Recidivist

Wow, thanks everyone for talking about your cravings as well. Chocolate was a big problem for me before surgery! Since the chocolate bar incident, I've stocked up on Jello sugar-free chocolate pudding (which I love), sugar-free popsicles, and a couple of sugar-free chocolate bars. If I feel the urge, I can grab one of those. As Gottajustdoit mentioned, I know that I'm taking up pouch space that should be used for protein, but at least it's not as bad as the full-sugar options. I'm beginning to think that my little slip was a good thing, because I've re-committed to making healthy choices instead of giving into temptation. Love this site!

I'm ashamed to report that I learned today I can eat a full-sugar, full-fat chocolate bar without any ill effects. And I'm afraid knowing that could be dangerous. I'll be back on the wagon tomorrow!

I managed to gain three pounds over the past week (which, in case you aren't aware, makes me happy). I could stand to gain at least five more, but I'm relieved to see that I've stopped losing. I'm still finding my sweet spot in terms of how many calories I can eat in maintenance.

I think everything you have listed above sounds like healthy choices based on the fact that you were seriously overweight at one time. In my opinion, it would be different if you were engaging in those behaviors without ever having had a weight issue. Also, you have crossed out the most destructive behaviors associated with eating disorders: binging, purging and allowing your preoccupation with food negatively impact our lives. As Viking noted, your discipline is admirable!

I used a CPAP for about a year but stopped because I hated it (no love at all). I was tested again in September and have essentially no more sleep apnea either. I really notice a difference in how well-rested I feel in the morning!

I've contacted a personal trainer who specializes in clients with massive weight loss. She thinks I can accomplish quite a bit in terms of the stomach, thighs and butt--but obviously not perfection. Unfortunately, it won't do a thing for the face and neck!

Fair enough. No hard feelings! 🙂

OMG--I am eight months out and am ALWAYS thirsty! (I was thinking of starting this as a new thread as well!) I am able to gulp at this point and I get plenty of water (at least 90 oz per day), but I'm still thirsty if I go 30 minutes or more without drinking. I hate the 30-minute rule about drinking before and after meals! I've learned to carry a bottle of water with me everywhere and drink constantly, although that's not always possible. I don't love being thirsty all the time, but I suppose it's better than being severely overweight and not being able to walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I need to lie down!

I was told exactly the same thing--and that I should not "help" them come off.

Hi, Sleeved. I had seriously low blood pressure for weeks after surgery. Like you, I got dizzy every time I stood up. I also passed out occasionally, had several seizures and ended up in the emergency room once. My surgeon and the doctor in emergency told me that I needed to get more water. Nobody said that I needed more protein, although I was falling short there. When I really started to focus on fluid intake, it did improve.

Hi, Healthy Life. As you can see from our surgery dates, many of us are just now entering the maintenance phase. There isn't nearly as much structure as there was in the very regimented weight loss phase, and the fact that we have so many more food choices is a bit intimidating. Also, it is tough to make the mental shift from weight loss to maintenance. And yes, some of us are concerned that we continue to lose weight because we can't seem to get enough calories. I can totally relate to what MouseCat is feeling because I'm going through the same thing. We'll eventually get where you are, but in the meantime please go easy on us and try to remember what it was like when you were making the shift to maintenance.

Wow, what a great thread! You all look amazing! I had posted my recent photo (about a month ago) on another thread, but I'm adding it here as well.

I had a similar experience. I was a huge water drinker (gulper) prior to surgery, and I was surprised at how easy it was to drink enough shortly after surgery--but a little at a time, as you said. And I wasn't hungry at all for about four or five months. I'm now eight months out and am drinking almost normally, but still not as much as I used to. Waiting 30 minutes before and after eating is a drag.

We are all going to slip up now and then. It's the end result that matters, not the little ups and downs along the way. Don't beat yourself up!

I have never smoked in my life--unless you count pot for a few years back in the late 70's. 🙂

As I've said here before, I'm dealing with the same issue. I have done many of the things suggested here: avocados with olive oil, sweet potatoes and pumpkin, nuts (love them!) and peanut butter (organic without sugar). Unfortunately, the peanut butter made me massively sick, but the rest went down well. I'm also experimenting with other things, like sugar-free chocolate, gluten-free bread with butter and cheese (I'm gluten-intolerant), and sort of "heavy" meat stews with beans. I feel like I've been totally indulging for the past couple of weeks, but I've only managed to stop losing weight for the past week--probably because I still can't eat much in terms of volume. In fact, I'd like to gain about ten pounds and settle there. Slowly but surely!

What a coincidence! I'm getting my dog scanned on Thursday. Sorry, I just couldn't resist! 🙂

Are you sure it was really the lure of the cigarette that mad you go back--and not the tall, dark Italian fellow? 🙂

Happily married here, but a couple of observations: You will able to eat more food and a greater variety as time goes by. I agree with Maidenhall that you should just concentrate on your health and recovery for now. There are quite a few emotional ups and downs during weight loss, and you probably don't want to throw the stress of dating into the mix. My biggest issue with socializing after surgery is friends who don't know I had surgery trying to force food on me. I tell them I'm on a medically supervised diet, but they insist that "one piece of pizza / cookie / glass of wine won't hurt." I have to be quite insistent at times. Finally, you don't need to explain anything on a first date (or second, or third). If it looks like the relationship might have potential, you could bring it up and some point, but wait and see whether you even want to see the person again.

My surgeon said no alcohol at all for the first year, and ideally never. I had a tiny sip of expensive champagne when I retired six months after surgery. (I swear is was such a tiny sip that it barely counted!) I was a very light drinker before surgery and do not miss drinking at all, so I intend to avoid alcohol forever. Alcohol is empty calories that take up space in your pouch that could be used for something more nutritious. Just because you can drink doesn't mean you should. My post probably sounds judgmental, and that's really not the case. It's just my perspective. 🙂

Hi, New BSP. This forum is an amazing source of support and information, and I would say that almost everyone here is very happy they had weight loss surgery. However, you should do your own research and speak with a local doctor. Most of them have informational sessions to make sure you understand what is involved, both before and after surgery. It's a big decision and you need to be informed.

Sheri, that could have been written by me. The only difference is that I don't want to keep losing, but I continue to lose a pound or so a week. I have been trying very hard to consume more calories, but I'm not even getting close to the 1,700 to 1,800 my nutritionist recommended. I have started to add carbs because I know I have to. (It was a tough mental shift after avoiding them like the plague for eight months.) I'm also adding fat, like soft cheese, whole milk, sugar-free chocolate, etc. Even so, I continue to lose. Even worse, I feel mildly sick to my stomach much of the time. I feel like I'm going backwards, because I never felt sick for the last four months or so of weight loss. I also often feel like food is stuck in my esophagus when I eat too much--now I know what people mean when they say that. I'm not necessarily asking for suggestions, but I'd be happy to hear them if anyone has them.

I've had herniated discs three times. The worst one took about three months to heal. Doctors recommended surgery and injections, but I did not want them. It was torture, particularly in bed, but it did heal eventually. Hang in there!

I had bypass, but I had the same problem with water in the first couple of months, particularly with not drinking for 30 minutes before or after eating. All I can say is that it got easier over time and I can now consume about 90 oz per day!

I can't comment on your specific insurance, but I had very similar stats and was approved by my insurance. I don't believe that high cholesterol is considered a relevant co-morbidity, but hypertension and pre-diabetes certainly are. At 5'2" and 130 pounds, you would have a BMI of 23, which is considered healthy. Once you reach your goal weight, you are in control. In order to stop losing weight, you will need to increase your calories at that point. (I happen to have just started maintenance and am increasing my calories to about 1,700 to 1,800 per day--and I will admit that it's not easy!)