sleevedinthe817

Technically not mid-week at this point, but I decided checking in here is a good place to start after a hiatus from the site for a while. I had my sleeve surgery last summer and the weight loss has slowed down significantly, but I am now within 5lbs of my first 100lb goal! Went from a size 24/26 to a 16/18. I was recently diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (peri / menopause before the age of 40, typically genetic) after YEARS of trying to get a diagnosis from clueless OBGYNs and I think the drop in hormones is contributing to the slow crawl. I’m battling through it while doing all I can naturally to stop the negative effects that come with perimenopause and menopause (I haven’t decided on HRT yet). Once summer break is over, I have an appointment with a terrific functional medicine doc who did extensive blood work to see where my problems are at the moment. I’ll also be joining a gym and shifting my focus from aerobics to strength training. Hopefully it’ll help me lose some more stubborn weight while also maintaining bone density and sculpting my new shape a bit.

Once I knew how my stomach would react, I stopped doing the 30 minutes before rule. It didn’t bother me to drink prior to eating and it didn’t seem to impact the amount I could eat either as long as I wasn’t gulping down water right before a meal. Cutting out that 30 minute block really helped to get in more fluids. Other than that, it’s just a matter of carrying the water everywhere you go and sipping constantly. If your stomach isn’t ready, no worries. Work up the best you can. I wasn’t hitting my goal right after surgery, but about 2 weeks later, I was up to 80oz. My sister had the sleeve and she still can’t drink that much 2 years out. Just go at your own pace and watch the color of your urine closely.

I actually just had a day this past weekend where I ate quite a bit more. Not a lot at one meal, but some egg whites here and then a piece of cheese there and some almonds, etc. I ended up having a quick drop in weight the next day. I think my body was in need of the extra calories. Back to normal eating now though!

My kids are a bit younger (10 & 6), but I just came right out and said it. My son (the oldest) has seen me struggle a lot too. Fortunately, my sister had the procedure done before me and he’s come into the room when I’ve watched 600lb Life in the past and saw what those people went through. I explained it back then so bringing it up prior to surgery wasn’t too much of an issue. He understood that it was about health, but also me wanting to look better and feel better about myself. I tell him about how my life growing up as a chubby kid was difficult and I don’t ever want that for him or his sister. My daughter doesn’t really get it yet. She just knows that I had surgery and it’s helping me to ‘get smaller’.

My kids are a bit younger (10 & 6), but I just came right out and said it. My son (the oldest) has seen me struggle a lot too. Fortunately, my sister had the procedure done before me and he’s come into the room when I’ve watched 600lb Life in the past and saw what those people went through. I explained it back then so bringing it up prior to surgery wasn’t too much of an issue. He understood that it was about health, but also me wanting to look better and feel better about myself. I tell him about how my life growing up as a chubby kid was difficult and I don’t ever want that for him or his sister. My daughter doesn’t really get it yet. She just knows that I had surgery and it’s helping me to ‘get smaller’.

I woke up this morning and got on the scale for my weekly weigh-in. I hit my first weight loss goal! Finally under 300lbs. 40lbs total since my preop diet started on June 12th. This is usually the point where my body starts fighting me and I struggle to lose more, but knowing that I have this tool now is so comforting. I’m under 300 and now I can actually STAY UNDER 300.

I started taking my chewables at 2 weeks post-op

My surgeon told me I was okay to start doing heavier weight lifting at four weeks. Obviously, I would stick as closely as possible to what your doctor said though.

I use keto-friendly sauces like Primal Kitchen’s unsweetened ketchup and avocado ranch or I make my own from scratch. They may not be the lowest calorie, but I use so little of it that it isn’t really an issue and they have fewer chemicals and other garbage in them so I’m willing to make that sacrifice. They’re very, very tasty.

This is exactly why I didn’t tell anyone other than my husband and mom before my surgery and I still won’t say anything unless the person asking me is also obese. Skinny people will never understand. They think it is a laziness problem and if we would just exercise and eat less then maybe we could lose. Okay. Right. Like I haven’t tried that since I was 10. I’ve abused my body and treated it so harshly to lose weight all so people like that would accept me until I got to the point where their opinions and acceptance no longer matter. This was MY choice. I did it for ME and my children. I did it so I can see them grow up and have kids of their own. I don’t need anyone’s negativity ruining my mental health and progress. Brush it off and do you! Who cares what anyone else has to say about it.

During the school year, I wake up at 5:30 to get my kids ready and usually drink a protein shake on the way to drop off around 7:30, 8. This is when I would have my coffee + collagen mixed in. The shake is my breakfast. I get home, do my exercises and cleaning and then eat lunch around noon. Dinner is usually on the early side around 5:30. I like giving my body enough time to digest before bed. If I get hungry between meals, I have a little cheese, yogurt or mixed nuts. Water consumption starts first thing in the morning. I have no issues drinking before I eat, but I wait the 30 minutes after.

I was able to start walking right away and got cleared for weight training at week 4. I’ve been swimming and doing a lot of Walk At Home with Leslie Sansone videos on YouTube because it has been 105+ degrees here and my electrolytes will tank if I’m out in it for too long. I alternate leg and arm day for my weight training. I’m still a little too heavy for HIIT training, but I can’t wait for that. I’m also going to try some sessions at Hotworx.

My patches are from PatchAid. I get them sent to me monthly. I use the D3 + calcium, multivitamin and iron. I put my D3 and multivitamin on in the morning and take my extra calcium and biotin chews with those and then I put my iron on before bed.

My patches are from PatchAid. I get them sent to me monthly. I use the D3 + calcium, mulitivitamin and iron. I put my D3 and multivitamin on in the morning and take my extra calcium and biotin chews with those and then I put my iron on before bed.

I use vitamin patches because the bariatric vitamins are so rough on my stomach. Fingers crossed they’re working. I feel pretty good. I do take chewable biotin and calcium. My surgeon was perfectly fine with the patches and even said they’re good early on because of sensitive tummies.