Izuri

I don't understand why you wouldn't suggest getting some help to some of the issues people deal with on here. I don't see why getting help with anything would ever be a bad idea. Especially when many of us have had trouble in the past with issues eating.
Not everyone has considered counseling or had an experience like you before. I've talked to friends about my experience with counseling and have had more than one of them surprised that I had seen a counselor. Some people get this idea that counseling is only something crazy people go to, but every time I've suggested/talked about it is because I think a number of people could use it, even if it's just to get some things off their chest, get another view point, get help with coping strategies. Is it for everyone? No. Does it work for everyone? No. Is it worth a try if you're doing something like cutting out a large portion of your stomach just as an added measure to stay on track and help you through issues? I think so, but that's just me.
Any time I've said anything about counseling it's only because I think that if I was in their shoes it might help me. It's never meant as condescending or insulting or you're a crackhead get some help please.
Also, not everyone is as clear or as eloquent at getting the true meaning of what they're trying to say across. Sometimes it sounds different when other people read it online than it was originally typed, if that makes sense. I doubt the people who said you needed professional help were trying to be offensive in any way, but rather that they were trying to highlight the fact that the sleeve is a tool, and that you may still have issues that need to continue to be addressed post surgery. Could they have said it better? Sure. Did they mean for it to be offensive/frustrating to you? Probably not.

Head hunger is an evil thing! Be proud of yourself that you did end up switching to the salad! The important part is YOU WERE STRONG. You were able to make the change to the salad and I really think that's an accomplishment. I was not that strong pre-sleeve. And soon you will have your sleeve and you won't be able to eat nearly that much anyway =)

Head hunger is an evil thing! Be proud of yourself that you did end up switching to the salad! The important part is YOU WERE STRONG. You were able to make the change to the salad and I really think that's an accomplishment. I was not that strong pre-sleeve. And soon you will have your sleeve and you won't be able to eat nearly that much anyway =)

Why not just focus on eating healthy and see where it takes your body? We all lose at very different rates, even if two people ate the same things they wouldn't lose the same. I just don't want you to get there and not have lost that much and miss the fact that you've still been successful. I know I can get tied up in numbers and really if we're getting healthier it's not worth the frustration the scale causes =)
I'm still around 700-800 calories a day, 6 weeks out.

Why not just focus on eating healthy and see where it takes your body? We all lose at very different rates, even if two people ate the same things they wouldn't lose the same. I just don't want you to get there and not have lost that much and miss the fact that you've still been successful. I know I can get tied up in numbers and really if we're getting healthier it's not worth the frustration the scale causes =)
I'm still around 700-800 calories a day, 6 weeks out.

I think if your doctor says you should keep increasing that you should probably follow his advice, as long as you're not eating a super large amount. Maybe you need to eat small amounts more often? I can only get in about 2oz of soft food per serving right now, but my NUT wants me eating six small meals a day. It's hard to get in, but when I do, I feel much better.
There is a really awesome thread about stretching here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/48540-worried-about-stretching-is-it-easy-or-hard-to-do/page__hl__stretching
which kinda calmed some of my nerves - I was pretty worried about it too before reading that pretty much everyone is eating similar to me and that everyone is worried about it.
As far as your stall - just tough it out. I know it's so much easier said than done, but it happens to just about everyone. Measure! Maybe you are losing inches. If you are really that worried about it, switch some things up. Try new exercise, try new foods, up your Protein, down your carbs, up your Water, up or down your exercise, get more sleep. There are an incredible number of factors that influence our weight loss. In the end though the biggest factor is really just time for our body to adjust. It will start up again soon! =)

I'm a nursing student in Michigan, just sleeved on the 26th. Does that count? =)

I'm glad that I can be a part of this group =) So far I'm doing really well. I am still taking the liquid lortab that they gave me, but not nearly as often. I am up and around the house a lot. Been walking outside quite a bit.
The hardest part has been fighting dehydration, especially when your stomach is still swollen. I think mine has started to go down, because I can finally take in some decent Water, but the last few days it's been sip sip sip all day long and still a little dehydrated!
It was my first surgery and I was really nervous going in, but I was pleasantly surprised because it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Let me know how the pre-op approval and diet and everything go. I didn't have to do a pre-op diet, though I did a full liquids one for a few days on my own. Figured it can't hurt to lose a few pounds and hopefully shrink my liver a little.

I'm a nursing student in Michigan, just sleeved on the 26th. Does that count? =)

I'm a nursing student in Michigan, just sleeved on the 26th. Does that count? =)

To be able to feel like I've finally dried off everywhere after a shower - I swear I can dry like six times and I still feel like I've missed places
Not worrying that new people are meeting my fat before me
To feel more confident in getting out around people my age
Being able to button my lab coat at work
Not dreading having to squeeze out in front of people who are sitting between me and the end of the row at auditoriums/movie theaters/school classes

I feel this too! I have dated on and off, but it's frustrating being 25 and having a hard time getting dates because of my weight. It's not one of the top 10 reasons I had the sleeve, but I will not at all mind the extra male attention once I'm down at a healthier weight =p

All righty then, time for us to compile our favorite posts about Stalls and Plateaus so we can help all who come here wondering why they are stalled, and for those of us who think we know it all, to maybe learn something new too.
Would you contribute yours? Once we have a few, I'll compile it into one big list and who knows, maybe they'll pin it here?
Only problem is, as soon as they pin it, conversation on this forum will probably drop to half of what it currently is (Yes that was cheeky, yes I should be ashamed of myself, no I am not.). Did I need to re-read these myself this morning? Yes, I did.
Articles I found helpful:
Even Gastric Bypass Patients hit weight-loss plateaus
Weight Loss Stall or Plateau
Weight Loss Stalls & Plateaus
Carmelita's Denoument
Dr. Simpson's 10 Commandments
Of Whooshes & Squishy Fat
A new look at weight loss plateaus
A predictable cycle of weight loss
Stalling at 10% of body weight loss
What are some of your favorite posts or articles on Stalls?
Edit: added a few more

My insurance covered it without any medical tests or nutritionist visits, diet or documented weight loss attempts. Just had the requirements from my barix clinic, which was a psych eval, blood test, and liquid diet the day before surgery. It can happen - lucky us for not having to jump through a ton of hoops =)

I struggle with this! Working in health care you have to develop the ability to empathize with everyone. Maybe she feels so icky and bad about her 90 pound figure that she feels like she needs to lose 10. Imagine how that must feel. How she must hate her body with no curves. I bet it's just as much hate as I had for myself when I had WAY too much curve! So the truth is, we're all in the same lonely boat. No matter if it's over or under target weight, many of us feel the stress of achieving that 'healthy weight'.
I've tried to remind myself of this as classmates whine about losing weight while stressed. It's hard to stay objective, but being THIN is not always amazing. Being HEALTHY is what we're aiming for, whether too thin or too fat.

You look amazingggg! =) And you are so close to goal - keep going strong!

Congratulations!!!!!!

I am biased for sure because I love my sleeve, but my BMI was over 50. I think what you're failing to consider is health wise you already have an incredible number of risk factors: age, diabetic, high cholesterol, high stress level (I'm assuming since self-employed seems like it'd be a busy lifestyle), etc. You could have a health crisis right now without even having surgery. What if you ended up in the hospital for a few months because you had a stroke? In my opinion, at least with this option you are making a step toward a healthier life to avoid those complications. Yeah, it comes with its own risks, but even for me, who didn't have any of those health issues, the benefits seemed to greatly outweigh the risks. Even just with diabetes if the surgery helps control it you not only will feel better, but it will decrease your risk for infection due to high blood sugars, help protect your kidneys, and so on. It's not for everyone, but even inaction has risks.

My quick easy losing phase ended about two months ago, which was about 10 months post-op. I am still losing but it has slowed down a lot. Over the past 2-3 months I have lost about 7 pounds. I still have to get down quite a bit more, so I gotta kick up the exercise since it's not coming as easily. But I am down 137 pounds in those 10 months so it's not a big deal that it's slowed down a bit =)

1. I can fit into size 16 pants for the first time since high school (Pre-op was in 28+)
2. I can wear some large tops
3. I don't huff and puff when I go up the stairs
4. I can put my feet up on the dashboard when I'm riding passenger - have never been able to do this
5. I can sit and pull my knees to my chest
6. I actually believe that I have collar bones - I can see them now!
7. My old clothes are so big that they literally fall off
8. I was proud enough of my body to be in a bathing suit in front of people multiple times this year
9. My boyfriend can now wrap his arms almost completely around me
10. People I haven't seen since my highest weight barely recognize me
11. I can fit into large scrub pants in some brands
12. I can shop at stores other than Torrid and Lane Bryant
13. I can sleep on my stomach now
14. I no longer even consider the fact that I may be the biggest person in the room, it doesn't even cross my mind
15. My boyfriend can pick me up now
16. Every time I take a picture I have to do a double take at how small I look - I no longer hide from pictures!
17. I never worry about how I look in my scrubs anymore
18. I never have to worry about weight limits when using equipment or riding rides
19. I haven't met a towel that will not fully wrap around me at my current weight
20. I can shave without doing some crazy gymnastics
I could really go on and on. I love my vsg so much =)

Yayyy!!!! You can hit 175! You should be so proud of yourself =)

July 8th was my birthday! I hope all you July 8th sleevers are doing well!! =)

Yay!!! It will be here before you know it =)

Are you looking to Feng shui your internal organs? :-P

sleeved 2/11/13. not planned but happy. 70lbs down and doing great. Some people are worried but i'm not. excited and making a plan to have the healthiest pregnancy!