sdocforce

Depending on what you are doing, you just have to choose high Protein Snacks to accomodate your needs, hard boiled eggs, cheese sticks, nuts and nut butters, and there is alway good ole Protein shakes. You just have to eat more frequently. Since we can't eat much at once that is the only way around it. The trick is of course if you fall off the activity wagon...so must the snacking...Because the extra calories will find their way onto your frame if you are not using them for something constructive, like training for a marathon or something else that requires the bigger load. Best of luck. Right after surgery I couldn't run the way I wanted and realized it was because I needed more calories. I was passing out at work. NOT GOOD! So I started adding those type of high protein snacks into my daily intake...Walah...no more passing out and able to run longer distances and faster pace. Then I decided to take up couch sitting again! Problem... because I had really gotten used to my 6 meals/ snacks a day. Well about 8 lbs came back on rather aggressively! I finally dedicated myself again to the caloric needs of my state and at least stabilized the gain. Then shortly after decided I really needed to get back on the wagon and needed a goal that would get me motivated again. I would love to weigh 160, but I'm not sure I can maintain it. So instead I picked a fitness goal...I have been training for my first 1/2 marathon in November. I can do about 1/2 of it now. My weight is hanging on around 178 which is still 4 lbs up from my lowest loss wt. But I did recently reorganize my meals/snacks to be higher in protein and reduced the CRAP! I'm stronger, leaner, my clothes are looser and I can run 6.3 miles at once...WHOOOP...WHOOOP...perhaps a wt of 160 and size 10 are not in my future.???? (Those are my imaginary euphoric numbers). I'm trying to be ecstatic about the achievments I'm making even if they are not on the scale. thanks for your support everybody! sas

Wow! I have to be honest that sounds scary...7 hrs! Yikes...you are a better woman than me!

It's a lot but it's what I did! Except did the full lift and aug. first week was rough but I'm seven weeks out or so now and feel just fine! So what does "full lift" mean exactly?

Alright to all the Veteran's who had plastics...Is it insane to think of doing all this at once Lower body lift, brachioplasty, and breast aug??? Would that be crazy? I had plastic surgery once before and though it was miserable, I don't think I could make myself do it more than once more. And that is only if I can talk myself into surgery again ...ever! thanks for the advice. (oh BTW it was breast aug and lift previously done bilaterally...this time would be a unilateral implant) thanks sas

What about soy nuts? I am a crunchy salty fanatic and pork rinds gross me out!

These are good ideas. I've been running like a fiend, trying to train for 1/2 marathon in November, finally got to the point where I can run 5 miles. That is huge for me. But I'm not losing any weight as a matter of fact I've probably gained 5 lbs. Sooooooooo discouraging to be in my best shape, but not best weight. After spending some time reading here, I realize it is most likely because I've been subtly adding extra calories in the form of easy to eat slider foods, the crunchy salty variety and not eating enought Protein. Sneaky, how old habits will sabatoge your progress, no matter how hard you are working. Will try actively avoiding carbs, pack more high protein Snacks in my lunch bag, perhaps then the scale will more match my work outs. Thanks again to all the folks here that post and offer advice. s

Ok so here is my admission. I'm not on the program as well as I should be. Popped up about 6-8 lbs since my lowest drop, never met goal (160 lbs, which is still overweight), Fell off the exercise wagon (just jumped back on about 3 weeks ago), eating too much crap, going on 2 yrs out. Now that I've confessed...I'm trying desparately to get back in the saddle. I'm not unhappy with where I am, but I could be sooooo much happier (I think). So here is my question I currently do very well during the week, packing my lunch and two Snacks of 1 oz cheese and some flat pretzel chips. Not as much structure on the weekends and after dinner snacking is killing me! I think I'm grazing my way back to the dark side slowly. Do I try to break the snacking plan, just do 3 meals a day??? That is hard for me. I have been eating the small meals frequently for > 10 years. Any advice or flat out butt kicking would be appreciated. thanks so much, stacie

Thank you for the advice. I have started "running" again. I'm up to a 2.5 mile circle that I jog about 3/4 of. Hope to be jogging/running the whole thing within a week or two. I have tried to save a "healthier snack" for the late evening time. I guess Ann is right I need to rededicate myself to myself. I have lost my motivation I guess. When I didn't make goal "in 1 yr", then I just sort of gave up again. Seeing that as a failure and accepted that this was as good as it gets. I think I'm afraid I don't have it in me to maintain a lower weight. You know, like it will be too hard to stay there. I appreciate the redirected perspective and will take all these points to heart. Thank you so much.

Fair enough. I was hoping to be "perfect" now...Ha Ha! Oh well...wishin' an hopin' won't get it done I guess. Thanks for the reality check. You are right. I'm taking Iron, Biotin, CaVitD and MVI so what's it matter?

So I never had heartburn or reflux before my sleeve. Since then I've tried coming off my PPI and can't do it. I'm scared now that I may have to have a GB to fix the problem. Anyone have any strategies that may help me. Looking for reassurance. I hate having to take this forever. thanks

Well here I am. Sitting at about 177-179 lbs, which is not bad considering about 18 months ago I weighed close to 260. But I was hoping to be at goal or better. Snag! I let my guard down. I stopped using my tool. I thought I had beat the beast into submission and would never have to worry or work again...NOT! So I have bounced back up from my low 5K weight of 174. You know the time when I felt like GI Jane...Kicking ass and taking names...bullet proof. I came back from Christmas vacation determined to start running/jogging regularly again. Then my knee started to hurt. I have scaled back my "crap eating" again. So at least I've slowed the mutiny. I guess I'm using this post as a confessional. Admitting to God and everyone in black and white that I slipped up. I simply have to accept that I'm a recovering "fatty". I will never be able to eat chips whenever I want. I will need to exercise regularly to maintain my weight loss or even ever get to where I want. disappointed, frustrated...but maybe a bit hopeful too! send some good vibes my way...I'm hoping to be back on the wagon soon! Happy 2015 to all my WLS comrades! Good luck fighting to good fight. sas

This is exactly the emotion I'm dealing with right now. thanks for posting so I don't feel so alone...and struggling sas

Was the pain from plastics....bearable? I'm kind of a weenie...and still have some time and progress to go before I can consider it. But would probably need lower body lift and upper arm lift to smooth all this out. Is tummy tuck part of lower body lift or is that separate? thanks,sas

That's amazing progress after 100 # gone...great skin genes!

You look amazing...your happiness shows! Nice work and thank you for the inspiration...I wanna be just like you!

Man...I wanna get there...gotta get back in the saddle. congrats on such a wonderful gift to yourself!

OMG...that's it you nailed it. This problem we all have it NEVER goes away. Its like being an alcoholic. You have to be diligent at all times. You have to be aware of your tendencies and be willing to always be "working on it". I am facing this...the UGLY truth...You have to keep changing every day...Its a choice to be healthy! or you choose by default to back slide to where you started. So good luck everyone and thank you for the inspiration and support to Keep on! sas

So do you just ask the surgeon about his experience and trust that they will tell you honestly what their experience is?

AMEN! A great problem to have. And I second your enthusiasm. Its a good problem, much better than short of breath, achy back, no energy, wanting to sit all the time. I'm contemplating when/if plastics myself. Trying to decide if I want to be in all that pain. But I guess I need to plug on a bit further see if I can maintain a lower weight than where I've landed this first time. I'm ecstatic. But I also stopped using my tool and started eating crap! so I'm bouncing about 5-7 lbs above my lowest since surgery!...UG just goes to show...IT NEVER GOES AWAY!

I agree. You have to use the tool you picked correctly before you can be upset about it not working. And you have to consider that if you are not using the sleeve correctly to help you with your weight loss then what is to say you will use the DS or GB anymore effectively. We all know that you can "eat around" any of these tools. So the bottom line is you have to use it. Sounds like you have had some major set backs as well. Its hard to exercise if you are recovering from surgery. Give yourself the credit you deserve for your current level of success. You deserve it. Plus start using your tool correctly again and see if your weight loss doesn't start again before you make any desperate drastic decisions to undergo another procedure. You might surprise yourself what a little re-dedication can do for your progress and spirits! Good luck!