Zeebie

My doctor was $14,200 for self pay. It included everything except the blood work and EKG prior to surgery. All follow up appointments are included up to one year post surgery. He has an office in Nacogdoches TX and Houston. Dr. Clifton Thomas. He's a really sweet person and gives all his patients his cell number so they never have to panic. That gave me a lot of comfort right after surgery when I was freaking out about every little new sensation lol.

Hi kindred souls. Tomorrow is my 5 month anniversary date of being sleeved. I have lost 62 pounds but am not sure of the inches because my appointment isn't until next month. I am a heavy weight so that 62 pounds is just a dent. The doctor set my goal for a weight that was well above my ideal body weight based on that chart that someone with a BMI of 53 would lose. I hate that. I want to lose all my excess body weight not just 72%. I am getting concerned because the weight is not coming off like I hoped. I am doing the right stuff when it comes to eating. If I splurge I eat chicken breast filet from KFC but that is pretty rare. We know what kind of foods we should be putting in our mouths and for the most part I am as good as gold. Two things I struggle with: 1) exercise and 2) drinking while eating. I walk 10,000 steps a day (up from 2000 before surgery) but I don't really work out since swimming season has ended. I have really been working on the drinking thing and would say that I'm successful about 50% of the time now. I want to know if anyone experienced a slow down in weight loss for a few months then saw a spike again. I can't say that I have actually "stalled" but I'm only losing about 5-7 pounds a month for the last 2 months. I did have gallbladder surgery and some female issues in October but I don't think that would slow it that much. I'm so worried that I won't even make it to the estimated goal my doctor set. Has anyone honestly kept losing 9, 10 months out? If I only lose five pounds a month it will take me 11 more months to reach the goal my doctor set and nearly 19-20 months to reach my ideal body weight. I really don't want to fail. Any suggestions or personal experience stories would be welcome. Oh for the record I don't count carbs or fat just Protein and calories. I get between 60-90 grams of protein a day and never go above 1000 calories. 800-1000 is my target. I eat a lot of lindora products to boost my protein. I do record everything I eat. I have for 4 months now.

Thank you both so much. I say I don't count carbs but the app that I am using (Lose It) does so I went back and checked my daily average. It does appear that I get between 50-80 grams of carbs as well. Maybe I should strive to keep it under 60. I feel pretty good about my food choices overall but it won't stress me in the least to cut out the toast in the morning or the fat free chips I eat with a laughing cow once in a while for snack. I will definitely get my thyroid checked. I didn't think of it until you mentioned it. I am feeling sluggish lately. My female problems arenot resolved and will probably have surgery at the new year. I certainly have not given up. I was just hoping someone had something similar happen. I did use the exercise machine today. It was tough but I felt really good afterward. Thanks for the input and I'll let you know how things go. Keep your fingers crossed:)

Hooray for you that your surgery will be sooner than later! Don't worry about all those questions about protein and vitamins because everyone is different and you won't know until you get to that point. Both my husband and I are sleeved (two months apart) and he can tolerate different protein drinks than me and he takes different vitamins. You have done tons of research and are ready for it! Just listen to your doctor and concentrate on a quick healing from surgery. We will all be here for you during your weight loss journey. Again, congrats on your upcoming surgery.

I read your post the other day and really thought about it. I wanted to savor my successes like you. I took my son to lunch today and the hostess asked me if a booth was okay. Four months ago a booth would have been uncomfortable and not an option but now I can fit in them easily. I thought about this post and smiled at the hostess and said "a booth is just fine". Thanks for the pep talk!

I just wanted to let you know that I started my journey with a BMI of 53. I was sleeved on June 22, 2010 and have only lost 57 pounds so far. I know I am losing slower than most people with higher BMIs but I feel really good and in control of my eating. I have not lost all hunger as some people have but I can say it is greatly diminished. Even when I feel hungry I can only consume a few ounces at a time. It's very empowering. I think sometimes I get frustrated when I see my husband losing faster than me but just this week I realized that I only have to lose 95 more pounds to be my ideal body weight. I can do that! It may take me the full two years but it will happen. And having the sleeve means my stomach will be tiny FOR LIFE. My doctor actually recommended the sleeve over the bypass. He felt that a bypass was unnecessary when I could get the same results from the sleeve. I hope I haven't added to your confusion because the others are correct when they say you have to make the right choice for you. The sleeve was absolutely the right choice for me but for you, only you can decide. I just didn't want you to toss it out because of your BMI. Good luck with whatever you choose.

I've been reading your posts for months and the members here are so wise and very encouraging. I need a little of your wisdom now fellow sleevers. I was sleeved June 22, 2010. On Monday I was officially down 50lbs. I wish I would lose faster but am proud that at least it has been consistent. Then Tuesday I had my gallbladder removed. It was a big mess but even though I'm hurting the one thing I am focused on is the fact that I GAINED 5 pounds from the surgery. I am so distraught over this that I feel like a failure. My doctor says it's just fluids from surgery but I haven't shed the pounds yet. Has this happened to anyone else? My husband is also a doctor (and sleeved) and swears it will go away but I just got over a stall. He hid the scale to help me. I think I just want some assurance from people who have had similar experiences that this is not the end of my weight loss, that I have not been permanently derailed. Again, sorry my first post is so whiney.

Thank you again everyone. Today was a great day. I got out and walked. I'm still bruised and sore but it felt good to move! I didnt even try to find the scale. Plus, I got in all my protein without extra carbs or stuff I shouldn't have. I feel by monday morning all will be right in my world. I have felt so empowered these past few months of not being a slave to food. I slip sometimes but never for long and I always hold my head high and take responsibility. I think the weight gain freaked me out this time because I didn't stray from the guidlines and it made my pants tight:( I hope you all have a great weekend full of fun and LIFE. Don't you just love your sleeve?!

Thank you all for your encouraging words. Sometimes you just need to "hear" it from others that know what you are going through. I feel so much better today. I'm taking your words to heart and promise not to stress about it. In fact I feel good enough to walk this morning. I'll let you know how many days it actually takes for that surgery weight to come off so if someone else ever has this problem they won't react like I did. I am back on track and in the right frame of mind. I cannot thank you all enough.