It's all new

I did read that article - it was ridiculous. The way they described the sleeve seemed very inaccurate to me as well. Frustrating that the rare occurrence where we see anything about the sleeve in the media it isn't even accurate.

Well, I have lost all over pretty much EXCEPT the belly. It is hanging on for dear life despite my almost 80 lb weight loss. Ok, it is much smaller but proportionally still not so pretty. In the last week I have lost two inches around my waist, so I truly hope that means the belly will start to GO. 40 lbs to goal.

I started out at 245 and it took me three months to lose 45 lbs. I did everything according to plan - I stuck to around 600 calories, put in an hour at the gym six days per week, low carb, high Protein, lots of Water. You have no reason to be disappointed - if you are following the basic guidelines, losing weight (clearly you are)... What more could you ask for? I'm not sure where your expectation came from, but I think you should be very pleased.

The only thing that I have heard that is truly effective is walking, walking and more walking. The more you can move the better.

Wow - you look great. Amazing progress for such a short time. Almost to onderland already! Congrats.

I have heard from my NUT to watch my protein intake and not have excessive amounts because it is hard on the kidneys - and I only have one. I was also told by my trainer, who has a masters in NUT, that when you eat more protein than your body can use it is converted to fat. I am just repeating what I have been told - I haven't researched it for myself.

I'm not sure about the three weeks out part. I do know that for me watermelon is a slider and I can eat way too much. In addition, although it isn't very calorie dense there are lots of carbs - which many of us work hard to avoid. One cup of diced watermelon has 45 calories but 10 net carbs. I try to stay between 20-30 carbs so for me that is just too much. Also, while a cup of anything sounds unlikely... It's watermelon and once you chew it there is very little to it.

I meet with my trainer for strength training for an hour two days a week. Four days per week I do at least an hour combined of treadmill and elliptical. Occasionally I take a strength training class instead. Just today I added some treadmill step climber but it just about killed me - I will start working on incorporating that. When possible I hike for about 1 1/2-2 hours in addition maybe two days per week. The last few weeks our air quality has been too poor from forest fires to go hiking. I take one day per week off, and very occasionally two if something unavoidable comes up. I am 4 1/2 months post surgery.

I don't recommend ankle weights - I think you can really have a problem if you are caught defrauding the insurance company.

I haven't checked in for a few weeks as I have been traveling. I won't be home again tomorrow, so one day early... Challenge SW 189.7 CW 178.7 GW 172 I think I can I think I can I think I can!!!

Definitely Premier protein shakes - I prefer the chocolate to the vanilla. They sell them at Costco or Sam's club.

I had noticed that when we first started and it stuck with me. I'm MTMW1975 on MFP and am always checking to see if you have better ideas for food than I do! I totally agree about the exercise, I love it. I, too, have wondered if down the road I want to become a personal trainer. Of course, I have a very long way to go to continue to improve my fitness first.

I'm 4+ months out and eat around 700 calories per day. I thought the range for the losing phase was 600-800? I'm not sure that there is a right answer.

I am not celiac but am quite familiar with the restrictions as I cook for someone who is. Before surgery it was hard to find meals to eat in common - now it is no problem! Many sleevers pretty much give up carbs particularly in the losing stage, and since surgery in May I haven't had any wheat, oats, barley or rye. It just isn't part of the plan anymore! Should be a similar transition for you as someone without dietary restrictions I would think.

I was sleeved on May 10. I'm down from 255 to 180 (75 lbs!). My hair is maybe coming out a bit more than normal, but nothing very significant. My biggest accomplishment is my improved fitness. I am so happy with the progress I have made. I am planning on getting to 135-145.

I had diluted no sugar added apple juice for about a week during my clear liquids stage. I was still under 300 calories per day, struggling to get fluids in, and it in no way impeded my weight loss. It was recommended by my surgeon and nutritionist. It is not something I would consider having past that very short period of time however for the reasons others have mentioned - calories, carbs, etc. (but I would say orange juice doesn't sound great at this stage as it seems like it would be pretty harsh on your healing tummy. Conjecture on my part though.)

Yes - at 255 I was a 42G and at 180 I am a 36DDD. I know i am going to keep shrinking even more. In fact, I am anticipating needing a lift for sure by the time I'm at goal, and maybe implants. Seems like more and more of what is going to remain will be loose skin rather than breast tissue - TMI maybe, but that's the reality!

I agree with the other posts - too much too soon. I started very mild exercise about one month after surgery - walking for 1/2 hour at a slow to moderate pace on the treadmill. And I think I took a week to build up. At six weeks I added in strength training and found that I would have dizzy spells if I pushed it too hard. Now, at 4+ months I can do more. On such restricted intake you really have to go slowly and learn what your body will allow. Good luck, and way to commit to your new lifestyle!

It is so different for each of us. I have told everyone and feel perfectly happy with my decision. Yes, I have had one friend who did not deal with it well. And I did hear stories about how someone's third cousin twice removed failed, etc etc. But I was very confident about havin surgery and these issues did not make me rethink my decision. The support I received though - that has made quite an impact. It has helped me through the hard times after surgery, especially the first month or two. It has been nice to have been told how my journey has inspired other people close to me to work on their own health and wellness. I am glad that I don't have to feel that I am deceiving anyone - it would bother me. I don't fault people who don't share the method of their success, as it is a personal medical decision - but there are many reasons that it worked for me to be open about the process. Good luck!

Yes, it does seem that every doc has a different idea. I was allowed to have coffee again a week or two after surgery. I drink one shot of espresso daily mixed into my protein shake, or if I'm on the move I mix a Via (instant coffee) in. Good stuff.

Yes, most everyone has experienced the same frustration. I had a month long stall that started two weeks after surgery. I have had two more shorter stalls since then. It is just part of the deal, for most of us there is no way to avoid it. Sounds like you are doing the right things and if you continue to do so the scale will eventually move. Try not to weigh for a week - it will take some of the day to day pressure off.

Anothe thing to add to the mix is a magnesium supplement. It probably isn't potent enough on its own, but taken daily it does help.

It's definitely a process of deflating - think of a balloon slowly loosing air as your weight gets lower and lower. NOT pretty. Can't wait to finish losing to get a lift and implants. Still a 36 DDD but I have 40 lbs to lose still and once they are lifted they will only be smaller without the extra skin. Graphic description - but the truth!