to begin with. It's been a really emotional month, but I am feeling really good about keeping the weight off long term because I am starting to deal with the core issues rather than the symptoms. Anyway, here are my most recent pics.

That is wonderful!! I am happy for you! My surgeon told me that too at my 6 month follow up. He said technically speaking I was considered a "successful surgery" since I lost a certain percentage. Even though I haven't yet reached my personal goal, he said anything past what I lost at the point was "a bonus" :-)

You guys seriously are awesome. Thank you for all the really kind compliments! :-)

Sure! It's linked in my signature, but the direct address is themeiamnow.blogspot.com

Thank you! It's really humbling to hear that people are taking the time to read it and that I am having a positive impact on someone I don't even know. :-) That is awesome! I try to put in the good, the awesome, the bad, and the very ugly :-)

Thank you!

I didn't know where to start either. I'm working with a therapist who recommended the book "When food Is Love". Just reading the title I didn't think it would apply to me, but just after reading the first few sentences of the book I knew it would be pivotal in my journey. I definitely HIGHLY recommend it.

Just keep sticking to the plan and all of the sudden the scale will start moving again!

See my post directly above about a couple of things that have helped me. And hang in there! Any step forward is a step in the right direction!

Thank you! The surgery will work, there is no doubt about that. But the extent to which it works and the long-term success is really dependent on the amount of emotional and physical work that you are willing to do. I'm sure that you will have great success as well! As far as what has helped me, I would say two things...first, sticking to my numbers. I try to eat no more than 40g carbs per day, at least 65g Protein and at least 80 oz of Water. When I do this, things seem to go well. And also to find some kind of exercise you love. For me it was running. Other than that, I would say be prepared to do the hard emotional work of trying to figure out why you ate the way you ate before surgery. Overeating to excess is seldom, just about liking food. For me, I was stuck for a good month in my old mindset and habits around 7 months post op. I started seeing a therapist and started to address the issues that contributed to my compulsive, destructive eating habits. That was WAY harder than any of the nutritional changes I've made. I would just say be as prepared as you can to do the work.

Awesome! Congrats! I can't wait to finally be able to post that I reached my goal (which is the same as yours). I'm 8 pounds away and these last 12 pounds have been tough.

Great job! You look amazing!

Yep. I guess some people can have them in moderation and be fine, but I have learned I am NOT one of those people. I have to completely stay away from breads, rice, pasta, fried foods, etc. I'm just not one who can have a little and then walk away. It is a definite trigger and can lead to weeks of struggle. It is not worth it to me. I have worked with my nutritionist to identify "safe carbs" to work into my diet like fruit carbs rather than empty "trigger" carbs.

How exciting to get your date! I hope everything goes smoothly for you and welcome to the group! I agree, this is a pretty great group of people, so definitely don't hesitate to ask for the support you need! :-)

Perhaps go back to basics for a week or so to try and "reset" your body. But honestly, old habits don't just passively come back, we let them in. Not trying to sound harsh, I am in the same place and that's why I feel like I can say that. I have noticed in the past month that I have allowed myself to revert to some of my unhealthy thinking and behaviors. I've actually started going to a therapist that works specifically with bariatric patients to try get at some of the underlying issues with food that I have.

Congratulations on taking the first step! I also have BCBS and had to do the 6 month pre-op program. I hated it at the time, but thank goodness for it! In those, what turned out to be, 9 months I learned SO much and I feel like I was as prepared as I possibly could be. I'm sure you will find some on here who are at a similar starting point as you. I think there are also boards broken down by surgery month. One thing I might also suggest is to start a blog or something similar to mark your journey. I started a blog right before my very first doctor's visit in January of 2013. It's linked in my signature - you are welcomed to check it out. I am SO glad I did. I still post in it now a couple of times a week. It has been an awesome way to keep track of my journey and go back and remind myself of the things I've learned and AM LEARNING NOW along the way! So I guess my point is to use the time that you are required to take anyway and try to make it as productive as possible :-)

It is tough, but trust me it's way better to do it the way you are doing it then to wait until you have the surgery then all of the sudden be going through caffeine withdraw, carb withdraw, sugar withdraw all at the same time.

I agree. I would sample some and figure out what you like and don't like. You don't want to get to the point where you have to use them and realize you don't have anything there that you like. It took me a while to find 2 kinds that I actually liked. :-)

153.6 it's sloooooow going this month

my myfitnesspal name is livvsmum. I will add you.

Make it part of your routine daily (or every other day or whatever). Make it not optional. I also set goals and that motivates me. I love to run (after I complete a run...lol) so I will sign up for an upcoming 5k or similar race and it motivates me to train for that. I am very goal-oriented so that works for me. As you do more, you will find that you love the way it makes you feel and you will fall into an ease of routine.

I definitely felt that way in the first couple of weeks post-op. I didn't have a ton of pain or complications or anything, but drinking Water in and of itself was a chore. It really is about surviving those first couple of weeks. Since that i have not one time regretted my decision. Hang in there and stick with the plan. I promise it gets better!

Could not have said it better! It seems the closer I get to goal (only 9 pounds away!!!!) the more I am struggling with the internal part of it and dealing with the reasons behind my poor eating behaviors in the first place. Surgery is awesome and helped me lose over 125 pounds, but fixing what was wrong on the inside is what will keep it off for good.

I chose my goal weight first by making sure it was within the "normal" BMI range, and from there just kind of thought of the lowest weight I've been in my adult life where I felt healthy and fit and pushed it 5 pounds less than that. :-) It's pretty arbitrary actually.