Marbear

Ok, i was sleeved 3/25. I lost a quick 15lbs once the Water retention went away, but not another pound have I lost since 4/1. I'm tracking everything, and getting 60-80+g Protein, 64+ oz water, and doing about 30 min-60 min of walking daily. Actually, it's hiking - lots of hills in my area so going to the trails and walking fast. It's moderate to high intensity (and HARD with such a low cal low carb diet!). daily calories 500-800 right now. Since I'm doing everything I know to do, and following what surgeon has instructed me to do, I am going to assume I'm stalled out after 1 week. It seems more typical for people to stall at 3 weeks from what I'm seeing on this board. Experiences? How long do stalls really last? Suggestions? Calories in calories out is such a lie lol. .

haha awesome. Thanks guys for the feedback. It's really helpful.

Yes...that's the level of frustration. I just have this sick feeling that I'm going to be the one person who doesn't actually lose any weight because of some other kind of underlying problem. I'm also on a huge does of thyroid meds and I am actually in the hyperthyroid range. Even pre-surgery i should have been losing fast based on my TSH- i work out alot and eat bark basically. It just makes no sense. I was just hoping for time frames because it would be easier to push through this if I had a general idea of how long my body would continue to defy math and physics. I hope you see more progress soon.

I called the dr. office and spoke with a nurse. she said in the first month it's really nothing to worry about. but of course I'm worried about it - the pants aren't fitting any better either! Congrats on your weight loss, that's really impressive!

what would you recommend to boost the calories? carbs, even more protein, or some fat?

I started looking at different body types online and completely forgot your question. But after re-reading and wiping the drool off my keyboard, I'd have to say Spartacus. I like the super lean muscley loincloth look, it's like a tractor beam for my eyes. In real life, I'm fine with a more padded Spartacus of course. If i was going to be a superhero, I'd want to look (and shoot) like Olivia Dunham.

Just posted this in another thread:

I made a really good tuna casserole last night: 6oz tuna 1 egg 2T greek yogurt, plain 2T cottage cheese garlic powder onion powder cheddar cheese, grated pureed everything together, except the cheddar. poured into 2 mini cocottes, topped with cheddar, and baked at 350 for maybe 20-30 min. 1 ramekin has been 3 servings, and i just reheat as needed. the cocottes do a great job of keeping the food warm while you eat, but ramekins or other small dish would work fine. also did a quiche thing - 1 egg, ricotta cheese, cheddar. Mixed egg and cheese, poured into a cocotte, topped with cheese, and baked for about 20 min. The tuna casserole is my favorite though.

Union Square Cafe's Bar Nuts In the meantime, chew on a fresh sprig for the taste. Not sure if you should swallow, though.

I had my 1 wk check up today with the surgeon, and he had me on clear liquids and protein. Today he said I could start eating eggs, cheese, refried beans, and other soft proteins. These are clearly on step 3 of the instructions from his very own office. But I asked him and he said, no, you are on stage 2, and you can eat these things. I don't like how differently this procedure is handled from doctor to doctor. Drain vs no drain, 3 days off vs 6 weeks, liquids for 1-4 weeks...my surgeon has a good track record so I'm just following instructions but it's a little scary. If I find egg bits from today's dinner in my lab work in 3 wks, i'm going to be super pissed.

I am so glad to hear that! Nausea and puking take on a whole new level of terror post sleeve. Hang in there, you are fighting the good fight!

chicken and chicken, veggie/veggie, etc.) Since this was first week, everything got strained through cheesecloth before drinking. I added powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken and unflavored Proteins to these when needed, and that was really nice for when I wanted something savory instead of that sugar-free sweet. Broths were so good I'll keep them in my new food repertoire for sure. Here are what my new dinner plates look like...cast Iron holds heat for a long time, so your food stays warm while you slowly eat: Mini skillet Credit to hubby, who has actually been the one to make these finds. I'm thinking the Magical Ricotta Bake would be cute cooked up in this!

Please talk to me about head hunger. How do you know if it's in your head, or real? and if it's just in your head, how do you manage it? Does it ever go away? I've been sleeved for a week now, and in the late afternoon/early evening, I have been getting (I think) ravenously hungry. I have been compliant with the clear liquid/protein instructions from doctor, but it's really intense and hard to fight.

Thanks so much, i feel a little less crazy now! I was a little distressed at how much I was consuming (I managed 10 oz of Muscle Milk in about 45 min), but when I start eating more substantial food I think it will line out. Hopefully that will start today, 1 week check up this afternoon!

There is another one, maybe a different version of Victoza, that is 1x per week injection. Maybe that one is worth a try?

Could you take a different one, like Byetta, instead? I got used to Byetta and eventually the nausea passed. I never tried Victoza, though, so not sure if changing brands would help. Is Victoza daily? if so, maybe every other day would help, or possibly taking it at different times. I was told having a full stomach helped with the nausea. I was only prescribed Byetta as an appetite suppressant; no sugar issues. Not sure if that makes any difference. I hope you get some relief.

Amen about the pain= no joke. Walking is the only thing that has helped me so far. Right now my guts sound like a cave full of angry bears lol. I felt a lot better today, but still sore and having those stomach spasms or whatever that hideous cramp pain is. I am SO GLAD i took this week off work. So glad.

I did a protein shake w/ one meal of "lean and green" as my pre-op. I planned out a last meal of smoked prime rib and hoo boy I am so glad I did. I knew greens and red meat and red wine were/are months down the road, so that's what I had. If you plan out your meals and savor them, not binge, then go for it. If you're going to be an out of control food vacuum, stick with the pre op diet because that sounds more responsible.

I'll call today. He said everything was fine when I brought it up in the hospital, so I don't think it's anything else more sinister. I'll still call today though! Thanks for the replies, this is really discouraging so far. Pain is exhausting. Also, I gained 10lbs in the hospital just eating ice chips. I thought that was funny in a sick kind of way.

I was sleeved Mon 3/25. I was in uncontrollable pain in the recovery room from the gas I think. One night in the hospital and I walked, walked, walked the whole time as it was the only thing that helped control the pain in my chest. They said they charted my walking in miles instead of feet lol. Anyway surgeon said everything went perfectly and I'm home now. But I'm still having really bad pain. It's like i have muscle contractions high in my chest, not sure if its esophagus or diaphragm or new stomach- after I swallow anything. The muscle contractions are intense and hit hard, and then i start drooling and feeling like I'm going to throw up. I'm scared to swallow anything because it hurts so much, but I can't get dehydrated as that will be worse. This gets better, right? Does this sound like gas pains? I haven't been able to burp much, but that is the only exit air is taking right now. Suggestions?

Yep got a bottle of mag cit right here...it looks so innocent.

Are you planning to take the full 2 weeks off? I have planned on a week off, and cleared 2nd week of all appointments so I can play it by ear. Couldn't really do much more than that, though. It's good to be busy at work, nice distraction! and it makes much more sense to me to give you the band and tell you to keep up with it, rather than put it on you to wear until surgery.

Good luck with that head cold. i'm so stressed about getting everything taken care of at work that i havent been too worried about surgery yet. I finished pre op Monday, and they put a hospital band on me & said to leave it on until surgery. I explained i work this week, and dont want to field questions from clients/coworkers about why im wearing a hospital wrist band, etc. They said it was policy so 'we know you are who you say you are when you arrive for surgery' I nearly came unglued...multiple pic ID's dont work? The entire set of labs they re-did Mon because i was 4 days out of the window for preop bloodwork don't work? The fact that i spent nearly all of February in that hospital for classes and tests and evals should have been sufficient. And if someone is desperate enough to pretend to be me that day, then maybe they ought to have their stomach sucked out their bellybutton. Hmm, maybe some misdirected nervousness...

I'm a 25er too! Pre op is Monday, and I'm doing 1 meal per day of lean and green and then 2 or 3 protein shakes. I don't have a liquid requirement pre-op, but I do have a weight loss requirement. The family members I've told (immediate, mostly) are very supportive and curious. I only told coworkers/supervisor I was having surgery, and when the nosey one asked what kind, I just waved to my arm from my chin to my hip and said "abdominal". I think that was close enough to "crotch" to keep her from asking any further questions lol. Very nervous, but also very hopeful because I'm tired of feeling like crap on a cracker with this fat suit on. Diva I bet they feel pretty good about your insurance approving you if they already penciled you in. Hopefully you'll get a fast approval!!

Awesome post, thanks Kyeta!