MichiganChic

Some people are hungry, some less so, and neither means that anything is wrong. For some it is sooner, for others, it's later, and for a few lucky ones, never. From reading so many threads, it does seem that PPIs make a difference early on, and it seems like it does come back for most at some point, though it seems like it's much more manageable. I get hungry at 4 months out, but it's not as bad as before surgery. I found the first 4 weeks after surgery to be the most trying in every way, but after that, it gets easier all the way around. Hang in there!

Great job, and that's the attitude! You'll get there!

I didn't have a wait or a supervised diet, and no preauth required. I called the insurance company and they gave me all the details with no problem, and even sent it in a letter. I have BCBS of Michigan.

It's pretty rough at first, and probably being so young makes it rougher, and if your support system isn't supporting, then even rougher. Just know you are NOT alone, we all went through it, too. The first few weeks really are the most difficult, but it gets easier. It also gets easier if you can make your mind up to be successful and know that you'll do whatever it takes to succeed. For the rest of our lives, people are going to be eating what they want in front of us, but we have decided to take a different path (and better, I think) in life. Maybe try to focus on yourself and how you can improve your life, and less on what your family does. I also think it would be a good idea to have someone in your life to share this with - if not a friend, then a counselor. And of course, you always have us Good luck and let us know how you do.

Exercise is a great deterrent. I also have a hard time this time of day. I come home, have a small snack, then exercise, then a late dinner. It's been working for me.

I took 2 Flintstones with iron daily, B12 and Vit D at first. After 6 weeks they switched me to a prenatal with iron, 1500 mg calcium citrate daily, B12 3xweekly. I will be having my labs checked again this week, but that stuff is pretty much a lifetime commitment according to my doc.

Yeah, either he missed something, or was joking, or you misunderstood, but in NO ONES world is a loss of 5.6 pounds average per week not good enough! You are rocking that sleeve, and I say just keep doing what you are doing.

Bahahaha! I literally LOL at that one, too!! F U N N Y

Yeah, I can definitely eat more than 4 oz. I do feel full enough with 4 oz of dense protein, but if it's not dense, I could eat more. I worry that it will become easier and easier to eat more, which I don't want. If it stayed like this, I'd be thrilled. It's restricted enough to keep me from overeating, but not so restricted that I can tolerate things. I watch my calories and protein, and stick to 900-1200 cal a day. I've never been sick, slimed, had pain or anything others report, but then again, I never push it. However - back to the eggs - I stay away from them, they always feel like a rock in my stomach.

Congratulations! Bet that's a good feeling!

I don't set weight goals because as long as I'm doing everything I can, I'm doing everything I can and can't impact a weight goal any more than I already am. (that wasn't supposed to be a riddle, lol). I focus on getting in water, protein, calories, the "rules", etc. Every time I think I should be to a certain weight, I am disappointed..so I quit that

The first few days and weeks are the hardest. It does get easier. I can remember one day about a week post op I was so weak and foggy that I didn't think I was going to make it. I think I was probably dehydrated, and you just can't support 300 pounds on 300 calories a day! I was tired for the first 6 weeks, but I had an infection, so I'm sure that made it worse. I also had diarrhea for the first 4 weeks, and just felt pretty rough all the way around. Now at almost 4 months out, I'm feeling pretty good! You will too!

I think it's normal to "stall" as they call it here. We absorb every calorie we eat, and bodies can only lose so fast, so it happens. I'm finding a pattern of minimal or no loss for 2-3 weeks (during which time I bounce a couple of pounds) then I'll have a few days where I lose some every day for 3-4 days, then the cycle starts all over again. In my opinion, there isn't much we can do about a stall - as long as you are doing everything right. No grazing, not over eating, etc. If you aren't following the guidelines, then I would suggest you take a look at that. I also always get "stuck" on a previous weight I've been stuck at before. I can just expect it, and I know where those sticking points along the way are. Time is the answer to our problems on this one. You have lost a lot in a short time, your body needs some time to adjust.

I know at first I was thinking about it (the scale/loss) every minute of every day....so nothing seemed fast enough. Now that I'm farther out and have a significant loss, I'm calming down about it - some. So, just follow the rules, never graze, don't drink with meals, etc, and it will work for you, too. I had a month where I lost only 8 pounds, and I was disappointed. But each and every pound lost adds up, and while that is happening, you will be exercising and your body will be shrinking steadily. And while all that is happening, you are learning a new way of living. It's hard not focus on the details when we should be focusing on the big picture, I know. I get frustrated because I have so much to lose still....but that's my lot in life, and I'm doing what I can change it. The scale doesn't always respond like I think it should, even according to science, but we all different. It really is the long term that matters here. Good luck, you got this!

I couldn't tolerate eggs at that time, either. I never threw up, slimed or was sick in any way from anything, but eggs sat in my stomach like a rock. Now I can eat pretty much anything. As for the stall - we have them. I used to have that fear all the time - that I would be the only one who this didn't work for. It does get easier over time, just hang in there!

Wow, you look great, congratulations to you on a wonderful success!

Wow, Alex, good for you, I'm impressed! I'll be getting this.

Wow, great pics, great story! You both look wonderful, and like the perfect couple. Congratulations on your success (to both of you) - your happiness is evident, and I'm happy for you!

Mine is broken too!! It sticks all the time. Smilling Eyes, let me know when you find one that goes down every day!! Seriously, I had a WW scale, too, and it did the same thing. I weigh every day, too. I just don't get too stressed out about it unless it sticks for a few weeks... which it is doing now! But just think if I didn't get on it all, and then after three weeks got on only to find I hadn't lost or even gained...I would have been a raving lunatic. At least this way I am not surprised. I actually saw an article on yahoo the other day that said it's not a bad thing to weigh every day...because I always believe what I read on the internet when I agree with it http://health.yahoo.net/articles/healthcare/photos/are-your-bad-habits-bad-you-think#4

Wow, you look great! Thanks for sharing your success - so motivating! Bet you feel great, too

Looking good! And to answer your question - I find myself taking lots of "self-portraits", lol. What's even funnier is that I'm 50 years old, and I send them to my parents to "enjoy"!! I swear I'm worse than my 17 year old daughter

Me too! I keep telling my 77 year old dad I have his neck, lol! Actually, it's worse. It looks like one of those wrinkley dogs! I just can't believe it...and I'm already counting the days till I can have some plastics done. I'm going to look into some botox after reading this thread. I'm 50 and my skin looked good when it was all filled in, but now I'm starting to look 50....yikes! I'm not above a little rejuvination

Yes, smoking poses such an increased risk. My doc won't even do surgery on smokers - he's had two leaks with the sleeve, and both were smokers. He actually tests people, now. I feel like I dodged a bullet with DM. I have a huge family hx of it, and I could never believe I didn't have it. When I did my preop testing, my A1C was 6.3! I was shocked. I feel like I had the surgery at the last possible minute before that switch was flipped. If all things had been equal to what they are now 15 years ago, I would have done this at 35 - it would have been worth it to me. I think of all the years I was obese and held back by it, and the things I missed out on, and it makes me sad. However, I feel like I'm turning back the clock on my health, so it's very exciting! Also, I agree, knowing what to watch for is a huge safety net. I knew I had that infection right away, and I thought at the time, most people wouldn't have. I didn't have a temp or any drainage. I called the doc and he met me in the ER on Christmas Eve, and even he was surprised by it. So, I think we are lucky and have an advantage, in that way. When is your surgery?

Dee and Laura, that ER situation is a very scary reality, and we all have seen the saddest life stories, so I think as nurses it can make decisions like this harder. I always thought "I can lose weight with diet and exercise", but I never met any real success. I looked into WLS 15 years ago, but at that time, the risks were greater and it was open surgery (RNY). I didn't have any health issues, and I had three small girls, so I didn't proceed. Now, at 50, I'm starting to see some of the weight related health issues, the risk is lower than it used to be, and I felt the benefits outweighed the risks. My youngest is in high school now, and while I don't want to leave any of them, I also want a chance at a healthy life. I'm almost 4 months out, and I'm happy I did this. I did have a complication, but it was minor (an abscess that took about 7 weeks and 2 I&Ds to heal). Now that that's behind me, I'm feeling stronger and better all the time, and I don't regret my decision. Again, it is definitely necessary to do a risk/benefit analysis, and determine your risk tolerance. I finally just put blinders on and proceeded, knowing I couldn't predict my actual risk, but I could certainly predict the weight related health issues descending upon me every day. I wish you both all the greatest success as you proceed!

My husband did support, and still does. He supported me when I was at my heaviest and did nothing but gain weight. He supported me in every fad diet, as I spent our money trying to lose. He supported me 15 years ago as I considered RNY, and then when I decided against it because I didn't have health issues. He supported me through the surgery, and now he does so for my exercise and changed eating habits. He even tells me how good I look, even though I see the saggy truth! I don't think I give him enough credit, because as I typed this, I realized how lucky I am. One thing, though...he did go to the seminar with me, and he heard about divorce rates after surgery/weight loss. He jokingly said he might not want me to do it because I might leave him! I do think there is a certain amount of uncertainty when one partner changes dramatically.