NotSoTall

Today marks 8 weeks out. The positives: Down 35 total, 25 post-op. A third of the way to goal. Great lab results. Learning new habits. The negatives/challenges: Timing food/liquid/vits at work successfully. Finding the best approach to prevent constipation. ouch. Learning new habits. If I can get them down there wouldn't be these other issues. It was an interesting 2 month doctor's followup. They were really positive about the weight loss and lab results. And used sparingly, I can again use Excedrin again for headaches. I was beyond excited about that and surprised, but I'm not going to argue. The NUT was strongly suggesting veggies and fruits. Fresh fruits and cooked veggies. Something else I'll have to work on. She didn't push any starchy carb foods so that was nice. I'll have to test the waters with the fruits, just have to pair with and/or eat after Protein (we've heard that somewhere before, right?). Also she addressed foods with liquids, Soups & cereals for instance, and she considers them foods in the context of the eating and drinking rules so apply the rule. Though they still count as liquids in the total liquid per day. Next followup at 6 months. They'd like to see another 25 pounds lost by then. I think I can do that.

It can be challenging, right? I've still got issues with it. At home all was well. Out in the world "they" aren't following my schedule.

It gets easier or better as you're thinking adjusts to what you should or shouldn't do. At least that's what happened for me. I pulled up blogs of sleevers that have recipes, looked at pinterest vsg stuff, read success stories to keep positive. There are lots of yummy things that I can make a part of my "new" normal. In the meanwhile worked through the stages and before you know it the more restrictive weeks are/were over.

Onederland!! WooHoo! It's a good feeling isn't it?

Thanks for the feedback. Isn't it wild how common this is? My story ended up being stuck for about 2.5 weeks starting just as week 3 did. I had dropped 10 pounds and then it stuck and bounced a little. Then it just started moving again. Now into my 7th week I've dropped another 10 pounds. I did get frustrated after a while. One thing I did do is take a couple days closer to 800 calories when I was otherwise averaging 600. Not sure if that had anything to do with it, but you never know. The thing I'm trying to remember for next time is that while oh so frustrating while it's happening, when it passes and I average the weight loss it's still all good. We'll see if that really helps when the time comes.

6 weeks out today. Lost 2 pounds this week for a total of 28 pounds (10 pre/18 post). Those 2 could have taken some buddies with them. Okay, not complaining. I'll take the 2 and be happy. Second day back at work now and the new challenge is getting in enough Protein and Water through the day. I pack for Breakfast, lunch and Snacks. Yesterday I didn't finish lunch and today I never ate a snack. And water is even worse. I'm only getting through a full 16 oz bottle and a little of a second. This makes evening challenging, so much more to take in to make the base numbers. Yesterday I only got to 60 oz water and that was pushing it. Today I've only gotten 24 oz water and 38 g protein and it's already nearly 5:30. I go to bed around 9. Ugh. On the plus side I've got the meds/vits plotted out well and all taken. Baby steps.

Congrats and best wishes for your upcoming surgery! Please keep us posted on your progress. Keep reading around these forums and you'll see many different experiences. I found that helpful (still do) to get an idea of what's coming. Good luck to you! I almost forgot to do a little Woot-Woot that I'm in Onederland by 2 whole pounds. Have been for a few days. Sooo Happy Onward and downward.

Oh my gosh, that had to be scary. I'm glad that's okay now. I'll bet the fluids will help with everything, but if the dizziness stays keep pestering the doc. I hope you will come to appreciate your decision. I appreciate mine even with the episodes I had, as I know I have and have had many uncomfortable issues in the past and stayed big or got bigger. Now I'll be getting smaller and life will get more comfortable in many ways, and hopefully many of these "issues" will diminish. I hope that makes some sort of sense. LOL

Five weeks out today. Now down 16 pounds post op, 10 pre, 26 total. Nutrition has been good. What I'm finding more challenging are the vits/meds or at least the timing of them. Have to get that down before heading back to work next week. New lunch tote landed and freezer packs so I'm ready to haul everything daily so it's at my fingertips. The other challenge this past week was painful. Possible TMI. Early last week started a painful constipation episode which further agitated a chronic hemorrhoid issue. There was a lot of stabbing pain, bleeding, overall discomfort. Ick! Started taking miralax and stool softeners. 4 days laters things resolved, but OMG I will not slack off softeners for a while. Exercise is another issue. I'm really enjoying working on chores around the house with my new energy, but am not being good about exercise specifically. This is something I must work on. I can tell as time goes on this becomes a bigger mental game in order to keep from slipping into lazy habits such as not tracking or not exercising. I'm okay with the tracking, but the lack of formal exercise shows me I've already slacked off a bit on the post-op plan. This week will be all about reeling back in so I go back to work with my head on straight.

Today mark's 4 weeks since surgery. Progress is as follows: 10 pounds lost pre-op, 14 lost post-op, 24 down from my highest. I suspect that doesn't look like much to some, as it doesn't to me either BUT then I apply my history to the equation and for me this is a great loss. Post op averages to 3.5 pounds per week. For my height with metabolic syndrome issues this is pretty darned exciting to me. I haven't written much lately as things pretty much fell into a pattern. I tested many types of foods whirred up. Today I start soft foods for the next 2 weeks. Calories should now be falling between 600-800 per their plan. Sounds downright extravagant. I'm curious to see how things progress now that the body is further out from surgery. It's as if month 2 will provide a better idea of how I'll really lose since it doesn't involve the quick flush of pounds after surgery. Who knows, just thinking out loud. LOL Still on a lifting restriction for 2 more weeks but have worked with 3 lb. weights. Could be much better about walks. Rain has been a convenient reason not to get out as much as I should. Am trying to do energetic movement during chores to ramp up the exercise element. Not sure if it helps much, but it can't hurt. Fluids are tolerated really well at this point getting in around 80 oz a day. I have met both liquid and Protein goals daily since February 14th. Premier Protein drinks help, and upon first coming home the EAS drinks were great as they're on the thinner side and the flavors are good to us (my son wants them when they're in the house and he's not following anything except his tastebuds). Also greek yogurt has been a blessing. Great base for Protein Shakes and great Probiotics for the healing digestive tract. Incisions are mostly non-issue. One still has a partial scab on it but the rest are fine including the drain area. I do have one lumpy area in my lower tummy that is new, no pain or discoloration, no heat. It is in the area of the blood thinner injections, and that area is still bruised from those so I'll just watch the spot. Hello Month #2!!! Whatcha got for me?

We read about it quite a bit and many of us are going through it to one degree or another. I was curious what type of stall or slow down folks individually experienced. I haven't gotten out the other side of mine yet so that info is pending. How long before your third week stall ended? What coping skills did you rely on, or discover you had? I suspect there are many different experiences and would love to hear about them. Thanks!

Best wishes to you on Monday and thereafter! I'll continue to follow your journey.

Being home must feel great after everything you went through. Well done doing the hard work to get yourself ready for home. Definitely not the easy way out. Take care of yourself and enjoy being on the other side.

Congrats!! Must feel great! I'm rounding the curve to get there too. Hope to join you there before long.

Well done hitting your protein goal!!