atphiladephia

I don’t take many pics of myself but over lost 118 pounds in a year. The first pic is a week or so after surgery and the second is a few weeks ago. It’s changed my life.

My highest was 330. I was 324 1 week pre-op. 9 months post vsg I am 215 and down 109 lbs total.

Nazz, I’m female but 6’ tall with a large skeletal structure as well. I was sleeved 1-9-18 and went from 324 to 241. My goal weight as a female is 200. So maybe 225-240 for a guy would seemingly be appropriate since the muscle mass of a male would be more substantial. My husband is 6’1, has huge bones (hands, head, feet etc), is strong and looks great at 230.

Let us know how it goes. This Interests me too

Well it’s a slider food. So it leaves the stomach MUCH faster than solid Proteins. I am way more satisfied with solid food than I am with shakes.

Sure! Luke I said it’s been easy for me. But I am a rule follower. If you follow the rules this tool makes it so much easier. You will do great!

I’m 36. Almost 6’ tall. Pear shaped and have an athletic build. I was 324 at my highest but floated around 300 for a long time. I’ve lost weight a bunch of times successfully getting to 220 or less a few times. I got sleeved on January 9th and I’ve lost 63 pounds. It’s been super easy for me because as you said, I’m healthy, enjoy working out and love healthy food. I always just ate too much and also ate way too many carbohydrates. So...my first goal is 200 as well and ideally 185.

My family and some very close coworkers know. But my friends don’t. My family, because I needed their help, because I tell my mom everything and because i trust them. Coworkers because I left for a while and they knew it wasn’t a vacation and because I drank protein shakes daily for weeks; so it would have been an awful lie to tell. But my friends, now that we are grown and have families see each other only occasionally and I’ve never felt the need to discuss my weight with them. I’ve lost over 100 pounds three times in my life (obviously part of my issues) so fast weight loss is not unusual for me. They are probably thinking “here she goes again”. But I’m happy it’s not the topic of conversation or that I’m not a focal point of gossip. So I’m glad I’ve kept it somewhat secret.

So- food for a good addict or overwater is similar to alcohol for an alcoholic. It’s a coping mechanism and helps to mask feelings and prevents us from honing our emotional tools to deal with stress and anxiety. When the food is taken away and it’s more difficult to be abused or just isn’t being abused feelings are much more noticeable, stronger, overwhelming and harder to deal with because we’ve been eating them away for so long. I agree with the other recommendation to speak with your doctor; my surgeon has an in house psychologist that is there for emotional help throughout the process. I think this would be helpful for you. Good luck.

I can see a lot of people are on here as they approach their surgery and are wondering what to expect. I thought I’d take a minute to share my stats and review of the surgery: Starting weight 1 week pre-op: 324 After pre-op diet-316 Current weight (almost 3 months post op)- 267 Total lost in less than 3 months- 57 lbs The pre-op diet was hard- no getting around that- you are hungry bottom line. It was only a week and I was determined to have surgery so it went fast. Surgery was relatively easy and painless with the exception of gas pains in my shoulders and back- walking and moving helped the most. I was off narcotic painkillers after the last dose during recovery. Tylenol got me through the first two days at home- then I needed nothing. I wasn’t hungry at all post op- so the hard part about pre-op was gone. I could only have liquids- i only wanted liquids. Easy. Purees were harder simply because I only wanted to eat food that was mutually puréed; I wasn’t in to actually pureeing chunky food. I loved off of protein shakes, cottage cheese and refried beans. Soft foods was amazing. I was so happy to have food again! Fish! Crab! Scrambled eggs! Everything seemed delicious. I didn’t have troubles tolerating anything and I was full and content between meals. Take your meds- when I forgot my heartburn prescription, I could tell. Real food and beyond- this was easy as well. As long as you follow your protein first rule and don’t drink when you eat you will be full and satisfied after eating so quickly. All in all it’s what I’ve always wanted- for someone to take away my option to over eat. Luckily my struggle was always over eating at a single sitting- so grazing and eating the wrong Things has not been an issue for me pre or post op- For example I could eat a whole hoagie for lunch before and not blink an eye. I wouldn’t snack or eat cookies between meals but I would sit down to a large bowl of spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread. I knew before and I can confirm that after- this is the right surgery if this is your struggle. Good luck to anyone considering. I’m so glad I did this. I have no regrets.

So- i could only eat like you in the beginning as well. Things changed during the soft phase- i was able to consume a little more. I’m a super busy lady and most of my lunches are on the go. I try to meal plan but with a kid and running a business it’s hard- so let’s be real- my lunch is wawa egg white omelette with a slice of ham and cheese and roasted red peppers. Sometimes I can eat it all- other times not. Sometimes I make tuna salad- a small spoon of mayo with some dill relish- it’s so good and I’m so full after 1/4-1/2 cup Dinner is usually a lean meat- 3-4oz chicken, fish or venison- grilled or in the crock pot or instant pot and a veggie- I love stir fry and so a lot of those- I always feel so satisfied because it’s so tasty. But to answer what I think your getting at- you can def eat more as time goes on. I stick to my 3 meals a day and reserve snacks only for when I’m genuinely hungry (which is very rare). But I eat small- but filling, normal meals that are protein first then veggie and I never get to the next category because I’m stuffed by then. I’m losing because although my portions aren’t teeny tiny and I’m able to eat what feels like a good bit, it’s nothing compared to the heavy big meals I used to consume (2 servings of pasta with meat easily). The other key has been staying active and getting exercise in. Good luck!!!

In my surgeons handbook which outlined our diets, cottage cheese is included in purée-small curd only.

I bought pho and drank the broth (best broth ever). I was allowed egg drop soup too- the egg was so runny it wasn’t “chunky”. Those saved me.

I was sleeved the same day! And although I’ve been very good on the diet- there has been some processed sugar- yogurt- hard candy- smoothie. So no cake or cookies per say- but unless you over do it completely I doubt anything would actually happen. My mom had the DS with sleeve and it’s different for her. Things affect her bowells ALOT. So far for me- other than restriction when eating I’ve had no other side effects.

Good for you. Taking care of yourself is what this journey is all about. Good for you getting a counselor. I wish you the best of luck and encourage you to continue one day at a time- like all of us must- whether the addiction is food or booze- or both. Good luck!

Here is one https://slowcookergourmet.net/slow-cooker-chicken-tinga-tostadas/ Just forego the tostada part. And eat just the chicken with a little sour cream or refried beans! You can also google: Fiesta chicken And instant pot has some good solutions: Salsa chicken verde Good luck!

How do those of you with full time jobs and young children fit in exercise? I work at 5am to 4 pm and then pick my son up from daycare and have to make dinner, cleanup and spend SOME quality time with my kid who was in daycare all day...I currently work out Saturday and Sunday and my husband watches him then. I set goals to work out after he goes to bed each night but I’m FRIED by then and struggle getting to the gym and back by then. It’s tough between Mom guilt and take care of myself guilt. I’m doing great on my weight loss at 2 months post op but I know I will need to increase exercise as my metabolism catches up to me. I even enjoy it- just have a hard time getting it done weekdays. Any tips? Ideas? Good home tricks?

7,000 for the surgery 2500 for the Doctor 1300 for anesthesia. Approximate. Surgery and team was a breeze here in Philadelphia.

Thanks guys. Yes maybe it will get easier when the winter finally goes away here in PA! Maybe going for family hikes and trips to the park will be the solution after school! No guilt that way!

I calculate from my 1 week pre-op diet. So I was 324 1 week prior to surgery- 316 at surgery and I’m 273-2.5 months post op so I say I’ve lost 51 lbs.

I had a BMI of just over 40. I’m 36 and I’m good shape otherwise. I was fine to walk long distances 2 weeks post op. I was not ok lifting anything heavy but walking was fine. Travel in stretchy not restrictive clothing. You should be fine

I remember asking this and no one replying to it here: so i will gladly reply to you!! I am 2.5 months post op with no restrictions and here is a sample day for me: Breakfast- 2 egg whites scrambled with 1/2 slice ham and a sprinkle of cheddar cheese OR 1/2 cup 1% friendship cottage cheese with 3 chunks pineapple Lunch- (usually leftovers) 2 grilled chicken tenderloins and 1/4 cup veggie (this stuffs me). OR canned albacore tuna with a dash olive oil mayo, dill relish, salt and pepper in a little bowl. (Chicken salad would be good too) Snack (I don’t always have)- 1 Greek yogurt or string cheese Dinner- shredded Mexican chicken (in my crock pot or instant pot) a little refried bean and a sprinkle of cheese and salsa (2-3 oz chicken max) This menu and ones like it leaves me 100 percent satisfied and quite full after each meal. Like I said I don’t usually have a snack and if i do it’s because i did an hour long cardio class or I’m purposely breaking a stall (the carbs from the yogurt seem to break my stalls). I don’t dream about food ever and move on after a meal easily. It’s a dream come true. Good luck!

I was 324 at my all time high. Lost 8 on 1 week pre-op and 43 since my surgery January 9th. So I think I’m maybe 75 Days or something. So yes! Pretty darn close! Total about 51 down since I started on the first of the year!

My family knows and they are super and totally supportive. Many of them struggle with weight and well and my mom got the DS surgery two years ago and was actually the one who suggested it- in an effort to help me not live the same life she had to. I have not told my friends- we are adults now and even though they are amazing we don’t talk daily and we are all so wrapped up in our families and work that when we see each other everything is about the kids and the daily grind. It hasn’t come up and since I’ve fluctuated weight my entire life- a big weight loss isn’t a shocking thing for them to see.

I’m not sure but I’m 2 months out. I’m not hungry but I can eat a normal small meal. Meaning 4 oz protein AND a vegetable side. I’m not losing much anymore (for two weeks). I’m eating so healthfully and only until I’m full, I just thought I’d be full sooner, more like I was when I started my soft foods stage. I hope it’s just a stall and my efforts will work- I’m trying to focus on pre- portioning and stopping even if I’m not full.