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Hello! I started my journey of weigh in's and appointments to get the gastric sleeve May 2018. I lost 30 pounds on my own by July 2018. I refused to use diet pills. i started out at 339.8lbs March 2018. by October 2018 I was 247lbs. I live in Panama City, Florida. Hurricane Michael ripped through my town as a category 5. I was displaced until August 2019 when I purchased my new house. I was on a roll until this Hurricane. I was unable to weigh in the last two months of my process (October and November) as there was no power or water for 4 weeks after the hurricane.And most buildings were destroyed. I have since gained a little bit of the weight back while trying to maintain for so many months while going through the healing process of this horrible natural disaster. One week ago I started the process again. In an attempt for them to let me pick up where I left off in the process seeing as it was not my fault that I could not weigh in for two months. I'm going to a metabolic center in Tallahassee and I am super excited to continue on in my weight loss journey using this tool to help me continue to loose more weight. If you have any advice for me prior to surgery or after I would greatly appreciate it.

Hi I'm Crystal. I'm new on here. I had my sleeve surgery done 11/15/19. But I feel so alone in my experience. The first night in the hospital was traumatizing, I experienced pain like no other. The pain I had was almost like my entire stomach contracted and it was horrific to feel!!! So I was kept there for the whole weekend. I've been home now and I've been okay. Turning at night and finding a "comfortable"position is nearly possible. Has anyone else had a hellish recovery process ?!?! Or is mine abnormal?! And the whole "days 3 to the 6th day are the worst", is no joke! Ahhh please tell me I'm not the only one in this painfulness

Saturday, Nov. 23 Maintenance : 5'2" / 1yr PO Sleeve / 114.9 lbs K, logging in another semi-indulge "meal" for yesterday. Went to go see Frozen 2 with BFF and our Kids, so naturally we stopped by Bulk Barn to put together some custom snack packs to munch on in the theatre. No diarrhea this time, but I did get really tired and weak...but that may also be because the movie was BORING AS eFF. 10:00am - earl grey tea w/ stevia + coffee w/ stevia + chicken broth 12:00pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + cucumber + carrots + crispy onions + 4.5 oz grilled chicken 3:00 pm - 3oz brie + 1 oz white cheddar + 1 oz almonds + 2 oz turkey breast deli meat slices + 1 Love Good Fats Keto Coconut Macadamia Nut bar 7:00pm - 3 peices Takoyai w/ sweet sauce & bonito shavings (aka Japanese Octopus balls) + some parts of the Kid's ramen (1 tbsp corn + 1 slice pork belly + 1/2 an egg + 1 tbsp black fungus + 1/2 cup pork bone broth) 9:30pm to 11:30am - Movie Snacks: 2 oz candied ginger + 7 dark chocolate covered almonds + 4 dark chocolate covered coffee beans + 3 oz cashew nuts + 3 fl oz pumpkin seeds Totals: 2270 cals - 101g Protein - 123g NET carbs - 144g fat

I am going to really concentrate on getting my water in. I know it could mean I will eat less. Right now I drink a 10 oz. cup of coffee, a 16 oz. glass of crystal light (with Benefiber) first thing in the morning. I am getting to the point that I get some pain (fullness) if I drink to fast, so it is hard to hydrate!

Usually WLS patients tend to stall around week 3 to 4. I did for sure. Make sure you are getting your water in and walking. I am 10 weeks out and I started upping my calories as best I could. I am still only getting from 400 to 775 a day. I am concentrating on getting my water and protein in.

My surgery is 11-27-19. How are you feeling?

My surgery is 11-27-19. About 2 weeks after you. Just wondering how you are doing now? About 10 days post op.

Good luck to both of you. My surgery date is 11-27-19, we will all be close to the same week going forward

Good luck. My VSG surgery date is 11/27/19. So far your date is the closest to mine that I have found. Maybe we will be a good support source for one another. At least we will be on the same week going forward.

24. Hmm, social media. The only one I use is facebook. Why? Because 10 years ago, I discovered it was a way to stay connected to family and friends and keep up-to-date. We also used to share poetry and photograph...still do. Sadly, it is also drowning in politics and advertisements. I miss the beginning. I still use it for the same reasons I started.

Tiny Desk Rank™ I went window shopping for a new coat in Nordstrom Rack last night and tried on 4 sizes of the same Lauren by Ralph Lauren Tweed coat The sizes were 0, 2, 4 & 6. 0 -2 were *slightly* too small with no detectable difference between the sizes. I couldn't button them comfortably but I did have an athletic sweater under Size 4 & 6 were slightly too snug at the button (4 - but I had an athletic sweater on still) or slightly too loose in the back dart (6) The 4 could have been the 0 or 2, the 6 could have been an 8 or 10 in the end. This isn't a cheaply made inexpensive low end brand. They have old pattern blocks/block makers. What is going on? I wish I took pics to prove this exercise in futility but the store was so filled with people I could barely get a mirror to myself Side rant: I was quite upset to fit into anything marked size 0, it feels misleading. Also my home "Mirror Mirror" does wonder for my confidence but public mirrors ... Meh. I looked thin and flat all over in the wrong places. I think its the monolithic floor to ceiling size that dwarfs my ego 😔

Hi, how is everyone doing? My weight loss has been really slow, I'm averaging 1 lb. a week. It's not the best but its something. I know I'm losing inches as well. I'm in between pants size 14 and 16. I feel great aside from all the hair loss. Hoping it stops soon. Wishing all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!! 5'4" Starting weight 297 VSG on 7/31/19 Surgery wt: 266 CW 218 GW 135 Sent from my [samsung Galaxy] using BariatricPal mobile app

So, today I am 11 1/2 weeks post op and my weight loss has significantly slowed/stalled. I am lucky at this point if I drop even 1 pound in a week. Day in and day out, the scale fluctuates up and down by 2 pounds, but mostly does not actually drop below my last low. Can't remember exactly when this started, but probably about 3+ weeks ago. Still following docs orders, although I admit I am bad about measuring and recording. I also still struggle to get in all of my fluids. So much so that last week I had to have a medical procedure done... and couldn't eat anything for 8 hours before a procedure at 1 pm, which really meant I couldn't eat anything since before bed the night before. By the time I got to the docs office, I was VERY dehydrated and asked the doc to give me extra fluids. But before they did... they had to fight to find a place to start my IV. Took the anesthesiologist to get it because the nurse couldn't get it. And when she did... I actually fainted from dehydration. Seriously. Needless to say, they gave me the extra fluids I asked for. And yay for me, they didn't get to do the procedure afterall do to another complication... which means I get to do this again LMAO. Back to my stall... I am sure some of it has to do with the fact that I am still not getting enough fluids and calories. I am not doing terribly, but I am not doing great at it either. But at the same time, I am doing so much more activity. I walk a lot, whenever I can. Today I did 6 miles, last weekend I did 9. And my body IS drastically changing. I was a size 16/XL. My abdomen was very protruding. I quickly dropped to a 14/large. I bought size 12 pants when they were tight on me to go back to work... and when I did at 9 weeks post op, they fit perfectly. Then I bought a few mediums because I would be able to wear them in a couple months. I also received an XL shirt that I ordered ages ago at work that arrived last week... and I switched it out to a women's medium thinking it would fit me "soon". I tried that shirt on last week and it was too snug to wear. Since I have so few work clothes, I decided to try it on again this week... and it fit... and looked a little LOOSE! Then I ordered 2 pairs of hiking pants to shrink into soon... a size 10 and a size 8... the size 8 arrived first so I tried it on for fun.... it is tight... but I was able to get them on and zip/button them! The size 10 is perfect though I don't think I will be wearing them for long. And the fact that I could squeeze into the size 8 is just so exciting! Seriously, that means I am just about half the clothing size I was when I started. Anyhow... just wanted to remind all of those who are 'STUCK" to pay attention to their clothing sizes/body shape... just because you aren't losing weight, does NOT mean that you have stopped losing inches! And for those who are much more active than before, remember: Muscle weighs more than fat. You are gaining muscle which offsets the "weight" loss... but building more muscle will help you lose more fat!

Surgery is Wednesday 11-26-19. Ready to do this!!!! 😁🥴🥺😐😀

Good luck. My surgery is Wednesday 11-26-19. I'm nervous, anxious, scared and excited all in one!!! Can't wait! READY to DO THIS

After losing 60 lbs I have Been in a stall for about a month gain and lose the same 5 lbs over and over.My VGS is scheduled for 12/04/19. You are doing great.

Hi, I would be very grateful for any advice. I was banned in 2006 at 18 stone (114kg) and have lost and maintained my current weight of between 11 - 12 stones (69.8kg) for over 10 years. I have had very little issues with my band, occasional stuck food, a little pain and a very unsightly port that sticks out. I would really like to remove the band as I no longer like the idea of having it inside my body and am also worried about long term damage. I would really like to convert from a band to the Sleeve or Plication However, my BMI is now approx. 23 and I have been told no one will operate as my BMI is too low. I am happy being restricted food-wise and don't want to lose this as I know I will re-gain weight. Is there any solution or any Dr that will do surgery for maintenance instead of weight loss? Has anyone had this done? Thank you in advance for any advice or suggestions

Ingredients: 1 lb beef 1 - 2 bunches of green onions 1.5 tbsp shaoxing wine 1.5 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp oyster sauce 1 tbsp white pepper 1 tbsp chicken powder 2 tbsp cornstarch 1.5 tbsp sesame oil 1 tbsp minced garlic 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup soy sauce or oyster sauce 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup shaoxing wine slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch to 2 tbsp water) 1. Thinly slice your beef against the grain. It doesn't have to be flank steak. You can use any type of meat and cut. 2. Soak the beef in water for 10-15 minutes. This cleans/pulls the blood out of the beef and also tenderizes it. 3. Mince 2 cloves garlic. 4. Marinade your beef with shaoxing wine, soy sauce, white pepper, chicken powder, cornstarch and sesame oil. Mix. 5. Flash fry or pan fry your beef with very little oil. Your thin strips will cook quickly so keep an eye out. Set aside. 6. Add oil to a hot wok/pan. 7. Add minced garlic. 8. Add water. This will serve as the base of the sauce. 9. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, shaoxing wine, and white pepper. Mix upon adding each seasoning. 10. Add slurry to thicken the sauce. The amount you add is dependent on how thick you'd like the sauce. The ratio to make a slurry is 1 tbsp cornstarch to 2 tbsp water. 11. Let the sauce reduce to your liking. 12. Add the cooked beef or meat of choice. Mix/toss everything. 13. Add the green onion. Mix/toss everything. Don't overcook them if you want them crunchy! Hope you like it! Also, you may have to tweak the wine, sugar and seasonings depending on your liking

Thanks for the input. It’s two weeks and I wish it was as simple as to stop thinking about food. 10 hours of sleep is enough for any human which is what I’m getting. I am trying to be active, take walks etc. I’m trying to hang in there. Thanks again-it is a moment in time and to your point-I will be healthier and happier.

Hey everyone, I just had VSG done Tuesday, 11/19/19. I absolutely cannot get my liquid or protein goals. The hiccuping is insane! I feel like I hiccup every time I take a sip. Nothing tastes right to me and I have no interest in anything. (The head hunger for the burger part of a cheeseburger is real tho.) I’ve tried premier protein, fairlife core power, lean shake 25 from GNC. My next attempt will be the unflavored isopure. I’m struggling a lot with the repercussions of the surgery and I’m just feeling really down and can’t seem to snap out of it. Just looking for support, I guess. Thanks.

5 days post and feeling almost normal. I have been walking 2x a day 10 min each. Yesterday I got 60 grams of Protein in. Today I'm estimating 80. I realized this morning I still like the shakes over the protein Water. I will say I'm getting appetite back and it's all head hunger. I have ordered my pureed groceries for next week as I'm anticipating eating mushy food. As I'm looking forward to phasing out of liquids. My pain is also minimal. I also have not gained or loss since I went in for surgery but I'm not concerned yet about weight. Hope post Novembers are doing well Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

I am one week out from my sleeve and I'm going strong. I've lost 19 pounds post-OP so far and 60 pounds total. It's a great feeling. But it's been kind of tempered by two things: 1. I can't sleep to save my life - I'm up to 4 or 5 hours now, but it's broken in half with an hour or more awake in between. My doctor told me to add melatonin to my routine but it seems to just leave me drowsy, not put me to sleep. I'm walking a lot - I hit 9k steps yesterday. I've even been working on crafts when I'm resting, to keep active. I dont know what to do. 2. I feel like I've lost all my weight in strange places. For example, my breasts are definitely smaller, but I think my hips are almost exactly the same size. I can see the weight loss in my face, but my upper arms dont seem to have shrunk. How am I supposed to wear clothes like this? Anyone else notice the weird, uneven weightloss? Any advice on the insomnia? Anything at all will help.

An elevated D-Dimer can mean clotting somewhere in your body. If you have signs and symptoms of a blood clot somewhere then other testing is done to rule out a clot either DVT in an extremity or a PE in your lungs. D-dimers do not diagnose clots, they just indicate there COULD be clots. If everything came out fine then I wouldn't worry too much about it, just follow up as your doctor recommends. I recently had a patient with a D-Dimer of almost 10, the highest our ER doc has ever seen and this patient had no clots and their clotting times were all well within normal ranges.

Well, I tell you what - NYC is definitely hailing there's a new hot girl in town!!! You must be over-the-moon happy and as you noted, life is good! Feeling lighter on my feet everyday no longer carrying all the baggage. This morning, I moved into a new decade of 139 lbs. Yay! I'm still in loosing mode BUT if you'd let me borrow 2 inches, I'd be at goal today! Haha. That would leave you a nice 5' 7" tall and me 5' 2" taller! LOL. I really don't count calories and eat 75% raw like salads, shrimp or lobster bites, cottage cheese, lots of veggies, nuts and fruit. And, baked crackers with high quality thin slice of cheese for a treat with fresh tomato salsa. Eat very few processed foods. 80 - 100+ oz. water a day, decaf hot tea in the evenings. Cold shrimp cocktail appetizer is my go to for dinner's out socially. Not a big fish girl. I'll bring that dish with me to a friend's in Boca for Thanksgiving dinner. I remain very strict, and never wish to return to the carte blanch eating coma. I walk Bobby (the wire fox terrier) three times a day and my profession keeps me very physically active. How's your riding? Do you feel more flexible in the sport now? Do the horses respond to you differently now? I do have ample excess skin front side that really weighs down + off balances posture on new, very petite frame. i.e. The jacket below is a 10 petite, but really should be a 6 or 8 if not for extra abdominal skin. Clothing sizes, of course, vary with each garment style. I interviewed plastic surgeon's and found an excellent one here in Jupiter. If all goes well, Lolo, surgery is slated for late January 2020. Oh boy! It will be an arduous timely recovery given the fleur de lis tummy tuck - the breast lift, not so much. However, I knew this phase was to follow, and I desire to look my best going forward and in the gown I designed for our May 2020 - vow renewal and gala on mainline, Philadelphia springtime. So excited! So, I am a women on a mission. Planning holidays here? If in town, let's definitely get together and compare notes + celebrate our victories! I'd really enjoy that. We are decking the halls this weekend, even the car. Haha. Good to connect AND I am so very happy for you, Lolo. Your beauty, resolve and determination just radiant. CONGRATULATIONS! Life is good. ;]

Friday, Nov. 22 Maintenance : 5'2" / 1yr PO Sleeve / 114.5 lbs Definitely an INDULGE day yesterday. and subsequently a DUMP day. My brother gave me a chocolate covered marzipan bar because he knows i lOVE them. we both figured I would make it last for several days, but nope, I ended up eating the entire thing throughout the day. YIKES. Then we went to a friend's restaurant opening. I already had dinner, so I passed on the meal, but there were snacks and desserts laid out, so...yeah. For the first time ever, I had to RUN to a toilet in PUBLIC due to imminent diarrhea...and it didn't help that I was pretty drunk. Obviously it was all the sugar I was ingesting, but I'm pretty sure it was the chocolate martini that was the nail in the coffin. Once I got all that (literal) crap out of me, and drank like a litre of water, I was all good again. *as an aside, wanted to note that I rarely get hung over post-wls..so that's a win. 10:00am - earl grey tea w/ stevia + coffee w/ stevia 12:00pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + Egg "Taco" (Fried Egg w/ cheese stuffed with: 2 oz sirloin steak + 1oz shredded pork + fried onions + sour cream w/ green onion) 3:00 pm - 1.5 oz almonds + 1 oz pumpkin seeds + 1 oz cheddar + 1/4 chocolate covered marzipan bar 7:00pm - salad greens w/ vinaigrette + 1.5 oz cucumber + 1 oz pumpkin seeds + 2.3 oz sirloin steak + 1 oz shredded pork + 1/4 chocolate covered marzipan bar 9:00pm to 2:00am - 3 oz mixed nuts + 1/2 cream puff + 3 chocolate covered strawberries + 1/2 chocolate covered marzipan bar (from my purse) + 2 glasses red wine + 3 shots tequila + 1 cup sake + 1 chocolate banana martini Totals: 2306 cals - 91g Protein - 177g NET carbs - 132g fat