Zoso

Started at 300lbs at my surgery date of 1/21/2013 (no presurgical diet). I've lost 72.5 so far and have plateaus around 227.5 for months now. I'm a 6'1" guy and my lean body weight is 170lbs. My goal was 225 but I just can't seem to get there despite tracking all calories and hitting the gym 5 times a week (run a 5k 3 days a week and lift 5 days a week). My caloric intake is ~1800 calories per day with lots of protein and low carbs. I've been a lifter for years now and like the way I look with more muscle so I've been upping my lifting routine lately (I lost a lot of strength since the surgery). I doubt I'll ever be under 200lbs and I can't get any answers from my doctor about what my weight should be. They shrug and say that normal bmi for my height is around 170-180lbs.. But obviously that isn't happening with a lean body weight of 170. So I'm just going to keep on doing what I've been doing... Limit intake and keep up the working out. On the positive side, I feel great, look a ton better, and fit into size 35 jeans! Still, I see a lot of other people who were my starting weight (especially women) who have lost much, much more. I know I can't compare but it is hard not to. Regardless, getting the sleeve was my best decision ever. I feel 100% normal, have no side effects, and am no longer viewed as the fat dude in the office, and am much healthier for myself and my family.

I went through a phase where I was nausious a lot and I went on a PPI to block acid reflux. It manifested itself only with nausea and not heartburn or any other symptoms. Inquire about a PPI with your doctor if you aren't already one one.

Give it time. I had mine on 1/21/2013 and I'm down 72lbs. I have no stomach problems and feel completely normal. People don't look at me like the fat guy anymore. I get compliments from people who know I had surgery and those that don't. I fit on an amusement park ride I didn't last year. I can run run muuuuuch easier than before. I don't struggle with food anymore. I eat until content then stop. My body governs me to stop like how it works in my non obese friends. I can gulp Water and have carbonated drinks like beer (though I just stay away from soda and beer usually anyways... no cravings for it). I have more energy and a better self outlook. Best of all, I'm healthier now for myself, my wife, and three little kids. I have 0 regrets. Give it time...

I was seriously dreading mine too. When I woke from surgery it was in and it was kinda nice to just pump the morphine button on not have to worry about getting up. They kept it in until late the next day. I was extremely mobile and hated walking with the damn thing stuck up me. Toward that afternoon it was very uncomfortable. I felt like my pee hole was sticking or chaffing on the tube. Just felt nasty since it was in so long. Two nursing students took it out that evening. I always thought that having two young female nurses playing with my unit would be a fantasy... But it wasn't nearly as cool as I hoped.

I was sleeved on 1/21 and am FINALLY transitioning back onto food with taste and flavor. I made myself some grilled salmon tonight and it was great. Soft and easy going down, tasty, and high in Protein. I ate about 3oz at a slow(er) pace before I got somewhat full. After about 10 minutes I got another 1 oz down and I was DONE! Stuffed at the edge of discomfort. That was at 6:30PM. It is 9:40 now I'm hungry again. I could go and grab a sugar free Jello or pudding but I'm concerned that this will lead to bad habits since this diet wants you to have 3 meals a day. I don't want to turn into a grazer. I'm drinking my Water but it isn't helping much. Is this common?

Surgery date was 1/21. I didn't have a Pre-op diet but my starting weight was 300. I also had a hiatal hernia repair. In down to 265.5 now for a loss of 34.5lbs in just 22 days! I don't have my full energy back but recovery has been a breeze. Pain and gas was minimal. Eating has been fine so far. Everything goes down well. No puking, no heartburn, and no pooping issues. I get at least 80g of protein a day and at least 48oz of water. I'm working toward 64 still. I'm working out... Been doing the elliptical 3x a week for 45 minutes and weights 2x per week. I'm doing cardio for cardiovascular health for the first time in my life. In the past it has always been for weight loss. I need the cardio! I set it for 65-70% max heart rate (~130bpm) and my heart immediately goes to 140bpm... Yet I'm not sweating much and I can carry a conversation if I had to. I do get light headed and a tad nausious at times... But I just keep going, eating like my nutritionist suggested (which results in ~800 calories per day) and drinking my water. Besides those few bad symptoms, I still feel like me... Just smaller!

Good luck at work. I so could have gone in today but I told my boss I needed 2 weeks off... and it's a good idea that I rest!

I feel the same way. I can eat more than I thought in one sitting and I'm mostly back to normal. My energy level is lower though and I do get pooped out quicker. My body wants to eat normal food, just at smaller quantities. I don't suffer through Protein shakes like some people do, but having one is tough after smelling the other smells in the house from what my wife and kids have. My NUT has me on a clear liquid and protein supplement diet for the first 2 weeks. All I can have are things like Protein Shakes, broth, Jello, and low fat cream of veggie (broccolli, mushroom, etc) Soups. With the soups, I have to strain out anything solid. I'm trying my hardest to keep with it when I just want to grab something small like a saltine to go with the soup. On another battle, I found out why my wife has been so distant with me. She is resentful that I went ahead with this surgery. She came with me to the appointments. She agreed with me on which surgery to have and we picked the date together. A few days before surgery she expressed fears... fear of the surgery, me dying on the table, me willingly cutting out a vital organ, not ever being the same again, this being too radical, should try dieting again (like I have been unsuccessfully for the past 10 years) etc. I tried reassuring her. She is now upset because I went through with it and she feels that I don't care about her opinion. I've tried telling her again that the positives outweigh the negatives for me and our family. I just got surgery and am going through a big life change. Should I be allowed to be the dramatic one for once???

I had 1 small BM and my urine is pretty dark too. Sounds like you are doing great! Congrats!

Feeling good today. Yesterday was tougher because my kids have finally shared their cold with me. I feel tired at times which I attribute to the lack of activity and the lack of calories. My goals are to get out of the house today... walk the neighborhood or just do some errands with the family. It is 20F outside, so it will be a cold walk! Pain is really minimal at this point but I still take a percocet at night with the hope that it helps me sleep sounder. The discomforts are shoulder (gas) and grumbling/tightness in my new stomach. All tolerable. I'm still amazed how quickly the body can heal. I didn't have a pre-op diet either but started a liquid diet last Saturday. I'm down 25 in 1 week. Wow! I just hope the majority of that is not muscle mass.

I was sleeved on 1/21 and I've had a lump in my throat ever since. The first few days I just assumed that it was due to all the tubes that went down my throat and nose. I'm 3 days out and the lump is still there. It is there even when I swallow without food or water in my mouth. Is this normal? I had a haital hernia repair at the same time, if that makes a difference.

I don't know. I always have my crystal light next to me and am sipping frequently. I tried hard today because my calves have been crampy, which is a sign of dehydration. I hope I'm not over stuffing my sleeve. Calories wise, I've had 587 today with 81 grams I protein... Not inducing my Percocet laced sugar free chocolate pudding.

I was sleeved on 1/21/2013 as well. First night went really smoothly with the IV full of pain med. I felt great. I walked a lot. Soreness but no real pain. The next day I was told I was going to be released. I got off the morphine at 9AM. Things dragged and my pain levels increased over time. Then I was told that I may have a leak. Pain seemed more intense at that point. I took percocets and felt better. My Dr came in and told me that my gastric scan looked fine and I had no leak. He said the radiologist didn't know what he was looking at. Everything felt better immediately. I was released on Wednesday at 4PM and have been taking 2 percocets every day just to keep ahead of pain... but there isn't too much pain. The worst is a pain in my right shoulder from gas but it is bearable. RIght now I'm sitting on a couch with my 6 year old and he is bouncing non-stop. That doesn't feel great He can't help himself. Diet has been ok so far. I felt dehydrated this morning and have tried to drink a lot. Crystal Light goes down much easier than Water. I've had 40oz today and 16oz of Protein shake w/ milk. I also had a cream of vegetable Soup that was a tasty change from the usual. My belly always feels stuffed from all the liquid. I suppose this is normal due to swelling and the volume of liquid. I haven't weighted myself yet. I just bought a Withings scale that will be delivered tomorrow. I'm psyched to start this new phase of my life. I want a life that doesn't revolve around food, weight, and diets. No regrets so far. I made this choice. I own it.