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Hello!! My name is Katie. I am 33 years old and on April 8, 2013 I was sleeved at JourneyLIte of Cincinnati by Dr. Trace Curry. But that was not the start of my journey. My journey began two years earlier. When I realized that if I didn't do something, make some changes I was not going to make it to 40. Something, most likely my heart would give out on me. Changes needed to be made. I have been heavy since I was around 10 years old. The combination of puberty, and eating way too much added up. By the time I was 13 I was well over 200 lbs. So my weight is something that I have struggled with for a very long time. Things just got worse as I got older. I moved from the city where I walked every where, to the country where walking to your local store, or library was not doable. I became lazy even more so. About a year ago I started to notice that the things that use to be easy for me to do was no longer easy. Walking was a pain literally, both on my knees, ankles and back, along with struggling to breath. Walking from the couch to the bathroom wiped me out. At one point in my life I loved going out. I would go to local band shows, and concerts. I went to fairs, and festivals. But I was starting to tread those things I once loved to do. I started saying "no" when people invited me out because I knew there would be walking that needed to be done, and I just couldn't do it. I mean walking from my door to the car was hard. There was NO way I could walk three blocks to a concert hall! I found myself sitting down. Giving up. And gaining more and more. I even found things like swimming which I love to do dreadful because of the walk from the chair to the pool! Two summers ago I found myself sitting down and watching the world go around me. That's when I decided something needed to be done. Then my cousin had lap band surgery through the the same surgeon. I started to talk to her, and start my research on the different types of weight loss surgery. At the time I was really looking into by pass, simply because I had never heard of the sleeve. I did a lot of research, but eventually gave up. Mainly because I knew I could not afford the surgery. I didn't have a job, I couldn't work because physically stand to work. And I'm not going to get a job in an office! I knew that. So I gave up. Stopped researching. In my mind it was just a dream of mine that would never happen. I just decided to live the way I had been. I didn't even try dieting. Then on New Years Eve of 2011 I found myself sitting alone. All because I couldn't go anywhere. I was sad, I was depressed and I was tired of missing out on my life. So I decided to sit down and talk to my mom about it. I know she had seen me start to fall, and seen that I was getting pretty. At this time I didn't even know how much I weighed, I only knew that I had to weigh at least 450 if not more! There was no scale that would read my weight, I was too heavy. She supported my Quest for WLS. And thought it was a wonderful idea! I was so happy that she was supportive that I quickly made a post on Facebook vaguely announcing my happiness. About 5 mins later my friend Cat called me wanting to know about the update. So I told her. Turns out that she herself was doing the same thing. However, she was looking into the sleeve, which I had never heard of. So she explained it to me, and gave me some websites to visit After visiting these websites and doing my research I then decided that the sleeve was probably a better option for me. I tried everything to raise money. Online fundraisers (got 5 dollars) I tried and tried but it never went anywhere. I even tried to get on disability. Which I was denied, of course. Of course I found out that I had type two diabetes, and VERY high blood pressure, and started my wonderful drug therapy for both. All this time I couldn't find out how much I really weighed because no scales would register my weight. Finally my aunt had an idea. She works in a factory that makes big paper felts. I had to go to where she works to weigh myself on the scales that weigh 1000 lb felts. This was in Feb. of 2012. I weighed 450 lbs. I decided then that I had to make changes before surgery. That's a lot of weight to carry around on a 5'4 frame! The next few months nothing was really done. I would try, cry, pray. But nothing. I had no way to pay. And with every day that passed the more and more it seemed as though it wasn't going to happen. Then in October I had an accident in the bath tub. We do not have a shower, so I have to take a bath. I wasn't able to get out of the bath tub, because I could not pull myself up. I was too heavy! There was no home to help me either. I ended up having to basically flop myself out of the tub onto the floor, and in doing this, I slipped and hit my head. I didn't get knocked out, thank God. But once I was out of the tub, I still couldn't stand up. I had to crawl to my couch and take the cushion off and sit myself on the couch to get up. This was embarrassing even though no one was home, no one seen me. It still happened, it still hurt. I told my mom what happened the next morning. She then told my dad. That broke my dad's heart. He then decided that yeah something needs to be done. So he made the decision to take a loan from his 401K to pay for my surgery. This delighted my heart! Many think it's crazy that I would be happy to have surgery, but those of us whose had it knows why. I quickly made the phone call and set up an appointment with Dr. Curry. I knew I wanted to go to him, I had done my research on him too. My first appointment was Nov. 8, 2012. I was so excited. The appointment went pretty well. Not as scary as I thought it would be. But I did find out that since my BMI was over 60 (Mine was 72 I believe) I HAD to lose 75 lbs before he would do the surgery. I HAD to lose 60 before he would even schedule my surgery. But his team is awesome, and I was a assigned a nutritionist who put me on a low carb, high Protein diet. At the office I weighed 422 lbs, so I had lost .28 lbs since Feb. I left the office feeling happy because I knew the surgery would get done, but discouraged because I had to lose close to 100 lbs before having surgery and I just knew it would take forever. I was wrong. I lost 30 lbs the first month of my new diet, and met my 60 lbs loss by March of this year. They scheduled my appointment for April 8 (5 months after my first Dr. visit to the day). And I started my 4 week pre-opt diet. Now I didn't lose like everyone else. I lost a total of 4 lbs during my pre-opt diet. I was so scared that he wouldn't do the surgery. But he did. So on April 8th, I was sleeved. Amazingly I was rather calm, and at peace before surgery. I guess I was REALLY calm and at ease after I got my meds for surgery. Singing, dancing, acting a fool. I don't remember. I don't remember much about that day. I got to go home the same day as well. But recovery wasn't what I expected it to be. I guess I thought I would bounce right back, have all this energy. lol. Crazy girl. I was very blessed on the fact that I didn't have any pain afterward, and I had no throwing up or anything like that. My second day was the worse for me. That's because I was so sleepy, and tired I didn't want to be bothered and my mom was constantly waking me up and telling me to drink drink drink walk walk walk. I just wanted to be left alone. But my energy levels were really zapped and remained that way until about three weeks ago. I didn't feel like doing anything but sit around. Things have gotten MUCH better. I have stalled in my weight loss. I lost 30 lbs the first month, and maybe 10 the second and nothing since. However I am losing inches. I work out daily (swim for an hour, and do weights for an hour). I was able to buy bathing suits this year, and not have to wear my regular clothes swimming. I actually bought two swimming suits in two different sizes. The bigger suit is too big for me! I can walk and not get out of breath, and or feel pain!! I have may days of discouragement when I see the scale isn't doing anything, but I'm trying to get away from that thought and believe that my success lays in those numbers! There has been times I thought maybe I should have gotten the bypass, but that's only because so far I have been able to tolerate anything I have eaten. There are some things I haven't tried such as chocolate, or anything with process sugar, and gluten. I haven't had either in months and really don't want. I have tired pizza I am guilty. However, I didn't like the way it tastes, I also don't like Breakfast foods anymore?? Not even the thought of breakfast makes me happy. It use to be my favorite meal. I'm really trying to eat clean. So..so far so good! I am only three months out, well will be on July 8th. I'm praying my scale starts to move again, but either way I am so happy with what I have been giving so far!! Here are some pics of my progress. I started taking pictures in Dec. before my surgery. So the first pictures are from then, after I lost 30 lbs. And the last was taken about a week ago. In total, since Feb. 2012 I have lost around 120 lbs I believe! I wish I had pictures from back then!

How did you break bad habits (aside from the tricks you mentioned above)? I'm so scared I'm falling back into them and I don't want to screw this up. Hmm, tough to answer because I don't think I'm at the point where my habits are necessarily broken. I still eat when I'm not hungry, I still order things that aren't the best choice. I probably always will. I do beat it, but only on a day-to-day basis. For me beating it (because until Monday of this week, I had only loose restriction) was a factor of a few different things. One - paranoia that I will lose my band. I don't vocalize that often, and it isn't a constant, but it's there just enough to make me stop eating when I'm no longer hungry, even if I really want to eat more. Sometimes I do eat more, but 95% of the time I'm able to stop. But it's not just the paranoia. So for two, it's also -- for me, once I lose a chunk of weight, it's easy to behave because I'm seeing results and that keeps me motivated. When I'm not seeing results (plateaued, stalled, no changes in sizes, etc.) is really the only time I have a major challenge. And for three, I was fed enough with failing at weightloss efforts that I volunteered to have the first surgery of my life. That was very significant to me. So in that sense, I am propelled by the sense of "dammit, I went through a lot for this, and I'm lucky to have it, and I'm doing a huge disservice if I don't take advantage of it". But don't get me wrong - I don't "diet". I just pay a lot of attention to how much I'm eating and make myself stop when I've eaten a decent portion. Well, until this week anyway. With the restriction I have now, I'm pretty much being stopped more than stopping myself. And you know - honestly, a fourth factor is simply that PBs hurt me, A LOT, and I have a very high pain tolerance. Once you've gone through that, especially a few times, it's surprising how much you'll give up without a second thought or a moment of missing/regret. The first time I tried to eat a cheeseburger post-surgery, I couldn't chew it well enough, and it hurt. I didn't PB it, but it hurt. I've not had red meat since. What do you think are the best things you do that has helped you have so much success? Part of the "success" is just numbers. I had a lot to lose, so I lost a lot quickly. That's really slowed down to a crawl. But if I had to identify one thing, it would be listening to my body when I eat, and really paying attention to when I'm no longer hungry vs. when I'm full. Those are two completely different states. And being an overeater, "full" usually meant miserable, not even healthy full. So I start with small portions, 1 of whatever I'm having... so 1 spoon of veggies, 1 chicken tender. And I eat it slowly, and when I'm no longer feeling hungry I stop. Almost every meal I could have eaten more if I really wanted it, but stopping when I'm no longer hungry really helped me keep it in check. And the other side to that is by only taking 1 of whatever, it's pretty much impossible to start off with too much food on my plate. When you do that, "clean your plate" syndrome kicks in. And you know what? In a wweird "rpud of myself" kind of way, it's awesome to be at a restaurant and have the waitor take a plate away that still has food on it.

Here is my story. I spent years stuck at 210 (I am 5’2) and thousands of dollars on personal trainers, nutritionists etc. watched and recorded everything I ate to no avail and of coarse the only scale movement would be I ate a cookie and gained two pounds. Meanwhile I began collecting every co morbidity - sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes , sever scaring on my liver. After two seperate per ate unsuccessful medically supervised diets I was advised gastric bypass was my best bet. I lot 10 lbs in the lead up (5 days a week of boot camp and strength training and keto diet). I lost another 20 lbs on the per-op liquid diet. Had surgery on March 29th. Lost 5 lbs in the first two days and have had no movement since. Walking 3 times a day at 30 minutes each. Drinking 70 oz of water and at least 90 g of protein plus all of the supplements. I know there is a three week stall but I am on a 3 day stall (at the time when weight loss is suppose to be the easiest). This was my last hope and I am starting to feel hopeless.

I stalled at three weeks out for a couple of weeks (like most people). But other than that I try not to see my progress, or lack thereof, as stalls anymore. Reading this thread, and many others, has taught me that I'm not stalling - I am a slow loser, and my body takes time to adjust. But I DO lose. I've lost 40 lbs total, have just hit 199, and have 80 more to go. I'm in it for the long haul, so stalls or no stalls, I'm gonna lose it!

Stalls are very normal. I stopped losing weight after my one week post op check... I was stalled for 2 weeks. Then It started moving again. I am 4 weeks out today. At one wee was down 14... nothing at two or three then from three to 4 I lost 6 so I am now at 20 down. It will come. Tour body is just adjusting and going into starvation mode. It will come around. Just stay on track

I'm with you ArtSong, I was sleeved 9/14/12 and am down 54 lbs and I was really happy with that, 3 weeks ago! Scale has not moved in three weeks and I'm worried that I'm doing something wrong! I still getting in all my protein and water and eating around 800 calories, and I know stalls happen and to be patient but to get on the scale and find it has not moved is upsetting! I could up my exercise, only getting to walk 3 days a week or so plus some strength training at home due to my work schedule and my kids activites schedule. This stall has me feeling really down!

I am officially part of the slow losers! I'm also in the three week stall. Seriously don't know how stalls are possible on 600 cal/day! The good thing is that I can't throw my diet to the wind like I would before on a stall. Glad to finally have a BM. How stupid is that? LOL! It seems like I go from one issue to another. Now I'm having a lot of pain in my lower left side, especially when bending over and getting up and down. I guess I might have over done it. Emailed the doctor's office and they told me to come in if it gets worse. Ready to feel better!!

I lost 25 from day of surgery on March 30. I stalled the second week for about 10 days and now I've been stalled again for 2 weeks. Nothing has ever stuck or made me sick. I can gulp liquids. I can eat anything and it's more than anyone i talk to. I still get hungry every two hours. I wanted more restriction. Lunch was 2/3rds of a beef patty, three small shrimp and some salad. I'm eating good but i really wish he'd made me smaller.

That's awesome Chrystee. Great work. I've been stalled for three weeks now. I can't wait for this to happen to me.

GM! I was reading on ObesityHelp.com and came across this wonderful article on Plateau Busters. I thought the article was wonderful and I plan to try every suggestion here. Hope this helps. Here is the URL: Vitamins and, in their own words, “doing everything right,” BUT have just stopped losing weight prior to reaching their final weight loss goal. This can be very frustrating for them as they have experienced good initial weight loss results from surgery, and overall feel much better than they did prior to their surgery. As this “plateau” phenomenon occurs, the patient experiencing it may make an appointment in a state of panic, thinking that they’ve reached some sort of brick wall and will never start losing weight again. In most cases, there are only two ways to break a plateau: reduce calories and/or increase fitness. “Oh, no!” you might say. But, let’s not just think in terms of adding more time in the gym or counting every single calorie once again, let’s look at some surprisingly simple behavioral modifications that could help bust that plateau and jump start the stalled weight loss process. Please remember that every patient is not the same, and therefore, it may be wise to consult your surgeon to make sure there is not a specific underlying health issue that may need direct attention when experiencing a continuing plateau. Plateau Buster #1 Stop unconscious grazing…As time passes post surgery, it is easy to slowly, but surely, add more and more “soft calories” to your diet. A shared bite or two of your child’s ice cream, a scoop of mashed potatoes while putting away the dinner, or continually nibbling the cheese surrounding the fruit plate at a party as you chat, are all examples of unconscious grazing. These are high calorie foods, and because they seem to go down easily, you may not be considering them as part of your daily food count. Pack and keep sliced apples or carrots readily available for snacking if you must. If you want to enjoy the party, go right ahead, just make a conscious effort to scan the table first, fix a small plate of some right foods, and never snack directly from the table. Plateau Buster #2 Find a new fun…You know the saying, “Old habits die hard.” And, you may say right back, “But, I’ve already given up so much!” The good news is that with this buster you’re not giving anything up, rather you’re adding a fun new activity in addition to your exercise routine. Any fitness routine, if done the same way over and over again, will need to be taken up a notch. Not to say you must spend more time at the gym. The old habit I’m referring to is continuing to do the same sedentary social activities you did before weight loss surgery, such as going to the movies or watching TV. Now that you’re losing weight and feeling better, why not try taking that kayak lesson you dared not (due to not fitting in the Kayak) pre-surgery? What about a short hike with the kids? You may be surprised by your new stamina. Those white Water rapids are calling! Dust off that bicycle, find that old basketball hoop in the back of the garage, go dancing, or, if you need to, take dance lessons. Does your city have a greenway or river walk path to explore? Think activity, not exercise, and let your imagination come up with new FUN ways to expend energy. Plateau Buster #3 Meal replacements…I’ve seen many plateau patients benefit from stopping food altogether and going on a certified Meal Replacement Plan for two weeks (I recommend the Bariatric Advantage brand; however, your surgeon’s office may have another brand that they prefer). You can do it! It may be just what you need to jump start that weight loss once again. A tip is to vary the routine: add half a banana to the vanilla, put a couple of drops of mint flavoring into the chocolate, or add three ice cubes for half the liquid and smoothie it up with a good liquid blender. Plateau Buster #4 Chewing slowly…Too simple you say – well, not so fast. I myself have really had to work on this one. We live in such a fast-paced world that when you sit down to eat, you can easily and unconsciously rush through your meal as well. You may have practiced chewing slowly right after your surgery, due to those first fears of eating something wrong or sensing that first immediate full feeling. However, as stated before, old habits die hard. You can easily start eating fast again and forget that chewing slowly and enjoying our food does matter. You not only cut down on consumption (less calories), you will learn to enjoy your meals again. When eating out, take time while you chew to look up and observe those around you. It will allow you the time to chew slowly and you’ll have fun people watching as well. Sometimes my wife and I pick out a couple or group and try to sum ’em up: “Why they look like they are celebrating,” “Must be a father/son talk going on over there,” “Boy, she looks mad! Wonder what he did?” Anyway, you get the idea. We actually had the pleasure of watching a young fellow propose to his gal one night! He was so nervous, he had forgotten his camera, so we took a picture and emailed it to them the next day. Plateau Buster #5 Stop drinking calories…“But, Doc, I’m working out at the gym three times a week, just like you said.” Great job! But, when you work up a good thirst from that workout, what are you drinking to quench it? Easy to grab those gym “healthy smoothies” isn’t it? Do you know if they are sugar-free? I’ve seen smoothies with as many as 800 calories per serving! What about those Vitamin waters or juice drinks they have readily available in the gym vending machines or at your workplace? Remember your pre-surgery instructions on reading labels, especially drink labels. Don’t be fooled by “gotcha!” labels that say natural or healthy. They still can be loaded with calories. To be on the safe side, take your own water to the gym or the office. If you must have flavor in your water, try adding a squirt of lemon or lime juice or sugar-free crystals. Hitting a plateau is not uncommon, so first of all, don’t beat yourself up over it. If it has only been a week or so of no weight loss, give yourself a little more time, you may begin losing again on your own. During that initial plateau period, try to determine what might be the culprit and make a correction. If you continue to stay in the plateau phase after a couple of weeks, try the plateau busters discussed in this article. Remember, follow-up care is essential in successful weight loss from surgery. Don’t think your surgeon will be disappointed that you’ve stopped losing weight! We’re not going to be, we’re going to be happy that you let us know things have gone off track so we can help get them back on track. Good luck busting those plateaus! Peter L. Henderson, MD, FACS, ASMBS is a surgeon in private practice with Raleigh Center for Weight Loss Surgery in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has had the pleasure of performing weight loss surgery for over ten years, and thoroughly enjoys following along his patients’ paths to a healthier life. For more information visit: www.alasurgery.com Peter L. Henderson, MD, FACS, ASMBSRaleigh Center for Weight Loss Surgery2801 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 101 Raleigh, NC 27607Phone: 919.781.0815Toll-free: 1.888.640.THIN

I am with you. I have stalled for five weeks between 161 to 157 and inbetween. Weighed in at my six month dr appt at 159. He wanted me at 150. Will see him in three months and am hoping my personal goal is met (135 lbs). I still...after six months, have only dropped two pants sizes (size 14). I remember years ago being a size 12 weighing 180 lbs. Frustrated.

Well, I just made it through the dreaded three week stall. I knew it was happening when I was going through it (even before I weighed) because I could tell that my body hadn't changed and that my clothes were fitting the same. Against my better judgement, I weighed myself at Walmart, since I don't plan to buy a scale until close to goal, and sure enough it hadn't budged since my last weigh in a week earlier. Man was I pissed off! :tongue_smilie: Despite the fact that I had read countless stories about the 3 week stall, I was still mad for a couple of days. But, I got over it and didn't weigh again until I felt some changes in my body and saw changes with my clothes. By the end of my 4th week, I had lost an additional 2 pounds. Geesh! Couldn't it have been more than 2 lousy pounds?:closedeyes: Oh well, at least we're back on track now. Another member on VST suggested weighing once a month. I've always advocated no more than once a week, so even for me that's a little radical. But, I think I'm going to give it a try. I'm much more interested in feeling better and seeing changes in my clothing and sizes than I am with how much I weigh. So, why stress myself out with scale numbers that don't move as fast as I want them to? I'm going to shoot for the beginning of the month for my weigh-ins and hopefully whatever loss I see then will be motivating enough. We'll see how it goes...:thumbup1:

Today at my appointment w/my surgeon --- I asked my surgeon if there was anything I could do to kickstart weight loss again since I am in an almost three week stall... and he said there is nothing to be done during a stall. He said just wait it out and I will start losing again in time. 😩 It is so frustrating! I upped my exercise routine hardcore about a week and a half ago... I was on the stationary bike for 1 hour and 10 minutes... and then I went on the treadmill for 30 minutes tonight... 13 miles altogether.. . I am still pushing myself to try to jump start the weight loss again.. Who knows if it will work? But I have been sleeping better at night and feeling more energetic during the day, so it is still beneficial.. Anyway, I have heard people had success intermittent fasting.

That is funny. Where are you from? I'm six weeks out today. I had two stalls in weight loss - maybe at week two (was stuck at 20lbs for a week) and just recently I GAINED three pounds. I've been seeing my PCP regularly and for me, I think it has to do with unmanaged sugar levels. I was hoping to not have to continue taking my meds, but if it means it's going to stall my weight loss...it's not an option. So, I'm back on it. I think the biggest surprise for me was that the restriction is real. haha. I don't know what I was thinking, maybe because I've really struggled these last seven years to get the weight off and nothing was working, but maybe I thought it wasn't going to work for me or something. But, the restriction is as real as it gets. In the beginning, it was a little tough the first week. My stomach was swollen from the ssurgery and was about the size of a pencil because of it. Hardly could swollow even Water, the tiniest tiniest bit. I literally had to suck it in through my teeth and let it drop down bit by bit. You'll feel it. At six weeks out, I'm still not eating 'regularly'. I have very little food that will go down and stay down right now. I'm sort of still on mushies - yogurt, cottage cheese, Soups, Protein drinks - lots of sugar free popsicles. Stock up those popsicles. I heard from enough people and it see those are soothing for everyone, not just me. I can eat a bunch of them at one sitting and it helps with my thirst. They're 10 calories a pop so it's hardly a diet breaker. Have fun at the Brewers game and let me know how your surgery goes. You said you're having it in Dallas. I had mine in Mexicali, Mexico.

Yeah, I'm in a stall myself at the moment. I admit to torturing myself by visiting the scale every morning. But, I log all my food, I'm exercising every day, and following all the directions I've been given. I'm sure one of these days, I'll get a nice surprise when I get on the scale. But 12 lbs in three weeks was good. Four weeks on Wednesday and no regrets!

Howdy! I've been so busy enjoying this new freedom called get up and MOVE! I have joined a fun dance group called Body Groove and it is a fantastic way of getting up and get moving with low impact. It's an app you can download on your TV and dance along. Overall I have been able to resume normal eating, but the raw food are still kinda iffy. I think I'll wait awhile before introducing salads. I need to stay focused on protein and hydration. With my morning protein drink (coffee replacement) and adding liquid protein to my water, I haven't had any issues with meeting my protein requirements. I find more than anything is that I'm tired. I was successfully able to give blood and my iron count was 13.5 so I know my nutrients and supplements are absorbing. I go for my 3 month checkup soon and they'll be analyzing my blood labs a bit closer. Constipation is a real issue. even though I take a Dulcolax chew about once a week, I think I'm gonna have to up it to every other day. Suppositories work real well, but I hate when it has had to get that far. I also started drinking a green smoothie most days to get in my trace minerals in wheat grass powder, veggies, and adaptogens from mushrooms. Anyone else try Ka'Chava? I really like it My weight stalled around 207/208 for about three weeks but I dropped a considerable amount of inches. So far I am staying within the healthy weight loss bracket. I'm anxious to post my Onederland scale picture soon!!

I can see how frustrating that is, but then again you've already lost almost 80 pounds which is a LOT. So, your body is probably adjusting to that massive weight loss before you can start losing again. I spent the last week of October, all of November and the first week of December in a stall, pretty much. I only lost 6 kilos (13 pounds) in those three months, most of it in December. I'm thinking January is going to be your month. It will be great starting the new year with renewed weight loss!

hi madam 7 weeks ago the night before my sister and i were sleeved in Mexico i went online and you posted about severe reflux and how you took apple cider vinegar and you were on the floor in the bathroom dying.....that put such terror in my heart....i was totally freaking.....my sister went to sleep and i was literally shaking....i was contemplating not doing the surgery......i took several theanines (natural calmers) and some melatonin and finally fell asleep....i went through with the surgery and both my sister and i had pretty easy recoveries....the day we flew out of san diego we spent 5 hours walking around and sitting watching shows at sea world..... what i am getting at is...how are you? and how are you managing your reflux? now if we can only figure out how to lose our weight without stalling every other week it would be great....we lost 10 pounds the first week then stalled for two weeks....lost another three pounds and stalled for about 10-12 days....we lose about 1/2pound a week now..,,doesnt seem right........any suggestions from anyone..... i dont get in all of the Protein...ive never had so much protein...,same with the Water....i get in about 30 ounces on a good day......thats more than i have ever drunk especially in the winter....,do you think that would be the problem? any feedback from any of you would be highly appreciated....

Just thought I would check in with my surgery pals! How we all doing? My life has changed so much with this surgery, the non scale victories are too many to mention but life is great! Currently losing around 7 to 8lbs a month and very happy with that. No stalls so far except a slight one at week three but only for a few days, fingers crossed it continues

Thanks for answering, Diva! This really helped me understand the plan. I've been following it for two days and have lost three pounds, breaking my stall! My menu yesterday was (if you could check and let me know if I could improve): 70 oz of water (I'm 8 weeks out so it's still hard to get in a ton of fluid) breakfast: Protein shake ready-made (Premier from Costco) snack: low-fat cheesestick lunch: 3 oz of tuna with a little mustard, steamed spinach dinner: hardboiled egg "salad" made with a little mustard and low-fat mayo, steamed broccoli snack: sugar-free popsicle

You and I have the same surgery date, 12/2! And I've lost about the same since surgery - it turns out there's a standard three-week stall. Check out the discussions under POST-operative weight loss surgery Q & A - they have been super helpful to me. I'm now stalled after three weeks having lost 12 lbs since surgery but only 2 lbs this past week, and 8 lbs two weeks prior. In a couple articles I read online it says the liver was shrunk for surgery but works to get back to a normal size afterward and it takes - yep - three weeks. Sometimes this stall can last several weeks but afterward there can be a sudden, large loss. Apparently there will be multiple stalls along the way. The articles also said not to go below 600 calories a day as that can backfire as the body tries to store what it can during what it perceives as starvation time. I know many don't believe in starvation mode and I'm not sure it isn't just a myth. But to stay healthy it makes sense that at least 600 good quality calories a day is a good idea no matter the reason. Also, the weight loss rate depends on several factors. Males lose faster, those who are much bigger initially lose faster, women after menopause slower (that's me), etc. I'm reminding myself that prior to surgery it took me six months to lose 11 lbs. on my own...and my pre-diabetes and non-alcoholic liver disease labs and my borderline high blood pressure had not improved at all, though my cholesterol levels did. Post-surgery all are now in the normal range! No diabetes looming for me (like my mother), thank goodness. Here's wishing us both good luck during the dreaded three-week stall. We'll get there! I'm greatly encouraged by some of the posts about the three-week stall under the Post-op Q & A where the stats show those posting lost all or most of there weight and reached their goals despite having stalls and slow weight loss overall.

Sleeved Jume 30th. HW 200, SW 200, CW 160. Starting with a low BMI (33), I thought it would take 6 months to lose 40 pounds, I did it in three and I'm thrilled. I've been walking, jogging, then running since two weeks out and that has made a huge difference. I had shoulder surgery and haven't been running for a few weeks, so now I'm in my first stall. I'm ok with it because I think it's getting my body s chance to gear up for the last 30 pounds. I plan to be downright skinny and buff when I'm done!

Please stay off the scale. This is a different process than what we were all taught pre-op. You are still recovering from major surgery and need time to heal. You are swollen and full of fluids. Your primary focus post-op is getting enough nutrition to heal and to keep your metabolism functioning. Follow your program. Focus on getting in all of your Protein and fluids. Take your Vitamins and supplements as directed. Exercise. Moderately until you can get enough nutrition and are cleared for more strenuous exercise. Weigh less often. We do not lose weight at a constant rate. We all experience periodic stalls and most of us have our first one about three weeks after surgery. If you are unclear about your program or what you should be eating at each stage, then give your NUT a call. Embrace the Stall! http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/351046-Embrace-the-Stall

I am not able to take in that many calories. I've tried three meals a day and a snack. I just can't get it in. Maybe that's why my weight lose is down to about 2 pounds a week. I'm the same. I am 7 wks post op and have lost only 28 lbs. I gag or throw up all meat and gag easily at most protein. I basically have been living off of Cream of Wheat w/unsweetened almond milk, coffee w/cream for AM, unsweetened applesauce, organic crackers with peanut butter. Just started trying to eat 1-2 cheesesticks a day to get my protein in. I am going to start logging all of my food to really see what I am eating. I desperately want this to work, but since my weight loss is so slow, I am scared this is not going to work for me. I feel like I should have lost 40-50 lbs. by now. Started at 248, 219 this morning. Have chronic headaches and the canned shakes trigger headaches. With every bone in my body, I will do everything I can to be successful. I know I must get that protein in, and take my vitamins. They make me gag too or make my stomach feel sick so I don't take them often. I'm wondering what average weight loss if for most folks at say 8 weeks? I would love to know if people stalled already at 8 weeks. I know I'm doing something wrong and want to change that now to get better results. Is everyone exercising? Taking all of their vitamins daily? Eating 50 grams plus of protein a day? Could eating a primarily carb diet cause my weight loss to be slow?

Haven't been on here in awhile! I have had the craziest, most stressful and rewarding three months of my life. With this came a huge stall.... No gain, but no loss. Frustrating but I have no one to blame but myself. I finished up my Capstone in December, and had my pinning early December. Around that same time my grandmother, I was her full time caregiver, was admitted into Hospice. While waiting for my Authorization to Test from my state boards and studying for my boards I was watching my grandmother slowly dwindle away into a person I didn't know. I finally scheduled my boards for 2/13, the week before my test my grandma had the worst week ever, I found myself crying on the floor next to her bed one night begging her to stay in bed and go to sleep, the last week of her life was constant, constant yelling for help, constantly awake except for short naps, I was exhausted, I was snappy, I was not remotely trying to do what I needed to be doing. On 2/8 a Hospice nurse came out after she had been awake for 20 hours and yelled the whole time, while being given Morphine and Haldol and nothing would help her calm down, they decided to admit her for medication stabilization, we anticipated her coming home after a few days. At 6am on 2/9 a hospice nurse called us (8 hours after her admission) and told us we needed to come say our goodbyes. I lost my grandmother at 2/9 at 1400, my dad was at her side, we all had the opportunity to say our goodbyes. Her loss has left a complete void in my life, I rescheduled my test for 2/22 and after taking the week of my grandmothers death off from studying, I hit the books hard. The Thursday before my test I had an interview for a local Hospital in their medical unit, it was a great interview, they just wanted me to let them know if I passed my test. I took my test last Saturday and walked out over the moon, I knew I had passed, I had no doubt in my mind. I received my notification of passing on Monday, notified my interviewer Monday evening and was offered a position yesterday. Talk about a crazy whirlwind week! I am ready to be back on track, I start my position in 2 weeks and I want to be comfortable in scrubs! I dusted off my, My Fitness Pal app, and pulled out my blender, started the day with a fruity Protein drink.