Veda

I agree with the others, but cannot help but to say, "You are not weak." Reaching out to others when needed is a sign of strength. And, so is seeking out a good therapist - one who will help you heal your broken heart and learn to be your own best friend. I know, I've been there.

I too wonder about the people who posted here. I've read all the posts and share in your concern. I am 12.5 months out from surgery and have lost between 50 to 54 pounds. The docs ran a test to see what my metabolism shows, which the results are at the 25th percentile - very slow. I was put on 800 cals/day and did that for a month with a 4 to 5 pound loss. Then increased to 1,000 cals, but not any more of a loss. Then increased to 1,200 cals and still no loss. I have exercised and not exercised. Taken in less Protein and more Protein. It doesn't seem to matter. I have never had so much difficulty in losing weight. The difference is that what I have lost will probably stay off.

I'm not giving up! However, I am now looking as losses in ounces instead of pounds. Frustrated, but still plugging away.

^{I just finished replying to a post on this subject about 5 minutes ago. Search the words Bariatric Advantage and you'll see that you are not alone. I refused to take them, although my doctor's office wanted me to buy more (already spent about $500 on them for preop)! The night before surgery, I threw up 3 times after taking this product. Since surgery, I switched to Gummy Vitamins and have never been sick. Personally, I hate Bariatric Advantage products! I think my doctor's office forcing their patients to purchase them is not right. It seems like a money making deal for the doctor, but it shouldn't be required when it causes patients to vomit them up!}

^{The best to you as you search for a solution.}

I took Bariatric Advantage during preop, because the doctor's office made the patients buy them (about $500 extra). I gave all of it away since it made me sick too. The last time I got sick to my stomach was the night before surgery after taking the Bariatric Advantage Vitamins. Threw up 3 times that night - awful. If you search this site for Bariatric Advantage, you'll see that you are not alone! Although the doctor's office wanted me to buy more of it after surgery, I flat out refused. Seems like a money-maker for the surgeon's office...

Since sugery, I only take gummy vitamins at night before bed. I've been fine with them.

Glad you're feeling better!!

SweetP, the clothes have already been spoken for. I just wanted to let you know.

I am 5'9" tall and dress professionally for work. I have some size 18W and 18 pants, pant suits, and XL tops/blouses to give away. The only thing I ask is reimbursement for shipping. I am too busy to take pictures of these items, but they are all in excellent or new condition and washed or laundered.

Here are some of the details:

2 brown pants (one with a suit jacket)

1 black suit with white trim - one of my favorites!

Several black pants

1 medium gray pant

Very nice XL white blouse

1 faux jean pant suit with top, dressy-casual

Brown business type jacket

Fun jean jacket

Taupe/white jean jacket from Chico's

Various other clothing items

I will only ship all the items to one address - Otherwise, they will be donated to charity. The shipment will come from California and can be mailed any way you like. I check this site a couple of times each week so please be patient - I will respond.

Veda

I am so sorry that all of this has happened to you! I really am praying for your speedy recovery. I do know that I was very tired for a long time after the surgery...about 2 months. I now am 8 months out as of tomarrow, and I can say that my energy level is threw the roof....way better than before. As for the weight loss, I only lost 18 pounds the first month, and then the second month only 4 pounds do to the 3 week stall that lasted about 2 weeks. Since then I have lost about 8 to 12 pounds a month, depending on how much I exercise and how well I stick to my eating Protein and avoiding carbs.

As for the blood clots, you definatly have an angel out there watching over you! Once you have lost more weight this problem of getting blood clots should go away, since being overweight increases your chances of blood clots. I will be praying for you! Best wishes and ((HUGS)) your way!

I can tell you once this situation has passed you will be so happy that you did this to improve your health in the long run! again ((HUGS))

So great to see how well you've done SassyGirl!! My weight loss is super slow, but it is all moving in the right direction. Congrats to you!!!

I think Bariatric Advantage is horrible. The only time I have vomited in the last 6 months was the night before being sleeved - 3 times from their product. I felt sick during the 2 week preop diet. When I complained to the surgeon's staff, they all looked at me like I had mentioned the unmentionable! There was no choice but to purchase a month's supply at about $500.00. I took it for 2 weeks, got sleeved and then chose another Protein product. I was told that purchasing Bariatric Advantage from the doctor's office was mandatory. I self-paid over $14K and then had to buy the stuff that made me sick. Also, I was not allowed to return any of it, even the items that were unopened. If you ask me, it is a racket that I suspect is a way for doctors to make extra money. My husband filed a complaint through the California State Medical Ethics Board as it seems unethical to sell a product to patients forceably in order for them to get a medical procedure performed.

^{You are not alone. I am also discouraged - take a look at my ticker. Iam going to look at the Boot Camp by LilMissDiva and see what I can do, but I feel much better at only 36 pounds gone in 4 months out. I've tried eating more. I've tried eating less. I do get my Protein and Water, plus Vitamins, in every day. I now sit all day at work so I guess I have to amp it up at the gym. Gotta do something! Being upset about this won't change it for the better. The best to you! Let us know if you find a solution and what works for you. I would love to know!}

Sometimes I just want to enjoy the company of my husband or a friend and food is secondary. I would suggest that you allow him to be focused on what his food needs are and let him be responsible for meeting them. It sounds like you already have a lot on your shoulders! If you are eating a plate full of food in front of him while he is drinking Water, try to understand that this is probably not a big deal to him. I had to have this conversation with my husband because he wanted to bend over backwards to accomodate me by adjusting what he ate in front of me. I just want everyone with whom I dine to do what is normal for them and not have our time defined by the sleeve. Before surgery, I thought too much about food. After surgery, I really needed to focus on other things in life. Perhaps your hubby just wants to show you that he loves and cares about you so he takes you out. If you can minimize his surgery defining your lifestyle or it being about you, I believe you will be happier for it. I had the sleeve so my relationship with food would return to normal. In order for that to happen, I asked my husband and friends to PLEASE NOT ADJUST their behavior with food for me. So far, they have given me this gift, but it is an issue that I had to address with them. All the best to you!

Without a doubt, I would get the sleeve! I know about 6 people who have had the bypass. One of these friends has had copious problems with absorbing Vitamins and now has severe kidney failure issues. If my only choices were bypass and the lapband, I would not have had surgery at all. The sleeve surgery was easy for me. I had it as an outpatient procedure, never got sick, and was back to work quickly. Oh, not to mention that my energy level has trippled. While the weight loss is slow for me, I am in much better health that a few short months ago.

I wish you the best as you decide what is good for you.

Sorry, meant to say a 1x top/blouse that looks new. It is really nice. I was already planning on taking my work clothes that are too big to the cleaners before donating them, which I will still do. I would rather you have the items you want.

^{A friend of mine just gave me a 1x that looks new. I have some size 18 business attire and other items too. What type of clothing are you looking for? Business, casual or what? I wouldn't want to send you something you don't like or can't use. I would only send you good quality clothing. Also, can you tell me how tall you are? I have some nice pants too.}

I so appreciate your post!! This is a super slow journey for me and reading what you said is an encouragement. I'm trying to get Protein in and that is tough. It was easier the first month than it is now. At lot of what you said resonates with me.

Congrats!! I enjoy reading your posts and replies to messages. You should write a book as your style is understandable and relevant - clear and entertaining. Thank you for sharing the details and how you are dealing with the TWO YOUs. I really miss the me I used to be and hope to see her again soon.

All the best to you in your journey!

Reading this post and comments gives me chills. Going to bed with a heart full of thanksgiving. I was feeling sorry for myself, but not now. My best wishes for those of you who have suffered from losses due to fires.

By the way, I had a super easy time of it being sleeved. However, I was ordered not to lift more than 15 pounds and to rest. It would be difficult for me to follow these instructions if I was displaced from my home. Wishing you the best as you go through a difficult adjustment.

Being sleeved 8 weeks ago was the smoothest surgery ever! I had no nausea and could eat whatever; I got all my Protein and Water in until now. For the past couple of weeks, it has been difficult to eat and I'm not getting my Protein in as I should. Just the thought of eating or drinking protein makes me queasy. Some days, the thought of eating at all is a significant struggle. I am drinking enough Water and taking my Vitamins.

It is almost impossible for me to eat enough now. I tried protein "shots" from a Vitamin store and that liquid was horrible. Slimmy and thick! Just can't do it. I wonder if I should go back to a liquid diet and see if I can reset my stomach or mind toward wanting food. pretzels, soda crackers and dry toast is about all that I eat without feeling like I'm going to throw up at any moment. The only meat that I eat is fish. I have always liked eggs, but now they turn me off too.

Have you had this experience or do you have suggestions for me?

I agree with PdxMan. The chocolate is the best and usually I only want vanilla. Premier's vanilla is too thick and sweet/rich for me, but the chocolate is yummy.

Sunshine, I am wishing you well too! This is rough, but all we can do is the best we can do. At least this is what I always have told my kids. Guess I better practice what I preach and give it time...

It is nice to know that I'm not alone with this frustrating experience. I hope you two break your stalls too!!!

Wow! I am so touched by the postive encouragement here. Your responses are very helpful. I still have not lost more, but I do feel like relaxing about it is the best way to live without measuring each day with the scale. Cheri, you are right! When I stop and think about it, I doubt I got sleeved to end up a year or two from now with only a 27 pound loss. Sooner or later, the weight is bound to come off.

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions! I guess I will wait it out and try harder by increasing my exercise.

I am getting frustrated at the slow weight loss. I lost 15 pounds preop, then 5 pounds one week out, then 3 pounds, then 2 pounds, and last week a big 1 pound. This is my fifth week out and there's been only 1 pound loss so I now understand what a stall feels like.

I do pilates twice a week followed by cardio. I will up my cardio to 5 times a week beginning tomorrow. I get my Water in, but the past couple of weeks it has been difficult to get more than 60-70g of Protein down. The only meat I eat is fish and that makes it a bit more challenging, but I can work around it.

What did you do, if you were a slow loser? I'm starting to wonder if I will ever see a 40 pound loss! Since surgery 5 weeks ago, I have only lost 12 pounds and 8 of them were in the first 2 weeks! Is this normal?

Camomile tea, hot, does the trick for me. A stronger fix is catnip tea, which is sold in health food stores. The only thing is that the catnip tea should not be used when driving and it makes me tired in the morning so I rarely use it, but it does work fast!

I am getting frustrated at the slow weight loss. I do all the things I am supposed to so that's not it. I'm excercising some, but do need to do more than twice a week. I lost 15 pounds preop, then 5 pounds one week out, then 3 pounds, then 2 pounds, and last week a big 1 pound. This is my fifth week out and there's been no loss so I now understand what a stall feels like.

It really helps to read the other posts! Patience is not my best virtue.