Nope, can't afford plastics unfortunately. Still, I didn't look amazing naked when I was morbidly obese and I don't look amazing naked now. But I sure do look a LOT better clothed. :~p

Nah, not really. Some slight loose skin due to stretch marks, but I have other areas that are worse (lower stomach, rear end, upper outer and inner thighs). Still, it could be much worse.

But, even when I was fat, my arms were fat but not hugely fat or anything. My torso has always been the fattest, the last place to lose and the first place to gain.

Nope, never did. I ended up switching gears a bit to build muscle and did two bulk/cut cycles. I set an upper limit for my bulk, and a lower for my cut before I started another cycle. I haven't lifted in at least 7 months now though due to financial issues, working 70 hours a week while still caring for my little ones, etc. I'm headed back to the gym this week. I've had to shut down one of my businesses, but it will be worth it to get my life back. :)

Hey melly!!

I am so glad to hear it!! I've always thought you would love the VSG so much more than the band. I hope you really enjoy your new life with the VSG!

Aww I know how you feel. It's very important to me not to get into the dieting shame spiral that I did as a pre-op. This is why for ME, I make sure to recognize that there aren't good foods and bad foods, just choices over the balance of our foods. There are no off limit foods. If I eat chips, I ate carbs and fat. If I eat eggs, I ate protein and fat. If I eat pizza, I ate carbs, protein and fat. I spent a lot of time learing about nutrition, calories, and the importance of macro and micro nutrients. This helps me not villify foods and take responsibility for my choices.

One thing that helps is that I say, ok, after I eat my chicken/beef/fish I can have some of "x." Usually I'm full and only end up eating a few bites of the other stuff that I don't need as much of.

Hiya! I haven't been around in a while but looked over the board and see a lot of folks I remember and some new people too. :)

I thought for a while about what to write and finally decided that I'm not going to preach to anyone what rules they should follow or how they should eat - I only know what has worked FOR ME.

My life today: I make good choices while also eating what I want most of the time. I have zero "off limit" foods, no food guilt whatsoever, and have maintained my weight easily. I spent a lot of time post-op learning about nutrition and realize that if I eat a donut, then I need to eat less food overall the rest of the day because calories matter (though I don't currently count calories, I'm just aware of what I put in my mouth and no longer in denial about it).

As for how much I can eat at this point, I still have decent restriction. I can eat more at two years out than at one year out. I have normal hunger, but solid protein stays with me a long time. To give you an idea: I can eat two hard boiled eggs for breakfast, though one and a half is really better as two full eggs makes me a little overly full. One Meximelt from Taco Bell or one medium slice of pizza is a good portion for me.

I can eat at a restaurant and pass as normal, just seeming not very hungry to people who don't know I have the VSG. I still do not like to drink with my food as it makes my tummy feel uncomfortable.

I don't have any complications, I don't throw up, I don't have pain, no nausea, my GERD has improved since surgery (it was BAD as a pre-op, probably because I was constantly stuffing myself), I don't need to count calories if I don't want to (though I do when I'm in bodybuilding mode), I don't feel bad when I eat "junk" food (it's all just carbs/fat/protein/calories to me), my life is perfectly NORMAL and WONDERFUL! I am not "skinny" but I'm a normal weight that is easy to maintain with no stress.

We went to the beach on vaction last week and I wore a skirted bikini and didn't feel self-conscious at all. I walked around the beach, the pool, the resort grounds in my bathing suit with no cover up and felt great!

I have absolutely NOTHING negative to say about the VSG - not one tiny thing. Best decision I have ever made!

Good luck to all pre-op and post-ops!

Before:




Last week:

I lost most of my weight on 600-800 calories. I lost the remaining 20 lbs on 1,100 calories.

I now eat anywhere from 1,500 - 2,500 calories depending on my current goals.

Hiiiii Jill :)

I totally agree with Jill, as always.

Adequate protein is CRUCIAL when you are losing weight. Keep trying! I got 70-100grams of protein from the day I was sleeved.

I'm over a year out and I still have 2-3 scoops of protein a day. I find powder is a million times better with milk, a little cocoa powder, and splenda mixed in. Good luck!

Congratulations Tiffany!! You look AMAZING! I kept scrolling and scrolling thinking "Ok, where are the belly pics?!" and there they were! Yay! Don't worry - your body will snap back after pregnancy. It's hard going through those changes but so worth it!

And I have always loved your attitude. You are one of the main people I looked to when deciding on getting the VSG.

(your protein and carbs are about what I eat - small world!)

Honestly, my biggest pet peave on this board is when someone tells other people to eat how they eat or how they think everyone should eat. I get really fired up over that.

I have never, not even once seen you do that. I've never seen you tell anyone they should weigh their food, either. Who gives a fark if people weigh or not?? I'm thinking some people don't have much of a life.

I weigh, measure, and eyeball. Come at me!

I love your attitude addition, Ms Shell!!

coffee w/sf hazlenut creamer
protein bar
coffee again with a scoop of protein powder and some heavy whipped cream
2 scrambled eggs with 2 TBL peanut butter (oddly good but rich and filling)
proats (1/4 c. oatmeal, 1 scoop protein powder, sf jello pudding powder, splenda, whipped cream- can't wait to eat these but I'm still full from the eggs!! this is my very favorite meal)
4 Doritos and two bites of a burrito (I'm a poet and didn't know it :~) )

exercise: 20 min jogging
vits: yep, just now
attitude: feeling gooooood...and full haha

Thank you Ms Shell!