Kathy812

Great job! Congrats. This month is my surgiversary too. At the rate you're going, I have no doubt you'll have that six pack!

very inspiring, congrats!

I've had pizza a few times, but I only ate the topping. We make chicken burgers or turkey burgers all the time, but no bread. I usually eat it with a small salad or veggies and can't finish the whole burger. Recently I had a burger from Portillo's ( it used to be my favorite fast food spot for burgers) but I didn't eat the bun. Instead, I bought low carb heathy choice bread, toasted it and ate 1 slice with my burger. Unfortunately, I was not one of those who lost the taste for fast & fattening foods but I have learned to modify them and eat it sparingly.

Wow! You did fantastic & look great! Congrats

Weigh in : 170.6

Staying busy. After I eat, I get up & clean the dishes and or talk to someone to keep my mind occupied. I watched the clock at first, but one year post op and it's not an issue. Honestly,that was one of my biggest fears. I thought I would fail at that part. Surprisingly , it became second nature. I finished dinner a half hour ago. Got online & now it's time to drink! See? Busy, busy, busy!

Unfortunately, hair loss is a side effect of the surgery. Many people on this thread get in all of their protein,take biotin and still lose hair-including me. Fortunately, for me it only lasted for 3 months ( months 5-8). Some people go through hair loss for up to a year or longer. Some don't take biotin at all and struggle with getting in all their protein & have no hair loss...go figure. Biotin does not stop your hair from falling out, it helps with regrowth. I take 10,000mcg a day.

@@carolyn_1978, you look awesome & great job! To answer your question, I coincidentally asked a similar question yesterday at my appt. my PA said if we don't continue following the program. (i.e., protein, veggies, carbs)it's very possible to regain. She's seen some regain a small as 10-20lbs and a few have regained most of their weight back . She said if we eat the wrong foods and graze, it's a sure fire way to go back from whence we came. A support team and determination are essential. A "healthy" dose of worry is good-keeps us in check. There are some vets on this forum who have maintained there weight 3-5 years out. So it's possible.

@stephhs, oops I didn't finish. You look awesome! You are an inspiration. And that's for organizing the Halloween challenge.

So glad to read the updates. Congrats to everyone. Today is my surgiversary & I am at 170.6 . I have been losing an average of 2-3 lbs a month for the last 5 months but since I'm a half glass full kinda girl, I'll say that I'm happy I am still losing, albeit slower then I'd like. I Went for my 1 year follow up yesterday and they were pleased. I am hoping to lose another 25lbs but surprisingly my bariatric team does not want me lose more the 10-15. Something about my metabolism will struggle to maintain that weight and they suggested I go by how I look and feel. Weird thing is when I weighed 170 in the past, I was wearing a size 14 & now I'm wearing a size 10. I don't want to get smaller then a size 8, so maybe anothe r 10-15 lbs may be it for me....I'll have to reevaluate when I get there. My b12 was high, but they weren't too concerned & suggested switching my Vitamins but the rest of my labs were great. This has truly been one of the best decisions I've made in my life. Happy anniversary to us all. @@stephh

On the weekends I look forward to my cottage cheese pancake (doesn't sound good but it's yummy). Made with cottage cheese, oatmeal and an egg, all blended in my mini food processor. I add vanilla extract, Splenda & cinnamon for flavor. I also have either bacon or turkey sausage with it. During the week, I keep it simple. It's either 80 cal. Yoplait Greek yogurt with a sprinkle of blueberry granola for some crunch or I order an omelette from the deli at work & coffee, coffee, coffee.. That's a must EVERYDAY! Today it was oatmeal with a little raisen and honey. Not picture worthy.

I work out at home. I do three different types of Zumba DVDs (not in one day), sometimes the treadmill, and light weights 3-4 times a week. The variety of keeps me from getting bored and I LOVE Zumba which helps me stick with it. I work out at 5am before work. The morning works for me because in the evening I can think of all kind of excuses not to work out.

I went from a 9.5 to an 8.5. I'm super happy! I Still need to lose another 25lbs but I hope I'm done going down in shoe sizes cause I just bought 5 new boots/shoes for the winter.

Cw 171.8

Good luck Wendi and congrats. I agree with you, I never want to see my highest weight again too.

Chewing my gum now too. Actually, I chew gum almost everyday. I was told to wait a few months post op -I think 3. Like Elode, there have been times it's made me burp or experience some annoying stomach sounds. But I like my sugar free trident.

@@bhopeful, I, too, have hypothyroidism and was very concerned about having this surgery and effectively losing weight. I also had the metabolic test done and was told if I eat under 1400 calories, I should lose weight. I chose the sleeve. My loss has been slow but fairly steady. After the fourth month, I started losing about 2-3 lbs a month and one month I lost just 1lb. Next week is my surgiversary and I will not be at my doctors goal-which is between 163-167. I've come to terms with it. I'm committed to continuing on this journey and I know eventually I'll get there. I should add that I'm also in menopause. I have no regrets choosing the sleeve.

I have been losing slowly since month four, but I DO lose. Don't stress yourself out, stalls can be an unfortunate part of this process. Many, many people experience stalls and still get to their goal weight. I've made many mistakes that contributed to my slow loss but I have made changes recently & it's coming off again. So here are my recommendations: #1- I introduced carbs too soon & it was and truthfully still has been a difficult habit to break. Leave the bad carbs alone. It's ok to enjoy it occasionally (preferably when you're closer to goal) #2- The first year to eighteen months are what they refer to as the honeymoon period. Some say the honeymoon ends after a year & others say eighteen months. Regardless, give it your best shot. Make this surgery count! #3- Protein & veggies, and at least 60oz. Of Water, or whatever is recommended by your team. #4- work out (aerobics) and lift weights, when cleared. I have not been consistent with my workouts and started weights just this past month. Don't go crazy with the workouts, give your body time to rest. I was told 4-5 days a week. Hope this helps Wishing you a successful journey

@@itstimealready, on this site we call it a ticker. It basically "tracks" your progress & you can personalize it, hence the word tracker. Hope that helps.

Me too, thought it had slowed down. ...NOT! I will have to try gas- x

@@Abby&IvysMom, if you click on your user name @@Top, you'll see the word ticker,that's how you can make your personalized tracker.

My nutrionist increased my calories to 1200 @ 9 months. It is normal to feel hungrier as the months pass. Your sleeve has/is healing & the capacity is greater. And yes, even with 1200 calories, I still get hungry. I will have my one year surgiversary on 10/17.

Weigh In: 171.0

I gained 9 lbs before my two week preop and had no problems, surgery went as planned. I have bcbs of Il. I know every insurance is different. Wishing you the best

I had no issues before surgery. However after surgery, if I eat something high in carbs-specifically something sweet, I'll get a very mild case of dumping. I get the hot flashes only. No diarrhea or vomiting that most people get with dumping. Thankfully , I never threw up after surgery.