MichiganChic

Our bodies morph over time, with age, childbirth, etc. Funny, but I have found the opposite of your experience. I find myself looking thinner at my current weight than I did in my youth. I attribute that to lots of loose skin and what I call "dripping fat" that seems to pool in the loose skin, lol! One other thing - our skin and supporting structures take a while to bounce back. My neck was worse at 50 pounds lost (at around 2-3 months) than it is now at nearly 150 pounds lost at 18 months post op. Also, I haven't lost any significant weight since January, and people tell me all the time I look like I've lost more. A plastic surgeon also told me that after people have plastics, they continue to improve for 2-3 years. So, I'd say give it some time and things may shift and tighten.

@RJ'S/beginning I think we were responding at the same time about machines. As soon as mine posted, I could see what you said and chuckled to myself because it looked like I was disagreeing with your statement, but I typed that without having seen your post. I was looking at it from a different perspective. In the sense of the way our bodies work in relationship to the different systems within one person, I agree, we are like well oiled, amazing machines. My point was that we are unique from each other, and not created in a lab or factory with quality controls so the output is the same in each of us. A machine that is well manufactured will produce the same outcome time after time regardless of the user. For instance, if you apply the brakes in your car, and as long as the brakes function, they will stop the car. In a human being, if you provide a deficit of 3500 calories per week, you will not likely produce a one pound weight loss consistently from one person to the next, or even in a repeatable way in the same person week to week. If it were that simple, there would be a lot less obesity, because I'm sure lots of us could manage that. It's just another way to say to people that you can't compare your weight loss to someone else's.

The reason you get reassurances in kind words is because there is no one right answer to your questions. We are not machines and our bodies do not respond the same to any given scenario. One thing is almost universally certain, though: if you continue to eat less than your body uses, you will lose weight. Only you will know the answer to questions like calorie and volume intake. The "rules" are there as guidelines, some more important than others. I learned a few things along the way, which sort of surprised me, because I thought I knew a lot about dieting and weight loss. I need to eat 900 calories or less to lose Carbs really do make me retain Water, and want to eat junk I am in control of my success, and the sleeve gave me a leg up in doing so that I never had before Sometimes our bodies do not cooperate, and we don't lose weight at a rate of 3500 calories = 1 pound I can gain WAY faster than I can lose I really don't need as much food as I used to think It's what we do for the long haul that really makes a difference. It's hard not to focus on the day to day, but it's more realistic to look at trends week to week, month to month over time and correlate outcomes to actions There are very few people who don't lose some hair. It grows back for most, not all Even the most stretched skin will have some improvement over time. The wrinkles are worse in the beginning. Every change I've had to make has been well worth it to me. I struggled and lost the battle every day before surgery, and my life was so much more difficult in ways I didn't even recognize. Now I feel free, and I don't have the misery of morbid obesity complicating my life, so it's well worth the effort. I remember that when I get tired of following the rules, watching what I eat, etc. I do not have one single regret, and I'd do it again. As a word of encouragement, I say try to Celebrate the successes along the way. Try to remember that the short term difficulty we go through to get to the end result is worth it! And, while we are getting there, the small changes do add up, and it's a wonder to transform yourself. I've never heard one person say they hated being thin after having WLS.

I'm also on MFP. I log and weigh every day, too! I'm also a year and a half out. I'm tboosrn on MFP if anyone wants to add me!

@@Chelenka I know a woman who has never been overweight a day in her life and had cold sculpting, and she said it wasn't as effective as she had hoped. I also had a plastic surgeon tell me it won't shrink skin, just the fat. In my case, it's more skin than fat, so it won't work for me. So far, I'm still being lazy and have not ventured into any type of exercise! Uggh. I wish I had developed an exercise addiction

Lisa, What a beautiful poem - it's such a testament of your deep love for your husband. Your pain is palpable through it, so I can only imagine how your daily struggles must be. It is hard to stay on track with daily "normal" life stressors, but a death is different thing. I know from experience that gaining wight only adds to our stress, makes us feel even worse and more sad, if that's possible. I think that going to the doctor is a good first step for you, as is your post here. You are recognizing that you need to do something to change the trajectory of this course you are on. I'm not going to give you advice on what to eat, you already know what to do. I'm going to wish you well, offer my prayers and support, and remind you that you DO have it in you to take care of yourself. You said yourself, it's what your husband would want for you. Please just do the best you can, and go easy on yourself. Let us know how you are.

@@Chelenka good for you, getting moving! I also need to do something! I need to weight train, do yoga, do something! I've been at this weight for a while now, and want to lose just a little more. I do think it's normal to hang on to Water after exercise, as the others said, it's due to tissue repair and muscle building. Over time, that muscle will work harder to keep your weight stable than being at the same (or lower) weight without muscle. Which is why I also need to get moving! I'm having some plastics done next month (TT, butt lift, arms) and the surgeon said I shouldn't lose any more weight. She thinks after all is said and done, I'll potentially lose another 15 pounds, which would be great for the scale. However, I know that I'm weak, so I need to start pushing myself. I've been thinking about yoga and/or swimming, since I can't really do much running/walking due to a bad knee. Glad to hear you like yoga. Do you go someplace to do it, or are you doing videos?

@@Oregondaisy I have also found that one occasional treat can easily become more frequent, and eventually work it's way into being common place. I can also gain 5 pounds in a weekend - and that's from eating around 2000 calories a day. It's mind boggling to me how fast I can pack on pounds! A year and a half later, I think that was my biggest lesson from having a sleeve - that I can consume a lot of calories without realizing it, and those calories are far more dangerous to me than to the average human. I bet that just like everything, that 3500 calories= 1 pound is an average and unique for the individual. For me, I bet 2000 calories = 1.5 pounds! So, if I have a weekend splurge that starts on Friday night, there is my 5 pounds. That's why I learned to put off eating something I think I want. It often works to avoid consuming additional calories I don't need.

I had a hard time choosing just one answer. I do all of those things, depending on what's going on, what it is, and how I feel. I try to always make good choice, but I don't always succeed. If it's a craving for something like cake, my favorite thing that offers no nutritional value, then I put it off. Sometimes I put it off for a day, sometimes for weeks. But if it stays on my mind, then I will usually give in, have it, count the calories, and move on. Other things that are not as "bad", I might try to work in to my usual diet if possible, like nuts. They are high in calories, but offer good nutritional value, so as long as I count weigh and count the calories, I "give in". In this poll, I chose wait a day and give in if the craving is still there. I think most of the time if I really want something that is high calorie with no nutritional value, that's what I do. I give myself a chance to see if it's something I really want, and have the opportunity to see if the thought passes, and if it doesn't, I just go ahead and have it. I try NOT to do that too often, but my goal is to live a normal, non-food obsessed life. Too bad I never crave broccoli.

I would do it again, hands down. My life is exponentially better at this weight than it was at over 300 pounds. I loved food, and I love to eat, and everything I did centered around it. I always knew that, but it really became evident after my surgery. I have a much different perspective on this now that I'm 19 months out, and it has evolved over time. In the early days post op, eating was a CHORE. I couldn't believe that! I actually loved it. As time went by, eating became enjoyable again. Now I enjoy food again - too much. I can eat PLENTY. Certainly not like I used to, but I can eat like a normal person. My perception of normal has changed, and now I think it's actually correct, as opposed to the inflated idea of normal before surgery. I actually wish I felt a little more like I did in the early days. I wish a few bites could fill me up. I wish eating was more of a chore some days. Now its ALL me. I have to count calories and really work at this, or I'll eat my way right back up to 300 pounds. So, unless a person comes to the realization only they can make the needed changes for themselves, the surgery will be a partial, temporary fix, at best. I do think the surgery was the best thing for me, and I would do it again, but I caution people to really think about whether or not they WANT to make those changes. You probably will grieve the change in your life, but only you know if that's something you can handle. If you think you can't or are not willing to make that change, it might not be worth it. If you are willing to accept the "loss" and work through your issues, then it's a great choice. I could not have done this without the sleeve.

What a difficult decision! Too bad that happened, sorry to hear it. Recovery from knee surgery would be SO much easier if you were thinner! Hope you are feeling better soon.

My surgeon cleared me for ibuprofen at 6 weeks post op. It's one of the reasons I chose a sleeve over bypass. He said because of the anastomosis (joining of the stomach to small intestine) with the bypass, those patients are prone to ulcers, so never any NSAIDS. With the sleeve, once the suture line is healed, he said there is less risk. I take ibuprofen every day, and have since 6 weeks post op - so far, so good. Guess it depends on you and your docs advice.

For me, I can never stop tracking. The day I stop is the day I start gaining weight. Maybe you will be one of the lucky ones, but most people track in some way or another.

I'm 18 months out, and still do a Protein shake every day. With it, (it has 30 gm of protein) I get around 75 gms a day. I'd suggest searching for one you can tolerate. I had reflux before surgery, and for a long time after, but it seems to have gotten better. I'm off all meds for that. I had horrible hair loss. I lost more than half, beginning around 4 months, and it continued for at least 6 months, and then stopped. It didn't start growing back in until after a year, and it's still thinner than it was. It does seem to continue to get better. All of my labs have always been good. I felt pretty rough in the first few weeks post op, but nothing since I fully healed. I can't offer any advice on that one, unless maybe you are a little dehydrated? Try drinking a little more before bed time.

Your results have been phenomenal with what you are doing, so I'd keep doing it. The only thing I would caution is that you are also watching volume - don't want to consume too much volume at once.(fear of stretching your sleeve).

The main reason for me was fear of complications. I've considered WLS over the years, and the risks used to be higher. I didn't have any comorbidities, and figured the risk wasn't worth it. I should be able to lose weight on my own! So then, I would attempt to diet, and the older I got, the harder it was to lose weight at all. So, I wasn't sure that WLS would even help me lose weight. I feared I might be one of those people it just didn't "work" for. Also, my mother was adamantly opposed to it, because of the risks. 18 months post op, I'm happy I did it. I actually did have a minor complication (infection), but other than that, no problems. I still feel super lucky about that. WLS surgery has worked for me, and my mother came around once she saw I wasn't changing my mind. It's a big decision, though, and I always say you have to be willing to assume the risks.

@@CowgirlJane, I really wish I could be like you. I did a little experiment this week. I stopped tracking for a couple of days, and I just now logged my calories (that I can remember) and I was around 1500 or more per day. That's enough for me to gain. I really wish I was someone who didn't have to do it, but I'm just kidding myself if I think I can do that. I'm mindless if I don't force myself to be mindful about what goes in my mouth. Mindful = upfront knowledge and seeing it in print for me. I don't think the tracking keeps my life from being rich and fulfilled, though. Vigilance is different from obsession. I agree, it all boils down to learning what works for you, and continuing to do it. It took me a long time to lose the weight because there was so much of it. The learning how to manage it was the most important part of the process for me. It's probably a good thing it took so long, or I might not have really understood what it's going to take for me to remain successful.

For me, grazing is a habit. It's something I CAN control. I just have to make myself not do it. Eat your planned meals, get rid of anything that's a trigger, and keep yourself busy doing other things. Now is the time to establish good habits.

Weight gain is the nightmare we all fear and live with. I am not cured of obesity, I'm simply in remission. There is no doubt in my mind I could gain back every pound I lost. There have been a few key statements people have made in this thread that resonate with me. Paraphrasing here: Success requires vigilance Success requires self-honesty about what we eat Success requires tracking as a way of accomplishing both of those When I'm vigilant about my diet by weighing, measuring, tracking, and recording, I do best. I can do a WHOLE lot of damage in a just an hour or two. I don't have a normal body or metabolism, and I know deep down there is very little wiggle room for me. Don't get me wrong, I do let my guard down from time to time, I do get weary of the constant struggle, but I have to keep my eye on the prize. I love the way I feel and look, and I am grateful for what I consider to be a gift of being thin. I remember that, and it helps me to continue to do the things that have led to success. In the end, I have way more control over my success or failure as a result of having the sleeve than I did before surgery. I hope the "reset" stays reset!

Any idea of what causes it? If you have malabsorption issues, that certainly could, but this isn't the first time I've heard it. Is anyone getting an explanation?

A couple of thoughts - How many calories are you eating? I know that I have to count calories, and I have to eat around 900 consistently to lose weight. I stayed around 800-1000 for the first year. I almost never had bread, rice, or Pasta (and still don't). I never drink with meals. I do my best not to graze - but if I do - I count the calories. I also have to be honest with myself. I have to count everything. Even when I don't do well, I log it into myfitness pal. It helps me to see how much damage I can do in a short time. As for your clothes not being much looser, I had lose nearly 60 pounds before it became apparent. After that, every 10-20 pounds really showed. Now, 10 pounds is a clothing size. As for the stress, I totally get that. I have a super stressful job, and I know that I'm a stress eater. Of all the things I've had to overcome, this has been the hardest. I don't always succeed, but I'm much better than I was before surgery. I'm really mindful about it, and if I find myself looking for something to eat when I am not hungry (even though sometimes I think I am) I distract myself with another activity. Losing and maintaining weight is work every day, all day, but you can do it!

Congrats! I really know what you mean! I had to fly for work a couple of weeks ago, and I totally LOVED the experience because I felt so normal! I'm down 140 pounds at 18 months out, I had plenty of room to spare with the seat belt, the tray, and the seat - on Spirit, no less! I just couldn't get over it, both there and back. Flying as an obese person is such a difficult experience, from everything from having to take your shoes off through security, to boarding down that narrow aisle, to the tight seats, seat belt, tray, and managing your possessions. Being thin takes all that worry and fear off the table, and allows us to enjoy things in a way we never could. Congrats on your success, and you are going to love the next 30 pounds, too!

Sorry to hear you are under the weather, and wishing you a speedy recovery. I've wondered what that might be like. I've not been sick since my surgery, and hoping it never happens! I worry most about vomiting. At least you missed that

The best thing you can do for yourself is be realistic. It's amazingly fun and exciting watching that weight come off the first few days/couple of weeks, but realistically, your body just can't keep doing that. I remember wishing I could lose a pound a day (at least) until I got to goal, and being disappointed when it slowed down. I though every pound I lost would be the last. I thought this surgery would not work for me. There were weeks I lost 3 or more pounds, and there were weeks I had a small gain. Now that I'm close to goal, I hardly ever lose. I watch it over time, and I watch for trends. Everyone is different. The main thing to focus on is how are you doing with your diet? Are you following it? You will learn over time what it takes for you lose weight. I learned things I didn't know before surgery. I now know that if I want to lose weight, I can't eat more than 900 calories a day. If I eat any more than that, weight loss slows to a crawl. That's the beauty of making a life style change, and being in the for the long haul - it's learning how to manage your weight.

I think it depends on the person, how much weight you have to lose, how long it takes to lose it, and your genetic tendencies. I had thin hair when I started, lost around 40-50%, and it didn't start coming back until a couple of months ago - well after a year. It's still not all back. I've read on this site from a few that started with thin hair that it stayed that way. I know a woman I work with who had bypass 8 years ago and she told me her hair is just now starting to come back. I think, in general, people who start with more hair fare better than those of us with thin hair. I took Biotin and all Vitamins as prescribed, and never missed a day getting my Protein in. I went to dermatologists and got injections in my head (which I think worked) and used topical solutions (which did seem to slow the loss) and used snake oils and magic potions in an attempt to avoid losing hair, and then regrowing it! I had to use fibers to hide the thinning on top. It's almost to the point where I don't have to use those anymore, so I am encouraged. Either way, if I had to choose between hair and thin, I'd pick thin every day of the week!