Search the Community

Been going crazy lately. I still weigh myself everyday (and sometimes 2-3 times a day), even though i continuously tell myself to take it down to weekly. I'm at about 45 lbs lost right now. My nutritionist says I am over goal, but I still feel like I should have lost more. And the more I lose, the more I panic about loose skin. I find myself obsessing over it, and avoid viewing myself in the mirror right now. In clothes, most of the time I am pretty happy, but out of it **cringe**. I guess it's all apart of the journey? Maybe? Trying not to beat myself up and fuss about how this is my penance for being fat and blah blah blah. Just gets difficult.

As a side note, has anyone been experiencing people being nicer to them??? O_o I have started to notice people are more likely to smile or even just acknowledge my existence. Could be in my head as I have anxiety but still. 

Noob question...how long does it take to get that hang of how much your stomach can hold?  I've vomited twice this week and I have no idea if that's normal, excessive, etc.  What say you, experienced sleevers?  Am I not separating the time between my liquids and food enough?  Please let me know your thoughts.

5 month surgiversary today. I'm down 84 lbs, less than 22 lbs to normal BMI which is my goal. 

I could not be more happy. In a month I see my neurosurgeon to decide I'm having back surgery on 10/3 or not. Hoping new MRI pictures will show an improvement in my back compared to the pictures in March.  

Proud <3

Yesterday was 3 months post-op. I have lost 35 lbs since my surgery and 82 lbs since August of last year. I am so happy that I decided to do this for myself. I am healthier than I have been in years and I feel amazing.

I was eating a low carb diet since December of last year and recently decided to transition to a whole foods plant based diet after reading the book Proteinaholic and  doing my own research. I have an incredible support system for this change as my circle of friends from church are all vegans/vegetarians. At this point my daily carb consumption has gone from 30g to about 55-70g and my protein has dropped from 80-85 down to 50-55. My blood sugar control has remained perfect despite the increase in complex carbs. I continue to avoid sugar, white flour, bread, white rice, and pasta. 

My weight loss has actually picked up this past week, but this may just be a coincidence. I feel really good. The only slight negative I can note is am a little more drained after a run and have been unable to run my long distance of 3 miles yet. I have been sticking to 2-2.5 miles for now. I think my body is still adjusting to the change. 

I am going to post my photo because a couple of people have requested before and after pics.  It is hard looking back, but it does help show us just how far we have come and what a difference a year can make.

This week my recovery has finally turned a corner.. I'm finally able to "eat" and drink a bit more than a sip.. I am less tired since I'm able to get in some nutrition.. finally feeling really good about my sleeve.. The first 3 weeks were so hard, I lived with regret. 

had my reassessment with my surgeon on Thursday! waiting on insurance to approve and will have my date hopefully on the upcoming week! #excited

Feeling really good 3 months post op and halfway to the finish line. I have been hitting the gym pretty consistently at 5:30am  usually dragging myself in yawing like a fool. I try to get exercise in about 3-4 days a week. I make sure I do a lot of walking on the treadmill as well as lifting weights. This journey isn't over and I am still pushing hard.

YAHOO. Just got cleared like minutes ago, to take the Lakewood classes in Colorado. Next 6 weeks, here I come!!!

Joined BariatricPal for support and eventually share my story. I am currently waiting on approval from my insurance in order to have the surgery. All my requirements have been fulfilled, so I'm just waiting and trying to stay positive in the meantime. They say another 6 weeks until I should hear something. Hoping I make it don't gain anymore weight in the process. 

So, my last prerequisite appt went very well. The NUT answered a bunch of questions I had. I agreed with all. I lost 2 lbs. yay! Still have to work on my two bites of protein, one bite veggie deal. Of course, sipping water. The best part is that this office is so organized that all the paperwork will be submitted tomorrow. The lady in front went over all the prerequisites with me. All were finished and reports were attached. So, I expect to hear something from my insurance company next week (insurance says it won't take long for an answer as long as all papers are submitted). Then the office will call me and schedule my pre-op appt/start of my diet. I will have to do two protein shakes and one meal daily. No snacks. My one meal will be restricted to what they allow. Now, I just have to wait for the approval. Feels surreal to be at this point but I'm so glad it's almost here!

4/13 - Was not able to really eat anything. All I wanted was water. I was no hungry and had to force myself to drink some protein shakes. I was not stomaching my pureed chicken and beans. Eggs was not staying down neither. Overall, it was not a good day. My vitamins were making me sick, just chewing them. I would spit them out. I ended up only being able to drink 1 protein shake (30G) and drinking almost 70 oz of water. It was like all my body wanted was water. I started drinking it at 8am and did not stop until 11:30pm. 

4/14 - It got better. Was not able to stomach soft or pureed foods. However, I was able to drink 3 protein shakes (90g). I got in 64 oz of water on the mark. 

4/15 - Tried to eat some grilled chicken from Chipotle, just the chicken and black beans that I smashed up (It was my Granny's B-Day and she always wanted to go). I chewed just a little and ran to the bathroom and dumped. It was immediate. I was really confused because I thought grilled chicken was okay to eat. 

4/16 - I had some some egg whites with low fat cheese, just tuna and a protein shake. I was able to get in 56 oz of protein. I was really nervous, trying to eat. I still feel the restriction and when I reach my limit, I start burping which is my sign to stop eating. I have not tried any other foods yet. I am waiting until my NUT Appt to see what foods I can add. 

Tomorrow will be three weeks since my band removal.  So far i've managed to maintain my weight and even went down a pound or two.  So far so good.

This weekend is a big one....  I'm flying to Ga to meet Tim's family.  I was supposed to go the weekend of the 24th... but the emergency band removal killed that.  So we are going for Easter.  i'm a bit nervous.... apparently his mom likes none of her daughter in laws and never liked any of Tim's gf's or his wife of 21 years.....

So ya'll pray for me... hehe

i'll update on Monday

have a Happy Easter Everyone 

Last appt is next Wed.  The center won't schedule surgery until approval comes from insurance.  Booo!  Says it may take up to 10-15 business days.  Guess I'll be calling my insurance so often to make sure someone is doing his/her job.  Once received they schedule pretty fast...but if I have to have a pre-op of two weeks then it looks as if I have another two weeks after approval.  I'm guessimating mid May for my surgery; which would be just about 4 months from start.

I had my 1st appointment today. Had kind of decided I would get a bypass but after meeting with my surgeon she said the sleeve is the best for me. Did not even discuss the bypass. Which is ok with me I was not set on one or the other wanted to rely on the doctor expertise. However I had a real set back.  I have to get a surgeon for my diverticulitis which surprised me and enlightened me. I knew I was having episodes way more than I should but did not realize how dangerous it is. So I have to go to a colon rectal surgeon to see if surgery is called for in my case.  So when I left I called and made my appointment for Thursday. If surgery is needed then it will set my surgery back 2 to 3 months. I think it may be a blessing I went there just because I didn't not realize of serious the diverticulitis can be.  So if nothing else I am grateful for that. But my journey has begun and it is so exciting and scary. 

2.5 weeks till my last prerequisite appointment! 

No Poop for 7 days. Is it normal? 

I'm 1 week post op Gastric Plication and apart from 1 teeny tiny bowel movement on day 4... NOTHING. Is this normal?  Anyone else found the same?

5 days post plication op. I've lost another 2 kgs since yesterday, a total of 10kgs (22lbs) in 2.5 weeks including pre op diet period, so excited. I'm at 89 kgs (196lbs) with my goal weight being 70kgs (154lbs) Spoke to my dietitian about soups instead of shakes and she was very helpful. She's happy for me to eat any soup that is thin enough to drink through a straw with no lumps or pieces in it. This has made a huge difference because I seem to have lost my sweet tooth (hope it lasts) and was finding the overly sweet shakes hard going. Pain has subsided now with just the odd stomach twinge now and then. All incisions are looking good and pain free. Feeling very optimistic. 

The following updates for 3/16:

1) Did my stress test. They got my heart rate up to 185/bpm. We did the sonogram as well. I found out that I have a very strong and healthy heart.  I got approved right there by the cardiologist. 

2) Went to see my new PCP. Honestly, she seemed very judgmental. She asked me why I did not take other types of appetite suppressants. I was like, "I don't know....maybe because the ones that I have tried has not worked." She then started naming other brands and I was just confused. I really thought that she was going to denied me surgery. I ended up receiving her approval after she did my blood work and a EKG of her own. 

IDK. I am just glad that I am getting surgery. 

Today is the ending of day 4 on my liquid (greens) diet. I decided yesterday to visit my granny and little cousins since I was in Manhattan. Did not prepare to stay the night. I did not have any protein shakes. I ended up getting some cucumbers which are allowed on my diet and eating those. I had a 2 sugar free Popsicles, 1 can of carnation milk (fat free) with some tea. I finally found a pharmacy that had the premier protein shakes. The only issue is, between yesterday and today, my protein intact is low. I am feeling obnoxiously happy and I am not sure if I am delusional or what. 

Yesterday, I only had 350 calories of food with a Protein intact of 18g. Today is much better with 390 calories but a protein intact of 40g. I am hoping that I have not truly starved myself.

Tomorrow, my goal is to catch up on my protein. I am thinking that the 3 shakes, and two cups of broth can put me back on track. I weigh in tomorrow as well. Maybe I will see some pounds dropped (fingers crossed). 

One month out from surgery! Still stalled...(thought I wasn't - it was just a tease). Still, 15 pounds in one month is not bad, and the inches are definitely coming off. I may be able to get into a smaller size as my biggest clothes are just barely hanging onto me now.

Just stated my 2 week liquid diet today!  surgery date 3/14/17!  I'm so excited I am one more day closer to getting this band out!!

Had mammogram, EKG, chest  x-ray urine and blood drawn today. I have to see a cardiologist as the EKG showed something they didn't like. In 2016  something also showed before I had my  3 procedure surgeries. However the   Cardiologist cleared me then.  So I am hoping I get to see him fast and he clears me again as March 21 Breast surgery is right around the corner and I would hate to postphone it. Please pray that everything will be ok! Thanks  

I went to my first Dr. appointment since my sleeve and I was surprised when I got on the scale. A friend of mine had a bet, she thought I had lost around 15 pounds since the surgery, and I thought maybe 10. Well, I've lost 19 pounds in my 2 weeks since surgery!!! I didn't think it would be that much. I've noticed some weight loss in my face, but that's about it. I was very pleasantly surprised. SO YAY ME! LOL

2.5 weeks out and I'm really coming to appreciate just how much activity revolves around eating/drinking. Whether it's dining out or just looking for a weekend activity.  Only being able to eat a couple ounces and avoiding alcohol kills most of the fun venues for meeting up with friends.