Babbs

@@christinesmiles If you're not comfortable telling your Co workers, then by all means, don't. Yes, they will notice your weight loss, but it's easily explained by a quick "I'm watching what I eat and excersising" explanation. That's as far as you need to go. I work from home, so I didn't really have to deal with the Co worker situation. But from some of the posts I've seen on this forum, that can be tricky with varied responses. A lot of them can be down right rude. If you aren't prepared for that, just keep it quiet. You do what's best for you. This is your journey.

I'm in the minority. I told all my friends and family on Facebook, and will pretty much tell anyone who asks (if I'm in the mood). I've had nothing but support and love given to me since day one. If someone has said anything derogatory, it hasn't been to my face, lol. I think they know better. I will get some weird reactions when I tell people I don't know very well. I just think some of them don't know how to react, and some seem supportive, but who knows and frankly, who cares. Like I said, I'm in the minority. Most choose to tell very few people if any, and that's okay too. I've just always been an open book, and wanted as much support I could get. It's really helped motivate me. But we are all different

Looks really great on you! I love it!

I'm convinced that if they truly cracked down on who is having these surgeries and started comprehensive screenings before someone could go under the knife, there would be a very small percentage who would actually be eligible to have it. Just look at the amount of posters who moan about actually having to wait to have surgery to meet the insurance requirements, instead of just using it as an opportunity to learn as much as they can about the process and maybe, just maybe not worry about food funerals and worry more about proper nutrition and exercise? Unfortunately, these surgeons have turned it into a money making racket. A WLS assembly line of sorts. Like Ann said, they would operate on a duck if he waddled in with the cash. I know in my seminar, my surgeon exclaimed proudly while bemoaning the required waiting periods from insurance, "Heck, I'd do surgery on you tomorrow if you were self pay!" That statement says it all about the state of the WLS industry. And yes, it's turned into an industry since obesity has become an epidemic in the last 2 decades.

@@Kindle The surgeon sounds like an ass. But most of them are. The surgeon who did my husbands RNY was the one who did my gall bladder surgery. What I didn't say in my origional post was I had to go out of work after I got back because of an absess I developed post surgery. He was hesitant to beleive it, even though I flat out didn't feel well and had a fever. An ultra sound (I think but I can't remember) confirmed. Drain tube for 6 weeks. Go to get drain tube taken out.....leak in bile duct. Procedure to put a stent in for another 6 weeks. Then stent taken out, but I was finally back to work by then. Moral of the story: Just don't over do it when you go back, because complications, although rare, can happen. I know I didn't get the absess from going back to work, but who knows how the bile duct developed a leak? Yeah, my simple gall bladder surgery turned into kind of a nightmare.

I was back to work after my emergency gall bladder removal in 2 weeks, but I think I could have gone back sooner. I found it less painful the than the VSG, honestly.

Love the dress, and you look amazing in it! Happy Birthday! You deserve it!

You could be her sister! Wow! You look fab!

Just came in to say I'm so glad I didn't have a pre op diet, lol. But then I had to do 6 weeks of liquids after my surgery because of GERD complications, so I guess it makes me even......lol.

Understood.

There's all sorts of different plans and different surgeons. If your friend trusts their surgeon, then I don't see an issue. I would keep asking them how they are doing during the food progression just to see how they are handling it, and if it sounds like they aren't very well, then I would advise them to speak to their surgeon. Otherwise, I would just be there to support and share your own successes.

@ This is the second time I've heard you say you were 'forced' to eat something off plan. Did they have a gun to your head or something?

I agree. Weight loss is 90% diet. But I also think someone will have a hard time maintaining and will also lose muscle while losing without excersise. Like I've said before, if you wanna be thin, eat right. If you wanna be thin and healthy, eat right and excersise. I'm trying to put the brakes on my weight loss right now because I'm 7 pounds below goal. But I did that on purpose more or less to give me a little cushion for maintenance. I'm just trying to dial in how much I need to eat to maintain and not lose or gain anymore. I'm still well within a normal weight range, so no biggie if I lose a little more. Like Jane said, people who don't stop losing are either having a psychological or physical problem most of the time. Mine is just trying to find the balance, and I will

Weight loss is not Fluid or constant and doesn't happen just when we want it to. Our bodies are weird. There are so many other factors than the calories in/calories out thing going on. I wish it was that simple. Maybe it wouldn't have taken me over a year to lose 85 pounds while stalling many, many times along the way if it was. Doesn't make it any less annoying. Believe me, I know.

I know it sounds cliche, but too much of anything is not good for us. Moderation is sometimes hard for us at this stage of the game, whether it be food or excersise. Let's face it, we have gone to extremes in the past couple of years. From too many calories and not enough excersise, to hardly any calories and more exersise we've done in years....or ever. Finding the balance between both worlds can be such a challenge as I'm quickly learning!

Yes, it is just beautiful. cheese, yes. But grapes ... actually, not so much for bariatric patients who are still in weight loss mode They have comparatively high calories and sugar content and low fiber vs. fresh berries. And fruits don't make up a big part of our weight loss menus until a ways down the line. Don't get me wrong -- grapes are a lot more appropriate than Godiva truffles or petit fours. Caveat: As always on this forum, others' mileage will vary. That could be done with so many other things than just the grapes to get the same effect. Olives, lower sugar fruits like berries.... Either way, I would mostly eat the cheese. Because, well, CHEESE.

Posts like that, and you actually feel you're not relevant to this site anymore?? Puh-leeese. You are amazing, inspring, and always so full of insight and So. Much. Wisdom. Keep healing and take care of yourself!

I'm 14 months out and 7 pounds below goal right now and working on maintenence. If I partake in any treats, they will be tracked on My Fitness Pal and count toward my daily calorie intake. Those bites and tastes can add up if you don't be careful and hold yourself accountable. I know it sounds like a drag, but this is my life now. I have always had a sleeve of steel, and could pretty much eat anything from 3 months out. Never had anything keeping me from eating whatever I wanted except the desire to get the weight off and keep it that way. That's why I pretty much have to track everything I put in my mouth! It is what it is.

TL;DR

It's very simple. The more you have to lose, the quicker the loss. The less you have to lose, the slower the loss. You started at a weight that is some people's goal weight. Very rare to be under 200 pounds for this procedure, so considering that, you are doing quite remarkably! Keep plugging away, follow your plan, and you'll get there. The last bit of weight is always the hardest to get off. You'll get there.

If your head isn't in the right place, there is no amount of sleeving, bypassing, banding, revising to bypass, or re sleeving that will do a damn bit of good. Period.

Ever notice when a guy tells it like it is, he's a "straight shooter" and applauded. When us women do it, we are bitches, bullies, mean girls...... Just an observation.

@@micmt Great job on the weight loss and subsequent maintenence! You look fit and healthy! What's the cool medal around your neck in your pic?

Do you know what your NUT or surgeon says about caffine? And you are far too early out for carbonation. Some plans even say never, but even if your plan allowed it, it's not comfortable to drink so early out.

Wow! 5 girls! You've got your hands full! Good luck and keep us posted!