tntransplant06

smoggy...don't "like" that your struggling, "like" bc I am, too.

My two cents....it's work. I've failed. I don't know how to get back into the swing. I'm 2.5 years out. Lost 76 lbs. Still have 100 to go. I've been to therapy. I'm just.....well....idk. I wish I did. I eat 1800 calories a day, sometimes 1600, sometimes 2000. I know the key is in dropping lower but I just can't seem to do it. It's mental. A big mental game that I just cannot win. Not wanting anybody to feel sorry for me, just wanted to say that it's not "easy". Does it matter that I've been fat since the day I was born? I think so. Add thyroid issues. Add having to work twice as hard to lose weight bc of the damn metabolism issues and you have a recipe for quitting when you're not seeing results like you should. This is work. HARD work. You won't always get your payoff. What can you do? Keep working. Try not to say never. Realize you may never be at goal but work DAMNED HARD not to go upwards.

nm

Sleeved in January 2011. Lost 87 lbs the first 11 mos. My weight at the beginning was 349, so I am still morbidly obese at 262. Yes, I'm thinner, yes I'm healthier, yes, I'm happier, but NO, I'm not satisified. My husband also had the sleeve in the same month, he's lost 130lbs. He is still morbidly obese at 280. He is ok with where he is at. Would like to lose more but he is happy with where he is at, he thinks it was a success. I want at least 63 more pounds off in order for it to be a success for me. We both eat about 1800 calories a day, sometimes 2000, sometimes 1500. We both bike and walk. I guess the real secret is eating 1000 calories a day and to be honest, neither of us can do it. We are hungry. Not starving, but not full enough to live on 1000 calories. Hindsight....I would have done it one step further and gotten the BPD, too. We were cash pay and as it's so expensive we chose this thinking it would be the answer. Unfortunately, it did not get us to our goals. I am working with a psychologist now and she is trying some methods that may help me eat less. My hands are up in the air in frustration as this point so I hope she can help. This is not meant to discourage anybody considering this, just a piece of advice. If you are way overweight as we were, you might need more than just the sleeve.

Thank you everyone for all the terrific replies. Best thread ever for response. I am not sad that I've lost 87 lbs...I am thankful. I do want to lose 60 more so a little disappointed that I didn't closer. I have so many obstacles in my way, that I just keep knocking down and fighting to beat. I don't know that I'll make it to those 60 lbs w/out more help but I am trying the best that I can to get there. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to respond. XOXOX

I am proud! It's nice to feel "normal". I no longer worry about being the fattest person in the room, not fitting into a seat, not doing things I want to do out of embarrassment, and the list goes on. I feel 20 years younger...I can only imagine what I'll feel like with 60 more pounds gone.

Let me post this photo...before and after...this is where we are at now. Thinner and healthier, but not thin.

2000 calories come into play if I eat more carbs than normal. I get really mad at myself if I do that, so it doesn't happen much. There are some food issues, I must admit, and that's what the Psych is working with me on. I've done the caloires needed to lose weight thing and it says at my weight, I need 2500 to maintain. Well, if I'm eating 1800, that's a 700 deficit which if you times that my 7 (days a week) it's 4900 calories. 3500 calories is a pound, I should be losing at least 1 lb a week. Yes, I should mention I have thyroid issues which could be hampering it, but c'mon...3 lbs in 6 months?? I've not given up, don't get me wrong, I'm just mentioning my experience and wanting others to know that the sleeve is not 100% perfect. Now saying that, would I have not had it done? I wouldn't change that fact, but I would probably have added the malapsorption part. I'm thrilled that I've lost 87lbs, but that's still shy of the 170 the doc said I'd lose. My husband is 100 shy of what they said he'd lose. From what I've read and seen, I think this is the perfect option for those that are in the 200 weight numbers, over 300 is questionable. Just my opinion.

Thanks, Cherry...I've read the same and have been terrified of the malapsorption issue. It's the reason I didn't do bypass. I am trying to eat fruits and fruits and fruits and veges. My body really craves protein, though, in order to feel satisfied. I can eat the fruit, but within an hour, I am hungry again and fighting the urge to eat. I usually end up eating some cheese or some turkey---something to make the hunger go away. This is what the Psych is going to help me with using hypnosis. I'm not sure what I think about hypnosis, but I'll try anything at this point. I really was hoping to be around 210 at this time and everyday I see it slipping away for good. I just want to be healthy.

I am a slow loser, too. I've lost 3 lbs since Jan. 1 of this year. YUK. I'm fighting the fight, now if nothing, else to just maintain. The thought of gaining anything back terrifies and sickens me.

U are not alone.

Went to my one year follow-up. Doc was happy w/ my progress. Wants me to do low-carb (one carb per meal) and lose another 50lbs by end of July. (I've lost 89lbs in a YEAR) Talked to my endocrinologist and he says that's too low. He said he thinks I'm doing it exactly right, slow wins the race. He said to keep doing what I'm doing and he thinks 50lbs in a year is much more realistic. I agree with my endo. (he is a metabolism and hormone expert after all!) When I first had the surgery I felt I wanted to lose 3lbs a week. Well, reality hit and I was losing fast at first, but leveled out to about a pound a week. I'm ok with that now. I'm trying to not be so obsessed and just LIVE. It took 35 years to put all the weight on, I can give it 3-5 to come off. Eat HEALTHY and MOVE. That's my mantra.

Let me clarify by stating 1 carb = 15 grams of carbohydrate. So, he only wants me to eat 15g of carb per meal. Not happening. I probably eat 2 now, 2.5 tops per meal. That's how I'm leaving it.

I've talked to my counselor about this. I liked to eat before bc of the feeling I got after eating. (i didn't realize this until after my surgery when that feeling was gone) It's hard for me to explain, but it was a nice calming, warm, soothing feeling that told me I was full. I'm sure it was a hormone/chemical release that took place and now it's gone. I've not had that feeling in over a year. Sometimes it bothers me. My counselor told me I needed to find something that will give me that feeling. (replace it) I don't know that I will. I definitely was using food for self-medication. I still find myself trying to find something that gives me that feeling again food-wise. It's lessened over time, but not completely gone yet. I hope that it will go away completely.

Well, ok, tomorrow is actually the one year anniversary. At this time one year ago, I was freaking out and trying to figure out how to get the Magnesium Citrate (stomach content flusher-outer--haha) down. I couldn't do it. I struggled for an hour and finally forced it down and almost brought it right back up. I knew it was the final step in this journey that made it real. Boy was it hard. I did it, I had the surgery the next morning and have not regretted it. NOT ONCE. (yes, there have been some emotional times when I was mad I couldn't eat all that I wanted, but still...NO REGRET) My husband is down 120lbs I am down 90lbs We both have about a 100 to go which, even now, sounds impossible, but I will do my best and hope for the best.

I was sleeved in Jan 11. I lost a good amount of weight the first 3 mos. Then slow, slow, slow. In fact, only 3 lbs from August 26-to Nov 4. I have horrible metabolism and am hypothyroid. My old dose of synthroid was 300mcg! I am eating 1500 calories on average. I knew my thyroid was inhibiting my loss as it always has. I was begging my MD to do something about it and she just kept saying, everything is fine, your labs are normal, it's just the way your body works. I finally had enough and went to an endocrinologist last week. OMG. He is my hero!! He read my labs and asked my history. He asked how much weight I'd lost and I told him almost 80 lbs since January. He then said, "And you're not happy? WOW...that's a lot of weight in 11 mos" I told him "yes, it is a lot of weight, BUT, I lost 50 of that in 4 mos and I haven't lost but 3 lbs in the last 3 mos". He looked at my labs again and then said, "What has taken you so long to come see me?" I told him "My doc kept saying nothing was wrong" He then asked about my Vitamin D deficiency (which I've known has been there since before surgery). I said, "yes, I know it's nil, but again, my doc has done nothing about it". He said, "well we're going to make some changes!" This is what the changes are: First, Vitamin D 5000iu everyday. He said to protect my bones and there is thought that it also prevents cancer. It's the "it vitamin" right now. Second, (and this is the most important/astounding) he took me off of my high dose Synthroid and started me on Armour. Synthroid is synthetic, Armour is natural (from pigs). He said he was certain I'd lose weight and feel better. I was up for anything. He said it'll take a week to feel better, but I think you'll be very pleased. I began the Armour and the Vitamin D last Thursday. I began weighing myself every morning. Friday -.2lbs, Sat -.5lbs, Sun -1.5 lbs, Mon -1.6lbs, today, -.5lbs. I have lost 4.6 lbs since last Thursday. Still eating 1500 calories and changing nothing about my diet or exercise routine. Happy? NO---ECSTATIC! He explained to me last week that Armour used to be the only choice until the synthetics came along. Now, drug companies push them, bc they created them. He also explained to me how the Armour works and how he can "tweak" it if things slow down. Many insurance companies won't cover it (mine didn't) bc it's not the "norm" to prescribe any longer. I had to pay $26 for one month supply, but you know what? My co-pay for brand drugs is $50, so I'm ok with that. I'm very pleased with this new doc. He's my hero. The point of my message is, if you think something is wrong, and you keep being told it isn't, get another opinion. I actually was supposed to meet with this new doc back in September, but cancelled thinking I was wasting his time. I wasted mine. PS...the new med has also helped with my sadness and lethargy. It's not completely gone, but I don't feel so helpless any longer.

No forbidden things, but things that I should avoid...mainly fried foods bc of calorie content.

Three meals, two snacks

Have you thought about taking Caffeine pills? As a way to slowly reduce the amount you are taking? I found some "Tension Headache" pills the other day and they are acetaminophen and caffeine. They help! (or do you really want the sugar??)

I can only say, I hear you. I'm at 9 mos out and am stuck at 72lbs. I haven't lost for 8 weeks. Mind you, I still have 100 to go minimum. I don't know the answer bc I eat between 1200-1500 calories a day and the scale goes up 1, goes down 1. Playing that forever it seems.

I am fighting for every pound, too. And you know what??? I'm SOOOO happy to hear from you slow losers! I was getting very discouraged reading some of the stats of people on here that brag about losing so fast and not being hungry and how everything is so frickin' perfect for them. I don't think they are "typical" patients, I think we are. I've spoken to my doc, nutritionist, and other vsg'ers and have learned that I am normal. Yes ME. My losses are GREAT and NORMAL. I think we, myself included, are so used to instant gratification, and are worried that it's NOT WORKING because we are losing so slowly. All bodies are different. Keep eating low calorie and getting at least some exercise and the weight has no choice but to come off. I haven't really lost anything in the last 6 weeks. Up 2, down 2. But this week, I lost 3. So -1 in 6 weeks. Yes, that sucks on paper...BUT you know what? I dropped a size in clothing. So, I did lose inches. My body is trying to catch up with it's weightloss and is working on thinning me up, not concentrating on dropping another pound. Hang in there girls, we will all be fine.

Can relate to all posts above. I'm 8 mos out and still, on occasion, get upset when I can't eat to comfort myself. BUT, let me say, it's not like throw dishes, kick the wall, swear your head off kind of upset. It's kinda like a little "awww" in my head with a little feeling of regret. It only lasts like 5 seconds. I have been able to move on pretty well. I'm amazed. I was very worried about this before surgery. I can't say the self-destructive part has completely gone away. If I can't eat the food, I may eat a piece of candy. Or I may go and buy something on a credit card that I don't need. It's very weird and I don't completely understand why I have to have this state of despair feeling to feel right. If I'm not eating to worry about my health, I'm spending to worry about my financial state. I hate worrying about those two things, yet I continue to keep them right there in the front of my mind. It's like controlling the uncontrollable that is controllable. Never ending cycle.

I am 8mos out and eat 1400 calories a day. Protein I eat first, but don't really count much beyond calories.

There was a post on this earlier last week, which I contributed to. Are you all taking an acid reducer? I never did, even after surgery. I was fine up until about 8 weeks ago and I was having constant hunger. To the point I'd get headaches and shaky. I read a bit about acid playing a roll in making you think you were hungry when it was actually acid. I purchased generic Prevacid (Prilosec will work, too) took it, and the very next day the hunger and growling and aching stopped. I've been on it about 5 days now and the hunger has not returned. May be worth checking into. I, too, was playing with the same 2 lbs. going up and down. Since starting the Prevacid, I've lost 3 lbs. (not caving into hunger b/c I'm no longer hungry)

Me -75 Husband -100 8 mos out. :D:D:D:D:D