CowgirlJane

I had mine at a surgical center. Band removal, I went home same day. 2.5 months later when I was sleeved they changed their policy - since I had sleep apnea i had to stay one night. the people who had single day sleeve surgery would come back the next morning for IV fluids. I had hernia repair, but i don't remember which surgery did that. This was perfect, I would rather recover at home and the clinic had very good follow up instructions, what to watch for, what to do in case of "x" happening, phone support. It was fine.

That was exactly my experience "now what" - I am a very goal oriented and driven person so I can completely relate. I love the movie "The Princess Bride" - when the swordman finally killed the six fingered man who murdered his father he was suddenly lost. He had spent his whole life obsessed with that pursuit of revenge... and once the evil doer was dead his life lacked purpose. Luckily, the position of being the pirate had recently opened up... but no such obvious opportunity fell in my lap! Crap, i have been battling obesity since grade school. It has been the single most defining nemisis and arch enemy of my life. i have a successful career, great kids, a house, good friends... lots of things... The WLS journey was intense and I really really focused on it. As I got toward goal I started having that same feeling of being truly lost. I did not anticipate how deeply that impacted me. It was like I finally won a major battle but didn't have anywhere to hang up the sword and just live life. I often felt like people were looking at me, i felt at times like I dressed to frumpy, other times like I dressed too young... I felt as awkward as a pimply faced teenager sometimes. Well, I have been working hard on that for more than a year. I am starting to feel much more grounded in life outside of fighting obesity. I don't mean to say I didn't have hobbies and interests before - I did - but I guess what i mean is finding sort of peace with my body, my looks, my clothes, my self confidence, my athletic abilities - all that. I like me, flaws and all. Now, for any of you that want to break a true stall. Here is what worked for me... go low carb, eliminate Protein bars and other processed foods (even if they seem like healthy food) change up workout routine. I went to high intensity interval training. Those two things - low carb and HIIT got me from about the 180-190 range to my initial goal of 158. I had a small regain, and doing 5:2 got me from the low 160s to 150. Don't ask how I got from 150 to 140, that wasn't intentional and doesn't count. I am good now and maintaining in the 140-143 range. Jane; Thanks regarding the success. I think one of the things that has helped me to be successful is setting and reaching goals. I have this mental checklist in my head and the thought of putting a goal down on the list and not achieving it is maddening. Maybe its the perfectionist in me. This question was really about is it time to reevaluate some of those goals. I'm not unhappy with where I'm at and don't want to imply that I am. I've been striving for something so long that its almost scary to think that I'm there. Now what do I do?

I keep a head shot of my obese self in my office. I look at my full body before pic at least once a week. I don't know why, but making peace with that image has been important to me - I guess a reminder of how far I have come rather than focusing on how imperfect I still am.

Fluff, I agree people may have very good reasons for getting to a certain weight - but I promise you that no matter how thin you are... somebody else will be thinner. No matter how attractive you are, someone else is better looking. No matter what... comparing yourself to others is a losing game. I get alot of support here, but I think it can be toxic if you take to heart some of what is written. We all have our own "journey" and it isn't fair that I can't enjoy my favorite foods (all carby junk) even in moderate quantities whereas others say they can. I get the occasional "lecture" that if I just eat everything in moderate quantities I will be fine. Well, that is the heart of the matter, some foods I cannot seem to eat in moderate quantities and apparently many others can. blech. oh well, this is my life and I am making the most of it and trying to maximize my own situation. I promise you will still feel fat when you hit 25 or 23 or whatever BMI if you don't work on your "head trip" part of this journey. I felt like an enormous person still when my surgeon told me I was "done" - didn't need to lose more.... it was an eye opener and I have spent a year and a half adjusting my brain...

Fruit and veggies are for sure mostly in the carb group of energy source. (The three macronutrients are Protein, fats and carbohydrates - the sources of food energy or calories). I do not mean to imply that all carbs are bad for you or that you should eat no carbs! You need them for energy, good health and brain function. If I am eating too low carb, I get brain fog and feel depressed! Never infer that I am an advocate of long term crazy low levels of carbs. However, there is a big diffference between a diet with salad ingredients (lettuce, tomato, cukes, etc etc), fresh berries, greek yogurt - all carby food but lower glycemic index lots of good micronutrients as opposed to crackers and Peanut Butter and Pasta and pizza and cold Cereal with milk and the filler crap that is in processed food. Carby food like those examples make me hungry! Frankly, I put milk in that category too. A doctor once told me that cows milk is designed to turn a newborn calf into an enormous steer in a very short period of time and it has that same result on many humans! That really resonated with me because I was raised on dairy products and always thought of milk as so healthy - but it truly fattens me up. Drinking skim didn't help... it's the carbs not just the calories! I don't know that there is proof or published studies to support that WLS patients need 80g or some magical number. I think it is intuition based on watching hundreds (or thousands) of WLS patients and noting results even anecdotally. I also think it really really depends on the person. Other people I know seem to be able to eat bread, drink milk and enjoy PB&J sandwiches without weighing 300# but I cannot. I was never formally diagnosed as insulin resistant or with PCOS but I suspect both apply to me. I do not have formal education on any of this - really it is my own experiences. I used to believe in calorie math (calories in versus expenditure) but somewhere along the way I recognized it isn't quite that simple. At least for me, I have alot of baggage around dieting failure based on counting calories so it is an emotional thing too. I stopped tracking calories about 4 months post op because that protein versus healthy carb balance in my life is what matters and the calories land where they land and I am happily oblivious. What a relief. I never want to count calories or points again, but somehow tallying up protein in my head and not even counting carbs but simply eliminating those problem type carby foods works for me in maintenance.

i hit my goal of 158 after 14 months. i leave my ticker at that weight to remind me that even though my BMI was still 26, technically overweight - I was AWESOME at 158-160 range. I lost additional weight 6 months after hitting goal. then, I lost more this year. It has worked for me to let my body rest for awhile and then decide where I go from here. I may at some point feel that my current weight is too hard to maintain and consider that overall quality of life balance. For now, 140 is working, but, my life isn't better because I am 18-20# lighter....

I think you have already achieved amazing success. How much better will your life be if you get to some elusive number?

I felt pretty crappy the first few weeks - so I think what you describe is pretty normal. Please take a proper PPI even if you don't think it is helping. I genuinely believe that getting the tummy reflux/acid under control in the early months is key to success because acid feels like hunger! I only needed to take it for a few months (luckily!) but it made all the difference. Also, another reason to feel el crappo is low grade dehydrations. If you still feel really bad, consider asking your surgeon for IV fluids. I never needed it, but mine told me to not be shy about asking if I felt bad. Dehydration makes you feel like you are gonna die, it's a horrible feeling. You can be dehydrated even if you are drinking, but just not enough. If your urine is not pretty light colored, I would immediately suspect that issue. Hang in there!

I read a post from my phone that inspired me to write this... but I can't find the post so I am starting a new thread! So many share incredible transformation stories - and that post mentioned people who pose in bikinis (raising hand here) to show off this transformation. We all Celebrate and say "wow" and all that great stuff.... but how does it make people feel who have more "average" results, not quite getting to goal, maybe not doing plastics etc so they don't feel as "wowed" by their transformations. I want to say something about this. i reviewed some progress photos and looked long and hard at the ones where I weighed about 190... I started at over 300# so it was a big difference. at 5'5" I was still overweight at 190, but you know, I was "pretty good". It's very hard to not feel a certain pressure to succeed in the way that others define it, but truth is this is our own journey and not someone elses. If I had stopped at maintained at 190 or thereabouts... or even in the 170s... I really met my most important goals. Improved health, no more sleep apnea, no more high blood pressure, could hike and ride more easily and could shop at normal sized stores. BTW, as far as attention from the opposite gender, it was definately MORE when I weighed around 160-170 range then my current weight of 140. I have no idea why... but it is the truth. From a quality of life perspective - getting down to my current weight did not really improve it much more. We need to define our own success and not let the excitement of the success story board make you feel like you aren't successful. Lets be honest, statistically, many of us reporting getting down to that elusive "goal" will regain a few pounds or 20 over the coming years. I don't plan on that, but it is a very common occurance. I want to give a shout out to all of you who have had amazing success even if your BMI is still over 25. Think about how far you have come and how much you have improved your life! also, look around, the average person has gotten bigger over the decades and someone in the 25-30 BMI range is considered pretty average size now. congrats to all of us for taking control of our health and fitness!!!!

Reason I didn't consider plication is that in 2011 when I was deciding there really wasn't much evidence on plication. I felt like I was experimented on in 2001 when I was banded and that did not work out well for me. Is there good evidence and studies on plication yet? I have done very well with the sleeve but can understand why people want reversible. However, every person I know who removed the band or even eliminated the fill regained so reversible lost its appeal for me as I faced my own realities.

I am with swim on the Protein. I don't believe the kidney issue is really that big of a concern. My surgeon recommended 60 grams of protein minimum when i was sleeved. When i was a year out he told me that research indicated it should be 80 for WLS patients. Last I saw he said to do what is working. I think that the point is we don't NEED the super high protein but it makes maintenance easier. Daisy is maintaining fine so I guess she f o under the right balance for her, and I do believe different bodies have different needs.... Truth is there are 3 sources of calories. ..protein fat and carbs. Since carbs fatten me up like a steer for slaughter and I don't want a super high fat diet...well... that leaves protein. I actually think that is why I do well getting lots of protein. . Keeps me from overindulgence of carbs. Not everyone has my same response though.

I like your hubby chim. So I am doing good avoiding horrible depression over Bettys brain tumor and all the horrors related to it ... at least so far. I chatted with my counselor who put it in a spiritual context that it doesn't seem fair but this is her "path" for this life. I thought about it...and she has never gotten over my sister, the love of her life. I have never gotten over losing my sister and best friend either. Maybe this sounds horrible but I felt peace thinking that they will be together again soon and that Betty will be relieved of the pain. Not just the pain of losing Linda but whatever has driven her to alcoholism. It is still horrible and sad but I can at least feel some sense of finding a bit of good in the nightmare.

At 47 BMI I personally think your odds of success are better with the bypass. Of course individual results vary but I only lost 70# with the band over my first year. 30 of that was during the first month liquid diet too! I was high BMI.

My surgeon and PCP both told me some people need iv fluids during the first 3 weeks...I wonder if that would help you. Dehydration is a horrid feeling. My surgeon office was very supportive and encouraged me to call and be seen as needed.

Sarah, I think your results are just amazing. I knew they would be since you are so fit! You must be very happy. All that are struggling - I guess we knew that we are in this forever, right? Wish it were easier, but I think we are all so much better off than preWLS and need to remember those victories even as the struggle continues!

Swim posts in the vets forum alot, just click on the link in her siggy and you pretty much get the picture. I thought I had a lot to learn from her but it is more conspiracy theories then anything useful to me. Stopped seeing Tino a bit ago. It just wasn't working out. I am not sure if he intentionally misled me in what he was looking for or perhaps he didn't really know or perhaps he just found me less appealing after all but I didn't want to be just dad's girlfriend... I want someone to do fun stuff with as a couple. Had a blast this last weekend, went dancing and stuff. Family tragedy has happened though, I am just sick over it. Someone I used to be very close to but who has sorta let alcoholism drive a wedge in her relationships has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. I am getting a bit of post traumatic stress due to my history of dealing with my sisters illness and death. This is just ugly and horrid and I will spare you all the details but it's really bad. I am immediately aware that I need to be very deliberate about not returning to depression, like, I just feel so emotionally overwhelmed by it that I just don't know. Right now I want to sleep but I need to work.

If it were me, I wouldn't use this technique during the weight loss phase.

I am 8 months post op. I still have some belly numbness but otherwise no real "after effect" of the plastics. That might be permanent and I do have sensation it is just slightly numb. For awhile I felt like I swelled alot but everyone around me told me I was crazy. Then I realized that the "numbness" is what made me feel that way. I really don't get any more swelling then a typical woman - salty food and a bit of heat and I get a few pounds. Not much has changed except I lost 10 pounds since my plastics. I lost 5.5# of skin but that took like 4-5 months to show up on the scale due to post surgery swelling... that and I was so darn hungry that I ate alot while healing. I was kinda frustrated comparing measurements but i realized that one of the reasons they didn't compare well is that all that excess skin made it hard to accurately measure. sorta like putting a measuring tape around Jello... how firmly do you hold the tape? Now I am firm so measurements are consistant. According to the tape measure I didn't lose that much from plastics but I wear a way smaller size and I look smaller so I think that I pulled the tape firmer with all that excess skin I guess. Bottom line - I am SO GLAD I did this. It really changed my appearance and makes me feel normal looking. I went out dancing with a social group last weekend and i just felt like a normal woman in the crowd - without shapewear...woo hoo!

Nobody is perfect and makes bad choices from time to time - even skinny people! So, don't obsess over it, but eat very gently and very lightly until your tummy is ready to get back on track. I will say that greasy food makes me sick as all heck. My joke is that I need to be in "training" to eat junk food. If you eat pretty clean then a big dose of crappy junky fast food about kills ya. I also want to mention that 2 pieces of chicken would be a HUGE amount for me to eat and I am 2.5 years post op. I do not have a tiny sleeve. i am only mentioning this as a caution for long term maintenance. The #1 success factor long term is controlling your food intake quantity so that means stopping before being full and not grazing. I am not a doctor but based on what i have read, this isn't about the sleeve being stretched, it is more about what feels normal, what is familiar, what is the habit. That is why I keep saying to everyone to "eat small".

The wiki post misses one of the key points which is to have an extended fast on the two "fast"days. You do that by stopping eating at say 6pm the day before and not consuming food till say noon on the fast days. I also want to mention that going low carb also works to restart weight loss.

If you read the 5:2 thread it is explained and many of us have mentioned how we adapt it for sleevers. The original purpose of intermittent fasting is that it extends lifespan. Those of us that follow it (post goal, use it to work off a few pounds in maintenance) benefit from the fasting period (ie longer durations of no food) as well as 2 days of lower calorie. You must ensure your normal days don't become overeating days. It works...I had been at goal for 6 months and about 5# had crept back on. I lost that plus a few more in just a month of 5:2!

You've done great and your post illustrates why maintenance is a who new ball game sometimes. I do want to comment about "full". My NUT stressed to me that eating to absence of hunger rather than aiming for "full" is a key long term strategy. I am only 2.5 years post op so only time will tell but I never seek that "I am so full I can't have one more bite" feeling. It is like retraining my brain about how it should feel when it's time to stop eating.

Swim I have visible ribs and o am normal and healthy weight. Think it's sometimes a body type thing. [ATTACH]46357[/ATTACH] My upper chest is even bonier. My lower front chest also has visible ribs.

Good advice but much harder post age 50. I am not currently looking but I went to a social dance and had 2 men interested. unsure that is any better... but I really hate online dating

I hit a major slow down at same time losing 2-3 a month. Scared me because I still had so much to lose. For me the culprit was Protein bars. As soon as I eliminated them and changed my workout routine I returned to losing 8-10 a month until I got to my goal at 14 months post op. I suspect it is the nuts, trail mix and crackers in your case - all pretty calorie and carb dense food. What's wrong with being full after a small portion of red meat? I don't particularly love sandwich meat but that is my main snack...I treat myself to a bit of cream cheese to help it taste better. Filling dense protein keeps me from snacking. If i eat crackers bread nuts Peanut Butter etc I can eat hefty portions either by grazing or too much at once. Does not happen if I focus on dense protein.