Newfoundlove

I've lost 42 pounds and am still wearing the same size band and cup 42 G but my bra was really tight before surgery, so they are fitting nicely now I spent a nice chunk of change last summer on four new Wachoal bras at Nordstrom. Had a bra fitting First bra I've ever bought that fit perfectly and was comfortable so it was worth the price. Then I gained more weight so the straps started cutting into my shoulders, etc. I did just buy the Genie Bra and got a size smaller than I am now so I can grow down into them. They are still slightly too small for me but I can tell they are going to be really comfortable.

Down to 213. Three more pounds until I meet challenge goal. Played golf today for the first time in four or five years. It felt so good but man am I sore!

Congratulations on your success. I was sleeved by Dr. Billing on May 3. Love him! It was a good experience all around for me -- no complications. I did really well on the low carb pre-op diet. To date including pre-op I've lost 40 pounds and have the same great energy and wellness you describe. I have quite a bit more to lose since I'm 5'3" and started with a BMI over 40, but I'm following the nutrition plan, exercising, and working the program well. Who is your NUT at Pacific Wellness? I have Barb and really like her. I'm really happy for you and it's good to hear of a success from Dr. Billing.

Wow, that's a pretty good major stall. It is so hard when that happens so I feel for you. Have you talked to your doctor or your NUT about this? My NUT's advice was to stay within 800 to 1000 calories. I can barely get to 800 on most days, but I'm only seven weeks out. I watch my carbs too and try to stay around 30 or lower - but that's because I know that my body reacts negatively to carbs, even good carbs. I'm 5'3 so almost the same height as you. Of the calories you consume, how many carbs? What about sodium, could it be a little too high and you're retaining water? Have you tried LilMissDiva's boot camp? I've heard from others on here that they have had success with that. I saw a post from someone else that she's only been able to get success by varying her calorie count every other day or so. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things. You will lose weight. Stay strong and positive and keep working your sleeve.

Yes, I did. And to be truthful, as Lil Miss Diva says, it continued after my surgery too. I was biting everyone's head off and reacting poorly. I was not sure if it was related to the upcoming surgery, being uncomfortable and getting used to the schedule post surgery, or if it had something to do with being peri-menopausal since I had other symptoms (racing heart, not sleeping well, etc.). Two weeks after surgery I went to see my PCP and she prescribed a low dose anti-depressant. It took about a week and I started noticing a real difference. I'm much calmer, sleep good and my racing heart has gone away too, etc. It's a very small pill so I'll bet you'll be able to take it soon after surgery.

How far out are you? If you're on regular food, then I would say yes. I'm 6 weeks out and on regular food and use protein bars. They are fairly high in carbs though so I usually only eat half a bar (I like Quest and Simple Truth bars). I've eaten a whole bar a couple of times because it needed to clever lunch and snack.

Way to go!

I put on pants about five days after surgery. Elastic waste pants I exercise in so fairly loose around the waste. I was walking hunched over too but then I tried holding a small pillow to my stomach when walking, and it also helped getting in/out of bed and up/down sitting. I had one very small incision up by my bra line. My doc said it's where they went in to fix the hietal hernia. I did'nt put a ba on until my one week post-op appt and took it off as soon as I got home. I lived in nightgowns for a week plus some.

As others have said here already, your weight loss will be unique to you. I lost 17 pounds pre-op, and 21 pounds since surgery six weeks ago. The post-op loss could be considered slow by some, but the benefits of losing slower are important to me as I am over the age of 50. The slow weight loss is allowing my skin to snap back better so less extra skin so far. The Sleeve is a tool and not an easy way out or a magic pill, but used correctly, it does work and keeps on working. Stay positive!

This is very common with sleeve patients. I have found that with constipation a Colace capsule (stool softener, not a laxative) taken at night before bed does the trick by morning and also make sure you are getting in your water and more! Also a little bit of non-fat Greek yogurt with fruit. For the other issue, babybel cheese takes care of that with me.

Well, it finally happened. Three weeks later than I expected. Six weeks out and I hit a stall. Stuck at 215 for the last week. It's okay though since I added exercise to the schedule this week so my body is probably just trying to adjust. I did have a great NSV this week too. I cleaned out my closet and took two large trash bags of clothes that i will never wear again to a consignment store that sells only women's sizes 14 and over. I get 50% of the sales price. These are very nice clothes as I have to wear business dress for work. I can use the profits as credit in the store if I want. The store has really cute clothing and accessories so I think this is a good deal as I am dropping sizes and don't want to spend the money on new clothes. Great transitional clothing! I'm eating regular food now but still having a hard time getting the calories up to 800 per NUT's recommendation. Still around 600. Protein has been in the high 70's to low 80's, carbs in the 20's, and at least 64 ounces of water daily, sometimes more. Last night I had halibut cakes, rather cake (singular) since I could barely eat one. I'm not finding eating at restaurants challenging at all. There always seems to be healthy choices. I ate one or two bites of the outside of the cake which was very lightly coated with panko, and ate mostly the middle of the cake and two green beans. It was a delicious meal, although just the very small bites of the panko crust did send me to the bathroom an hour later. At least I thought that's what it was. Could also have been the rich filling in the halibut cake too. For Father's Day, I'm making Emily's Bites Lasagna Cpcakes since my husband wants lasagna. Can't wait to try them! I feel like I am in a really good rhythm now and it is great!

I always have a couple of Quest Protein bars that I keep in my purse. They don't need refrigeration and taste really good to me. I eat one half at a time. The Premier Nutrition Protein Bars are also really good. They are a little higher in carbs but really high in protein, so it makes for a good snack. You'll probably only be able to eat half if that.

The Crystal Light Mojito flavor is really good too. Slight minty taste and i put in some fresh mint i have in my garden to give it an extra lift. Very refreshing! I drink two 32oz bottles a day this way.

Mine are getting pretty saggy and I think will look like tube socks soon. I see plastics in my future...

My surgeon and NUT said to stay away from tomato soup for two weeks or so. But you can get great flavor from pureeing any other soups (stay away from those with noodles though). I ate a lot of pureed chili (you can add a little chicken broth to it if it is too thick) and black bean soup (I just mixed a can of black beans, a tiny bit of cumin and oregano, onion powder, and chicken broth - heat it all up good, puree and it was so tasty!). I bought a Magic Bullet at Costco for $29 for pureeing, but a blender works well too!

Checking in. SW: 220 CW: 215 GW: 210

I'm almost six weeks out and I can drink reusable and some times even gulp without a problem. I've never had a problem drinking. I sipped for the first week and then was able to gradually increase so I can take larger drinks now. But I know some on this forum can't do that. Everyone is different.

LOL Nancy. Thanks for the visual.

My husband is on Vitamin D2 in a high dose as well as he was really low in Vitamin D. He says that at first, he felt really energetic and a little edgy, but after a couple of weeks after his body adjusted to it, he felt better. I take Vitamin D3, 5,000 mg daily and have for over a year. I'm not sure why your doctor said that wouldn't cut it. My doctor was really impressed with my Vitamin D levels pre-surgery so I'm hopeful they'll be okay when I get my three-month blood work done in late July.

Are you still taking a PPI like Prilocec or anything? If not, I would try that and see if it helps. For me, burping is my cue to stop eating. If I burp, and then take a bite, it's one bite to many and my stomach cramps up.

I agree with this post. I'm only six weeks out but I have added some good carbs to my diet as I am now on solid food. My usual breakfast is Greek Yogurt with fruit and my mid-morning snack is a cappuchino so the non-fat milk adds carbs. My snack in the afternoon is cucumbers spread with hummus. When I'm on the run or traveling, I throw in a protein bar that has a healthy amount of carbs. But like QueenofCrop, I don't eat pasta, rice, or bread. I could add in crackers, but right now I'm still eating so little (can't seem to get above 600 calories daily) that I don't usually have room after I get in my protein. The carbs that I am eating do not create any cravings for me. Perhaps if they were refined sugar types of carbs that would be different, but I have never really craved those anyway. The one thing that I am staying away from is wine. I absolutely loved red wine before the surgery. But I do fear that if I drink it (allowed after two months, but still discouraged by my NUT), I will crave more. So, for now at least, I will stay away from it.

I have only been sleeved for almost six weeks, but I also travel on business a bit. I'm on solid foods now. I had a business trip last week. I just ordered really healthy, high protein food at meals. One meal, I ordered the steamed clams and ate a few. No one noticed I didn't eat a lot. Another meal, I ordered meatloaf, skipped the mashed potatoes and asked for more veggies. Same thing, ate about a half cup or so of the meatloaf and a couple of bites of spinach and done. No one said anything. Another meal, I ordered fish. Fish goes down well with me. Soup is a good thing to order too If someone would have said something, I probably just would of said that I' m watching what I eat. It's none of their business about my surgery if I don't want to tell them. This weekend my husband and I went out for lunch. I ordered a chicken and cheese quesidilla. I ate the insides of two pieces and left the tortilla and then took two pieces home which my son then ate. I thought eating out would be difficult but it's not. The hardest thing is not drinking during meals, especially when you are waiting for your food.