stcyt

Moderation was always my problem pre surgery. My fantasy was that once I lost the weight, I would eat what ever I wanted, only in moderation (forced moderation... but moderation). I'm really close to goal and have had a few forays into the real world of food (taco bell being one of them). I have had such guilt and remorse after these times.... I am really going to start working on a healthier relationship with food... one that involves small indulgences without guilt. I mean, seriously, its not like we can eat enough in one sitting to do any real damage. I know we have the potential to regain if we decide to "eat around" the surgery with mushies and milk shakes... but NORMAL MODERATE eating has always been an illusive dream.

Well.... I would like to say I am offended that marketers have to "dumb it down" for us like that.... but honestly... I do love wearing a size 6 and I wont buy an 8 on principle....... I guess that makes me the very reason it had to be "dumbed down"

when I was researching compression garments for possible arm lift (if only I could afford it) the advertisements said that the garments were intended for people post-plastic surgery or post bariatric surgery....hmmmmm

I recently consulted a surgeon about excess skin on my arms. The damage is already done in my case, but he said to use compression garments when I excercize, especially high impact. He said the jarring of impact yanks the skin away from the body and can tear at the connective tissue. Hmmmmm this is a very interesting topic. by the way.... I just wrap my arms in ace bandages when I run.

Thanks Irene..... I have to really work at seeing myself as a success sometimes... I know I really am fine... its just so easy to frame is as a failure for not loosing the last 8 instead of a success for loosing the first 49. Its weird how we are so nurturing and supportive to others and so mean to ourselves sometimes. thanks for the reminder stacey

wow thanks that kind of stuff is sooooo helpful for those of us who spin ut from time to time wondering if we can really make this work for the long term. I'm 8 lbs from goal and I am going to work like crazy to maintain!!!!!! At 10 mos out I take one PPI in the morning and have no problems. At first I took two a day but had no trouble cutting back.

I get kind of nervous when I hear how little others can eat. I really feel like I can eat pretty big portions. Thank goodness for the dumping. You guys are right though.... 2 tacos are better than the 4 I used to snarf. My weight stayed the same this month which was pretty dissapointing since I'm about 8 lbs from goal. Clearly.... its my own darn fault since I went to taco bell (there were two other indescretions that I am embarrassed to admit here) I did do 40 minutes of cardio every morning before Breakfast and lifted at lunch almost every single day.... I was kind of hoping that would offset the bad behavior. Not so..... theres no rest for the weary. thanks for the input guys stacey

Yea... I think the only difference is the sour cream. This actually probably makes it a little more of a "slider" than a regular taco. The nice thing is.... I have never been overly tempted by these foods... fast food... potatoe chips...etc. They are nice once in a while.. but not really my thing. My thing was sweets. I loved cake and Cookies so much... mmm. Now... I think I have a dumping syndrome of sorts. I know we are not supposed to get that, but if I eat a sugary treat I am nauseaus and doubled up over the toilet. It takes about 45 minuets fo me to get back to normal. I know this sounds like a bad side effect, but I'm thankful. Its a swift and harsh consequence for forays into the danger zone. thanks stacey

I dont count calories or carbs for the same reason. It triggers the most amazing dysfunctional process around food. Its hard. Sometimes I have to actively fight the urge to "diet". I am a very slow looser too and that doesnt help because I panick that it wont all come off or I want to speed up the process. Your specialist is right though..... we have to be "normal" around food or we will always have these issues. One of the ways I combat the anxiety is that, although I never count, I am very careful about WHAT I eat. I eat only foods that I know wont put weight on me. For me this is whole foods.... nothing processed. I make all my own Soups using lots of high Protein Beans such as pinto or black beans. I dont eat potatoes or bread or other starches that break down quickly. My sister calls it "eating close to the earth" If its been alterd by humans I avoid it. You may find a different plan.... there are options out there that dont require counting things.... South beach for instance. I just like eating 100% whole foods and its working, although slowly. I still have a little anxiety around food and eating as much as I want.... but if I know its wholsome and will nourish me (no empty calories) I feel better about it. I dont know if this helps... but it does get better. hang in there stacey

Yea... they are definately a "no" food... it was a little splurge.... I was mostly just scared by the volume I was able to consume.

Mines Gone Too!!!!!! Arnt these little things great !!!! I think Yoga helped with posture.... but mostly I think it was just a big pad of fat. Yea for us!!!! Stacey

So..... I have a little hump back. Its not huge, just a kind of "bump" where my spine joins with the bottom of my neck. I always thought I was just stuck with this but then I saw some show on TV where this girls was talking about all the plastics she had done and she said she had "part of her back shaved" Is there a procedure that can fix this???? Stacey

Yea!!!! good for you. Its funny how those little things make such a difference in our confidence. I don't have any desire to go flirting and cavorting with every male of the species... but I get checked out a little too now and it feels good. I know what you mean about being "normal" I felt so freakish when I was big. I dont need to be Angelina Jolie but its nice to not stick out anymore.

I used Dr Rod last year for my sleeve. I was in TJ at INT hospital. The whole thing was a great experience. Int was small but super clean and they took really good care of me. Dr Rod was great... there's a young doc named Dr Elmo (???, cant remember.. I think thats it). He really does most of the work and is very nice. I got the impression that Dr Rod is more of a figure head while Elmo is the worker. Either way... both spent time with me and both were absolutly fabulous. Nothing to fear... your in great hands

I'm going on 10 mos and I too am curious about the 2 year mark. What about. My doc told me that skin can take 1-2 years to snap back. Are you guys finding your getting a little tighter (skin wise I mean). I don't have hanging skin.... but I can tell it doesnt fit me like it used too. Things kind of wobbel a little more... despite weight training. I'm 45.... wondering if its going to get better and if so, in what time frame.

Looks like your on the road to success..... Keep us posted

I have a full thing of BA chewable vitamines and had a horrible time with nausea. I just couldn't tolerate them. Like you... I didn't want to throw them out so I started sucking on them. On a full stomach I suck very slowly until the vitamine is about half gone.... then about 20 minutes later I slowly suck the rest. I have had no problems since I started this, I think it helps alot to have it hit your stomach slowly. I do't know if it will impact the laxative effect. Once I'm finished with this bottle I will get a different brand

The only thing I wish I had done differently was get my thyroid tested before I did the surgery. I think you really have to capitalize on those 1st few months and I probably would have lost a little faster had I been on synthroid like I am now. I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism when my US doc did my labs at about 5 months out. I complain alot about being a slow looser..... its all just a bunch of whining on my part.... I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have never ever done a better thing for myself

I'm really scared about the real loss being over too. I am loosing about 2lbs per month. I'm really really close to goal, so if I can keep it up for just a few more months I should get there. But every month I think "what if this is the month that I dont loose at all" We are all so conditioned to believe we can't succeed.... diet after diet after diet.... I am actively working on changing my thinking. In the mornings, before I do anything else, I reframe my thoughs.... focusing on the success I have had, and not on the sense of failure at not reaching goal. Its an active process.... but I think its helping. I feel a little less panicky and stressed about the whole thing when I do this.

wow...You guys sure have a lot of crazy stuff you have to try and make sense of..... I think I'll confess to my accountant sister about the surgery and let her sort it out. Thanks.... it does help me understand a little better stacey

I don't worry that I will get too thin.... but I really worry that I will regain the weight (or at least part of it) back. I used to be a binger and as time goes on... that kind of lifestyle becomes more possible. I have had a few slider binges and it scares me. Thankfully I get a little dumping when I eat too much sugar so that will keep me away from the cookies and ice cream. I'm careful, I work out, and I have worked hard at not just loosing weight.... but creating a healthy lifestyle. I guess our fears will haunt us for some time to come.

I hear you..... we have come to far... put in too much time, money, and heart ache to throw in the towel. I think if I could go on a "diet" without triggering my binge cycle I would because it would be ever so much easier than before... I think 1000 calories a day would be ample given my current anatomy. We will get there!!!!!

wow oopsseedaisy.... that is really helpful... thank I called belightweight and they said it was deductable. I was obese even though I didn't have a "diagnosis" per se. I guess you get flagged for audit when you have health insurance but dont use it to cover your proceedure. I think I'm just going to do it..... The worst thing is I will have to pay it back. my next issues is that I elected not to tell my family. My sister is an accountant and does my taxes every year... hmmmmmm thanks for the responses guys