How much more did you know?

I don't know if I will speak to what I knew when (as that has been done very well by others). But, I agree totally there are stages.

For me it isn't just "what I knew when", but more what my reality has been at different stages. For example, at a few weeks or a few months, every single thing is new. You aren't sure how this works, or how you will react to that situation.

I am 6 months out on Monday, and most situations I have been in multiple times... I have a little hunger and increased capacity. So I now have to think about a variety of issues that weren't part of my early experience.

Oh yes, many stages and more yet to come.

Annie

Great question and great advice from the vets.  I agree with Annie.  For me, the learning curve has come in terms of reality checks.  Oh, I won't be able to enjoy food like I used to (just in smaller amounts)?  Oh, some foods are totally off limits if I want to continue to see results even though I'm eating far fewer calories?  My body will adjust to the limited calories as I continue to lose weight, making me need to continue to adjust?  I really want to try _________, but is it worth it and what's the point?  Just some of my thoughts at 2.5 months out.  I'm pretty sure I know nothing at this point! LOL!

I'm with you--I was sleeved 12/28 and I don't know anything other than the basic 600 calories/20 carb/90 protein.  And I don't even know WHY since I do that and the scale is not moving as I'd like it to move.

Trying to trust the process. . .

I feel like I don't know anything. Scratch that because I have learned a lot from you guys. My surgery is 3/18 and just had my preop appointment on 3/7. I had to take a test that was four pages long and wound up missing one question. The nurse was very impressed The nurse asked me if I had any questions and at that time I didn't. When I got home I realized its hard to ask questions and ask for clarification when they don't share any information with you.

Lately I feel like I know nothing and I feel it's more of a struggle now at 29 months out than at 6 months out. I have seemed to misplaced some of my motivation lately and I'm not exactly sure why. I still would love to lose another 10-15 pounds but my body and mind are not allowing me to do that right now.

At 2 months out I was still scared to eat, not scared anymore.

At 6 months out I was on a natural high and nothing could bring me down. That high has seemed to disappear lately and I don't know why.

At 1 year out I was still learning new things about my sleeve and myself. That hasn't changed as I'm still learning.

I definitely know more now but sometimes have trouble applying what I know to my daily life. As of just recently I feel like my hunger signal is reappearing itself and I'm scared to death. I started off this process with a very low metabolic rate and I'm sure it's even lower. I guess the only good thing I have going for me right now is that I am able to maintain, but right now I want that little extra weight off so that I'm not actually still labeled as overweight but normal. I'm so close but yet so far away..it sucks...

I knew I wanted WLS 5 yrs. ago. I thought that was enough. My dr. Put me off. 2 yrs. ago I learned more. I def. wanted sleeve surgery. Last June I started this journey after finally convincing my husband & making that 1st call to the surgeon. We asked a million questions. Spent hours with the surgeon & nut. Had surgery in Nov. realized there were a million more questions we should have asked. After following this site I've learned tons. At 3 mo. Out I realize I have so much more to learn. A month ago I thought I was doing great. I now realize I didn't have a clue.this is a WL journey but also a learning journey. I won't reach the end until I die. 

4 days - I was a sponge. I soaked in every bit of info I could find. I read everything. Searched like crazy. I didn't know ****

3 months - I knew it all and I started getting a little ******g tired of listening to the damn vets drone on and on about how it would be later. All their effing warnings pissed me off. I just knew they weren't as perfect as they were coming off.

6 months - I lost my effing mind. That was it. I was done. The romance period was over. What now?

12 months - I finally started analyzing not just what the vets were saying, but also how they were each attacking maintenance. I started taking notes.

Now - I'm trying to learn about me. What my weaknesses and strengths are. How I make both work to my favor.

Not only do I love the support you offered me immediately post-op, but I love the way you put it out there, take it or leave it!  Honesty really helps.

I so agree that there is quite a learning curve as you go through this process and the rest of your life. I am 15 months out now.

4 days out - scared ****less - what have I done? It can't be undone!

3 months - I've mostly got this. Restriction is great. Tracking is pretty easy. Getting the protein and fluids not to hard either. I'll be able to do this forever!

6 months out - Still feeling like I've got this! New clothes, smaller sizes, tons of compliments, still easy to stay on track. Losing not super fast, but continually going the right direction.

12 months out - Almost at goal, but harder now. Weight is coming off more slowly, my appetite for other foods is coming back. But still pretty darned good - almost there.

13 months and on - Reached goal - yay! Now what? I am finding that maintenance is tough. I am maintaining my weight pretty easily, but I have re-discovered cookies, pastries. I incorporate them into my daily plan and track them, but I know that's not what my body needs. I like how I feel, I have good energy, so sometimes I think why bother with all this tracking? Can't I just eat what I want? But I know I can't. I know I will need to track for the rest of my life. And oh yeah ... the restriction isn't as great now. I can definitely hold more.

But I still feel great. I did the right thing. I am healthy. I have self-confidence and energy. And I am committed to this life long journey. Very best and smartest thing I have EVER done for myself!

well i studied and researched alot and thought i was pretty well prepared. but you can't learn some things just by reading and studying. like riding a bicycle - you gotta go through it. 

plus i think we learn the most in maintenance. after all, for many of us our eating plan was pretty cut and dried until we got to goal - our choice of course how carefully to follow it. and we all pushed it a time or two and found out how unpleasant the consequences are.

but when you get to goal and have all new clothes you go through a major fear stage when you are sure you are going to blow it and regain. and thats when you begin the important learning i.e. how to not do that. diane