Polara

Babbs kinda took the thoughts right out of my head! I hit goal in 10 months (248-135). Maintained for 2 years and now that I am over 3 years out, i have gradually gained about 10 lbs. Year 3 is no joke. I never had a problem getting off a few pounds and now it seems these pesky ones don't want to leave me. I am not terribly disappointed as I feel I look a little healthier but my pants are starting to not fit right and I swear I will NOT go up a size. That is a slippery slope for me. As Babbs said, good for you on making goal and your attitude is AWESOME. I swear some times that is half the battle. Just be prepared that what works for you RIGHT NOW for maintenance might change the further down the line you get. Awareness is key! That is my motto. Be aware and mindful of my actions and what I put in my mouth. And don't ever think you got this under control for life. These boards have been my lifeline for the past 3 years. I may not post often, but I am on here reading and soaking up everyone's wisdom. I wish you luck and a sincere CONGRATS on your success thus far! Lorie Thanks! I try to maintain a positive attitude and outlook because I will become insanely anxious and paranoid otherwise. That's part of the territory that comes with my mental illness, and I find that sometimes the residual paranoia that always lurks in the back of my mind (regardless of anything including my medication, it will never be 100% gone, I've just learned to cope with it) can rear up a bit at the thought of backsliding even the smallest amount because I absolutely refuse to get where I was...or even above my personal goal if possible! I have been told that maintenance needs change as time progresses, it is something I am very aware of. My surgeon, bariatric nurse, and NUT have reminded me time and again. It's always going to be a process and a work in progress, but I feel that making the right choices in regard to the foods I choose to put into my body and my levels of activity will help me stay on the right path. One of the things that has been said again and again is that this isn't a diet...it's a lifestyle change. This process isn't only physical, but mental as well. It's re-evaluating your relationship with food and reforging a new, healthier way of life and how you nourish yourself in all aspects, especially your body. There will be temptation, and nobody is ever perfect 100% of the time...but being cognizant of the things you are eating (I use MyFitnessPal for tracking absolutely everything) so if pounds do return you can see where things are going wrong is a big help, I am sure! Though what I need to do for maintenance will change over time, my desire to persevere and stick to the progress I have made will not. As time progresses, I will adjust as needed to keep myself healthy and where I want to be. The decision to have surgery and change my lifestyle is not something that was taken lightly and I know it is for life and is in no way a quick fix or instant solution. I apologise for this diatribe, but I was a bit triggered in regard to my paranoia this morning after reading the reply to my post. I understand that it was meant to be helpful, but the paranoia got kicked off quite a bit and I stressed nearly all day. Perhaps explaining myself and why I am so positive that I'll have long term success is my way of justifying the fact that I made my original post about getting below the goal set by my surgeon and then sticking to it within a few pounds after only a bit over 9.5 months. I just felt the need to get this off my chest so I can feel less like I have to be in "defensive mode" and can continue trying to feel comfortable enough to form supportive bonds here. Sorry again for the diatribe...I feel really awful for the two huge defensive verbal wall of text posts, but my mind won't rest until I get things out.

You don't sound like a d**k, and I get where you are coming from. Yes, I haven't been out of surgery long, and yes, I am aware of the "honeymoon period." My surgeon and support staff went over all that with me time and again before I made the decision to have the surgery. Nothing is a magical "fix-all" to obesity or weight issues, and yes, it will be constant work. A large part of my weight issue stemmed from a psychiatric medication that I was given, as I mentioned earlier. It is called Zyprexa, and this is a very well-known side effect. It made my appetite go through the roof, and though my psychiatrist stopped it after a meeting with my GP and my appetite went back to "normal," the weight wouldn't come off. I followed a medically supervised diet to the T and went through the whole "yo-yo" effect because yes, the body does get used to having a new "normal" weight when you are obese and as far as I have been told, surgery is the only thing that can actually have a true long-term effect. It has now been written in every medical folder I have, psych and physical, that I cannot be put onto weight positive medication again, so if this fails, it is all on me. I have a will of Iron...always have. It is one of the reasons I was so frustrated on my medically supervised diet where I was focusing on following it to the letter, doing what I was told, and having no success. I'm not saying I am better or worse off at anything than anyone else, but we are all different people with different backstories who have gone through different struggles. Most of the staff at my surgeon's office are bariatric patients themselves, many who have been post-op for a long time, and they have had success by following the plan given to them by their surgeon and using the tool they were given. I think that though it will be a struggle in the long term, and there is always the possibility of regain, it comes down to the individual and how closely they follow the lifestyle change they originally set upon and use the "tool" that is surgery. I'm not trying to start some sort of forum flame war and I appreciate your thoughts and advice. I'm in this for the long haul. I wanted to get back to the healthy and active lifestyle I had before my weight gain, and that is what I have set my mind to ensuring happens. If I regain 5-10-15 pounds in a year or two or three, I will work double time like hell to get back to where I am now. There is absolutely nothing worth eating good enough to give up my health for...NOTHING. I see people on my table every day who die from issues related to obesity, and I've made up my mind that will not be me.

As previous posters have mentioned, don't think of this as a diet. It's a lifestyle change and you are essentially giving your relationship with food and eating a total overhaul! Following your surgeon's instructions post-op is really exceedingly important, because as people have mentioned, your tummy is still healing. Forcing food into it that it isn't ready for yet can cause staples to pop, tears, blockages, and all sorts of scary, scary things to happen that will make your recovery time longer and more painful. It is very difficult to deal with lack of variety when it comes to food post-op, so I feel you there! The World According to Eggface and Bariatric Foodie have some great recipes and ideas for noms that are suitable for various stages post-op so that you can whip up something tasty and different! Here are links to their sites: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.bariatricfoodie.com/ Lots of luck! Xx, Polara <3

I am only a bit over 9 months out, hit my goal weight in June, and in mid-July hit 135 lbs. Since then, my weight has fluctuated between 134 lbs - 136 lbs depending on the time of the month for me and if I've been overdoing the sodium. One of the things that has really helped me maintain my weight is following the eating guidelines given to me by my NUT and bariatric team. I've also become very active and am now part of a women's rugby league again, which is fantastic because rugby was something I had to give up when I became obese since I couldn't do it physically any longer. As a mortician (funeral director), my job does entail lifting quite a bit (caskets and human bodies can be quite heavy!), so that also helps me keep in shape and active, as morbid as it sounds. Overall, I think the combination of following the dietary guidelines I was given and being very physically active has really helped me maintain my weight loss. I don't plan on changing my eating or activity habits, so hopefully, I'll be stable where I am now for the foreseeable future. I am VERY happy here, as this is the weight I was before I gained over 100 pounds due to psychiatric medication, which is what started me on this path (I have severe schizoaffective disorder and was given Zyprexa, which pretty much made me gain 5 pounds the moment I filled the script, no joke). I'm now on a combination of weight-neutral medication that works for me with notes in both my physical and mental health files that I can no longer be put on any medications classified as weight-positive (THANK HEAVENS!). It's been a long, long journey so far...but I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Mine took an hour and a half, and I had a hernia repaired at the same time.

It is a very difficult adjustment at first, but after a while it becomes second nature. Remember that this is a process that does take a great deal of time to get used to because you are changing years and years of eating and drinking habits! As my bariatric team says, "Inch by inch, it's a cinch...yard by yard, it's hard." Take it day by day and bit by bit and you'll get there in the end!

@@leebick How about eggs?

I haven't had noodles or pasta since surgery! They're definitely not on the list of approved foods from my surgeon, so I avoid them. However, I have found that crepes can make a good substitute. I take four eggs and a half cup cottage or ricotta cheese (depends on your tastes, honestly), nuke the eggs and cheese in a blender and then cook the batter in a pan greased with a bit of olive oil. After they cool, I slice them into thin strips and store them for up to 4 days. They are a great low-carb pasta substitute, and I have found that with a little sugar-free syrup and berries can make a great sweet treat. Alternatively, you can store them whole with a bit of parchment or wax paper between them and use them in lieu of bread for wraps. Just a suggestion if you find that you are missing pasta!

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.co.uk/ http://www.bariatricfoodie.com/ <3

I tend to fluctuate between 134-136 lbs. depending on the time of the month or if I've had a bit too much salt. Don't stress - weight can fluctuate for a variety of reasons. As long as you are following the diet and instructions given to you by your surgeon and support staff, you will be fine!

The World According to Eggface and Bariatric Foodie have some great recipes that can carry you through all stages of the post-op diet! They are real lifesavers

I am a huge coffee fiend, myself! My doctor told me that I couldn't have any coffee for a month after surgery because of the acidity, and I did follow his instructions. After that month passed, though...right back on the coffee! I usually have either a skinny latte or Americano with a shot of sugar free syrup when I go to Costa or Starbucks. Most of the time before I leave for work or when I'm at home, I use my Nespresso machine and pour the shot of coffee with a bit of sugar free syrup and a splash of unsweetened roasted almond milk over ice. Investing in some sugar-free syrups off of Amazon and getting a Nespresso machine has saved my hubby and I a TON of money.

Sometimes cooking meat in a slow cooker or by using another method that makes it very moist and tender can be a huge help! That being said, I am 9 months out and pork STILL wrecks me no matter how it's prepared, and I have a friend who can't tolerate red meat at all and she has been out for almost a year! Trial and error is probably the way to go when it comes to figuring out what your tummy can tolerate

I have lost over 100 pounds since my surgery on 9 December 2015 and am now stable at 134-136 lbs. It's still a shock to see myself in the mirror sometimes, and often I don't recognise myself. Clothes shopping is a surreal experience...it can be so hard to purchase things online because though I wear a size US 6 or S/M, I tend to purchase things in larger sizes than I need to because I am so used to being big. Seeing them in a store and actually trying them on helps me quite a bit. There are still times when I ask my husband over and over if something makes me look too large/fat/etc which sometimes drives him crazy because I'm not overweight anymore at all. He totally understands where the insecurity comes from because he knows that there is still a disconnect between what I see in my mind and what I actually look like, and he always reassures me...but I can't wait for my brain and body to sync up!

@@blizair09 Thank you! It's not easy, but it's very worth it in the end...you got this! \o/

Pre-surgery, I didn't really feel comfortable telling anyone outside of family or close friends. However, as the weight started to come off, many of my coworkers asked my secret...and the fact that my diet was so restricted coupled with the weight loss tipped them off. I never had any negative reactions, and most people commented how courageous it was for me to have taken action to improve my health! In May, I relocated to the United Kingdom from Florida because I got married on 20 August. The close friends I had here in the UK were all aware of my surgery and very supportive, but since I have been here, I've obviously met many new people and forged new friendships and professional relationships. These new people in my life don't know me as "Obese Polara," they see me as I am now. My surgery was 9 December 2015, and at over 9 months out, my diet is more varied than it was immediately post-op (kind of a no-brainer statement, lol!). However, I still follow the dietary guidelines given to me by my surgeon, nurse practitioner, and NUT to the letter. The restrictive nature of the surgery coupled with the changes to my mental relationship with food means that I'll always opt for Protein, veg, and fruits over anything else (I have no desire to eat bread, Pasta, etc.), but everyone simply assumes that I am very health-conscious (which is actually the truth and 100% spot-on) and not a huge eater. I am not ashamed of the fact that I was sleeved and I will open up to people about it if I feel the circumstances warrant it. In fact, because I was open with my best friend about having the procedure, she felt confident enough to start the process herself. She's having the surgery this coming weekend in the Czech Republic, and I am actually very humbled that she asked me to accompany her as her support person, so we will be flying out together Sunday! I guess that the point of this ramble is that who you choose to tell or not tell is your business, but you'd be surprised how understanding many people can be. Of course, there are a lot of people out there who have negative opinions about bariatric surgery, but if you feel you can trust someone, letting them know can actually be cathartic. As time passes, you may feel more comfortable discussing it. Take it day by day and enjoy the journey. Lots and lots of good vibes your way! Xx, Polara

I started the process in October 2015 and was sleeved in December 2015. I was self-pay, so that was a big factor in the fact that I was able to get my surgery done so fast!

I have bipolar disorder, and I used food as my comfort quite often, as well. What has really helped me is talking to my psychiatrist and therapist and starting to learn new coping skills that don't involve using food as a comfort or reward. It's really, really, really difficult and probably one of the hardest things I think any of us have to do...but as your mind starts to adjust bit by bit, it will gradually get better. We all got to this place because we used food as more than what it's meant for - fuel. I'm not saying that enjoying food is a bad thing or out of the question, it's just a matter of developing a new, healthier relationship with it. Have you tried adult colouring books? They were recommended by my therapist, and they've been a big help! It's really soothing to sit and colour in some beautiful designs. You can get them at most bookstores and on Amazon

Trust me...it really does get better! I had an INCREDIBLE amount of "buyers' remorse" at first, especially because I had the surgery on 9 December 2015, right before Christmas! My family was amazing and tried their best to not indulge in lots of my favourite holiday foods in front of me, but that didn't stop me from having a huge breakdown on Christmas day and crying for a solid hour or so (no exaggeration!). As time has passed, things have become progressively easier. Yes, there are times that I want nothing more than to devour a plate of Pasta...but I know that it would make me sick (I can't really do things like pasta, rice, and white potatoes very well...they tend to make me very ill) and that in the end, the temporary pleasure of eating it would fade. What has worked for me is focusing on the end result and all the things I *can* do now. Walking doesn't make me winded, I am never one of the largest people in the room, and I can walk into any store and purchase clothing because I am now a UK size 10 (which is a US size 6) . Those are only a few things I can think of, but in the end, the benefits have all outweighed the negatives. It's taken a few months for that to really sink in, and I do still have moments when I feel like crying because there is something I REALLY want to eat but I know it's not something that I eat anymore. The other day, I would have gone to the ends of the earth to have a cheeseburger on a bun with some fries! However, taking a deep breath and focusing on the positives that have come out of the surgery really helps me. I can't promise that the journey is easy, because it's not going to be. However, it will get better! Focus on the positives and look towards the future. You can do this! *Gives a big hug*

I'm getting married 20 August and moved to the UK a few weeks ago (my fiance is a Brit and because he is in IT and has a very good job, we decided to settle in the UK because as a mortician, I can work anywhere). When I was going through the TSA line, they had to call a supervisor over since I don't look anything like my passport photo anymore. I'm even smaller than I was in my fiancee visa picture, so they were even skeptical of that! It finally took a biometric check to get through x.x. It's a good thing that after we're married, I have to get a new passport with my new last name on it because when I travel, I don't want to go through that again!

Everyone loses weight at a different rate...and honestly, I think you are doing AMAZING! My surgeon told me to think of things this way: "Inch by inch, it's a cinch, yard by yard, it's hard." Take things slowly, keep sticking to the plan your surgeon gave you, and you'll definitely get there! Have you tried keeping measurements? Sometimes even when you're not losing numbers on the scale, you will end up losing inches. That kept me going through the stalls!

I started having some hair loss about 3 months out, and I've noticed in the past few weeks that it has really slowed down. My 6 month sleeve-iversary was yesterday, so maybe it's because I am farther out now and have been able to average around 80g of Protein a day consistently? I did also start taking Biotin, which might have helped. Let me know how things go!

Weight training really does help with the loose skin! I've also been using Bio-Oil on my stomach and upper arms, and it's been helping a bit with the stretch marks. It's pricey, but I managed to get a pack of 2 200ml bottles for £24.99 at costco. I've been fortunate because I am at goal, and my skin has really bounced back. I think a lot depends on age, skin type, elasticity, etc...so no use worrying until you're a bit farther out and you see how your skin responds. It was a worry of mine, too, but in the end, it was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Around the start of my period, I tend to gain about 1-1.5 pounds in Water weight that goes away a few days after it starts. Generally, I have been maintaining between 148-150 for the past month and a half or so and my goal was 150. I just keep following the dietary guidelines my surgeon and nutritionist have given me, and things have worked out well . If you stick to the diet and activity guidelines you've been given, I am pretty sure you will be fine! Like others have said, stalls happen...so don't worry! I was told by my surgeon that even if you stall, you will still lose inches because your body is just catching up with the weight loss, so sometimes keeping track of your measurements can really help out!

I know how you feel...I had my surgery 9 December 2015, and I was on pureed food over the holidays. I felt absolutely miserable watching everyone else eat. My family did try very hard to be as sensitive as possible, but it was still incredibly difficult. Like @ohhsosweetxvb said, just keep thinking to yourself "I don't need this food, I am in this journey so I can get healthier." It's so much easier said than done, but as time passes, it will definitely get easier...especially after the surgery! I think that the liquid diet is the worst part for most people...I remember breaking down myself whilst I was on it over a McDonalds run that I was unable to take part in! Just keep thinking of what the future holds...you can definitely do this! <3