Recidivist

Gotta, I can totally relate. I don't feel great either, although I always tell people I do when they ask because I just don't want to get into the details. One of my main problems is that I've been feeling vaguely nauseous for about the past month. It's not so bad that I need to be sick, but enough that I never really feel "well." I also get frustrated about how long it takes to eat, as well as just figuring our what I'm going to eat and when (and stopping my water well enough in advance). I'm counting on the fact that one day I will look back on this and think it was totally worth it, as so many people say when they are a year or more out.

Great to see you back, EmzBee--and congratulations on your amazing loss so far. Glad to hear you are doing well!

I don't think I'm eating the wrong things or eating too much. The main difference is that I've started to incorporate more "real" food into my diet and fewer shakes.

Congratulations Sheribear and Froufrou! It's really motivating to hear about the successes of others in our group. One the other end of the spectrum, I've been stalled for about a week, even gaining a pound on some days. I'm now exercising regularly and am strictly observing the food program, so there's no explanation. (Of course, I am stuck at 189 pounds, so I guess I can't really complain. 🙂 )

I had my first total indulgence food yesterday with no protein whatsoever: a green papaya salad from a Vietnamese restaurant (well, a small portion of the salad). It was wonderful!

I have a question regarding drinking after eating. Does anyone know whether the 15-30 minute rule still applies if you are drinking a shake or another protein drink? Or is it just with solid food?

Hi, Froufrou. I don't have the answer to your question (unfortunately) because I'm still new at this. However, I was wondering whether you are even able to increase the amount of food you are eating, f*** it or not.

It was really bad for about an hour, but I was mildly nauseous most of the time while I was taking it.

I was prescribed it as well, and it also made me nauseous. I stopped taking it about 10 days ago.

For the men in the February club: How saggy is your skin? (I ask the men because we lose weight and sag differently from women.) I'm only seven weeks out, and already my stomach is a wrinkled mess that looks like a melting candle, and I'm developing a serious neck wattle. (I caught a glimpse of my next in the rear view mirror today and it frightened me.) I'm still waiting to see what my man-boobs look like when they deflate. I never thought I would do skin removal surgery, but I'm beginning to think I might.

Sounds perfect, Sheribear! There is no single correct path, and each of us has to find what works for us (as long as it's not a hot fudge sundae). I went to the gym this afternoon for the first time since surgery. I think I was feeling guilty after admitting to Marine yesterday that I basically don't exercise. I did 50 minutes at 3.5 miles per hour, which is basically a brisk walk--and I was totally spent. But I felt so virtuous afterwards! More fun this evening. I had some white meat chicken and a sugar-free popsicle after getting home from the gym, both of which I've eaten many times before without any problem. About 90 minutes later I was overcome with an overwhelming wave of nausea, the worst I've had since surgery. I ran to the bathroom thinking I was going to vomit, but I just coughed and spit into the toilet multiple times (sorry if that's TMI). It's now an hour later. I took anti-nausea medication 30 minute ago and am waiting for it to take effect, but I'm still feeling pretty shaky. Just when we think we have this thing under control, there's another curve ball. In spite of it all, I've lost a mind-blowing 48 pounds since surgery.

Okay, a bit of perspective here: "only" 10 pounds in a month would have thrilled us before surgery. 🙂 And from what I have read, there are ebbs and flows in our weight loss journey. Unless you think you have strayed off course, I would recommend that you not weigh yourself for a couple of weeks.

LOL! Same for me, and I'm also losing a really good amount of weight. I am working very long hours and I'm just too exhausted when I get home to exercise.

Hi, Taylor. I agree that my attitudes on food are changing--but I do wonder whether it will be the same after the honeymoon period. As I've said before, I'm basically never hungry and I have to force myself to eat enough protein every day. I'm getting tired of it, and the things I crave most are fruits and vegetables--but I can't have them yet because the damn protein fills me up. I have zero interest in sweets and fried foods.

Marine, that's amazing--and it definitely shows. Congratulations! What has your exercise routine been like since surgery?

Sheribear, let me join the chorus of those saying how great you look. The difference is quite obvious! I'm traveling to see family for Easter (none of whom know I had surgery). I know that I'm just "passing through" this weight on my weight to my goal weight, but I thought a few new items were in order. I was wearing a 40 (very tight) or 42 (comfortable) pants before surgery, and I fit relatively easily into a 36 today. Woo-hoo! I was also able to look at "large" shirts, which has far more selection that XL or XXL. This means more to me than the number on the scale!

I also eat several per day. My nutritionist didn't say anything one way or the other, but they haven't given me any problems.

Not drinking with meals is one of the most difficult things for me. I get incredibly thirsty before and after meals, and I was a water gulper before surgery. However, I'm following the rules and being careful to allow at least 30 minutes on each side (even though my surgeon said 15 minutes was good enough). Sheribear, your meals inspire me! I get really bored with basic protein three times a day, and things like olives (love them!) and blue cheese crumbles could really help. I did try nuts for the first time yesterday (6 weeks out) and they did not agree with me. I didn't dump, but I was pretty queasy for a couple of hours.

I have Aetna (federal government). As Izucks said, I was required to do six months of a medically supervised weight loss program. Since my BMI was just under 40, I also had to get proof of at least two co-morbidities (in my case, it was high BP, pre-diabetes and sleep apnea). Then they asked for two additional pre-surgery consultations with my doctor, which neither of us understood. After doing all that, I was approved the first time.

TaylorMom: I'm sure that men and women lose weight differently and have different saggy skin issues. Aside from the stomach, I'm worried about what my man boobs will look like when I lose all the weight. I can also already see that I'm going to have a fierce neck wattle. I'll think about plastic surgery down the road. Sheribear: It sounds like you are eating less than I am--my portions tend to me larger. And 800 calories in a day is still success! My nutritionist told me not to even worry about calories for the time being, because the pouch will not let us consume too many. And by the way, I am still never hungry, and I still have to force myself to eat. It has become a chore.

So, now that the weight is starting to come off, I'm beginning to see the saggy skin, and I have a pretty good idea how it's going to progress as I continue to lose. I knew intellectually this was going to happen, but it's still pretty shocking to see it in the mirror. And it's not pretty. Anyone else already experiencing this?

Hi, Dubchild. First, let me say that I'm not judging at all. I'm just curious how your pouch would actually allow you to eat that much. Did you just eat a small portion of butter chicken? Honestly, I sort of wish I could have little splurges like that from time to time so I can remember what it's like to eat real food. However, there's no way I could eat anywhere near that much in a day without getting sick.

My big news: When I weighed myself on Friday, I was at 199.6 lbs! I can't even remember the last time I was under 200--even if it's only by .4 pounds! The other news is that we took our first mini-vacation (three days) this weekend, and every meal was in a restaurant. I stayed fully on the program by ordering strategically and then only eating what I could. (In one case I had to order a full meal and eat just a fraction, which is sort of a waste of money.) The downside is that it reminded me that I will never again be able to go to a restaurant and eat like a normal person. I try to keep telling myself that I will probably live 10 to 15 years longer thanks to the surgery, and that makes it all worthwhile.

One good thing that came from my support group last night is that they are organizing a clothing swap. We will all bring in the clothes that no longer fit us and hopefully find something from someone else that does.

I'm in the same boat. My suits are getting noticeably baggy, but I don't yet fit into my "thinner" wardrobe. (Fortunately I kept some of my old suits in hopes that I would one day fit into them.) However, I'm waiting until goal weight to splurge on a new wardrobe!