mizzliz83

Concerts, clothes, new gadgets for phone, camera, n computer. N kitchen stuff. U could do every mini goal (like 5 lbs) equals $5, put it in a jar til the big goals hit, count it up and blow it all on u

Try to not panic! First thing to remember is that your starting BMI is quite low in relation to many people this forum. So for those of us who have higher BMIs, we've been eating many more calories a day to maintain that weight (prior to surgery). Suddenly, following surgery, we are eating 400-600 calories (and sometimes less) per day, whereas before, we might have been eating 3000+. Of course we're losing weight like crazy in the beginning!
As your weight (and therefore your Basal Metabolic Rate) is lower, you may have been only eating 2000 calories (or even less) to maintain your preo-op weight. Now, following surgery, you're probably in the 400-600 calorie range (and possibly higher if you're doing well with the protein).
So you're calorie difference pre and post surgery is only about 1400 calories a day (maybe a bit less). That means it will take you approx. 2-3 days to lose a pound (without exercise)! Whereas for me, my calories difference is probably at least twice that, and I'm losing a pound every 1-2 days (or better, since I'm also exercising!).
This is also the reason people weight loss slows down as they get closer to their goal. Their intake/output difference shrinks down to very little and it makes it much much harder to lose the weight without ramping up your exercise (since there's not much room to reduce calories any more at that point!).
I know, your response to that will be....."yes, but that means in 3 weeks, I should have already lost at least 8+ pounds". Maybe, maybe not! Have you been drinking all your fluids? You may be retaining Water. Have you had good bowel movements? That's very difficult to do in the beginning and you may be carrying a few pounds in your intestines! Also, as we eat less suddenly, a survival mechanism in our metabolism kicks in, trying to hold on to calories by slowing the metabolism down (because it thinks we are starving). Sometimes you have to actually increase your calorie intake a bit to fool back into the proper metabolism rate!
Try to take the long view and be patient (DAMN DAMN hard, I know!). You will get there. Try to keep the things I've mentioned in your mind and work on getting your Protein, fluids and exercise (even if it's just walking!) in.
I know this will work for you. Don't give up!

I too have pcos and I was diagnosed about 3 years ago, since then I have gained about 30kg my doc put me on metaforman too but I found it didn't really do anything for me so I stopped. Also have very irregular cycles maybe 3 times a year. I am booked to be sleeved on 7 July, I really hope this works and I can feel normal again!

When I was in my early 20's, I gained 100 lbs over 4 years and went to doctors for years to determine the cause, as I did not consume enough food to cause such drastic weight gain. After years of searching for the cause, along with a 48 day cycle, I had an internal sonogram and was diagnosed with PCOS. Side effects being weight gain and difficulty losing weight (insulin resistance), as well as infertility - which never really mattered to me.
Last month I saw the Nutritionist at the Bariatric Center of Excellence, and I asked her why I am not losing weight at 1600 calories a day (myfitnesspal says I should be losing a pound a week), and she said it is because I have PCOS. I asked her if I will lose weight with VSG. She said WLS was the only way to lose weight... but not with the lap band. I felt very validated, after years of trying every program under the sun and feeling like a failure.

The heck with guilt! Negativity is not a helpful tool for your success, it just drags you down and makes you feel bad.
You know, we do all have a personal responsibility for the choices we make, HOWEVER, when you are morbidly obese there are metabolic issues at work here. They drive you to EAT and to hang onto the weight no matter how strong your willpower. No matter how you got to this weight, your odds of losing and keeping off large amounts of weight are really small - like 5% or less - without the surgery. It is a tool, don't feel guilty, feel THANKFUL that it is available for us. I for one feel truly blessed to have this opportunity.
And don't for one minute think that it is "the easy way out". There isn't anything easy about it, and frankly it takes work and some sacrifices, but I view it as "the only way out." I have gushed on about this many times on this forum, but I can't even begin to express how joyful, thankful and excited I am to regaining the body and health that I deserve to have. All the surgical scars, loose skin and Protein drinks are nothing compared to the joy I feel when I can gallop my horse again, or go for a 3 hour hike with my 20 year old son or just fit comfortably in an airplane seat. This is living the dream!
Tell me now, which lady looks more comfortable and enjoying her life???

After 85+ pounds lost:

The day I got my surgery date I cried because I felt llike a failure that I couldn't lose the weight the "normal" way. Since then I have actually lost over 25lbs on my Dr's low carb pre-op diet. The voice in my head started to tell me that maybe I could do it on my own. But, standing in the grocery store cracker aisle I know in my heart of hearts without the goal of surgery I would be gorging myself on a big box of chicken in a Bisquit. At this point, failure for me would be to not go through with the surgery and stay as I am.

Maybe not feelings of guilt as much as fear! Fear caused me to continually doubt the necessity of the surgery. I had to stay focused on the end result and not allow myself to get in the way of making the best decision for my life! I knew once it was all over I would be better than ever and 4 weeks post op tomorrow, better I am! You hang in there! No doubts! You will definitely be glad you did!

To a certain extent, we all brought it on ourselves. The important part though is realizing that you can get out of it and this is your chance to do so. I think many of us have those little voices in our heads telling us this is the easy way out - it's not - it's the only way out. I hope you stick with your decision. I'm pre-op too and quite a bit nervous about what I've got myself into but I know without a doubt it's the right choice. You can do it girl!!

If the pain is bad, I'd get it checked. Better safe than sorry. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi mizzliz, I am having mine with Dr. Almanza, too. I am the week before you - too bad we will miss each other!

I have sleep apnea and have been using a CPAP for 13 years. As I was getting ready for my surgery I was told to bring it with me and they would use it if necessary. When I saw the pulmonary doctor for my preliminary testing, she said it could take a year of weight loss before I lost the need for the CPAP,

I do have sleep apnea, but it was diagnosed over a year before my surgery. I was sleeved a little over two weeks ago, and I'm still using my CPAP. I haven't noticed any difference other than the headgear fits looser. It was a co-morbidity and helped me qualify with my insurance, and I'm told it should improve and/or go away with continued weight loss.
MizzLiz....have you been diagnosed with sleep apnea?