Queen ApisM

I'm so sorry you are not getting the support you deserve at home. As someone mentioned, some of this could be coming from a place of fear - surgery is a big deal. I also think that people who haven't dealt with weight issues do not understand how truly complex physically and emotionally, and how our bodies are legitimately hardwired to make sustained weight loss difficult if not impossible for most. Has your husband met with or attended any information sessions with the surgeon? If he hasn't, perhaps you can get him to do that? I found that many of the information sessions touch on the science behind why this is the best way to get significant, sustained weight loss for many people. Having said that, even if he won't attend such a session (you can probably find virtual ones that you could attend from home) or won't listen to the information, you need to do what's right for you. You are the one living in your body. You are the one who knows your struggles and desires. Don't let other people dictate what you do. Unfortunately, it will be harder without good support, but that's what this board and similar communities can help provide.

Yep. It's crazy.

When I make home recipes, I literally add up all the ingredients (and things like protein, fat, etc) and then figure out how much it yields (for example, 14 cups) and then calculate the serving breakdown. Not fun, but that's how I do it.

Personally, I do think a session or two with a personal trainer is a good idea, even if you will be working on machines. They can help make sure your workout is balanced - you do not want to work out only one muscle group, without working the opposing muscle group - and that you are doing moves correctly. I would imagine most gyms have someone you can engage for a few sessions. It is not cheap, so I realize this is tough for some people to afford, but it can really help with avoiding injury. Squats and lunges are great - unless you are doing them wrong, in which case they can cause injuries which is not what you want.

I got the sleeve, and I will admit, sometimes I wonder "would my weight loss be faster with the bypass?" Especially times like now, when I am dealing with slowed down weight loss even though I am sticking to program. But then, when I really analyze it, I don't think I would be doing anything differently than I am now. I'd still be eating the same amount of calories, per my program's advice. I would be working out the same amount I am now. So, the tool would be different but I'm not sure I would be doing anything differently as a result so in the end, does it matter? People do incredibly well with both surgeries, and others "fail" with both options (I'm using fail loosely, but basically to mean not reach their goals or even much weight loss with either surgery). It's easy to get caught up in this sort of thinking, so I try not to do it. Especially because I am totally at peace with the sleeve (I was not so keen on bypass unless I needed to do it based on medical advice). I just have to use the tool as intended.

I definitely feel less back pain now. I will say, I did experience increased pain for a bit - from my tailbone! I sit a lot for work, and as I lost weight, I really was getting uncomfortable, sitting and standing. I was a mess. But it was easily fixed with a special cushion on my chair. Now, no pain and my back is the best it has been in literal decades. It's a fairly common thing as we lose fat around the tailbone area so nothing to worry about.

LOL - I had the opposite. My husband insists I am walking taller and less hunched than I was! Goes to show this is all very individual.

All good advice above. Don't compare yourself to others when it comes to weight loss speed - even if they are in a similar weight range. Just focus on your program and stay the course. We are all different and will lose at different rates even when stats are similar. Even if you are a "slow loser" that does NOT mean you will not get to your goals. It just may take a little longer. Be prepared that weight loss is not linear, even with WLS. Others mentioned the stalls, but it can't be overmentioned that your body will lose how it wants to, and it may not match your expectations or emotional needs. It is very frustrating but do not get discouraged. Being cold all the time is a real thing. Also, if your tail bone starts to hurt when sitting, it is very common. I recommend getting one of those cushions. Take pictures and measurements! Seriously, this really helps when weight loss (the scale number) is not cooperating. I've made it through so many stalls by pulling out the photos and seeing the major differences. And, also looking at my measurements, which have still changed during stalls (highly encouraging). I also started making note of all my non-scale victories because it is about so much more than the scale, even though that is nice too. That's what I can think of this early in the morning. Best of luck!

Do it! This past month, I lost a measly 3.5 lbs, but my measurements definitely changed way more than I would have thought for 3.5 lbs, but I also have been working out a lot more. It is such a great tool for monitoring progress. 🙂 Also take lots of pictures if you aren't already.

Be patient, take your vitamins and eat your protein. The vitamins and protein won't stop the hair loss, but it is good for when it comes back. Which it will. I lost so much hair but it is now growing out.

I have the Kijaro XXL Dual Lock Portable Camping and Sports Chair. It's great. It held me just fine at my largest (385) and even better now. I got it on Amazon.

My senses of smell and taste went haywire for a while. It evened out over time, but still aren't quite the same. Smell was the worst, drove me and my husband nuts.

You look great, and I love your attitude about your body and refusing to be ashamed by it.

This exactly! Once things get busy it is easy to miss that you didn't drink enough, and in the early months, you can't just "make it up" later in the day.

I work a desk job, and wound up taking 2 weeks off fully, and another week of half days. While the job is not strenuous physically, it is mentally taxing and I would have struggled taking on a full load immediately. I would not underestimate how physically taxing surgery can be on the body, while you are healing. I didn't have much pain, but I was physically exhausted and needed daily naps for the first month or so after surgery. You are also eating so little that concentrating on complex tasks can be tough. I will say, keeping to the schedule needed to get all my fluids and protein felt like a full time job the first few weeks, and it did actually get tougher once I started working FT again, even from home. For example, once I got back to work, I had to worry about timing my puree stage snacks and meals with phone calls, etc. I would give yourself some grace. Maybe plan on two weeks off, but discuss with your job that it's possible you may return early - or may need more time. I think imbedding some flexibility into your plans is helpful. I originally planned on 2 weeks off, but was still so tired that the 3rd week I decided to do half days. I'd already prepped by job for the possibility and it made it easy. Honestly, everyone's recovery is different, so it's just smart in general to not count on being back to full strength. And if you are one of those that bounces back easily - great! I'm guessing your job wouldn't say no to you coming back early.

We went to a baseball game this past week, and I easily fit into the stadium seat. Pretty certain that wouldn't have been the case 108 lbs ago. Also, we decided to avoid the elevators and walk to our parking level, and I was NOT slowing the group down for once.

For the constipation I highly recommend Miralax. It is very gentle and can be used daily without adverse affects. I'm confused as to why the BP meds are all over the place. Why did they take you off them to start with, and who made that call? I hope it wasn't the surgeon's office, that really should be a cardiologist or primary care person, and only if your BP readings at home were consistently lower than they had been previously. If it was the surgeon's office, I would definitely talk to your regular doctor.

I will say - the first few months were tough energy wise, and then it felt like I lost a lot of my ab strength. But, now pretty much 10 months out, my exercise game is so much improved! I'm doing those training workouts again, and back to my old weight levels (and heavier for some things). I've also added a ton more weekly workouts and it is just so much easier even as I push myself harder. All that's to say that the temporary performance set backs are quickly won back, and with extra dividends!

I typically hate deli meat, but during the early stages I found turkey deli meat was delicious with hummus on it.

I don't work out at the gym, but I work out with a trainer doing bodyweight exercises, heavy weights, and all that fun stuff. It was 2 months for me - when I was first cleared for exercise I still couldn't lift more than 10 lbs, so I wasn't very motivated to do it until I was a little further out. I also wasn't supposed to do a lot of exercise (beyond walking) until I was eating at least 800-1000 calories/day consistently. And that took me a while. Honestly, between eating so little and just the natural time it takes to recover from what is a major surgery, 2 months was right for me. When I started back with the trainer, I went slow on weights and ab work until I was confident with my body being ready for it.

I have been on an exercise streak the past 6 weeks. My routine is off the week because of guests and I am so antsy to get a work out in. I have no good advice, but just validating your experience because I am going through the same thing. I do get a bit hungrier with exercise, but not too terribly.

Agree with others. Only eat what you can eat comfortably. You will discover that this will vary from day to day. For example, I'm 10ish months out, and my normal breakfast is an English muffin sandwich I make myself. Most days, I can eat 3/4 to 4/5 of it. Some days, I can eat the whole thing no problem. Part of this process is learning your body's signals and using that to guide your eating. Personally, my goal to stop before I get too full or uncomfortable. Sometimes, that means spitting out what is in my mouth if I am worried it will tip me over the edge from "comfortable" to "unhappy tummy." A challenge for me has been learning that leaving food behind and sometimes even throwing it away is okay. I'm not keeping anyone from starving by shoving that last bite in.

I have to agree on the new clothes being unexciting. The styles right now are blech, at least where I am shopping. I fit back into a denim jacket from the early 2000s and I am so happy. Not sure it is "in" but I don't care, I love it.

It's not common at all - it is a big deal! I got excited about my beach towel fitting around me. I will be doing cartwheels when a hotel towel fits around me again. 🙂

I feel like I am posting a lot on this thread lately, but I feel like in the past month I've noticed tons of changes that make me say: wow, I have lost over 100 lbs! I have found myself crossing my legs. I don't do it often, but occasionally I find myself doing it and I am like WTF! I tried on a pair of boots that never quite zipped up, and I managed to get them zipped even with leggings on! Granted they are still super wide boots because my calves are really sturdy, but I will take any boots zipping up as a huge win. This would not have happened a year ago. I also managed to fit back into some concert shirts from the early 90s - looking at you Pink Floyd, REM and U2! They are not quite able to be worn out of the house, but they are now getting much closer and I think they will fit by the end of the summer. So freaking happy about this!