Babbs

I like the cut of your jib

No, things aren't always black and white. But how can you even argue the fact that it all boils down to ultimately, it's our choices and ours alone that determine our success? There has to be some personal responsibility. Otherwise it's just a bunch of excuses, no? I'm not a big advocate of the "Devil made me do it" defense.

My spouse has never shoved any food down my throat. It's MY choice and mine alone what I choose to eat, not his. Why do you act like people are completely powerless to the forces of people asking you to eat certain foods? Because you aren't you know.

@@Proud2BMe That's how I quit, too! I even lost interest in vaping. Almost 2 years smoke free!

You look amazing! You're beautiful!

My husband had a bypass 10 years ago in August. He went from 300 pounds the day of surgery to 165 pounds in a little over a year later. He settled at 185-190. He quit smoking a couple years ago and gained 25 pounds, which he promptly got back off. Maintaining can be done, it just takes a lot of work and diligence on the person's part. Also, although he still can't eat close to the amount he could before, he can now eat pretty normal portions. That means he has to be even more careful about what he's eating. That's why I always tell people that weight loss surgery is a temporary solution to a permanent problem. Sooner than later it becomes completely up to us to maintain our weight when it becomes less effective. People who don't understand that are the ones we see regain some or all of their weight back.

You shouldn't be disappointed because you feel great and LOOK absolutely amazing! Beautiful!

I follow the rules 90-95% of the time. At 19 months out, sure I go off plan once in a while, and it certainly reflects on the scale when I do. I'm up a couple pounds right now. But I just get right back on plan and work a little harder at the gym to get it back off. So far so good. I know down the road the weight becomes even more resistant to come off, so I am definitely mindful of that, too. We are all not perfect. We have just been given this almost perfect tool to help us do the best we possibly can

@@confusedgirl18 You weren't doing a low carb diet before?? In weight loss mode, you really should be staying away from processed carbs and only getting about 50 grams in the form of dairy, fruits (although those are high in carbs) and veggies. I was at first , but I stopped for a while Well then there's your answer, isn't it?

Ha! That's rich. My sister lost weight much more effectively and ended up losing MORE weight than I did doing Weight Watchers. So after the first initial weight loss we have after surgery, our weight loss is on par (and sometimes not) with the other ways of losing weight without surgery. I would have "educated" her about that.

@@confusedgirl18 You weren't doing a low carb diet before?? In weight loss mode, you really should be staying away from processed carbs and only getting about 50 grams in the form of dairy, fruits (although those are high in carbs) and veggies.

#1 Full liquids # 2 Supposed to last 2 weeks, but I was having trouble with GERD, so mine lasted 6 weeks # 3 I'd lost like 14 pounds in the first 2 weeks on full liquids **Disclaimer** Please keep in mind the less you weigh starting out, the less weight you will lose in the first weeks/months after surgery.

@@Fatty McFatster I hope everything is okay! I'm a little concerned for you. That weight gain is very odd. How are you feeling? Do you feel unwell or okay? Yes, please keep us posted!

I know this question was for the guys, but I've got to chime in and say what a great post! Spot on!

That's interesting to know. I've been eating it since my surgery 19 months ago, but now I may have to skip it from now on. Thanks for the tip!

Wendy's chili!

@@Fame Huh. I didn't realize suggesting doing what you know you need to was considered bullying? Stop being so sensitive. Drink your fluids and eat your Protein and maybe you won't stall all the time. That's all she was trying to say. She knows what she's talking about. She's been there done that where it comes to WLS. Maybe listening to the vets instead of being so defensive may actually be helpful for your stalling issue, no?

Right?! I thought I was in Bizarro World! A bunch of obese/formerly obese people judging someone for being obese and not being ready to do something about it? He will do it when he's darn good and ready and no sooner. No amount of begging, pleading, criticising,or cajoling will make him have the surgery. My husband had a bypass 10 years ago and guess what? It was his idea and he was ready to do it. 8 years later I decided to have the sleeve. My idea and I was finally ready to do it. We supported each other before our surgeries and then after. If his being obese repulses you so, then maybe it is time to move on. But my goodness try to put yourself in his shoes and remember you were in the same position not long ago.

I'm my honest opinion, the head hunger was by far the worst part of this whole thing. I was wanting foods I didn't even particularly like just because I wanted to CHEW something!

Although some argue over the reasons why, it's inevitable for restriction to wane over time. Sure we won't be able to eat as much as before, but years down the road some may be able to eat a small dinner plate of food. That's why it's so important to use the time when restriction is at its highest and hunger at its lowest to cement healthy eating habits while you can before the that time comes. I'm 19 months out, and I'm alarmed sometimes at the amount I can eat now. That's why I have to be that much more vigilant about what I'm putting in my mouth. This surgery isn't really meant to be long term. It's most effective short term to help us build the habits to be successful long term. It's up to us to utilize it that way.

I'm so happy I hate popcorn. It's never been an issue for me at the movies. Since surgery, I just sip on a chai tea latte (Yes, my theator has a coffee place) during the movie and that's my treat. The little bit of sweetness keeps me from wanting the candy!

After reading your post, I was expecting some horribly disfigured face, then I saw your picture....? You're very pretty. I do understand where you're coming from though. I have done NOTHING but pick myself apart since I've lost the weight. It is getting better as time goes by. I think someone hit the nail on the head...we go from focusing so much on the negativity of being obese, it shifts to other things once we aren't obese anymore. Sad, actually. It's REALLY fun when you're older, too. You see every wrinkle, every crinkle, every sagging body part. Good times.

19 months out, and this was yesterday: Breakfast coffee with splash of almond milk and stevia 1/3 cup of steel cut oats with splash of almond milk and stevia Mid morning/post workout snack Greek yogurt lunch Smoked salmon dip with nut crackers and carrot sticks Mid afternoon snack Apple Coffee dinner Chipotle salmon and mixed veggies at our favorite restaurant for my husbands birthday (didn't even eat half) Had a little of my hubby's crab, too. It was a seafood kind of day! Even though it was hubby's birthday,we didn't have any cake or dessert because we were satisfied with dinner. There's a first time for everything I guess!

Interesting......I've never thought about that. At 19 months out, I have days where I can eat a few bites and I'm full, and days like the other day where I was starving and had a scrambled egg with veggies, 2 pieces of bacon and a piece of whole grain toast. It's quite alarming seeing how much more I can eat now sometimes. It just means I have to be so much more vigilant about what I'm eating.

Life is about change. We are supposed to learn and grow as we experience different things and grow older and hopefully wiser. Although your core values may not change (some of those may even change), huge events in our lives SHOULD change us a little. I know I am a different person than I was when I got married 27 years ago. Then I changed even more when I had my 2 kids. I've learned some things after losing both my parents that has changed my outlook on certain things. Now that I've had WLS and maintaining my weight loss, I've grown and changed a little yet again. Sure I've changed. But once again it's for the better.