GreenEyedMamma

Great story. Congrats on your success. It is an AMAZING journey to be on isn't it? I am lovin every minute of it.

It's an AMAZING ride isn't it? Congrats!!!

I live in the Central California Valley, and want/need a buddy desperately! I am 2 1/2 weeks post op, and am struggeling with getting my Water in, getting enough Protein in, and trying to get active. I am a nurse and work night shift, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 AM. but only work 3 shifts per week. Would love to correspond, talk, IM whatever.

Thanks!

KathyD49

Where are you located? I am in Bakersfield.

I was told just to take a multi-Vitamin (like any healthy person should take) and Calcium. I don't have to take B12 because I don't have a deficiency. You will have (or should have) a Vitamin panel done to see if you are lacking any vitamin. If you are, then your doctor will recommend you take what you are lacking. I take two chewable Flintstone complete Vitamins and a calcium chew every day. If you think about it, everyone should take a Multi-Vitamin every day.

Like others have said though, if you are eating the right foods, you will get a majority of your Vitamins from food. My Fitness Pal keeps track of the vitamins if your food if you track your daily intake. It's simple and FREE.

I had to travel for work outside the country just 6 weeks after my surgery and was on the road for three weeks. I had two pair of jeans with me from before surgery and one of them I was bound and determined to NEVER see again so on my last day of my trip I stuffed them in the garbage can at the hotel, stomped on them (with an attitude) and sang "nah, nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goo-ood-bye" and I left my pants in the capital of Canada. I took the other pair home and now they are now hiding in the back of the closet where those clothes that I kept for "one day I'll get back into these" used to reside.

I also have a blog and I enjoy going back and reading my posts from when I first started my journey. It helps keep me in perspective. I also take periodical photos standing in the same spot and same position so I can compare my progress.

Third week stall is VERY typical. Your body is adjusting to your sleeve and reduced caloric intake. I hit my slow down at that point too and it lasted almost two weeks. I have been at a steady 2-3 pounds a week since then though. Some weeks more, some weeks less. Don't fret over it. It will come off. Drink TONS of Water throughout the day (try to drink at least 80 ounces a day if you can). I take in between 96-120. Your body will love you for it.

Mine started to shed a few weeks ago and it is typical after any surgery. I lost way more after my knee surgery a few years ago and it shed for what seems like forever (at least six months). I had much longer hair then (down to my waist) but I cut it all off last year. I do use a Protein filler for my hair and it really helps with breakage. A few times a week, I spray it in my hair at night after I wash it (I spray enough in my already damp hair until it drips), massage it into the scalp, and let it air dry. You can pick up protein filler (and I think it is called just that) at Sally Beauty Supply. Hair dressers add it to hair dye to prevent breakage from the chemicals. It will not prevent your hair from falling but mine has slowed down dramatically since I started using it and like I said, it has only been a few weeks.

Rock on GreenEyedMamma! Congrats on your huge success and I LOVE your sassy new 'do!

Thanks. Funny how much more shine I have since surgery. All the Water and Biotin must really be working.

Rock it!!! Doesn't it feel amazing?? Now the next time you are at the store pick up a 50lb or 75lb bag of dog food... it is an eye opener. I can freaking run on the treadmill now... at my starting weight there was no way that could happen!!!

That's funny that you mentioned that because I was doing that in the beginning with gallons of milk. Each gallon weighs 8 pounds. I have lost nearly 9 gallons already. It's fricken amazing!!!

I know some people who wear them to help reduce the amount of excess skin while they are losing.

Thanks everyone! This has been (and continues to be) the BEST journey I have ever been on. I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Great job! What a difference eh? Keep up the good work.

Thanks for posting this. I had experienced this quite early in my journey but to see the pictures is amazing. In the beginning of my journey, my scale said I had only lost 7 pounds in three weeks but the truth was I had lost 16 pounds of body fat and gained 9 pounds of muscle. My doctor has this amazing scale that tells you all this fabulous stuff and gives you a printout to compare your readings throughout your "transformation".

I still step on my scale every morning but I don't let it bother me if nothing changes for a few days.

I fluctuated too so I have a bunch of clothes from like five/six years ago that I always said "one day I'll get back into these". Well, that "one day" is now. I am to the point now where I have to take my clothes in with my sewing machine. I refuse to buy a bunch of new things when I know they aren't going to fit me in a few months anyway. I did purchase a few pairs of jean capris to get me through summer. I bought them a little too snug so I can wear them until September.

Good job on your progress. Keep it up!!!

Good Job. You look FABULOUS!!!!

I set my own goal of 175. It is still considered high according to the BMI chart (*cough**that crappy little evil chart**cough, cough) but I know where I felt comfortable from my past. I may adjust it as I get closer to my goal weight but for now, that is where it is.

You are doing AWESOME. Keep up the good work.

Make sure you have a good Protein shake in there. I used GNC's Optimum Nutrition's Double chocolate and vanilla Ice Cream flavors. I also had V8 juice, sugar-free pudding and sugar-free popsicles in addition to sugar-free Jello. I too drank chicken broth (low sodium) and drank a ton of Crystal Light.

Warning - The first three days are ROUGH but something happens on day's 4 and 5 and things look up from there. Good luck to you and your journey. It is an AMAZING ride.

A 3 ounce can of solid white albacore tuna from Starkist (available in a three-pack) packs a whopping 20 grams of Protein. I mix mine with 1 tablespoon of low-fat mayo. I ate this (very slowly) during my mushy stage (I eat it now too when I need a little Protein kick).

I personally used GNC's Optimum Nutrition during my pre-op and immediate post-op in both Double chocolate and Vanilla flavors. They have 24 grams of Protein per serving. During my full-liquid and mushy post-op stage, I mixed the Protein into greek yogurt, sugar-free pudding, and oatmeal to get in my protein until I could graduate to soft foods. Today, I drink Premium Nutrition ready made shakes in chocolate and they have 30 grams of protein per serving. Whatever you choose, make sure it is low in carbs, sugar, and high in why protein (more than 20 grams per serving).

You'll be surprised how much Water you can actually take in if you sip it all day.

The questions iegle suggested are good ones.

I created a Gallery folder under my profile here and then uploaded my images to the folder from my computer. Once uploaded and published, I opened each picture in a separate window and copied the link from the web bar, clicked "click to attach files" and pasted the link to each picture (separately) into the URL field. Once it uploaded, I clicked "attach to post" to the far right side of the image and it inserted into the body. Kind of a pain but it worked.

Thanks. I feel awesome!!!

I had to modify my original post so I could include a recent picture. I just had the Hubs snap a quick one for me.

I hit the 70 pound mark this morning and am inching closer to my first major milestone of 100 pounds. As each pound drops I feel like I am gaining a mile of self-confidence. I am no longer hiding behind people or furniture when meeting new people or chatting via video messaging and do not run when someone pulls out a camera.

I am refusing to purchase a new wardrobe until I am close to reaching my goal. I am trying out my domestic skills and am utilizing my sewing machine to take in certain clothes (work pants, etc.). Despite my middle school home economics sewing skills, I discovered the key to keeping my clothes staying up is a belt. I have never needed a belt before so this was something new to me. I thought I would have to get a pair of those rainbow-striped suspenders that old men wear but a belt works much better!

Me the month before surgery.

Me today (4.5 months post-op)

Congrats! I was sleeved just four days before you and I hit my 70 pound mark today. Woo Hoo for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How much Water are you drinking? You should try and take in at least 80 ounces a day. Try reducing the sodium, increasing your Protein to at least 70 grams and reduce the carbs. Instead of the real eggs, try swapping for Egg Beaters. You can increase your Protein by adding one Protein shake a day or by swapping your meats. I eat a lot of Solid White Albacore tuna (Starkist has a 3oz. can that has 22 grams of protein), ground lean turkey, and shredded chicken breast.

Your body could also be losing fat but gaining muscle which will appear as if you aren't losing weight.

I had five and one of those was used for my drain. They would have placed an incision at the bottom of my belly button but I have had previous surgeries before and due to the those scars they had to put it about an inch below the belly button. They are all very small (smaller than one inch) with the exception of one and that one was an inch (and it was the one the stomach was removed from).

1. below the belly button for me
2. in the upper abdomen
3. in the upper left abdomen
4. in the central abdomen on the left side
5. in the central abdomen on the right side (where my drain was placed and left for one week)

They were glued closed and with the exception of the standard itching from healing all healed very well. The one that took the longest to heal was the one where the drain was. They let it heal on its own without glue or sutures.