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Everyday I'm worried I did this for nothing. I'm still on full liquids and feel like it's not good enough. I can drink a whole shake at a time and don't feel overly full! I thought I'd be full after a couple of ounces! Arrrgh. I feel you. I'm almost 4 months post op and I've been in a stall and frustrated for a couple reasons. 1) I have no problem drinking a Protein shake in less then 20 minutes and have been this way since 1 week post-op. 2) I follow the nutritionists guidelines and eat my protein and calories, consume between 65-80 oz of Water a day and haven't lost anything in 3 weeks. I am In a Support group through the surgical office and have tried talking to them about it and it just makes me feel worse. I feel worse because people with a lower BMI (mine is currently at 53) have lost more weight in less time and people that had surgery the same week have lost more. When I ask what they are doing compared to what I'm doing I again feel like a failure. Some of the people are 6+months out and still at 300-400 calories a day. At 2 weeks I was told to move to 600-800 calories and at 6week 800-1000 and I tell people that and they are appalled. So I tried going backward in calories - back to 600-800 but I am hungry ALL THE TIME! I try to make good choices but this past week since I haven't lost anything in over 2 weeks I've just given up. Anyway, just came looking to see if anyone else has any of these issues or thoughts since I'm apparently unique my my face-to-face support group and it discourages me so bad. Try thickening up your shakes I do almond milk and zero carb Isopure powder! Full of protein. No carbs and very filling in a blender with ice! Fills me up at like 140 calories and 25 gms protein. I drink 2-3 a day with grilled chicken, tuna, pork tenderloin, or some type of lean meat every few hours. Or 1/2 cup cottage cheese. After 2-3 Ounces of meat I'm full. Ground chicken is also really lean and yummy and filling (I put home made taco seasoning on it)! I eat veggies a couple days a week but shy away from Beans and legumes as the high carb content stalls me I stay as low carb as possible except one day a week I allow myself carbs from nuts beans and nut butter etc (carb cycling). Eating every couple hours keeps me from being to hungry. The lean meats keep my calories low everyday. Measure and record everything! Before I got a good scale I thought I wasn't eating much but turned out I was eating double what I should have been. Hope it gets better for you! Sorry your group isn't very supportive! It'll get better! You can do it!

I feel your pain, I am also getting impatient. I only lost one pound this week. I went through a 9 day stall. I get it that it will come off as long as I follow my plan. I just want to scream today though...lol I think this just happens for us at times. Even though I have lost 67 pounds overall I feel frustrated today. idk why I just do. Tomorrow will be better and we will look back and smile about when we were so impatient. We've got this!! Hang in there and I will too!

All of my fills have been done under fluoro and I have been overfilled once already and had to return 2 weeks later to have some fill removed because the swelling would not go down. So, obviously I agree with Jachut on this.

Right after surgery when I was lacking energy, I walked my butt off. My doc doesn't want any hardcore working out until 8 weeks post-op, so in the meantime I walked and fiddled around with Wii Fit/EA Active. After 8 weeks he has no restrictions so I'll go back to normal like before surgery. Every doc is different though

Hi, Debi... thanks for posting. I started at 367.8 and lost quite a bit before surgery. Since my surgery in late January, I have lost 28 pounds (doesn't seem like much for 8 weeks), and am now down to 294.4. (Yay! Under 300!!) So I'm down about 72 pounds all together. I'm down 2 sizes now, and wore brand new "skinny" jeans today to a party! For the first time, I got positive comments. I had only lost 2 pounds this month and was feeling pretty down, but when I got on this morning I had dropped another pound, so I'm praying my stall is over. I find I can easily eat 1100 cals per day with my Protein drinks, but I can also easily keep it at 700-800 if I'm strict with myself. I'm learning what I can and can't do. It's great that you're doing so well! I have quite a few clothes that fit me at a 5X (Catherine's size 34-36), and will have a TON of clothes in a 4X pretty soon. I have a huge wardrobe of work, casual, and dress clothes. I was going to sell most of them on e-bay, but if you're interested, just message me. I know how hard it is to find clothes in that size! I wore those sizes for a long time and have always bought beautiful clothes. Many of thems till have tags! So let me know if you want to find out more. Prices will be reasonable. Sorry this is so long! I, too, like the idea of getting a team of long-termer's together. This isn't going to come off overnight!

Yes, Normal, i went through all the What if, Right Until they put me under to do the Surgery. I am 2 weeks Post OP and still going through the emotional part of OMG did I really have WLS??? But I keep telling myself I did this for Me and a Better Healthier Life....and Take things One Day at a Time...Good Luck!

Thank you all. I'm not sure what I'd tell my BFF. I'd be scared of losing her too. I suppose I'd tell her to go with her heart/gut. And yesterday MY gut and heart were fine. I have read about all sorts of complications up until this point and they didnt phase me. I'm not sure what happened today, it just kindof hot me out of the blue. We'll wee how I feel in the next couple of days. I still have a good 2-3 weeks before I pay my deposit and book my flight. Maybe I'm just at a point where this is turning more from excitement to readiness. I think this is just something I really need to do an ill regret it if I don't. I need to be a better mommy. A confident one. One who actually goes places and is happy. Right now I just stay in the house almost all the time. I just don't feel like being seen in public. I've lost 60 lbs alone before. Felt great but didnt stick to it and Literally gained it al back as soon As I lost it. I can't continue to live this way. Oh and hiosiergirl, my rump is rediculous too!!! Zomg!! O.o

It is so hard the first few weeks. I remember watching the Food Network while at home recovering the first week post op and feeling so sad and sorry for myself like I would never get to eat again. I'm glad each week is getting a little easier and so proud that are following your plan and not using food or alcohol to deal with things. That is an emotional challenge for us all and where the saying on here that "they operate on our bellies and not our brains" comes from as we all learn to deal with our emotions. Following the post op plan/guidelines helped me a lot the first few months because it kept me focused. I kept a whiteboard to track my water and vitamins early on. Keep up the good work!

Yes i could use some help i am 7 weeks out and i haven't did number 2 in 25 days called DR. And no help can u help Sent from my LGMS330 using the BariatricPal App I can try my best and try and answer Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App As far as the restroom relief .. I took miralax it is gentle tasteless and devolved in Water .. I also took benefiber as well Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using the BariatricPal App

I suffer from depression. I am "used to it." But it is very scary, especially for our loved ones. The good news is that it will pass (unless you are clinically diagnosed, as I am.) Be supportive, encourage the exercise, and get out in the sun. Gee, I hope you are somewhere with sun! Walk the mall! My son encourages me to walk the mall. He comes with me, then disappears, but calls to encourage me to meet him after one more lap. If it goes on for more than 2-3 weeks, definitely follow-up with your GP and/or the Psychologist that did your evaluation. Antidepresants are not a lifetime commitment. Some people do great on a short 6 month course, and can let them go. Others need longer. But, you do what you have to do. I know that it is hard to encourage when depression makes him so resistant. Keep loving.

I know this is old but I have consider getting banding done in Mexico, I was given a list of three doctors that do fills and post-op visits in Las Vegas so if you still need them please send me a private message!!!

Ok, from the liquid stage to the mushy stage, is it normal to gain back a few pounds of lost weight? I figure it should be due to increasing your calories just a bit..heres what happened.. I was on liquids for a week and a half..lost 20 pounds. Went to mushies, and gained 2 pounds...is this normal? Perhaps im not watching the caloric intake as well as I should be. Ive only been on mushies for a weekend..but it scares me that Ive gained back 2 pounds. eep!

Hello! So I was sleeved on 1/28/19 and the first few days were really rough for me getting fluids, especially ANY protein at all. Then I came to realize that my new stomach, at least for the time being, cannot tolerate whey! (Which was obviously a wonderful, vomit-filled experience). I recently discovered fairlife lactose-free protein milk and it has been an absolute life saver, and is allowing me to get at least 60g, woo hoo! Now, a week out, I’m able to drink water pretty “normally” (no chugging of course but normal sized sips) and fuller liquids a little slower, but still pretty normal. Unfortunately, today was my first day at work and while absentmindedly scrolling on my computer, I accidentally gulped down 8oz of the fairlife very quickly, like in a couple minutes. I felt no protest in the moment, but now I feel full and a little gassy and just overall gross. I am hoping that someone else has had this experience and can let me know how quickly they felt better, and, god forbid, if there was any lasting damage. Thanks everyone!

I'm assuming when you say you are 6 weeks out, you meant 4-24-12 and not 2011?

My surgery is in 3 weeks and I keep reading and hearing about shrinking your liver. What things can I do now, with just 3 weeks left to get ready. I mean as far as shrinking my liver, and I drink cokes really bad and know if I don't stop them now I risk the bad headaches after surgery stopping them suddenly. Any advice you can give me I would appreciate. I've gotten most every thing on the list to buy but what about my eating and liver. Thank you everyone for all of your help, Sherri

Hi RedSparkles11, My name is DeNesha and I was just banded on 2/24/2011 and to just be honest I have had many thoughts of eating and cheating lol, but the after surgery liquids isnt bad just consume 64 oz of Water and dont forgot your Protein. You will be fine. I did cheat being that I have been on liquids 2 1/2 weeks (just being honest) I felt so bad emotionally because I cheated but then I had to rethink the situation. My surgeon placed me on a pre-op clear liquid diet 1 week before surgery and then 2 weeks liquid diet post op.. Good news is I have only until this friday to move to soft puree foods!! YAY!!! I go to the doctor today to have my staples removed and I am so excited and more anxious about fills.(in a good way) Also please look out for creative ways to incorporate protein into the liquid stage.... sugar free DaVinci Syrups are life saver, they have so many flavors and when you mix these syrups in some vanilla Protein Powder its amazing!!!!!! So good luck to you and keep us posted!!

You look AMAZING and thank you so much for sharing your story. I think it's really easy to get sucked into these boards (I think I overdid it the past few weeks), but reading the success stories and seeing such amazing and inspirational photos are what calms me and makes me think that I can do this too. Out of curiosity - you had no pre op diet? No 1-2 weeks of liquid diet? How come? Thanks again!

Oh wow you are taking me way back here!! Yes, I used to have those vivid dreams where I'd be eating things I darned well shouldn't be. It's ok, these dreams will go away in time. I believe a lot has to do with coming down off anesthesia and pain medications. It stopped for me within a few weeks to a month.

You don't lose weight just because of fills. When you find a level of restriction you are comfortable at you might stay there for years- and still lose and then maintain. It is time to start walking. Start with 15 minutes a day and go slowly. You will feel better within a week, I promise. Get a friend to go with you. Your weight loss will steadier and you will be more confident in reaching your goals.

Hi Kat, Wanted to know how your plastic surgery stuff is coming along? I met the best plastic surgeon last week. I am so glad that I got a second opinion. I go in on 4/21 for my TT and thigh lift. He doesn't have to make an incision down my entire thigh but rather just at the top. That is what sold me on him. How is your insurance approval coming along? Julie

Hi. I want to get my band taken out and was wondering if the post-op recovery is the same as getting banded? I keep hearing of people taking a week off... I was banded on a Thursday evening and back at work by Monday so was hoping it would be the same time frame this time around. Any different pain or experience than getting the band put in? Also, I was self pay and now have BCBS PPO.. anyone have experience getting them to pay for removal?

Hi, I have short term dis coverage through my employer that kicks in 1 week after using sick time. I don't think they will pay it for an elective surgery in Mexico though. Anyone have experience with this? If I can't get it then I will have to go back to work after 1 week because I will only have accrued 40 hours by this March when my surgery is. I have a desk job in an office but it is a high stress job and I'm really busy. Never have time for breaks and ear lunch at my desk. So I would rather have 2 weeks to be safe. I have FMLA to cover me but I can't take a week unpaid.

Yep, right around 28 weeks it came back with a vengeance! At least now I am so tired I don't have any trouble falling back asleep!

In the interest of full disclosure - I've been using MFP for two and a half years and would be lost without it. That said, I would be very interested in what options that you find that will allow you to track things like B12, omega3's and zinc. The apps that I have seen (which is not extensive, maybe three or four) are developed around the information the law requires for nutrition labels. Sometimes a manufacturer will include additional information for a nutrient(s) that are not required, but it's hit and miss. MFP has a total of sixteen options that can be tracked (but does not include any of the three you have named). You can configure MFP to track different options from their website - after you login click Settings > Diary Settings and under "Nutrients Tracked" you can see the options in the drop down boxes. Good luck in your search and I hope you will share your findings!

stalls are the worst... but I notice that when I'm in a stall, I still lose inches!