slvrsax

Don't borrow trouble. Take life as it comes.

I'm going through something similar. Been stuck at 199/197 for weeks. My appetite is increasing and frankly it concerns me. It is tough to stay around 800 calories. I keep thinking I shouldn't go higher because last summer when I made my "last ditch effort before having surgery" attempt, I was at 1100 - 1200 calories per day and not necessarily low carb and I couldn't lose. I'm exercising 4 hours a week consistently (2 of zumba, 2 of functional strength training). I'm craving carbs again too where before I was not. I'm not sure what's happened On the upside, I went ziplining with my husband yesterday, I never would have done that six months ago!

6 months out and still not tired of my ready to drink premier shakes. I have them 3 or 4 times a week, Breakfast usually.

At the 100 lb mark I'd like to: Get a tattoo Have budoir photos taken for my hubby Zipline (I'm doing this on Sunday even though I'm a bit early because the opportunity presented itself)

Bikrchk, I am in a similar situation. I had it pre-op but never had the obvious symptoms, only a chronic cough. I was told my cough was allergies for years. The only clue that I'd had acid for years was the amount of scar tissue it had caused. I am nearly six months out and still have reflux, only difference is I feel it now. I take Omeprazole, I was taking it once a day (my own arbitrary decision simply because I don't like to take man made drugs for anything) but after my endoscopy last week, doc wants me to go back to twice a day. Not the end of the world IF the meds keep it under control long term. The thing I worry about is what if the meds quit working at some point - then what? I guess I shouldn't borrow trouble, for now the meds keep it under control.

I can't believe it's been nearly six months! HW (6/13) - 289 Start of Pre-op diet 12/1/13 - 280 SW on 12/16/13 - 262 CW - 197 I'm very happy with my loss and I feel great. I started in a size 24 and am now in a misses 16 inching into a misses 14. My calories probably average 700 - 800. About 3 months out I was having frequent dizzy spells, at the recommendation of my doctor I added carbs to include about 50 - 60 carbs a day on my heavy workout days, this helped. On my non-workout days I keep my carbs as low as possible, maybe around 20 or 30 in the form of a Quest bar or some non fat milk. Things I eat with some frequency are eggs, baby bell light cheese, turkey or chicken boars head lunch meat, almonds, berries or a peach on occasion, beef jerky, tuna, trader joe chicken patties, 3 Chucks ultimate fish sticks maybe 1X every few weeks, sliced eye of round from the deli, shrimp, alaska salmon (been meaning to try salmon burgers but have too much salmon in my freezer to justify the purchase) tofu chunks, avacado, cottage cheese with s/f raspberry jam, or sugarfree pudding. I thought I'd eat more greek yogurt but I don't. I drank premier Protein pretty faithfully in the morning for about 4 months. I stopped, then started adding a few a week just because it is an easy no brainer breakfast and I'm super tired of eggs! I still take prilosec, the GI doc just upped my dose to 2X per day. I had cut myself back to 1X per day because it kept it under control, he said taking it 2X a day would be better. I had an upper GI done last week which confirmed that I had GERD (well I already knew that!). I've had to cut out coffee for the most part becase of the acid and I really miss it. I drink Chike sometimes but it's expensive. I also eat Quest bars about 2X per week (on my way to the gym because I can't go home first, more of a convenience thing), My appetite is increasing a bit, having to use discipline more these days. I seem to be physically hungry every 3 hours or so. My loss has slowed to 1-2 lbs a week. I exercise 4 - 5 hours a week. 2.5 hours of Zumba and 2 hours of strength classes at a dance studio. I was only exercising 2 or so hours a week but got really serious about it about 2 months ago. I just keep thinking about that first year post surgery being so important so I'm trying to really be proactive. I will admit I haven't been the best about Vitamins. I've finally started being more consistent. I didn't lose any hair. If you have not tried the GNC B-12 chews, give them a try. They are like a red-bull in chewable form. Nice little burst of energy! This journey can be challenging with the head hunger. I've been struggling in the last month with carb cravings. I'm not giving in but boy do I want to. I've made some tweaks to my diet this week including cutting out the sweet tea crystal light I was drinking as it has corn syrup solids. I think this might have somethign to do with my cravings. I am also struggling with wanting to eat post workout and before bed because I'm physically hungry, but also just because I want to eat! If I give in I usually have a few spoons of cottage cheese but feel guilty about it. Hope all my fellow December peeps are going well!

3 Premier Protein drinks (costco - ready made) and a bag of steamer brocolli or brussel sprouts with salt and pepper every day took 18 lbs off me in 2 weeks. Lots of Water too!

Google the words Robyn Dr. Ramos Kelly. He was on my short list too until I read about her experience. Good luck in your search! There are good options in TJ.

A few things. The fact that coffee no longer agrees with me was an adjustment. I do miss coffee. (I have ongoing acid post-surgery, not everyone does). That, and the fact that I cannot sleep on my stomach anymore because the pressure it puts on my insides causes acid to burble up and wake me up. I now sleep on my side and totally MISS sleeping on my tummy! If someone told me six months ago that I was going to take up dance (Zumba) and totally LOVE it, I would have said they were nuts!

I'm not currently expencing problems but my GI Doc has ordered an ultrasound just to see how things are looking. He told me the recipe for gallbladder fail was fair skinned, female, fertile and forty. He also said that quick weight loss of any kind can cause problems with the gall bladder. I've heard there is a medication (Actigall?) that can be given post surgery for several months to help prevent gall stones.

I remember that requirement and I remember asking about it when I paid my deposit. I called the nutritionist right before I started my pre-op but never heard back. I didn't have a consult with her (keep in mind that particular nutritionist is longer there) until the day of surgery. I was pretty worried about not losing the required amount too, but the pre-op diet is pretty dang effective. I started at 280 and was 262 two weeks later the day of surgery. I was so surprised that it worked so well. I used premier protein shakes 3 a day, had miso broth daily, drank a lot of water and had a bag of steamer brussel sprouts or brocolli w/salt and pepper nearly every night. I didn't exercise.

I am with Mississippi Girl - if you aren't 100% comfortable, don't use that doctor. Listen to your intution. I, like you, was going to use a less expensive surgeon. I thought that was the case for six months. At the recommendation of my nutritionist here locally, I came up with the extra money and went with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. As soon as I made the decision to change, I felt so much better and everything felt "right" for lack of a better way to explain. I wanted to use him all along but the price is what stopped me initially. I had a small issue that he was right on top of and fixed so I'm glad I changed my mind.

5 months out, I can do vigorous exercise if I add some carbs on exercise days. I can do a strength class (resistence band, small hand weights, lunges, squats, floor work, etc.) directly followed by a Zumba class as long as I fuel properly. Fuel is usually some dairy with carbs sometime during the day (non-fat latte), and a Quest bar about 45 minutes before my work out. Seems to do the trick.

I am roughly 5 months post op and haven't lost hair. I had a period of time in 2000 where I lost a lot of hair due to a thyroid problem, so I knew i had potential to lose hair. If I have lost any, I haven't noticed nor has my hairdresser. I've been good about Protein but admittedly only so-so about Vitamins.

Premier Protein shake for breakfast (recently returned to these a few days a week because my protein was low and this is an easy fix), a few oz. of roasted chicken from dinner and a half a zucchini cake for lunch. I have almonds at my desk for a snack, and Quest bar in my desk drawer to eat on the bus before a Hardbodies class this evening. Zucchini cake is made with grated zucchini, ricotta cheese, egg, garlic, onion powder and a little flour to bind it all together. I fried them just enough to sear then baked them in the oven. A little "bad" with the frying but very tasty!

Rome was not built in a day. RJ is right - enjoy the journey and what you learn about yourself along the way. The scale does not tell the entire story.

It totally gets better. At week 5-6, I turned a corner with hydration. It was like a switch was flipped and I could drink more. Made all the difference.

Ariel Ortiz fan all the way. No regrets!

I'm 5 months out. I started to do core work at about 3 months out. It took me 2 months (just a few days ago really) of doing crunches, certain zumba moves and various other core work to finally FEEL like I was getting somewhere. My middle was so weak initially that I couldn't even get my shoulders up off the ground for a crunch and I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. I was so excited to wake up after core work the other day and have my middle be SORE!

I went to Mexico, I used Ariel Ortiz at OCC. I had a wonderful experience. I spent six months thinking I was going to use a less expensive surgeon (who shall remain nameless), I saw a nutritionist here in Seattle that specializes in WLS patients. She cautioned me to not use price as my deciding factor and then told me why. She explained to me that a skilled surgeon would know how to shape my stomach properly, and that her understanding was Dr. Ariel Ortiz had a good track record and is very skilled. She had a few patients that used him and did well short and long term. She reminded me that I'd have to live with this new stomach for the rest of my life and if it were misshapen, it could cause problems. She explained to me that a misshapen stomach sort of resembled an hourglass - bell shaped at the top, narrow in the middle, and bell shaped at the bottom. I followed her advice and I don't regret it one bit! For the record, she said she didn't know anything at all about the surgeon I thought I was using, she had never heard of him. I wish you luck in your search! I've heard good things about Dr. Illan and Dr. Garcia as well.

Great job, you look fantastic! I'm about 5 months out too. Despite exercise efforts I still feel very thick waisted! What are you doing for exercise to get such a tiny waist? Again, GREAT job, you look wonderful!

I didn't use the Vitaleph (or Enspira, what they were using back in December). I knew ready to drink was the only way to go given my schedule. I wanted to leave as little room for error/poor planning as possible I used Premier Protein from Costco pre and post surgery. Pre-surgery (2 weeks) I lost 18 lbs using 3 shakes a day and a bag of steamer brocolli or brussel sprouts most nights, along with Miso soup as needed. I was encouraged by the good loss. Once I got to OCC it was strongly encouraged by the nutritionist to buy Enspira but I did not. I still use Premier Protein probably 4 days a week. If you cannot buy Premier Protein locally I believe Amazon carries it.

I had a similar experience last week. I'm 202 and 5'8. I have pretty much moved down to misses sizes, size 16, or so I thought. Slacks for work just weren't fitting me right - size 16 (misses) was fitting everywhere but gapping in the waist. Out of desperation I went back to the women's department and tried on a 14W. They fit much better but it was kind of a bummer that I'm still in women's sizes! I'm in an XL top depending on how it is made. Size 16 dress (misses).

Hi all, its so great to catch up with everyone and see updates and progress. B2B I can SO relate to the Ross comment. My biggest problem these days is keeping my pants from falling down! I like buying work out clothes better than regular clothes. I am having trouble making the shift to dressing in a flattering way rather than dressing to cover everything up. No more baggy and black! I am really addicted to Zumba now. I take 3-4 hours of classes a week. I think my staples may have had a little latin heat in them! I just can't get enough! I swung a golf club last weekend for the first time and signed up for golf lessons. I can't get over how life changing this surgery has been!

Prepare yourself for a wonderful journey. It can be challenging at times but mostly very rewarding! I was not expecting to have buyer's remorse post-surgery, but I did. For about five days. I've learned since that it is totally normal, but when it happened to me it really freaked me out! It cleared up in about five days when I started feeling better.