COnative

Getting off blood pressure medication was my primary goal in having weight loss surgery. I want to be healthy and have a long life.
Had surgery 2/4/13 (only 16 days ago). Including the pre-op weight loss, I have lost a total of 25 pounds! My surgeon advised almost immediate follow up with my primary care doctor to manage the medications with the weight loss. This week, I have been able to get off ALL my blood pressure medications! While I am still monitoring my blood pressure, I don't think I will have to go back on meds as I continue to lose weight.
When my doctor's office called with the news, I had to shut my office door and cry. This almost feels like a dream. I am humbled beyond words at what a miracle this surgery has been - and I am only starting this process. Can only imagine all the good that will come losing the rest of this weight. Any inconvenience, discomfort, cost or hassle associated with this whole process is MORE than worth it.

Hey all, I used to be fairly active on here but life has kept me busy! I'm not at goal yet (I'm still about 30 pounds away) but I just wanted to give an update plus some pics!
Some NSVs:
Can shave without it being a contortionist act.
Those annoyingly tight squeezes in between two not completely pushed in chairs? Don't really bother me!
I now look at a pair of pants or a shirt and think, "Oh geez, that's definitely not going to fit," and it does!
I don't feel as subconscious at work, as if people are looking down on me because of my weight.
Lost a whole shoe size and can now wear even more cute shoes! Having a size 10 shoe wasn't very fun.
Can shop in the "normal" section in clothing stores! No more x's in my labels! Basically can't wear anything from Lane Bryant.
Got the confidence to join a dating site (I'm not really a bar scene kind of gal) and have been dating the most amazing man for 6 months now.
Went from a ring size of 8-9, and am now a 5 1/2-6!
Sometimes my work involves going up and down stairs a lot while being quick about it. I don't get out of breath doing it!
Not as much knee or hip pain (hurt my knee when I was younger, and the added weight made it worse).
Started out in the morbidly obese BMI range, and am now safely in the overweight range.
Never had much trouble in booths, it was movie theater seats that gave me problems. I wasn't very comfortable if I was seeing a movie with someone else, and with being so pear shaped, the arm rests dug into my legs and hips. Not anymore!
I started out at 289 pounds. I remember being so depressed that I knew I couldn't let myself get to 300, by any means necessary. I was a size 24-26 pant and size 2x shirt.
I am now between 179-181, so a 110 pound total loss so far. I'm in a 12-14 pant, and M-L shirt (both depend greatly on cut and brand).
My goal is to be 150, a single digit number pant (would love size 6, but will take 8 since I think my thighs and hips have a mind of their own!), and S-M shirt size. I also just want to be in the normal BMI range (even if it's at the top) and healthy.
Here are some pic updates. I think I look pretty good for still being considered overweight.

Thank you guys! I'm just upset because going onto my 4th year, I just wanted to live like a normal person and not always just watch what I eat. . . guess not. I'm back on the wagon. I've been following the Atkins plan for nearly 1 year. It works well and when I went off and added some carbs which i wasn't supposed to yet, i guess my body retaliated and i did feel badly. Nausea, bloaty, swelling, weight gain. . etc. But I'm back on it now and won't be coming off it. Protein good, carbs bad. . . Water good, soda bad! lol. . . . thanks again, i really feel better knowing that you all understood. . . blessings and pleasant journey (it's a damn long one)

Looks like we are paddling upstream for the rest of our lives. We can't quit paddling or we'll drift back. Is it worth the effort? I think so....I prefer the ongoing effort to the misery of girth and gravity.

Thank you Determined Girl!!! I use fitday.com to log my food. I like to keep track of calories and Protein. It's harder to do when you eat out, but many restaurants have the nutritional stuff on line.
I plan my meals, but not like some people. My daughter plans a week of meals on Sunday....I don't know where she got that!!! I'll start thinking about dinner right about now, it crosses my mind. For instance, I have "go to meals".....I buy a large pkg of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They are always sooooo big and we're not huge on leftover baked or grilled chicken. I'll cut them in half, because he doesn't need 8 or 9 oz of meat either!! Mine ended up weighing 2 oz after cooking and my DH's was double that. Perfect, and is probably what is REALLY normal portions! I use 98% fat free Cream of Chicken and 98% fat free Cream of Mushroom Soups as 'gravy'. I used S &P to season and put the meat in a can of Cream of Mushroom, diluted with almost a can of Water. I baked it like that, it makes it soft, easy to eat and I made mashed potatoes, so gravy for that is nice too. This is something I did prior to surgery....not something new except the amount I make. Before, I would bake TWO breasts, one for each of us!!!! OMG Anyway, I ate my 2 oz, about 1/8th cup of potatoes, total amount of 'gravy' was about 1/4 cup. I had 1/8th cup of 1% cottage cheese and the same amount of peas. I use a smaller plate most times now days and my plate was full and so was I. I hope this helps you in some way!!! You can ask me anything!

Thank you soooo much for your post!

What you are experiencing is completely normal and will pass- promise. We, I should say 95% of us, hit plateaus throughout our weight loss. Please check out this link that a member, butterthebean, on here has on his signature- it made me feel better when the scale wasn't moving. But be patient- you will lose. Promise! http://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.html

In June I'll be three years post op, I am still surprised at how quickly I can drop a few pounds. I'm still below Dr. D's goal of 150, but I hoover (sp?) around 147, just a couple of pounds above MY personal goal. A few days ago I thought, I'm going to alter my calories just a little and see what happens. I almost always keep a food log, but I've been especially dedicated this week. I've gone up and down a little, which is normal for me, but this morning I got up and weighed 145.7. Whoooo whooo! I normally need 1200 - 1300 to maintain, I have been closer to eating 1300, maybe a little over, since Christmas and my weight has creeped up a few lbs, one time I was 151, and that totally was NOT OK!!!!! LoL This week I cut it back to 1100 - 1150. I do not feel deprived at all, I basically cut out a snack. Yesterday though, my Protein was a little over 95 grams and total calories were 1034. Wow....and it feels as though I grazed all day but I kept track!! The cincher was dinner. I'd planned on making a chicken rice a roni casserole. I use Greek yogurt in it, half lite sour cream and half yogurt. It's topped with 2% cheddar.....it's not horrible, and I eat less than 3/4 a cup....but, there are still more calories than I really wanted. When I was at the grocery store I stumbled across a package of cooked, tail on shrimp in the meat dept. It looked sooooo good, it was half price because it had to be sold by today. I snatched it up and steamed it for dinner. Nothing else, cocktail sauce and shrimp. I made 6.5 oz but could only eat 4 oz at dinner. I saved the rest and THAT was a snack later on. That put me way over the top for protein. I am sure this helped with getting me down a pound from yesterday morning. (Yes, I weigh every single morning......for almost three years now!!
I just wanted to share this......it is still pretty simple to lose a few pounds just by making a few good choices, NOT a diet, just a choice!!!! A half cup of cottage cheese for Breakfast with about a quarter cup of pineapple 'tidbits'. Breakfast of champions!!!

I've been friends with "Kathy" for over 35 years. Love her to death, but she cannot keep anything in confidence. For most things it didn't bother me too much. But for this surgery, I made it very clear to her that any information about my surgery was to come from me, period. I asked her specifically not to share it with anyone. She, of course, didn't think she had an issue with keeping things private. Remind your friend that this is your story to tell if you choose to, not hers and you would appreciate her respecting that.

Started 237, size 22, today 178 size 14. This = success in my book!

ok, ok guys - least get past this ok????continueing like we're just starting to talk.. so how are you all doing today
jason - congrats on being sleeved in 3 weeks
being excited, scared, nervous, anxious, - all that good stuff - completely normal - been there, done that
per most/all dr.s / nuts - the sleeve can not and will not stretch
this is a common fear that many sleevers have - but no - your tummy shouldn't stretch
85% of your tummy is gone forever!!! Yah!!!!
you say you are not a grazer???thats great
people will gain weignt if they eat their meal, extra extra high calories, then wait til tummy isn't full anymore, and will eat more - doing this during the day and or night
just like pre WLS - take in too many calories - YOU WILL GAIN WEIGHT!!!!
concentrate on getting ready for surgery, deal with your proper eating and drinking post WLS and continue with all the good things that will happen to you on this long wonderful journey through sleeveland
preparing for a new healthier happier life
main reason IMO to "ever" think about regaining - is to remind yourself not to overdue and go back to old habits
good luck
speedy recovery
btw
"This site is awesome & has answered alot of my questions/fears"
you were totally right when you said the above
we're all here for each other, we do have the right to state our opinions
but.............
since we're "staring" at each other through a computer, statements sometimes can be misunderstood -when no bad feelings or thoughts were intended
give us another chance - we're all good eggs (some more cracked than others )
we don't bite (usually )
take care

I think the point is that a lot of docs say a lot of things and reach for the most improbably dire consequences to scare you away from doing things you probably shouldn't do anyway because some people need a reason like 'your sleeve will explode' to not do it.
Should we NOT drink carbonation... we all know the answer is yes. HOWEVER.. My surgeon said IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT, let the carbonation fizzle out a little and let some ice melt in it. Water it down because a) our sleeves can't hold an entire can of carbonated soda and b ) carbonation straight from the bottle or can is pretty painful and very strong. Most sleeves don't like carbonation and no doctor wants to see their patient in unnecessary pain. That's why they tell you not to do it.
It's important to follow your surgeon's instructions but always weigh their advice against general common sense and be aware of any recent studies that may refute them. Many doctors are still operating under old myths and even RNY standards that don't apply to the sleeve.
In answer to the OP, yes you can gain weight with the sleeve. You can gain weight with any WLS procedure. Half of the people I know who've had surgery have gained. Some have stalled... simply because of food choices and choosing not to exercise. Is it HARD to gain? Yeah. But a couple days of 'don't-give-a-crap- will send you right on your way to Gainsville. You don't wanna visit there. it's miserable.

Wait… Since I started this thread, aren't I the moderator? Am I being called an ass? Really! I just asked the question, because it's been on my mind. I think anger may be being misdirected.

. Seems like that is the case. Yeah, it's not pleasant losing hair and for me if it continues I'll cut it all off. After all losing hair is not the worst thing in life that can happen right? I guess I'll just have to wait and see. As long as the weight keeps coming off, I'm GOOD!

Basically, it's the luck of the draw; or blame genetics. I had all my Protein plus, drank, took Biotin, my supplements, AND am a slow loser....and my hair fell out in my 4th month. Sorry- i wish there was a magic potion, but there isn't. Some things work for people, but I honestly have my doubts that a product really helped. :-)
So...buy cute hats, get a snazzy haircut, buy a volumnizer product. It won't last forever. .

There are two or three threads out there specifically titled "You can gain weight" so yes, it's entirely possible.
As for the stomach stretching like that? NO WAY.
But you don't need a stretchy stomach if you choose to eat high calorie foods that slide. It's easy to consume enough soda, alcohol, ice cream or even chips and Cookies to gain weight if you choose to do so.
No, not immediately post op. But definitely in maintenance. The sleeve relies on restriction. If you eat around the restriction, it's as if you never had a surgery.
That said, I think it takes effort. It means completely ignoring everything you know is right. It means indulging in self destructive behavior. It means that instead of eating a pizza in a sitting, eating a piece every single time you have room.
And you'll know what you're doing. You won't be able to mindlessly eat an extra thousand calories at dinner because you won't have room. You'd have to choose to do it.
It's a tired line but no less true for that: The sleeve is a tool. Just a tool. How you use it is entirely up to you. Overcoming bad habits and being honest with yourself about what/how you eat is critical for long term success.
~Cheri

well common sence will tell ya... if u have surgery and.change.nothing ... its not go.name work out

It's easier than people think to gain weight with the sleeve. There is a popular thread right now of a woman who self admittedly was eating too much, too soon, and at 7 weeks out has gained 20 pounds. She doesn't disclose any symptoms that would seem to indicate that the gain is from some other source, but will not acknowledged the fact that in previous posts she had admitted to not being able to stop eating. Even though she is in the soft stage still, she has gained. IT IS POSSIBLE, and in my opinion, this type of thing is why psych evaluations are SO important.
You CAN gain weight. YOU CAN GAIN WEIGHT. YOU CAN GAIN WEIGHT.

I agree. Be happy...we are all in this together. Each persons journey is different and we can all learn from eachother! Good luck on your journey and thank you posting.

Just some thoughts . No need to attack . There are so many people on this forum that clearly speak there mind , which is perfectly fine. But why are some people so mean, rude and angry all the time ? So quick to jump and get in attack mode ? Smile and be happy we're all in this together !

I think it has something to do with how fast you lose the weight... Keeping in mind this is my opinion only : ) I was a very slow loser... I am 9 months post surgery and did not lose any hair !! I do keep my Protein up but I foud that everyone I knew with rapid weight loss did have Hair loss. To them it was very noticable after washing thier hair they would claim they had handfulls of hair come out. I never noticed a difference in their hair. Never anything indicationg they were losing hair or their hair as starting to thin. I have never read about anyone going bald and I do have 1 friend who said her hair grew back thicker. Her hair loss stopped at about 10 months. Good luck and do not stress I know eaiser said than done . It will eventually stop and my guess is no one you know notices : )

I started losing my hair at month three and it is still going on month four and five but I actually don't mind because my hair is crazy thick. Here was a website that was passed on to me by a fellow member on here that really brings light to the whole Hair loss issue. I hope your hair loss ends real soon!! At least we can count on it growing back eventually. http://www.slhn.org/docs/pdf/bariatric_surgery_and_hair_loss.designed.pdf