WillowsKnot

So, I am back from my echo this morning and it has been read and posted (I work at a hospital). So, here is the report (and I have not yet talked to my Dr. about the findings). I have trivial aortic regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation and no hemodynamically significant valve disease. So, basically, nothing wrong on the echo as the first two are extremely common in most of the population. It also shows the thickness of the valves and heart walls and they are all at a 1 - which is normal, so that is good to know. I also got the holter monitor put on and I wear that for the next 48 hours and see if it shows anything.
I am starting to think that all of this is really food and hydration related. I have not had the problem at night for the past several evenings, BUT, then I have had a Protein type of snack before bed (a cheese stick, a Protein Drink, a tablespoon of cottage cheese, one of these or something similar). That has seemed to really help me feel ok at night and also not wake up feeling shaky. I think my blood sugar is just bottoming out too much. Since I have gone to drinking the Gatorade low calorie instead of Water, I feel much better as well.
So, I will post what the report has to say about the heart monitor I am wearing when that is posted to my chart and we will go from there.

Hey October Sleevers!!! I am an April sleever myself and just was checking in on some of the various groups to see how you all are doing. I can tell you that the pain will get better, so hang in there. As far as the headaches go, pain medication can actually give you headaches. If you really don't need the pain meds, try some liquid Tylenol instead and see if the head pain eases up. Of course, follow your doctor’s orders first. Anything I put here are only suggestions for what worked for me. I could not get down Water for the longest time. I mean, plain water. I still can only drink so much of it. My go to for fluids are sugar free popsicles (I should buy stock!!!), low calorie Gatorade. It only has 30 calories in 12 oz. and you need some calories and you surly need the fluids. I had better luck with it than almost any other drink product. It also put my electrolytes back in balance, a real plus as my heart would race some times. Had it checked out, no heart issues, just low fluids and the electrolytes being off.

Start slow on the foods, don't rush anything. Head hunger is normal. I still go through periods where I know I am not hungry, but I "feel" hungry. Other days, I could forget to eat at all. I just now have my calorie intake back up to 700 to 800 calories a day. Once I got on solid foods, I was at 550 to 650 for the longest time.

As far as Protein Drinks, the only one that I can stand even to this day is Premier Protein - chocolate. 30g of Protein in 11 oz. of Fluid (I buy it at Sams Club). I wish you all the best of luck and to those that are yet to be sleeved, my thoughts are with you. Hang in there everyone!!! Talking to others who are sleeved during the same month is a real plus. Enjoy the journey.

Hey October Sleevers!!! I am an April sleever myself and just was checking in on some of the various groups to see how you all are doing. I can tell you that the pain will get better, so hang in there. As far as the headaches go, pain medication can actually give you headaches. If you really don't need the pain meds, try some liquid Tylenol instead and see if the head pain eases up. Of course, follow your doctor’s orders first. Anything I put here are only suggestions for what worked for me. I could not get down Water for the longest time. I mean, plain water. I still can only drink so much of it. My go to for fluids are sugar free popsicles (I should buy stock!!!), low calorie Gatorade. It only has 30 calories in 12 oz. and you need some calories and you surly need the fluids. I had better luck with it than almost any other drink product. It also put my electrolytes back in balance, a real plus as my heart would race some times. Had it checked out, no heart issues, just low fluids and the electrolytes being off.

Start slow on the foods, don't rush anything. Head hunger is normal. I still go through periods where I know I am not hungry, but I "feel" hungry. Other days, I could forget to eat at all. I just now have my calorie intake back up to 700 to 800 calories a day. Once I got on solid foods, I was at 550 to 650 for the longest time.

As far as Protein Drinks, the only one that I can stand even to this day is Premier Protein - chocolate. 30g of Protein in 11 oz. of Fluid (I buy it at Sams Club). I wish you all the best of luck and to those that are yet to be sleeved, my thoughts are with you. Hang in there everyone!!! Talking to others who are sleeved during the same month is a real plus. Enjoy the journey.

I hope to be able to do that at the end of the loss journey as well. Did your insurance pay for the surgery? I already know that mine will not, do I know it will be a while before I can get that surgery done. Congratulations. I am so happy for you. Enjoy the new you!!!

Hey October Sleevers!!! I am an April sleever myself and just was checking in on some of the various groups to see how you all are doing. I can tell you that the pain will get better, so hang in there. As far as the headaches go, pain medication can actually give you headaches. If you really don't need the pain meds, try some liquid Tylenol instead and see if the head pain eases up. Of course, follow your doctor’s orders first. Anything I put here are only suggestions for what worked for me. I could not get down Water for the longest time. I mean, plain water. I still can only drink so much of it. My go to for fluids are sugar free popsicles (I should buy stock!!!), low calorie Gatorade. It only has 30 calories in 12 oz. and you need some calories and you surly need the fluids. I had better luck with it than almost any other drink product. It also put my electrolytes back in balance, a real plus as my heart would race some times. Had it checked out, no heart issues, just low fluids and the electrolytes being off.

Start slow on the foods, don't rush anything. Head hunger is normal. I still go through periods where I know I am not hungry, but I "feel" hungry. Other days, I could forget to eat at all. I just now have my calorie intake back up to 700 to 800 calories a day. Once I got on solid foods, I was at 550 to 650 for the longest time.

As far as Protein Drinks, the only one that I can stand even to this day is Premier Protein - chocolate. 30g of Protein in 11 oz. of Fluid (I buy it at Sams Club). I wish you all the best of luck and to those that are yet to be sleeved, my thoughts are with you. Hang in there everyone!!! Talking to others who are sleeved during the same month is a real plus. Enjoy the journey.

Hey all... like the rest of you, I have not been aroun a lot. Been busy...happy to say!! Weather finally broke (the heat), so I have been out doing a lot of yard and garden work. I have to admit, it hardly seems like work. It is a lot of fun to bend over and not feel sick or to get too tired after only 30 mins outside. I was sleeved on 4/12 and like many of you this month has been a month of stalls. This morning I am finally down 3.5 pounds. Yippie!!! I was beginning to think that I was not going to lose a thing this whole month. I do have to keep in mind what my daughter said to me this morning... "well mom, you have not gained any all month either and that is also a victory"...she is right. I need to keep that in mind!
The only down side to things right now is the Hair loss. I mean, I am still losing hair by the handfuls!!! My 3 month check-up showed that I was getting plenty of Protein and all my other counts were good except an elevated copper level. I will have that rechecked at my 6 month visit and if it is still elevated, they will investigate further. Many of the issues with elevated copper have to do with liver issues and all my liver enzimes are really good. Wish I would stop losing my hair though. I can hardly comb it without losing a handful every time. It is all over my bathroom...yuck. I am taking Biotin, but so far, that has not seemed to help. If anyone has a "magic bullet" on the hair loss front, I am all ears.
Glad to see that we are all still hanging in there...stalls and all
Take care all.
Karen

April 16 here. I am so happy with my loss so far. I am down 69 pounds since my surgery date. Down 100 pounds since my pre-op plan. I could not be happier. I am a week ahead of the goal I set for myself as of today. Love my sleeve. I went down to the basement to retrieve my old work suits, etc. They all fit now and look so fantastic. Plus, it saves me having to buy new clothes right now. Congrats to all of us. We are rocking!!!

You did win the lottery. The weight loss lottery. You should be so proud of yourself. That is awesome. My goal is to get to 135. Don't know that I will be a size 4 at that weight, but I know I will be thinner than I have been in 30 years. What a major victory for you. I am so very happy for you and what an inspiration. Happy shopping!!!!

Congrats!! April 16th here and I hit an 80lb loss on Saturday!!! (17lbs pre-op)

You did win the lottery. The weight loss lottery. You should be so proud of yourself. That is awesome. My goal is to get to 135. Don't know that I will be a size 4 at that weight, but I know I will be thinner than I have been in 30 years. What a major victory for you. I am so very happy for you and what an inspiration. Happy shopping!!!!

No problem Joni...you are so not alone!!!! I know this is going to be a life long struggle. Some addicts can walk away and never touch their addiction again, but for food addiction, there is no such thing. We must eat to live. So, our issues are very different than many other addictions. It is hard, but like you and the others, I am glad I have this new tool. I know I would not make it without it, that is for sure. Hang in there.

I also have some hunger that has returned. I still can't eat more than 3 oz. at a time or I get sick, so that is a good thing. Bad thing is that I feel hungry more often. I am eating very dense Protein to help slow down my digestion and that seems to help. I have added nuts into my diet as a Protein snack and I am keeping up on my Protein Drink. I find that when I don't get in enough protein, regardless of calorie count, I don't lose. I seem to be losing a slow, but steady 10 to 12 pounds a month. I am ok with this. No, I have not been exercising as much as I could or should and I know I would lose faster. I have had a lot of things to do around my house with this drought, so I have been tending to lots of these issues. Won't matter how much exercise I get if my house crumbles around me from lack of watering, etc. to try and keep my foundation from getting any worse
On another front - let the hair loss begin!!! After I showered and washed my hair last night, I was picking through it with a large tooth hair pic so as to be gentle on it (I have long hair) and gobs of hair came out!!! I knew it was only a matter of time. I know it was to be expected, but still. It was a sad night. I took a picture of the lose hair. I know that one day, I will look back on last night and smile because I will have reached my goal and the hair will grow back.
On yet another note, when getting ready for work yesterday I went through 5 pairs of pants and had to discard them all and opt for yet another skirt (got to love elastic waists!!!) so that I would have something to wear. Today I am wearing a dress...which I will probably be able to wear for the next two weeks after hanging on to it for 5 years, and then it too will join the discard pile LOL
I am so glad that we are all progressing. Yes, all of us at our own rates, but that is ok. I am so happy with how far I have come to date. Yup, a long way yet to go, but I'll get there, just like the turtle did in the race... slow and steady. Happy Friday to all and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

I also have some hunger that has returned. I still can't eat more than 3 oz. at a time or I get sick, so that is a good thing. Bad thing is that I feel hungry more often. I am eating very dense Protein to help slow down my digestion and that seems to help. I have added nuts into my diet as a Protein snack and I am keeping up on my Protein Drink. I find that when I don't get in enough protein, regardless of calorie count, I don't lose. I seem to be losing a slow, but steady 10 to 12 pounds a month. I am ok with this. No, I have not been exercising as much as I could or should and I know I would lose faster. I have had a lot of things to do around my house with this drought, so I have been tending to lots of these issues. Won't matter how much exercise I get if my house crumbles around me from lack of watering, etc. to try and keep my foundation from getting any worse
On another front - let the hair loss begin!!! After I showered and washed my hair last night, I was picking through it with a large tooth hair pic so as to be gentle on it (I have long hair) and gobs of hair came out!!! I knew it was only a matter of time. I know it was to be expected, but still. It was a sad night. I took a picture of the lose hair. I know that one day, I will look back on last night and smile because I will have reached my goal and the hair will grow back.
On yet another note, when getting ready for work yesterday I went through 5 pairs of pants and had to discard them all and opt for yet another skirt (got to love elastic waists!!!) so that I would have something to wear. Today I am wearing a dress...which I will probably be able to wear for the next two weeks after hanging on to it for 5 years, and then it too will join the discard pile LOL
I am so glad that we are all progressing. Yes, all of us at our own rates, but that is ok. I am so happy with how far I have come to date. Yup, a long way yet to go, but I'll get there, just like the turtle did in the race... slow and steady. Happy Friday to all and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Just reading through the last 10 posts or so, and boy do I feel a lot better that I'm not alone. Losing is very slow. Bad habits are coming back. I haven't been tracking as I should, etc. Elsewhere on the forum everyone seems so positive and losing like crazy, and doing everything they should. I was getting depressed....lol. Thank you dear people. I too do not want to waste this opportunity and am determined to reach my goal. I must get it together, start tracking again and doing what I know I should. I was acting like a rebellious child, angry that the sleeve hasn't been all I dreamed of and thinking I could have done this with WW (I know, I know - it didn't work the bazillion other times I tried), and all these things that we must do why have the sleeve. Well I told myself to grow up, stop being a child, and GET IT TOGETHER. I still eat waaaaay less in calories so I can do this.Thank you all for making me feel I am not alone in the struggle.

04/16/12 :wub:
I am almost 4 months out and have lost 60lbs. My hair is falling out but not too bad, just notice if I run my hand through my hair and come out with a few strands. I hope everyone else is doing good!

The one thing that I have learned about myself through this whole journey, is that old habits die hard. I can't believe that I still have such a great appetite and I still find myself grazing at night. I was really hoping that the urge to graze would have vanished after the surgery. I was wrong. Some days are better than others, but each day is still a struggle. I find that if I keep a food journal, I can control my munchies at night. During the day I don't have a problem. The journal will also let you know if you are eating too much, I believe that we all can gain the weight back by eating too many calories. No one said that this would be easy, but Randaljohn, you have done so well so far and you will lose the rest of the weight. Keep a jounal, I know it's a pain, but try it for a week and see where your weakness' are. This might help! Good luck!

I am also four months out and it seems like in the last week or so my hunger has returned with a vengeance. It's really scared me. I wasn't prepared and found myself taking in too many calories. It is so important, now more than ever, to keep track of what I'm eating and prepare. I got lazy and relied on the reduced appetite too much. Now is where the rubber meets the road and I've got to work harder to put to work everything I've learned. I've been on a stall for about two weeks. I'm not sure if it's taking in too many calories or if it's a normal stall. But, I'm going to continue to take it one day at a time and do my best. This opportunity is one in a lifetime and I refuse to let it go to waste. I've been successful thus far and am halfway to my goal. I will not give up now!!! I'm thankful for this forum to be able to get support from those who have been on the same journey. We are not alone and that's very valuable. How is everyone else doing?
Starting Weight - 331
Surgery Weight - 311
Current Weight - 252
Total Lost - 79 (59 since surgery)
Surgery Date - 4/19/12 (four months)

Musharooni...that is wonderful that you got to go to back to school night. I did that on Tuesday. My daughter is a Freshman this year. Yikes!!! That sure happened fast. I am just dropping in to check in and let you all know that I am doing well. I will be helping my mom in the garden tomorrow as well as volunteering at our avian vets office. She also does avian rescue so we go and clean cages, feed, Water and give some attention to the birds. I also have never check to see if I am in ketosis. I do know that my labs came back good except for my Iron saturation level and I also have a high copper level that my PCP is talking to Endocrinology about. I also have hair that is kinky in places (only certain strands, not my whole head) and that is also a sign of too much copper in your system. I hope to find out what is going on with that. I know Wilson's Disease is indicated by too much copper, but I don't have any of the other symptoms, so I really don't think it is that. Rheumatoid Arthritis can also be a cause of high copper levels. Now this one I am concerned about as my father passed away from complications of RA. Once I know what is going on, I'll post and let you all know. I feel fine, so it is a real mystery. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

My hair loss has just picked up speed as of last ***ht!!! I washed my hair and when I was combing it after it air dried a bit, I had two handfuls come out I have long hair, so when a handful comes out for me, it is really noticeable. I ordered some Biotin, so will see if that helps.
On a different note, I was researching the whole Protein thing because I never have gotten a good answer as to just how much Protein I really need. I mean, really, nothing is a one size fits all for any of this stuff and I had a feeling that just like we decrease calories as we lose weight, that should include protein. Well, I finally found a formula that calculates the amount of Protein One should get based on your current weight. You take your weight x .37 if you are doing it in pounds. This will tell you how many grams of protein you should be getting every day and yes, it changes as your weight does. So according this this, I should be eating 99.16 grams of protein. I have not even been close to this!! If you are doing it in kilograms, you would multiply your weight by .8. I did find another calculation that was even higher, but that seemed excessive. Heck, getting in 99 is a lot as it is. With my small stomach, I don't think I can do much more than this. This formula is the RDA recommendation. I was glad to finally find this formula so I could calculate this for myself.
I am going to increase my protein even more. Guess I will be adding another shake to my day. I'll keep you all posted to see if it has an effect on my weight loss and my Hair loss. Take care all.

Ok, so my goal was to get to 269 by August 5. Well, today I am 268.5. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. My next goal it to make it to 259 by September 5. Ultimately, I would love to make it to 255 by September 2nd. My birthday. I also realized today that I only have 17 more pounds to lose to make it to the half-way point. That will leave me 116.5 more pounds to go. Daunting to some, I know, but to me, very doable considering where I have come from and how far I have come. Let's make August a super month for all and my congrats to all of you no matter the number of pounds. Every ounce counts!!! Cheers everyone!

Ok, so my goal was to get to 269 by August 5. Well, today I am 268.5. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. My next goal it to make it to 259 by September 5. Ultimately, I would love to make it to 255 by September 2nd. My birthday. I also realized today that I only have 17 more pounds to lose to make it to the half-way point. That will leave me 116.5 more pounds to go. Daunting to some, I know, but to me, very doable considering where I have come from and how far I have come. Let's make August a super month for all and my congrats to all of you no matter the number of pounds. Every ounce counts!!! Cheers everyone!

Ok, so my goal was to get to 269 by August 5. Well, today I am 268.5. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. My next goal it to make it to 259 by September 5. Ultimately, I would love to make it to 255 by September 2nd. My birthday. I also realized today that I only have 17 more pounds to lose to make it to the half-way point. That will leave me 116.5 more pounds to go. Daunting to some, I know, but to me, very doable considering where I have come from and how far I have come. Let's make August a super month for all and my congrats to all of you no matter the number of pounds. Every ounce counts!!! Cheers everyone!

Well, I am almost to my next goal of 269. This morning I was 273.5, so I am getting there. I go on August 2nd for my second post-op visit. I hope I can make my next goal by then. Sad part is, their scale always weights me more than my home scale and I have a really good home scale. When I use the one that we have at work (the old kind with the weights on it), I am within one pound of my home weight, but that dang huge digital scale my doc has can be more than 5 pounds difference Oh well. I am sticking with my home scale as this is what I have been using for the past 5 years and that is what I count as my highest weight, etc.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and were cooler than we are here in Missouri!

Sleeved 4/16 and down 54 pounds since my surgery date. I was 327 and now I am 273. Hopeing to make 269 by August 1st. Sooooo happy I did this.

I cut it up and freeze squares of it in snack size bags. Then when I want some, I pull out just one frozen bag of it. I have it instead of a SF popsicle or when I need to increase my Fluid intake. It is not any good if you let it thaw and get mushy. Then it tastes bad. Cantaloupe seems to keep better frozen and tastes wonderful. Honey dew as well. I freeze all of them. Might want to give this method a try. It is also hard to chuck it down when it is frozen and you have to chew it as well as it making your mouth really cold.