mbrinmn

Celebrate the weight you've lost in the first few weeks! Don't get caught up in a stall. They happen all the time. I lost 20 pounds in my first 3 weeks, then hit the famous "Week 3 Stall" that lasted about 2.5 weeks. The losing started up again and I was down 40 pounds by month end of month 3 when I hit another stall for 2 weeks. I lost another 22 or 23 pounds before Christmas and have been in a stall since Christmas week...didn't gain an ounce, but didn't lose more than a couple of ounces either. So after 20 weeks, I am now down 62 pounds or so. It's slow process. The sleeve is not a gastric bypass and you're going to lose weight much more slowly than you might anticipate. Go easy on yourself and don't let the scale control your life. Are you clothes more loose? Is your face slimming? Are you starting to develop more energy? Take all the small things and celebrate them! By this time next year, you'll be at your goal, but don't let that be the central focus of your life. Love who you are at every phase and you'll start seeing weight loss much differently. Keep the faith!!

We all love bread and pasta...that's what got most of us to where we were before the sleeve. It's all about choices.

Yes, I'm from Woodbury, Minnesota...near St. Paul.

Wow, 49 pounds in one week?!!? That is huge!! I have heard that the heavier you are, the more weight you lose at a really fast pace at the beginning before it levels off.

I'm so sorry that I can't make it on Saturday. I hope you guys all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's holiday!! I will definitely be at our next meeting in January once someone decides to set a date. Ho, Ho, Ho, Marybeth

I lost 18 pounds in my first two weeks after surgery. Then came the infamous "three-week stall." When your body begins to understand it isn't getting as much food as you used to give it and it goes into a bit of starvation mode...leftover from our caveman days when the next meal might be far away. Don't fret when a stall occurs. They'll happen more than once before you hit your goal. Had surgery August 27, now down 53 pounds. Am in another stall now, sitting at the same weight 3 weeks, but I'm working out, I keep going down in clothes sizes, I'm feeling good, I've changed my eating choices and eating habits for the better...I'm happy.

You had better check if $13,500 is for the surgery, or includes everything like hospital stay and meds. That seems like a low number. I looked into 4 different bariatric surgery programs here in Minnesota and was quoted anything from $18,000 to $28,000. I had EXCELLENT care in Mexico...even better than when I was in the hospital here in the U.S. I paid $4300 for hotel, surgery, meds, and hospital care and my ticket into San Diego was $278. The medical program I went through picked me up at the airport in a limo and also dropped me back off when it was time to fly home. I came home and now go to my own physician for follow-up care, which is covered by my medical insurance. Of course, I didn't tell my physician I was going the Mexico route until after I got back. I gave her all the records and I think it surprised her how thorough the medical care was. My physician referred me to a nutritionist so insurance would cover that too, so I have that support as well.

I was sleeved August 27, 2014, and am now down 52 pounds...but I've been in a stall for almost 3 weeks. I think it's just all part of the process. I knew going in that this would be a slow process, not a quick fix, so while it is frustrating to see the scale stick to one place for a couple of weeks, I can see and feel the benefits in a higher energy level, in how my clothes fit (I'm down from a 24 to an 18), and how others can see that I've lost weight. You're on the right path. And just remember, this too shall pass.

Hope a lot of you can make it to the Saturday, December 20th breakfast meeting at the Perkins off of University Ave. in Fridley. I was a little over-zealous in the number of cookbooks and guides I bought before surgery. I'd love to give them to anyone who wants them. See you on the 20th! Ho Ho Ho! Marybeth

One of the smartest things someone in my support group told me was to forget the scale and go by how your clothes feel. If they are getting looser and you drop a size or two, then you're on the right track. I've heard the stall can last a long time in some cases (everyone is different), but that doesn't mean you are not getting healthier and changing to better habits in the meantime. You knew going in that this procedure was far different than the gastric bypass, so you know the pounds are not going to melt off in a month or two. The sleeve option is much slower than the bypass option. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your 40 pound weight loss to this point...and enjoy your healthy new lifestyle.

You'll be able to eat whatever you want and go to dinner with friends. You just can't shovel in the large amounts any longer. I eat out with friends and family at least 4 times a week and have lost 50 pounds in 3 months. You'll just have to plan on a doggy bag/box. And who cares about a pizza lunch at work? Have one small piece and don't eat the edge crust. 2-3 weeks of liquids only is pretty severe, but you'll make it through. We all have.

I would pack a heating pad, unless you are sure the hospital has them on hand. That's the one thing I really missed having. I had shoulder pain, which they said was common when anesthesia has been used. For some reason, I have read a lot of people have had gas pains in their shoulder. I had a drain, so until that came out, my left shoulder really ached. Otherwise, I just took two very loose fitting outfits...the one I came in wearing and one for the next two days. You'll most likely be wearing your gown for most of your surgery day, so you don't need anything more than an extra outfit...if even that. So happy for you. Good luck and can't wait to see you next week on the 15th.

I do that every day. Twice in the morning (4 pills of regular medication) then about 1 hour later 4 Vitamins. If I drink too much Water, I get a little tummy ache, but nothing more adverse than that.

I'm at just over 8 weeks and my weight fluctuated at week 3 and 5. It's finally starting to drop a few ounces a day. 5 weeks is not a long time in the whole scheme of things. Plus this surgery is not meant to melt the pounds off in just a few short weeks. It's a process and for us "newbies" at 5 and 8 weeks, we just have to let our bodies adjust and figure out what the heck is going on with all these changes. Just keep doing what you are doing and don't let the scale be your only outlet for gaging weigh loss. Let your loose clothes be your guide and give up stepping on the scale every day. Do it just once a week. How many times a week did you step on the scale before you had your surgery? I don't know about you, but I couldn't bring myself to do it very often when I knew I was very overweight and frumpy. You'll get there. We all will. But it's kind of early to be worrying too much about a few pounds up or down a week.

Count me in! Can't wait to see you guys again. Linda, how are you feeling today? Lori, I bet you are so excited!!! See you on the 15th. MB

I'm doing good too. The pounds are coming off very slowly, but I have not ramped up my exercise quotient. I'm one of those goofballs who got a gym membership last year thinking it would reform my life, then never used it past my orientation. I just couldn't bring myself to go when I felt so dumpy and clumsy. Silly, right?! I wasn't motivated to do the one thing that could have helped me a bit. It's so close to my house too. Now that I'm feeling less big, I should really start going. *Have a good tip that I got from another sleeve friend here in the Twin Cities. Wear Spanx-style undergarments to help with keeping skin a little tighter. Once loose skin starts hanging, gravity will just keep working to pull it down. Compression undergarments really help, especially the ones meant for upper arms. Just thought I'd share that. I have mine on order now.

Glad you're home and feeling relatively well. Each day you'll feel about 50% better over the day before. Before you know it, you won't even be able to tell you had surgery. When are you leaving for the south, again. I'm sorry that I can't keep that date in my head. Lori has surgery on the 6th and as soon as she feels okay, we should get together before you become a snow bird.

You'll be surprised that your plate can look like any normal plate of food. However, you will only be able to eat a tiny portion, so have lots of Ziplok bags and storage containers on hand. As I mentioned to another woman on a different message board, I bought a bunch of large Water bottles and cups. I keep them all over the house, practically in every room, including the basement. Every time I get close to one, I take 3 or 4 sips. Unlike others, I have had no terrible issues with dehydration or balancing liquid intake vs. food intake. I do get dry mouth and my skin is dryer than usual, but not too, too bad. My typical day of food looks like: A Protein shake and a 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt with maybe some museli or fruit mixed in. I don't have any hunger pangs at all, so I have to remind myself to eat a decent lunch...proteins first, the good carbs (dark green vegetables), then if there's room left, that where the bad carbs go in (bread, rice, pasta). I usually eat a small type of protein for dinner...a piece of chicken or meatloaf along with some cottage cheese. I eat out all the time and bring home food for 4 more meals. I have treats like Cold Stone Creamery ice cream, but just the baby scoop. I have not had any cravings and I do not miss anything that I thought I'd be sacrificing, like my beloved donuts or things like bread and cake. During this Halloween season, I allow myself one piece of candy from our company candy dish per day, but I don't always feel hungry for candy. I don't miss not having chocolate or sweet things at all. But if there is any around, I don't deny myself a bite. I think a lot of it is mind over matter. You have to really dedicate yourself to using your new tool to most efficient way, otherwise, it's just a waste of major surgery. Also, you'll be amazed at how your new, tiny stomach will be sure to tell you when it is full. Just one bite too much and you'll have a cramp or two to remind you that it's time to stop. Another bite too much and your food come up the same way it went down. There are a lot of excellent cookbooks for people who have had bariatric surgery. I bet you won't every feel hungry or deprived once you get used to your new stomach.

I was told to take a laxative the night before the first full day preceding my surgery to "clean me out." Then I just drank Water on that full day before my procedure. The water helped to keep everything flowing, so by the time I got to hospital the next day, my lower digestive tract was sparkling clean.

That's odd. Every doctor and program must be very different. I was eating Greek yogurt by day 7 with no issues. It was not oN my list of foods to stay away from. It was on my list of foods to stock up on.

Chewable did not agree with me either! I gave all mine away.

By 10 days out, I was doing more solid soups...cream of chicken, cream of broccoli. Also watery oatmeal and other purees. I did a lot of baby food dinners once I figured out to add salt and pepper. Man, baby food is really tasteless!!! My first week was liquids only, my second week was purees, my third week was mashed up meals (regular food, even off menu at restaurants...bought myself a little hand-operated chopper). The mashed foods lasted for about 2.5 weeks until I was brave enough to try well chewed solid foods. According to my doctor's plan, I could have gone to solid foods in my 4th week.

Normal. I lost 5 pounds my first week as well. Don't think of it as "only" and don't consider 5 pounds a small amount. Pile up 5 pounds of hamburger if you have it in the house or next time your in the grocery store. It's not little. I found that I started to lose more once I started on whole foods and started walking a bit more.

I know you said you keep a bottle with you at all times, but here's what I found helpful. I bought a bunch of refillable Water bottles and I leave them in every room of the house, including two bathrooms, and in two or three places in my cube at work. Every time I get near one, I take three sips. If I find I sit in one place for a long while, I tend to go with the timed method like Irene mentioned. If you haven't downed all the water in 2-3 days, pour it out and refill each bottle. I think I have about 10 bottles total in the house and I'm looking at 4 now here at work.

Here's another suggestion. Watch the movie "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead." It's a documentary about how a man got his health and vitality back by juicing. He has a program called a guided reboot. It's not a full juice fast, but incorporates juicing with other healthy eating. For $300, you get a weekly support group webinar, plus one on ones with a registered dietician. I'm doing it in January. A nurse at the hospital who was caring for me after my sleeve surgery told me about the movie, so I watched one night before I was released. It was so eye opening. Also, if you want to find out a little too much about why Americans have such unhealthy eating habits and obesity is rampant, watch "food Inc." Very, very insightful. Both of these movies will make you want to change for your own health and well being.