Graciesmom04

I'm right at 8 mo's out. In the beginning I couldn't eat/drink much of what I was supposed to at all. Very frustrating when you're told to meet this goal and that goal. I figured out....after a long while...these are guidelines and guidelines only. Not everyone is going to be able to meet this quotas. And I'm fine with that. I'm still losing! I'm down 101lbs so I must be doing something right. I still don't get my total protein in...but I quit worrying and stressing about it. I do what I can and make it work for me. You'll do great!

This is what I was told by my husband....it's a marathon, not a sprint. You are losing inches at times when it's not pounds. It's going to take time... It's easy to get frustrated but keep at what you're doing. The wt didn't come on over night, it took time. The same is going to be for the wt loss. It's going to take time to come off. Good luck, you're doing good!!

I was told forever by my husband I could do it on my own. And I have...several times. I'd lost 50lbs, gain back 70. Lose 50 lbs, gain back 80...see my point? This is just a helper. I still work at you and you will too, but this helps you work at it. I didn't tell my family. I told my mom & hubby. No one else. I had sleeve done 1/28/15 and have finally reached my 100lb wt loss goal. I feel amazing. My depression, from being so big, is gone. At this stage, there are foods I just can't tolerate and I'm fine with that. There are a majority that I can...and I get full fast, but that's what helps. Bowel control issues - I had IBS, so I was having horrible cramps and diarrhea 5 out of 7 days before surgery. Now....I've had maybe 3 episodes the entire summer. Vomiting - I've had maybe 2 episodes...but they were my fault. Eating too fast and too much. You'll know when to stop. Weakness? Right after surgery you will be weak, but that goes away relatively quickly. hair loss - not everyone has it...I did and still do to an extent, although everyone says they don't notice. It goes away. depression from not eating? At first I did have some..but that quickly goes away. You realize when you start losing the wt that it's all worth it and this is what you worked so hard for. Are there times now that I wished I could just sit and eat a steak with a salad and have a mixed drink and enjoy it? Yes....but I also like this me so much more that the trade off is worth it. alcohol- I've been scared to have any. I did have about 8 oz of a margarita drink this weekend. It does not take much at all to kick in...one of the reasons I just don't drink. I know others have mentioned they have and done fine. I'm just not a big drinker. Loose skin? Yes...but most can be covered and not noticed. My biggest is my arms...I look like a flappy chicken. The rest is all covered. Social life? Hasnt' affected mine at all. visible scars? Only if you show them your abdomen. I don't wear bikini's (you're all welcome) so I'm good. prevent you from being a mommy? SHouldn't effect that one bit Time off work? I had mine done on a Wed morning, was home Thurs and back to work the following Monday. It was tough, I was tired, but very doable....I am in a nonstrenuous job. Hope this helps. Honestly, it's the best decision I've ever made. I had my doubts and fears beforehand, but I'm so glad I did it.

It took me about a month or more before I could actually do things for an extended period and not just be washed out. The first 10 days is the worst! Don't plan on exercising, walking,etc. Just give yourself time to get back to being you! I can remember about 3 days out of surgery, I finally got up enough strength to take a shower and had to have my hubby come rescue me! It's just all so draining. I think a lot is not just the surgery, but your body is taking in so little, your energy store is just depleted!

At one of my post op visits, I talked to the Dr about this, cause I was never anywhere close at all. Esp right after surgery. He said it's one day at a time. Those are more like quidelines and not a "must". If you meet them, great. You can strive for that, but it's not a absolute must that you do it. Do what you can and call that good. After hearing that...I felt a lot better about things!

No one has ever asked me. I have 100 ppl a day ask what I'm doing to lose the wt and am I taking a supplement. I just say no, it's all about portions, Protein and exercise. Again....all truth. That's why we're all here!

I've found, the longer out I am from surgery (Jan 28,2015) the longer it takes to lose the wt. I really didn't think I had lost anything over the summer, but looking at a book I kept track of in May, I lost 30lbs. It seems we don't lose much when you only see a lb here or there...but in the long run and the big picture, you are where you should be! You're doing great! Don't get frustrated...as many have told me...it's a marathon, not a sprint. I've been working on the same 5 lbs for the last month or more. Hang in there!

Good luck! You'll do great! Just a small tip to try..when the "head hunger" really gets at you...right after mine, I wasn't hungry, but my head told me everything sounded so good. I was on liquids...i went to McDonald's, paid $1 for a cheeseburger and chewed it up and spit it out....got another bite, chewed it up, spit it all out.....sounds strange, sounds gross...but let me tell you. It was the BEST $1 I ever spent! Just to get flavor and text in your mouth...made a world of difference!!!!

I was intially same way. I had planned all along to get the band. But then after the originally meeting we are required to attend before meeting Dr, it discussed all of the plans. I didn't want monthly Dr mtgs (I'm over an hour away) and I didn't want the chance of issues occurring. I went with the sleeve and am absolutely so happy I did!

I told very few ppl. My mom, my husband, my oldest son and 3 friends. I had C Diff a year before my surgery and IBS so my diet and body were really hurting. I just told ppl that I was still having issues from the C Diff...true and that I had a scope done (true) and the Drs put me on a specialized diet (true). They just didn't need to know the rest. I'm 2 lbs from my 100lb wt loss in a matter of 7 mo's. So, I am getting comments and tons of questions, but tell them, again a form of the truth. It's about portions and Protein and no carbs, bread, pastas, etc. I do feel like a hypocrit, cause I do not lie....and telling this "lie" to ppl every day really eats at me...but it's no one's business. I hate being talked about and feel if they knew I had surgery, it'd be 100 times worse.

When I ask someone how I look in something (esp my family) I do expect an honest response. My hubby knows this, and long ago I promised to never get mad or upset with an honest opinion. That's why I ask. And if a family member asks me for my opinion, I will give it honestly. Not hurtfully, but honestly. However, when someone here at works makes a comment or judgement on me....I'm crushed. I'm about 70lbs down from wt loss surgery. I still picture myself as that fat, overweight woman who can't fit into anything. The compliments I receive are great and rewarding...but I don't believe them just yet. I don't see the change in me yet. So...I get where you're coming from with being honest and expecting honesty back....but please make sure it's asked for first. It can so easily crush someone if not asked for. Good luck with your surgery!

Initially, I had my mind made up I was going to do the lap-band. Thinking it was a mild procedure, nothing would be cut or removed....sounded great. I went to the WLS meeting and instantly changed my mind. I did not want to have to run to the Dr (75miles away) every month, or more to have a checkup and change the band, if needed. I opted to go with the sleeve. Yes, it's permanent, but the more I thought about it, I felt it was a better choice. I had horrible GERD before the procedure and since having it done, have not had one issue of reflux or heartburn. I have had no complications from the sleeve, just trying to learn what I can and can't eat yet, even after 3 mo's out. I carefully went through all my options before surgery to determine which was best for me. And being a nurse, and seeing knowing which ones had more complications, that helped as well. Good luck in your decision!

It's like working with a group of women who are all dieting. My office happens to be across the hall from the break room and my office has the nice, professional quality scale that they all come in and use....while griping about how they can't lose weight, while their plate of cake, cookies, chips and salsa sits on my desk as they weigh. Do it and do it right....don't gripe when it doesn't work for you when you don't.

I'm so sorry. as a nurse....I feel ashamed sometimes of the profession. Youth anymore knows no compassion.

Haven't been on here in awhile. @newtree...and everyone else...how are you all doing? I know several of you had surgeries in March...how it going for you all? I'm 3.5 mo's out and am down 65lbs so far. Fitting into clothes I haven't worn in 4 yrs.

I had surgery at 9am and was released next day before 9am. Had it done in a surgical center and not a hospital.

Yep...all normal. I was 3 weeks postop and hit my first stall...which, from all I've read, it pretty normal time for it to occur. Sounds to me like you're doing great. Increase water....increase protein and you will come out. Mine lasted about 2 weeks, but I've read others who have stalled for a month or more. I think it's our bodies way of saying "you didn't put it on overnight, I'm not taking it off overnight!"

Great...now I'll be making sure I shave my legs before weighing! HA!

I really don't have an issue with eating too much. If anything, I'm wondering if I'm not eating enough? Last night for supper I tried about 2oz grilled chicken in small bites and about 4 cooked baby carrots. Sure enough, I spent the next 30 min spitting up regurgitated chicken and small carrots and tons and tons of slime...and frothy phlegm. I've really tried paying attention to how fast I'm eating, cause I suspect that as being a culprit too...but 1-2 minutes between bites should be slow enough, shouldn't it? Again...i'm looking for whatever advice I can get to try! Thanks!

I know this is a super old post, but I'm looking for answers that my surgeon can't give me. I'm 3 mo's out from a sleeve and have always had the slimes, since surgery. I can eat something and walk into the bathroom, just open my mouth and regurgitated food covered in thick slime just shoots out. Never over eat....I don't wait too long to eat...and really doesn't matter what I eat, it's always there. Meats of course, are the main culprit, so I do limit them or keep away from them. But I've found issues with lots of other things as well. I haven't taken antiacids cause I never have pain/burning/or belching acid. Is this common? do I need an anitacid although not having any symptoms but the slimes? I just can't imagine that this is the rest of my life! Making sure there is a bathroom near me at all times to go spit this stuff out!

I can gain a lb or 2 on a daily basis and the next day it's back down. I think it's several factors...water/salt intake a day before/clothes....I weigh once a week at work (professional scale) but about every other day at home. I don't get too excited about it. I've gone up 2 lbs one day and by the start of the next week, been down 5lbs.

You can actually get either kind. I do the chewable since i don't like gummy bears. But I do know they come in that form as well.

I had this too. A lot of my pain was built up gas pain from the surgery. Once that passed (a cpl weeks) it got better. Surprisingly, the more I moved around, the less pain I had. I agree with the incisions. I had 6 and one was the worst. That was the largest one that they removed the stomach from. Even to this day it's sore at times and I'm 3 mo's out. It'll get better!

I had surgery on a Wed and was back to work the following Tues. Would have been Monday except for a snow storm. No lifting and make sure you are still resting and getting sleep! I did great that Tues back...but then Wed hit me like a ton of bricks. No energy what so ever. I was sleeved....by Thurs I was back at it again and haven't slowed down since. Good luck!

Per surgeon recommendation, I take 2 Flintstones a day, 2 Calcium chewables and 3 Vit B6 disolvable pills.