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Love this PRE OP VSG. 35/M. HW: 465 CW: 435. SURGERY 5/6/2019

Today I just had my 4 month follow-up and asked about macros... basically she told me that at this stage, I don't need to worry about counting calories and carbs and fats. Just protein. She told me to aim high for protein (for me. 100+g) and unless my weight stalls for a month or I gain, we won't worry about that. She DID focus on the volume being no more than 4oz ever. So what fits in a 1/2c serving container. I've been about that, depending on if it's soft foods or something really chewy, etc. So I'm going to straighten up and focus on that. I have been eating about 1000 calories a day, with 50% of my macros as protein, 25% as fat, and 25% as carbs and have been losing about 15-20 pounds a month. So I'll button down and see how it goes. They want me to lose another 45 pounds by May 8. I'm going to work my butt off to hit that goal!

We all failed losing weight with the traditional methods or we wouldn't have 80% of our stomachs removed. After failing enough times to consider this surgery, we all have that little voice in the back of our heads wondering if we are going to fail again---and if we do, what does that say about us??? While we all have that voice to one degree or another, it really isn't a rational fear. The surgery works--not by itself though. You will have to diet and exercise after the surgery per your surgeon's instructions. If you commit to following those instructions to the letter, you will succeed and lose that excess weight. It's not a question of if, only a question of when. Some people may be slow losers, but they are still LOSERS (in the best sense of that word!). I am now 7 weeks out from surgery and I have already lost 66% of my excess body weight (some of that was from the pre-surgery and pre-op diet, but I lost it all because of the program I am on). I have lost 34 pounds since surgery (54 pounds overall). I have another 30 pounds to go to get to my goal, but I am already a success in my view. I am finally off all of my T2DM medications and I feel great!!! I had a 48.5" inch natural waist to 40" natural waist ( the equates to going from pants that were a size 44 pants to a loose 36" (not quite ready for 34" pants, but I can actually put them on and get them buttoned!!!). I haven't been this thin in over 15 years and I am easily 17 pounds lower than my lowest weight on my strictest pre-WLS diet. I attribute half of this loss to the surgery and the other half to my diet and exercise. I am 100% committed to making this work for the long term and you have to believe you will feel this way too. Losing weight is never easy, nor is having this surgery. However, the challenges of surgery and weight loss are nothing compared to the challenges of being obese and, in my case, suffering from virtually of the co-morbidities that came with it. This is the first time in my life I am actually looking forward to seeing my cardiologist in March and not having him discuss my need to lose weight (at least not in that "oh, not that again!" sort of way. In short, you're going to be just fine!!!

@Clementine Sky hey bud - nice to see you , sorry about circumstances. since the implants are so expensive, do you have to delay getting things "fixed"" both sides, prob!! That's terrible - are you in pain, or "inconvenience? which is still terrible. must be a funny/awful feeling. soup, cauliflower are great suggestions. "maybe" chili, cottage cheese, yogurt i agree as always, track your food in MFP but...in my opinion, since your teeth/mouth are uncomfortable - i wouldn't worry too much about calories etc (don't go crazy of course!) you have a different/sad predicament - hopefully you'll be able to fix teeth, sooner than later. keep smiling😁 hugggggs kathy

I am seven weeks out and I am eating between 1000 and 1200 calories a day. I also still feel hunger, so I do measure out my food and track everything I eat carefully. I don't really focus on the calories, but more on hitting my macros (which for me is very low carb, less than 20net carbs a day). I do exercise a LOT so that may also have something to do with my hunger and caloric intake. The weight is coming off--a little slower now--so, I am not going to overthink it.

yup, i didnt pass gas for four days. i barely got down the protein shakes, and i barely finished a bottle of water. its important to just keep sipping water. slip all day like every 10 minutes.

Lots of people complain that they have a 3 week stall and lots of people seem to feel depressed and regret having had surgery. I think this is a great explanation as to why. One of the challenges some patients face after weight loss surgery is a condition described as the hibernation syndrome. This is a group of symptoms that include feeling fatigued, depressed and lack of motivation to do any physical activity. Patients often feel upset and become plagued by thoughts that the surgery was as mistake.. This can be quite alarming to patients recovering from the surgery and recognizing the signs assist in getting over this stage in recovery. Hibernation syndrome is common in the first few weeks after the surgery. It is caused by the low number of calories being consumed and the reduced activity associated with this time of healing. The body perceives that it is starving and triggers an evolutionary response that has helped humans survive famines. The main aim of the response is to slow us down to conserve energy and thus resulting in; tiredness, need for sleep, lack of motivation and depression. It is important to understand that these symptoms are normal and will pass with time. Most patients notice improvement in their symptoms around 4-6 weeks after the operation and the improvement is brought by increasing protein in the diet, taking the multivitamin tablets, increasing the metabolic rate with exercise and return to work and the encouragement patients get as they shed the extra weight. A supportive family member or friend is a great help during this time.

Thank you! I slept more last night...the first night was a wash out but last night not so bad. The pain though...oh my days! 😢

I have to stay around 600 - 800 calories per day until my 6 month check up. It's not much of a challenge because I'm never hungry. I think the first 6 months is when your best weight loss takes place. You have awhile before you have to really start looking at calories. At least that's what I was told.

I believe all psych Evals are different depending on the place you go. At mine they had me doing random stuff like repeating a set of numbers, remembering 4 object till I was asked what they were in order, addition like 2+2 up to 198+198, a depression test, talked about why I chose the surgery I did, talked about what I’ve learned about the surgery. They just to make sure that I’m aware of all things about the surgery. And finally a 200 question bariatric test where at least my psychiatrist sent to Indianapolis to receive the results. All this took 2hrs so prepare to stay that long at most. Hope this helps