minaleigh

Thanks for the awesome support guys! I sure hope to have an awesome shape when this is done. I've had people tell me I had a shape before but I would just reply, "yeah... and that shape is the blob." Thanks for the advice, wishes. I just started going to the gym this week after just mainly walking the past few weeks. Hope to get my thunder thighs under control!

When I first met with my shrink (I've actually known him all my life but haven't talked to him since I was 9 and I'm 22 now), he seemed to not be on my side at first. Talked to him a few more times, and I realized he wasn't the bad guy, he was just trying to help me see things in a more realistic light. I say give this guy some more time before you make a decision. Oh, and sorry someone wanted to quiet you on your own thread.

I don't really have that many really close friends. I have a lot of friends and people I hang out with, just not many I truly confide in. I haven't had much problem with my friends, except one of them told her mom (who I don't really care for) about the surgery, and she said I was taking the easy way out. The only thing I've experienced from my friend was when I told her my goal weight of 150-155, she said that'd be too small. When I told her that it was at the highest end of normal for someone my height, she still held on to the idea that I'd be "sickly skinny." To be honest, I think it's because she would weigh more than me if I got down to that weight and she's 4-5 inches shorter than me. Until I started losing weight, a guy friend we have never paid much attention to me because he was too busy fawning over her. Now that I've lost 50 pounds total, he's noticed me more and even started flirting, which is something I have no experience with. She likes the attention and being the "hot friend" between us two.

Dr. Ahuja is my surgeon as well. I may have even seen you in support group meetings and never would have known!

I was one of those that drank 2-3 glassfuls of water during a meal. Basically a "bite, bite, drink, bite bite, drink" kind of person. After surgery, learning to not do that has been a challenge. When I'm eating with someone, and I see them casually drinking tons of liquid during the meal, I sometimes miss it. I'm a lot better now. I occasionally take a sip if something is really spicy or feels stuck. Now, I just watch the clock for 30 minutes after I'm done eating so I can finally take a drink!

For some reason, I didn't get a notice on any of these replies. I do have an update though and I did find out I am hypoglycemic. Apparently, my mom has known this whole time, and I didn't. Go figure. I've noticed that I feel better when I eat more than 35 grams of carbs, which makes sense because even wikipedia says, "Management of hypoglycemia involves immediately raising the blood sugar to normal... The blood glucose can be raised to normal within minutes by taking (or receiving) 10-20 grams of carbohydrate." Pre-surgery, I had occasional dizzying spells, but never had much problem because to be honest, I was a carb baby. My favorite food has been bread even before I could walk. I know a lot of people on here push push push a low carb diet of less than 30 grams. I really don't think I can. My dizzying spells have been getting so bad lately, that now I do feel nauseous, while VERY disoriented making it seem like I'm going to fall over, and like someone is taking my head into their hands and squeezing. I'm going to see my NUT, who I haven't seen since my one month checkup and I'm two months out, to see if she can recommend a more specific meal plan. The handout she gave me at the beginning was very vague, only stating how much Protein and Water to take in and not much else. I'll also see my surgeon just so I can ask questions and because it'll a free doctor's visit since my insurance's grace period after surgery ends soon. Thanks for the reply guys!

I think I'm similar to you. I'm only 8 weeks out though. I'm 5'7", my highest weight was 289 and 273 on surgery day. I've lost 33 pounds so far.

I've been using fitness pal as well. Sadly, I didn't start using it until when I was about five weeks out, and that's when my stall started, so I can't tell what my magic number is. I feel better when I eat more than 30 carbs, and it really helps curb that awful ketosis I'm still having. I try to eat things that have more Protein than carbs in it, or at least about the same. Before, I had those thin sandwich buns, the whole wheat kind. Those were basically the only true carbs I kept in the house. Luckily, I have an awesome roommate! When we go grocery shopping, I'll ask if he wants hotdog buns or something and he'll ask if I can have them. When I say no, he'll just say, "Nah, I can eat hotdogs without them." He now loves turkey bacon and turkey hotdogs, too. :wink1: I need to experiment with carbs and see if I can find my magic number. I've tried low carb diets before, and they just don't work for me. I'm probably like you, and need like 40-45, not <30 that so many people on here tell us to do. Hope to hear from people that have had a similar experience! Would love to see what sleeve veterans have to say.

I didn't really see this sort of question when I did a forum search, but it's been on my mind the past few days. I'm almost 7 weeks out, but have been at a stall for the past week and a half. I just keep fluctuating within the same 3 pounds and it's getting frustrating. I don't weigh myself every day, because I would drive myself crazy, but more like every third day or so. I've upped my Water intake and have been trying to take in more Protein and less carbs, but I've barely been getting to 600 calories. I've been doing 45 minute to an hour walks every other day, which according to myfitnesspal usually burns about 250 calories. That comes to a net gain of 350 calories on the days that I exercise. I read on another topic that only getting in something like 400 calories puts the body in "starvation mode", which prevents weight loss from going further. Do I need to do less exercising, eat more food, what? I've read that it takes 3500 calories burned to lose a pound, meaning if someone ate 500 less calories a day, they would lose 1 pound per week since 500caloriesx7days=3500. Since we eat so little, how would I convert that to a more sleeve-friendly number? I'd wither away if I ate 3500 less calories a week since that's basically all I get in! I guess what I'm trying to say is, what is a good net gain amount of calories for someone about 2 months post-op? I know some people can and do eat more calories, like 800-1200, but I just can't do it right now. Like I said, I'm lucky to get in 600. I want to be able to exercise to get rid of my problem areas and help lessen the severity of excess skin, but I want to find a good balance between getting too few calories, and going into starvation mode, and getting too many and stretching my sleeve/putting on weight. While I am looking for ways to break the stall (with the typical, "drink more water, eat more protein, exercise more, yada yada yada," trust me, I've tried them all so far), I'm more interested in what would be considered good net gain amount of calories to take in. Any thoughts/advice?

Thanks Sleeve of Steel. I've been mainly walking now, since I don't really live close to a gym, but once school starts up again, I'm going to their gym. I'm probably saying the wrong phrase, lol. I guess I took net gain from profits or sales terms, and put them in a sleeve-situation! Let's say you eat 800 calories in a day and do some exercise that burns 300 calories. I'm calling that 500 (800 in minus 300 out) calories a "net gain." I'm bad with phrases. I'm surprised your doctor says to start 1200 calories immediately. A lot of people I see on here don't reach that until a few, or several, months out. I didn't get the three week stall, so I'm guessing this is my body just being stubborn and going to be doubly frustrating and making me stall longer than I should.

Thanks for the reply! Maybe I should up my caloric intake. What's your exercise regime, or at least what was it around 2 months? Sadly, I don't care for coffee type stuff. I try to drink a glass of Silk a day but am slowly finding out I may be allergic, or it's just pure coincidence that the bathroom becomes my best friend after I drink a glass of it. I'll try to get up to 800 calories, since I don't think I can outright jump to 1200 right now!, and see if I have any changes.

I'm curious about this as well. I have somewhat similar stats (not as far along as you though, weight loss wise), but I didn't lose as much weight pre-surgery as you. I'm 5'7" and was 273 day of surgery. Like you, no one really believed me when I told them how much I really weighed. My mom calls me "solid" so I guess that's why. I'm VERY pear shaped. I was usually wearing a size XL/1X shirt, but 24 in pants. Most of my weight was in my butt, lower stomach, and thighs. You definitely don't look 265-270 in your first pick. I think you look fantastic in your 170 picture! I looked at your profile and since you're pretty young at 28, it'll benefit you when it comes to excess skin. I'm 22 myself, but have been heavy since I was about 10, so that's 12 years my skin has had a chance to stretch out and I also have stretch marks. I'd rather not have cosmetic surgery, either. I heard for some it's very painful. I would LOVE to at least not be ashamed when wearing a two-piece! I've heard rubbing moisturizer, drinking a lot of Water, and exercising helps the excess skin go down. You'll look amazing at your goal weight.

Oh my. I'm around 6 weeks out now and going through a stall. I hope my stall doesn't last that long! I've been fluctuating between the same 3 pounds and it's frustrating. Maybe it's because I didn't have a stall at 3 weeks like a lot of people did, so mine might just belated and going to be doubly mean, lol.

I always assumed it was when your weight began with 1. I've heard losing 100 pounds as "the century club." There's even a group that I've seen on TV called the "Joy Fit Club" for people who've lost 100 pounds naturally.

I told my parents, my roommate (for obvious reasons), and my two best friends. I sort of told my work, but just said I was having surgery, because I needed to explain why I had a doctor's note saying I couldn't do "this, this, and this" for the time being. When coworkers asked why I was gone so long, I just explain I had complications due to a surgery, which is truth. Sadly, my mom and one of my friends are gossipers. Went to a party and two of the people there who are my friends but aren't super close knew about my surgery, even though I haven't talked to them about it. My mom told my family, which is understandable. They had to find out why I was in the hospital 3 different times in 2 weeks, including a visit to the ER! But she also told her friend, who then decided it'd be best to tell EVERYONE.

I've never heard of PCOS causing dandruff, but it's cool that yours is gone! I have PCOS too, and bad enough dandruff that not even industrial strength Head and Shoulders would help , so you give me hope that mine will go away, or at least lessen! Congrats to you! (I, too, wish the regular TOMs and less facial hair would get here sooner rather than later )

I did a quick google search and found this: http://www.fitsugar.com/Why-Do-I-Bruise-So-Easily-160076 I'm not sure how old you are, but I have heard before that some people tend to bruise more easily as they age. Also, since you are losing weight, you have less fat to protect the body from bruising. I've bruised easily all my life, always finding bruises and not remembering how I got them! I can contribute that to my anemia, though. Have you been taking a Multivitamin? If not, I would suggest that and see if the bruising subsides. If it continues, I would consult your doctor. Sorry about how your husband feels. Maybe, for the time being, you could try some concealer when you guys go out? Not a solution, but it might make him more comfortable.

Thanks for the suggestion guys. I should check my Iron since I was borderline anemic before surgery. I don't think it's blood pressure and never have had to take meds for it. My BP averaged 110/70 before surgery (one of the good things I inherited from my mom as my dad has borderline high BP!). In fact, it might be too low right now. When I went to the doctor's last, it was 85/60, which I think is on the low side. I'll check that as well, just in case. Thanks guys!

When it comes to popcorn, I am the unfortunate one that works in a movie theater. I had my manager put me in the box office or usher since I knew if I worked in concession, I would be too tempted to grab a cupful and chow down in between busy periods. I have noticed I don't care for the smell of popcorn as much anymore, though. I'm 6 weeks out and going to wait a couple more months to try some, at least.

You look amazing! Congrats on reaching and surpassing your goal!

I was originally going for the lapband. Being only 21, at the time, I wasn't sure I was ready to have a non-reversible surgery that drastically changed my insides the way the bypass and sleeve did. I didn't even consider the other two. But after doing a lot of my own research, watching videos on youtube, reading medical journals and articles, I ultimately changed my decision to the sleeve. Still would never consider the bypass. Why? I don't like the high maintenance of the lapband. Having to go every so often to get a fill. If you get stressed, the band can feel too tight, so you have to get some of the Fluid taken out, even if you're a year out from surgery. The band can slip, especially if you vomit, which I do easily since I most definitely don't have an Iron stomach. Even though the sleeve removes a big portion of your stomach, I didn't like the idea of the bypass and how it rearranges your insides. Or how mal-absorbtion can become an issue and dumping syndrome is a pain. While the bypass does typically result in faster weight loss, I knew the sleeve wasn't that far behind. It's faster than the lapband, at least. It's a good middle ground. I get all the pros of the bypass, but hardly any of the cons.

I want to be able to tuck a shirt into my jeans to show off a super cute belt and to tuck jeans into boots without looking insanely disproportionate. I also want to be able to wear a dress. I own two that fit fine now, but I'm so conscious of my calves (I wear jeans all the time, even in summer) that I don't wear them much.