johnsons13

Anyone from the South or living in the South? How has your journey been so far and where are you at in your journey? I am from Nashville, Tennessee and lived there most of my life. I live in Ashland City now and I"ve been here almost 4 years. I had my sleeve done in Nashville at Centennial on April 3rd of this year. So far, I have lost 45 pounds at my last appointment at the end of September. From my home scale, I have lost a total of 54 pounds.

My birthday is next month, and I had told myself and my hubby that if I did good from now until the 8th, I was going to reward myself with some "good" food. Well, I have not done good so I've grounded myself and said stick to the same foods. When I started this topic earlier (then my computer lost what I had typed) I realized that I don't need to reward myself with food. After all, I got obese by comforting myself with food. That is like telling an addict "if you stay clean and sober a year, I'll give you some heroin." Well, I've decided instead, I'm going to get a piercing. I'm getting it this weekend because my hubby gets paid and the Tattoo studio is having a sale this month. What kind of rewards do you give yourself?

I've had such a hard time with getting my mental health meds related. I'm finally settled on respirodone and prozac.

I was just curious if anyone struggling after surgery added an OTC weight loss pill or even a prescribed pill and what were the results?

Yes I did, thank you. What calories were you told?

It always amazes me the different instructions by different dr's. I remember when I was seeing my primary they said if I stuck to a diabetic diet of 2000 calories I'd lose weight, of course I didn't, but I thought with 500 I would starve and at times that is what it feels like, then I get moody. I end up eating very bad foods. But when I eat about 1000 in healthy foods I don't get "hungry or angry". But 500 literally I don't feel full.

I just sent you a pm with my phone number. I was also told I can't eat fruits but I can use them to infuse in my water.

This isn't lifelong for the 5-700 calorie, it's only until I get to maintenance weight, then I can go up to 1000. Sorry if I made you think it was lifelong. If that was the case I don't think I would have had the surgery. I have no other health issues other than diabetes which my a1c is coming down since surgery.

To me, the surgery is also a band aid. I've pretty much been able to eat what and when I wanted after surgery without restrictions except the first month. If I don't eat the 500 calories I"m supposed to, I stand still and gain weight even if it's added 200 calories. The otc never worked before for me either, but I"ve realized that medicine that never worked before reacts different now. Like melatonin never made me sleepy and now the smallest amount will make me tired. Tylenol never helped headaches or anything else and the smallest dose will help what is bothering me. So, I didn't know if there was a difference with others now. I struggle with the unhealthy relationship with food, but like I said the only restriction I have is what the dr tells me, not my body. I feel hungry when I drink the 80 oz of fluids and eat 500 calories. I thought it was head hunger and dehydration, but I've made sure to get my fluids plus extra and I still feel super hungry, stomach growling when I eat 500 calories. I'm supposed to stay on 500 calories no more than 700 until I reach goal weight. But that seems impossible.

I've been stuck at the same weight for about 5-6 months. I'll gain about 5 pounds then right back down. I know I mess up my eating sometimes, well a lot. But, I've been going to the gym now and eating less with no change. I thought it was just me

I've been seeing a therapist and going to the gym about 3 times a week. Which is as much as I can go with having kids under 13 24/7. I've been stuck for about 5 months or so and I know that I'm the cause of it. I know I have an unhealthy relationship with food. I do good for a few days then slip. Once I slip it's hard to get back on path. I read an article that my gym put out about weight loss surgery patients sometimes needing appetite suppressants added because of something to do with a lowering of basal metabolic rate and increasing hunger. Something to do with the decrease of leptin. I was wondering if that was what was happening with me. I go to my dr this Thursday and thought about asking him about that. My insurance doesn't cover prescription appetite suppressants like phintermene (not sure if I spelled that wrong). So that's why I was also wondering about OTC meds.

I had my surgery about 9 months ago and I have been stalled for the last 2 months. I know that I have been overeating and eating all the wrong things. I know I am stretching my new stomach out and I'm so angry and disappointed in myself. Has anyone else struggled and what did you do to get back on track. The holidays are so hard for me emotionally for a few reasons. I'm a recovering alcoholic/addict and after getting clean and sober 7 years ago I went to using food for comfort (I already had food issues before but they doubled). I have reverted back to my old comfort of eating and yes, I am in therapy.

Sorry I didn't post a fridge pic, but nothing as spectacular as all the beautiful fridges that look like they should be shown in homes and garden. My fridge is dirty and kid friendly with lots of snacks (healthy and not so), lots of leftovers for the family, stains, etc. I have been doing so much better this month. Still not completely doing what I'm supposed to, but in AA we say it's progress not perfection. As long as I'm moving forward, I'm moving in the right direction.

My biggest fear is putting money into something that just doesn't work. I've wasted so much money on stuff trying to get myself going in the right direction with no luck. And goodness the money on vitamins that are horrible that are just sitting on a shelf in my kitchen or I've given to my Aunt.

I think I"m going to look into that shirt. I need one to feel comfortable jogging and walking. Does it help with bottom belly fat? It looks comfy

I have been doing a lot better since the new year. I still do wrong, but I'm slowly getting back on track. I'm drinking more fluids and getting those back where they are supposed to be and taking my vitamins. I am not looking forward to going to my dr and getting weighed. I think I go this month for my next visit. I get so angry and you would think that would be enough but all that does is give my warped mind a reason to indulge in comfort foods. I'm trying to drink a protein drink for 2 of my meals and then a nice dinner that is mostly protein. I'm getting at least 1 protein drink in so far a day.

Proudest moment 2018 was working on my marriage and losing 50 pounds. Now I gotta get back on track. I have a better pic, but I can't get it to upload. This pic was Dec 2017. I was 230.

I'm in. I'll have to figure out how to get a before pic on here. Surgery status- 9 months post op today Stalled Current weight is 185 Goal weight is 140 My 2018 goals are to get on track and stay focused on losing weight and getting to maintenance weight, spend less time on my phone and more time with my boys and husband. Be kinder to nature and the earth. My January goals are to start losing weight again and stop with excuses.

I have either been stalled or gaining for the past few months. I will look into that challenge. I tried the hydration challenge and failed that.

I live in a rural area outside Nashville. I'm from Nashville and I"m used to all kinds of things right around the corner. Here, the nearest gym that is affordable is in Nashville over 30 minute drive. The gyms in town are ridiculously priced. I live down in a holler in the woods, so walking the street takes a 20 minute walk up my driveway that by the time I get up the hill, I'm breathing hard and ready to go back down. I have 1 neighbor down here with me that has 3 dogs, 2 huge ones that bark at fleas farting. I love walking in the wilderness, but not when I'm afraid their electric fence will be off. I have an elliptical and exercise trampoline, but it gets boring and I give up before a good workout. Excuses I know.

What are you doing for exercise? And is your family eating right with you? I'm stalled for as few months now

My family is in East Tennessee. They live in Jamestown.

That's my dr too. I had mine done April 3rd. I live in Ashland city now. Born and raised in Nashville. It's cool to meet someone who has used the same dr, hospital, and nutritionist.

I was told I couldn't swallow meds for at least a year without crushing them. You can't crush XR pills, so I've had to reroute my mental health meds. I'm on a liquid bi polar med as of right now and my dr has talked about adding an anti depressant. If I take one, it has to be dissolvable, crushable, or liquid. I have changed my meds so much in the past 8 months because I can't tolerate the crushed up taste the meds leave. I would talk to your surgeon and see what they accept. I hear all kinds of advice on here. Some people are allowed to swallow pills. I have finally been approved to swallow a certain medicine I might be getting on but just because I would only take it for 2 months and its a need, but I've been told to cut them in half and give a break between pills. But it's going to be another month or so before I even get on it.

I'm bored and raised in Tennessee with redneck family members that are all from the South. To us, going North is Kentucky. I'm not ignorant, but we're Southerners at heart. I think that is a good question because my life has always revolved around food. As a kid (I've even noticed I've done this with my kids) we're rewarded with food. When people came to our house, you were just fed. If you didn't eat what was offered it was considered rude. Cleaning your plate was a must to show respect. I know as I've gotten older (I'm 36) it makes me happy to see people devour my food I've cooked or to praise me with how it tastes. Food was used as comfort. If I was sick, eating would cure it all (except a tummy bug). Us Southerners have "comfort foods" that are fried in lard, bacon grease, or oils and you had your sweets like homemade pies, cookies and cakes. Carbs was/is a staple. Every meal had biscuits or cornbread (not the sweet kind). I actually just finished making biscuits for my husband that I freeze for his breakfast. We are all up in peoples business. When something happens in a persons family, it's nothing to take casseroles, cakes, breads, etc. I have struggled so much to lose weight. I'm 9 months post op and I've been stalled for 2-3 months. Winter is hard for me because of deaths and birthdays and I've used food for comfort my whole life except when I was on drugs. I can't speak for all Southerners, but this is my own personal experience.