GotProlactinoma

I forgot to say, make sure the blender cups have the metal shaker balls. And buy extra shaker balls. I lost one and was so glad I had a spare.

For after surgery, it is nice to have the good quality smoothie travel cups with the canisters attached underneath for the protein powder. Have a few of those ready to go. Also get water travel cups with tight lids to go everywhere you go, at home, On the go, with measurements on the sides to let you know how much fluid you are getting in. Those are what I couldn’t have done without. For when you are back commuting make sure you have premeasured amounts of protein powder every where you spend time (home, office, car). Along with bottled water in quantity for car and work. That way, in a pinch, when you feel shaky and low on protein, you can just mix protein powder into plain water and it will make you feel better ASAP, even if no flavor.

I’ll be honest with you, here I am 5 mo out and last month I started losing a ton of hair. I am on b vitamins and extra biotin too. Still, I’ve lost probably half my hair. And I was a low BMI obese so I thought slow loss would mean no hair problems. Untrue. i curl it every day so it disguises the thinness. It is so worth the surgery. The hair loss will stop by month 7 and then it will all grow back, just like after giving birth. The hair comes back! And the weight won’t! It is still worth it. Totally. This surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself. I think even if you do have some hair loss you will also feel that way.

Amazing a lb lost a day. I lost nothing for 3 weeks after surgery. Let your body heal. You are doing great. I was frustrated, but I knew the weight loss would come eventually. And it did.

Here is what I do. I’m only one months farther out that you. That feeling you get when other people are eating dessert is real, but it doesn’t mean you have to eat what they are eating. I eat 85% or more dark chocolate. It does not stop weight loss. It is a healthy antioxidant food low in sugar. But just a square or two satisfies that dessert feeling where sugar just makes me feel really sick now. So they can have their pie cookie or ice cream, and I am satisfied with my 85% chocolate. It works really really well. You can carry it in your purse or pocket to a restaurant even. i feel good afterward, NOT SICK. Which controls my craving is a wonderful way. I hope you find a good substitute that works for you.

I think 30-70g is what I get. I don’t count carbs per se, but since I write down what I eat on Lose it, that is how it comes out. The gut bacteria need good starches like natural root veggies and seeds (I’m allergic to nuts but those too).

I thought rice was banned for life because it expands in the stomach. I watched my friends eat Persian rice today. Sad face.

Still 160 today. Hey, I feel good and no gain. Right?

To get rid of cravings you have to get rid of all sweet things in the diet. Snack on protein at work. Don’t allow a carb snack if at at all, then only at home after dinner. At work, consider that you just need fuel and make yourself un-hungry by eating protein. Ex. String cheese, or baby bel cheese smoked salmon rolled up around cream cheese with capers in it pure parmesan ‘crackers” that are nut crunchy cheese, no carbs sliced roast beef or turkey (can roll it up over a slice of pickle) greek yogurt plain full fat with protein powder and a bit of coconut water splashed in to be able to mix and give the tiniest sweetness. Best is to eat protein all the middle of the day. Starchy carbs are great for your gut bugs and will help you sleep, so save them for after or part of your dinner. protein keeps me from craving. Carbs make me crave carbs.

Didn’t have as much to lose, was low obese BMI, and people didn’t notice til 3 months and 30 lbs. 5 mos and 44 lbs now. Face is thin so people think I’ve “lost enough,” though still fat on lower half. With heavier winter clothing people can’t see it.

Totally agree. I didn’t have as much to lose but I had aches and pains on top of my aches and pains. They all left once I lost a certain amount of weight. Especially legs and feet. But lower back too.

Great advice. I think it would be good for people before surgery to get their diets as clean and unsweetened as possible before they even start. Understand that fast doesn’t make you fat, but carbs (sugars and fake sugars too) do. Then let your body heal post surgery, learn how to slowly get the protein drinks in, and the water, then slowly add rich protein foods and healthy, filling fats in. Veggies for “dessert” after those first spoon or forkfuls of protein. Keep your food chart and see how the weight goes down. I found by eating the protein (I prefer animal, and it comes with lots of natural fat) I steadily lose, but if I find a carb that goes down easy, I lose less. I think a craving for sweets will do us in, so I don’t eat anything sweet, not even fruit. The sweetest thing I eat is dark chocolate at 85% or more. i only lose 3-7 lbs a month. And that must be fine, the months go by, and I am getting thinner. We need to be patient.

Congrats! You look beautiful.

I forgot to post yesterday too. Weight 12/20 was 160. Yay!

Someone on here told me about Jillian Michaels’s app. It’s been worth every penny. You can do 10 or 20 or more minutes a day, do one of the programs, or just have her make up a set of exercises for that day. Whole body, lower, upper, etc. she is doing all the exercises, each on for only 20-25 seconds. Then quickly moving to another. You never get bored. You can skip them or substitute them. 9t is the best program I’ve ever used and I really stick with it. You play your own playlist in the background on your phone or tablet, and can still hear her instructions. It’s worth every penny and I forgot what it costs but not much. Someone gets back to you within a day with friendly detailed answers to all questions. I wish I had time to do a workout with her every day. I love choosing from the exercises to put together that day’s workout.

Anyone already use kettlebells? I want one so badly. I need to work out at home so I can’t have someone show me how to do it properly. Will have to rely on YouTube. I might get a kettlebell soon.

Same here, I haven’t lost as much as you but also probably half way there at 5 months out. I feel like this is doable. I KNOW I could NEVER HAVE DONE THIS without that sleeve. I’m so happy to have this portion control. Also losing very slowly, only one stall before 4 months for 2 weeks. It just keeps losing. I’m so happy. People notice, they tell me I can stop losing (They are only looking at my skinny face tho), I never thought I’d be here. I don’t need anything plus sized any more and I can’t bleeping believe it. I just can’t. It’s like a dream.

It’s new so that is why it seems so overwhelming. You’re not eating real food, so just concentrate on your protein drinks and your water. No carbs to worry about now. Eventually you will get to puréed or easy foods, worry then. Just keep up with your protein and walking and resting. Have water ever chance you can, but I never got the required oz in, still never have, and water is my favorite drink. I do the best I can.

I was sleeved July 19th. 5 months out now, 43 lbs down. Doing very well. Didn’t drop any sizes for 3 months, lost sooooo slowly too. Now I’m in size L instead of 2x! It’s so amazing. Best thing I ever did. Glad your sleevie family is doing so well.

Drop useless carbs and anything sweet tasting. No fruit, breads, sweeteners. Get rid of sweet things and you won’t want them any more. My treat is 85-90% dark chocolate which at that low of sugar is like anti oxidant medicine. Lol. i agree with the advice to keep up the healthy fat. Fat from clean animals, including butter, and the other ones mentioned. Olive oil, coconut oil, etc. fatty fish. And huge focus on animal protein. Carbs, use potatoes and sweet potatoes, other veggies. Can do a couple oz of seeds beans or nuts IF they aren’t sliders for you. Otherwise don’t use them during a stall. I need seeds to keep me regular. Even just a bit of ground flax seeds really can help.

I can’t tell your genders. Is rogaine also for women? A month ago (4 mo post op) even though I lose only about 6 lbs a month, I started losing tons of hair. I was taking biotin but maybe not enough. I ran out and gave up because I’ve lost 2/3 of my hair it seems. This happened after I gave birth 6 yrs ago too and then it stopped. I will start up with the biotin in larger doses. I hope and pray this loss stops soon. I didn’t think it would happen to me with my slow slow weight loss.

I too am so sorry. It was rough a little after surgery for me but nothing like what you describe. My pain meds and walking took care of it. And now 5 months out I feel it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I hope to Gd that soon you feel that way. I have total portion control, still losing, so much more energy, I feel my body is so light and I never want to sit down, love being active. Getting compliments. Only negative: I’m colder now! I’m complaining when it’s cold like those skinny people always do! My internal sweater is shrinking. Feel better soon.

I’m not reading the whole thread so I might be repeating someone else’s idea, but here is what worked for me. Instead of mixing the protein powder with water or milk, I mix it into full fat plain Greek yogurt. I add coconut water as needed just to be able to mix it. Then I put it into little metal lunchbots (I think they are 4 oz containers ) and take them with me or keep in fridge. It doesn’t bug my stomach or make me sweaty and dizzy the way the liquid shakes did. I prefer unsweetened whey powder but just use whatever works for you. Just a few spoonfuls and it’s double the protein too. Good luck.

I’m now 5 months out. I’ve always loved drinking water. But up to and including now, I can’t get in the 60 oz or whatever I’m supposed to drink. Right after surgery the first weeks I for sure couldn’t. Couldn’t take normal sips, even. Do your best. Keep trying to measure. But I’ve lost good weight and I am healthy without being able to drink all the water. I carry it with me everywhere but each time I eat there is so much time I am not allowed to drink, before or after, that it doesn’t really help me. I prob;y used to drink 20 oz with each meal and now we aren’t supposed to drink.

Today’s weight 161.