frpringle

Highest: 450 lbs.
VSG date: 11/7/11
Pre VSG loss: 35 lbs.
To date loss: 170 lbs
Current weight: 280 lbs.
One year goal: 220 lbs. lost, 50 lbs. more to go!!

Highest: 450 lbs.
VSG date: 11/7/11
Pre VSG loss: 35 lbs.
To date loss: 170 lbs
Current weight: 280 lbs.
One year goal: 220 lbs. lost, 50 lbs. more to go!!

I just started stalling at the 6 month mark. When I do notice I'm stalling, I basically readjust back to my original diet which was a high protein salad for a few meals and measure everything, time myself while eating, and so on. It basically gets me going again and I drop 3-5 lbs in just a matter of days and it gets steady again.

I had the same problem for a few days. The truth is, we need to stop weighing ourselves everyday. All of a sudden, A pound and a half came off one morning. I wrote just a few days ago that I was upset with my weight loss. Then someone pointed out to me that I have actually lost a lot of weight since I started my journey. It doesn't matter what came off before or after surgery, it all counts. When I realized that I had surgery on June 11, 2012 and I am down 27 pounds since my final weigh in before surgery on June 1, I am thrilled. I am actually down 38 pounds since I signed my papers with the surgeon in November. I cannot tell you the last time I have lost 38 pounds. I needed to look at the whole picture. Now, I am continuing with the same positive attitude. This has to work!! This is why we did this! Good luck!

I just started stalling at the 6 month mark. When I do notice I'm stalling, I basically readjust back to my original diet which was a high protein salad for a few meals and measure everything, time myself while eating, and so on. It basically gets me going again and I drop 3-5 lbs in just a matter of days and it gets steady again.

The best advice I got and use when I notice I'm eating faster is to use a kiddie spoon/fork for smaller bites and wait 2 minutes in-between each bite. That way you know you have chewed really good, you are taking really small bites and you know for sure you are not eating too fast. I have gotten to where I don't really need to do that anymore, but sometimes I catch myself going too fast and I just go right back to timing myself.

I'm time crazy, so for me there has to be a clock, watch, sundial anything around. . what i do is sit down, take a spoonful (forkful) and time myself. . .I chew, swallow, and time myself for 1 full minute, then repeat, until 20 minutes are over. . .if i'm not done eating, the rest on the plate goes to the dog or into the trash. . . using a small spoon and pie fork work the best. . . don't drink with your meal either. . do that about 15 minutes AFTER you eat. . . good luck

Saying hi! This thread was a great motivation for me to read.I'm pre op still and have my first appointment with my surgeon in a few weeks. I've seen mostly posts from people in the 200 range but it's SO nice to see people who are close to my weight! My all time high weight was around 370- but I would say I'm about 350ish right now (Don't have a scale right now) I've wanted to have WLS for a long time, but for one reason or another have not gone through with it. This time I'm determined to go for it! Before surgery I want to try to loose 20-30lbs puting me in thr 330 range. I had set my 'goal' to 200lbs...never thinking it would be even possibly to go lower then that being as big as I am. But after reading this thread it's motivated me A LOT! I feel like I would actually be able to get to onederland some day with hard work and dedication! 200 is still my first goal but I feel like 150 would be possible down the line now!
Thanks so much for making this post!! I'll report back after my surgeon visit on the 18th!

I just did a naked happy dance. I Weighed in this morning at 238.2. 2.8 lbs lost since last week AND I made it to 80 lbs lost so far. Now, my mini goal is 225, that will be the approximate weight I was when I met my hubs and his best friend 18 years ago. Then I will be going for Onederland.
I also had to get a new bathing suit last night and for the first time I didn't cry out of misery. I am down 5 sizes. :-)

Hey guys! Checking in finally. Down 29 pounds since surgery and 52 overall. I have dropped three pant sizes and am finally feeling like I am really going to be successful at this.

Just because the average is less than you would like to lose doesn't mean that that's all you will loose. If that's the case, then I'd be almost there, and I'm no where close to slowing down. Some people don't use the surgery as the tool in which it's intended. They destroy themselves by not following the right diet and having the right dedication to change their lives. Sometimes the surgery doesn't work for others like it does some. You have to remember everyone is different, therefore different results each time. The benefits of the surgery were far greater then the disadvantages, for me anyway. Even if I only got to 60% of my access body weight lost, that's 60% less weight then I was carrying before. You have to make the decision for yourself, but if you do what you are told and use the tool your being given as you should, there's no reason why you can't be successful and get to the goal you are setting for yourself. Also, just think about if you choose to not have the surgery, are you going to be happy with where you are at and where you might get to?

I'm 7 weeks away from surgery...can I get a woot woot! ))

I just hit my 50-lbs lost mark on the scale this morning.
Yes, I did a happy shimmy dance in my underoos.
Glad to see so many are doing so well. It feels good to be a nice, round, 25% of the way toward goal in just over three months!!!

I am five days post-op now. I am doing SO much better. I was able to eat and drink better starting yesterday. It has made ALL the difference! I can walk without pain. I didn't take pain meds yesterday or today. I don't really need them. I have my check up on Thursday. I can't wait to start driving again. Wow. I am just So much better.

Doing fine here. Just a pound shy of 135 lost since I started dieting in July last year. Being in the 280s is a wonder compared to my 420s life. My only frustration is a tendency to stall for several days just before any milestone but everything keeps going down if I'm patient.
Running a bit anemic but otherwise my stats are looking pretty good.

WOW!! well, you're doing great! Don't let the stress get you! Just keep going slow and steady!!! I have trouble taking my own advice, however

Thank you for the encouragement everyone! I'm glad to report that my appointment was excellent! My labs came back so good that my surgeon wanted the information about the vitamins that I take so he could recommend them, and also told me to completely skip my 6 month post-op appointment because he didn't feel the need to keep an eye one me. I weighed in at 98 lbs lost since I started, which meant 63 since surgery. This morning I weighed in at 106 lbs down, so as of today I've lost 71 lbs since surgery! Some weeks I lose a lot, others I don't lose at all, but I'm still going down and I'm so happy I decided to change my life!

My name is Ruth an tomorrow I go in for me 3 month post-op visit with my surgeon. I'm excited yet nervous about my progress. I started out at 449 lbs. I lost 35 before surgery and I know I have lost at least 100 lbs total. So that would be at least 65 lbs. since surgery. I am hoping that is a good weight loss, but there is always that little bit of doubt that it's not good enough. I had my surgery on Nov. 7th 2011. I had a lot of pain at the site where my stomach was removed for the first 2 weeks, which was almost completely gone by the 3rd week. I still have some pain in that spot on occasion depending on the way I bend or stretch. I am a full-time student and mother of 2 little boys. I am very excited to have found this forum and I look forward to seeing everyone's great results!

Hi there!! I am right there with you. I have 300 to lose. I've lost 128 so far. I'm almost halfway there!! I am glad you posted b/c we all need that encouragement. I do post a lot on my blog about what I'm going through. I try to get over here too and meet others going through the same thing. we can do it!

Benedryl is fine--just don't drive or operate heavy machinery!

Thank you for the encouragement everyone! I'm glad to report that my appointment was excellent! My labs came back so good that my surgeon wanted the information about the vitamins that I take so he could recommend them, and also told me to completely skip my 6 month post-op appointment because he didn't feel the need to keep an eye one me. I weighed in at 98 lbs lost since I started, which meant 63 since surgery. This morning I weighed in at 106 lbs down, so as of today I've lost 71 lbs since surgery! Some weeks I lose a lot, others I don't lose at all, but I'm still going down and I'm so happy I decided to change my life!

My name is Ruth an tomorrow I go in for me 3 month post-op visit with my surgeon. I'm excited yet nervous about my progress. I started out at 449 lbs. I lost 35 before surgery and I know I have lost at least 100 lbs total. So that would be at least 65 lbs. since surgery. I am hoping that is a good weight loss, but there is always that little bit of doubt that it's not good enough. I had my surgery on Nov. 7th 2011. I had a lot of pain at the site where my stomach was removed for the first 2 weeks, which was almost completely gone by the 3rd week. I still have some pain in that spot on occasion depending on the way I bend or stretch. I am a full-time student and mother of 2 little boys. I am very excited to have found this forum and I look forward to seeing everyone's great results!

Frpringle-I'm so glad you found us. You are doing so fabulous. You are especially an inspiration to me because I think you are the only person I have seen who started with a BMI as high as mine! And look at how you are doing. 100lbs by 3 months! I got sleeved the week after you (11/14). I have lost about 75lbs (getting weighed today) and hope to hit 100# by my 5 month. It is amazing the self control you seem to have and what you are doing sure seems to be working for you. Do you even eat the chicken for Breakfast? I occasionally eat leftovers for breakfast. I have found that my taste buds don't seem to differentiate between meals anymore. They all seem interchangeable. Plus I don't eat my first meal until 10:00 so that my eating schedule is 10-2-6 so that I can have dinner the same time as my family.
Do you exercise? I have just started a walking program my surgeon put me on. But I have to say I have taken more days off than I have actually walked. I know a lot of people here do the gym and stuff, but I am still too heavy to even think of doing anything besides walking.
I so know what you mean about not seeing any difference-i have said that here many times. When you have as much to lose as we do even 100# barely makes a noticeable difference. At least you are getting to wear a new size in pants! I wear those old lady black stretch ones that seem to fit every weight I ever am! It's also hard because I am 6' tall. I finally found that Woman Within had tall jeans up to a size 44T. One style. So I ordered a 40T and was so excited when I was able to pull them up and button them. But then I looked at the legs and they could have held an additional leg!! I don't know if they were "wide" leg pants or if my hips size is WAYYY out of proportion to my thighs, but I guess I'll have to wait until I go down a few more sizes to get a pair of jeans. I haven't worn jeans in about 12 years so that is one of the first things I am looking forward to. Even if they are a size 38!!

Thank you for the encouragement everyone! I'm glad to report that my appointment was excellent! My labs came back so good that my surgeon wanted the information about the vitamins that I take so he could recommend them, and also told me to completely skip my 6 month post-op appointment because he didn't feel the need to keep an eye one me. I weighed in at 98 lbs lost since I started, which meant 63 since surgery. This morning I weighed in at 106 lbs down, so as of today I've lost 71 lbs since surgery! Some weeks I lose a lot, others I don't lose at all, but I'm still going down and I'm so happy I decided to change my life!

Ruth,
Welcome to the BEST site on the web for Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomies! You will find a wealth of experience and advise here. Everybody is friendly and really knowledgable about the VSG, both pre and post op. Whenever I have had a question, needed to vent, or just wanted to talk, I have always been able to find someone here who could help. It is a fantastic site! We hope you will be a frequent poster! We are so happy you chose to join us!
And a BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss. You are doing awesome, fantastic, fabulous! I am 8 months post op, and it has taken me that long to lose 100 pounds. You have done it in just three months. You Rock girl!
Please be sure and come back tomorrow after your doctor's appointment and let us know how it went. We are all interested. Keep up the Fantastic work! rock that sleeve!