Shelley9

In 8 months before Dec. 2012 surgery, I lost 35 lbs. Since Dec. 2012, 8 months too, I have lost 31 lbs. I am more active now than I have been in decades, and I feel better too. I just really wish I would lose a little more in a shorter period of time. It would make the process so much more rewarding for the short term for me.

I am so with you sista. I did find out today that my parathyroid is out of whack so I am hoping that if this is sorted out, the weight will get going again.

My nut. has put me on more supplements and when I add those to my regular meds, my little tummy is full in the morning so breakfast means that I don't eat very much at all. I have found that the Special K Protein cereal is tasty and crunchy; I like eating that with some Greek yogurt and that = 15gr protein

Thank you for this. I am all over this. Losing slowly seems to be what my body wants to do and I just need to get my brain to understand the process.

Sleeved Dec. 2012. Started at 314 and am 250 now. I started out as a size 26 and am down to a 16-18 which makes me really happy. But, I think I am in a stall again; they are so frustrating. I was told buy my Nut. to increase my calories from 900 to 1200 a day. I did that 3 weeks ago and nothing changed. I work out in the pool 4-6 days a week (workouts on land are limited due to back and joint problems). My goal is 175 so I am 1/2 way there. Any suggestions to break this stall?

Good morning, I was on Victoza pre-sleeve and it worked like a charm. It helped me sugars and I lost 35 lbs in 5 months. Now that I am 7 months post op, I am having trouble losing again. The Victoza has helped already - 2 weeks in - 5 lbs gone. I am fortunate that I have not experienced the side effects. I hope this works for you - it is a great medication.

Knowing What I Know Now, I would . . . not stress about what to have on hand food wise. I would use the little baby spoons again - they were perfect for me. They helped me keep my intact of food slow and steady. When I ate too much or too fast, that was when I got bubbles. The bubbles (sometimes air, sometimes gas) were killer for the first few weeks. treat myself with a little more TLC I bought myself a little dish, about 3" x 6" and that was, and is what I use for my meals. When I use a regular plate a) I put too much food on it and when I keep my food portion small, it looks stupid on the big plate. I used the baby spoon and little dish at Christmas with my family. They all laughed because it looked cute, but they also understood. I still use that dish and others that size to keep my portions realistic I would keep a sense of humour about this journey. I have my PhD in burpology My lunches at work - I use the smallest Gladware containers and my coworkers used to think it was cute. Now they know it is practical and they support me fully. I am glad that I had pureed yams and froze them in ice cube trays. I found them really satisfying on my new tummy. I would use My Fitness Pal to track my calories and exercise. I would not expect to loose weight faster. I fell into that trap. My body does not like fewer calories so it is hanging on to what I take in, until I could up the calories and now it is dropping again, but slowly. I would definite share my journey with friends and close coworkers. They have been a great support system for me. And I would definitely use this forum - I have learned a lot here. All the best to you,

Good morning, I was sleeved in Dec. 2012. What I did was had a large glass (with a lid) of water on my desk. I tried to finish one glass between 8:40 am and recess, recess to lunch, and then another one from 1-3 pm. My students got behind me too and noticed when I didn't finish my water. It was difficult on the days that I had a lot of talking to do, or the kids needed extra support. I .am fortunate that the staff washroom was 25 feet away from my class so I can make a quick trip when needed. I added Mio (the squirt bottle flavouring) and that made it taste better after it sat for a bit. For the protein, I used Bio X protein bars. 32 gr per bar. I ate 1/2 of it at recess and half after school. I had tuna or chicken, or an egg at lunch and my regular breakfast and dinner. I was more successful at school with my eating program than I am at home on summer holidays. It's all about planning. I hope all goes well with you. So far I have lost the weight of one of my grade 6 students. When I told them this, they thought it was really funny.

I enjoyed working out when I had a personal trainer 10 years ago. Since I can't afford that option, I bought a membership to a private pool at a 5 star hotel. What a fabulous difference. The pool is gorgeous. The shower/change area is so beautiful. Everyone that goes there is focused and I feel comfortable doing my water walking etc. Some days I even feel like going twice a day.

I had the same problem for a few weeks post op. The biggest change that I made was to eat really small amounts for the first few hours of the day. The other meals went well. Today, I had a major episode, the first nasty one ever. I had a bit of tuna salad that I made with light mayo. About 15 minutes later, I was crampy and had to go. About 10 minutes after that, I felt incredibly ill. Went, sat, emptied. Immediately hot, sweat pouring down my face, hair soaked. I think I even passed out for a few minutes. Woke up, very weak, and drenched. Moved back to the living room and slept for 2 hours. Scary! 4 hours later, I feel great again. I do not want to ever go through that again.

So good to read all of these posts. I am 6 months post op. I seem to loose 10 lbs and then stall. Then I get grumpy with myself and get back on track, and another 10 and so on and so on. I have lost 60, with 60 to go. Grrr....

Everyone has done so well. Congratulations to you. I was sleeved Dec. 4, 2012 at 285 lbs. Today, 6 months post, I am only at 257 lbs. Granted, I can't exercise due to an injury, but I thought that the weight would sneak away a little quicker than it has. I have a check up in one month and I know I am not going to want to hear what is said. I have not put any weight on. Hopefully, when I am on holidays in 2 weeks, I will be able to get to the pool more than I have. I wonder if Tylenol - 4000mg/day - has a negative effect on weight loss? Still I will continue to stay on the path, I need to and even more, I want to.

I was sleeved Dec. 4, 2012. In the 8 months prior and 5 months since, I have lost a total of 60 pounds, which is great, but have gotten complacent. I am eating the right foods most of the time, and I am usually eating less than 1000 calories a day, but I am not losing weight. I need to loose 50 more pounds before the back surgeon will see me again. I am down 60 in one year and 50 - 75 to go. I am losing my gusto! I am down from a size 26 to an 18W which is great, but I seem to have stalled out mentally and physically. Eke.

Yes we can. I need to remember to treat myself with the same care and attention that I give others. That lesson sometimes gets lost. Yesterday I made a rhubarb, strawberry, cherry crisp. Very little sugar and it = 100 calories per my serving size and it is ideal for a snack or breakfast with a piece of cheese for the protein. I have some swiss steak in the oven with lots of onions and mushrooms. I went to a friend's home for breakfast and I had one turkey sausage and lemon ricotta pancakes with fresh berries. There was no sugar because he is diabetic. So today I am up to 700 calories and much happier with myself. Thank you for the support - everyone.

I agree totally. Where I fault is allowing myself to give in to the temptation of quick and dirty calories.

Thank you Ladies, Yes, it was a typo - 1000 cal. I need to up my exercise. My story is that I have severe arthritis in my lumbar spine so the only exercise is in the pool. If I had a private pool, I would be there everyday. Public pools are always so busy when I can get there after work and it is too easy to no go. I know when I am on holidays in 4 weeks (I am a teacher) I will get there probably every day. I help my students every day but I don't help myself as often. This is backwards!

I had my 4 month follow up with the endocrinologist that works with my surgeon. She was angry that I had only lost 25 pounds since my December surgery. She even went so far as to ask me how much weight I had gained! She had never heard of anyone losing so slowly. Then she asked me how much exercise I am getting every day. When I said very little, she went into a lecture about how many people would have done anything to get the surgery and that maybe it was a wrong decision to authorize the surgery for me at this time. She reminded me that I have to put some effort into losing weight and not to let the surgery do it all for me. When I reminded her that I have a back injury that limits my walking to less than a block, and I am restricted to exercise in the pool (I am on a wait list for back fusion), she said that wasn't good enough. So I went to the pool to do my best to exercise and I have been on heavy pain meds for 3 days. So maybe when I go back to see her in September I need to lie about my exercise? I don't like that idea, but I'll be darned if I am scolded again.

Update - I spoke with my surgeon today about the internist. He listened to what I had to say and seemed genuinely sorry that she has not been a positive support person for me. He did fill me in on her special training and that she is the best for her specialty. So, I said I would go to the next appointment and if she continued to be as rude and disrespectful to me, I would not be going back - fortunately, he supported my decision. The small victories sure feel good these days.

I've been doing exactly the same thing, but I have found one difference this time - 2 or 3 eggs and I am satisfied. Since this is a new way of life, I am going to allow myself a tiny indulgence rather than beat myself up about not eating chocolate. As long as the rest of my food plan is on track, and I am aware of 'my slippery slope', I think I am able to find a balance that works for me. So far so good.

Thank you Tes, I have working with a PT for 2 years and I have a program that I do in deep water and in mid-depth too. Unfortunately, as my back deteriorates, we have to keep modifying the program. When I started to mention the program that I do (from the PT) and that I have a PT appt. once a week, she said, and I quote, "...that isn't good enough." She is one piece of work.

She is an internist from what I can gather. The endocrinologist that I have been seeing for over 10 years "wasn't good enough" because she doesn't have hospital privileges. So this other doctor is 'the one' that the surgeon works with. She is never on time for appointments when she is in her office and if she is going to meet with you at the hospital, bring a book and a coffee. My appointment was for 10:30 am and I got in at 11:45 am then she kept me for 45 minutes and had to go back and forth for tests for the next 2 hours. She doesn't seem to value that my time is worth something too. I hope after I see her in September I will be finished with her. No, I'm sure I'm not getting enough protein most days. It seems to sit like a rock in my stomach. chicken and fish/seafood is ok. And I have noticed lately that I have a little more hair in my brush. The water/fluid intake is ok. Thanks for asking

Short answer is Yes. She is the internist that the surgeon works with. I have a command performance with her in September.

Dr. Malik is not scarey. He is really nice, in my opinion Coffee next week - absolutely. I am thinking that I could probably meet you sooner than 3 pm too. Your appointment is 1pm so I will meet you at Dr. Malik's office. From there we can go for coffee somewhere. I hope you have a safe trip down. Shell

Thanks Sheena, She even said that when I loose the weight my back will be fine. Really? I have 3 discs that disappeared and a vertebra that has slipped forward. Fewer pounds is not going to replace the discs or re-position the bones. She is so full of her self. How are you doing?

Don't even go there! There is such a lot of positive that will come out of your surgery - really. As so many others have written, when your calorie intake is so much less than a it used to be (I am assuming), only positive changes will happen. Yes, there may be stalls which are totally frustrating but only temporary. Please go into this with the attitude that you are getting the upper hand on your weight. I had to go to surgery to have it work, but it is and that is the important part of this surgery.