devint

I know my "word" is probably unpopular and some might roll their eyes, but it works for me on a couple levels. I call my experience "recovery."
In a very real physical sense, I'm still recovering from the surgery and the dramatic weight loss side effects of the first six months. Some peoples ride down is smooth and easy, but not mine. Reading about it ahead of time is nothing like living it.
Deeper, I am recovering from a lifetime of unhealthy use of food as an emotional numbing agent and my weight as an emotional barrier to meaningful relationships. I am recovering from those behavior patterns because my buffer and my numbness are being stripped away as the pounds melt. I have to deal with things like emotions and relationships now instead of hiding.
I also never want to forget where I was and where I'm coming from, so calling it recovery reminds me that its not a dream, it's not a magic fix and life isn't going to be all roses and butterflies when I hit goal. I could end up living large again if I'm not diligent.
Some people need the optimism of inspiring language when talking about their experience. I need a reality check.

I know my "word" is probably unpopular and some might roll their eyes, but it works for me on a couple levels. I call my experience "recovery."
In a very real physical sense, I'm still recovering from the surgery and the dramatic weight loss side effects of the first six months. Some peoples ride down is smooth and easy, but not mine. Reading about it ahead of time is nothing like living it.
Deeper, I am recovering from a lifetime of unhealthy use of food as an emotional numbing agent and my weight as an emotional barrier to meaningful relationships. I am recovering from those behavior patterns because my buffer and my numbness are being stripped away as the pounds melt. I have to deal with things like emotions and relationships now instead of hiding.
I also never want to forget where I was and where I'm coming from, so calling it recovery reminds me that its not a dream, it's not a magic fix and life isn't going to be all roses and butterflies when I hit goal. I could end up living large again if I'm not diligent.
Some people need the optimism of inspiring language when talking about their experience. I need a reality check.

I know my "word" is probably unpopular and some might roll their eyes, but it works for me on a couple levels. I call my experience "recovery."
In a very real physical sense, I'm still recovering from the surgery and the dramatic weight loss side effects of the first six months. Some peoples ride down is smooth and easy, but not mine. Reading about it ahead of time is nothing like living it.
Deeper, I am recovering from a lifetime of unhealthy use of food as an emotional numbing agent and my weight as an emotional barrier to meaningful relationships. I am recovering from those behavior patterns because my buffer and my numbness are being stripped away as the pounds melt. I have to deal with things like emotions and relationships now instead of hiding.
I also never want to forget where I was and where I'm coming from, so calling it recovery reminds me that its not a dream, it's not a magic fix and life isn't going to be all roses and butterflies when I hit goal. I could end up living large again if I'm not diligent.
Some people need the optimism of inspiring language when talking about their experience. I need a reality check.

I am on my 5th day out - today the word is "ordeal", LOL!

So glad you started this post. Fantastic to see everyone is doing great~ Well done all.
Sleeved June 2nd 2014. Down 78 pounds from surgery. Down 94 from my highest weight. Diabetes type 1 well controlled use very little insulin. Cpap is going to be evaluated in Nov to see if I need it any more. Off cholesterol med's. Living life! I'm so thankful.

@@gowalking I deal with those deserving issues daily as my divorce begins. It's a challenge daily to keep my head in a healthy space. I pray a lot. I never used to but I do now. I've also been seeking out emotionally healthy people to be around. Also new behavior for me.

@@Suzzann I use Nascobal with the Bariactiv and have since surgery. It's a win for me, except sometimes I just get sick of the taste but money wise its the best Vitamin solution for me. For pedometer, I use my iPhone, it drains batteries and its only about 95% accurate but it does help me to keep track of whether i've been totally lazy or at least come close to my goal.
Because of my three week stall, I decided to start logging food here starting last wednesday and omg no wonder i'm stalled! I have been between 1200 and 1400 calories and have seriously let my carb consumption go haywire (aka over 100 grams most days), all in an effort to be super Protein rich (been over 80 g everyday and hardly "tried") Mostly due to trying to stop/slow the hair loss. :/
I am so disheartened that I have to reevaluate my eating habits again to get "leaner" choices in. I HATE feeling like i'm on a calorie restrictive diet, despite surgery I am back at square one trying to do it "the hard way" that I've tried doing it my whole life with no real long term success. Ugh, I don't mind "rules" like no sweets or bread but I hate "counting" and "logging." But obviously it works.
Good news though, family is coming to visit this week and next and haven't seen me since surgery. Prepare for shock and awe.

@@Suzzann I use Nascobal with the Bariactiv and have since surgery. It's a win for me, except sometimes I just get sick of the taste but money wise its the best Vitamin solution for me. For pedometer, I use my iPhone, it drains batteries and its only about 95% accurate but it does help me to keep track of whether i've been totally lazy or at least come close to my goal.
Because of my three week stall, I decided to start logging food here starting last wednesday and omg no wonder i'm stalled! I have been between 1200 and 1400 calories and have seriously let my carb consumption go haywire (aka over 100 grams most days), all in an effort to be super Protein rich (been over 80 g everyday and hardly "tried") Mostly due to trying to stop/slow the hair loss. :/
I am so disheartened that I have to reevaluate my eating habits again to get "leaner" choices in. I HATE feeling like i'm on a calorie restrictive diet, despite surgery I am back at square one trying to do it "the hard way" that I've tried doing it my whole life with no real long term success. Ugh, I don't mind "rules" like no sweets or bread but I hate "counting" and "logging." But obviously it works.
Good news though, family is coming to visit this week and next and haven't seen me since surgery. Prepare for shock and awe.

@@4andcounting , Are you measuring inches or some other form of body composition? I took measurements before my surgery but haven't since. If you have any idea where you were before surgery, maybe it'd be worth it to measure now and use that as a judge of success. If you are heavily using weights it is conceivable that you could be losing fat and gaining muscle mass at an almost equal rate, if you were eating Protein like a maniac.
Don't fret what you'll weigh at your checkin, focus on what you're going to bring (food and exercise logs) and what questions you're going to ask to help your doctor get to the bottom of whats going on. *hugs*

I have been using the Nascobal for my B-12. They have a $25/month special that works with your insurance and is including the BariActive Vitamins for no additional charge. Mine came in this Friday and they are not that bad. I figured that there was no harm and best case, it would lower my expenses. You may want to give this some consideration. Nothing like passing on a good deal.
Is anyone using one of the smart watch/pedometer? If you love it, would you share which one you are using? My mechanical one is starting to fail and I think I want to get an upgrade. I have been seriously considering the one from Nike.
I am finding my weight loss is stalling a bit too. I do like to graze a bit and I need to get better about making that sipping on the no-calorie stuff instead.

I think this period of the year is very bad for everyone, halloween omg, cheated so much, and i will continue until the candy are finally over with. But i have been hungry, and i have been able to eat more and more. It is scary...i know that the honeymoon period is almost over, and that things will get tougher, yet i dont feel ready to battle.
Keep in mind that, winter is coming and our brain/ body, like it or not, is trying to prepare us for survival, and trying to gain fat to keep warm. Like bears wanting to hibernate. Its cold we dont want to go outside and move, not to mention the lost of sunlight. Just keep that in the back of your mind, dont get too depress, fight hard as your are now batteling with the law of evolution too.

I've been in a stall for about 2 weeks now, and halloween cheating hasn't helped my morale about it. But luckily the issues with my eyes and ears have eased up a little bit. One thing I ran into this weekend is that I was doing some shopping cause my pants are literally falling off my rear... I had bought a 1x shirt and sz 18 pants at lane bryant so I thought that would be my size everywhere. WRONG! I bought three pairs of pants and three sweaters at "normal size stores" that look like I'm stuffing myself into a sausage casing when I put them on. I just put them in the back of the closet and God willing I'll be able to wear them in a month or so.
It's so weird to know in my head that I am doing ok, not awesome, but good in losing 90lbs from high but I still feel really fat when stuff like that happens, and without clothes on my general shape/rolls are the same but just "deflated" It's both a blessing and a curse when my husband says, WOW You look so slim... when you're wearing your shaper. Even people who go the plastics route (probably not me, money is better spent elsewhere) end up having scars like frankenstein. I'm struggling to balance positive and realistic outlooks lately.
I hope you all are doing well.

I was originally scheduled for a bypass, but cancelled two weeks prior to surgery. The permanence of that procedure didn't sit well with me. I ended up getting the lap band with plication. I have zero regrets - I'm thrilled with the outcome, and would make the same choice 100 times over.
I would say, go with your gut. Make sure you do extensive research on all of the procedures, and make a decision based on what's best for you; what YOU can live with.
I wish you the best with whatever route you choose to go.

I'm having surgery on Nov. 18th. I keep thinking.."oh bummer, i wont be able to eat on Thanksgiving" and then i remind myself is the food worth me being unhealthy another day longer? I'm on my 2nd day of the pre-op liquid diet and have the rest of this week and next week to go. Praying for strength to do this! Yikes.. its getting real! Best of luck to you Cryssyd and others having surgery this month!

WOW you look great! We had surgery the same month. Thanks for the inspiring photos and progress update!!!

Thanksgiving comes every year doesn't it. Once you have surgery you will never eat like you did before.... If you want to keep the weight off. So how bad do you want to be healthy & lose the weight?

I just had to share my excitement... I finally reached onederland!!!!
My surgery was May 20, 2014
day of surgery I was 296 lbs
today I weighed in at 198.8!!!!
What a journey this has been so far! I have not seen under 200 lbs in over 10 years! I know I have a long way to go, but I just had to scream it somewhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am gonna try to put up my first before and after pic 

Hope everyone is doing well! Sitting here eating dinner and I can still barely get through half a lean cuisine. Love the sleeve!!

What's really weird to me is how different I feel just those 3 little pounds of weight gain. I feel fat again. I know its completly mental cuz I couldn't possibly look any different but I can't shake the feeling.
So I have cut more calories and exercised harder. Any other ideas to get over this now over 2 month stahl? I knew stahls were going to happen but everything I read said it would last a week or two weeks. Not only has mine lasted this long but it happened only 3 months out. Am I alone in thinking there must be something wrong? I go for my 6 month check up on the 21st. It will be sad if I weight the same that I did at my 3 month check up.

My husband and I both had about 170lbs to lose when we had our sleeves done. He just hit his surgiversary and has lost 120. I'm currently in month 6 and have lost my gallbladder and about 90lbs since high. Both of us experienced crazy rapid weight loss at first, then followed by stalls that last anywhere from 2 weeks to, in my husbands case, 9 weeks. For the longer ones, that was a sign we were doing something wrong. The fix for the dreaded 9 week stall was to nix the full sugar gatorade that he had come to lean on as a soda replacement and go for g2 lower sugar gatorade. Most people will say this is a no-brainer, but its a perfect example of how silly things can sneak in on you when you're not being vigilant and careful.
It sounds like you're really serious about beating the weight for good. It's not an easy path, but for us it has been effective. And even though neither of us are at goal now, I have faith we'll get there with our tool and steadily working the plan.

I've been in a stall for about 2 weeks now, and halloween cheating hasn't helped my morale about it. But luckily the issues with my eyes and ears have eased up a little bit. One thing I ran into this weekend is that I was doing some shopping cause my pants are literally falling off my rear... I had bought a 1x shirt and sz 18 pants at lane bryant so I thought that would be my size everywhere. WRONG! I bought three pairs of pants and three sweaters at "normal size stores" that look like I'm stuffing myself into a sausage casing when I put them on. I just put them in the back of the closet and God willing I'll be able to wear them in a month or so.
It's so weird to know in my head that I am doing ok, not awesome, but good in losing 90lbs from high but I still feel really fat when stuff like that happens, and without clothes on my general shape/rolls are the same but just "deflated" It's both a blessing and a curse when my husband says, WOW You look so slim... when you're wearing your shaper. Even people who go the plastics route (probably not me, money is better spent elsewhere) end up having scars like frankenstein. I'm struggling to balance positive and realistic outlooks lately.
I hope you all are doing well.

I've been in a stall for about 2 weeks now, and halloween cheating hasn't helped my morale about it. But luckily the issues with my eyes and ears have eased up a little bit. One thing I ran into this weekend is that I was doing some shopping cause my pants are literally falling off my rear... I had bought a 1x shirt and sz 18 pants at lane bryant so I thought that would be my size everywhere. WRONG! I bought three pairs of pants and three sweaters at "normal size stores" that look like I'm stuffing myself into a sausage casing when I put them on. I just put them in the back of the closet and God willing I'll be able to wear them in a month or so.
It's so weird to know in my head that I am doing ok, not awesome, but good in losing 90lbs from high but I still feel really fat when stuff like that happens, and without clothes on my general shape/rolls are the same but just "deflated" It's both a blessing and a curse when my husband says, WOW You look so slim... when you're wearing your shaper. Even people who go the plastics route (probably not me, money is better spent elsewhere) end up having scars like frankenstein. I'm struggling to balance positive and realistic outlooks lately.
I hope you all are doing well.

Picture Time! (wow this site makes it a little hard to share pictures but I hope this works!)
BEFORE



AFTER



Went horseback riding this weekend for the first time in my life cause I'm not too fat to be on a horse now! SO much fun, sore knees though. Need practice

It sounds like you may have been misinformed on some things, like being ok on food or the baby growing off the fat. It is absolutely imperative for your baby's health and development that you have a very knowledgable, capable doctor helping you through this. Please be very picky and very adamant on choosing one that has handled situations like yours. Pregnancy is tough on normal bodies, let alone ours in one of the biggest changes you'll experience in your lifetime. Prepare yourself and your family for the worst and pray for the best, and we'll be praying with ya.

First off, congratulations on your journey, it's an inspiration and a reality check to me, in my first year, who still feel like this is a dream of sorts. On next goals, I would work on a fitness goal, or a "giving back" goal of educating/leading/helping others in your family or community work on their health, or a "never going back" goal of listing all of the things you wanted to do but couldn't because of your weight and actively work on experiencing them, maybe for the first time. (horseback riding, hot air balloon, ballet lessons, scuba, whatever.) I have found things like that reconfirm my emotional commitment never to go back to being obese cause being "normal-sized" opens up so many doors.