CowgirlJane

I guess it REALLY did work! You look amazingly awesome!

I think this is a great thread. I am fitting comfortably into most size 14s which is a dream come true (I am not at goal yet but still very happy with this) BUT I realized that I feel less attractive then ever. It has nothing to do with the stretch marks and loose skin - this has everything to do with my brain. I realized that I am doing a few things that don't help. First thing is although I have bought new clothes for wearing out and about, I am in the bad habit of wearing baggy clothes around the house. I realized that is part of what makes me "feel" so fat. Even as silly as undies, the other day I realized i was wearing baggy panties - no wonder I don't feel attractive. My new promise to myself is to wear decently fitting clothes ALL the time not just at the office etc. I hope this contributes to me feeling better. I have never gone shopping with girlfriends since i was in whole different weight class - none of my friends are plus sized. Now that I can fit into the normal range of sizes, I had really fun shopping trip with a girlfriend and was even inspired to repierce my years (I had let them grow back). It was fun and for at least an afternoon, I did feel pretty. I finally brought up with hubby that after losing 117 pounds I have yet to hear him say ANYTHING about it. No compliments, no encouragement no nothing. He isn't responsible for how I feel, but lets be honest as women we often look to our partners to reflect back how they "see" us, to express our feminity etc. His response was "I have always thought you are attractive". That was a kind thing to say, but I looked like crap at 300# and I guess i just wish that he would express some interest in my new found body and appearance. Not sure I can change this one.

A stall is very normal, I think you are doing fine - just stay with the program and don't get too obsessesed with the scale. The early days you see the pounds change often... as you move out further it is more like week to week. Then, further out, it is more like month to month. Don't expect to see the losing weight nearly daily to continue - it just doesn't work that way, but it does really add up over time!

I think this post is completely right on! I feel that I have been incredibly successful with the sleeve, right on target per the nutritionalist and certainly meeting my expectations! I lost 24% of my excess within 30 days of surgery - pretty much the same as you! In fact, if I calculated the "excess" the same way you are, my stats would be worse. My goal is not to get down to a 22 BMI, but something more like 26-27 so in reality my EXCESS to lose was more then 150. I lost 37# by one month out which is 24% of my 150# excess weight but if I was targeting a 22 BMI my excess weight is something more like 170-175# and my month one loss would have been 22% of that. My point about all this math is that you cannot go on "raw" pounds you really do need to look at percentages. Either percentage of excess weight like I just showed OR percentage of body weight lost like they do on Biggest Loser. Raw pounds are very misleading comparing yourself to others. I think you are doing well!

I did liquid Vitamins and the sublingual B12 even when still on liquids and was told that I would be fine doing without the horse pills (calcium) until later. I do hope everyone is taking calcium citrate as we don't absorb the other calcium types as well.

How much excess weight do you have? Losing 17# in6weeks might not be that bad, it needs to be seen in context of the overall situation.

I just love keeping track of this thread - oh how far we have all come! My lapband was removed Sept 28 2011 and I was reflecting a few weeks ago on a whole year without that cursed thing! I was sleeved Dec 12 2011 and have been thinking so much about how I FELT a year ago. I have always been a positive type person, but looking back I was in denial about how miserable I was. It wasn't self loathing, it was the misery of being trapped in a body that just couldn't do the things I wanted to do. I felt physically awful buried in all that fat. On days when I get a little discouraged, like I missed my first goal on my 10 month surgiversary, I remind myself of how great I FEEL compared to when I started out. I have experienced quite the return of hunger which is giving me some angst. I decided to go see a counselor who specializes in WLS patients, not because I am falling off program or anything, but more i recognize that feeling of anxiety. That feeling of hunger makes me start thinking that I will fail at this - regain everything. I know that is "all or nothing" thinking but I do feel worried about it. The thing is, being hungry is not the end of the world, it is a normal human (well animal) event and yet i somehow seem to fear that sensation! So, my weight loss has slowed way down, but I am taking a few steps to try to help myself lose a bit more as well as facing the scary maintenance phase in 2013, where I have always "failed" before. I am sure many of you are already in maintenance, hope it is working out great for you!!!

A soft white fish definately goes down easier/can eat more, but, it is also very low cal, high protein and good for you.

Most of the time it is no problem at all. Other times, I will feel that urge to just eat or put another way, I do not feel satiated by eating the small quantity I should have. I suspect this will be a lifelong issue for me, but it is alot and I mean ALOT better then before.

I know it sucks, but it will get better. Once you are aways out like me you won't feel this stuff at all. I am not sure I agree with your husband, but let me share my little story. I had a lapband removed and felt terrible after that surgery. I was emotional, I felt like I had a fever (but I didn't), I felt depressed and the place where the port was was incredibly sore. I even went in to be checked and saw the physicians assistant - he checked me over really well and other then the fact that I was upset, really couldn't find anything wrong. In hindsight, I realized that my physical complaints had an emotional component. I was grieving the terrible failure and even anger I had over my lapband experience. So, I am not saying this is in your head, but I do know that going through WLS is scary, it is sad in some ways, and really shakes up your whole world. You would be perfectly normal if you have some negative feelings about that; perhaps those feelings influence how you feel physically too. Well, that and the fact that the first month or two post sleeve kinda suck - most of us felt at least a little crappy. So, for peace of mind, see your surgeon, keep an eye on your symptoms, but also be patient and gentle with yourself as you adjust.

Yeah, I am finding that it is alot more "work" to try to keep the weight coming off now too.

My NUT told me that sometimes the nerves have been impacted during surgery, so in those early weeks you can't always trust how it feels. My advice so early on is to eat small small portions. I was told Every surgeon is different, I was on what they called "protein liquids" until I was 2 weeks out. That meant no lumps in food, so I could start adding Greek yogurt with no chunks and "strained" soups. Then I progressed to Pureed foods so it was stuff like unsweetened applesauce, smoothies with protein powder, pureed chili or soup, small curd cottage cheese etc and was on that for a week. I don't have time to write the rest out, but you get the idea.

I started to get a return of "hunger" about 7 months post op. My only advice is to keep your portions small and to be sure you are adhering to the guidelines/the things that have made you successful such as Protein first, no liquids with meals etc. the NUT told me that the most important thing is to keep portions small so you don't get used to the idea of eating more.

Short article but it really drives home the point that obesity is a "condition" that makes us prone to having weight come back even after surgery. This is worth a few minutes to read as I suspect most of us don't quite see it this way, but what she says makes sense. Once obese, it is now a lifelong struggle to keep the weight from returning. http://5daypouchtest.blogspot.com/

I am not super comfortable in a setting where we stand around and make small talk with people I don't know. However, if an ACTIVITY is planned like a horseback ride (in my case) or a hike or a snowshoe trip or something - that awkwardness just goes away! Some people will not go to those things without a "buddy" but trust me when I say you meet more people if you are "solo". And look at it this way, if you go and wind up feeling foolish or uncomfortable, you don't ever have to see those people again! What a safe way to take this risk! Another thing I have recently done is join a drill team. Talk about self conscious, the first ride with them was an "audition" and it was very fast paced and challenging. It was so challenging that I didn't have time to think about being self conscious...lol... and they told me that I would fit right in and that we did great! This was a little dream that I had in the back of my mind but never pursued when I was heavier so I am glad I didn't let my fear of being self conscious slow down. Most of the people have been members and doing this together for YEARS so it is a little hard to break in to the "chats" during the breaks. I don't let that bother me, I ride the practice with them and during the breaks I am sometimes on my own, just walking my horse around letting him rest. I am confident that over time I will learn their names and "break into the club" as they are friendly people, but naturally want to connect with their friends. They are just friends that don't realize I am one of them yet! Consider joining that club, church choir or whatever it is that you might like. I know it is hard to put yourself out there, but what is the worst thing that can happen? Life is too short to spend it longing for something that is so easily within reach - follow your aspirations!

This has been such an interesting thread. I have been talking with a friend who has no weight issues and find it interesting that she is struggling with many of these same things - friends she can relate to! A couple of years ago I found "meetup" and joined a horse related one. It didn't really do much and the owner of the group had a certain direction that some of us didn't really want to go, so we splintered and made our own group. It now has over 400 members, we do tons of events - both rides and educational events etc. I have met so many people through this group - it is astounding. So many of the people I have talked to have said that the meetup just broadened their horizons and changed their social world drastically. One lady that used to just game her horse now does a bunch of other activities and sports with her horses due to the people she met. Some of my good friends came to me via this group and that is a common thread with the members. That is just an example, but I would seriously consider joining a meetup group that is centered around an interest - hiking, biking, gardening, movies whatever it is that rocks your boat. No guarantee you will meet a new circle of friends, but it has really worked for me. There are lots of meetup groups focused on fitness or activities that would be very supportive of this new lifestyle we are all seeking. Just avoid the zillion of those groups focused on eating and cooking...lol.

Okay, I had my 9 month follow up (yes, a month late - long story!) yesterday. They of course examined me and asked about signs of gallbladder problems. It prompted me to look up the symptoms - and I have many of them, but no pain. For those of you who have experienced gallbladder attacks, does it make sense to be ultrasounded based on the other symptoms, even if no pain. For example, I do often have loose stools that are light colored. Or, does it make sense to wait until it hurts before being checked - which of course may not happen?

Wishing you the best! i had mine in a 2 step because after 10 years I had alot of scar tissue. Who knows if it made a difference one way or another, but I had a really good recovery with no complications. for the band removal, the worst part for me was the place where the port was - it was tender for awhile. Keep us posted - you will love the sleeve over the band!

I am 10 months post op, things have gone really well but I am not always sure that I am "sure"...lol The problem I had was I tried EVERYTHING else multiple times. I researched the various surgeries and knew sleeve was the best "fit" for me, but I didn't really WANT WLS, just couldn't find a way out of this mess without it. You know it is bad when you call a "nonsurgical weight loss" clinic and THEY tell you to look into WLS...lol So, I am a huge proponent of being ready, but I suspect many of us will always have doubts. My number one "doubt" remains if I can keep this weight off once i get to goal.

Sounds like you are going through some grieving... you can still eat, but not the uncontrolled way as before. It is hard to believe right now, but it really changes. At a couple of months out, food tasted weird, I couldn't drink Water plain as it tasted awful - eating was work. I am 10 months out and I eat normal, but petite portions. For example, half a sandwich is a big lunch. dinner is the Protein, with small serving of veggies and a taste of the "carb" served. Trust me, that is not so far out of the norm compared to "regular slim women". When you are 40, you will not stand out like a weirdo - trust me, this gets much easier.

I haven't heard of it happening too often. I had the band for 10 years and my revision was done laproscopically.

I get what you are saying - but my stomach was not working perfectly fine. It was a bottomless pit and always and I mean always hungry. That paper on the 5 year results is interesting. I had read before about all the "long term" issues with acid reflux before but this sure does drive that point home. It was a very small sample, but pretty astounding that nearly half had severe enough reflux that they needed to remain on PPIs, and some even revised to RNY to solve the reflux. I had read elsewhere that the issues with the acid go back up again around 3 years out, so even people who seem to be doing fine might have it rear it's ugly head...

So, I am forever the realist. I think that people who don't know what they are getting into are most likely to "not do well"because they have unrealistic expectations and get upset with the reality. I have no research to back this up. Personally, I am very unsure on all these other attributes. The "typical" WLS patient does pretty well at first - say the first 2-3 years. So all the responses you are seeing are from people who are still within that timeframe. Looking at the long view, why do some regain a lot - I am not sure. What I have been TOLD by the leader of a support group I attended (and this was for all WLS not just sleeve) is that exercise is one of the leading indicators of long term success. I theorize that it is because people who stick with exercise are also overall sticking with the whole "lifestyle changes". What I don't know is what personality traits are most likely to do that. I "failed" with the lapband that i had done in 2001. AT that time we were told that "non compliant" people fail. Well, the lapband was hard for a lot of people to comply with for a lot of reasons, not the least of which I was till hungry alot! The sleeve severely reduces (or even eliminates) hunger in the shortterm - not convinced that is permanent myself. There is not alot of long term data honestly.

I think mindful versus mindless eating is really the key. I carry in my vehicle beef or turkey Jerky and a high quality Protein bar. Eliminates any need for a drive through. This requires a high level of diligence because it so easy to fall back to what is "easy" especially when you are tired or let yourself go too long between meals. I don't make it a habit to eat in the car, but it is better to munch on a little beef jerky or a Protein Bar then stop off at a burger joint (if you do go to a burger joint, get a bunless burger - but this is another "plan" you can make to keep yourself on track.) I often find that activities I do interfere with the ability to eat dinner at a normal time. for example, Sunday night I take my horse to drill team - I leave my house at 4:30 and don't get back until about 8:30 - 9. You need a strategy for that kind of thing - I basically split "dinner" into two smaller meals before and after as I need the energy but if I eat too early I am starving when I am trying to sleep. I have the same problem with gym nights - winds up being basically at dinnertime. Perhaps identifying your own challenges and pre-planning strategies and creating a clear plan would help. The key is to carry with you what you need - have on hand whatever it is that you need to keep you from falling into eating junky, low nutrition food. This isn't easy - you are definately asking the right questions!

Funny - I was going to post a very similar question this morning - again, asking people who have made it to goal! I have 34 to go, but as a percentage it is about the same - I have lost nearly 80% of what I want to lose. I already exercise, but am losing very slowly now and wondering what isthe best strategy to get to the goal!