2bfit

Take your measurements now. That way if the scale is not moving you will continue to be motivated because you will see that you are losing inches. Trust me, knowing that I was losing something, even if it was inches was better than nothing when the scale would not move. Good luck!

I say wear it loud and proud. I just tell people I had hernia surgery which is true since it was done at the same time as my sleeve

However, I still am very shy about showing skin. I bought a one piece with a little skirt because of my thighs. Try using Mederma for the long term.

My gripe is a day late but I only lost about 4lbs this last month. Seriously not happy about that. Also, my thighs keep moving even after I stop. Seriously, it's a cottage cheese fest.

As for the hubby, I sit and watch him eat and I feel like smacking the food out of his hands before he can eat it. I never noticed how fast he eats and how he doesn't seem to chew so much as just swallow his food whole. It's irritating me. So I guess this is my problem because he has always done it but now I am so aware of it!

I am really afraid for him and he doesn't get it! He is a former marine and body builder. His 6 pack has long since been replaced by a keg. He has always had high blood pressure even when he was in his best shape. I am terrified that if he keeps going down this road I will be raising two boys by myself. Trying to get him to understand that and make the changes is another story. I know he knows how to lose weight because I have seen him do it....

However, he has been VERY supportive of me and my journey and that's why I love him.

The journey continues. My weight loss has slowed down considerably in this last month. I fell off the wagon for a couple of weeks and I have since pulled myself back up. I am exercising and following the plan. I am not as discouraged as I would have been had I not took measurements prior to surgery. I have lost 34 inches and I have lost 40.2 lbs since the morning of surgery. Altogether, I have lost 55.2 lbs and my BMI is at 30.2! I am almost just overweight. Nothing to be upset about! But I do consider myself a slow loser.

Now the good news. I have so much energy. Exercising is easy now and my feet do not hurt. Such a blessing! I was able to get a life insurance policy for the first time too. I used to get denied because of my weight and that always worried me since I have children.

I went to the store and tried on a bathing suit and the scream could be heard around the world. I am wearing either a M 8-10 or a L 12-14 depending on the cut of the clothes. I still can't wrap my head around it.

Now the bad news. I weigh what I did in HS but my body looks nothing like it did. I now have to come to terms with the fact that my skin is so stretched out it's going to take a miracle to get it back to where it should be. Or the miracle of modern medicine! I think it was in my head that once I lost the weight everything would kind of go back into place. Boy was I wrong. I was standing in the dressing room looking at my flabby legs and I got depressed. I am working out and am trying to tighten up on my own, I just don't think it's going to work. I feel so self concious about my body. I also tried on a summer dress and it showed so much skin that I just stood there paralyzed! Not to mention the attention I am now receiving from the opposite sex. Whenever a man talks to me I am looking behind me to see who the heck he is talking to.

I have spent most of my adult life covering up my body to hide myself from the world. Now, I would love to wear all of the cute clothes that I missed out on. I just don't know how to push through this mental block. Has anybody else experienced this? I would love to hear how you overcame your fears

it sure does! Any and all liquids count at this stage.

Dang girl! Work it! You look fantastic!

Welcome to the land of rediscovering your new body! Soon you will be on the loser's bench!

I went through the same thing. The only thing I can recommend is that you plan your meals/liquids out for the day so that you get in the required amounts. You will not feel hungry but you need to make sure you do not get dehydrated and it will take a lot of planning and work to get in the required liquids at this point. Liquids are crucial! They keep you from being constipated and dehydrated so do your best and get them in SLOWLY over the course of a day. Also, if your doc gave you an acid pill & gas pills, take them. A stool softener wouldn't hurt either. Your digestive system just took a big hit and the rumbling is not going to go away any time soon. My sleeve talks to me all the time and I am almost 4 months out. The Constipation was the most uncomfortable experience I had after being sleeved because of a lack of fluids.

Good luck!

Thanks aroundhky & everybody else for the encouraging words! I was not so put off by the stall as much as my "mental" state if that makes sense. I suddenly froze. Like the old saying be careful what you wish for. I was suddenly receiving attention that I never had before. People did not recognize me, guys walking up to me, family asking me what happened etc. I thought I was prepared for all of that but I guess until it really happens to you, you really do not know how you are going to react. Those who know about my surgery are saying that I should not lose any more because I will be too thin. I still have 32 lbs to go! So how the heck can I be too thin. Those are words I never thought I would hear. So I am not focusing on their input but am focusing on the plan the doctor has laid out for me.

On the plus side I am like the energizer bunny. I have so much energy and exercising is an amazing experience because it doesn't hurt anymore.

I know a stall is expected and during the stall I did lose inches. I am doing strength training so I know I am building muscle which is a good thing. I think I just had to get my head straight again you know? That's why I love this forum. Only the people on here can understand exactly what I am going through. So thank you!

PS.

I can totally relate to your post:

First 2012 weigh in ---- 253 (01/05/2012)

12 weeks post-op------ 253 (01/24/2012) WTH???

WTH!?! is exactly what I have been thinking too!

Hi all,

It's been a while since I have checked in. I have been dealing with a pretty bad stall. I am hoping that it is coming to an end. To be fair, I did fall of the wagon. I am finding that I am able to eat a lot more and it scares me! Luckily I did not gain any weight but I did not lose anything either. I have continued to exercise even during the stall. I definitely was emotionally eating. There has been some stress lately. The sleeve did stop me from eating too much but it could not stop what I put in my mouth. That's where my self control was seriously lacking these last couple of weeks.

I am happy to report that I did get back on track over the last few days and the scale is starting to budge ever so slowly. A big part of me is scared. I am questioning whether or not I can really reach the DRS goal weight of 140. I am really doubting myself. I have started to receive a lot more attention and I must admit I am getting a bit flustered by it. I am at the weight I was when I met my husband. It is a number I never thought I would see again and I certainly was always stuck at that number before. With all of the current changes I am starting to wonder if I have the courage to hit my goal weight. I piled on layer after layer of fat to hide myself from the world and now that those layers are disappearing I am having to learn new coping mechanisms. The fat I carried around kept people away from me. Now that it is going away people are nicer and more receptive to me. Kind of pisses me off that they were not as nice when I was heavier but such is life.

I am past the honeymoon stage where the weight is just melting off and now the really hard work is coming into play. I am really having to stay on the plan to see any loss. I know that this is all worth it. I just have to muster up the courage to not self sabotage my current success.

Has anyone else had this problem?

would do it again in a heartbeat! There is some discomfort involved post op BUT the rewards are amazing. Make sure you do the research and really understand what is going to be involved. You have to be mentally ready as well as physically. It really is a life change.

I was sleeved on 12/28 and I am down post op 36.4 lbs and 29 inches. I had to lose 15 lbs before surgery so total weight loss is 54.4 lbs.I don't fear stretching my sleeve. I rely on my full meter. I usually burp or hiccup when I am eating and I know I am full. Sounds silly but it's what works for me. I just find it interesting that there are some foods that get me full faster than others. There has been nothing I could not tolerate. I have never thrown up or anything. I am able to eat all of my Protein through food but I still use an occasional shake or Protein Bar and I get in all of my fluids (when I remember). Fluids are a hard one for me. If I am not careful about my fluids I end up with a UTI. No fun. What I have found works for me is an 18 oz Cool Gear cup with a straw that I bought at Walmart. I know some say you are not supposed to use a straw. But I have had no problems with it and it really helps me get in my fluids. Plus it helps keep my liquids cold since it takes me so darn long to drink anything. I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it!

As for exercise, yes, I love it. However, every time I do exercise I find that the scale does not move which can be frustrating.

I think everyone loses differently and that this is a journey of self discovery. If I would have been more gentle with myself and paid more attention to my feelings in the past I probably would have never turned to food for comfort. I have to feel every emotion I have now. Which is not always a good thing. But I will no longer let my past dictate who I am now or who I want to be. I am taking control of my life one step at a time. I have my good days and my bad days to be sure but I allow myself to recognize my feelings.

Now I am just waiting for my mind to catch up with my body. I do still feel like the fat girl in the room. But I am running into people who do not recognize me. It can be a little disconcerting but I figure in time I will learn to deal with it. My extended family has not seen me since before the surgery and I am curious to see what they are going to say. I only told a couple of people in my immediate family because I didn't feel like it was anybody elses business. So I am gearing myself up for that emotionally because I know I am going to be cornered and asked a lot of questions about how I lost weight.

I know when I was at my heaviest I used to think, "If I lost weight, my life will be so much better" almost like losing weight would magically solve all of my problems. I now know I was wrong. I have lost weight but life's problems are still hanging around. I will say though that having lost the weight I am better able to deal with said problems. It has given me the confidence and the strength to say no, not be a push over and stand my ground. In the past I would have folded under the pressure and ate something to soothe my nerves instead of speaking my mind.

I am coming to the realization that I am worth so much more than I ever gave myself credit for. This surgery has given me my life back. For that I will always be eternally grateful!

I am happy to report that I am back to normal today! I went for an amazing run today and even cleaned the fridge after. To have this much energy is an amazing thing!

I crossed them at the movies and it didn't hurt! Seriously the best feeling EVER!

greensthings...Wow! You look amazing! I hope to reach my goal weight so I can rock a black dress too!

The Prevacid gave me stomach pains, diarrhea and I noticed mood swings which I did not have before. It was kind of like an aloofness if that makes any sense also an anxiety/nervous feeling. Since I have stopped taking it I am nowhere near as moody and the anxiety is gone. Also, my libido decreased while on it TMI I know but just thought I would be honest. I am going to start being more aware of the side effects of meds that are prescribed for me. For whatever reason, I seem to get hit with all of the side effects!

The Prilosec is starting to finally kick in again. I am taking it twice a day with Zantac for a little extra help. Today my stomach is not gnawing at me so it appears to be working and all of my other systems are back to normal

I have taken Prilosec and Zantac. I stopped taking Prevacid due to side effects. What does everyone think of Nexium and/or Tagamet?

Thank you twoboysandagirl! I will definitely keep that in mind. I kind of figured I was just having a bad day. That's why I love this forum. :wub:

Yes, I still have occasional back pain and I am 3 months out. Just take your time and listen to your body. You are on your way!

Today I am 13 weeks out. I have stalled :'( I have been hovering in the 170's for at least a couple of weeks now. It seems like any time I increase my physical activity I stall. I also stopped taking Prevacid. I was having stomach pains, diarrhea and mood swings. What is that all about?! So I am back on Pepcid and Zantac and am trying to manage my gnawing stomach that way again. It's the lesser of two evils I guess.

I am feeling pretty down in the dumps today. I just want the gnawing feeling to go away. I have never said that I regret the surgery and I never will. The things I don't like are a minor pain. Excessive acid and saggy skin being the biggest bummer. Maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.

Here's to hoping tomorrow is a better day!

Idk if you will ever truly love to eat again. In the past eating was such a comfort or a pleasurable thing for all of us. We each will have our moments with eating. For instance, I don't really like to go out to eat anymore because I don't want to spend money on something that I am not going to finish. Sounds twisted. I also find that if I stick to the plan more my taste buds rebel against anything else. The joy of eating is kind of gone. I focus more on socializing but then I sit there and am horrified at how much everybody else is eating. It is going to be a delicate balance until you figure out what works for you.

I do agree that you need to stick with mushies and moist meats. The food will go down easier. You will have to experiment a bit to find out what you like. You are literally relearning how to eat and what you like again. For awhile I was living on cinnamon applesauce mixed with greek yogurt. Just remember you have to chew your food until it is liquid. You can also try taking bites one minute apart. I used to time myself. Also, be sure your acid level is in check.

Hang in there, it will get easier.

they deflate like balloons :'( I have lost only a portion of my weight and I can already tell the difference. They are nowhere near as full.

You are doing great. Take a deep breath and relax. We all hit a stall in the first month.Your body is in shock. Give it a chance to adjust and the weight will start to come off again. I would recommend that you take measurements because even when you are not losing weight you will be losing inches. I have lost 29 inches since my surgery. Trust me you are losing but it may not be apparent on the scale. Hang in there!

This is going to sound really backwards. Five years ago I lost over 50lbs before being sleeved. I had to have a Tummy Tuck and a breast lift/reduction because I kept getting rashes under my stomach and breasts. When I had the surgery I weighed about 220.

Now that I have been sleeved I have lost a little over 50lbs again. So far my tummy tuck is holding up but I am concerned that with more weight loss I might start to have even more loose skin. It is not as tight with new weight loss but right now it still looks ok but I have to lose another 40lbsl. I think more core exercise will help me. As far as the breasts go they are not as firm as they were after the lift/reduction. When I had the surgery I was an F and they took me down to a D. Now after the weight loss I am a C. So after I lose the next 40lbs I don't know where they will be.

You could say I did things completely backwards but I do believe that having had those surgeries 5 years ago helped get me on the path to try and lose weight. Back then WLS did not even cross my mind so I don't regret it. It has made exercising a lot easier and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

I won't lie the tummy tuck and breast job surgery is no joke. You will feel like you were hit by a mack truck. It is very painful. The sleeve surgery will feel like a walk in the park in comparison.

After I finish losing the next 40lbs I may look into another lift if I am at a B/C cup. If they shrivel into the unknown then I MAY consider an augmentation. My other problem areas are my thighs and batwings. But I am trying to do what I can with exercise to control those areas. My husband used to bodybuild so I have a personal trainer right under my very own roof. Problem is who actually listens to their husbands?!

I know I am not the only one to experience the gurgle/gnawing feeling in my sleeve. But I have a question, is it gas or is it excessive acid? What are your opinions?

I was taking 2-3 Prilosec before this and I still had the constant gurgles.

The doctor gave me an rx for Prevacid and I just started it yesterday and for whatever reason I am getting full a lot faster than I was before. Anybody else experience this?

Jjen, on Wed I will be 3 months out and I will have lost 36.8lbs post op. I was required to lose 15lbs pre op so total is 51.8 lbs as of now roughly.

I am not at 140 yet but the doctor expects me to be there by my one year anniversary. I am 5'3" and at my first consult I weighed 234lbs. My current weight is about 174-175 (I did not get on the scale today )

I honestly thought I was a slow loser but if the doctor is pleased then so am I! I am now even more determined to get to 140 since I know they are "watching" me