Engteacher

Look for a bariatric center of excellence in your area and find out when their informational sessions are. Also, check with your insurance and see if they cover the surgery and what all they require you do. My primary was reluctant, too, but I didn't let her hesitation slow me down more. Now she's willing to recommend this surgery to others having seen my success.

I was told to limit my coffee intake, so I heat up a cup of milk in the microwave and then top it off with about 4 oz. of coffee. I get 8g of Protein and it tastes wonderful. Maybe it's just the hot beverage I needed, but I drink it first thing in the morning and again around 3. Wonderfully satisfying!

I just had my 3 month NUT meeting this week and she warned me of this down the road. She said what I would need to do if/when this happens is to eat 5 small meals per day instead of 3 so my body would know that calories are coming and be willing to burn fat instead of holding on to it. So counter intuitive.

I had surgery in June and find that my weight fluctuates at different times of day and can go up or down three pounds. If you have had surgery just recently, don't drive yourself crazy. If you weigh yourself every couple of days, make sure it's always at the same time of day - like first thing in the morning. Tell yourself that the number you see is just a snapshot; it isn't you. Stick with what your NUT and surgeon have told you, gather your courage, and move forward. Believe if you do your part, it will all work out.

So exciting to see your pictures! Congrats and well done!

High school English teacher and small business owner.

Hummus? Thin it out, though, and eat with a spoon instead of bread.

I think the best chip for when you're craving salsa is actually a spoon.

My surgeon stopped doing band surgery a few years ago. He said there were too many issues with them for his comfort any more.

Just hang in there. It's absolutely normal and is to be expected as our bodies adjust. Just stick with the rules and know that it will pass. I was stuck at 210 for almost two weeks just four weeks after surgery. The scale finally started to move again and I'm down another six pounds. It happens to everyone. Don't panic.

I was sleeved on June 9th. A month later, I stalled for almost two weeks. It's just what happens as our bodies adjust to the new reality. Stick with the program and know that it will pass. You will lose more weight, just hang in there.

I'm at 9 weeks out from surgery, and I can say that for the first six weeks it's a chore to eat anything. It has helped me get away from my comfort foods, because they no longer provided me any comfort at all. That said, as I'm able to eat and enjoy food more, I'm having to make very deliberate choices as to what I will eat and what I won't. I'm also trying to transfer the love I felt for food to a love of movement and exercise. Maybe I can shift my cravings to something healthy. Best of luck to you. As I said, I'm new to the journey, but this has been my experience so far.

I had thinner injections when I had my surgery in June. I have Factor V Leiden and, although I've never had a blood clot, my surgeon ordered injections every 12 hours while I was hospitalized. It was no big deal. The shots were given in my belly. Not painful at all. I also had the inflatable leg pressure cuffs on at all times except when I was walking the halls. I didn't need shots after the second day, but they insisted that I be up and walking when I went home. Wow. 30 days. I'd ask more questions.

Well, folks, I stepped way WAY out of my comfort zone and treated my body to a massage yesterday. Wow! What a wonderful experience. Poor body image and embarrassment fused with shame had stopped me before surgery. Although I'm only down 30-some pounds, I decided to break with old patterns and give it a try. It was rejuvenating and relaxing. Everything I hoped. I've already booked my next on for mid-September.

Kathy - you caught me. Well done! What I should have said is that I'm a rookie on this path to weight loss and I celebrated my most recent success by getting my first ever massage. Thanks for the post. It made me laugh and remember never to use 'only' when talking weight loss success. Bless you!

I'm 7 weeks out and had a lot of trouble with bariatric Vitamins. In the hospital, they gave me Flintstone Chewables, and they went down much easier. I've been using them ever since. I've tried to go back to bariatric ones, but they still make me gag. Maybe if I tried to chew half at a time it would be better. Anyway, the Flintstone work for me, so that's my go-to for the time being. Hope this helps. All the best!

We had surgery at the same time and, like you, my weight loss has slowed way down this past week. So, what I did last night to perk myself up was graph my weight for the last six months. What I saw was a chart that looked like a sea cliff. It was high for a long time and then suddenly dropped off like a cliff face just at the point where I had my surgery. I reminded myself that I can't loose 1/2 pound a day or more like I did the first two weeks. This slower pace, in the end, will serve me better. My job is to keep active, stick to the program, and get healthy.

I was sleeved the day after you and have lost 29 pounds since surgery, 34 in total. I'm just trusting the process, doing what I'm supposed to do, and letting the scale be. I'm not going to fret about it. That's what I have to tell myself ever day so that I don't obsess about every little up or down. After years of obsessing about my weight, I need to just trust that this will work.

I was sleeved on June 9th. I was 239 on surgery day, but my high weight was 244. I weigh 212 as of this morning. Nausea is gone. food is simply fuel, and I don't (often) think of it as my best buddy. That said, I do sometimes miss how it feels to tuck in to a hot hoggie. I bought one for my husband the other day, and pulled out three slices of sliced meat and a bit of melted cheese. It satisfied the craving and I did not feel deprived. I take Biotin and Vitamin D along with my multi vitamin daily. I have an antacid to take with meals. I still get tired from time to time, but know I just need to rest when my body tells me to. No dragon breath yet. I'm wondering when ketosis will kick in. To keep active, I've been doing a lot of yard work and household chores along with walking. I will join the gym this fall when school starts. My husband tells me I no longer snore. My first NSV! Stepping way out of my comfort zone, I booked my first ever massage for July 29th. I've always been too self-conscious to do it before, but now I figure - get over it!~ I'm really looking forward to it.

I was sleeved on June 9th and was 239 on the day of surgery, but my HW was 244. I stepped on the scale this morning and was 218, but have definitely slowed down the past week or so. More than weight, I've lost 24 inches total so far and have had to reach to the back of my closet to find old jeans that haven't fit in five years. Pre-surgery, I was wearing size 20 and now the size 16 are a bit loose in the waist for me. I'm starting to feel like this surgery thing is going to work for me.

I got the ok at 3 weeks and made poached eggs to start with. They are wetter and super delicious!

I quit smoking 30 years ago, and just talking about cigarettes makes me feel the urge to go out and buy a pack. What helped/helps me is to just keep refusing to smoke the next cigarette. It's ongoing; I'm always going to want one. BUT, by not smoking the next one, I've been "clean" for thirty years. It's an addiction, but you can get through it. My husband replaced his nicotine addiction with exercise. He works out every day and has managed to transfer the bad habit into a good one. Best of luck to you!

Hi, everyone. I was sleeved on 6/9/15 and have no idea how fast the weight will come off. With several wedding coming up in August, and professional wardrobe required in the fall, I decided to rent clothing for the time being. There are several companies, but I'm going to try Gwynnie Bee, since they offer the first month free. I figure it's cheaper than buying a new outfit every month, and they have free shipping. Anyone else going this route? I'll give you a review after I've had a chance to try it for a few months. Continued success, everyone!

HI, everyone! I was sleeved on June 9th and am wondering if we can organize a meet-up before summer slips by. I'd love to meet some others who are farther down this path than I am. I'm just south of the Twin Cities, but am willing to drive anywhere. Weddings the first two weekends in August, but that's the only thing on the calendar for summer. If you're willing to head over towards Woodbury, I'd be glad to organize it. Just let me know if anyone's interested.

I was sleeved on June 9th. Immediately after surgery, I felt very little pain probably because my nurses were giving me good drugs every four hours. When I got home on Thursday, June 11th, I kept up with the meds every 4-6 hours. The next day I stopped and felt just fine. My incisions were a bit tender only when I pushed on them. The few gas bubbles felt like a cramp or muscle tweak for just a few minutes, but it passed quickly. I was pain free in about a week. All in all, I was never above a four (out of 10) and usually at a 2, maybe 3.