Coexister

Pictures are showing me exactly 1 year apart with the first one showing in the same clothes and the second on the left is my daughter letting me feel my granddaughter move in her belly and on the right is me exactly a year later. I am currently at a 2 month stall but no gain! I have been through two surgeries (Feb 2019 / shoulder repair & November 2019/Ventral hernia ) since my hiatal & sleeve surgery Dec 26, 2018. All of this has limited my physical abilities and so I am still proud of my progress and results and I know that it will eventually start coming off again if I stay the course. I just had a foot surgery Jan 31st that’s going to keep me from my daily walking for about 6 weeks or more but I will improvise somehow. Thank you all for sharing your stories and pictures as they keep us motivated. I am looking forward to New Year of 2020 of no more surgeries, healing and finally being able to be physically active in exercise, lose the last bit a weight and start fully living. Happy New Years to my fellow group!

I saw this on another forum and thought it worthy to share as it has all the great information and advice we all need for the journey! it is written by Mellissa Gangi and what I had wished I had been told from the very beginning. Sleeve Tips: I'm 10 months post op today and along this journey, so far, I've seen a lot of the same questions or concerns from many. I thought these tips could help! 1. Take preop photos... you'll want them! 2. Protein shakes...I used isopure protein powder and scooped it into 2 oz. of water (u can add ice and blend too) to drink in my immediate postop period. It was much less to drink at a sitting and you still got in your protein. It would take me over an hour to drink each one, but way easier to me. Plus, isopure has multiple flavors and it was reasonably priced. I bought off Amazon. Also, Genepro is an unflavored protein powder that is very popular. It can be added to pretty much anything. The scoop is tiny and it gives 30g of protein per scoop. I use it daily in my morning coffee but if adding it to hot liquids you have to add creamer 1st to cool it down or it will clump up or dissolve in a little warm water 1st then add... the directions are on the bag. It is not completely unflavored and it has a smell to it, but most of us get used to it quickly. Your body can only absorb up to 30g of protein per serving, so anything more than that at once will be wasted and it doesn't count towards your daily goals! 3. STALLS happen...stick to your plan and the scale will move again! You most likely will be losing inches during that time. They can last a few weeks...especially the 3 week stall. The further you are out they may even last longer and at that point you may have to shake things up a bit, maybe a day or 2 most increase your carbs then go back to your plan. Don't get discouraged and try to just be patient. 4. No NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, aleve, motrin, etc...) they can cause ulcers...tylenol products are ok and Excedrin Tension is ok (great for headaches) it has tylenol and caffeine in it, no aspirin like the other excedrin products. Also, peppermint oil rubbed on your temples help for headaches. 5. Fluid intake...atleast 64 oz of non caffeinated, non carbonated, sugar free fluids but the rule of thumb is drink half of your body weight in ounces. 6. Caffeine and alcohol...follow your surgeons orders. They both can dehydrate you and cause ulcers in the beginning of your journey. And alcohol may affect you differently postop, so be careful. Absorbtion changes postop. 7. Transfer addictions...a lot of bariatric patients give up food for other addictions like shopping and alcohol. Be mindful. 8. Increased chance of pregnancy after surgery. You can be much more fertile. Even if you had problems with it preop. 9. Increased divorce rates postop...I have looked into this because I was curious as to why. I have found that it does indeed increase, but the majority of the couples that do have had issues preop and the spouse that had surgery loses the weight, increases their self esteem and simply won't stand for the same behavior anymore. 10. Sugar/Carbs...1st and foremost, follow your plan. There are reasons why your surgeon and/or nutritionist gives you one, especially while healing and it takes approximately 6 weeks for your tummy to heal. After you are advanced to a "regular" diet, usually about 2 month postop, yes you can eat some sweets or carbs but in moderation. Always try to get your protein in 1st, though. I have chosen to stay away from sugar and certain carbs. I don't crave them, so why reintroduce them. I know me, and moderation is hard for me. 11. Everyone's weightloss journey is different. Try not to compare yourself to the next person. It's hard not to, I know! But their weight, height, sex, medical history all plays a part of it. If you do what you should be doing, you'll lose! 12. Dumping and The Foamies... Dumping occurs when your new tummy just doesn't agree with something you consumed. Dumping occurs more in bypass patients but it can occur with sleeves, also. Symptoms can include sudden vomiting, diarrhea, and increased heart rate and last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The Foamies... you'll know what this is if you get it. It's a lot of phlegm that is produced in your esophagus all of a sudden. It can happen if you eat or drink too fast, or take in too much, or drink right after eating...wait to drink atleast 30 minutes after eating. Plus, if you drink with eating or too close afterwards you flush the food through your belly too fast and you're not absorbing nutrients. 13. Take your vitamins and get in your protein daily! This will not only help your weightloss and prevent vitamin deficiency but it will help with the sunken in look when you lose weight. I was told 60-90g of protein daily, but follow your drs orders. I take 2 flintstones with iron chewables a day because I couldn't tolerate the prescribed multivitamin, in addition to calcium with d3, and magnesium and b12. 14. Gas ex chewables, heating pads, and walking help big time for your gas pains. When I woke up from this surgery I thought I was having a heart attack because the gas was causing chest pains. Also, use the incentive spirometry in the immediate postop period. Anesthesia affects your lungs and it takes 72 hours to completely wear off so the breathing exercises help strengthen them and prevent pneumonia. 15. Heartburn...omeprazole works so well for me. My surgeon prescribed it from day 1 and I love it. 16. Postop hormones... your body almost goes into shock in the 1st 6 weeks or so after surgery from the major changes to it. You may feel different mentally...it does get better but if it's bad talk to your dr about it. 17. Medications... your body can change postop. The same medications you were on preop may be absorbed differently postop so if you notice changes talk to your dr. They may need to be adjusted. And extended release meds may not work as well. 18. Tracking your intake keeps you honest. I love the baritastic app. It also has recipes for all the stages and reminders. 19. Head hunger vs real hunger. This is a lifestyle change, your body needs much less calories postop but you have to retrain your brain. It may take time and that's normal. If you fall off the wagon one day...oh well...get back on it the next. We are all human. Don't get discouraged. Just pick yourself back up. 20. Complications can happen. If your body starts feeling different...new onset pains, nausea, vomiting, passing out, food feeling stuck in esophagus, etc...call your surgeon. You're always better safe than sorry. 21. Abbreviations... HW your highest weight SW what you weighed on your surgery day GW your goal weight CW what you weigh currently NSV non scale victory Nut nutritionist VSG vertical sleeve gastrectomy (sleeve surgery) RNY roux-en-Y (gastric bypass) DS duodenal switch surgery 22. Hair loss or thinning happens. But, it will grow back. I thinned starting at about 4 months. It can last months. Many take biotin supplements for it, I didn't. 23. Get ready to be cold! You're body is changing, it's almost in shock so invest in a Comfy, like me, or electric blanket to keep warm lol. 24. What to bring to the hospital for your surgery stay...a long phone charger, chapstick, your phone, comfy pjs, slippers, a robe, earbuds, and a list of your medical history, surgeries, allergies, and medications with dosages. Others add gas ex chewables but I'm an RN and don't recommend taking any meds from home without the nurses or drs knowledge. Some also say a heating pad to help with gas pains, but walking is best. Also, remember to hug a pillow if you cough or sneeze. It will help! 25. Constipation! It is a part of this journey, unfortunately. The only thing that helps me, and this is not conventional, is sugar free hard candies. A few of those babies (no more than 5 or you'll hate me) and you'll be going within 12 hours. The sugar alcohols do it for me. But, more conventional approaches are benefiber packets, smooth move tea, or miralax. And there's diarrhea in the beginning...liquids in, liquids out. But your 1st bowel movement may take awhile...its all normal. 26. Ketosis...when you cut out sugar and go low carb you're body goes into a state of ketosis. This is a metabolic state that now uses fat for energy, instead of carbs. It aids in weightloss, but has some side effects like bad breath, body odor, bowel changes, fatigue at 1st but then increased energy the longer you're in it, and insomnia. Those side effects will decrease over time so just invest in mouthwash for the meantime! I know this is a lot, but hopefully it helps! If I missed anything, feel free to chime in. Best of luck to everyone!

I have been in a stall for a couple of months myself and needed this message. Thank you!

Yes, they did mine at the same time.

Yes, they did mine at the same time.

1. Posting your personal goal: 145 lbs 2. Add your surgery type, status (pre/post op, losing/maintenance): VSG on 12/26/2018 3. Weight and BMI (not necessary but encouraged): 180 w/ BMI of 30 4. Choose between the easy or advance squat routine: easy 5. Tell us your favorite flaw: I don't know how to respond to this? I don't have a favorite flaw.

So I have been stalled pretty much for the past two months and it scares the blank out of me - anyone else in the same boat here with me? Back to the basics for me, back to diving into this forum for support and inspiration. I know that I have ventured to far off into things I shouldn't eat and am aware of the error of my ways. Definitely got to keep those small bags of chips out of my house (the rest of the family will just have to go without) as they always call out to me in a weak moment and they being a slider food well they are freezing my weight in the moment.. Water -gotta start tracking again .. I have been limited in exercises per other medical problems (shoulder surgery & hernia)and not able to do any weight training but am thinking if I just do lots of repetitions of small weights and increase my walking. I need to lose another 10 lbs in a month so I can get my abdominal incisional hernia repaired. This hernia has haunted me for a very long time and is the reason why I got the sleeve surgery in the first place as Surgeons would not repair the hernia until I lost a bunch of weight as it was a previously repaired hernia with mesh that had to be cut through for another surgery that eventually became another hernia that has haunted me. AS I lose the weight it becomes more prominent. I call it my little monster. Also been dealing with some emotional stuff as I was just recently diagnosed with PTSD due to trauma and Major Depressive Disorder so I have been working on not eating my feelings and am working with professionals to get that back under control as well. So 9 months later, I am currently at a cross road in my journey and hoping to get back on the right path. Hoping to find that I am not alone and that others may be dealing with the same.

MOM - milk of magnesium if what our doctor has us use and we also took a stool softener (colace) daily. Really important to make sure you are drinking minimum of 64 ozs of water daily.

Yes this is normal for awhile and it will pass. Do your best to get your protein and water in. It took me several weeks to feel like I had any energy after my surgery. My doctor recommended no exercise for the first 6 weeks for this very reason as your body is trying to adjust / heal and your hormones are going through some extreme changes that will affect your energy as well as your mental. Hang in there, it will get better! It will be worth it!

Love hearing that everyone is doing so well! Summer is so much more fun with the weight loss!

I love this forum! Thank you to all the December 2018 Sleever's that come back and update! I can always find truth and support here. I love the chart as it validates that I am doing good even if progress has slowed. I agree with Deblearn - will have to look at this chart often to keep my sanity. Onward we go.

I am glad you guys have updated. My weight loss at this point has been so so slow and I have been so worried that I have done something wrong? From what I am reading it seems to be the norm? I do need to get better on track though as my bariatric doctor wants me to be at 180 in July or they will give me some medication to help me lose more as the goal is to do a incisional hernia repair at my belly button without mesh and that's the weight they would like me at. With the weight loss and having this fist size hernia it doesn't look like I have lost as my belly lump looks so gross. So guys thanks for updating and normalizing things for the rest of us! I am not able to do weight training per I can't pick up more then 25 lbs per hernia and then I am still recovering from a a shoulder surgery and not allowed to pick up anything over 10 lbs with that arm and so all these limitations on exercise is not helping. I am walking almost everyday. My biggest problem is my saboteurs and the carbs they keep trying to temp me with as I have learned carbs go down real easy on the sleeve.

Hi December Sleevers! Just checking in to as my saboteurs keep trying to hit me with everything they got and I do find myself eating a little of this and that here and there. I told myself this week that I need to get back on point and eat more at home. It seems like such a waste to go out and eat as I find myself paying for big meals that I end up taking most of it home and then end up throwing it out per not tasting as good as it did the first time around. My daughter is bringing in chocolates and sugar in the house and snacks and foods that I find so tempting. I have given in here and there but I am going to resolve to do better! Anybody else struggling with saboteurs or old habits even though eating much less volume but still worried that in time....

NuMe2 you are so rigtht about varying calories to break stalls! I too was at a stall for many weeks but when I eat a little more and bring my calorie count up I seem to lose weight! For instance - yesterday my daughter brought home for pizza for dinner and even though I know it's a big "no, no" per carbs, sodium processing and such I went ahead and indulged in a slice and it upped my daily calorie count to 1120. I woke up this morning with a loss! I always make sure I get the minimum of 64 oz especially since I had a Shoulder Surgery this month on Feb 12th and am on pain pills as I got to make sure I don't bind up because well many of you know that although Milk of Magnesium does a great job of breaking the dam open withing a matter of hours it is still very messy. So I noticed that if I dip my calories up once in awhile it makes a difference. I vary between 800 to 1200 daily. I always, always make sure I get my minimum protein of 70 grams and am taking all of my vitamin and supplements daily. I use Bariatric Advantage HP meal replacement , Premier protein shakes and sometimes Genepro protein powder in yogurt to meet these needs. I worry about getting all the supplements and especially since having 2 surgeries in 3 months and worried about hair loss. I have also noticed that my skin is super super dry but and I am still trying to figure our that battle! If I don't feel like cooking and want something fast have been buying the Smartmade frozen dinners from Walmart such as turkey, and roasted vegetables as this is low carb and high protein, RealGood also makes a chicken crusted pizza that is also low carb high protein. I also like the Lean Cuisine herb roasted chicken but this one only has 16 protein where the others are higher carb. So these types of things help me out a bunch and in a pinch. I also still eat a lot of beans, LOL! (need that fiber). Some days I can eat more then others and other days I just can't put much in and it is so weird how it all works like that. Just this morning upon waking it was a little more difficult swallowing water then most. I think this surgery just put's you on a see-saw like that and after reading so many post in this forum I am comforted by the fact that it is not unusual and so I do not stress it anymore. I have yet to throw anything up but have eaten too fast, too much and had the sweats, chest pains and miserable feeling of needing to. Like many some days I question whether my stomach was really resized and then others I definitely know there is a restriction. I still fight head hunger and bad habits but have made great improvement here. I have been to a restaurant and ordered a full meal and then find that I barely make a dent in it too the point the waitress asked me if there was something wrong with my food, LOL and felt like "wow that was a waste of money - what am I doing!" I am so looking forward to the day of eating Salads and raw vegetables which for me is not until 6 months post op per doctors orders! So because of 2nd surgery and having my arm in a sling it has slowed me way down in exercising. I am doing my best to try and walk 30 minutes daily but when I have a bunch of doctor appointments in a day and everything takes me forever to do it falls by the wayside. I like most worry about loose skin and wish I could start some weight training but all of that is on hold for now. Once my energy levels get back up I need to figure out how to work strength training in. I just know that it will make all the world of difference. I am so grateful for this forum and you guys sharing your stories and struggles as this has helped me so much! Well guys that is my journey thus far from having a hiatal hernia repair and gastric sleeve surgery December 26, 2018. Shoulder surgery February 12, 2019 to repair a rotator cuff, SLAP and Labral tear.

I am not able to take capsules and so I open these up and mix them in water and drink it. This is what the nurse did for me in the hospital. Pills bigger then an aspirin as long as they are not ER - extended relief I crush and mix with water and drink. I am not allowed to swallow capsules until I am 6 weeks out from surgery. I don't feel like getting all of my meds in has been a problem since I am mostly mixing with water which makes them go down easier.

I think the Lyrica has stalled my weight loss and I don't feel like it is helping at all with the pain. Not sure if it takes awhile to work but have been on a couple of weeks with no relief and yucky side effects. Pain and fatigue do make it difficult to to do food prep and exercise - I just have to make myself do it as I want to be successful.

I’m in!

I had my surgery December 26th, 2018 with Dr. Reddy from Dr. Patels office. I work out the Killeen, Tx office but still had to travel to San Antonio for surgery. Dr. Reddy is awesome and the surgery went very well. Yes his office staff is terrible and you really have to push to get things done. Now that I have had the surgery, it doesn't bother me as much as I have crossed the finish line and I just don't have expectations of his staff. The Doctor is great.

I have Fibro and I am 5 weeks out. I still have issues with pain and flare ups. I was on Gabapentin before and after surgery and then last week my Doctor switched me to Lyrica. Because these are capsules, I am having to open them up and mix them in with water to take. I can't wait till I am able to just swallow the capsules. I am not sure if the Lyrica is working for me yet but I am experiencing fuzzy headed and fatigue with these pills along with dry mouth. I am hoping as time passes these symptoms will lower as well. I am also on Tramadol x2 pills every 6 hours or as needed as I have pain in my right shoulder for which I will be having surgery Feb 12th to repair. So with all that I have going on, I can't say that the surgery has helped me with Fibro yet.

Thank you for that post. So happy you were able to avoid shoulder surgery and comforted by the fact that your surgeons also said 6 weeks to recover was enough to have another surgery. So sorry about the broken foot and glad to hear its healed. Keep me posted if any thing changes on your shoulder and wishing you good luck as well.