Boldilocks

I'm just over 3 months out and had some of my daughter's popcorn while at the cinema watching Avengers: Endgame. It killed me, and I'm posting this from beyond the grave... LOL I don't know - I just had a little, about a handful. It felt fine, no issues, and I stopped when I did because I knew it would be a slider and I wouldn't get a full signal.

I am 5ft tall - and like so many here it seems, a goal weight was never discussed with my Dr. My own goal is 124lbs - if I manage to reach that, I'll re-evaluate from there. I remember being 19 and 119 lbs, and wanting to lose weight because I felt fat and wanted to be 112 *insert eye roll*. I'm just over 3 months out, and the weight is coming off very slowly for me because of my hormonal issues (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - but I'm hoping to be halfway to goal in the next 2 weeks.

Had a meeting at work today, and it occurred to me that I wasn't the heaviest person there. I'm not judging anyone else for their weight - rather, I was just pleased that I can blend into the background a little more in social or work situations.

Maybe being short has something to do with it too as we're both in the same boat, LOL! Actually - I see that you also have PCOS (it was my main reason for surgery) - that's the culprit in both our cases, I'm sure.

I had to do the 6 months of weigh ins before surgery, and was told not to lose anything. I just squeaked under the 35 BMI cut-off with co-morbidities. My weight fluctuated between 188-192 during the weigh-ins, then I lost a couple of pounds during the 3 day pre-op diet so it was 187 the morning of surgery.

I was 187 on surgery day - as you can see from my ticker it is coming off painfully slowly. But it's better than gaining.

We lived in Syracuse briefly back in 2004 - I liked it there! I don;t go back much, but am there at least once a year now to teach at the NY State Fair!

I have PCOS and insulin resistance was one of my main reasons for getting the surgery. I was taken off metformin the day of surgery - and I was on 2000 mg a day. Was never so glad of anything in my life - I hated that metformin, it always did a number on my guts! I was warned that PCOS-ers are typically slow losers, and was kind of prepared for that. I was also told that because I was on the lower end of the BMI chart for surgery (36), that I would lose slower too. But the hormones are the main culprit, I think. My endocrinologist told me that for someone with PCOS to lose 1 lb is equivalent to a "normal" person losing 5 lbs - it's just that hard. Anyway, I lost about 11 lbs from surgery day, then stalled on day 12. For 11 days I fluctuated between a stall and a slight gain, until I started losing again. Now I am 10 weeks out and have had that stall, and another stall where I fluctuated between 176 lbs and 171 lbs for three weeks. I seem to have hit a decent stride now - I have been on a constant losing streak for 16 days and hopefully it'll continue. I think I've found a calorie number, protein amount, water amount and step count that are the sweet spot for me. I am someone who chronically could not lose no matter what I did. Prior to surgery I was on 1300 calories or less a day for years and still gained. So if it is happening (yes, very slowly, but still) for me - you should have every belief that it'll happen for you!

I've been drinking tea since day 2 post-op (I'm from Ireland, LOL, we can't be without it) - with a tiny amount of Fairlife fat free milk and that's it. I measure the milk out at the beginning of the day so it's part of my calorie allocation. Anyway, I drink 2 full pots a day - about 120 oz. It hasn't contributed to any stalls, gains or losses as far as I am aware. My hydration levels are great though (I drink the tea very weak, only 1 bag in a 60 oz pot, so there isn't a lot of caffeine).

I have had no energy at all yesterday and today! I'm 8 weeks out. Average water intake is 108oz, protein range 78-128oz, calories 650-800. Have been walking every day, getting about 7500 steps daily right now. Pooping every other day, taking all my vitamins and minerals. What gives? Yesterday and today I hit what felt like a physical wall - like I just couldn't walk another step. A bit like the early post-surgery days, actually. I'm baffled - anyone else had this??

I am 60 days out and have lost 22 lbs. That's total. Now yes, my bmi started a lot lower than yours - but I still did think it would come off faster than it is. I have to work for every single ounce. I suppose it *is* coming off, though, rather than me working my butt off and still losing nothing. It's hard to be patient sometimes, though. Sent from my LM-G710 using BariatricPal mobile app

And would you believe it, I looked back 2 weeks and lo and behold I had some pain that I labelled 'ovulation?' and was hungrier than usual. If my body really starts behaving like a normal person's, this is going to take some getting used to!

Hi all - thanks for replying! I found the culprit - my period started today! No one was more surprised than me! Me?? A perfect 28 day cycle?? It had been pretty regular at 35 days for the last couple of years, but before that it could be anywhere from 18 to 100+ days. I have no doubts that the surgery is working on my hormones and metabolism. I feel better today - cramps and achey back, but energy level good. My B12 levels were off the chart high at my 6 week follow up - my dr and I actually laughed about it. D and iron a little low, but higher than they used to be. Thanks for the heads-up about Genepro. I'm not using it as my main source and try to make sure that I get 60g a day outside of it. But I'll keeping looking for good supplements.

Today I cut my toenails and did not have to hold my breath or physically grab my foot and place it over my knee with my hands. And 3 of the shower curtain hooks had come off the pole, so I hopped up on the side of the bath and put them back on - without holding on to anything for support, and while keeping my balance on the 3 inch bath rim!

Well, I was home because I primarily work from home - but I was out and about a lot both days. And my period isn't due for 8 days - forgot to add that. No, I've been off the protein shakes for a month now - which is funny considering that they were my breakfast of choice for about 7 years prior to surgery. I'm not much of a breakfast person, so now I usually have non fat Greek yoghurt or non fat cottage cheese with a scoop of unflavoured protein in it. You should definitely be impressed with my protein intake! I'm a vegetarian, and let me tell you, it's not easy being green when it comes to getting the nutrition after surgery! I use this unflavoured protein powder at least once a day - if not with breakfast, then mixed into a veggie chili or veggie curry at dinner.

I'm 8 weeks out and have lost about 22 lbs total, 17 since surgery date. Trying not to compare my low loss with others' since my BMI started out fairly low, but it's a little discouraging.

I haven't lost much yet - and was feeling a little discouraged, truth be told. But I had a couple of NSVs today that cheered me up. First, I am very short (5ft) and have a top loading washing machine. I would have trouble reaching down to the bottom to empty it, and it would hurt my upper belly where the metal would be digging into me trying to reach down. Well today, I was not only able to reach the bottom, but could do it without impaling myself on the lip of the tub. And I went to get my hair trimmed - first time since surgery. One of the places where I have noticeably lost weight is my face - I had no neck, just a massive wobbly double chin that looked like a goiter. Now it's disappearing. Before when I got my hair cut, I would be too embarrassed to look in the mirror - hating my fat, round face. Today I watched in the mirror and actually smiled at myself and didn't feel self-conscious or embarrassed.

I started with a BMI of 36 and the loss has been extremely slow. I also have PCOS which is a hormonal condition, and was warned that we tend to lose slower anyway. I have only lost 16 lbs in the 7 weeks since surgery. I am disappointed, but it's still 16 lbs more than I would have lost. I weigh every day and track everything - protein, calories, carbs, water, exercise, poops. I know I'm doing everything right - but I ate 1300 cals or less a day for years prior to surgery (have been tracking everything in MFP for 7 years now) and still didn't lose. In the back of my mind is the fear that I will be the only one that surgery doesn't work for because my metabolism is so broken. I stalled on day 10 and have had many since - I just keep trying to change things up to kick start it again, but it does feel a little like spinning plates in the air, LOL.

One day post-op my surgeon refused to prescribe me anything for pain - but told me I could alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen. I said that I thought we weren't supposed to take ibuprofen - and he told me I could take ibuprofen if he said I could. One. Day. Post-op. 🙄

I don't detect a taste - but then again, I do tend to put it in things that wouldn't be ruined by a slight dairy flavour, you know? You could always get the 10 serving bag to try it. I even put it in my protein shakes along with my regular powder when I was still having them. That would be a way to use it up if you didn't like it in other stuff. I have it sent monthly now on subscribe and save, and it's 15% cheaper that way.

I lost for the first 10 days, and then had a 2 week stall. I was really disappointed to be stalling so early. I tracked everything to try to figure it out - calories, macros, water, exercise, poops, my menstrual cycle. The conclusion I came away with is that it doesn't matter what you track - it's going to happen. It's normal. You'll start losing again soon - it's physics.

I put this into a lot of stuff - mix it into yoghurt, cottage cheese, fat-free re-fried beans, curries, sauces, soups. It really helps me pack more protein in as a vegetarian. The scoops are very small. https://www.amazon.com/GENEPRO-Musclegen-Research-Flavorless-Certified/dp/B00K6OSDYA

I had laparascopic gastric sleeve on 2/5/19. I am typically a slow healer from surgery, and usually need more anaesthesia and pain meds (some to do with being a pale redhead I'm told). My doctor sent me home with no pain meds, and refused to prescribe any when my husband phoned after discharge. I was in a lot of pain for that first week. It did get better. I am still really angry at my surgeon - if I was a drug seeker, there are easier ways to get meds than go through a 6 month programme and have 90% of your stomach cut out...

I'm a gulper - I just seem to forget all the time and chug. I'm 4 weeks post-op now, and I can gulp about 3 - 4 mouthfuls (prob about 4 ounces). Sometimes I'll get an "uh oh!" feeling in my stomach where it feels like the liquid is coming up again a bit, or is sitting at the top of my stomach or something, and I'll have to spit out any I still have in my mouth. I seem to be incapable of takinga single sip. It's never been painful, though.

I'm 18 days out and have been on an 8 day stall. It is driving me demented!