ShapeShifter

Pinched nerve makes me think chiropractor. Perhaps with all of the working out you are doing, your spine has shifted and needs to be readjusted. Wishing you WELL!

The worst part for me was the IV. I didn't even have gas pain. Five weeks out and no complications, no trouble drinking or eating, no change in taste buds... Extremely grateful and wishing you all the best in your new beginning!

You look fabulous! Such a great smile. Also... love your pendant. : )

There is such beauty in our hopes and dreams... we all deserve these things! My reasoning looked like this. I am 43 and have carried 100+ lbs extra for 20 years... I cannot get it off with diet and exercise, battling PCOS, and it is not going to get easier as I age. I have severe sleep apnea and cannot sleep without a machine to keep me breathing... this will hinder my passion for travel - having to lug around a machine and worry about plugging it into foreign currents. My father is 75 and struggling to walk... will that be me in 30 years? I learned to love myself at size 20, because I failed to do so at size 10. For me, this is not about being skinny... it is about being able to live my life unhindered by my limitations. I want to be unlimited! Wishing all of you all the best!

I thought I'd check in with others who might have been in the same starting range. I am five weeks post-op today. My weight day of surgery was 240 and my weight today is 225. That's 15 pounds in five weeks, averaging 3 pounds per week, which would normally be really good, but post-op and 500 calories a day, it seems rather slow. Would anyone in the same range be willing to share a similar experience and provide some comfort? I have no issues with liquids and get 80-100 ounces per day of Water and decaf chai. I get 75-100 grams of Protein, and my carb level is around 25-30 grams. NUT says I am on target for my starting weight, and am curious about the success of others, and if I should be doing anything differently. I do feel pretty great, and have lost 20 inches and have been able turn my cpap machine down 3 notches... so I'm not complaining about my progress... I'm just curious. Thanks lovelies! Have a great day.

Pinky, I was a slow loser before, too. In fact, in the six month diet I lost 17 lbs in 20 days, and then gained and lost the same 2-4 lbs every week for the next four months. I shall just be grateful that the scale is no longer rising. Thanks to you and Ms. Skinneness for the encouragement. Just what I needed!

My thought on oatmeal is that we have very little room for food, and limited opportunity to get in our protein. In my mushy stage, I only consumed items that had protein and then supplemented with shakes to reach my goal. I have seen oatmeal on some plans people have posted, but I wonder how you could add protein to such a small amount of carbs. At four weeks and beyond, my plan allows oatmeal (not instant), or any complex carb, only once per day, and after protein. It does seem that every surgeon offers a different plan. If you try it, go slow... I'm imagining this to be one of those things that might expand in the belly. Good luck!

I wasn't allowed to start mushies until day 8. Only did protein shakes, broth, and water until then.

Day one was clear liquids, day two started protein shakes. Enjoy!

I guess I'm a slow loser. Surgery was 8/17. I lost 11 lbs in two weeks, then stalled a week, then lost 3 lbs in week 4, for a grand total of 14 lbs since surgery. Started at 267 in January, and at 226 now. I'm happy enough. One can always hope for fewer skin issues with a slower loss rate, right? I've had no complications, have never thrown up, can eat anything but the dreaded-carbs we are to avoid. I do get tired mid-day and struggle to stay awake most of the afternoon... but I had chronic fatigue issues pre-op. The chewable Vitamins were the only thing that brought me close to getting sick, too sweet. So I went back to the liquid multi, and will ask on Wednesday about just taking pills going forward. Hoping you are all feeling great!

Fat cells store hormones and when you start losing weight, the hormones are released into your system. It is only temporary.

I just started week 5, and my surgeon gave me a book that is very specific about the stages of eating. Did you not receive anything like that? My plan at week five allows any lean meat you'd like to try, that is moist. You can start adding small dark green salads, but eat protein first. Chili is good and could give you the spicy you seek. Fruits and veggies are added at this stage, even with skins, if you can tolerate them... but only (as always) after you've had your protein. You are to progressively grow to 3 oz of protein and 2 oz of veggie or fruit at each meal (4 x daily), and are allowed only one serving of complex carb per day (like quinoa). This is the plan from 5 weeks to 6 months, per my surgeon... but they are all different. Wishing you well!

I'm seconding the measurement plan. I am 4 weeks out today. I have lost 13 lbs, mostly in the first two weeks. However, I measured myself at week 2 and again after week 3... and I'd lost 5 more inches for a total of 20 inches lost. That is good encouragement for me, despite the static scale.

Your body has been through great trauma. Please don't hold your recovery against it. We all heal differently and have different post-op experiences. One who did not experience an allergy and vomitting will likely settle in a bit easier. Everything I've read tells me that this too shall pass. It will get easier. We must believe this. I am almost a month out, and am getting on okay, but suffer extreme fatigue by the end of the work day and struggle to stay awake while driving home. It is horrible! I am choosing to believe this is only temporary. Wishing you WELL, dear.

Wishing you and your family WELL, in comfort and security, as well as good health. Remember to breathe deeply and believe that everything will be okay. Because... it will.

I find that eating protein first doesn't allow any room for much else. I've been doing yogurt and blueberries in the morning, a turkey roll up with low fat cheddar for lunch (or chili if it is served at work), fajita chicken with salsa for a snack, and cottage cheese for dinner, along with two protein shakes to ensure I reach protein goal. I couldn't possibly add a starch. Wishing you WELL, dear. I know you will find what works for you.

I only lost 7 lbs on the pre-op diet, and I came through surgery just fine. I am a slow loser... but at lease I'm losing. You will do great! Just be patient with yourself. We all have different genetics and chemistry... it is not possible that we would all do the same - even if we were consuming exactly the same things.

My surgery was on 8/17. I still can't believe I'm on the other side after a year of work and planning. I was 267 in January, got to 250 on 6 month required plan, was at 240 on day of surgery (after two week liquid diet), and at four weeks out tomorrow... I've only lost 13 lbs, but I'm happy to see the 220's - even on the high end. I am already down a size and about 20 inches. So I guess the fact that I'm a slow loser in pounds will keep me pulling out the measuring tape in the months ahead. I am on soft solids, but get to broaden my options on Saturday. My two vices are brown rice chips and dark chocolate. When I stalled after two weeks, I was terribly tempted to turn down that aisle at the grocery... but my head won over my emotions (thank goodness). I eat boar's head turkey with low fat cheddar, cottage cheese, yogurt with blueberries, fajita chicken with salsa, chili. I'm a lazy eater, so I'm glad for the ability to eat so simply. My liquids go down fine, but I've found that warm decaf chai with a dash of almond milk goes down the easiest... and cold Water with MiO. I supplement with 1-2 shakes a day... but I'm finding that, while they went down well at first, I'm starting to have difficulty. I actually dumped on a shake last night, and I've been using that same product for many months. Many feel too sweet to me. Also, I am supposed to use chewable Vitamins the doctor provided, but they are the only thing that has made me come close to throwing up... also, too sweet. I'm so glad for all who are doing so well... and I am carrying Iggy close and wishing her WELL!

I was 267 in January - after 6 month diet I was stuck at 250 (gained and lost the same 2-4 lbs for 4 months). I got down to 240 on the two week liquid diet before surgery, and two weeks after surgery I was down to 229. I am now three weeks out, and I keep gaining and losing one pound. I was at 230 today. I have PCOS, and expected to be a slow loser, though expectation doesn't make it any less frustrating. On the point of 240 not needing surgery. I must admit that I have seen people larger than me and felt almost guilty... but my body has refused to let go of this weight on every single plan I have tried. In 20 years, my body has never let me get below 220 lbs. I now have severe sleep apnea and chronic pain and fatigue. The nutritionist told me that with PCOS, I would never lose weight... without surgery. I did what I had to do to find a healthy future. I am hopeful.

I use isopure low carb chocolate (25 grams protein), and I have a stash of Premiere Protein pre-made shakes (30 grams of protein) for a quick grab and go. This stage will go by quickly... you are going to do great! There are people older than you who have already reported great success.

Mine surgeon's plan is: Day 1 clear liquids, days 2-7 full liquids (protein shakes), days 8-14 mushies, weeks 3 and 4 soft foods, weeks 5 to goal... well... I haven't gotten that far, but I'm guessing it includes a more normal diet low in carbs and high in protein. ;}

Every time your nurse walks into your room... ask her for nausea medication. That's what I did, and I never had an episode. You're going to be just fine.

So sorry for your difficulties... believing that all shall soon be WELL! Welcome to the other side. The changes are rapid and phenomenal!

the best way to get rid of water is to drink more water. How are you on your water and decaf fluids each day? wishing you WELL!

A friend of mine learned to knit/chrochet on youtube. That would be a great activity for your hands! I've considered it myself.