blizair09

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Constipation was a huge thing for me for several months post-op. (And I still have a moment or two at 19 months post-op.) Milk of Magnesia always worked for me. Feel better...

@FluffyChix The problem with some folks and their goal is that the goals are unrealistic; however, other people seem to have goals that undershoot their potential (e.g., people who have goal weights that still leave them technically obese). When I started at 397 and set a goal of 180, only my surgeon's NP thought that was realistic. She said I could do what I wanted to. Now, she might have been thinking I was nuts, but she didn't say it. But my ex, my family, many of my friends told me that I should try to get to 200 and let it be. But that wasn't good enough for me. I was going to get 180 or die trying. And I did, with 10 more pounds to boot. (And when I have plastics later this year, I'll probably be closer to 160.) The point is to be healthy and to be happy. For me, that meant being in the normal BMI range; for others, that doesn't matter at all. I just never want to see anyone sell himself/herself short because they think they can't do it (or listen to those who might say so). Keep on keeping on!

In the eyes of my company, it was not elective surgery. (In fact, my short-term disability insurance paid for me to be on medical leave for 6 weeks paying at 100%). That is insane that your manager is acting this way. Talk to HR; file for FMLA, and do what is best for you.

Good article. I lost 99 of my 227 pounds during the six month pre-op diet program. It set me on the right path, helped me to get to goal within one year post-op, and helped me to redefine my relationship with food before the surgery. It was the best thing I did for myself.

Since October, so 7 months.

Go after it. I am a 42yo gay man. Imagine how this kind of thing works in my world (which is often quite vain and superficial). I told my best friend from college (also gay, and also always a cute, fit guy) that I am having "his 20s in my 40s." He laughed and said "I have no doubt; enjoy it." I'm having the time of my life, and I wish the same thing for you. It's amazing. Get out there; get noticed, and enjoy yourself!

I started at 397 and have been maintaining between 170-175 for seven months as of yesterday. I got to goal about one year post-op.

When I was at 5 months post-op, I was taking in 1000-1100 calories and 110-120 grams of protein per day.

Honestly, there is no good answer. You just have to do what you just have to do. There will be a lot of that post-op as well. Hang in there!

Thrift stores were amazing for me during my loss period. It was like a fun treasure hunt finding things that would work for me, and when I shrunk out of the sizes, I just re-donated the items.

I promise you it will be a glorious day! I bought this leather jacket for $27 at Forever 21 the other week.

I just go wherever I go, get what i want (within the confines of how I eat, of course), and eat what I can eat of it. If it is worth taking to-go, I do, and if not, I just leave it. I tried the small bites/child's menu thing for a while, but that got old for me really quick...

The thrift store was a lifesaver during the losing process for me. And once I shrunk out of stuff, I would just re-donate it. Now, wearing a small, I find the most amazing deals at the mall all the time. After paying a premium for big clothes for most of my life, it is so nice to be able to get cute things at cheap prices!

I have followed a keto diet since six months before my surgery. My cholesterol finally fell into the normal range at my 1 year post-op appointment. It takes some time occasionally...

Sleeve

I remember that day so well. Congratulations and best wishes in maintenance!

This is very interesting. But, when anyone talks about a "stretched" sleeve, I immediately wonder what the person is eating and drinking. The fact is no matter what the size of your stomach is, a person can only eat and drink so many calories per day at his/her size to maintain or lose weight. That is a fact. There are so many people that treat these surgeries like they are a cure-all, and they ARE NOT. They never will be. People have to take responsibility for their eating habits and make some changes or they will end right back up where they started. Yes, I suppose some "stretching" might happen, but, bottom line, people gain weight because of what they consume.

Good for you!

Stalls are a common part of the journey post-op. It took me 1 year and 4 days post-op to get to my goal. I promise you that more of that time was spent in a stall than actively losing weight. It is just the way it is. Keep to your plan and make good decisions each day and the weight will come off it its own time. Good luck!

Please do look into working with a therapist. You are worth the hard work and effort. You can be successful; you just have to commit yourself to it. (And trust me, if I can do it, anyone can do it!!)

I'm not trying to be unkind, but why in the world would you drink sugary juice (I am assuming from the tone of your post that this is what you meant by juice) and eat potato chips when you have had not one but TWO weight loss surgeries? At some point, you have to muster the grit and perseverance you need to be successful and rise to the occasion. Otherwise, all of this trauma to your body will be for nothing. Are you working with a therapist who specializes in bariatric patients? It would probably be helpful. You HAVE to change your relationship with food and embrace the kind of eating that will make you successful (protein rich). I wish you the best, but only you can make this happen. As you know, the surgery will not do it on its own...

Very true. (Or at least that's what I tell myself during my third or fourth trip to the bathroom during the night. )

I wasn't quite as big as you when I started, but I did start my six month pre-op diet program at 397 pounds. I lost 99 pounds during the six months pre-op (I was so ready to make a change, so I took the plunge into keto eating), and lost the rest of my weight down to goal (180 pounds) at one year and 4 days post-op. That would have been a total of 217 pounds total by one year and 4 days post-op. Here are my questions for you: How many calories do you take in per day? Carbs? Protein? What do you do for exercise? Do you track everything you eat and drink? I ask these questions to maybe get a better picture of your journey. Everyone loses weight at different rates, but when you start off at a higher weight, it usually comes off at a quicker pace if you are doing what you need to do. (But there are SO many factors at play...) I won't even get into the relationship thing in this post. But, I will say this -- everyone deserves to be with someone that loves them for who he or she is, not for who he or she could be...

I lost 100 pounds during my six month insurance-required pre-op diet program, so my surgeon didn't require a pre-op liquid diet from me. I started at a 53 BMI and was right at a 40 BMI on surgery day. I met my goal weight of 180 pounds at 1 year and 4 days post-op, and have been maintaining at 7-10 pounds below goal (23.5 BMI) for the past 5 months.