ShapeShifter

Wow... I thought that was a fictional thing from Harry Potter. Hoping you never have to experience that again!

I am pre-surgery, so not experienced... but I've read that hormones are stored in our fat cells and as we shed the fat, the hormones are released. Think 'post-pardum depression'... it is hormonal, right? (hmmm... that also follows having something removed from your body...) It is only temporary.
Anyway, I wonder if surgeons prescribe short-term meds for depression.
Also, I had my psych evaluation yesterday, and the psychiatrist told me to warn anyone who will be caring for me after surgery... that everyone regrets what they've done immediately afterwards... but it does get better. Since she was a bariatric patient 9 years ago... I'm choosing to believe her. ; )
Wishing you comfort and a return to the joy that awaits you...

20 years unable to get below 220 and easily gaining 30 lbs in a year. Fearing the next 20 years, and the next 30 lbs. Highest known weight was 269. Learning about the sleeve was the answer, for me.

Also, adding fish oil supplements to your list of Vitamins.< /p>

Well, I do what my NUT advises, but I tend to agree with her recommendations. fruit is definitely allowed, according to my official post-op book. My pre-op diet actually worked on cutting out grains. I did brown rice only for most of the year, then cut that out a month before surgery. otherwise, lean meats, veggies, and fruits, plus Protein Shakes. Do what works for you, dear. You are the one that needs to lose the weight and shrink your liver. (As hard as it was to cut out grains and sugar, I really do find that I feel better without them.)

I have naturally curly hair, too. I'm only 7 weeks out, so I'm not sure that I'm seeing changes yet... but I've read about doing a treatment with coconut oil. I've yet to determine if this is a recommendation from the coconut board to sell more oil, or if it really works. Worth a try, I suppose.

Also, adding fish oil supplements to your list of Vitamins.< /p>

I just started week 5, and my surgeon gave me a book that is very specific about the stages of eating. Did you not receive anything like that? My plan at week five allows any lean meat you'd like to try, that is moist. You can start adding small dark green salads, but eat Protein first. Chili is good and could give you the spicy you seek. Fruits and veggies are added at this stage, even with skins, if you can tolerate them... but only (as always) after you've had your protein. You are to progressively grow to 3 oz of protein and 2 oz of veggie or fruit at each meal (4 x daily), and are allowed only one serving of complex carb per day (like quinoa). This is the plan from 5 weeks to 6 months, per my surgeon... but they are all different. Wishing you well!

Instead of just saying "I'm not gonna eat" come up with what you're gonna do instead. Earlier in the day, that might be a walk or even just going in the backyard for a minute to get some fresh air and sunshine.
Set up your kitchen for success by eliminating as many problem foods as you can and stocking up on good foods instead. For example, I don't buy chips, Cookies, etc. They are occasionally in the house because hubby gets them, but I do not. I buy things I like that are good for me that I like, such as fresh fruit, yummy versions of low fat lunch meats and cheeses, and low cal drinks. Right now I'm loving the sugar free apple cider mix I found and the teeny gala apples that I bought straight from the orchard. I also like the sugar snap peas, v-8 juice, and cherry tomatoes.
For me, my devil time is after dinner. If I want a snack after dinner, I might:
1. Do something else with my hands, such as play solitaire with real cards or draw.
2. Make a cup of fall-flavored tea, such as the pumpkin Spice Roobios at Trader Joes right now. I like mine with Splenda.
3. Put on lip balm and hand lotion.
4. Try on my new cute clothes that fit comfortably now that I'm at goal and staying there!
5. Go to bed and get some sleep.
6. Take the dog for a quick walk.
Also, when I'm struggling, I use a white board on my fridge door to track what I eat- Protein, calories, and fluids. Seeing it on the fridge door slows down my snacking.
Best wishes on your journey!
Lynda

I had followed a low carb diet focused on fruits and veggies with lean meats, and lost some weight, but then gained and lost the same 2-4 lbs for months. Once I was approved, I was given a diet to follow that pretty much allowed all of those things, but no grains (not even oatmeal). Grains cause inflammation in the body. Then there was the two week liquid diet, that had 3-4 Protein shakes, one small green salad and one yogurt a day. I only lost 7 lbs on that one. My body, even after surgery, loses slowly.
I can tell you that removing grains from your diet (and sugar) will have an effect on your weight loss. You could focus on the types of foods you will eat post-op - high Protein, lean meats, veggies and fruits... which would prepare you for the lifestyle change AND help you with your weight loss goal - pre-op.
Having surgery does require some discipline, and only you can decide if you are ready to take this step. But if you choose a plan and get started, you may just find it to be tolerable and well worth it. Good luck!

So do you see a difference?
[ATTACH]5400[/ATTACH]

Looking at the labels... I would say that's sugars... most of their carbs are fiber...

You are right, they vary wildly in quality. If you read the labels, many of them are nothing more than candy bars in disguise. I don't eat many, but one I don't mind is Quest. They are fairly low calorie, low carb, high Fiber and high Protein. I find they taste the best warmed up in the microwave. They are a different texture than your typical bar, no fake chocolate coating and on the chewy side.

When I went to my surgeon at the pre-op with my list of concerns based on reading, he pointed out that the people who post on boards are often those with fears and complications... but there are countless numbers of people who do well and have no complications who don't comment... because all is well. I found that comforting.
For the record, at six weeks out... I've had no complications. I didn't even have gas pains. I figure they must have rolled me with a rolling pin before they closed my tiny incisions. Ha!
If you believe in signs and synchronicity... pay attention to what the universe is telling you. If all has gone smoothly to this point, it seems that you are on the right path. There is a greater chance that all shall go well for you, than not. The risk of a better future may just be brighter than the risk of staying the course. Wishing you WELL!

When I went to my surgeon at the pre-op with my list of concerns based on reading, he pointed out that the people who post on boards are often those with fears and complications... but there are countless numbers of people who do well and have no complications who don't comment... because all is well. I found that comforting.
For the record, at six weeks out... I've had no complications. I didn't even have gas pains. I figure they must have rolled me with a rolling pin before they closed my tiny incisions. Ha!
If you believe in signs and synchronicity... pay attention to what the universe is telling you. If all has gone smoothly to this point, it seems that you are on the right path. There is a greater chance that all shall go well for you, than not. The risk of a better future may just be brighter than the risk of staying the course. Wishing you WELL!

Yesterday was my first day to eat out in a restaurant with friends after I got sleeved, for the first time in my life I finally feel NORMAL, I ate equal or maybe even less than what skinny people at the table ate, for the first time I don't eat out and feel guilty afterwards about how much I ate, or what I ate, and moreover I lost half a kilo the day after.
I ate half a slice of brown buttered bread and then ordered a small Soup and half way through the soup I couldn't finish, I had already ordered a main course plate which I had all of it wrapped to take it home.
The thing is, I eat around 600 to 900 calories a day, and I don't feel week or faint or anything, I go to the GYM, I still lift the same weights I did lift before the sleeve, and I rode my bike for 2 hours, I feel energetic and alive, it's what I ate b4 that made me lazy, I thank god I finally can lead a normal life and looking forward to the weight loss.

Sooo... I bought this cute dress for $15, although I'm not really brave enough to wear it in public yet... I think I should lose another 10 lbs before I wear it. However, I took a pic because you can really see my progress. -53 lbs.
Before/

Now/

Holding you close and wishing you WELL!

Oct 9 I shall have 8 months out and so far I've lost 88 lbs .. I bn on a stall for about 3 weeks but have noticed I am loosing inches... Not sure how much this stall will last but I love being 197!! Yay!!
PS we have bn given full green light to try for a baby!! Wish us luck )

I was 267 in January - after 6 month diet I was stuck at 250 (gained and lost the same 2-4 lbs for 4 months). I got down to 240 on the two week liquid diet before surgery, and two weeks after surgery I was down to 229. I am now three weeks out, and I keep gaining and losing one pound. I was at 230 today. I have PCOS, and expected to be a slow loser, though expectation doesn't make it any less frustrating.
On the point of 240 not needing surgery. I must admit that I have seen people larger than me and felt almost guilty... but my body has refused to let go of this weight on every single plan I have tried. In 20 years, my body has never let me get below 220 lbs. I now have severe sleep apnea and chronic pain and fatigue. The nutritionist told me that with PCOS, I would never lose weight... without surgery. I did what I had to do to find a healthy future. I am hopeful.

There is such beauty in our hopes and dreams... we all deserve these things! My reasoning looked like this.
I am 43 and have carried 100+ lbs extra for 20 years... I cannot get it off with diet and exercise, battling PCOS, and it is not going to get easier as I age. I have severe sleep apnea and cannot sleep without a machine to keep me breathing... this will hinder my passion for travel - having to lug around a machine and worry about plugging it into foreign currents. My father is 75 and struggling to walk... will that be me in 30 years? I learned to love myself at size 20, because I failed to do so at size 10. For me, this is not about being skinny... it is about being able to live my life unhindered by my limitations. I want to be unlimited!
Wishing all of you all the best!

Pinched nerve makes me think chiropractor. Perhaps with all of the working out you are doing, your spine has shifted and needs to be readjusted. Wishing you WELL!

The worst part for me was the IV. I didn't even have gas pain. Five weeks out and no complications, no trouble drinking or eating, no change in taste buds... Extremely grateful and wishing you all the best in your new beginning!

The worst part for me was the IV. I didn't even have gas pain. Five weeks out and no complications, no trouble drinking or eating, no change in taste buds... Extremely grateful and wishing you all the best in your new beginning!

The worst part for me was the IV. I didn't even have gas pain. Five weeks out and no complications, no trouble drinking or eating, no change in taste buds... Extremely grateful and wishing you all the best in your new beginning!