CantBelieve_IdidIit!

hey guys my name is andres and I had th GS done in September of 2009. My start weight number was 474. I have lost a total of 127 pounds since then but now I am at a plateau. and I am walking everyday and eating less to get to my future weight loss goal which is 150.

Welcome to the club my friend. Everything you are experiencing is SO normal. Most all of us were/are food addicts. My first 6 weeks were heartbreaking and emotional. I questioned what I had done. Now it doesn't bother me so much. We save so much money. My boyfriend and I went to a jazz festival this weekend. The food looked fantastic, and I wanted ALL of it. Instead, my boyfriend ordered a pulled pork salad and a greek salad. I grabbed a fork..took two bites of the pork (no bread) and a few bites of the greek salad and I was TOTALLY satisfied. Who would have ever thought that this food addict would start seeing eating as a CHORE now. Just like you slowly became a food addict, you will slowly learn to live your life with very little food and it won't bother you. Hang in there. It gets easier with time.

I am going to try this, hopefully it works! I had my sleeve surgery November 29th, 2010. The first pictures are at my highest when I got married (I love my husband, he has loved me no matter what size!), around 260ish lbs. The second are the day of my surgery, 220ish lbs. The last pictures are at my current weight, 135-137lbs (I LOVE my hormones, I LOVE my hormones). There are 2 standing in my old jeans and I fit in 1 leg (1 is me AND my daughter in my jeans). There is also a picture of my biggest jeans (size 22), and my new jeans (size 4..I wear a size 4-6). I never dreamed I would ever be this size or weigh in the 130's. I honestly never thought I would even reach goal because I had tried and failed so many times in my life. I hope these pictures are inspiration that, if you let it, the sleeve is an amazing tool! And I hope it inspires the slower losers too! It took me 18 months to reach my goal weight of 140lbs, and I have even lost a few more pounds in the last couple of months. So don't get discouraged if you don't lose all your weight in the first 6 months. If you make the changes you need to make to have a healthy life, it will happen!
    

I don't think you are an idiot, but I think you are being hyper sensitive and you could use a little bit of patience with yourself and your body.
Canceling your doctor's appointment, obviously a bad choice, and not sure what time it is by you, but you haven't eaten today. If you stand a chance of losing weight this time, you know you need to get in 3 meals a day and 2 Snacks (something I hate doing myself).
Did you start out with a Protein shake for Breakfast? Are you honestly charting your food? Are you drinking 64 ounces of Water? Are you spacing your food out throughout the day? How many grams of Protein are you taking in a day?
I can't help you much on the 4 weeks thing because I was on full liquids still at 4 weeks, but I know what it is like to weight the same thing for 1-1/2 weeks, lose a pound, gain a pound on less than 500 calories and *edited 20 grams of carb and 65 grams of protein to finally lose that gained pound and lose one more. My weight loss is crawling right now, and I need to start stepping up more protein because i'm still hitting only 60-65 (70 on good days). I'm exercising a lot and my body is changing.
I get your frustrating, I get your anger, but the depression issue is something you need to work on, you need to work on letting it go and stop being a slave to the scale. You know yourself that if you do the right thing, chart your calories, carbs & protein and sodium and if you are falling in the right limits, you are going to eventually lose. Every day I see "you are eating too few calories" blah blah blah on Myfitnesspal.com. It says I will weigh a certain weight in 5 weeks if I eat the same way every day, and I do, but I haven't lost yet. Every once in a while, I'll have 2-3 pound drop and then I'm back to nothing again.
Some times our bodies do our own thing, you need to cut yourself some slack, make sure you are charting your food and tell your husband Happy Anniversary, and not let yourself get to 1:00pm without having a Protein Shake or something in your system.
I feel you, but sometimes you have to have some patience.

I am so sorry you are having such a tough time. I have not yet had surgery, so my experience is none. However, the one thing I have gotten and understand since joining these boards is that the stalls are very common. Everyone that has expressed their experience with the stall have later came out and said that the weight does come off. I don't think I have read one post of a person that said they did not lose weight. Just think your body has gone through a tremendous transformation. You have to give it time to heal and figure out just what is going on. Please don't get discouraged. You will get through this period. I think mentally (because I am sure I will go through it) we think the weight is just gonna fall off. But our bodies are so much more complicated than that. I wish you luck. Happy Anniversary.

The best and safest are going to be the ones with long periods of excercise like the excercise bike, the eliptical trainer or the dreaded stairmaster. These are all pretty easy on the joints and allow for site specific toning. They also get your heart rate up for longer periods of time and that helps with general calorie burning.
Once you get going, you might add some weights into the mix. But becareful of those knees. At least with me, they don't seem to be as tolerant to abuse as they used to be.

Oh, sweetie, me too! I am constantly fighting heartburn and I dread eating. I'm almost a month out ( July 9 surgery). Soup is a lifesaver, but it still hurts. I take Rx omeprezole or Prilosec daily and that really helps me at night.
Try some frozen Greek yogurt. Helps with the heat and you get more Protein. It's new in the ice cream case at the supermarket.
Just know that you're not alone in feeling poopy. I don't visit this site too often, but I came here because I'm feeling the same way. I'm afraid almost of eating and I hate that. I really believe we will feel much better soon!
Other things to try...a slug of pepto bismal before you eat or drink, Hot Drinks in the am, and sorbets or icecream sprinkled with tasteless Protein Powder. Just watch out for killer yeast infections with eating sugary stuff what with your immune system low. Acidophilus milk should help with that a bit, as I had to remind myself yesterday. We're going to be okay. Right now just kinda stinks. I'm afraid this will last forever, but I'm down to 218 from 248 so it helps. And my brain knows it cant last forever.
We can do this!

I am a week shy of 3 months out and I feel pretty much normal. I can sleep on my stomach, I can do crunches when I work out, I had an alcoholic ( low cal) drink, and I can eat a little bit more. Not a lot, but more than 2 tbsp like in the beginning. I'm still steadily losing, some weeks better than others. I'm down 57 lbs now and it's all been worth it. Hang in there!
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I went back to work at 10 days but it was a struggle. It was right at 4 weeks out before I felt back to my normal strength level.

You're welcome, Sweetsusie. I hope the acid reducer works. I am off of mine now, but it really helped me in the first month when I needed it most. You will see, each week gets easier and easier.
Sorry you didn't get many replies. It might be because you posted late at night when not as many people are on. By morning, your post would have moved down and out of the "recent posts" ticker on the side so may not be seen by as many.

I am sorry you are feeling bad. Are you taking an acid reducer like Prilosec or Prevacid for the reflux? I really struggled with food at first. I would eat a few bites and be super full and feel like it was coming back up. Several times I would get acid reflux. I am now eight weeks out and it is definitely better. I still cannot eat much in one sitting, but it is more than two ounces. I have also learned when to stop (usually if I burp, it is the signal that I am full) Most of the time that happens before I am actually ready to stop, but now I know not to push it. I always have a Protein Shake in the morning to get my day started. It still takes me 20-30 mins to drink, but at least I know I am getting a good boost of Protein. Hang in there and take things slow. It will get better!

Renea77i always avoided the camera like it was the plague
When i wasn't that heavy yet, stiill didn't want to have a picture taken of me - didn't want others to see what i looked like, i think they already knew
thats why i don't have any decent, old pictures showing how i looked , before and after
i will not run away now when i see a camera
kathy

What I won't miss....
Hating taking pictures bc I looked fat in them...
Getting rid of the 4 different sizes of clothes(12-18) I kept in my closet bc I knew I would regain the weight I lost regularly....
Never taking a picture in a bathing suit..l took my first bathing suit picture 2 months ago in Jamaica!!!!
The lack of motivation and desire to be healthy....
And MOST importantly....the 66 pounds I have lost since being sleeved on 3/14!!
I am so happy and healthy!! I run 5k races now, just finished yesterdays race in 35 minutes, I take spinning and Zumba, lift weights and am about to try crossfit!! I don't remember the last time I weighed 164....it was a LONG time ago! I won't miss being over 220 pounds ever again!! Great topic!

What I had been looking forward to and have now received!
Sitting next to someone without holding my breath to try and take up less space (I don't think it ever really helped, though).
Buying something off the rack and having it fit when I got home.
Being PAIN FREE - Well I am at about 90% and thrilled! My biggest fear was giving up Motrin (I took 800mg 2-3 times per day and was still in pain!!-feet, ankles, calves, knees, back, neck - literally in pain from head to toe). I haven't taken any pain meds since my surgery.
Being able to run - I'm signed up for my first ever 5K!!
And OH YEAH! Leaving the LIGHTS ON!!
So much more. This sleeve has changed my life!! Fun Fun Topic - Thanks UT Gal!!

I won't miss the fact that when I go to the Day Spa with my girlfriends and they give me one of those skimpy white robes that never closes b/c they are all made for skinny folks.
I usually end up just staying in my comfy clothes and sure as the sun will rise one of my friend's says "why are you not wearing the robe they gave you?"
I want to say "for Christ's sake, have you spent the last 10 years buried in a hole in the yard? I am obese and can't fit into one."
I look forward to the day I can walk out of the dressing room at the Spa sporting my very own white robe for skinny b**ches!
What is it you won't miss????

I LOVE the premier chocolate shakes, they remind me of chocolate milk! They dont have a nasty after taste or smell.

1 cup of milk is 8 grams of Protein
1/2 cup legumes is 7
1/4 cup cottage cheese is 7
1 egg is 6
1 oz. almonds is 6
Also, have you tried the Premier Protein shakes from Sam's or costco? They are the only ones that don't taste funky to me.

You avoid fast food as much as you can, but if you're in a pinch you can order:
Burger w/o the bun(In&Out calls this "protien style")
Grilled chicken sandwich w/o bun
Chili (Wendy's)
Fruit& yogurt parfait
Steak or chicken burrito w/o rice (taco bell) eat the filling, discard the tortilla
Pintos & cheese (Taco Bell)
LJS has a grilled fish plate
Most fast food places have something you can eat.
But a recovering food addict going to fast food joints is tantamount to a crack fiend hanging out at a drug dealers house.
Just not a good idea.

Suggestions...
In N Out Burger has a "Protein style" burger. Hamburger patty wrapped in lettuce. I had part of one for lunch today while we were out school shopping.
Taco Bueno, Taco bell, Taco casa, etc... order a bowl of Beans and a scoop of taco meat or chicken meat.< br /> Chick Fil A ... kids meal with grilled chicken tenders and a fruit cup.
Grilled chicken breast from just about any fast food sandwich place.
Chipotle (you can even go to their website and plan your meal ahead of time!)
Chinese food... Pei Wei String Bean chicken or Mushroom Chicken

We eat out way too often but I'm learning to eat right when I go out!

Does it mean we were naughty on the site, or ate chocolate? You do not suppose they are watching us? LOL

It showed up on mine yesterday. I made a post that had a correct medical term for a part of the male anatomy (not the p-word) and the word was astrisked out when I posted. Now I have the same notation.
Rather frustrating. I guess I should have used a tacky slang term, when I thought I was taking the "high road" by using the correct term??

Great post!!! It is definitely a new life, and a chance at lift at that!! We're so lucky bc so many will never get this opportunity and we do! I know I feel very blessed!!
Traceylynn we have the same date! I'm so ready!!

Thinking about all the past hurts, embarrassing moments, pain, mistakes, disappointments I have used food to cover up. I am wearing many of those scars literally today in my over weight body.
I can't wait to the day I have surgery, that pivotal point of letting go and finding freedom in who I am and who I am called to become.
No more shame and embarrassment. Pray that I will be a much better husband, father, friend and man.
Anyone have good insight on letting go in your journey?
Freedom, Chad

For me I had my machine for a little over a year on the highest setting my doc told me I was one of the worst people he had seen in 4 years I stopped breathing every 60seconds.
I had to have the machine and be used to it for at least 3 months before the op so I was fine by the time mine rolled around I had to take it in with me and have my doc make note of it so he could reinforce the line with sutures so the air pressure didn’t stretch or blow anything.
I was told to hold off using it for as long as possible so in hospital I didn’t used it for the 3 days or the next 7 days at home when I did try it I hated it though I was more than used to sleeping with it for some reason I just hated it, it felt high and just not good.
I tried it one more time a month and half out and same thing I slept far far worse than without it and not like before haven’t used it since it feels to high and like I can’t breath now.
I was told by the chest hospital who deals with it 3-6 months out of the op I could be completely off using it anyway.
I developed it when I hit 400lbs a lot of boob weight and neck weight come in to play at that weight I am at 323lbs now and the boobs are deflating fast so I think mine is gone.