Babbs

YIPPEEEEEEEE!!!

@@UalreadyKnow Not even CLOSE to doomed

I know it's hard, but PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE. You didn't gain all the weight overnight, and you certainly aren't going to lose it overnight. These things take time. Yes, even with WLS. Put your nose to the grindstone, keep working your program, and it will come off. I promise. Our bodies are weird. You would think barely eating would cause the weight to fall off, but it just isn't as simple as that sometimes. With the surgery comes trauma, hormones going crazy, etc...it's not all about "calories in, calories out" right after surgery. It's so much more complicated than that. Here's why you either don't lose a lot or stall so early out: A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why. Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of Water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet. However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.

Yup, I look at you at the same height and think "Why shouldn't I go down to 132 pounds?" But then I think I've never been that thin in my life and want to get to a weight I can pretty much stay at without gaining every time I eat a grape, lol. I MAY try for 140, but I'll see how my body feels. So far it keeps wanting to lose, so I'll see when it finally says "STOP!".

And just to be clear....what you're feeling is completely normal. I think 99% of us had the exact same fears and thoughts you did. Just so you know, you're not alone

I have gained and lost weight probably 10 times. I have been the weight I am currently twice. Losing it is easy. Keeping it off is the hard part. With this surgery, it has given me the fighting chance I needed to keep all or most of the weight I've found over and over off for the rest of my life. It's not a magic bullet, because over time the effectiveness of the surgery wanes. But with the use of this tool, I have learned what it takes to maintain my weight. And let's face it, my stomach will never be the size it was before. That right there gives me more than a fair advantage. I did what I had to do. I'm not ashamed at all, and never will be. Some people just need a little extra "help". There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It doesn't make me weak, or lazy, or unmotivated. I have worked harder at this than any other "diet" I've ever been on, because for the first time in my life, I'm doing it right.

12 months since surgery 87 pounds lost 20 years since I've been this weight 6 is the size of my jeans 48 years old and feel amazing and 10 years younger 1 happy hubby

Yes. At first I only counted my protien and carbs, but as time went on and my weight loss slowed and stalled several times, knowing how many calories I was consuming helped me adjust accordingly when I needed to. I admit I've been kind of half assed at it at times, but now that I'm pretty much at maintenence, I feel I must hold myself accountable at this point so I don't regain.

No judgement here. I quit 14 months ago, and had a moment of weakness not too long ago and took a puff of my friends cig. It tasted horrible!! I'm glad I was so repulsed by it, because I really don't want to go down that road ever again. You shouldn't either! You've done so well so far!

It's normal. Between the trauma of the surgery, all the huge changes in your life, and the surge of hormones from weight loss, most everyone feels kind of emotional and nutty the first month or so after surgery. As things normalize and you continue to recover, it will pass

Do you have an issue with reflux or GERD? If so, the band or sleeve should be avoided. How are you at taking pills and Vitamins? If you're terrible about it, then the bypass should be avoided. You will need to take vitamins the rest of your life with the bypass due to malabsorbtion. As far as success with weight loss, I've seen major successes with each of the surgeries (band, RNY, sleeve). I've also seen major failures with each. It's really up to the individual to use the tool properly, whichever one they get, although the band has had some issues with malfunction causing the patient to not be able to utilize the tool properly.

I agree with Ann. I don't think you're done losing, either. Our bodies just get used to things, and we have to change things up once in a while to get things moving along again, whether it be how much we are eating, or what we are eating. A little shock to the system seems to do the trick a lot of times.

I left mine on too long and got terrible rashes where the tape was I don't know why I didn't take them off sooner, lol.

148 this morning. Thanks for the challenge and helping me push toward my goal and a little beyond!

Your menu and calories look good. With you not being able to excerise much, I would think your caloric intake is pretty spot on at this point. But your body obviously has become complacent, so something needs to give. I'm at goal, but still want to lose a few more pounds for a buffer. I have lost 2 pounds in about 2 and a half weeks. Not record breaking weight loss, but loss none the less. I'm going to suggest upping your calories to 1250-1300 if possible. I notice when I eat more than usual, the weight comes off. Also, since you are so close to goal, have you tried adding carbs in the form of whole grains to your diet? I have also done that since month 11, and have experienced steady weight loss more or less. I'm not saying to go crazy with them, but a piece of multi grain toast with your eggs, or a little brown rice with your protien? I know you're bypass, so I don't know how those will effect your little pouch, either Try that for a week or 2 and see how it goes?

@ Wow. I always thought you were much younger! I didn't realize we were the same age. You look younger in your pictures.

@@sjidaho Hey! I'm from Idaho too!

You know, you don't HAVE to excerise to lose weight. It's really 90% diet. Obviously excerise has it's benefits (keeping your muscle that you will lose with the weight loss, increasing your metabolism, good for your heart etc....) but weight loss is mostly diet. How about just walking? Taking your dog on walks, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away to get a good walk in?

Yes, I had it before my VSG. I was having a terrible time with regurgitation after surgery, so my surgeon kept me on liquids for 6 weeks to see if things would "loosen up" with my sleeve. It didn't really help. I have been taking a PPI since surgery, and at over a year out it has gotten considerably better, but not gone. Sometimes I wish I would have gone with the bypass because of it.

The first 3 weeks to a month is usually the fastest. Then it tapers off to more "normal" weight loss rates of 2-4 pounds a week. Me? I lost an average of 1-2 pounds a week, because I have the metabolism of a koala.

Pretty much from day one for me. Now it's very off and on, and unfortunately this week has been very "on". I'm having a lot of cravings this week for some reason and fighting them hard! My family was making smores tonight, and luckily I only took a bite of one. But those Graham crackers are calling my name! Usually I'm pretty good at resisting and not craving that stuff. But as soon as I give in, I crave more! That's why it's just easier for me to just stay away from it.

@ You are exactly right. Like I said, my husband isn't a mind reader. How does he know what I want from him if I don't TELL him what I want? Like you said, keep it simple. We females like to complicate things way too much!

It's not all about being thinner. Thin people still suffer from depression. Thin people still take medications for depression. Thin people still commit suicide. Thin people still need counseling. It's a chemical imbalance that needs to be addressed with either cognitive therapy, medication, or at the least, diet and exercise. I've had depression my whole life, mostly controlled with medication and therapy. Didn't matter if I was fat or thin, I suffered from depression. Call me crazy (ha), but I have found this time around with the sleeve, now that I've truly committed to a cleaner, healthier lifestyle by quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating nothing but real, non processed food, I have put my depression into remission and am off all medications. I don't contribute it to the fact that I'm thinner now, I honestly believe that diet and exercise was the key. I have just as much stress that can cause depression and anxiety after being sleeved than I did before (and sometimes I didn't need any stress or anxiety to be depressed). The difference is I'm able to deal with it much better having a clear mind and healthy body. Somehow, my diet and regular exercise has helped change that imbalance I've dealt with my whole life. Don't ask me how, but it did.

You have no idea where you will lose weight first at 1 week out. Give it some time. I think by 6 months out you will be pleasantly surprised at how much of your stomach you will have lost by then. Be patient.

Most of us had a 3-6 month wait for surgery. Some even longer (they wait years in Canada)! Take the time to learn about WLS, nutrition, develop new eating habits, start an exercise regimen, etc...knowledge is power! I've found that the people who really did their homework and learned as much as they could ahead of time seem to be the most successful post op. Keep reading the forums, pick up some books on the subject, watch YouTube videos. It will make the time go by faster, too!