It's all new

I like it - I'm in! May 3, 2012 - 255 Day of surgery, May 10 - 245 CW 169.9 height 5'6" New Year's goal : 152 Let's do it!

I was allowed to take my pills the same night that i had surgery. But don't just follow what my doc had me do - check with your doc!

I have hypothyroidism. I take medication for it though. I'm down 85 lbs since may with 25 to go. Good luck!

I am 5'6". Started at 255. My surgeon's goal was 155. My goal was 145. I'm currently 170. Now that I am getting a bit closer I fluctuate between 135-155 as the goal. I am having a hard time picturing it. I know that 11 years ago I weighed 135 and I had to starve myself. I looked great but was pretty darn miserable. I would love to look like that - but not at the cost of virtual starvation. My long term goal has everything to do with fitness, not just weight loss. I want to be able to participate in any activity I choose without a moments hesitation that I am not sufficiently fit.

I found that milk of magnesia was good for the more acute situations. For day to day I take two fiber gummies and two magnesium supplements. I was in the ER with constipation once before I figured this combo out. What a nightmare!

That would make me nervous, for sure. The barium is not that foul. Even if it were horrible, it still seems like bad reasoning. Yes, it is great that she hasn't had a leak and that is a comfort - but there is always a first. I have heard that there are docs out there skipping the leak test. One person on this forum recently had life threatening complications due to the lack of a leak test. Can you ask your doc to make an exception and do the leak test for your peace of mind?

Ok folks, I am usually an "on the program" kind of girl. But last week didn't go so well. I ate about half an apple fritter. And you know what - it was fabulous! And then - within 15 minutes I had the worst headache. So, the carb and sugar monster woke up. The VERY next day I had half a cinnamon roll. And - big surprise - I had another headache. My body told me very clearly that this kind of food is not for me. My mind already knew that, but common sense did not prevail on those two days. I'm over it - I hope. I have 20-25 lbs to lose, and then I want to continue with a different, healthy lifestyle. There is no room for this kind of junk in my life. It just took a reminder - twice!

Imabear - I have heard about this on this forum before, so it must be somewhat common. But it doesn't happen to everyone and it may well not happen to you! I was lucky.

The carbonation may or may not lead to stretching of the stomach - it is hotly debated. But even if there is a 1% chance it isn't worth it to me. I think this sounds kind of preachy - so feel free to ignore it. But my other thought is that beer just doesn't have nutrition, it has empty calories, and plenty of carbs. Is there anything else that might do as a small treat that is more in keeping with your nutritional goals?

Thanks for sharing your journey. Looks like you have been very successful and your skin is doing remarkably well considering your loss!

I did not lose my hunger after the surgery like many do, so that may impact my answer. I must say I enjoy food just as much as before surgery - I just enjoy different foods. I'm pretty sure I could eat the same things I ate before surgery and they would still be addicting, unhealthy, and ultimately ruin my long term prospect of success. So I have something different, higher protein, lower carb, but still very good. And I have coffee every day and it has never been a problem. I have a shot of espresso. Tasty, and it does not seem like a vice - except when I have it as a nonfat latte instead of in my protein shake. But that's another story!

I'm in. Initial weight pre- surgery 255. Surgery 5/10/12. CW 170.2 GW 157 I have no idea what rate I will lose weight as I get closer to goal - this may be far too ambitious. But I'm going to go for it!

I stalled for almost 5 weeks starting at the end of week 2. I was at 600 cal, 20ish carb, plenty of protein. And then it ended and I started dropping weight without a problem. You did not gain a lb of fat - you can't gain fat on 700 cal. Stick with it. Talk to your doc. Stay away from the scale for a little while. Good luck!

My starting weight was 255. I had a one week pre-op diet and got to 245. That was May 10. Now, just over 5 months later I weigh 170. It just keeps getting better. It is a commitment. A new way of eating, not just the portions being small but healthier choices. And then adding in exercise - turns out many of us really like exercising once that weight starts falling off! If you want to be successful you truly have to commit yourself. There is the possibility of complications to consider. Someone on this forum was recently tremendously ill from complications and spent weeks in the hospital at death's door. Is it worth it to you knowing that those things do (very rarely) happen? I had type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, and sleep apnea and felt that I couldn't handle the health issues that went along with the obesity - for me it is worth it. The diabetes was in remission officially at my 3 month check up, and I am waiting to have the other conditions rechecked at goal. I think what I notice the most is the confidence I now have when speaking to people. I feel like a changed woman. I am still a work in progress, but 5 months has made an enormous difference in my life. As far as comparing to other surgeries - I didn't want the lap band due to the port and more importantly all of the complications I read about. There is a whole section on this forum devoted to band to sleeve revisions. As far as the bypass goes, I understand it can be equally or even very slightly more effective than the sleeve. But it creates malabsorption in addition to the decreased capacity, and with that comes a lifetime of managing nutrient deficiencies. No thanks! Only you can decide what is best for your body. Good luck in whatever path you choose!

My swelling might have lasted 2 weeks but was only noticeable undressed - not at all if I had clothes on!

I would watch for your urine color and output. Are you needing to go every few hours and is it pretty much clear? That's a good sign. Concentrated, dark urine and long periods of time in between needing to go - not good. I wouldn't use the skin on the back of the hand - I tried this with my mom and ended up with her in kidney failure for two weeks from dehydration. Turns out it really wasn't that easy to tell the difference in how her skin reacted! And, better safe than sorry. As I said, earlier this year my mom went into two weeks of kidney failure from dehydration. It was terrifying. We were very lucky that her kidneys improved after a few weeks in the hospital. Take care!

CW 170.2 GW 172 :) I will be out of town after Saturday Oct. 27 - that will be my last weigh in for the challenge. Can i tell you how much i want to pack my scale? Lol I really would like to be at 167 before I go. That is a bit faster than I have been losing lately, so I will have to step it up to get off the weight. New Goal 167

You look great with that cut! It really plays up your more defined features. Beautiful! I am waiting for my new 'do for when I reach goal. I want to have this moment of total transformation. Sadly, I'm pretty sure the hairdresser is going to think the same boring haircut is still the right one for me. . Lucky girl!

Seems perhaps an obvious question a but did you call your doc?

You are starting at a lower weight and yet lost as much as many who start at higher weights. You might want to alter your expectations a bit as things are likely to slow down significantly very soon. In thinking that 10 lbs in a week is an "only" kind of thing you are setting yourself up for some real disappointment.

I just want to chime in with the same - get yourself to a doctor immediately. I think the ER is a very good idea.

I am taking two magnesium supplements and two fiber gummies every night and for the first time since surgery have no problems with constipation. Check with your doc, but this has been a lifesaver for me! And it's true, you can not be gaining fat. And cutting calories seems like an unhealthy plan. Just stick with it and it WILL happen.