Catracks

You are overly defensive. I was just saying that based on my own experience and that of other sleeved people I know, there is no limit to the weight you can lose. Many are still losing over a year out. What needs to happen in the first six montsh is a complete overhaul and change from old bad habits so you can be fit for the rest of your life.
Think about someone at the six month and one year time frame. People have just told them basically "game over" and it's not true at all.
I think you are projecting the catty and snarky. The church comment is in incredibly bad taste.

I do realize that you are telling your story, but this board is full of hopeful people and I guess I would hate someone to get scared and cancel their surgery. Also the virulent self-loathing just took me aback. I've lost over 50 pounds and think I look at a 100% better. For a moment after reading your post I thought: "Maybe I am just a fat cow thinking and feeling slimmer. People must think that I'm disgusting."
Then I quickly shook it off and am walking proud again. People here have been through all of the shame and all of the self-loathing and it's easy to fall back into it sometimes. I know bad things happen, but I like to stay focused and positive.
You had a bad time, but go on from there. Next time you are in the hospital, have an advocate there for you. My husband was with me almost the whole time. You always have to have someone looking out for you no matter how great the hospital is.

[quote name=Lisa ' timestamp='1358359455' post='636771]
I am 15 months post op and have been in a stall for over 3 months now. I know that the reason I'm not losing right now is b/c I'm snacking way more than I should be. What's great is that I haven't gained ANY weight!! I'm also at, what I believe, is my "set point" (the weight my body wants to be at). In the past when I've gotten to this point, I give up and I gain it all back. Now, that doesn't happen!! My only regret is that I waited so long to do it!! I would do it all over again in a heart beat!!!

I am right where you are one year out. Not stalled because I did drop a pound or two in the last couple months, but it's been horrible slow and I think my body is very happy where it is. I also think I have 10+ pounds of extra skin to boot.
I do not regret this at all. I know for a fact that I could not have lost this weight on my own, let alone keep it off.
On the note of missing food in type or quantity: I am still a total foodie. I still love to cook and love to eat. It's just that I am physically unable to eat in quantity and have attached my cravings to foods that are so much healthier. To me, it's turned into a hobby --- looking for new ways to make really good high Protein meals.
The lady that calls herself "Eggface" was instrumental in realizing that I could lose weight and still be a total foodie. She has a website and Facebook page.

Just saying, Its been a year and a month since my surgery and I'm still losing. It's very slow because I am close to goal. I don't believe in any time frame.
Wow, 2000 calories? My weight and height of 5'1" would never take that much. I'm still at 750-800.

I don't agree at all. I have about the same restriction I did at 4 months. I measure, weigh and log everything. I suppose if you went back to grazing and eating the wrong foods then it would become impossible to lose without getting back on track. I don't ever plan to eat like a "normal" person. White rice and flour, fast food and junk food will always be off my menu. I don't miss it at all.

I don't agree at all. I have about the same restriction I did at 4 months. I measure, weigh and log everything. I suppose if you went back to grazing and eating the wrong foods then it would become impossible to lose without getting back on track. I don't ever plan to eat like a "normal" person. White rice and flour, fast food and junk food will always be off my menu. I don't miss it at all.

There is a honeymoon period where weight is easier to lose, but the window DOES NOT CLOSE. I am 20 pounds from goal and it is VERY slow, but I can still lose. I still have a great amount of restriction. I imagine 3/4 cup - a little more with soft foods and less with dense Protein. I currently get between 750-800 calories, but I am only 5'1".
What happens is that the more you have to lose, the faster it will drop if you stay with good eating. What happens is that after almost a year, we tend to get sloppy with food choices. Little treats creep back in and that's alright as long as you are aware and nip it in the bud if it's affecting weight loss.
Exercise is great to keep you fit and build the muscle, but I do not base my calories on an excise deficit. In fact, I only exercise for fun (hiking, biking, paddling) and it really does not affect my weight loss. How and what I eat does.
If I take an all day hike I use common sense and up the carbs - I up everything including Water to stay on my feet. If I don't, my body will tell me. Listen to it.
Please do not think you need to hurry up and lose it all. Six months? No way! Just work that sleeve. Eat your protein and fill the sides with vegetable, lower glycemic fruits and healthy carbs. You will get there.

Go straight to Goodwill. People sometimes throw away new clothes. If not new, they are in good condition. You have to sift, but I have found great clothes there for an absolute steal. Today I am wearing a nice pair of size 12 pants that I got there.

Everything on this thread was fine, until what you posted. That comment doesn't belong here and it is those comments that keep the ball rolling. So please, roll along.

I've got Disneyland right here. It might be cheaper to go to Hawaii.

I got a BIPAP just before surgery. My apnea was severe. I never did use the thing. My sleep apnea disappeared after about a month. I don't even snore, let alone gasp for air. Thank goodness! I never could get used to pressurized air blowing straight into my face.
I think you have to go in for another sleep study, but I think my pulmonologist (sp?) just wrote me off as cured because I told her flat out that I wasn't coming in for the sleep study. I sent the machine back the next day.
Bad patient, I know, but that was the most miserable experience EVER. I would rather go through surgery again.

I sailed through surgery and recovery. Lost the diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea after two months. I have posted this before plenty of times for those looking for stories. Heck, I was horseback riding after my 2 week follow-up.
I also read extensively about the complications before I had my surgery. I vowed to stick to my pre-op and post-op diets and to eat Protein first to 70-90 mg, cut the carbs, drink my Water and take my Vitamins so I would succeed.
There was one lady who had a horrible time of things just about when I was to go in. It didn't bother me a bit. It just wised me up.
I find that this forum is more positive than negative actually. There are so many success stories that I found myself more hopeful and happy. I just knew that I would succeed too!
I thank God that I wasn't subjected to nothing but flowery posts. Sure, YAY for you, but tell me about the Constipation and slimes and gas pain so I know what the heck to do about it.
There has to be room here for the people who have troubles too or it turns into some kind of never-ending group hug. Nice, but silly in light of what's at stake here.

I've got Disneyland right here. It might be cheaper to go to Hawaii.

What I really want to do is go to Maui. What I really need to do is to fix the roof.

I get the feeling I'm in the same boat. I'm going to increase my exercise and try and lower my calories. I really want to lose these last 20 pounds or so. I know I have about 10 pounds of loose skin that will be coming off (soon hopefully) but overall, I'm really happy where I am. I can shop at normal stores, wear normal clothes, and I'm healthy.
Can't ask for much more than that!

Wow Cheri! In the 1970s and earlier, kids like us just used to either run away or endure it. Even when family members found out about the scale of the abuse, they pulled back even further - expect for my grandfather and his wife who saved my life. My mother had two, yes two personality disorders.
What I am now if a person without a whole lot of self confidence. It trips me up a lot. It had also taken me years to hug without flinching. It's still there on the edges.
I don't really know what caused the obesity other than the fact that to me food = love and safety. I guess it still does and I still love food. I can just get by with a whole lot less of it and make better choices.
On a lighter note - I want to get a size 20 pair of pants and put them on. Just yesterday I put on a pullover hoodie that I haven't worn for a year. It hung on my ridiculously. I kept looking down at myself in disbelief.

Wow Cheri! In the 1970s and earlier, kids like us just used to either run away or endure it. Even when family members found out about the scale of the abuse, they pulled back even further - expect for my grandfather and his wife who saved my life. My mother had two, yes two personality disorders.
What I am now if a person without a whole lot of self confidence. It trips me up a lot. It had also taken me years to hug without flinching. It's still there on the edges.
I don't really know what caused the obesity other than the fact that to me food = love and safety. I guess it still does and I still love food. I can just get by with a whole lot less of it and make better choices.
On a lighter note - I want to get a size 20 pair of pants and put them on. Just yesterday I put on a pullover hoodie that I haven't worn for a year. It hung on my ridiculously. I kept looking down at myself in disbelief.

This is what I packed for Breakfast and lunch today:
Protein shake with 6 oz milk, vanilla Protein and SF orange flavoring
2 oz ahi tuna steak
2 oz cottage cheese
5 slices of cucumber
1 oz Greek yogurt with blue cheese stirred in
5 high protein crackers I got at Cost Plus
The tuna is great protein. I cooked it fresh, but you can get it out of a can if you can't find ahi.
The cottage cheese is 2% fat from the store
Peel and slice a cumcumber
Mix 3 oz. Fage Greek yogurt with 2 oz of blue or gorganzola cheese. Take only 1 oz as a dip for the cucumber
I would skip the crackers if you can't find low carb, high protein ones.
Tomorrow I am having a Protein Shake, shrimp with cocktail sauce, cottage cheese, low carb crackers, cucumber and greek yogurt dip.
Next day: Protein Shake, 2 oz pan seared filet mignon, greek yogurt dip, cucumber and dip
Day after: Protein shake, Slice of turkey wrapped around a slice of avocado, 1 oz cheese, roasted chick peas.
It's not that you are going too fast. Most of us would not be eating fast food and if so, the bun would not be eaten.
I would definetely suggest nutrition classes and cooking classes. To me it's second nature. I forget that some folks just don't cook. Like the ahi. I went to Trader Joes and got sashimi grade ahi. I marinated in in soy, lemon juice, garlic and cayenne pepper. I heated up a cast Iron pan with a tiny bit of oil. I like mine really rare so I seared each side for 1 minute.
Barbecuing is a GREAT way to make healthy food. Get a lean piece of skinless chicken, pork or lean beed like fillet, london broil or even sirloin. Marinate the meat in your favorite herbs and spices. Grill. You can grill vegetables as well.
It looks like yor weight loss is fine, but I guaratee you will feel better eating good food that you make.

What I really want to do is go to Maui. What I really need to do is to fix the roof.

I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. Your body is just resting getting ready to shed a little bit more.....
You already look like one sexy lady and you have lost 100 lbs....
I've been at plateau's here and there and then a lb or 2 will drop off....it's frustrating because I want it now, not later, now....LOL
Wow love your success story. Remember your doc doesn't really know, it's his educated guess.....

How much is too much to spend on yourself when achieving goal? Not saying a Harley is too much, but now I want to up my original goal "present" to myself. Too bad the economy is in the crapper though. I am a violinist and have always wanted a decent pro violin (read 30k, 50k and up), but I don't think I am going to sneak that one by my wife! Lol. Now I think I will need to stick with my 8k one. Just so you know, I am a software developer by day for a major company, fiddler by night. One glory moment was playing at showbox in Seattle with my celtic band years ago. Now, I mostly hang out with jam sessions.

Okay, based on the link and measuring with ribbon my stats are:
Body fat % = 26.77 (acceptable)
BMI = 27.58 (overweight)
Waist to hip ratio = .85 (moderate risk)
BMR = 1355.9 (Boy, with that kind of calorie deficit you'd think I'd lose more. I only eat under 800 - other factors at play right?)
I'm going to do this again tonight with a measuring tape in me birthday suit. I just couldn't wait.

Iggy - it didn't bring up your personal stats. There are scales out there that do measure body fat. I've seen them before. I don't remember how they work. I think it sends a small electrical pulse and it measures resistance in the tissue. I don't know how accurate they are.
I will use the link you gave me. I wish I had a measuring tape at work, but I will improvise.
Paul!!! Everyone must be SO proud of you. I am and I don't even know you!
Shar-Pei! LMAO!!! Paul, you look awesome in clothes and I bet you feel wonderful! I notice the skin most when I am swimming. Jumping up and down causes me to go one way and my skin to go the other. It's weird :-)
You're right. I think I will base my weight less 5 pounds of extra skin to be conservative. The weight is still very slowly coming off. Every month it fluctuates up and down, but there is always a slight downward trend.

I didn't get that link. I could look it up though. I fear that the waist to hip ratio will not give me the answer I want. I have no hips.