chavezmommy

That is SO precious!!! Children are so amazing!! I'm browsing posts because I'm considering having another child but I'm 38 years old so I'm nervous about being an older mom (will I have the energy? I'll be 58 when the child is 20!etc) I have 2 sweet boys and I will be 2 years post op January 2018... I lost 115 lbs and feel great. I'm also on Cymbalta for anxiety so I have to get off of that and am afraid of dealing with my severe anxiety. Anyways a little off topic. Thanks for sharing your story!

They should do a pregnancy test right before your surgery to be sure. They did one right before they wheeled me in to the OR. They are seasoned at this and will make sure you're not pregnant.

Anyone have quick non food rewards? When I'm working and need to do a task I don't like, I reach for food. I need a quick fix non-food reward at home or work.

It took me a week post op for the pain to be tolerable. When I wore a binder that helped a ton with pain. I took anti-nausea meds that helped some. Hang in there and walk and rest, get your fluids in. You got this!

What you can eat long term is dependent on the individual. I am 1 year 4 months out from VSG. I can eat most things. I can't tolerate caffeinated coffee so I opt for decaf and until recently could not tolerate salads. I still enjoy food but with quantity limits and these limits are what I'm most thankful for with the VSG. Liquid and healing stage is tough. I remember thinking "What have I done to myself??" Then I accepted my choice and said "Well it's done so now I make the best of it!" I had my ups and downs but it does get better slowly every day, every week and month. And as those lbs melt away that will keep you positive!

I would like to start this thread to share ideas/prevent and vent about overeating, binging or making unhealthy choices. I had VSG in January of 2106 and am within 5-10 lbs of goal weight. I have maintained since Dec 2016 but have been eating poorly off and on since July 2016. I don't want to keep doing this and I am struggling. I would like to tackle this by counseling (seeking counselor in my area), exercising and leaning on you my friends here. We can post when we are struggling and support eachother and share ideas on prevention of overeating, stress eating etc. I messed up today and ate a brownie (bad choice) until I was gross full (double whammy). I was stressed about my son and bought the brownie for my son as a treat for us to share. He didn't want it so I ate it all after I got stressed about something. staring at it and I got stressed about my son (being rude and giving me a hard time about homework and not being able to play with friends). Its not his fault, Its a pattern that I eat when I avoid things or feel stressed. If the junk is there I often turn to it. I look forward to sharing ideas and supporting one another!!

I can certainly relate to feeling like fraud and doing self sabotage. Tonight I ate a bad snack right before bed and generally ate terrible today. Maybe it's the old baggage where I felt I am destined to be obese.... old habits maybe? Maybe we should look at what others are doing who stay on track... For me the first 7 months I was religious about what ate. After a week of cheating I kept cheating... then my taste buds got used to unhealthy food once again... I know we can do this. We must choose to be healthy and Accept that WE ARE NOT IMPOSTERS. We deserve a healthier life, full of energy and feeling good on the outside and in. Let's think this everytime we walk to the kitchen and let it drive us to plan healthy meals. Let's all get back on track this week!

I just went to the coffee house with my kids. It's a treat and I thought Ill share a brownie with my son. Well he didn't want any and during our time there I got stressed about something and ate the whole thing and now I feel stuffed and guilty. I need to go back and read what I wrote a few hours ago. This is a life long struggle with ups and downs. I'll keep at it, but its hard... The good thing is the surgery kept me from eating more than one; and also I would've had a large sugary coffee drink before surgery; so I guess I should look at the bright side.

Hang in there and know that you are not alone. I also started messing up after 7 months of eating perfectly to plan. I'm not 100% on track but I'm trying. When I don't eat well I tell myself its OK to start again next meal or next bite! I am really hard on myself which is counter productive. Give yourself a fresh start otherwise you can fall in to a guilt cycle that feels hopeless. I also have some go to meals that I enjoy (egg white omelettes with veggies and LF cheese) and SF chai tea. The key for me not to overeat is to throw the food away as soon as I feel satisfied - NOT full. I LOVE eating so it's hard not to keep eating. I tell myself - Don't stretch your stomach. You can eat again later. It's really important to get physically away from the food so I stop eating. You made a huge step with WLS and that shows that you are committed to a healthier lifestyle. We are here for you! You can do this!!

5'11 HW 284 CW 169 GW 160 I had VSG in January 2016 since then I have lost almost 120 pounds. I was really good and stuck to the diet as recommended by the nutritionist until July 2016. Then I went on a cruise with my husband for vacation. There I ate whatever I wanted. Since then I have been struggling to get back on track. Two thirds of the time I would eat healthy and dinner and weekends I just started giving into whatever my family would eat. I got a lot of pushback when I try to serve healthy food and sort of gave up. Again I stuck to my diet up until July but I gave up after the cruise. Then Thanksgiving came one weekend turned into six weekends of eating junk food with the family occasional wine. At that point I was eating healthy a third of the time. While I have maintained my weight since December I am actually quite shocked that I haven't gained because I've been eating really bad. I feel like what I'm doing is testing the waters to see what I can get away with. But I feel awful after I eat and I often over eat to where I feel uncomfortable. I feel like a failure because I had the surgery and I've done so well and now I'm screwing up again. I know I'm emotionally eating and I don't know what to do to get back on track. I went to the bariatric psychologist for a follow up and shared some of what was going on but not everything because I was ashamed. I have a follow up on Friday with the doctor and the nutritionist. I guess I'll tell them what's going on but I can't help but being ashamed and embarrassed. I feel like all they'll do is tell me to stick to the diet. I'll smile and nod and say OK you're right. Then I'll leave, and then go back to the old way. Something off that I've observed recently about my thought process is that I still feel like I deserve to be obese. I feel that I eat crappy food and I should be overweight. It hurts to write this but this is what I'm feeling inside.

I also chose to tell only a few close family members about the VSG. I have EXTEREMLY nosey neighbors (a friend of mine) so they actually suspected me of having bariatric surgery. I told them I had hernia surgery because my hubby slipped and said I had surgery (but not what type). When people were shocked at how quickly I was losing, I said I'm working out and eating high Protein low carb - which is true (yet omitting the teeny portions). I just stuck to that and now they don't ask except for "what are you doing" advice. Then I share snack ideas etc and then move on.

All... thank you for your input. I am going to process your insights and suggestions and take action. I agree that this addiction requires therapy. I need to find a good therapist to help me get to the root cause of what I'm feeling. I'm so blessed to have had VSG. It's helping a great deal and now I need to address my mind and spirit and what's driving this. I'm so happy to have this support group.

It will get better. There are definitely phases that you will go through. Regarding anxiety about having had the surgery, the first month I thought, "OMG what have a I done, why did I have to have 80% of my stomach cut out to help me conquer obesity?" My mouth was so dry and I couldn't get in enough fluids, The incisions hurt and the last thing I wanted to do was walk around like doctor ordered. I did my best to do what I was supposed to. Some days I didn't and some days I come close (notice how the first month I didn't reach the given goals but I sure tried really hard!!) About the regret, I felt it too. At some point I said to myself - It's done and it cannot be undone... so let me try to make the best out of it. I looked at alot of before and after pics. I browsed this site for decent shake recipes and other eating tips. (I'm not much of a cook). The scale helped motivate me and give me hope when I lost pounds but I only did it weekly the first few months. I think the light at the end of the tunnel helps to motivate. Also once you start dropping entire dresses sizes - and YOU WILL!! It really helps make all the struggles worth it. then you will get your energy back after a few months. (everyone is different so maybe it'll be sooner for you!) I have more energy now than when I was in my teens!! I'm not going to lie, I was exhausted the first 4-6 months. Loosing so much weight so rapidly takes it out of you. Just take it easy, walk, rest, get your fluids. I lost hair month 4-6; like HALF of it - FREAKED ME OUT!! But I started taking Biotin and using Nioxin for a month or so and it helped it start to grow back. It stopped falling out at 6 months post surgery. Its growing back now. I have 2 inches of fly away outgrowth all over LOL. It's sort of funny actually but I make it work. Talk to others about your feelings. The group I went to the pre-surgery classes created a private FB forum and we would vent and post our feelings, successes etc. I would also connect with other folks that had bariatric surgery, 1 via this forum. We met for coffee and its nice to hear her perspective. I tried to really focus and listen to her journey. I find when I am down on my situation that listening to others plights helps me to step outside of myself and I feel like I'm helping them by listening and encouraging them. That makes me feel good. (By the way if anyone makes you feel judged/down - IGNORE them and focus on the positive and look to others to help support you.) I am 10 months post op and 110 lbs down. I am eating more variety of food and I don't regret for a single moment having had the surgery. I only wish I had been able to afford to do it sooner. You hang in there girl! We are hear for you! Height 5'11" HW:b284 CW:174 GW: ? 160 maybe? Doc says according to my BMI I am officially normal weight. WOHOO!!!

My husband was hesitant to support me having the sleeve. The reason is because he had gastric bypass and he really struggled with addiction issues there after. To both of our surprise I came out of it very healthy emotionally and mentally. I spoke with him at length about why he did not want me to have the surgery. And it boiled down to the concern about emotional or addiction issues that could arise after surgery. I recommend that you go to counseling with your husband to discuss this. It sounds like he is shutting down for some reason. After you have the surgery you will need his support and certainly not any anger, resentment etc. This is because your body will be healing, and your hormones may be a bit out of whack, equating to an emotional roller coaster. You will also be losing your best friend that may have been helping you cope with issues in the past – food. Having his issues on top of it is something that you should try to get in front of before you have the surgery. As far as your in-laws, I have seen that once I get my husband on board my in laws fall in line. Good luck you can do this and it will be worth it. God bless you.

Wow!!! You look amazing!!!!

I miss eating more food for fun... but it doesn't outweigh the weight loss benefits.

Sleeved January 2016 HW 284 CW 179 Goal weight tbd

No doubt I'd do it again. I still struggle with food but this tool is really helping. I feel much better and have way more energy. Good luck!! HW 284, CW 179

Hey gang, surgery date 1/29/16 HW 284 I have reached 180 which is my first goal. Ive lost 104 lbs! However, I have been on a plateau for about two weeks. Thinking about what is a good next goal. I have not been strict about my diet, making healthy choices about 50% of the time, and not exercising regularly. The restriction is such a blessing especially during the times where I am lax. Lastly I am not getting in the fluids that I should be. I'm just being brutally honest and I know that I could be doing better. How is everybody doing with sticking to eating only what is on the dietitian recommended diet? How is everybody doing with exercise? I feel like some of my old emotional eating habits are resurfacing. I would just like to hear from others to get an idea if this is common.

I'm finding that once Im off track I have a hard time resetting. Like we went on a cruise and ate and ate and ate everything. Then after I came back it was hard to resist temptations knowing I had indulged. If I take 1 bite of bad food I run (not walk) away I'm ok. But moderation is not something I have mastered. I thank god I had the surgery because when I have messed up at least I stop due to the physical limitation of the sleeve... I don't work out anymore. Work is busy and I hate working out quite frankly. I don't know how to love it enough to make time... I know I'm sounding negative but I'm just being real.

Good job - only 10 lbs away is amazing!!! I still like the idea of food, but sometimes I do think "ugh I can only eat a few bites , what's the use?!" Then I eat what will satisfy my hunger. Bread and Pasta I usually skip, maybe 2 bites of whole grain spaghetti but mostly I eat the sauce, meat and cheese. It is good that you are hitting protein target. I think that it will take us years to adjust to this new normal. What ideas do we all have to get more active? I make a million excuses not to exercise!! I was also feeling too weak to exercise until month 5 or 6. Now it's excuses and lack of time (yet another excuse!)

Thanks for sharing! I understand and I have overate as well. My tips are - self talk, I tell myself "stop eating, I can eat more of this during my next meal." Or "it's not worth feeling sick and guilty." Sometimes I get up after I've taken that 1 or 2 many bites, and I spit it in the trash (out of the sight of others of course). Then I put what's left on my plate I the trash or in a tupperware container. And then I focus on after meal cleanup. I also wish there was a brain fix too!! Congrats on being so close to goal!!!

Hi January sleevers! How are you guys? Just want to see how folks are with eating, emotions, weight etc. I'll start HW-285 CW-192 Goal-170 Eating been doing high Protein low carb. Eating 1000-1200 calories per day. I'm starting to eat junk when stressed or bored if it's right in front of me. Haven't been working out. Would be great to hear updates on how people are doing and what your Successes and struggles are. My strength is that if I slip I get right back on track the next meal. It's not all or nothing anymore like pre surgery. I have zero regrets about having had the surgery. My area to work on is working out, emotional eating and increasing Fluid intake. Thanks in advance for sharing your journey. I need the support.

Look great!!

How is everyone? I'm hitting a stall. I've started eating bad food lately, luckily not much thanks to our tool.... I stopped exercising after breaking my toe and now I feel so unmotivated!!! [emoji53] any tips on getting back on track?