VSGayle

I was at the hairdresser yesterday for a haircut and mentioned that I thought I was losing a little more than usual amounts of hair...not terrible but more than usual. She told me that this is the season that everybody sheds more hair...she said when the leaves fall so does our hair...so maybe some of it is just the normal amount you would have lost and it's just a little more even though it may look like a lot more. Did that make sense? Trying to stay positive I was sleeved 6/6.

Congrats! That is SO exciting Keep up the great work...

I had the same thoughts...and almost cancelled the morning of the surgery. I did pretty well on the pre-op diet and I thought if I just kept doing that I would keep losing weight...but then I realized that I had lost weight many times over the years only to gain it back plus some. This was the opportunity to help me keep it off for a change. I ended up having the surgery and was one of the fortunate ones who had absolutely no problems, very little pain, and can eat anything. I still get hungry (I am 3.5 months out) but am able to control what I eat much more easily. I have lost 60 pounds and feel like I have a new lease on life. I exercise now and participate in so much more and my self esteem has soared. This decision is a personal one, and yes there are risks...but the risks of not doing it far outweighed the risks of doing it for me. I was pretty much guaranteed high blood pressure, diabetes and my joints were already starting to bother me...last weekend I ran my first 5k. I know you read a lot of horror stories online and wanted to give you a positive one to think about...but again, you have to do what is best for you...

A tip on the Fage yogurt that comes with the side of fruit...just let the fruit lie on the top - don't stir it in...I think it tastes better that way (stirring changes the consistency or something)...and it suggests it on the side of the carton, as well, so I guess I am not the only one that thinks this

My nut said that eating too much protein can slow weight loss. She said about 70 is optimal. When I was eating more she said I may lose inches but the scale may not move...by reducing my intake to about 70 my scale did start to move again. So, now, I aim for 70...

I was one of the fortunate ones - I really didn't have much pain, hardly any gas pain, was able to tolerate liquids and have had no problems with any food. I only took the pain killers at night after the first day or two to help me fall asleep. I walked the night of my surgery and kept walking as much as possible. Sometimes I think I can eat too much but I am losing fairly steadily. I am 3 months today and have lost approximately 56 since about 2 weeks before surgery. I do exercise at least 2-3 times a week with weights and walk at least 3-4 days a week. I was so nervous about the surgery that I almost cancelled the day of but am so glad that I didn't change my mind. Only thing I would do differently is to have the surgery sooner. My sleep apnea has disappeared and I feel so much healthier and more energetic. Best of luck to you...hope everything goes well for you

At my last doctor appointment, I found out that if you eat TOO MUCH protein that it can cause the scale to stop moving down. The ideal amount, according to my dr and nutritionist, was between 60-70 grams with 70 being the ideal. I was eating closer to 80-90 because I was still drinking protein shakes along with eating protein at my meals...she said to reduce my protein and the scale did start moving again...

I had sleep apnea and almost immediately when I got home from the hospital I stopped snoring. I haven't used my CPAP since about a week after my surgery. I haven't seen the dr yet to give me the "official" word but my husband would tell me if I snored even just a little and he says I don't need it anymore. Will see the dr regarding this around my 6 month mark to get another sleep study to be sure.

Yes, I had no problems with liquids either...and it continued with food...no troubles whatsoever. Consider yourself one of the lucky ones!

I, too, used the Premier Protein Shakes and was getting sick of them after surgery (I am about 9 weeks out). I read someone else's tip to add instant coffee to the chocolate premier shake and now I drink that every morning because it tastes sooo good I add ice to water it down just a bit and add a Tablespoon of instant decaf coffee (before I add the ice)...it's like having a mocha coffee. I usually have a Fage yogurt for breakfast and by the time I am done showering and getting ready for work, I can start drinking this shake while I drive to work...easy routine! and 43 grams of protein by the time I get to work

Congrats! Keep it up

I drank the chocolate premier (which I thought was less sweet than a lot of other protein drinks) but I was getting tired of them until I started adding a Tablespoon of Instant decaf coffee to them...WOW...I actually enjoy drinking them now I am out 8 weeks or so and still drink one everyday just to be sure I get enough protein!

Ability to climb stairs easier...and no hot flashes Even though I have lost 43 pounds (8 weeks out tomorrow) I haven't gone shopping yet - but am looking forward to it...(I still have plenty of clothes that I can "shop" in my closet since I have sizes ranging from 10 to 22)!

I have noticed that some surgeons require a longer pre-op diet while others only require a day or two. I have to say that my dr wanted a week pre-op of Protein shakes with cooked veggies ending with 3 days of just Protein Shakes. I actually wanted to get started early and did two weeks. I found this to be the hardest part - my body went through carb/sugar withdrawal and for 3 days I was so tired, had a headache, and slept as much as I could...BUT (at that point) I still had a very positive outlook looking forward to getting sleeved (even though I was nervous/scared). I can't imagine having to heal from the surgery AND go through this food withdrawal at the same time (which is what I think happens to those who don't have to do a pre-op surgery). Before I started the pre-op, I gorged on foods that I thought I would never be able to enjoy again (at least not in the quantities I was used to) and ended up gaining 10 pounds over the course of a month or so. I don't know how it happened but a kind of switch went off in my head once I started that pre-op diet that kind of said "this is it...this is my life and I want to be healthier and to do that I just have to live this way...and I am ok with this because I feel like this is my last chance." Having lost weight only to regain so many times, having to buy larger and larger clothes, not being able to keep up with my family on vacation was so much more distressing/depressing to me than not being able to eat certain foods. I wish for all of you that "magic moment" when that switch in your head is flipped and you are content with the changes...I am at almost 8 weeks and have lost 43 pounds and the weight loss does slow down but make the effort to do some physical activity daily and write down what you eat...it does help you stay focused on what you need to eat to be healthy! I finally see light at the end of the tunnel and for the first time in my life I feel like I will be able to keep the weight off. Good luck to all of you on your new journey!

I, too, like the Premier Protein chocolate and thanks to someone's suggestion on this website, I add instant decaf coffee and ice cubes in a shaker and wow, is it good. If you like a mocha tasting drink this is it Good luck! These shakes got me through the first weeks after surgery and I still drink one a day to help get all of my protein in.

Congrats...first on looking awesome...second on trying for that baby! Good luck

Yes, my dr does that as well and I have had very minimal pain and only a day or two after surgery...I was off all pain meds by day 4 or 5...so I don't think that would have caused you additional pain...hope you are feeling better soon!

Uggghhh...I am leaving on our 30th anniversary trip to Hawaii just when I hit 4 months...I don't want to be looking horrible there :/

I am really afraid of this...how far out are you from surgery?

I was at the hospital getting prepped and still thinking about backing out. I am SO GLAD that I did not. I know everyone is different but my experience has been nothing but positive. Recovery was quick and I have accepted my new life and new eating habits. I have had no side effects whatsoever...and I am now 5 weeks post op. Just go in with a positive view of your new life after surgery...yes, the first few weeks can be a bit trying because of your limited diet but it goes quickly...soon you will be able to eat everything again. I am at 39 lbs and finally can see light at the end of the tunnel because for the first time I have hope that I will not only be able to lose the weight but that I will be able to keep it off Best of luck to you! Keep us posted on your progress

Yep...had lots of doubts...even the morning of surgery I almost backed out but I am SO glad I went through with it. I was so nervous that I even told my daughter (23) that one regret I would have had if there would have been major problems was that I wouldn't be able to see her trying on wedding gowns (and she doesn't have a steady boyfriend)...so we spent the day before my surgery trying on wedding gowns...lol. I have been very fortunate with no complications and no sickness or lack of energy...I have felt great almost from day one. This has been such a blessing for me and for the first time in my life, I see light at the end of the tunnel...not only do I think I can lose the weight but for the first time I believe I will be able to keep it off. Everyone has to make their own decision...but the morning of my surgery everyone came in and told me what a great surgeon I had and that calmed my fears quite a bit. Good luck with whatever you decide...but for me it was the best decision I have made

So far, so good. Down 37 lbs since I started my pre-op diet. Had my one month checkup and was cleared for the gym so I have started that...my first workout with weights was my arms ... boy are they sore...but a good sore I have been one of the fortunate ones...I have had no issues with food, energy or feeling sick. I have been able to eat everything allowed so far...am on soft foods now and am tolerating everything so far. My biggest problem is still eating too fast...and not being able to get in all the fluids. I also need to be more diligent tracking what I do eat to see if I am getting enough Protein. Other than that...all is well. Hoping you all are doing well also!

Premier Protein was my choice too. Smaller amount to drink (11 oz) than the other pre-made ones...and not so sweet. The sweet was really getting to me with some of the others. I also add 3 Tbsp of non-fat dry milk to whatever I can to add protein.

YAY YOU! Congrats and keep up the great work!!

I keep having dreams that I eat a handful of something and then realize I am in the liquids stage of the diet...then I wake up all upset. I am 1 week post op and today was making my husband some cucumber salad. I always taste each end of the cucumber for bitterness before I slice it into the salad. So today, out of habit, I just popped a piece of cucumber into my mouth to taste and started chewing it...thankfully I realized before I swallowed it what I was doing. I couldn't believe I almost ate it without even thinking...old habits die hard...but sooo glad I caught myself