Ylime

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We're almost 4 years out! I've been thinking about you all lately as we approved our anniversary. Curious how everyone is doing. I'm tagging as many people as I can - hoping some peeps still get notifications!! @debbie89 @Tierra T Tij @numinousvessel @kat6620 @Mrs. Rob @PCOSSUCKS @alleamarie @mercmerc @mrselie @Pearldrop @sharaimonique @teddynola @Willbslimnik @annette17 @jenpa @Hapamomma @Mzdurant01 @ByeFelicia @Iwanttoseemytoes @nurse4126 @lionsofmercy @Crcountry @Rasmjil @2sparrows @Dmantei56 @nicolebklyn @RHughes1026 @yoshi_lover @Oceanlove @Trixie82 @Daniellababiex3 @hinton38607 @breathemuzic @LibbyT85 @shortmocha @cb1986 @mitch22622 @g.elisabeth @Coco82 @Deb100 @jhrnhab @ALFxRNY @EsoKev @sentaric @wittymommy @AshAsh12 @Momtokaitlyn @libbyleeb @Sleeved2Achieve @Em_Jay75 @sdcheesehead @mckenzie @lamoore1216 @LindyPablo @CKap10 @NYJenn @jsan @Bellasoo @Lioness815 @Nnoi @greensmoothie @MissPriss81 @insta_adventurer @nisha10 @pumpkinlocks @Anne1657 @Camme @NrseMel77 @KristinOlivia @MN_Meg770 @zodiacalm @shellnj @Jbyerly101 @DianK @Tippy Canoe Hobbit @Ladybabs @mplsgal @Someday @Kahkeetsee @Imanewme @BadWolf523 @LauriW @YoBL @AtlantaRed @KCgirl061 @Mark M @Rick Z @Starr2015 @georgiagirl2275 @SusieSouth @ttj3mom @phoenixforever @Jenny Rose @boardlady@netptc.net @Fluffy Grandma @Elle_Woods @markuspak @Frmamomzeyez @_Shane_ @roseinnj @ElanBri @Kat0000 @jenngetsthin @Kris10keleher @MargoCL (Tagging more in the next post)

I'm 3.5 years out. For such a long time I followed my Dr's rules and strived to stick with the 1,000 calories on a non-workout day and the 70g protein goal. But even with that protein goal and water I still find myself hungry and over the past year my calorie count has picked up. My Dr continues to advocate no more than 1 cup of food 3x a day with one snack of veggies. That just hasn't been sustainable for me. My weight has remained fairly steady so there haven't been any real negative impacts, but I just get so stressed when I'm not meeting the intended goals. So - where are you all at?

First of all, what you are feeling is perfectly normal and natural. You are making a decision that will change your life forever. That's the reality. Before my surgery I had major doubts. I was worried I would be the one person in the world that the surgery didn't work for. I worried I would fall back into my normal eating habits, I wouldn't exercise, I wouldn't lose weight or I'd gain it all back. And to be honest, 2 years post-op, I still think that almost on a daily basis. But I wouldn't change it for the world. The weeks following surgery it is crucial you follow the plan. It is not only to help your body heal but this is the boot camp to teach your body your new way of living and eating. Take it one day at a time. My hunger (or fake hunger) between meals went away as long as I keep focusing on the healthy eating at my meals. Do some research on how you can get your protein without cooking. I do protein shakes too and they help a lot. But think about keeping grilled chicken or turkey burgers on hand - that requires little effect to make and you only have to heat it up. Beans provide a lot of protein, and again you just heat them up. Unprocessed lunch meats also require no cooking. Now real talk - Your husband needs to STFU. This is not his decision and he does not get to dictate what you do. This is your decision. Also, it is extremely detrimental to anyone to tell them just to eat better and exercise more. That doesn't work for everyone and anyone that says that callously does not understand the emotional toll it takes to do what you are supposed to and still not see results. I was overweight because my body fought me no matter I did, it wasn't due to lack of knowledge or motivation. Do what you feel is right and don't let anyone talk you out of what you want to do.

I hit my goal weight in May - 20 months post op. 100% of my excess weight is gone and I've now maintained for 6 months. Still a daily struggle to ensure I stay on track to stay at goal. But very happy with where I am!

I am now 2+ years out from surgery and still maintaining my goal weight. VSG has changed my life in so many ways. But there are negative things or challenges I rarely see people talking about. I'm listing mine in hopes others won't feel alone, please add yours if you'd like. I'm thinking this might be a bit therapeutic as I don't talk about this in real life as no one really understands unless you've been through it. Things that have become very real for me: *Body Dysmorphia is real. I currently wear a dress/jean size 6 and tops in XS/S. I know those sizes are amazing and I never would have imagined that's where I would end up. BUT...when I look in the mirror I don't see that size. I still see my butt as huge, My sagging stomach doesn't help but I just can't shake the "fat" thoughts when I see myself. I recently read that part of this is due to the fact that we tend to over exaggerated what we looked like when we were overweight, so losing that weight still doesn't give us an accurate depiction of who we really are. I try and keep this in mind but I don't know if this will ever go away. *Addiction Transfer. It took me awhile to realize this but I most definitely transferred my addictive eating to compulsive shopping. I've spent way too much money since going through this process. It's a constant struggle. *Confidence and Self Worth. This is a good thing for sure. But, I have been struggling in my marriage for a long time. And for years I felt trapped because of my fear for being alone forever - which was driven by the fact that I was overweight and told myself no one else would ever want me. I have a different view now. I've changed physically and emotionally. My spouse has always had different philosophies on life than I have. He has never eaten well, never exercised, and has never wanted to become healthier. I had hoped my success would give him some motivation to do better but it hasn't. That combined with other major issues we have had led to my decision to end my marriage. It's ultimately a positive thing for me as I'm in a toxic relationship but finally have the emotional strength and confidence to do this. It's sad, but it's reality.

Yes, I exercised from the moment I got home from the hospital. Short and slow walks around the block and 3 months out I joined the gym and got back into heavy cardio and lifting weights. I don't see why exercise would be controversial. It's the key to health and keeping weight off. I stick to protein shakes after exercise so that keeps me from eating too much and keeps me full until the next meal. I don't have significant cravings anymore. I have thoughts of food but they no longer control me. The craziest thing that happens now is how much I have to fight my brain. Like when I think of a cheeseburger I remember how I would get a big, juicy burger and dive into it. So I have a cheeseburger for dinner (now small, lean meat, light cheese), and I look at it and realize I can't eat like that anymore. Nor do I want to. The brain is tricky that way. I was crazy worried about the liquid diet. But it truly wasn't that bad. It helped to stay busy at work and at home. And when the family ate meals, I didn't join them. I sat in the living room while they ate so I couldn't see the food and be tempted. Just stay focused on the end goal. And don't beat yourself up if you slip during the two period. It will all even out in the end.

Well, I hate sushi. lol But I have small amounts of rice around 6 months out and ate tuna and shrimp not longer after I could start having solid foods given their high amounts of protein.

My tolerance for sugar significantly went down. I didn't drink soda for a long long time but after surgery I tried a sip of my husband's coke and it was disgusting. lol There are still cravings but they no longer own me. Sweets used to consume my life and I couldn't switch my brain off from thinking about them. But it's different now. And I do believe it's because I rarely get hungry. The year of focusing on protein definitely helped retrain my brain for what I want. I still have cookies and brownies, but I can control it better.

Sorry for the delay - work took over! When I'm tracking hard core I'm around 1,000 calories a day, still targeting around 70g or protein. Now that I'm a year out weight no longer comes off quickly. I haven't hit my goal yet and average about a 4lb loss per month with both losses and gains. Stalls still happen and typically when I haven't been on top of my game. I refocus my eating, up the veggies and protein and switch up my exercise. But most of all, stay patient. Don't sabotage yourself because you're frustrated. The break will happen and there is nothing you can do to force it.

I remember being sore for a long time, but I was only out of work for 2 weeks so it wasn't horrible pain. As others have said you HAVE to drink water. It will help with healing also. I loved having a hot water bottle on me at night after a long day. Not only helped with the pain but also forced me to relax and take it easy.

You are not alone. Stalls happen all the time for everyone, it's just your body saying it needs a break. I hit a stall around my 9 month mark. Super frustrating. I went back to hardcore tracking every food I ate, making it a goal to hit 80grams of protein a day and filling the rest in with veggies and fruit. I limited sugar for one month and that helped refocus my cravings. Overall I just had to be patient and keep doing what I was doing. My stall lasted for two months which was crazy frustrating, but once it broke I was right back on track with regular losses. It will happen, just stay true to your plan.

Congrats on your date!! That's my wedding anniversary and my grandparent's wedding anniversary so I consider that a very lucky day! What are your biggest questions? I'm 15 months out. Which surgery are you having?

Ok so I'm so jealous. I just got back from Jamaica on vacation and can't wait to go back. Everyone is so nice there! That stinks that you can't get PowerAde Zero, I live on that stuff. Are there any companies that ship grocery type items there? I know there are lots of different hydration alternatives so I'm wondering if there is something you could find that would comparable.