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I'm feeling frustrated with my progress. From my highest weight I'm down 77lbs, but from surgery date (2/23/16) only 63lbs. I started working out and paying more attention to what I was eating in October. Since that time, I've only lost 2lbs! I'm eating around 100g of Protein a day, logging my food (around 1200-1300 calories daily) and watching carbs more than ever. People keep saying I look great, and am losing every time they see me, but it's just simply not true. After 3 months, it can't be a "stall," right? Is this it? Am I done losing? :'( Also, I started at over 300lbs so I have plenty more to lose. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi. ChattyPatty from Wisc. Im a newbie here. Pre op weight 226 post op so far 221. If my stomach hurts after full liquids meal (4-6oz)- does that mean too much? If my stomach hurts after not putting anything down (busy shopping, etc) dies that mean Im hungry. I want to make sure Im doing the right thing. After my surgery, I went to ICU for one night then to heart floor for one night. I did not have the advantage of being on a bariatric floor or with staff. That is at a sister hospital. I do use chewable Prevacid. I am still in post op pain outside (sutures) and inside - tummy. Im so afraid of stretching my pouch. Thank you for your help.

thanks for input. i stepped on the scale today, and there is ZERO change in my weight, which i'm really grateful for! i think that maybe things have just shifted a bit. going to stick to my plan and see if it makes any difference over the coming weeks and months

I am only one month post op and I hear that this can happen to people and it scares me. I know getting this surgery is no quick fix its actually the hardest thing I have ever done and still know it is going to take will power and discipline to reach your goal and stay there. Just think back to how you felt the day you came out of surgery and all the pain you went through don't let that go to waste after what you endured. You lost so much weight already and just a little to go. You can do it find something that really motivates you and focus on it. Find a work out that is fun say bike riding or Zumba something that doesn't feel like exercise but will melt those pounds you can do it!

Hi Janine and welcome back! I think its never to late to lose weight. I'm only 2 months out, however I have read lots of posts here about a "boot camp" or "5 day pouch test" to help you get back into the groove. If you google it, there is one specific to sleeve. Also, exercising and logging your food into something like myfitnesspal to track your Protein, cals, etc. would help. http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ Here is a link, but its for rny. I don't know if it helps for sleeve, but you can check it out. There may be posts on this vst site as well for the boot camp. LilMissDiva posted a boot camp somewhere on here. Good luck and let us know how you do! :-)

Hi Yecats, It's not like a diet to me at all, but like you said, we are all different. I have seen a couple of people complain that it feels like a diet to them. In the sense that you need to track your protein to make sure you get in the minimum, and keep up with your water/fluids to make sure you get it all in, then I guess that part could seem like a diet to some. Especially if they didn't read/research a long time before making their decision to have surgery. Because it doesn't take a lot of reading/researching on these forums to realize that there are many lifestyle changes and the sleeve is just a tool. We are still responsible for making the right choices, tracking to make sure we get the correct nutrition, and even though the tool does most of the work for us on the portion control part of things, a lot of us do restrict carbs. I've seen some people say they don't really restrict the carbs, but some of us who have had Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance still have to watch those things to lose any amount of weight. Another thing is the exercise. There are a few who say they lost weight and got to goal with little to no exercise, but in general, most people do have to form a habit of some kind of exercise into their lives to really kick in the weight loss, and help get them to their goal quicker, and even maintain their weight loss. But on the will power part, things are much easier for me on that and feeling more in control where food is concerned. I am not ravenously hungry all the time and want to eat only certain things that I crave. And with the sleeve, no I've never been full but still be hungry. You are completely satisfied after eating a tiny amount. It's not like a diet, where you only get to eat certain things and small amounts, but you feel like you're still hungry or deprived. Now, I am not hungry a lot but I eat because I know i have to fuel my body and keep my protein up. I won't say that things don't look or smell good or that I don't ever want things I shouldn't have, I still choose not to bring things into my house because it still makes it easier if things aren't so convenient. So if it's not in my house, I don't really think about it or want it.. Generally I actually want and have the taste for the proteins that I know I am suppose to eat. I have taken 1 bite of a dessert to taste once or twice, but was completely satisfied with just that one bite. I didn't have the desire to have a whole piece of pie/cake or whatever. Having said all this, I feel I was pretty well prepared for the lifestyle changes. I had been researching and reading for 7 yrs and knew I wanted surgery so I saw people post constantly about tracking foods, having to restrict carbs, so none of the changes were a shock to me. I have not yet for one second regretted my decision to get the Sleeve. A lot of people have buyers remorse sometimes immediately post op or for the first month or so, and I understand why. Cause no matter how prepared and how happy you are to be sleeved, it is STILL a big adjustment to your eating and lifestyle, because it isn't just changing how or what you eat. It completely changes your relation with food, and changes your familys relationship with eating and socializing and a lot of family activities that may have revolved around food, can't happen as much, or as easy. You just always have to keep in mind what you're eating or snacking on everyday, plan it, take stuff with you everywhere you go so you don't get stuck in a situation where you have nothing good for you to eat. So it still is kinda like your life still revolves around food to a certain extent, but only because you are planning, preparing, tracking healthier food instead of like before where our lives might of revolved around food cuz we were always hungry, craving, planning on eating out, etc. It's just we're trying to become healthier now and get skinny rather than be out of control and keep getting fatter and our self esteem suffering, our health suffering etc. The thing for me was, I had been diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic(this was AFTER I started researching WLS too), and I knew if I didn't do this, my health would only get worse and I would die from some form of obesity related disease. So I did it more for the health benefits than anything. Type 2 Diabetes was the final deciding factor that I finally put my foot down and said, come hell or high water, without insurance, despite money struggles, I AM going to have this surgery, even if it's self pay in MX, despite how others felt about it. I had researched enough that I was completely comfortable with it and and had learned thru research that the Drs had done a lot more Sleeves anyway. I was more afraid to NOT have the surgery than to have it, if that makes sense. Oh, and I know I have mentioned a couple of times about all my research, but I read about hair loss, stalls, and all the things that freak us out post-op. And even though I KNEW those things were common and would most probably or likely happen to me, It is STILL difficult to go thru these things when it's happening to you. I still freak out about both even though my hair loss really only got bad for a wk, my hair was already thinning before. And I'm afraid it's not over and I'll still have more fall out. And the stalls, I swore I would not let get to me and I wasn't going to stress or whine about it everyday on the forum lol. Well I may not have started topics on it, but yes the stalls bother me, really bad. I am like many people that I think, omg, am I gonna be the only person that this surgery doesn't work for? I know it's not a good idea to compare my weight loss to anyone elses, but it's really hard NOT to. But I know I'm not finished losing weight. I know I am much healthier and will continue to improve even more. And I am VERY happy with my sleeve and the choice to have it, because I have NEVER lost this much weight in this amount of time or kept it off. It's changed my life for the better in so many ways, and I am excited and looking forward to more improvements and changes. As someone else said, it's natural to worry about having surgery, and it's also natural to worry about post-op life. But most peoples biggest regret is not having it sooner, whether it was because it's only been offered for a few yrs, or they couldn't make up their mind, or because insurance wouldn't cover it. And even most of the people that have a rough start or complications, still say they don't regret it and would do it all over again, even with the complications. Good luck to you and I'm sorry I got long winded!! haha And I hope I didn't miss a question. Shoot me a msg if anything I said was confusing or didn't make sense.

Honestly, in the beginning it's pretty easy to lose weight. You can barely eat a few bites and you're full. Some people get mad about this because they want to eat more. After a couple of months, you're able to eat more and you try to eat more and it's extremely painful . You feel like your stomach is going to explode. It's easy not to graze then, because you're so full, you don't want more food. After about a year, you're eating pretty normally, You eat small meals and a variety of foods, and you're satisfied. Head hunger can be another story. In the evenings for me, my head starts asking me what there is in the house I can snack on. So yes, it does take some will power. It's nothing like not having the sleeve though. I really feel that this surgery is the only hope for most people who lose weight and also want to keep it off. We all now how to lose weight. It's living life after you've lost most of your weight that gets a little tricky. It's important to learn new habits that first year. This board is so valuable all the steps along the way.

Sorry about the same 3 pics. I had my surgery Nov 16, 2015. My high weight was 300. I currently weigh 209. The entire staff was extremely accomodating, I felt like a queen. I never second guessed my decision to go with dr. Jesus Lopez. He is an amazing surgeon and he is still here for me AFTER surgery. Have any questions? Ask away!!

I've been up and down on weight many times in my life. 4(ish) years ago I was fitting into size 36 pants and I saved them in the hopes that one day I'd lose weight again and be able to fit in them. Well, yesterday I pulled them out of the closet and they fit great! YES! We just had a health screening here at work and I felt great when they weighed me. Although I'm still above my ideal weight, I'm on my way there! My blood pressure had gone back to normal, and I'm great on paper now! Just excited and wanted to share!

I am the same way, I think it depends a lot on what you are taking in and if it causes Water retention. I actually went from month 7-9 with about a 5 lbs gain but have since lost all of the gains plus an additional 3-4 lbs over the last 3 weeks. So, I think it is normal for fluctuation and extended stalls the further you get out and the closer you get to goal.

Well, I got sleeved on Wednesday, so far, so good. I guess i woke up in recovery in a lot of pain, but I don't remember it. Stayed overnight in the hospital, had to drink a HORRIBLE drink to test for leaking, and FINALLY got to drink some Water and broth. First meal was not appealing. Had about 2 oz of broth and Jello, and a popsicle. Ate 1/2 the broth. Next meal was better, ate most of it. Walked a bunch at the hospital. Got home last night. The gas pains are killing me!! I walked almost all the way around the block, but didn't quite make it. The heartburn is killing me, and my tummy is making all sorts of weird growing sounds! I feel like i'm hungry and full at the same time!! And I must be retaining fluids or something, because I am back up to my pre-op weight Also, anyone suffer from painful hiccups? I can't get rid of them, and they are pretty painful!!

I too was sleeved on the 12th and spent two days in the hospital. I was not given anything yucky to drink but as someone else stated that might have been done before I left the table. While I was in the hospital I was miserable and only drank Water. The Jello, crystal lite (SO BAD) and broth were all a no go. Not that I couldnt just that I didnt want to, which is kind of hard to describe. My hospital roomate who had gotten the Rou just a few hours after my surgery seemed to be in less pain which really got my goat but I am guessing it might be due to my revision of the band??? Who knows! I was really cranky pretty much the whole stay and the first night was a freaking nightmare thanks to the equipment in our room continuously malfunctioning. Her iv, My iv, someone was occluded, beeps, whistles, horns, flashing lights and 12 hours later I had gotten almost no sleep and I had some cheery newly shifted nurse standing over me like, well hun are you gonna walk????? LOL, I actually said that I would gladly walk if I would be granted a nap. (I said I was Cranky) She brought in some liquid Vicoden and a shot of hepperin and some nexium stuff they shot in my IV. FYI when they give you the shots of blood thinner and say do not rub or itch the site, THEY ARENT FOOLIN. I never even touched where they injected me in my belly and I have 6 tidy black and blues scattered around my belly around my already annoyed insicion spots. So post nap I still wasnt hungry but I did want to get up and walk around and it did help. I stepped on the scale this morning since it was 520 and I couldnt sleep. I weighed 311 the day before my surgery and this morning I weigh 308. Although I know its the water weight and probably every drop of IV SODIUM enhanced Fluid, I finally am feeling like this was a good decision. I knew that it was but there is something in the back of your mind when you are in bad shape that questions your intention and well SANITY..LOL Im glad I did this sugery and I look forward to every new step. I think I mentioned this in my post op post but I now have a 34 f for those of you who care. Oh and SHASTA, those empty burp things are the most painful things ever. Its like an implosion in your body with no way for the air to escape. Those have lessend thank goodness.. Feel better xoxoxooxo

You're doing great! The weight loss comes to a standstill for all of us.... I just came off over a month of stalling one week, losing a pound or two the next.... then stalling again.... back and forth. This is the first week in 5 weeks that I have lost more than 2 pounds. Looking good... keep up the hard work, it shows!

I know that feeling. Feels SOOOOOOOOO good. Congrats! You'll be dropping sizes faster than you can even imagine. Good for you. . . . also consider thrift stores, salvation army, etc. I NEVER went to thrift stores prior to surgery but now I go practically EVERY week. You find good deals on jeans/pants/etc. Not so bad to spend 10 bucks on 2 pairs of jeans that you'll only wear for a month or two. Save your money for your shopping spree once the weight stops.

Well I'm almost two years post op 3mts away and I still have like 50lbs to reach my overall goal with the most lost almost 70lbs with a wt gain of 12lbs. Just seem like I can't get back on track I can't just not touch things I shouldn't. I have my days or weeks I do wonderful then I add back in bad stuff here and there. Everyone tells me how wonderful I look but no one knows that hey she haven't lost as much as the think. I really want to shed these pounds and need some helpful advice and solutions on what to do.

I had my surgery last October and it was my goal to lose all my weight within 1 year (still a goal but still not sure I will make it). I started at 319lbs and I'm at 254lbs as of this morning! 65lbs down and 46 to go! OK I'm done ranting, thank you and good day....

I think about 95% of people some sort of stall. I never had a true stall (14 days without an ounce lost), but the closer I got to goal, my loss slowed down. I didn't experience a stall for the first 6 months, and then I was a few pounds from goal and hit a 10 day stall, then BAM dropped those pounds plus 2 to drop me below goal. If you follow your post-op dietary guidelines, push Protein and fluids, the weight loss will continue, plus working out, building muscle mass can slow down your loss, but you'll be losing inches. A pound is a pound be it a pound of fat or muscle. Fat is lumpy and takes up space, muscle mass is lean, and takes up less space in our bodies so when we build muscle, it burns the fat, and we trim down even though the scale may not be moving. I recommend taking your measurements at your neck, breasts/chest, upper arms, upper thighs, waist, hips and calves. Your clothes might fit differently even if the scale isn't moving much because you're muscles are growing, and the lumpy, bumpy fat is melting away. Mentally prepare for a stall by realizing that your body can not continue to lose a pound a day for a year. Take your measurements, and document your progress in pictures so you can physically see the changes. If you hit a stall, analyze your intake and make sure you're staying on course food wise. Stalls happen, the rapid weight loss can't last forever, but you can continue to lose at a good rate by sticking to the rules. I dropped 115lbs in 6.5 months so it's possible to lose all your weight, and keep a steady loss going.

I am about 4 months post op. I currently am eating okay but I need to get strict to my diet again. I have about 40 pounds more to lose and my weight loss has stopped. I would like some great ideas for meals that are low cal, low carb, high protein. When I look in the mirror I still feel like I am overweight, I know I have weight to lose on my inner legs and stomach. I would like to lose and get tone as well. The holidays were hard and I was not able to stay on track. Currently I am about 65 pounds down. I have lost a ton of inches. Pants size was 20 and I now wear a size 12. Shirts size was 2x and I now wear a medium. Any tips are helpful. I have been reading a lot of the forums for ideas.

It does take a while to lose the water weight and swelling weight you get from the surgery. Then you do hit more plateaus along the way. Just have to stick to your program and know that it works. I know my scale hasn't budged in a few weeks as well. It is frustrating but, I know it will move

For me, I'm highly irregular anyways and there's been anecdotal evidence that people who are irregular tend to even out a bit after losing weight. I imagine that if that is true then it could affect people the opposite way as well.

Your health and wellness are the most important part of your weight loss journey!

Anyone experiance gall bladder issues after loosing a lot of weight?

Ask the dietician attached to the surgical team for a meal plan. and stick to the level she suggests. so free fluids first, then the next level. then soft food - I had low calorie jellies ready and pureed fruit (baby puree level). For me she suggested that I get in plain yoghurt as she knew I liked it. and eat protein first. my protein was mainly chicken, fish, eggs, and cottage cheese. But my greatest help was fresh unsweetened pineapple juice, to sip. It helped rid me of all the foamy mucous phlegm that was making life a misery for the first three weeks at home. Fresh pineapple juice really saved the day. My Doctor suggested it and it worked a treat after three hours of sipping it , a little at a time, I finally gained relief from all the vomiting of foamy phlegm. Here is why - fresh pineapples contain digestive a digestive enzyme in them called, "Bromelain". Bromelain helps break down hard to digest proteins in our digestive tract naturally so we do not end up with gas, bloating, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, burping or constipation. - enzyme bromelain is known to reduce phlegm and mucus in throat

I am 10 months post op and feeling very discouraged! I have been plateaued for about 2 months now I started out at 277 and I am down to 220. I am at a loss. Needing some inspiriation on diets How do you kill the "fat kid syndrome" of snacking and killing bad habits like junk food snacks fast food. I did so good and then relapsed about 3 months ago nd since have not lost weight and just dont have the desire to get back on track. my mind tells me one thing my stomach says another....some tips please!

I had VSG 10/21/14. HW 232 LW 119 CW 132. 5'3". I am so scared of regain. I am up about 13 lbs from my lowest weight in July of this year. I have never had an issue with food or drink, never threw up post op. There isn't anything I CAN'T eat, I still have restriction, but I can eat all day. I had a premiere protein drink every morning until recently. I haven't had the money to stock up like I want to. I need someone to keep me accountable and push me through this funk I'm in.