kemo46

I had hit at weight loss stall at 3 months. I did not understand this because I am only eating between 600 and 800 calories a day. I do cardio and weights at least 4 times a week and easily burn these calories. My NUT told me that in a normal world when you are getting 1500+ calories a day and you burn more in exercise than you take in, you will lose weight. If you are only taking in 600 to 800 per day and are burning a lot more than that, your body thinks you are starving and goes into survival mode, that is when the stall happens. I was actually told to increase my calorie intake ( still healthy foods) and decrease my exercise and that should jump start my weight loss again. I just started this so I will let you know if it works. I am 3 months post op now.

Had my Sleeve on 5-25-11 with Dr. Almanza in Tijuana. You can read my blog from start to finish about my experience. www.kemo46.blogspot.com

Talk to your surgeon. I was instructed only walking was allowed for the first 6 weeks after surgery. After that, I started light lifting and cardio. I am 8 weeks out and still take it easy but I increase my workouts gradually every week. It is better to be safe than sorry.

That is great news, good for you. It takes work but we have been given this wonderful tool to help us succeed. Don't you feel so much better, that is the part that amazes me. Keep it up, you are doing great.

Well, I received a great NSV this week from the results of my blood work, it was my 3 month post op appointment. I have my Diabetes completely under control now with no medication. My A1C test ( 3 month blood sugar average) was 10.2 before surgery, it is now down to 6.3. My Cholesterol was 237 before surgery, it is now 138. My triglycerides were 286 before surgery, they are now 96. The sleeve has been such a great tool to provide the restriction needed to lose weight. I say tool because you still have to eat right and exercise but it is doing its job. I take no medication at all and I feel great. I am well on my way to my goal weight with 65 lbs lost as of today . If I did not lose another pound, this has already been a huge success for me.

Good for you Raine, you are so right. We get so caught up in the scale, we forget about the other benefits.

I have lost 65lbs total, that includes my pre-op liquid diet. I was three months post surgery on 8-25-2011. I have lost 54% of my excess body weight. My weight loss has slowed down the last few weeks, trying to get this jump started again.

You will stay in their room at the clinic in a cot or a chair. They will make room for you at the recovery house however, if it is full, you might have to sleep on the floor or on a cot. The hotel is nice, I would not call it a 5 star but it is very nice for about 60.00 per night. Talk to your coordinator, she should help you with this. Louise was my coordinator and was a great help.

The recovery house has wifi and a landline you can use to call the states at no cost. If you plan on using your cell phone, change your plan to include Mexico, you can cange it back later. The cost without the Mexico plan are ridiculous. Your laptop with Skype, magic jack or any other VOIP works great.

Noel, that is just awesome, what a great job. Your goal is just right around the corner.

Be careful and talk to your surgeon. You just had major surgery, do not mess it up now. I was instructed by my surgeon that only walking was allowed until after 6 weeks. I followed his instructions because we have come to far to hurt ourselves after what we have been through. I started riding my bike after 6 weeks and started working out at the gym. I go to the gym at least 4 times a week. I started with light weights and the cardio machines such as the stairstepper/ski machine and treadmill. Start slow and try to increase your workout each day. My recovery and weight loss has been great and I feel good. It is human nature to want to rush the process but do not do it. Your success will come.

That is great, we are happy for you. Your new life can begin, you will be amazed by the progress you will be making. I too had my surgery with Dr. Almanza and I have had a perfect recovery. I would say take it slow and follow ALL instructions they gave you, it is for a reason. When you start exercising ( after 6 weeks) besides walking of course, take it slow and gradually increase your workout load, you do not want to hurt yourself, you have come too far for that. I am glad you are having a good recovery, keep us updated.

Good for you, you are doing great. People who have not gone through it do not understand, this is only a tool, it is not an easy way out. If we do not have discipline, it will not work. The restriction alone will not help long term, we have to change our eating habits, not just the portion size. You know how hard you have worked and what it takes to make this a success, it is anything but an easy way out.

Shirts was 4x, now I am now wearing 1x. Pants, I was 52 waist, now I am 44. It has been almost 3 months since my surgery and I am down a little over 60lbs.

That is what is wrong with our country. The insurance companies do have contracts with the hospitals on how much they will pay but that is ridiculous. That is why healthcare and insurance is so high. They can call it what they want but it is FRAUD. I am glad you had your surgery, how are you doing?

I am having my blood work next week and I am very optimistic that my cholesterol numbers will be in the normal range. My blood sugar numbers are already there, I check them daily. I am curious for all of you that had the surgery, what your cholesterol was before the surgery and what it was when you had your blood work after the surgery. How much weight had you lost when you had your blood work done post surgery? I figure eating the right foods and losing all of this weight should have a huge impact on these numbers. My cholesterol was 237 when I had my blood work done about 1 month before my surgery.

I exercise at least 4 times a week. I still only take in about 600 to 700 calories a day, I am just not that hungry. I want to take advantage of that first 6 months of the weight loss. When I exercise, I do cardio and light weights, that is all. The stairstepper/ski machine gives me a tough workout and I gradually increase my time on it. I also use the treadmill on max incline, this I was told really helps with the stomach area. I think the calories are important but watching the carbs and eating the right foods are more important. Sorry for the roundabout answer to your question, My calories have not increased much from once I was able to eat solid foods, I am still between 600 and 700 calories a day, about 30-40 carbs a day and try to still get in at least 80 grams of protein a day.

I would follow your surgeon's instructions, there is a method to their madness. Start walking every day, increase your distance a little each time. Watch your portion size and eat what they tell you. With all of that said, most of us still have stalls, they will pass and yours will too. Read my blog from the beginning at www.kemo46.blogspot.com , this will give you an idea what to expect and show you where my stalls were. You will do great, we are so blessed to have this tool to help us.

I was cleared for light exercise 6 weeks out. I would not risk taking full swings that soon, it is not worth it. You might be fine, might not. I have had a perfect recovery with no issues but I was very careful and followed ALL instructions from my surgeon. I would ask your surgeon and then make your decision on the conservative side.

You will do great. I was nervous at first but I was super calm and comfortable once I got to the clinic. I have had the perfect recovery and so will you. Stay positive and remember why you are doing this. You need to embrace the experience and enjoy the whole journey. I looked at it as a life changing vacation. What helped me get through all of it was I followed some advice I saw on the forum, I wrote down 12 things that I would look forward to after my surgery. It was good to have that list and know you are doing the right thing. We are all behind you, have a great trip.

You will do fine. I was in the same boat, I had never been in the hospital and never had surgery before. Remember, the anesthesiologist gets paid to wake you up, not put you to sleep and they know what they are doing. I am sure you have done your research and feel comfortable with your medical team. It is a life changing event and you will do great.

The main thing right now is get your fluids. Drink, or should I say sip plenty of Water. I was also concerned with getting enough protein but at your stage the most important thing is staying hydrated. If you become dehydrated, you will have issues. The protein will come, it does for everyone. Try to make sure you are getting at least 64oz of liquids. Water and gatorade was my friend when I was at your stage. I did the unjury chicken flavor protein powder in warm water, it tasted very good. The shakes were hard for me at your stage as well.

That is great, I am going for my blood work on 8-29, I hope mine turns out that good. Congratulations to you.

Well, I have lost my man boobs and a lot of my stomach. I am having a hard time getting rid of my lower belly fat ( below my belly button). What are some good exercises that has worked for you to help reduce this? My stomach area ( above my belly button) is getting greatly reduced but I am not seeing a big reduction in the other. I want to concentrate on the exercise that will work on that area. Please give me your feedback. Thanks.

I love riding as well. I still weigh 257lbs so I went to Wal-mart and bought a saddle seat for my bike. It is a wider seat and feels much better than that stock seat . That old seat was very uncomfortable, felt like a thong, not a good thing for a 257lb guy.