purplefaery

Stalls are evil! My last one started the day after Christmas and just ended late last week. I complained about it... a lot. They are just so so frustrating! But, all the while, I would work to remind myself that our bodies are designed to take on and hold onto weight just planning go a famine. Then, when the famine arrives, to expend that energy slowly just in case we need it later. What I just did to my body with the surgery easily put it into 'famine mode.' While I might be frustrated during a stall, I also try to remember that my body is just trying to save my life. Soon enough, it will realize that I really am still eating and it can let go of a little more weight. Then, it will probably freak out again because we're still losing the famine safety net that its been building all these years. If you read accounts of the longer term vets, many say that the weight loss isn't in a straight line, but rather steps down as their body adjusts. Basically, I understand your frustration and will probably be complaining myself again here too. But don't let it make you feel defeated! This is what your body was made to do! You'll get through it!

My sister bought me one of these cookbooks for Christmas, and I finally got around to sitting down and looking through it. The author really seems focused on low-calorie, high-Protein options. Certainly, not all of her recipes are WLS-friendly, but I was surprised at the number that were. We had Stuffed Chick Cordon Bleu tonight. I had half a serving for 95 calories with 17g of protein! My boyfriend has actually already bought me 2 more of her books! I just thought I'd share in case someone else was looking for something new to try!

The 200 recipes under 200 calories book has red velvet cupcakes for 140 calories... Im still to early out to start baking treats, but... wow, excited for someday!

I started at 377 in May of 2013. I had a 6 month monitored weight loss requirement that I took very seriously. I had surgery on November 21st at 303 lbs. My weight this morning (after a 15 day stall) was 270. Im looking forward to continuing losses! So far, loving my sleeve!

I got a pic of mine!

I added all of you, too. I'm faerygreenqueen

I'm in Minnesota too! I'm about 6 weeks post-op and thankful my apartment building has an indoor pool! I hear rumors (that I hope are true) that we are supposed to get into the 303 ABOVE zero this weekend! How amazing will that be? Sorry I don't have more helpful workout advice... i did laps up and down the halls of my building early out. Where did you get your surgery done?

Im not an October sleever, but I just wanted to say Congratulations! When I broke that barrier I was so excited to be in Twoderville (any sillier than Onderland? I think not!)!! Keep up the great work!

I would guess that she included pre-op weight loss to her total. I know I always do. Congratulations on all your hard work! You look absolutely beautiful!

Wow! Congratulations!

I lost a total of 104lbs in 2013. In May, I weighed 377. When I had surgery on November 21st, I was down to 303. This morning (and for the past week), I am at 273! I learned a lot this year, even before my surgery, about willpower and having the strength to stick to it. I am and will continue to be glad that i can walk without pain. I look forward to being brave enough to start working out more religiously in 2014!

My card has a picture of the sleeve on one side and says, "This person had a weight reduction surgery, and as a result is unable to eat a full adult portion. We request that he/she be permitted to order from your children's or senior's menu, or be allowed an extra plate." I thought it was pretty silly until I got to "...or senior's menu" since those are typically much healthier than what you could find on a children's menu. Now, to find a restaurant that will honor it!

This might sound silly, but for a long time my veins were evil. They'd let the nurse find them and then disappear the second she went to poke me! I got in the habit of warning the nurses about the evilness and noticed that the issue seemed to be getting worse and worse. One day, I didnt mention anything about how tricky my veins are or their level of evil. Surprise! Nurse got it on the first try! I think I'd been psyching them out! Now I never say anything and its gotten lots better. I realize this might not work in your case, but nurses are human too. If you tell them it will be hard.... well, i guess that can just be a self-fulfilling prophecy! Best of luck to you!

I'm happy to share stats. My surgery was on 11/21, so just over 5 weeks out. HW: 377 SW: 303 CW: 273

I added you, Mouse. Anyone else can add me as well: Faerygreenqueen

Awesome, congratulations!

Ok... so I was just cleared for solids today. I did good, I think: half a hard-boiled egg for breakfast, some grilled chicken breast for lunch (not sure exactly how much - work holiday party - it it wasn't much), and less than 1 oz rotisserie chicken for dinner. Anyhow, after reviewing my post-op instructions, I am confused. Everything says to eat 3 tablespoons of food. I know I'm supposed to measure everything, but I don't know how to measure things that don't fit into a tablespoon. For example, ok was planning on having deli turkey tomorrow, but don't want to shove er in a spoon... does anyone know a weight I should be aiming for so I can measure the unmeasureables? Just wanna make sure I'm on the right track...

Thanks for the replies! I realized i should be weighing meat and such, I just didn't know how much I should be weighing out! We'll see how it goes today! Thanks again!

Andrew, the reason you are higher than your surgery weight is all the fluids they pump in you through the IV line when you're in the hospital. I think I gained like 7 lbs while I was in the hospital. The important thing to know is that it is all water weight and will fall off quickly when its time comes. I'm 23 days post-op, and have lost the water weight + 24 lbs. Keep following the plan you were given and it will fall off. It will work!

Awesome! Congratulations!

Yep... I went through that. I'm almost three weeks post-op, and that was super annoying, but I followed the drink super slow mantra for about 10 days. I've been super lucky and have no problem with fluids, and can already drink an 8 oz glass of water in 1 - 1 1/2 hours instead of 2. I am glad I did what they told me to at first though... learned about not drinking air, smaller swallows, etc. When I had my first post-op at around 12 days, I told my nurse practitioner that I seemed to be able to get more in and she said that was fine. My advice? Do what they tell ya! :-)

Wow! Simply beautiful!

Hey Mcbutter, thanks for the compliment! I just can't wait for the sizes to start falling... I keep reading about people at my current weight (280ish) wearing size 20 pants... I'm not even fitting into a 24 yet... bah! But I know it'll happen eventually... I haven't taken measurements since very early in the process... I know I should be doing that... maybe this week sometime. Its cool to see that you were a week before me! How has your recovery gone?

Thanks for posting this again, Butter! I think I've read it about 4 times, but it is just such a good article! Plus, I think I'm almost there myself... Sleeved on 11/21, and this was the first time I gained 0.5 lbs. I'm just reminding myself its just Water. Also, I've read a lot of people tend to lose inches during the 3 week stall, and I'm excited for that part... I'm down almost 100 pounds since my highest weight and have only dropped 2-3 sizes, depending on the brand. I am starting to get a little more frustrated with that aspect of things... Anyway, thanks again for the great article!

I'm still on full liquids post op, but I've found the thread: "My Lunch: A pictoral attempt to show you life will be normal" I'm the post-op forum to be really fun to read... it helps give me ideas and look forward to real food! :-) I highly recommend checking it out.