Newfoundlove

What everyone else has said is correct. I actually gained 13 pounds during surrey but lost it all within a week and have kept on loosing. I know it's hard to stay off the scale, but try it and see if it helps at all. I recently went on a business trip for 5 days and couldn't weigh myself. When I got home I had lost four pounds! So, now I'm only weighing once a week. It takes a lot of will power, but I feel better seeing the scale move!

As others have said here already, your weight loss will be unique to you. I lost 17 pounds pre-op, and 21 pounds since surgery six weeks ago. The post-op loss could be considered slow by some, but the benefits of losing slower are important to me as I am over the age of 50. The slow weight loss is allowing my skin to snap back better so less extra skin so far.
The Sleeve is a tool and not an easy way out or a magic pill, but used correctly, it does work and keeps on working.
Stay positive!

I'm with you, Star! Nothing has bothered my sleeve, but like you, I haven't tried bread, desserts or pasta and i'm not missing it a bit. I did have a couple of small spoonfuls of Israeli Cous Cous and it tasted good! But, i concentrate on protein. Tonight was Korean Style Short Ribs, grilled with an heirloom cherry tomato salad and one stalk of brocollini. It was delicious and filled me up perfectly! My issue is getting in the 800 calories my NUT wants me to get in while still eating so little really. I'm at about 1/2 cup food each meal and cannot get in more and i eat five small meals a day! I'm still only consuming around 600 calories most days and that's with a RTD protein shake! I'm 8 weeks out tomorrow. How many calories are you getting in? I think we are eating the way we should and I'm not ready to test the waters with any fried food or sweets. It's just not worth it to me!

I'm at four months out now and I stated noticing more hair in the shower and after blow-drying about two weeks ago. It's not bad though, at least for me. It's not coming out in handfuls or anything like that yet. And, it does grow back. I'm taking Biotin -- started at about month 2. The pills are really small so the go down easy. I have noticed a real difference in my fingernails. They are a lot stronger. I'll take the hair loss, because the weight loss is excellent!

Hi QofC: I read your blog weekly and always learn something. Thank you for writing it.
I must say, I've been very fortunate with the affects of my surgery. I can eat pretty much everything, including rice. Every once in a while I'll have a little bit if I've fixed it for dinner, but I concentrate on Protein rich foods.
I still love cooking, but I now cook things that are really healthy and my taste buds are really sensitive now -- as in enhanced. Putting herbs, etc now into my food tastes awesome. This morning I had a egg white omelet with arugula and a tsp of Gorgonzola cheese in it-- yum!
I've begun losing my hair, but it's not too bad yet, but I was pretty lucky to have thick hair.
So, the one thing that is bothering me is that my boobs are pretty saggy and it's going to get worse as I need to lose another 50 pounds yet. I've already decided that a breast lift is in my future next year.
That's the only negative I can think of, but I'll take it. There are just so many more positives. Like, today I went kayaking, in my bathing suit! I would not even have considered kayaking last year, or the year before that, or the year before that. You get the picture. And, I loved kayaking!!! It felt great! The amount of energy I have now is extraordinary! My friends and family comment on it frequently and they say I am glowing.
Having the Sleeve was the best decision I've made in a very long time.

I regularly eat 130 grams of protein a day, and I'm not growing a tail or anything.

He subject says it all! I finally after almost 6 months broke down and shopped for new clothes! Everything I bought is a size 4!!! 97 pounds down and 21 to go to goal! I started at 228 and now weigh 131! Thank you God for VSG!

Didn't check in last week because I was on vacation. I lost one pound on vacation which I consider to be a victory! While I was really good with my food choices, I did indulge in some wine drinking. But I also had plenty of exercise with hiking and kayaking. I doubt that I'll make my goal of 180, but I'm okay with that as long as I keep losing. I feel great!
SW: 207
GW: 180
CW: 193

Salad with sliced strawberries, a little cut-up avocado, a tablespoon of blue cheese crumbles, small amount of sliced cucumber and a piece of Columbus Smoked Turkey shredded in it. Topped it all off with one tablespoon of Ken's Steakhouse Light Italian dressing.

I was sleeved almost eight weeks ago. I've lost 41 pounds total, BUT, 17 pounds was pre-op, and 15 pounds was in the first two weeks. Since that time, I'm losing at about 2-3 pounds a week and I had a one week stall. I also started adding in exercise and when that happens it takes a while for your body to adjust and you might even seen a small gain for a bit (muscle weighs more than fat). Think about this - would you have been able to lose the 15 pounds you've lost in this short of time without the surgery? I know I would not have! I've read lots of posts on here from individuals that are losing at about the same rate as me and to expect stalls, and even a one or two pounds gain every once in a while (TOM, and other factors). My NUT said to expect about 2-3 pounds a week so I am on track. Here's a tip if you are not already doing so - take your measurements and check them weekly. Last week, none of my measurements changed except for my neck and I had lost 3 pounds! Weird huh? But it's nice to see a little change somewhere, even if you aren't seeing it on the scale. And, try not to let the scale get you down. I know it's easier said than done, and I'd be lying if I said I don't get a little frustrated occasionally, but that's human nature I think. If you are following your doctor's plan, you are going to see progress. Some of us are just slow losers. Keep focused on your plan and do your best to stay positive! You're on the losers bench!

I sleep really well, but sometimes it does take me a bit to get to sleep. I now go to bed later than I used to. Once I started exercising, the extra energy really kicked in and I don't seem to need as much sleep as before.

Sleeved May 3. Down 55 pounds. Averaging now 2-3 pounds a week.

Surgery 5/21/12 - down 41 since surgery - lost 44 pre-op. I am settling in to my losing pattern, which is a loss of about 2 to 2.5 lbs a week right now.

At two weeks out my NUT was not worried about me getting in all my protein. I was lucky if I got in 20-30 grams a day at two weeks. It's more important to keep up your fluid intake and get in protein when you can. As you get farther out, you'll be able to add more and more protein in, especially with foods. I think it took me almost two months before I was getting in 60 grams of protein. Now, at three months out, I'm getting in 60-80 grams a day because you can eat more things heavier in protein like chicken, tuna, meats, cheeses, yogurt, etc. I also throw in a Quest or Simple Truth protein bar occasionally if I feel like I'm a little low on protein - especially if I am going to be working out later as I need the energy. While most protein bars also have higher carbs, they are okay in moderation especially if you are going to be active.

At two weeks out my NUT was not worried about me getting in all my protein. I was lucky if I got in 20-30 grams a day at two weeks. It's more important to keep up your fluid intake and get in protein when you can. As you get farther out, you'll be able to add more and more protein in, especially with foods. I think it took me almost two months before I was getting in 60 grams of protein. Now, at three months out, I'm getting in 60-80 grams a day because you can eat more things heavier in protein like chicken, tuna, meats, cheeses, yogurt, etc. I also throw in a Quest or Simple Truth protein bar occasionally if I feel like I'm a little low on protein - especially if I am going to be working out later as I need the energy. While most protein bars also have higher carbs, they are okay in moderation especially if you are going to be active.

I feel the Surgery can magnify things such as if you have a happy marriage post op you will feel your surgery is even better and vice versa. Me and my husband still eat out 1-2 a week, same restursnts we either share or if it's early in the day I'll have a whole order and save it for the rest of the day. I've noticed since I've been making better decisions, my husband has also been making better decisions also. Every time were together people compliment both of us on out weigh loss. I've always liked bike riding and now I've gotten my husband into it, and he bikes to work everyday. Couples grow and evolve together, it you foster it properly so will your marriage. Good luck.

Sleeved May 3. Down 55 pounds. Averaging now 2-3 pounds a week.

Sleeved May 3. Down 55 pounds. Averaging now 2-3 pounds a week.

HW 335
SW 239 (7/04/12)
GW 219 (9/03/12)
Wk 1 (7/09/12) 238 -1#
Wk 2 (7/16/12) 233 -5#
Wk 3 (7/23/12) 231 -2#
Wk 4 (7/30/12) 231 -0#
At a stand still on the scale, but I am wearing a size smaller in clothes. So I do have an NSV.

Had a good week! Lost 4 pounds and hit onderland!! Need to update my ticker!
SW 207
GW 180
CW 198

Had a good week! Lost 4 pounds and hit onderland!! Need to update my ticker!
SW 207
GW 180
CW 198

Had a good week! Lost 4 pounds and hit onderland!! Need to update my ticker!
SW 207
GW 180
CW 198

WEll, as of today, I am exactly halfway to my labor day challenge weight. AND, if you saw my post, I GOT INTO THE DRESS!!! WOO HOO!!
11 more pounds to lose in 5 weeks. I think I might just be able to do it. I've lost 5 lbs in the last 5 days. It's weird.

Hit 40lb mark today! No pre op loss, so very excited to be at 210.5...190s here I come...look out

The wild card is always the client. No matter what the professionals do, or the skills they may have, or the techniques they may employ, if the client isn't invested enough in making the changes required to be different, then no matter what magic wand is brought to the table, it's not going to work.
I understand from the doctor and nutritionist that the more weight to be lost, the more dramatic the loss ...in the beginning. As the body adjusts to the new regime, it begins to be more efficient in using the calories that are consumed. So this can backfire big time. If there are no changes made to eating habits, the lower calorie intake will cause an initial wls, but if the foods chosen are sabotaging, then the more efficient your body gets at using those calories, the slower, and slower the loss. When the high calorie foods are the only source of nutrition, wls is negligible. (Living in the Middle East, the doctor and nutritionist had many examples of bariatric surgery that "didn't work" as a weight loss procedure fro these exact reasons) It is typically very difficult for people here to make the lifestyle changes necessary to sustain the new weight.
After lurking on VST for months before joining, I can definitively say that the one consistent tip, hint, trick, or suggestion is that in order to take advantage of the "tool" of bariatric surgery, one has to be prepared for a whole and complete, permanent lifestyle change. If that one piece is missing, everything else is a crap shoot with the chances of success dropping to about equal with winning the lottery.
"Winning" the lottery... through hard work,
CE