aliandrews

I think too many of us focus on the fast losers when we're planning for surgery and then we assume that once we're sleeved the weight is going to just fly off.

Not everyone is so lucky.

My starting weight is close to your preop weight but you must be taller than my 5'1" and some change because my BMI was much higher at your current weight.

I was a slow loser. Slower, I guess. There are a handful of people here that are even slower than I was. It took me 17 months to hit goal, to lose 107 pounds.

You cannot compare yourself to everyone else. If you're doing the right things and still losing, the sleeve is working. You can try to adjust your food or exercise for a better result but I caution you against doing anything drastic that you won't be able to maintain. Part of why the sleeve is great is that it does away with the need for that diet mentality and helps you build positive habits you can maintain forever. Some folks cut the carbs down to 20 a day, something I consider extreme, but if they can live their lives that way and get great results then it works for them.

My biggest piece of advice isn't one you'll like, but it's something you're going to have to get used to at some point or another. RELAX.

That's it. Because this isn't a race. I promise you, 85% of your stomach just got removed from your body so you're going to lose weight. I see this over and over and over again on the boards - people just so frustrated and worked up because they expected to lose the weight faster, or people that get mad because they feel they didn't need the surgery if they were going to be slow losers.

It took me 17 months to reach goal. It took me 17 YEARS to go from where I am now to my high weight. Am I any less pleased with my success because it took me longer to get here? Nope. I'm happy as can be.

Track your food. Eat responsibly. Get your Protein in, drink your Water, start moving more. In six months you're going to be posting that you're nearly to goal. Give your body a chance to recover from the fact that it's lost 27 pounds and undergone a major surgery the last two months. And yes, even if you want to break the scale sometimes, and even if you don't lose for two weeks of the month (like me) you're going to lose this weight.

So, RELAX.

~Cheri

Thank you Cheri. I appreciate your input. This forum has been very informative and I feel better knowing what I will be going through. I have lost 19 pounds and I had the stall for about a week. I think I broke the stall today, because I lost 1 more pound. I realize this is going to take some time. I was just frustrated. I have been obese for so long and have wanted it off so badly that I guess I am getting a little impatient. I want to be healthy again and have the energy to do things with my family. I'm tired of being tired. New Year's is coming up. So, what will everyone's resolutions be? Mine- Continue on my journey and be happy along with eating healthy and staying on track.

Thanks, I needed to hear that.

My surgery was 2 weeks ago and I have lost 18 pounds. The thing is I have stalled and have not lost any more weight for a week and I am kinda worried. I know it is silly to worry, but I don't want to stay this weight. My BMI was 53. I am still on a liquid diet and have moved to the full liquids (protein shakes). Tell me not to worry.

Hi guys! My surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday 12/21 with Dr. Olsen in Nashville

Hey, that's awesome. I had mine with Dr. Houston, who is in the same office as Dr. Olson. They are a great group. Good luck to you and maybe we will run into each other at some point.

I had the sleeve gastrectomy on Dec 7th. I was on the pre op diet for 2 days before surgery (depending on the doctor) and on the Clear Liquids for 2 weeks. I just got changed to the full liquids. I feel great about the surgery and was only in the hospital for 3 days. There has been some pain, but it is normal and tolerable. I hurt only when I try to get up and bend over. I have lost 18 pounds so far and have been following what I need to do. I am a little tired of the liquid diet though. I am not craving any food and am not hungry at all. I can't wait to move to stage 3 and try soft foods. I don't regret having this surgery and am looking forward to a happy, healthy life. I hope this helps and good luck to whatever decision you make.

I did think of this as an easy way out at first. I wanted to try the old fashioned way of diet and exercise, but realized after trying over and over that it just wasn't going to work. I would lose some weight and then gain it all back and then some. I am 10 days post op and am very happy that I had surgery. I have lost 17 pounds so far and have quite a ways to go. It's good to hear how everyone feels and what they are going through.

Today was my one week post op visit with my Dr. They weighed me and it showed that I have lost 20 pounds. He told me that i could go on a full liquid diet this weekend. I am really tired of the whole liquid diet. I am not craving anything, but just want something different. I only have a small pain near one of my incisions, but I mainly have discomfort. I can't sleep in the bed with my husband because the bed is uncomfortable. I am sleeping on the couch. Hopefully that will change soon. I want things to go back to normal soon. I know it will take time, but I want to resume normal activities.

Oh my goodness, I have lost 13 pounds. 7 pre op and 6 more post op. THe discomfort is getting better, although it hurts to bend over and I sneezed earlier which hurt. I am still sleeping on the couch because it is uncomfortable in the bed and I don't want my hubby to roll over and hit my stomach. Also I am very tired of the clear liquid diet. Hopefully at the Dr. visit on Thursday he will change me to full liquids.< /p>

Wow, that is awesome. Losing 81 pounds in 3 months is awesome.

Hey SouthernSleever. Welcome. My weight before surgery was 280. I can't believe I got so close to 300 pounds. I lost 7 pounds on the preop diet and I have lost 4 since. I am 5'1 and my goal weight is 120. I can live with 130 tho. My doctor was Dr. Houston.

Hey guys, I had the same doubts. After surgery, I was like what have I done. I heard that was a normal fear. Before surgery I was scared, but right now it is so worthwhile. I went outside and walked to my mailbox and around back to the house. I helped my husband with the dishes. I did have to stop after that because my stomach started to hurt a little bit. I slept on the couch last night because I didn't want my husband to accidentally bump into my stomach. The pain has lessened now and I don't really feel the need for pain meds. Before surgery with the pre op diet I lost 7 pounds. Since surgery I have lost four more. I am very excited about what is happening. I think this is the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I want to be around for my kids and get active. I don't care about being skinny, it's all about getting healthier. Good luck to you all.

Hey kkimm22, I was very nervous before the surgery also. I think it took a little over an hour. I was in the hospital for 3 days because I lived out of town. The pain wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. It still hurt though. They will give you pain meds right out of surgery. I am home now and only when I move around a lot, I will get a little achy. When I am trying to get up, it hurts a little bit. I am on liquids, which isn't too bad. The next day in the hospital after surgery I couldn't seem to drink much because of nausea, which didn't last long. They gave me a shot for nausea. You are definitely going to be taken care of. They will expect you to get up and walk four hours after surgery. I did that but I couldn't stand up very straight. It got better as time went on. I hope things go well for you and good luck.