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First of all, you should congratulate yourself. Your ticker shows 35lbs lost, and that is amazing. Stalls can last longer than a week, and it is the hardest part of the post op journey. We all want the weight gone yesterday. Butterthebean has a great article on stalls, here it is so give it a read http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html As for the hunger feeling, talk to your DR about a PPI. Sometimes acid production in post-op patients can mask itself as hunger pains. You are doing everything right and it will happen! For perspective, you lost more in 2 weeks after surgery than I did in almost 2 months after surgery! I know it is easier said than done, but just try to relax and it will happen!

You have to pick something you are comfortable with. I also think that you have to pick something that is realistic and attainable. Not saying you can't be 105lbs, but whether that is actually healthy for your body and whether you can realistically get there is another question. When I set a goal, all I said is that I would like to be a normal BMI. For me, it was 140lbs which gave me a BMI of 24.9, just within normal (I am 5'3"). I actually never thought I would get there, I didn't want to be disappointed. But now I am actually below my goal and couldn't be happier. Talk to your surgeon, they usually have a pretty good idea of where you might want to end up based on your height and build. Good Luck!!

I am glad that you talked to him. Someone that truly loves you sees past the outer and loves you no matter what, and he obviously does. He will be a good support person through your surgery. My husband and I have been together for almost 14 years, and he also never said anything once about my weight.

I know it is hard, but you have to really work on getting your fluids in. Even if you do not feel thirsty, your body still needs to be hydrated. You can become very sick and land up in the hospital if you don't. Try what others have said. I could never drink plain water, like someone else said. It tasted funny and never sat right in my stomach. Also, have sugar free popsicles, tea, jello and soup broth. It all counts as fluids and helps to keep your body hydrated. It is one of the hardest parts right after surgery, but just keep trying!

I will be 2 years post op in just over a month, and I can eat a lot more than in the beginning. Depending on the foods, I can eat a small chicken breast with veggies and feel just right. From what I understand, it is almost impossible to actually stretch your sleeve out to former proportions. What is left of your stomach is the very firm, not very stretchy part, which is unlike a bypass where the pouch is formed with one of the stretchiest parts of the stomach. I know for myself, I still have great restriction, but you cannot expect it to be the same as first 6 months after surgery. I heard somewhere that once everything is healed, sleeve capacity is around 8oz or so. If you have a healthy, normal diet the majority of time, I wouldn't stress about it too much. It was a treat and you enjoyed it. If you were in pain afterward or threw up, you ate too much and just remember that for next time!

I had my sleeve almost 2 years ago. I had virtually no problems other than pain the first night after surgery. I rarely had nausea, I think I was 6 months post op before I ever had an experience throwing up (it was due to over-eating when we went out for Mother's Day supper). Of course I can only speak for myself, but I have no regrets and I am extremely happy that I decided on the sleeve. With any surgery, there comes real risks, so you definitely have to consider everything. Although the risks are small (a leak, the most serious, is appx. 1%), you still have to prepare yourself. There are people on here that have had complications, I know people that have had complications. I cannot speak for anyone here, but the 2 people that I know in my support group, even having had serious complications (both had leaks and extended hospital stays), they have both said that they would do it again. Make sure you do your research, you are comfortable with your surgeon, and you feel comfortable having it done. If you have any doubts, there is no rush. I had considered lapband and bypass in the past, neither of which I really wanted, but there were no other options at the time. When I found out about the sleeve, I had no doubts that this was for me and I have never looked back!

Incredible! You look amazing! Congratulations on all your hard work and what you have accomplished in 1 short year!!

Diarrhea is pretty common because all you are taking in is fluids, so out comes fluids. But if it becomes really bad, you risk getting dehydrated again. I know they gave me something, can't remember what it was, to stop the diarrhea that I got a couple of days after surgery. As for the weight gain gabby899, remember they are pumping you full of fluids, that is why you gain weight. It is all Fluid weight and as soon as you start eating normally and are not on IV anymore, the weight will come off!

If you are having lots of acid problems (which are common after surgery) ask to be put on a PPI (proton pump inhibitor). These medications actually work to stop the stomach from producing acid. I have had to be on them, and I know many others that have had to also.

It is so nice when someone says something. I think sometimes people notice but are afraid to say anything because they feel like they will offend you (even I know I am afraid sometimes to ask if someone has lost weight, and I have been there!). Congratulations on your weight loss!!

Thanks! Those are my size 22 jeans that I wore at my heaviest! I didn't think I would be able to fit in 1 leg, but I did! Good luck with your journey!!

So as I was talking to someone else about their weight loss from VSG, I came to an almost profound (to me anyways) realization (2 actually). 1. From my highest weight, I have lost almost 50% of my body weight (appx 48%) 2. For the first time in my ENTIRE life, I do not feel like I need to lose any more weight. I have always felt like I needed to lose more, and I have always been heavy, since Kindergarten. Although it is not perfect, for the first time I feel at peace with my body. Something that I never thought was possible and something that I never thought I would ever feel.

Thanks so much! I never thought I was inspiring until people at support groups were asking my advice. Then I realized that people were looking to me, which felt really strange, and still does! I like that you enjoy my posts. I just try to keep it real! I am normal, I screw up, I sometimes eat things I shouldn't, but I never went into this expecting perfection from myself!

I think because the carbonation can cause bad gas pain. Not for everyone, but I know it does for me, even 2 years post op. Do I have it once in a while? Yeah, its a treat and I enjoy it. But I only have a few sips of my husband's and never order my own and don't keep it in the house. Everyone has their own idea of the way they want to eat and live post-op. If you really want it, have a little. Just don't get into a 6-pack a day habit!

I really like this advice! The most important part is to not obsess and beat yourself if you eat 1 thing bad. It wasn't the one small ice cream that got us here, it was the extra large smothered in chocolate every second day. You have to make changes and have a better lifestyle to be successful, but it doesn't mean you can ever eat another cookie again!

First of all, you have done great! You have lost 10lbs a month, which is fantastic. You can't compare yourself to others, there are just too many variables. Secondly, if you like your Protein powder, I would stick with it. Everything in your shake is healthy (if you are using plain PB). If you want to try and cut a few calories from it, try the powdered Peanut Butter like someone else said (PB2) or you can buy peanut butter flavor Torani sugar free syrups. I might get flack for this, but I believe there are healthy carbs and unhealthy carbs. From day one, I never cut out food groups to cut carbs. I knew I couldn't go the rest of my life never eating fruit or drinking milk. It is the refined carbs that are killers (think white). You need to find something that works for you!

I am not sure how far out you are from surgery, but with any carbonated drinks, you need to be careful. The gas can be very painful even after a few sips. I am almost 2 years post op and still only drink a couple of sips if I do have one.

Most greek yogurts have fairly equal protein levels. I eat a 2% fat one, you can also get 0% and you can get higher. The key is to stay away from the flavored ones. Typically, they are sweetened with sugar and higher in calories and carbs. I buy plain and sweeten it myself with sugar free syrups (torani, davinci) and a little liquid stevia. You are early out, take this time to learn new ways of eating. I am a firm believer that if you do not change anything, you will not be successful in the long term. However, you have to make changes you can live with for a lifetime. Good Luck!

First of all, you have not failed, you are just getting started. Give yourself some slack, it is a huge learning curve. A stall around the 3 week mark is totally normal. Another poster had a great article about what our bodies are doing and why we stall early out....search 3 week stall and you should be able to find it. Now, you should be following your post-op guidelines from your surgeon...600 to 800 calories is not bad and you will lose. The only thing I would say is crackers and chips are high in sodium which causes Water retention...this might explain the small gain. Plus, they are what is called a "slider" food...which means they mush up significantly as you eat them and in your stomach, thus allowing you to eat more. Because of this, you take in a lot more carbs and calories. I know you start to feel like you just want to chew something, but it is best to stick to your liquids and better sources of Protein. I am not sure where you are in your post-op, but if you are in mushy stage, you could have scrambled eggs, greek yogurt (amazing source of protein), Protein shakes, and on some diets, ground meats chewed well. Good luck on your journey and like others have said, try to relax. I know it is hard, we all want to lose all our weight in 2 or 3 months, but the fact is it doesn't usually happen that fast. Just stick to the plan and you will lose!

I am glad that you rescheduled your appointment just to talk. You are still not committing yourself, but you are getting informed, and that is the best starting place. If you decide not to get the sleeve, at least you know you have done your research. I was 31 when I got my surgery. I also had ZERO healthy issues. My cholesterol was low, my blood pressure was low, my blood sugar was normal, other than being overweight, I was normal. However, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart problems ALL run in my family. I knew it was just a matter of time before it would probably happen to me. My mom was in her thirties when she developed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. I didn't want to wait until I already had problems, I wanted to prevent them. I had 2 very young children (14 months and 3 yrs) when I went to have the surgery done. I was scared leaving them, what if I didn't some back...but deep down I knew this was the right thing to do. I have not regretted it for a moment since I had it done almost 2 years ago. I am healthy, and, for the first time in my life, I am happy with myself. Yes, I also got it done not only for my health, but also for my self-esteem. I wanted to look better too. I didn't want to be stared at and made fun of walking down the street. I wanted to shop in normal stores, I wanted to feel normal. Like others have said, continue to research. Read all the positive stories on here too. All the NSV's. Of course there are risks and complications, and despite them being very low, they can happen. So you have to go into this with open eyes. Whatever decision you decided to make, just make sure it is the right one for you. Best of luck!

I am 22 months post op and still do it sometimes...I am a slow learner too!! It only happens when something tastes oh so good, and I think the same thing...one more bite can't hurt. Oh, then it hurts something terrible!

I am wondering if you are having bad heartburn. That is pretty common after surgery. Do you take anything like a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)? Many people have to take them after surgery. A PPI stops your stomach from producing acid. I would talk to your doctor about it.

I am almost 2 years post op, and yes, you can eat normal, and it feels normal. The only thing I would like to mention though is if you are eating to the point that you are feeling pain, you are either eating too fast (which it doesn't sound like you are) or you might be eating just a little too much. I am not sure how far out your are, but even 1 bite early out can be too much. I still experience pain if I eat too much (yes, it happens, I'm not perfect). But as your stomach heals and the swelling goes down, you will be able to eat a little more. Eating to me now feels no different than it did pre-surgery.

read the link in Butterbean's signature. It is GREAT information. Stalls are totally normal and almost everyone goes through a stall at around 3 weeks. The important thing is not to sweat it. Just relax, keep doing what you are doing, and it will come off. And my biggest piece of advice, DO NOT COMPARE. There will be people that lose faster, there will be people that lose slower. If you start to compare, you will drive yourself crazy and be miserable. Celebrate your own success and be proud of yourself for your accomplishments!

Very eloquent response!