mnbsleeve

I loose an average of about 1 to 2 pounds per week. I know others loose a little faster but FOR ME it's record loss!!! I use to work much harder and always felt miserable and I was lucky to loose a couple of pounds in a month!!! Now, I feel really great, I'm not always hungry, I work out less than I use to (although I would like to increase it) and I'm STILL loosing weight. I basically go about my life so time just flies! And even though I have stalls, I loose overall. So, I know I don't loose as fast, I NEVER DID, but I'm a happy camper!!!!! :-)

Ever hear the saying "Damned if you do, damned if you don't"? Yeah, this is THAT situation. I still have a little bit to go before goal but I get that too, "you need to stop losing weight" "you're getting too skinny" Skinny? Really? I agree that sometimes they can't really "see" you this way and think something has GOT to be wrong because they are so used to seeing you obese. That is their problem, not mine. Obese women hate me now, one woman in my office won't even talk to me anymore, I think they think I betrayed them in a way, and skinny women see us as a threat. Again, their problem, not mine LOL. I also wonder where anyone gets the gall to talk about my weight without me mentioning it? They wouldn't talk about it to me when I was fat, what makes them think its ok when I am "skinny"? Other than a family member I have never been told "You are getting too fat". Ignorance should be painful, not bliss my friends.

I don't do fat-free, either. I figure we don't eat near enough to worry about a teaspoon of real butter or real mayo in our tuna salad. And all the cheese I eat is full fat. I did this so I could be normal and eat normal and not count every calorie or carb or gram of sugar that I ingest. Honestly, I think all of would lose weight no matter what we ate at this point (unless you survive on Doritos, cheeseburgers, nachos, and slider foods!). I think after a year with maintenance it matters more, but not to the point of cutting out all fat and sugar...just doing what you are doing, eating Protein first, veggies, etc, and if you want to, have a few bites of chocolate! I also don't do sugar free, but I'm not a 'sweet' person, so I'm lucky that way, but I do use sugared Creamers in my coffee, sometimes I'll have a few bites of cookie. I DON'T FEEL GUILTY ANYMORE AND I NEVER WILL AGAIN! At least not for what I put in my mouth That is my mantra. I've spent too many years punishing myself for my eating habits and now I don't have to. I can enjoy a piece of pie (or a few bites) or some fish and chips without gaining any weight. Anything in moderation, right?
I also know I do lose faster when I eat more calories - it takes by body out of homeostasis, or starvation/store/stay-the-same mode.

Hang in there Deenah! It gets better each day! Sending good thoughts your way!

Great topic. This will be my 2nd thanksgiving sleeved. Last year at 3 months out - I finally confessed to my mom that I had VSG surgery, she was clueless before then. My dad still does not know. So, my story is one of not everyone knowing about WLS.
Now how to survive. First of all, rejoice you are sleeved so restriction is in place. Take a little bit of everything you might enjoy skipping the breads. Smash it down, not piling up high like before. Don't let foods touch, don't let foods run over to the rim. Plate will look full and your eyes will be happy. Educate yourself before hand with fun topics. Remember your new habits of eating slowly, taking small bites and chewing for the count of 20 for every bite. Talk a lot, be the one with upcoming holiday news, memories of past holidays, a current event. Most of all enjoy the feast. Feasting is not about how much we consume, but about savoring the tastes. Those of you newbies who are not eating full solids yet, take along a dish of butternut squash Soup for all to enjoy and say this is all your tummy can tolerate since it feels a little different. That is a truthful statement.
With the sleeve you will be able to take a bite and enjoy. Yes, just a bite because our sleeve makes this possible. Savor the goodness. Thankful for my sleeve.

Hey Warrior...Firstly, well done on an awesome weight loss to date... you are definately a success story in my mind. And 25lb to goal is a great place to be ...
You've already had some really good advise/comments...
This is just a 'thought' to add to the mix. Now, I might be wrong, but from reading your post you sounded like a 'dieter' ... you know, like someone at a Weight Watchers meeting? Does that make sense? So when you said it was all in your head, that sorta struck a chord with me... It sounds like you are thinking like a dieter too... perhaps I am wrong? Is there anyway you can refocus your thoughts around food... look at it in a different way? I know that is a tough one but might be worth a try. Look at it for what it is... fuel; not a treat - use other things to treat yourself - and food is just something that helps you live. Make it less important?!
For me, the sleeve isn't a diet... it is designed so we CAN eat normally... we can have the occassional treat without throwing up and getting the squirts???? I don't want to think like a dieter anymore because, for me, diets don't work. I look at my sleeve as a little vessel to hold the food that I need to live. I make good choices 95/90% of the time, the rest of the time I am human. I have NEVER been a succesful dieter... but I am seeing myself as a succesful sleever!! Not sure if that helps any??
I also think that it is good that you are back in the gym, Raine was right about burning off those extra cals. Could be a good reward too???
Anyway, you are in the right place here... come in and vent, rant of just comment... lots of support to see you to your final destination. Good luck =]

Deenah, Step away from the angry pills. What you are going through is normal. I think everyone has some issues they must work through, both before and after surgery. It makes it tougher because we all think the surgery is going to magically transform us (and it does!), but it's not instant. We have to go through a bit of pain and adjustment before things start looking better.
Just concentrate on recovering from surgery right now. Drink you Water, walk as much as you can, and try to get some Protein into your sleeve. Try not to think about what you "gave up", but concerntrate on what you're gaining: health, better body image, help to lose the weight. Those things are incredible!
Once you are past the initial pain and back on your feet, you will feel better. The anger will pass. If you really need help after you're through the first bit of recovery, maybe you should make an appt with a therapist. But, I'm betting you will be fine in just a few days. Right now you are sleep deprived, hurting and maybe a bit mad at yourself because you didn't do this "alone". You will be doing it alone. The sleeve is a tool and, while it's incredibly helpful, it's still only a tool for the weight loss.
Imagine yourself in a few months, thinner than now, able to move better (that will be weeks, not months, btw), with fewer health problems. Imagine seeing the looks you get from others when they realize that the skinny chick walking by is YOU! It will be worth it.
Good luck on your journey!!

jnee... stop the madness girlie. You're doing fantastic weight loss wise, and your photos are ADORABLE. Now show us that smile and WORK IT!!!

Juzmee!!! You are looking GREAT!!!!!! Your face looks beautiful! What the hec are you talking about girl?!?!?! This is what I think: sometimes we scrutinize ourselves so much during this process, we miss the forest for the trees! I hope you can see all the wonderful progress you've made. You look beautiful! You will break this stall (me too, I will break mine :-) ) I think you are doing awesome!!!! Congratulations!!!
PS: beautiful family too!!!!

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Literally, this is the stuff my nightmares are made of. I feel as though I just escaped prison and I am waiting for the Marshalls to find me and haul my a$$ back in. I don't want to be a fugitive in weight loss.
I love this analagy...
I completely relate to you... over the last 6mths, I have cheered myself on and beaten myself up within hours. When people say that this is a rollercoaster... well, they are right on the money!
Unlike you, I have NEVER EVER lost more than 7lbs on any sort of diet! So, this for me is a real testiment of how the sleeve works! I think time, too, will be your friend... it has become mine. When my year post op came and went and I wasn't at weight goal I sorta freaked out. Since then I have continued to lose, ok slowly, but it IS coming off.
We have to believe in ourselves... this is our time and failure is a four letter F word in my head and not an option.
Believe in youself my lovely ladyeee... those nightmares are what they are... in your head. Don't, under any circumstances, let them become reality. Remember the dream? Well, we are living it!
Chin up Amanda, sending you positive vibes from across the pond x

We go through so many changes in such a short amout of time, it tough to keep up mentally/emotionally! It sounds like you are doing really well oveall. One advantage of being a guy is that, now that you are starting the gym, you will probably get a really good pay off. Guys seem to be able to tone up those muscles really nicely. It will probably reshape those areas you aren't as happy about. Hang in there. I bet you will look smoking hot here soon!!!!

This is probably going to seem sooooooooo trivial to everyone else, but I had a great NSV last night.

John and I have never been cuddly when we sleep. #1 I would get so hot that I couldn't stand having him right up on me #2 He's a tummy sleeper with his elbows spread out over the bed, I sleep on my side with a body pillow.

Anyways, last night, he pulls me in super close to his chest, my back is touching his chest, and he wraps his arms around me, like completely around me (that's never happened before), and he nuzzled his head next to my neck and was asleep in a matter of minutes. I laid there just smiling like a goofy kid at a candy store, and I could feel his heart beating on my back. I laid there and actually felt his heart rate slow down as he began to drift off into a deep sleep. It felt so amazing to be that close, and not be hot and feel gross about myself. He had one arm under my head, wrap it up over me and the other arm wrapped around me the other side. I don't think I've ever realized how many "little" things we didn't do because of my weight.

He then started snoring (which he never did before), and I had to move a little because he was right next to my ear. But for the first time in 3.5 years, I literally fell asleep in my love's arms.

Hey, I just realized a couple NSV! My CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) seems to have disappeared along with the depression. I was going through my old journal, and I was amazed how this has all slipped away. Who would have believed it! It might be that I no longer eat refined carbs (flour/sugar) and am following a healthy regime now. It's like a 180* turn around. I thinks it true, we actually are becoming new people. Maybe that is why others may feel insecure about our weight loss. We are changing to be better version ourselves. Praise be!

Chancie, I love your NSV #4 wearing a summer dress and feeling like a lady. I haven't been able to do that in sooo long. I am hoping for that next summer. How wonderful for you, it's inspiring me. I love that feeling too, and sure do miss wearing summer dresses.
Maybe we should all write these victories down on paper and post above the scale, so when we have a stall, we can look at all our victories, and keep on going.
God bless you guys, you're great!

Not sure if you have done this or not... measurements?
When you start to exercise and burn fat, as you are doing, you might find that your weight stays the same or bounces around a few pounds up and down but you are actually getting smaller. Muscle, although weighs the same as fat, takes less space under the skin. I might be that you are now smaller than you were before the exercise???
I know this has happened to me.
I went on a 7 week stall and lost three inches...

Liliana, others have already given you good suggestions so I can't really add much. But I do want to echo 2bfit's comments, and others. YOU SO GOT THIS!!!! For me it has been so worth it. Just do a little dance, look at an old picture of yourself, and think about why you are doing this. Whenever my tummy would grumble, I did that and felt in control! I am chosing to do this and for good reason. It seemed to boost my resolve. Hang in there YOU TOTALY GOT IT!!!!!!! We'll save you a good seat on the loosers bench!!!! :-)

I AM LOVING THIS ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE TOPIC/POST!!!! Perfect this Thanksgiving season. HUGS Y'ALL!

And you have been there for so many too! Thanks for all you advice and encouragment along my journey:)

I have to chime in here! I could not agree more! I have said it many times, there are some awesome folks here and like others are saying, I am getting througth this journey thanks to the information and words of support I have found here. I am always amazed at the willingness of people, as yecats said, that basically have their own life to live, and yet willing to take the time to post, respond, and help out someone who's needing info or support. So, I will also add my most sincere THANK YOU!!!!!!!! (Several of those people are right here, right now, posting above! :-) ... and I'm sure more below! :-) )

WOW!!! Kelly, congratulations!!!! You look awesome!!!!!! From your posts throughout I know you've been so dedicated to this process and it sure has paid off!!! Good job lady!!!!! You look incredible!!!!

Great pics Kelly! You look incredible!!! You inspire us all, not just with the pics, but with your dedication. Congratulations!!!!!

Kudos to you Kayyybeee!!!! You handled yourself with such grace!!!! I think you are right in your sense that you had a much greater impact on this person than if you had gone off on her. Hopefully she will reflect and grow and treat the next patient with the respect they deserve!!!! Like everyone on this board has already said, it's so much harder to keep your cool but you did and you stayed above it, put her in place but in a way that will give her food for thought. Way to go!!! I really respect you for this. Thanks for role modeling!!!!!

I'm so sorry you are having such a rough experience!!! I had surgery the same day. I'm also having a bit of a rough time. I had a hernia repaired and I think that must be what is causing the pain in the esophagus. I was giving similar meds you were given. But I can tell you that I see positive change day to day. The first couple of days I thought I was crazy to do this. Losing weight was the last thing on my mind. I just felt like I needed to recouperate my health. My husband kept reminding me that it had only been a couple of days from MAJOR surgery. I realized that to me, because I felt so lousy, a day or two felt like an eternity. When I got things in perspective I could see that a couple of weeks of healing is very much in order and that indeed the body repairs and repairs and works its magic. So hang in there. I bet you'll be feeling better and better by the hour and definitely by the day. Most likely next week at this time you will be a whole lot stronger. Someone told me that it all passes. Even if you end up needing fluids, you get them and your done. Your body will take over. I hope this is helpfull to you. Sending lots of positive thoughts and energy your way for a speedy recovery. Be well!!!!!

I'm still pre-op (VSG date 6/6) but I was told at least one month/4weeks before intense workouts. I cycle on weekends and spin/walk/yoga during the week. But like others, I was told walking is okay, moderately at first. Like others said, it's more about the healing and recouperating. Our bodies need the energy. I'm no authority but I'm not sure how much muscle repair can happen if lifting while healing when we are consuming mostly clear fluids for about a week. Thanks for posting this question. I'm going to ask MD again and be specific about weights since I want to encorporate those too. I'll post here if I learn anything new.