Bobby46

5 mths out and stalled again. 3rd time. Bummer.

Yep, sure could have lost the weight without surgery. Did it, actually. I lost over 70lbs 3 times in my life. Diet pills, Weight Watchers, and Medifast. I have been "dieting" for about 35yrs. I have done just about every diet and exercise plan out there! I have lost some every single time I tried. And I always gained it back plus more every single time. But...I learned a lot over the years. I learned a lot about food choices, body image, mindless eating, emotional eating, exercise. I could write a freaking book! There is so much info roaming through my brain I could be a nutritionist, a psychologist, an aerobics instructor and the next biggest diet book author out there! If I wasn't on a diet I was researching one! I thought about dieting every day of my life! I know what to do to get the weight off (see the above) but I have never ever figured out how to maintain that weight loss long term! I NEED this surgery to give me a shot at keeping it off! Now that the surgery has been done I am so flipping relieved! I don't obsess over food. I plan it, eat it and get on with my day. The size of my stomach limits the amount I can eat so I make better choices so that I feel good and my body functions well. This has been the best thing I have ever done for myself!! THE BEST!! It will take me a year or more to get where I want to be weight wise. I am counting on the sleeve to help me stop the weight from coming back. If I stay vigilant and focused I will succeed ....NO DOUBT!

Whether you lose a bunch of weight and stall for 3 weeks.....or lose a little weight each day.....it still adds up to a bunch of weight lost : ) Way better than gaining no matter how its shed! Stay true to the process and it will all work out just like its suppose to. Continued luck to everyone!

Your body naturally fluctuates. I can go up 3lbs one morning and then back down the next....then stall for a few days...then drop 2lbs. Constant roller coaster. I am fighting myself about getting on the scale everyday. I talk myself out of skipping in and then jump on it when I pass it! Doc advises to just weigh once a week. HAHAHAHA Right! Try not to sweat it. If you are eating right and exercising and getting all your Water in then its just a goofy fluctuation. I only get mad at myself if I know I had too much salt or ....like at Christmas time, I ate a sugar cookie everyday for 5 stinking days and didn't track my food!! Hang in their friend!

Who in the world could eat 300 to 400 calories every single day for a year? That is just crazy! That is 1 1/2, maybe 2, Protein shakes a day if you add nothing but 1% milk to them. There is no way I could do that for even 1 day let alone 1 year! After a year of that I would imagine a long hospital stay would be in your future! I was told the average calorie intake after surgery for the first few weeks was 500 to 700....and that is eating the minimum requirements of the basic after surgery diet. I am suppose to be up to 1200 calories a day by the 6 mth point.

I learned something over the holidays. My body still loves sweets! Ugh!!! I was told that I have about a 50/50 shot at still being able to tolerate sweets without issue. I am one of the lucky/unlucky ones. Before surgery I was hoping that I would still be able to enjoy them on occasion. Now that its nearly 5 mths out I thought I would try them as a Christmas treat and see what happens. I was so excited that I could tolerate them when I had that iced sugar cookie. I thought that it is going to be so awesome to enjoy cake at birthday party and a little pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving and, of course, that iced cookie at Christmas. Then....a week after Christmas I realized that I liked that iced cookie every single night. Licked my fingers and enjoyed the mess out that iced cookie for 5 straight days!! So I pitched them...I pitched them all, and the chocolate covered cherries, buckeyes, brownies, and applesauce cake that my family so kindly sent home with me for me and my son. Its all gone. I gained 1lb ...not sure if its Water or that sugar. I don't care, really. That 1lb scared the huey out of me because I was to the point in my little brain that I could have a sweet treat every single day instead of those special occasions. I heard of people gaining and I thought I would never do it. Scary. My birthday is in January. My family usually does cake and coffee for me. This year I am going to ask them to meet me out for dinner. I can eat out and still maintain control....and I can skip dessert. Lesson learned. But...who knows. Maybe a year from now I will have more control over that. For now I cant trust myself. Sweets will not enter this house for a long long time! Better safe than sorry.

Hello! You're doing awesome! I was sleeved on 8/11/14 and am down 61lbs. You will average out about 2 to 3lbs a week over time. As long as you drink your Water, get in your Protein and move you will lose weight. Anything lost is a win! Vitamins....I was told to double my vitamins if I am taking grocery store vitamins. I take a multi Vitamin gummy, B12, Biotin, calcium chews and D3....the recommended amount on the bottle but I do it twice a day. I was on a thin liquid and Protein shake diet for 4 weeks and then a thick liquid/mushy diet for 2 weeks. No solids until week 6. The solid diet for a week was lean protein, cheese, yogurt, banana, humus, cooked veggies....stuff like that. Then I started adding beef and a bite or 2 of brown rice or whole grain Pasta. I was only able to eat 1/2 to 3/4 cups of food a day for a while but am up to about a cup now. I have 3 small meals and 2 to 3 Snacks a day....snacks are usually a cheese stick, yogurt, a small handful of nuts.....something like that. I get about 800 to 1000 calories now but in the beginning it was 500 to 700. Don't worry....things will progress as your body heals. Just don't over do it. Go slow. You're doing everything right. Eat slow, chew well....stop when you start to feel full. I start to burp a little and I know I've had enough. The first 6 weeks it took me about 30mins to eat. Now I take about 20mins. It gets better, it gets easier.....I promise! Best of luck to you!!

I have bigger eyes these days than I do a stomach. I get it. I'm sure we all get it. One thing I bought before I had surgery was small pretty bowls and plates. I went to the antique mall and bought depression glass dishes. They are really pretty and make me stop and think that each meal is to be slowed downed and enjoyed. I measure out my food and eat slowly. I also bought 1 cup size glad containers. When I cook I portion out the meal into these containers and refrigerate or freeze for the next time. I eat 3 small meals and 2 or 3 Snacks a day. I used to schedule them. I only ate at certain times and I only ate what was pre-portioned on my pretty little dishes. Now ...over 4 mths out, I don't have to eat by a clock but I still portion out my food. I eat when I get hungry. Its a habit now. Evenings are hard. Its a lonely or boring time...so its an emotional thing. Now instead of eating I crochet, read, call a friend and drink a lot of water! I am aware that I'm avoiding food. These things dont totally distract me from those thoughts about food but they keep me busy enough to talk myself out of eating. Surgery does not cure you of cravings, you have to mentally be aware and fight it. You just have to. Please stop over eating you will just hurt yourself. Please try, you don't want to end up back in the hospital. I hope some of these suggestions might help you. Good Luck!

MeAndTinyTina I have known my boss for about 5 yrs now. She is about 13yrs younger than me. I just marked it up as ignorance on her part. I am just glad I only have to really deal with her....other than email and instant messaging for work purposes.....during those luncheons. She has battled her weight as well. I think she is just one of those people that think you will be skinny the moment you leave surgery. One of those that think surgery is a magic trick that makes you instantly skinny.

Worst thing said...... Over the Holiday I had a work luncheon. I work from home and only see my boss and co-workers a few times a year at these luncheons. So....I saw everyone for the first time since surgery on Aug 11th. 61lbs in 4 1/2ish mths. My boss says.....wow, you are losing weight so slowly I thought you would have taken it all off by now. Aren't you following your doctors instructions? And, this was said in front of about 20 people. They all stood there and stared waiting for an answer. I didn't know what to say. I said UMMM about 4 times and stood there blinking. I finally said that I am on track and my doctor is pleased. I continued to smile stupidly and found my seat by some people who were just as shocked by her comment as I was.

Hello. Set backs are going to happen. We're human. I finally had to get rid of all the left over goodies. My son was not pleased with me. But, I let him keep all the wrapped candy he got in his stocking...he just has to keep it in his room. All the baked goods and homemade candy was either given away or thrown away. I learned that my sleeve tolerates small amounts of sweets. When I noticed I was eating those small amounts of sweets a few times a day I had to take a good look at the situation. I was falling into that "its in the kitchen so it must be eaten" mode. I am 4 mths + out from surgery and thought I had this whole new life totally in control. Boy was I wrong! Do you know how good it feels to throw that stuff away? It was a very empowering thing to do! I highly recommend it! I was kind of sad to see it fall into the trash can when I was doing it....but then when it was done and I walked away I felt relief and I felt total control again!

Also 4 1/2 mths out and I have had absolutely no problems. All good. Smooth sailing. When I was 4 weeks out my friends met for lunch at the local Mexican restaurant ...I had tortilla Soup. That made me very uncomfortable and I only had about 5 spoonfuls and it was mostly the broth. I think it was just too soon. I didn't get sick or anything but I felt super full and miserable for about 2 hrs afterward. That was it....my 1 and only weird episode. I am losing 1 to 3 lbs a week and feel fantastic! I used to question whether or not they actually did the surgery on me! I had no pain, came home 1 day after surgery and never used any meds. It was too good to be true! I read all these posts before surgery and was convinced I would be in horrible pain and I would be nauseous miserable for months! Good luck to you! Hope it continues to be easy for you!

We had our family Christmas dinner last night. I had ham, 1/2 a deviled egg and a few bites of green Beans. I later had a small iced sugar cookie and a cup of coffee. Its not Christmas unless you have an iced sugar cookie! I had a chocolate covered cherry later. My Christmas splurge is over. Back to my normal way of eating. No more holiday goodies until Valentines day! I fully intend to carry on with my life and traditions....may only be a bite or a small piece of something but I will not deprive myself of anything ever again. Did that way too many times "dieting" and it never made me skinny! I am now living!

I set a personal goal of 195 by Christmas and I did it. 195.5 as of this morning...close enough!! Now...Goal for my Birthday in January has to be set!

You're right...you have to eat to live. Changing your relationship with food just means to not "use" it. I used "comfort" foods for that purpose...comfort. I would rush to food every time I felt sad or overwhelmed....now I sit down and breath and find something else to do. It is a process. Of course I whined at first because I didn't have my go-to for comfort. But now I realize it was just a crutch. I take walks now or I do something with my hands...like crochet. Or I read or clean or call a friend. You have to change your food choices as part of that "relationship with food" thing. You have to choose healthy foods first and always. Period. You need healthy food to live....you don't need processed foods and Cookies. I actually crave vegetables now. I crave yogurt and fruit. Amazing! I have a house full of cookies and candy right now for Christmas....even have brownies!....my favorite!!!! But I can easily say no to them. My food tastes have changed. I'm stronger now. You will get there. It will take time, but it will come.

Ok. I just want to whine a little. All of my go to friends must be busy...not answering texts or calls tonight and I'm stuck at home on a Friday night with my son and his friend who is spending the night. So...you guys get to hear me whine ....and your ears are greatly appreciated! So...my ex-husband. We've been divorced for about 6 yrs now. My weight was always a problem for him, and I was heavy when we met. 6 yrs later he has been through 5 different women...A serial relationship kind of man I guess. I have only dated 1 man for a very short period of time. I dated occasionally but haven't had a very serious relationship since the divorce. Anyway.....when I had the surgery I was so hoping that he would see me and be really flirty with me. You see....in these past 6 yrs he was constantly flirting with me and constantly telling me I looked great....even though I was 256 lbs and knew I was looking pretty horrible! Now, 55lbs down.....not a peep out of him! Gheez! And we are friends now....we get along great for the sake of our son. Don't get me wrong.....there is no way come hell or high water that I would ever get back with him....as Taylor Swift says.....we are never ever ever getting back together. I just want a stinking compliment. I just want him to worry about my dating life. You know? So that's it. One of the perks of this surgery was to make my ex jealous! Just one little perk. Maybe when I drop another 55?

I needed new jeans....So I went to Macy's women's plus size section to get size 18W.....down from my baggy 20W's. Well they didn't have any that I liked. So I went over to the "regular" women's and misses section across the store.....haven't been there in years! I walked out with a size 18! not a 18W. I am a "regular" woman now! They may be 18's but not having that W on the tag just about made me do cart wheels out the door!

If you google it they really don't know why this happens to some and not others. From what I took on the subject surgery itself can disrupt the growth/shedding/maintaining phases our hair naturally goes through. The process goes haywire for some people. They aren't 100% sure if its the shock of the surgery, the anesthesia or the Protein issue. That's why some people can take 10,000 mgs of Biotin and drink all of their Protein shakes and still lose tons of hair while others who do the same don't lose a single strand...its unexplainable. Its a wait and see thing. I take ...and took starting 3 mths before surgery....10,000 mgs of Biotin, took B12 2x's a day and get 60-70 grams of protein and use hair thickening shampoos with no sulfates... and 4 mths out I'm losing hair. Not going to lie... It sucks a lot! I just hope it slows down before I go bald. If not, I'm going wig shopping!!

Well....I got a wink and a smile the other day when he picked up our son. And, he stared for a bit. I rolled my eyes at him. lol. Felt good!....especially the eye rolling part! I think its a control thing? I kind of like the control of saying "dream on bud, you had your chance!" So looking forward to feeling completely strong and confident!

Yep.....totally normal. Hormones...water.....they are evil buggers! I am almost 4 mths out and I have "gained" weight 3 times. 5lbs was the most. But I follow the diet guidelines to a T so I know its just my body shifting around. As soon as I notice a gain I stay off the scale for a full week. It goes away. The first gain I mentioned it to my doctor and they assured me it was just normal body fluctuations and advised I stay off the scales. I am down 57lbs in 4 mths so its working and it will work for you to! Hang in there!

Here is a question that I got from a friend..... Did you know that if you have WLS you will die 7 to 10 yrs sooner? Why would you take the easy way out and die years earlier than you're suppose to? Why don't you just do it the hard way like the rest of us? First I laughed.... 7 to 10 yrs.....really? Did you talk to professionals...doctors...nutritionists....surgeons? Or did you just make that number up yourself? The easy way....really? Surgery is never easy...its a huge decision that I researched for well over a year before even mentioning it to my doctor. This is the most difficult thing I have ever done and I will live with it for the rest of my life....a life that will be LONGER because I am taking the weight off of my body in a healthy way. Do it the hard way like the rest of you?.....like when you only eat 1 meal a day and drink 6 cans of diet coke a day to keep your calories down? Or when you exercise excessively to "sweat off" that one meal you ate that day? Or like when you make yourself vomit when you binge eat because you have been starving yourself everyday for weeks and you feel guilty for eating. That "hard way"? Then I got mad because she is a friend and she said it so rudely and mean.....and then I got rude and mean back. So I apologized and asked her not to talk with me about it if it makes her uncomfortable because the surgery was my decision ....a decision just for me.....me and me only. I need support and acceptance not negativity. She didn't apologize but she has never brought it up to me again.

I have 2 cups of coffee every morning. Sometimes I have a cup in the evening too. I still drink all my Water and I rarely ....rarely....have acid reflux. If I do then I take Prilosec. I add a little cream to my coffee too and was told that its perfectly fine and I even get a little Protein with it. My doctor told me that if I have issues with it then cut it out....if I don't then drink on. He said to wait about a month after surgery before I try it. I did...all good. He also said that he has never had a patient that severe issues of any kind because of coffee. I really feel that this is good advise.....you know your body and what makes your stomach ache and what doesn't. Good luck!

I really don't mind his dating at all. It provides me with lots of entertainment, actually. He just always bugged me to work things out and flirted heavily during all these other women he's been seeing. Then I have the surgery and I look different, and I am more out going and busy these days. And not a peep. I was counting on a peep. lol I don't think I'm waiting to date. I am not a very out going person. I work from home and spend a lot of my spare time with my son and all of his activities....hes 12. Its hard to meet people and I am so out of practice now the thought terrifies me! But...I am more ready for dating now than I have been in years.

Hi. I am a little over 3 mths post op and lose about 2 to 3 lbs a week most weeks. Some weeks I only lose 1lb. I have been on many diets in the past .....always put the weight back on. On Weight Watchers I lost 70lbs once putting me about 35lbs from goal and the weight loss came to a crawl. I believe the closer you get to goal the harder it is to drop the weight. What I did learn on Weight Watchers is that when you hit a stall or the weight is coming off really slow, is to up your calories 1 or 2 days a week by 100-200 calories a day or change your exercise....I would just do the treadmill most of the time then I would go to a zumba class for a couple weeks. I was told that your body gets used to the low calories or the same exercise routine so it just gets in a rut. If you flip things around every once in a while it gets the signal that all is ok and it will start dropping again. It worked every single time for me. I would do that or have one cheat day a week and eat whatever I wanted. And...I eat a small salad once a week. I have about a 1/2 cup of lettuce/spinach and add chicken, egg, cheese and veggies and low fat dressing. Tastes like heaven! I completely understand the salad craving thing! It goes down pretty easy, I think you will be pleasantly surprised! Good Luck! Enjoy!

Everyone comes in my house and comments on how warm it is.....I have the heat set at 69 and an electric heater/fireplace that runs all day which pushes the temp in the livingroom to about 72. I wear a sweater, pair of socks and a pair of fuzzy socks over them!....and I put a wrap around my shoulders while I work (I work from home) My hands are like ice! This is all new to me....have always been the one burning up!