seniorsleever

Before you had surgery could you have lost 25 pounds in a six week period? Would you have kept it off? I think not. Your expectations may have been too high going in. You didn't gain it all in one year, did you? Don't expect it to all come off in even less time. I am almost 10 weeks out and have lost "only" 40 pounds. I thank God for it. Count your blessings and follow the suggestions above. I'm sorry to sound less than empathetic, but you need to look at the good things about your sleeve instead of dwelling on the scale. There are no weight loss fairies that I have been able to find, but the sleeve will work for you if you keep your thoughts positive and keep working at it.

Some people feel that eating carbs is a slippery slope and leads to more dangerous eating habits. Some feel that carbs make them feel sluggish and uncomfortable. As for me, I intend to follow my doctor's instructions as much as possible without being anal about it. I didn't go through this to have to watch every bite I eat for the rest of my life. I don't count calories, carbs, or protein grams; I don't keep a food diary; I don't use an online food tracker. I eat a high protein, low carb healthy diet in smaller portions. I use as many SF products as I can find that taste reasonably good. (I love SF Jello and pudding!) I don't eat yogurt or skim milk or other rather disgusting (to me) foods. I had surgery for portion control because I was an overeater. Whenever I start to think that I will never have pizza or pasta again, I become depressed--so it is counter-productive to think that way. When the doctor says I can expand my dietary choices, I will have a small slice of pizza, without the thickest part of the crust. I will have a few bites of fettucine Alfredo or lasagna--just not a whole plateful. Personally I like eating protein first. But that doesn't mean I can honestly live that way forever. For now I try to be good for my doctor. Later on I will try to live well for myself. I know this will not be a popular attitude--but what can they do to me, repossess my sleeve? LOL! The sleeve is just a tool, but not a bludgeon. How you choose to use it is up to you. The first year or so is the restrictive part--after that you must live the life that is healthiest for you.

According to the BMI charts, I should weigh 140 or less to not be overweight. Ideally I would like to weigh about 135, but that seems to be unrealistic for me. 150 seemed to be a good round number for someone my age (55) and build. I still find it hard to believe that I will ever be that small--but only time will tell. I'd love to be someone who has to work to maintain a healthy weight.

Mine is a Pro-Form Crosswalk Sport that I bought on sale at Sears. It has the arm extensions, 8 pre-sets for workouts, a kill switch and a built in heart rate monitor. It is very quiet. Although it is rated for 250 lbs, I bought it weighing 265, and had no problems with it. It has a wide belt, and the normal speed and incline controls. I am well satisfied and recommend it.

I started this journey at 290 pounds, and promised myself that when I reached my first major goal, I could buy some new clothes. Today I weighed in at 250! Mission accomplished! Guess who gets to go shopping this next weekend! New underwear first--the old bras and panties are way too big. Next goal is 225. I'll actually think about getting some new jeans and tops then. BTW, I went to the thrift store this weekend and bought some broomstick skirts. I didn't even check the sizes. If they are too small, I'll fit into them someday, and if they fit now or are too big, I'll put a drawstring through the elastic casing. I'll be able to wear them until I'm almost at my final goal weight! That will help with my clothing budget. I now have 8 of these skirts, probably spent no more than $50 on all eight. New they cost $35 apiece or more. Now, I'm not a skirt person, I never liked shaving my legs that often, but these are long skirts and are great for traveling. Just roll them up and stuff them in the suitcase. Just an idea I thought I'd pass on.

Could be low Vit. K, which is essential for blood clotting. Did you take blood thinners post-op? Sometimes they take awhile to wear off, too. I would think your clotting factors would be back to normal by 5 months, though.

Geez, I'd forgotten about turnstiles! Medieval torture devices! I want to weigh less than my husband, wear pretty clothes again, and never again feel embarrassed about my size. I'll never be able to run again because of my bad knees, but it would be nice if I could walk the mall without having to sit down several times. It would also be nice to quit getting diet and exercise tips that are unsolicited.

I'm 8-1/2 weeks out and have not vomited. I did come close a couple of times from eating too fast. Burping helps me, too. Also I discovered that if I ate a bite too much, taking a Tums Smoothies tablet helps a lot.

I'm an RN, and I have to tell you to call her surgeon and let him know. However, 99.7 is not unusual in the few days after any surgery. A fever is just your body's way of killing bacteria. Is she feeling bad? Does she have more pain than you think she should? Are any of her incisions red and hot? That's more of a sign of a problem such as an infection. If the fever doesn't go down soon, she should definitely be seen by a physician. But if you can call the surgeon, that would be the best way to go.

Not a good thing for your feet. Believe me, I'd love to go barefoot, and used to a lot, until I developed bone spurs in my heels. Now I have to wear Z-Coils at $250 or more a pop! My podiatrist told me to never go barefooted, never wear heels lower than 1" or higher than 2" except for the Z-Coils which have higher heels but are springs. Even at that I have constant pain. It was one of my co-morbidities for the sleeve.

I think at this point I would go in, demand to have it submitted, and when they say you need more review, just tell them you believe they are after more money! Maybe that will get the ball rolling. Geez! What a racket!

Good for you! We have all felt like you feel, before our sleeves. It's not the "easy way out" that some people say it is, it still takes work and commitment, but it works! We are here for you through "thick and thin!"

That's wonderful news! The pregnancy will be that much more enjoyable because your weight is under control. Enjoy each wonderful moment!

Sounds like a vagal nerve response to a stomach that's too full. I get that if I eat too fast or too much. It settles down as the stomach empties. The vagal nerve affects both heart and stomach. It's not dangerous, just scary. I'm not sure why you would have it after just a bite or two, though...

As an RN, I can confidently say take them off. At 8 days postop you should have healed enough not to need them anymore. They are just there to hold the incision together until it starts to heal.

I tried adding sweet n low to the Isopure Plus--the protein particles all clumped up at the bottom. Yuk! I didn't try Splenda--it might work differently.

I am only 5 weeks out, and yes, I have some regrets. I wish my doctor had told me I couldn't take NSAIDS for my osteoarthritis. My knee is killing me, and Tylenol doesn't help. I wish they would stop showing restaurant and fast food ads on TV. I want pizza, Italian food, Mexican food so bad! At this point I am second-guessing my surgery. But I know that a few more weeks from now I won't regret it at all. I could never have lost this much weight on my own, and I know it won't come back. I have never vomited, but I have felt like I needed to on occasion when I ate too fast. I am looking forward to being able to eat things that are forbidden right now. (I love salad!) In short, I think most people have a few weeks of thinking "did I do the right thing, or have I made a big mistake?" even if they won't admit it. It's only natural to feel that way when your diet is so restricted at first. But in the long run, it will be the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Doug, dude--you forgot the refried beans!! LOL! Boy do they taste good after having liquids for awhile. Especially with cheese and salsa added.

And it comes in several flavors. I didn't care for the grape, I drink orange or blue raspberry. I use Isopure Zero that I get at The Vitamin Shoppe.

I'd bet your clothes are fitting looser, though---

Good luck, Heather! May the scale gods smile upon you!

We all know someone who can eat everything in sight and not gain weight, don't we? Well the sleeve just levels the playing field. We may not be able to eat that much, but at least we aren't controlled by slow metabolisms and overeating anymore. I really feel lucky when I hear one of my friends talking about going on a diet again (and again.) My diet is hardwired in now, and I don't have to really think about it. And when I lose all this weight, I don't have to worry about gaining it all back, and more. No easy way out, just the permanent way out.

That's great! I have a long way to go, but I know I'll get there someday. Keep up the good work!

I'm getting my treadmill today. 5 weeks out, I've been walking with my hubby when we can, but it gets hot quick here in south Texas. So inside is the only way to go. I've been trying to save up the money since surgery, and I finally got enough for an entry level model. I may upgrade later, but basic walking is all I need for now. My knees are a problem--osteoarthritis-- so I want to concentrate on my stamina, not speed. Congrats on the Gazelle--looks like fun.

Only a total jerk of a doctor would be upset about an 85 pound weight loss! Congrats on that, Rootman! I'm glad your doc is so supportive.