hats123

My overall trajectory follows what @@LowBMISleever described. I'm looking at my monitoring app now: Pre op to one month post op (so 1 month + 1 week) - 21 lbs Month 2 post op - 14 lbs Month 3 post op - 7 lbs Month 4 post op - 8 lbs Month 5 post op - 8 lbs Tomorrow is exactly 5 months post op. I'm down 58 lbs from the start of pre op, which puts me exactly at my original goal (which as I've mentioned in another post I've adjusted a bit, to get back to the weight I was for many years). But if I didn't lose another ounce and was able to maintain here, that'd be a huge success. Unimaginable just this past summer. (I, too, have the post-baby belly, and the bikini situation is not happening here...but I feel infinitely better in my body, that's for sure!) Cannot say enough about how this surgery has affected me positively. Good luck to everyone!

I haven't checked in here in so long, and I'm so psyched to catch up and to read your update, @@LowBMISleever! You look amazing and so fit. Congrats on all the wonderful stuff -- the physical achievements and the house purchase and all else! I was 183 on July 28 at my consult; I think my true weight on surgery day, August 11, was probably 180. I'm at 128 now, three pounds from my original goal of 125! A week from today I'll be 5 months post op. I was just re-reading this thread and was sort of smiling reading old posts, like these little goals I set for myself (said I hoped I would be in the 130s by Thanksgiving...and I was!). Like many others, I've changed my true goal weight. I didn't want to put a goal of my "old" (pre-gain) weight, since, well, I'm older now, and I didn't know how my body would respond. But I have a pretty small frame, and on me, every pound makes a difference -- including getting into clothes! So I'd really like to get to 118-120, which sounds so minor compared to 125 but for me it's actually a difference of a couple clothing sizes! I posted elsewhere, in response to a question from a pre-sleever, about how grateful I am for this. When I think about where I was in July and August vs where I am now...I could not imagine that by the turn of the year I would have lost 55 lbs, that I would feel like I was back in "my" body, that I would feel control over my body. Everything changed with the sleeve. Of course the real test is the long-term one, maintenance. And I'd like to work to become more fit and physically strong in the new year, which of course will help with maintenance. But as the losing phase comes close to the end, I can just say that this has been the most amazing, empowering thing in the world!

Hi everyone! @@Angelica Marti, sorry for the belated response -- holidays & I'm not around here much anymore. I'm doing well! The one area I really haven't stepped up my game on is exercise -- that's (obviously) totally on me, and I hope that I'm able to restructure my days and approach things differently in this next phase because I know it'll make all the difference, in so many ways. I am in sort of the final major stretch of losing, and I know that exercise will be a crucial part of that -- as well as a key part of maintaining. I weighed 183 at my consult on July 28 (surgery was August 11; my surgery day weigh-in was artificially low on a hospital scale that was, I believe, poorly calibrated, so I don't count it). I weigh 130 now, so I've lost 53 pounds. I saw a 129 on Christmas morning and was over the moon, but I indulged a LOT in the last few days and it popped back up. It's silly, but back in November I set a mini-goal of getting into the 120s by Jan 1. I hope I didn't do too much damage over the last few days and that I'm able to get back there -- again, I know it's arbitrary but it makes a mental difference to me, and each set of ten that I enter gives me a sense of accomplishment. Right now I am 5 pounds above my original goal weight of 125. I set that goal weight about 7 pounds higher than my actual goal weight -- that is, the weight that I was for many years before this gain started. I was worried at the beginning that if I set a goal of getting back to that weight (118ish), I might be setting myself up for failure and disappointment. I'm older now, I don't know how my body has changed...so I set a goal that I knew I'd feel okay at, if not totally "the old me." Now that most of the weight has come off, and I feel in control -- even when I slip up, like over Christmas, I still feel like it's my decision, and one I can back off from -- I feel like of course I can lose 10 or 12 more pounds if I put my mind and body to it. (BIG IF!!!). I have a small frame, and small increments on the scale mean major differences in my size -- I can't get into any of my "old weight" clothes yet, including those I could get into easily when I was 10 pounds lighter. Everyone's body is different. I'd love to get back into some of those, especially my work clothes. A good friend of mine is going to be sleeved on Jan 5; she has about 90-100 lbs to lose, and we've been talking a lot about pre-op and post-op. I've been surprised to realize how far away that feels to me now, and how I really rarely think about my sleeve anymore. There are things I do differently now, like take smaller portions and try to aim for Protein. In my experience, the bad-for-me choices I've made have always, without exception, been on days when I failed to obey the "protein first; stay hydrated" rule(s). Always. If I focus on protein, which is not hard to do, and I keep drinking that Water or Powerade zero or whatever it is, I'm not going to be interested in overeating later. But if I forget to eat or drink during the day, my body goes into an unhealthy craving mode later. So I definitely recommend sticking to the basic principles about protein. But those general limitations that are such a big deal in the beginning -- things you can't eat at all, things you can't eat comfortably, etc etc etc...that's just gone, and I don't think about it. I had these big worries about how I would have to think so much about food all the time for the rest of my life and worry about what would work and what wouldnt...it just hasn't been the case for me. The two most dramatic changes for me, post-sleeve, have been 1) a sense of control over what I put in my body and, therefore, whether I lose or maintain or gain back some weight. Before my surgery I just felt...like I was on this runaway train and was hopeless about it. I now feel like sure, I'm far from perfect, but it's within my control and when I make silly food choices, it doesn't mean The End. 2) My approach to the world around me. For so long, when I was gaining and when I was at my heaviest, I just didn't see anyone I didn't have to see. I was uncomfortable, physically, moving around, and I also hated the reactions I got from people who hadn't seen me awhile. Many people asked if I was sick, if I had been tested for serious diseases (bc I'd gained so much), and others just looked at me with shock. I realize that's on them, not on me, but I HATED it. Combined with my physical discomfort, it led to extreme isolation, both personally and professionally, and that was terrible. THAT has completely gone away. Sure I'm not at my ideal weight, but obviously at this weight I have no problem being seen, interacting professionally, going to social things when I feel like it (I am not terribly social to begin with, but it was a drastic, drastic difference, those years I was socially avoidant). For those reasons, for me the sleeve has been a miracle. I absolutely see how people "cheat the sleeve" by grazing, which will allow you to eat as many calories as you want over the course of the day. It's not magic. But as people here say all the time, it's such a powerful tool. There is *no way* I otherwise would have lost 50+ pounds in 4.5 months (since surgery date) or 5 months (to the day! since my consult date). I'm eager to focus again after a few silly holiday eating days, and to push through these 10-12 pounds. Then, the real project will begin: maintaining. That's the long haul, and that's something I can't speak to yet. But since it's such a strong weight loss tool, I'm hopeful that it will provide the same kind of strength in the maintenance phases. I know there will be ups and downs -- but I just don't know yet what those will be. About judgment and criticism: I just deleted a VERY long section on this issue. But really, it's been said many times before and I'll say it again -- I really dislike the judgment people get about their weight and how to handle it, especially on a site like this, where we all have struggles and where our weight has affected our lives to a degree where we are either contemplating or have had surgery to help deal with it. I don't like trendy phrases like "safe space," but really, this should be one. I wish people wouldn't criticize people's reasons for wanting or needing these surgeries. And that for people who DO judge, when they see threads that clearly state "for low BMI" or "for those with 50 pounds to lose" or whatever, they just stay away and let the people who can support each other continue to do so -- regardless of the size or BMI or stage of the journey those supportive posters may be on at that time. Good luck to everyone here!

It took me several weeks to get my normal energy level back; I think being tired is totally normal! My mini-stall seems to have mini-broken, thank goodness -- it's so annoying to see the numbers not budge. But if you stay on plan they will drop!

@JUSTWANTTOSMILE good luck today! The next few days will likely be somewhat hard but that passes quickly, and what's ahead is awesome! Glad to hear the recent post-op people on the thread are recovering well. I've had a rough couple weeks -- some crazy work deadlines I didn't plan well for, and while I didn't overeat, I didn't get enough Protein, Water, or sleep. Then IMMEDIATELY after two consecutive all-nighters (in my 40s, way too old for that!) I had two big events, on consecutive nights. Overtired, not fed properly, and at events geared towards hours and hours of basically grazing? Not good. I didn't make myself sick, but I set myself back a solid week or two loss-wise. I've been holding steady at 145 for over a week now, and I have to remember the point is not just losing, but losing and maintaining, and that I was 183 just two and a half months ago for crying out loud! I also have to remember that pre-sleeve, a few weeks like the ones I've just had would have resulted in a 5-10 pound GAIN. Still, I'm eager to break this mini-stall and oh, man, the 130s sound amazing at this point!! I would love to be there by Thanksgiving (which I do not plan to observe by bingeing -- ugh!) Anyway-- keep updating! I love the low BMI threads!

I'm 5'5", started with BMI exactly there - 30.5. At exactly two months post op, I've lost 35 pounds and my BMI is 24 and change (I've still got 20+ pounds till goal). Most importantly, I recognize myself. In the mirror, in how I walk, in how I talk to people. I feel hopeful about the future in ways I just didn't feel before -- I didn't think or truly feel that things were mine to determine, and now I do. I hope you have a wonderful and transformative experience, inside and out. I'll be psyched to follow your progress! Edit: @@lowbmi65 how is recovery going?

Good luck @@lowbmi65! And yes, keep us posted! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Ah, thank you!!

Thanks....I know the original series on TLC but I keep hearing and reading on this thread about follow-ups with people who were on earlier seasons. I couldn't find those episodes and didn't know if there was a separate show for the episodes that look at the same people a year or more later... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

OK, stupid question here, but since it's a thread running through this thread I have to ask: where is this follow-up show about My 600 Pound Life-ers? I am embarrassed to say I searched TLC, and their website, and my cable guide, and couldn't find it! Sorry to hijack from this important topic but...help! Thanks, (Or follow-up info, if it's not a show) (I'm old and not so good sometimes with the tech searching)

Yes! I had a brief and awful marriage to a man who, when I had health problems, literally said, "I'm not doing this." We divorced after a year, and I spent my 30s mostly on my own, with brief relationships here and there but nothing particularly significant (well, one of them led to my son, so that one was significant in its way!). I happen to have a very decent and supportive boyfriend of 2 years now, but I see that as incidental and not "the goal" or the key to happiness, or the forever happy ending. Chances are, it's not going to be the end of the story for me...just based on my history and temperament. As a previous poster said, being in a couple while being truly alone, or worse, being oppressed or abused on any level (this is not the same thing as compromise in a relationship, which of course is important when it's mutual and grounded in respect) is no prize in the lifelong question of "single or coupled?" Not even close. Edited just to add: in an abusive relationship of any kind, physical, emotional, verbal, the decision and ability to leave can mean a lot more than "getting a backbone." It's often a matter of getting the resources (often emotional) to reject gaslighting that may have gone on for years. And in many cases the abused/disempowered party literally doesn't have the resources (money, a ride) to leave. So as important as it is to remind people that they don't have to put up with unsupportive partners, it's also important to remember how common it is for people to be stripped of their power, or taught to believe that they have no power, and to be supportive of them as they come to new understandings about their options. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Yes. You can always tell people, but you can't ever untell. I told a very few people before surgery, and since then have told people when it felt right, for whatever reason. I got negative comments from people including the nurse who did my pre-op. But I also got support from people who love me in the pre-op stage, and have been happy to share with people post-op when it has come up and felt like it's been coming from a positive place. And I am a total Hamilmaniac. Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@@jenjenp, I think your weight loss is fantastic! I was sleeved August 11, also had hiatal hernia repair, and was having similar issues to you. After talking with a friend who had been sleeved years ago, and with my surgeon, the answer was simple: I just wasn't ready for things like chicken and other meat yet. Those proteins are some of the hardest to digest. I would go back to softer proteins (eggs, cottage cheese) for awhile and make sure that when you do try the firmer meat muscle protein, that it's softened up and has plenty of moisture to go with it. Good luck!

That's great progress @@Oshun! And I'm glad to hear you're feeling so great. My skin is flaking a lot too, but sadly I've had chronically dry skin at every weight. Any other August sleevers starting to feel hunger coming back? The past week or so has been hard for me (I was sleeved on August 11), with cravings and what feels like real hunger...though I know my hunger response is messed up from so many years of treating my body badly and ignoring real hunger cues (or the lack thereof). I'm hoping that going back on my PPI curbs whatever aspect of this might be acid feeling like real hunger, and making sure to stay on top of my hydration. I've been making Protein the priority but there have been days - especially in super busy weeks like this past one - when I know I'm not getting enough hydration. Curbing the urge to snack and to keep my calories where my surgeon has recommended hasn't been as smooth sailing as it was at first. Anyone else?

Thanks! There are many positive low bmi stories -- @@LowBMISleever is astonishing both in terms of her weight loss and fitness -- it's just that since there are fewer of us, you don't hear about them. I get excited for anyone on this "journey," but have a particular soft spot for people whose experiences feel familiar (a natural tendency to be sure!), or feel like ones I can identify closely with. That's not always people in a similar BMI/weight range to mine -- I feel an affinity with other people who hate certain artificial sweeteners! But I love seeing this thread move. It's an extra motivator and and extra reminder that we all have cheerleaders and we can all be them, too. I'll skip the corny outfit and pom poms though.

@@lowbmi65 next Thursday! Congrats! It's totally normal to be apprehensive leading up to surgery, and excited at the same time. I was sleeved on August 11 and am halfway to my goal of losing 60 pounds. Even if I were down just a few pounds I would consider it a success, as I was previously just gaining relentlessly and rapidly. I am grateful every day for my sleeve and for the new options and new sense of control and possibility it has helped me feel about my body and health. Good luck to you! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

The pre op diets vary so much, right down to whether you have one or not. The main reason, from the surgeon's perspective (as I understand it) for the pre-op diet is to get rid of some of the fat enlarging the liver. The liver must be navigated under to access the stomach. Since you have only 50 (I know, it feels like a lot and it is a lot, but in bariatric land it's a low amount) pounds to lose, your surgeon is probably thinking that your liver doesn't need to be shrunk prior to surgery. I had 5 or 6 days of a pre op diet, with 40-60 lbs to lose (depends who you ask. I say 60). I am glad I did it, because I stopped caffeine, alcohol, and many of the higher carb foods I was used to before surgery. So that was one kind of adjustment that I had already started to make, and I think it made things somewhat easier. I don't think that it was a big deal, however, and I could have made the same adjustments post op without the pre op diet, just as you will! Trust your surgeon's team (and your own questions, which they should answer). I think that even without a pre op diet, it's a good idea to get a few different kinds of Protein Meal Replacement powders and try them to see which ones you like. Your taste preferences may change after surgery, but at least you'll have a sense in advance of some that you might like. Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I love this thread. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

A couple of posters have mentioned these -- Total Lean from GNC. They are my favorite too, and I want to note that they also sell Total Lean Natural. They sell a third one that I believe is vegan. The packages are nearly identical, so look closely, but the difference is that the "natural" one is sweetened with stevia rather than sucralose. To some people, stevia tastes much better, and some people get headaches from sucralose or (especially) aspartame. Long way of saying I'm another cheerleader for GNC Total Lean, natural edition (something tells me not much is natural about it...that's just what they call it), vanilla and chocolate. I keep a few packets on hand in case I have to mix one up during the day if I can't find appropriate food, but mostly I rely on big tubs of the powder that I keep at home. I rely on GENEPRO unflavored Protein powder. It's very protein efficient (a tablespoon has 30 grams protein, just over half a gram of carbs, and 56 calories) I use it to make my own shakes adding various liquids and flavors - Water, ice, nonfat greek yogurt, sugar-free flavored syrups, stevia, whatever. Another thing about the full liquids phases: you don't need to be on all shakes all the time. If you use GENEPRO -- or any unflavored powder you find you like, you can mix and hide it into foods in the pre and post op liquid stages and later post op food phases too. I like Protein Shakes, but at times, both pre and post op, I just wanted something savory, not sweet. When I was on liquids I was craving Soup, mixed in two teaspoons of the powder and boom, my soup had 20g+ protein. So when you're thinking about what to consume during the full liquid stages, don't forget that there are options other than sweet shakes. (You can also order savory protein Soups for the full liquid stages and skip the step of adding your own protein powder; I didn't do it so can't offer any advice!)

Everyone else has made great points, particularly that *you* seem very clear on what has to take priority (YOU) and whose turn it is (YOURS) and that this is a big deal. I understand the insecurities you refer to - I bet we all do - but you sound like you have your house in order, mentally, and that's a great indicator for your future success and happiness. The easiest thing for us to say on our app here is that he's a selfish d**khead and that you should kick him to the curb. But we all know life is more textured than that, and that if the time is right you'll do exactly what you need to do. To your question of whether it's normal that he's not that excited about it: I think it's normal. Doesn't mean I think it's GOOD. But I think a lot of the time partners are not very in tune with the process, with everything it took to get us to this point and to how big a decision and an opportunity for change it is for us. Could be because they're self-centered, could be because they're insecure about the prospect of your losing weight and gaining body confidence, could be because they haven't learned enough to distinguish in their minds between getting highlights and getting most of your stomach removed. Could be because they are scared for us but don't know how to express it. It's easier to say some dopey thing like "remember that outdoor festival on the 14th" than to contemplate things from your perspective or to question his own possible ambivalence. At 25, having spent a long time taking care of his young child, you have probably grown up a lot and learned a lot at a young age. It took me a silly brief marriage, a bunch of relationships good, bad, and in between, until I met a truly compassionate and generous (and flawed, like we all are) guy when I was 40, who is good with my young son but respectful of the boundaries I need around my son (basically that my child comes first and the boyfriend doesn't get to experiment with playing stepdad). And he has been tremendously supportive through this process. Not everyone has the bumpy path I did, and I'm not saying mine's over! Who knows where I'll be or who I'll be with in five years? I'm just saying that relationships are a learning process too. Sorry to go on so long! It sounds from your other posts like you have a wonderful support system in your family, and you might find yourself turning to them post-op if any of them are good with this stuff day to day. I have no doubt you'll do what's right for you, and you know everyone here has your back. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

OMG @@LowBMISleever update your effing ticker!!

Yay! I love seeing updates in this thread and new posters in this range too! LowBMISleever you are doing so so well, and you look fantastic. I'm so impressed with the speed of your weight loss and with how fit you are. I was sleeved on August 11, and am losing well, not as fast as LowBMISleever but certainly better than on any diet of my life and I have no complaints about the rate of loss! My BMI was 30.5, and is now 26; I've gone from 183 lbs at my surgery consult July 28 to 156.4 lbs at my most recent followup appointment this week. It's true that when you're starting out in this range you likely won't drop 50 pounds a month, but still, these losses are amazing and the sleeve helps SO MUCH. It really can help you break free from the patterns and other limitations (for me, getting tired just getting out of bed for example!) that made it so easy to gain weight and keep the weight on. Good luck to everyone on this thread and congrats on another amazing update, LowBMI!

As a vegan, if you are on clear liquids for a few days, you'll be able to drink vegetable broth, water, and any water-flavoring drops or powders that are vegan, as well as any sugar free popsicles that are vegan (you can also make those yourself). In the hospital: they might default to chicken broth -- maybe bring vegan bullion cubes or powders to mix with hot water in the hospital? While you're in the hospital you will probably only be consuming to stay hydrated, so it's just a question of getting that liquid in. I know every surgeon and every program is different but I'm not aware of any that have you eating real food in those first two days. Once you are on "full liquids" and are drinking protein drinks/shakes, you should be able to find tons of vegan protein powders made with pea protein or other plant-based proteins. These powders lack some of the nutrients in the whey/casein powders, but I don't remember what they are. Just check the nutrition info against a powder specifically labeled as a "meal replacement" (not just a protein powder; the meal replacements have additional amount of minerals and other nutrients). You'll just have to be careful to find vegan supplements to meet your needs. Depending how strict a vegan you are, you should also talk to your surgeon about your medications -- I imagine that some of the capsules are made with gelatin.

It's called Actigall (the generic name is ursodiol).

Yes, my surgeon prescribes this medication. Her protocol is to start the medication about a month post-op and continue for six months.

Sorry, another woman crashing the guys' room. Yes - I can relate, Alfred Day, and I also feel much the same as KristenLe. I'm single and live with my young son, but have a boyfriend (not live in....that's what I mean by single). I booked my surgery for when he would be about 8,000 miles away, literally, because that's how much I hate having people around when I'm in pain. (I had my son stay with his dad that weekend bc I didn't want him to worry, and I didn't want to worry about taking care of him). If you live in a city you should be able to get everything delivered, and if not, then yes, you should be able to get your prescriptions in advance. Since you've had other surgeries, then this recovery shouldn't be all that different. I agree with previous posters that it's good to have people checking in by text or FaceTime or whatever. And even a casual friend should be able to bring you home from the hospital without your having to deviate much from the Guy Code of Independence. It's just a fact of adult life. Good luck to you!! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App