Daydra

Even if it were possible, which is unlikely, why bother. She's done the most drastic and can't stick to it.....so nothing is going to work.

That's pretty harsh and I disagree. OP stated that the original procedure was in 96. That's a heck of a lot of time that's passed, and let's face it: life situations change and people change. Plus, that long ago, education, aftercare, recommendations to address emotional issues that contribute, and nutrition guidance weren't what they are now. Lastly, assuming there wasn't a medical reason contributing to regain, we can learn from our mistakes.

I'm the kind of person that will never work out for the sake of working out or the abstract "getting in shape". I will, however, train for a sport or race. If that sounds like you, you might think about finding some kind of sport. I started training with a group of women of all ages and sizes for triathlon in 2009, and it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Best of luck to you and congratulations on your hard work so far! The best advice I can give you is to find an activity that you love and think is fun and "train" for it. Finding a group of like-mindeds can make the whole process extremely rewarding and can provide accountability. I'm also far more likely to skip the gym if no one is expecting me to be there. I'm guessing I'm not the only one that will do things for others that I might not do for myself... :-)

First the support:

You have lost 44 pounds in less than 3 months. That is awesome! When was the last time you did that on a "diet"? That is most definitely not slow! I was at my clinic this morning for my 1 month post-op and the second I started in with the "my weight loss hasn't been stellar..." and wanted to proceed that I knew it was because my body is kind of in freak out mode, my nurse started waving her arms and looking like she was getting ready to howl. She reminded me that my weight loss was excellent (16 pounds by their records) and that the goal is 1-2 pounds/week, not 5 or more pounds/week that we all wish for. We are ALL to hard on ourselves!

Now, the snark:

I think the next time someone asks me when I'm due, I'm going to break into phony hysterics and tell them how I'm sterile and will never be able to have kids and that I'm just fat. (all true, but not distressing for me...) Maybe that'll learn 'em...

Seriously, congratulations on your loss! You are doing great. You are not slow. You are you, and the only you there is, so keep up the good work!

I think it differs so much depending on the person's body shape and such...I was about 270 surgery day and now weigh about 223 (only 5'2" tall)...one of my frustrations is that I don't think I have moved down much in clothing size...just one size--from a 22 to a 20--with 45 lbs....at this rate, even when I am at my goal weight I will just be down to a size 16...oh well, if I am healthy, I don't care

During my previous weight loss I found that at higher weights it took 35 pounds or so to drop a size, but as I got smaller, the weight loss it took to drop a size got smaller. You'll probably get to a smaller size than you think. Congratulations on your hard work!

I was 7/23 and have only lost 12lbs (if you count from the morning before surgery and not the morning after (discounting IV Fluid gain). I'm usually a fairly quick loser when I'm on point, so I expected more at first, but it's all good. Stay the course and we'll get there!

Congrats, Daydra! So great that you're having a good recovery. My surgery is on Monday, hope I have a similar story! Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you! It's very nice to report that everything is going as it should! Best of luck to you, I's sure that you will do great!

Surgery and recovery going well. One week out, eating liquids. When I re-read my nervous post, I couldn't believe it was me! Everything turned out much better than I anticipated.

That is so great!!! I'm so happy for you! Welcome to the other side! I hope everything continues to go well! Sometimes we make ourselves crazy with worry! It's only an indication that it's important to you!

Thank you, Daydra! That does help!

You're welcome! I'm really glad it helps! My posts tend to ramble, but it's always in an effort to provide as much as I can in case it's useful!

I get so excited to see other public health professionals! The field is vast, and every division does extremely important work and deserves a huge amount of respect! I sure wish that knowledge would filter up to those that make funding decisions. We are so often thought of as providing services to the disadvantaged, but we're really a 3rd leg to the public safety network along with police and fire!

And that is why I am such an advocate for plastics + Lipo to finish off our journeys, it isn't cosmetic surgery, it's reconstructive and just putting us on an even playing field with the NFs (Never Fats)

Completely agree when necessary (not referring to medically necessary due to rashes or whatever, but when the patient feels it's necessary)

I know it seems counterintuitive, but when we have been obese (BMI of 30 or greater), it actually lowers bone mineral density and puts us at a higher risk for osteoporosis. This wasn't always what was believed but it's what more recent studies are showing. I only know this bc I'm a medical editor and was just working on an article on this topic--I was shocked!

http://www.medscape....warticle/721071

Conventional wisdom struck down again! Very interesting.

Not as far out as you are, but from what I've been reading around here, we're all likely to hit several of these on our way to goal. The recommendation of vets is usually to stay the course, look for NSVs, and don't forget to take your measurements periodically, look at before and current photos, review your #s, etc. so you are reminded of the progress you have made regardless of what the stoopid scale says right now! There's a blog post around here somewhere that claims including avocado (particularly substituting this healthy fat for a not so healthy fat) can be helpful. When I've hit stalls during weightloss prior to surgery, I've always changed something to break it. I'd reevaluate my diet: have extra calories snuck back in or am I maybe not eating enough? Do I need to readjust my macronutrients? Too many processed foods? Eating the same items day after day? How can I eat "cleaner"? And reevaluate my activity: Too much, not enough, not enough variety? Has my fitness improved and therefore my output/effort decreased? Too much cardio and not enough weights? Getting bored and complacent? Need to find something new?

There is also an article floating around multiple places here that explains what is happening during a temp stall, your body is replacing glycogen and Water. Weight doesn't drop at that time, but once that replacement period is over, you can expect to lose again.

My guidance includes it as an option after the post-op diet is complete (so, theoretically it would be okay starting on week 5) However, it also states that it is likely to create a stall (I'm guessing more like a 1 or 2 day blip) in weight loss. I've never been a big drinker, so I've just decided not to have any until after I have reached my goal. I'm not worried about having alcohol after I'm healed, but risking some kind of minor stall on something I really don't care about is a no brainer for me. The other thing (you probably already know), alcohol is frequently reported to have a greater effect on people post weight loss surgery, so I would recommend caution and paying close attention to how it makes you feel.

Lol......depends on how chubby your feet were to start with, lol....but I went from a wide width to a "normal" or B Width so the non-adjustable straps at the fronts of the sandals,and the toe box for all my sneakers and work shoes were too wide, which effects how you walk, and how your legs and back feel etc because your feet slip....so I got new shoes.

Well, at least you got new shoes out of the deal!!!

My ankles, wrists, hands, and feet don't seem to have much, if any, pudge factor. They're all fairly bony, so I'm hoping I won't have a lot of shrinkage in this area. (Now my calves, however, still not a place I accumulate an obvious amount of fat, but I would be soooo happy if they dropped several inches in circumference! I could wear boots! And knee-high socks! (I think only people who can't wear knee-high socks actually want to wear knee-high socks.) But alas, then I would have to give up some muscle, and I just don't like to do that on principle...

MUST READ!!!!!!! omg.... thought I was dying or wishing I was!!!!!! so I'm like almost a month out from getting my sleeve and having no problems at all at all NONE... oh Lordy did I make up for it....I was having a pain low on my right side kinda in the groin area and low in my back with extreme pressure.... I thought I could wait it out... I wasn't sure what it was or what to do.... my bowel movements was ok no sign of blood and no burning when I pee.... hot shower or heading pad didn't bring comfort nor ibuprofen so I went to emergency room ...... the waiting area was packed I was like fifth to be seen ..... I sat in the corner in a near by area because the pain was getting worse...I sat balled up and rocking to apply pressure... I'm a strong women and can take pain of all sorts but let me tell about this pain.... as the hours crawled by I literally started crying and whimpering that soon went to a pant with sounds of groining that kept the stares coming my way.... at this point I'm not caring and so in pain I feel like I'm going to throw up and blackout all at the same time.... a pastor even ce by and grabbed my hand and prayed over me and probably gave me my last rights but I don't really know it was all I blur.... I get rolled back to the ER because I can't walk and they think its my appendix and is getting ready to do surgery.... I'm crying and acting a fool and just in pain and I went through one bag of IV Fluid and I have to pee so they give me a cup .... I go pee and all of a sudden this calm comes over me and the pain drops to soreness I look in the cup and there is a stone the size of half a peppercorn.... I'm like are you serious it's like I gave birth and that tiny thing brought on all that pain.... they send it off to the lab and the doctor tells me I have a twisted intestine as well which will probably correct it self but to be mindful of it and if there is lower pain again and it's not a stone tell them about the intestine.... most likely the stone was due to the sleeve surgery and may happen again.... they can be brought on by lots of not getting enough Fluid or Vitamins or to much Calcium or soda etc. ..... in this case she's not sure until results are back... so today I feel better and probably can't go back there because I acted such a fool but thank god it's over!

Oh my goodness! My head was screaming Leak! while I was reading this. I'm sooo glad that it's "just" a kidney stone. Horrible, miserable experience to be sure, but at least it was quickly and easily resolved! I hope that you don't have any more trouble with them and I hope that your intestine resolves itself! Don't be hard on yourself for reacting to the pain as you did. I've heard kidney stones can be horribly painful and you know the ER docs and nurses probably see it all the time and totally understand!

Best of luck to you!

I too have not seen much weight loss. My two week post op doc visit showed 17 pound loss n now three more. I was sleeved on July 11 totaling 20 lbs! I m not getting all Water in n found myself several times with a bite of my kids Pasta in my mouth ( twice) but other than that I m logging in all food on fit pal to total 600 to 800 calories. I just don't get it!

Just a friendly and supportive reality check: That's 20 pounds in about 31 days. If I knew what your starting weight was, I could probably give you a fair guesstimate of your daily calorie deficit, but I'll use myself as an example. I was sleeved on Jul23. I'm only down about 10 pounds. Starting weight was 278. So, on an average low activity day, I burn about 2500-2600 calories. I"m consuming about 900 calories, so that's a deficit of about 1700 cal/day or about 1/2 a pound/day or about 3.5 pounds/week. If your daily deficit is similar, barring lots of other things that can either interfere or boost your loss, you can probably expect on average about a 3-4 pound loss/week that will slowly diminish over time as your daily caloric burn comes down as you lose weight and gets closer to your daily consumption. Plus you have to factor in "stalls" or pauses in weight loss. Most people experience periods where the scale seems to either sit at the same number or bounce around the same number for days or weeks. Don't be too hard on yourself, you're body is doing what it's supposed to.

Good luck!

Bah! I'm not fooled. You started out just under 300 and now your around or just under 190! That's 100 pounds! Whether all of that came before or after surgery really doesn't matter, you still get credit (I'm taking credit for every pound of loss that I've managed to hang onto)! That's a big deal! And, I have to point out (with no criticism or malice) that the shirt in your before pick was a bit snug, so if you're wearing the same size shirt to the gym (and let's face it, big girls and "used to be big girls" tend to prefer roomier tops to camoflauge all of our perceived flaws... I assume that's not just me), so I wouldn't imagine it would look foolishly large (although it's entirely possible that it could be, but you can't see it and your workout partners might not tell you). My next point is this: I'm 5'8" I weighed 349 at my heaviest. I just donated a workout shirt that I wore at that weight almost more because I have better stuff now than it's too big. I can still wear it without it looking "foolishly large". So, that's a span of about 80 pounds that I was able to reasonably wear the same shirt.

You have come a really long way, give yourself credit for that. So you're 25 pounds up, (25, not 100) after a really traumatic period in your life. It happens to most of us at some point or other. I had lost 115 pounds between 2009 and 2011 and then my mother in law was in ICU for 2 weeks, so we spent every night in the hospital since we were out of towners and didn't have to work. Every day, we went to a greasy spoon for Breakfast (in Oklahoma, so their baseline for plentiful healthy food choices is pretty darn low, not that it really would have mattered). I gained a little more than a pound a day that trip and never got my motivation back after that until I decided it was time for surgery. It's unbelievably hard to make good food and fitness choices when you're exhausted and under pressure and stress. You've lost it before, you can do it again! Might take a little more planning and dedication this time, but you sure as heck can do it! After reading your info on your profile page, though, I would consider investigating any health issues that might be interfering with your efforts to lose weight. Standard culprits: sleep disorders, depression, pain, thyroid, insulin resistance/diabetes/PCOS, medication interactions and side effects. I don't even know how many things could interfere, it feels like it's a never-ending list. For me, my biggest barriers were a sleep disorder, pain (let's face it, it hurts like hell to weigh over 300pounds, and that's a major motivator to keep your butt velcro'd to the couch!), and depression (dysthymia, really - pretty minor, but still a pretty significant factor in my lack of motivation to exercise and make good food choices). After I really started getting into my health issues, as minor as they were, I learned that I actually wasn't lazy! I truly thought I was a lazy person because I never wanted to do anything, but it turns out that I was exhausted from an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Now that I'm dealing with that, and have found an antidepressant that seems to be more effective (and to be honest, I'm still not certain that the dysthymia diagnosis wasn't actually misdiagnosed symptoms of my sleep disorder, but I'm sticking with my med while I move through the weight loss phase and into maintenance before I start testing coming off of it).

Anyway, I digress... I just want to urge you to go easy on yourself and take care of yourself. It sounds like you've been doing everything you can think of to keep moving toward your goal. You are working hard and deserve success, you will find the right combination. Best of luck to you as you keep working hard. I wish you all the success and support you could hope for! (and I apologize for my diarrhea of the fingertips... I just started on a stimulant... I think I took it too late in the day or I probably should have just forced myself to bed, like, 6 hours ago. Tomorrow should be fun...)

I look at my before pics and I look in the mirror now, and I don't see a difference.

Classic case of your brain refusing to get with the program and see reality...

I have that arm band too, not sure if mines as accurate lol. I always think the amount of cals burned is too high for the exercise I did

Does your loss match your measured deficit? Could be a few issues. Your metabolism might not be exactly as expected, or you could be over/underestimating calorie consumption. It only claims to be 90% accurate, so there is some wiggle in there. For me (5'8" with a very ox-like build - I was told by a prominent weight loss doctor in my area that I had the biggest wrists he'd ever seen on a woman... I guess that's what coming from good farm stock'll get ya!), at my current weight, just moderate walking (brisk pace, but not particularly fast) burns me between 8 and 10 cal/min, so generally between 500-600 cal/hour, and my loss (at least pre-op and as well this last week) is almost always dead on. If it's not, I can usually identify the reason, usually Water retention.

This thread is what I did tonight. Yes, I live an exciting fun filled life (AND it's Saturday lol).

I feel like I just read a novel. Filled with sadness and despair and hope and ultimately triumph! I cried as you suffered but also as I felt the pain of everyone pulling for you.

I'm so glad to see the happy ending.

Hopefully that was all the pain you will suffer in your life.

Done, finito, nada mas pain!! I don't even know you but--- XOXOX!!!!

I just did the same thing, It's also Saturday night and almost exactly a year later. I also wanted to hand that you handled the trial admirably. Of course you got upset and depressed, but it didn't beat you. Congratulations on your success and I wish you the best of life now and in the future.

Mystery of all mysteries... I just ran a report for the last week of my recorded data from my Link. Calculating my calorie deficits for the last week, I should have lost 3.53 pounds over the last 7 days, and you know, my measured loss was 3.6 pounds. I love it when my body does what I tell it to! And I particularly love it when my gadgets are accurate!

(This has not been a paid presentation for the Bodymedia Fit Link... I promise!)

Well while I am on the pureed/ soft food stage I put some chicken breats in to my blender & added a little bit of salsa to help keep it moist & blended it all up well. Added some low far chedder cheese to it & melted it on top & then just a tiny bit of sour cream & it tasted just like a chicken quesadilla without the tortilla. 2 chicken breasts made this way last for several meals. I loved it & it was so yummy!!!!

Good call! I was so excited today to eat food that actually looked like "real food"! All last week (my first week of softs) I managed on tuna salad, egg salad, yogurts, and Soups. Both tuna and egg went into the food processor. Kinda glad I did that, because it was a good transition, but I'm so ready for real food. So this morning I made high-protein pancakes (Wonderslim that I ordered from Bariatric Choice), used 1/3 c milk instead of 1/4 c Water for the pouch of mix and spread 1 tbsp of sunflower seed butter on the 2 (what I used to consider tiny) pancakes it made. About 300 cal total. I was literally full after about 5 bites. It was only about 10% of my first foray into post-surgery cooking. I figured it was about 38 calories. I slowed way down and took a small bite every 3-5 minutes and was able to get one of the pancakes down and had the second for lunch. Then for dinner, hubbs made himself some boxed crap with hamburger and held out 1/4c of the ground beef for me and pulsed it in my mini cuisinart and I had 1/2c of canned green Beans. It took me about 90 minutes to eat it, but I'd never been so excited to eat plain ground beef and canned green Beans in my life :-) More creative days are ahead for me, though, I'm sure!

Thanks for the idea!

Oops, I totally geeked out and forgot the primary question...

Probably both. Using the Premier Protein shakes as an example: They are 160 cal and 30g of Protein. 5 shakes would get you... math... 800 cal and 150g of protein. My pre-op diet had an 870 cal max but no protein cap. (Mine recommended 3-4 shakes a day plus a Healthy Choice or similar tv dinner, so pretty low calorie solid food meal. So, pretty much equivalent other than the kindness of my surgeon to allow me to chew once a day :-)

Protein - Can you eat too much in a day? I'm on the pre-op diet and my Dr. says max of 5 shakes a day. Is that just because of calories ... or is Protein a factor also? Is there any danger in eating a lot of protein?

I've been doing a lot of research online where bodybuilders say 300-600g a day. One doctor, a urologist, said too much protein can cause kidney stones, but didn't say how much. So what's your opinion?

Those bodybuilders are nuts! (it's okay, they think we're nuts too!) That's crazy high. I think their philosophy must be "More is always better!" The average (probably sedentary) person needs about 0.8g/kg of body weight. Athletes need more like between 1.2 and 1.7g/kg of body weight. I pulled info from About.com just to make sure I recalled my numbers correctly. Their example is a male athlete that weighs 154lbs needs about 105g/day (using 1.5g/kg). Other recommendations you see all over the place (NIH, CDC, USDA) are 25-30g per meal, so around 75-90 for the average person.

Here's an abstract on the NIH website:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16779921

This paper suggests approximately 2 - 2.5 g/kg as the maximum consumption per day and lists dangers of excessive protein. States that .8g/kg only really compensates for structural requirements, so it's probably a little on the low side. The abstract states that the theoretical max consumption for someone weighing 80kg is between 285 and 365g/day. Your bodybuilders that are consuming 600g could be asking for trouble.

For me, once I get out of the post-op healing phase and into the living life phase, I'm going to aim for the middle to upper end of the athlete range from my first paragraph.

I'm still on softs, so not very creative yet to be helpful to you other than to tell you that I found several bariatric surgery cookbooks on Amazon. I bought a couple and expect that once I hit the regular diet in (9 days!) I'll be trying some of the recipes out. They looked pretty good, might be worth some surfing.

Good luck!