Spinoza

Oh I like your system of rewards! Hope you enjoy every minute of your appointment and your new hair (before and after photos please)??

Ditching sugar. That's what made me obese. Surgery fixed that by limiting the volume I could eat and making me make healthy choices. I did used to eat a square of 90% or 100% cocoa chocolate for a few months after surgery when I had cravings but I haven't done that for many months now. I do occasionally eat sugar when I can't avoid it, but it doesn't control my life any more.

Brilliant. Hitting those big goals is what keeps us going. You have done so well. Enjoy all the movies to come in those big old recliners.

I think that is such a sensible and pragmatic solution. You will enjoy their company so much more when you've had the chance to settle into your new life. 👍

That is EXACTLY where my head is at the minute D&S! Happy (SO happy!) with where I am now, but if I lose a little more it'll be a cushion against any bounce back. Travelling makes everything just that little bit harder - I hope you can lose a bit more if that gets you to your happy place 😍Looking forward to the big anniversary next month

Oh interesting topic! I have no issues with spices or heat at all - thankfully, also a heat lover here! For some reason I really expected to though.

I really want to hear from you - you KNOW I'll be checking in next month again so I hope you're reporting good progress by then 💪

This is SO a thing. I am 11 months post surgery and I have absolutely no idea when eyeing up a space whether I could fit through it or not. I haven't banged feet though - poor you - painful!! Also - no idea when picking up clothing and checking the size (not by the label - just by its appearance) whether or not it will fit me. None at all - I'm usually several inches out. I think/hope that might come with time. Hopefully yours does too.

I totally get your worries too - I have also been eating noticeably more in the last few weeks because I am hungrier, and I am fearful that it will just keep increasing and increasing until I'm back to eating too much of the wrong foods again and regaining everything. That's my big fear. And it does happen to some people who did really well post op. I think all we can do is keep tracking, keep observing the effects of a higher calorie intake on our bodies and try and get help early if eating does actually get out of hand again. There's lots of help here, and you should be able to ask your surgeon/dietician too. I really hope that you lose those final 20lbs, you have done so well it would be lovely to get where you really want to be. But even if you don't I hope you're fine in the long term and happy with all you've achieved - it's amazing.

Hi all, Just a shout out to the November 2021 guys - how is everyone doing now? I'm exactly 11 months post op now, 5lbs below my original goal of 160. I lost 10lbs last month after losing only 3 the previous month so stalls are clearly still a thing - I thought that was me done but apparently not! My ideal weight (what even is that???) is 147lbs apparently, which is now 8lbs away, so the closer I can get to that the happier I will be, but I'm not setting an official new goal of anything, seems clear the loss will just stop when it stops. Then starts the *really* hard work. I hope everyone is happy with how they are doing. Please check in and let me know - seems like yesterday we were just starting this journey together. 😍

My surgeon and dietician didn't stipulate any particular post-op diet, the only advice was to drink "plenty" (honestly). I got my general advice about fluid and protein goals on this forum. I do eat small amounts of all kinds of carbs but am still losing weight. I do think when I eat bread in particular that I want to snack more afterwards, even if it's wholegrain bread, so it's something I will be careful about and think I'll always have to be careful about. I don't want anything to be off limits completely though - that way obsession lies (for me anyway).

It's great that you've pulled yourself up on this so early. My advice would be to prioritise your water and protein goals. Every meal starts with protein, then veg, don't worry about carbs (they cause me to get food cravings too). Even snacks should be protein based if possible - I keep deli meat and small cubes of cheese in containers in the fridge so there is always something decent that's grabbable. I also keep carrot and celery sticks sometimes (I'm lucky, I can process raw veg) for crunch. You can do this - you've had a successful six months, you don't want to scupper that and that's why you retorted in here. Most of us relax on holidays, that's what they're for, but now it's back on the horse! Best of luck.

Thank you for this OP! I used to play competitive sport and stopping that but continuing to eat as I had before definitely contributed to my weight gain, as did so many lifestyle changes. So glad to hear your story and I only hope I can get there some day too. 💪

I've read this so many times and kind of expected it but never experienced it! My shoe size is pretty much exactly what it was 120lbs ago. Weird!!

I didn't buy anything to help with bite size or portion size, and I wouldn't have used them even if I did because I was really restricted post op. Less so now of course. I was eating food that covered the tip of a teaspoon initially, and then progressed to filling that up more. Nothing wrong with baby spoons though if that focuses the mind - it's all about that. Best of luck on your journey 🤩

Yeah interesting thread - I see my weight, my weight loss, and how I did it as totally my information to share or not as I see fit. Some of us are just more reticent than others - that's life!. I've had a lifetime of being judged for being overweight and obese so I'll decide how I live my life at a normal weight with no obligation to explain it to ANYONE. Nothing wrong with one or other approach - I just don't think I especially owe a waiter any explanation/justification of why I want my meal a certain way. I just assume they'll bring it as I ask for it cos that's what waiters do (and this is said in the knowledge that I and all of my family have done that job at some time). 😁

Fantastic. Such a worthy cause as you say - I'm glad it raised so much money. Your dress is amazing too. 😍

Yeah interesting question! It's definitely not the same at all. With hindsight I felt properly full with tiny amounts at both pureed and soft food stages (I had a sleeve). Now that I'm eating everything I often know I can't eat any more volume wise but still don't feel full. It's weird - I call it empty full. If I really want that full feeling I wait half an hour and top up with something not protein. Most times I can just ignore it though, it's not hunger at all, it's just not feeling full in the old way!

Also used to dodge the camera. When I do see photos of the old me I am overwhelmed with regret that I didn't have surgery years ago.

How difficult it is just to get both fluids and protein in! I have pretty much sailed through my sleeve op. My only concerns have been related to hitting my fluid and protein goals in the same day. In the early days I pretty much alternated them. Even 11 months out I have to pay real ongoing attention to both.

I drank a *lot* of hot bouillon in the weeks after surgery to meet my fluid goals. I seemed to be able to drink that much quicker than anything cold or room temp. That was just me though! You're right to have a think pre-op about mixing up the temperature of your fluids after surgery - it really can make a difference!

Where are you on your journey OP?? I'm almost 11 months post sleeve. If I stick to protein first, veg second then I can eat three kind of half sized meals a day - 2-3 of oz of meat/fish and a few oz of veg - and two or three snacks. I reserve my carbs for bedtime so generally have porridge (oatmeal) made with milk then cos that helps me sleep (I am such a baby). I make a point of having one or two servings of fruit a day and at least three proper portions of veg for my general health - I know lots of people have lots more than that this far out from surgery. If I wanted to eat carbs all day then I probably could and would probably gain weight but I've gone to some trouble and expense to get a tool that I can use to lose weight and then also keep me at a lower weight so I intend to use it!! Stick to the program and you'll be fine, that is the absolutely most important thing. Best of luck. When is your surgery??

Oh wow - I also cannot go to bed hungry. I thought I was alone in this (seems so weird but I just cannot sleep if I am). I would rather be hungry all day than risk not being full at bedtime. So - as soon as I could eat solid food after my sleeve I purposely hoarded calories to eat at bedtime. Probably 20% plus of my daily allowance. And ideally carby - so, porridge with fruit, or toast, etc. I kind of relate this to my night owl metabolism generally. I know that morning people (larks) mightn't understand that but as a fellow night owl I totally totally do. Chronotypes are real and they have an impact on weight loss.

FWIW at almost 11 months post sleeve I can eat one egg easily, and have been able to from early on. I might fit in one and a half if I wanted to push it for whatever reason but I definitely couldn't do two without discomfort. We're all different though and early on you don't get the full benefit of your restriction because of the cut nerves. Stick it out, you'll be absolutely fine.