stcyt

okay... I know it seems like a weird thing to be happy about.... but I'm thrilled. I have been a painfully slow looser since surgery. The most I ever lost in a month was 10lbs (one memorable month). I work out 2x per day most days... yoga (harder and more intense than it sounds) and weights. I also hike and bike and almost never watch tv. I eat mostly Protein and my calories stay between 600-1100 per day. My loss has slowed to the point where I loose about 1/2 lb per week (some weeks its a whole lb!). I am .1 bmi points away from being "normal" still, and would like to loose 20 more lbs to end at a bmi of 21. I had come to accept that that might never happen, and that if it was going to happen in would take me 8 mos or so (to loose 20 lbs post gastric sleeve.... seriously!!!!). Its been depressing but I reached a place of acceptance. Got my 3 month labs done (I know I know... I'm 5 months post op) and everything looks fabulous... great Iron, b12, D etc. Only thing is I have hypothyroidism. We are going to check again in 1 month... but if its truly hypo... that exlains my slow loss, and if I get on some meds that last 20lbs will more than likely come right off. So.... I guess I'm excited about the news that my thyroid isnt functioning well. has anyone started thyroid medecine post op???? how did it affect your weight loss?

I was hungery at first too. My body just needed more than I could give it on Clear Liquids. Once I got to mushies I was better. Now that I eat mostly solid prtein I am barely ever hungery. also... I gained at first too (just like everyone said... IV fluids.. flight home... swelling). Hang in there. I was disheartened at first... I felt like after all I had been through I shoud have imediate results. Youll feel better soon and the weight will start to come off.... I promise take care stacey

I guesse I'm more happy about having an accurate diagnosis than I am about having a defunct thyroid. That is annoying that you have to take your synthroid without eating or drinking.... what do you do.....take it first thing and just don't eat right at first?

this is so encouraging!!!!!! I lost 3 lbs last month and cried when I weighed. thanks stacey

OMG good life... you have lost 91lbs!!!! I bet you feel great!!!! I havnt talked to my doc yet. She left me a message saying my bloodwork indicated hypothyroidism and I should retest in 1 month then make an appt to talk about treatment. So I"m not real sure what the deal is right now stacey

I know its crazy to be so excited about haveing a medical problem. I have a friend who went on synthroid and lost 40lbs without changing 1 thing. The truth is... there is nothing else I can do to loose weight... I'm maxed out in terms of diet and exerise. I've thought about running in the mornings before work... that would be 3 work outs a day. I could pull it off for a while but its not sustainable. Of course... the best case scenario would be that there was nothing wrong with my thyroid and my metabolism was normal (in which case I would probably already be at goal)... but at least I know whats wrong now, and I have hope that "goal" is attainable. thanks for all your input guys.... stacey

its so weird... but yea... I feel better knowing. I've been really scared because it takes sooo much work to loose such a little bit of weight. I've been terrified that I wouldnt be able to maintain my rigid food and exercise habits and would gain all my weight back. Even though its not great news... it gives me hope

Its hard to want to be intimate if you don't feel sexy. I am not married, but I didn't even date anyone for about 10 years (yes... 10 years without it... till last night hehehe). I was "only" 50lbs overweight and I'm tall so I carried it pretty well....I was persued by some men who where definately great guys... but I just couldn't do it. I was just too disgusted with myself. I started dating someone recently.... fantastic guy and I feel so sexy now. I know he's looking at me and thinking I look good. There is no better feeling. I just can't do it if I feel like a bumpy lump. stacey

Good for you.... Amazing amount of weight to loose. I know what you mean about the sex appeal comming back. Mine is just starting to resurface (it feels great) by the way.... your english is great!!!! stacey

Thanks for posting. I'm at 5 months and I wonder alot where I will be at 7 and 9 and 11 months. I hope, like you, I can continue to loose slowly. I get very scared sometimes the the loss will stop. This month I only lost 3 lbs and I worked out like crazy (maybe I'm gaining muscle mass). I have 19lbs to loose and its soo soo stubborn. The problem is, I work really really hard, follow all the rules, exercise all the time.... and still only 3lb loss in 4 weeks. I am worried.... what if I slip even a little.... I might not loose at all. Well.... anyway.... enough about my stuff. Your doing great!!!! Even just a little exercise will go a long way. Just start slow.... don't push yourself to the point of pain... I believe exercise is about feeling good. take care... you'll be at goal before you know it stacey

Atkins makes a shake that is "latte" flavored. I just had to have something warm and coffee like in the mornings so I heated those in the microwave. At about 1 week I started drinking starbucks soy latte's. The soy milk was rich and soothing. If its the pick me up your missing... maybe try some green tea? Whatever you do clear it with your doc 1st. Good luck.... I know life is hard without coffee

I'm a lightweight and a slow looser too. I am almost 5 months out and haven't lost any hair, so maybe your right .... but.... my hair is really dry and feels like straw... no matter how much conditioner I use. My hairdresser told me yesterday to start fish oil supplements and start putting flax seed oil on everything. I hope it helps.

Hi sayray don't panic yet. Its pretty normal to be hungry in the begining. I was sooo hungry on liquids. Once you are on solid foods everything will even out and you'll have restriction. When I was on liquids I just felt like my body wasn't getting any nourishment. That being said.... FOLLOW YOUR DOCS INSTRUCTIONS.... its hard but so worth it int the end to have a good outcome. Once I was cleared for full liquids I pureed stuff so that my body could get what it needed.... The most satisfying thing I ate was 1/2 baked sweet potato 1/4 c. milk 1 scoop chiken flavored unjury Protein Blended till liquid. Hang in there.... its a hard road at first... but you'll be feeling great and satisfied before you know it. take care stacey

I've heard alot of different things. The most consistant thing I've heard is 800, but really, your doc would give you the best input here. I eat between 700 and 1200 per day... depending on the level of activity. I have started lifting weights and feel the need to "recover" some days. I think varying caloric intake can help with stalls too. Some people seem to really love the low carb route... I don't feel well when I restrict carbs so I eat some complex carbs like steel cut oatmeal and sweet potatos. I really think though... if you don't want to count every ounce.... if you just follow the rule of Protein first...then veggies, you'll do fine. good luck stacey

Awe globetrotter... I hate to hear about your struggle. I know exactly where you are... it sucks so bad when that mindset creeps in. I can't weigh because I'm devestated all the time. I start feeling defeated fairly frequently... but.... when its all said and done... I continue to loose weight.... slowly.... but it goes. I promise, if you just keep plugging along it will happen. Sometimes I think its hard for us to take in the reality that we are going to be successful... most of us have had so many failures by this point. I agree about upping the calories though... my weight loss seems to slow when I don't eat enough. Hang in there. Stacey

I've thought about the lips.... how great to always be rosey. Was it very expensive? stacey

okay.... I know nothin from nothin when it comes to cooking. :biggrin2: I bought this great organic mix at the farmers market. Its like a dried Soup mix or something. The guy said just stick it in the crockpot with some spices and enjoy a great source of organic plant Protein. Sounds great but what the heck kind of spices. :confused1: It contains: Barley wild rice oats lentils green peas yellow peas adzuke Beans mung beans anasazi beans Any ideas how to make this delicious? thanks stacey

So... I've been a vegetarian off an on throughout my life. I know this sounds kind of tree huggerish but I struggle with the concept of eating animals, always have. I'm not making any judgements... I know its perfectly natural... its just that something in my brain revolts against it. I've mostly eaten meat because its there... and well... lets face it... its good. Now I'm finding I hate it.... absolutly hate it. I find this to be a good thing... because if I don't eat meat then I can live and eat in a way that coincides with my ideals. I want to quit eating meat copletely but I'm nervous about it. I think the dense protein is a huge part of weight loss (I have 25 lbs to go). It fills my sleeve completely and leaves little room for other junk. My yoga teacher told me about a hemp-pea protien shake she drinks and I'm going to try that. I just don't want to slip into eating mushies etc.... Any thoughts out there???? thanks stacey

I'll be curious to hear what others have to say. I too like protien bars but most are loaded with sugar. I eat atkins bars alot. they are very low carb.... but I'm kind of sick of them. I don't even mind the carbs... I just dont want the sugar. good luck stacey

I think its really normal. I toyed with the idea for a bit... thought I would get the band becaue of the reversability...then learned about the band complications and settled on VSG. That night I had horrible nightmares about my stomach being cut out of my body in the most gruesome fashion. I wouldnt trade it for the world now.... but yes... I had some trepedation.

WOW JANE... you did it!!!! You must be so happy. Well done!!!!! you deserve it stacey

hey feedyoureye... thanks for the input. Its nice to know that the sleeve and vegetarianism can be compatable. Stacey

On the contrary... I think I'm kinda weird for being freaked by it. I just can't really help it. On a rational level it makes perfect sense to me.... its my gut that has a reaction to it.

I get to feeling kind of lethargic sometimes and when that happes I reflect on what I've been eating and I usually come to the conclusion that I'm not eating enough. Particularly not enough carbs. I add some calories and start feeling much better. I hope your strategy works. take care stacey