Leaderboard

I'm only 7 months out, but I've stalled a few times. My dietitian actually gave me a plan for what to do if I stall out for two weeks or longer, and that's change things up. Intermittent fasting, changing up your exercise routine, adjusting your calories throughout the week (doing 500, then 1000, then 1200, and then back to 1000, 500 and repeat). Stalls are there because your body got used to what it was doing (most of the time, there are other medical reasons for stalls as well, like constipation and gas and such). If you are only doing the elliptical, maybe try lifting weights or doing a rowing machine? Change it up. Your protein goals sound fabulous, but maybe add a few carbs in there here and there. It's a lot of trial and error trying to figure out what works, which you obviously know. I think your weight is great, and you have done amazingly. Just hang in there, okay? ❤️

New&Improved is back under new name!

I’ve got to be honest, there is no exercise for loose skin. If someone has lost a little bit of weight and has no muscle tone, they could gain a little muscle to push out the skin. But for significant weight loss, skin and exercise are completely separate issues. Unless someone is quite young or won the DNA lottery of skin, there will be loose skin. I’m not trying to be Debbie downer, but those are scientific facts and I hate for people to spend a lot of time and money on things that won’t work (and there are people who will lie for their own reasons, including the beauty industry trying to make money). I wish that weren’t so (but I spent $20,000 on surgery because it is). But there is still looseness on my lower legs and arms that surgery can’t fix. It is just part of the journey. I don’t normally do this, but I’m going to attach a before and after picture of my arm surgery (after my 100 lb loss 7 years ago). There is nothing that would’ve fixed that skin but surgery. 🙇🏼‍♀️

Oh, one thing I want to add. I'm 5'3", and at my high weight of 393 I was probably as big around as I was tall, and my stomach touched the steering wheel in my car. It was very uncomfortable. I am 343 now and my stomach no longer touches the steering wheel and I sure won't miss that! Sent from my moto g(6) using BariatricPal mobile app

Hello all - I just started the process for Gastric Sleeve surgery after doing a lot of research on my own. My insurance requires 6 month on a nutrition program, which thankfully I am already in Month 5. The part that has me nervous is the referral requirement. I really have not had a steady primary care physician for the past 6 years - mostly due to the fact that I’ve been so ashamed of my weight. So I really don’t know if I can just walk into a Dr’s office as a new patient and ask for a referral. Can I ask my OBGYN? Not sure if she would be open, but I can try. I have a BMI of 43 along with high blood pressure and sleep apnea so from that sense I don’t believe qualification is an issue. I have completed the initial application for the bariatric surgery clinic and am waiting for them to contact me for next steps. I am concerned about the referral becoming a blocker. I would appreciate it if anyone who has gone through a similar situation can share their experience or advice. Thank you!

Well I’m definitely no expert on this but I’ve always had IBS among other stomach issues. I did a lot of food tracking and sensitivity tests to see what foods were my triggers. I found out that milk and whey are my biggest triggers so if I completely take those out of my diet it really helps. I had the sleeve in 2011 and lost 80 pounds but have only kept 25 pounds off. I NEVER planned on going to go through with another weight loss surgery unless I became totally miserable with myself or something. I workout daily and try to eat right but don’t eat like I should. I’m scared to death to have the revision and I’m TRULY NOT doing it for weight loss although I do hope that I lose weight. I believe that people should do EVERYTHING possible to lose the weight and change their lifestyle before going through any major surgery because in truth the surgery is just a tool. You have to have the right mindset to change your lifestyle. I have gone and still go to organized meetings to help me with my food addiction. I hope this helps....you can PM me if you’d like.

How are you doing so far after the revision? Any reflux or heartburn? I just got all of my tests results back and definitely need to have the revision due to severe GERD, hiatal hernia, and really bad esophagitis. I am very nervous because I feel like nothing will ever get rid of my heartburn. I guess I’ve had the hiatal hernia and heartburn for so long that I don’t know what it’s like not to suffer from it.

I just turned 56 in April and had mine. It was the best thing I ever did. So glad I did it. So will you!!!

That is really unkind. you've lost weight and gotten healthier. I'm sorry they aren't being more supportive, you have so much to be proud of! be kind to yourself.

Hey all! So I’m POD #7 & I’m starting to get hungry. Not the pains or anything, but I just feel the need to “crunch & munch” on something! I’ve tried ice cubes, but eh. Any suggestions?