Ms. Scarlett

I am almost 10 months out (2/9/2012) and have lost 78 pounds. Which makes me happy and I feel great- better than I have in longer than I can remember. But, I have been stuck at that weight for about 5 weeks. I know that I am snacking more, and while I haven't gained anything- even over Thanksgiving, I haven't lost anything. I have absolutely GOT to get back on track. I had stopped coming to this site for a while, but I am going to start making regular visits again. So, please, if you read this post, reply and yell at me to get my act together again before all this hard work goes to waste (or waist). Thanks!!

Thanks, Catracks!! I think I am back on track...I have actually broke through and lost almost two more pounds this week. I am doing water aerobics twice a week. But any length of marathons that I will ever do is zero- I am not a runner! Really- has anyone ever seen a happy runner?

My secret goal is to be able to go into Victoria's secret and buy a pretty bra/pantie set. In a pretty color with lots of lace. How about you?

I have actually found that buying a couple of dresses and skirts are working better and longer than the pants for work. I particularly like the faux wrap dresses. I can still use alot of my tops with a plain a-line black skirt. I have shopped alot on line- there are great bargains there at places you wouldn't think of- like Wal Mart and Target. And Penneys has done a complete makeover and their prices are quite reasonable.

My surgery was 2/9/12 and at about 3 months, my hair started falling out even th0 I took an extra vitamin and biotin everyday. Alot fell out, I mean alot, even tho I had really thick hair to begin with. Then about two weeks ago, I went and got it cut. She took off much more than I asked for, but what do you know- it basically stopped falling out! It is still a lot thinner than I am used to but, I am hoping it will grow back.

I have been frustratingly stalled right at 200 lbs for about 2 weeks, but this week have lost 3.5 lbs for a total of 63 lost since January and have entered onederland for the first time in about 15 years!! Altho to people who don't know me, I probably still look fat, to those that do, tell me I look GREAT! And better, yet, I feel great.

I am an RN with 39 years experience in different areas, mainly ER and Open Heart Surgery. Was sleeved on Feb 9, 2012 and am very glad that I did it. Have lost 59 pounds, and am currently stalled right at 200 lbs. Can't break into that onederland- which is driving me crazy. Anyway, love being a nurse, in spite of all of the hard work and long hours.

My surgeon actually uses the drain to test for a leak post op and avoids the barium swallow. He tests the drainage for some enzyme found only in saliva so if it is present that means there is a leak. He does this test three times and if they are all negative, you are good to go!

My doctor asked me if I would rather lose hair or not lose weight. He also asked if I had seen any bald patients from WLS. My hair has been falling out for about 2 months (suregery was 2/9/12). I have thick hair too and I think it looks like I am losing even more since it is long too. I am finding it hard to adjust to thin hair and can't wait til it grows back in. I have been taking Biotin and an extra vitamin a day, but that doesn't seem to help at all.

Four and a half months, down 55 pounds but have been stalled for about 2 weeks. AND I am 4.5 pounds away from onderland. It is like it is an elusive goal that I wonder if I will ever attain. ARRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!

I have this same issue- I travel alot for work. For meals, I try to order an appetizer, or soup and just eat what I can. If it is a buffet, I just take a little bit of protein and vegetable. When I am done eating, I just fold my napkin over the plate so no one can see if what/how much I ate. If someone does ask, I just tell them I am on a diet and leave it at that.

Has anyone had hair loss starting? Luckily I have thick hair, but it is a bit alarming. I know I have trouble getting in enough protein. I have also started Biotin. How long will it keep falling out?

Eggs do me in- no matter how they are cooked. The easiest things for me to eat are broiled haddock and Dole's frozen fruit popsicles. I actually had to go shopping last Saturday and am down two sizes in pants and one size on top. To others looking at me, I probably still look fat, but when I look in the mirror and see 43 pounds gone, I can see a BIG difference and feel so much better. A real test this week, I am in LA for a week long series of meetings and eating three meals a day with colleagues. So far, first dinner went okay, it tasted so good that I just wish I could have eaten more, but didn't.

Exactly 8 weeks today. Down 42 pounds, but the weight loss has definitely slowed down. Still getting used to eating "normal" foods again, but much, much, MUCH smaller amounts-like just a few tablespoons or bites and my stomach starts to hurt. Also, I still throw up every couple of days. But, all in all, I know I couldn't have lost that 42 pounds with out the surgery. Will keep plugging away. Have to really try drinking more and eating slower.

SEven weeks, 3 days. Down 42 pounds. Just got over a 10 day stall. Feeling pretty good and starting to experiment eating more "normal" food. Can only eat not much more than a few bites at any one meal. Still cannot eat eggs- they come right back up. The best thing- and easiest- I can eat are the Dole frozen fruitcycles and they are only 25 calories for one.

2-9-12. Currently have lost 39 pounds but have been stalled for the past week or so. Frustrating to say the least!! Especially since Biggest thing this week is that I am back to travelling for my job- I have been lucky to be able to work at home for the 7 weeks post op. Last night for dinner I had a baked potatoe from Wendys with low fat sourcream and my ever present crystal lite. Might get harder today, as I will be in meetings all day with other people. Might try either just some soup or a salad for lunch. But, I have to admit that I am feeling pretty good physically!

I was on 2/9, too. So far I am down 27 pounds from pre op and 38 from the beginning of Jan. I have been stalled for about a week. But I am feeling pretty good and hope this stall will pass.

I have reached the point- 3 and 1/2 weeks post op- where I wonder if I did the right thing- will I ever be able to eat any type of normal food again? I mean- I know I will be eating small meals- but right now, I can't eat more than a spoonful or two of cottage cheese or soup. More than that and I end up vomiting. It almost scares me. Any advice from anyone out there?

I had my surgery 2/9. Have been doing pretty well, but have been trying to switch to the pureed food stage for the past two days. Not sure just how much to eat- have been just trying a few bites. So far, have had sweet potato with cheese, chicken noodle soup all mashed up and a little bit of oatmeal. Also, started exercising just a little bit on a stair stepper. I have lost 16.6 lbs since surgery, and 27 since I started this whole journey. So, what about you?

HI, Kim- I can still only eat not much more than 1/4 cup of anything. If I eat more, I get a sharp pain in my stomach, and sometimes pretty nauseous. I am somewhere between puree and soft food after 4 1/2 weeks.

and I am feeling pretty good. I am starting soft foods today- will try a soft boiled egg for dinner and see what happens, but at least, it will be a new taste. I have lost 23 lbs from my pre-op weight and 34 pounds since January. Exciting!

Well about 3/4 of a soft boiled egg with 1/2 piece of diet toast went down fine, but came right back up, which made me very sad. I just want to start to be able to eat normal food again. I don't even see a light at the end of the tunnel yet.

In all likelihood, it is old blood from the surgery.

Three and a half weeks out and I am on pureed foods, but have also had some soft foods too. I cannot eat more than two tablespoons of anything and found out the hard way how the sleeve lets you know when you have had enough. (ie- vomiting). Best thing I have eaten so far is cottage cheese- how sad is that !! Anyway, today I am down 22 pounds from pre surgery weight and 33 lbs from the beginning of the year.

I only told my two daughters and my mom about the surgery, but only after it was over. (Of course my husband knew all along). But I don't know what to tell friends when the time comes that they notice that I am losing weight. SOmetimes I feel ashamed or embarassed that I had the surgery- as if I couldn't do this on my own. If I could have lost the weight and kept it off all these years, I surely would have. So, now, I just might tell them that I am on a high protein, low carb diet, which I am. Did you tell everyone that you had the surgery?