BKLYNgal87

The last 2 months I have been stalled more than I have been losing. I think it's normal at this stage. We've lost a lot of weight - our bodies are in shock and want to rest. The only thing that seems to work right now is changing it up, the food and the exercise. I cut out all simple carbs (no bread, no pasta, no rice, no goodies, no protein bars even!) and eat a lot more veggies and fruit with my requisite protein. At the gym I've gone from 30 minutes of cardio every day and 30 minutes strength 3x a week to at least an hour of higher intensity cardio, 45 minutes of strength, and cross fit. Not saying you need to go overboard like me, but get that heart rate up for at least 20 minutes a day and you will see the scale move down again. You absolutely can do this!!

Try online? That seems to be how a lot of people meet these days. Or social groups for folks with similar interests (like meetup.com).

I know it's difficult but it would be better for your health in the long run if you quit smoking and didn't go back to it ever. This is of course, easier said than done. The journey to better health is paved with exercising self control, whether it be food, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.

Caffeine is fine for most people and anyone who tells you otherwise doesn't have the scientific evidence to back up their opinions. coffee does not cause ulcers. If you could tolerate coffee pre-op, chances are good you'll tolerate it fine post-op. I started drinking coffee again about 1 week post op. Nowadays I drink 2 cups a day just fine with a little fat free half & half. I compensate by drinking more Water during the day, which everyone should be doing anyway. As for the alcohol, it's about balance. It's empty calories - and the calories really can add up. Your surgical team may be concerned about transfer addiction if you are a food addict. It's a valid concern but as long as you don't overdo it, I don't see the harm. I have had the occasional drink since I've been sleeved and I tolerate it fine. Just don't expect to lose weight if you have a glass of wine every day. I'd stay away from beer and champagne. Carbonation = no bueno.

I'm going to be the resident meanie/devil's advocate, if that's okay. Here's the thing about food funerals... You are focusing a lot of mental energy at the prospect of not being able to eat these foods you love so much anymore and IMO that in and of itself is a waste. You should instead look inward and try to figure out why those foods make you feel the way you do (there is a myriad of physiological and emotional reasons of course) and develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with those cravings without giving in to temptation. Because the sleeve can only help you go so far with the avoidance. After a few months post-op the hunger and the cravings come back. For nearly everyone. If you haven't built up a strong mental "toolkit" for keeping yourself accountable every single day you will backslide. It happens. Self control needs to start today, because that is what will get you to goal and keep you there for the future. Food for thought.

Your doctors said no more NSAIDs period post-surgery? There's no real medical rationale for that unless you are prone to ulcers or something. You don't take the NSAIDs 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after surgery because it puts you at a greater risk of bleeding. After that, it's okay and anyone who tells you otherwise is an alarmist with no evidence. Though 2400 mg is a lot of motrin, sleeve or no sleeve. Do you have an orthopedist? You should make an appointment and discuss your options for the future.

Lyndsey, I thank you as well for the update. There is no time frame for grief, as I'm sure you know. But I think you are doing all the right things - cherishing your family, your sister's children, your brother in law, and your own accomplishments. The support you give and you get from your loved ones, that will make all the difference down the line in your individual journey, and in your collective journey. Wishing you and your family all the best moving forward. Rachel

Now that I'm ~20 lbs from goal I'll notice if I weigh myself on Sunday the scale is -2 lbs. I get on the scale Monday it's +2 lbs. Tuesday -.25 lbs. Wednesday -0 lbs. You get the idea. The body fluctuates constantly. Stalls happen to everyone at some point - usually at different points in time. Once you get down to a certain point it gets really hard and you're stalled more often than you are losing. It's good you changed up your routine on your trip. Keep doing that, with your food and exercise, and the scale will keep going down. I promise .

Aha - my mother is an RN! I'm 8 months out and I still take colace every single day. I really should eat more fiber but it's hard to balance when you've got strict caloric goals. As I recall for me, month one I didn't lose all that much. Month 2 I dropped 25 lbs. So never fear, the scale will move when you're all healed up!

6 days post-op, you still probably have a lot of edema and swelling. I'm sure your surgical team will tell you this as well. And are you having regular BM's (TMI I know)? I'd guess not, so that contributes to it as well. I know it's hard to avoid the scale now because we expect drastic change but some folks take a little longer to heal than others. Willing to bet after another week or so you'll notice a big difference on the scale. For now, take care and rest up. Congrats on a successful surgery!

OMG you look fabulous!! Congratulations on your immense success!

Jane already gave some great advice for getting back on track. I'll add that I have a major sugary carb addiction and there have been 2 times post sleeve when I skidded off the track in that regard. I stalled nearly a month at 7 months post-op and finally the scale is moving down again. What works for me to get back in control of the sugar desire is to revisit my 2 week pre-surgery diet for a few days (3 Protein shakes and 1 lean protein + veggie laden meal) because drinking those Protein Shakes every day made me hate sweet tasting things for a long time. Try buying Protein powder that has minimal sugar. To thicken it up I usually add a tablespoon of sugar free fat free pudding mix. For meals steer clear of bread, Pasta or rice and focus on your protein and vegetable. After a few days you will miss the carbs less, and most likely you'll kick the weight loss back into gear. Exercise is important too. Vary up the routine so your body doesn't have time to get used to it. You most certainly have not reached the end. You've accomplished a lot and it is absolutely within your power to keep going. You can do it!!

Wow!! You look incredible! I was sleeved in June as well but I'm 12 lbs from 100 lost. Congratulations on a job well done and keep up the great work!

The further out we get, the harder the new lifestyle is to maintain. That's why the sleeve is a tool, not a cure. That being said, I think you already know it's ultimately all about will power. You've come so far, accomplished so much. I know you don't want to slip back into old habits. Don't beat yourself up over the 2 lbs - keeping weight off can be a lot harder than losing it - but it's definitely time to implement changes in your routine and diet to get back down to your goals. Recipe-wise: I'm a big fan of the recipes on Skinnytaste.com, EmilyBites.com, and The World According to Eggface. I make Protein dense, tasty meals and if I want something extra, I eat salad or cut up veggies. Exercise: Good for you for joining a gym. Build yourself up slowly and mix up the cardio and strength-building routines. Challenge yourself but not to the point of injury. You CAN do this!!

Whether your skin sags [or fails to tighten up] post-weight loss has mostly to do with age, how much weight you lose, how rapidly you lost it, genetics, and whether you do any strength training exercise. About all you can do is try and lose gradually, exercise regularly, and incorporate muscle building into your routine. If you end up having a little excess skin, I know it seems scary but it's not the end of the world. It does get better over time on it's own, and for whatever is left, that's what plastic surgery is for .

It could very well be trapped gas from having laparoscopic surgery. You're only 2 weeks post-op after all. Gas X would probably help. I can also guarantee that carbonated beverages will make you feel worse, not better. Most surgical teams advise against drinking soda at all after surgery. It can cause you a lot of pain and gas, at the very least. The jury is still out on the clinical research side as to whether it "stretches" the sleeve. Your sleeve will stretch out some over time. It's to be expected. You can also expect that in a few more weeks you will feel much better.

I have been stalled over a month, so I feel your frustration completely. For me, it's become especially hard the closer to goal I get. I think all of our bodies go through periods of plateau. The severity and length of said plateaus just depend on the individual. You have lost quite a lot of weight in 6 months, and have a lot to be proud of. Keep mixing up your food and exercise routines and the scale will start moving downward again, you'll see. I agree with the folks above about 65-70% being normal excess weight loss for bariatric patients. I've lost nearly 80% of my excess weight, and I have my sleeve and my determination to thank for that . You will get there with perseverance and patience!

Sorry to hear that. But think of it this way - it's always better when surgeons err on the side of caution, rather than possibly putting you at great risk of complications or even mortality. Don't think of this as the end of the road, it's only a bump. You and your surgical team will do some re-assessment I am sure and they will work with you until you get that liver size down.

Awesome!!

Uhm... you are being looked after by a wound care specialist right now and they haven't admitted you to a hospital for any procedures yet (ie: repair, infection prevention, etc)? And you have gaping open wounds? You need to start advocating for yourself. They either come up with a plan now or you need to find a new doctor quickly. Please keep us updated.

It's fine, though I'd personally go with sugar free.

Wow, wow, wow! Nearly 200 lb loss! What an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations on your success!!

You look just gorgeous. Great work!!

Well, I haven't lost a lb in almost a month, so I'm with you on the frustration. I'm also getting closer to goal, so I knew it would be harder - I just didn't expect it to be 1 step forward, 3 steps back . I haven't lost any inches either, so you're doing better than me! The scale has become evil to me, as has the mirror. I am trying to cut down on my calories more (I eat at maximum 1200 a day at nearly 8 months out - trying to get down to 1000) and really pushing it at the gym. I also work with a trainer, but only 1x a week and the rest of the days I either take a class or do my own cardio/strength building routine. I try to burn at minimum 350 cal a day at the gym, sometimes I can get up to 450! I think you are doing fabulously! I wouldn't worry about a little more fat. Simple carbs are the bigger weight loss enemy, anyway.