meggiep

I took part in a Quest for Onederland on Facebook and my original goal was to be there by the end of summer- September 21st. I started at 237 on June 26th and though I did not reach it by then I hit Onederland today, weighing in at 198.4. That is just short of 82 pounds down since my pre-op started April 25th. I really encourage you all to join some Facebook groups as the daily, constant support and encouragement is simply amazing! Quest to Onderland is a great one! ANyway, I promised I would dance for Onederland and dance I did ;-P

You know you have to dance, right? :lol:

Read this article- which I just posted in another thread- it is so great to get that when you stall your body is building a glycogen store with pounds of water- once that is done you will lose it. In addition, if you lost a lot pre-op your body is recovering from that as well. I have had several two week slowdowns- either staying the same or losing a half a pound or one pound- then suddenly will drop 5 or 6 pounds in a week. http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

I have taken photos every month since the three week mark after my surgery and am ready to show them. ;-P I wish, of course, I took one before my pre-op as I was 30 pounds heavier than the first photo. I will look around for a photo that I can put in, meanwhile I have been good about doing them roughly every month since.I have had to switch to a smaller bathing suit- hooray! I am poised on the verge of Onederland and 42 pounds from my goal. SCREECH!!!!! We just figured out the first set is actually pre-op- in fact it is from March. There is a second one from 3 weeks out my husband forgot to insert- now it makes sense! I swore I had done one pre-op but as photographers we have so many floating around! SO here is the real deal: pre-op to now....

This article will help you understand the chemistry of stalls and why you need not worry. I find I will have a week or two where I lose only a pound or less- and then will drop 5 or 6 in a week. It makes sense when you read this! http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

I swear I thought my stomach would NEVER start losing! I lost 1 1/2 shoe sizes- wtf? My face shrunk to skinny- but the tummy stayed large for so long- only during the last month or so did it finally start going down an appreciable amount. Thank you everyone for the great support!

Today marks a huge goal met for me- I weighed in at 205 and my husband weighed in at 207! I have lost five pounds this week and at long long last I am less then he. The darling jumped up and down with me for joy- he is uber supportive. My son, six foot 3 and 195, is my next goal- I'm a gunnin' for him! I had a couple of weeks of verrrrry slow loss and was pleased to post a good big number this week again. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!

BTW- today I was another 1.6 down! He left to shoot a wedding before I could make him weigh

My hub has lost since my surgery too. It kind of goes with the change in our life- sharing food was such a big thing between us. He just ate less once I wasn't his food buddy any more. Fortunately I think we all know we will eventually move past them- it is just a metter of time!

He's noshing on tortilla strips right now so I am safe for tomorrow ! :lol:

I second the unjury chicken soup. I add 16 ounces of Water instead of 8 so it is less salty- and that 16 ounces counts towards fluids! Also, Vitalady.com sells one scoop samples of any of the Protein powders they sell- this helped me find a chocolate powder I liked after surgery since everything I liked before made me gag after. Once I found it I have it every morning mixed with decaf and ice. I also have an Unjury chicken soup every day (I am four months out) This way I am guaranteed 50 grams of protein and can try to get some veggies and fruit along with protein with my small meals. My sleeve, Thumbelina, holds 1/4 cup. I remember well how vivid everything was for the first month or two- it seemed I would never be able to tolerate protein powders, or anything. IT GETS BETTER! I can eat almost anything now (except bread, rice etc.- but wouldn't want to anyway with my low carb regimen). Have faith!

Yes yes yes! I am four months out now- have lost 72 pounds, and I have my life back! I was a near invalid and when y doctor said he saw a wheelchair coming next and then an early death I said -"NO WAY!" and took charge. The first month or so was very very hard but I knew what I wanted and went for it. I have so much energy now I can outlast my husband and our border terrier on our daily hour walks. I am also doing six Water aerobics classes a week. I feel good in my body and i like the way I look for the first time in many years. I just wish I had done it sooner. For those of you in the first few months- hang in there! You really will get to a day when the sleeve wont be who you are and what your life is all about, other than in a good way. Hugs to you.

Hey everyone- I have been here making a post here and there but thought I would check in more formally and report my progress- August 9th was my three month surgeversary. I can report that I am absolutely thrilled with my sleeve! Today I was officially 65 pounds down- including my 2 week pre-op. Though sometimes I have felt like my loss has been on the slow side compared with others- somehow here I am three months later over half way to my goal! I have also found myself to be one who has to watch carbs to lose weight. I wish it was otherwise...but it isn't. Right now it looks like my sweet spot is around 40-45 carbs to keep losing- and I do net carbs. I probably could lose a bit more going to 30 but I need to also not feel tooooo deprived so I have decided o the 40-45- knowing that when stalls come, etc. I can cut back to get thing kick started. I also have weathered a vacation! I was worried- went to Kauai and Oahu for a family series of events which we photographed. I was scale-less, and also found it hard to keep up the things I do like clockwork here at home- like all the Protein, and the Water. I did my best, but I also let myself have more carbs in papaya and pineapple since I adore them and we were in Hawaii.I was active- in the water every day Net result was no loss- but no gain! In addition- I think I was pretty swollen with water in the humidity, and with flying, because I have lost 9 pounds in the nine days since coming home- woo hoo! My main motivation for getting the sleeve was that I had become a housebound near total invalid with nerve damage in my back, two really bad knees (tears in both) and fibromyalgia. Well, I can report my life has changed so much I can't believe it! I have tons of energy and I work out two hours a day- an hour of brisk walking and an hour of level III water aerobics. I still have a fair amount of pain, and some may be a fact of life- but I feel so incredible- I feel I have my life back! The sleeve is the best thing I ever did. Where are my Redvelvet peeps???? xoo

Just to clarify- I absolutely do NOT feel like a slow loser now! I think that through the months it sometimes seemed that way- but then suddenly I find myself at 68 pounds lost (yep- 3 more) after only 16 weeks and that is unreal! Today was a day that was a true testimony to having my sleeve- I was go go go all day- walked an hour and 10 minutes, then did a costco run including lifting 5 big cases of Water, then when I got home went to Payless shoes with my so, then Safeway, then when I got home had only time to feed the feral cats before it was time to go to an our of water aerobics. This would have been COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE before my surgery. I am a totally different person!

I like fatsecret.com .

I was put on mine for three months so stopped 10 days ago- I have basically been fine until last night- woke up in the middle of the night with total reflux/acid. I hope it is a one time thing! Like you I worry about the calcium absorption as I am 58 and osteoporosis is a fear. If it happens a lot like last night- it was NO fun- I will go back on it.

Just keep doing the program- high Protein, low carbs, lots of Water, exercise- what this says is that you really are still losing but your body is pulling water to build the glycogen- then will lose the glycogen and water again- on and on over and over. It just explains that you may stall while that process is happening, and it will mask the losing that is going on. This is why measuring is a really good idea as you will notice you lose inches during the stall. I love that article and have posted it over and over her and on evry FB group I am on- it really helps!

I love fatsecret.com - it fits every need for me.

Now of course I mean each morning- not at night! I think because I am post menopause I don't face the TOM weight gain either. I hope I haven't jinxed myself!

I struggle with carbs for sure so you are not alone! Journaling is so important- I write down EVERYTHING at this point. I say that because one of my personal rants is that my Calcium chews have 4 carbs each and benefiber has 4 carbs per serving (at least they have Fiber so the net carbs are better!). I hate having this part of my 40 carbs! I am so sorry about your infection. This explains why today my doctor looked at my incisions again! I figured at this poit- 3 months- there is no need- but obviously if you have an infection.... OUCH!

I agree about adding carbs- and I am an avowed low carber. I am carb sensitive, and now, three months out, I have to stick to under 50 or I just do not lose weight no matter how low my intake. However, when I was a few weeks out, I was getting all my Protein, all my Water, but by nature of what I was drinking NO carbs- well, maybe 4! I was just not thinking about it with trying to get everything else, plus my doc specified Protein Drinks and Clear Liquids and my protein drinks just have a few carbs. I could hardly lift my head off the pillow. My dietician immediately clarified the instructions that it should have been thin liquids- so milk, thinned yogurt, etc. were included . (I had it in my docs handwriting but he blew it ;-P) I almost INSTANTLY had an energy turnaround. Hope you feel better! xoxo

So far I haven't had a single gain so could not answer. I am early out though....

Hey girl! Wish I knew. I would love to see the answers to this. The rest of my body is probably almost two sizes smaller than my middle is. Sigh. I am not nearly so close to goal but I see that part of me just is not losing nearly at the same rate. I am doing crunches- in the water, and hoping for the best! I have read that a larger belly compared to the rest of you is usually indicative of insulin /carb issues. Low carb really helps with this...I hope!!! xxxxxooooo

I jut hit the three month mark and I have lost 62 pounds. I am following the guidelines my doctor set- 60-80 grams of Protein a day, 2liters of Water minimum (I usually do closer to 3), less than 40 net carbs a day, lots of exercise, and my Vitamins. I am carb sensitive so I really need to stick to that one! I walk an hour a day briskly and five days a week do an hour of water aerobics. I plan to lose at least 50 more. Follow the rules- you will do well!

I started having an easier time getting liquids in on day 5. I set my timer and drank 2 ounces every 15 minutes- and I included protein drinks in my beverages. With a chocolate/decaf drink containing 30 grams in the morning, a strawberry/fruity on in the afternoon and an unjury chicken soup in the late afternoon I was getting 80 grams a day bu day 7. The ONLY way I could get all my fluids in (and the fluids in protein drinks count) is with the timer.