KristenVSG2014

I'm a banker. I'm offended
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

Friends don't let friends work hangry!
No, seriously, there is a land beyond "hangry" and I've only been there a few times but I get so listless I can barely function. It happens around hour six without food. Not pretty. I always try to have a supply of Protein bars or Jerky stashed in my house, purse, glove compartment or work desk drawer. For everyone else's safety.
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

I'm a mac n cheese connoisseur. I prefer it with gruyere. HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

Friends don't let friends work hangry!
No, seriously, there is a land beyond "hangry" and I've only been there a few times but I get so listless I can barely function. It happens around hour six without food. Not pretty. I always try to have a supply of Protein bars or Jerky stashed in my house, purse, glove compartment or work desk drawer. For everyone else's safety.
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

chewable Protein exists, look for it in bags labeled "beef jerky" or sticks of "turkey jerky" and similar

I guess it depends on what the underlying cause was for your regain. Is it behavioral/physical/combination?
I was never able to lose weight (except that one time I was starving myself using Phentermine) even though I was really good at following rules and exercising, so maintaining is new territory for me. However, I would say it has to be easier if you are good at staying compliant and sticking to the basic rules.
My biggest issue was part behavioral AND physical. My behavioral issue was using food as a coping mechanism, especially during times of stress. So I had to learn new non-food-related coping mechanisms. My physical issue was a hormone imbalance (PCOS) that made losing weight damn near impossible and a big ass stomach (it took massive quantities to fill me up).
Surgery took care of the physical issues. I had to take care of the behavioral.
You can do anything you set your mind to. I say you go for it!
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

I keep hearing this, and I disagree. I mean, it's different for everyone to start with. For me, the pre-op was 100 times worse than anything has been post-op. Post-op, I don't have the hunger and cravings that I had pre-op. Even when I have an old voice in my head saying "eat the Little Debbies, they taste soooo good" I can clearly tell that it's an old tape in my head, and the part of my brain that actually imagines eating them says "actually, that doesn't sound good at all". I used to not be able to tell physical cravings from emotional cravings, and now I can. My pre-op plan was incredibly lenient compared to some I've heard - I was asked to drink 2-3 Protein shakes a day and have a "healthy" meal with no particular requirements to limit carbs or even count calories, just to try to keep to lean Protein and limit simple carbs. I had seven kinds of hell just doing that for 2 weeks before surgery. It was serious white knuckling, and I wasn't perfect. Post-op, I have no problems walking away from just about anything. I know that's not been everyone's experience, but it's certainly been mine.

My Mexican surgeon's NUT told me I needed to start my pre-op diet "as soon as possible" when I was still months out from surgery. She also said I should never eat Peanut Butter again because it has too much fat so I decided to never speak to her again. I decided a month should be long enough for a pre-op diet. A week into I had a really bad blood sugar crash out of town so my friends (who didn't know I was having surgery) took me out to eat and I had some pad thai. That was the only time. After that I stuck with it and I had to do 3 days of Clear liquids only. That is really hard to do while traveling to Mexico...but I made it!
I know it feels like forever but test that willpower and put that self-control to the test. You're going to need it if you're going to be successful. You've got this!
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

I'm a banker. I'm offended
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

http://www.success.com/article/10-things-successful-people-never-do-again
They adapt and change behaviors. They don't choose short-term comfort over long-term benefit.
Once successful people know they want something that requires a painful, time-limited step, they do not mind the painful step because it gets them to a long-term benefit. Living out this principle is one of the most fundamental differences between successful and unsuccessful people, both personally and professionally.
Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

8 lbs in a week is insanely fast. Please don't expect that you will keep losing that quickly. Also, be aware that most people hit a significant stall at about 3 weeks post op, so don't let that upset you if it happens. It is completely normal.
I am not sure where you are seeing people lose faster than you, but I can assure you that they are not anywhere close to normal and they may even be lying, or reporting weight lost based on their starting weight at a two week pre op diet or something like that.
The bitter taste in your mouth may be due to ketosis. There isn't much you can do about it but it does go away eventually, when you are able to eat a broader range of food.< /p>
As to cravings, honestly your healthiest option right now is to learn to deal with cravings by *not* eating anything. Giving in to cravings is what got us all to the point where we needed surgery. This is the time to learn to distract yourself, engage in self-talk about how cravings are unpleasant but do not need to be caved to, etc. You really want to come out of this post-surgery period working on a different relationship with food, where you are not controlled by cravings or hunger. Good luck!

I'm a banker. I'm offended
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

This. And tapas.
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

There is no such thing as a "cheat". You can make good CHOICES or bad CHOICES. Take cheat out of your vocabulary unless you are the banker in Monopoly.

I chose to stay on plan pre op and post. I was a martial arts instructor so I did exercise a lot pre-op, so I did ask my doctor for additional fuel. He allowed me unlimited veggies and one more lean Protein per day.

Good luck to you!

This. And tapas.
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

@@clc9
Before surgery I've gained and lost. I never could maintain for long.
I had surgery June of 2014. I maintain in the 130's.
I had to change my behaviors and work on some issues with a counselor. I'm a stress emotional eater. I now take my stress to the gym. It feels better than eating to comfort myself. Maintaining takes work. But it can be done. I get my Protein goals in. I workout 5 days a week.
Maintaining is a balance. If I eat wrong or not exercise I gain weight. If I gain weight. I get back on the horse and work my program. I still weigh everyday to keep myself in line. Living like this is just normal for me now. Its living like the rest of the population that are health minded

I've had huge boobs my entire life. They got bigger and bigger. My back got worse and worse. I think my largest size was a 46H or something ridiculous.
When I hit my goal weight my boobs looked exactly like that cartoon above. Like someone put a softball in a sock. They were so bad when I laid on my back they would fall into my armpits. I could stuff them into a 36DDD but there was nothing at the top of the bra. Just space. They pooled in the bra. If I bended over they would slip out. Not cute.
I'm 3 weeks post breast lift and Tummy Tuck now. I am THRILLED with the results because the surgeon said I had plenty of breast tissue, I didn't need implants, I only needed skin removed and the tissue reconstructed to add upper fullness. He did an amazing job. They are so high and perky. I'm thrilled. I tried on a 36DD and it fit great.
My band is 33 inches and breasts are a full, perky 41 inches ???? Start saving up. If you don't need the breasts lifted or augmented you might need a tummy tuck, arm lift or thigh lift. I would love to get my arms done eventually...
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

I guess it depends on what the underlying cause was for your regain. Is it behavioral/physical/combination?
I was never able to lose weight (except that one time I was starving myself using Phentermine) even though I was really good at following rules and exercising, so maintaining is new territory for me. However, I would say it has to be easier if you are good at staying compliant and sticking to the basic rules.
My biggest issue was part behavioral AND physical. My behavioral issue was using food as a coping mechanism, especially during times of stress. So I had to learn new non-food-related coping mechanisms. My physical issue was a hormone imbalance (PCOS) that made losing weight damn near impossible and a big ass stomach (it took massive quantities to fill me up).
Surgery took care of the physical issues. I had to take care of the behavioral.
You can do anything you set your mind to. I say you go for it!
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

Well I'll just say now that I've lost 100 pounds I am now a 36 long.....but able to stuff them in a DD cup...haha

Another titillating discussion on BP, I see.

I guess it depends on what the underlying cause was for your regain. Is it behavioral/physical/combination?
I was never able to lose weight (except that one time I was starving myself using Phentermine) even though I was really good at following rules and exercising, so maintaining is new territory for me. However, I would say it has to be easier if you are good at staying compliant and sticking to the basic rules.
My biggest issue was part behavioral AND physical. My behavioral issue was using food as a coping mechanism, especially during times of stress. So I had to learn new non-food-related coping mechanisms. My physical issue was a hormone imbalance (PCOS) that made losing weight damn near impossible and a big ass stomach (it took massive quantities to fill me up).
Surgery took care of the physical issues. I had to take care of the behavioral.
You can do anything you set your mind to. I say you go for it!
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159

The best way for me to describe my Foodie life post op is quality versus quantity. If I am going to have 1/2 cup of food, it's going to be the best I can possibly make or find.

Remember that you'll still be at risk for developing blood clots, so if you are driving or flying or sitting for more than an hour or two at a time, you'll need to stop for extended walking breaks every hour or so. Also, you will likely be exhausted and working very hard to get in your fluids and Protein, and basically no use to anyone other than yourself. Not saying don't go, just take a realistic look at what it probably will be like and figure out if that sounds more appealing to you than staying home or rescheduling the trip.
Another issue is that you will still be at risk for developing a leak, so when you plan your trip, research where the hospitals are nearby that have bariatric surgery units so that you know where to go for the best treatment in case that very tiny possibility becomes a reality. Better safe than sorry and all that.
You should be fine to stay home alone if that is what you decide IMO. Potentially even easier than trying to deal with family members who may still see you as a caretaker figure no matter how much you tell them that you'll be out of commission for a bit. Good luck in your decision, I can see that being a tough call!

Oh wow awesome job, thanks for the advice, i will def lower on my calories!! Sent from my SM-G900T using the BariatricPal App

While I love Chinese food, I really struggled with finding something that didn't make me feel like crap. Chinese has so much dang sodium and sugar it made me feel awful every time I ate it, especially if there was any type of sauce.
One day I scoured the menu and spotted "teriyaki chicken". I thought it would be covered with thick, sweet sauce. When I asked them how it was prepared they said they marinated the chicken on skewers and then grilled them. Score!! Now I order the teriyaki chicken over steamed broccoli and it lasts me three meals and I feel great after I eat it!
While I avoid buffets as much as possible (total waste of money when you can only eat a few bites), there is a Chinese buffet an hour away my family loves and they do buffet take out by weight. Although my family was dining in, I asked if I could go ahead and put my food in a to go box, have it weighed and pay. I explained I had surgery and could not eat much. They have let me do it every time. My family likes to make bets on how much my food will cost based on weight. (It's usually $1.50-2.50).
HW 290+/SW 261/GW 160/CW 159