7th month reflections, tips, general thoughts

[NurseGrace 509]

7 months and 70 pounds down. Not bad. Not spectacular but I count myself has pretty much smack in the middle average.

It's been long enough now since my surgery that I have some thoughts on the thing as a whole. I did NOT go into this thinking it was going to be simple or fast, and that has played itself out pretty true to form. I DO believe that someone could lose weight as the same pace I have without surgery, but until I had surgery I was not successful so I DO NOT regret following through with this. Different strokes for different folks, but for me, I needed this.

Hunger is not what it was before surgery although around the 6th month mark it has made a comeback. Until that point I never felt hungry physically. I am much more in control of myself though, having had a break from what I always experienced as INTENSE hunger pains. Now, I do get hungry, and if its been TOO long I get dizzy too, but I don't feel that deep burning in the pit of my stomach like I might dry heave if I don't eat something anymore.

Now, for the aforementioned tips.

Plan your food, especially if you know its going to be a difficult day. For me, my hardest days are when I go to work. That's why I'm up so early in the morning, coffee in hand, entering things into MyFitnessPal before my day starts. It's easier to stick to plan when you actually have a plan, have your calorie count and calculated results (myfitnesspal always gives you a projected weight)

Don't get hung up on perfection. There are MANY a person on this forum who will chew you up one side and down the other because you ate a piece of pizza and here is what I have to say about that. If you are eating pizza and other assorted less than ideal foods with no reguard for calorie count please do not come here expecting hand holding. You know what you are doing. HOWEVER, even 'junk food' can be worked into a plan if you are willing to work around it. If you have GOT to have that donut, fine, but you are going to need to pass the fat/sugar/calories somewhere else in that day to make that work. Is it worth all that work just to eat something like pizza or a donuts? I don't know, only you can judge that.

Fast food will blow your count out of the Water so damn fast your head will spin. Before anyone gets their panties in a twist, I'm not talking about side salads, I'm talking Mcdonalds Breakfast sandwiches, cheeseburgers, fries... Best to keep your ass as far away from the drive through as possible.

SODA, the eternal question... Is it OK? Is it not OK? I say go with whatever your surgeon says on this one. Mine says its next to impossible to stretch a sleeve but still says soda is a bad call and I can understand why. First of all, we really shouldn't be drinking our calories, and I don't know about you guys but if I'm drinking soda I CAN'T EAT. I can manage maybe two bites but the carbonation just takes up too much space. I do have some blood orange san pellegrino in my fridge but it doesn't get touched very often. Frankly, I'd rather eat.

My weight loss has certainly slowed, but that is to be expected, I'm not 300 pounds anymore, but I am having to kick it into gear a little more than I used too. The second I start neglecting myfitnesspal I start slipping in the weight loss department so I know what I need to do. I have to work a long shift today but if anyone has any general questions I WILL be coming back to this thread

[Sleevin'It 57]

Thank you for sharing your experience. You made done really valid points. Good luck throughout the rest of your journey!

[christieouchley 55]

Great job! I also am a little slower of a looser and was upset about it for a little while. I am starting to think though it is a good thing. My mind is adjusting as well as my body. I wont have as much saggy skin because I lost slower and worked with weights the entire time I was loosing. Im like you, I probably could have lost at this rate without surgery, but for 15 years tried and only this has truly worked for me. I am in so much better control over myself. For the first time ever I am not afraid I will just gain it back. Ive established great habits!

[Yaya 81]

Yes, the sleeve gives me control, too. It's like a built-in check valve. If I eat too much, it lets me know! If I eat the wrong thing, it lets me know! Before I eat anything, I have to stop and think, "what will this do to my sleeve?" It gives real, sometimes painful consequences, where before the sleeve I would eat too much or the wrong thing and the only consequence would be the scale went up. And after a couple of decades of failed diets, the scale going up becomes the norm, not a consequence. The sleeve is the little angel on my shoulder going, "Uh uh uh! Don't do that!" (sorry for one long paragraph, for some reason, my computer won't recognize the enter button in the reply box)

[MIJourney 490]

(sorry for one long paragraph, for some reason, my computer won't recognize the enter button in the reply box)

not to off topic here but I've been having the same problem and have asked Alex/tech for help but nothing has been resolved. It's a PITA since I don't want people to have to read my run-on posts.

[*susan* 1,709]

not to off topic here but I've been having the same problem and have asked Alex/tech for help but nothing has been resolved. It's a PITA since I don't want people to have to read my run-on posts.

Very soon now, our boards will be completely revamped and all of these problems should be eliminated. We are in the final stages now, and are testing as well.

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