LivingFree!

I know this probably sounds strange, and it's just a wild suggestion. Have you just tried letting go of your dogged determination about the number on the scale for a few weeks? What I mean is, can you just relax about it for awhile and let your brain rest and not stress about having to lose that next pound, then that next pound, etc. Take those stress hormones out of your system for awhile. Stress hormones (cortisol) can contribute to a slow down in our ability to lose weight. You've done an awesome job with the weight you have lost, and it's not like you HAVE to get to this perfect weight you've set in your mind by any real specific time. You've got time (like the rest of your life!). I totally get that you have goals and want to "get the job done" but when we really think about it, this is our new job for the rest of our lives anyhow. I think you know what I mean--relax your mindset about what the scale says, but NOT your mindset about your eating habits and your lifestyle. Of course, what the other posters said above will help--change things up a little in the exercise dept, etc, maybe lower your carbs a bit, etc. Do a double check that those junky simple carbs and too many processed foods have not crept back into your diet a little too much, like happens to so many of us the further out we get. Congratulations on your success, and remember to Celebrate you along the way. . .

It seems that so many surgeons have so many different requirements on this one--probably the biggest subject of controversy I've seen among all the issues we deal with about WLS! My surgeon was strict--no caffeine for one year, and even after that I'm supposed to limit to one serving/day. I've pretty much trained myself to comply, but it IS a 16 oz cup! Of course there's exceptions--anyone who has a specific medical condition, like being prone to ulcers for instance, would obviously want to adhere to a different set of rules about caffeine than others. But on the other hand, sleeved or not, if we're downing 6 pots of coffee a day, it's probably time to revisit and revise that habit. Otherwise, I kinda agree with Fiddleman--for those of us with long-healed sleeves--enjoy that cup o' joe!

I love reading posts like yours! Doesn't it just make us remember how worth it our decision to have WLS was?

I think depression is just another aspect of the WLS process that totally varies per individual. There really is no "predictable" time when or if you will experience depression. Although I also have a chronic depression diagnosis, it is mostly managable. Yet at 3 years post-op I am currently experiencing some new WLS-related emotions that have not previously surfaced. Probably the best rule of thumb for all of us is that if we are feeling prolonged depression that continues to affect our everyday routines, it is time to seek help. Often help is just in the form of talking with a therapist and/or being prescibed a short course of anti-depressant meds, or even something as simple as doing some meditation/visualization/deep breathing/relaxation exercises. Hope you feel back to what your "normal" is soon. Take care.

Yep, how many of us can relate to closets full of sizes ranging from 8 to 28??? Purging my closet was such an emotional experience for me. It caught me off-guard. After I got past the emotion of it, it did help me to know that the nicer plus, plus sizes I donated would hopefully be appreciated by someone who, like the "old me", just wanted to look nice despite my overweight.

Starspring--Sorry to see that you are struggling. But this is now June and, assuming you are healing well physically from the surgery by now, it's pretty important that you are nourishing yourself better than it sounds like you are. Have you said these words to the bariatric team in charge of your post-op care? It's their job to help you--bug them until you are on the right track. If you feel you need help with depression, talk with a therapist. It might be that a short-term anti-depression could help you. Or, if you have ever looked into relaxation techniques such as meditation or just simply belly breathing, those things can help alot. You probably have no energy and are irritable and feeling depressed because neither your body nor your brain are getting the nutrients they need. It's hard to fight for ourselves to do what we know we have to do, especially when we're not feeling up to par, but it's what we HAVE to do. We are the ones who have to find a Protein drink that ISN'T too sweet for us; we have to find a way to get the liquids in that we are required to have. If swallowing Vitamins are a problem, there are alternatives--there are bariatric approved chews and liquids. The challenges of bariatric surgery are MANY. But you CAN tackle them. You must begin tackling them, and the other ones that will come up, so that you can have the good quality life that you expect as a result of choosing to have WLS.

I lost my majority of weight in 10 months (100 lb). But I'm female, my total weight loss goal range was 100-110 lbs, and I lost an additional 10 lbs between year 1 and 3. Guys definitely lose differently--for that matter, EVERYONE loses so differently!!! You will get a lot of valuable feedback to your question. But I think the general consensus will be that you ARE NOT done losing weight. Hang in there and keep on doing the right stuff! And--congratulations on your amazing progress so far. It IS awesome, you know. . .

What a ONEderful day for you!!! I can sooo remember that feeling. And, yes, we are the people who TOTALLY GET how much that means! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Best wishes for many, many more wonderful victories, both scale and non-scale. . .

Sorry you are feeling this way, but please remember you have just gone through MAJOR SURGERY, so your body AND your mind are kinda in SHOCK! You are not in bad physical pain, are you? You have pain meds to take to control that, right? "When" you start feeling better is so different for everyone. What helps the most is to follow the guidelines that you are given by your surgeon, and to keep a positive attitude even when that sometimes is so hard to do right after your surgery. Mourning the loss of your stomach to make the sleeve is normal too, but try to remember that this sleeve is your ticket to helping you learn how to develop your new eating habits and lifestyle to achieve the weight loss and health goals you want for yourself. Rest up and try to focus as much as you can on healing from your surgery and of course you know the best way to do that is to follow what your surgeon has told you--the Protein and the Water are most important for these first couple weeks. It's all so overwhelming at first, but have faith that you will feel so much better soon, and that you have such an incredible new and exciting adventure ahead of you. Take care and let us know how you are doing. . .

You will not feel alone anymore! And THAT is a great feeling. Everyone here has (or will) experienced what you have and WOW, does that ever become more and more powerful every day you move along your path to your new healthier life. Congratulations to you and have fun along the way!

Wow! And all I'm trying to do is reach 100 so I can post on Veterans Forum!!! Congratulations, and thank you for Bariatric Pal!

Personally, I like to see the GOOD in all people, and just will not accept that people intentionally set out to bully their fellow WLS partners in health on this forum. I'm sorry for the people who feel bullied and choose to leave Bariatric Pal. I do not for one second believe that there is one person who posts here who believes they are perfect, or who have all the answers, or who is better than anyone else. We are all on the same journey, and care about each others' health and success. It has been my experience in exploring other online WLS forums that their administrative monitoring is lacking compared to the professionalism with which Bariatric Pal is conducted. But, bottom line, everyone needs to find and use the resources that work for THEM and that will give them the best possible outcome they deserve to enjoy for the rest of their lives. . We cannot control what other people say, but we can control how we react to it. That was a hard, hard, hard life lesson for me to finally learn years ago. But I have learned it, and it has given me much peace. Peace to all . . .

So happy for you--I can feel your joy all the way in the keyboard of my laptop! Here's to many, many, many more NSV's come. Enjoy and Celebrate each and every one!!! You deserve it!

Most of us have the hair loss thing. Just one of the inconveniences of WLS. But, when you have reached your goal weight and you are healthy and in control of your eating habits and enjoying a much better quality of life, you will barely remember this grrrrrr hair loss! It's a little different for everyone, but YES, it does stop falling out. I think generally, most people by one year have most of their hair growth back (or coming back). Hang in there, be patient, it's still all worth it. . .

Kindle-- I wish EVERYONE who struggles with emotional eating (duh--mostly all of us!) would read "The Emotional First Aid Kit" by Alexander as you mentioned above. It is by far, the best reference book I have. She writes in very simple "tells it like it is" language, and covers pre-op thru maintenance. She talks about the mental health needs that bari patients don't even know they will encounter. For whatever reason, it seems that many bariatric programs don't seem to get around to paying that much attention to the mental health aspects of WLS. At three years post-op, I still refer to it for guidance and inspiration. Thanks again for recommending this great book to our fellow sleevers.

I love that you're reaching out to find other Kaiser SD patients to partner up with. I'm at Kaiser's Inland Empire Bari Program. I know they're all operated a little differently, but my wish for you is that you enjoy the totally awsome care like I have received (and continue to receive) in the past three years at Kaiser. (I actually had my surgery at Scripps Mercy down there in SD--Kaiser contracted with them back then, but not any more). Do you have 12 weeks of pre-op prep classes you have to attend next? Good luck as you move through your new adventure. Even though it can sometimes get overwhelming, it still also CAN be fun! And what a reward to come. . .

Best wishes, ladies! You will not be disappointed in your decision. It is the best decision I ever made; it has changed my life in so many ways.

Good luck on surgery day! It's totally normal to be nervous. It'll be over soon and you'll be on your way to your new, healthy life. Just follow what they tell you to do and you will heal quickly, and without any complications. Most people are told to get up and walk as soon as possible after they get back into their rooms after the surgery. The more you can walk the less gas pains you'll have. When you get home, Protein and Water are more important than focusing on that number on the scale for now. . .

For both of you--Congratulations and all the best to you! I am excited for you as you begin this amazing new adventure in your lives.

You are definitely NOT ALONE!!! There is just nothing like being able to have a place to come to where you know that people have been through the same procedure you have. It is, in so many ways, like starting your life all over again, and just about anything you can think of that you would have a question about is covered somewhere here on this FORUM--by a whole bunch of totally awesome people! And--being "nervous" is totally normal. It's a huge decision, but so worth it. Congratulations and keep us all posted on what happens next. . .

I could be wrong, but isn't there a forum here on Bariatric Pal that is for family issues like this? Look around; maybe you can find some help/ideas there too. It sure sounds like you are ready to make this change in your life, and of course you want to respect your daughter's feelings and concerns. I attend a lot of support groups where the subject often comes up where a spouse or other family member is opposed to the surgery. What most often happens is that post-surgery, when they see how much the quality of life of their loved one has improved, that pre-op opposition/apprehension is resolved. My wish for you and your daughter is that you both can arrive at a peace together with this, pre-surgery, so that you both feel comfortable and look forward to the joy that WLS will bring into your life.

Have hope! If it's the aspartame you hate, that really is being phased out in many foods/drinks now. Splenda & Stevia are being used so much more often now and for a lot of people, they don't taste that yucky aftertaste so many of us hate, hate, hate. sugar-free stuff doesn't all taste as bad as it used to. For your alternative taste to just the Water you'll be drinking a lot of, maybe also keep a huge jug of decaf green tea that you brew yourself in the fridge. Well, assuming that you LIKE tea! If you like it sweet, have you tried the newer sweetener on the market "Monk Fruit in the Raw". Available in supermarkets in individual packets in a box of (I think) 30 or 40 packets. You'll find what works for you. It's hard at first to have to resign ourselves to the fact that all these new "rules" are going to be our new normal if we are going to be successful WLS patients. But the end result is so worth all the adjustments to our old lifestyle that we have to make to enjoy the wonderful new life ahead!

There have been maybe two or three sleevers in the support groups I attend who have experienced dumping episodes occasionally. I personally have never had any dumping issues in my three years since surgery. Sleevers I know have not experienced it. Sorry your mom has to endure such extreme discomfort. Since her procedure was 15 years ago and there has been so much progress made in the field of RNY since then, I wonder if there would be any kind of revision surgery she could have done to correct this for her to improve her quality of life.

Just wanted to say congratulations on your surgery and your new sleeved life! As I'm sure you've been told, walking as much as you can helps get rid of the "wind" quicker. Wishing you a great night's sleep and a speedy recovery.

It's like a fun total roller coaster ride between how/when pounds come off and inches come off--and different for everybody. I'm at three years post-op. My weight loss of 112 pounds has stabilized, but inches still drop off here and there. It's always fun when you put on a pair of pants that are all of a sudden a little looser in the waist. Enjoy the ride. . .