Ruth1ess

You enjoyed it, it's over, let it go! I like the 9/10 approach. I do something similar, but never heard it in those terms. If I didn't allow myself a bit of treat, I'd binge and start a dangerous guilt cycle which would just lead to more binging. I've also noticed that if I have a strong craving and I try to sub it with something healthy, I end up giving in later anyways. Then I've eaten twice as much. I give in when it's a strong craving, ignore the small cravings, learn to identify head hunger vs actual hunger, and I've been able to stay on track for the long run.

I had a great experience. No regrets and no complications. I'm 115 lbs down and 10 months out. I went from a size 24 to a size 12 (my goal is a sz 8, still losing), and I have become extremely active. No more limits. I work out doing Krav Maga (martial arts) 4x a week and love it. My sleeve opened up doors and new confidence I would never have found without it. It's been such a blessing! At 35, I can join the myriad voices saying "My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner". Everything in its time, though.

@@Favor1223 awesome, welcome to the journey! Where are you having your surgery done?

Congratulations on your decision! You're starting an amazing journey. I'm 10 months out today and am thrilled with my progress. I've gone from a size 24 to a 12, but I'm hoping for an 8 before I finish losing.

On evenings when I was really hungry and needed the feel of something in my stomach, I would have a cup of steamed broccoli. It would take the edge off and I feel helped me to avoid binging on bad things.

Nope, your tummy is still healing. Give yourself some grace with the weight loss while the healing process happens, the loss will come! Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

Great work, keep that positivity and that smile and you will go far! Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

I would highly suggest that if you go out to eat, you ask for a second plate or get a to go box right away. Put away the portion you won't be able to eat and finish your meal. It helps immensely to not see all that uneaten food on my plate. I feel like I'm missing out if I'm full and look down to see I've barely made a dent. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

DairyMary gave some good advice. I was similar. I progressed through the stages quickly and could eat almost anything after one month. I still haven't thrown up, not sure if my body knows how to anymore. I'm 9 months out. The only problems I have had was with Water nausea (I used additives for the first six months until I could drink water normally again) and i still can't eat overly dry meat. It makes me very uncomfortable about 30 minutes later and makes me feel like I'm going to throw up (salivatory glands go nuts), but I don't. I get sweaty and uncomfortable. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

Don't do Protein shakes if you can't stomach them. I didn't. The two week pre surgery diet was hell to me because I hated them. After surgery, I didn't have even one. I hid Protein powder in other ingredients, like Soup, early on, and did a lot of dairy to get my protein up. Fairlife milk is just as good as Protein Shakes, honestly, and Greek yogurt is also an excellent source. I was determined to do it in a healthy way without fake foods, and I did. And still am at 9 months out! You can too. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

Keep it simple if you do start logging. I did a stir fry last night. Instead of listing each ingredient, I will list "mixed veggies" or "stir fry veggies". Or "mixed salad" and list the high calorie ingredients if I'm doing salads. Don't make it any more painful than it has to be. I personally enjoy it, and found out around month 5 that I was nearly 400 calories above target due to calorie creep...That was my biggest stall. Have logged religiously since then and it's done wonders for me. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

You're doing wonderfully! It's definitely a process.. I think I lost the most around 3-4 months. It felt like it dropped a pound a day for awhile. You're going to do so much better than you think you will. I had 150 lbs of extra weight and so far I've lost 75% of that, 112 lbs total, and I'm on my 9th month. My doctor warned me I'd stop at 60% loss. I've had a lot of fear that I wouldn't get even that. It has slowed and even stalled for month 5 and again at month 8, but it continues to drop, slowly. I'm so pleased, I've lost more than I could have dreamed. You too will surpass your goals! Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

I'm on my 9th month post op, and about six weeks ago, I started an exercise routine that I've been following to a T. 3x a week I do a high-intensity Krav Maga/martial arts routine for 60 minutes that I supplement with a day of crossfit. So, 4x weekly 60 min workouts. I feel great and I absolutely love it! It's the perfect mix of strength training and cardio and I feel stronger both physically and mentally. However, the scale has predictably stopped moving as soon as I started. I expected this. I know all of the reasons that are usually given: "You're still losing fat, you're just gaining muscle, and muscle weighs more than fat." "You should just be happy that you're doing the right thing for your health even if the scale doesn't move" "Stop looking at the scale" Regardless, some discouragement has crept in because I feel in a way that I'm missing out on the 'grace period' of loss that my sleeve provides. Prior to this, I was losing about 5 lbs/month. It was a push after that 6th month, but I was really buckling down and seeing results. I'm not going to stop my routine, regardless of the answer, because again, I love it and I'm doing it for my health. But my question for the vets who have gone through the same situation is: Did you eventually start seeing the scale move after starting intense exercise, and how long did it take your body to adjust for this to happen? If so, did you do anything different to trigger this, or stick with the same routine? HW: 293 CW: 185 GW: 159 ("normal" BMI) Height: 5'7" Calories: 800-1000. I try to stick to 800/day, but they often become 1000 on workout days due to increased hunger. I fill the extra calories with Protein. Protein: ~70-80g/daily Carbs: ~40g daily MFP: Every day!

Thanks all, for your input. I'm specifically looking for an answer to my question at the end. I'm aware of Water retention issues and changing routines. I'm also well aware that it's worth it and don't intend to stop the exercise, as I mentioned I'm also getting plenty of Protein, above my doctor's recommendations. I'm not trying to hurry things, but I do want to take full advantage of the 'early days'. I'm looking for those who have been in my shoes and what their experiences were like.

I took a month off. I probably could have returned after 3 weeks, but I'm glad I had the time! Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

It's my understanding that there is no magic button for this. Drinking water can increase elasticity, as can vitamins and vitamin E lotions. A lot of our ability to bounce back has to do with age. Toning is one answer people will give.. that doesn't help the skin so much as fill out some of the deflated areas with muscle. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

I'm 8 months out and at 800 calories per day. That goes up closer to 1000/day on workout days because I get hungrier and add a Protein shake to my diet. More importantly, I get anywhere from 65-85g of protein daily. I try to stay under 40g of carbs daily. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

You're experiencing the infamous Three Week Stall (do a search in this forum for more info). It usually starts the third or fourth week after surgery. It's normal, and nothing to be worried about, although it's hard not to think about it. Your body is trying to adjust and heal. It can last 2-3 weeks, or did for me, but you'll soon break out and be on your way again try not to stress. Your body will experience many of these little down periods where it needs to rest from loss and readjust. The scale may not show loss, but you will almost always see the inches fall away. I suggest taking measurements as a secondary way to track progress. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

@@LaurieQue No regrets well, maybe one. I didn't track I think it was month 5, and let calories creep in without realizing it. I feel like I wasted that month, it was the only month without any loss at all. I was eating between 1000-1200 calories when I was supposed to be at 800! Once I got that back under control, I had a huge drop again and kept going. MyFitnessPal is a great resource, use it! Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

Its funny how our bodies sometimes work differently than we expect them to. Mine has, definitely, throughout this process. Expect anomalies especially during the first three months. It takes a long time for our stomachs to heal, and yours has just started. Good luck, sounds like you're doing all the right things! Trust the process. I find I hit a lot of 'stalls', periods where my body just needed time off from the loss. It's an adjustment period while things shift around, completely normal and necessary, but I'm now down 105 lbs and still losing. To avoid the sick feeling, I'd suggest slowing down if you are finished eating in under 20-25 minutes. It seems intolerably slow, but since you're still healing, the nerves that tell you you're satisfied aren't really working yet. Cheers! You're on the road to greatness Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

I am 8 months out, but I am going to say my experience so far has been yes. I don't feel deprived even at 800-1000 calories and working out strenuously with jogging and martial arts daily. People don't understand when I tell them how few calories I take in. Logically it feels like I should be energy deficient, but I believe it's the Protein. I'm getting in twice the recommended daily value for someone without a sleeve. Protein = energy! Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

Try to walk as much as you can, it helps your body bounce back. I'd call them immediately! They might have an emergency nurse line. You shouldn't have to suffer. Also, if it's gas pains you're suffering, try a heating pad if you haven't already. Feel better Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

Good to see you doing well. I have followed this thread, especially in the beginning, as I went through the same process. Now 8.5 months out and feeling great. I've lost a total of 105 lbs so far to sit at 189 lbs. I'm working out nearly every day now, a new obsession this month. Just had to find the right exercise that worked for me! I'd like to lose another 30 lbs. At this point, the weight loss has slowed/stopped in the past 2 weeks after beginning to work out and build strength, which is expected and not too discouraging. I know I'm trading fat for muscle. Take care. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

When you don't automatically scout out the handicap stall in the bathroom, but find the normal stalls to have adequate and even more than enough room for your needs! When people ask you to join them on the couch that is already near-full, you look at the space and realize there's no possible way you will fit comfortably, but you do.. with room to spare. When there is enough room in the airport seats for not only yourself, but your bag as well.. When you get on the plane and there are two inches of seat space on either side of you in coach. What the heck?? Normal bath towels... that's a biggie! When you just 'fit' into the world without constantly feeling like you stick out. When you find yourself jogging during your workout for several minutes non-stop -- and it's not easy, but you don't quit, either. When tight pants don't cut across your belly painfully, but instead dig into your protruding hip bones painfully. When you don't have to dig to the bottom of the pile of sizes while shopping anymore, but dig from somewhere in the middle. Shopping literally anywhere I want to and finding clothes that fit every time! When you don't look up at a long flight of stairs with dread anymore, but excitement.. and no huffing and puffing at the top! When your skinny friend says she has some pants that doesn't fit her, maybe they will fit you? They're too small for her. And they FIT! When you walk into Lane Bryant and you get shunned by the same employees that used to faun over you at the entrance every time you walked in. Two words: Victoria's Secret! When you walk out of your work shoes on a daily basis.. darn feet getting smaller! When your boyfriend uses any excuse and every opportunity to pick you up just because he can now.. and to hear me squeal! When you pray that your clothes shrink while putting them in the dryer, instead of the other way around! When your knees hurt from constantly having your legs crossed because it feels so glamorous and feminine that you don't want to stop! When you don't have to take 12 selfies to find a flattering angle.., one and done! When you realize you never had bad balance, your excess weight just threw you off.

Get a low sugar Greek yogurt, blend with Fairlife milk. If you're in the South, Publix has a great yogurt smoothie called B'More. I love those. Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App