KK66

30 and change off since surgery 11.28.12...stalled at 3 weeks, and another one now at week 7 No real cheats. Eating 3+ small meals, mostly Protein. Trying to increase fluids. Just wondering if any of you were in the same boat as us newbies, only to see major cumulative losses over the next six months or so. It's not that I am a hurry or a race (okay, maybe a little..lol), but just knowing that things do work out, equilibrate, is comforting to know. I saw another poster's log of dates and weights, and it appeared to be a slow steady loss of 1-2 lbs per week. I am really not trying to compare, just wanted to know if this is to be expected and not to get overly concerned. Thanks!

Quinoa and lean ground beef (seasoned with cumin, sazon goya, garlic, tomatoes) stuffed cubanelle peppers...baked in the oven until wrinkled and softened.

Ceviche...I use small bay scallops...marinate in fresh lime juice, cilantro, diced red bell pepper, a diced jalapeño, salt, pepper, and purple onion...chill for a few hours. High protein and the lime juice 'cooks' the scallops (I use tilapia as well)

I'm still on one but I was found to have severe reflux and a hiatal hernia on my Barium Swallow

I think your weekly stats are a real eye opener for me and many others. Slow and steady wins the race. Thanks for the post!

Congrats!!!

I am feeling you! Believe me. I am in my second stall. My first one at 3 weeks, and now at six weeks. I did a little self talk this morning (my dog thought I was nuts)...I said, okay Kris time to be accountable for everything you do here on out. Increase fluid intake Eat more frequently, protein, produce...starch last Walk/move Stay positive I know what you mean about the Youtube videos, it seems those people just melt before your eyes! I am not sure if having a lower preop BMI makes a difference, but I started at 42.2 and it is now at 37.1, so I gues that is good!

I started drinking regular about three weeks post op. It's not really the irritation, but the diuretic/dehydrating effect of the caffeine in general. Unless you are drinking battery acic strength java, I would not anticipate damage with one cup.

I am back on Aleve twice daily (with food or milk) for severe OA of my left hip. My surgeon said that with the sleeve, NSAIDs are perfectly safe (albeit, the same risk as preop--take with food, milk,) I am also on a PPI (omeprazole) so this helps with irritation as well.

I am a realistic person, really I am. Pragmatic even....but these stalls every few weeks are just the most aggravating thing. 3 week stall, then five lbs off I am at another stall (sleeved 11.28)....where I sit at 216 (down from 246 initial weight, then 236 one week preop). I am eating enough, not too much, not too little. I have to admit I am lucky to get in 40 ounces of fluid each day, not the requisite 60 ounces then recommend. I just need reassurance that this is completely normal, and this follows similar paths to a lot of post op patients. I guess if I know by the summer, I should have at least another 40 lbs off, I would breathe a huge sigh of relief. But there are no guarantees, are there?

So funny you should write that..I just read that as well. My boyfriend calls me Mama Carmen...like his grandmother, because I sit with a blanket wrapped around my shoulders...LOL!

I was wondering if I was the only one who was cold! Why are we cold? Is there some chemical issue going on? I used to be hot all the time (perimenopause), now I am freezing, that is until I am under the covers all night and I am roasting..can't win!

I don't use my fitness pal, but probably should. I am def increasing my fluids! Thanks everyone!

My nutritionist said that exercise, while healthy and necessary, won't really increase your weight loss. It is more for maintaining. The majority of our loss will come from our bodies using our fat stores for calories. (that of course depends on what kind of deficit we create with our food intake).

Second stall for me. I was sleeved 11.28.12. I've lost a total of 30lbs including preop diet. Stuck in the 2-teens--frustrated but trying to be patient.

If I read this question the first week post op...I would not have replied for fear of making you more anxious. I won't lie...I was pretty weak and miserable the first week or two. Now, at week six post op, I feel completely normal. Eating mostly everything...in very small amts. I am down thirty pounds and I feel great. You will do just fine. Just realize that it is indeed major surgery and all that this entails. You will be happy in the end.

Dermabond is the best. If you find its itchy, it may be from the edges lifting. Surgeons tend to apply a liberal amount to not only seal the incision but to also form a water resistant/bacteria resistant barrier. You can simply 'trim' the edges that are peeling, but leave the base alone. If you prematurely remove it, your incision may not be well approximated and your scar will be a bit wider as a result.

Sounds good, I will check it out. I have been a lifelong home chef/foodie. Never happier than when I am chopping and dicing. I think that's why I don't get bored...I still cook and eat only small ants of what I prepare. Good news....plenty of leftover portions to have at work. I think boredom can lead to binging and making poor choices.

5'4"--started at 246 pre op Surgery 11.28.12 Presently 216#..not sure about what size I am in...started at a 12/14 top and 16/18 bottom..probably down a size.

I moved onto protein, veggies and fruits after two weeks. While the cookie isn't the best thing as far as a meal choice, it's not the end of the world. It's just one of those horrible slider foods, like crackers, chips and other little calorie laden snacks that we need to stay the heck away from.

Yes, but not the same as pre-sleeve. If I go more than three hours without food, I am hungry, but not the growling stomach, weak, shaky hunger, more of just, my stomach is empty, feed me hunger. I believe it takes a week or so for the ghrelin hormone to dissapear after your sleeve, so you should see a huge downturn in your overall hunger. I don't think about food that much anymore, and eat really because I have to.

Hi Everyone I am feeling a bit frustrated. I had my VSG on 11.28. My preop weight was 239, and four weeks later I am 220. I stalled at 3 weeks, at 223, now down a few more. I know I should probably stay the heck off the scale for a few weeks, but I can't help myself..I just slide that sucker out from my bed and hop on each and every morning. Dumb, I know...... I feel like I could be one of those failures that won't lose most of their weight. I will be that one exception to the rule.... I eat my protein, and try to drink my requisite fluid intake. Exercise is difficult, as I have fairly debilitating left hip arthritis (surgery this summer for replacement) When do I get worried? I keep seeing these huge weight drops from all of you, and I get discouraged.

Thanks everyone I really appreciate this empathetic support. I had weird thoughts pre op, like I would be the one patient that this surgery would not work on. It's funny...takes years to put the weight on, yet somehow, I think it will come off in one month...yeah, right!

I forgot to mention that my official starting weight was actually 247 (lost some pre-pre op). It's funny, but my stall broke only when I ate a bit more. Seems contrary to what you would think would work, but that was it. Not a big drop, but at least a few lbs. Drinking all my fluids seems to be the hardest thing to accomplish daily. I am a nurse, so it's hard to fit all that sipping in all day.