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Hey all. My surgery was Dec. 2, 2013, I had the gastric sleeve. For a couple months after that I was having major nausea and couldn't even sip Water, so I was hospitalized three times for dehydration. Had numerous tests done and turns out it was my gallbladder. My surgeon removed that along with a hernia and my appendix, and revised my sleeve. I was better after that, I could finally drink and eat a little. Then I lost myself. I was so depressed and traumatized by the experience that I was mentally incapable of being happy. I had support from family and my boyfriend, but it took until just a couple weeks ago to finally start becoming the person I wanted to be. I was eating only Protein Bars, but around 8 of them a day. I am 213 and my lowest was 174 and I had reached 230 pounds from the constant eating of Protein bars. I never exercised and never tried to. The dehydration almost killed me. I didn't want to move from my bed. I was seeing therapists and psychiatrists trying different medications for depression. It took a loooong time, but I've finally found the right medication 2 weeks ago, and actually started going to the gym 6 days a week! I'm eating better and have not even thought about those dang protein bars once. Starting at 230 I'm back down to 213, but I'm stuck. The scale will not move and it's been this way for a week and a half. This had not deterred me from going to the gym, but it's disappointing, and I'm afraid of going back into my difficult place again if this keeps up. Thanks sooo much for taking the time to read this lengthy post, and if you have any suggestions or similar stories please comment! :)

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I am so glad that you are on the right track to health. Everyone's surgery and experience is different. I had a horrible post op and could have easily ended up depressed so I applaud you for recognizing and overcoming. The scale will have it's moments when it doesn't want to move and that's ok. My doctor has told me to worry less about the scale and more about how my clothes fit and how I feel so don't get disappointed at all if the scale doesn't move or moves a bit slower at times. One thing that may help and you may already be doing this is to switch up your routine from time to time. I know when i hit the gym I did the same things over and over again and your body needs some variety so try something new every once in a while. Keep your muscles guessing. Congrats again and good luck. Have a blessed day!

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Good for you for turning this around!

My advice is to step away from the magical thinking - "if I work out everyday and am perfect I will be thin.right.now." There is a reason this is a journey...to a new lifestyle. It is the long haul that counts. You will have days or weeks that don't go the way you hoped and you can't let it get you down or cause you to quit living healthy habits.

I lost 150# in 14 months and maintaining for two years. I do it one meal, one day at a time. I just keep doing, the best I can, what I need to maintain a healthy fit weight.

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You mentioned that you just started exercising 2 weeks ago? Here is a great article that might help you understand why the scale hasn't started moving down yet:

http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=why_the_scale_goes_up_when_you_start_a_new_workout_plan

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I can understand the depression. I was pretty depressed at first. It was such a big change for me not being able to eat what I want or how much I want. I had no program that helped get my mind right before the surgery. It was rough for about a month with the mental hunger aspect. It is true though that going to the gym will help with your depression along with the meds. The scale a lot of times is your enemy. It is about how you feel in your clothes. The weight will come off just keep working hard.

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Thanks so much everyone. I am trying my absolute best to eat better and workout even though sometimes I don't feel like it. I'm a very picky eater and don't like most healthy things but I think my mind has improved a great deal because now I dont hesitate to try new food. I'm just glad that even if I'm not getting the right nutrition now, I'm closer to it than I was before. :)

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See if your scale does body fat. I didn't lose for about six weeks but I started watching body fat and sure enough, that was dropping. I was running and swimming and strength training, so all those growing muscles were pushing out fat. Then in one week I dropped five pounds.

Dang, that felt good! I wished it happened every week, but I'll take an average like that. Focus on the goal!

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Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you are building muscle your weight will slow down at first. Also, some antidepressants cause a little weight gain. Keep going! You're doing great!!!!

Hey all. My surgery was Dec. 2, 2013, I had the gastric sleeve. For a couple months after that I was having major nausea and couldn't even sip Water, so I was hospitalized three times for dehydration. Had numerous tests done and turns out it was my gallbladder. My surgeon removed that along with a hernia and my appendix, and revised my sleeve. I was better after that, I could finally drink and eat a little. Then I lost myself. I was so depressed and traumatized by the experience that I was mentally incapable of being happy. I had support from family and my boyfriend, but it took until just a couple weeks ago to finally start becoming the person I wanted to be. I was eating only Protein bars, but around 8 of them a day. I am 213 and my lowest was 174 and I had reached 230 pounds from the constant eating of Protein Bars. I never exercised and never tried to. The dehydration almost killed me. I didn't want to move from my bed. I was seeing therapists and psychiatrists trying different medications for depression. It took a loooong time, but I've finally found the right medication 2 weeks ago, and actually started going to the gym 6 days a week! I'm eating better and have not even thought about those dang Protein bars once. Starting at 230 I'm back down to 213, but I'm stuck. The scale will not move and it's been this way for a week and a half. This had not deterred me from going to the gym, but it's disappointing, and I'm afraid of going back into my difficult place again if this keeps up. Thanks sooo much for taking the time to read this lengthy post, and if you have any suggestions or similar stories please comment! :)

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

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      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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