sherripark

I feel your pain, I too started at the over 400 lb mark and didn't bother exercising til I too got stuck at about 300lbs..... just stuck. The scale has only moved about 20lbs since Christmas!!! So I got off my arse and joined Curves (and now that our ridiculously long, cold Canadian winter is over, walking!) since then I have lost about 15lbs and feel myself getting stronger and more encouraged each day. So a pat on the back for all of us, who may not of excercised right away but learned our lessons and got moving..... Walk, on my friends, walk on!

Hello all, Firstly I will out and out tell you how proud of myself I am (although apparently not modest) I have lost 125lb since July 2014 (granted I was 410lbs so we all know that typically the more you weight the fast you lose initially) I have gone from a 6x to a 2 or 3x I am more active, happier and basically gotten emotional eating under control and am completely focused on my goals (current goal is to be 250lbs by my August Disney trip with the family) so here is my question for all you lovely sleevers: I joined Curves recently and they suggest 1200 cal per day for their meal plan for 1 week then they up it to trick the metabolism and so forth and they don't really know what to suggest for me since I am generally eating 900-1000 cal a day (80 g protein) already.... Are there any suggestions for helping our metabolisms work better??? I am going to Curves 3-4 times a week and have a daily goal of 5,000 steps and 10 flights of stairs. I focus on Protein with only Breakfast being carb heavy (overnight oatmeal with chia seeds seem to work with my sensitive morning stomach and makes me feel great!) but I just find my weight loss has slowed down so drastically........I have lost 25lbs since Christmas Also..... 3 months ago I stopped getting a period??? (multiple pregs test and all negative) and even hormonally I feel great, no mood swings, few cravings, really this part of life is a dream I almost hope I started early menopause (Iam 40, FYI my mom hit menopause at 43 with and end to her period no other issues, just it ended) So any help would be greatly appreciated, I expect a trip to a nutritionist and a hormone blood test is in my future but the experience on these forums is invaluable!!! and I welcome any advice. Smiles, S

Agreed, the people at Curves as nice as they are, have no idea how to deal with me as far as food goes.!!! Thanks for your input

Hey there folks, just wondering with everyone how long it took people to notice you lost weight????? I started at 410 & have lost 70lbs since July 2014. My pants are hanging off me, my face is thinner, I look better etc, etc but no one, not even my own mother has noticed!!! my sister was by yesterday and I felt like I was sitting on the edge the couch waiting for someone to notice !!!! but nothing ! am I this invisible to people? I don't want to see people anymore because I know at the end of the day, I will be disappointed. Anyone else go through this???? when will they start to notice ????? I could really use encouragement from those around me but its not really happening, am I nuts for expecting those around me to notice??? Thoughts?

I experienced this in the first 2 months after surgery too. As far as 70lb in 6 weeks, the more we weigh (SW for me 410) the faster it comes off initially. I spoke to my NUT and she said it was fine for me to graze and take an hour to eat a meal (initially) to help me get in my Proteins etc.... it felt like I was never going to be able to eat and enjoy again !! I too would have a frothy mouth and feel just horrible... slowly but surely it is getting better. I can eat more at a meal now (still only about 2-3 oz) but I generally take about a half hour to eat a meal and I chew, chew, chew. I still get the "froths" on occasion but it seems everyday gets better. I am 2 1/2 month post op and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there, it gets better !!!

I can't thank everyone enough for their replies !!!! Everything you all said helped get my logical brain working. I agree with all of you and it helped to hear what you all had to say. I guess deep down inside, I have watched my sisters get praised (like they have just cured cancer) everytime they lose 10-20lbs of the 10-15lbs they needed to lose. I have always been a giant compared to my 4 ft 9, 95 lb mother and 2 sisters who aren't much taller or heavier than that........ It is amazing how the process of weight loss awakens all the emotions and yes, I have finally decided to deal with them to help in my success. I am very happy with what I have done and what I continue to do and everyones honest and kind words has given me that pat on the back I needed and likwise the gentle smack upside the head, that I also needed. Thank you all again for taking the time to respond, it made a world of difference.

Hey there, I had my surgery July 15th this year. It has been a real learning experience so far. It has had its ups & downs for sure. I think my hernia repair has caused most of the challenges I have experienced but I have learned the hard way that if I get my fluids in (first priority) then I feel much better. My record is 5 glasses of Water but I work at it everyday and it gets easier each day. Protein is another thing but I have also learned that when I eat 3 meals even if they are only 1-2 oz each I also feel better! So basically, old problems of not taking time to look after me (I used to not eat all day long) are still a problem but I am working each day on it........... I know plastic surgery is going to be in my future but not here in Canada as I don't have 10's of thousands of dollars lying around ! but I would go to Mexico in a heartbeat. Sounds like you are doing great, keep at it !!!

FabNewMe, I too had Dr. Lopez but in Puerto Vallarta. The experience was amazing. I did have to got back into the hospital for fluids & pain relievers (Hiatus Hernia was painful, no pain related to the sleeve) but the way I way treated by all the staff was amazing ! you mentioned a "Mommy makeover" and going back to him, does he do plastic surgery??? I would go to him in a heartbeat for that if he did. Puerto Vallarta's hospital sounds a little older than TJ's but regardless it was clean and well looked after, I have no complaints. The hotel "sunset" Marriott was gorgeous !! Glad to hear you are feeling so well !!! I too wish I had done this years & pounds ago !! Cheers !

I get exactly how you feel !!! I am 8 weeks post-op and just want to eat and enjoy. I thought at this stage I would be eating healthy foods and small portions but I didn't realize how little I would eat or how certain foods would affect me. I can barely get down an egg and reaching the goal of 60 g of Protein daily has become my full time job!! It seems like it gets better and 6 months seems to be the time this turns around. My husband reminds me often that I can not go back so there is no point in regretting. His reminder helps me focus on my daily goals, my continuing weight loss and to move forward....... some days are harder than others but I find on the days that I reach my protein & Water goals I feel better and even more so the following day, I just have to keep the momentum up.........Keep eating, slower than you could possibly imagine, keep sipping & keep smiling, things will get better.

I had my surgery July 15 2014 (with the surprise addition of a hiatal hernia surgery) in Mexico and all seemed well, I initially felt the hernia part was harder to recover from than the sleeve! I have since struggled with getting any more than 4 glasses of Water in a day and 1 oz of food per meal. 1 month in and I suffered from dehydration and exhaustion (how could I not, with what I was eating) I was off work for a week and got myself eating more Protein & drinking better (still max 5 glasses a day) Now 2 months later and I have horrible reflux!!! This past 2 months I have been sick in some way or another, have missed too much work and I feel horrible that my kids are used to seeing mommy with her head in a bucket waiting to vomit...... I can't eat any less, can't eat any slower, can't chew any more and don't know what I am doing wrong. All this has left me depressed and listless, I don't want to go anywhere, have lost any sense of joy in food or life and just don't see the point anymore..... Yes, I have lost 60 lbs which is awesome (not that one person in my life has noticed !!) but I basically feel awful all the time. I took zantac for the reflux this weekend and it worked but left me home from work today with a migraine (great) yesterday I spent on the couch with a heating pad do to gas pains in my back..... it is always something !!! today I am going to take advantage of being home alone and focus on drinking and eating 3 meals + a snack or 2 in hopes that good fluids & nutrition will help my mind and body.. I would love some advice, will this get better? or is this life now? I went to a family reunion and had to hide the fact that I ate basically nothing and spend time quietly in the corner burping and focusing on not vomiting. This can't be life now? is it ? all help would be appreciated, I am a generally happy outgoing person and this depression and lack of interest in life is taking its toll. Thanks to all.

I had my surgery in July with Dr Lopez. The experience was outstanding !!! I have never had medical care that good!! Dr. Leo will be your day to day contact and even your transportation. I had some pain & vomiting do to the hernia surgery and Dr. Leo was at my hotel at 10 pm with new medication and was in contact with me in the morning to see how I was, I ended up back in the hospital for an afternoon on i.v and Dr. Lopez and his team came to see me more than once in the hospital and at my hotel the next day!! The iv was in within 15 minutes no waiting or delay! it was fabulous! Now Cornerstone hospital is tiny and will seem odd to someone used to hospitals taking up a city block but it was clean and well run. The nurses spoke little english but were able to get what I needed and communicate regardless of the language barrier. We stayed at the sunset plaza hotel and the room was amazing! it was huge with a large patio overlooking the ocean, we were able to get broth with ease but Popsicle or jello was unavailable. You mentioned added insurance that one dr offers: I bought this insurance for about 400$ USD and when it came to pay for the hernia surgery ($500 USD) they told me that for them to cover it the dr had to stop the surgery and contact them ?! so they didn't cover it..... I wonder if they ever pay for anything? typical insurance scam I guess.... Regardless, Mexico & Dr Lopez and his entire team were amazing, I wish they did plastic surgery because when that is needed I would have chosen them!! Also, Dr Lopez, Dr Leo and the team all speak perfect english! !!! Best of luck