Lester Burnham

It was only when I took a heavy parcel to the post office and noticed it was the same as my weight loss total to date that it dawned on me how much I had shed. I was happy with that figure, the bariatric nurse said slow and steady was good, the nutritionalist seemed OK, only the consultant tore a strip off me. Do they all think their skills extend to motivational speaking? Most should stick to slicing and dicing.

Hi OP, I'm feeling really frustrated too, not helped now that the consultant is breathing down my neck with his average chart and expectations. I was sleeved first week last February and weighed 302 lbs after surgery (went in at 3100. I lost about 4 lbs in the first week (probably fluids) and then nothing, yes nothing, for another 3 weeks. And you all know how much you can eat at that stage, tiny amounts of Soup and stuff, a single croyuton felt like a rock. I worked out that I had lost more weight on the pre-op liver shrinking diet. Got over that stall, just started getting used to compliments and shrinking inside my clothes then bam, about 3 weeks ago I halted at 121kg and never moved since. Daily calories hover around 1000. If I eat less I feel unwell. I knew the sleeve would be a slower/lower weight loss than the bypass, but not this slow

No runny noses, but I sneeze like I'm in a hayfield when I get full! It's quite funny, and beats nausea!

It seems very personal....a few sips of beer was really uncomfortable, I'm going to give it a miss for another year. Strangely a small gin and tonic went down OK, took all night but OK!

Thankyou for that. I was fairly pleased with my progress (35lbs in 12 weeks post op) until my 1st check up with a consultant . He talked to me like a naughty schoolboy and said he expected better, and thatother patients had lost far more by this stage. He mocked my surgeon (who allowed me to go sleeve instead of bypass - personal choice) and said he wanted to see me more often "to keep an eye on me". I was so demotivated and felt like that fo some time. I still haven't got past the "stall" that this coincided with

I'm hungry all the time too, I was not expecting this. 2 hours after feeling full I'll be ravenous! Not necessarily for "bad" stuff, just any food!

You look fantastic. Early on after surgery I realised the goals would be measured in years rather than months, pictures like yous inspire me to take things steady and keep positive.

What a BITCH you should have given her a slap. See this is why I dislike the vast majority of nutritionalists; their total lack of empathy. So food isn't a pleasure is it? Tell that to every human since the dawn of history, and ask her why EVERY culture worldwide has developed a cuisine. By the same rationale sex is purely functional too, ask her if she enjoys that or is it missionary every time? And "normal people"?? Go take a jump. I bet she has a face like an old boot.

I have few problems eating at the same 7 week stage, but I get hungry really regularly so I have to "watch it" and think carefully like the pre-op diet. I'm quite envious of those who say their hunger has disappeared, that would make things so much easier? however can't complain as foods that people said would be torture for sure (like soft bread) are actually OK if I take just a bite or two.

I've only lost 15Lbs since my surgery on 5 weeks ago, and that includes whatever my lost stomach weighed! However that is akin to what I was losing on a pretty rigid diet leading up to surgery so I'm not too concerned yet, just realized it's going to be a long trip. If it means I don't end up with saggy man boobs then all the better!

Wow you have really shrunk, that little tattoo now covers your whole arm! I've just got back to work and everyone knows. Talked to one friend last night and friends -of-friends know. Talked to my dad and divorced ex-relatives know. It doesn't take long for word to spread . Got to hear of one persons comment and it was how just abouth how much it cost (mine was done for free by NHS, UK under national healthcare), so I doubt it was positive! This is someone I see about once every 4 years so who cares what other people think?

Finding proteins easy, it's fitting liquids in that seems hard!

Yep I have not lost as much as I expected to since the op 4 weeks ago, the pre-op diet was actually just as successful! Hope things speed up at this rate it will be 2 years to get to goal.

The worst part is, because I was used to drinking with meals, in-between times I get so busy I forget! Then I get to a point where I'm hungry AND thirsty and need to make a choice!

It's a hard habit to break for sure, made worse by family/friends/waiters who automatically bring you a drink with your food! It's just so unnatural

I started my signature ticker at 310 pounds as that was my starting weight at surgery BUT I had already lost 10 pounds on the pre-op buildup. It's all part of the trip. A bit of discipline now will help your confidence come the day of the operation.

Weigh yourself and take comfort from the pounds you are already losing

2 nights as scheduled, got out yesterday. I was really, really ready to go by the third day! However I needed the education as to how much food was tolerable, and watching others helped with that. I had no complications, although some others on the same ward were really poorly just afterwards, vomiting blood, cramps all kinds of wierd stuff. I actually felt a few negative vibes from others that I hadn't suffered!

Hi guys, my name is Mark and I just joined this forum to read about as many people's experiences as possible. My surgery for sleeving is set for next Saturday and the enormity has just bitten hard, have not slept a few nights in abject terror, that is slowly subsiding the more I read the forum, but still comes back occasionally There's no point in trotting out all the old questions and fears, everyone has said it all pretty much. I was going to title this post "Help I'm scared shitless" or something but it looks like every third post is like that! Nice to know I'm not alone or a total coward. It's strange how the fears and misgivingss are so common. The last post I read rang a bell about a guy going to miss his craft beers! I'm the same, not a drinker really, but will surely miss that. If in a year I can take a glass of beer over an evening that would be something to look forward to. Similarly I know a bacon sandwich might be out of the question every now and then, but maybe a bite or two? In building up to the op I have hit a system that seems to work for slow weight loss; I lose breakfast and lunch and instead carry a palm sizd piece of steak around with me. If I feel hungry (usually on the hour) I take just one bite and I'm good until the next hour. Then have a reasonable dinner with not treats. At the weekend I have a good sized meal, and a treat on Sunday. This sems to have worked quite well, I lost 17 lbs in 12 weeks. It would nice to think I could just continue with this pleasant and tolerable diet until my target, but Know in my heart, and after 40 years of being the fat kid, that my weight would stall after a few months. One question I haven't seen asked is about enhanced hydration - I see you are supposed to take Water regularly but i wonder what effect climate and activity have on that. If I'm on holiday somewhere really hot I drink water by the gallon, is it possible to get seriously or dangerously dehydrated by virtue of your stomach capacity? Or will the fact I am not so fat any more reduce the need for consumption? Well I'm looking forward to seeing this post, not least to see the little ticker thing at the bottom that you create on membership!

Thanks, I've never been one to exercise for pleasure, but was hoping that would change. I want to dance and travel and hike....but don't want to collapse! It would be nice to feel fit again. From being a fat adolescent (14 stone at 14 years old) I dropped a lot of weight when I was 16. From being the panting guy at the end of the race I managed to outrun all but 3 of the normal kids in cross country. I had a brief, incredible period when I was irresistable to the opposite sex, then came jobs and cars in my late teens and the standard sedentary lifestyle began. I put on one stone a year for the next 10 years! I've missed out on so much due to embarrassment, taking my kids to the pool, stripping down to shorts in the sun. At the turn of each decade I swear to turn things around....when I hit 30 I lashed out at the gym and lost a ton, but then my kids came along and just didn't have the time to exercise any more. It all came back with just a *little* more added by my metabolism as punishment! Age 40 I did exactly the same routine, and the weight never budged an inch, I though oh oh, things are changing. Realistically, surgery is the only option left.

I am pre-op and have had to tell my boss at work due to needing the time off. Being in a building of 99% women it was around my floor within minutes and no doubt the building by tomorrow. I'm not ashamed of what I'm doing but feel a bit like an exhibit now, like the popcorn is being passed around while the story unfolds! Ultimately they are just people at work, and I can ignore any negative vibes, however I haven't told too many people closer to me, i.e. parents/friends. Being more familiar they would be much more open in their views both positive and negative, and my mind is already whirling with my own thoughts without adding more confusion. The only people who know the full story are the wife and kids.