Shadow427

Emsgirl and Sarina: I think 21 pounds is good! Don't be deceived by all the numbers you see that are posted by others. For instance, my ticker says I lost 56 pounds... and that is true. But, half of them were pre-op and took me 4.5 months! Since the actual surgery my wl is 29 lbs. If you do the math, 29 divided by the 7.5 weeks since surgery = 3.8 pounds per week. I don't know about you, but, I NEVER averaged almost 4 pounds a week for this long of a period. Another example: 21 pounds, 7 weeks = average of 3 pounds a week! That is awesome! I think we get delusional because right after surgery we dropped fast. And, now, we keep having stalls, then a drop, then stalls, then a drop. We want to see the dial move EVERY day. It's just not going to happen that way.

Hey Gang! I went to a support group meeting and wanted to share info with you. One of the Administrators of our program did a college research project on people who had wls between 2009 and 2013 - basically, people who were over 1 year out from surgery. She categorized the group into 3 segments. 1. Those who maintained their weight. 2. Those who marginally gained weight (1 - 10 pounds from their lowest or target) 3. Those who regained (11+ pounds). The key factors that people stressed to stay the course are: 1. Have a solid support group - bariatric pal was mentioned as a great source, plus the ones through your physician's office, and, family/friends 2. Continue to journal your food 3. Exercise 4. Even though your stomach limits your intake, make sure your intake is good stuff. (Protein bar in one hand, jelly donut in the other.... pick the protein bar!) 5. Keeping your appointments with the doctor and nutritionist 6. Don't fall back into old habits 7. Alcohol - although many of the maintainers said they do drink alcohol, they limit it to one or two drinks once a week or less I don't have the stats with me regarding what percentage maintained, marginally gained and really gained. But, when I get them I will share with ya'll! (And, no, I am not from the south. Just felt like saying ya'll).

Smiley - we are here for you. Try to stay the course... You can do this!

I just took 4 large bags of clothes to Goodwill this weekend. I have 3 or 4 more bags that have to go, too! I tried shopping in the store, but, I have a problem with wearing clothes from people I don't know! (Is that weird?) I will take hand-me-downs from people I do know, however! For now, I vow to but at least 2 good pair of pants that fit at all times. (Good = on sale) Shirts can be a little bigger. But, I think I look frumpy if I wear pants that are dropping off of me. So far, many of my skirts are fine... but, I sense they will be too loose very soon. I have to look at selling on ebay! I have some pretty darned nice clothes that I could make money off of! I am sure the people who buy from Goodwill appreciate them. But, heck, why not make some money to buy those two good pair of pants every month! LOL!

You don't have to smack me! Went to the YMCA yesterday and did the recumbent bike for 70'minutes! (A good show was on and I wanted to see the end) This morning I woke up to a 3 pound loss. Maybe there is something to the "shake your routine up" statement. Knee was pretty swollen today, though. (Very old sports injury).

Hi everyone: I just want to tell you how inspirational you all are. I was supposed to be sleeved in Oct. But got pushed to Nov. So I read your threads to know what's coming up!

Emsgirl: I hate the cold weather so I go to a big box store and walk up and down all aisles 5 times. (I've learned to leave wallet in car or I would do more shopping than walking). When I first got out of the hospital I would go to IKEA or a furniture store - they have lots of seats if you wish to rest! I signed up for the YMCA yesterday. I'm trying to motivate myself to get there. I twisted my knee two weeks ago and it is still sore. But that doesn't mean I can't do weights for the arms! (smack me later if I don't report that I went!)

emsgirl: It is funny. I had lost 30 pounds before surgery. I lost 20 pounds after - up until the holidays. NO ONE SAID ANYTHING. I came back to work this week and at least 5 people said "My you look like you lost weight". It took 54 pounds for anyone to notice! LOL! (Okay, I am very tall and so it is distributed in larger spaces, but, really???) One thing could be that I did go to visit my mom during the holidays and picked up some old clothes in a smaller size. So, I am wearing clothes that "fit" versus are sloppily-loose. So, it could be how the present is wrapped!!!! Vitamins: I do chewable. Don't like gummies. Get stuck in teeth.

I was on a stall for almost 2.5 weeks.... then, overnight I dropped 3 pounds! So, I hope that means I am on my next weight loss spurt!

Ok. Holidays are over. Let's focus now!

I, too, made it to under 300. If I loose 1 more pound, I'll hit a 50 pound loss. Unfortunately, that 1 poundis being stubborn I'm on a 2.5 week stall.

Stats: Height 5'11" HW 340 SW 313 CW 289-292

I am super frustrated. Not only is my stall 2.5 weeks, but I gained 2 pounds! I was super strict during the holidays and always brought my own food. I was looking forward to joining tge gym, but ended up twisting my knee. I can hardly walk Arghhhh!

DC! AWESOME! Way to go. You look so happy and your kids are adorable. Superbariatricpal - I am so sorry. But, lesson learned: ALWAYS BRING SOMETHING WITH YOU THAT YOU CAN EAT. So, my Christmas story regarding "non-supportive" people. I have not told anyone in my family that I had surgery. They think I had my gallbladder out. I live in Philly. My family is in CT. Well, I arrived at mom's house on Christmas Eve in the afternoon. I walked in and she said absolutely NOTHING about how I looked. So, I go to thinking, well, I am a tall person so maybe 50 pounds doesn't show on a tall person. (Mind you, my mom is 5 ft 8 inches and probably NEVER weighed over 135 pounds in her life - - - and she eats sweets, candy, breads, etc. ALL THE TIME - - and never understood why I was heavy. She used to torture me into doing situps in the living during high school. I was a 3 sport athlete and in excellent shape... just larger boned than her.) A few hours later we went to my brother's house. My nephew's (senior in high school) first words out of his mouth: "Oh my! You look fantastic!" Then my brother chimed in: "Tam, have you been working out. You are so pretty!" My mom's mouth dropped because she wasn't the center of attention. So, today, we went shopping and i was buying smaller clothers. She finally said: "You do look very good. Keep it up. You will feel better." NOW THAT IS A NON-SCALE VICTORY!

Hi Everybody! I agree this group has such a positive energy. I look forward to everyone's comments, observations, and support. So, regarding baggy clothes... People at work were teasing me regarding how many times I had to pull up my pants today. Since I'm heading to CT to see my family for Christmas [no one knows I had surgery], I decided I should get at least one outfit that actually fits. Out of habit, I tried on 3x tops. Way too big. Tried on 2x. Big! I actually bought a 1x (on sale, too!) Talk about going from denial to pure joy! If I dont get a chance to write in tge next few days, have a wonderful Christmas and stay the course.

Jacqbult: Best revenge is to prove her wrong!!!! You show her you will meet your goal! I had my one month follow-up yesterday.... which was actually my 25 day follow up. And, miraculously, my stall eased up enough for me to log in a 5 pound loss since my 2 week visit. That makes my total since surgery 20 lbs. And, since August when I started planning for surgery, I am down 47! New Christmas Carroll: "All I Want for Christmas is a THREE Pound Loss!" - (To make the total 50!) Anyway, I can start with solid foods today. We had our company holiday pot luck and I was afraid to trying anything so I simply ate the mini-quiche I made and a half of slice of cranberry sauce. I was fine and didn't feel "odd" not being a piglet like everyone else! Boy, you sure do notice other people's eating habits, styles and approaches when you are restricted!

emsgirl: Do you have to go off of them totally??? Can't you use them to supplement?

I am wearing a beautiful jacket that I bought last year after Christmas because it was on sale - - - probably less than $20... and I said to myself, NEXT year I will be able to wear it when I loose weight. At that time, I did not know I was going to embark on the Sleeve wagon! But, alas, I got soooooo many compliments to day on my jacket! So I can relate to your sweater joy!

I am at a stall, too. For well over a week. I have actually gained 2 pounds. I go for my 2nd doctor's followup on Thurs and I don't want to disappoint him. It is frustrating knowing you are only consuming about 800 calories and you aren't loosing. In the past, this would have frustrated me and caused me to "go off my diet". The good news is the sleeve is a "tool" - - - we can't go off our diets cuz of the surgery. Sure, we can choose to put "bad" things in versus better choices, but, we are limited on space. Logically, I know this is what happens. Emotionally, we just have to trust the program. Regarding exercise, my doctor informed that if all is well after this visit, I can start exercising and eating real foods NEXT week. I am looking forward to it. I think it will help move the scale.

Funny thing ~ I was more anxious about having to fib again than I was worried about my health! Seems like it was just constipation. I did have a gallstone last June. And, the pain was very similar. I'll have to keep an eye on it! The rest of the weekend was fine. Also, I'll send some recipes next week. I love to cook!

I have been feeling fine since surgery. Until today. Wham! Incredibly sharp pains in my right side. I doubled over at work and started crying. I called my doctor's office. They said it could be anything as simple as gas and constipation. Or it could be a complication from surgery. Or, could be gallbladder. It would be horrible if it's gallbladder cuz instead of telling people I had sleeve surgery, I told them I had my gallbladder out!!!! Anyway, I did take laxitives and some of the "pain" moved. I guess I'll know in a few hours if it was simply constipation!

Sorry about your puppy hugs from Philly

It doesn't seem right, It doesn't seem fair. All that I eat is liquids and air. The first two weeks I lost without fail But the past 3 days not a movement from my scale. I heard from others this is the game Stay the course and we won't feel the same. shake off the dread, shake off the fear. Fairly soon we will have a smaller rear!

Lorammy, I hit a stall, too. But, through all of my research, apparently this is normal. The body thinks we are in "starvation mode" and hence, wants to hold onto some of the fat. I've also been told that this is the time the body does adjustments. So, the scale might not move, but, your clothes might fit better. It is a LONG journey and not a quick fix. Let's promise to not get fixated on the scale!

Oh, I forgot to mention. I was able to get 72 Premier Protein shakes, 120 Chewable Vitamins and lotion for scars for free through insurance. (Long ago I met my deductible for the year). The bill stated $60 which was applied to insurance. If you go to premierprotein.com, you can inquire about going through insurance. They will help you through the process. And, I just tried a chocolate shake and it is quite good. Not as chalky as other ones that I have tried.