scootergirl

The good news is that I am down ~65 pounds in six months. Yippee! Alas, I have been bouncing around on the same ~five pounds since Thanksgiving. I have upped my exercise and tried to keep my total calorie intake to about 1000 calories per day. I aim for ~60g protein/day but often fall short. Has anyone else found themselves in a severe (two months and no real weight change) stall this early after surgery? My % weight loss is ~21% of my highest weight (65 pounds/313 pounds). My excess weight is ~145 pounds (highest weight - desired weight = 313 - 170). This means I have lost ~45% of my excess weight (65 pounds/145 pounds). Are these numbers the explanation for why I am stuck? What is the average % excess weight lost or total % lost that is typical for us sleevers?

I was out shopping with my husband of 25 years. He looked for me in the store and couldn't "find" me. Turns out he just did not recognize my new, smaller size. I am much closer to the size/shape of the woman he married. I hope he remembers me!

I know that I am not a one year post surgery vet yet but I hope I can post this anyway. You all are the best. Please stay active. I am nearly 6 months out from surgery. I have lost my stride and my weight loss has stalled. Reading your vet success stories has re-energized me. My head knows my sleeve is for life but the work happens moment by moment and day by day. Reading your words helps me stay focused. Keep posting, please. I hope to be a fully successful (reach my goal) vet one day. I know I will get there sooner and saner with your wise words keeping me company.

Is Questran a sister medication to Actigall? I have to take Actigall (capsule 2x per day) for the first ~6 months post sleeve. It is supposed to reduce my chance of developing gall stones. I have not felt that taking it has given me any difficulties. If it is a product similar to Questran could you ask your doc if you could try it instead?

I had my first ever atrial fibrillation event about 8 month prior to my sleeve surgery. My cardiologist requires that I take an adult aspirin (325mg) every day for my clot/stroke risk. I chose to take 4 baby aspirin each day (4x81mg), two with Breakfast and two with dinner. My sleeve surgeon and my cardiologist duked it out about whether I would continue the aspirin after my sleeve. My cardiologist won! I still take daily aspirin without any noticeable ill effects.

My orthopedist said that for every one pound of weight we carry, we put four pounds of stress on our knees. My right knee was hurting so much prior to my sleeve that I was preparing myself for knee replacement surgery. Since I have lost a good bit of weight (~60 pounds), I have no more pain in my knee. It is still damaged, and I still baby it, but I do not suffer under the ~240 pounds of excess pressure (60 x 4) on it that I did before my weight loss. Thank you, sleeve!

I am not in agreement with the others. If a "true Mexican margarita" is your dream, I say get one, have a few sip, enjoy the heck out of them, then toss it. You should not see your surgery as an end to life and all of its enjoyments. It is the beginning of a life of moderation and very conscious choices. Why not start the day before surgery. It may be a while before your new tummy has any desire or tolerance for alcohol. Good luck on your trip!

What was your experience like? Post surgery I started to see real changes in my face and figure after I had lost about 30 pounds. Alas, no one else seemed to see the change. I am no down 63 pounds and just back to work after a holiday. Seems that everyone now can see a difference. A coworker just remarked to me that one needs to lose ~20% of one's body weight before others will notice. Was this true for you?

I am right there with you, Fiddle! My mother still hasn't said a word. You look great in your photo, BTW.

Hey Lipstick Lady. Sorry to hear you are mentally out of step with your new body. I feel silly asking you this after all the great posts your thread started but....have you kept track of your measurements? Few of my family or friends have remarked about my physical shrinkage. I would be miffed and discouraged except for my blessed "log 'o inches" which I started about a month post surgery. For me, numbers don't lie. Even if I feel unchanged, I CANT still be huge with all those inches gone.

For me, who is stubbornly refusing to purchase new, smaller clothing 'cause I still have so many pounds I plan to lose, it was when my previously snug pants fell to the floor (yes right over my still large backside!) while zipped and fastened because I forgot my belt! I'd have been embarrassed if I had not been so stunned. How did that happen...oh, right, thank you sleeve!

I agree with the praises for MyFitnessPal. I found it hard to track my protein before I stRted using it. I also find it keeps me closer to my desired daily calories because I can see the impact of each food choice I make. Over time I have let go more of the higher calerie/lower protein foods that I used to love.

Y'all look amazing. Congrats on your success. Your photos are inspirational. Keep up the good work and keep dazzling us with your awesome selfies!

Make that "fat" lady. I never joined a fraternity!

I have plain old, old frat lady osteoarthritis. My post sleeve diet is significantly reduced sugar/carbohydrate I consume each day. I find that my joints feel much better when I am on a low/no sugar diet

I agree with Cowgirl Jane. Every time my weight loss slows down, it turns around if I increase my activity and really adhere to my food/liquid goals. Easier for me to say than to execute but, oh how it helps to be consistent.

Hey Shady. We are surgery buddies. I had mine the same day as you! Congrats on your progress. You are 11 pounds ahead of me. I will work to try to catch up with you. Are you feeling well? Post a photo of your foxy new form. Us middle age ladies need to keep each other inspired.

Prior to my surgery my knees had nearly given out on me. I was no longer able to tolerate the burden of a lifetime of extra weight. I could not walk for long without pain. My sleep was poor. My enjoyment for life was seriously reduced. I was not able to participate in activities with my child nor my husband as I wanted. Now six months post-sleeve & 60 pounds down - I feel like a new person. It's me but me from decades ago. I feel young at heart, enthusiastic about my future and keen to be active and try new things. I still have nearly 100 pounds to lose but I have never been sorry about my sleeve. Even as I watch my shrinking body turn into draping sacks if loose skin.! Don't fret your sleeve choice. I think you will be delighted by the improvement to your life

I am so happy to see this post. I, too, have had a terrible time focusing. At work, I have an increasingly hard time getting jobs completed. My day flies by and I have little to show for them. I have wondered if I am too distracted by my friends at Bariatric Pals! I am just no longer efficient or effective at work or at home. At nearly 5 months out I feel like my mind is not what it was. The light is still on but not nearly as bright as before. Is it because of the low calories. Is it because my world is so preoccupied by VST thoughts and activities. If anyone else has ideas, please share.

I am post-menopausal. As I have lost weigh I feel like my hot flashes have returned. I also find I get cold more easily and more often. Someone else (gamergirl?) posted that as we lose fat we release stored female hormones back into our system. Perhaps that is what causes these "thermostat" changes in us ladies. Maybe the newest trend in VSG ladies wear is a fan and a sweater.

Sorry to hear about your complication. Hang in there. Others have posted about post op complications. I am sure you will do well. Good luck.

I have to trust you that the "before" photo is actually you. You look amazing. Congrats on your success. I am inspired by you.

OMG. You look amazing. Did you have fun at the party?

What a beautiful change in such a short time. Keep up the great work.

I have posted this elsewhere. Is there any chance you are having post nasal drip from allergies? Post nasal drip running down my throat and filling my stomach leaves me feeling "hungry". Prior to restarting my antihistamines I was having a terrible problem with unquenchable "hunger" that was not hunger at all. Try some Claritin if you can.