NellieBean

Hello, With such a challenge ahead of losing 200lbs, I am curious as to when you felt comfortable really moving beyond walking into other forms of exercise? I have been either walking a mile outside or doing a mile of Walk Away the Pounds every other day during the first week since my surgery and plan on moving up to 5 days at least. My doctor and nutritionist said that the first three months your body is so confused that the weight will come off pretty easily. At six months, it begins to adjust, and it becomes slightly more difficult, then you have to about 18 months until your body has completely recovered and adjusted to your new stomach. I have been pretty lucky in that I had no other co-morbidity conditions, diabetes, etc. I know these are generalizations but I think their point overall was do not put myself into a position where I wonder "what if I had done this instead of that?". That there is a sweet spot in the beginning and not to miss that by sabotaging myself early on. I appreciated their bluntness and I have it on my fridge to remind me. Can you give me a general idea of a map that you took along the way that helped you be successful? I want to join a gym I just know right now it would be difficult because I am too self-conscious and I don't think I would be ready for anything other than walking for a couple months. I appreciate your sharing your wisdom and experience.

Hello, Surgery was 7/16/13 and I weighed 380lbs. As of today, I am at 260lbs for a total loss of 120lbs so far. It is amazing how good I feel both mentally and physically. I am going to be starting a new job next week, I am beginning to exercise, I just feel better about life in general. It is going to be a great 2014!

I started at 380 and was sleeved on July 17th. I am down 77lbs so currently 303. So close to being in the 2's.

I am on soft foods and needed something with flavor and spice. I threw a few things into a pot and it was surprisingly good and easy. I can also portion this into eight servings for lunches and dinners. Serves 8 (1 cup each) Super Easy Turkey Chili Brown Jenni-O Lean ground turkey (1lb) Add 2 cup chicken broth 2 can diced tomatoes 1 jar salsa ( I used Frontera Chipotle) 1 can rinsed black Beans 1 package chili seasoning Bring to a boil then let simmer for about an hour. According to MFP the nutrition Per Serving: calories 166 carbs 17 Protein 17 fat 1 sat fat 0 sugar 5

I only have the okay at this point to walk since they did a hernia repair while they were inside mucking around (I am 5 weeks out). I hope when I go back in October I can get the approval to step it up a bit. Back in the day when I did exercise regularly I generally had more energy throughout the day.

I was told to be at 600 calories a day right now too but that the top two things to remember are to get in the protein and to not eat if I am not hungry.

My doctor said gummies are fine. I take the OneADay Women's Vitacraves. Should just check with yours, since they all seem so different in opinions. I have been able to take them since two days after surgery with no problems.

When I was sleeved on July 17th, I was 380lbs. At four weeks, I am down 38lbs. I am completely amazed every day that I am full on way less than a cup of food at each meal.

Whoever that was is crazy! Obviously you are healthy and look amazing! Happy wishes for you and your family and your exciting news!

Hello, I had an ablation as well. Best thing ever, by the way. Even though we do not have an actual period, the inner parts are all there and functioning. Your hormones and body are still going to throw you for a loop here and there on a monthly basis. This is why we did not go into menopause. Don't freak out day to day. Remember this is a marathon not a race.

July 17th sleeve for me. As of Tuesday (8/13) I had lost 38lbs since my surgery. I have a lot more than most to lose which is why I am sure the number is where it is. Losing weight is about % and not always the number. I just started soft foods after the pureed stage and it has been interesting, I have also been given the clear for coffee, which I have not had yet, but I think tomorrow will be a special treat.

Hello, I too have 200 to lose. Ideally, I would get to 180 but talking to my doc and nut I would be happy at any number under 200. I am 5' 11''. The way my nut has talked me through this so far makes sense. You have this magic window of about six months where your body is confused and focused on healing. In the first 6 months, you are a furnace because all your intake is being used to heal your stomach. So take advantage of it, follow the plan. Eat what you should, stay around 600 calories (it isnt that bad, really) and then you know you are giving yourself the best possible start to this process. And you wont kick yourself wondering if only I hadn't had that grilled cheese or beer...I would be 30lbs less. I have clearance right now to only walk, I am hoping that next appointment in Oct it will be for more. Just remember you can do this. There are people who have successfully lost double what we have to lose. Good luck on your journey!

Just starting week 5. I can eat between half a cup and 3/4 cup of food in general. Solid Proteins, maybe 2oz, they feel very heavy in my stomach. I cannot eat eggs yet, for some reason they feel like I am eating glass, no idea why. Takes a good hour to drink a 12oz shake.

About the emotional eating, I just acknowledge the issue and said that I knew the sleeve was not a magic fix and just a tool to help me get to my goal and successfully maintain.

My insurance has an annual deductible that had to be met and this put me over the top for the year. The worst thing and I am disputing is that they did not cover the required NUT appointment. They flat out denied it. How can they require something and then not cover at least part?

The psych eval is kind of dumb. You fill out a questionnaire, you talk a bit and then they tell you that you are an emotional eater. The two hours accounts for slow readers, I was in and out in 40 minutes. Oh and the bill was 595 bucks. Total scam.

Wow! Isn't 30kg equal to 66lbs? That is crazy for just three weeks!

Be careful with the whey shots. There are different types of protein. You want to only take in Whey Isolate which is a cleaner version. The other version Whey Concentrate is not absorbed by the body so it is wasted. You can research the differences more on body building forums but my instructions from the Dr were very clear to stay with only the Isolate.

I have a pain in the upper right part that is still an annoyance, too. You are not alone. My doc said it was where the hernia was repaired. I did not even know I had a hernia repaired! So of course, ask your doctor but you are still only 4 weeks out from major surgery, be careful to not over do it lifting your kids or the vacuum or whatever. My doc told me for total healing and the swelling will be down completely at about 8 weeks.

Devine, You are going to drive yourself crazy focusing so much on the numbers. I also have more than 150 to lose and was told the first six months are a magic window of time and that I need to follow the plan so I don't end up second guessing myself with thoughts of "if only I had done this" I would be 30lbs less. Six months of a strict diet is doable and I can certainly follow the plan given to me. We are already one month in. My nut said to stick to around 600 calories and if I am not hungry don't eat. My primary focus is 60-70 grams of Protein and less than 40g of carbs a day. Right now, I only have the okay for walking but am hoping in Oct I can step that up a notch or two when I go back. If I do this and I don't stray, I will have done what I should and will not be chastising myself over a missed opportunity. As long as you do your best, be happy with where you end up regardless of the number of days since your surgery. You will get there, its just not an exact science.

Second follow up today and I found out I also had a hernia repair which explains that one spot that still aches from time to time. I was put on soft foods, which is awesome, had salmon tonight and it was so awesome to eat food that looked like it is meant to look. I do not weigh myself daily so I found out I have lost 38lbs since I was sleeved on the 17th of July, So shocked and so glad I started this journey.

Someone posted the other day and I wish I could find it to thank them, mix some decaf coffee crystals in the shake to cut the sweet. Bariwise has soups that are really tasty (I have chicken and mushroom) and the Unjury chicken is very tasty.

What I finally got to and am sticking to even now with the clearance to soft foods, is to get in at least 30 grams of Protein in the morning. I do this by making a Protein shake with 32g and drink that during my drive and in place of my former coffee. This leaves 3 other times during the day where you can get in the other 30 or so. Not sure what your Dr. recommends as your goal but a lot less pressure to get 10g per meal then 32 at the end of the day.

Congratulations and best wishes for you and your new addition to your family!

I take One a Day gummies, B-12 and Calcium chews every day.