sleevedinseptember

Thank you so much for starting posting this topic - I am in a similar place. I'm close to two and a half years out from my surgery and have regained 20 pounds in the last 6 months of 2017. I was down to 172 pounds and closing in on my goal of 165. I am completely at fault - I started a grad nursing program and allowed/used the stress of that as an excuse for eating more than I should as well as foods that I should not eat. I also stopped drinking enough water, tracking my food, going to my support group and overall focusing on my progress. I did keep up the gym but as we all know, the food part is most important. Anyway, I've been working to reincorporate all the things I learned and did before for success - good food choices, tracking, water, sleep, gym etc. Good luck and I hope to check in and see us both making progress! I know we can do it!

Oh my God, agreed. Everything you're describing is exactly what I am experiencing and I too have about 20-25 more pounds that I'd like to lose. I'm a bit apprehensive about what my face and body will look like at that point but as you said, not giving up. Trying to treat myself with kindness and observing all the feelings as they come up. It's great to connect with someone experiencing similar emotions so I'll definitely keep in touch! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I have had some similar issues emotionally and for me it was all triggered about a month or two ago when I looked in the mirror and realized that I honestly don't recognize my face the way it is right now. I shared this at my support group too and saying it out loud with others who have been/are going through a similar process helped a bit. I started self sabotaging because I was/am panicking that I literally don't recognize myself in the mirror. I feel the same and I am the same person but the reflection is not me or at least not as I've known myself for the last decade of my life. The therapist who leads our support group suggested that I might want to think about who I am now or can be going forward give the changes I've experienced food and weight wise. It's hard and I'm fighting to try and accept my new self but honestly I am still a bit freaked out - I don't know my clothing size coz I haven't really bought any new clothes, my old stuff don't fit and the weight loss stalls and starts again. So I feel very much in transition and while I wanted the change it's happening faster that I can process I think. In terms of dealing with the self sabotage, I try to be conscious of when I am making not great food choices due to emotions -whether stress, unhappiness, tiredness or whatever. I try to ask myself if the cake or chips or whatever will really resolve the problem. 3 or 4 times out of 5 I can say no and walk away or do something else. But sometimes if I've been thinking about eating something for a week or more I allow myself the pleasure of it, track it and move on. Sometimes that food is worth it taste wise other times it's not - so many pleasures of the past don't taste the same anymore or have the same pay out so I'm learning to just not bother with them. I've also realized that for me I don't make good choices if I don't eat regularly and well - Protein, good fat, complex carbs etc. and also staying hydrated. Sorry for this long reply but your post really resonated with me because I have honestly found the mental side of post WLS life harder than the physical. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I love this podcast and have been a regular listener since the beginning of the year. Reeger is wonderful and I'm so grateful to have all the info she shares. That podcast on set point and regain is saved on my computer because it's so good. The other good one I really recommend is this one on the biology of body weight http://www.weightlosssurgerypodcast.com/056-randy-seeley-phd-the-biology-of-body-weight/

I don't post frequently but find this discussion important and interesting. No one likes being told to behave better - not little children, not adults. And yet there has been cause for this reminder to be shared. @@HopeandAgony described her own particular nature and approach and I am very much similar. I do not understand or appreciate snark - perhaps because of my cultural background and my own sensitivity. I am not able to grasp the tone of it. As such I have found it helpful to read posts or responses from posters who have that type of approach with a personal filter where I work hard not to be affected. That's work that I do and it works for me. There is a difference between tough love and brutality. Delivery is part of it. Words are the other. I have met a lot of people in real life who think they are "just giving tough love" but really they are just being brutal and hiding behind that line. Yes, no one should have to hand hold or coddle but beginning from a place of empathy and modulating tone accordingly. Doesn't mean kiss any one's behind - just expressing ideas/opinions with a softer approach than a hammer. I personally disagree with the notion that since this forum is part of the Internet everyone should just pull their big girl/big guy pants up and deal. I find that that kind of thinking leads to poisoned and toxic comments sections everywhere across the Internet and while we might think that no one should be affected by a random stranger on the Internet that they don't know, people are affected. And sometimes they are badly affected. I personally don't think just toughening up is the solution. I think we as grown humans can think and agree to be cordial and civil to each to each other in order to truly facilitate exchange, learning and information sharing. The "don't read the comments" sentiment to me is not helpful and ignores behavior that is part of a spectrum of bullying and abuse. I am not saying mean comments are bullying - only that they can create a similarly destructive environment and serve to continue the disconnection and isolation that a lot of humanity experiences. I believe that every person has strengths and value that they can share. It would be a shame to lose that or never be exposed to it because people felt driven away or shutdown . Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Thank you so much for sharing your experience . I have been stalled for 2 months although today I noticed I finally lost 1lb. I wasn't losing hope or getting too discouraged but I was wondering what on earth is going on with my body. I've been doing cross fit 3times a week plus yoga plus walking for one of those months and nothing was happening. I'm going to just hang in there cheerfully and see what happens. I started at 287 and ant to get to 165 so I'm hoping my body is not done yet. I'm focusing on how good I feel rather than the numbers. Your post was a great reinforcement on the value of that approach. Thanks again. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations on such an amazing achievement. Your energy and zest for life really shines through. I was particularly struck by what you said about pushing through the stalls instead of giving up like we would have preWLS! I've been stalled for a little over a month but my surgeon says that's because my body has reached the weight that could realistically be expected from WLS. I'm going to have to fight and work hard for the next 30 or so pounds that I want to lose and your story has really inspired me to push on. Congrats again!

Hi kgd002 - I personally never experienced anything like this and it sounds very scary. Please call your surgeon right away and go to the ER to get checked out.

When I went to Mexico I didn't need a passport going from San Diego to Tijuana but coming back into the US it was definitely required. I think you'd be safer having a passport - but best to double check with whatever surgeon's office you use. They should know the latest requirements.

WitchySar sorry you're facing such difficulties in trying to get your surgery. Your frustration, anxiety and fears are all understandable. I really hope the surgeon's office is able to work with you so you can get in before you lose the Medicaid. It sounds like you will need to push them hard to understand the constraints of your timeline. Make sure you tell them that you will lose insurance at the end of the year. If you are not able to move forward with them, Mexico is a great option. I personally had my surgery in Mexico because my insurance here in the US did not cover WLS at all. I did my research on surgeons, hospitals and patient reviews. I had surgery with Dr. Ramos Kelly and he was wonderful. He is very well qualified, I was able to talk to him several times directly before going down for surgery and I received wonderful care in the hospital. Wrapping your mind around going to Mexico might take you some time - but there are many people who have gone to Mexico and had great experiences and results. It's not something I ever thought I would do but I couldn't afford out of pocket expenses here and I was set on having the surgery. If you do have to go the Mexico route just do your research, talk to a few different surgeons, ask lots of questions, read reviews here, on Real Self and obesity help. Just don't give up - you are worth the struggle!

I have the same struggle especially around PMS and during my actual period. I have to actively coach myself through it - sometimes I win and sometimes I lose. Some of my strategies - I give myself permission to eat anything I want after I have satisfied all my Protein and Fiber needs for the day. Frequently, I just don't have room to actually eat more than I should. I also try to go to bed earlier, drink more Water or have a special tea that I reserve just for moments like that. If none of that works or I just want to give into the cravings, I try to find the best/healthiest option. so for example I will prepare myself a little "mezze" plate of cheese, olives, peppers and hummus, grapes and strawberries. I can never get through all of this but something about having the visual abundance and freedom in front of me helps my brain not to feel stressed out by the idea of not eating what I'm supposed to. And if I have a piece of chocolate or cake or whatever I don't beat myself up - I just make sure it is worth the expenditure because these days there's nothing like eating something and feeling like it was not worth the splurge.

Thanks so much for this great thread @@JamieLogical! I've done C25K before and have been trying to gt back into running recently. Your post has inspired me to give it another try. I need to get some good running playlists - music is what fuels me. You shared some very important and helpful information that I'll keep in mind as I try again.

For me, this isn't a matter of "stop liking what I don't like!" This is a matter of someone going beyond "the vegetarian path worked for me." It directly trashes the medical profession, as well as advocates for a lifestyle that is exceptionally difficult to maintain, disregards the long-standing advice of doctors/nutritionists, perpetuates pseudo-science, and takes thinly-veiled potshots and side jabs at others. Advice that has the potential to be dangerous matters, and deserves appropriate criticism. As for the sarcasm, when you are deliberately provocative and continue to refer to meat as "dead animal flesh," expect a bit of tongue-in-cheek response. I can definitely see why the language would cause offense and it's a pity because I do think there is a good point to be made and discussion to be had about the current state of our food, the standard American diet and even the nutrition guidelines given by bariatric surgeons. I think for me I am able to look past the inflammatory statements because my interest in eating a vegetarian or vegan diet does not stem from moral or ethical concerns really. So I don't get on that high horse. I mean don't get me wrong, I don't think it's okay that so many animals are kept in deplorable conditions and force fed foods/given things that are causing issues in humans like antibiotics with poultry etc. I come at it from reading scientific research that is increasingly suggesting that consumption of animal products maybe detrimental to health. Some of the people saying this are bariatric surgeons who themselves have treated thousands of patients and have data to back up their assertions. So I get the ire, but I also can see the original point being lost in the flames.

For whatever reason, discussions about food that essentially ask people to make hard and fast decisions or choices tend to get heated. It doesn't have to be that way - it's all in the approach. I do think that on some subconscious level, people feel indicted or somehow judged by the choices that others make even when that is not the intention. I found when I ate a vegan diet for the period I described previously, I had to defend my choice to eat that way. I did not go around lording it over anyone or trying to convert people but eating can be a very social thing and questions are bound to come up. Some people can definitely be too sanctimonious about their choices - but the other side of it is people getting defensive about their preference even though they have not been directly accused of wrong doing. As a random aside, my wls surgeon advocates that at about 6 months post op patients should move away from eating beef, pork, chicken and dairy. He encourages intake of vegetables, fish, Beans, nuts, seeds and fruit with the goal being to eat high nutrient lower calorie dense foods. It's something that I think can work for me but fully accept that others will not want to do it or feel good doing it.

I am only 5 months out from my surgery but I'm also interested in transitioning to a whole foods plant based diet. Two years ago I became a vegan for about a year and when I really focused on plant based cooking and eating, I felt great and did really well. But I definitely got lazy and started defaulting to eating simple carbs because that did not involve a lot of cooking or thinking. I was having too many chips, popcorn and other heavy things. I also worsened my Iron deficiency and my doctor asked me to resume eating meat. Now post surgery I am doing a lot of research on vegetarian and vegan eating and trying to move in that direction. I personally am convinced by the research out there showing that excess consumption of red meat is not good for our health. I've also been convinced by a couple of bariatric surgeons books who have suggested that a vegetarian if not vegan diet would assist in long terms success with weight loss. So I'm starting to phase out meat and dairy relying more on fish, Beans, vegetables and nuts for my daily intake. I hope in a few months I will have mastered some go to recipes and foods.