SummerTimeGirl

Just answered someone else asking about PCOS and the surgery so I will just copy and paste what I wrote to them. I am just coming up on 10 months post op and have lost about 73lbs. I've dealt with PCOS, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Insulin Resistance, Migraines, etc. all my life. 10 years ago I was put on Metformin to help with those issues. Especially my PCOS, IR and it worked wonders for those things (and made my migraines disappear too). The Metformin kept me regular all those years, lessened my periods in days and volume, helped my cramps, etc. However, since getting the surgery I had my Metformin cut in half and I "think" I may be taken off of it all together eventually. But I have to say that since my dose was cut in half my periods have been heavier, come late/sporadically, stay super long (last one lasted 12 days), etc. REGARDLESS of the surgery. So, I don't know that surgery helped ME with those issues. But it has helped with my high BP and I am almost off of that medication too. I never dealt with acanthosis nigricans so I can't offer any info on that.

I am just coming up on 10 months post op and have lost about 73lbs. I've dealt with PCOS, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Insulin Resistance, migraines, etc. all my life. 10 years ago I was put on Metformin to help with those issues. Especially my PCOS, IR and it worked wonders for those things (and made my migraines disappear too). The Metformin kept me regular all those years, lessened my periods in days and volume, helped my cramps, etc. However, since getting the surgery I had my Metformin cut in half and I "think", I may be taken off of it all together eventually. But I have to say that since my dose was cut in half my periods have been heavier, come late/sporadically, stay super long, etc. REGARDLESS of the surgery. So, I don't know that surgery helped ME with those issues. But it has helped with my high BP and I am almost off of that medication too. I never dealt with acanthosis nigricans so I can't offer any info on that.

So I meet with my Nutritionist/Dietician on March 3rd. Guess we'll see what she has to say then.

Yeah, a lot of people say that to me. I just contacted my nutritionist again today to give her an update. I also sent her my logs for the last 60 days. So, before changing it up I'll see what she says. Having said that, by the end of the day I feel totally satisfied on the days where I stay close to 800 or under. If I ever feel hungry I do eat more of sensible foods. And if that means going over then I go over. But just based on how much food I can fit in, I normally don't go over 1200. I also stick to 3 meals a day but again, that keeps me satisfied so I'm not even sure how consistent I could be with staying close to 1200 every day.

I feel you. I have read that a few week stall was normal. Most everyone seems to have them. I too went into a LONG stall at about 5 months out from surgery. Had surgery in May and the last time I really lost any good amount of weight was Oct. I stalled, then spoke to my nutritionist in Dec, made some adjustments then lost like 3.7 in January but haven't lost again since! That's like only a 3.7 lb loss in about 5 months!!!! CRAZY!! You MAY be able to explain your stall away because you have been indulging in foods more off plan (chips, diet soda, etc), but I haven't even been doing that! I have not had any other drink but for water since last March! But for the occasional alcoholic drink (like once a month). So yeah, your guess is as good as mine. You can read more about my issues (if you want) in my thread that I have going. Explains more about what has been happening, my exercise routine, etc. Hopefully you will get things moving again soon. Maybe cut out those foods and see if that helps? I also suggest speaking to your nutritionist. They may be able to help you get yourself back on track. Are you tracking your food?

Yes! I have been doing body measurements since day one. I had been consistent in losing inches too until recently. My inch loss looks like this..... June - lost 14.8 inches July - lost 5.3 inches Aug - lost 7.7 inches Sept - lost 7 inches Oct - lost 10.7 inches Nov - lost 1.75 inches Dec - lost .25 inches Jan - lost 3.7 inches Feb - lost .5 inches Anyway, doesn't seem that I'm gaining muscle instead of fat based on those inches lost recently. I don't know.

Thanks. Well I lost 90 lbs since last March. I didn't have the surgery until May 19th so like 72 lbs since surgery. I don't use the laxatives on the regular. But I did try them twice wondering if maybe I was backed up but as you see, that didn't make a difference so then I knew it wasn't that and didn't do it again. My nutritionist told me to stay at 800 calories a day (most days I do but some days I go up to around 1200 and that's ok with me), 50-75 grams of Carbs (no more than 100 for sure), and 60-70 grams of protein a day. But I had been routinely getting in double the protein because the surgeon said it would help with the hair loss and I believeD it was also making a difference and helping me drop pounds. UNTIL I stalled again. Sigh

UPDATE: I figure it's been a while since I made an update so, why not. Anyway, I wish there was something good to report but there's not. As you may or may not know from my previous postings, I contacted my nutritionist in December after being in a stall since Oct 25th. I made the changes she suggested and was able to drop a few more pounds (and inches) and got down to 237.6 on January 26th and now NOTHING since............AGAIN!! So unlike before when my lowest on October 25th was 241.2 but I would constantly hover between 243 to 248 (despite getting down to that) I now got down to 237.6 on January 26th but NOW CONSTANTLY hover between 241 and 243.8!!! It has not gone below 237.6. I AM SO SICK OF IT!! So it pretty much breaks down to I lost ONLY 3.6 lbs in FOUR, going on FIVE, months!!!!! I have done everything she said. I have since doubled my protein, make sure I'm getting my water in, staying within the correct carbs/calories/etc. she suggested and have been exercising regularly for weeks!! Exercise consists of, as per her suggestion........ Mon/Wed/Fri: Start with 20 min on exercise bike. Followed by Back Squats/Bench Press/Deadlifts (with weights that has me really pushing once I'm at the end of my sets). I then walk the treadmill for 30 min at a slight incline at 3 to 3.5 mph! Tue/Thurs: I will do more upper body type workouts with bands and free weights. Some stretches and again, walk the treadmill for 30 min at a slight incline at 3 to 3.5 mph! The types of exercises (and weights) are varied on Mon/Wed/Fri. They vary between back squats, bench presses, deadlifts, standing overhead press, barbell rows, etc. I've done everything she said. Made the changes to my diet, log my foods and started doing not only cardio but also a weight lifting regimen. Not even sure anything else will work for me. Not sure there is anything else for me to do. I mean, if there is anything I would consider not so great in my diet it would be the occasional quinoa or whole wheat pasta. And I'm talking like 3 to 4 times a month, that's it and it's never more than 1/4 cup. Of course I say not so great cause things like that have always seem to mess with my dieting in my life even though every damn doctor says those are good things to eat. I don't know. I'm probably wrong but I'm just not seeing where or how I'm going wrong here. I'm not snacking, not eating sugars or bad carbs, sticking to 3 meals a day (as suggested). I've even tried laxatives thinking maybe I was backed up. OTC water pills, NOTHING! NOTHING makes a difference. At first I really thought the changes she had me make were gonna make a difference since the scale DID move.......SOME. But I guess I was wrong as it was short lived. I still have at least 57/60 lbs to lose. Not sure that will ever happen. My surgeon said at a year out they expect my weight to be between 201 and 234. I guess I AM ok and on track IF I follow that but, it still seems off for me not to be losing regularly.

Yup. Which is exactly what I was trying to tell my husband (pertaining to the bolded part). Like I said, I'll use it for the 3 months then re-evaluate. Thanks!

You're welcome. The collagen powder I use is NeoCell Super Collagen Peptides Powder in 7 Ounces (20 day supply) off of Amazon and it's like $13. So nothing too nuts. I told my husband about this thread and what I said and he said, "I disagree. I'm seeing far less of your hair laying around the house and bathroom than before so maybe it's due to that collagen stuff." LOL But I told him I also doubled my protein intake (which the surgeon suggested) so it could be that as well. Hard to tell. Either way I'll stick with it for now.

I started powder collagen like a month ago too. That and Hyaluronic Acid. I read that to really see the affects of collagen you have to have been using it for at least 3 months. So, guess we'll see in a few months cause I gotta say, not seeing a difference in my hair, skin or anything else as of now.

Yup. I'm one of those on here who was/is in a longer stall. I weighed in at 241.2 on Oct 25th then nothing for months!!! I would hover above that lowest number for months, just like you. Somewhere between 5 and 7 lbs over. I finally contacted my nutritionist in December and provided her my food logs and she said that I was being very inconsistent with my protein and was making a few other mistakes too. So she had me stick to around 800 cals, 50 grams of carbs and keep my water intake up. So I did what she suggested (although some days I go up to around 1200 cals a day and a lil over the carbs but never over 75 grams) and the scale finally did move and I lost another 5 lbs. But I'm sorta at a stall again but I personally think the problem is due to lack of exercise now (since I'm still eating/drinking the same). I did none the entire month of January as my time was occupied fixing up my shed into a home gym. But I also think, for me, upping my protein to almost double worked too. 60-70 grams just wasn't enough and it wasn't until I upped it to double that that the scale moved again. So yeah, if you're not logging food I highly suggest you do and then contact your nutritionist and tell her what's going on. She/he will most likely be able to see where you're making mistakes and help you fix and adjust them. Best of luck!

Interesting. All I know is that Since about 2 months past my surgery I stopped being so dang hot all the time and sweating like crazy. Summer was coming to a close so I wasn't really sure if it was my imagination or real and didn't have time to really test it out. Guess I'll know for sure this Summer. LOL But doing things around the house that normally made me hot and sweat regardless of the time of year like cooking, cleaning, carrying anything of weight, etc. would have me drenched in sweat and would take me forever to cool down from. Now, NOPE! Doesn't happen any longer. We also always sleep with two fans on all year long and since surgery I find myself cold doing that and have gone from sleeping in underwear only to sleeping in fuzzy long pants and long sleeve shirts. LOL NOT complaining though cause I can always do things to easily get warm but it was next to impossible to cool down when I was always hot. Having said all that, my own coldness hasn't stopped since it started even though I've been stalled since Oct 25th. Well, I should say I was stalled since then, then I contacted my nutritionist in December some time and made some adjustments and then the scale finally moved again and I have since lost an additional 4-5 lbs but yeah, not sure that logic/theory applies to me as my stall seems to be constant (not actually losing weight or inches) and yet I remain cold all the time. I just finished converting a good size shed, that was sitting empty doing nothing, into a gym. That had occupied all of my time and energy all of January and exercise went to the wayside. So starting Monday I plan on getting back on track with my exercise and HOPEFULLY then the weight will start dropping regularly again.

Last night I was made aware of an app called Yuka. Apparently you can scan a barcode of any food and it will tell you whether or not its a good or bad choice. A snip from the app page says............. "Yuka is a free mobile app that allows you to scan the barcodes of food and personal care products and instantly see their impact on your health. A rating and detailed information help you understand the analysis of each product. When a product has a negative impact on your health, Yuka also recommends similar but healthier alternative products." Like I said, I ONLY just found out about it last night and downloaded it. Only scanned a few items in the house here so far. Thankfully they listed as "Excellent" choices. LOL Now, it's not specific to Bariatric Patients but I still think this could come in handy for many of us. Check it out if you want.

Which app is that? I started using the Baritastic one months ago but it doesn't seem to tell you what foods are good or better options like the one above. Just logs food, weight, etc.

Well I have been in a stall since Oct 25th and after sending her (m NUT) my logs of food she pointed out some errors and had me make those adjustments. So far it seems to be working as the scale started moving again since she told me that a few weeks ago. Down 4lbs since. Plus I was just sharing what MY office/plan says to do. Every should follow their own.

I think I started eating fruit once I was in the regular food stage which, I believe, started about 6 weeks after surgery. Then my plan called for the following: Avoid eating over 1000 the first year. 1000 calorie meal plan: 7 meat/protein servings 1 milk serving 3 starch servings 2 fruit servings 2 non starchy veggie servings 2 healthy fat servings Then it gave page long examples of the types of foods and their serving size for each category. Says for fruit (since you specifically asked about that): Unless otherwise noted below (which it was referring to the large list of fruits on the page) one serving of fruit is 1/2 cup fresh fruit or 1/4 cup of dried fruit. As of now, and as per my nutritionist (since being in a VERY long stall), I am eating 800 cals a day (sometimes go to 1000), 50 grams of carbs (sometimes under, sometimes over but never more than 75), and 70 grams of protein. However, lately I've been upping my protein greatly, around 100-125 grams a day, and I do believe it's starting to help me break my 2.5+ month long stall.

Whether we should or not, I know I personally eat quick too, just like I used to before surgery. In the beginning I didn't really but now, 8 months out, I pretty much know my limits and what foods fill me up quicker and whatnot. But, when I try something new or something I haven't had since before surgery, I do try to take it slow.

So all my life I have had period issues. When I was a teen and into my early 20's I was on birth control pills to give me more normal and regular periods. Was also told that it would help my PCOS, Endometriosis and Adenomyosis . My GYN really wanted me to get a hysterectomy saying that was really the only thing that would cure that stuff but I wasn't ready. I was also young and not sure if I wanted another kid or not. So I didn't get it and stuck to the pills. And the BC pills worked for a while. Until about 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with high BP. Then the doc took me off of them. I was back to square one with the monster migraines, heavy, clotty periods, the periods coming whenever they felt and staying as long as they wanted sometimes lasting like 14 days at a time, etc. Right around the time I was diagnosed with high BP and taken off, I was also diagnosed with Insulin Resistance. So my endocrinologist put me on Metformin and said that would help the IR and PCOS/Endometriosis/Adenomyosis issues and help me becomes regular again without BC pills. And it did!! I would get my period like clockwork within a few days time (usually every 28-33 days). And it usually only lasted like 4 days. So I get the sleeve surgery and was told that my periods could be irregular to start. It was kinda heavy the first few times after surgery and lasted a lil longer than normal but nothing nuts. One of my main goals for getting surgery was to get off of my medication or at least have it cut down. Well on September 13th I had my Metformin cut in half by my regular doc! Needles to say I was very happy! However I now think it's the reason my period is 47 days into my cycle today, 16 days late!! Like I said, I had gone to the doc Sept 13th and got my last period on Sept 17th. I've yet to have one since!! I swear weeks ago I felt like I was gonna get it. I had the aches, the tenderness down there and in my breasts, etc. so I'm not sure why it hasn't come. Has anyone experienced this? I do believe it's due to the Metformin being cut in half. Otherwise it would be very coincidental it was anything else like me going through the change/menopause suddenly when I've had no other signs or symptoms thus far. Has anyone gone through something similar? And no, no chance of being pregnant. Hubby was fixed years ago. Don't really wanna have to go on the pill again just to be regular. And especially not now since my BP meds have also been cut down and I'm doing great BP-wise.

Yeah that's what me and my doc thought until he tested me (Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Estradiol, etc.) and my numbers are still no where near menopause or perimenopause. LOL We joked about being almost 50 and still not even close to it (perimenopause). Anyway, it eventually came and it's been normal again since so who knows.

Yeah, my mind goes there too but when reading how a hernia feels I don't seem to have the symptoms. Strange. Like I said, doesn't hurt when lifting, no bulge, etc. My telltale sign that I knew I had one before surgery was whenever one of my grandkids would sit on my lap and lean back into my stomach, it hurt!!! Still couldn't really feel a bulge to indicate one there, I guess cause my stomach was larger, but it hurt! Now my stomach is much smaller and we're even able to feel my hip bones and whatnot when laying on my back but still no bulge that would indicate a hernia in that area. Now it's not painful really, as much as it feels like burning/tearing. Weird.

I had always been in the pre-diabetic stage for YEARS when it came to my A1C and in fact, right before surgery it went above and into that dreaded Diabetic stage (6.7). That was in March 2021. May 19th 2021 was my surgery. Well in September 2021 my A1C had dropped to 5.8. I was also taken off my one BP med and the second BP med has been cut in half. Also had my Metformin (which I was taking for PCOS and Insulin Resistance) dose cut in half too. I am hopeful that come March, when I go back to my doc, I will be taken off those meds completely or at least have them cut down once again. The goal is to come off them completely if I can. So, far things have been moving in the right direction. I have been monitoring my BP at home and, even though I only take one 20mg Lisinopril at night, my BP is normally around 108-117/73-85 all throughout the day/night. Otherwise I didn't really have any other issues. My cholesterol has also been improving as has my glucose numbers in general. If I were you I'd stick to the plan and see what happens. There is still plenty of time for things to improve and they most likely will.

How awesome!!! Congrats to you!!!

LOL I'm 8 months out and have been stalled since October 25th!!! So it happens and for varying lengths of time too it appears.

Yup, free online walking videos. Most TV subscriptions have free ones you can look up too. Either way you will find a ton of them by various people. Or just put on some tunes and march in place in your living room or do laps around your house (inside or out) until you reach your goal. Good luck!!