To Be Thin 2011

Interesting replies for sure! I am almost 7 months out... my diet has been the same since March... I am totally focused on counting protien and carbs.. I drink an EAS Carb Control Protein shake every single day and would be lost without it... 110 calories, 17 grams of protien and 6 carbs.. I would not know how to start my day without one! You can purchase this brand at any Wal-Mart, or Wal-Greens...even Sams Club sells them. Mid Morning snack - Atkins brand Protien bar, you have to really read the box on each as there are different levels of Protein Bars in the Atkins plan.... I buy the choc chip granola that are 17 grams and the Peanut Butter ones that are 17 or 19 grams. For me,,, in the morning all I can do is the EAS shake,, then hour - two hours later a protien bar... it is like my tummy has to wake up. I eat Fat Free Cottage cheese everyday, and I only eat chicken, turkey, fish or lean beef... will not waste any effort on uping my carbs...no potato, Pasta, breads, etc.... In the last 7 months I have taken 3 bites of a bun from Red Lobster cause I just could not resisit! It takes so much will power! I found beef jerkey that has 22 grms of protien in only 1.5 oz packet! It is only 120 Calories - so between my shake, protien bar, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and 1 bag of beef jerkey I can hit my protien goal very easily and with just this I have my calories under 600, carbs around 30 --for the day! I will eat 4 0z of quality meat for dinner, usually chicken breast or a couple slices of deli turkey breast... I drink a ton of crystal light and Water and am good to go!!! It works for me, no complaints!

Hi Danielle, It will be o.k.....you went through major surgery and your body is trying to recover. At one month out I was still feeling as you describe above. It is hard not to compare ourselves with others on this forumn... I remember being so extremely tired, having terrible bouts of naustousness at 1 month, and I was reading where others were back to work at 3 weeks out... OMG... I felt something was terribly wrong with me... there wasnt, we just all heal differently and our bodies react differently. At my 4 week doc visit I told my doc I get exhausted just waking up, drinking my protien shake and taking a shower, then I would go back to bed.... little by little it turned around, slowly improving each day... It will for you too... Listen to your body, rest when you need it, make sure you are doing your fluids - several things go on when you are dehydrated...including dizzyness, weak, headaches, etc... Good Luck & it will get better

Thank you!!! I have very, very thick legs! 2 years ago I had to have female surgery and the nurse in the pre-op room was asking me a bunch of questions, she got to how much do I weigh and I told her 310 lbs.. which was weight at that time, and she was shocked... it was embarrasing, but she told me how she see's 25-40 people a day for surgeries and never would she have guessed me to weight that much, etc... gheeze.... my husband was sitting with me and after the nurse left even he said he did not realize I weighed so much... It really made me feel low... but all that is going to go away!!! I never thought it would be possible for me to lose this much weight....but now, I am a believer! It can be done!!!

It's been 6 months... no regrets, only happiness and looking forward to the next 6 months!

Hi, this may sound odd, but I felt I was a slow loser compared to so many posts on here! My choice in having the surgery and choosing the sleeve has been one of the best choices I have ever made. Like many have said, I only regret not doing it sooner...like my daughters wedding was 2 years ago, gosh how I wished I would have done this b/4 her wedding.. oh well! My surgery was very much "non-eventful" --- Everything went fine, I spent one night in hospital, stopped taking pain meds by 3 or 4th day... no problem with protien shakes or liquids. I did experience bouts of nausau and wow.... when it hit my whole body felt "sea sick"..... it was odd, but it left by week 4....I totally had mood swings cause of the racing hormones, and that has all calmed down now. My diet is pretty much Protein shake in the morning (even though some do not agree) I cant eat food in the morning, the shake is great on my tummy... I eat fat free cottage cheese everyday, and then chicken, turkey or seafood. I buy Atkins bars from WalMart and eat one almost every day. I love beef jerkey and have it quite often. My calories stay around the 1000 - 1200 range and my carbs around 35 -40. I do not have 3 meals a day, I have the 5-6 small meals.. I know there are others that do not agree with that either, but again, it works for me and we are all diferent! I have learned so much through this forum and I read a great deal about the surgery prior to having it... I felt I was very prepared mentally for what was ahead of me. I am determined and hope my determination stays in high gear.... it is a rush to go down a size in clothing... I am thankful every single day for making this choice and I want to be a healthier person, I want to live my life normal and not be the bigger than life person all the time... Good Luck, you wont be sorry!!!

OH my gosh... you all brought tears to my eyes, thank you so much for such positive comments to me!!!! This forum is so great! I was extremely nervous about posting the comparison pic, a friend did it for me! If you look at my stats, I still have more than 100 lbs to lose..... only a handful of people on this forum start out like I did with such a large amount to lose... I need to be at the 140 mark.... I have lost over 80, but still need to lose 110 more. I cant wait for the day to actually be able to say I have less to lose than what I have already lost! Thank you all again..... it is incredible how friends/relatives will say nothing, no support... but here on the forum, I feel the kindness and positive vibes!!!

CRAZY!!! Gosh, I felt bad because I used a straw at a restruant 4 weeks after surgery and about freaked cause I had forgot I wasnt suppose to use a straw! That was a simple oops, but "forgot" I had surgery...never....every day I am thankful.

Hi! Are you losing weight? I am no specialist on this, I just feel if it is working for you, why change it! For me, I was told to keep my calories around the 1000 - 1200 each day. I got a little greedy in wanting to kick in my weight loss back the end of April and I reduced my calorie intake to around the 700 - 800 mark and at the same time I stepped up my excersise... I thought I would see a big weight loss.... I was wrong, totally wrong... I did it for 2 weeks and during that time I did not lose one single pound. It was explained to me that by increasing my activity and lowering my calorie intake I through off my metabolism, slowed my body down into a starvation mode. Once I bounced my calories back up, I started losing again... it is odd to explain or make sense out of, but it is what worked for me... I know I have to keep my calories around the 1200 - 1000 mark, and I really have to watch my carbs.... I am a carb freak, give me more, more, more Good luck...

Wow,, I totally did not know celery was hard on our tummies to digest. I was told no raw veggies for 6 months.. and... just last week I could not stand it, twice last week I had celery and simply jiff (fat free) Peanut Butter for an afternoon snack. I planned on getting more celery this weekend grocery trip.... shame on me. I have my 6 month doc visit on Tues, I will besure to ask him or the nut about celery & digestion, etc..... this forum is so valuable! thanks!!!

Any regret????? ABSOULUTLEY - Everyday Every day I regret that I lived so many years miserably eating out of control. Every day I regret the heartbreak that I suffered by peoples cruel words, thoughts and looks towards me and my obesity. Every day I regret that I did not make the choice to have WLS sooner. You may read this and feel I am full of regret, and maybe I am .... however... I also am thankful Every day that I "woke up" and made the personal choice to get help with the battle against obesity. I am thankful that somehow I made the decision to have WLS, and chose the sleeve. I am thankful that for once in my life I am finally focused on eating healthy, daily exercise. WLS is a very personal choice,,, for me, my biggest regret is that I took so long to realize it was the right choice. My best wishes to all on this link, no harm should be intended on choosing to post your opinion.

Please trust you will get better each day. You are absolutely correct on the hormone aspect. Your hormones are racing and you may find your self irriatble or lashing out at someone that normally would be totally out of character. Its the hormones! On a good note, they do calm down after a bit... At my 2 week check up I talked about this topic with my doctor cause I would get angry at something so little or stupid, and my doc said it was perfectly normally and could last up to 3 months, they your hormones/body will adjust. good luck...

Absolutely 64 oz or more of fluids! Twice now I have been "busy" and a little lax on my Fluid intake for the day or two...and I could tell I was irritable, tired, hungry - oh my that is big, I get hungry -- I know some say they have never been hungry again once they got sleeved. I have, and it could be maybe an hour after eating.. that is my little reminder to get my Water jug filled! LOL! There are some days I do have to push myself to drink, most days I am o.k... but yes, your body needs those fluids!

Congrats, glad you are doing better and now all I am thinking of is how good that wedding cake shake must taste!!!

Hi, Please trust you are not alone! As you can see from the other posts it is not uncommon! My husband had to point it out to me that I was very "testy" he said I was snippy and quick to jump on things... He pointed it out to me a couple of times and at my 2 week follow up visit I mentioned it to my doctor and he said it is all totally normal, that it is my hormones raging and adjusting to the surgery. He told me it "could" take as much as 3 months for my body to find a balance... thank goodness it did not take that long, but I am almost six months out and I do catch myself being very quick to get ticked off on something so stupid or meaningless.. totally out of character for me. It doesnt happen often but it does still happen once in a while with me. Good luck...hopefully it will pass soon and your body adjusts.

Wow, great posts here, and very incouraging to see such high numbers of weight loss with the sleeve... Thank you Lex for posting and sharing,, I truly felt I was alone in my thoughts like yours. I can understand what it is like to the be the biggest person in the room or at a party, etc.. I still have a long way to go... I look at some of the posts on this forum and most have started their WL journey at a lower weight than I am yet to be.... frustrating at times, but little by little I am plugging along. I feel sure it will be a long, long time before my head ever catchs up to my weight loss.

Wow, you might want to run that by your primary care doctor.. I have acid reflux as well, had it for several years and am on previcid too.. .. I had "though" it would go away after surgery, it has calmed down some, but not gone away. I have noticed, that something I eat may be fine and sitting well in my tummy, but.... as soon as I add water to it, boom.. it starts... I have gotten it from Crystal light too... I am not complaining as it is much, much better than prior to sleeve..... but yes, I still have bouts. My primary doctor prescribed disolvable previcid - generic name: Lansoprazole ODT 30MG tablet - I have these for back up, when it kicks in I take the disolveable one as well as the daily capsule.

WOW... you feel 3 pounds a week is slow? I think it is fantastic! (((Clapping))) Cheers! And you deserve a round of applause! 27 pounds in 9 1/2 weeks is something to celebrate! Treat your self to a pedicure and enjoy your sucess!

I have yet to check out Target's Protein choices.. thanks for the suggestion. I do the EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control - premixed, comes in a 4 pak, can get it at any Wal-Mart, Meijers Stores or GNC. 110 Calories - 17 g of protein and 2 carbs. Comes in 4 different flavors, the Dark chocolate is great, I switch between that and the Chocolate Fudge. Also, I priced out buying it premixed 4 pak at Wal-Mart $4.39 a pack vs buying the powder and mixing it.. only saves like 10 cents a serving.. for 10 cents, I love the conveinence of premix. Give it a try..

Hello! Congratulations on your loss!!! Doesnt if feel great! You are only 3 weeks out.. and each of us on this forum are so different... I can so relate to your words. I too have a treadmill, owned it for 6 years and have only been on it maybe 4 times. I felt as big as I am (was) that walking at home would be better, but I did not have the motivation to do it. Post op.. a month went by, 2 months went by, when I got closer to my 3 month mark, something just kicked in, it was like an internal drive to start walking on that treadmill. I had been losing weight, went down in sizes of clothes, and it just felt right to me to start walking and get more active. I could only do 10 minutes a night for aobut 4 nights, then little by little I kept uping it. I decided to watch my favorite shows only if I was on the treadmill, and it worked.. instead of sitting on my big butt watching tv, I walk on the treadmilll. Try.. when you are ready, try it.. and you will feel better about walking/excersising once you get going on it.. Good luck

Hello, I so admire your honesty and that you are addressing this issue now, and making your own choice. I wish 100% that I would have done what you are doing and had kept it on the down low. I realize now that it is no one's busines but mine and I do not have to share this like an open book.... I was influenced by my husband to tell people - his family.. he said it was like keeping secrets from his family and if I believe enough in the surgery, then I should tell them. I have regreted it ever since. I also told my best friend, who did everything possible to talk me out of it, told me how wrong I was, how she could help me lose weight.. blah, blah, blah... We each have to stand on our own two feet and be accountable for our actions, I made myself obese, I need to get myself out of this situaton and I so wish I would have kept my mouth shut about the surgery. When people ask me now how I am losing so much weight, I tell them it is very, very hard... a daily battle of counting calories, carbs and excersing. After I say that, they pretty much dont care to hear any more!!! Good luck, and congrats to you in making this choice

Hello! Stall's Stink! It is the most talked about topic on this forum! A true "stall" is 3 or more weeks without loss. Below you can see my weight loss results.. I only weigh myself once a week and since June 3rd I have not lost one singe pound.. nothing.. VERY frustrating. I had a little personal goal of wanting to be at 250 pounds by my 6 month surgery date... since I have not lost a pound in 3 weeks, this is pretty frustrating - not going to hit my target. I count calories (1000 a day) , I count carbs (stay under 40 a day), I hit my protien goal and I hit my Water goal every day. I started walking about 5 weeks ago, started slow - 20 mins a day, have worked up to 3 miles a day now... and still I have not lost a pound in 3 weeks....so I am with you!!! I am not giving up, and dont you give up... we just have to work past this little hurdle.. (and cuss alot)!!! Good luck my friend..

Hi, Each of us are different with our co-morbidities, health risks and weight. The doctors &/or hospitals are all different with thier requirements. As long as you have faith in your doctor that is preforming your surgery, you will be all set. All doctors are different with their pre-op diets, post op diets, how long you stay in hospital, if drain tube is used and if so when it comes out,, your limitatons post op on what you can do and cannot do... Each doctor has thier own guidelines. I had only the eco and advance blood testing... but I did not have diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep acnea, no other side issues other than being bigger than life and unable to lose wieight. Good luck

Hi, Your concerns are normal and your o.k... I was told over & over that the first 6 weeks you are in the healing stage and its o.k. to not hit your protein target.. my only advise would be please dont try to force yourself to eat just to hit protien target..I did that and it was very, very, stupid of me... Congrats on your sleeve!!!

I prefer the EAS Low Carb as well.. I buy the premade 4 pak from Wal-Mart,,, shake, pour and add lots of ice!!

Hi I had read up so much prior to making my decsion to have the sleeve that I was very prepared. I also reached out through private message to a couple of sleevers that I wanted to ask specific questions on. The only thing that impacted me or I should say that I goofed up on was that I was so totally focused on eating and hitting my protien level... and that messed me up. I was pretty much forcing myself to eat, even though I was not hungry.. it sounds stupid, but I had it in my head that I had to consume xxx protien and xxx much Water, and it was not good. I actually made myself sick a couple of times because I was forcing food or protien bar in me. At 4 week visit I shared with my doc how sick I got a couple of times and he told me I should never, ever force myself to eat...that the first 6 weeks is all about healing. I knew that. I had read that...but I did not follow that advise.. The doc told me to only eat when I am hungry - -and I instantly started feeling better!!! Good luck!