ColieCallwell

I like to capture myself in the ring camera. The first photo was about 2 weeks ago and the second was about in June 2021. I had surgery in August 2021. 70 pounds down. Best decision I ever made to have surgery. In the June photo, I was restricting calories, doing insane crossfit workouts every day and getting nowhere. Life is so much easier now. If you're on the fence, do it. You won't regret it. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Thank you! Yeah, I don't know if I had screwed up my metabolism or what...but I was workin my tail off and getting nowhere! Then I would give up, eat whatever I wanted for a week, gain another 10 pounds, and start the cycle all over again. Good luck with your surgery! You will be amazed at how quick it comes off! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I am so sorry you're going through this. It is so frustrating, and I agree with you about our corrupt healthcare system. From reading comments, some people are blaming unvaccinated for the shut down of elective surgeries. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated are getting covid, so let's (collectively) not get on our high horses about being vaccinated. (I'm vaccinated but don't give 1,000 flips whether a person is vaccinated or not - your body, your choice). I had my surgery in August 2021 right before the idiot governor stalled elective surgeries. I was on a recovery floor half full of covid patients, all of whom were homeless and put there by the state - such a sham. The only thing that got my surgery pushed through was that I was self pay. My insurance covered it, but I didn't want to jump through their stupid hoops and I wanted control over the timing of the surgery. My surgeon's office staff told me that it helped to be self pay, because after all costs were paid by Blue Cross Blue Shield (my insurance provider), the surgeon only made about $1,500 for my surgery. So they pushed to get me through the day before elective surgeries were shut down by the state. I pay about $800 a month for insurance. I had Stage 3 cancer in 2019 and still spent about $25k in out of pocket costs. I paid $1,700 for a PT scan myself because it was going to take the insurance company over a month to approve the scan, and since it was cancer I didn't want to wait that long. The healthcare system is broken, and insurance companies are evil. I 100% agree that politicians should stay TF out of healthcare. They came up with the BS food pyramid and look how great that has worked out for us. (Read Good Calories, Bad Calories, it's shocking how political corruption and food lobbyists in the corn industry and others led to the obesity epidemic in the U.S.). It's the insurance lobbyists and the politicians who suck up to them with their hands out who have screwed us. Sorry to hijack your post! I'm just very passionate about corruption across the board in the US, especially when it comes to how it negatively impacts us as citizens. Good luck and keep us posted about how things go for you. Hang in there, the surgery is worth it. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm only about 3.5 months out, but my nutritionist told me in order to avoid hair loss, to focus on getting protein through high quality protein supplements like Bariatric Advantage. She told me to aim for 8 scoops per day (gag) - I frickin hate the protein shakes, but if it will help with hair loss, I'll do it. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I had to go shopping for a new suit yesterday...about a month ago, I bought new pants in a size 14 and they're already too big for me...yesterday I bought pants in a size 8! I've only lost about 10 lbs in the last month, but my body composition must've changed. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

So...I'm 3 months post op sleeve surgery and about a month ago started having dizziness issues whenever I stand up from a seated position. Yesterday, after a boxing class at noon, I was pretty much dizzy for the rest of the day. My vision also seems to have gotten blurry to a small degree. My surgeon has been no help, she just said that's not normal. My primary care physician ran a bunch of tests (bloodwork, blood pressure, etc.), they all came back normal. Could this be hypoglycemia? I have continuous blood glucose monitors from before surgery (not because I was diabetic - I signed up for a diet service pre-surgery called nutrisensio that provided them along with an app). Maybe I should monitor my glucose levels for a while and see what happens? Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I felt what I thought was hunger too, like my stomach was screaming for food! I think it might have actually just been thirst...? My surgeon acted like I was crazy when I told her I felt hunger all the time, she was no help. I found that if I drank some warm tea or bone broth, the feeling went away. And boy oh boy, the head hunger! For the first few months after surgery, all I did was fantasize about food, watch cooking videos, scroll through recipes on My Fitness Pal. I'm a little over 3 months out now, and that has stopped (thank goodness!). I think it's all a learning process. Also, over Thanksgiving week, I was eating over 1,000 calories a day, and my body loved it - I had been at a plateau for a couple of weeks and dropped 5 lbs in a couple of days when I was eating more. Maybe just experiment with yourself and see what works/helps. Try different things, switch it up a little. Good luck and be kind to yourself! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I cut my toenails for the first time since surgery today (don't judge! I usually get pedicures!). It was shockingly easy to contort myself to be able to do it without 60 lbs of stomach in the way! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Almost everyone I talked to pre-WLS was against it. I asked my surgeon about the long term effects, I was concerned the surgery and the possible malnutrition would be detrimental to my long term health. Her response was that the long term side effects of being obese were much more dangerous. I went ahead with the surgery and am SO happy that I did. Do your own research, read as many books as you can and make your decision. A lot of doctors have their own opinions without having done research. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I watch 600 lb Life, too and glean a lot of insight from it - especially the psychology behind overeating. To the OP, you could be overeating and just don't know it. Or eating the wrong things. 50 calories of sugar vs. 50 calories of protein does two very different things to your body. I use My Fitness Pal and also watch my macros (protein, carbs and fat). Maybe try tracking your intake for a few days and see what you're eating. Like all the experts say, the surgery isn't a magic pill, it's a tool to lose weight. You still have to change your eating habits and lifestyle for it to work. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Same! My husband gets so aggravated with me because I waste so much food. I can only eat a small portion and then save the rest for later, but never want to eat it again. And I'll go through phases. All I wanted for about a month was eggs, now I can't stand them. I feel like this is similar to when I was pregnant, lol. Weird food cravings and weird food aversions. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I think I'm not supposed to have caffeine...my PCP told me (not my surgeon who SHOULD be the one telling me) that the caffeine can cause dehydration, (so makes sense when WLS patients commonly are dehydrated)...anyway, I'm about 3 months out and about a week ago reintroduced coffee back into my life - just one cup in the morning with a little vanilla premier protein. Y'all...I get the caffeine jitters just off one cup! I make sure to drink a full 20 oz. of water to make up for the possible dehydration. I had 2 cups this morning and I'm bouncing off the frickin walls! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my sleeve surgery on 8/26. I was 235lbs, now 180. My goal is 145 to 150. I've been bouncing around 180 for the past week or so. I have found that I will drop a pound a day for a week, then stall for a week or two, then drop a pound a day again for a week or so. It's super frustrating during the stalls, but my nut said it's totally normal. What I have found is that if I focus on bumping up my protein, the stall seems to break, regardless of calories. The protein shakes I drink are high in calories, so even if I'm eating 900 to 1,000 calories, but hitting around 80-90 grams of protein, my weight starts to drop again. Just my observation in my own body, we're all different. Try not to stress yourself out, it will come off. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Almost ALL restaurant food! It's such a shame because I am good at choosing healthy options, and enjoy sitting at a table and being waited on when I'm too tired to cook myself, but it all tastes SO processed! I took my 5 y/o to Applebee's yesterday and I ordered the 6 oz. sirloin. It was so nasty, it's like they smothered it in liquid smoke or something. We went to a Logan's a couple weeks ago, and I spent $30 for the filet - it was terrible! And for only being able to eat not even half of it, totally not worth it. I tried the mashed potatoes, I could taste that they were fake boxed. I've been to Olive Garden and ordered the shrimp scampi just to eat the shrimp out of it - again totally not worth the cost. I'm finally learning it's not worth it to go out to eat - suck it up and cook at home. (Don't judge me for the chain restaurant choices! I live in a small rural town and that's about all we have). Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm only 2 months out from sleeve surgery. I had the same thoughts, PLUS just about a year ago finished cancer treatment for Stage 3 melanoma. I was worried that doing the surgery would somehow prevent my body from being able to fight cancer. I tried and tried and tried to lose weight and my body would not budge, even while undergoing cancer treatment. Finally, I decided on surgery when my last PT scan came back clean. Best decision I ever made. Just like other posters have said, it's a tool. There have been so many times I would have turned to food, but thanks to my surgery, I physically could not. I'm down about 60 lbs. and fitting back into clothes I wore 20 years ago. Plus, I eat much healthier than when I was going through cancer treatment. When you can only eat small amounts of food, you make sure it's the most nutritional food for your body. It's a tough decision to make, but you will thank yourself for doing it. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

For me it was Aquanet! That crap glued the air vent to the floor of the bathroom and it took a crowbar to get it off! I have developed a L'ange obsession. There is a hairdresser out of Boise who sells it, but also provides hair care advice - Jasmine Rae Hair Co., you can find her on Facebook and Instagram. I might just be seeing things, but her advice seems to be helping my hair. Things like how to blowdry/shampoo/brush and do less damage. Apparently vigorously towel drying your hair causes frizz and breakage, who knew? Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Agree with this - the unjury chicken soup isn't terrible, but still tastes like protein powder. I'm in the same boat, over the protein. I've been using the Bariatric Advantage Creme flavor, it's less sweet. I mix 2 scoops with fage greek yogurt, 8 oz of water, and 2 tbsps of PB2. It's like 50 g of protein and tastes ok. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Well...if we're going to go there...sex is waaayyyy better, lol! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I can workout without peeing myself [emoji15] I used to pee myself just going down stairs. I would have to run go pee before I went anywhere, run to the bathroom in the middle of grocery shopping because I had to pee. No longer an issue. I can even run 3 miles without having to pee! It's great. But also, no more sleep apnea, I can wear SHOES that I haven't been able to wear in years (who knew we gained weight in our feet!?), my feet don't ache anymore, and I'm not ruled by food anymore. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

Ditto this post. I drink smooth move tea every night and am regular as clockwork. Initially, I had major problems because that much protein just backs a person up. I've started blending spinach, a few blueberries, and a few cranberries into my morning protein shake, and that also seems to have improved things. Once I backed off the shakes and started eating regular foods, things have gotten much better. Good luck! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I had the sleeve about 2.5 months ago, and had a hernia repair at the same time. I was in some pain, I think mostly from the hernia repair. My advice is to walk, walk, walk. Whenever I had pain, it helped so much to get up and walk a lap of the surgical floor. Even though I was in pain from the hernia repair, I still didn't take any painkillers, just extra strength tylenol. It's really not a bad surgery. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I am looking forward to seeing old friends! I'd been too ashamed because my weight had gotten so high, I didn't want to see anyone I used to know. I'm going home for Thanksgiving and have already reached out to people to meet and catch up. Can't wait! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

It is so hard to give advice when every surgeon has a different plan! 1200 calories a day so soon out from surgery seems high. I think they want you getting your protein to mitigate side effects (hair falling out, no energy, not looking "good"). My surgeon's office had me on pureeds til I was 9 weeks out, and emphasized just doing shakes if meals were too much. Last week, I had my 2 month appointment and was told I should be getting 80g of protein through protein shakes alone, (and the protein HAS to be Bariatric Advantage or Unjury - yuck, no Isopure which I can actually tolerate), and 120g of total protein daily. Well, I frickin hate the protein shakes, and I was doing really good getting in 80g from real food, (and the office was quite pleased with the weight I've lost so far). My nutritionist said 500 to 700 calories a day was good, not to focus on macros, just to focus on getting my protein. Because those shakes are so high in calories and carbs, if I drink protein shakes, my calories are closer to 900 per day and my carbs are close to 100g (which seems very high). So I'm just going back to what I was doing. Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app

I'm not a teacher, but have a high stress job that is all consuming. For me, planning and prepping has been key. I work out early in the morning before work, just in my garage. We have a nice setup for working out that we've accumulated over the last year or so. There are a ton of online resources for at home workouts, just find one you like. I was in the habit of having a cocktail after work before WLS. Now I drink 8 oz of the 5 cal cranberry juice and that makes me feel like I'm having a treat when I get home. Our meals at night are some sort of easy protein (baked chicken or fish, or steaks on the grill) and some sort of vegetable usually sauteed or roasted. It's easy cooking and easy cleanup. We did do Factor for a while, but I got tired of not having fresh food for dinner, (and those particular meals are high calorie/high fat). For lunches, I try to find single serve pre-packaged things. I found single serve chicken salad at Wal-Mart. I also like the flaked salmon in the pouch, I mix that with a spinach dip I found at Costco that's made with greek yogurt. I usually just make a protein shake for breakfast so I can drink it while on my way to work. I bought a water bottle that lights up to remind me to drink. So, far it's working, kind of! I also am not guaranteed bathroom breaks, so have had no shame in wearing a pad when I know I won't be able to get to a bathroom. It is SO FRICKIN HARD! to work and stay on top of these things! I feel you! You are doing a great job, and thank you for taking care of our kids! Sent from my SM-N976V using BariatricPal mobile app