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Hi, just wondering what is other peoples go to for inspiration and encouragement when trying to lose regain.I am four years out - I lost alot of weight, felt fantastic, exercised every day and actually enjoyed it, tracked all my food was loving life then over a year mostly due to alot of stress I regained about 12 kilos and I am struggling so hard to lose it and get back to what i was. I hate the way my body feels I hate that none of my clothes fit, I feel self conscious over how I look but I find I am fighting myself everyday to get back into it. I start each day right, I start out determined but I can't seem to keep it up. I've seen a dietitian, I've tried counselling but nothing is working. I suffer from depression and anxiety and it has been really bad the last few months so that definitely doesnt help. I am wondering if there is anything that other people do daily to inspire themselves and encourage themselves to keep on going, what do other people do to get themselves out exercising (I find I talk myself out of it all the time even though once I start I enjoy it) What do you do to stop yourself snacking on the wrong foods. I would be really grateful for any ideas and advise. Thanks

Yes that was one of the first things I noticed, I couldnt figure out why my shoes were so loose and then it hit me that i had lost weight in my feet - didnt realise that was a thing lol

I am in exaclty the same situation. I am 3 and a half years out never reached goal have gained weight over last 8 months due to stress. Everything you said about how you feel about yourself and your situation is EXACTLY how I feel. I cant believe I let this happen - every day I'm going to start again and everyday something happens that I let knock me down I'm so angry and disgusted with myself, I swore I would never regain and yet here I am. I finally went to my Dr and have been referred to a psychologist I have to sort this out before I regain everything I can't bear that thought. So I can't really give you any advice but I an tell you you are not alone in this, somehow we need to find the strength to turn this around - we have done it once we can do it again. If you ever need to talk or some encouragement please dont hesitate to contact me

Sometimes being a good mum is actually putting yourself first. You are the heart of the family and you need to take care of yourself so that you can continue to be the heart of the family. Who will take care of your family if your weight causes you to have health issues that makes you dependent on others? We need to teach our daughters that being a mum doesnt mean that we are not also important. This operation will give you a healthy body and enjoyment of life which will flow onto your daughter. You will feel so much more energetic and two year olds are VERY energetic !! So put your wonderful love for your daughter into action, leave your guilt behind, change the way you are thinking of this and instead get excited about the amazing road ahead.

Alot of the above advice is correct, including getting some help for the emotional issues. I think though part of the problem is also boredom. Can you find a way to get into a better routine where you are not staying up all night and sleeping most of day. Is there something you can do in your day to help occupy you. Go for a walk in the morning and the afternoon even if it is just for 15 minutes. Do you read, do any craft, jigsaw puzzles, adult coloring in books - its amazing how coloring in a picture occupies your mind. try to plan things for each day anything at all you can think of no matter how small will give your mind a different focus. Changing things is really hard and looking at everything you need to do can be overwhelming, but you can do this, one step at a time just change one thing in your day. The operation is your tool and it will change your life but it needs you to make the changes and you can you definitley can just give it a go

One of the reasons we have this op is to change our lives to make them better, healthier and happier, so there will be big changes, there will be things that are different and you very well may be a different person. However, I absolutely love the person that I now am. I love how I feel physically and mentally and I love the clothes I can now wear and I can't believe just how unhappy I was before. I am nearly 3 years out, I can eat pretty much anything if I chose to but in small portions - although I love how I am no longer a slave to all the crap I was eating before - I am not a big drinker but I do have the occasional alcoholic drink. I do still find it a bit of a struggle with not being able to drink and eat at the same time but its a very very minor issue. Having the op was the BEST decision I have ever made. Thats not to say there haven't been challenges, you have to work at it you still have to chose the right foods, you still need to exercise, there will be some things you miss and you may encounter stalls, but OMG the rewards from this journey just don't compare to anything you might have to give up or change. You will always find negative people and people for who it has not gone as they hoped. Don't be drawn into the negative or the what ifs, look at this as an exciting journey to an amazing new you, go into it with your head high and your determination strong. Good luck with everything and if you have any questions I'm more than happy to be a support.

I wasnt given any restrictions regarding coffee, I had it within a couple of day of operation and its never been an issue

Hi there I'm alot older than you (54) but I'm also from Brisbane I had my surgery 2 years ago, I'm happy to answer any questions you might have or be a support of any kind on your journey.

I struggle with the sourness as well so i put it in a blender with blueberries and srawberries blend it so its smooth that really helps i also sometimes melt the really good dark chocolate and blend that in as well then i spread it out on a tray and freeze it when its frozen i break it up into bits and put it into a container in the freezer and thats my treat after dinner yr getting the protien from the yoghurt and just a hint of chocolate

anyone figured out where everyone is yet I'd love to be in contact with others

We have alot of similarities i still struggle with sometimes eating what i shouldnt not even really enjoyinv it after maybe the first couple mouthfuls the voice in my head saying why r u doing this and then the envitable regret after of why do i never learn food addiction and emtional eating is going to be a lifelong challenge that i sometimes have control of and sometimes dont I also struggled with depression a few months after and weirdly enough anger as well angry at the most ridiculous things which i put down to maybe menopause but its interesting to hear u say the same and oh yes the tummy i have also had three cesarean and the stretched skin from being overweight its not a pretty sight lol i do alot of self talk sometimes i need to tell myself to put my big girl pants on and stop whining i got myself this way and i can either change it or give up its up to me of course sometimes i just throw a big old tantrum like a two year old cause that makes everything better haha

I can definitely eat more than I could in the first year but I still do have a fair bit of restriction but depending also on what i eat for example denser foods fill me quickly but foods like potato chips I can eat quite a lot sadly lol. I notice that when i eat alot of sugar like white foods biscuits etc I get really hungry. I have cut those out completely again now and I'm back to not feeling so hungry - I got a bit slack with my diet in the first part of this year and let things slide but I've found the good thing with this operation is that its heaps easier to get back on track and take back control than before the op. How are you going? How are you feeling? I am finding for the first time in my entire life after swearing to a friend that no matter what I would never enjoy exercise I actually really enjoy it. I swim for an hour twice a week I walk for an hour the other days and on weekends I do a 10k walk I even park in the furthest car park I can find when I go to the shops now that I NEVER thought would happen.

Hi I only just started IF today, doing 16.8 I am two and a half years out from having a gastric sleeve. Put on about 7 kilos since Christmas as I got a bit slack. I've lost 5 kilos so far but struggling to lose the last few. I'd be interested to hear other peoples views and experience as well

Hi from Brisbane, sounds like you're doing well, congratulations on the start of this amazing journey. Had my surgery end of February and am down 27 kilos, still have about 30 kilos to go, cant believe how I managed to carry all that extra weight around, don't regret this op for a single second. I'm excited for you hope you keep feeling well, be kind to yourself over the next couple weeks. I look forward to hearing how you are going

Yes I had the same thing with work told only a couple of people, kept waiting for someone to notice no did, tried to tell myself that it wasn't important I knew I had lost weight and the couple of people who knew told me how good I looked but it is kind of disappointing. However I just had two weeks off work and came back with a completely new shorter hairstyle and boy did I get a lot of lovely compliments I felt so good and it really renewed my desire to keep losing. I think the fact that it has been winter here (I'm from Australia) and I just kept wearing the same loose clothing as I didn't want to buy anything new yet and when I went back I had more fitted clothing on, also as I was quite big I think it takes losing a bit before people really notice. I think as we lose weight we really notice every kilo but other people aren't always that aware of others around them people tend to be a bit self absorbed until its really noticeable. Don't be disappointed you know you're losing and one day soon people around you will all suddenly notice as well

Have you had your Iron levels checked? If you're only 2 months out this may not be an issue yet but low iron can cause insomnia so might be worth checking. I have noticed that quite a few people have mentioned that they have trouble sleeping a few months after the op not exactly sure why but you are not alone in this.

Thanks for sharing this idea I Love it so much going to start one this weekend

Surgery was 25th February have lost 25 kilos, still have another 30 to go but cant believe the difference in how I feel, bought size 16 pants first time in many years its such an amazing feeling

I am four months out and am so worried that I seem to be able to eat way more than I expected. My sister had the sleeve over a year ago and she still can hardly eat anything whereas I find that unless I make a conscious decision to stop sometimes I could just keep eating. I'm so scared that I could have already stretched my sleeve even though I don't eat like I used to and there have only been a few times when I have been in pain from eating to much (quickly learn that's not advisable lol). I have also realised that some bad habits are already showing their ugly faces again. I guess I thought that even though I would still struggle mentally with food issues I assumed that like my sister I would at least not be able to eat much. I have decided that I need to go back to basics and really concentrate on getting in my Protein and Water. I also think I have to toughen up and stop feeling sorry for myself and take responsibility for what I am eating and I have to realise that like any addict I cannot have even a bit of any thing unhealthy as that is all it takes to start me off again. I guess though I'm just really really scared that this early in the picture I don't seem to get full and seem often to be hungry. I really struggle with depression and have done so for many years and have found that this has been much worse in the last couple of months which of course being an emotional eater doesn't help. Have other people had any of these issues if so did anything in particular help. I'd really appreciate any advise or encouragement thanks.

Hi I'm not from your region but I am from Ipswich Queensland and I'm 4 months out from my op if that's any help. More than happy to be a contact or support. Its been the best thing I ever did. Good luck with it all.

This may not apply but low iron can cause insomnia

Don't worry the sleeve surgery really is a very different kind of surgery I've had 3 c sections and honestly with my sleeve no pain at all I was out shopping the day after you have to be a little careful but truly you will be surprised how simple it is

I'm really hoping someone out there can help. I'm just over three weeks out, started on pureed food a week ago. At first I had no problems in fact so far the entire process has gone very smoothly however, in the last few days I've been hit by chronic exhaustion and nausea and am having problems eating anything at all. I manage a scrambled egg for breakfast although today I couldn't even eat that and the last couple days haven't been able to stomach lunch or dinner the only thing I can tolerate is lemonade iceblocks as I'm having trouble even tolerating water. I've tried to find a protein drink I can tolerate but so far I cant find one that I like. I know that not eating is making the exhaustion worse. Wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue and also any ideas on some foods I can try that might be easy on the stomach. Really appreciate anyones help and advice. Thanks guys

Thanks I didn't even think about dehydration but yr right since I started on puréed I've not taken in much fluids at all am going to really concentrate on them next couple days and yes I'm Australian lol

Hi I'm ten days out so still on fluids for another few days. My fear is that when I do eat I wont feel full. My sister had the same op and she had trouble even drinking just the 30mls because after a sip she was already full however I am up to the 100ml every half hour/hour and I am having no problem at all and this scares me. Any one else feel the same? Will eating food actually be very different to drinking fluids? I'm getting really worried