2/9 Surgery Date Team

[Positive44 103]

Happy 4th to All!

Today I went shopping because I had a birthday coupon for about a month now in my purse.

I was happy with the smaller size and almost shocked. I cannot imagine being any smaller. Every time I jump on the scale I think about the last time I was the size the scale reflects. Currently that would take me back to approximately 23 I'm 41 now. It makes me happy but I cannot recall being my ideal weight . (135) nor what it would be like to be that size in my adult life.

My brain is playing tricks on me now. Then I recall reading that your likely to only lose up to 60% of your excess weight. I also realize I still have a long ways to go. I'm still 89 lbs from my ideal weight but just seems so far off yet also realized how far I've come.

I feel like I'm nearing uncharted territory... and still have not told anyone at work about my surgery other than my boss.

Congratulations and keep it up! Your goal is within reach and now you can see it!

[Positive44 103]

Hi JennsJourney and welcome to the 2/9 Team!! You look great and I know you are very pleased with your results. Thank you for sharing the before and after pics. It's just amazing to see the transformation.

Are you experiencing any issues at all at this stage?

[It's Time 178]

Lauriessp thanks for the Vitamin recommendation, I will definitely look for it...congrats on the 45 pound loss, it's so interesting to see how everyone's weight loss fluctuates - keep drinking your Water and working out - my weight loss has been on the slower end and I have upped my Protein and get in no less than 90 grams per day

Is anyone using an app to keep track of your weight loss? I use one called my weight and I love it...you put when you want to reach your goal and it calculates your daily and weekly loss average

[TxJP 31]

Positive44's and It's Time thanks for the continous support! Yall rock!

[It's Time 178]

TxJP - But of course [emoji8], we have to support each other

Do any of you drink alcohol and if so what and how often? From time to time I have indulged in a glass of wine and my tummy handles it well but I haven't had a glass this weekend and dropped 5 pounds [emoji15] I guess it's true what they say about empty calories

[TxJP 31]

TxJP - But of course , we have to support each other

Do any of you drink alcohol and if so what and how often? From time to time I have indulged in a glass of wine and my tummy handles it well but I haven't had a glass this weekend and dropped 5 pounds I guess it's true what they say about empty calories

It's Time- I occasionally drink alcohol nowadays I will have a cape cod (cranberry & vodka). I miss beer but steer clear from it and anything with club soda or soda. I prefer red wines but due to calories I'll stick to the dry whites that have less sugar.

I've tried a skinny margarita made with honey... it was still very sweet. Not sure how much that helped shave off calories. If I find anything good I'll share!

[JennsJourney 205]

@It's Time, thanks so much for the shout out. The 93 lbs was total, so I lost 15 before surgery 78 since. And I wore that shirt to Disney World and my husband's said, "My favorite princess is my wife." He was super excited about our matching shirts (said with dripping sarcasm)! lol And you asked about an app...I use My Fitness Pal and link it to my Fitbit. It has been so great! It helps me track my Protein, Water and carb intake. I can also input my own recipes into it as well. Hope that helps!

@@Lauriessp, I'm going to try your Vitamin recommendation because my hair is falling out in clumps! I hope it works as well for me as it did you. Thanks for the tip!

@@Positive44, thanks for the welcome! I'm doing great and feeling better than I have in years. My only issues is that I am still dealing with some heartburn, my hair is falling out like crazy and I have hit a stall in the last two weeks. I'm hoping all of these are just temporary! How about you?

[JennsJourney 205]

I do have a few more questions for you all. You are such a wealth of information and Im so grateful for this thread!

1. My doctor wanted me to up my Protein to 90 grams. Is that where you all are? I can't seem to get that much unless I supplement with a Protein Drink. I can tolerate the Premier ones but don't really like them. Any other suggestions for Protein?

2. I hit a stall for the past 2 weeks then a few days ago, I dropped 2 lbs. My doctor said it is normal to stall around month 5. Anyone else experience this? With this new pace, I'm only losing about 1 lb a week and at that rate, it will take me forever to get off the remaining 60 lbs!

3. Anyone else's hair falling out?!!? I think this has been the most traumatic part of my recovery. I have thin hair to begin with so seeing all this hair fall out is nerve wracking! I'm on hair/nail Vitamins and using a Hair loss Shampoo and my doctor suggested uping my protein which I have started doing as well...but it still keeps falling out. Any suggestions would be so welcome!

4. Finally, how are you all doing??? I'm new to the group so I would love to hear how your journey has gone. Victories and struggles.

Thanks so much for being such a great support!

[It's Time 178]

JennsJourney I am now averaging between 90 and 100 grams of Protein per day - I have some form of Protein shake/ mix for Breakfast everyday....with premier I make a cold caramel coffee drink tastes like a cold caramel macchiato from Starbucks: I take a cup of Decaf coffee and about 2-3 tablespoons of sugar free caramel and mix it into a large cup of ice with vanilla or chocolate premier. If I don't have time to make coffee at home I stop at Starbucks and get a grande iced Americano with 2 pumps of SF caramel in a trenta cup and dump the shake in it.....my other go to is a latte: I make a cup of coffee and I will froth 1 cup of skim fair life milk (which has like 13 grams of protein) add a teaspoon of GENEPRO Protein powder (30 grams per tablespoon) and a few tablespoons of some SF Syrup yummmmm I swear by both drinks

My weight loss is so fickle but I weigh myself everyday, which helps hold me accountable and know what my body didn't appreciate the day before - I find that with the increased protein, and exercise the scale will move, so I average a few pounds a week but I do have my no loss weeks and have considered myself a slower loser .... The weight will continue to come off, just continue your path

I also have thin hair and I have some Hair loss but I take 10,000mg of Biotin everyday which I think has helped with some loss

Overall I am doing well, I wish the weight would just be gone in the morning when I wake but we know that won't happen

Hope this helps, let me know if you need me to clarify anything or if you have any other questions

[JennsJourney 205]

JennsJourney I am now averaging between 90 and 100 grams of Protein per day - I have some form of Protein shake/ mix for Breakfast everyday....with premier I make a cold caramel coffee drink tastes like a cold caramel macchiato from Starbucks: I take a cup of Decaf coffee and about 2-3 tablespoons of sugar free caramel and mix it into a large cup of ice with vanilla or chocolate premier. If I don't have time to make coffee at home I stop at Starbucks and get a grande iced Americano with 2 pumps of SF caramel in a trenta cup and dump the shake in it.....my other go to is a latte: I make a cup of coffee and I will froth 1 cup of skim fair life milk (which has like 13 grams of protein) add a teaspoon of GENEPRO Protein Powder (30 grams per tablespoon) and a few tablespoons of some SF Syrup yummmmm I swear by both drinks

My weight loss is so fickle but I weigh myself everyday, which helps hold me accountable and know what my body didn't appreciate the day before - I find that with the increased protein, and exercise the scale will move, so I average a few pounds a week but I do have my no loss weeks and have considered myself a slower loser .... The weight will continue to come off, just continue your path

I also have thin hair and I have some Hair loss but I take 10,000mg of Biotin everyday which I think has helped with some loss

Overall I am doing well, I wish the weight would just be gone in the morning when I wake but we know that won't happen

Hope this helps, let me know if you need me to clarify anything or if you have any other questions

Thank so much! I can't wait to try your coffee concoction! Sounds yummy. Thanks for the advice and encouragement.

[Positive44 103]

TxJP - But of course , we have to support each other

Do any of you drink alcohol and if so what and how often? From time to time I have indulged in a glass of wine and my tummy handles it well but I haven't had a glass this weekend and dropped 5 pounds I guess it's true what they say about empty calories

It's Time,

I've been having little mixed drinks here and there since the cruise and I bet that's why the scale has not moved very much for me. Never even thought about it since I don't eat so much... Didn't think it was a big deal, but I guess it is. Thanks for sharing that!

[Positive44 103]

NO ENERGY

Hi 2/9'ers! I have a new issue as we approach 6 months post op... I have no energy and I'm sleeping A LOT! I'm still working out 3 days a week with Camp Gladiators (which is excellent for toning by the way), still getting my Water in each day, kinda low on the Protein, but working hard to eat it versus drinking it, and I'm eating small meals throughout the day.

SOOO today I'm going to get the liquid B12 from GNC and a 5hr energy drink just for today to help get me going. The liquid B12 will be for daily use. Otherwise I would sleep at least 14 hours throughout the day, which is not working for me. Anyone else having issues with low energy??

[It's Time 178]

Jenns did you try one of the drinks yet?

Positive - I'm glad that I could help regarding the alcohol...I'm trying to steer clear for the most part for a little while.

I take 3000 mcg of B12 daily, the sublingual tablet and my energy is typically ok...it may be linked to you not eating enough calories and Protein (especially since you are working out 3 days a week) ....I would start with the b12 and upping your calories and Protein, u may have to force yourself to eat something every few hours...I really try not to eat things that don't offer me some protein just to ensure I'm getting in as much as possible....if that doesn't work, you may need to follow up with the Doctor

[Positive44 103]

[It's Time 178]

Happy Friyay 2/9ers - so is anyone having Constipation issues and if so what are you doing to correct? Sorry for such a gross topic but omg this is getting ridiculous [emoji15][emoji107]

Other than that how is everyone doing overall? I saw my PCP today and she kept complimenting me on my loss and stating how she loved that they came out with the sleeve (she's not about the bypass life)....I've decided to use her for the remainder of my follow-ups so it's always great to hear her support - on another note my weight has been yuck this week - the devil scale decided to go up almost 2 pounds for no reason and now those 2 pounds are gone but sad to say nothing else in the poundage loss area but staying the course and remaining positive [emoji16]