UTGal99

It varies with every person but I would say 36 pounds (12 pounds per month) is realistic. Good Luck and congrats on your college graduation! Graduating from college is by far the best thing I have ever done for myself (and the sleeve of course too!)

Don't let it discourage you. I have been there too; however, it happened to me at week 7. Now I am at week 11 and have stalled out and can't seem to lose anymore. It will come off. You're body is probably just hanging on to fluids or something, especially being a woman our bodies do crazy things. Hang in there, I promise it will start coming back off again! I understand the frustration though - all the hard work to have a gain. Keep being positive, keep doing the right thing and it will be ok. Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress!

I was having a similiar situation with slow/no weight loss. I started following more of a South Beach diet (very low carb) and the situation has corrected itself. Lots of great resources for low carb and/or South Beach diet. Good Luck!

You look GREAT! Keep up the awesome work. I am down 34 pounds in 10 weeks and hoping the weight loss keeps going. So happy for your success!!!

That is exciting! My hubby is getting sleeved on 12/19/12 (Wednesday) and I was sleeved on 10/3/12. It will be great support!

I am 10 weeks post-op (surgery date: October 3rd) and am struggling with staying focused. Now that I am able to eat restriction free I have been trying lots of things. I'm not indulging in foods that are bad for me (i.e. junk); however, I really am not measuring the quantity. I just eat until I am full and stop. I have only seen a 34 pound weight loss on the scale, which I know averages out to be 3.4 pounds a week but I have always been a slow loser when it comes to weight loss. Any tips from the veterans to navigate this journey we call being sleeved?

You look great!

I finally did it - I finally hit the 200's! So excited to be under 300 and be living in Twoterville. I have worked really hard to get under 300 pounds and finally made it at 9 1/2 weeks post-op. (Starting weight was 333 and now officially 299) Not sure what I will make my next goal but I am excited about the journey I am on thanks to my vertical sleeve surgery!

I would encourage you to address with your surgeon's office. Numbness is never a good thing. And the fact that you are only 6 days post-op could indicate a possible blood clot, etc. Please don't mess around with that....

Congrats and yes, it is worth it!

It is pretty common for the gallbladder to go kaput after VSG surgery; hence, the reason they scan prior to the procedure. If they are already in there working they might as well go ahead and take it out at surgery time. Sadly, if you have a gallstone you will have complications with the gallbaldder down the road. Their thought is why crack you back open to take something out that they know is going to be a problem. You won't even notice any difference in pain level, etc. I'm glad they found the problem prior to surgery. Often times the surgeon repairs anything in that general area that needs fixing (i.e. hiatal hernia repair, gallbladder removal, liver biopsy, etc.) Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

I use a whole wheat tortilla as crust and then load that sucker down with plenty of veggies (onions, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, etc.) If you are looking for meat to add, there is always Boca meatless crumbles in the freezer section (very high protein). Use a good marinara or pizza sauce and lowfat cheese. Usually it is very dense and won't hold up on the thin tortilla but I just cut with a knife and eat with a fork - still get the same taste and pizza satisfaction - delicious!!!

I know several people who have had the procedure done with the robot and they have had AMAZING results. The robot avoids human error. You will do awesome! Good luck and let us know how it goes.

7 weeks

8 weeks out and 32 pounds - feeling awesome too! Way to go -- keep up the great work!

Honestly, I hate to say it....most people are just ignorant and uneducated about bariatric surgery in general. And it is easier for them to eye roll and make judgments than it is for them to educate themselves. I say good for you! I am glad you are taking this big step to regain your life. I did it 8 weeks ago and it is the BEST decision I have ever made for myself. I have lost 32 pounds in 8 weeks and feel AWESOME! No complications, no nauseau, very little discomfort pain when healing. I am really doing super and you will too! If you and your partner have made the decision for you to do this for your life then who cares what everyone else thinks and I wouldn't bother telling people if they are going to be negative about it. I hate that it has been this way for you, but I assure you once the weight sheds off they will all be extremely curious to what your secret is! Good Luck to you and keep your chin held high....I leave you with these two quotes from Dr. Seuss: "You're on your own and you know what you know - you are the one who will decide where to go!" "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind!" That Dr. Seuss knows what he's talking about it....

It will ease up once you start eating more solid foods. If you are allowed thinned cream of wheat and/or grits that will help to "firm things up." Also, alot of those Protein shakes are TERRIBLE! I have found one I LOVE though. Premier Protein (available at Sam's Club or Costco) Comes in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry - very tasty! They are nutritional excellent (11 ozs, 160 calories, 30g protein, 5g of carbs, 1g sugar) They are $18.88 for a 12 pack box. Give those a whirl, they will make a world of difference for you. Take care!

It will pick back up. It is actually pretty hard on the body to go through a major surgery, recover and still lose weight. Your body stalls in order to give you time to adjust to the new caloric intake and all. I added some additional calories (about 200 extra per day) and it jump started my weight loss. I know it sounds funny but my body had just acclimated to the calories it was being given and wouldn't let go of anymore. After a few days of increased calories the weight started coming off again and I dropped those calories back down...seems to have worked for me...give it a try! Good Luck!

Wow! That is awful! I am 2 months post op today (October 3rd) and have never experienced any nausea but I am sure it is unpleasant. Have you addressed it with your surgeon? Did they give you any recommendations or shed any light on what might be causing it? I would encourage you to try some decaffienated chamomile and/or ginger tea and see if that helps settle your new sleeve a bit. Also, were you prescribed Carafate? If not, you should ask for a prescription for that and a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) like Prilosec. So wish I had better advice but I am sure it will get better. Hang in there and keep us posted. Here's wishing you well!

How weird! That never happened to me, but I hope for you a speedy recovery and that it isn't long lasting. Good Luck!

If you puree the chicken it pretty much tastes the same as regular chicken, but if you choose to chew it make sure you masticate EXTREMELY well! Good Luck!

I will have to dig some more up and post them here. Friend me and I can inbox some to you too. I guess I should get working on that WLS cookbook!

I love you, Lissa! You are great!

Since none of them know about your sleeve I would suggest that you put a small amount of each item on a normal size plate. Since you are eight months out I am sure they have noticed your weight loss and probably won't think a thing about the smaller portions. Although I completely understand not feeling comfortable telling them about the surgery - I wouldn't tell my in-laws either! In order to cover yourself if they ask just say that you are trying really hard to keep your portions small and not overindulge like you used to. Also, another perk to the sleeve is that you can't eat that much in one sitting but in 2-3 hours you can go back for seconds -- just be sensible about it. Good Luck! How much have you lost in the 8 months?

How far out are you?