E-girl

So close yet so far. I have been on a two week stall. It’s crazy. I am really trying hard not to freak out. I have been under a lot more stress lately. About a month ago, my older brother had heart failure. It was really scary. They were not sure if he was going to make it…but he did…now he is living with me…for now. My brother is morbidly obese, drank heavily, and was not taking his high blood pressure meds. Since moving in, he has gotten the blood pressure under control, quit drinking because now he can’t or it will kill him, and he has loss 30 lbs. in 30 days! As a heart patient myself, it was easy for me to tell him what he needed to change in his diet and near death experiences can be pretty motivating. But it made me a little sad that I could not stick to my own advice 5 years ago which lead me to having WLS to begin with. Then again, as I watched his pain and fear, I realized that I made the right decision for myself 6 months ago. I will be honest with you…there was the little bit of doubt in the back of my mind up until that day…could I have done it on my own…maybe I could had…No…watching him there in the hospital bed with all the machines and the wires and the doctors…No…I could not have done this on my own. If I did not take this step, that could have been me all over again. My weight and my eating habits were slowly killing me. I did not do this to look thin. I did this because I wanted to live…and live well…and live happy and so now I am living well and happy for the first time in my life. But back to my stall, this has been the longest stall so far. I really should not complain because I am 4’ 11’ and 123 lbs with according to the BMI chart I am NORMAL!!!! I passed my personal goal of 130 about 3 weeks ago but I am 3 lbs shy of my doctor’s goal. I really wanted to be there by this Friday for my 6 month follow up. I did finally join a gym last week but I have only gone once…I feel out of place there…so many mirrors. Still not used to seeing myself. Also…tee hee…when I went to the gym several men were checking me out…tee hee. Not used to that either. I am definitely going today. I am hoping to lose at least 1 lb before I Friday.

I was sleeved on Feb 7, 2012 and I have lost 79 lbs

My goal was set by my doctor. He asked asked me what weight I thought would be good for me and he took 10 lbs from that. Also he wanted me to have a normal BMI.

Congrats!

I think you will probablly have no problem getting to 200 before November. I followed my NUTs recommendations. I have lost 79 lbs in 5 months (21 weeks). My NUT said that things slow down a lot when after you are taken off all the diet restrictions. I slowed down at 10 weeks because I was able to eat whatever I want. I also had a hard time getting exercise in because I time. But once I got that all sorted out, my weight loss went up again. My NUT wanted me to lose 1 to 2 lbs a week as a goal. So far so good. The other thing I notice...and this is going to sound weird...but I had to increase my calories a little because my body was holding on to all my fat. I was only getting 300-500 calories in the begining but that worked against me at week 10. As soon as I was able to get 800+ calories, the weight started to come off again. Good luck.

The unflavored Unjury protein power works. If it a hot soup, you will have it let it cool to 130 degrees or it will clump. Congrats by the way on your surgery. Welcome to "soon to be skinny."

I was on WW for years...losing then gaining, losing then gaining...and gaining...and gaining... It didn't work in the first place which is why I went with WLS. WW is not designed for people whose stomach is not bigger than 1/4 to 1 cup in size. Too many carbs and not enough protein. If you want to learn...go with your NUT's advice.

If you can, buy a bed wedge pillow. You can get them at a pharmacy or online. I got mine for $19.00 at my local pharmacy. I makes it easier to get out of bed. I also bought a Magic Bullet blender. It was expensive but worth it. I use it a lot for my shakes and the mushy meal plan stage. I still use it for my shakes. Its the perfect size. I also bought a bunch of the 4 oz Zip Lock plastic containers so that I had something to put my lunch in.

A true friend is someone who will be there for you through "thick" and "thin", not just "thick". My best friend had a gastric bypass and when she was lossing weight, I was jealous but I never made her feel bad about it. I would say "I am sooo jealous, but you look great, keep it up." She had childhood friends that made a lot of negative comments and she was really hurt by it. Unfortunately, she is not as close to them now as a result but she couldn't really cut them off because they have know each other and their families for more that 30 year!. Unforturnately, it doesn't sound like your "friend" is really a true friend. Sounds like she probably enjoyed being the center of attention and now you are getting a lot of attention for your success with your weight loss, she is trying to make herself feel better by putting you down or making you feel bad about yourself. People can be really messed up. Just because you know someone for years does not necessary make them true friends. My best friend and I don't alway see eye to eye but we respect either others decisions and whether we agree with it or not. Thats what best friends are suppose to do. If it really bothers you that much and you want to save the friendship, then you really need to a talk to her about how her actions are making you feel. If she values your friendship, she will understand and change her ways. If she does change, you need to consider distancing yourself and reavaluate your definition of best friend. This new lifestyle is hard enough to adjust to than to have someone in your life stressing you out even more. You're going to have good days and bad days...more good than bad...but the last thing you need is someone around you, who see a bad day and using it as an opportunity to get their digs in with "I told you so." I have a really close friend, who was constanting asking me or saying things that were hurtful after I announced I was having the sleeve. Like "are you sure this is what you want to do? You know there are other options? Have you tried this or that? You know some people have died from these surgeries". I understand her heart was in the right place but it was really annoying and I was already stressed from all the things I had to do to get approved. I finally said something to her. I told her that I was well aware of the risks but the risks for long term morbin obeseity was higher. I told her that I understood her concerns but I appreciate it if she would stop because it was making me feel bad. She said she just really cared and didn't want anything bad to happen. I said I understood that but I have done the research and this was the best option for me. After that, she has been my biggest supporter of my friends. She still asked things like "did you take your Vitamins today?" but its because I know she truely cares.

I think for safety reasons, I don't think its a good idea to not tell someone you love about your surgery. What if something happens or your need help or your have complication. They may be really hurt if they do find out and you didn't tell them. As for moving, do you have some friends that can help you?

I was given permission to go back in 2 weeks but I took 3 weeks, to get used to the diet. Really I could have gone back in a week since I sit at a desk most of time but my doctor didnt want me driving that early. I would recommend at least 2 weeks. With a new job see if they offer advance sick leave or will let u work from home part time. My boss let we work for home during week 3 so I did really take leave for the third week.

You need take in at least 20 grams of protein twice daily (Thats 40 grams through suppliments). My doctor said that I could only have skim milk to mix with my protein shakes. Don't buy too much!!! Your taste buds might change post-surgery. Mine did. I bought a lot of Unjuy and liked it at first but now I can't stand it. I bought Isopure and try it before surgery...no problems...after surgery no good. I will recommend Nectar. You can buy it online. They have great sample box with like 25 different drinks. They mix really well and have not after taste. Also Premier Protein is one of the best protein drinks you can buy. The vanilla tastes like a melted milkshake to me. Plus its already mixed.

I had the same thing!!! The only thing I could do was eat popsicles. Then at 4 weeks it started getting better. Hang in there.

Its been 4 months, 2 weeks, and 1 day since my surgery and I feel great. I finally got the hang of this sleeve thing. I don't feel bad any more about not being able to eat what everyone else is eating. I am a size 4 and a S to XS shirt. I have had to buy all new clothes for the 5th time but I don't care because I really enjoy it. I still gravitate to the women sizes and I get these weird looks from the ladies there but then I find my way back to the correct area. I am really happy. I haven't been this happy about my looks since...well..ever.

I am struggling with protein too. But now my hair is falling out at a very fast rate so I am back trying the protein shakes. I also do not get enought calories in (suppose to get 800 but I am closer to 600). I did find a protein shake that isn't too bad, Ensure Protein. Its premixed so it is not gritty.

It took me one week to sit at a desk but I put my iPhone on a one hour alarm to remind me to walk for 15 minutes on the treadmill. I went back to work at 2 weeks but only half days then full time at week 3.

The gurgles and gas is the worst. I am suppose to eat a quarter of a cup of food per meal but when I eat I get air in my stomach then the pressure in my throat which makes me think I am full. I eating less that a quarter of a cup at each sitting. Then sometimes I don't even bother eating at all. It is impossible to find healthy options most of the time.

Because mine flipped, it was the worst pain I have even experienced. It is rare that it flips through...just my luck. I would ask if they can give pain meds before hand. Most people say it just feels weird. It takes about a less than 30 sec to get it out.

Can you reschedule your surgery for after your trip? I could barely get around after 4 days. Plus I was soooo tired and in physcial pain I couldn't image going on a trip. What did your doctor say?

Having the worst day ever!!!! I am soooooooooo thirsty I can't stand it. I am at a client sight managing the work of 12 other people on this project and I am just sooooo stressed out I forgot to drink most of the day. I ate ok but I forgot my protein. GRRRRR!!!

At eight week, I was free to eat whatever. I would choose a fish if you can. Avoid grilled chicken because most places overcook chicken making it too hard to eat. I would also ask if they have a grill veg. For Olive Garden, Chicken Marsala would probably be ok. minus the potatoes asked for grilled/steamed veg or more mushroom. The herb-grilled salmon would be perfect as its just a salmon filet brushed with Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil. Served with seasoned broccoli. For the Steakhouse, Buffalo Shrimp (naked - no breading if they can do it) or Any of the Catch of the Day minus the potatoes, or the Oriental Chicken. Remember to ask for a togo box right away or bring your own. Good luck.

Wow. That looks sooooo good.

Because I had a hard time getting my water in, I am allowed to drink until the point of eating but I have to waite 30 minute after eating but I am more on the 10 mins before and 20 mins after plan and I have not had any problems. I also sip a little with my meals because I have meds that have to take with food. I have not had any problems.