eholmes89

Amazing! You look amazing! Totally agree … the mental impact it has seeing yourself so differently. I wasn’t ready for the emotion I felt when I really looked back at hold photos. your hubby sounds perfect! The same as mine, i couldn’t have done this without him. xx

Thank you!! And yes my confidence is back. the first picture was 3 weeks before my Op on my last vacation - I ate and drank so much! But I knew I needed to take a photo for my before… I’m glad I did.

These pictures are amazing! Everyone has done such a super job! i did a comparison picture today. 4 stone down. 15 weeks post op. Weight is still shifting 2-3lbs per week without much effort! I cried…. I don’t recognise myself in the photo before.. why did I pretend that i was happy with my weight for so long before I was honest and said something needs to change. I cried because I feel sad for the lady on the left… I’m sure you all know what I mean xx

Hi Trishk01 i think everyone is different. I consumed myself with worrying if I was loosing weight as quickly as some.. then I realised we are all different. Our body is different, our start weights are different my surgeon advised me to aim for 50% of my excess weight by month 6. And as long as I was loosing a bit each week (minus any stalls) then I was doing good. Allow your body to do its job - also you don’t want it too quickly or risk issues with gall bladder. im 12 weeks tomorrow and I’ve lost 43lbs. My total target weight to loose is 70lbs. I’m averaging/seeing about 2-3lbs lost per week now which is a nice steady decrease. as long as your following plan, diet, protein and water - trust the process. 🥰 em

I guess my strange one at the moment is that I can cross my legs!! I find myself doing it a lot now… I was in the car and I just crossed my legs over and it’s so comfy! I had far to much thigh chunk to do this before… it’s these little things that mean the world 🌎

Hey all! Bit of advice, or just someone to confirm and ease my mind! So my overall target weight to loose was 5 and a half stone to get to my target weight. A healthy weight in the middle of my ideal BMI. 8 weeks post op I am roughly half way through reaching this target with a 2 and half stone lost. however I feel this is slowing down… I still can’t eat much so I’m not eating loads more or anything… I’m trying to keep my water intake up.. im crap at sticking to exercise plans - But trying to walk and move more in terms of housework etc. do you think it will continue again? Im having a doubting moment…. 😢☹️ Or do I need to sharpen up and get my self exercised …. I think I know the answers just probably need someone to tell me as well… em x

Thanks 🙏🏻 I have now started my collagen peptides! I am using one called Vital Proteins https://www.vitalproteins.co.uk/collagen-peptides/12870151.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1dGJBhD4ARIsANb6OdnKnG8FpG_j4LhNsThH0mObVOFKcBEyDphr39MhKaB7BBjFCEknWbkaArFbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds let’s see how this goes 👍🏻

Hi Kim Thanks for the above! I have the last few days really concentrated on protein and water intake! Although I’ve never really thought about collagen and peptide? I have protein yoghurts (great for mixing my baricol vitamins) and if I’m lacking protein from my food that day I top up with a UFit protein shake. But will be sure to check out the ingredients. your correct I am not looking to reduce calories if anything I wish I could increase! But it’s such a struggle as I’m still only really eating 2-3 tablespoons of food each meal. I have weighed myself today and a 1lb has gone! So I wonder if this is the start up again! im away on holiday next week so I’m planning lots of walking, and packed the car with water and protein shakes! So i wonder if moving / exercising more as well should this help. I have my follow up call with my surgeon today and will see what his thoughts are. Thanks guys! It’s all just a journey and this is why I like discussing on here as everyone understands! 😊👍🏻

So I’m at 6 weeks mark. And I’ve stalled! The dreaded stall. 😩 I’ve lost 31lbs in 6 weeks (including 10 pre op) My overall goal is 77lbs to be at target weight; so I’m not far off half way! Is a 6 week stall common!? I’m re-evaluating my diet, calorie intake, protein intake and water intake… Constipation has now cleared! Thank god!! 🙏🏻 on the upside I have a 8 inch waist loss! Taking the wins! any idea on what calorie; protein intake you guys are in about 6 weeks post op!? thanks Emma x

Hi Kim! just to put you at ease. I weighed the exact same as you for HW. 210. I went I to surgery at 200. And 6 weeks post op today I am sat at 179… so you’ve smashed past my loss!! your doing just fine.. trust the process xx

Sounds good Tony! At this point I will try anything! 😂 I also feel like I’m quite bloated, which mentally isn’t good when your on a weight loss journey because I literally feel full of poo! 🤦‍♀️

ahh that sucks 😔 I don’t think I could have coped without my boyfriends support throughout the whole thing! I know he’s fed up of listening to ‘how much protein I’ve eaten today’ ‘look at my scars’ ‘ I’ve got no energy to do anything’ .. but true love supports one another. also the ‘easy way out’ comment infuriates me, my family said the same thing, until they realised actually what I went through, this is not an easy option, your physically changing your body and having surgery which has complication in its self. I’m sure if we could have all done it by dieting and exercise we wouldn’t be here right?! I hope you find a friend, or family member to support your journey. You also have all Of us here as well.. anytime. xx

I have one word… Constipation .😫 I am 6 weeks post op and this is the first I am experiencing constipation in my life! It’s just horrible! I’m actively eating more fibre, (does anyone know the recommended amount per day?) drinking more water and walking more and I still can only ‘go’ once a week with a struggle…. any ideas? Before I resort to the stool softeners.. Thanks

Hi Dwaite i had a stall in week 2… it was terribly frustrating.. I just took a step back. Checked how I could get more water in each day and increased my protein.. along with actively trying to walk more, or even just dance around the house!! And it kicked started it again by week 3.5.. good luck!!

Surgery Status: 5 weeks And 2 days Post Op VSG (July 13th) Phase: week 5 soft foods, introducing back into normal diet Highest known weight: 210 Starting weight: 210 Current Weight: 180 Inch loss: 6 inches off waist, 4 inch off hips. About 1-2 inch from legs and arms NSV: my face looks completely different in photos! Also got back into my favourite Barbour coat! 😊

Hi Billy! Congratulations on your surgery, this is the start of your new life… 👍🏻😊 All those questions are very valid and normal to be asking. I am 2 weeks post op. 1. Yes, this is normal. Your stomach is very swollen and tender. I struggled to sit up from laying down and needed some help to begin with. My incisions are still delicate to touch and felt like they pulled when I moved. I found a hot water bottle helped sometimes. But this will get better with time. 2. I didn’t pass stools until the 10th day after surgery. Also in terms of gas I think it was 8-9 days post surgery. My dietician told me as long as I wasn’t experiencing symptoms on constipation this was normal as my body adjusts to the lack of food. If your feeling like you need to ‘go’ and it’s painful speak to your nurse. 3. I didn’t personally experience this. But I’m guessing it’s to do with the gas. Keep moving as much as you can without straining yourself. Failing that call your nurse for more advice. 4. This is normal. Your stomach is swollen and adapting to the stitches and size. I really struggled with water to start, I moved onto sugar free juice this helped settle my tummy more. Sometimes sleevers do struggle with water only, warm tea can also help. I also get stomach spasm everytime i sneeze!! 5.Hiccups for me is a sign my stomach is full. It will get full very quickly in the first few days. I also struggled to burp sometimes with feelings of a ball in my chest. I used Infacol and Gaviscon to help With this. It does go away over time.. just remember to keep sipping slowly on avoid dehydration. If you have anymore questions the bunch of people on here are really helpful and they will answer as best they can to make you feel better ❤️‍🩹

I am feeling the same way!!! I lost 8lbs in the first 4 days after surgery… then in the last 11 days I’ve only lost 2lb… I was expecting it to drop more.. I spoke to my dietician and she said I’m doing really well with protein (60g) a day and at about 1800-2000ml of fluid a day. I’ve started walking and using my exercise bike more.. I really hope the stall doesn’t last long it’s disheartening as it makes you feel it was all a waste of time (and for me lots of money) 😞 You say 3 week stall, but I’ve stalled since week 1….

I’m only 14 days post op, but my acne on my face has disappeared! Without a trace! I haven’t had that in nearly 10 years! 🥲

It will get better Dayana, I promised. I felt the same. I vomited for the whole day and couldn’t hold anything down, not even pain meds…. Just keep trying ❤️

14 days post op… Had my staples removed today yey! Im back driving and walking the dog. Overall feel back to normal. Still got a bit of a swollen tummy but doesn’t give me any pain. Still on liquid diet as my surgeon suggests 4 weeks minimum on full liquid then move to soft foods. Have to say I’m struggling with head hunger right now.. craving bad food, pizza, pasta. Burgers and fried chicken 😩 I kinda feel hungry but not a physical hunger… it’s strange to explain… I’m having 60-70g protein each day, and just managing additional 1800ml of water as well. Have only lost 2lbs in 10 days which is upsetting.. haven’t had pain meds for 5 days, no anti sickness for 8 days. No heartburn or indigestion for about 5 days.. how is everyone else getting on around the two week mark?

I didn’t go back in… the day I was released for 12 hours I couldn’t hold anything down, not even liquid pain relief I was just vomiting the whole time it was super scary but they still discharged me and told me sleep. I managed to hold a codine down and slept most the time and woke up to vomit only! I then started in water only, that was a struggle. Then protein water. By day 4 I was on protein shakes. I now mix protein shakes with soups, tea. Protein yoghurts and protein breakfast drinks. im on about 1500-1800ml of fluid a day. Including the protein shakes. And my aim is 60g protein.. some days I barely get in 30g. But the last two days I’ve done 60 and I feel my stomach is handling more… I did feel regret at first because I was so thirsty and wanted to gulp water!! But it has been getting easier day by day.. Just keep trying with different flavours, juices. And warm Tea. But take your time not to hurt your new stomach. Strangely I found using a straw helped and drink a lot of sugar free juice boxes (Capri sun pouches) which go down easier. x

Hi Luna dreams. This sure sounds familiar. I’m 11 days post op. It will still take me about 4-5 hours to finish a 250ml protein shake. I take 2-3 small sips, burp and get instant heart burn. I have to wait for that to settle before I sip again. I have to say it’s getting better though.. it’s not as often now.. still taking me a few hours to get through a shake but the heartburn is stopping. I do however burp all the time!! Even with just water. I found using Gaviscon or Infacol (U.K. based I’m not sure where you live) helpful with the wind and heartburn. ive only just been able to really get my full Protein requirements in each day, however I’m still Not drinking enough fluids.. but as you say it’s so hard I always feel so full and bloated. I’m just hoping it’s part of the process… good luck xx

Hi Blue bonnet, are your incisions stitches or staples? most of mine look ok apart from the bigger two, I have staples in mine. The incisions look really neat and clear but where the staples are in the skin mine are also red and delicate. But no pus or heat. I have them taken on on Tuesday! perhaps pop a photo of it over to your nurse? Other than that, I hope your doing well 🙂

Hi Sally, You sound like your doing really well! I also had bad nausea and sickness the first few days and couldn’t hold anything down, but it soon passed. I’m only 11 days post op, still on liquid diet. I lost about 8lbs in the first 3 days after surgery, since then I’ve only lost 1lb. Which is really getting me down. im really trying to get my protein in as recommended but some days it’s so hard to finish all my protein shakes etc. ive started walking and being more active today to see if that helps as I’ve just been doing light housework. How many grams of protein did you aim for in your liquid days? Also did you calorie count? thanks em x

Totally feel you! I was so thirsty for days! Especially as I couldn’t hold anything for down for two days and just vomited! Now for some reason I can no longer drink just water, it doesn’t stay down. I need to drink juice, or ice tea. But I’m managing about 1000ml of water a day at the moment. The struggle is with protein shakes and soups, as I get full so quickly. it really does get easier though as the days go on I promise. 👍🏻❤️