cbrr

I just saw this post and would like to join the challenge. I really need the motivation to getting things moving again. Current weight 183.2 Goal weight 178

I had no complications after surgery. No vomiting, only a few brief episodes of feeling nauseous, didn't use pain meds and was up and going in a few days. My only problem was I have arthritis and was not able to take ibuprofen. Without it, my hip was hurting...but not my incisions. For me the only struggle I had post-op was learning how to drink and eat properly. That took a lot of mental energy the first several months. I also couldn't stand anything sweet post-op...really had a hard time with Protein drinks. broth was my new best friend. I think the hardest part for me was pre-surgery. I was scheduled for surgery at noon and didn't go in until 5:30pm. Was basically a nervous wreck by the time they took me into the OR. I, like most everyone else, would do this surgery again in a heartbeat. So worth it !!!!! At 65yrs old, I have lots of loose skin after losing 100lbs but as someone else said, it's better than having that skin filled with fat ! I have a life again and can do things I haven't done in years. I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father who guided and supported me on this path.

If there is a brave soul out there willing to manage a Labor Day Challenge, count me in! I missed my goal weight on the 4th July Challenge by 3 days. I would like a chance to try again.

I didn't tell a lot of people before my surgery. Only those that I needed help from or who I had dealings with that would be affected by my downtime from surgery. Along the way, as I have lost the weight, if someone compliments me on this loss, I tell them I've had surgery. I feel it's important to be honest and place the credit where it's due. Yes, it has taken willpower on my part to follow the plan, but it's the surgery that has made the difference between this weight loss and all the others that I've "dieted" to achieve. I want people to know that this is not a shameful, cheating way to accomplish a healthy weight. I want the word to spread to those that struggle, like I did, with feeling ashamed to go this route. I am so much happier now. Truly, no one's criticism, pettiness or snarkyness can take this joy away from me. If they have issues with weightloss surgery that is their problem, not mine.

Thanks for hosting this, GoPlay. We all appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you put in to making this a fun challenge. I reached my goal of 194 a few days after the challenge ended. Looking forward to the next one!

197. Didn't reach my goal either but have had a wonderful 3 wks taking care of my grandchildren. At least I didn't gain weight!!

197 today. My hat goes off to all of you that lose considerable weight while having to feed small children in your household. I have had 3 grandchildren here this past week and all the snacks and half-eaten peanut butter sandwiches that call my name are a literal minefield.

I'm at 198ibs today

199 lbs In Onederland!!!

Back from a week's vacation and at 201lbs

I went through this in the early 2000's when menopause hit. Crying, anxiety thru the roof, anger, sleeplessness and feeling"crazy" most of the time. supplements of fish oil, DHEA, and hormone-supportive herbs helped to a degree. The best and most effective tool I found was Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I learned to challenge and change negative, harmful thoughts and replace them with reality based thoughts. I know that if you're willing to do the work and change your thoughts, you will find relief. And it doesn't have to take a long time if you're diligent with the work. At 6mos out I started to feel the change in hormone levels again and I agree...it's not fun. I'm back to using the skills I learned through CBT to cope with the anxious thoughts and sleeplessness. It does help me to know that these are thought distortions and I can change them. And my hormones will eventually level out. You are not alone Hope this is somewhat helpful.

I totally forgot! I'm on vacation at my daughter's and taking care of my grandchildren. I'm at 202 (up from 201 when I got here) Arghh! Thanks for the reminder

Count me in. Current weight 204 Goal by 7/10 194 Thanks

Why don't you try adding almond milk instead of the 1%? I did that pre- and post-op due to a milk intolerance. Now, at 6mos out I can drink regular milk again....have no clue why. It's funny how our bodies change with the surgery. I couldn't stand anything sweet after surgery either and had to hold my nose when drinking Protein shakes. Good luck!

I just smile and tell people flat out that I had WLS. I am so excited about the weight I have lost with this great tool that I want to share with everyone that asks. If they have a problem with my choice, so be it. It's my life and when all is said and done, it doesn't matter what they think. But if my experience can be helpful to even 1 other person, than I will continue to share. All of us here have said we wish we had done this years ago, so I think being upfront about WLS and sharing our experiences can give others the info and courage to take this step for themselves. I will not tell others that I did it by dieting, exercise and following Dr's orders. That route never worked for any of us here. I am not ashamed of my choice. It is just as valid a tool as dieting and exercise. I am not to the point where someone might tell me I'm too skinny....but if that happens, I will smile again and say "thanks for your concern" and leave it at that. Their opinions and thoughts are theirs and I don't have to take them in.

I also have a Farberware ninja-type blender from Walmart that cost around $15 seven years ago. Still going strong and no complaints. It does leave small chunks of ice sometimes but I am an ice cruncher from way back, so that's a bonus! I pureed Soups in it and they came out fine, too. I don't use it much now that I'm 6mos out because I found that Protein shakes make me sooooo constipated that I can't bring myself to drink them anymore. Glad I didn't invest in some expensive blender.

One Sunday, when I was so disgusted with my weight and inability to even walk around in church, I went to the Lord and asked which diet would be the best and most effective for me. Should I do the Adkins, or the Paleo, or maybe the South Beach? Maybe Weight Watchers AGAIN? As I kept my mind and heart open to an answer over the next few days, the distinct thought came to me..."You need to have bariatric surgery". Now, I hadn't even included surgery in my thoughts and prayers because I felt like it was "cheating" so this came as a surprise to me. That was when I knew what I was supposed to do and I have never had any second thoughts or doubts. When I would feel myself get nervous, just remembering that God directed me to this would calm my fears. That's not to say I wasn't a nervous wreck on the day of surgery, but I always knew it was what I was supposed to do and things would turn out fine. They have!

I can so relate to your post. As I was weighing myself yesterday, I was thinking about the feeling I had of "waiting for the other shoe to drop"..... that this weight loss couldn't be real and that the scale was going to start heading up-words again. Like it always has in the past! I think we all have that mindset/fear that this weight loss couldn't really be permanent and within our control. So, we hold on to our negative thoughts just in case it isn't. That's what we are used to and most familiar with. They have kept us company for YEARS! A book that I have found very helpful is by one of the old-school cognitive therapists, David Burns. It's the "Feeling Good Handbook" and has a tool called "mood logs" to help you overcome these negative, basically untrue thoughts. It helps me realize that these are just thoughts that I am telling myself and not reality. I will also, at times, write down positive, true statements ( it's important that they are true and based on what's real for me) on an index card to carry with me in my pocket until I start to absorb them. I will pull the card out many times a day, read it and keep those positive thoughts in my mind. I hope this is of some help. It's been a life saver for me and brings me such peace to know I am in charge of my thoughts. You are doing GREAT!

I told my immediate family and about 4 friends that I was going to have WLS. Afterwards, when a situation came up that I needed to refuse food in a social gathering, I would just say that I had stomach surgery and wasn't allowed to eat certain things. It worked. No one ever asked me anything about my surgery or made the connection with the sleeve. And I didn't have to lie. I'm not good at remembering what lies I might have told.

I do the same thing that Christinamo7 does...I cook up several meals at once. If you have a George Forman grill, you can grill up lots of chicken breasts in a short time. They can be used for chicken salad, Soup with some broth and frozen vegies, shredded for tacos, cut up for salads, stir fried with vegies or just plain. I fry up ground beef and season half with taco seasonings and half with italian seasonings. These go into small bags and are frozen until needed. I will mix the taco meat with cole slaw cabbage and put salsa on it for a taco salad. I will put the italian meat on a rice cake with some mozzarella and put under the broiler. They both go well with spaghetti squash, also. You can also keep some Lean Cuisines in the freezer for when you are too tired to deal with any cooking. Is your wife an adult? Is she physically unable to cook or prepare food for herself? Mentally challenged or paralyzed? You need to take charge of your eating and let her take care of her own. I'm sure she'll find a way to feed herself. This is a time for you to focus on yourself and developing good eating skills. Best of Luck!

Sounds like your thoughts are sabotaging you. Remember they are just thoughts.....not reality. Your weight loss has been very good, which means you are staying with the program and doing what you're supposed to. This is not reflected in the anxious and depressive thoughts you're experiencing. You are not telling yourself, and believing, how successful you are. I went through a period in the early 2000's where I was ruled by anxious and depressive thoughts. Not a pleasant time, so I can understand your situation. Find a therapist that practices Cognitive Therapy to help you replace the negative, fear-based thinking with positive, reality based thought. For the most part the anxious and depressive thoughts are based on thought distortions. Everyone has these to some degree. Cognitive Therapy really does work and I can testify that it will teach you a tool to make your life more positive and reality based. Just like the sleeve is a tool we can use to lose weight, cognitive therapy can give you a tool to master your thoughts. Good Luck

I had a chipotle black bean burger and that thing "barked" at me for a solid 2 days. Worst heartburn I've ever had!

I am 64 and had the sleeve surgery 3 mos ago. It was easy for me. No issues with gas getting trapped, no pain and no complications. My only issue was pre-op......my surgery was scheduled for noon and didn't happen until 5pm. I was a nervous wreck by then and thirsty and hungry. As far as a protein drink, I couldn't stand anything sweet for about a month after surgery. I was so lucky that my surgeon starts patients on cream soups when they come home from the hosp and then soft mushies on week 2. Now I drink the premixed Premier Protein from Costco. I mix the choc one with a Tblspoon of cocoa powder and lots of ice and put it in the blender. I also bought some NOW beef gelatin powder on Amazon and mix it with broth. It has 9 grams of protein. I hope this helps and all goes well with your surgery.

I'm so sorry you're going throught this at a time when you're so vulnerable and healing from your surgery. Having been in an abusive relationship myself, my heart goes out to you. I would caution you to avoid engaging him in verbal attacks. If he starts in on you, make some non-verbal sound like"hummm" and walk away. He wants you to respond, get upset and engage in some kind of argument with him. DON'T. Just leave him with his hurtful words and walk away. You really don't have to respond. Then, go and find something to make your day bright...find someone or something to serve. You can make things for the homeless shelter, call homebound parishoners (since your husband is the preacher) ...just find something to fill your life and mind with what the Savior would do. Serve in whatever way you can. You are needed! After you're healed from your surgeries set some boundaries on how long you will stay in this relationship if it doesn't change. Realize you are not responsible for his actions and words. You cannot change him, only yourself. Focus on your gratitude for this surgery and the many ways it will effect your life in a positive manner. Make lists of the things you hope to able to do as the weight comes off. Explore options in the event you have to leave him and set up a support system to accomplish that if needed. Know above all that you have worth and God wants you to have joy in your life.

I'm 9 weeks out and I'm eating a Protein shake with a banana blended in for breakfast, about a 1/3cup of some kind of protein for lunch, and the same for dinner. I'll usually have an 80 cal yogurt for a snack or maybe some pieces of cheese. I've just started trying to get in some veggies like green Beans or broccoli. I also put some cheese on top of my chicken or whatever to add more protein. I have some low fat swiss that's carb free and only 50 cals. Something else I've been doing is broth with powdered Gelatin in it. That's 10 more grams of protein and 50cals. What I'm wondering is....how many calories were people consuming at this point out? I average about 780/day. I also am not losing weight. I went up a pound last week then finally lost that today but it's been stalled at 243 for about 1 1/2 week. Argggh! Also, sorry to post this in here but I haven't figured out how to start a thread and ask these questions.