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Mrs Husker-- big W00T for breaking your plateau! That always feels good. OH Julie--WOW great avatar pic! You look hot! And you are so close to onderland, you will get there soon I'm sure. Everyone--we are doing great at 1 year. Big props to all! I finally got into the size 8 jeans the other day, that was a big NSV for me. :clap:Running really seems to help. I can only run for 6 minutes at a time so far, and last night I did a total of 17 minutes in 4 blocks over a 49 minute session on the treadmill. It's getting better, easier (a little). About sizes, I think it's funny that the sizes we hated when we were gaining weight, we LOVE when we lose weight again. I remember MANY years ago getting to a size 10 and being disgusted that I was in "double digits". Wow, that was probably 15 years ago? I never saw size 10 again until a couple of months ago, and it was like a long lost friend. Of course, sizes are a little bigger than they were 15 years ago...(shhhh!) OK, ladies, have a great weekend and happy bandiversary to the early Marchies!

Hi Everyone! I'm still lingering in the 171 pound region, haven't broken through that plateau. Good news is that I have had major NSVs instead, and it helps me know I'm doing something right. I'm wearing my size 10 abercrombie and fitch jeans and my medium uniform pants. Everyone noticed my uniform pants! I was worried they were too tight but my girlfriend at work said they fit great. I really wish I could break 171. Been stuck here for a while. Guess it is time to step up my exercise game. Hoping for you all to be healing, losing & winning! Kate

NSV today! I went to a wedding tonight. I had decided what to wear and had a back-up outfit picked out just in case. Then I tried to get dressed. The original outfit was too big. The backup outfit was too big. The next three things I tried on were too big. I finally found a black dress from about five years ago that was only slightly too big. I work from home, so I've been living in capri pants and t-shirts since the surgery; I knew they'd gotten baggy, but DANG!!!! Looks like I need to go shopping soon.

Hotchocolate -- no you are not alone - EVERYONE has hit a stall -- I'm at stall #3 in 3 months - however, I've lost 43 lbs. so I'm not complaining - and I know the scale will start moving again (or I'll catch that little gremlin unawares and he wo't be able to keep his foot on the same number button) ... hang in there, you're doing great -- remember, it didn't come on overnight, it's not going to come off overnight either -- and take encouragement in the NSV (non-scale victories) like your pants and panties falling off -- however, please be at home when that happens okay?

I too was a high BMI when I started this journey last Sept, it took a good 50-60 pounds before anyone really noticeds any change, which was like 3 months. But now at 120 pounds lost everyone notices, it will happen I can barely go through a day without someone stopping me and telling me how awesome I look, (tho I still have another 45 pounds to go). Be patient it will happen. But also dont just look at your clothes or other people for NSV's/ Do you feel like you move a bit more freely, do your feet hurt less, can you breathe easier?

Checking in on everyone again. I’m 6 days post op! Started back to work yesterday and that’s gone well. Husband out of town so I’m taking care of our 6 year old daughter, 3 dogs, and 2 cats myself with no issues. Energy is pretty much back to 100%. The hardest thing for me right now is getting the carafate down. YUCK. The dieticians warned me that I may not tolerate protein shakes with whey concentrate after surgery, and unfortunately that is the case. No problems with whey isolate at all. My incisions are all healing well. No pain at all. My head is definitely playing some games. I know what they mean now when say how important it is to do the head work or you won’t be successful. Hope everyone is doing well, good luck to everyone having surgery in the coming days! oh I almost forgot. I had my first two NSVs. First, I’m already off all three of my blood pressure medicines. And I was able to put my wedding ring back on this morning! I haven’t been able to wear it in a couple years, I’ve just been wearing a band.

We have had our ups and down but I am 116 pounds down (6 below goal), I feel amazing. It's still a learning experience everyday. I celebrated with an a awesome NSV!! I was able to go on a ride without worrying if I could fit in the seat. I was actually a little scared because I was moving around so much from the extra room I had

Well I had to get on a plane this past weekend. I was dreading being in that coach seat and having to request the seat belt extender. To my surprise...no seat belt extender required. Now I have to say that at my current weight this was a surprise because I have weighed less and needed the seat belt extender (seems my trainer knows what he is doing). I am so glad for this, another of my NSV goals I can check off the list.:tt1: Thanks for reading, Mary

DISCLAIMER: This FAQ is in no way intended to replace or undermine the advice of your physician. Every person is different, every surgeon has different guidelines, and no two situations are identical. Therefore if any of the answers below are unclear or contradict your physicians’ instructions, always follow your physicians’ instructions. The responses given are a compilation from multiple sources and references. How do I embed the weight loss ticker? Click on the liquid stage? During your clear liquid stage you can have anything that you can sip through a straw that is translucent, meaning see through. For instance: Water, juice, broth, sugar free popsicles, sugar free Jello, Isopure Protein drinks, Gatorade, Powerade, decaf tea just to name a few. Once you move on to full liquids you may add liquids that are not translucent. For instance: creamed Soups, soups with the chunks strained out, milk, Protein shakes etc… When do I start mushies/purees? Every surgeon has different guidelines for the progression of your post-op diet. The majority of post-op diets progress as follows: Day 1-7 Clear Liquids Day 8-14 Full liquids Day 15-21 Purees Day 22-50 Mushies What’s the difference between mushies and purees? The major difference is that purees are anything that has been blenderized/pureed to a baby food consistency and has no chunks. These should not be watery, but instead a thicker pudding like consistency. Mushies are soft foods that have not been pureed. Should I be counting calories or carbs or both? Both. Again, every surgeon is different, but the majority of sleevers will be on a 600-1000 calorie/day diet with carbs kept at 60-80g or less. The general guideline is this: When eating, protein is always first, veggies are second, and if you have room carbs/starch last. The majority will rarely have room for the carbs. How much protein should I be getting per day? The recommended protein intake may vary from 55 to 100g per day, depending on your individual needs and the bariatric diet provided by your surgeon or dietitian. The generally accepted minimum protein requirement for women is about 50 to 60g per day and men need at least 60 to 70g of protein per day. How much liquid do i need for the day? About 60-80oz When can I eat salad? Once you reach the point where you’re on normal solids you can try salad. Start with a small amount and see how your sleeve tolerates it as it can be difficult to digest. Best protein shakes? This one depends on your particular tastes, however most seem to enjoy powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. What else counts as a liquid? Anything that can be sipped through a straw or that will reduce back to a liquid. For example: Jello, sugar free popsicles, frozen yogurt/ice cream (these are generally no no foods) How long will my surgery last? Typically about 45mins assuming there are no complications or other procedures (ie: hernia repairs) being done at the time of your surgery. Every surgeon is different so for a more accurate answer you should consult your respective surgeon. Why can't I tolerate plain water, is this normal? It’s called water nausea and it is completely normal. This is very common during the first few weeks following surgery and should eventually subside. What is sliming/slimes? Sliming or slimes occur when you eat or drink something and then regurgitate a slimy, foamy, saliva like substance, usually when belching. What is grazing? Grazing is when instead of consuming your standard 3 small meals and 2 small Snacks per day, you simply munch all day grabbing a handful here or a bite there. The rule is that your meals should take you 20-30 minutes to eat and should be about 3 hours apart with only fluids in between. What do all these acronyms mean? In no particular order: WLS – Weight Loss Surgery NSV – Non scale Victory (ie: smaller clothes, compliments, climbing a flight of stairs etc…) NUT – Nutritionist PCP – Primary Care Physician VSG – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy TOM – Time of the Month SF – Sugar Free WFL/WFD – What’s for Lunch/Dinner How much did you lose at 1 month etc.? How much can I expect to lose in what time frame? Everyone’s body is different and so is everyone’s journey. There is no set amount you should expect lose in a set amount of time, and you should never compare your journey or your progress to someone elses. As long as you’re sticking with the program and following your surgeons guidelines, the weight will come off. What is a stall? How long does it last and how do I break it? A stall is a point at which the scale stops moving for a period of time. The length of the stall varies from a few days to a few weeks and sometimes a few months. Non VSG’ers typically call it a plateau. Stalls are perfectly normal and to be expected. As we lose weight so dramatically, our bodies need time to catch up physically - this typically happens during a stall. While the scale may not be moving, you may notice an increase in compliments. This is because while the number on the scale isn’t getting any smaller, you are physically getting smaller. There are many tips and tricks for breaking a stall (increase your fluids and protein, increase your activity, up your calories…) but the reality is it will break on its own. When can I have sex? When you’re ready. Keep it simple for the first few weeks post-op and don’t attempt any tricky positions. Be careful until you’ve been cleared by your surgeon for strenuous activity. When can I start exercising? Typically right away, though the types of exercises you can do will be limited. Most surgeons restrict weight training/resistance training for about 3-4 weeks after surgery, but you should be walking/speed walking at least 30-45min daily starting from the day you get home. What do I do with flabby skin? What's the best exercise etc.? The severity of the flab will vary based on many different factors. While there’s no way to tell how bad it will be or whether it will even be bad, there are a couple of proactive measures you can take. Make sure you’re using a moisturizing lotion with Vitamin E and Keratin several times daily. The vitamin E will help add elasticity back to your skin and the keratin will add moisture, both of which may help your skin bounce back as the weight falls off. The best exercises to target your problem areas are resistance and strength training in order to tone and build muscle to replace the fat. Lastly, be patient. Just as your weight stalls while your waist catches up to it, your skin will sag until it gets the signal to shrink. While it probably won’t ever be as tight as you’d like, it will shrink. Will I lose hair? How much? What causes it? When does it return? Do Vitamins help? The truth is, yes, you probably will lose hair. Because of the drastic changes going on that are caused by the extreme reduction in protein and vitamins coming in as well as the hormonal fluctuations caused by the rapid weight loss, it takes our bodies a while to adjust. Don’t worry, as our hormones level out and our bodies get used to the new us, it will come back. There is no set time frame for it to do so however. I’m constipated - what is it okay to take, especially in the beginning when newly sleeved? Will it get better? Worse? In the beginning a simple stool softener like Colace should do the trick. You don’t want to take a laxative or anything that may irritate your new sleeve. While you’re in the liquid/puree stage, constipation shouldn’t be an issue, but as you reintroduce solids you may have to go back to your stool softeners. If you do find that stool softners are only offering temporary relief, try increasing your fluids and Fiber and decreasing your cheeses. I’m having very loose bowel movements, is this normal? Totally. You do need to monitor stools of this consistency to ensure they contain no blood, but very loose stools, even watery stools, are completely normal for a few weeks post-op. When in doubt – ask your surgeon. Will I feel fatigue? Will fatigue go away? Yes and yes. Your body has just undergone major surgery and it needs to heal. While it’s healing you will feel more fatigued than normal. Subsequent to having such a large portion of your stomach removed is the fact that you can no longer take in as much food (read: fuel) and therefore your body has to adjust and find a new fuel source. Your body will eventually begin to burn fat for fuel and some of the fatigue will subside. Your surgeon should also prescribe a B12 supplement which will also help with energy. When can I go back to work? How much time should I take off? That will be entirely up to your surgeon. Most return to work within 2-3 weeks. How many days in the hospital? Your hospital stay will depend on your recovery. When you are able to keep down liquids, are up and about and walking as directed, and your surgeon and nursing staff are confident there are no complications, you’ll be released. Your surgeon should be able to give you an expectation of the length of your stay. Do the staples dissolve? No. The staples used to close the stomach are titanium and do not dissolve. The stomach tissue will eventually grow over the staple line. Your staples do not make metal detectors go off or make you ineligible for an MRI. They are completely benign. Why am I always hungry? The most likely culprit is either head hunger or reflux/heartburn. Head hunger is a false sense of hunger triggered by boredom/emotions/the clock or any number of things which make you think you’re hungry when you’re really not. Heartburn is the most common culprit of constant hunger. Even though you may not feel as though you have heartburn, you may find that a simple antacid will eliminate that constant hungry feeling. What is a stricture? A stricture is what happens when scar tissue builds up in your esophagus (sometimes caused by reflux) that causes your esophagus to narrow and makes swallowing difficult. What is a leak and what are the symptoms? A leak is an opening along the suture line of your sleeve that allows bile and other digestive fluids to leak into your abdominal cavity. The symptoms of a leak vary but the most common symptoms are pain radiating across the abdomen, fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. It is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases. Can you get a leak any time after surgery? Or is it just immediate? Most leaks happen very soon after surgery, but there is still a risk for about 4-6 weeks after. Again, it is important to note that leaks are rare and only occur in about 1 out of every 100 cases. Some of my incisions are oozing - is this normal? If they’re oozing a green or yellowish Fluid, absolutely not. Green and yellow are the colors of infection and should be reported to your surgeon immediately. If your incisions are oozing a pinkish or clear watery fluid it’s your body’s way of keeping your incisions clean and isn’t usually a concern. When in doubt, ask your surgeon.

Hello everybody! Things are going ok here. Im at 64 lbs lost but I havent lost anything in a few weeks. I know its my fault- I am so addicted to sweets right now its not even funny. I HAVE to stop eating that stuff and get back to my low carb eating again. But I do have an appt on the 7th for another fill since I am able to eat more than I should. I think I only need a small fill so Im looking forward to getting back to things. I am having some acid reflux issues though. Are any of you dealing with it and if so what meds do you take for it? On a positive note I have had several NSV's! Im fitting into clothes that I havent worn in 6+ years! AND I saw a friend this past weekend who I havent seen since last December or January and she told me that she didnt recognize me because I had lost so much weight. That was an AWESOME feeling! Motivates me so much more now! Anyways...hope all is well with everybody!

I went to the hospital this morning to have a stress test. I need a colonoscopy and my doctor wanted something checked out regarding my ECG. I've been through hell and back in terms of my health so I'm not going to worry about anything unless or until I have to. But the visit was chock full of NSVs from the gown being too big on me (rather than my having to hold it closed, or even wear two of them, back to front and front to back) to the nurse being blown away when she saw my pre band photo once she pulled up my electronic records to fitting into the echo machine. One time I had to have a special part put into the MRI machine so my huge trunk-like leg would fit into it. Talk about embarrassing. I remember with such intensity, worrying about almost every situation in terms of my once obese body. Would I fit into something? Would I break something? Would someone say something nasty to me? Would I embarrass whomever I was with? Right now these feelings are very strong because the weight loss is new. I need to find that balance so I don't focus on it, but I don't lose sight of it either. I don't ever ever ever want to be heavy again.

They have arrived. I almost fooled myself into thinking they wouldn't happen to me. I woke up on my 2mo "anniversary" and there they were. Bingo wings.... :-(

Karey, I had my surgery done the day after yours and I know that BJean is another Sept 2006 woman. I haven't been weighing myself because I have always had scale phobia ever since I was 25. I know that the morning of my operation I weighed 200 and when I went for my last fill which was in late February I weighed 170. Mostly I am functioning by NSVs. Last summer I wore a size 18W pant and last weekend I bought a size 12P pair of capris without muffin top. Of course sizes do vary depending on the manufacturer and our weight will vary day to day, too, depending on a bunch of small factors. My advice is to enjoy the fact that you are getting slimmer, continue to pay attention to eating carefully and healthily, get physical and move around (remember that walking and housework are also forms of physical activity), and don't get too hung up on scale numbers. This is very good advice. Sometimes I forget it.:cry

I have been posting so long here that I actually thought of my community here before I thought to call a friend, lol. I am married and happily, commitedly so - so please do not take what I am am getting ready to say wrong - he knows and he feels so bad for me too, which just makes it worse. Circumstances came together a few days ago to require an old, dear, special friend to need a place to be for a few days. We had not parted in the best way, so I was very suprised that they called - but they remembered I promised them they would never be without a home if they needed it. I meant it and so for the first time in a very long time we got to see each other. They were just amazed at the way I looked and could not stop talking about how tiny I looked... ...nothing else... ...and they worked out their issue, and are back on their way. I am not even sure what I am trying to say, which is why I am airing it out here, I guess. I am very glad they got to see I was feeling and looking better - and there was some vanity in it - but not in a negative way. Afterwards there was a tremendous sense of let-down. If I can't express it, how can I deal with it? Is there anyone out there that understands this? I am not trying to create a drama-thread, this isn't a jerry Springer thing! I would however, appreciate any insight anyone can provide. It seems to be that I am sad not because I miss my friend or anything - I seem to get this way sometimes now when my weight loss isn't 'fixing' things. I think maybe because I have focused on my surgery and weight loss for twelve months now...???

what an inspiration. I am losing slowly and am scheduled for my first fill in two weeks and I love to hear about NSV's that other people are having! Great job!

My sister and I were at K Mart today. They had a lot of sales. We saw the bathing suits and decided that we needed new bathing suits since our weight loss. We tried on a size 14 and a size 12. (last year we wore 1X or 2X) I was thrilled that I could wear a size 12. So I bought that little leopard print size 12 and took it home. I even modeled it for my DH.:clap2: I have been floating on a cloud ever since. I never dreamed that I would be in size 12 again. The last time I wore a size 12 was 18 years ago. What a great feeling! The band works!

Happy bday Diva and congrats on the NSV! You rawk! :rockon:

Im not sure if it will help my hair loss but I bought some Biotin today...cant hurt to try it for a bit. oh and I had a NSV...well not quite sure what to call it but I have not weighed myself in 2 days and I am proud of myself. I was addicted to weighing myself. I didnt let it affect me or anything but I wanted/needed to know what that dumb number was. Oh and a girl that I see every day at the gym tapped me on the arm yesterday and told me I was doing really good. We have never spoken before and this is the person I look at to find my footing when I am tripping over my step and trying to keep up so I was shocked and excited when she said that. Its the little things in life that mean so much :-) I hope everyone is doing great. how is abi doing? kat how is that mouth of yours?? Im off to the dentist today...there is so much work to be done in my mouth that I wish I could just start all over again. and if I had the money I surely would!!!

My 10-year-old Goddaughter said the funniest thing over the weekend. She knows about my surgery and she's been the best little cheerleader...except when she holds the Peanut Butter cups under my nose for me to smell and then reminds me "oh, you can't have that..." and laughs her evil little laugh. This weekend she looked at me and sheepishly said "Aunt Di, your butt used to stick way out in the back...no offense. But, now it doesn't. You look good!" I hugged her so tight! And danced around in my new jeans that are 2 or 3 sizes smaller than the ones I was wearing before my surgery in September. Gotta love her

I got 30 min in on the stationary bike today. Off topic: NSV - being able to throw all my clothes into the dryer and not worry about anything shrinking too much For as long as I can remember, I've always had to hang dry my jeans or some of my sweats for fear that they would be too tight to wear.

I was May 8th last year. May sleevers are the BEST sleevers. Good luck to you all!! I'm always here if you have questions, or want advice. According to my doc, I ROCKED my sleeve. The time will fly by, and before you know it, you will be rocking skinny jeans, and posting NSV's.

That is a great NSV!!!

Starting weight: 243 Surgery weight: 228 (Sept 21, 2012) New Years Goal: 190 Todays weight: 191 Missed it by a pound but THRILLED at my progress, as we all should be. How awesome is it for all of us today? How many of us have had a New Year resolution to lose weight in the past? Now we KNOW we will lose it! How liberating!! All these diet commercials and finally, FINALLY, this year I KNOW I will lose weight!! This is an unexpected NSV. Starting the new year knowing the weight will come off. I just want to congratulate all of you for making this amazing decision to transform your life!! Happy New Year!!

I know I'm getting in here late, and probably too far along in this discussion, BUT.... I agree and disagree with the cost of plus size clothing for men and women. First off, it does cost the manufacturers more for the fabric and labor. Secondly, I think it highly depends on where you shop to see a discrepancy between the cost of regular sizes and plus sizes. For example, Lane Bryant and Torrid are very pricy stores. This could be equivalent to a Ann Taylor Loft or White House Black Market for smaller women. The problem comes in to play that plus size men and women don't have the less expensive clothing store options, for example, like an Old Navy (with the exception of shopping online). And that brings me to another point, why is it that plus sized people are inherently forced to shop online if they want selection? Matt Z is right, the men's section is slim to none as well. Why is it that the plus size section at Target is TINY and mixed into maternity, that is even TINER? Don't these retail stores know that the average US woman is a size 16. And don't get me started about undergarments for large women. When you can't find your bra size anywhere but Lane Bryant and have to pay $50+ for one, GIVE ME A BREAK...I mean unless you want to order bras online, *rolling my eyes again* Needless to say, no longer being a plus size woman is the BIGGEST NSV there is. I'm glad I don't have to struggle with which stores will have my size, or pay extra for those clothing options.

Hi guys, I finally got my 2/13 date and I am doing quite a bit of self talk! Im reviewing some nsvs that will come shortly after the surgery, reminding myself of why Im doing this and telling myself I will be back on solids in several weeks. I CAN AND WILL DO THIS! Losers bench all the way!!!