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It is wonderful to read all your success stories and the mounting rewards as December 2018 sleevers! Wow.  My surgery was 12/17/2018 at NW Medical Center in Coral Springs, FL. I am currently three poundsaway from onederland!!! A total of 57 pounds from 258 start weight the first of December. Usually major consecutive holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas thru New Years in the past, meant a weight gain for me. I tried to use restraint, but all the rich, high calorie "specialty foods" of the season just continued the never ending weight battle + cycle resulting in feeling more discouraged and hopeless with each passing year. :[ BUT NOT THIS New Year of 2019! I love my sleeve and so glad to have begun a new, hopeful and promising track! Does anyone else feel the same? Refreshing, right? My blood pressure and blood tests all came back healthy - And, left injured, problematic knee is much improved. Bowels have stabilized andVitamin regime no longer causes nausea. I follow closely Dr. V and my nutritionist's recommendations for balanced nutrition with moderate exercise, at this 3 ½ month juncture. Other aspects I am thrilled about is the ability to be satisfied with so much less volume of food. I really have not missed sugar, salt or fat laden recipes and Desserts. While I had made major changes in my diet losing 41 pounds (298 at highest point) before considering surgery last November, the sleeve just simplifies and propels me forward in getting to my healthy weight. I desire to drop another 40 pounds and feel the confidence I can now do so. Not to mention, keeping it off and maintaining a healthy weight via reduced stomach - Breaking the vicious cycle. I have not seen the scale read under 200 pounds in over 23 years! That's a lot of baggage for this petite 5'0" frame and interior designer constantly on her feet. My clothes closet has been purged and taken to a quality consignment shoppe or Goodwill - Now shopping in regular departments for limited clothing in size large for tops and XL for slacks. Most of these sale items are quickly becoming too loose. So happyto no longer see 1X, 2X or 3X (at highest weight) on my clothing labels. Right? Excited for my size 10 and petite medium goal.  Really proud of all of us! Let's keep on sharing our victories and "all the nuances" of becoming our best physically and emotionally. None can truly appreciate nor understand this journey we embark... except for us. That makes us a pretty fabulous group of comrades. Happy spring everyone! ;]

Hello, gladiators, It has been a while, sorry, life just got busy. But I think of you often and wonder how you are all doing. I am at 154lbs. Gained two pounds. I have read that it is pretty common for that to happen. To reach a low and then clim up to a more realistic weight. Of course any weight gain brings on the stress of thinking, I am going to gain it all back. It is very scary, I must say. I can eat a lot more then I should. At times I am astonished. I think the pouch opening streaches and the food keeps pushing out. Also, if you take a little break during your meal, 10 minutes later I find I can eat some more. I never felt the full feeling. I always went from hungry to sick. It's still hard for me to tell. The only thing that works is to have a plate with a reasonable helping and not have seconds. I can't do alcohol. I go from fine to roaring drunk to fast asleep in 5 minutes. I am exaggerating but it sure feels like it. My biggest problem is snacking. I can't seem to stop the munchies. Every hour I feel like I need to have a little something. Sometimes a little something is a lot of something. I had a restaurant size salad (big) for lunch then of course I could only eat about 1/3. I had leftovers, an hour later I had another 1/3 and finished it off another hour later. Wow! It's like I completely bypassed the physical limitations of my surgery. Not doing that again. However, if I do get a proper meal 3 times per day and a couple Snacks, I am fine. Why, why is it so hard to just do that? It's like I am ADD about eating. I can't focus on it. Other then that, everything is great. I feel great and my hair is coming back. I am at about 17 months past surgery and my new hair is like 2 inches long. I can see there is lot of hair that length throughout. It's coming in nice and strong. My energy level is great and I feel positively great.

So a 130 pound loss in a year and 3 Months. That is pretty spectacular. My words of advice... Start working out before the surgery Lose as much weight as possible in the first six months by severe calorie restriction (500). I am hungry now, and I can eat WAY MORE...so weight gain is possible. That window of opportunity is small in comparison to the rest of your life. See...I ate breakfast, and I am hungry again already! It is 11:30am! I ate at 9:00am! So I have to drink something until lunch or else I will eat way to much during the day! Have fun and enjoy the ride!

Wow Misty - really brings it home how much you have lost. My only momento I kept from my old life is my life time membership card to Jenny Craig which I look at occasionally - it just makes me feel grateful every time I look at it to know I will never struggle against weight gain again like I did in the past - all my old clothes have gone now - I think I have a couple of coats left. Anyway, here is another update - we were off to the races - I am no gambler but it is great day out with friends!

Kristi...congrats on your continued weight loss. You will notice that you will have some weeks where the scale does not move a lot but you can tell a difference in your clothing. Normal. You are going great guns. Just keep your patience and follow what has been working for you. Meredith...such a busy little girl. YOU HAVE A YARD???? We have not seen any of our lawn since last Oct. DH and I were sitting out in our 3 season (1season in MN) today and I am not sure if we have ever not seen the horizon at the end of March due to 5 foot snow banks. We will have a late planting season and that is always such a huge pain in the ass. I guess when a person (s) are in a business that relies on the weather, it does not good to complain. Just gotta go with the flow. The flow sucks. I am a planner and relying on the weather does not quite fit my plan. Good thing DH is so mellow. To answer your question. FIL was to have surgery today on his dislocated wrist. Surgery was put off till tomorrow morning. I feel so bad for BIL. They landed in CA yesterday (they are from Seattle) to no luggage. He and his partner spent a better part of the day trying to track down all the luggage. No where to be found. They have little ones (adopted 2 boys ages 3 and 6 from Guatemala )..so went shopping. He gets the call about dad and flies out leaving his partner and kids in Palm Dessert. He is spending his entire vacation with FIL. Tried to convince DH to just fly to AZ tonight and let bro go back to his family and planned vacation. Will wait till tomorrow to see if he is needed. Once FIL gets back here (maybe Sat.) I will be able to see to it that he has everything he needs. As I stated b/4...just tough when he is so far away. And, EVA, thanks for the offer. As I have told you..DH is his clone so I know you would just love him. Dinner with DH, GF and 5 yr old and 8 yr old was great. Sent them home with a box of food and the uneaten Easter candy. DH gained a little more than 15lbs while in Tucson and did not want that for a temptation. He has always been such a little guy and has never had to worry about more than a 5lb weight gain. Must be age. He will be 57 on 4/12 (Eva and DH share a bday and Arlene and my oldest share a bday). Cool. Anyway, DH has taken off all but about 8lbs and eating pretty good meals. He certainly is not sedentary....just loves to eat while on vaca. Not too much going on this next week. Shop work for the guys getting machinery ready. I'm getting into spring (what spring?) cleaning...gotta get it done b/4 I bolt for the lake. On a daily basis...housework sucks...but, when I am under stress, I find it theraputic. Soooooooooooooo..............that said, lots of house work will get done tomorrow. Linda...OMG...the peeling carrots photo on FB was way cute. I could have posted so many stories from little guy (GF's son) just from today alone. What a little character. And, 8 yr old daughter is sooooooooooo mature for her age. Brag. I didn't raise them. Mom and their dad are the best at working together even though they are divorces. I breath a sigh of relief every time she explains going to church together just for the kids. Wonderful parents. Night all.

Hi Renewed: Hope this helps. I found it quite interesting (especially #2--I had the same mindset). 9 Cold, Hard Weight Loss Truths: What the Diet Industry Won't Tell You By Brie Cadman of DivineCaroline.com Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, chances are you’ve seen some ideas on how to do so: “Eat what you want and lose weight!” “Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!” “Finally, a diet that really works!” “Lose one jean size every 7 days!” “Top 3 fat burners revealed” “10 minutes to a tighter tummy!” But these claims are readily rebuked by anyone who’s tried to lose five, 10, or 100 pounds. Losing weight ain’t that easy. It’s not in a pill, it doesn’t (usually) happen in 30 days, and judging from the myriad plans out there, there is no one diet that works for everyone. Looking past the outrageous claims, there are a few hard truths the diet industry isn’t going to tell you, but that just might help you take a more realistic approach to sustained weight loss. 1. You have to exercise more than you think. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week; this includes things like shoveling snow and gardening. And while this is great for improving heart health and staying active, research indicates that those looking to lose weight or maintain weight loss have to do more—about twice as much. For instance, members of the National Weight Control Registry (NWCR)—a group of over 5,000 individuals who have lost an average of 66 pounds and kept it off for five and a half years—exercise for about an hour, every day. A study published in the July 28, 2008 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine supports this observational finding. The researchers enrolled 200 overweight and obese women on a diet and exercise regimen and followed them for two years. Compared with those that gained some of their weight back, the women who were able to sustain a weight loss of 10 percent of their initial weight for two years exercised consistently and regularly—about 275 minutes a week, or 55 minutes of exercise at least five days a week. In other words, things like taking the stairs, walking to the store, and gardening are great ways to boost activity level, but losing serious weight means exercising regularly for an hour or so. However, this doesn’t mean you have to start running or kickboxing—the most frequently reported form of activity in the NWCR group is walking. 2. A half-hour walk doesn’t equal a brownie. I remember going out to eat with some friends after a bike ride. Someone commented on how we deserved dessert because we had just spent the day exercising; in fact, we had taken a leisurely 20-minute ride through the park. This probably burned the calories in a slice of our French bread, but definitely not those in the caramel fudge brownie dessert. Bummer. And while it’s easy to underestimate how many calories some foods contain, it’s also easy to overestimate how many calories we burn while exercising. Double bummer. Even if you exercise a fair amount, it’s not carte blanche to eat whatever you want. (Unless you exercise a ton, have the metabolism of a 16-year-old boy, and really can eat whatever you want). A report investigating the commonly-held beliefs about exercising, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, concludes that although exercise does burn calories during and after exercise, for overweight persons, “excessive caloric expenditure has limited implications for substantially reducing body weight independent of nutritional modifications.” In other words, to lose weight, you have to cut calories and increase exercise. 3. You do have time to exercise. If you have time to check email, watch a sitcom or two, surf the Internet, have drinks, coffee and dinner with friends, go clothes shopping, and on and on, then you have time to exercise. Yes, sometimes you have to sacrifice social, TV, or leisure time to fit it in. Yes, sometimes you have to prioritize your exercise time over other things. But your health and the feeling you get after working out is well worth it. 4. Eating more of something won’t help you lose weight. The food industry is keen to latch onto weight loss research and spin it for their sales purposes. A prime example is the widespread claim that eating more dairy products will help you lose weight. However, a recent review of 49 clinical trials from 1966 to 2007 showed that “neither dairy nor Calcium supplements helped people lose weight.” This idea—that eating more of a certain type of product will help you lose weight—is constantly regurgitated on supermarket shelves (think low-fat cake, low-carb crackers, whole grain Cookies, and fat-free chips), but is in direct opposition to the basic idea behind weight loss—that we have to eat less, not more. 5. Calories in = calories out? There is a fair amount of controversy over the basic question of how people gain weight. Is it simply a matter of energy intake being greater than energy expenditure? Or is there more too it; do the type of calories we eat matter and can avoiding certain types help to lose or prevent weight? The various low-fat, low-carb, and glycemic index advocates can’t seem to agree on which it is. However, most can agree, and logical sense would tell us, that drinking 500 calories of soda is not equal to eating 500 calories of fruits and vegetables. One is simply “empty” calories—those that provide no real nutritional benefit and don’t do much to combat hunger. Whether you ascribe to the simple idea of trying to burn more calories than you take in or focus on avoiding certain types of calories, you want to minimize intake of empty calories, and maximize nutrient-dense calories. 6. Your body is working against you. Most people have noticed that it’s hard to lose weight, but easy to gain it. This is a relic of harder times, when food was not as abundant as it is today. Our genetic taste buds made energy-dense food desirable because it was necessary to pack away calories so we could make it through the thin times. We feasted when we could, in preparation for the famine. But now that we live in a time of abundance, that system predisposes many of us for weight gain and retention. And for obese dieters, this system is even harder to overcome; after weight loss, they become better at storing fat, making it harder to keep weight off. However, this isn’t to say that many haven’t lost weight and kept it off successfully. It just means you have to be diligent. 7. Our cultural environment is also working against you. Let’s face it, modern society does not make it easy on those trying to eat healthfully and exercise. According to Linda Bacon, associate professor of nutrition at University of California at Davis, “We get a tremendous amount of pressure to eat for reasons other than nurturing ourselves, and over time, people lose sensitivity to hunger/fullness/appetite signals meant to keep them healthy and well nourished. It’s hard for people to come to a healthy sense of themselves given the cultural climate, and nutritious and pleasurable options for healthy food are not as easily accessible as less nutritious (ones).” That doesn’t mean this can’t be overcome, but it does require maybe putting other parts of your life on a “diet.” TV would be the biggest culprit, since many food advertisements, especially for children’s junk food, come during this time. Other areas to put on a “diet” are chain and fast food restaurants (where portion sizes are distorted), a bad-influence friend, or driving, which may help increase walking and biking. 8. Maybe you don’t need to lose weight. Some feel that the medical problems associated with excess weight are exaggerated. Gina Kolata, a New York Times science writer questions the notion that thin is a realistic or necessary objective for most. In her book, Rethinking Thin, she asserts that weight loss is an unachievable goal for many, and that losing weight isn’t so much about health as it is about money, trends, and impossible ideals. Recent research also challenges the idea that being overweight is bad. A study in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that being 25 pounds overweight did not increase the risk of heart disease and cancer, and may even help stave off infections. It’s true that people can be fit and healthy and not necessarily be thin, just as it’s true that thin people may not necessarily be healthy. Good health, rather than weight, should be our focus; too often, it’s not. Striving for an unhealthy level of thinness may be detrimental to our health, but understanding the health repercussions of obesity is also critical. 9. This is not a diet; this is your life. The diet industry would have us all think that we can lose weight fast, and that’s that. But most people who maintain their weight understand that eating and exercising are not temporary conditions, to be dumped once a pair of jeans fit. Instead, they are lifestyle choices, and ones to be made for the long haul.

Have a great News Eve guys! You are all sounding so positive and motivated! I haven't set myself any goals for 2013 yet! I haven't hoped on the scales for a couple of weeks and I must admit I am a bit scared too - I have not been eating so well over this Christmas period and just don't want to face any weight gain. Just a fear of going backwards and having that feeling of failure after so much progress! Lila - I too had a dose of the sun - my skin hasn't seen the light of day for years so I think it got a bit of a shock when I wore a tank top and went for a walk on the beach - it was really nice to feel the sun on my skin but I could have put lotion on - go figure! Dean - shame you have to work but thanks for doing your job to keep us all safe - hope you do get home to Celebrate the new year in with your better half and family :-) Aussie Girl - you are an inspiration! With your great outlook, I am sure some gorgeous man will want to be part of it! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I never thought I would have WLS. Even a year ago, I would have scoffed at the idea of it. But what I did know was that a year ago, I decided that this year would be the last year in the body I had. I wasn't sure how I would get to the next leg in this journey, however I made a mental and verbal commitment that the body that I had been in for the last 15 years, would no longer serve me moving forward. She(my 335lb body) had served me well for the 15 years that she sustained me through marriage, work, masters degree, promotions, and having 3 kids in 5 years. However I realized that she had served her purpose, and in order for me to move forward as a person, wife, mother and professional, I needed to break up with her and move own. I realized that "she" had no place in the future that I envisioned for myself. So when I discovered VSG, and after researching it, I decided that this would be the tool that I would use to help me meet my goal. Like so many others on this forum, there were specific moments, incidents and pains that led me to this decision. My kids are now a few years away from finishing high school, and I realized that they have never known me prior to my weight gain. I had never been able to ride with them on an amusement park ride or travel with them to foreign lands (as I did before my weight gain). I want to not only watch my daughter play volleyball, but actually be able to play with her. I want to go salsa dancing with my husband for hours on end, like we used to and not get winded after one song. I guess in short, the goal is to reclaim my life and LIVE!!!!!!

Ooops didn't mean to hit POST yet... School is still going well, I have A's in both classes. The nutrition class is pretty interesting. My teacher knows I've had the bypass surgery and said we talk about that at some point and asked if I'd like to share. I said, sure! She's already called me out a few times in regards to my high Protein diet. In general, the US eats excess protein, which leads to weight gain if people aren't active enough, or don't burn off what they don't need. But obviously my case is different. She always adds, "and you're under a Dr.'s care with your high protein diet, correct?" Yeps!! I think I had mentioned before my knees were giving me issues. I've only been back to my "intense" workout class once since then. I really think I'm not quite ready for that class, unfortunately When I dread going....it can't be a good thing. All I've done is walking lately. Need to get in some weights or something! I might end up going back to my other gym I'd been going to. Frustrating because I really wanted to be able to handle that intense class. Ugh... we're supposed to go tomorrow morning, we'll see what happens. Maybe if I try it once more, I'll make my decision for sure. Okay--so a couple of "skinny person" issues I've come across. It's SO weird to have "skinny person" issues!! (sorry if I've already whined about these, LOL) Shaving my arm pits!? I don't know how to explain it, but there's like a deep concave area that I just can't get the razor into, LOL!!! Bleacher sitting....OMG, that tush padding came in a bit handy evidently!!! My butt bones literally feel bruised the next day after sitting at my son's football games! I am FREEZING all of the time!!!! I am seriously going to die of coldness this winter I think....I think I'll have to move to a warm, beach island, for sure. I was thinking I had another one, but I can't remember right now, LOL. Ok, I'd better go get some work done! I need to figure out how to make a picture thingy that shows a "Before and After" picture all in one?!

@@Luna222 Bummer on the weight gain. But I agree with Amylynns with the period thing Water retention does work against you. Once this period is over you will make great progress. The journaling is a great idea because it makes you stop and think about what you are eating and it tells you exactly what you have been eating. Even though it's incredible that we can gain weight given the reality of our surgery from what I read the cause is mostly due to the fact that we can eat small amounts all day long. We are not really hungry but a couple bites here and there add up. I have been guilty of that at times. I started to notice a pattern with me. I was snaking more because my meals were too small and too quick. In other words, I have to have a Breakfast if I am hungry or not or I'll tend to snack. A slice of cheese and two crackers, then 1/2 of a banana with 2 potato chips, etc. They are small but if I have 4 of those in a morning I am eating way more calories then if I eat a single egg with veggies or berries. I love mild swiss cheese and eat it as a snack. A single rolled slice is such a treat to me but I could have 6 in a day. That's a lot of extra calories I don't need. I am stalled right now at 167.4 for a week. It's incredible that everyday the exact same weight appears. You would think it would vary even a .1 or something. I think it's because my activity level is not very high. I do sit around a bit too much. Time to rock and roll. I have to find a project that gets my body moving.

IF....just some lunch and snack ideas for you. I am a "pre-packager". I buy products and then break them down into the 100 cal. snack bags. I have a couple of bins in my pantry full of meals and snack for on the go or just for at home. *Beef jerky (I order Worlds Kitchen from Amazon.com) *Kashi Go-Lean Crunch and Fiber One cereals *Soynuts *Pure Protein bars (WalMart) *Myoplex Lite protein bars (Right now eatins the full strength since I am in weight gaining stage) *Cheese sticks rolled with deli meat Just some ideas for you!

Tina - Sorry about your relationship troubles. You can not live in constant conflict, I tried in my previous marriage it does not work. I have found there is so much more in life even if it is by yourself. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise. Meaning now you will be able to focus on you and your LB journey. Get back to being happy with yourself and someone will come along that is better for you. I truly believe that. Don't be scared we are all here for you. Great - I am glad things are better for your DD. Tell her to take it easy stay off her feet. I am praying for you guys. Keep us posted. Okay my turn so we all know my job is very physical now, which I love however I woke up this morning with shooting pains from my lower back down both my knees I can't bend over and only can sit for a little bit then have to lay flat. I have been given muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories to take. I was only taking the muscle relaxers at night due to they make me sleepy. However today I can take them as the script was written 3-4 times a day. My DH is driving my car today so I don't have to worry about driving and I do not go to work until 1pm it is 8:30am right now so I am hoping I get better. It could be a mixture of the weight gain and the hard labor at work. I have to lift 50lb boxes of chicken several times a day. I am very aware of how to lift properly maybe I still need a back brace. I can't lose this job and I really need them to make me full time. They just told us yesterday all the part timers will be going to 20 hrs a week ughhh how can I pay my bills with that. It seems I am having terrible luck with my jobs latley.

Good morning from blizzardy Denver! I am on my DD's computer and wanted to check in and say hi. All is well here other than I am snowed in, was to go home today but probably not now, I don't want her to get stuck in the snow and start labor or something. She's doing well, off all restrictions. Dr said baby can come any time not but probably won't for about a week. Her gall bladder is bothering her real bad now so they may consider inducing her next week so she can then get that taken care of. I've been reading on my Droid phone so am sortta up to date, just can't figure out responding on the thing. So a few of the things I remember to comment on: Arlene, that must have been quite the stuck episode, never heard of it lasting like that. When I get stuck I usually just have to excuse myself, cough or burp once or twice and get rid of the offender and then usually can go back and finish my meal. Normally it's because I wasn't paying attention to bit size or chewing, almost always happens when I am distracted, talking etc. rarely when I am alone and being a good mindful bander. Have never had to do liquids or anything after, so I feel for you and sorry you had such a horrible episode. Laura, I got your humor about the purse. Heck get 2! LOL Sounds like you really have things figured out though and it makes sense that a weight gain can tighten it if a weight loss can loosen it. I too am one that doesn't have good boundaries right now and over commit, hence the Boundaries book I am reading is helping me in that regard as well. Meredith, take it from an old lady, if you can start saving no now and setting up good boundaries for your time you will save yourself a lifetime of grief. Good for you for realizing it at your young age. When do you start your pouch test? Linda, hope you are feeling better. Eva and Apples, have a great road trip, don't be too much like Thelma and Louise, don't they drive over a cliff or something in the end? Joyce, sounds like maybe the 5 day pouch test might be a good idea for you too to figure out what's what with your band? When you are getting stuck are you eating too fast, too big of bites, etc? Did your DH support the band going into it or has he been against it all along and just wants you to be done with it? It's gotta be tough if you don't have the support at home. Well I hear DD up, upstairs, today we are going to set up the nursery. We went baby shopping yesterday and finished getting all the baby stuff she needed that she didn't get at her showers. It's so cute. It will be a day stuck indoors in this snow storm. I know I won't be seeing my folks today if they didn't want to go out yesterday to see me in the almost 60 degree weather because it was too cold and too far, I know they won't go out today. DS was real hurt as we were to meet him at his Walmart and then go to lunch, he hasn't seen Grandma and Grandpa since they got to town, and DD was looking forward to showing them the nursery. Oh well their (my folks) loss. But when I did see my sisters and folks the visit went pretty well. I stood up for myself when needed, mom got a little ticked but I left feeling guilt free!

dmtjet, lynette-- thanks for the support about the weight gain--I had not heard that about the gas, etc. Laurend--when I have something a little more positive to report, I'll give you my stats, how's that? Heat--for all of you who say it is too hot to exercise outside--I hear ya! I basically live in the desert and the exercising outside thing is not practical. We're moving back to a saner climate at the end of September, but I'm really going to have to start making myself do something here at home-- DVDs or something--until then. ABOUT ME My name is Nicole. I'm 36, I have three boys; 17 yrs., 6 yrs., & 20 mos. I homeschool my 6 year old, but I did not do that w/my oldest. The oldest is actually going to college in Hawaii right now. I have a Masters and a credential, but I just left my job as a teacher to stay home full time!!! Yeah!!! I've been overweight basically my whole life, but it got really bad between middle & high school. We have a bulldog puppy named Obi Wan right now (can you tell the 6 yr. old named him?) and potty training him right after surgery has been a lot of work, but he is just about the cutest thing ever next to a human baby!!

Shelly - I know what u mean by being an emotional eater I am the same!! I have put on 8 stone in last 5 years! I agree it's time to do something for u. My husband is very supportive and I have been very supportive to him over the last 7 years through some tough times which has contributed to my weight gain. He is of the same opinion, it's my time now so here I am, all banded and on my journey! I agree the forum is addictive!! I don't always get on as often as I'd like as hubby works away and we have a 9m old baby so he take a lot of my time and I doubt it gets any less time consuming as they get older!!

I am not sure what I lost per week but I started at 103kg, my surgeon set a goal of 65kg (which seemed impossible at the time) and I think I was at around 60 kg at about 10 months. I found it quite easy to lose and didn't have any stalls but I know I am the exception. Everyone is different. I have been maintaining around 60 but have noticed that my fluctuations between 58-60 have turned into fluctuations of 59-61 - so I have had a slight weight gain. Just over the last few weeks I can eat significantly more in a sitting so have had to reign in my eating between meals. I am 18 months out now so am hoping there won't be too much increase in eating and hunger which I do feel now - nothing like hunger pre sleeve I might add, but it was so nice to not have hunger at all for a long time.

Good Morning Peeps Judy you crack me up - I love your sense of humor !!! Hope all is well w/the fridge - You aren't the only one home on a Saturday nite :smile2: Gwen - It takes awhile to learn who's who - you will get it I'm IndioGirl but everyone calls me Janet - I don't mind using my real name never have - everyone I know knows I'm banded Some others didn't want to at first since anyone can read this stuff we post here - Apples/Karen - Great/Lori - Charlene/Arlene - JBFlorida/Judy - MsBubba/Julie - Peacorp/Laura - Laurak/Laura (that's why we always say LauraK since we have 2) - NYSparkle/Jodi - Phyllser/Phyl - Ifyourstomach/Cheri - Jodi - The phones worked fine - but I couldn't down load my contacts - but I have some samsung phone - Andrew has a blackberry and his did download to house phone - but he deleted it cuz he's a teenager and doesn't want me to have all his # for some reason - that's ok I can go look at the cell phone bill to see who he calls if need be ;0) He's 19 deserves his privacy - the bluetooth part works well in the house - DS called last night on Andrew's cell - it was like 10:30 - and since I was up I talked to him - it was great - cuz in our house our cell reception sucks - LOL on stuck - yep you most likely ate to fast and didn't chew.. Girl - I am concerned about you and Mr. Vegas - you were so against seeing him - now you are going to - Do you want to show off the weight loss and say look at me now - look at what you missed out on.. That's cool as long as that's all it is - be careful - I am going to have a chock collar on you ;0) Cheri - I agree w/you on Julie's recap - Didn't she do good.. Hell I went to bed at 1 still up at 5:30 - 6 - Fur Babies.. Laura - Glad Nelsons tooth is out - girl you crack me up on worrying so about when Nelson doesn't eat.. I guess it's cuz I'm a grandma and I know that they will eat when they are read to - kids for the most part aren't like us ;0) we make sure we never miss a meal or a snack. Now he's missing the tooth - he's still not going to eat somethings - don't worry so ;0) grandma to mom ;0) Charlena - No bad foods for the most part as long as we eat in moderation ;0) - Even low cal foods that we over eat (like white choc pudding - I love it I eat all 4 serving 70 x 4) aren't good - so I'm like you if it's too good and I can't stop myself - out it goes - I just throw the crap away ... WTG on cleaning out the closet - get rid of those bigger clothes so that you can't slide back into them.. That what I did - I do have a couple pairs of pants that are size 4 but big 4's - I don't even like having them around - to easy to not notice the weight gain - espeicallly now it's hot - I have summer shifts that are loose - I love them now cuz they are cool - but worry I won't notice a weight gain - I don't step on the scales every week - now a days about every 2 weeks.. Phyl - I had those printer issues last weekend (got new printer) I just called HP and they fixed it remotely - Hope you had a great time at the Festival.. Well Gang ... Got gym in a couple hrs need to go read the paper etc - cbl

Yes, the weight gain has slowed down significantly. I think (more or less) our free ride has ended. Now we have to do some serious work. Exercise and watching what we eat is key. The good news is exercising is a lot easier now and the weather will improve very soon. Perhaps we can use the natural Spring boost to get going on our journey with renewed energy. This has been a long winter for us. But there's hope ahead. Lets' not get discouraged because our weight loss is so slow. We have come too far to just go, oh well! Come on Gladiators, Lets' battle. Here's my challenge for today. Let's do two things that help us. Today, I pick an afternoon cup of warm tea and 30 minutes of walking. That's what I will do to "love" myself. What can you do?

Here's the post from Susan re TDEE: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/23110-weight-gained-since-having-gastric-sleeve-surgery/page__st__420__hl__+susan%20+tdee#entry789451

Hey Suzanne. The headaches have reduced in number since starting the Prednisone. I am gradually tapering off of them, but I have a little over two more weeks left on them. I've been having them on and off every few days. I go to the doctor tomorrow, so I'll let ya'll know what happens. Unfortunately I've blown up like a whale since starting the steroids. My face and stomach is SO swollen and fat looking. I look 7 months pregnant! It's really embarrassing because people are noticing the weight gain. I guess I'm in a rut and just praying I can get out soon! Thanks for asking about me. How is your foot doing? I hope it is better.

Hi Everyone! My name is Rosie and I had the sleeve done in Dec 2016. I lost 100 lbs and I was so excited. Fast forward to 2018, my husband dies. I meet my now husband and gain 50 lbs. Yes I got comfortable. I miss the old me! The more confident me. So since then I started seeing a psychiatrist to address my food addiction tendencies. I am now on medication to help with my ADHD and depression, which I Feel contributed to my weight gain. I am attempting to be more mindful in my eating. I'm here for support and encouragement. My husband wants to lose weight, so I'm doing the Dr. Now caloric diet. Heavy on protein and light on carbs. Today is day one! Woohoo! I'm excited about whats in store by both fixing my head space and how much I eat.

Hey Amanda. I guess overall Im cool with the idea of the surgery, my hesitation is just more abt the after effects, and making sure Im doing everything right so that nothing goes wrong. With in the last few years I have had issues with HBP, diabetes, acid reflux, hiatal hernia and sleep apnea. I am 32 and want to live a long life and be healthy. I just want the chance to feel good again and not worry with all the ailments this drastic weight gain has caused me.

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing good. I'm sorry I havent been on for some time, its all doom and gloom. My dear mother passed away in November at home peacefully, I was with her, but I have had a hard time adjusting. I had a de-fill just after as for 5 weeks I had been sleeping sitting up, because of reflux. I felt really drained, looking after Mum, not sleeping etc, so thought I would have a lot out and a rest from the band. Wish i hadnt bothered as I have been comfort-eating and have put on such a lot of weight, about 10kilos, Fill booked for 9th feb. I also found a lump in my boob, had a biopsy and get the results on Friday. I told the surgeon if it is the big C then I want both off and new pert 16 year old boobs. he laffed and said he could do that if I didnt smoke anymore. I gave up in August so that hasnt helped my weight gain. Sorry to be such a misery, but needed to share. love to all xxx

Julie...hope that cold you have just turns around and leaves. (Knocking on wood right now)...I never get virus'. Just really never have. I feel fortunate and hope it stays that way. I don't sit much, Julie. Never have. I think that's why I appreiate my newfound energy so much. It was such a depressing thing for me when I was heavy and did not have much energy. I kept pushing myself but everything was a task. I feel as if I have been given this second chance and I am enjoying it. I believe a good night of sleep is the clincher in almost everything we do. We get up early around here (anytime between 4:30-6am) but I usually get my 7 hours. If I don't I try to make it up the next night. I have read so much about women/menopause/inadequate sleep and weight gain. When you are lacking sleep, it's tough to deal with many different things. All I know is that I feel good every day for so long now and do not take it for granted. One week from today we hit the road and will work our way towards FL. As I stated b/4, I have always flown wherever I have traveled and not sure about so many hours in the truck. Will just have to break up the trip every 3-4 hours with stops. My dog will need breaks so he will keep me stopping. DH will sleep and watch movies...I will most likely drive 98% of the miles. I am not a rider. I have most everything packed and ready to go. Just last minute grabbing of toiletries, etc. later. DH just keeps shaking his head as I pack. (Hey...I'm driving a truck...everything fits in a truck). He gave me a look last night and I asked him "How do you think that kitchen sink will travel?" He didn't think it was so funny.

A sliver isn't bad....one average sized slice has about 800 cals. And, I used to always have to have it ala mode. Makes me cringe to think of the mindless eating I used to do. I have been going thru some photos while watching TV. Just so shocking to look at these photos and the not so gradual weight gain from year to year:crying: